I was a poor farm boy and couldn't afford a good guitar. I was so angry when I saw The Who smash guitars. Thank you John for giving voice to many of our feelings.
I was introduced to John at the getgo.... still one of the biggest fans of one of the best singer songwriters that there has ever been. I am 50 years young and still rockin myself in a 3 piece band.
Love the guy and his music. His shows are great, he is under appreciated by the mass media and that is okay. To those in the know, we can look at each other and smile.
Mister Hiatt is the best kept secret for those who know and appreciate what great music should sound like. If you've just discovered him..... well you have an awesome back catalogue of his music to discover. He absolutely smashes it here with the 'Goners'
@ supersandwitch14: He's very successful, but more on the writing side of the business. credits from Bob Dylan, Willy DeVille, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, BB King, Joe Bonamassa, Willie Nelson, 3 Dog Night, Joan Baez, Paula Abdul, Buddy Guy, Desert Rose Band, Jimmy Buffett, Mandy Moore, Iggy Pop, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rosanne Cash, Suzy Bogguss, Jewel, Aaron Neville, Jeff Healey, Keith Urban, Joe Cocker...
This may sound like a Geezer who walked 10 miles to school uphill BOTH WAYS :-), but I just love this song. I won't bore you with how hard it was for me to get my first guitar, and how I've turned it into a good living - but I have to say I've always not only HATED those who smash guitars, but even more, the DUMB ASSES who find it cool. This song has become my anthem re: my long time contention that the masses are asses, just some are more "massive" :-)
"Men's Health mag said it best when they pointed out what a shame it is that John Mayer is more popular than John Hiatt. " Hiatt definitely deserves more credit, but come on man, Mayer is a HELL of player as well.
Mayer is a great player but he isn't a 1/10th of a song writer that John Hiatt is. Hiatt has been covered by much of Nashville when they actually wrote music unlike the autotuned bro-music that comes out now.
Great songwriter and singer. I once saw him live at the Music Hall in the town of Eindhoven in The Netherlands, just him and his guitar in a two-hour show. Fantastic!
This was Hiatt's best band. I wish that he still had these guys with him. I've seen him play several times. He was always at his best with these fellas.
John Hiatt's music has been firmly embedded in my collection for well over 30 years, love the man. And the lead guitar by Michael Ward is just perfect, thank you.
I once saw him live on his own in the Music Hall in the town of Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Just him and his guitar(s). He kept it going for two hours, exceptionally good!
John Hiatt is one of the best songwriters ever. I saw him at JazzFest in NOLA back in 1988 or so, and bought his cassette on the spot. (Yes, cassette.) He's a down to earth performer, and the soul comes through with every word.
One of the best from one of America's truly great songwriters and performers. Stupendous lyrics, great live shows...and he introduced the world to Sonny Landreth and company which, with proof of only TWO more miracles, should make him a consensus candidate for sainthood. HIatt is what real rock and roll is all about. Hey...When you have Dylan covering YOUR tunes ("The Usual"), you know you're doing something right.
One thing that I miss in this video from the recorded version is, it's hard to describe, applied guitar distortion at certain parts in the song. If you're familiar with the recorded version, maybe you'll know what I mean.
My favorite by John, I have always wondered why someone would smash a good guitar....I mean other than the obvious popular "fad" reasons musicians participate.
9er, if you were indeed pro-Brit, you would not have overlooked Richard Thompson. Meet on the Ledge? 1952 Vincent Black Lightning? I Feel So Good? Come on!!
Hey..its a video of a live performance,in a small venue, by a good ,but marginally famous magician ,backed up by a largly unknown band........whadaya expect. High tech,high buck it aint. I doubt it was made to stand up to high scrutiny..just to entertain for a couple of minutes.
You gotta remember that this video is spliced from several different camera angles. Could be the editor put it together out of sync to get the shots he wanted.The only thing he had to match up to auidio was lip action. Watch the end when the guitar waver is in sync when the hollow body is on its neck.
I do not care how cheap a guitar is you never smash a guitar. A poor child that their family could never buy them even a cheap one would kill for that cheap guitar. If the guitar is loved even a cheap one when it is played with love has a soul.
great song, been listening to for decades. Is it just me? the bald guy is a cross between michael stipe of REM and the lead guitar of AC/DC and then the guy with the cap reminds me of Cheap Trick, Jimi Hendrix with dreads, and Jerry Garcia on bass?
If I try to explain I will just get flamed more. I would advise everyone to listen to the song with a different frame of mind, and also think of it in the context of Hiatt's life and you may see that my analysis is at least plausible.
It was my understanding that John wrote this, as kind of a mockery of guitarists who had smashed their guitars - his grandma wondered why someone would "smash a perfectly good guitar" - watching The Who on Ed Sullivan or something.
Whether or not they make good music is irrelevant. You don't have to like them to acknowledge that they are good musicians. And why should I mind my Ps and Qs, I'm not the one who calls people 'dumb asses'.
I dont think I care about the guitar smashin as much as hollywood car crashin tho...costs a fuckin fortune to get a car....then dan akroyd smashes 200 in one Blues Brothers movie? now thats painful! lol
It's an age thing, FatStrat76. Although I think if you were to go to Nashville, or to talk to anyone in the music biz, or talk to his publisher, you would find that Mr. Hiatt is doing quite well.
Pete smashed out of frustration and at times embaressment, not just for show. Was just part of R&R to Pete. John should have talked to Pete first. Still a great song.
@glaatklingler i had totally forgotten about this song, you inspired me to go and find it, damn did it take some finding!!!! and no I couldn't find it on you tube either :(
@fenrinstr Instead of whining about a guitar going to be smashed (which was a thing of that time to do btw) just listen to the song and enjoy the music instead :)
He must've gotten inspired to write this from hype Garth Brooks (remember him??) created by smashing an acoustic guitar in almost every show he did in the 80s....
What this lyric actually means is, not that important guys. Surely what matters is what it says to the listener. Anything else is purely academic. Just enjoy
Good for the economy and good for vintage guitars. The value goes up every time one gets smashed! Love the song. Got some complex chord changes that took a while to get down. I'm going to start playing it regularly at shows.
You are absolutely right my friend, with some of the best lyrics ever written, along with each and every songs' great structure and sound quality, it is definitely one of the best crafted albums ever! The song-writing trinity of Hiatt, Richard Thompson, and Steve Earle, keep my soul on fire!
Smashing a perfectly good guitar like one of my Takamine Pro Series 3's, my P3DC cutaway 12-string ------never!!!! Or my Strat? Never gonna happen. Great song John. Smash a perfectly good guitar and go to jail. Death row until you get a heart. No early parole.
I was a poor farm boy and couldn't afford a good guitar. I was so angry when I saw The Who smash guitars. Thank you John for giving voice to many of our feelings.
TRUTH!
Pete Townshend actually put the guitar back together at the end of each show.
Sounds like something Zevon would sing. I love it.
Brilliant song... made me a JH fan...
I was introduced to John at the getgo.... still one of the biggest fans of one of the best singer songwriters that there has ever been. I am 50 years young and still rockin myself in a 3 piece band.
HiattHouse, thanks for posting this live awesome live version!
Great song...great album actually...
Alan Jankowski truth
Love the guy and his music. His shows are great, he is under appreciated by the mass media and that is okay. To those in the know, we can look at each other and smile.
And we do ! I'm from Holland and he is very appreciated over here.
Gonna see him with Sonny Landreth on guitar tomorrow in Seattle!
well said
I agree, underrated musician and song writer. But hey, John Bonasmassa knows how good he is as do I.
Those in the know realize how special his music is.
Great tune
Mister Hiatt is the best kept secret for those who know and appreciate what great music should sound like. If you've just discovered him..... well you have an awesome back catalogue of his music to discover. He absolutely smashes it here with the 'Goners'
thanks for posting that . . i forgot about that song . .i love it
Real talent!
Rest in Peace John will miss ya man .
This is real music, you must not know a great tune when you hear one!
does anybody know where i can find john Hiatt wreck of a barbie ferrari? need it bad
@ supersandwitch14: He's very successful, but more on the writing side of the business. credits from Bob Dylan, Willy DeVille, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, BB King, Joe Bonamassa, Willie Nelson, 3 Dog Night, Joan Baez, Paula Abdul, Buddy Guy, Desert Rose Band, Jimmy Buffett, Mandy Moore, Iggy Pop, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rosanne Cash, Suzy Bogguss, Jewel, Aaron Neville, Jeff Healey, Keith Urban, Joe Cocker...
This may sound like a Geezer who walked 10 miles to school uphill BOTH WAYS :-), but I just love this song. I won't bore you with how hard it was for me to get my first guitar, and how I've turned it into a good living - but I have to say I've always not only HATED those who smash guitars, but even more, the DUMB ASSES who find it cool. This song has become my anthem re: my long time contention that the masses are asses, just some are more "massive" :-)
What kind of guitar is Hiatt playing in this video?
I don't like every one of John's songs, but the best of them are some of my very favorites!
"Men's Health mag said it best when they pointed out what a shame it is that John Mayer is more popular than John Hiatt. "
Hiatt definitely deserves more credit, but come on man, Mayer is a HELL of player as well.
Mayer is a great player but he isn't a 1/10th of a song writer that John Hiatt is. Hiatt has been covered by much of Nashville when they actually wrote music unlike the autotuned bro-music that comes out now.
OwwwWhheee!!! You don't break a guitar!
Well if that is the most intelligent thing you can contribute to the discussion, then I won't elaborate on why I think that.
@edaj84 me to man thats crazy lol, but im only 20 lol
Turn up the volume super loud in the beginning, and piss your pants.
sober is good
@MrJake92662 I'm a musician :o
Great songwriter and singer. I once saw him live at the Music Hall in the town of Eindhoven in The Netherlands, just him and his guitar in a two-hour show. Fantastic!
This was Hiatt's best band. I wish that he still had these guys with him. I've seen him play several times. He was always at his best with these fellas.
John Hiatt's music has been firmly embedded in my collection for well over 30 years, love the man. And the lead guitar by Michael Ward is just perfect, thank you.
Ward passed this yr 🎸👏
@@mlbolts72…..sadly you’re right, Michael passed in April. What a dreadful loss, he was too young.
I remember when this song first came out...very slinky cool groove. loved it!
Pure unadulterated MAGIC genius
best singer/songwriter on the planet absolutely phenomenal when you see him live
.
, ..
.
. 🎸❤️❤️😊❤️🎸🎸💯🤠
I once saw him live on his own in the Music Hall in the town of Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Just him and his guitar(s). He kept it going for two hours, exceptionally good!
Take that! Pete Townsend....among many others....
Yes, this Is why I never liked the Who.
John Hiatt is one of the best songwriters ever. I saw him at JazzFest in NOLA back in 1988 or so, and bought his cassette on the spot. (Yes, cassette.) He's a down to earth performer, and the soul comes through with every word.
I've never smashed a perfectly good guitar. But I put an end to a couple that were asking for it.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Best comment!
One of the best from one of America's truly great songwriters and performers. Stupendous lyrics, great live shows...and he introduced the world to Sonny Landreth and company which, with proof of only TWO more miracles, should make him a consensus candidate for sainthood. HIatt is what real rock and roll is all about. Hey...When you have Dylan covering YOUR tunes ("The Usual"), you know you're doing something right.
One thing that I miss in this video from the recorded version is, it's hard to describe, applied guitar distortion at certain parts in the song.
If you're familiar with the recorded version, maybe you'll know what I mean.
My favorite by John, I have always wondered why someone would smash a good guitar....I mean other than the obvious popular "fad" reasons musicians participate.
So glad I found this. Just heard it on the radio for the first time today. It's great!
All laws are derived from committing God's declared sins. However, not all sins are against the law of man. Will
Still a classic track
John Hiatt = LEGEND!!!
Fucking EPIC!!!!
u gotta crank this one up !!!
Make um don’t break um. They have smash up places to go and pay to bust stuff up..
Release your tension 😮
I Love John Hiatt. His band is great BUT. who is the creant? Hiatt does not need the creant playing guitar.
Thats it
9er, if you were indeed pro-Brit, you would not have overlooked Richard Thompson. Meet on the Ledge? 1952 Vincent Black Lightning? I Feel So Good? Come on!!
Not sure who the 64 (at this time) douchbags that don't like this are... I immediately felt able to relate to this.
Hey..its a video of a live performance,in a small venue, by a good ,but marginally famous magician ,backed up by a largly unknown band........whadaya expect. High tech,high buck it aint.
I doubt it was made to stand up to high scrutiny..just to entertain for a couple of minutes.
You gotta remember that this video is spliced from several different camera angles. Could be the editor put it together out of sync to get the shots he wanted.The only thing he had to match up to auidio was lip action. Watch the end when the guitar waver is in sync when the hollow body is on its neck.
Ao ouvir o estrondo da guitarra .. apaixonou-se ….😏
Why would a person smash the very thing that enables him to make the music he loves?
You might want to ask your shrink...
I do not care how cheap a guitar is you never smash a guitar. A poor child that their family could never buy them even a cheap one would kill for that cheap guitar. If the guitar is loved even a cheap one when it is played with love has a soul.
great song, been listening to for decades. Is it just me? the bald guy is a cross between michael stipe of REM and the lead guitar of AC/DC and then the guy with the cap reminds me of Cheap Trick, Jimi Hendrix with dreads, and Jerry Garcia on bass?
If I try to explain I will just get flamed more. I would advise everyone to listen to the song with a different frame of mind, and also think of it in the context of Hiatt's life and you may see that my analysis is at least plausible.
It was my understanding that John wrote this, as kind of a mockery of guitarists who had smashed their guitars - his grandma wondered why someone would "smash a perfectly good guitar" - watching The Who on Ed Sullivan or something.
Whether or not they make good music is irrelevant. You don't have to like them to acknowledge that they are good musicians.
And why should I mind my Ps and Qs, I'm not the one who calls people 'dumb asses'.
I dont think I care about the guitar smashin as much as hollywood car crashin tho...costs a fuckin fortune to get a car....then dan akroyd smashes 200 in one Blues Brothers movie? now thats painful! lol
It's an age thing, FatStrat76. Although I think if you were to go to Nashville, or to talk to anyone in the music biz, or talk to his publisher, you would find that Mr. Hiatt is doing quite well.
☮️🇺🇦✨💫🙏
Voice, songwriting....
lol everyone making a big deal about pheobe bridgers and it reminds me of this song. suprised it isnt more popular .
I just saw him perform this song in KC...somehow recordings of John Hiatt just can't compare to the real thing.
Pete smashed out of frustration and at times embaressment, not just for show. Was just part of R&R to Pete. John should have talked to Pete first.
Still a great song.
@glaatklingler i had totally forgotten about this song, you inspired me to go and find it, damn did it take some finding!!!! and no I couldn't find it on you tube either :(
@fenrinstr
Instead of whining about a guitar going to be smashed (which was a thing of that time to do btw) just listen to the song and enjoy the music instead :)
He must've gotten inspired to write this from hype Garth Brooks (remember him??) created by smashing an acoustic guitar in almost every show he did in the 80s....
What this lyric actually means is, not that important guys. Surely what matters is what it says to the listener. Anything else is purely academic. Just enjoy
actually, it started off as BAD musicianship.... guys didn't want to play encores and smashed their instruments to make sure they wouldn't have to
there ought to be a law
with no bail, smash a guitar and you go to jail
with no chance of early parole
you don't get out until you get some soul XD
awesome song, i remeber watching him on austin city limits
5/14/24 VIEWS 806K & LIKES 2,9K COMMENTS 266 ENJOY,,,,,,,,,,
Can anyone say "Tiananamen".
Better be glad you live in this country.
@MysteryHunterz You are right,I just got sucked into the smashing guitar argument and feel like a moron now for doing so!
Good for the economy and good for vintage guitars. The value goes up every time one gets smashed! Love the song. Got some complex chord changes that took a while to get down. I'm going to start playing it regularly at shows.
Man I am sorry for my genoration for fucking up the music. im 18 and i listen to the stuff my parents listen to
You are absolutely right my friend, with some of the best lyrics ever written, along with each and every songs' great structure and sound quality, it is definitely one of the best crafted albums ever! The song-writing trinity of Hiatt, Richard Thompson, and Steve Earle, keep my soul on fire!
awesome from day one and still awesome to day
lol.. the lyrics are 'they all got wet when he smashed that thing', referring to the women, just noticed..
Someone should play this at every Obama Rally, considering what he's doing to the folks at Gibson...
This has got to be his best song ever. I love neil young but God crazy horse has nothing on John
This song is the relationship National Anthem (Have a Little Faith in Me)
Alison Akers yes, my sentiments exactly...
this does not appear to be a live video. this looks like a staged promo vid from the record co
Effin BRILIANT
the song sucks.. but he is right :p they can sell those guitars for a lot of cash to fans
@SRV18947 You're actually 20? You type like you haven't finished primary school yet.
@amarilloman54
Yeah, Prine is great storyteller and pretty fair entertainer as well
my dad introduced me to this amazing singer when i was about 12 and I am still lovin it (i am 24 now)
you might throw in John Prine into your mix of Richard Thompson and Earle
Mike
they were good musicians but they acted well stupid. john is right about this!
Add kickin a dog or teasing a cat...we human beings shouldn't be like that!!!!
For Rhenna in Puget Sound, The guy from Wyoming you met in Petersburg AK.
@imamcallen you should have made him see stars,unless it was junky ayyway
I love it the white guy does hendrix trixs and does not smash it
who's the guitarist with the baseball cap? looks like tom morello
Perfect! Love this man’s music 🎼🎼
I don't know about this psycho-babble.
Fuckin BRILLIANT song
Love to smash that shit up \m/
Jeff Beck NEVER smashed his guitar on stage.............
love it, just a great talent
Smashing a perfectly good guitar like one of my Takamine Pro Series 3's, my P3DC cutaway 12-string ------never!!!! Or my Strat? Never gonna happen. Great song John. Smash a perfectly good guitar and go to jail. Death row until you get a heart. No early parole.