This was my Grandad’s favourite song, when he died we played it at the crematorium. The man who ran the service said in all of the years of doing that job he’d never heard a George Formby song played at a service haha! I can’t help but smile when I hear this song.
I wanted this played at my Dads funeral (George Formby fan) but my sister overruled the recommendation. Mum and Dad used to gather at his parents place on a Saturday night for a sing and play along and this was one of Dads standards.
We had the same song for our Pappy's funeral, who passed away at 94 in Feb this year. He used to love George Formby and used to resonate with this song with how he my grandma ❤ we had lost my grandma a couple of years before, so was wonderful to remember them both whilst walking out of the service.
WOW incredibly nice and respectful, you honored your Grandad, that's truly selfless and loving, if we survive physical death and transform our energies into some other vessel and able to still see you all he'd probably be emotionally touched, still what a lovely thing to do.
I'm so glad there's online streaming, because I'm an American and would never have heard of George Formby otherwise. He's an absolute delight to watch and listen to!
In the days when this song was written, few city dwellers - especially those of the working class - had automobiles. Life was very local, and free time was often spent outdoors, there being no TV or air-conditioning to keep people inside during good weather. People walked around, or hung out with friends, or went from one group to another. So, if a guy was interested in talking to a particular girl, hanging around on the street was a reasonable thing to do. He could chat with friends, wave to others, but still be ready to meet the object of his affections. And from the lyrics, it seems that they have gone out before, although the relationship seems to be in its early days, so it's not a case (as some people in the comments seem to think) of a guy with a crush on a girl who has no idea he is interested. Our way of life has certainly changed, with suburbs, a proliferation of cars and TV's and with air-conditioning being a common household appliance. So the song appears odd, given what we are used to.
+Sean Duffy Thanks - I did not know that. Most of the US has stopped hanging out on the street - electronics have moved people indoors. Do people in cities spend time walking around, talking to one another, or are they similarly inclined to stay indoors or, if out of doors, to be in their rear gardens? Americans are likely to enjoy the outdoors from a deck or patio at the back of the house, so there is much less interaction with neighbors.
+AnglicanXn You sound like someone trying to explain the lifestyle of Earthlings to an alien! I have to say that this brilliant song by "our George" (he was from Wigan, just like me) doesn't sound the slightest bit odd to me, maybe because I'm 66 and just about remember this "lost world".
+DieFlabbergast I was responding to several comments on this clip which seemed to have assumed that the only reason a guy would be hanging around on a street corner was to stalk someone. As someone who is 69, I can remember when the sidewalks were social spaces and kids could play in the street (if it were a side street). But many under 40 have no idea that such a time ever existed. I find it amazing how time-bound people can be, with no sense of what life was like in other times or even other places. Thus the explanation.
Personally, I consider this one of the greatest love songs ever written. It has endured in the collective memory of British people like very few others from that period. Terribly underrated. Utterly wonderful.
Paul McCartney in concert at various times has mentioned George Formby and I'm fully confident that "When I'm 64" is Paul McCartney's attempt at writing a George Formby song
Growing up in the 80’s my grandad got me into George Formby (plus Norman Wisdom) there always seemed to be reruns on, loved watching these silly films with him having a great laugh. Plus Abbott and Costello and the Road to… films with Bob Hope. 😂 😂
This song simply makes you feel happy. So many words, so well put together. George was a genius. Comedian and especially playing his ukulele. God bless you George.
I couldnt agree more with what everyone i saying. I just feel humble but proud that I was related to him. Obviously never met him as I'm 57 now. But as I said before he was my 3rd cousin. So he was my mothers 2nd cousin. ❤
Listening to George Formby play reminds me of my dad, he had every LP of Georges and loved to play them. He recorded them all onto tape and we used to sing along to them in the car when I was only young. My dad would have loved that I now play the ukuele.
My Dad was English and loved George Formby. I can remember listening to 78 rpm records of these very songs. Thanks for evoking some very happy memories!
When George Formby lived in Mere he was very generous to the locals. Paid for two coaches to take the Sunday School Kids (and their parents) to Blackpool on a day’s outing. He also paid for another two coaches to take the bell ringers and choir to Blackpool. He gave each adult one pound and the kids ten shillings. Also, if Rostherne Church needed anything he always made a generous donation or an outright payment.
My parents bought a television in the mid 1950s. There was no need for a channel selector. Only one channel BBC TV . George's films were screened sometimes. I remember them well. His warmth sense of fun and sheer comic good heartedness radiated and filled room with giggles and joy of his tunes and antics. A wonderful talent and beautiful soul
Just brilliant !! A huge star - & an enormous influence on musicians & music lovers alike.. George Formby will always be remembered for his superb songs & enormous talent on the ukulele.. A great Northern character - love him !! Rx
The actress pretending to play the piano is Polly Ward, but the real player is uncredited. Obviously it would have been arranged and rehearsed, and possibly there was more than one take, so maybe it's the editing you're really admiring 😄
@@mustafa1name Maybe it can be put another way, a very attractive lady who gives the impression she is playing, and does it very well. Good looking and a very attractive smile.
Agreed, she performs her role charmingly and skilfully. She was a singer, so she probably knew her way around a keyboard. Robert, however, seemed to be specifically admiring the apparently abrupt and sprightly musical attack, an effect largely created by others @@peterknight6535
Just makes you realise how the way we live our lives has changed. Lots of things are so much better now, health care etc. But we has lost so much, the simple things in life,which at the end of the day are the important things in life.
Queen Elizabeth died yesterday and they said this was one of her favourite songs, and I immediately went who's George Formby, Herman's Hermits sang it. Now I've found this version not sure which one I prefer. They are different to each other, guess I like both versions.
loved the skinner show and it's just great that georges comedy and music is being spoken about again- I used to love George as a kid and had forgotten all about the great man.
Amazing how true to this arrangement is the Herman’s Hermits version…also George Harrison was a tremendous fan of Mr Formby and had quite a collection of ukuleles
its strange how you turn into your dad.inthe sixties when I was listening to the stones,the who etc.i hated this while my dad liked it.now I,m listening to this,al bowelly.richard tauber etc allmy dadsfavourites
My three year old twin boys are addicted to this song (since their mad old Dad sang a snatch of it one evening.) Great to find it here, and thank you for uploading it!
George Formby's songs will be fondly remembered in Britain long after silent movie star Charlie Chaplin has been well and truly forgotten. Chaplin may have been a legend in his time but never gets a mention anywhere these days. Laurel and Hardy were truly brilliant but were a completely different act to Formby so it is wrong to compare them.
My grandad used to sing this to me to get me to fall asleep, but he substituted 'lady' for 'Jakey'.... it's one of my favorite memories of him and now that he's gone I can't help but feel kind of upset whenever I hear this song.
An all time favourite of mine! George Formby is one of my heroes. He makes a bad day good and always leaves me with a smile. Let George do it I say, let George do it!
this was one of the songs we used to sing in assembly at school when we weren't singing hymns. matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs was another favourite as well
There is a clip of the "professional singer" Val Rosing, singing the same song in the same movie. Rosing (who is my father-in-law) was one of Britain's most popular crooners of the 1930s and was the original singer on Try A Little Tenderness, Teddy Bears Picnic and many other Henry Hall Orchestra Recordings. But George's version is the one that became famous.
Our teacher put this on in lesson by my request, and then some kids about a minute later started throwing pens around. The teacher was trying to have a serious conversation with them while this was playing in the background!
Not really old, still young at this point. I started listening to Sir Formby's song starting last year and I never knew how great these songs were back then.
I first heard of George Formby when I was reading about famous musicians that played ukulele. I have a collection of some of Formby's songs as well as songs by Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards and Roy "Wizard Of The Strings" Smeck.
I know about what the old days was like me ma'am and me gran told me about them. but what the older generation has to understand about my generation is that we've had to grow up in a world were if someone is hanging about on a street you should be careful, because they might be a stalker or a kidnapper or any number of horrible things that are more common nowadays. but my generation can still appreciate good music like this. and that's all that matters the music.
I especially appreciate Formby's perfect diction. Every word clear even when he double-times it. I'm an American, and have a hard time with some British speech. And of course he's charming and a terrific uke player as well.
I have a photo taken by my dad with George holding me aged 2 on Blackpool Pier
in 1954
Thats amazing
Do you have Facebook
I wish that's true
Awesome
i love you
This was my Grandad’s favourite song, when he died we played it at the crematorium. The man who ran the service said in all of the years of doing that job he’d never heard a George Formby song played at a service haha! I can’t help but smile when I hear this song.
I wanted this played at my Dads funeral (George Formby fan) but my sister overruled the recommendation. Mum and Dad used to gather at his parents place on a Saturday night for a sing and play along and this was one of Dads standards.
We had the same song for our Pappy's funeral, who passed away at 94 in Feb this year. He used to love George Formby and used to resonate with this song with how he my grandma ❤ we had lost my grandma a couple of years before, so was wonderful to remember them both whilst walking out of the service.
WOW incredibly nice and respectful, you honored your Grandad, that's truly selfless and loving, if we survive physical death and transform our energies into some other vessel and able to still see you all he'd probably be emotionally touched, still what a lovely thing to do.
I'm so glad there's online streaming, because I'm an American and would never have heard of George Formby otherwise. He's an absolute delight to watch and listen to!
In the days when this song was written, few city dwellers - especially those of the working class - had automobiles. Life was very local, and free time was often spent outdoors, there being no TV or air-conditioning to keep people inside during good weather. People walked around, or hung out with friends, or went from one group to another.
So, if a guy was interested in talking to a particular girl, hanging around on the street was a reasonable thing to do. He could chat with friends, wave to others, but still be ready to meet the object of his affections. And from the lyrics, it seems that they have gone out before, although the relationship seems to be in its early days, so it's not a case (as some people in the comments seem to think) of a guy with a crush on a girl who has no idea he is interested.
Our way of life has certainly changed, with suburbs, a proliferation of cars and TV's and with air-conditioning being a common household appliance. So the song appears odd, given what we are used to.
+AnglicanXn Good analysis, but air conditioning is certainly not common in the UK. In shops and offices maybe, but not in homes.
+Sean Duffy Thanks - I did not know that. Most of the US has stopped hanging out on the street - electronics have moved people indoors. Do people in cities spend time walking around, talking to one another, or are they similarly inclined to stay indoors or, if out of doors, to be in their rear gardens? Americans are likely to enjoy the outdoors from a deck or patio at the back of the house, so there is much less interaction with neighbors.
+AnglicanXn You sound like someone trying to explain the lifestyle of Earthlings to an alien! I have to say that this brilliant song by "our George" (he was from Wigan, just like me) doesn't sound the slightest bit odd to me, maybe because I'm 66 and just about remember this "lost world".
+DieFlabbergast I was responding to several comments on this clip which seemed to have assumed that the only reason a guy would be hanging around on a street corner was to stalk someone. As someone who is 69, I can remember when the sidewalks were social spaces and kids could play in the street (if it were a side street). But many under 40 have no idea that such a time ever existed. I find it amazing how time-bound people can be, with no sense of what life was like in other times or even other places. Thus the explanation.
@AnglicanXn - Few automobiles, but one of the lyrics is "Or you may think I'm hanging round to steal a car".
Personally, I consider this one of the greatest love songs ever written. It has endured in the collective memory of British people like very few others from that period. Terribly underrated. Utterly wonderful.
Paul McCartney in concert at various times has mentioned George Formby and I'm fully confident that "When I'm 64" is Paul McCartney's attempt at writing a George Formby song
When I listen to Fromby I think I can hear some of Ray Davies' Kinks songs as well.
Herman's Hermits had a hit version in 1966.
Growing up in the 80’s my grandad got me into George Formby (plus Norman Wisdom) there always seemed to be reruns on, loved watching these silly films with him having a great laugh. Plus Abbott and Costello and the Road to… films with Bob Hope. 😂 😂
This song simply makes you feel happy. So many words, so well put together. George was a genius. Comedian and especially playing his ukulele. God bless you George.
I couldnt agree more with what everyone i saying. I just feel humble but proud that I was related to him. Obviously never met him as I'm 57 now. But as I said before he was my 3rd cousin. So he was my mothers 2nd cousin. ❤
Listening to George Formby play reminds me of my dad, he had every LP of Georges and loved to play them. He recorded them all onto tape and we used to sing along to them in the car when I was only young. My dad would have loved that I now play the ukuele.
My Dad was English and loved George Formby. I can remember listening to 78 rpm records of these very songs. Thanks for evoking some very happy memories!
George Formby was my 3rd cousin. He was so sweet and talented 😊
I think George played whilst in the army as well
Yes, I believe he did. He brought joy to a lot of people. xxx
When George Formby lived in Mere he was very generous to the locals. Paid for two coaches to take the Sunday School Kids (and their parents) to Blackpool on a day’s outing. He also paid for another two coaches to take the bell ringers and choir to Blackpool. He gave each adult one pound and the kids ten shillings. Also, if Rostherne Church needed anything he always made a generous donation or an outright payment.
Just learned from BBC2 that HM Queen Elizabeth II loved this song, as we celebrate her life. So, i search it on YT. Great
My name is Jamie hand, I really love this wonderful song from the past. This song remind me of my grandfather who was also from the uk as well.
God bless are noble Queen
Brilliant. Here March 1st 2021. Stood the test of time.
My parents bought a television in the mid 1950s. There was no need for a channel selector. Only one channel BBC TV . George's films were screened sometimes. I remember them well. His warmth sense of fun and sheer comic good heartedness radiated and filled room with giggles and joy of his tunes and antics.
A wonderful talent and beautiful soul
I just discovered his movies yesterday, and I cant stop watching. I love these older movies. i wish the US sold region one copies of his films.
George was an icon of his age. Noel Gay was such a clever song writer. Just perfect words and music.
One of Her Majesty The Queen's favorite songs.
George Fornby Never gets Old!!! 🎸🎶
This is was my grandads favourite artist he loved this song I always remember my grandad with this song
Fantastic Performer!
A King amongst performers of his day, can do no wrong for me.
those were the days,my grandfather bought george formby old house off him in sefton park liverpool,he said he was an lovely down to earth man
I loved his catchphrase "Turned out nice again ! "
What a magnificent performance. The interplay between the ukulele and the piano is wonderful.
Looks like a banjo to me
How splendid and redolent of what was a more lyrical, lovable time in many ways!
What a brilliant song, I wish I could go back at this time.
Elizabeth's ii favorite song
wonderful and inspiring chaps like George don't come around too often. what an amazing performer. thanks for the upload
Just brilliant !! A huge star - & an enormous influence on musicians & music lovers alike.. George Formby will always be remembered for his superb songs & enormous talent on the ukulele.. A great Northern character - love him !! Rx
George Harrison of the Beatles owned that very banjo ukulele years after Formby's passing.
I know they owned one of his ukuleles but I don’t know if it was that one
george formby one of the best entertainers we have ever had with one of the best songs ever written
I love the pianist. She dives right into the music
The actress pretending to play the piano is Polly Ward, but the real player is uncredited. Obviously it would have been arranged and rehearsed, and possibly there was more than one take, so maybe it's the editing you're really admiring 😄
@@mustafa1name Maybe it can be put another way, a very attractive lady who gives the impression she is playing, and does it very well. Good looking and a very attractive smile.
Agreed, she performs her role charmingly and skilfully. She was a singer, so she probably knew her way around a keyboard. Robert, however, seemed to be specifically admiring the apparently abrupt and sprightly musical attack, an effect largely created by others @@peterknight6535
Just beautifully written and sung
Just makes you realise how the way we live our lives has changed. Lots of things are so much better now, health care etc. But we has lost so much, the simple things in life,which at the end of the day are the important things in life.
very,very entertaining find for me! was searching for the Robert Lindsay version from "Me and my girl" A most delightful Broadway show circa 1986!!!
Queen Elizabeth died yesterday and they said this was one of her favourite songs, and I immediately went who's George Formby, Herman's Hermits sang it. Now I've found this version not sure which one I prefer. They are different to each other, guess I like both versions.
Beautiful. So brilliant and poetic and poignant. And what he did in South Africa when no-one else was on board? Total Respect! A Great Man.
even more than 75 years on it stands the test of time.
I wouldn't say it stood the test of time to be honest. He's not as good as will hay.
the girl playing the piano is wonderful also, who is she?
loved the skinner show and it's just great that georges comedy and music is being spoken about again- I used to love George as a kid and had forgotten all about the great man.
Marvelous! 👏👏👏👏👏 and all this time I had only associated this song with that 1960s English rock group 😊
ITS WONDERFUL to hear this super oldie again...THANK YOU for posting
Amazing how true to this arrangement is the Herman’s Hermits version…also George Harrison was a tremendous fan of Mr Formby and had quite a collection of ukuleles
This music always brings a tear to me eye.
Sweet. Love the show, but god, they have a lot of episodes. Thanks very much.
Bravo, Someone finally posted this wonderful number and it turned out nice again!!
George was certainly a very good entertainer in days gone by - memories are golden.
its strange how you turn into your dad.inthe sixties when I was listening to the stones,the who etc.i hated this while my dad liked it.now I,m listening to this,al bowelly.richard tauber etc allmy dadsfavourites
This is one of my favourite songs of George
My three year old twin boys are addicted to this song (since their mad old Dad sang a snatch of it one evening.) Great to find it here, and thank you for uploading it!
My Aunty Lucy,who lived in Myra Rd,Lytham St Annes was a good friend of George.He used to pop round for a"cup of tea" now and then.
George is the man, and always will be!
'Nice Day, Isn't it.' - Still brings a smile. Brilliant thanks for posting.
George Formby's songs will be fondly remembered in Britain long after silent movie star Charlie Chaplin has been well and truly forgotten. Chaplin may have been a legend in his time but never gets a mention anywhere these days. Laurel and Hardy were truly brilliant but were a completely different act to Formby so it is wrong to compare them.
I LOVE this brilliant share....Thanks for posting this one here.
Charming and fun to watch and hear.
My Dad use to sing this to us ♥️miss him
Thanks for posting; featured in the book 'The lost Child' by author Caryl Phillips. Viewing in 2024.
My grandad used to sing this to me to get me to fall asleep, but he substituted 'lady' for 'Jakey'.... it's one of my favorite memories of him and now that he's gone I can't help but feel kind of upset whenever I hear this song.
Bloody love this.man he was brilliant a true talent
Such a nice song and musician. More people shoud know Formby!
An all time favourite of mine! George Formby is one of my heroes. He makes a bad day good and always leaves me with a smile. Let George do it I say, let George do it!
I have seen his big house near the park in Preston .
Always been aware of this song, of course, but never seen this performance before.........so sweet.
Thats the best duo ever!
A piano and a Banjo Uke :D
Amazing ol formby ;-)
this was one of the songs we used to sing in assembly at school when we weren't singing hymns. matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs was another favourite as well
This is a fantastic record love you George rip miss you so much
my music teacher put this song on and ever since I fell in love with this song.
My nana brought me up, singing this song:)xxx
That solo is fantastic.
Just seen Me and My Girl and love this song. had to look up George's version. Can't be beaten.
knee high to a grass hoper back in those good old days and still love his songs ☺
2020 and loving it.
Ahaha! trying to learn these classics is impossibel - it will never be as good as the original man! Love it! wish my covers were as good as this!
The original man is doing a cover, this isn’t his song
I first heard this song in 1965 on a record by Herman's Hermits. Peter Noone did a good job, but Formby's the real deal.
There is a clip of the "professional singer" Val Rosing, singing the same song in the same movie. Rosing (who is my father-in-law) was one of Britain's most popular crooners of the 1930s and was the original singer on Try A Little Tenderness, Teddy Bears Picnic and many other Henry Hall Orchestra Recordings. But George's version is the one that became famous.
What a treasure 🪙
It took Herman's Hermits to revive this song and the chorus of "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" to give the 1960s a taste of real nostalgia!
Our teacher put this on in lesson by my request, and then some kids about a minute later started throwing pens around. The teacher was trying to have a serious conversation with them while this was playing in the background!
Matthewmodeller229 who asks for this song in lesson, strange creature
Charlie Mango we sang it in our primary school choir in 2008
I always listen to this when feeling down.
I love this song. I MUST LEARN IT. Surely this shall woo the lovely ladies.
A pure one of talent ..bless .
Not really old, still young at this point. I started listening to Sir Formby's song starting last year and I never knew how great these songs were back then.
The scene is from the movie Matchstick Men : Roy is in his car smoking waiting for his daughter and listening to this song.
Such an underated and largely forgotten performer, Formby was a genius.
I first heard of George Formby when I was reading about famous musicians that played ukulele. I have a collection of some of Formby's songs as well as songs by Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards and Roy "Wizard Of The Strings" Smeck.
I know about what the old days was like me ma'am and me gran told me about them.
but what the older generation has to understand about my generation is that we've had to grow up in a world were if someone is hanging about on a street you should be careful, because they might be a stalker or a kidnapper or any number of horrible things that are more common nowadays.
but my generation can still appreciate good music like this. and that's all that matters the music.
Anybody who doesn't like George Formby is crazy.
+Crazy Frazy I love this guy! But I am crazy still. :3
He's not as good as will hay. and I'm only on my 30s.
I've loved this guy ever since I found out about him, so much so I've started playing Banjolele like him! :D
Your name is Crazy, are you implying that you don't like George Formby?
very true
:p
thats a great up load ,class
three different tempos in one song, just great
Thanks for your help...I will definitely look into it!
he was a legend in GB a long time ago but not forgotten
I saw Herman (Peter Noone) perform this song at Disneyland in around 1975. I never new the history!
How can you dislike THIS!!!
I especially appreciate Formby's perfect diction. Every word clear even when he double-times it. I'm an American, and have a hard time with some British speech. And of course he's charming and a terrific uke player as well.
God bless you George. Did more to boost British morale, when he smacked Hitler "take that Adolf!" in one of his films, than anyone but Churchill.
Distant relative of mine, quite proud of that