Jacques Brel spent his early days on Brussels' cabaret circuit in the ‘50s, perfecting an original chanson style—passionately joyful, vividly melancholic—that saw him crowned in the smoke-filled clubs of boho Paris. From there, the chanteur rose to international acclaim, influencing the likes of Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen, before moving into acting and directing. Discover the best of Brel's piano- and accordion-dappled hits right here.