How Scott Walker Discovered Jacques Brel and Changed Modern Music

Scott Walker had many admirers but few who dared to follow in his footsteps. From “Jackie” to “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” to the album “Tilt,” the artist provided a glimpse into what modern pop music could be.

Still, his creative impulses did once require some unorthodox hotwiring. He received them from an unlikely source, the work of the Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Pop music would never be the same. Neither would Scott Walker’s music for long. But it would be enough to create a marvelous impression on everyone from David Bowie to The Lash Shadow Puppets.

Here’s how Walker discovered Brel’s art and how the world learned to try and anticipate the American singer’s next move.

The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore and unwanted pop stardom

Scott Walker was an international pop star. He was blessed with an incredible vocal range, good looks, and charm. But none of this made him very happy.

Walker became one of the first pop stars to wilfully step away from the things that had made him a success in the first place. Instead, he was determined to follow his muse.

Scott Walker was a heartthrob with a gift for performing. His voice was notable for its deep, rich tone and intensity, which helped to distinguish him from other singers of his era.

Before his debut solo album, Scott Walker was the lead singer of The Walker Brothers, a pop trio that included no brothers and that achieved considerable success in the UK in the mid-1960s. They performed ballads and soul numbers that took advantage of the three singers’ vocal talents and styles.

The Walker Brothers got started in 1964 back in California. They were comprised of Scott Walker (real name Noel Scott Engel), John Walker (born John Maus), and Gary Walker (born Gary Leeds). Their sound was distinguished by lush baroque pop orchestration and soaring vocal harmonies. The Walker Brothers were a safe pop bet in an era that prized psychedelic sonic journeys.

They had hit singles with songs like “Make It Easy on Yourself” and “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore,” both of which reached the number one position in the UK. The Walker Brothers made three albums during their initial incarnation.

Despite their success, tensions within the group began to mount, and they disbanded in 1967. Scott Walker had pushed especially hard for the breakup, but once it had happened had no idea if music even interested him anymore.

Who was Jacques Brel, and what was his influence on European music?

Jacques Brel might not be a globally famous name, but he is practically musical royalty in continental Europe, particularly in French-speaking regions.

Brel was a Belgian-born singer-songwriter. A distinctive blend of cabaret music and chanson distinguished his music. Brel’s poetic lyrics dealt most often with people living their lives on the brink. The balance of raw emotional power and poetic sensitivity found many admirers.

Furthermore, Brel managed to maintain the public’s respect throughout his years in the spotlight. Throughout his career, he remained fiercely committed to his craft, constantly challenging what was possible in European popular music.

From the moving ballad “Ne Me Quitte Pas” to the rousing sea shanty “Amsterdam” to the bittersweet humor of “Le Chanson de Jacky,” Brel’s songs have become timeless classics of European chanson tradition. Whether depicting a dying man’s last wishes or celebrating love’s eternal power, Brel was destined to become a songwriter’s songwriter.

But he was not only a celebrated singer-songwriter. He was an equally gifted actor who left his mark on cinema history. His breakthrough role came with 1968’s “Les Risques du Metier.” He earned further success with “Le Far West.”

As you see, Jacques Brel was one of continental Europe’s greatest entertainers. He was, however, hardly well-known to fans of Anglo-American rock n’ roll. Walker would help change this. I and many others are thankful for it.

Scott Walker uses Jacques Brel’s work to restart his career

Scott Walker would end up covering nine of Jacques Brel’s compositions. But he used these songs to change his career’s course entirely and usher in a mysterious, intriguing new musical direction, in my opinion.

What was the impetus?

The legend is that Walker first heard Brel’s songs while living in England with his German girlfriend, who owned some of the Belgium singer’s work. The music struck him so much that he asked his friend to translate the lyrics.

Next, he decided to start recording as a solo musician to make Brel’s work more widely available to the English-speaking public. Walker was excited about making music once more.

The album “Scott” featured three of Brel’s compositions. Walker fleshed out the record with his own compositions and other covers. The French singer also inspired the performances and featured lush, dramatic orchestration. Wally Stott and Peter Knight are frequent collaborators of Walker on his early solo albums.

“Scott 2” found the singer even more confident. Here, the tracklisting includes the song “Next” from Brel, a song considered controversial for the morals of the time and the glorious “Jackie.” This cover version was also deemed immoral enough to warrant a ban from the BBC.

“Jackie” has remained the most well-known of Walker’s nine covers of Brel’s work, despite being only a minor hit then.

Brel’s most famous composition, translated by Mort Shuman as “If You Leave Me,” finds its way onto Scott 3.

By “Scott 4,” the singer-songwriter had all but divorced himself from modern pop music, creating a massive cult following in the process. No Brel songs are found here, but the spirit of his work is undoubtedly present. It’s also Scott Walker’s best album.

Scott Walker’s cover versions allowed Brel’s reputation to grow substantially in English-speaking countries. Brel admired Walker and even made an effort to provide the singer with a songbook of his work.

The influence of the first four Scott Walker albums

This collaboration from afar struck a nerve with the most dedicated record buyers, among them David Bowie, who would cite both singer-songwriters as influences.

Scott Walker’s early records were an artistic revolution in an age when conformity reigned. Through a voice both raw and refined, Walker explored themes of love, loss, passion and death with an artful blend of introspection and avant-garde technique. He was an existentialist-crooner

His first four albums, “Scott,” “Scott 2,” “Scott 3,” and “Scott 4”, showcased Walker’s growing experimentation with orchestration and arrangement as well as his love of poetic lyrics. This distinct sound would go on to influence generations of musicians, from David Bowie and Radiohead to Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave.

But Walker was never one to stop taking risks. His later work involved an even more avant-garde approach. While he sporadically released music, albums like “Tilt” or “Bish Bosch” were highly anticipated events to his considerable cult following.

Still, Scott Walker’s first four albums, powerfully inspired by Brel, were a groundbreaking revelation, an epiphany that continues to influence musicians today. The nine compositions would later be released under the title “Scott Walker Meets Jacques Brel.”

Notable other covers of Jacques Brel’s work

Walker may be the artist most often associated with Brel out in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking nations. But he was far from the only notable musician to cover his music.

One of the most beloved covers of Jacques Brel’s song “Ne me quitte pas” has been recorded by numerous artists, such as Nina Simone, Sting, and Frank Sinatra. Simone’s version, with its soulful piano and haunting vocals, perfectly captures its themes of love and loss. Sting’, on the other hand, delivers a stripped-down version that highlights the poignant lyrics.

Another iconic cover of Jacques Brel’s song “Amsterdam” has been performed by artists such as David Bowie and John Denver. Bowie’s version contains a highly theatrical arrangement and serves as an excellent description of the gritty atmosphere of its titular city.

Scott Walker, an enigma of pop music

In an era that where faceless, risk-averse pop stars were the norm, Scott Walker’s uncompromising vision stood in stark contrast.

Walker defied expectations at every turn. His early solo work represented a bold rejection of the mainstream, and his daring experimentation with sound and style would go on to influence generations of musicians. Yet even as his fanbase grew, Scott Walker remained something of an enigma, rarely giving interviews or appearing publicly.

Scott Walker’s legacy is one of innovation and fearlessness in the face of convention. He was an original, and his impact can still be heard today in musicians’ work.