If You Go Away

Album: And We Were Lovers (1967)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written by the French cabaret artist Jacques Brel, who recorded it as "Ne Me Quitte Pas." The American songwriter Rod McKuen put English words to it, and it has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Julio Iglesias, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Scott Walker, Marc Almond, Cyndi Lauper and Dusty Springfield.
  • The British Library, the national library of Britain, holds two editions of the sheet music in particular: an edition recorded by Ray Barrett on Fontana, which was published by Flamingo Music Limited, Sole Selling Agent Chappell & Co. Ltd of New Bond Street, London. The copyright is dated 1959 by Editions Musicales Tutti, Paris. This sold for 20p. An earlier edition was recorded by Shirley Bassey on United Artists. This too was published by Flamingo Music, but this time the sole selling agent was Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd., Charing Cross Road, London. It retailed for 3 shillings and was deposited in the British Library in 1967. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • The Canadian singer Terry Jacks covered this as his follow-up to his Jacques Brel penned hit tune "Seasons in the Sun." He recorded the single after meeting Brel, who suggested Jacks record another song of his. Terry's version peaked at #8 in the UK and #68 in the US.
  • Aside from Jacks' rendition, the only other version to chart in the US was Damita Jo's 1967 cover, which also peaked at #68.

Comments: 3

  • AnonymousI wholeheartedly agree that Damita Jo's versión is the best of all, even though so many great artists have done a very good job with the same ballad.
  • Stephen from El Paso, TxTaking nothing away from Shirley Bassey, or any of the other fine artists who recorded 'If you go away", but to my mind (and heart) the version of this song that stirs me most is its 1965 release done by Damita Jo.
    - Steve, El Paso, Texas
  • John from St. Paul, KsTerry Jacks also sang a very good version of this song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.