Amsterdam

Album: Olympia 64 (1964)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Many people believe this to be Jacques Brel's greatest song. It was recorded live in 1964 during a typically emotional Brel performance. In 1970, David Bowie recorded an English version that was released as the B-side of "Sorrow" in 1973. The song, which loses nothing in translation, is not about the city of Amsterdam but about the port, in particular about sailors on shore leave drinking and whoring, and the women who sell them their bodies for "a few dirty coins."
  • "Amsterdam" has also been recorded in Polish, and has been covered by many artists. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 2

  • Edward Pearce from Ashford, Kent, EnglandI've just heard this for the first time. It was tres magnifique!
  • Markku from Espoo, -Amsterdam was recorded by Scott Walker on his first solo album in 1967
    Helga Schramm, (aka Bunny Helga!) introduced Scott to the music of Jacques Brel. Brels songs maid the essence on Scotts solo albums Scott 1 - 3
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.