The Ghost of Georges Brassens
When Leon released his first record in 1962, reviewers compared him to the influential French songwriter, Georges Brassens, who at that stage he had not heard of. Leon was prompted to investigate Brassens' work and also went to see him perform during the 1960s. By the time A Proper State was released, Leon was 73, and casting the occasional eye back over his life and career to date. This is a song in which he tries to assess his songwriting, by putting his achievements into perspective against Brassens. Imagining how a conversation might go, Leon talks to Brassens and bemoans - with justification - the different way in which the two men's work has been received, Brassens earning considerable fame, Leon less so.
But in response, the words from Brassens alter this superficial assessment. Leon referenced the book Brassens par Brassens, a collection of writings and interviews with the Frenchman, and pulled out several details including the fact that Brassens didn't desire fame, didn't enjoy being in the public eye, and wasn't motivated by any idea of becoming rich. These things mattered far less than friendship, and the craft of writing for its own sake - turning the thrust of the song around, and leaving Leon at no disadvantage. On the contrary, Brassens was unfortunate to die at 60, with many songs he might have written consequently unborn; Leon, at 73, was still here to write songs like this, with many more yet to come.
But in response, the words from Brassens alter this superficial assessment. Leon referenced the book Brassens par Brassens, a collection of writings and interviews with the Frenchman, and pulled out several details including the fact that Brassens didn't desire fame, didn't enjoy being in the public eye, and wasn't motivated by any idea of becoming rich. These things mattered far less than friendship, and the craft of writing for its own sake - turning the thrust of the song around, and leaving Leon at no disadvantage. On the contrary, Brassens was unfortunate to die at 60, with many songs he might have written consequently unborn; Leon, at 73, was still here to write songs like this, with many more yet to come.