How Did A 21 Year Old Write This Moving #1 Hit From 1972 | Revelations | Professor of Rock
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- On this episode of Revelations we talk with the great Gilbert O’ Sullivan the singer songwriter behind the heart wrenching 1972 classic Alone Again, (Naturally). The song spent 6 nonconsecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 in 1972. It was the second biggest song of that year and the 5th biggest song of the entire decade. Here is the story of the song from Gilbert himself.
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#70s #Rock #Vinyl
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I’m excited to bring you another episode from our series Revelations- where featured artists go deep on their greatest songs.
On this installment of Revelations, I’m honored to present episode 2 of our recent zoom session with Gilbert O’ Sullivan the singer songwriter behind the heart wrenching 1972 classic Alone again Naturally. The song spent 6 non consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 in 1972. It was the second biggest song of that year and the 5th biggest song of the entire decade according to Casey Kasem. Here is the story of the song from Gilbert himself.
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Thank you for watching to get more of this interview and many others, click on our Patreon Leave us a comment about Gilbert and this heartache of a song.What are you memories?. Get Gilbert’s music below and click on our amazon links. If this content resonates with you, Join our community by subscribing below. help us keep the music alive until next time.
One of the most amazing songs ever
I agree. He's an old soul...
Professor of Rock loved Get down as well...such a funky song
@@michaelrochester48
AA mmm wwqw
@@ProfessorofRock Funny how you never brought up the Biz Markie parody of it.
@@ProfessorofRock I bet you do a great Casey Casem impersonation.
"Alone Again Naturally" remains one of my favorite songs of the 70's.
A very insightful interview with an articulate singer songwriter about a distinctive song with unending appeal.
This is one of my very favorite songs. Its like Elton said - when a song is so sad and real for you, it feels good to sing it (or just to hear it) .....As a shy teen who couldn't get a date, this song spoke of my loneliness and became a great friend of mine. And now, as a lonely old man of 59 years - it still has deep meaning for me. Especially now that all of my family is dead. More and more of the lyrics are truly accurate for me now. My mother lost the only man she truly loved. I lost my mother. I can't remember if I ever got stood up on a date. I know a thousand people have broken their promises to me. Its really sad to think you have lots of friends, only to find out that you have none or few who are true.
It's cool how he asked you why you think American Pie didn't get a grammy. You don't typically hear artists asking the interviewer for their opinion. It was very human and humble of him. It's a small thing, but makes the interview seem more like a real conversation between two guys, rather than just question and answer.
I was struck by that as well. He is the genuine article. The real deal.
The album that won the 73 Grammy was The Concert for Bangladesh- a live album organised by George Harrison to raise money for the famine-like Live Aid it was a very worthy cause - but was it a more musically influential album than American Pie- no of course not.
I agree👌
Yes! I love it when it's a proper conversation rather than 'just' an interview :-)
@@mightyV444 I think a lot of this is due to mutual respect. You don't see a lot of that nowadays.
I have never seen an interview with Gilbert before and what strikes me about him is his humility and humbleness in everything he does it is incredible and writers like him are very hard to find these days as most pop stars don't even write their own music and if they do it seems shallow and meaningless with a few exceptions and most of them seem to simply seek glorification instead of serving the music and passing the torch... Gilbert's from a very special time when producers cared about things like lyrical content and melody and appreciated great musical skills. Those things seem to not matter nearly as much with today's music and unless it is cultivated within our youth it will die in the ashes of what is left of the music world which can't hold a candle to the amazing era in music that Gilbert was part of. Peace, Bob M.
When he sings about his mother losing the only man she ever loved... Well, it gets me every time.. My mom became a widow when I was 11 and she never remarried or went on a date.. She'd say I only loved your father..
That's the line that gets everyone
This was instantly my favorite song in ‘72 - I remember vividly hearing it on AM radio and how it just grabbed me even at the ripe old age of six. My mother passed four years later in ‘76 when I was 10; ever since then it is the one song guaranteed to make me lose it even to this day. Lord, that last verse.....
I'm the same way. That last verse just kills me.
Snap...
So relatable on many levels eerily haunting song on life's trial's and tribulations everyone has to face sooner or later unfortunately true to life for everyone with a heart of love...😔😔✌️
It's such a melancholy song that every time I'm feeling blue I listen to it and it cheers me right up.
Professor, you are quickly gaining legendary status. Beautiful interview with a beautiful man about a beautiful song.......
Well said, Moose! I was going to write a similar comment but you said it beautifully!
this sort of format has ben done by the Dutch on a year end music show. It started in 2000. Here is Gilbert talking on that show. ruclips.net/video/MdMQvjgTwcg/видео.html Hope you like this one too.
@@Ribeirasacra I´ll check it out, thanks.
There are curators of musical history on RUclips. A few. This "professor" is one of them. What a pleasure discovering such talent that would otherwise be lost to time.
One of the last times
someone used the word "gay"
to mean happy
rather than homosexual.
You sure?
@@enlightenedapple
2nd verse of
"Alone Again Naturally"
begins...
"To think that only yesterday,
I was cheerful, bright & gay..."
He didn't wear
dresses or make-up...
oh & he's from Ireland.
@@laustcawz2089 sorry I should’ve lol n thank you for your answer and clarification.
@@enlightenedapple
I think the last time the word
was used to mean happy was
the mid-'80s, in Al Jarreau's
theme song to the then-new show
"Moonlighting":
"...charming & bright,
laughing & gay..."
Since then, it's just been
laments from Al Bundy
about what the word used to mean.
The Mummer's Dance by Loreena McKennit uses it. That was 1997.
I was 8 years old when that song came out. I remember it well...though I was only 8 and could not relate to the lyrics, I loved the song for the sad melody.
Very melancholy indeed! Good to see you on here Mike. Hope all is well.
@@ProfessorofRock
Good to be on here Professor!
I'm well...hope you are too! 🙂
I’ve been saying for years that 1972 was the greatest year in rock music ever. This song is just more proof.of that proposition.
Saw Gilbert in London in the 70s then again in the 2000s brilliant still.
I lost both my elderly parents this past week and Alone Again was the first song I thought of when my mother passed away yesterday. I play piano and get choked up whenever the bit about the mother comes up. Its such a great song.
I am so terribly sorry for your losses.
Oh my gosh, in one week? I’m so sorry, I can’t even imagine….
Actually, I lost my dad 16 years ago, and I still think of him every day. My mom and I used to fight a lot when I was a teen, but always loved each other. I’ve been spending as much time as I can with her, bc I dread the day that I’m ‘Alone again’.
M5guitar 1
Hi just read your words.
My thoughts are for you sport!
An awful huge sorrow for you losing
your dear folks in just a number of
days apart. That’s a massive weight
across your mind! I really do hope
that you are comforted very very well
by other loved ones and that you are
growing stronger each day!
Brighter days WILL come.
Stay strong warm and keep good
company around you!
Gods Good blessings for you.
JB. East Surrey. UK.
Wonderful to hear this interview. Gilbert' music meant so much to my childhood, especially those three hits, Alone Again, Claire and Get Down. I loved to see him perform those tunes on his TV performances, a happy time, still enjoy hearing the songs.
Great era for the Singer Song Writer ... Great Songs , Special People ...
I was 7 when that song was released, haven't heard it in years but I remember Gilbert O'Sullivan.
21 years old and just back from Vietnam and was truly alone again..
Who was just back from Vietnam? Gilbert O'Sullivan? He never served in Vietnam. Why would he? He's British...
@@lorddaver5729 He's Irish...
Thank you for your service, Blue.
@@lorddaver5729 ,
@@jimpierce3138 also, I hope you are no longer feeling alone, Blue.
There are times when surrounded by friends and family ,I still feel Alone,naturally, missing my brothers.
Just discovered your channel today, Prof, and I’m so glad that I did. Love your interviewing style and choice of subjects. Fantastic stuff. Thank you for doing this work.
You impress me with the depth of your knowledge of Rock and the passion you have for this era of music which I am in complete agreement is the best music of all time . Thank you so much for your tireless efforts
Talk about reserved and understated, wow. A very humble man who just wants to get back to work. Love it.
When I was a kid my mum and dad had Gilbert O'Sullivan's greatest hits on a record and we would play it over and over again. Loved all of his songs on that record!
This song takes me back to being a shy kid in grade school who didn't have many friends. For those who feel depressed or have some degree depression, a good, sad song like this is strangely comforting because you sense that at least one other person in the world empathizes with you.
Great point!
Like the shirt Prof...glad you did a video on Ray...great humble guy and an exceptionally gifted songwriter ie the very touching Clair...
Always knew Gilbert O’ Sullivan was a grea song writer you can hear this in his songs they are incredible crafted songs but watching this interview make me realise how underrated he was and should had more recognition in the industry for his contribution.
Very talented guy.. Love his music and I'm a heavy rock guy..
Agreed.
i can remember the radio on top of the fridge and being a kid hanging out in the kitchen when my teenaged Mom was cooking or doing dishes, and this song coming on. She was so young when she had me, we grew up together basically. We bonded over so many songs. Thanks for the memories Gilbert! As for being young, the poetic talent is often strongest in youth, and it seems to just flow out through emotion and spirit rather than cerebrally thinking it out. And of course, you are talented, so there is no real explanation for the gifts you have to channel universal emotion and experience.
I love how he says it becomes my (our) song. What a great attitude. I remember hearing it while growing up, but it took on a deeper meaning after my father died suddenly when I was 18. Still something that will get turned up and sung along to when I hear it.
Alone Again, Naturally helped me with the grieving process when my dad died in 2003. Can't even describe how it allowed grief to flow.
Kevin File , my husband has the same story about his parents dying and associating with this song. It really feels so personal to so many.
What a great interview. On both ends. Gives me new appreciation for this song and the artistic soul that created it.
Thank you. That's what we aim for. Easy to do when Gilbert is such a great person.
How did Jackson Browne write Doctor, My Eyes at 21? Neil Young wrote some of Buffalo Springfield's most powerful songs, before that.. Some people jst have old souls, I guess.
Btw, my Dad liked older music and didn't care for music from the rock and roll era, but he was moved almost to tears every time he heard Alone Again, Naturally. That was unusual and nice to see in my father. Thanks, Gilbert.
A song that gets me in the feels every time is Reflections Of My Life by Marmalade, written by a 22 and 24 year old . Poignant as hell
Kate Bush wrote Wuthering Heights at 19. And The Man With the Child in His Eyes at 15
The theme song to MASH (Suicide is Painless) was written by the director's (Robert Altman) 14 year old son (Michael Altman). Michael made far more money from the movie than his dad did!
Speaking of Jackson Browne, even more amazing, IMO, was he wrote “These Days” at 16. Listen to the tune AND the lyrics, and tell me how a 16 year old kid can pen something like this? Or how about Mike Oldfield writing “Tubular Bells”, and playing almost all the instruments on the album, at 19?
@@Pics2FlicksDennis Good catch on These Days. And let's not forget he was really young when he wrote Fountain of Sorrow, which has some of the most profoundly deep lyrics I've ever run across. I'm not sure of his exact age when he wrote it, but it was on his 2nd album,as I recall and had been written for an ex who'd committed suicide some years before, so probably penned long before the album.
I'm sure if we put some real tome and thought into it we'd come up with other examples and other artists who's work seems to transcend their life experience level. Like I said, it's like they have old souls.Maybe some sort of genetic memory thing, who knows? Those kinds of questions remain above my pay grade, but there certainly seems to be some sort of other level thing operating in some people where they contact the deepest parts of our humanity and it flows out of them.
Pretty heady stuff for this old atheist and before my morning coffee, too. LOLOL
Maybe it's less important that we understand it, than appreciate it when we find it, as I, and obviously you, do. There are lines from songs, I can never really get out of my head, after I hear them.
I had to edit one last thing in, remember the title of Jackson's early album, For Everyman.
It really was. The Pretender was another "everyman" song. It sure spoke to me.
Great interview -- thanks for letting him talk so we all get to learn about this song. Your passion for the music must draw these artists out to talk, so thanks for all of that!
A very well written song, I loved at the first time I heard, I keep loving since then, I never stopped hearing or get tired of listening since that day. I hear today and the emotions are always the same, I love it all the way, the lyrics, the harmony, the guitar solo is amazing. This song will last forever. Joe
My relationship to this song is kind of surreal. I was six when my parents split in 1973. I remember hiding under the kitchen table while my mother hurled dishes, bowls and utensils at my father. As shattered glass and ceramics fell like rain all around me, "Alone Again" played on the AM radio station, a ludicrous foil to my mother's screeching epithets. This song and that moment are linked forever in my mind; I can't think of one now without the other.
Awesome interview, Prof. Thanks!
Sorry to hear that you experienced that trauma as a child. I had many similar experiences, though my parents stayed together.
It never leaves you.
Wow. That is a serious story
Sad story.
Like your writing style. In just a few sentences you put the reader under the table with you and communicate the entire absurdity of the situation. I see way too many who haven't even discovered punctuation yet.
Small edit--meant to say “I like your writing style.” Sounded like i was trashing your prose.
@@yestfmf Thank you for the kind words. You might, perhaps, enjoy a whole book of my writing style. My semi-autobiographical novel "Nerds of Anarchy" is available at www.amazon.com/Nerds-Anarchy-Dork-Trithlipsis-Book-ebook/dp/B07GFH5SFC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nerds+of+anarchy&qid=1602805237&s=books&sr=1-1
I was just telling my 35 year-old daughter to check this song out earlier today. She has a great appreciation for a wide range of music from the 60s-70s (as evidenced by her college paper on Graham Parker and the Rumor). The lyrics in Alone Again are incredible and it’s one of my all time favorite songs and I still listen to it frequently. I play it so frequently that is is one of my top 25 play list songs on my iPhone. Thank you for this interview and information.
Great song Gilbert
Gilbert O'Sullivan is phenomenal! All I can say to him is, "Thank you!"
An interesting interview. The deep meaningful lyrics of this song are really profound and emotional for me. I love this song because it really gets into the psyche of someone who is absolutely devastated by a tragic life event. It really gets to the heart of what it feels like to be "shattered" and because of that I find it very cathartic and healing. It really surprises me that Gilbert has taped into this emotion so brilliantly without having gone through such a devastatingly tragic life event himself. I guess he just has an extremely creative and perceptive mind to do that. Great song!
Saw him in concert - 2016 - Still as fantastic as ever ! - Claire was great - giant video playing behind him as he sang !
I met the lady who used to babysit him when he was a boy. She told me that Ray (Gilbert) would play the piano in the garden shed all day long, making up songs and working at his craft. Great interview thank you.
I still sing Gilberts songs now, "Nothing Rhymed" being my absolute favourite and a little known one called, "I'm a Writer Not a Fighter". It's brilliant that this master lyricist still gets the credit he deserves. Loved the interview, well done Professor, big thumbs up from me.
Also, I work in Jersey (where Gilbert lives) quite often. I'd love to bump into him but I've heard he's a very private person.
Hearing this song takes me back DIRECTLY to being 6 years old in 1972. It's like smelling crayons. This song was everywhere in 1972.
Again, one of my earliest memories of music was this one and his hit "Claire". Beautiful melody, and lyrics perfect for staring out the window on a rainy day. Another great interview!
Brandon Erickson , I have always loved "Claire".
Yeah, both songs still get me. Such a beautifully melancholic sounding album.
Great song. I remember when it first came out, it's one of the songs that defines the 70s. Glad to see Gilbert is doing well.
His hair hasn't changed a bit! Always loved this song, btw.
I did not know Gilbert was a mere 21 when he wrote the song. This song absolutely kills me and has stayed with me forever. Brilliant.
I'm Dutch and I can confirm that nothing rhymed is his most popular song here.
Yes. " Nothing Rymed" was probably more popular in Ireland too.
I am Swiss National and i can confirm that Clair is his most popular song here.
It's a great song.
Gilbert is right to give a nod to those who cover his songs. I like Gilbert as an artist. I like his view point concerning writing. His clusters on the piano are unique. Melody first, then lyrics, interesting. Gary Brooker was given words by Keith Reid, then had to create music to fit the music. Gilbert, left handed, unique people. His producer gave Gilbert’s voice a lovely sound. Good musical production of his tunes. A wonderful body of work. A real craftsman. So many of his songs are deep inside me.
Normally when I hear a musician or a band get all indignant that someone wanted to use their song in an ad I think "Get over yourself! You don't want the money? Fine. Stop acting like you've been wounded somehow." But I can honestly say he's absolutely correct about this song. It's not a joke in general and it's not a joke for millions of people struggling in life. I'm glad he's protecting it.
Yeah, I’d like to know what kind of royalty checks he pulling in off just this one song.
I love that you are wearing a Brian Wilson presents "SMiLE" t-shirt.
Adam, there’s also a very short reference to the song in the 2003 film by Richard Curtis, ‘Love, Actually,’ where Colin Firth’s character, a pulp crime novelist, retreats to a villa after finding his wife in bed with his brother. He sits down at his typewriter, exhales and mutters to himself, “alone again, naturally.” Would love for you to feature Richard Curtis and his affinity for and use of music in his films.
Back to my teen school years. Jeez where have the years gone. Good to see Gilbert looking well.
An age when the music had lyrics and the music had beat. 1971 = 16yo me loved it.
Looking well? He looks like shit!
@@EPA18 No he doesn't.
@@jimmymelendez1836 Yes he does
Gilbert O'Sullivan had a way of tugging at all emotions. His lyrics were felt more so then heard. The structure of his songs is quite unique. "Back to Front" is a masterpiece that is one of my favorites ever. I thought that the intention of writing "Alone Again Naturally" was meant as a satirical interpretation of a tearjerker. This person in the song was a walking tragedy. It seemed that the desperation was presented to an extreme that defies a logical situation. A person who is familiar with the tongue -in-cheek nature of some of Mr. O'Sullivan's lyrics might understand my opinion of AGN. Thank you for the enjoyable interview even though that I am a bit late in watching it.
oh wow, this song brings me back . . . i was born in '67, so I heard this a LOT on a.m. radio. always felt the melancholy, even then.
Yes yes yes! I was born in ‘66 and vividly remember this song on AM radio. And yes, I was fascinated at how that particular song was the first to make me “feel” at such a young age. There were a couple others in ‘72 that had a similar effect, but this one just grabbed me. FWIW I’ve had several strange encounters with that song in the 40+ years since my mother passed in ‘76. I like to think it’s how she connects to me. I know, I know... no other song affects me like this one. None ever will
Same.
Also born in 67! Heard this all the time
Born in 67 myself, amazing how this brings you back in time
Same here, the days before MTV and the Video, I have been surprised to only recently find footage or music videos for songs I only ever knew from listening to my transistor radio, frequently without a clue what artists looked like and of course, mis-hearing the lyrics is something I think everyone from my generation can relate to. Glad he mentioned Nina. Didn't know about Sarah Vaughn!
Have enjoyed Gilbert's music since I was young. This song is so special, just a perfect piece of music. Gilbert is such a nice man, understated and humble. I love his manner and hybrid accent, can still detect a soft lilt there.
Thank you for posting and allowing a glimpse into his world.
Paul Simon wrote "The Sound of Silence" when he still lived at home with his parents.
Not too surprising considering the brilliance he went on display in his long career, but still noteworthy.
I loved how he pointed out that great lyrics take time.
I'm always skeptical when I hear songwriters discussing these classic songs and say they wrote it in 15 minutes sitting at a grocery store parking lot.
This song was a favorite on an oldies radio show back in the 80's. My friend John & I listened to it every Saturday night. Great stuff!
One of my favorite songs of all time. I thought Paul McCartney was singing. Now I wish Paul had covered it back then just to see the similarities but of course he wouldn't have done it. It was a darker song than he has ever done. I could be wrong. But I can't think of one.
Love how you talk to your guests and leave them so at ease. Another wonderful vid Professor, thank you so much for doing these, I'm sure you put a lot of hard work into it.
Well said....I'm really enjoying his vids too, love these interviews!!
The guitar solo is as integral to the song as the incredible lyrics. Amazing how he made it evoke sadness.
One of the greatest songwriters and singers!
I grew up with this song. I was a bit of a nerdy loner as a kid. Spent a lot of time building balsa wood airplane models in the 1970's. Never understood the part in the lyrics about being stood up at the alter. All I knew is that it was about feeling sad and alone. Melancholy, but not really suicidaly or clinically depressed. Great song. It will always be a part of me.
I can’t recall anybody that feels SO strongly about songwriting ! That kind of thing is very emotionally infectious! Thanks Gilbert ! And thanks for providing this terrific interview!
I really enjoyed this interview. It's not a song I go looking to listen to but I do remember it when I was growing up. He was really an interesting and generous spirit. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and these interviews with us. I love this channel.
.....something RARELY noted, I'd suspect - "Alone Again..." (which may have been among my EARLIEST 45s; know I had 'Himself' - American version included it) makes for a POWERFUL juxtaposition to Roberta & Donny's utterly-ACHING "Where Is The Love" - LOVE them BOTH; two songs shared time in Billboard Hot 100's uppermost reaches that summer of '72.....
Played this song many times on the local jukebox.
This was my first ever vinyl album which I got for Christmas when I had just turned 12. The song just spoke to me and it still touches me whenever I hear it. Thank you for the interview and thank God for giving Gilbert his gifts and putting the desire to create this beautiful song in his heart.
When Gilbert was talking about misunderstanding words when he was young, it reminded me of a phrase I got wrong when I was a kid. Disc Jockeys would occasionally give the weather forecast in between songs, and often they'd mention the "wind chill factor." Well, my young ears interpreted it as "windshield factor." I pictured the weatherman out in the snow with a thermometer, measuring the temperature of frozen windshields and looking for the coldest one so he could give an accurate windshield factor temperature. Lol 🤣
Lol.i have some similar experiences. The Bee Gees 'more than a woman' was heard by my young ears as ' 4 letter wonan" .I didn't know what that meant, but I sure was curious about finding out.
After listening to this I have much respect for this man. Seems very down to earth. I was only 12 when this song came out and didn't have any idea what it was like losing someone close, but still loved the song. Only with time and age did I truly understand the song.
Some of our favorite artists from this era are getting up in years. Tom Jones is now 80, and Eric Burdon is 79. Would love to see you interview either of them- as many others have commented, you have a very open and engaging style in these interviews.
I was about 13 when this song came out and totally fell in love with it. When I first saw the Beatles when I was a lot younger, I was interested in writing songs, but this one really put me in touch with composing lyrics. So many others that have touched and influenced me over the years, Cat Stevens, Harry Chapin, Billy Joel, John Mellencamp. But Gilbert was a big deal to me back and the early 70's to influence my song writing. Hundreds of songs later, I'm very grateful for the influence
OMG I am a HUGE Gilbert fan, amazing lyrics, song structure, delivery, playing, engineering & production. Check out the rest - 'Perhaps, Who Knows, Maybe' is another stunner.
When I was a kid in the '70s, I always thought this great song was from The Beatles. It still strikes me as the most McCartney-esque non-Beatles song ever.
Except that if it had been the Beatles, it would have been over played, even to this day. Even on an oldies station, it is seldom heard.
I always loved the melody.
I have an idea why “Alone Again, Naturally” was so much the American song in 1972: we had lost our civil rights icons in the sixties. We were sad, I remember feeling very alone, this song captured exactly what we were feeling, as if God certainly had deserted us. Great interview.
I can't hear this song without wanting to cry!!
I was hoping for you to have asked about Biz Markie sampling this song on his rendition of Alone Again. Biz Markie was sued and was ordered $250k in damages.
I wish more artists would prevent their songs from being used in commercials. I absolutely hate the fact that bastardized versions of songs like Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, Magic by Pilot, Celebrate by Three Dog Night and ABC by the Jackson 5, have all been used by pharmaceutical companies for years. Stop it already! It wouldn't be quite so bad if they didn't change the lyrics to accommodate the product name.
Pharmaceutical companies are ruining our childhood memories!
Yea I hate those too. Totally demeans each song.
I hear you Tim
Look up the ad for Brady Family Ham sung to the tune of Come out ye Black & Tans, best bastardization ever!
The latest is Elton, allowing the Rocketman tune to be used in a Rakuten commercial. Surely he doesn't need the money, guess it depends who owns the rights.
I don't want to be out there doing a Bono! Spot on Ray.
I gotta confess I don't share all your song choices.....but to your credit you do a great job with research and interviews. And we do share our love of old rocknroll.......so liked ✔
Not only a tribute to a wonderful song, this video is an extraordinary lesson in songwriting! The finest! Forget the songwriting tutorials by people who “studied” famous songs, this man actually wrote many timeless classics. Thank you Gilbert O’ Sullivan for sharing these invaluable techniques and insights. It’s inspiring, and it makes me want to compose music right now!
A great composer who had great hits
How did a 12 year old write the theme song for M*A*S*H???
Everyone has that one great song.
Forgot about that one. Ha ha. Good catch.
@@ProfessorofRock I believe the 12 year old only wrote the lyrics, and they had to be nonsensical. The adults were struggling to create the nonsense, so they looked to a child.
He was 14, but yeah, still ridiculously young.
@@tarheel7406 It was Robert Altman's son wasn't it? And he earned quite a bit more for co-writing that song than his father did for directing the movie
@@_PL_ For many reasons I feel better about a moody teen writing about suicide than a 12 y.o., lol! NOT that I think suicide is funny (for whomever thinks that when they read this).
Ok I'm running my leaf blower yesterday and singing this to myself. One of the few times I could get away with it at work. And then there is this today from my favorite professor. Thx.
I was 10...i feel in love at 10. 50 years later I still cry over this song. SO beautiful.
I related to this song in '72 and I was 12 years old. I was a very melancholy kid. I also loved Claire.
Claire was the follow up single.
We might be the same person, lol
Anyone know who the "Japanese Metal Band that does a 200 mph version of it" is? I am trying to find them and am increasingly frustrated I'm having no luck.
Love this song, it’s timeless, certainly a masterpiece. 🙏✨
You're so right. A true standard.
Adam, you never fail to deliver and provide greatness! Congrats to you and your team for another awesome production here! Great interview! I didn't know Gilbert O'Sullivan was still alive! This is awesome!
Now get to work interviewing The Fixx and Oingo Boingo for us!
Gilbert will be touring US next March.
It reminds me of being a little kid in the cold Philadelphia air, looking out of the car window while my mom drove us to the babysitter's house.
I used to listen to this song when i was very young. Oh the glorious misery of it lol
'Get Down' should have been a hit here too. My sister had 45s of both that one and this
Where are you located? “Get Down” reached #7 in the U.S. - so definitely a hit here!
I just finished watchingvtge movie: "Searching For Sugar Man".
Have you seen this?
What an INCREDIBLE story!
I was 5 when it came out, and I remember watching Gilbert playing that song on telly! As a, five yr old!
this song was so big, the first time I heard it was in Spanish on Costa Rican radio. The lyrics are really sad in Spanish too
I hated this song when I was 13 because I just didn’t “get” it. But after growing up and have loved and lost-I fell in love with this haunting song.
The song hates u too its a beautiful SONG his biggest hit in England and lrland
Hello Prof. Hoping you could interview my favorite Tom Waits one of these days. Thank you and much love and respect from the Philippines 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭😎😎😎
Not long ago, I sat and listened to the lyrics. Truly one of the best, but kinda sad, songs from that era. I am a lyric guy, actually more of a line guy. And this song has a bunch of good lines.