"Fate, up against your will" has got to be one of the most poetic lines in a song. Bring on The Dancing Horses and Lips like Sugar are a couple of other classics from the Bunnymen.
The singer Ian McCulloch wrote this song very quickly and said that basically god sent this song to him. He even credited half the lyrics to God. Its basically about the eternal struggle between fate and the human will. Amazing song.
Always thought it was a homage to a woman he loves that rejects him for the convent, so that tracks, of course the “goth/witchy music style (which it is) conflicts with that audience I think…
@italoblu TBF, McCullough also said that, (paraphrasing here) he believes the song has universal appeal because it can be about "everything". So he wouldn't object if your personal interpretation was different. To me, it's about vampires, so that's what I choose to believe it's about. LOL
@@aerynsunx I always thought it was about a vampire, too, until I read an interview with Ian McCulloch. After seeing what he had to say, I believe he's saying that he has faith that at the end of his life he will be given the opportunity to accept Christ before he's taken.
Holy cow! My little Punk/New Wave crowd in college during the '80s were *seriously* into this band. Played them on the college radio station, covered the tunes in our lil' cover bands. Thanks so much for this. And another vote for "The Cutter", it will blast you away! EDIT: Oh, how could I have forgotten "Lips Like Sugar"!! Yeah, that one, too.
Such a cool and important part of the 80's scene. In general, this isn't normally my sort of of music (and wasn't in the 80's) but I ♥♥♥ The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Echo and the Bunnymen ... oh yeah, absolutely! This is student bar music for me or late night talking about spirituality/philosophy music 🥰
That voice.... Epic post-punk band. All their classic stuff (Crocodiles-Ocean Rain) is so romantically dark, psychedelic and haunting. All top notch quality albums.
Wow! Yall did Echo Bunnymen?? 🕺. I remember underground alternative bands like this was only shown on MTV late at night on segment show called 120 Minutes. Lol. Thry were a cool band. They were on the gothic post punk spectrum like The Cure, early U2 and Sioxsee and the Banshees and others. The alternative punk new wavers and gothy kids really like these bands. Watch the "The Cutter" from Echo Bunnymen next. You will like that one also,.a lil more upbeat.
I will always remember this song from the movie Donnie Darko which is an amazing film. Jake Gyllenhaal is the main actor. Maggie Gyllenhaal. Drew Barrymore. Seth Rogen. Jenna Malone. Patrick Swayze and many other famous actors in the film. Donnie Darko is a must see film
I have to hand it to you. Your taste is so eclectic, and I love it. Y'all are willing to go anywhere on the musical spectrum, which is how it should be.
Just what I was going to say and if I remember rightly, you did a movie reaction to “The lost boys”. Keep up the great reactions and can I just ask again, I’ll try to make it the last time 😅 Could you please react to “ Temptation “ by Heaven 17? Thankyou 🥰🥰
One of my favorite bands. Mac is my comfort voice. “Lips Like Sugar” is a great one. Also, “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo”, “Nocturnal Me”, “Silver”, “The Cutter”, “Bring On the Dancing Horses”, and their cover of the Doors’ “People Are Strange” from The Lost Boys (the Doors’ keyboard player, Ray Manzarek, played on it). Thank you for getting around to these guys. Top 3 band for me. 💜💜💜
I absolutely LOVED this song and Echo & the Bunnymen. They are very underrated in the US and such a great band. You would hear them on alternative radio and the cool clubs. They have a great selection of songs such as "The Cutter", "Bring On The Dancing Horses", "Lips Like Sugar", and "Bedbugs and Ballyhoo".
The lead singer Ian Started in 1977 as a member of a band called The Crucial Three with Pete Wylie and Julian Cope. When they split each member formed a band that played an important part of the psychedelia scene in late 70s Liverpool,playing at the legendary Erics. Pete Wylie formed Wah and Julian Cope formed The Teardrop Explodes both successful acts in the early eighties. The debut single by The Bunnymen was produced by future member of the KLF Bill Drummond. Their debut album Crocodiles was produced by Ian Broudie later to form The Lightning Seeds.
It is funny how The Crucial Three is always mentioned. Julian Cope dismisses it because it was so short-lived, plus his feud with Ian over her sister. There is no doubt there was something in the air in Liverpool at the time. You can see why Courtney Love dumped herself there in 1982 and made a reputation annoying Julian and trying to steal Ian's coat.
I had the biggest crush on lead singer Ian McCollough! And while I love their older stuff like this and “The Cutter” , another really good song that showcases their amazing sound is “Bring on the Dancing Horses”
Before emo, us 80's goth kids had 3 anthems: "People Are People" by Depeche Mode, "In Between Days" by The Cure, and THIS! Thank you so much for reacting to it. Another great, moody, mysterious, equally 'cinematic' song to find next is "Under The Milky Way" by The Church, from Australia. 《-- also used in Donnie Darko
This was def my style of music as a teen/early 20’s but same….Not sure if I’ve heard any of their other songs but will have to listen to more and see. Surely I must have 😂. This sounds vaguely familiar.
They're even better live, up there with other post-punk, new wave bands: The Cure Depeche Mode, New Order, Love and Rockets, Gang of Four, Bauhaus. Start with studio versions of Bring on the Dancing Horses and Lips Like Sugar, but then 1984's Live From Royal Albert Hall - Heaven Up Here, No Dark Things, With a Hip, Never Stop... all amped up and with Ian likes to work in a few medleys like on Crocodiles with bits of songs by The Doors, The Beatles, Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones.
I honestly was not expecting this band to ever come up on this channel, but now that you have; their cover of "people are strange" is 100% worth a listen to.
I was a teenager in the 80s, and Echo and the Bunnymeny and tghe Cure were absolutely my jam (though I secretly loved Wham as well). So many great tunes from the Bunnymen: Silver, Bring on the Dancing Horses, Seven Seas, The Cutter. All gems
Teen of the 80s here, too. Absolutely loved the alt rock we grew up with and, like you, I was also a secret Wham! fan, as the crowd I hung out with thought pop music (or anything mainstream) was for losers. LOL. 😎
Echo haunted my youth since their very beginning in the post-punk>New Wave/Romantic era of alternative rock. They were my anchor in this new music that finally became *mine* - something unique against what came before with my parents music (which I still love). All teens go through this phase, and it's exciting and profound. We get older and most times we realize it was just a "phase"... I feel fortunate that my phase with Echo, the Cure, Siouxie, Bauhaus, Depeche Mode, and the rest of the 2nd British Invasion never really ended. They stood the test of time. Now my daughter has the pleasure of diving in and is just as enraptured as me. I look forward to you two going on that dive. Cuts to look for from Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses, New Direction, Seven Seas, Bombers Bay, Bedbugs and Ballyhoo, Lovers on the Run
This is an absolutely perfect song. I heard it for the first time when it was released and it stopped me dead in my tracks. I think you two would love everything on their album “Songs To Learn And Sing” Loving your channel. I love seeing people hearing my beloved songs for the first time ♥️
Since you mentioned The Doors, you should check out Echo & The Bunnymen's cover of People are Strange. It was on the soundtrack for the movie The Lost Boys.
More to the point, The Doors famous keyboard player played on Echo & The Bunnymens song "Bedbugs & Ballyhoo"... the link between the two bands is deep...
@@elcorado83 Oh wow, I never knew that was actually him playing on "Ballyhoo!" That has long been one of my absolute favorite songs. I remember hoping Dave Kendall would play it on MTV's 120 Minutes. Jay will have a fit over the bassline.
Also on Crocodiles live at Royal Albert Hall, they work Light My Fire into a medley as they do on few live versions with bands they love like The Doors, The Beatles, Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones.
Wow, trip down memory lane! What a superb choice. The Bunnymen were my first live gig, Birmingham Odeon 1984. A superb and fantastic group I have loved ever since. The drummer Pete De Freitas was tragically killed in motorbike accident close to where I live. Very sad.
The Doors comparison is very astute Amber. The Doors and the Velvet Underground were big influences on The Bunnymen. The singer Ian McCulloch will love the fact you've compared his singing to Jim Morrisson. The song is very cinematic which is why it sounded perfect in Donnie Darko. The Echo in the band name was the name of the drum machine they used before Pete De Freitas became their drummer. Courtney Love turned Kurt Cobain onto the Bunnymen as she hung around with them when she lived in Liverpool.
Speaking of the Doors, since the song lyrics mention fate, and J and Amber talked about the video feeling like a movie, as well as the Doors, I highly recommend you check out Echo and the Bunnymen's cover of "People Are Strange," which is on the movie soundtrack for "The Lost Boys."
@@kurtpflegl9724 Their "People are Strange" is one of my favorite covers. Of course it didn't hurt that they had Ray Manzarek producing and playing Hammond organ on it, but still...
I’m glad you’re finally reacting to them as they are quintessential ‘80s English rock. Please keep “Lips Like Sugar” in your back pocket. Such an amazing song with many layers of sound.
You can't go wrong with Echo & the Bunnymen, I believe the tune was a large part of the movie "Donnie Darko". They had several other great songs. Also Shane MacGowan of the Irish band The Pogues died this week. "Haunted" from the "Sid and Nancy" soundtrack with Sinead O'Connor was great, "Fairytale of New York" is a big time Christmas song in England from the Pogues and their song "Lorca's Novena" is on my playlist next to Echo's "The Killing Moon" because the two songs sound great together.
Another vote for Donnie Darko! NOT the director's cut, but the original release, with this song for the opening scene. The killing moon will come too soon, moon cycle 28 days, and there's a bunnyman. Why the director chose to change the song for his cut is beyond my understanding.
I saw the Bunnymen live at Hammersmith Palais in the summer of 1984. They were utterly fabulous. Back then, Mac couldn't do no wrong. From 1980-84, they were the best group around and that includes The Cure, The Banshees, Magazine, GO4, early Simple Minds, and The Jam. This is a magnificent song which I still own as a seven-inch single. Simply flawless. Jim Morrison would have loved it.
Another underrated great band from my 80s. I got to hear them in college (of course) and was blown away. Psychedelic music int he form of new wave. It is a mind trip for sure.
I'm 15, in high school, breaking every uniform rule and getting away with murder, eyeliner out to my ears, black mohair jumper to my knees, it was Scotland 1984 and this was my everything! lol can't believe you've even heard this ! lol brilliant. thank you. one of my favourite songs. So glad you liked this the way you did! :D brilliant. Cheers (Y)
There use to be a club in Liverpool called Eric's a lot of punk bands played there in the late 70s. Ian mckullack use to go to Eric's when he was 17. There was a lot of bands from Liverpool started in Eric's from the mighty wah, Echo and the bunnymen, Dead or alive, OMD, Frankie goes to Hollywood, Teardrops explodes, China Crisis, the icicle works and many more bands.
It’s always fun watching you guys experience new things for the first time. I grew up on this stuff, to the point where I almost don’t notice how wonderful it is anymore, but then I watch you listen for the first time, and it’s like it unlocks how I used to feel about it. So thank you for that!
The dark mysterious lyrics of many of these 80s goth bands are beyond close scrutiny I think. It's enough to feel the sound and the words, with phrases like "he will wait until you give yourself to him" haunting your mind forever
This song is on the opening of "Donnie Darko" which you need to hit on your movie reaction channel. Also, the Gary Jules cover of "Mad World" is on that soundtrack as well.
YES! Thank you for reviewing this classic! Check out their other great songs like "Bring on the dancing horses", "Never stop", "Lips like sugar", "Silver", and "The Cutter"!
I didn't think either of you would like this, but firstly this has shown to me how far you have come and secondly how much you have both grown your "music ear" while listening to all these random song requests you get. This band were under the radar even during their peak hence not everyone is aware of them. I am glad that you have listened to bands like The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen as perhaps they were not as big in the US.
Another British rock group to check out active in the 70s/80s is Xtc - Generals and Majors, Making Plans for Nigel, Dear God, Ballad of Peter Pumpkin Head, Senses Working Overtime, Mayor of Simpleton, King For A Day.
Lips Like Sugar should be next. Love that you mentioned Jim Morrison. They recorded a PHENOMENAL song called Bedbugs and Ballyhoo, which they recorded with Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek. Has a great Doors sound mixed with Echo’s dark 80s new wave.
My favorite new wave band. Have seen them more than any other post-punk -new wave-band/person from the late ‘70s/‘80s. Seen in every decade -and they are still touring. Lead singer, Ian McCullough, has a beautiful voice and beautiful face, and those “lips like sugar” have gotten “Mac the mouth” in trouble more than once. But the melodies and the lyrics-which are arguably pure poetry-are gorgeous and keep the fans coming and growing. The Wikipedia entry is practically book-length. Jump into the rabbit-hole and explore ; perhaps go chronologically . . . you will have a lovely winter.
This haunted me in middle school, I was obsessed with college radio before they changed the format, then it was used in Donnie Darko so perfectly. Please listen to "Bring on the Dancing Horses", that was my intro song to Echo and the Bunnymen, one of my faves from the era
The classic Post Punk band and very significant and influential. That whole Ocean Rain album is fire and it became huge after it dropped. My drummer in our post punk band who was also a roommate and friend turned me on to it, and we used to blast it. It took him about a week to completely work out all of the drum parts on the album. We loved it so much and he could actually kind of sing in that style. Literally pick any song from Ocean Rain and you would have a great reaction.
'Back of Love'. 'Do It Clean', 'Rescue' are 3 of my faves. Great underestimated band who have recently announced dates for a greatest hits tour of the UK.
This band was a huge part of my college years. Along with The Psychedelic Furs, The Vandals, The Cure, The Alarm, R.E.M, 10000 Maniacs, Guadalcanal Diary, The Call, The Smiths…and the list goes on. Thanks so much for this reaction.
This is why 80's music is so awesome. These bands, these songs, these sounds were the soundtrack to my life during high school and college and I could not get enough. Still love all of it. I'm so glad that you are open to it. The talent and creativity is amazing.
Ooh I’ve been waiting for this, thank you!! If you want to try more, check out Lips Like Sugar or The Cutter or Bring On The Dancing Horses. Also, I’ve got a suggestion for female Friday that I think Amber in particular will love: Mother Mother by Tracy Bonham. 90s indie hit with great lyrics.
One of the great vocalists of his generation. Still touring to this day. Never got the credit they deserved. This song was on several film tracks, most notable Jake Gylinehall and the famous indie film where he sees a giant rabbit.
The "Echo" in the band name refers to the drum machine they utilized when they started; wten they recruited a human drummer, and just kept the name. Amber was spot-on; Echo & The The Bunnymen were on the "new psychedlia" end of 80s UK new wave bands, and singer/ guitarist/ songwriter Ian McCulloch was compared to Jim Morrison by many critics at the time (I'm sure you'll see a lot of requests for their cover of The Door's "People Are Strange" in the comments- which they did for "The Lost Boys' soundtrack".) This was from their quietest (by far) album, 1984's "Ocean Rain"- their 4th album at this point. Its slower, darker pace and acoustic arrangements threw a lot of people off guard- in a good way. They had a string of indie hits throughout the 80's- "Rescue", "Do It Clean", "No Dark Things", "Show Of Strength", "The Cutter", "Seven Seas", "Bring On The Dancing Horses", "Lips Like Sugar". You may also want to check out "Proud To Fall", from Ian McCulloch's first solo abum from 1989, "Candleland", after The Bunnymen's first break-up, and immediately following the death of Bunnymen drummer Pete DeFreitas in a motorcylde crash earlier that year (McColloch dedicated the "Candleland" album to him).
Echo in the band name referred to a drum machine. Then they got the brilliant drummer Pete de Freitas, who sadly died in a motorcycle accident. Amazing band.
one of my favorite bands...very underrated in my opinion...one of the 80's best...try Rescue, Never Stop, The Cutter, Do it Clean, Seven Seas,,,you won't be disappointed
These guys are awesome. Bring on the dancing horses is a famous song from this era, lips like sugar as well I just saw echo and the bunnymen 2 weeks ago down on the beach at a festival here in SoCal. They sounded great
Love your reaction! I attended an 80's music festival earlier this year and got to see Echo & The Bunnymen there. The crowd went nuts when they started playing this song. My 19 yr old daughter wanted to see them because of this song. I wanted to hear everything but love their song Bring on The Dancing Horses. They still sound great! We also got to see Billy Idol, Squeeze, Iggy Pop, and others. The 80's had some great music.
I have been waiting on you reacting to this one, I KNEW you would love it! The Bunnymen are still touring, we've seen them a couple of times in Glasgow over the past few years. Ian McCulloch is such a brilliant singer and writer, as well as being so charismatic
Lots of bands in the early 80s felt the influence of Post-Punk and from Joy Division, including The Cure and this ones. I loved this song back in the days and I do now! Ian MacCulloch said “It’s about everything, from birth to death to eternity and God - whatever that is - and the eternal battle between fate and the human will. It contains the answer to the meaning of life. It’s my ‘To be or not to be.'”.
Funny you mentioned Jim Morrison. Echo & The Bunnymen did a cover of _People Are_ _Strange_ which featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Lost Boys (1987). Pretty good vampire film. Oh, and the cover was excellent.
Although Jay grew up with hip-hop and rap, I get the feeling that had he been a teen in the 80s he might've been hardcore into new wave, alternative rock, and electro-funk. :)
I'm late so I'm sure it's been said a hundred times. The entire movie Donnie Darko is built around the lyrics of this song. At least Donnie and Frank. Also, you have found my people.
The song 'Lips Like Sugar' by the band Echo & The Bunnymen, released in 1987, is a composition that mixes elements of romance and desire with a feeling of unattainability. The lyrics describe an almost ethereal female figure, comparing her to a swan that glides gracefully over the water, suggesting a beauty and elegance that is both attractive and untouchable. The repetition of the line 'Lips like sugar, sugar kisses' can be interpreted as a metaphor for the sweetness and temptation that this woman represents, but also for the ephemerality of these moments of intimacy. The song talks about a desire that is constant, but that is never fully satisfied, because as soon as you think you have reached that figure, it moves away, leaving only the memory of your 'sugar kisses'. The song also explores the idea of reflection and identity, as shown in the lines 'ela She'll be my mirror, reflect what I am, looser and winner'. This suggests a search for self-knowledge through others, where the female figure serves as a mirror for the lyrical self. The reference to the 'king of Zion' and the 'Siamese twin' can symbolize the duality of one's identity and the inextricable connection with the object of desire. In short, 'Lips Like Sugar' is a song that talks about the search for love and connection, and the fleeting sweetness that these experiences can bring.
"Fate, up against your will" has got to be one of the most poetic lines in a song. Bring on The Dancing Horses and Lips like Sugar are a couple of other classics from the Bunnymen.
Two solid suggestions.
All of them, absolutely brilliant!
2 excellent choices, a great and under appreciated band
Fan of 'Silver.' 🙂 like them quite a bunch.
"Seven Seas"
The singer Ian McCulloch wrote this song very quickly and said that basically god sent this song to him. He even credited half the lyrics to God. Its basically about the eternal struggle between fate and the human will. Amazing song.
Well that kind of ruins it.
Always thought it was a homage to a woman he loves that rejects him for the convent, so that tracks, of course the “goth/witchy music style (which it is) conflicts with that audience I think…
@@italobluAre you an Atheist?
@italoblu TBF, McCullough also said that, (paraphrasing here) he believes the song has universal appeal because it can be about "everything". So he wouldn't object if your personal interpretation was different. To me, it's about vampires, so that's what I choose to believe it's about. LOL
@@aerynsunx I always thought it was about a vampire, too, until I read an interview with Ian McCulloch. After seeing what he had to say, I believe he's saying that he has faith that at the end of his life he will be given the opportunity to accept Christ before he's taken.
Holy cow! My little Punk/New Wave crowd in college during the '80s were *seriously* into this band. Played them on the college radio station, covered the tunes in our lil' cover bands. Thanks so much for this. And another vote for "The Cutter", it will blast you away!
EDIT: Oh, how could I have forgotten "Lips Like Sugar"!! Yeah, that one, too.
Oh yeah "The Cutter" is great too. Such fond memories of that era!
This and "Lips Like Sugar" are my favorites.
Spare us 'The Cutter'
It's a longshot to get picked, but I think they would LOVE "Bedbugs and Ballyhoo".
Such a cool and important part of the 80's scene. In general, this isn't normally my sort of of music (and wasn't in the 80's) but I ♥♥♥ The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Echo and the Bunnymen ... oh yeah, absolutely! This is student bar music for me or late night talking about spirituality/philosophy music 🥰
That voice.... Epic post-punk band. All their classic stuff (Crocodiles-Ocean Rain) is so romantically dark, psychedelic and haunting. All top notch quality albums.
Time for Sisters of Mercy!!
This corrosion
Typically I'd think Temple of Love but I think Marian would be a better song
Under the radar band that’s been around since 1978 from Liverpool. The Cutter is another really good hit from the band.
@@mick6721 your right. I stand corrected
80's industrial/post punk is a genre you haven't explored much. I'm glad to see you're here..... now may some Sisters of Mercy.
Yes, been requesting. This Corrosion mostly.
Wow! Yall did Echo Bunnymen?? 🕺. I remember underground alternative bands like this was only shown on MTV late at night on segment show called 120 Minutes. Lol. Thry were a cool band. They were on the gothic post punk spectrum like The Cure, early U2 and Sioxsee and the Banshees and others. The alternative punk new wavers and gothy kids really like these bands. Watch the "The Cutter" from Echo Bunnymen next. You will like that one also,.a lil more upbeat.
Sound track for many students in the 80's. Chill out song for any age ❤ timeless
I will always remember this song from the movie Donnie Darko which is an amazing film. Jake Gyllenhaal is the main actor. Maggie Gyllenhaal. Drew Barrymore. Seth Rogen. Jenna Malone. Patrick Swayze and many other famous actors in the film. Donnie Darko is a must see film
I have to hand it to you. Your taste is so eclectic, and I love it. Y'all are willing to go anywhere on the musical spectrum, which is how it should be.
Eclecticism is the only way :D
Ya’ll gotta react to the movie Donnie Darko-modern classic.
Not really. They ignore jazz, classical. Lean in on British groups.
@@blackblake3658 I'm gonna be nice and just laugh at you.
Amen!
Their cover of The Doors’ song, People Are Strange is Top Tier! It’s from the soundtrack to the classic horror/comedy The Lost Boys!
Great suggestion!
Just what I was going to say and if I remember rightly, you did a movie reaction to “The lost boys”. Keep up the great reactions and can I just ask again, I’ll try to make it the last time 😅 Could you please react to
“ Temptation “ by Heaven 17? Thankyou 🥰🥰
@@nicolaanne4787 I don’t think they reacted to The Lost Boys? Unless they have a Patreon?
Yes! Took the thoughts right out of my head!
Soon as Amber mentioned Jim Morrison…i was like…Yes!!!
Love Echo. Lips Like Sugar is another hit of theirs. I loved this era of music.
Great song!!!! It captures melancholy so well.
One of my favorite bands. Mac is my comfort voice. “Lips Like Sugar” is a great one. Also, “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo”, “Nocturnal Me”, “Silver”, “The Cutter”, “Bring On the Dancing Horses”, and their cover of the Doors’ “People Are Strange” from The Lost Boys (the Doors’ keyboard player, Ray Manzarek, played on it). Thank you for getting around to these guys. Top 3 band for me. 💜💜💜
Bombers Bay!
Bedbugs and Ballyhoo and Lips like Sugar for sure!!
The cutter! Love that. ❤
Seven Seas..
Crocodiles! Jay will love the bass.
This song was sensibly used on the opening credits of Donnie Darko, which famously had a bunny man in it
I absolutely LOVED this song and Echo & the Bunnymen. They are very underrated in the US and such a great band. You would hear them on alternative radio and the cool clubs. They have a great selection of songs such as "The Cutter", "Bring On The Dancing Horses", "Lips Like Sugar", and "Bedbugs and Ballyhoo".
Rescue is my favorite Echo and The Bunnymen song.
Definitely one of my favorites too. It's hard to choose a single favorite song.
Another reason why I'm internally grateful I grew up in the 1980’s and was blessed with wonderful music like this ❤️❤️
The lead singer Ian Started in 1977 as a member of a band called The Crucial Three with Pete Wylie and Julian Cope. When they split each member formed a band that played an important part of the psychedelia scene in late 70s Liverpool,playing at the legendary Erics. Pete Wylie formed Wah and Julian Cope formed The Teardrop Explodes both successful acts in the early eighties. The debut single by The Bunnymen was produced by future member of the KLF Bill Drummond. Their debut album Crocodiles was produced by Ian Broudie later to form The Lightning Seeds.
I forgot about Teardrop explodes. Thanks for the reminder.
It is funny how The Crucial Three is always mentioned. Julian Cope dismisses it because it was so short-lived, plus his feud with Ian over her sister. There is no doubt there was something in the air in Liverpool at the time. You can see why Courtney Love dumped herself there in 1982 and made a reputation annoying Julian and trying to steal Ian's coat.
I had the biggest crush on lead singer Ian McCollough! And while I love their older stuff like this and “The Cutter” , another really good song that showcases their amazing sound is “Bring on the Dancing Horses”
Before emo, us 80's goth kids had 3 anthems: "People Are People" by Depeche Mode, "In Between Days" by The Cure, and THIS! Thank you so much for reacting to it. Another great, moody, mysterious, equally 'cinematic' song to find next is "Under The Milky Way" by The Church, from Australia. 《-- also used in Donnie Darko
For me it was Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilyn, The Cult.
No Bauhaus ?😂
The Church was amazing!😊
I've begged for Under the Milky Way several times. I'm not sure it'll ever happen.
@@okantichrist I'd be thrilled if they'd do Cuts You Up at the very least.
This song is incredible. It was good being in high school and college in the 1980s!
I’ve heard their name before but never heard their music….I’m OBSESSED. This song is incredible! Gonna send me down a new musical rabbit hole 😂
Enjoy! There's so much great music from The Bunnymen.
My favourite is "Nothing Lasts Forever" from 1997 🙂
This was def my style of music as a teen/early 20’s but same….Not sure if I’ve heard any of their other songs but will have to listen to more and see. Surely I must have 😂. This sounds vaguely familiar.
They're even better live, up there with other post-punk, new wave bands: The Cure Depeche Mode, New Order, Love and Rockets, Gang of Four, Bauhaus.
Start with studio versions of Bring on the Dancing Horses and Lips Like Sugar, but then 1984's Live From Royal Albert Hall - Heaven Up Here, No Dark Things, With a Hip, Never Stop... all amped up and with Ian likes to work in a few medleys like on Crocodiles with bits of songs by The Doors, The Beatles, Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones.
You've stumbled upon one of the icons of the era. "Bring on the dancing horses" is another solid one. So many great tracks to choose from. Enjoy!
I honestly was not expecting this band to ever come up on this channel, but now that you have; their cover of "people are strange" is 100% worth a listen to.
Lips like sugar is also a great tune by them.
👍
i think they reacted to that.
👍
I was a teenager in the 80s, and Echo and the Bunnymeny and tghe Cure were absolutely my jam (though I secretly loved Wham as well). So many great tunes from the Bunnymen: Silver, Bring on the Dancing Horses, Seven Seas, The Cutter. All gems
yes!
That’s a good balance to have a pop heart and an alternative head.
Teen of the 80s here, too. Absolutely loved the alt rock we grew up with and, like you, I was also a secret Wham! fan, as the crowd I hung out with thought pop music (or anything mainstream) was for losers. LOL. 😎
Echo haunted my youth since their very beginning in the post-punk>New Wave/Romantic era of alternative rock. They were my anchor in this new music that finally became *mine* - something unique against what came before with my parents music (which I still love). All teens go through this phase, and it's exciting and profound. We get older and most times we realize it was just a "phase"...
I feel fortunate that my phase with Echo, the Cure, Siouxie, Bauhaus, Depeche Mode, and the rest of the 2nd British Invasion never really ended. They stood the test of time. Now my daughter has the pleasure of diving in and is just as enraptured as me.
I look forward to you two going on that dive.
Cuts to look for from Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses, New Direction, Seven Seas, Bombers Bay, Bedbugs and Ballyhoo, Lovers on the Run
An alternative 80s collection is incomplete with out the Bunnymen! Love it!
This is an absolutely perfect song. I heard it for the first time when it was released and it stopped me dead in my tracks. I think you two would love everything on their album “Songs To Learn And Sing”
Loving your channel. I love seeing people hearing my beloved songs for the first time ♥️
Jay & Amber, you'd like their "The Cutter"!! They barely charted in the US, but received plenty of airplay on US college radio!!
SPARE US THE CUTTER!
Since you mentioned The Doors, you should check out Echo & The Bunnymen's cover of People are Strange. It was on the soundtrack for the movie The Lost Boys.
More to the point, The Doors famous keyboard player played on Echo & The Bunnymens song "Bedbugs & Ballyhoo"... the link between the two bands is deep...
I know that Ian McCulloch, the lead singer, was a big Doors fan growing up.
I believe E&tB's cover is the better version of "People are Strange"
@@elcorado83 Oh wow, I never knew that was actually him playing on "Ballyhoo!" That has long been one of my absolute favorite songs. I remember hoping Dave Kendall would play it on MTV's 120 Minutes. Jay will have a fit over the bassline.
Also on Crocodiles live at Royal Albert Hall, they work Light My Fire into a medley as they do on few live versions with bands they love like The Doors, The Beatles, Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones.
Now you're listening to the cool stuff, that the cool kids in the 80's listened to. I like it! Great as always guys.
Thanks!
Wow, trip down memory lane! What a superb choice. The Bunnymen were my first live gig, Birmingham Odeon 1984. A superb and fantastic group I have loved ever since. The drummer Pete De Freitas was tragically killed in motorbike accident close to where I live. Very sad.
I love the Bunnnymen - from my home town of Liverpool. I saw them many times in the 80s and they were great live.
One of my all time fav songs. One of my fav groups. Love growing up in the 80s
The Doors comparison is very astute Amber. The Doors and the Velvet Underground were big influences on The Bunnymen. The singer Ian McCulloch will love the fact you've compared his singing to Jim Morrisson. The song is very cinematic which is why it sounded perfect in Donnie Darko. The Echo in the band name was the name of the drum machine they used before Pete De Freitas became their drummer. Courtney Love turned Kurt Cobain onto the Bunnymen as she hung around with them when she lived in Liverpool.
Don’t forget “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo” with Ray Manzarek. 🤘
Speaking of the Doors, since the song lyrics mention fate, and J and Amber talked about the video feeling like a movie, as well as the Doors, I highly recommend you check out Echo and the Bunnymen's cover of "People Are Strange," which is on the movie soundtrack for "The Lost Boys."
Wait, whom did the Velvet Underground *not* influence?
Courtney stalked them, she didn't "hang out" with them.
@@kurtpflegl9724 Their "People are Strange" is one of my favorite covers. Of course it didn't hurt that they had Ray Manzarek producing and playing Hammond organ on it, but still...
I’m glad you’re finally reacting to them as they are quintessential ‘80s English rock. Please keep “Lips Like Sugar” in your back pocket. Such an amazing song with many layers of sound.
Echo one of my favorite groups ck out Lips like sugar
You can't go wrong with Echo & the Bunnymen, I believe the tune was a large part of the movie "Donnie Darko". They had several other great songs. Also Shane MacGowan of the Irish band The Pogues died this week. "Haunted" from the "Sid and Nancy" soundtrack with Sinead O'Connor was great, "Fairytale of New York" is a big time Christmas song in England from the Pogues and their song "Lorca's Novena" is on my playlist next to Echo's "The Killing Moon" because the two songs sound great together.
Yup. They should watch Donnie Darko on their movie channel
Another vote for Donnie Darko! NOT the director's cut, but the original release, with this song for the opening scene. The killing moon will come too soon, moon cycle 28 days, and there's a bunnyman. Why the director chose to change the song for his cut is beyond my understanding.
@Xiroi87 I always associate this song with Donnie Darko but only just realised the significance!
I associate this song with the Misfits series (UK) too 👌
One of my favorite all time favorite bands. They are fantastic and unique.
I saw the Bunnymen live at Hammersmith Palais in the summer of 1984. They were utterly fabulous. Back then, Mac couldn't do no wrong. From 1980-84, they were the best group around
and that includes The Cure, The Banshees, Magazine, GO4, early Simple Minds, and The Jam.
This is a magnificent song which I still own as a seven-inch single. Simply flawless. Jim Morrison would have loved it.
I was there too, happy days!
@@ThomasFamily-jh8tu So was I. Sixteen years old then and still my favourite band of all time. Love from the UK.
Of course, Echo and the Bunnymen... LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the band!
Great band. Saw them live as an undergrad in 1987. Lips Like Sugar should be next.
Another underrated great band from my 80s. I got to hear them in college (of course) and was blown away. Psychedelic music int he form of new wave. It is a mind trip for sure.
I'm 15, in high school, breaking every uniform rule and getting away with murder, eyeliner out to my ears, black mohair jumper to my knees, it was Scotland 1984 and this was my everything! lol can't believe you've even heard this ! lol brilliant. thank you. one of my favourite songs. So glad you liked this the way you did! :D brilliant. Cheers (Y)
Me too, haha
There use to be a club in Liverpool called Eric's a lot of punk bands played there in the late 70s. Ian mckullack use to go to Eric's when he was 17. There was a lot of bands from Liverpool started in Eric's from the mighty wah, Echo and the bunnymen, Dead or alive, OMD, Frankie goes to Hollywood, Teardrops explodes, China Crisis, the icicle works and many more bands.
It’s always fun watching you guys experience new things for the first time. I grew up on this stuff, to the point where I almost don’t notice how wonderful it is anymore, but then I watch you listen for the first time, and it’s like it unlocks how I used to feel about it. So thank you for that!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The dark mysterious lyrics of many of these 80s goth bands are beyond close scrutiny I think. It's enough to feel the sound and the words, with phrases like "he will wait until you give yourself to him" haunting your mind forever
One of my favorite bands....you must do Lips Like Sugar....
This song is on the opening of "Donnie Darko" which you need to hit on your movie reaction channel. Also, the Gary Jules cover of "Mad World" is on that soundtrack as well.
This song is a masterpiece. Dark, haunting and so beautiful.
Just like the J&MC!!
YES! Thank you for reviewing this classic! Check out their other great songs like "Bring on the dancing horses", "Never stop", "Lips like sugar", "Silver", and "The Cutter"!
Bedbugs and Ballyhoo, too
Yes to all those song suggestions
Came in to recommend Bring on the dancing horses
@@Yocumonsters love that song, 1987, first year of university for me... ahh the memories...
@@BRIDINC1972 my all time fav
I didn't think either of you would like this, but firstly this has shown to me how far you have come and secondly how much you have both grown your "music ear" while listening to all these random song requests you get. This band were under the radar even during their peak hence not everyone is aware of them. I am glad that you have listened to bands like The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen as perhaps they were not as big in the US.
Another British rock group to check out active in the 70s/80s is Xtc - Generals and Majors, Making Plans for Nigel, Dear God, Ballad of Peter Pumpkin Head, Senses Working Overtime, Mayor of Simpleton, King For A Day.
Senses working overtime is the best title of any song ever, such a banger
Also then she appeared must be one of the most romantic songs ever created
They do more British groups than American. Meanwhile, jazz does not exist on this channel.
Definitely XTC!!!
Love how this song is used at the start of Donnie Darko.
Lips Like Sugar should be next. Love that you mentioned Jim Morrison. They recorded a PHENOMENAL song called Bedbugs and Ballyhoo, which they recorded with Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek. Has a great Doors sound mixed with Echo’s dark 80s new wave.
My favorite new wave band. Have seen them more than any other post-punk -new wave-band/person from the late ‘70s/‘80s. Seen in every decade -and they are still touring. Lead singer, Ian McCullough, has a beautiful voice and beautiful face, and those “lips like sugar” have gotten “Mac the mouth” in trouble more than once. But the melodies and the lyrics-which are arguably pure poetry-are gorgeous and keep the fans coming and growing. The Wikipedia entry is practically book-length.
Jump into the rabbit-hole and explore ; perhaps go chronologically . . . you will have a lovely winter.
"Lips Like Sugar" ❤
This haunted me in middle school, I was obsessed with college radio before they changed the format, then it was used in Donnie Darko so perfectly. Please listen to "Bring on the Dancing Horses", that was my intro song to Echo and the Bunnymen, one of my faves from the era
"Lips Like Sugar" is probably my favorite song by Echo & the Bunnymen.
The classic Post Punk band and very significant and influential. That whole Ocean Rain album is fire and it became huge after it dropped. My drummer in our post punk band who was also a roommate and friend turned me on to it, and we used to blast it. It took him about a week to completely work out all of the drum parts on the album. We loved it so much and he could actually kind of sing in that style.
Literally pick any song from Ocean Rain and you would have a great reaction.
Yesssss!!! Absolutely one of my all time faves💜
We were so blessed as GenX.
Understatement but y'all got that right! It's a matter of taste I know but music reached it's peak like this around 2005. The Killers accepted.
“Lips Like Sugar” is amazing from them as well¡¡
'Back of Love'. 'Do It Clean', 'Rescue' are 3 of my faves. Great underestimated band who have recently announced dates for a greatest hits tour of the UK.
This band was a huge part of my college years. Along with The Psychedelic Furs, The Vandals, The Cure, The Alarm, R.E.M, 10000 Maniacs, Guadalcanal Diary, The Call, The Smiths…and the list goes on. Thanks so much for this reaction.
This is why 80's music is so awesome. These bands, these songs, these sounds were the soundtrack to my life during high school and college and I could not get enough. Still love all of it. I'm so glad that you are open to it. The talent and creativity is amazing.
Ooh I’ve been waiting for this, thank you!! If you want to try more, check out Lips Like Sugar or The Cutter or Bring On The Dancing Horses.
Also, I’ve got a suggestion for female Friday that I think Amber in particular will love: Mother Mother by Tracy Bonham. 90s indie hit with great lyrics.
Oh, this is one of my absolute favourites. I used to listen to this over and over when I was in my teens. This brings out the goth in me again.
One of the great vocalists of his generation. Still touring to this day. Never got the credit they deserved. This song was on several film tracks, most notable Jake Gylinehall and the famous indie film where he sees a giant rabbit.
I really enjoy your videos. You two are a great couple! Love to watch your authentic reaction to music from my teenage years.
Echo & The Bunnymen were very big in Britain; they were one of Bono’s (of U2) favorite bands. I think you’d really enjoy “I’ll Fly Tonight.”
The Psychedelic Furs are part of the 80's New Wave bands that were dark and moody
one of my fav.....awesome band in the 80's
The "Echo" in the band name refers to the drum machine they utilized when they started; wten they recruited a human drummer, and just kept the name.
Amber was spot-on; Echo & The The Bunnymen were on the "new psychedlia" end of 80s UK new wave bands, and singer/ guitarist/ songwriter Ian McCulloch was compared to Jim Morrison by many critics at the time (I'm sure you'll see a lot of requests for their cover of The Door's "People Are Strange" in the comments- which they did for "The Lost Boys' soundtrack".)
This was from their quietest (by far) album, 1984's "Ocean Rain"- their 4th album at this point. Its slower, darker pace and acoustic arrangements threw a lot of people off guard- in a good way.
They had a string of indie hits throughout the 80's- "Rescue", "Do It Clean", "No Dark Things", "Show Of Strength", "The Cutter", "Seven Seas", "Bring On The Dancing Horses", "Lips Like Sugar". You may also want to check out "Proud To Fall", from Ian McCulloch's first solo abum from 1989, "Candleland", after The Bunnymen's first break-up, and immediately following the death of Bunnymen drummer Pete DeFreitas in a motorcylde crash earlier that year (McColloch dedicated the "Candleland" album to him).
oh OK, that was an Italian company who made the EKO drum machine
One of my favorite songs, Amber when you made the comparison to The Cure I said, she gets it!! 80s New Wave at its finest!!
Echo in the band name referred to a drum machine. Then they got the brilliant drummer Pete de Freitas, who sadly died in a motorcycle accident. Amazing band.
It was a Korg Mini Pops Junior and it latest very little time before Pete came in.
one of my favorite bands...very underrated in my opinion...one of the 80's best...try Rescue, Never Stop, The Cutter, Do it Clean, Seven Seas,,,you won't be disappointed
These guys are awesome. Bring on the dancing horses is a famous song from this era, lips like sugar as well
I just saw echo and the bunnymen 2 weeks ago down on the beach at a festival here in SoCal. They sounded great
Love your reaction! I attended an 80's music festival earlier this year and got to see Echo & The Bunnymen there. The crowd went nuts when they started playing this song. My 19 yr old daughter wanted to see them because of this song. I wanted to hear everything but love their song Bring on The Dancing Horses. They still sound great! We also got to see Billy Idol, Squeeze, Iggy Pop, and others. The 80's had some great music.
I have been waiting on you reacting to this one, I KNEW you would love it! The Bunnymen are still touring, we've seen them a couple of times in Glasgow over the past few years. Ian McCulloch is such a brilliant singer and writer, as well as being so charismatic
Lips like Sugar is one of my favs. 😊
Lots of bands in the early 80s felt the influence of Post-Punk and from Joy Division, including The Cure and this ones. I loved this song back in the days and I do now!
Ian MacCulloch said “It’s about everything, from birth to death to eternity and God - whatever that is - and the eternal battle between fate and the human will. It contains the answer to the meaning of life. It’s my ‘To be or not to be.'”.
Funny you mentioned Jim Morrison. Echo & The Bunnymen did a cover of _People Are_ _Strange_ which featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Lost Boys (1987). Pretty good vampire film. Oh, and the cover was excellent.
An absolute musical masterpiece.
This brings back memories of clove cigarettes and chocolate covered coffee beans...still sounds so good, glad ya'll listened to it!
Another Boss Liverpool Band !
Although Jay grew up with hip-hop and rap, I get the feeling that had he been a teen in the 80s he might've been hardcore into new wave, alternative rock, and electro-funk. :)
Great song from 1984. Just let me go back and see them in person because there’s nothing better than the 80s. And this song is amazing! 🌙 🌝
They're still playing live. Still amazing.
My favorite of theirs is a quintessential 80s New Wave love song called "Lips like sugar." You HAVE to check that one out!
their cover of The Doors "People Are Strange" is one of the best covers in rock history.
Always loved Echo and the Bunnymen… you will like Lips Like Sugar I am sure!
Absolutely great listen. Another vote for : THE CUTTER, LIPS LIKE SUGAR, BRING ON THE DANCING HORSES.
Lips Like Sugar is my favorite song by them. It always plants me in the late 80s and I can almost taste the lip gloss.
I'm late so I'm sure it's been said a hundred times. The entire movie Donnie Darko is built around the lyrics of this song. At least Donnie and Frank.
Also, you have found my people.
The song 'Lips Like Sugar' by the band Echo & The Bunnymen, released in 1987, is a composition that mixes elements of romance and desire with a feeling of unattainability. The lyrics describe an almost ethereal female figure, comparing her to a swan that glides gracefully over the water, suggesting a beauty and elegance that is both attractive and untouchable.
The repetition of the line 'Lips like sugar, sugar kisses' can be interpreted as a metaphor for the sweetness and temptation that this woman represents, but also for the ephemerality of these moments of intimacy. The song talks about a desire that is constant, but that is never fully satisfied, because as soon as you think you have reached that figure, it moves away, leaving only the memory of your 'sugar kisses'.
The song also explores the idea of reflection and identity, as shown in the lines 'ela She'll be my mirror, reflect what I am, looser and winner'. This suggests a search for self-knowledge through others, where the female figure serves as a mirror for the lyrical self. The reference to the 'king of Zion' and the 'Siamese twin' can symbolize the duality of one's identity and the inextricable connection with the object of desire. In short, 'Lips Like Sugar' is a song that talks about the search for love and connection, and the fleeting sweetness that these experiences can bring.
I am a Gen X'er and have heard of this group, but have never heard any of their songs. This is a first for me too. This was haunting and great.
Me too! All the “weirdos” at my high school (1988-1992) loved this group, Depeche Mode, the cure, skinny puppy, the pixies, the smiths, etc…
The whole record Ocean Rain is amazing, but this is definitely the crown.