1961 Acadamy Awards Show (when it meant something) as Master Of Ceremonies Bob Hope, intoducuces the great, Gene Pitney ~ "Ain't No Pity In The Naked City."
One of the very few American acts who could still hit the charts during the height of the British Invasion, Gene Pitney's distinct voice has a wonderful way to convey emotion without allowing it to interfere with the song, something modern Pop singers don't seem able to do. Yes, he's writing a letter that will break someone's heart, but his admission at the end tells of his own sorrow inside. I can never go home again. Nowhere else will ever be truly home and he knows it.
Yes I also loved Roy Orbison. Enormous fan of Gene. Most these days do not have a clue who either are. That is why I love reaction videos as it brings some of my old favourites to newer generations' attention :) It really is refreshing to see.
Brilliant song that grips you with the first chords, and then with the first words, and Pitney's unique voice carries the story. Life-changing bolts out of the blue DO happen, and the consequences can be painful, for one or several people. Somehow Pitney's pained voice elicits sympathy with the afflicted man as well as the betrayed wife .... He's horrified to be causing pain ...and is stunned by what's happened ... but it's happened .....Was hoping you'd react to this, having discovered Gene Pitney, as it's my favourite of his. Thanks, Harri.
I tell you what Harri, I have loved Gene's fantastic voice right from the 60s. One of my favourite songs of Gene's is "I'm Gonna Be Strong"( Studio version is great) And, wait right to the end for the awesome crescendo.
I can tell you what we ladies were thinking the first time we heard this: "Gene Pitney has such a great voice AND he's so good looking." The lying SOB thing didn't get through until later. Same thing with "Sad Eyes". It's sort of surprising that women allowed either of them to be played once the lyrics were clear. But they were both giant hits, in different eras. Thanks for bringing me more Gene Pitney.
I've taken it that the man indeed wrote to tell his woman that he'd met someone new and he wasn't coming back to her .. But I also believe that he wouldn't have actually put in all the specific details of how it happened in his letter .. To me, that was more his remembering of the events in his mind as he wrote the letter .. The very tone of his voice suggests that he isn't being mean or sadistic to her.
It came out when I was little. I loved his voice and the music but obviously didn't understand what the words meant. Gene Pitney had a beautiful voice.
I remember a comment written on another video of this song referring to the woman he met ( at the Motel/Hotel ) as being Tuls-A written backwards, always makes me laugh.
My family moved from Colorado to North Dakota in late 1963. This song was playing on the radio at that time and the angst it brings to me is happy/sad at the same time. I was 13 and I could recognize what a great voice he had
From the beautiful horns in the beginning, this is one of Gene Pitney's most perfect songs. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David this song went to number 17. Gene's emotions are saturated in every word of this song and the back up vocals with the orchestra make it a big winner. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Daniel, one of my favourites. Beautiful. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
One of the most beautiful songs of Gene Pitney was, SOMETHING GONNA HOLD ON MY HEART ❤. Coverdale by many artists. Hallo from BELGIUM 🇧🇪 BRUSSEL. Herman with love ❤ My favorite female is LARA FABIAN 💖 also from BELGIUM.
One of the many brilliant points of the song is that it brings out the man's own sense of shock and bewilderment over what has just happend. Heretofore he could not have imained himself behaving that way; he is mortified at his own helplessnss and, in a way, heartbroken at not being able to go home again. No one could have done it better than Pitney.
Written by Burt Backerak and Hal David. I don't get that he was married. He just can't go back home again. I don't necessarily think his home was her home. Great song and great reaction.
Gene Pitney was an American singer-songwriter & musician in the 60's-70's. He had a lot of great songs such as "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance", "I'm Gonna Be Strong", "It Hurts To Be In Love", "Half Heaven, Half Heartache", "Mecca" etc. He also wrote the early 1960's hits "Rubber Ball" recorded by "Bobby Vee", "Hello Mary Lou" by "Rick Nelson", "He's A Rebel" by the "Crystals" & "Today's Teardrops" by "Roy Orbison".
The one Gene Pitney song I've never seen a reaction video to is "Every Breath I Take". It was recorded in 1961, and features one of the earliest examples of Phil Spector's signature "Wall of Sound" arrangements. It also featured one of the best studio background vocal groups ever -- the Halos -- behind Pitney. Definitely worth a listen.
I love the trumpets playing the ultra-rapid notes. I think maybe they are sixteenth notes? Yes, the speaker is a cad. It used to bother me when I was a kid, but now I see it as simply a performance in character. The music makes it good.
Big fan of Gene's here, so I was always more interested in his voice rather than the storyline, but hearing your take on it makes me think there should have been a film made from this song - with Gene singing most definitely. Amazing voice and amazing delivery. Thanks for reviewing it.
Ha! I was in junior high when this came out. And I can tell you that young girls, age 12 or 13, just imagined being the beautiful siren who lured this man away from his dumb old wife. But I can well imagine wives not hearing it the same way. : ) The bottom line, the guy was a cad, and very immature, as well.
Great story telling, but if I was the girl getting that message I'd have a few choice words for him. I agree with you Harry, he didn't need to spell out the details.
And how could he possibly know that after a few hours he was in love with this woman and could never go home, back to his wife or whatever again! HOW could he know this few hours would work out long term? I hope it didn't work out!
@@patticrichton1135 🤣ikr??? And you just know it wouldn't work out and when he came home with tail b/t legs I'd kick him back to the curb. Life isn't long enough for that kind of drama 😂
Omg some of the comments here in comments. Songs should be about everything not just the moral high ground. He is telling a story and we are in an imperfect world full of imperfect people. Seriously get over yourselves and appreciate the guy's singing talent.
I grew up an hour and a half from Tulsa. Currently live about three hours from there. Tulsa is quite a city. The name is Osage. In 1921 there was a horrible act of racist terrorism there, then later that same decade, swimming in oil money, Tulsa became the home of some lovely Art Deco architecture. The school where I'm working on my doctorate is in Tulsa, and I have family living there.
The Song of the 1960s. Cars, money, long hours working away from home, the pill (1960) , family breakdown, individuality, moral dilemmas, rise of the more confident women etc.Thanks for your views.Yes cover it !
If that guy is married his jilted wife should take him for everything he's got. And there is a sequel song where he gets his comeuppance. It's "The Cheater" by Bob Kuban.
Songs like this make me angry. They are so well done and the talent is amazing. However, what it really is, is a guy trying to artistically explain why he just destroyed hs marriage and ruined a couple of lives. The song is sort of an ok to every guy who meets a good looking girl and wants her more than he wants to be a person with any moral fiber.... Dan Fogelberg NETHERLANDS!
Gene pitney was one of my earliest memories of listening to music. It hurts to be love comes to mind.
1961 Acadamy Awards Show (when it meant something) as Master Of Ceremonies Bob Hope, intoducuces the great, Gene Pitney ~ "Ain't No Pity In The Naked City."
I've always thought he had such a unique voice.
Love Gene Pitney - not enough reactions to his music - thank you!
He’s telling her the truth. Yes it’s a bit detailed, but he’s explaining why he can’t can’t home. Gene is such the storyteller, and so unique.
One of the very few American acts who could still hit the charts during the height of the British Invasion, Gene Pitney's distinct voice has a wonderful way to convey emotion without allowing it to interfere with the song, something modern Pop singers don't seem able to do. Yes, he's writing a letter that will break someone's heart, but his admission at the end tells of his own sorrow inside. I can never go home again. Nowhere else will ever be truly home and he knows it.
His voice along with Roy Orbison was incredible....
Yes I also loved Roy Orbison. Enormous fan of Gene. Most these days do not have a clue who either are. That is why I love reaction videos as it brings some of my old favourites to newer generations' attention :) It really is refreshing to see.
Brilliant song that grips you with the first chords, and then with the first words, and Pitney's unique voice carries the story. Life-changing bolts out of the blue DO happen, and the consequences can be painful, for one or several people. Somehow Pitney's pained voice elicits sympathy with the afflicted man as well as the betrayed wife .... He's horrified to be causing pain ...and is stunned by what's happened ... but it's happened .....Was hoping you'd react to this, having discovered Gene Pitney, as it's my favourite of his. Thanks, Harri.
I tell you what Harri, I have loved Gene's fantastic voice right from the 60s. One of my favourite songs of Gene's is "I'm Gonna Be Strong"( Studio version is great) And, wait right to the end for the awesome crescendo.
Remember it's only a song
It should be about his beautiful voice.
One of my favourite singers, if you can play his “Town Without Pity” always one I loved.
Funny, I requested "Town without pity" this month too. Harri reacted to it last week. Thanks for the nice comment. 👍🙃
I can tell you what we ladies were thinking the first time we heard this: "Gene Pitney has such a great voice AND he's so good looking." The lying SOB thing didn't get through until later. Same thing with "Sad Eyes". It's sort of surprising that women allowed either of them to be played once the lyrics were clear. But they were both giant hits, in different eras. Thanks for bringing me more Gene Pitney.
Lol don't speak for all we ladies. Not surprising one bit to me. Don't underestimate women's preciousness or lack of it.
Great song Daniel. Gene Pitney has the best voice and the best songs.
Thanks Cynthia I had a great two weeks in Canada. 👍🇨🇦
@@danielvolk237 So you’re back that was a fast two weeks. I’m glad you had a great time though and the weather was nice.✌️
I've taken it that the man indeed wrote to tell his woman that he'd met someone new and he wasn't coming back to her .. But I also believe that he wouldn't have actually put in all the specific details of how it happened in his letter .. To me, that was more his remembering of the events in his mind as he wrote the letter .. The very tone of his voice suggests that he isn't being mean or sadistic to her.
Great voice he had...x
It came out when I was little. I loved his voice and the music but obviously didn't understand what the words meant. Gene Pitney had a beautiful voice.
Saw him in 1969 in Liverpool
He was a great singer /songwriter
Strange though
Its such a great song that you dont feel anything for the gilted girl
I remember a comment written on another video of this song referring to the woman he met ( at the Motel/Hotel ) as being Tuls-A written backwards, always makes me laugh.
I was privileged to see him live and he sounded just the same as his recordings. Check out Trans Canada Highway
Thanks Harri for doing another reaction of Gene Pitney. He has such a great voice. Man who Shot Liberty Valance is another worth listening to. 👏👏🇨🇦
I requested "The man who shot Liberty Valance" about six months ago. Harri did a great reaction. Thanks for your comment. 👍🇨🇦🙃🇺🇸🇬🇧🤴
@@danielvolk237 Must have missed it. Thanks, I’ll look it up.
My family moved from Colorado to North Dakota in late 1963. This song was playing on the radio at that time and the angst it brings to me is happy/sad at the same time. I was 13 and I could recognize what a great voice he had
From the beautiful horns in the beginning, this is one of Gene Pitney's
most perfect songs. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David this song went to number 17.
Gene's emotions are saturated in every word of this song and the back up vocals
with the orchestra make it a big winner.
Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Daniel, one of my favourites. Beautiful.
Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks Mary..I love it too. I just got back from two weeks in Canada. Loved it. 👍🇨🇦🙃🇺🇸🤴🇬🇧
@@danielvolk237 That's great. I hope you had great weather and great hospitality.
😊👍✌️🇨🇦
I still have this on 45 somewhere. Such a great single.
THIS SONG GIVES ME CHILLS 🥰🥰🥰
One of the most beautiful songs of Gene Pitney was, SOMETHING GONNA HOLD ON MY HEART ❤. Coverdale by many artists. Hallo from BELGIUM 🇧🇪 BRUSSEL. Herman with love ❤ My favorite female is LARA FABIAN 💖 also from BELGIUM.
Daniel, great choice !! I've been 24 hours from Tulsa a few times, and nothing like this has ever happened (darn it).
Thanks for the comment. Yeah never happened to me either. 😉👍
Listen to backstage,somethings gotta hold of my heart,that girl belongs to yesterday his voiv
Have you listened to, 'I'm gonna be strong'?
The last note he sings will send chills down your spine!
It's one of my top favorites (along with this one). I must have listened to it a thousand times and it never, never gets old!
One of the many brilliant points of the song is that it brings out the man's own sense of shock and bewilderment over what has just happend. Heretofore he could not have imained himself behaving that way; he is mortified at his own helplessnss and, in a way, heartbroken at not being able to go home again. No one could have done it better than Pitney.
Written by Burt Backerak and Hal David. I don't get that he was married. He just can't go back home again. I don't necessarily think his home was her home. Great song and great reaction.
Another brilliant Bacharach/ David composition brought to great heights by Gene and the great studio cats.
Great reaction. Did you do Genes song “Town without Pity”.
Gene Pitney was an American singer-songwriter & musician in the 60's-70's. He had a lot of great songs such as "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance", "I'm Gonna Be Strong", "It Hurts To Be In Love", "Half Heaven, Half Heartache", "Mecca" etc. He also wrote the early 1960's hits "Rubber Ball" recorded by "Bobby Vee", "Hello Mary Lou" by "Rick Nelson", "He's A Rebel" by the "Crystals" & "Today's Teardrops" by "Roy Orbison".
The one Gene Pitney song I've never seen a reaction video to is "Every Breath I Take". It was recorded in 1961, and features one of the earliest examples of Phil Spector's signature "Wall of Sound" arrangements. It also featured one of the best studio background vocal groups ever -- the Halos -- behind Pitney. Definitely worth a listen.
One of Pitney's best and a really good song from Burt Bacharach
.
I love the trumpets playing the ultra-rapid notes. I think maybe they are sixteenth notes? Yes, the speaker is a cad. It used to bother me when I was a kid, but now I see it as simply a performance in character. The music makes it good.
I never knew when I listened to this as a little girl but I'm laughing when you said Guess he won't be going home again. Probably had little kids
Great singing
Every one say's just tell me the truth, Gene Pitney said "OK" great song
Big fan of Gene's here, so I was always more interested in his voice rather than the storyline, but hearing your take on it makes me think there should have been a film made from this song - with Gene singing most definitely. Amazing voice and amazing delivery. Thanks for reviewing it.
Ha! I was in junior high when this came out. And I can tell you that young girls, age 12 or 13, just imagined being the beautiful siren who lured this man away from his dumb old wife. But I can well imagine wives not hearing it the same way. : ) The bottom line, the guy was a cad, and very immature, as well.
This song is cinema for the ears.
Great story telling, but if I was the girl getting that message I'd have a few choice words for him. I agree with you Harry, he didn't need to spell out the details.
And how could he possibly know that after a few hours he was in love with this woman and could never go home, back to his wife or whatever again! HOW could he know this few hours would work out long term? I hope it didn't work out!
@@patticrichton1135 🤣ikr??? And you just know it wouldn't work out and when he came home with tail b/t legs I'd kick him back to the curb. Life isn't long enough for that kind of drama 😂
Omg some of the comments here in comments. Songs should be about everything not just the moral high ground. He is telling a story and we are in an imperfect world full of imperfect people. Seriously get over yourselves and appreciate the guy's singing talent.
Pitney did a great duet with Marc Almond of Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart.
I agree, how mean, some things are better left unsaid.
🎉chills.
So singable!!!!!!!
I grew up an hour and a half from Tulsa. Currently live about three hours from there. Tulsa is quite a city. The name is Osage. In 1921 there was a horrible act of racist terrorism there, then later that same decade, swimming in oil money, Tulsa became the home of some lovely Art Deco architecture. The school where I'm working on my doctorate is in Tulsa, and I have family living there.
You mentioned other versions, well, I am a fan of Dusty Springfield's.
Good request Daniel. Appropriate reaction Harri. He does know this woman beyond physical reaction. After that she will probably dump him. Hahaha
Thanks D Rice. 👍🙃
The Song of the 1960s. Cars, money, long hours working away from home, the pill (1960) , family breakdown, individuality, moral dilemmas, rise of the more confident women etc.Thanks for your views.Yes cover it !
❤❤❤❤❤❤
You wonder what the women thought??? Really!!??
Now try "99 Miles From LA" (Art Garfunkel). I mean, why not? ☺
I never cottoned on he was married!!
Please review "She's A Heartbreaker" Gene Pitney. Pretty please!
If that guy is married his jilted wife should take him for everything he's got. And there is a sequel song where he gets his comeuppance. It's "The Cheater" by Bob Kuban.
I wanted to break the record.
Songs like this make me angry. They are so well done and the talent is amazing. However, what it really is, is a guy trying to artistically explain why he just destroyed hs marriage and ruined a couple of lives. The song is sort of an ok to every guy who meets a good looking girl and wants her more than he wants to be a person with any moral fiber.... Dan Fogelberg NETHERLANDS!
He was marry or he was shacking up
Dusty does it better.