Jacques Brel - ‘Ne me quitte pas’

Jacques Brel was born in Belgium and after starting his musical career there he would eventually move to France. His musical style was predominantly theatrical. He became a big star in France, as well as all of Europe including Belgium, of course. He influenced many musicians around the world including David Bowie, Scott Walker and Brett Andersom from the band Suede, to name a few. He also wrote 'Le Moribond', which Terry Jacks covered as 'Seasons in the Sun'. I suggest you look up Jacques original and stay well clear of the Terry Jacks version. 'Ne me quitte pas’ (Don't Leave Me) was originally recorded in 1959 and is possibly his most cherished song.... it certainly is my favourite. A sad breakup song with plenty of emotion. Not speaking French, I picked up on the emotion straight away.

The Stooges - ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’

I think I discovered Iggy Pop when he released I'm Bored' ftom the 'New Values' album in 1979 after seeing the video on Radio With Pictues. Although, I may have heard other songs or Stooges songs before that but I can't remember. It was probably the start of my love of his music - but it wasn't until a NZ supergroup, put together by a brewery, of all things, that I fell in love with Iggy's first band 'The Stooges'. The band was The Kuhtze band. Named after a beer called Joseph Kuhtze, which didn't last long at all, the beer that is. However, the band had a shorter lifespan. I saw them at the Gluepot pub in Auckland. They played 'I Wanna Be Your Dog', with Kim Willoughby on lead vocals. It was delivered so well in a punkish style and I knew I had a new favourite song. I discovered it was a Stooges song and that was the start. I now think the three albums by the Stooges were just about as influential as the Velvet Underground's albums. Iggy has had a long lasting and prolific career, which started with one of the greatest debut albums, The Stooges, featuring, of course, I wanna be your dog.