1984, I was 17, and a group of friends totally obsessed with the New Wave movement went often to this club in Dortmund. Dance floor was elevated with neon lights underneath, like cubes put together. Small Town Boy came on, club and dance floor packed, fog machine on full power and strobe lights flickering, and when that mid part synth came on, it was like out of this world. What a fantastic and surreal experience. This was before recreational drugs - they came in a few years later, you all know what I mean. What a time to be alive that was! Thanx for this. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Subbed
@Nim Chimpsky LOL - you know, there are Germans that do speak English. In my case, it all started with Meat Loaf‘s Bat out of Hell, which ultimately had me living in the U.K. for 9 wonderful years. Even so, my friends there can’t get their head around my thick German accent, which has crawled back in over the last 17 years back in Germany! But that’s ok, don’t you think? I love the language, and sometimes I find it easier to express myself in English. But I am 100% German born and raised!
@Nim Chimpsky Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say. I lived in London and then later down in Brighton - well Hove, actually. I loved it! And I love going back. Britain’s so different, and yet so similar to Germany 😉
I love this! I discovered the tune while traveling in Europe in 1984. When i got back to the States, i found the album in a local avant guarde record shop. Played it at my house party that Saturday night and all my friends were hooked on the tune! Not long after that, a group of us invited Jimmy to our annual fundraiser in Houston where he performed with his two backups. I was his driver for the weekend. One of my great memories. He is not only an outstanding artist with an amazing voice but also a genuinely nice person. Miss ya, Jimmy! RM
This song has always given me massive goosebumps. Not only relate to the subject of the song but musically it is such an amazing written track, hits all the sweet spots of what makes a soulful and impactful song . Incredible
@@johnpineapple3329 I doubt that many people under 40 could actually name the song, and it didn't hit No 1 in the UK at the time. Of course it doesn't get the credit it deserves.
Brilliant deconstruction. The un-produced sound reminds me of the first studio recording they made at London Records. I wish I still had my copy. RiP Steve & Larry.
This is absolute class! As someone that is fascinated by good music but was never blessed with any kind of musical talent I really appreciate these types of videos.
Got a keyboard for the first time this summer to keep myself occupied during this COVID crap. Never had a lesson nor have I played another instrument before. Thanks to this vid I now can play the main riff from great song from my teenage years. I still have no idea what I’m doing but at least being to play along even a little bit brings a smile to my face. One day I’ll get some real lessons. Thanks for this!!!!
Best video in ages. I totally love this, the breakdown of the song was excellent. At 53 years old I remember this song like it was released yesterday. A fantastic job !! Really really outstanding !! More please !!
I was ten years old when this track came out, already with a keen taste for synth music. I taped this song off the radio and just listened to it over and over. Good times.
This guy is the king of deconstructions. I have ni doubt. Ive spent hundreds of hours on RUclips looking for this type of content and everytime I come back to this channel I just feel like I learned something new.
Your workflow is outstanding! I was amazed at how fast you were able to put everything together and it sounded absolutely fabulous I just subscribed hope to see more from you!
I learned more about Live just recreating this song than in all the tutorials I've sat through. Thank you very much for this informative video, I wish you were doing more deconstructions!
what a wonderful eveing watching all of this . I thoughly enjoyed you recontructing a song that i grew up with and has been a soundtrack ro my life ... thank you for this video.
12:19 I like to have either that high pedalnote in my productions, but for breakbeat instead I love a stab rootnote at the start of every bar. Beep - two - three - four. If there's a lot of breaks involved that one stab leads you everytime to where the bar begins, but on a four-to-the-floor the pedalnote is beautiful to keep you hear in which key we are since it also plays the rootnote - this is what both ideas share.
SUPERB! This song is in my DNA, I know ever nuance of it, and you did it justice. Tiny point...the harp lead, has a hint of slap back delay, giving it a double feel. Never seen anyone do the lesser know brass lead at the end...very nicely done!
Hiya thanks for the comment! I’m flattered. The brass part is far more revealed in the extended 12” version so I was able to hear the full riff and work it out. And yes, I heard the slapback on the harp and tried to add it with Ableton’s Echo device, but I don’t think i had it loud enough in the video.
Really enjoyed that, bravo 👏 I find the sequencing/mixing side quite easy, but it's finding the patches/sytnths they used for the sounds. The bass, for instance, I wouldn't have had a clue about the korg. Love the channel, subscribed.
Blown away of what I have just seen. You are such a clever person. Can you try jermain stuart we don't have to on 12nch? Once again fantastic watch....
1984, I was 17, and a group of friends totally obsessed with the New Wave movement went often to this club in Dortmund. Dance floor was elevated with neon lights underneath, like cubes put together. Small Town Boy came on, club and dance floor packed, fog machine on full power and strobe lights flickering, and when that mid part synth came on, it was like out of this world. What a fantastic and surreal experience. This was before recreational drugs - they came in a few years later, you all know what I mean. What a time to be alive that was! Thanx for this. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Subbed
@Nim Chimpsky LOL - you know, there are Germans that do speak English. In my case, it all started with Meat Loaf‘s Bat out of Hell, which ultimately had me living in the U.K. for 9 wonderful years. Even so, my friends there can’t get their head around my thick German accent, which has crawled back in over the last 17 years back in Germany! But that’s ok, don’t you think? I love the language, and sometimes I find it easier to express myself in English. But I am 100% German born and raised!
@Nim Chimpsky Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say. I lived in London and then later down in Brighton - well Hove, actually. I loved it! And I love going back. Britain’s so different, and yet so similar to Germany 😉
Same in the clubs down here in Melbourne was a great time stay safe cheers
Welcher Club war das in Dortmund?
@@kwietkarma Nagel mich nicht fest, ist immerhin 36/37 Jahre her. Aber ich glaube es war das ‚Memphis‘ in der Bornstrasse.
I love this! I discovered the tune while traveling in Europe in 1984. When i got back to the States, i found the album in a local avant guarde record shop. Played it at my house party that Saturday night and all my friends were hooked on the tune! Not long after that, a group of us invited Jimmy to our annual fundraiser in Houston where he performed with his two backups. I was his driver for the weekend. One of my great memories. He is not only an outstanding artist with an amazing voice but also a genuinely nice person. Miss ya, Jimmy! RM
Awesome. I was 18 in NY in 84 discovering New Wave
This song is so melancholic. 36 years later still one of my favourites.
when this came out I could sing along. since than my voice broke and I learned English ;- )
This song has always given me massive goosebumps. Not only relate to the subject of the song but musically it is such an amazing written track, hits all the sweet spots of what makes a soulful and impactful song . Incredible
I would love to see a deconstruction of Crockett's Theme by Jan Hammer.
Great choice.
Totally agree 👍
definitely !!!
YES ! Excellent choice. Would make a lovely Xmas present ! ;-)
100%
The tutorial we didn't know we needed!
10:41 : Shazam says it's Bronski Beat - "Smalltown Boy". Good work!
Had to try it myself, nice. I wonder how many of his videos get copyright strikes.
@@BlackDuke235 è vero! 👍
Such a classic track. Doesn’t get the credit it deserves... this was a great cover. Spot on mate
"Doesn't get the credit it deserves?" Are you serious?
@@johnpineapple3329 I doubt that many people under 40 could actually name the song, and it didn't hit No 1 in the UK at the time. Of course it doesn't get the credit it deserves.
@@johnbull1568 completely agree
Completely agree
I’m 15 and this is the beat of my life
Your a genius mate.
One of my favourite songs of all time. This song was the reason I left home and I didn't look back
Brilliant deconstruction.
The un-produced sound reminds me of the first studio recording they made at London Records. I wish I still had my copy.
RiP Steve & Larry.
This is absolute class! As someone that is fascinated by good music but was never blessed with any kind of musical talent I really appreciate these types of videos.
I was 15 when this came out, loved it then, now I'm 52 and still love it, great video
Totally in awe... again ! 😲
You make it look so easy, that’s because you’re very talented and explain very well. Thank you.
Watching this is like watching Bob Ross paint.
Or watching Bob Ross with sections of a painting that he glues together rather than actually painting it.
@@gchance or sniffs glue
That is true, really!
@@gchance What an astonishingly ignorant, crass and rude comment!
@@SpeccyMan Thanks buddy! Will you be uploading performance videos of your own soon, or...?
You wonderful human, this is such a lovely way to boost someones creativity. Means a lot!
Fascinating and very instructive!
Got a keyboard for the first time this summer to keep myself occupied during this COVID crap. Never had a lesson nor have I played another instrument before. Thanks to this vid I now can play the main riff from great song from my teenage years. I still have no idea what I’m doing but at least being to play along even a little bit brings a smile to my face. One day I’ll get some real lessons. Thanks for this!!!!
One of the songs I loved as a 15 yr old in 1984. Great video, thank you so much.
So glad you are still doing these deconstructions!
wow that was so much fun!!! Great Research!!
This is absolutely OUTSTANDING!!! LOVE IT! ❤
Thanks for watching.
Best video in ages. I totally love this, the breakdown of the song was excellent. At 53 years old I remember this song like it was released yesterday. A fantastic job !! Really really outstanding !! More please !!
This is simply amazing, very well done. One of the greatest pop songs ever written.
The sign of genius is when they make the complex look simple. A brilliant deconstruction and really educational too
Like a time machine direct to the 80s. Thank you.
Bring back the 80s!!!
Always been one of my favourite tunes. Another great deconstruction Ski! I wish you would do them more frequently.
Nice! I was 22 when this came out. Somehow it reminds me of walking down Halsted St in the bitter cold. Thanks for good memories on a lousy day!
What a great time
I was ten years old when this track came out, already with a keen taste for synth music. I taped this song off the radio and just listened to it over and over. Good times.
This guy is the king of deconstructions. I have ni doubt. Ive spent hundreds of hours on RUclips looking for this type of content and everytime I come back to this channel I just feel like I learned something new.
The acapella extractor is a great tip!
...even if it does sound horrendous, so much so that you couldn't actually use it in track you wanted anyone to hear.
@@soots-stayingoutofthespotl5495 In the time of t-pain and autotune, nothing sounds "horrendous"
Your workflow is outstanding! I was amazed at how fast you were able to put everything together and it sounded absolutely fabulous I just subscribed hope to see more from you!
You truly are an artist. You hit it spot on!
Thank you this is one of my favorite songs, lyrically and harmonically, ever. Love how you broke it down.
One of my all-time favorite songs.
I learned more about Live just recreating this song than in all the tutorials I've sat through. Thank you very much for this informative video, I wish you were doing more deconstructions!
This song is so simple yet infectious
The most haunting song of my youth, still to this day. Dido covered it in BBC studios You can find it on RUclips.
Bravo Ski!
Woop woop!
This is a timeless classic
I really enjoyed that. Such an amazing song and Ski did such amazing job. Well done
Man this song takes me back!
Absolutely FABULOUS
Cheers! love that melody and those chords are deep house gold
Flash back to the awesome 80's love it. Thanks for doing this one.
Amazing!! So cool to see how these old favorites were constructed.
Utterly brilliant
Thanks for watching.
Love this ... love seeing you deconstruction a song. Thanks
great, and passion made
This was just soooo brilliant!!! Man, this song just never gets old, so timeless!!!
I love this song. Excellent deconstruction! Fantastic job, thank you.
Amazing to unpack each segment, show it on its own then reassemble it. Fantastic!
This was simply amazing. I have no words to describe what I’m feeling
Insane how good this track is and how simple it is! Shows less is sometimes more
More a reconstruction than a deconstruction...
Awesome!!!
Great job.
One of my all time favorite songs...
what a wonderful eveing watching all of this . I thoughly enjoyed you recontructing a song that i grew up with and has been a soundtrack ro my life ... thank you for this video.
I love to see these classic tracks teared down. You really make Ableton sing. Fantastic so glad I grew up in the 80's!!!!!
Thanks, that was excellent, you've got such a good ear to pick up all those instruments.😊
Fantastic! Welcome back Ski, as always, brilliantly deconstructed and very insightful.
Deconstruction of Leftfield Melt please )
I really love this! thanks for sharing!!!
12:19 I like to have either that high pedalnote in my productions, but for breakbeat instead I love a stab rootnote at the start of every bar. Beep - two - three - four. If there's a lot of breaks involved that one stab leads you everytime to where the bar begins, but on a four-to-the-floor the pedalnote is beautiful to keep you hear in which key we are since it also plays the rootnote - this is what both ideas share.
my endless childhood favourite track back in the day!!!! awesome work and thx for the journey
I love watching this stuff. So difficult to get my head around. He is so deep into his skill that I am constantly confused as to what is going on.
I love watching your break the song down. Nice Job.
What a fantastic musician you are
Made my day!
PERFECT!
That brass is the signature sound for me!
Amazing what you did here. This song is wonderful. I can't stop listening to it
one of the all time great synth hooks
Wow - thank you so much . So very interesting . This song was iconic to our youth . Your a genius for showing us how it was made . Thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks for watching!
I am so glad to see you with your great talent & enthusiasm! Loving it! ❤️
C'est génial, bravo et merci Monsieur pour ce super boulot, ça rappelle quelques souvenirs 😁👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏
clever done my friend. This song and all of Bronski Beat will be the classics of the future like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert are for us now.
This is an awesome deconstruction. I love the level of detail you go into.
mighty impressive!
Really enjoyed seeing this being broken down and it sounds pretty spot on too. What a tune, that never gets boring. Thanks for sharing 😊
Fascinating
Nice work. I cannot create but I love to listen to great work.
Excellent
Maravilloso video
Very glad to have you back Ski !! Your deconstruction videos are always outstanding and make me smile, even on bad days..! I never miss any!
Just awesome!
love this
Amazing.
I have this on Vinyl and use to have a sick mix with this track back in the 90's. Nice vid.
Great great job. Congratulations!
SUPERB!
This song is in my DNA, I know ever nuance of it, and you did it justice.
Tiny point...the harp lead, has a hint of slap back delay, giving it a double feel.
Never seen anyone do the lesser know brass lead at the end...very nicely done!
Hiya thanks for the comment! I’m flattered. The brass part is far more revealed in the extended 12” version so I was able to hear the full riff and work it out. And yes, I heard the slapback on the harp and tried to add it with Ableton’s Echo device, but I don’t think i had it loud enough in the video.
this is so much fun to watch !!! thank you !
Thanks for inside look on favorit...genius...peace my man.
Awesome!!! one of my favorite songs.
Thank you very much for this deconstruction. I love how easy you are doing this.
OMGGGGGG!!! This is so cool! Subscribed
Great breakdown of an iconic song. 👍
Beautiful. I love it. You're brilliant. Thanks!
Holy moly.. Spleeter gives impressive results for what it does. I've been looking for something like this for years.
Superb. And brilliantly explained too.
Really enjoyed that, bravo 👏 I find the sequencing/mixing side quite easy, but it's finding the patches/sytnths they used for the sounds. The bass, for instance, I wouldn't have had a clue about the korg. Love the channel, subscribed.
Blown away of what I have just seen. You are such a clever person. Can you try
jermain stuart we don't have to on 12nch? Once again fantastic watch....