Valerie was a girl who lived in an upstairs apartment above Jim as a kid, or young teen. Jim's mom said she used to make a lot of noise above them, even quoting while laughing in the Material Issue documentary that "Jim might haved loved Valerie but we didn't" and that she believes it was Jim's first love. "Valerie's dancing, in a room above my bed you know". The lyrics paint the picture. I once asked Bass player Ted Ansani if he knew if Valerie ever knew this song was about her. He said he didn't think so. Which always gets me thinking...Somewhere out there, there is a woman named Valerie, who might have even sung this song in her lifetime, that has no idea, its was written for her and how much of an impact she had on him. R.I.P. Jim and Patricia (Jim's mom).
Yes how we do things later in life or say things because of an enormous or maybe tiny imprint another left on our ♥️, and that other has no clue how significant they really are/were
I was lucky enough to see them play on at least three different occasions in the 90's. Like most of us, i got married, had children and was all wrapped up with being a family man. Then several years ago, I found my Material Issue cassettes and found a cassette player and re-lived my twenty's. With the internet I learned that Jim had passed almost twenty years ago. I've since downloaded all of the albums on my iphone and I listen to Material Issue several times a week. The one thing I really loved about this group was Jim always told the crowd what inspired him to write each song. My favorite song is Valerie Loves Me, it seemed to mean a lot to him as well. It also makes me sad to think that such a gifted person left us.
Material Issue played Laredo TX....in 1990....they saw the crowd ...punker ..skate...goth and metal kids......so they tuned down....fuzzed out an' speeded up.....we had a slam going alot of energy and fun....we were starved for live rock....at the time.
The love of my life loved this song which was unusual because he usually liked much heavier music, nothing like this. It breaks my heart & As I often play it sitting on his grave. Sometimes I pretend He's watching & I dance for him. We started dating before either of us could drive. He died after 25 years of always loving me & I will always love him, no drinking or smoking, 25 years was not long ENOUGH! Luckily, he'll never know what I look liked after 40.
I remember this great track from my time living in Corpus Christi, Texas. Now today I learned that the Tragically Hip song “Escape is at Hand for the Travelling Man” was written about the relationship between Gord Downie and Jim Ellison and Gord’s grief over Jim’s death. Haunting. I’ll raise a glass to both of these great artists.
Efrain, you must've caught the rebel house parties at the tail end of things. I was going to those parties in the early 90's in LA - Harley boots, jeans, white Tshirt and a plaid button down with the sleeves cut off. haha! fun times!
I met them before they played Bogarts in Long Beach, CA., nearly 30 years ago. They were so nice -- signed some concert posters, let me snap photos before & during their gig, and Jim was kind enough to pose for photos with both me & my friend Mark after the show. I was gobsmacked when I learned that he had died by suicide. The photos are in an album; the posters are in a frame; the memories of that night are in my head (and journal); and the music is in my heart. ❤
Yes I was at that show too. The opening band was friends of mine and the lightning guy Brad too. Brad did lighting for Material Issue, Concrete Blonde etc!! This show was awesome!! Go Big Dog!
this song always stoped me in my tracks whenever the infamous q101 radio station in chicago played it specially during their eventually defunct and cancelled retro hour at noon i mean the way he would scream the part after the guitar whine ,,,,,, valerie loves me,,,,,,,, classic real dope rock n roll shit
Hung out with them after a concert in Atlanta back in the early 90's. My best friend was obsessed with them, so it was the highlight of her year. Great band ~ still love their music.
I hope he meant you would have a lot of love in your life, and would even be happy when you are older and have gray hair, with beautiful memories of hope and triumph, freedom, power and importance. I once loved a girl who treated me this way, and it sucked, but your comment goes to show how music can be interpreted however the listener chooses. That's part of the beauty, Valerie, right? I hope someone can shout from the rooftops "Valerie Loves Me!" and have it mean the world to them. ♥ This song was kind of a big deal when I was young, heh.
Q101 sucked. XRT gave this band airtime before anyone and still plays their music. They even plugged the reunion, "Material Reissue." This was one of the best power pop trios of all time. Jim wore his heart on his sleeve. When you listen to his songs, it's almost chilling how much they foreshadow his suicide.
I fondly remember this song and am thrilled to see that it is still receiving views. How sad that the lead singer ended his life, but I am happy to see that this song carries on.
material issue was the start of the Chicago band revolution. the pumpkins? blech. urge? great! mi? uterly fantastic. Jim Ellison will always be remembered
Shit, man. MI always reminds me of you - I think you introduced me to them. But I didn't expect to find this comment from you. Damn, man you must have made this comment soon before you passed. Depression is a fucking pig. Rest easy, dude.
the same year i climbed out the window into a new world, and a new life. Worth every single step after that, every mistake, every misstep, all of it worth it. Climb out your window, down the drainpipe, walk away from it all. Just go. And get on with living.
This is a classic MI track. For all the MI fans out there--there's a book tentatively scheduled for release next year. Has interviews with Mike and Ted, Jeff Murphy and others, and some writings from myself, as well. Here's to the little band with big dreams.
MTV Flashback Saturday evening April 20 1991 , Played After Poison - Ride the wind and BEFORE Raw Youth - tame yourself ( vhs tape no time . later Headbangers ball
I use to listen to this repeatedly on my Walkman during high school 🏃♀️ for track & field practice. Every time he yelled, "Valerie LOVES ME!!" I'd get so pumped.
Ione Skye! Perfect for this song. What a great power pop banger. Saw Material Issue several times in Chicago and St. Louis. Great hooks and killer sound.
01FEB2024 - 68 years old and I love this song as much as I did when it came out during my college years. Long Live Life! And Valerie, I will always cherish that ride back from the Children’s Theatre on the bus in ‘68.
I remember how I was introduced to them. I had moved to Denton, Tx in the early 90s, and found the laternative rock station KDGE, and they were big on that channel. The Very First Lie was the song that introduced me to them.
It's all too familiar for me, Loving someone, but being number 2, or 3 , or 173rd, at best. ☹️☹️ Because they want to live single, and "date", but then, want the "one that got away" back. Even though they are happy for their memories and all of the people they met... The things they've done, places gone... But when looks fade, and too old to get by on looks alone, it'll be too late. Who will want u then? Could have had 100 percent of my heart, but now, only a part. Xoxo
i remember my very first serious boyfriend bought me this Tape, which i still have...and we saw you in concert at the Metro ..such a sad ending to your story.
I had this album which I bought for this song. I dragged my sister and our roommate to see Material Issue at the Cattle Club in Sacramento, California. Good times, great band to hear live.
I heard this song on college radio in 1991 and for years looked for it here and could never find it. Even earely RUclips and Google searches produces nothing in the early days. All I remembered was someone singing "Valerie loves me" in a pained expression, and a screechy guitar. I finally found it a few years ago.
Видеоклипы
Valerie was a girl who lived in an upstairs apartment above Jim as a kid, or young teen. Jim's mom said she used to make a lot of noise above them, even quoting while laughing in the Material Issue documentary that "Jim might haved loved Valerie but we didn't" and that she believes it was Jim's first love. "Valerie's dancing, in a room above my bed you know". The lyrics paint the picture. I once asked Bass player Ted Ansani if he knew if Valerie ever knew this song was about her. He said he didn't think so. Which always gets me thinking...Somewhere out there, there is a woman named Valerie, who might have even sung this song in her lifetime, that has no idea, its was written for her and how much of an impact she had on him. R.I.P. Jim and Patricia (Jim's mom).
its soooo crazy !!! life we do things that we dont think about ... that can potentially impact other ppl ... just be yourself .. right?
Yes how we do things later in life or say things because of an enormous or maybe tiny imprint another left on our ♥️, and that other has no clue how significant they really are/were
Yes, to this day.I still shake my head in frustration.
And wonder what and why.
Sucks terribly
RIP Jim Ellison (April 18, 1964 - June 20, 1996), aged 32
You will be remembered as a legend.
Age 32... God damn it
Saw them on NYE in Chicago in '93 Great night.
I was lucky enough to see them play on at least three different occasions in the 90's. Like most of us, i got married, had children and was all wrapped up with being a family man. Then several years ago, I found my Material Issue cassettes and found a cassette player and re-lived my twenty's. With the internet I learned that Jim had passed almost twenty years ago. I've since downloaded all of the albums on my iphone and I listen to Material Issue several times a week. The one thing I really loved about this group was Jim always told the crowd what inspired him to write each song. My favorite song is Valerie Loves Me, it seemed to mean a lot to him as well. It also makes me sad to think that such a gifted person left us.
Material Issue played Laredo TX....in 1990....they saw the crowd ...punker ..skate...goth and metal kids......so they tuned down....fuzzed out an' speeded up.....we had a slam going alot of energy and fun....we were starved for live rock....at the time.
Got my cassette from Columbia Music where you got 12 cassettes for 1 cent. Used to order those to random houses. LOL.
Had NO idea he passed. How sad! 😞
@George Steward - Jim passed away 20 years ago. Wow… 😞 He was young right? I didn’t know. What was the cause of his passing?
@@ralphlazio505 The cause of Jim's passing was suicide.
Valerie still loves me in 2024. Pure power pop in it's truest form. Love the last scene of this video. 😊
'International Pop Overthrow' is a fucking masterpiece.
Garrett Johnson I can remember listening to this when I was in college 25 yrs ago. Awesome!!
Garrett Johnson agreed. I was the first of my friends to start listening to them in 1989
I stole this album from a friend. Phil, I regret nothing!
@@daveshuck2722 best steal ever!!
Whom is still listening in 2020? Song reminds of me when I was young and had no worries of getting older. How Time Flys
Steve Reed as a 16 year old, this scares me
Definitely a time when we had no worries, and a little cash and imagination went a long way.
Who.
Thats my moms cousin
Agreed!
This is one of those rare songs that, no matter your favorite genre may be, is on everyone's play list
Yup
Anyone listening 2023?
You'd be pretty cool of you did.
every damn day!!
Here in 2024
😍😍
Not important. No one cares. But I found it again now and for 3 mins I can be OK.
2024 and beyond sweet love vibes all the way ✨️ 💖 💕
that "valerie love me" at 2:29....you can sense the pain of love that is not reciprocated in his voice.
... a feeling which ultimately killed him unfortunately :(
you can almost hear the straight jacket and psychiatrist couch creak.
Scott Muhlbaier the lead singer of this band died?
Brian Ezell he killed himself
Story of my life...
The love of my life loved this song which was unusual because he usually liked much heavier music, nothing like this. It breaks my heart & As I often play it sitting on his grave. Sometimes I pretend He's watching & I dance for him. We started dating before either of us could drive. He died after 25 years of always loving me & I will always love him, no drinking or smoking, 25 years was not long ENOUGH! Luckily, he'll never know what I look liked after 40.
you look great..
How did he pass? So sorry. Such a beautifully written feeling
he was lucky...you were lucky
OMG, that's so heartbreaking, sweetheart 🌹🌹🌹🌹 awww
So....u wanna hook up or what ??
Always my dance song!!! I’m 49 today and 28 again!!! 🤩🥳🤩
I remember this great track from my time living in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Now today I learned that the Tragically Hip song “Escape is at Hand for the Travelling Man” was written about the relationship between Gord Downie and Jim Ellison and Gord’s grief over Jim’s death.
Haunting. I’ll raise a glass to both of these great artists.
R.I.P. Jim Ellison and Gord Downie
dude- I never knew that .thanks
R.i.P. to Gord as well
Still on my playlists ... up next The La's, Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr. and Juliana Hatfield.
Great music taste mate
Beautiful playlist!
Juliana Hatfield rules! Great playlist! 💪🎸
KROQ Flashbacks, Rebel house parties...L.A in the late 90's
Efrain Rodriguez Fucking A, I grew up in LA and remember them vividly. Maybe we were at the same house parties
Efrain, you must've caught the rebel house parties at the tail end of things. I was going to those parties in the early 90's in LA - Harley boots, jeans, white Tshirt and a plaid button down with the sleeves cut off. haha! fun times!
almost forgot to mention the pompadour!!! woohoo!!!
Don't forget the wallet chain....
the good old days..501s crew member here in the days, the jams
I met them before they played Bogarts in Long Beach, CA., nearly 30 years ago. They were so nice -- signed some concert posters, let me snap photos before & during their gig, and Jim was kind enough to pose for photos with both me & my friend Mark after the show. I was gobsmacked when I learned that he had died by suicide.
The photos are in an album; the posters are in a frame; the memories of that night are in my head (and journal); and the music is in my heart. ❤
He had more to give. 💙 in your HEART. great story. Maybe one of the best songs ever written.
Yes I was at that show too. The opening band was friends of mine and the lightning guy Brad too.
Brad did lighting for Material Issue, Concrete Blonde etc!! This show was awesome!! Go Big Dog!
LETS GO! with this JAM.. The heart never gets old.. 2024
this song always stoped me in my tracks whenever the infamous q101 radio station in chicago played it specially during their eventually defunct and cancelled retro hour at noon i mean the way he would scream the part after the guitar whine ,,,,,, valerie loves me,,,,,,,, classic real dope rock n roll shit
@Nirvana9999 Bbhhh Robert Chase and Samantha James
Yur right
Yes! Back when Q101 Was Alternative.. before they sold out :p Bwhaha, was great, they even played Ween.
Exactly where I first heard it. Best hour of the day back then.
Such an excellent, simple song.
My heart hurts… RIP my friend
Awe, I'm a Valerie and I love this song!
same
Well, then, Valeries, this one is dedicated to ya’ll.🌹✌️
I'm a Valerie too. I just learned about this song and I love it!
one of my favorites!! it kills me that someone so beautiful and talented left so soon.
bbjeebies i didnt know...fuck!!!
My man Simple Jack oute here spitting bars.
When life was young and the future was your ostyer and not your clam.
And we had hope
Hung out with them after a concert in Atlanta back in the early 90's. My best friend was obsessed with them, so it was the highlight of her year. Great band ~ still love their music.
me too
Bittersweet memories remain forever ingrained.
My parents named me Valerie after this song!!! (More like my dad did)
Oh, wow😉😉
Wow
Valerie Barajas awesome parents
I hope he meant you would have a lot of love in your life, and would even be happy when you are older and have gray hair, with beautiful memories of hope and triumph, freedom, power and importance. I once loved a girl who treated me this way, and it sucked, but your comment goes to show how music can be interpreted however the listener chooses. That's part of the beauty, Valerie, right? I hope someone can shout from the rooftops "Valerie Loves Me!" and have it mean the world to them. ♥ This song was kind of a big deal when I was young, heh.
JE T'AIME VALERIE !
This video makes me nostalgic for the 90s in a big way.
Valerie Loves Me !!! reminds me Q101 Chicago!!!
Q101 sucked. XRT gave this band airtime before anyone and still plays their music. They even plugged the reunion, "Material Reissue." This was one of the best power pop trios of all time. Jim wore his heart on his sleeve. When you listen to his songs, it's almost chilling how much they foreshadow his suicide.
I fondly remember this song and am thrilled to see that it is still receiving views. How sad that the lead singer ended his life, but I am happy to see that this song carries on.
I found out about these guys from a documentary on Material issue, on Night Flight Plus
Love the Teardrop Vox. Viva Ian Curtis.
Kelly Hartman Now there's a strange parallel.
Viva Brian Jones
The riff before the chorus is brilliant simplicity. I've always been jealous of it.
Wow I was in high school when this came out. Still sounds good in 2018. RIP Jim
Awesome song , awesome lyrics , awesome guitar riff , awesome scream at the top of his lungs "VALERIE LOVES ME !!!!"
That SCREAM!! That's the best part of the song!!
I definitely agree , especially the last one is really the loudest and at the top of his lungs
That's what I meant. The last scream is my favorite part!
love this song, wish they made music like this again.
Me too
@@avasierra6926 Me too...
i'm sure if you dig hard enough you can find some really similar early punk revival bands
come to think of it, there's a power pop band called calva louise that has a similar style, but it's definitely different.
You guys probably have no idea the beauty this title possesses.
You have no idea the autism this comment possesses. To be honest though my channel has more
i bet you have no idea he killed himself over valerie
This song was my world during the 90's.
material issue was the start of the Chicago band revolution. the pumpkins? blech. urge? great! mi? uterly fantastic. Jim Ellison will always be remembered
+Jim Dildine In the 80s there was Naked Raygun leading the charge before the Wicker Park 'next big thing' bands popped up.
Shit, man. MI always reminds me of you - I think you introduced me to them. But I didn't expect to find this comment from you. Damn, man you must have made this comment soon before you passed. Depression is a fucking pig. Rest easy, dude.
Bill Fuhry sad to hear it. Jim was a friend of my dad.
Jim Dildine I grew up in Chicago and I know these guys as well as naked ray gun and al jurgonson from ministry
Just saw the documentary. The last third was really hard to take. 💔 RIP Jim.
the same year i climbed out the window into a new world, and a new life. Worth every single step after that, every mistake, every misstep, all of it worth it.
Climb out your window, down the drainpipe, walk away from it all.
Just go. And get on with living.
Love this song.
Teddy, if your reading this, your dad's awesome!
R.I.P. Jim Ellison
Ii didnt know. I am schocked he had so much more to give 💙
Love this song. Wonderful memories
East LA college,miss those times FUCK!!!!
This is a classic MI track. For all the MI fans out there--there's a book tentatively scheduled for release next year. Has interviews with Mike and Ted, Jeff Murphy and others, and some writings from myself, as well. Here's to the little band with big dreams.
Cool! I think their story is interesting enough to be a good stage musical as well.
Makes me miss 120 minutes
Im watching that shit rite now
Mr 1138 i was just looking thru an old vhs tape of various 120 minutes clips. That's what sent me here.
Omg me too.
Word!
MTV Flashback Saturday evening April 20 1991 , Played After Poison - Ride the wind and BEFORE Raw Youth - tame yourself ( vhs tape no time . later Headbangers ball
RIP Jim E. Gone too some.
Steve loving Material Issue
Woke up at four am with this song in my head... don't know why, haven't heard it in a while, but will always be one of my favorites
OMG MZY TEACHER TOLD ME SHE WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE BACKROUND AND I SEE HERRR OMG OMG OMG MISS MCCAN
Saw these guys play it at the Hard Rock in Chicago for New Years eve…it was fucking amazing
When?
+Ernest Norrman If I were to hazard a guess I would say New Year's Eve 2015
I use to listen to this repeatedly on my Walkman during high school 🏃♀️ for track & field practice. Every time he yelled, "Valerie LOVES ME!!" I'd get so pumped.
I needed to listen this song today.
Wow! I haven't heard this in YEARS. Totally forgot about it.
wow,, been a long while since i heard this song, absolutely love this, reminds me of my senior year in high school
ALL I CAN DO IS LAUGH MY ASS UP !!! THE FIRST TIME I EVER SEEN THIS VIDEO WAS IN THE EARLY 90'S........VIDEOS WITH VHI AND 120 MINUTES !!!
it's shame he's not with us anymore, but at least he left a gem of a song to be enjoyed for many and so long.
I once dated a girl named Valerie. This song will always make me think of her...
I liked a girl named Valerie and this song never fails to remind me of her
this is a great song
Ione Skye! Perfect for this song. What a great power pop banger. Saw Material Issue several times in Chicago and St. Louis. Great hooks and killer sound.
October 2023 & I'm still going back to this old favourite ❤
My name is Valerie& my boyfriend just showed me this tonight.. 3
I love this song ☮️
Rest in Peace Jim. Hope you found peace.
01FEB2024 - 68 years old and I love this song as much as I did when it came out during my college years. Long Live Life! And Valerie, I will always cherish that ride back from the Children’s Theatre on the bus in ‘68.
Great song and video. Can't believe it was so long ago. RIP Jim Ellison.
I love this song. Simply timeless.
Just heard this in a fast food restaurant . Lost all concentration. Here I am on you tube screaming “ Valerie loves me” ! Forgot about this one!!
Still one of the best songs and videos of all time.
RIP Jim.
This song makes me want to get drunk and smoke cloves. Oh wait, I'm already doing that, good deal.
Haaaaaaaa. I LOVED my cloves!
you still drinking & smoking cloves? 2024
Maybe a sad story but the spirit of the song is beautiful ❤️. It overshadows the sad. Just love it 😍
2023 I’m 54 and still rockin this song, cuz Valerie loves me…
53 2024. I still love this somg!
Loved this short lived band. I don't remember how I came across them back in the day but I remember living to the tape over and over again.
I remember how I was introduced to them. I had moved to Denton, Tx in the early 90s, and found the laternative rock station KDGE, and they were big on that channel. The Very First Lie was the song that introduced me to them.
I love this song. I think of you, Chloe, when this plays. F
It's all too familiar for me, Loving someone, but being number 2, or 3 , or 173rd, at best. ☹️☹️ Because they want to live single, and "date", but then, want the "one that got away" back. Even though they are happy for their memories and all of the people they met... The things they've done, places gone... But when looks fade, and too old to get by on looks alone, it'll be too late. Who will want u then? Could have had 100 percent of my heart, but now, only a part. Xoxo
Such a great song, one of my favorites of all time.
Im pretty sure I felt like this when I was young. Such a magical time..my heart was beating double time..
i remember my very first serious boyfriend bought me this Tape, which i still have...and we saw you in concert at the Metro ..such a sad ending to your story.
I forgot how good this whole album is!
FOREVER A FAN-THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC!!!!
such an awesome nostalgic vibe song !!! it reminds me of when i was young and the 90s being out and about late with friends , the 90s where awesome ,
This is my moms godfather and I always here crazy stories of stuff my papa and him did when they were kids. I really wish I got to meet him .
This is their best song. It had a late 80s, Modern Rock flair.
Naw, it's pure early 90s.
I remember how up beat this song was but the lyrics has so much sadness 😶
Growing this song in the 90s damn 😮😮😮 I met Valerie once in my 30-year life.
Love his voice, I really miss this band!
Rest in peace, Jim Ellison
You deserved so much better
I miss the early 90s. 😪
Loved this song from back in my day... Memories!!
Where did the time go? This is 30 years old? Wow 😱
Breaks my heart!
I´m going back in time.......I miss the nineties. Good music
I miss it too
Such a great song and Valerie is a babe.
RIP my dude 🙏 😪
man i wore this CD out
I hate to bring this up, but props to Courtney Love for covering this and not changing the lyrics. a pretty much flawless pop song.
Did she really. I saw hole years ago she had 20 people on stage by the end. thats how you treat fans
Back in my "Rebel" days in Los Angeles!!! Late 80's/Early 90's. Anybody with me???
A lot of great bands from Chicago late 80s/early 90s.
remembering Jim today
+Donna Frost One of my favorite days of the year.
I had this album which I bought for this song. I dragged my sister and our roommate to see Material Issue at the Cattle Club in Sacramento, California. Good times, great band to hear live.
I heard this song on college radio in 1991 and for years looked for it here and could never find it. Even earely RUclips and Google searches produces nothing in the early days. All I remembered was someone singing "Valerie loves me" in a pained expression, and a screechy guitar. I finally found it a few years ago.
thanks for the memories!