I'm an Aussie. I can NEVER get through this song without bawling like a baby. I could see this song touched you. We lost our eldest son (nearly 19) to mental health seven years ago. You like to get your kids to help in the kitchen if you can, and making the gravy is one of the easy jobs. He's not here to make the gravy. I'm new to your channel, and I enjoyed watching you discover Hilltop Hoods, too.
As an Aussie who lives abroad and hasn’t spent a Christmas with family since 2012, this tune hits me harder and harder every year. Great that you got a request for it.
Paul was asked years ago to sing a song on a Christmas album and when he couldn't think of a Christmas song to cover, it was suggested to him to write one. After coming up with the idea of sing through the eyes of someone spending Christmas in prison, How To Make Gravy was born. You really have to sit down and actually listen to the words to get the idea of what he's singing about. Paul's songs are real Ballards that tell a euniqe story and when you listen to his songs, you start to see the message he is conveying through they eyes of the subject.
Actually a small correction, the song he wanted to sing was taken by another artist. The following year he got in early and nabbed the song he wanted to cover the year he wrote gravy.
This was re-released during Melbourne Australia's worlds longest lockdown period, because families simply could not be together at Xmas and were at breaking point and there was no better song in the world to share everyone's emotion at the time around the planet! 💔💔
Paul Kelly, with Vika and Linda Bull, were Dylan's support act for his Australian tour in 1998, and again with Dan Kelly in 2011. Absolutely perfect pairings.
Our man “gets” it. PK is the Aussie Shakespeare. Is he the greatest singer? No. Would I listen to him sing for hours? Helllll yeah. Paul Kelly will make you feel when you thought you were dead inside. (Speaking for a friend)
I was so nervous to see you react to this song. I watched another ‘reaction channel’ watch this, and he laughed the whole way through. He thought the lyrics were hilarious. Anyone who knows us Aussies should know we are the first ones to take the piss out of ourselves. But this song is like gospel to us. I’m so glad you got the lyrics, that you felt the emotion. Thank you for treating this song the way it deserves to be treated.
I heard an interview where Paul Kelly tried to be funny with this and he was surprised when people took it seriously. There you go! Everyone has their own interpretations of great art.
Nick, I just love how we see you understand the song and when you state it's so much deeper, it "clicked" in for you, you got it. ! Pk is a genius and effectively a national hero here in Australia . Best wishes mate!❤
I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say the Paul Kelly is one of Australia's most talented and important artists. So much meaning in so many of his songs.
It’s not a stretch at all! There are other artists who are probably as important artistically but the fact that Paul has broken through to the mainstream makes him incredibly important. And a treasure!
Yes, he is our unofficial official poet laureate. We consider him a national treasure. He was once asked by a journalist if he was the voice of ordinary Australia. He had the grace and wisdom to reply "Well, I don't know any ordinary people, do you?"
This is Paul Kelly's Christmas song and now nationally on the 21st of December we have Gravy day in honour of this song and Paul Kelly. It is celebrated across Australia and by Australians all over the world. This song is about family, does it have personal experiences of Paul in it, I don't know. The song is about family being together and if you can't be together you have the recipe to make it the best you can until you can be together again. Well that is my take on it.
Always celebrate gravy day. It's not Christmas without it. Paul Kelly is an amazing story teller and I love his singing style. Paul Dempsey is also an amazing story teller.
These past couple year Gravy Day became a big deal for me because it was the first time I couldn't be with my family at Christmas due to border closures.
Possibly one of the biggest tear jerker songs in history. Touches so many people, especially now with the current isolation we are experiencing. Stay safe everyone, we will get thru this.
Yep 2 years running separated from loved ones at Christmas and so many many people went through this. This was a brilliant video and I love Paul Kelly, what a writer and so soulful.
So happy there is finally reaction video to this song where the reactor understands the emotion of the lyrics. It has the best description of an Aussie Christmas combined with the heartbreak of separation.
I think of my beautiful nana every time i hear this. She always made the trifle on Christmas day. Not only is the trifle missed it is the conversation and love that was felt when she made it....i miss her very much.
How to Make Gravy is a four-track EP by Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly and was originally released on 4 November 1996 on White Label Records in Australia. The title track was written by Kelly and earned him a 'Song of the Year' nomination at the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Music Awards of 1998. It tells the story of a newly imprisoned man writing a letter to his brother, in which the prisoner laments that he will be missing the family's Christmas celebrations. The same character appears in Kelly's earlier songs, "To Her Door" (1987) and "Love Never Runs on Time" (1994). The gravy recipe is genuine - Kelly learnt it from his first father-in-law. It was covered by James Reyne on the 2003 tribute album, Stories of Me: A Songwriter's Tribute to Paul Kelly and on Reyne's 2005 acoustic album And the Horse You Rode in On. Peace out.
This song was especially poignant for Christmas the last two years, when due to border closures (both state and international) because of the pandemic, so many families have been separated and unable to share Christmas together. As to whether it’s autobiographical, I don’t think so (as far as I’m aware Paul Kelly has never been in prison, as the protagonist of this song is), but he just has this amazing storytelling talent. I also happen to think he has a great voice😀! Other essential songs to check out are To Her Door and Dumb Things. Also, have a listen to his original version of his and Kev Carmody’s From Little Things Big Things Grow.
My favourite Christmas song and my favourite out of all of Paul Kelly's songs. He was approached to record a song for a popular charity album The Spirit of Christmas. He originally selected to cover Robbie Robertson’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight”, but after learning that the song had already been covered on a previous edition, chose to pen his own Christmas track instead. He ended up with this; a song that is set in prison, doesn't have a chorus, but does include a family recipe and makes me bawl like a baby everytime.
This song is a masterpiece. This song is an Australian National Treasure. I have never been in jail but this song is about a man in jail missing his family and I feel for the man. This song makes me cry for the humanity of people disconnected from their surroundings and people they love. Paul Kelly is a genius.
Paul Kelly wrote this song back in 1996 after being asked to record a song for an annual Christmas charity album. Rather than write the usual Christmas tune, he decided he wanted to write something different, "...I started thinking ... maybe I'll write it from the point of view of somebody who is missing Christmas, who can't get to Christmas... Why can't they get there? Maybe they're overseas and they can't get home. Then I thought, oh, he's in prison. The song wrote itself from there." How To Make Gravy Hello Dan, it's Joe here, I hope you're keeping well It's the 21st of December, and now they're ringing the last bells If I get good behaviour, I'll be out of here by July Won't you kiss my kids on Christmas Day Please don't let 'em cry for me I guess the brothers are driving down from Queensland And Stella's flying in from the coast They say it's gonna be a hundred degrees, even more maybe But that won't stop the roast Who's gonna make the gravy now? I bet it won't taste the same Just add flour, salt, a little red wine And don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and that extra tang And give my love to Angus and to Frank and Dolly Tell 'em all I'm sorry I screwed up this time And look after Rita, I'll be thinking of her early Christmas morning When I'm standing in line I hear Mary's got a new boyfriend, I hope he can hold his own Do you remember the last one? What was his name again? Just a little too much cologne And Roger, you know I'm even gonna miss Roger 'Cause there's sure as hell no one in here I want to fight Oh praise the Baby Jesus, have a Merry Christmas I'm really gonna miss it, all the treasure and the trash And later in the evening, I can just imagine You'll put on Junior Murvin and push the tables back And you'll dance with Rita, I know you really like her Just don't hold her too close Oh brother please don't stab me in the back I didn't mean to say that, it's just my mind it plays up Multiplies each matter, turns imagination into fact You know I love her badly, she's the one to save me I'm gonna make some gravy, I'm gonna taste the fat Tell her that I'm sorry, yeah I love her badly Tell 'em all I'm sorry And kiss the sleepy children for me You know one of these days, I'll be making gravy I'll be making plenty, I'm gonna pay 'em all back
Paul Kelly writes brilliant songs that just about anyone can sing - he might not have a brilliant voice but most of us don’t, so he sings great songs with our voice.
For a first listen you really got it. The more you hear it the more it will hit you. I can't hear it now without tearing up despite having heard it hundreds of time. It's a song which has quite simply become a part of the fabric of Australian culture.
Also this song is sentimental to a lot of Australian’s not only with loved ones in prison or Australian’s in prison but also Aussie’s overseas or in the Army etc
Lots of Paul Kelly lyrics have multiple meanings. When you make gravy you're making something great out of nothing, in the land of cliches it lives next to making lemonade out of lemons. We miss the person who isn't here to make the gravy and do the best with what we have and work with the reality of our lives the best we can even at the romantically perfect time of Christmas. Some Christmases are better than others.
And the protagonist of the song probably hasn't got a lot to offer the world, but he can make damn good gravy, and to him, that gives him worth. What a song...
21st of December is known as gravy day in Australia - have loved Paul Kelly for 40 years - met my husband at one of his gigs Another favorite is deeper water another brilliant song!
Reminds me of my family, we were in the same predicament missing my youngest uncle who was in prison. Yes he screwed up, screwed up very badly. He unfortunately never got out for what he did, he died in there. The family missed him badly and yes there was always the roast and grandma's gravy. Always remember the pain in her eyes as she thought of him and missed her little boy. But the family kept going while thinking of him.
Trust that this isn’t his own story. He tells the stories of everyone. I cry every time I hear this song. It’s at least 25 years old. Look into his bands prior to his solo career: Paul Kelly & The Coloured Girls, and Paul Kelly & The Messengers. ♥️ “From Little Things, Big Things Grow” is a story of Aboriginal land rights. That one also makes me cry.
What a simple, brilliant idea. A prisoner writing a Christmas letter to his family. Everyone can relate to it because we’re all prisoners in some form or another and isolated in some way, even before the pandemic. The classic Irish way of using song to process emotions and express their experience of life…and Paul Kelly is a master of it. His voice carries all the character and emotion of that street level life experience rather than just technique. It’s a huge part of the Australian psyche too. Australia was basically the British Empire’s version of Alcatraz, an island prison, and a huge number of prisoners were Irish. It’s a way of relating to the world that’s part of the foundation of the Australian culture
Great song. My daughter had to study this song during music at school. I learnt a lot about the writing of this song from a Ted style talk Paul Kelly did a few years ago.
Paul Kelly sings & create music from the heart. A most profound song writer, and national treasure. He reminds us that everyone goes through adversity, but if we choose to see the beautiful side of life, we will always come out the other side intact.
Paul Kelly is just brilliant.. You nailed it, he isn't the best singer so anyone can sing his songs, even sing them badly & still do a decent job.. His songs are relatable.. He's an icon & we love him.. I could be wrong but i think this was re-done due to Covid lockdowns & family being apart.. One of my favourite reactions from you..
This man is fantastic live. He knows how to get a crowd going. It makes me happy to see you loving our vast range of talent we have here in Australia mate. Thanks
His vocals are amazing and important for a different reason. The story wouldn't hit the same with a big voice. He really does have a storytellers voice.
I believe that Paul actually did do some gaol time when he was young and foolish, although this may simply be an urban myth. Makes my eyes leak every time.
The people in the clip are Australians around the world who couldn't get home for Christmas during COVID2, 2021. We were among them. I played Gravy for three days and cried like all of those people. Lockdown felt exactly like Joe's prison sentence. PK is a poet.
No matter how many times I hear this song, I always get goose bumps. The only other song that hits me harder is I was only 19 by Redgum. Mainly because I have family who have lived through what the song is about....And they never speak of it.... Please react to I was only 19.
Bro, you totally got this song in a way that so many other reactions missed. Kudos to you for listening to the lyrics and understanding what's happening. Respect!
I had heard that there was a Christmas concert and he was asked to perform, but the song he wanted to perform was taken so he wrote this song. Any piece of art that moves people is genius, and this song has such a deep place on our country. I listen to this song, Fairytale of New York, White wine in the sun and Little drummer boy by Bing Crosby and Bowie for my Christmas tunes. They keep me human.
As you have acknowledged, Paul Kelly is a fantastic songwriter and storyteller. The song is about one man's thoughts about his family that he can't be with because he is in prison. He is worried if everyone will be okay, and worried about "who will make the gravy" because it must have been the thing he did for his family when they gathered for Christmas Lunch. The beauty of this version is that it has messages from Australians to their families - the time of 2021 was the time of Covid, and the country was closed for all travel, within and to and from. So these are messages of love between families using an iconic song that means so much to us Australians
All these Aussies are reflecting this global pandemic by not being able to see or have direct contact with family and loved ones. It's an ode to this current global crisis. Paul Kelly is a great person who writes great songs about real life including his own experiences. As an indigenous artist he truly speaks and sings about the Australia we all want. Gidday mate, no worries, we're all Australians with the oldest living culture on the planet. The greatest melting pot on earth bar none. How amazing.
He's actually not indigenous although he champions their cause and has collaborated with many indigenous artists. His father's family immigrated from Ireland in the 1850s and his maternal grandfather was born in Argentina.
@@letstalk3265 No worries. A lot of people make the same mistake, probably because he is such a passionate spokesperson for indigenous rights and uses his music in such a powerful way to tell their stories and promote indigenous artists.
Paul Kelly is one of my absolute favorites. Have been listening to him since 1987. He even offered me and my wife a piece on his Lindt chocolate bar on a London street after his concert a few years back. Super smart guy on top of an incredible talent. Blows me away someone is reacting to his songs.
No one pretends PK has a great voice. He is a troubadour - a musical story teller. I have been to many of his concerts and love his songs, whether sung by him or covered by other artists.
Id love to drink beers with ya round a fire in the vic high country listening to all these aussie artists and explain all the Australiania in all the songs 👌👌
Paul Kelly would have to be Australia's best songwriter. He has won numerous ARIA's, 17 I think and been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame way back in 1997. He's my favourite Aussie artist of all time. Thank you for appreciating his gifts 👏
Paul Kelly seems to have a sixth sense about what is important to people. He's one of the greatest Aussie writers and storytellers through his songs and music.
I love this song mate, My favourite. Christmas song..10 seconds in, ive got shivers.. finished with my eye leaking.. Australia is a very multicultural country, its big and its a longvway from anywhere. Alot of people missing their loved ones..
Another fair dinkum spot on reaction Nic. I'm so pleased that you've done a reaction to a second Paul Kelly song and have absolutely nailed what makes him so special to us. If it isn't already happening, you are now definitely going to be receiving multiple requests for other videos of Paul Kelly. In my opinion, Paul Kelly is much more a story-teller than just a musician. In days of yore he would likely have been known as a minstrel. The stories he writes and put to music resonate with most Aussies in ways that other songs don't, and so many of them have, to me at least, a quintessentially Aussie spirit threaded through them. This song has always hit me right in the feels. This is my first viewing of this particular video version though and I'm man enough to straight up say that I have had tears rolling down my cheeks from about the 2:15 mark.
Love watching people hearing this one for the first time.. a Paul Kelly masterpiece.... he brought characters to life.., didn't write it from real life experience.., cry every damn time I hear it...
Not sure how it was in the US but there were a lot of travel restrictions here in OZ for both Xmas 2020 & 2021 so families that lived in different states couldn't be together at Xmas time. So there was a lot of video calls, that's why the 2021 version of this song hits with that little extra emotion.
Yeah it's been hard for so many, my family is in Melbourne - couldn't get there 2019 because of the fires, then the pandemic.... this one makes me cry.
Paul Kelly is a no frills kind of guy and performer. He is extremely cerebral, very quietly spoken and modest to a fault. You could easily imagine him sitting back, nodding and smiling and watching and listening to other people's truths. I am pretty sure this song isn't auto biographical but he obviously his powers of observation are epic.
I'm an Aussie. I can NEVER get through this song without bawling like a baby. I could see this song touched you. We lost our eldest son (nearly 19) to mental health seven years ago. You like to get your kids to help in the kitchen if you can, and making the gravy is one of the easy jobs. He's not here to make the gravy. I'm new to your channel, and I enjoyed watching you discover Hilltop Hoods, too.
sorry to hear that, i was in a similar spot a couple years ago and this song (among others) got me through it.
If you dont tear up listening to this song your not human
As an Aussie who lives abroad and hasn’t spent a Christmas with family since 2012, this tune hits me harder and harder every year. Great that you got a request for it.
Hope you can make it home soon, mate. Best wishes.
Sending some Aussie love your way mate. Isn't this reactor (Dominic) just the best supporter of Aussie artists....Love him.
Hope you get home soon buddy.🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
You know it’s from the perspective of someone in prison right?
This is how I feel about White Wine in the Sun too
Paul was asked years ago to sing a song on a Christmas album and when he couldn't think of a Christmas song to cover, it was suggested to him to write one. After coming up with the idea of sing through the eyes of someone spending Christmas in prison, How To Make Gravy was born. You really have to sit down and actually listen to the words to get the idea of what he's singing about. Paul's songs are real Ballards that tell a euniqe story and when you listen to his songs, you start to see the message he is conveying through they eyes of the subject.
Actually a small correction, the song he wanted to sing was taken by another artist. The following year he got in early and nabbed the song he wanted to cover the year he wrote gravy.
He did short Ted Talk/ Song about this worth checking out.
This was re-released during Melbourne Australia's worlds longest lockdown period, because families simply could not be together at Xmas and were at breaking point and there was no better song in the world to share everyone's emotion at the time around the planet! 💔💔
Fuq Dan. Good riddance to that arseklown.
I dont care what anyone says this is the best Christmas song ever written
Yep
@@n_mckean Thank you so much. I love Tripod, seen them live a couple of times, but I didn't know about this one. I LOVE IT.
Top 3. White wine in the sun - Tim Minchin is my fav Xmas/not Xmas song
@@timp1390 I think Tim beats Paul on this one... That is a fkn beautiful song...
Yep absolutely number 1. Silver goes to Fairytale of New York
Big Guy - he's Australia's Bob Dylan. As you say not the greatest singer but one helluva writer/poet.
Bob Dylan is America's Paul Kelly
@@richardkenna149 yesss.👍🏼😁🇦🇺
Paul Kelly, with Vika and Linda Bull, were Dylan's support act for his Australian tour in 1998, and again with Dan Kelly in 2011. Absolutely perfect pairings.
He is a great singer
I reckon he's Australia's Rodriguez. Except we know who he is.
He’s such a legend that they study his lyrics in university.
Our man “gets” it. PK is the Aussie Shakespeare. Is he the greatest singer? No. Would I listen to him sing for hours? Helllll yeah. Paul Kelly will make you feel when you thought you were dead inside. (Speaking for a friend)
I was so nervous to see you react to this song.
I watched another ‘reaction channel’ watch this, and he laughed the whole way through. He thought the lyrics were hilarious.
Anyone who knows us Aussies should know we are the first ones to take the piss out of ourselves. But this song is like gospel to us.
I’m so glad you got the lyrics, that you felt the emotion.
Thank you for treating this song the way it deserves to be treated.
I find it hard to think that this would be funny-this is really a great song very touching. I love Paul Kelly
I heard an interview where Paul Kelly tried to be funny with this and he was surprised when people took it seriously. There you go! Everyone has their own interpretations of great art.
Nick, I just love how we see you understand the song and when you state it's so much deeper, it "clicked" in for you, you got it. ! Pk is a genius and effectively a national hero here in Australia . Best wishes mate!❤
Well said Sarah
Australia is a very multicultural country. That’s why there is such a diversity of people in this video
We come from everywhere, and we end up everywhere.
I can’t hear this song without crying. Such a powerful song.
I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say the Paul Kelly is one of Australia's most talented and important artists. So much meaning in so many of his songs.
It’s not a stretch at all! There are other artists who are probably as important artistically but the fact that Paul has broken through to the mainstream makes him incredibly important. And a treasure!
yep
Yes, he is our unofficial official poet laureate. We consider him a national treasure.
He was once asked by a journalist if he was the voice of ordinary Australia. He had the grace and wisdom to reply "Well, I don't know any ordinary people, do you?"
You don't listen to Kelly for amazing vocals. You listen to be moved by authentic storytelling that paints masterpieces in your grey matter.
Paul Kelly has always spent a lot of his time working musically with Aboriginal Australians too.
This is Paul Kelly's Christmas song and now nationally on the 21st of December we have Gravy day in honour of this song and Paul Kelly. It is celebrated across Australia and by Australians all over the world. This song is about family, does it have personal experiences of Paul in it, I don't know. The song is about family being together and if you can't be together you have the recipe to make it the best you can until you can be together again. Well that is my take on it.
Really?? That's dope! 💯
@@ThatSingerReactions pretty much... the main character is in jail and he's going to miss family Christmas again due to his faults
Oh gosh I’ve been living in a cave then. I haven’t ever heard of gravy day 😂
Always celebrate gravy day. It's not Christmas without it. Paul Kelly is an amazing story teller and I love his singing style.
Paul Dempsey is also an amazing story teller.
These past couple year Gravy Day became a big deal for me because it was the first time I couldn't be with my family at Christmas due to border closures.
Possibly one of the biggest tear jerker songs in history. Touches so many people, especially now with the current isolation we are experiencing. Stay safe everyone, we will get thru this.
Yep 2 years running separated from loved ones at Christmas and so many many people went through this. This was a brilliant video and I love Paul
Kelly, what a writer and so soulful.
Yep. I've never, ever, listened to this without crying. Tears flowing now, and fwck there's some people I miss.
Deeper Water is also pretty sad
From here you have to do either "From little things big things grow" or "Dumb Things" some of Paul Kelly's other biggest hits.
“To her door” as well please
Especially the dumbthings like a version that he did with briggs
Oh hell yeah, Dumb Things.
_Leaps and Bounds_
If you've ever visited Melbourne in Winter you'll know what l mean
So happy there is finally reaction video to this song where the reactor understands the emotion of the lyrics. It has the best description of an Aussie Christmas combined with the heartbreak of separation.
Damn. Just teared up at the end there. Been 44 months since seeing family back in Australia
I was going since the open bars! Hope you see them soon. Xx
I ugly cried all through this. I hope you see your folks real soon x
I think of my beautiful nana every time i hear this. She always made the trifle on Christmas day. Not only is the trifle missed it is the conversation and love that was felt when she made it....i miss her very much.
Paul Kelly is a story teller, and his voice is so genuine, it matches perfectly
How to Make Gravy is a four-track EP by Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly and was originally released on 4 November 1996 on White Label Records in Australia. The title track was written by Kelly and earned him a 'Song of the Year' nomination at the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Music Awards of 1998. It tells the story of a newly imprisoned man writing a letter to his brother, in which the prisoner laments that he will be missing the family's Christmas celebrations. The same character appears in Kelly's earlier songs, "To Her Door" (1987) and "Love Never Runs on Time" (1994). The gravy recipe is genuine - Kelly learnt it from his first father-in-law. It was covered by James Reyne on the 2003 tribute album, Stories of Me: A Songwriter's Tribute to Paul Kelly and on Reyne's 2005 acoustic album And the Horse You Rode in On. Peace out.
Congratulations on being the first American reactor to find this masterpiece, and great reaction.
This song was especially poignant for Christmas the last two years, when due to border closures (both state and international) because of the pandemic, so many families have been separated and unable to share Christmas together. As to whether it’s autobiographical, I don’t think so (as far as I’m aware Paul Kelly has never been in prison, as the protagonist of this song is), but he just has this amazing storytelling talent. I also happen to think he has a great voice😀!
Other essential songs to check out are To Her Door and Dumb Things. Also, have a listen to his original version of his and Kev Carmody’s From Little Things Big Things Grow.
He wrote a book about the origins of many of his songs, this one was written as a contribution to a fund-raiser to help ex prisoners.
Absolutely agree. From st kilda to kings cross is also incredible
@@natfiler6779 It's 13 hours on a bus
My favourite Christmas song and my favourite out of all of Paul Kelly's songs. He was approached to record a song for a popular charity album The Spirit of Christmas. He originally selected to cover Robbie Robertson’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight”, but after learning that the song had already been covered on a previous edition, chose to pen his own Christmas track instead.
He ended up with this; a song that is set in prison, doesn't have a chorus, but does include a family recipe and makes me bawl like a baby everytime.
It’s so brilliant, is it it!?
A lot of the best songs ever written don't have a chorus per sė, it's what makes them great as they just tell a story.
Another pretty emotional, iconic christmas song is White Wine In The Sun by Tim Minchin, would love to see you do some of his stuff, he's a genius
Saved me a comment.... 👌
Seconding this!!
Thirdeded..
Forfded🤣🤣🤣
Couldn’t agree more!
This song is a masterpiece. This song is an Australian National Treasure. I have never been in jail but this song is about a man in jail missing his family and I feel for the man. This song makes me cry for the humanity of people disconnected from their surroundings and people they love. Paul Kelly is a genius.
I love your reaction to this. I think nearly all Aussies know all the words to this song. It always makes me cry. Such a special song.
Never heard Paul Kelly before, but I absolutely love this - it's so deep. Will definitely check him out now.
Good luck, he has a dozen albums. ;) You will love it though.
You can’t go wrong!
@@Mrmikey0909 I'm here for it!
@@beclee3494 Looking forward to getting started!
"Songs From tye South" is his compilation album.
So many brilliant songs from the heart
So many topics and such pathos, such humour.
Paul Kelly wrote this song back in 1996 after being asked to record a song for an annual Christmas charity album. Rather than write the usual Christmas tune, he decided he wanted to write something different, "...I started thinking ... maybe I'll write it from the point of view of somebody who is missing Christmas, who can't get to Christmas... Why can't they get there? Maybe they're overseas and they can't get home. Then I thought, oh, he's in prison. The song wrote itself from there."
How To Make Gravy
Hello Dan, it's Joe here, I hope you're keeping well
It's the 21st of December, and now they're ringing the last bells
If I get good behaviour, I'll be out of here by July
Won't you kiss my kids on Christmas Day
Please don't let 'em cry for me
I guess the brothers are driving down from Queensland
And Stella's flying in from the coast
They say it's gonna be a hundred degrees, even more maybe
But that won't stop the roast
Who's gonna make the gravy now?
I bet it won't taste the same
Just add flour, salt, a little red wine
And don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and that extra tang
And give my love to Angus and to Frank and Dolly
Tell 'em all I'm sorry I screwed up this time
And look after Rita, I'll be thinking of her early Christmas morning
When I'm standing in line
I hear Mary's got a new boyfriend, I hope he can hold his own
Do you remember the last one?
What was his name again?
Just a little too much cologne
And Roger, you know I'm even gonna miss Roger
'Cause there's sure as hell no one in here I want to fight
Oh praise the Baby Jesus, have a Merry Christmas
I'm really gonna miss it, all the treasure and the trash
And later in the evening, I can just imagine
You'll put on Junior Murvin and push the tables back
And you'll dance with Rita, I know you really like her
Just don't hold her too close
Oh brother please don't stab me in the back
I didn't mean to say that, it's just my mind it plays up
Multiplies each matter, turns imagination into fact
You know I love her badly, she's the one to save me
I'm gonna make some gravy, I'm gonna taste the fat
Tell her that I'm sorry, yeah I love her badly
Tell 'em all I'm sorry
And kiss the sleepy children for me
You know one of these days, I'll be making gravy
I'll be making plenty, I'm gonna pay 'em all back
Thank-you for posting the lyrics; I hope non-Aussies will benefit from it.
Kind of similar back story to ‘Fairytale of New York’ where they wanted to write a Christmas song which wouldn’t damage their street cred
@@toddavis8151 Which makes them probably the two greatest christmas songs of all time
Paul Kelly writes brilliant songs that just about anyone can sing - he might not have a brilliant voice but most of us don’t, so he sings great songs with our voice.
'Deeper water' always brings a tear to my eyes! Check that out too if you have time.
Check the channel mate, he already has👍🏻👍🏻
@@darrendelacy8162cool, i will. thanks.
For a first listen you really got it. The more you hear it the more it will hit you. I can't hear it now without tearing up despite having heard it hundreds of time. It's a song which has quite simply become a part of the fabric of Australian culture.
Also this song is sentimental to a lot of Australian’s not only with loved ones in prison or Australian’s in prison but also Aussie’s overseas or in the Army etc
Lots of Paul Kelly lyrics have multiple meanings. When you make gravy you're making something great out of nothing, in the land of cliches it lives next to making lemonade out of lemons. We miss the person who isn't here to make the gravy and do the best with what we have and work with the reality of our lives the best we can even at the romantically perfect time of Christmas. Some Christmases are better than others.
And the protagonist of the song probably hasn't got a lot to offer the world, but he can make damn good gravy, and to him, that gives him worth. What a song...
Makes every grown Aussie shed a tear
Paul Kelly is a national treasure! So glad you reacted to this song. It's tugs my heartstrings every time I hear it.
21st of December is known as gravy day in Australia - have loved Paul Kelly for 40 years - met my husband at one of his gigs
Another favorite is deeper water another brilliant song!
He really paints a picture in your head and triggers your emotions.
Reminds me of my family, we were in the same predicament missing my youngest uncle who was in prison. Yes he screwed up, screwed up very badly. He unfortunately never got out for what he did, he died in there. The family missed him badly and yes there was always the roast and grandma's gravy. Always remember the pain in her eyes as she thought of him and missed her little boy. But the family kept going while thinking of him.
Trust that this isn’t his own story. He tells the stories of everyone. I cry every time I hear this song. It’s at least 25 years old. Look into his bands prior to his solo career: Paul Kelly & The Coloured Girls, and Paul Kelly & The Messengers. ♥️ “From Little Things, Big Things Grow” is a story of Aboriginal land rights. That one also makes me cry.
What a simple, brilliant idea. A prisoner writing a Christmas letter to his family. Everyone can relate to it because we’re all prisoners in some form or another and isolated in some way, even before the pandemic. The classic Irish way of using song to process emotions and express their experience of life…and Paul Kelly is a master of it. His voice carries all the character and emotion of that street level life experience rather than just technique. It’s a huge part of the Australian psyche too. Australia was basically the British Empire’s version of Alcatraz, an island prison, and a huge number of prisoners were Irish. It’s a way of relating to the world that’s part of the foundation of the Australian culture
Great song. My daughter had to study this song during music at school. I learnt a lot about the writing of this song from a Ted style talk Paul Kelly did a few years ago.
Paul Kelly hits you in the feels
Sooking like a baby watching that as having a 'sick of covid affecting our lives' day. Paul Kelly you're gifted. How to touch hearts 💕
Paul Kelly sings & create music from the heart. A most profound song writer, and national treasure.
He reminds us that everyone goes through adversity, but if we choose to see the beautiful side of life, we will always come out the other side intact.
My favourite Christmas song, possibly only outdone by White Wine in the Sun by Tim Minchin, another complete absolute genius
Paul Kelly is just brilliant.. You nailed it, he isn't the best singer so anyone can sing his songs, even sing them badly & still do a decent job.. His songs are relatable.. He's an icon & we love him.. I could be wrong but i think this was re-done due to Covid lockdowns & family being apart.. One of my favourite reactions from you..
best song i play all December and 65 year old man i tear up all the time He is a proud Melbourne boy me being Scottish i love his music
This man is fantastic live. He knows how to get a crowd going. It makes me happy to see you loving our vast range of talent we have here in Australia mate. Thanks
His vocals are amazing and important for a different reason. The story wouldn't hit the same with a big voice. He really does have a storytellers voice.
I believe that Paul actually did do some gaol time when he was young and foolish, although this may simply be an urban myth. Makes my eyes leak every time.
The people in the clip are Australians around the world who couldn't get home for Christmas during COVID2, 2021. We were among them. I played Gravy for three days and cried like all of those people. Lockdown felt exactly like Joe's prison sentence. PK is a poet.
Great reaction Nick and spot on - he is a genius! Gets them feels in the gut, heart & head all at once 🙏
No matter how many times I hear this song, I always get goose bumps.
The only other song that hits me harder is I was only 19 by Redgum.
Mainly because I have family who have lived through what the song is about....And they never speak of it....
Please react to I was only 19.
Totally with you on this. Only 19 is an amazing, emotional song.
@@Judemay01 only 19 brings me to tears..
Paul Kelly sings for Australia . He’s right we do do a roast for Christmas lunch it the boiling heat lol
Bro, you totally got this song in a way that so many other reactions missed. Kudos to you for listening to the lyrics and understanding what's happening. Respect!
Thanks for this reaction, its a great song and gets me every time.
PK, Australias best storyteller by song
Love Paul Kelly. He is such an amazing singer and song writer. Lots of emotion in his songs
I just love Paul Kelly. A real Australian story teller/song writer and poet. And this song is one his best!
I had heard that there was a Christmas concert and he was asked to perform, but the song he wanted to perform was taken so he wrote this song. Any piece of art that moves people is genius, and this song has such a deep place on our country. I listen to this song, Fairytale of New York, White wine in the sun and Little drummer boy by Bing Crosby and Bowie for my Christmas tunes. They keep me human.
Paul Kelly's gravy mix should be on every supermarket shelf. I'd buy it for sure. ✌
Paul Kelly is like an Australian Bob Dylan.
If he was American he'd be as big as Dylan and Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp and Gordon Lightfoot
As you have acknowledged, Paul Kelly is a fantastic songwriter and storyteller. The song is about one man's thoughts about his family that he can't be with because he is in prison. He is worried if everyone will be okay, and worried about "who will make the gravy" because it must have been the thing he did for his family when they gathered for Christmas Lunch. The beauty of this version is that it has messages from Australians to their families - the time of 2021 was the time of Covid, and the country was closed for all travel, within and to and from. So these are messages of love between families using an iconic song that means so much to us Australians
I'm shedding a tear .So special .Great reaction .
Paul Kelly sings from the heart...... about real people.
Paul Kelly is the bob dylan of Australia
All these Aussies are reflecting this global pandemic by not being able to see or have direct contact with family and loved ones. It's an ode to this current global crisis. Paul Kelly is a great person who writes great songs about real life including his own experiences. As an indigenous artist he truly speaks and sings about the Australia we all want. Gidday mate, no worries, we're all Australians with the oldest living culture on the planet. The greatest melting pot on earth bar none. How amazing.
He's actually not indigenous although he champions their cause and has collaborated with many indigenous artists. His father's family immigrated from Ireland in the 1850s and his maternal grandfather was born in Argentina.
@@AB-zf6by Thanks AB, still learning and appreciate your helping.
@@letstalk3265 No worries. A lot of people make the same mistake, probably because he is such a passionate spokesperson for indigenous rights and uses his music in such a powerful way to tell their stories and promote indigenous artists.
Paul Kelly is one of my absolute favorites. Have been listening to him since 1987. He even offered me and my wife a piece on his Lindt chocolate bar on a London street after his concert a few years back. Super smart guy on top of an incredible talent. Blows me away someone is reacting to his songs.
I don't cry a lot because of anxiety meds but Paul Kelly's words hit you right in the heart
Same 💕
No one pretends PK has a great voice. He is a troubadour - a musical story teller. I have been to many of his concerts and love his songs, whether sung by him or covered by other artists.
Good to hear
"it got to you a little bit",
it gets to me a little bigbit every time i hear this song.
My favourite Paul Kelly songs are midnight rain and if I could start today again.
Id love to drink beers with ya round a fire in the vic high country listening to all these aussie artists and explain all the Australiania in all the songs 👌👌
I cry every time I hear this! Lol I'm a sad case, I've always felt songs more than hearing them! ❤
Paul Kelly Aussie legend. His songs tells stories. Love Sade and the lyrics of her music too.
Paul Kelly would have to be Australia's best songwriter. He has won numerous ARIA's, 17 I think and been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame way back in 1997. He's my favourite Aussie artist of all time. Thank you for appreciating his gifts 👏
Love this song and love Paul Kelly. Always makes me shed a little tear. I'm sooooo glad you got it xxx
The joy in your face is a sweet blessing, to know Paul has touched your heart ......there's the blessing.....smile and the world smiles with you. ✌💙
Paul Kelly seems to have a sixth sense about what is important to people. He's one of the greatest Aussie writers and storytellers through his songs and music.
I love this song mate, My favourite. Christmas song..10 seconds in, ive got shivers.. finished with my eye leaking..
Australia is a very multicultural country, its big and its a longvway from anywhere. Alot of people missing their loved ones..
this song is a Christmas day song in Aussie to go with carols we play it in our house for ever
Another fair dinkum spot on reaction Nic. I'm so pleased that you've done a reaction to a second Paul Kelly song and have absolutely nailed what makes him so special to us. If it isn't already happening, you are now definitely going to be receiving multiple requests for other videos of Paul Kelly.
In my opinion, Paul Kelly is much more a story-teller than just a musician. In days of yore he would likely have been known as a minstrel. The stories he writes and put to music resonate with most Aussies in ways that other songs don't, and so many of them have, to me at least, a quintessentially Aussie spirit threaded through them.
This song has always hit me right in the feels. This is my first viewing of this particular video version though and I'm man enough to straight up say that I have had tears rolling down my cheeks from about the 2:15 mark.
He’s really our generations banjo Paterson or Henry lawson
@@sallydixon5697 Ripper get Sally. 👍
A little thought and I lean a bit more towards A. B. 'Banjo' Paterson. 🎤✍
True LEGEND..
Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Dan Kelly-Droving Woman is my fav
This Christmas was my first without my mother this song hits hard such a powerful song Paul Kelly is the man!
He is one of the best story tellers in Australian music ❤️
What a beautiful reaction.
Yes..... I love Paul , he is a gifted, gifted song writer ..a story teller a true blue Aussie.....✌ peace and love to all .xxxxxxxxxxx
Dude in jail writing a letter or calling home
Love watching people hearing this one for the first time.. a Paul Kelly masterpiece.... he brought characters to life.., didn't write it from real life experience.., cry every damn time I hear it...
I hope someone requests "From little things big things grow"
My favourite
He's already reacted to a cover of it
I have seen Paul many times over the years. Very chill and relaxed show.
Not sure how it was in the US but there were a lot of travel restrictions here in OZ for both Xmas 2020 & 2021 so families that lived in different states couldn't be together at Xmas time. So there was a lot of video calls, that's why the 2021 version of this song hits with that little extra emotion.
Yes your right . Plus esp in Melbourne where Paul lives you couldn’t even go across town.
Yeah it's been hard for so many, my family is in Melbourne - couldn't get there 2019 because of the fires, then the pandemic.... this one makes me cry.
I’m glad a lot of reaction videos are getting around to this great, great artist! Maybe my favorite songwriter ever.
Yep you totally got it, and fast. It's so moving and a fave of mine, not just for Christmas.. ❤🕊
My favourite songs from him are 1 I still pray duet with Kasey Chambers
2 to her door
3 All the dumb things
From little things big things grow
I play this song every Christmas x
Paul Kelly is a no frills kind of guy and performer. He is extremely cerebral, very quietly spoken and modest to a fault. You could easily imagine him sitting back, nodding and smiling and watching and listening to other people's truths. I am pretty sure this song isn't auto biographical but he obviously his powers of observation are epic.
I think you’re becoming an honorary Australian, we all need to pitch in and fly you out. From Brisbane, Australia.