This video was recorded at the World Liberty Concert in Arnhem, The Netherlands on May 8th 1995. This concert was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2. The bridge you see in the background was the scene of heavy fighting in a crucial battle of WW2. Chris Thompson, lead singer of Manfred Mann's Earth Band, is one of the finest singers in rock history (to my humble opinion).
This is one of the best 'anthem' songs ever written. This version is excellent, no doubt. David from US Idol deserves huge praise for even attempting this song (and for bringing it to the attention of the American public) and Chris Thompson may have been one of the co-writers but John Farnham's version is THE bench mark. End of story.
Chris Thompson is fantastic, saw him sing this song when the toured with Alan Parsons Live. It was one of the most memorable vocal performances I can remember. Buy the Alan Parsons Live album to hear the original.
Actually, the song was written by my husband, Andy Qunta, (of Aussie band, Icehouse) Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earth Band), Keith Reid (Procol Harem) and Maggie Ryder (Eurythmics) in Dec 1985. Andy gave the song to John Farnham's "people" when he was in Australia with Icehouse. John recorded it and the rest is history. But I do certainly agree that the idiot trying to take credit for writing it needs to get a LIFE!!! Some people have a lot of freaking NERVE!!! Mrs Andy Q
It might be worth noting that Chris Thompson (along with Andy Qunta, Keith Reid and Maggie Ryder) actually wrote the song, even if John Farnham sang it first.
I'm surprised to see Chris Thmpson gets stick here. He is one of my favourite singers ever and yes he did co-write this song. Of course he didn't write Blinded By The Light but that is the song that brought him to my attention. Listen to Questions from the Roaring Silence album. Oh yes Farnham is the cute one with the power voice but Thompson is the one who moves me, goosebumps singing.
Bruce Springsteen did the original “Blinded by the Light.” Thompson and and Farnham are close to same age, but Farnham had a rougher situation health wise than Thompson in the later years of their careers.
I've never heard this guy before. He's slightly weaker voice-wise than John Farnham, but I am not putting him down. For what it is, he's done a good job here. It's very hard to compare anyone to John. He's got one of those one in a billion voices.
Listen to him singing live with Manfred Mann the great song "for you", and be surprised! In this video he has an off-day, but still does a far better job then Farnham would do it nowadays..!
This song needs to be covered more and the lyrics posted on every platform ... we can't change unless we do it for ourselves together ... and we need to be reminded constantly ... or our unconsciousness will lead us to self destruction ... the planet is fine ... it's US that we are wanting to change and to heal and save ... we need to "take the Ring to the Crack of Doom" in other words ... to take our hunger and desire and let it go ... stop driving our cars and flying our planes and using technology in unhealthy and unwise ways ... it's up to you and me .... I pray we can change.
I would have to disagree about Chris being weak. I saw him with Alan Parsons on the 1995 tour at the Beacon Theatre in NYC. I was amazed at just how solid he was continuously. His intonation and range never faltered. The crowd really took to him as a powerhouse!
Any version of this amazing song is worth hearing. We need this song today more than when it was written in 1986! It's wonderful! And Chris's incredible voice handles it superbly!! Great video, and great song!
Years without watching this. Arnhem. World Liberty Concert, 1995. Speechless. And a message that still holds together. We are the voice. We have no fear anymore...
most here never heard chris or john live. chris wrote the song, fine a perfect recording in a studio. but remeber chris sings it the way he wrote it...as well he has a reputation of one of the best studio singers in the world...i have seen both john and chris live....chris without doubt..
Many years later in June 2022 I had the opportunity to experience Chris thompson live again in the Music Hall Worpswede (this song was also there) and what can I say: I was once again enthusiastic about his performance, including that of his band.
My husband co-wrote this song, dude. Get a life other than trying to take credit for something you did NOT freaking DO! "You're the Voice" was written by Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Maggie Ryder and Keith Reid (Keith, of 'Procol Harem' "Whiter Shade of Pale" fame wrote the LYRICS to YTV!) Mrs Andy Qunta
I like this version too. I would love to hear a young John Farnham sing with this group of musicians. Outdoor venues are the hardest to get the best sound.
I think Chris sings it "better" .... that is, his voice and phrasing and timbre appeals to me more than the John Farnham recording. That said ... it's just an amazing song ... an anthem for humanity and our world right now. It's extremely apt, moving and uplifting ... we need to come together ...
If you're a fan of Chris Thompson, then you have to check out his work with Steelhouse Lane, where he sang all the background vocals and co-wrote most of the songs with guitar wiz Mike Slamer. On the album Slaves Of The New World, if you listen closely, you'd be able to tell it's him in the background.
I hear a lot of John's vocals in this. As Chris wrote this, I have to wonder if John took his direction form Chris's demo? Of coure, John did a better version, but he wasn't nicknamed 'The Voice' for no reason, he's a freak on that song!
Chris Thompson is the Voice and always will be. He is just a legend. I love MMEB and just wish he was back with them. MMEB without Chris is like Simon without Garfunckle, both fantastic apart but together fn Mantastic
The reason you never got credit from Alan Parsons is because they had nothing to do with writing the song! Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid and Maggie Ryder wrote it. You can check the credits on any version, including the one on The Alan Parsons Live CD. Both the Chris Thompson and John Farnham versions credit these same songwriters. I'm sure President Reagan didn't forward your poem to anyone involved in the writing of this song. Happy trails!
I love John Farnham's voice, but I actually prefer Chris Thompson's version found on the '95 Parsons Live CD. In fact, I felt that Heart did a great version but the melody was always rendered best by Thompson (especially the pre chorus "barrel of a gun" part"). Thompson always is on 100% and never dodges a note. Ann and John F. never dodge either, come to think of it.
This is an even better performance than "Blinded--," but, hey, Thompson had to have something to build on. I didn't realize this song was about the Cold War, but then I didn't hear it until much later. Still relevant here(U.S.) with guns on the street. Unfortunately, I'm still not so sure if that version of Springsteen's classic persists because Thompson's mouth was gummed up that day. I needn't spell it out here, but Beavis and Butthead are still snickering in my head.
Incredible performance - just as good as JF - but too bad about the muted response from the crowd. WTF, he's just finished an awesome, 5-minute-long performance, and instead of screaming and whistling in appreciation, they're singing some classical (Mozart?) piece.
Agree This was pretty much his recording band , Even the band with Steve Murphy, Godfrey Townsend was Grade A. These days the band isn't very good along with Pj Olson who I can't stand.
Mmmm... I never comment on RUclips but -- (and I don't generally like 'American Idol versions') -- that live version of John singing the song is quite horrible. He's shouting the song and way off pitch for chunks of time. Tuned low or not, the song keeps its range and David sang it with ease and with passion! Chris Thompson's vocal on the album version is better still. I'll thank John for writing the song tho! (unless someone wrote it for him ;) ..)
Actually 'Beat Of Love' is in my opinion the best track he's ever done, closely followed by 'Blinded By The Light'. Funny thing, if you ask any John Farnham fan, they'll say he does the best version but Chris craps all over Farnham both live and in-studio.
Well yes, sorry, I apologize, I should have said John Farnham was the original performer, and technically it was written when Reagen was in power, however my point was more about the stupidity of the original comment, although I should probably should have been more specific.
Don't agree - He's doing actually good. Don't know how John would sing today. You should never compare a studio recording from the 80s with a live performance of this millenium. John was "just some singer" this is Chris Thompson - the voice of Manfred Mann etc, not some casted one-hit-wonder guy.
John Farnham is no 'one hit wonder'! He's been one of the most highly admired Australian singers for nearly five decades, since the late 1960's. I have a great admiration for both singers. They would be of a similar age also I guess.
@@thedolphin5428 You don't think that John built HIS vocal performance off Chris' original demo?! If you want to hear Chris sing without much in the way of acrobatics, just check out the studio version of "Martha's Madman". Exceptional.
@@progmeup No I don't think for a moment that JF copied Chris. Farnham made every song his own -- even if it was a cover. Thompson here is great, beautiful brilliant, talented, powerful, wonderful, everything ... but ... but ... to my ear it is definitely derivative of Farnham's famous live versions. No pop song is ever WRITTEN to be PERFORMED in a specific way ... unless it it is specifically written *FOR* a particular singer. Even so, it is the SINGER, the PERFORMER who gives the written score their unique and idiosyncratic style. Without a doubt, the man singing above is performing it in the John Farnham style. And ... he's trying too hard to do it in that way. JF just sings great. Thompson is TRYING to sing it great. And he does. But it is not effortless like John. Therefore it is derivative, imitative. Sorry, but true.
@@Kaleiddmode Nah, hes TRYING to copy how JF does it. Yes, I know he co-wrote it, but singing and writing are two completely different talents and Thompson is good at both, but JF is a far greater singer. QED. And there's only so many vocal trills and slides and growls and falsetto acrobatics you can put into a song before you have overdone it and wrecked it. Farnham well knows how NOT to do this and still sing exceptionally well. Thompson obviously doesn't. This was grossly melodramatic ... but that's what the punters want.
This song was written by John Farnham It was not written in the Reagan era This is a cover version Where do you get off taking credit for other peoples work? Get a life
Видеоклипы
This video was recorded at the World Liberty Concert in Arnhem, The Netherlands on May 8th 1995. This concert was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2. The bridge you see in the background was the scene of heavy fighting in a crucial battle of WW2. Chris Thompson, lead singer of Manfred Mann's Earth Band, is one of the finest singers in rock history (to my humble opinion).
Chris Thompson is possibly one of Rock's best singers
I always loved Farnham's version best, but wow, Thompson's is great too. I've loved his voice since his Manfred Mann days.
This is one of the best 'anthem' songs ever written. This version is excellent, no doubt. David from US Idol deserves huge praise for even attempting this song (and for bringing it to the attention of the American public) and Chris Thompson may have been one of the co-writers but John Farnham's version is THE bench mark. End of story.
Chris Thompson is fantastic, saw him sing this song when the toured with Alan Parsons Live. It was one of the most memorable vocal performances I can remember. Buy the Alan Parsons Live album to hear the original.
Actually, the song was written by my husband, Andy Qunta, (of Aussie band, Icehouse) Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earth Band), Keith Reid (Procol Harem) and Maggie Ryder (Eurythmics) in Dec 1985. Andy gave the song to John Farnham's "people" when he was in Australia with Icehouse. John recorded it and the rest is history. But I do certainly agree that the idiot trying to take credit for writing it needs to get a LIFE!!! Some people have a lot of freaking NERVE!!!
Mrs Andy Q
Amen, few can compare to Chris Thompson live... Even at his worst, he's amazing!!! :)
It might be worth noting that Chris Thompson (along with Andy Qunta, Keith Reid and Maggie Ryder) actually wrote the song, even if John Farnham sang it first.
WTF
In short: 6 minutes and half of the most PURE and POWERFUL energy.
Man, how I wish I'd been there! Or at least to have a dvd...
Always good to listen to Chris Thompson.
Il grande chris
I'm surprised to see Chris Thmpson gets stick here. He is one of my favourite singers ever and yes he did co-write this song. Of course he didn't write Blinded By The Light but that is the song that brought him to my attention. Listen to Questions from the Roaring Silence album. Oh yes Farnham is the cute one with the power voice but Thompson is the one who moves me, goosebumps singing.
This!
Bruce Springsteen did the original “Blinded by the Light.”
Thompson and and Farnham are close to same age, but Farnham had a rougher situation health wise than Thompson in the later years of their careers.
I've never heard this guy before. He's slightly weaker voice-wise than John Farnham, but I am not putting him down. For what it is, he's done a good job here. It's very hard to compare anyone to John. He's got one of those one in a billion voices.
That's a voice!! :)
This song has a powerful message! I love it!!
What a powerful song!
everything in this is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! magnificent setting, vocals and song!
Listen to him singing live with Manfred Mann the great song "for you", and be surprised! In this video he has an off-day, but still does a far better job then Farnham would do it nowadays..!
What a singer! All those songs with Manfred Mann and now finding much more stuff from Chris.
This song needs to be covered more and the lyrics posted on every platform ... we can't change unless we do it for ourselves together ... and we need to be reminded constantly ... or our unconsciousness will lead us to self destruction ... the planet is fine ... it's US that we are wanting to change and to heal and save ... we need to "take the Ring to the Crack of Doom" in other words ... to take our hunger and desire and let it go ... stop driving our cars and flying our planes and using technology in unhealthy and unwise ways ... it's up to you and me .... I pray we can change.
one of the best on the planet singing for one of the best bands in the galaxy....
I would have to disagree about Chris being weak. I saw him with Alan Parsons on the 1995 tour at the Beacon Theatre in NYC. I was amazed at just how solid he was continuously. His intonation and range never faltered. The crowd really took to him as a powerhouse!
Chris Thompson, my favorite vocal man
Any version of this amazing song is worth hearing. We need this song today more than when it was written in 1986! It's wonderful! And Chris's incredible voice handles it superbly!! Great video, and great song!
Wow! The voice of John Farnham is wonderfull!
I love his version.
Ein großer Hit der genau zu Chris Thompson passt!
Very nice Song!
Years without watching this. Arnhem. World Liberty Concert, 1995. Speechless. And a message that still holds together. We are the voice. We have no fear anymore...
most here never heard chris or john live. chris wrote the song, fine a perfect recording in a studio. but remeber chris sings it the way he wrote it...as well he has a reputation of one of the best studio singers in the world...i have seen both john and chris live....chris without doubt..
Timeless...
Many years later in June 2022 I had the opportunity to experience Chris thompson live again in the Music Hall Worpswede (this song was also there) and what can I say: I was once again enthusiastic about his performance, including that of his band.
Just totally wonderful!
господи, как я вам завидую, мира всем и любви! Томпсон за "Манфреда"-спасибо, ты- мужик!
Wow! What a great song and SO appropriate for today! Thank You Chris! RIP
RIP??. Chris is still alive! Oh my god!
desde mexico, what a gr8 song, the chorus is uncomparable, and the lyrics, so deep, i hope everybody understand the lyric, such a great meanin.
Perfeito!!!
Exactly. Great song; I'd never heard it before.
Essa música é maravilhosa! Excelente show de voz, luzes. Arrepiei, chorei!!!!! Bravo!!!!!
Best song ever!
WOW! Awesome!
Well Chris was one the writers of this song 🥰🥰
agreed.
don't forget his work with Manfred Mann's Earth Band ;-)
Epic!
My husband co-wrote this song, dude. Get a life other than trying to take credit for something you did NOT freaking DO!
"You're the Voice" was written by Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Maggie Ryder and Keith Reid (Keith, of 'Procol Harem' "Whiter Shade of Pale" fame wrote the LYRICS to YTV!)
Mrs Andy Qunta
Belissima interpretação Chris....parabens.
I like this version too. I would love to hear a young John Farnham sing with this group of musicians. Outdoor venues are the hardest to get the best sound.
awesome! Worlds best vocalist in my opinion
Oh, Chris - möge Deine Stimme niemals verklingen...
this is the real app!
I think he's doing fine :)
Chris Thompson wrote this song. He´s the composer. John Farnham sing it and recorded for the first time. Gotcha?
I think Chris sings it "better" .... that is, his voice and phrasing and timbre appeals to me more than the John Farnham recording. That said ... it's just an amazing song ... an anthem for humanity and our world right now. It's extremely apt, moving and uplifting ... we need to come together ...
If you're a fan of Chris Thompson, then you have to check out his work with Steelhouse Lane, where he sang all the background vocals and co-wrote most of the songs with guitar wiz Mike Slamer. On the album Slaves Of The New World, if you listen closely, you'd be able to tell it's him in the background.
You can find this song on the CD "The Very Best Live".
He's right!!!
I hear a lot of John's vocals in this. As Chris wrote this, I have to wonder if John took his direction form Chris's demo? Of coure, John did a better version, but he wasn't nicknamed 'The Voice' for no reason, he's a freak on that song!
You can find everything about Alan Parson on his official web site. ;)
As hificanuck said, yes.
Great song!!!! Does anyone out there have a DVD of this whole concert????
PSS - Chris Thompson was the co-writer of this song. He owns it more than Farnham. John just sang it.
".... just sang it ...."
Piffle.
Chris Thompson is the Voice and always will be. He is just a legend. I love MMEB and just wish he was back with them. MMEB without Chris is like Simon without Garfunckle, both fantastic apart but together fn Mantastic
Thanks for the information!
I’ve never heard the original singer doing this, his voice and John Farnham’s has some similarities, this song suits them both
The reason you never got credit from Alan Parsons is because they had nothing to do with writing the song! Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid and Maggie Ryder wrote it. You can check the credits on any version, including the one on The Alan Parsons Live CD. Both the Chris Thompson and John Farnham versions credit these same songwriters. I'm sure President Reagan didn't forward your poem to anyone involved in the writing of this song. Happy trails!
CT Your'e TWO K, and TWO BOB !!!
lol xxx
i got it...
The Estonian version of this great song: "Marju Länik ja Kontakt - Terasmees"
Dónde es este concierto?...
:)
I love John Farnham's voice, but I actually prefer Chris Thompson's version found on the '95 Parsons Live CD. In fact, I felt that Heart did a great version but the melody was always rendered best by Thompson (especially the pre chorus "barrel of a gun" part"). Thompson always is on 100% and never dodges a note. Ann and John F. never dodge either, come to think of it.
This is an even better performance than "Blinded--," but, hey, Thompson had to have something to build on. I didn't realize this song was about the Cold War, but then I didn't hear it until much later. Still relevant here(U.S.) with guns on the street.
Unfortunately, I'm still not so sure if that version of Springsteen's classic persists because Thompson's mouth was gummed up that day. I needn't spell it out here, but Beavis and Butthead are still snickering in my head.
I kind of like 'Runaway Son' (from Mike Oldfield's 'Earth Moving'). Not one of his better known performances, however.
Where is Alan Parsons?
Incredible performance - just as good as JF - but too bad about the muted response from the crowd. WTF, he's just finished an awesome, 5-minute-long performance, and instead of screaming and whistling in appreciation, they're singing some classical (Mozart?) piece.
Those were the times when Alan Parsons was surrounded by real and well experienced musicians. These days he's got a budget band
Agree This was pretty much his recording band , Even the band with Steve Murphy, Godfrey Townsend was Grade A. These days the band isn't very good along with Pj Olson who I can't stand.
@svaran JOHN JOHN JOHN Farnham, hon! Not David...
I just hope Glee doesn't do this too, they're supposed to have some anthem thing going this season.
Really, this song is originally performed by John Farnham.
Mmmm... I never comment on RUclips but --
(and I don't generally like 'American Idol versions') -- that live version of John singing the song is quite horrible. He's shouting the song and way off pitch for chunks of time.
Tuned low or not, the song keeps its range and David sang it with ease and with passion!
Chris Thompson's vocal on the album version is better still.
I'll thank John for writing the song tho! (unless someone wrote it for him ;) ..)
So, how is that different than his studio version?
i agree but give some credits for mr. Alan Parsons, please....
Credits for what? Putting a great band together and that'd be it.
Actually 'Beat Of Love' is in my opinion the best track he's ever done, closely followed by 'Blinded By The Light'. Funny thing, if you ask any John Farnham fan, they'll say he does the best version but Chris craps all over Farnham both live and in-studio.
Well yes, sorry, I apologize, I should have said John Farnham was the original performer, and technically it was written when Reagen was in power, however my point was more about the stupidity of the original comment, although I should probably should have been more specific.
Needs bagpipes
Don't agree - He's doing actually good. Don't know how John would sing today. You should never compare a studio recording from the 80s with a live performance of this millenium.
John was "just some singer" this is Chris Thompson - the voice of Manfred Mann etc, not some casted one-hit-wonder guy.
John Farnham is no 'one hit wonder'! He's been one of the most highly admired Australian singers for nearly five decades, since the late 1960's. I have a great admiration for both singers. They would be of a similar age also I guess.
Dutch Xfactor 2009-Liveshow 6-Lisa is better !!!!
Nonsense - Chris Thompson does a much better job than John Farnham. Glad to hear what one of the original author's intended
Well, I prefer Chris to John F. Actually, Chris is much more straight forward.
More straightforward? Than Farnham? Huh? Are you deaf? This rendition is way over-embellished to the point of melodrama, pretention, vocal cliché.
john farnham does it the best. ps its his song
John who?
Both great voices... Apparently this song was co-written by Chris Thompson and others. John Farnham did a great version.
@kimjalh99
No offence to Chris but he is copying how John sing's it.
xj6001991 Maybe because he's one of the writers of this song?
John who?
@@thedolphin5428 You don't think that John built HIS vocal performance off Chris' original demo?!
If you want to hear Chris sing without much in the way of acrobatics, just check out the studio version of "Martha's Madman". Exceptional.
@@progmeup
No I don't think for a moment that JF copied Chris. Farnham made every song his own -- even if it was a cover. Thompson here is great, beautiful brilliant, talented, powerful, wonderful, everything ... but ... but ... to my ear it is definitely derivative of Farnham's famous live versions.
No pop song is ever WRITTEN to be PERFORMED in a specific way ... unless it it is specifically written *FOR* a particular singer. Even so, it is the SINGER, the PERFORMER who gives the written score their unique and idiosyncratic style.
Without a doubt, the man singing above is performing it in the John Farnham style. And ... he's trying too hard to do it in that way. JF just sings great. Thompson is TRYING to sing it great. And he does. But it is not effortless like John. Therefore it is derivative, imitative. Sorry, but true.
@@Kaleiddmode
Nah, hes TRYING to copy how JF does it. Yes, I know he co-wrote it, but singing and writing are two completely different talents and Thompson is good at both, but JF is a far greater singer. QED. And there's only so many vocal trills and slides and growls and falsetto acrobatics you can put into a song before you have overdone it and wrecked it. Farnham well knows how NOT to do this and still sing exceptionally well. Thompson obviously doesn't. This was grossly melodramatic ... but that's what the punters want.
@kingpaul74 next you will be claiming Chris Thompson wrote "blinded by the light" too. Farnham has the better voice hands down.
I say again - John who?
@@donstone7103 ruclips.net/video/tbkOZTSvrHs/видео.html
I really don't like the way he sings!
What drugs are you on??!!
This song was written by John Farnham
It was not written in the Reagan era
This is a cover version
Where do you get off taking credit for other peoples work?
Get a life
No, it was not written by John Farnham.
Timeless...