Vienna Teng - Level Up (Official Music Video) feat. Tommy Guns Ly
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- Опубліковано 16 гру 2013
- From the album Aims:
viennateng.bandcamp.com/album/...
Directed by Lawrence Chen
/ lawrencechenfilms
www.lawrencechenfilms.com
Choreographed by Jaclyn Walsh
Featuring Tommy Guns Ly: bboytommyguns.com
Performers in order of appearance:
Jaclyn Walsh and Chalvar Monteiro
Tommy Guns Ly and Monica Hagan
Pamela Pietro
Vienna Teng and Jacob Corvidae
This video was made possible by an amazing Kickstarter campaign:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/v...
Full list of credits, including Kickstarter backers:
viennateng.com/level-up-music-...
Lyrics:
so come out.
you have been waiting long enough.
you're done with all the talk talk talk with nothing on the table.
it's time to come on out.
there will be no sign from above.
you'll only hear the knock knock knock of your own heart as signal.
if you are afraid, come out.
if you are awake, come out.
come out and level up.
begin again.
dynamite the dam on the flow.
your body feels the tock tock tock of time as it hammers.
lord we are all cinders
from a fire burning long ago,
but here it is the knock knock knock of your own heart that matters.
if you are afraid, come forth.
if you are alone, come forth now.
everybody here has loved and lost,
so level up and love again.
call it any name you need.
call it your 2.0, your rebirth, whatever --
so long as you can feel it all,
so long as all your doors are flung wide.
call it your day #1 in the rest of forever.
if you are afraid, give more.
if you are alive, give more now.
everybody here has seams and scars.
so what. level up.
let your faith die.
bring your wonder.
yes, you are only one.
no, it is not enough
but if you lift your eyes, I am your brother.
and this is all we need.
and this is where we start.
this is the day we greet.
this is the day, no other.
Possibly the most relentlessly optimistic song in history. I don't think I've ever made it though without a tear. It deserve ten times the recognition it has gotten, but for what it's worth, it touches my soul deeply when I need it.
I hear you, brother. Cannot watch/listen and come out of it unscathed.
Same.
Absolutely agreed.
She is so amazing.
Can't overstate how this song has touched me today. Completely agree with your comment word for word.
Yes, it's elicits a spirit of hope. Something in short supply, so appreciated.
This is literally the best fucking thing on the Internet.
The image of the couple embracing in front of the destroyed remains of the Union Beach home in the wake of Hurricane Sandy hit home fairly hard upon my initial viewing of this video, as it was my home. However, it is a beautiful, emotional piece of music set to an inspirational collage, and I appreciate Ms. Teng's reaching out to me after I emailed her to introduce myself. Her kindness and generosity towards the relief effort will not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
I so love that seven years later VT and Jacob are a married couple and
soon-to-be parents. It makes the beginning and ending moments of this video even
more tear worthy. Best wishes to VT and Jacob.
Still here after such a long time, such a long journey with this song.
THIS IS BRILLIANT!!!!
I can’t believe I’m just finding this in 2020, but I am so glad I did.
What a gift...all of you.
UPDATE: 2024 and I’m still here loving this masterpiece. Great music never dies. Carry on.
I am discovering this in Oct. 2022. Wow, so happy I have found her music and videos 🤗
Anybody else notice this song is in 7/4? I really love hearing odd time signatures in a pop context.
We are doing this song in marching band, and the 7/4 time signature is awful.
7/8.
Alternates 7/8 and 3/4
It's so jarring and brilliant. I love it.
only hard if you dont practice it regularly. like anything else.
I will never understand why this video hasn't millions of views. Vienna's CD "Aims" (incl. "Level Up") is such a masterpiece. Can't wait to see her performing LIVE in Leverkusen/Germany on March 4th. 2024.
Thank you! I would've missed it again!
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Both the song and video qualify as masterpieces.
When people ask me what my religious beliefs are, I always want to point them to the lyrics of this song.
I never get tired of this video. It's one of the most uplifting, inspirational works of art I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Vienna Teng is a modern master, in my opinion. She is, to this day, the only musician I've ever made an effort to see live (at the Gypsy Rose Tea Room in Dallas back in 2004), and the reason for that is her incredible lyrical and musical insight. She's not a "singer." She's a musically gifted poet, and all of her songs resonate with her listeners while conveying a profound and beautiful ideal in the lyrics. In today's world, transcendent messages like the one in "Level Up" are needed more than ever.
I first found this song back when I was in high school, around the time it was released here, and I still listen to it to this day. I first heard of Vienna Teng from the Hymn of Acxiom, which my brass ensemble played. This song is beautiful, plain and simple. It recognizes the forever optimistic, self-driven spirit of humanity.
A great song! Falling in tears. Found this song through this season's Michigan Football TV commercial, and Michigan won the Championship! Go Blue!
Funny enough, I heard it last night during the Michigan/Minnesota hockey finals.
In the very top tier of female singer-songwriters...or singer-songwriters, period. She just keeps pushing her boundaries and doing wonderful things.
Guy with the mechanical leg break dancing. Almost cried man.
... Never mind, I am.
+1
In 2020...Ditto
(Also in 2020) just...same.
Just goes to show that pop music CAN be crafted very intelligently. Love it!
And the Grinch's heart gained three levels that day.
Seriously, this is the most beautiful thing I've seen/heard in a long time.
holy. crap. Everything was perfect
I sent a link to this song to my support group for people who had recently lost a spouse; I lost my wife of 39 years in July 2021."Everyone here has loved and lost". The song is beautiful and inspirational, and the video is exceptional. Thanks
why is this so perfect?
I read through some of the comments and am very pleased at the positive attitude. Vienna Teng. Favorite artist of all time.
This is genius on so many levels.
A song for the pandemic lock-down. Staying connected will probably not change anything, but it will make things easier to face.
As of this writing, this video has about 30.000 views, and judging from the comments it may already have made this world a slightly better place. Now imagine if those were 30 million views, or more...
By the way, I'm also among the people who helped kickstarting it, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.
Proud to have helped bring this into existence.
Glenn Peters You should be sir. BRAVO
Not only is this uplifting in the obvious role, at the end Vienna goes to her "significant other" as if to say she is now confident, through experience, that anything can be done if the will is there. "Let your faith die, bring you wonder...." is all that needs to be said. In the beginning of the song, she says that "there will no sign from above, you will only hear the knock of your own heart, a signal...." I must say, pretty baddass statement. Believe in yourself and when your ready, DO IT. Don't wait for a sign from your deity.
too bad that 2 years later its still a contradictory statement. still a beautiful song tho.
VT did this song , live at Hugh's Room , Toronto , OC17 , 2015 Is she perfect or what. small room , sat real close.
She comes on stage and says ' what do you want to hear ? '.... like everything or anything.
She performed John Denver's , ' Annie's Song ' , finished and complimented JD on the song. i saw JD live and he never came close to sounding that good.
Go see her live - best ticket that I ever bought. You lucky dudes in N. Calif , you got to see her in a cafe... get real !
Why hasn’t this video gone viral???!!! Is the world crazy???!!!
I love finding Beauty on UA-cam. What to say... Thank You.
Gotta love the U of M commercial! The song choice was impeccable.
It's so inspiring to see her touch those people and make them realize that "if they lift their eyes, she's their brother" and suddenly they start dancing. In the end the only thing that has changed in these four and half a minute was the people's resolve but this change was so incredibly huge.
In this anniversary month of so many family deaths, so many natural disasters, and so much uncaring politics, this is a good reminder of what I ( and we all) need to do. I am crying. I am energized. One day at a time. One step at a time. Level up.
I found this song through a playlist someone made of songs that sound like a hug. I'm glad I did as this song does indeed feel like a hopeful embrace and lifts me up every time I listen to it!
I'm kind of in love with this song. Just so the internet world knows. Hey internet world, I'm kind of in love with this song! You're welcome.
This has been my anthem for the last 10 months.
WONDERFUL....just absolutely... wonderful
I came across Vienna Teng as an answer to a crossword clue. Had never heard of her. I guess maybe you've arrived once you get included in a crossword! This video truly captures the emotion and spirit of the music and lyrics. One of my faves all time. Thanks, Ms. Teng, for sharing your gift.
Brilliant. Wonderful. Beautiful.
I had never heard of Vienna before today. This was a bolt from the blue. I am utterly dumbfounded. Seeing this video once prompted me to buy Aims immediately and I look forward to listening to the rest of her catalog in the coming days.
This holiday season has been very difficult due to the loss of my brother at the end of October. This video, though I know the message is not directly related to loss, was hugely cathartic. The beauty, the openness and honesty conveyed in the choreography, the uplifting message, just prompted a dam burst of emotion. Beautiful, beautiful. Thank you.
It's quite refreshing, isn't it? How did you come across her music?
I just got recommended her music by a close online friend in 2020
This is beautiful.
And if we all lived this song the world might be a better place.
First year of marching band and we get to play this song as our opener!
lol I come on this video and find you.
+Mariah B what school? I'd love to see the show.
Lasalle Peru High School. Class 4A at the Western Illinois University Marching Band Classic.
Great job Vienna! The video is great! We miss you at Ross.
a show choir i competed against had this song as their closer and i was so in love with it, i can't believe this only has a couple hundred thousand views. it's such a bop.
Magnificent, wonderfully done. What a masterpiece! A song and video about courage in the face of adversity, a worthy call to arms for the millennial generation to right the wrongs and mistakes of the past!
Jim Snider
Oh definitely. And exactly the energy we need to help eachother survive in 2020
I found Vienna on Spotify’s Discover Weekly through her song “never look away” and came to UA-cam for a link to share the song and then this song was next in the auto play. I think I’m in love 😍
Of course you are! Rightfully so.
Those two plus "Stray Italian Greyhound" are my favorites.
Been a year since I found this little gem and it still hits me!
What a beautiful song!!! WOW!!!! Tears😂❤❤❤❤❤
This has be in tears. So beautiful and powerful and full of defiant hope.
I just love this song SO much. Every time I need to remember why we keep fighting and why we need to keep doing good in any little way we can, I watch this video again. Thank you Vienna Teng.
I kinda needed to see and hear this one right now.
One of my all-time favorite music videos
So beautiful, it pushes my heart into my throat, takes me by the hand, sends tingles through my body and energises me to reach out to love again. Oh thank you, Vienna!
"begin again.
dynamite the dam on the flow.
your body feels the tock tock tock of time as it hammers.
lord we are all cinders
from a fire burning long ago,
but here it is the knock knock knock of your own heart that matters.
if you are afraid, come forth.
if you are alone, come forth now.
everybody here has loved and lost,
so level up and love again."
That is beautiful Andrew and inspiring. Thankyou.
Whenever I watch this, it always gives me a lift. It is such a beautiful and moving work of art.
"Let your faith die, bring your wonder"
The choreo of this video is so good and the song is even better.
This is one of the most impressing music-video, I have ever seen.
So strong, so clear and I think, its helping me very much in not
so happy deep black times in the moment. Thank you for loading.
This video deserves more views.
That was incredible! High five, Vienna!
This has to be the best song of the decade, by anyone, anywhere
I don't know if you can pack any more optimism into 4 minuets. Vienna has consistently been breathtaking in her musical visions and downright magical in her ability to pull them off. This one is stunning!
This is the song I heard just 2 days ago on my local public radio station and I became an immediate fan of this very talented and lovely lady. Love this video production. Thank you VT.
The Asian dancer is a beast!! Awesome!!
This is, literally, the most beautiful thing. If I had $5 - $10,000 - $100,000, I would give it all to make certain the entire universe could share in this.
you don't have $5?
Great song, beautiful video, LOVE the dancing.
i love the switch work love mortal danger
This is the definition of amazing.
I don't understand why this video doesn't have 20 million views. It's brilliant. The music is incredible, the message is uplifting and inspiring. The video reflects the deep meaning of the song perfectly.
all of AIMS is a masterpiece and I'm so glad I've found it. Wish I had found it sooner but so glad I have it now. And the dancing in this music video was captivating
This video makes me want to jump for joy! The energy is incredible - Vienna's voice is pure power, and the dancers are captivating. It's so inspiring to see them move through different spaces, representing all the challenges and breakthroughs on the path to growth.
The lyrics are pure fire - "Come out, you've been waiting long enough!" hits me right in the feels every time. It's a fantastic reminder to take that leap of faith and embrace new possibilities.
I absolutely love the sense of community in this video too. Seeing all these different people coming together on that rooftop at the end just fills me with happiness! It's a beautiful message about how we can all support each other on our journeys of self-discovery. This song is a total mood booster! Thanks Vienna for such a powerful and uplifting piece! #LevelUp #Inspired #NewBeginnings
Someone shared this today and it's the first time I'm hearing it. What a beautiful song. And the video hits the theme so well. NGL, it's hitting what I need today.
This helped pull me out of a very dark place. What a personal anthem!
Thank you♥️❤️🔥💫🙏
Wow... Just heard this for the first time... Thank you!
I am so excited by her work here. Way to go Vienna. I enjoyed this video very much.
The best thing. Ever.
I adore this song. Absolutely new favorite.
A true work of art from an amazing artist! Go Vienna, Go!
I love the message of this song: that sure your life is shit, but so is everyone else's, we're all struggling, and if they could get through this crap, so can you.
so nice - wonderful dancers and images -
I cried
Just saw her live today! Awesome music :)
Just fantastic. Brings out the optimist in me.
Great energy connection and expression of the human spirit.
Had no idea what to expect, but got something fantastic that added a new perspective to the way I interpreted listening to the song originally.
Vienna rocks!
As the video's title goes...Vienna Teng's music has really leveled-up. Bravo! Liking the new sound a lot. :)
Full-body chills. Crying at my desk at work on this Christmas Eve. Beautifully done, Vienna. Thank you.
Jeff you really hit the jackpot here it's just beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your artistry with us. You're my favourite musician, and your songs have been so inspirational to me in so many ways!
I'd never heard of her or this song before until yesterday. Now I'm stuck on a loop. It's OK, it's a happy loop. >_>
I knew this song was special the first time I heard it - then listened to it one hundred times - and now this video has taken it to the next level - SO GOOD :D - level up people !
Your time, effort, thought, and love, and the dedication you and your community have to each other, all shine forth in this video. Brava!
Amazing song, and amazing video as well. Wow.
Wonderful choreography - not even listening to the words, just feeling the music and watching the movement leaves me feeling inspired and optimistic (not an easy accomplishment these days!). Thank you! I hope your show in Richmond is well attended.
I love this song so much! Thank U so much Vienna Teng for making this great song. It always give me comfort and courage when I am in depressed mood. It reminds me that it's OK to be depressed and I am not the only one, and wake up, do something positive, every little movement counts!
Marvellous- the entire album and this video right at the front! I' ve been away for a while and I' m astonished what can be seen and heard meanwhile. What a kind of evolution. Congrats- well done! Hope to see this stuff performed soon again in Germany
Seriously great song, great message, great video - loved everything about it!! Bravo, Vienna!!
Excellent song and video. Very human. I love it. My wife and I saw Vienna Teng perform live back in 2005 at World Cafe in Philadelphia, PA. She signed a CD for me and performed beautifully. She's Great
Congrats to Vienna and Jacob on their impending baby!
How is it that this doesn't have a billion views? Of all the great injustices!!!
Wow that was awesome!