The Belgian author, singer and satirical songwriter Jacques Brel(1929-1978) composed and recorded his songs almost exclusively in French, and is widely recognized in French-speaking countries as one of the best French-language composers of all time. His unique poetic sensitive lyricism sometimes revealed levels of darkness and bitter irony. The songs were simple as they were intelligent in their use of vocabulary and expression of moods. He was a much admired singer in most European countries, but was not much known in English speaking countries, except perhaps for his song If You Go Away. English translations of his songs have been recorded by many artists.