This is just so unbelievably cool. A fabulous song and a great performance by a guy who has aged like a good wine. His voice is like silky velvet and he looks amazing.
Funnily enough, Nick Lowe himself probably would have killed in order to get out of recording this song. He'd written it back when he was with Brinsley Schwartz and always thought it a bit "wet", so was very apologetic when he had to tell the band that the record company were rather insistent that they wanted this track ("I've a better song about a woman eaten by her dog" he told them!). As it happens, when the boys actually started working on the song to get it into a shape they wouldn't be totally embarrassed about, they found themselves become much more attached to it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The man has gotten older ... just like the rest of us since it first came out. But the style and class with which he sings it is unmistakable, and brilliant! Thanks for posting this!
This such a wonderful, timeless song! I keep watching the video for this song when he marries his beautiful ex-wife Carlene Carter, sad it only lasted 11 years...
I came expecting to be disappointed but found Nick's acoustic version here very satisfying. A great voice at his age which by the way is only a few years older than myself. Thanks Nick .... Rock The Fuck On Brother!
I have always loved Nick`s music and now that we are all getting older isn`t it just great to see Nick Lowe playing "Cruel to be Kind" some 39 years later. Oh my goodness when I wrote that I nearly passed out. I was a kid then and not into punk but Nick was a beacon of light. FIRST CLASS.
A lot of years ago (80) I saw him open for Elvis Costello at Cornell College. He had a big Dreadnaught and had everybody dancing in the isles with no backing band. I bought a guitar the next day.
I was working security at a venue last summer and he is still touring with Elvis. Elvis came in a private limo and came and went without a word to anyone as far as I could tell - I was alone on that gate that day and even his manager told me, when you hear the music stop, he's on his way out - get that gate ready. Nick Lowe appeared fairly disheveled looking on the promenade and told me as he passed, "I'm with the band" and after the show proceeded to be the funnest guy buying drinks and stuff for a small group gathered around him on a lovely summer night on the bay. When anyone asks, I say Nick Lowe is the coolest. A dude!
Saw him live solo at Lincoln Center Out of Doors Fest in NYC yesterday. Like watching a great SAGE. Brilliant- that one man can hold thousands in the palm of his hands with his words.
Wow, really great version, a favorite for sure. . Nick has only aged like a fine wine. Thanks for keeping it interesting and please keep it coming, the voice is so natural
Oh yeah , this is probably the best I`ve ever heard this song . Don`t get me wrong the version we all know and love is brilliant of course , but , listening to the writer sing it as he has it in his head , thats something else completely . Thanks Nick !
I saw him do an accoustic gig in london years ago at the Mean Fiddler and it was as good as this - he filled the room with swirling sound all by himself ...
This lyric is a paradox we must all understand at one time or other in our lives . It makes you prudential ( the right time) and proportionate ( the right measure ) otherwise people take advantage or don't hold up their end.
How fun!. As a kid, I would play this 45 on our Zenith stereo... which I still have and was just playing some scratchy Supertramp on. Being super shy, I was able to dance around and sing because nobody was around. Good memories.
I Really like this version, lets face it, its just a cool song. It fits you, and its just nice of you to put it on, for all to enjoy. Saved as favorite, definite. I can listen to it many times, without tiring BIG THANKS BRO MAN!! Joe
What a great song. I was 15 when this song came out. Oh young love good times, good tunes, and this song just made it so much cooler. Great song. Your awesome.
I just picked this old favourite out from memory on my acoustic guitar, and realised I must check out Nick's acoustic version for comparison. Well, some are pros, others are not...
An absolute masterclass in Pop song craft...
Makes it look effortless, doesn't he? ❤
This is just so unbelievably cool. A fabulous song and a great performance by a guy who has aged like a good wine. His voice is like silky velvet and he looks amazing.
My favourite song of the whole English pop scene in those days. Nick Lowe always delivers.
Lowe's effortless delivery is sublime and a joy to behold.....one of the most underrated writers and musicians of his generation.
One of the best songs ever written.
That is just a beautiful song in my opinion. Thank you Nick Lowe!
A fantastic pop song brilliant lyrics and that Dm7 he ' throws' in is such a lovely touch August 79 where the fuck does the time go?
OMG! - he's changed so much; can hardly believe it, but still a great song. Wish I could say he was my brother!
How many singer/songwriters would have killed to have written this absolute gem?
47? he sounds great.
Tru dat
Mr. Lowe has never received the proper respect he has earned.
Funnily enough, Nick Lowe himself probably would have killed in order to get out of recording this song. He'd written it back when he was with Brinsley Schwartz and always thought it a bit "wet", so was very apologetic when he had to tell the band that the record company were rather insistent that they wanted this track ("I've a better song about a woman eaten by her dog" he told them!).
As it happens, when the boys actually started working on the song to get it into a shape they wouldn't be totally embarrassed about, they found themselves become much more attached to it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
@@noneofyourbeeswax01 He has since come to terms with gratitude. It is his.
The man has gotten older ... just like the rest of us since it first came out. But the style and class with which he sings it is unmistakable, and brilliant! Thanks for posting this!
he still sings like a champion
So great in 2024, hope this gentleman is still with us
Whether it's the original video or his solo acoustic version here-both songs are intertwined-married!!! Beautiful Nick!!! 💚💚💚
Another beautiful song from a time when lyrics still have meaning.
Still so amazing.
This such a wonderful, timeless song! I keep watching the video for this song when he marries his beautiful ex-wife Carlene Carter, sad it only lasted 11 years...
from Southern france i adore you Sir Nick Lowe
So true great lyrics great song 🎸🎸🎸🎤🎧🎸🎸🎸
Phenomenal phenomenal song. Wonderful memories of my youth & MTV days
Hard to believe that song came out 36 years ago. That dude has still got it!!
make that 40...
O You koi
41 yrs now....2020 dumpster fire, 2021 cruel to be kind, stay safe we will get through this 🤷♀️
44 years.
Great version, Still has it .
retrorestore has
Took the words right out of my mouth....
Has what dude?
@@jamessim1858 Talent.
I came expecting to be disappointed but found Nick's acoustic version here very satisfying. A great voice at his age which by the way is only a few years older than myself. Thanks Nick .... Rock The Fuck On Brother!
Great comment! Rock The Fuck On too :)
Agreed.
He's still got it after all these years.
Although I have absolutely no idea what " Rock The Fuck On too :) " means....
George Penwell Rock the fuck on!
"Rock the fuck on"?? Are you a child?
@@chipgaasche4933 Are you a cranky old crusty whose last vestige of passion has evaporated?
I have always loved Nick`s music and now that we are all getting older isn`t it just great to see Nick Lowe playing "Cruel to be Kind" some 39 years later. Oh my goodness when I wrote that I nearly passed out. I was a kid then and not into punk but Nick was a beacon of light. FIRST CLASS.
A lot of years ago (80) I saw him open for Elvis Costello at Cornell College. He had a big Dreadnaught and had everybody dancing in the isles with no backing band. I bought a guitar the next day.
Wish we'd had Nick Lowe at Carleton, just up the road from you. I have always loved this song.
I was working security at a venue last summer and he is still touring with Elvis. Elvis came in a private limo and came and went without a word to anyone as far as I could tell - I was alone on that gate that day and even his manager told me, when you hear the music stop, he's on his way out - get that gate ready. Nick Lowe appeared fairly disheveled looking on the promenade and told me as he passed, "I'm with the band" and after the show proceeded to be the funnest guy buying drinks and stuff for a small group gathered around him on a lovely summer night on the bay. When anyone asks, I say Nick Lowe is the coolest. A dude!
That’s a beautiful story, my friend
I think one of the best songs ever♥️♥️♥️
Saw him live solo at Lincoln Center Out of Doors Fest in NYC yesterday. Like watching a great SAGE. Brilliant- that one man can hold thousands in the palm of his hands with his words.
Still as cool as ever!👍
Great song, great singing, and class act!!!Sounds great after all these years, Mr. Lowe, great job!!!!!❤🇺🇲🇬🇧
Like a fine wine, this song has got better with age and this version is better than his original :) Thanks for posting!
Still relevant....Music is timeless
Ya totally agreed just posted the same comment myself
Wow, really great version, a favorite for sure. . Nick has only aged like a fine wine. Thanks for keeping it interesting and please keep it coming, the voice is so natural
this is awesome...imagine your grandpa saying.."hey boy, you wanna hear something?'
then he picks up his guitar
Oh yeah , this is probably the best I`ve ever heard this song . Don`t get me wrong the version we all know and love is brilliant of course , but , listening to the writer sing it as he has it in his head , thats something else completely . Thanks Nick !
Nick Lowe was one of the most incredible artists of my youth but a critical building block for our music. Merci beaucoup, Mr. Lowe
super crushing on Nick 36 years and counting!!!
pure class what a great song love it
no backups, no auto-tune, no other instruments, one man, a mic, and an accoustic , think about that
I saw him do an accoustic gig in london years ago at the Mean Fiddler and it was as good as this - he filled the room with swirling sound all by himself ...
Hahahahaha! That is what musicians do. Nothing amazing. What is amazing is that you find it amazing.
simple is best. humanity.
It's a damn good song; He wrote "Kid" done by the Pretenders.
@@Pimp-Master Dont think he did..? He produced a few for the pretenders but Chrissy Hynde wrote kid?
Nick Lowe is so cool.
This lyric is a paradox we must all understand at one time or other in our lives . It makes you prudential ( the right time) and proportionate ( the right measure ) otherwise people take advantage or don't hold up their end.
One of my favorite singer/songwriters and songs of all time. 61 from Newfoundland Canada.
He's adorable.
Which = the end of Pop Star. Ugh. Not dogging ya. We all are just old now.
Totally doable and he is much older than me!
He is a rockstar
what a great singer
nice song and cool to see Nick still jamming!
Awesome!! I get to sing all of the harmony and doo-doo-doo-doo-doos with Nick Lowe 😃
The music lives on as you age. Good job Nick Lowe.
How fun!. As a kid, I would play this 45 on our Zenith stereo... which I still have and was just playing some scratchy Supertramp on. Being super shy, I was able to dance around and sing because nobody was around. Good memories.
Nick is a songwriting beast! A true craftsman 🍻
A voice that still resonates: Nick Lowe!
Such a great song and so was the video many years ago but it will be a great song for years to come 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I Really like this version, lets face it, its just a cool song. It fits you, and its just nice of you to put it on, for all to enjoy.
Saved as favorite, definite. I can listen to it many times, without tiring
BIG THANKS BRO MAN!!
Joe
Saw Nick on TV last night. Such a nice guy. He wrote alot of songs I didn't know were his. Very talented. I'm 58 so remember all these tunes.
One of the very best pop songs ever
Nice:
Good to see he still sings and plays even at 65.
Inspiration to us all.
Love you Nick. Still got it.
What a GREAT cover of a great hit! Awesome job Nick!
Wonderful!
Pure class!!!!!!
What a great song. I was 15 when this song came out. Oh young love good times, good tunes, and this song just made it so much cooler. Great song. Your awesome.
Good stuff !! Pure and simple ! 😎👍
You still sound great Nick Lowe. Love this song. Thanks for the memories too. I was a little kid when this song came out !
Nick aged with dignity and class. We can't be in our twenties for ever nor would we want to be.
A voice like butter
Nick, you're great!
He is a great songwriter. Just one of many great songwriters. He deserves the "title" as one of " the best songwriters of the late 20th Century."
Incredible voice and talent. Back then and still today!!! Genuine!! God bless sir 🙏 and thank you for that lovely song.
Really love this, Nick has absolutely still got it!
LOVE this!!!! yay!!! Nick Lowe, you still got it going on!
Great hair !!!
Nick, Nick, Nick...had to take a moment to tell you...that was fantastic!!!
Timeless..fab 🙌🏾
love the this man sings..he's a gem
I love that one. Way to go Nick.
Fantastic the guy just gets better n better
Fantastic he hasn't lost his beautiful voice unlike alot of other singers beyond 40
Nick Lowe is the real deal .. great voice and talent!
Always loved this song
That is just about the prettiest thing that I believe I've ever heard..Thanks so much Nick Lowe.
WHAT A GREAT SONG..40 YEARS LATER... TIMELESS,,
Such a talent! Simply AMAZING that there are any "dislikes" for this guy. Wow.
PURE TALENT. EXCELLENT.
Excellent song, excellent performance and the sound of that Gibson....whew!!
Still got it after all these years
Glad you're still with us Nick.
He's definitely still got it! Right on, Nick, you sound FABULOUS! 👍
Nick is one of the GREAT musicians of my lifetime, I truly appreciate his sound, and good to see him going strong and with great heart into his 60's!
Simply put awesome, great vintage....
singer/song writer / producer/ bass player extrodinare. One of my all time heroes
oh wow.......... this song hit me tonight don't know why.. just popped in.. found this FABULOUS... real musician!!!!
Love this acustic rendition.
The man still got it
I was nine years old and remember this song very well. Takes me back. Reminds of fun times and joyful memories. Love it. Rock on!
I recently saw Nick perform this song with Wilco on TV. It was really entertaining!
I just picked this old favourite out from memory on my acoustic guitar, and realised I must check out Nick's acoustic version for comparison.
Well, some are pros, others are not...
Love it love it love it.
Thanks again Nick Lowe.
the soundtrack of our lives x God bless you all
Great song. He's still got it!
Great song ,I used to play it in my band when I was a young bloke , ageing is such a tragedy because it was never meant to be that way .
It doesn't get much better than this. Real Simple!!
Still great with this one after all tho's years!
Love nick and this song
Now more than ever. Timeless
I had to listen to that 3 times!
love this. always will...