N° 4 cover

N° 4

Jacques Brel · 1959

36 min · 12 tracks · chanson

Emotional storytelling unfolds through lush melodies and Brel's passionate, theatrical vocals, evoking deep longing and existential reflection.

Why this album works

N° 4 features the iconic track 'Ne me quitte pas', which became a staple of French music and has been covered by numerous artists worldwide. The album helped define the genre of chanson, influencing countless songwriters and cementing Brel's legacy as an essential voice of emotional introspection in music.
Best for
steady emotional storytelling experience theatrical vocals with deep longing reflective moments of existential thought
Context
Released in 1959, N° 4 was Jacques Brel's fourth studio album, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the French chanson movement. This album followed his 1958 release, Quand on n'a que l'amour, showcasing Brel's evolution as a songwriter and performer during a period of growing international acclaim.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 La Valse à mille temps Standout 3:49
  • 2 Seul 3:26
  • 3 La Dame patronesse 3:24
  • 4 Je t’aime 2:19
  • 5 Ne me quitte pas Standout 3:50
  • 6 Je ne sais pas 2:43
  • 7 Les Flamandes 2:34
  • 8 Isabelle 3:10
  • 9 La Mort 2:51
  • 10 La Tendresse 2:36
  • 11 La Colombe 3:00
  • 12 Quand on n’a que l’amour Standout 2:33

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata