A true classic and a landmark song from the existentialist outsider view of life. Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel 'Notes from Underground' was called 'Notes from Under the Floorboards in the original Russian. The cover of the single was to have had the words 'to FD' on the cover but owing to an oversight by the printers it was omitted.
This song has lost none of its power in the 40 odd years since I first heard it. Those opening lyrics knocked me for six. I felt they could've been written for me personally. I knew straight away that this was the song I would have played at my funeral.
Even with all the great music coming out today, this timeless song reminds you of the great songs of the past and in particular when looking at magazines body of work, their ability to create an audiovisual experience, paint imagery in your mind. Art.
JESU! SHIT! THIS THIS THIS is a BAND! Energy, focus, and beauty. Ugliness turns into perfect beauty! Years after the first enthusiastic listenings... THIS is THE song!
Yes ! This track is awesome . In my list of my favourite tracks of all time alongside The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, Fleetwood Mac, Joy Division, Wall of Voodoo etc etc
I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin My irritability keeps me alive and kicking I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact I know the highest and the best I accord them all due respect But the brightest jewel inside of me Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact Used to make phantoms I could later chase Images of all that could be desired Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings And then I just got tired This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
Wow, I've heard this song loads of times (it's one of my favorites) but this live version is incredible. I wish I could have seen them. I can't believe they aren't more widely beloved.
Magazine is definitely a band from another planet... The only thing's missing is McGeoch on guitar but Robin Simon plays very good. Thanks for uploading this...
in 1980 these guys played a gig in Brisbane , great gig $16- 4 bands ,XTC , Magazine , INXS and Flowers ( later Icehouse) one of the memorable musical days .
This is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Not only beautifully composed, but the lyrics are spot on. That last bit, "and then I just got tired," couldn't have been sung an a better fashion. The character really comes through so perfectly. I heard Morrissey's version of this and was pleasantly surprised, but I can't say I'm a big Morrissey fan otherwise (though I haven't heard much else).
Saw them at the Santa Monica Civic in the early 80's (can't remember the year cause I'm old). Only band to ever make my stomach queasy cause the bass was so loud. Incredible!
Once upon a time in a land far, far away called Houston, an outlaw radio station called KPFT played this song late at night when no one was listening. Well, except me, I was listening. And I loved it.
They are probably one of the most influential and important bands to come out of the post punk era; now you know of their existence think of yourselve as a member of an exclusive club! They're still touring saw them last year at Manchester Academy...Superb.
We called it "new wave" in England . Punk and New wave existed together eg The Ruts punk, Joy Division, Magazine New wave (of rock music !) I never heard that horrible term "post punk " until years later . I think it came from the US.
My favorite Magazine song. I didn't even know they were still playing. I wish they'd come to NY. I just bought the Magazine Peels Sessions CD at a street fair yesterday.
I am angry I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin. My irritability keeps me alive kicking. Possibly, probably, the best opening to a song ever. A brilliant thing with so many original music things kind of swirling around.
😍Tell more.. stories as i assume you have are so needed. Much more than the.. " Whos here in year so & so?" Or "so &so brought me here!". Sheesh i want a real stories and informative tidbits section. Any shares ya got will be appreciated. For example I was scrollin down hopein to findout whats the name of the guitarist and voila i found you!!
Magazine had a unique and ahead of their time sophisticated post-punk sound. I love the strange mix of Joy Division distorted barre chords, intriquite post-post funk drumming with liquidy fretless bass and best of all, a Del Shannon "Runaway" Farfisa sounding keyboard. Plus Howard Devoto looks a bit like Eno and even has similar musical sensibilities.
@@Spectrescup Really ???? Magazine had released Two albums by the time Joy Division released "Unknown Pleasures " in Summer 1979. Note I also saw Magazine live in 1978 promoting their debut album "real life " .
Incorrect. Not Kafka, Dostoyevski. His novella with the title usually translated as "Notes From the Underground" can be more literally read as "Notes From Under the Floorboards." Its first lines are: "I am a sick man... I am a spiteful man. I am an unpleasant man. I think my liver is diseased."
I love these, what do we call them, existential polemical openers? This and Patti Smith's "Gloria" are magnificent . What else. "This Is not A Love Song"? Recommendations welcome.
A dutch journalist wrote an article about similarities between the lyrics in this song and a piece of Dostojewski (not the least). This song was my introduction to magazine, one of my neighbours used to start her days with this song for a month or so.
I froth at the mouth to see Magazine play a final ive show in my area. I have to come to the fact, that won't happen. The I got tired of counting all these blessings. Lol.
Does anyone have any live footage of a track from 'The Correct Use Of Soap' called Philadelphia? I bought the LP (yes, vinyl!) when I heard it being played in the Brighton Virgin records shop when it was a little pokey place half way down the hill from the station. The line 'In Philadelphia I'm sure that I felt healthier' always made me smile.
A Masterpiece - Inspired by Dostoevsky’s 'Notes from the Underground'. Lyrics I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin My irritability keeps me alive and kicking I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked By force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact I know the highest and the best I accord them all due respect But the brightest jewel inside of me Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked By force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact I used to make phantoms I could later chase Images of all that could be desired Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings And then I just got tired This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked By force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
With the Banshees by this time probably. Robin Simon played on the tour where the Play album was recorded, but was only temporary and replaced by Ben Mandelson for Magic, Murder and the Weather.
I heard this and knew instantly, this was my song. The lyrics are perfect and I'll have it played at my funeral.
I agree 100 percent and it's on "the funeral list".
One of the greatest opening lines in rock history: "I am angry, I am ill, and I'm as ugly as sin". Hits you right on the chin from the very start.
god yes. reminds me of gregor samsa.
Yes! Up there with "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine."
And let's not forget "I was born in 1956 / In the back of a pink Cadillac / Daddy is an alien / He ain't never coming back" from Alien Sex Fiend.
A true classic and a landmark song from the existentialist outsider view of life.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel 'Notes from Underground' was called 'Notes from Under the Floorboards in the original Russian. The cover of the single was to have had the words 'to FD' on the cover but owing to an oversight by the printers it was omitted.
Without being pretentious, as some rock fans are, I can honestly say this is a forgotten gem, a sparkling jewel.It is vastly underrated.
It is difficult not to be . But I for one agree with your post.
They were the most underrated band of all time!!!!
"my irritability keeps me alive and kicking" my mantra since then and before.
This song has lost none of its power in the 40 odd years since I first heard it. Those opening lyrics knocked me for six. I felt they could've been written for me personally. I knew straight away that this was the song I would have played at my funeral.
Most existential song ever and w dat funky bass well played lads.
Pure class and the late great Ian Curtis on drums at 0.24 , quite extraordinary
The bass line kills.
Even with all the great music coming out today, this timeless song reminds you of the great songs of the past and in particular when looking at magazines body of work, their ability to create an audiovisual experience, paint imagery in your mind. Art.
Great memories from a golden era, grew up surfing and listening to Magazine. 42 years later still sounds as good as ever!
Ive just had an image of a surfer reading Dostoevsky on the beach and listening to Magazine. Brill!
JESU! SHIT!
THIS THIS THIS is a BAND!
Energy, focus, and beauty. Ugliness turns into perfect beauty!
Years after the first enthusiastic listenings... THIS is THE song!
Yes !
This track is awesome . In my list of my favourite tracks of all time alongside The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, Fleetwood Mac, Joy Division, Wall of Voodoo etc etc
Songs that make life worth living.
sublime
Certain songs in life are timeless,those songs you feel not just hear :)
'But the brightest jewel inside of me
Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity'
Amazing
I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin
My irritability keeps me alive and kicking
I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
I know the highest and the best
I accord them all due respect
But the brightest jewel inside of me
Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
Used to make phantoms I could later chase
Images of all that could be desired
Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings
And then I just got tired
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
My force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
Thank you for posting the lyrics, I was just about to go searching. Such a classic
@@angelapaul4064 amazingly raw intro. Wonderful.
Cheers for posting the lyrics, inspirational song
Wow, I've heard this song loads of times (it's one of my favorites) but this live version is incredible. I wish I could have seen them. I can't believe they aren't more widely beloved.
Magazine is definitely a band from another planet...
The only thing's missing is McGeoch on guitar but Robin Simon plays very good. Thanks for uploading this...
in 1980 these guys played a gig in Brisbane , great gig $16- 4 bands ,XTC , Magazine , INXS and Flowers ( later Icehouse) one of the memorable musical days .
Lyrics are awesome. And all musicians are truly talented .The guitar and synth work is amazing.
This is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Not only beautifully composed, but the lyrics are spot on. That last bit, "and then I just got tired," couldn't have been sung an a better fashion. The character really comes through so perfectly. I heard Morrissey's version of this and was pleasantly surprised, but I can't say I'm a big Morrissey fan otherwise (though I haven't heard much else).
It’s been 13 years….have you gotten into morrissey yet?
@@mrjelly5718 i hope they stayed strong
@@haha8427 get bent
The organ/synth work is amazing here. What a song - unstuck in time!
Saw them at the Santa Monica Civic in the early 80's (can't remember the year cause I'm old). Only band to ever make my stomach queasy cause the bass was so loud. Incredible!
My fav Magazine song.
JANER64
Me too
That bass is the reason why
one of my absolute faves from the 80's
the song i'll have for my funeral...devoto is a genius..and what a bassline from barry adamson...excellent
a few of us on here have said this. kindred souls. greetings.
A true classic. Good performance.
I want to get "I know the meaning of life it doesn't help me a bit" on a t-shirt
The first new wave 45 i bought @ 14 yr old..........this version is SUPERB
yeah new wave ! not post punk !!
This is my favorite song of all time.
Got loads of MAGAZINE stuff... brilliant band..
Beautiful melody
Once upon a time in a land far, far away called Houston, an outlaw radio station called KPFT played this song late at night when no one was listening. Well, except me, I was listening. And I loved it.
it's good to hear that bassline again o°P
just a classic.. Howards voice haunting as allways!
Best opening line ever.
They are probably one of the most influential and important bands to come out of the post punk era; now you know of their existence think of yourselve as a member of an exclusive club! They're still touring saw them last year at Manchester Academy...Superb.
We called it "new wave" in England . Punk and New wave existed together eg The Ruts punk, Joy Division, Magazine New wave (of rock music !)
I never heard that horrible term "post punk " until years later . I think it came from the US.
Just 11 years ago? Maybe next time eh.
Simply sublime. Saw them in 1980. Wonderful. If only I had a time machine to go back....
great lyrics, I saw this lot in 1980 they were great, a truly underated band
Saw him live at the Lowry in Manchester recently. It was fucking amazing, he's the coolest cat I've ever seen!
This was the best music era ever
What a great band! What a great song!
Wonderful to see the incomparable Howard de Voto again!
one of the greats - i remember my older brother both the album and i listened and listened for days
i love this! Howard Devoto live soo good
Best new wave band. For those well read it is obvious why I particularly love this song.
@rexswindoll and John McGeoch is a truly incredible guitarist, maybe the most underrated ever..
My favorite Magazine song. I didn't even know they were still playing. I wish they'd come to NY. I just bought the Magazine Peels Sessions CD at a street fair yesterday.
It's amazing how good they sound live
I am angry I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin. My irritability keeps me alive kicking. Possibly, probably, the best opening to a song ever. A brilliant thing with so many original music things kind of swirling around.
absolutly brilliant stuff
Weird watching my ex husband Robin Simon playing guitar when we were still married such a long time ago.
I was thinking the same thing
Simon left the band right after this tour no?
😍Tell more.. stories as i assume you have are so needed. Much more than the.. " Whos here in year so & so?" Or "so &so brought me here!". Sheesh i want a real stories and informative tidbits section. Any shares ya got will be appreciated. For example I was scrollin down hopein to findout whats the name of the guitarist and voila i found you!!
Magazine had a unique and ahead of their time sophisticated post-punk sound. I love the strange mix of Joy Division distorted barre chords, intriquite post-post funk drumming with liquidy fretless bass and best of all, a Del
Shannon "Runaway" Farfisa sounding keyboard. Plus Howard Devoto looks a bit like Eno and even has similar musical sensibilities.
In other words, pretentious shit.
Eno influenced Devoto as did Bowie. Magazine influenced Joy D.
@@CrankCase08 no, not at all. Just an interesting and lively mix of influences. But it’s no pastiche. Magazine sounds like Magazine.
@@keithbate9405 joy div had pretty much finished by the time Magazine started
@@Spectrescup Really ????
Magazine had released Two albums by the time Joy Division released "Unknown Pleasures " in Summer 1979.
Note I also saw Magazine live in 1978 promoting their debut album "real life " .
They just don't make them like this anymore ❤
Wow!
Like that Jools Hollandish bit at the end. Really adds something new.
I might be getting old, but this still sounds as good as it did the first time I heard it - can't say that about too many records
Wow I thought this was a morrissey song. Very impressed. Lyrics are soooo morrissey. We’ll
Excited to check out all of theirs songs.
Fuck yes! This is probably my favorite Magazine song, it is just too good.
This is and always will be a Classic!!
I am angry,I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin
One of the greatest opening lines in a song,ever!
Richard Berry
And in a book too!!
i know beauty n a good thi g when i see it
From The. Book " metamorphosis " Franz. Kafka "
Incorrect. Not Kafka, Dostoyevski. His novella with the title usually translated as "Notes From the Underground" can be more literally read as "Notes From Under the Floorboards." Its first lines are: "I am a sick man... I am a spiteful man. I am an unpleasant man. I think my liver is diseased."
I love these, what do we call them, existential polemical openers? This and Patti Smith's "Gloria" are magnificent . What else. "This Is not A Love Song"? Recommendations welcome.
A dutch journalist wrote an article about similarities between the lyrics in this song
and a piece of Dostojewski (not the least).
This song was my introduction to magazine,
one of my neighbours used to start her days with this song for a month or so.
1 of greatest song ever
Mark Doughty yep
I froth at the mouth to see Magazine play a final ive show in my area. I have to come to the fact, that won't happen. The I got tired of counting all these blessings. Lol.
Thanks for posting!! A classic. Where are songs like this now????
Brilliant track..Devotos voice is chilling!
They are well known to some of us who listened to their music 32 years ago.
Just got tickets for Manchester in february, I'm very excited!
My Mate went said it was great !
They are my favorite.
Reminds me of Doc martins,black jeans, crew cuts and been young.
Oh happy days.
My philosophy lecturer gave me a cd with this song on it. The CD was entitled 'existential music'. Great song anyway.
Timeless!!!
Does anyone have any live footage of a track from 'The Correct Use Of Soap' called Philadelphia? I bought the LP (yes, vinyl!) when I heard it being played in the Brighton Virgin records shop when it was a little pokey place half way down the hill from the station. The line 'In Philadelphia I'm sure that I felt healthier' always made me smile.
that was awesome, many thanks
great song..great riff...great band
great to be here again!
A Masterpiece - Inspired by Dostoevsky’s 'Notes from the Underground'.
Lyrics
I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin
My irritability keeps me alive and kicking
I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
By force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
I know the highest and the best
I accord them all due respect
But the brightest jewel inside of me
Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
By force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
I used to make phantoms I could later chase
Images of all that could be desired
Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings
And then I just got tired
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
By force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
I think there is something wrong with my liver but I'm not going to go to the doctor!
then I got tired of counting all these blessings; then I just got tired.
I've always loved devoto's stuff and he's the best lyric writer I've ever heard. bloody shame he gave the music biz up years ago
Same!!!!! See you there!!!!!!!!
Our Best Time
So good.
Mnogo volim ovu pesmu.
My irritability keeps me alive and kicking
Carlos Henrique
Me too
This is funky Richard Thompson//brilliant
Awesome. Thanks for uploading this.
Great song.
Propably the best band ever!
Great band, I first saw these in the late 70s or early 80s on the Tube.
Great song!
With the Banshees by this time probably. Robin Simon played on the tour where the Play album was recorded, but was only temporary and replaced by Ben Mandelson for Magic, Murder and the Weather.
great song
A classic one
Thanks for the explanation
I always thought the "I am an insect "indicated that the song was based around Kafka stories
I just love the self loathing
This IS a Song, From Under the Floorboards!!!!
Philip Cavanagh
Sure is
I love you big dummy.
What a fucking intro, what a song
Wow...!
Awesome video!
you're right this is Robin Simon ex Ultravox guitarist.
very good