This song may be one of the most obscure Top Ten hits of the late 80's. Michael Johnson was a natural. Awesome, awesome voice. What a great delivery. This song still hits the heart deep. God Bless MJ
A very, very rare gem was MJ... Both understated and under recognized, but at the top of the heap for many listeners and musicians. Including this one. Above all, a good guy, and more importantly... a 'gentleman', a claim to which I can justifiably attest. Miss him.
Michael Johnson NEVER CAME CLOSE to receiving the love and respect he richly deserved. A classically trained guitarist and brilliant lyricist, blessed with an incomparable voice, Michael wasn't "hot enough" , nonetheless. I will never forget the sadness I felt when I saw him for free at one of those radio station produced live appearances. There were a few acts. But I had come to see my hero, Michael Johnson, whose greatest hits cassette I had been wearing out. The sadness was from the realization that this world class artist had been reduced to.....that.😢
LOVED this song in its Hayday, and still do.❤ It was my favorite "GO To" song, when I was heartbroken to pieces, and helped me get through it. I married my heartbreak only to divorce him 11 years later. I have much better now. So nice to be able to listen to this song without being heartbroken 💔
Very interesting bit of info I just learned about Michael Young. I only knew him from Street Rods by Michael. Last time I had talked to him, he had called me about a 1940 Ford panel truck I had for sale, making plans to come see it when he was coming over to pick up a 'glass body from a local shop.
This video introduced me to the greatness of Michael Johnson I would later discover his 70's work, and he became a favorite of mine. Interesting tidbit: the band featured in this video would continue on as Great Plains in the early-90's after Michael became an acoustic act. RIP Michael, you are still missed.
I use to listen to this when I was young..... I'm 44 now..... Me and my love of my life left me when we was young and married another man just to leave home..... Just to have a way out...... That hurts....... I've been tramatized every since
Thanks so much for posting this, I've always loved this song...I'd forgotten just how sad it is however...An ex-gf of mine gave me a cassette of his "The Best of" and every song on it is so good-I treasured it. I've been on a mission to find it and for the life of me can't locate it so I thought I'd try to find it here. So glad I did. Managed to actually find a CD earlier of it so I'll have the album again. I have to say I really wasn't expecting to be hit so hard by this tune...I suppose the Pandemic has caused some memories to well up. Ironically, the woman who gave me the cassette isn't the one who this song reminds me of. The past few years I usually try to stay away from these really sad, lonesome and blue songs, which means I don't listen to much Keith Whitley and Mary Chapin Carpenter these days...They've got a few of them. Well, they are truly poignant art and we can revisit them sometimes.
finally found this after looking for this song for 20 years. ..love this tune... this video was all i could remember and that's that's. .thanx for posting..great guitar work and medley not to mention excellent lyrics. .
Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Finally found this video by the great MJ. Not only did Michael Johnson hit this out of the park but, I even enjoyed the end showing the girl playing the cello.
I’ll never forget that this song came out as I was realizing that I was going to be getting divorced. Please somebody have The number and the name. It was a Steve Gillette song
This is the kind of lamentation break-up song that men sing...if you want to know what kind of "in-your-face" break-up songs that woman sing, check out, "lyin' cheatin heart" by Patty Loveless...big difference between the two...
@@Marcus_C51 The whole song has a James Taylor vibe about it doesn't it?I agree,Michael Johnson was sorta left behind in the late 80s when the Garth Brooks/line dance era took over.Luckily we have RUclips to listen to these great artist that otherwise would never be played on the radio again.
@@pallmall5495 Yeah, he did get left behind/overlooked which is a damn shame The record companies and their lack of pushing some quality artists was a drag. I was gigging on guitar back in those days and yeah, lots of the line dancing material. Having covered alot of the classic country stuff, Willie, Merle and Dwight Yoakam. I often wonder what happened to "real" country in the 2000''s. There are some quality acts but I always found it weird that practically everybody is playing Gibsons when it used to be Teles and Gretsches. And much of the current songs are semi pop/rock with a pedal steel and a fiddle thrown in. You are so right about how lucky we are to be able to check out Michael's superb songs as well as live shows here on RUclips. Radio has certainly evolved into an even more useless realm than it used to be. Never a pretty picture.
This song may be one of the most obscure Top Ten hits of the late 80's.
Michael Johnson was a natural. Awesome, awesome voice. What a great delivery. This song still hits the heart deep. God Bless MJ
A very, very rare gem was MJ... Both understated and under recognized, but at the top of the heap for many listeners and musicians. Including this one. Above all, a good guy, and more importantly... a 'gentleman', a claim to which I can justifiably attest. Miss him.
A fantastic and under rated song! Thanks for posting!
Impressed by the fact the video produced by Rosanne Cash.
A word of praise and tribute to the songwriter, Hugh Prestwood, who passed in late September
Michael Johnson NEVER CAME CLOSE to receiving the love and respect he richly deserved. A classically trained guitarist and brilliant lyricist, blessed with an incomparable voice, Michael wasn't "hot enough" , nonetheless. I will never forget the sadness I felt when I saw him for free at one of those radio station produced live appearances. There were a few acts. But I had come to see my hero, Michael Johnson, whose greatest hits cassette I had been wearing out. The sadness was from the realization that this world class artist had been reduced to.....that.😢
The lyrics of the second verse always floor me. Such a beautiful and melancholy song at the same time.
Saw Mike live twice in Colorado Springs. He talked to all us and signed our CD S. He was great, what a showman! Rip kind soul!
LOVED this song in its Hayday, and still do.❤ It was my favorite "GO To" song, when I was heartbroken to pieces, and helped me get through it. I married my heartbreak only to divorce him 11 years later. I have much better now. So nice to be able to listen to this song without being heartbroken 💔
RIP Michael Young, the drummer in the video. Former Michael Johnson and Great Plains drummer, and street rod build.
Very interesting bit of info I just learned about Michael Young. I only knew him from Street Rods by Michael. Last time I had talked to him, he had called me about a 1940 Ford panel truck I had for sale, making plans to come see it when he was coming over to pick up a 'glass body from a local shop.
This video introduced me to the greatness of Michael Johnson I would later discover his 70's work, and he became a favorite of mine. Interesting tidbit: the band featured in this video would continue on as Great Plains in the early-90's after Michael became an acoustic act. RIP Michael, you are still missed.
Wow, this is Great Plains on this backing him? Used to cover "Faster Gun" back in the day, they were good!
Actually there WERE, two to three different music videos. My favorite, featuring the fantastic movements of ballerinas, has disappeared.
This song just popped up in my mind after 30 years, can't believe it was on here, Thank You!
ME TOO!😅
I USE TO PERFORM THIS ONE...MISS MIKE HE WAS A GREAT ARTIST AND A FUNNY DUDE!
I use to listen to this when I was young..... I'm 44 now..... Me and my love of my life left me when we was young and married another man just to leave home..... Just to have a way out...... That hurts....... I've been tramatized every since
I always loved the song! Thanks!
Thanks so much for posting this, I've always loved this song...I'd forgotten just how sad it is however...An ex-gf of mine gave me a cassette of his "The Best of" and every song on it is so good-I treasured it. I've been on a mission to find it and for the life of me can't locate it so I thought I'd try to find it here. So glad I did. Managed to actually find a CD earlier of it so I'll have the album again. I have to say I really wasn't expecting to be hit so hard by this tune...I suppose the Pandemic has caused some memories to well up. Ironically, the woman who gave me the cassette isn't the one who this song reminds me of. The past few years I usually try to stay away from these really sad, lonesome and blue songs, which means I don't listen to much Keith Whitley and Mary Chapin Carpenter these days...They've got a few of them. Well, they are truly poignant art and we can revisit them sometimes.
I forgot about this song. It is so good!!!!!!
After many years of trying I finally found this song! 😉
finally found this after looking for this song for 20 years. ..love this tune... this video was all i could remember and that's that's. .thanx for posting..great guitar work and medley not to mention excellent lyrics. .
This is one of my favorites, simply the best
When he played this live he'd say: "And now to answer the timeless question, what's what?" Then he'd play.
Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Finally found this video by the great MJ. Not only did Michael Johnson hit this out of the park but, I even enjoyed the end showing the girl playing the cello.
Except there is no cello part in the song...and no accordion. 🤔
Always loved this song but could never find it. What an amazing song! Thank you for posting.
Underrated as a singer, but not as a musician and a writer, love this song, and I have the album;)
Great song full of memories
THANK YOU! I have been looking for this video for years. My VHS tape of all of his TNN appearances and videos gave up the ghost a few years ago.
I’ll never forget that this song came out as I was realizing that I was going to be getting divorced. Please somebody have The number and the name. It was a Steve Gillette song
Me too! I always loved this song.
A great singer!
Such a wonderful song, but sooo sad 😥 😢 😞
I have this cassette
True!!! I got it!!❤
Michael singing Hugh Prestwood... 'about as good as it gets.
this is one great video !
4 hit wonder. 1.Bluer than Blue 1978, 2.Give Me Wings 1986, 3.The Moon is Still over her Shoulder 1987 and 4.That’s That 1988.
More like 11 top 10. But a wonder for sure.
This is the kind of lamentation break-up song that men sing...if you want to know what kind of "in-your-face" break-up songs that woman sing, check out, "lyin' cheatin heart" by Patty Loveless...big difference between the two...
In the morning I'm gonna cut that tree down !
wow,I thought this was James Taylor when I first heard it years ago.
You know, now that you've mentioned it I can hear that! There is some phrasing and vocal quality that is close. It is Michael's song though...
@@Marcus_C51 The whole song has a James Taylor vibe about it doesn't it?I agree,Michael Johnson was sorta left behind in the late 80s when the Garth Brooks/line dance era took over.Luckily we have RUclips to listen to these great artist that otherwise would never be played on the radio again.
@@pallmall5495 Yeah, he did get left behind/overlooked which is a damn shame The record companies and their lack of pushing some quality artists was a drag. I was gigging on guitar back in those days and yeah, lots of the line dancing material. Having covered alot of the classic country stuff, Willie, Merle and Dwight Yoakam. I often wonder what happened to "real" country in the 2000''s. There are some quality acts but I always found it weird that practically everybody is playing Gibsons when it used to be Teles and Gretsches. And much of the current songs are semi pop/rock with a pedal steel and a fiddle thrown in. You are so right about how lucky we are to be able to check out Michael's superb songs as well as live shows here on RUclips. Radio has certainly evolved into an even more useless realm than it used to be. Never a pretty picture.
Does anybody have a recording of Michael singing The Road. A song by Danny O’Keefe. His version’s better than Danny’s
Yes, I have a copy. I will post it tomorrow.