I came here after watching Wonka, having loved the songs and never listened to The Divine Comedy. This is astonishing and I am ordering every album immediately.
You're in for a tree! I really liked the music, and my mom wanted to stay for the credits, so I figured I'd see who wrote the music. It suddenly made sense when I saw Neil Hannon in there --- no wonder I liked it so much!
It is surely a sign of genius that the more you listen to a song, the more you let the lyrics softly sink in, and the more you start to dance to the cadence, the more you realize its sly and sensual life-enhancing charm and meaning. Norman and Norma is that utterly rare and remarkable song. Bless you, Neil Hannon, for your total originality.
Not ridiculous and not just a pun. You are spot on. It is genius, but also I would add that Hanlon's genius is not confined to mere wordplay. He tugs on our heartstrings by getting us to care for the characters in his story, long before we expect them to have rough spot in their relationship and then, thankfully, he resolves it with a happy and silly ending. All the while being delightfully playful with "the Normans". Slàinte
@@hornswoggle3000 Yes, I remember that version, though even if he hadn't recorded it, somehow his wit (as in "National Express") is as sharp as Coward's without being spiteful. Funny yet thoughtful at the same time.
The more I hear this song the more I fall in love with it. Sublime, witty and beautifully structured into a 3 act love story. Not to mention the typically sly Norman Conquest gag at the end. Kudos to Neil. The man is an utter genius x
This has to be one of the best songs to be released by any artist in quite a few years, it has the feel of a classic song that everyone knows despite only having just been released
I also heard this first on radio 2... Radio 2 has gone a bit crap recently, probably due to it aiming for a younger audience, but it still comes up with some great tunes.. this being one of them.
Just heard this on the radio a few days ago and again today. I found this song very interesting and it peaked my interest, fell in love on the second time of hearing and now cant stop lostening. After exploring their past music, and as the comments suggest, every few years a new generation of listener has the exact same reaction during their listens to previous songs! Very Interesting! Can't wait to hear more of their music catalogue! Got very emotional at this song it reminds me of my parents relationship and my life I guess. I'm a 26 year old bloke btw!
Norman and Norma got married in Cromer April 1983 It could have been warmer but Norman and Norma Were happy as they'd ever been They flew to Majorca and swam in the water It felt just like having a bath The pina coladas hit Norma hard And she fell into bed with a laugh And she said Oh, Norman, it's never ever felt like this before And oh, Norman, I've never really known your kiss before Oh no, Norman, Norman Norman and Norma had three lovely daughters Nadia, Nora and Niamh The firm Norma worked at wouldn't take her back After maternity leave They dreamt of Majorca but couldn't afford to go On Norman's salary So they went to Cromer, got double pneumonia And Norma remembered when she used to say Oh, Norman, it's never ever felt like this before And oh, Norman, I've never really known your kiss before Oh no, Norman (Norman) Twenty years on and the children have gone And they're both at a bit of a loss They've tried salsa classes and growing tomatoes But nothing is getting them off Then one day in Clacton there's a re-enactment Of Normans and Saxons, and this Gets their juices flowing, before long they're going And fighting like it's 1066! And she says Oh, Norman, it's never ever felt like this before And oh, Norman, I've never really known such bliss before Oh no, Norman Oh no, Norman No, no, no, no, no Norman It's never ever felt like this before No, Norman, Norman (Norman)
Neil, your music stepped into my Life with "Liberation" when I was 17.. so many of your pop symphonies have deeply moved me, made me laugh, comforted me in dark times. I remember I used to listen to "Lucy" in the night, over and over, in a state of sheer joy..And now this new jewel..thank you for being you.
@@tom4v52 Have you ever read the other Lucy poem "Strange Fits of Passion I Have Known"? It fits the meter perfectly and you can almost hear Neil's voice when you read it!
Radio 2 are playing the hell outta this. Heard it at least 4 times today driving my roadsweeper. First time I heard it was like WTH, second third and fourth time I was just beaming ear to ear
This popped up on my feed yesterday, my God what a song. I can’t think of another song writer that can make me laugh and cry at the same time! Disarmingly funny, touching, warm, bittersweet, classic DC. Chapeau Neil.
It's funny how a song can be legitimately funny and happy and sad all at the same time. I can't figure out if I'm "supposed to" take this song seriously, but it really is quite beautiful in spite of the goofiness.
@@edmund184 ..Jeeze, as a fellow Celt, I`m utterly ashamed that I did not know that...blush blush !! Iv`e heard them being described as British and even English for years, but they are from Enniskillen. That`s just lifted them to another level, thanks for educating me :))
What a beautiful song, performance, phrasing!!! The Divine Comedy is simply the best band in XXI century, thank you for that wonderful music, an island of elegance in this stupid world!!
@@murphy9039 Yes, most nowadays can't play any instruments. Even at a school dance, in my day, the band members played their own music and a mate would do the disco whereas today the DJs think they're gods and get paid far too much.
I can’t stop watching this video. It’s bittersweet. Hannon always manages to convey the whole human experience. Love the way he looks in this. Shot beautifully. But those socks of Norman! The director couldn’t make him take them off? -laughing-
Cripes Neil you just get better and better...absolutely love this....playing it on a loop...pathos, poetry, beauty, a story! Loved you in my 20s, love you in my 40s! x
I came here after watching Wonka, having loved the songs and never listened to The Divine Comedy. This is astonishing and I am ordering every album immediately.
26 years a fan now since I was 10 years old. I am so envious of all that is in store for you
I'm sure you are really enjoying them. :)
You're in for a tree! I really liked the music, and my mom wanted to stay for the credits, so I figured I'd see who wrote the music. It suddenly made sense when I saw Neil Hannon in there --- no wonder I liked it so much!
It is surely a sign of genius that the more you listen to a song, the more you let the lyrics softly sink in, and the more you start to dance to the cadence, the more you realize its sly and sensual life-enhancing charm and meaning. Norman and Norma is that utterly rare and remarkable song. Bless you, Neil Hannon, for your total originality.
I went to school in Cromer -its a lovely part of the world.
The man is a genius
A magnificent song!
What would I do on a bad day without this music?so grateful to the Irish friend who made me discover Neil!
Anyone who can use the words 'Cromer' and 'Pneumonia' as a couplet in a song is clearly a genius.
Its comical no pun
Not ridiculous and not just a pun. You are spot on. It is genius, but also I would add that Hanlon's genius is not confined to mere wordplay. He tugs on our heartstrings by getting us to care for the characters in his story, long before we expect them to have rough spot in their relationship and then, thankfully, he resolves it with a happy and silly ending. All the while being delightfully playful with "the Normans".
Slàinte
Fantastic lyrics (as always from Neil). My personal favourite of this one is the "fighting like it's 1066"
So true the wordsmith is a genius utter genius.
Spot on analysis.
A truly underrated musical genius. Saw him perform live last year & he's still the hidden gem he's always been
Neil Hannon somehow combines the warmth of Victoria Wood with the wit of Noel Coward and creates something unique. Marvellous.
Paul Dunn - quite! I take it you've heard his version of ' I went to a marvellous party' ?
@@hornswoggle3000 Yes, I remember that version, though even if he hadn't recorded it, somehow his wit (as in "National Express") is as sharp as Coward's without being spiteful. Funny yet thoughtful at the same time.
Victoria Wood was bitter not warm
Add a little bit of Peter Skellen!
What a beautiful sentiment 👍
This such a perfect example of The Divine Comedy. Witty, warm and brilliant.
Neil is an absolute legend and unique in music!
Legend!!
yes, and allways with a twinkle in the eyes and a touch of sadness.
He is a legend
They reinvent themselves with every album
A legend in his lunchtime. I bet he knocked this out in minutes.
One of the greatest songwriter of all time
その通りです😊
Storytelling is something most artists ignore. You're one of the best Neil.
The more I hear this song the more I fall in love with it. Sublime, witty and beautifully structured into a 3 act love story. Not to mention the typically sly Norman Conquest gag at the end. Kudos to Neil. The man is an utter genius x
Yet another example of his beautiful wordsmithery about such very ordinary lives. He gets it right so often.
Absolutely. From ordinariness and soppy/ clever jokes comes a heartstoppingly beautiful song story of time passing and love.
Brilliant😀
Think it’s about time Neil was honoured for his brilliant contribution to music and the English language!🧐👍🏼
Every lyric so perfectly crafted. "They've tried salsa classes and growing tomatass" My favourite.
Good old Cromer! The best place to have fun on the Norfolk coast 😀
This and national express are both pure genius
Beautiiful song.
The way he crafts pathos through his lyrics out of the mundane events of normal life takes stunning skill, he's a special guy neil.
listen to this song once and it'll stick in your head and you'll be singing it all day..... love
You're right. I heard this on the radio just a couple of days ago, and it's cropped up on my recommended - so 'click'!
Agree!! I had this ear worm for like 2 weeks!!
This has to be one of the best songs to be released by any artist in quite a few years, it has the feel of a classic song that everyone knows despite only having just been released
How is it I forgot HOW bloody good they were? Thank you Julia Woods-Medlands, you adored them when we were all Blur and Oasis. Julia, we miss you x
Listened to this on radio 2 today for the first time Absolutely Brilliant
Me too, on Jo Whiley's show. It's brilliant
Me too
I also heard this first on radio 2... Radio 2 has gone a bit crap recently, probably due to it aiming for a younger audience, but it still comes up with some great tunes.. this being one of them.
In pretty sure this song was written with Radio 2 in mind...and I mean that in the best possible way.
A song? A proper song in 2019? Memorable melody and lyrics? I'm dreaming, right?
And this side of Blossoms too... surely it must be a dream?
Maybe there is hope after all....
Just heard this on the radio a few days ago and again today. I found this song very interesting and it peaked my interest, fell in love on the second time of hearing and now cant stop lostening. After exploring their past music, and as the comments suggest, every few years a new generation of listener has the exact same reaction during their listens to previous songs! Very Interesting! Can't wait to hear more of their music catalogue! Got very emotional at this song it reminds me of my parents relationship and my life I guess. I'm a 26 year old bloke btw!
Cool
THIS MAN is one of the most underated singer songwriters EVER. He deserves this to go to Number 1 GLOBALLY!!! You are a total GENIUS Neil.
Utterly brilliant!
Clever, witty, intelligent, emotional - everything you want in a Divine Comedy song. Beautiful :-)
Norman and Norma got married in Cromer
April 1983
It could have been warmer but Norman and Norma
Were happy as they'd ever been
They flew to Majorca and swam in the water
It felt just like having a bath
The pina coladas hit Norma hard
And she fell into bed with a laugh
And she said
Oh, Norman, it's never ever felt like this before
And oh, Norman, I've never really known your kiss before
Oh no, Norman, Norman
Norman and Norma had three lovely daughters
Nadia, Nora and Niamh
The firm Norma worked at wouldn't take her back
After maternity leave
They dreamt of Majorca but couldn't afford to go
On Norman's salary
So they went to Cromer, got double pneumonia
And Norma remembered when she used to say
Oh, Norman, it's never ever felt like this before
And oh, Norman, I've never really known your kiss before
Oh no, Norman (Norman)
Twenty years on and the children have gone
And they're both at a bit of a loss
They've tried salsa classes and growing tomatoes
But nothing is getting them off
Then one day in Clacton there's a re-enactment
Of Normans and Saxons, and this
Gets their juices flowing, before long they're going
And fighting like it's 1066!
And she says
Oh, Norman, it's never ever felt like this before
And oh, Norman, I've never really known such bliss before
Oh no, Norman
Oh no, Norman
No, no, no, no, no Norman
It's never ever felt like this before
No, Norman, Norman (Norman)
Millie Gregg ...thanks for uploading the lyrics. I love it when someone takes the time to do that ... it’s such a fab song!
Neil, your music stepped into my Life with "Liberation" when I was 17.. so many of your pop symphonies have deeply moved me, made me laugh, comforted me in dark times. I remember I used to listen to "Lucy" in the night, over and over, in a state of sheer joy..And now this new jewel..thank you for being you.
Have a like for Lucy; no one else would ever put 4 Wordsworth lyrics to music. I'm pretty sure he helped me get an A in Leaving Cert English.
Same thing for me: I kept singing these words which seemed both magical and obscure like "she dwelled among the untrodden ways"
@@tom4v52 Have you ever read the other Lucy poem "Strange Fits of Passion I Have Known"? It fits the meter perfectly and you can almost hear Neil's voice when you read it!
One brilliant and clever song
Thank you, we where in Paloma at Nîmes... The real life is coming back ... a very good moment ... Thanks
absolutely classic Divine Comedy... catchy tune, and the genius lyrics. Neil Hannon is a storyteller of the highest order!
Charm itself. That chorus sweeps you up in its arms. Beautiful.
A genius songwriter....brilliant
Radio 2 are playing the hell outta this. Heard it at least 4 times today driving my roadsweeper. First time I heard it was like WTH, second third and fourth time I was just beaming ear to ear
Trying doing your job instead
He looks so noble in this video, he’s still a beautiful man
I' m following the Divine Comedy since the beginning and I've never been deceived.
I picked up around Absent Friends and never looked back...
Gorgeous.
This breaks my heart in the most marvellous way and gets more deliciously bittersweet with every listen!
Total Genius …
Lovely song! No one can tell a story quite like Neil...😊
Brilliant..just .brilliant..
The world is a better place knowing we have NH and songs like this beauty in it.
Great song, clever lyrics and puts a smile on your face when you hear it and must sing along.
Love the song but the video is great, especially as my son is one of the Morris Dancers!
Lyrical masterpiece
Rest in Peace, Neil Innes, you have a worthy successor in your namesake Mr Hannon.
I'm a Norma. I need a Norman to make this song more magical for me. #looking for Norman
Never give up
Norman bates
Norman wisdom
@@marknorman8133 while hello... do you happen to have a Norma in your life?
Luck... 💓😘
Absolutely wonderful!! I bloody love this it makes my heart melt x
Absolute wonderful lyrics. Very underrated is neil.
This popped up on my feed yesterday, my God what a song. I can’t think of another song writer that can make me laugh and cry at the same time! Disarmingly funny, touching, warm, bittersweet, classic DC. Chapeau Neil.
Brilliant lyric craftsmanship, incredible song writing talent.
It's funny how a song can be legitimately funny and happy and sad all at the same time. I can't figure out if I'm "supposed to" take this song seriously, but it really is quite beautiful in spite of the goofiness.
what a great tune,enough said.
Oh life ,very short and very bittersweet.Thankyou Neil.
Brilliant song.
I love songs that tell a story.
Classic Northern Irish music, mixed with a touch of Norman ..... Bloody Ingenious :)
and the guy's an Ulsterman!
@@edmund184 ..Jeeze, as a fellow Celt, I`m utterly ashamed that I did not know that...blush blush !!
Iv`e heard them being described as British and even English for years, but they are from Enniskillen.
That`s just lifted them to another level, thanks for educating me :))
Can't get enough of this.
What an absolute Delight and Joy, Thank you so much xxx
What a beautiful song, performance, phrasing!!! The Divine Comedy is simply the best band in XXI century, thank you for that wonderful music, an island of elegance in this stupid world!!
Heard this wee ditty on the radio the other day. I love Neil's lyrics!!
What sheer joy...….effortless charm and class.....
what a wonderful storyteller Neil is ...put that to great music and wonderful harmony and boy you have one hell of a pop song
Exquisite little ditty
There does need to be a sprinkling of genius in popular music to keep it alive x
Love it, so refreshing in these times of crap music(?)! Cannot wait for the new album 👍👍👍 TDC truly is in a league of it's own 👍
You have indelible taste sir ☺
It be great if there was more real music like this around nowadays besides the poor quality which is in the charts nowadays.
@@murphy9039 Yes, most nowadays can't play any instruments. Even at a school dance, in my day, the band members played their own music and a mate would do the disco whereas today the DJs think they're gods and get paid far too much.
Makes me feel light and bittersweet at the same time, and I love that.
Another jewel from the Neil.
I re-discover this band on every album... This song It's sooooo good! Great band!!
My gran was called Norma and I should have found this awkward but I found it only lovely.x
🤣😢 His lyrics always make me laugh, his voice makes me cry
Simply brilliant....could listen to it all day
Thank you for another warm, funny love song . Genius
So people can write songs these days? Witty, intelligent and classy.
🙄 Owen Pallett, and Idan Haviv, would both like a word with you.
Heard this on the wireless yesterday (17/6/2019). Just lovely!
Snap , Steve wright radio 2
I think Norman and Norma would call it the wireless too..
Nadia,Nora and Niamh just brilliant.
Class again, by the best Lyric writer around
A little known gem of a song! Why i have i not heard this before today?
If the 2 songs released so far are anything to go off the new albums going to be amazing. Pre-order here I come!
holy shit the divine comedy are still going??? and they havnt changed to fit the times and are doing their own thing? dancer!!!!!!
Tune!
I can’t stop watching this video. It’s bittersweet. Hannon always manages to convey the whole human experience. Love the way he looks in this. Shot beautifully. But those socks of Norman! The director couldn’t make him take them off? -laughing-
Socks = method acting
Heard this for the first time on the radio last night. Nearly crashed the car from laughing and pure joy!!!
this is just brilliant. When I grow up I want to be Neil Hannon
Such a beautiful song.
Superbe chanson. Belle mélodie. Merci Neil. A bientôt sur Bordeaux.
Cripes Neil you just get better and better...absolutely love this....playing it on a loop...pathos, poetry, beauty, a story! Loved you in my 20s, love you in my 40s! x
Better and better! Hilarious.
Neil Hannan has linked old popular music with modern. He's one of this country's great songwriters currently active. Enjoy this. It's new.
If you don't love this track your heart is a swinging brick.
Another Divine masterpiece
Best song of the year
Neil is a lyrical genius. A poet.
Hits you in the heartstrings. Brilliant.
Joy of listening to his songs
Oh man, gotta love this. Imagining this at festivals, crowds going mental on the chorus.
Wow! How relatable......Neil Hannon is a genius at telling stories in song, marvellous.
Why isn’t this more popular? It’s great 😂
It's just been released - give it time
Not played after a few months
Brilliant a sad story but such an uplifting song
Genius
Love it when it mentions Clacton i'm not far from there and I've never heard Clacton mentioned in a song before
It's the isolation making me cry...
new fav after A Lady of Certain Age...brilliant as always Neil....
Another great song from Neil Hannon.