I'm on a Carousel, a Crazy Carousel

Lyrics in Songwriting Example:
"Carousel" music and lyrics by Jacques Brel

Ah, another one of my favorite songwriters...Jacques Brel. What can I say, except that - even upon first hearing his songs (which were in French) - I could sense what they were about purely by the musical and lyrical phrasing alone. And the beauty was just enhanced when I heard the English lyric translations...

Now, this song is a particular favorite of mine because of the way it moves and builds. It starts very simply and beautifully with a 3/4 carnival-like feel and some wonderful lyrics that evoke vivid images. You can literally 'feel' the innocence, wonder and fun...and (I hate to say it, but) you actually feel as if you're on a wonderful carousel (with the breeze running through your hair...). As the song continues, things start moving a little faster - but it still feels soooo good... (lol -- boy this is fun!). By the second verse, the acceleration is significantly noticeable... and again, it's okay (at first), but as things keep moving faster and faster you begin to feel that maybe something's not so 'right' after all...(maybe you need to hold onto your seat for a little while). Mid-way through the second chorus, there's no doubt about it, this is not fun anymore... (I'd really like to get off now sir). Well, by the time you get to the third verse it's about time to start crying... I'm not kidding (I HAVE to get off now. I can't take it anymore. Please make it stop. Now!). Whew. By the end of this song my stomach is in knots. I just want to grab my head in my hands and scream. Now maybe it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but I will tell you, I've performed this song many times in public and it really (and organically) drives me in that direction. As a matter of fact, this is probably my most favorite song to perform just for that reason.

"Carousel"
By Jacques Brel (music and lyrics)

Carnivals and cotton candy
Carousels and calliopes
Fortune-tellers in glass cases
We will always remember these
Merry-go-rounds quickly turning
Quickly turning for you and me
And the whole world madly turning
Turning, turning 'till you can't see

We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
And now we go around, Again we go around
And now we spin around, We're high above the ground
And down again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
We're on a ferris wheel, A crazy ferris wheel
A wheel within a wheel, And suddenly we feel
The stars begin to reel, And down again around
And up again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel

Carnivals and cotton candy
Carousels and calliopes
Crazy clowns chasing brass rings
Soda pop and rock-candy trees
Merry-go-rounds quickly turning
Quickly turning for you and me
And the whole world madly turning
Turning, turning 'till you can't see

We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
And now we go around, Again we go around
And now we spin around, We're high above the ground
And down again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
We're on a ferris wheel, A crazy ferris wheel
A wheel within a wheel, And suddenly we feel
The stars begin to reel, And down again around
And up again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
And now we go around, Again we go around
And now we spin around, We're high above the ground
And down again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel

Carnivals and cotton candy
Carousels and calliopes
Kewpie-dolls with painted faces
Tricky shell games and missing peas
Merry-go-rounds quickly turning
Quickly turning for you and me
And the whole world madly turning
Turning, turning 'till you can't see

We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
And now we go around, Again we go around
And now we spin around, We're high above the ground
And down again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
We're on a ferris wheel, A crazy ferris wheel
A wheel within a wheel, And suddenly we feel
The stars begin to reel, And down again around
And up again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
And now we go around, Again we go around
And now we spin around, We're high above the ground
And down again around, And up again around
So high above the ground, We feel we've got to yell
We're on a carousel, A crazy carousel
La, la, la, la - la, la, la, la La, la, la - la, la, la, la, la - la!

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (CD) with "Carousel"

Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1966 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

Jacques Brel Links:
Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1966 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Jacques Brel Wikipedia