Pure ear candy from underground rock royalty. That’s Rockpile as the backing band including Dave Edmunds who is amazing in his own English rockabilly way. Nick produced the first five Elvis Costello records and the two shared many a song. Love these guys
The bride is his real wife at the time Carlene Carter, also a singer songwriter and daughter of the late June Carter Cash. Her step dad was Johnny Cash. Nick Lowe is a master producer, Elvis Costello and the Pretenders just two of his artists. He is a real renaissance man.
Nick Lowe is a solo artist - but his band Rockpile is backing him here. This is an AWESOME power pop song from 1979! One of the best songs from that era!
Lowe was a member and songwriter playing in bass in pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz which was a band named after its lead guitarist. Most of the Brins went on to back another famous pub rocker, Graham Parker, as the Rumour. Calling Rockpile “his band” is a misnomer, as it was the pairing of Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds that created a special magic for Rockpile, and solo albums by both artists. Nick Lowe is also a member of three chord (if necessary) “supergroup” Little Village, including John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner.
Two other Nick Lowe classics you should try: “I knew the bride when she used to rock’n’roll” and “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?” As already mentioned he was Johnny Cash’s son in law. Another fun fact: after David Bowie brought out an LP called “Low” Nick Low called his next LP “Bowi”
@@bethmiller1840 You're right, "What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding" was recorded and played by Elvis and the Attractions. The song was written by Lowe, who also produced the LP on which it appeared, Armed Forces, for EC & the Attractions. And the music video for the song was shot in Vancouver, BC - fun to see local sights in the shots, starting with Stanley Park. ua-cam.com/video/Ssd3U_zicAI/v-deo.html
Nick Lowe has been hugely influential, even if mostly behind the scene. His work with Dave Edmonds, Elvis Costello and others truly changed the British Pop Scene. ✌️
"Cruel to Be Kind" was originally written by Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm while in Brinsley Schwarz, having been recorded as a demo during this period. Lowe stated, "I wrote that when I was with a band, Brinsley Schwarz, that I was with from the early '70s to about the mid-'70s. ... We recorded it on a demo, it never came out, and when I signed to Columbia Records the A&R man [Gregg Geller] there at the time suggested I record it again. And I didn't think it would do anything, but he kind of bullied me into it." Lowe recorded the song with his band Rockpile; he recalled, "I said, 'Boys, I'm sorry, I've got this song which I've been told we've got to record, and it goes like this.' They grumbled a bit about it." Musically, the song was originally closer to a soul style. Lowe later said, “Initially... the inspiration was a song I loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost', and the bass line was the same... we loved that Philly disco stuff from the 70's, The O'Jays, all that stuff, we loved that... I can't really remember much about recording it. It was just another tune that we did, you know, and I sent it over to New York to Gregg and said, Uhh, will this do?'" In more recent live versions, Lowe has performed the song closer to "The Love I Lost"; he explained, "How I do it now sounds quite different. In fact, it was on the radio the other day and I was quite amazed how differently I do it now". "Cruel to Be Kind" proved to be Lowe's most successful American single. Lowe reflected on this, "When I had my couple of hits, I sort of felt like I was ticking a box more than, 'Great, I'm off now on a chart-topping career.' I felt that in order to do what I wanted to do, I had to do certain things, and one of them was to have a hit in my own right. At least one. I managed two or three, if you take in Europe. But in the United States, where it really matters, I had one hit and people still remember it, and it's a pretty good little song, you know?" Lowe continues to perform the song live and still looks favorably upon the song, saying, "I really love it. It cheers people up. ... If they're good songs, they really will stand the test of time".
After this hit was going back down the charts Dave Edmunds released " Girl's Talk. " Both songs should have been under the band's name " Rockpile. " I found it really strange at the time. Anyhow, great music.
OMG you guys, I couldn't click this fast enough. This was one of my favorite songs when I was young. I sang along at the top of my lungs. Thank you for doing it. Glad you enjoyed it.
NIck Lowe was one of the PIONEERS of new wave and synth music in the late 70s/early 80s. This was his biggest hit (in 1979), but I also recommend "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass". Now, if you want to continue down this road, PLEASE check out Gary Numan, whose sound at the time was REVOLUTIONARY. His songs "Cars" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" were mind blowing for those of us whose brains were accustomed to rock and disco. It's because of Nick and Gary and bands like Depeche Mode that synth music exploded all over the world! (And aren't we all better for it???)
I've always loved this song - of course Dave Edmunds (whom I love as well) was the lead guitarist (of Rockpile) - see "Girls Talk" (ua-cam.com/video/S4TzjRFfsJs/v-deo.html ) and "Queen of Hearts" (ua-cam.com/video/qy2HdKaP1EU/v-deo.html ). In terms of Gary Numan, "Are Friends Electric?" was the first synth single I ever purchased (which was interesting as they had a non-electronic analogue drum kit!).
@@jethro1963 I love Gary Numan's "Cars" but it was never the same after UK comedian Bill Bailey (who is a brilliant musician) covered it (in French) playing the main theme on car horns (ua-cam.com/video/4F4gDAP5JgI/v-deo.html )! 🤣
Was involved in punk, produced the first punk hit New Rose by the Damned plus all those great records with Elvis Costello BUT he is not a synth pioneer!! Would love a reaction to Cars though and Tubeway Army
"Cruel to be kind" is from Shaekspeare's "Hamlet" where the Price criticizes his Mother, for remarrying after his Father's "mysterious death". Nick Lowe, a great talent in music, and producing. I've seen him Live. His three band members, who play other roles in the video were collectively known as Rockpile. they made only one album, in 1980, "Seconds of Pleasure" is an amazing album!
Thanks for the Shakespeare reference. IDK that. As you probably already know Rockpile, as a group, made several albums together, but because of contractual conflicts with Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds they had to credit those records of one or the other’s names.
43 years later and I STILL remember the words. Can't even tell you the last time I heard it but I was 9 when it came out in 1979. Nick Lowe is a UK artist with bandmates. It was actually written for the band he was in prior to and it never got released. He signed with a new label and they bullied him into re-recording it. It was inspired by a song that he loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost'.
I'm a big fan of Nick Lowe and I recently just saw him in concert opening up for Elvis Costello in September 2022. He sounds as good as ever. This song is Pop perfect. I never get tired of it, ever.
I saw him live a couple of years ago, in a relatively intimate setting. He performed this, plus a bunch of covers, alongside Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather-Low. Three very talented men.
@@dolphinbear661 He's a bit non-descript when talking (perfectly pleasant, just a bit lacking in personality), but what a voice! I saw him again this summer at a Festival. He was on around 6pm. 4 hours later: Squeeze. Gutted that he didn't come on to do Tempted with them. But he did his version and then they did theirs.
@@ToniMcGinty wow, Squeeze, also indescribably great. I was fortunate enough to see them live WAY back in the day, wanna say it was about 1987 or 88 in a small college in Virginia and danced all night. Will never forget it!
Cruel to be kind = tough love. You have to tell the harsh truth in order to grow and experience an honest relationship. 1980's. It's a single artist by the name of Nick Lowe
The lyrics make it sound less like tough love and more like the person he's singing about is trying to justify their abuse. "I pick myself up off the ground to have you knock me back down again and again".
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "So It Goes", "I Knew the Bride(When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)", "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" and "Switchboard Susan"!!! edit- that's his real life wife Carlene Carter(from 1979 to 1990), a singer. I have one of her albums. You would like Carlene's "Two Sides To Every Woman".
Carlene Carter is the daughter of June Carter Cash, from June's first marriage. Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds belonged to Rockpile, and ALL Rockpile's songs are just as catchy as this!
This video has actual footage from his wedding to Carlene Carter mixed in. I've always loved Nick Lowe and this song in particular. By the way, from Songfacts: "Lowe cribbed the phrase 'cruel to be kind' from Shakespeare, who used it in Hamlet: I must be cruel only to be kind Thus bad begins and worse remains behind"
Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds had their own band that they formed to play on one another's albums - including this song - called Rockpile. A classic pub band.
I was going to say that every time I hear this song I think of that movie. It is in my top 10 go to movies. I have watched it SO many times! I love Heath Ledger in it.
Letters to Cleo (with Save Ferris) did a great job with this song in that movie, also one of my guilty pleasures. Nick Lowe’s original is one of my favorite songs of all time.
"Cruel To Be Kind" by Nick Lowe, was released as a single in 1979. In 1981, the music video for this song was among the earliest music videos ever aired on MTV.
When your crude to be kind you're being honest, brutally honest with a person, examples: your friend asked how she looks in her new dress, in reality, she looks dumpy but she's expecting you to tell her she looks fine instead your cruel to be kind by telling her honestly that she should change outfits. You tell someone you know their breath stinks that's cruel on the surface but in the long run, it's kind.
The first time I ever heard the chorus of this song, I thought it was the band America. The harmonies and the melody sounds almost exactly like Gerry Beckley singing lead.
"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" is my favorite Nick Lowe song. However, in the TV show "The Magicians", in the penultimate episode, the cast is under a spell where they do this song. Pretty cool. They also do The Ramone's "I Wanna Be Sedated".
One of my favorite songs from when I switched from AM Top 40 to FM Rock (and later New Wave). I was 14 in ‘79 and I felt that’s the 80s were going to bring something new in music. The Cars, The Police, Blondie, Squeeze. You could just sense a new era.❤
The women he married is Carlene Carter stepdaughter of Johnny Cash. She also is a singer who had some hits in the 90s. Her and Nick recorded a few songs together also.
As has been said already Nick Lowe was a pioneer along with Dave Edmunds and Rock Pile. Dave Edmunds is a phenominal guitarist (he plays the chauffeur) I had all their albums and loved Dave especially.
Nick Lowe is freaking cool as hell. "Little Hitler", "half A Boy & Half A Man", "I Knew The Bride(When She Used To Rock And Roll)", are good songs. He was also in a collaborative band called Rockville which also featured Dave Edmunds. Speaking of Dave you guys should check out his songs "I Hear You Knocking'" and "Almost Saturday Night"
Great song, great video for this as well. A different Nick altogether, Nick Gilder, Hot Child in the City, is a late 70s one hit wonder that is worth a listen.
Nick Lowe has a whole catalog of later tunes, most about the experiences of being an older guy. Very funny and relatable to us old guys. “A better man”, “The Club”, “I trained her to love me”, some of the titles.
Nick Lowe is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and producer. His discography consists of 14 studio albums, 1 live album, 3 EPs, 23 singles, and 6 compilations. In addition, he has been a performer and producer on numerous albums by other artists.
He recorded with Dave Edmunds (check him out too, try his 1st hit "I Hear You Knockin") and they briefly had the band Rockpile. Nick wrote the big hit for Elvis Costello - What's So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding.
@@lovman The man who wrote the impassioned What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding also wrote icky-sick Marie Provost. Since these two liked the Bay City Rollers they also should check out Lowe's brilliant "Rollers Show".
Lowe may be best known as the producer of Elvis Costello’s first several albums (which include Costello covering Lowe’s song “What’s so Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding”). You should check out Watching the Detectives or Allison by Elvis Costello.
I love this tune. One of my faves. He’s such a good songwriter and has produced some classic tunes! Check out a chum of his, Elvis Costello’s songs from the late 70s… "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?", Watching The Detectives, Accidents Will Happen, Every Day I Write The Book, Shipbuilding, I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea, I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down... Great post-punk, new wave tunes!
Thanks for stayiing in tyhe 70s Rob Squad This was a huge hit in March 1978 The same year as Grease the Movie and the song Hold the Line By Toto Love your videos Very sweet couple and Family,, Take Care, ,Amber you would have fit into the 70s so groovy Baby,
Thank you, Thank you guys!! First Nick Lowe reaction I've seen! He was a great singer/songwriter in his own right. I LOVED his band Rockpile with Dave Edmunds. But, he was also a brilliant producer for Elvis Costello , Graham Parker and the like. Please react to Elvis Costello s video 'What's so funny about Peace Love and Understanding' written by Nick.. Love you guys!
👏👏👏👏I think you two understand what the meaning of this song is. I understand it as someone who loves you enough to be brutally honest with you by telling you the truth even though the truth might hurt them but actually the truth is intended to help someone. Some people can't handle the truth in some cases. I believe that is what this song is about. I don't know the whole background of this song or inspiration. Just what I think until someone tells me differently. Enjoyed your reaction! ☮💕
Nick Lowe was a staple of my teenage years. I had this on vinyl, it was released In 1978. And in the video to this song was of his actual wedding to his first wife. You guys need to check out his "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" 1978, it sounds very different to "Cruel To Be Kind", but it was one of my favourite songs from that era (still is tbh). ❤🎶🎼🎙
Great song! Quite obscure and very old. I love, love, love this song, and hardly no one knows it today. Now I feel the urge to listen to some old Elvis Costello records.
I am SO happy you reacted to this! There were a whole bunch of artists that played in each other's bands in the late '70's to mid '80's in England that also recorded understeer own names and groups. Would LOVE for you to react to more Nick Lowe (I Knew The Bride), Dave Edmunds (Girls Talk), Ian Dury (Reasons To Be Cheerful), Elvis Costello (What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love And Understanding, Radio Radio), Wreckless Eric (Whole Wide World), Madness (One Step Beyond, Our House). It would be great if you would give these a listen. I really think you would enjoy these! Have a great day!
Sometimes as my son grew up I would have to tell him to do something or learn something he didn't really enjoy. When he would ask "Dad, why do I need to do that?" I would sing him the chorus from this song... lol. :) Even now, years later, and I tell him some advice that he doesn't want to hear I may add on this ditty at the end. :)
I've been a fan of Nick Lowe since noticing his name on an Elvis Costello album. I believe there are 2 reasons for his long career making music. First is the royalties for a cover version of his song '(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding' on the soundtrack album for the film 'The Bodyguard'. That album sold 45 million copies. The other reason is the income from his work as an album producer in the '80s for major artists and bands.
The video for "Cruel to be Kind" was the 67th video to air on MTV and is a combination of actual footage of Lowe's wedding to Carlene Carter,[10] as well as a humorous re-enactment of the wedding, featuring Carter as herself, Dave Edmunds as their limo driver,[10] Terry Williams as the photographer, Billy Bremner as the baker, and Jake Riviera (Nick's manager at the time) as the best man. The wedding took place on August 18, 1979, at the Tropicana Motel in West Hollywood. All family stayed there for the wedding and reception (also featured in the video). Filming for the video took so long that Lowe was actually late to the wedding.
Can't thank you enough for reacting to this song. It was literally one of the very first songs ..I learned the words to ..when I was very young. Always been a very memorable song for me. One of my very first exposures..to great music. A person never forgets those..great memories!.
"I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock and Roll)" is a fun Nick Lowe song, remarkable because it is rockabilly, and he's British. You'd never guess he wasn't an American from the South. As for "Cruel to Be Kind", I interpret it as a song about "tough love", indicated by some of the phrases, such "cruel to be kind in the right measure" (measured and restrained by love, not malicious), "cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign", "cruel to be kind means that I loved you". As for the negative statements, I see them as the way the recipient of "tough love" might interpret the actions of the person who is trying to help them.
May I suggest ‘That’s What I Like About You’ by the Romantics (you’ve reacted to them once) you’ll be dancing in your seats! and ‘Mayor of Simpleton’ by XTC- sweet song sweet sentiment …both are ‘80’s tunes
Wow. Song was from the late 70's when he married June Carter Cash. The wedding incl her are depicted in the original MTVvideo incl Dave Edmunds as the limo driver. (She is D-I-L of Johnny Cash). He was a famouis songwriter for Elvis Costello, John Hiatt amd others besdies cutting over 10 albums himself.
Nick Lowe was in a band with Dave Edmunds called Rockpile. You should check out “Teacher, Teacher” by Rockpile. And Dave Edmunds has a great catalogue of his own. “Girls Talk” is a great Fave Edmunds song.
The guy singing was Nick Lowe. The band was collectively known as Rockpile. They did one album under that name. The guy dressed up as the limo driver was Dave Edmunds. The four of them did albums together under either Nick or Dave’s name. They were most popular during the early 1980’s.
At last you stumbled into british pub-rock.....there's a lot to discover.....Nick Lowe, Rockpile, Dave Edmunds, Ian Gomm, Dr. Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe, Kilburn and the High Roads, Joe Jackson, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Brinsley Schwarz, Eggs Over Easy, Nine Below Zero, Bees Make Honey, Count Bishops, The 101'ers, Help Yourself, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, Dire Straits, Graham Parker and the Rumour, The Inmates, Solid Senders, Steve Gibbons Band, etc.......great, great music !!!.......thank you !
One of my favorite songs still today. Cruel to be kind was a huge hit in 1979. This song seemed like it played every 10 minutes on the radio. Even though I wasn't even a teenager back then this song has always stuck with me.
"I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll" is a great Nick Lowe song, telling a story which I think you'll like. I'd love to see your reaction to it! Greetings from Yorkshire,, UK.
Nick Lowe is a guy. He was in a band called Rockpile and they had a hit with Teacher, Teacher, a similar vibe to Cruel to be Kind. Rockpile had a similar style artist named Dave Edmunds who had several solo hits in the UK, and a small hit in the US with a song called Slipping Away in the early 80s. You'll probably like that one too. This genre is currently called Pub Rock, with artists like Elvis Costello, Dr. Feelgood, Ian Dury, Graham Parker, and some of Dire Straits and Squeeze.
Seen him back in 78. They were on the ticket with Mink DeVille and the headliner was Elvis Costello. In my opinion, Nick Lowe stole the show. I've been a fan since then. Get this, the concert cost 99 cents for 3 bands. Circle Theater Indianapolis Ind. Great memory. Thanks for reacting to him/ them
@@merlball8520 Yeah, poignant in the realization that you have to risk hurting someone you care about sometimes to say the needed thing. I'd say the lyrics are rather deep for a pop song. So yes, poignant
The sign on the screen at the beginning of the song is the U.K.'s influential punk and new wave record label. They were the first to release a punk song "New Rose" by the Damned in1976. I was in college and had just discovered the sound breaking in England and have been a lover of the sounds ever since. The statement from the label was " If it ain't Stiff, it ain't worth a fu..k."
It's both an artist AND a band! This is actually the band Rockpile, which featured Nick (bass) and Dave Edmunds (guitars). However, because both Nick and Dave had had solo careers before forming the group in 1976, they were signed to different labels and so the group couldn't record as "Rockpile" (which was the title of Dave's 1972 album) until *1980* , when the deals were up. So Nick and Dave both released "solo" records that were pretty much Rockpile content; all the members of the group (including 2nd guitarist Billy Bremner and drummer Terry Williams) played on all the songs on both albums. And the records were released simultaneously in 1979; the songs where Nick sings are on "Nick's" album, the ones with Dave singing are on "Dave's". This was Nick's hit; Dave's hit was "Girls Talk". Nick reached #12 on both the US and UK charts; Dave hit #4 in the UK, but didn't chart in the US. (Dave was a star in the UK; he'd had a #1 hit "I Hear You Knocking" back in 1970.) So, after this, FINALLY their solo deals ran out, and they were free to record as Rockpile. At which point they made ONE album (officially) as a band…and broke up. Huh. Elvis Costello was a friend of the band; the 2nd-most famous song Nick ever wrote was "Peace Love and Understanding", which he'd recorded with his previous band, Brinsley Schwarz, back in 1974, but it wasn't a hit until Elvis did a cover. And Elvis wrote "Girls Talk" for Dave. (Dave is not a songwriter.) So, thanks to Wikipedia for all the details (I didn't remember ALL of that off the top of my head, lol!), and if you had trouble sorting through the text, here are my recommendations for future songs from these artists: Dave Edmunds, "I Hear You Knocking" (1970) Brinsley Schwarz, "Peace, Love, and Understanding" (1974; Nick Lowe writes and sings it) NIck Lowe, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" (1978; NIck's biggest UK hit, reaching #7) Dave Edmunds, "Girls Talk" (1979) Also, I don't know how much Elvis Costello you've done, but obviously there's a lot to cover there. So if this leads you to that, all the better. (And yes, it's amusing that this leads to my mentioning Elvis Costello when I see your next reaction is an Elvis Presley tune. Purely a coincidence, but still cool.)
This is actually by a group called Rockpile. The guitarist wearing the purple jacket is the equally talented Dave Edmunds and they alternate name credits depending on who wrote the song. You should check Dave out, some great songs for you to review !
Fun song and Nick Lowe is a very respected artist. Listen to 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" by Elvis Costello who is a fantastic artist if you've never heard him. It was written and produced by Nick Lowe. I think you will love it for the music and the message!
Fun! Another terrific Nick Lowe track is “I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Great tune, hilarious lyrics, and the music video for it is loads of fun too.
I saw him back in August open for Elvis Costello - he wrote Elvis’s hit, “My Aim is True,” also known as “Allison.” That’s another love ballad you guys should hit.
This video featured footage from Nick and Carlene Carter’s actual wedding. He is an amazing and underrated songsmith and he’s still a phenomenal performer, in his 70’s. I’ve seen him many times over the years since 1980. Most recently with this past summer with Elvis Costello. If you want to hear the versatility in his songwriting, check out “The Beast in Me” ( originally written for his former father in law, Johnny Cash) or “I Live On A Battlefield.”
Pure ear candy from underground rock royalty. That’s Rockpile as the backing band including Dave Edmunds who is amazing in his own English rockabilly way. Nick produced the first five Elvis Costello records and the two shared many a song. Love these guys
ROCKPILE!!! :) No matter what each member did in their solo career, the other members of Rockpile where in their videos or on the recordings.
Welsh rockabilly, perhaps, but definitely not English!
LOVE and miss Rockpile, one of the greatest “what if” bands ever.
I was lucky enough to see Rockpile/Nick Lowe/Dave Edmonds a few times! The masters! 🤩🤩
@@rickmancr lol, didn’t expect to get called out on that 😂 Don’t tell my relly’s in Cardiff
The bride is his real wife at the time Carlene Carter, also a singer songwriter and daughter of the late June Carter Cash. Her step dad was Johnny Cash. Nick Lowe is a master producer, Elvis Costello and the Pretenders just two of his artists. He is a real renaissance man.
Maximum points, Cecilia! You got it all covered.
Johnny Cash definitely collected some amazingly talented (former) sons in law. Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, and Nick Lowe.
Nick Lowe is a solo artist - but his band Rockpile is backing him here. This is an AWESOME power pop song from 1979! One of the best songs from that era!
Teacher Teacher👍
Lowe was a member and songwriter playing in bass in pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz which was a band named after its lead guitarist. Most of the Brins went on to back another famous pub rocker, Graham Parker, as the Rumour.
Calling Rockpile “his band” is a misnomer, as it was the pairing of Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds that created a special magic for Rockpile, and solo albums by both artists.
Nick Lowe is also a member of three chord (if necessary) “supergroup” Little Village, including John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner.
@@scottlafleur4148 crawling from the Wreckage
Two other Nick Lowe classics you should try: “I knew the bride when she used to rock’n’roll” and “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?”
As already mentioned he was Johnny Cash’s son in law.
Another fun fact: after David Bowie brought out an LP called “Low” Nick Low called his next LP “Bowi”
"Peace Love and Understanding" was Elvis Costello. Great song.
@@bethmiller1840 You're right, "What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding" was recorded and played by Elvis and the Attractions. The song was written by Lowe, who also produced the LP on which it appeared, Armed Forces, for EC & the Attractions.
And the music video for the song was shot in Vancouver, BC - fun to see local sights in the shots, starting with Stanley Park.
ua-cam.com/video/Ssd3U_zicAI/v-deo.html
@@parissimons6385 I didn't know that. Thanks!
It’s Nick Lowe with an E, which is why he called his record Bowi without the E.
@@gotham61 yes I know! Only spotted the mistake after I’d posted the comment
Nick Lowe has been hugely influential, even if mostly behind the scene. His work with Dave Edmonds, Elvis Costello and others truly changed the British Pop Scene. ✌️
Yep - Basher...
"Cruel to Be Kind" was originally written by Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm while in Brinsley Schwarz, having been recorded as a demo during this period. Lowe stated, "I wrote that when I was with a band, Brinsley Schwarz, that I was with from the early '70s to about the mid-'70s. ... We recorded it on a demo, it never came out, and when I signed to Columbia Records the A&R man [Gregg Geller] there at the time suggested I record it again. And I didn't think it would do anything, but he kind of bullied me into it." Lowe recorded the song with his band Rockpile; he recalled, "I said, 'Boys, I'm sorry, I've got this song which I've been told we've got to record, and it goes like this.' They grumbled a bit about it."
Musically, the song was originally closer to a soul style. Lowe later said, “Initially... the inspiration was a song I loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost', and the bass line was the same... we loved that Philly disco stuff from the 70's, The O'Jays, all that stuff, we loved that... I can't really remember much about recording it. It was just another tune that we did, you know, and I sent it over to New York to Gregg and said, Uhh, will this do?'" In more recent live versions, Lowe has performed the song closer to "The Love I Lost"; he explained, "How I do it now sounds quite different. In fact, it was on the radio the other day and I was quite amazed how differently I do it now".
"Cruel to Be Kind" proved to be Lowe's most successful American single. Lowe reflected on this, "When I had my couple of hits, I sort of felt like I was ticking a box more than, 'Great, I'm off now on a chart-topping career.' I felt that in order to do what I wanted to do, I had to do certain things, and one of them was to have a hit in my own right. At least one. I managed two or three, if you take in Europe. But in the United States, where it really matters, I had one hit and people still remember it, and it's a pretty good little song, you know?" Lowe continues to perform the song live and still looks favorably upon the song, saying, "I really love it. It cheers people up. ... If they're good songs, they really will stand the test of time".
Ian Gomm had a hit called"Hold on", which is an awesome song
After this hit was going back down the charts Dave Edmunds released " Girl's Talk. " Both songs should have been under the band's name " Rockpile. " I found it really strange at the time. Anyhow, great music.
It really does sound early 70s. Now I know why!
OMG you guys, I couldn't click this fast enough. This was one of my favorite songs when I was young. I sang along at the top of my lungs. Thank you for doing it. Glad you enjoyed it.
Same! I LOVED this song when I was 9-10 years old and would get so excited when it came on the radio.
@@wendyjenae Hi Wendy, I just commented about my memory of being 9-10 years old when this was out in the UK :) We must be the same age :) xx
@@laineydavey The same age and have the same awesome taste in music!
Me to mate, top song
One of the first records I bought 😁
NIck Lowe was one of the PIONEERS of new wave and synth music in the late 70s/early 80s. This was his biggest hit (in 1979), but I also recommend "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass". Now, if you want to continue down this road, PLEASE check out Gary Numan, whose sound at the time was REVOLUTIONARY. His songs "Cars" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" were mind blowing for those of us whose brains were accustomed to rock and disco. It's because of Nick and Gary and bands like Depeche Mode that synth music exploded all over the world! (And aren't we all better for it???)
Yes, I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass is great!
Can never get sick of Cars. Nothing like it before or since.
I've always loved this song - of course Dave Edmunds (whom I love as well) was the lead guitarist (of Rockpile) - see "Girls Talk" (ua-cam.com/video/S4TzjRFfsJs/v-deo.html ) and "Queen of Hearts" (ua-cam.com/video/qy2HdKaP1EU/v-deo.html ). In terms of Gary Numan, "Are Friends Electric?" was the first synth single I ever purchased (which was interesting as they had a non-electronic analogue drum kit!).
@@jethro1963 I love Gary Numan's "Cars" but it was never the same after UK comedian Bill Bailey (who is a brilliant musician) covered it (in French) playing the main theme on car horns (ua-cam.com/video/4F4gDAP5JgI/v-deo.html )! 🤣
Was involved in punk, produced the first punk hit New Rose by the Damned plus all those great records with Elvis Costello BUT he is not a synth pioneer!! Would love a reaction to Cars though and Tubeway Army
"Cruel to be kind" is from Shaekspeare's "Hamlet" where the Price criticizes his Mother, for remarrying after his Father's "mysterious death".
Nick Lowe, a great talent in music, and producing. I've seen him Live.
His three band members, who play other roles in the video were collectively known as Rockpile. they made only one album, in 1980, "Seconds of Pleasure" is an amazing album!
I wore that cassette tape out back in the day!
Thanks for the Shakespeare reference. IDK that. As you probably already know Rockpile, as a group, made several albums together, but because of contractual conflicts with Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds they had to credit those records of one or the other’s names.
@@ChasBeauregarde Yes. They should be in the Rock Hall -on my personal list!
43 years later and I STILL remember the words. Can't even tell you the last time I heard it but I was 9 when it came out in 1979. Nick Lowe is a UK artist with bandmates. It was actually written for the band he was in prior to and it never got released. He signed with a new label and they bullied him into re-recording it. It was inspired by a song that he loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost'.
I'm a big fan of Nick Lowe and I recently just saw him in concert opening up for Elvis Costello in September 2022. He sounds as good as ever. This song is Pop perfect. I never get tired of it, ever.
Lucky! What a line- up.
I saw him live a couple of years ago, in a relatively intimate setting. He performed this, plus a bunch of covers, alongside Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather-Low. Three very talented men.
@@ToniMcGinty saw Paul Carrack in ' 19 @ The Palladium in London. Agreed, he's amazing.
@@dolphinbear661 He's a bit non-descript when talking (perfectly pleasant, just a bit lacking in personality), but what a voice! I saw him again this summer at a Festival. He was on around 6pm. 4 hours later: Squeeze. Gutted that he didn't come on to do Tempted with them. But he did his version and then they did theirs.
@@ToniMcGinty wow, Squeeze, also indescribably great. I was fortunate enough to see them live WAY back in the day, wanna say it was about 1987 or 88 in a small college in Virginia and danced all night. Will never forget it!
Cruel to be kind = tough love. You have to tell the harsh truth in order to grow and experience an honest relationship.
1980's. It's a single artist by the name of Nick Lowe
Or S&M!!
79 but your close 80s Kid
It's a Shakespeare line
Other ways to say the same thing. Tough Love, Brutally Honest, Don't Sugar Coat It.
The lyrics make it sound less like tough love and more like the person he's singing about is trying to justify their abuse. "I pick myself up off the ground to have you knock me back down again and again".
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "So It Goes", "I Knew the Bride(When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)", "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" and "Switchboard Susan"!!!
edit- that's his real life wife Carlene Carter(from 1979 to 1990), a singer. I have one of her albums. You would like Carlene's "Two Sides To Every Woman".
Carlene Carter is the daughter of June Carter Cash, from June's first marriage. Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds belonged to Rockpile, and ALL Rockpile's songs are just as catchy as this!
Also "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass". Pretty much all of Jesus of Cool.
Here in Australia Dave Edmonds charted in 1978 with I knew The Bride
My choices: 36 Inches High, She Don't Love Nobody Rose of England and All Men Are Liars.
This video has actual footage from his wedding to Carlene Carter mixed in. I've always loved Nick Lowe and this song in particular.
By the way, from Songfacts:
"Lowe cribbed the phrase 'cruel to be kind' from Shakespeare, who used it in Hamlet:
I must be cruel only to be kind
Thus bad begins and worse remains behind"
Awesome, thanks for the Shakespeare reference. Hamlet's chock full of wisdom and quotable lines - yet I didn't remember that this came from it. 🙂
So basically Tough Love? Is that right? That how I've always thought of this song, which I absolutely LOVE💕
I heard it's about S&M.
@@cathyortiz1280 you've been reading to much shades🤣
@@aveemarie268 No, it was in a Rolling Stone Mag interview with him.
Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds had their own band that they formed to play on one another's albums - including this song - called Rockpile. A classic pub band.
Oh man. I still rock out to Dave Edmunds' "Slippin' Away".
Those guys, Dr. Feelgood, and Ian Dury. First rate!
@@Shrykespeare Slippin Away is fantastic.
I remember Rockpile! Awesome. 👍
@@petestaint8312 Pete's Taint? That's outstanding. Funny stuff.
This is such a catchy song. All over the radio at the time. It was covered in one of my guilty pleasure movies "Ten Things I Hate About You."
I was going to say that every time I hear this song I think of that movie. It is in my top 10 go to movies. I have watched it SO many times! I love Heath Ledger in it.
I would strongly recommend 10 things I hate about you for your movie channel and it has a great soundtrack too
Thanks for mentioning "Ten Things I Hate About You." I thought it was just me. 🙂
Letters to Cleo is the band that covered it in 10 Things I Hate About You😀
Letters to Cleo (with Save Ferris) did a great job with this song in that movie, also one of my guilty pleasures. Nick Lowe’s original is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Now you need to listen to his buddy, Dave Edmunds "I Hear You Knocking". Together they were Rockpile.
This song was in “Ten Things I Hate About You” during the prom scene
"Cruel To Be Kind" by Nick Lowe, was released as a single in 1979. In 1981, the music video for this song was among the earliest music videos ever aired on MTV.
One of my favorite songs ever!!! It’s so catchy!!!
Agreed its so catchy
Agree. One of my favorite songs too.
Love this song.
Great cover of this by Letters to Cleo in the movie 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, which you MUST watch.
When your crude to be kind you're being honest, brutally honest with a person, examples: your friend asked how she looks in her new dress, in reality, she looks dumpy but she's expecting you to tell her she looks fine instead your cruel to be kind by telling her honestly that she should change outfits. You tell someone you know their breath stinks that's cruel on the surface but in the long run, it's kind.
The first time I ever heard the chorus of this song, I thought it was the band America. The harmonies and the melody sounds almost exactly like Gerry Beckley singing lead.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Thanks for reacting to it.
Labour of Lust is one of the best albums of the 1970's. Everything on it is a total banger. Welcome to the Rockpile rabbit hole.
100% true ! .. That album is still one of my very favourites of all time .. As you say, it's chock full of bangers .. Totally love it !
"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" is my favorite Nick Lowe song. However, in the TV show "The Magicians", in the penultimate episode, the cast is under a spell where they do this song. Pretty cool. They also do The Ramone's "I Wanna Be Sedated".
One of my favorite songs from when I switched from AM Top 40 to FM Rock (and later New Wave). I was 14 in ‘79 and I felt that’s the 80s were going to bring something new in music. The Cars, The Police, Blondie, Squeeze. You could just sense a new era.❤
This is a 1979 hit that has a 60's feel to it. Awesome!
I was a freshman in high school when Lowe released this. We sang this on the way to football games on the bus.
Haven't heard this song since I was a kid, so I forgot how much I like it!! Love his voice..
The women he married is Carlene Carter stepdaughter of Johnny Cash. She also is a singer who had some hits in the 90s. Her and Nick recorded a few songs together also.
As has been said already Nick Lowe was a pioneer along with Dave Edmunds and Rock Pile. Dave Edmunds is a phenominal guitarist (he plays the chauffeur) I had all their albums and loved Dave especially.
Nick Lowe is freaking cool as hell. "Little Hitler", "half A Boy & Half A Man", "I Knew The Bride(When She Used To Rock And Roll)", are good songs. He was also in a collaborative band called Rockville which also featured Dave Edmunds. Speaking of Dave you guys should check out his songs "I Hear You Knocking'" and "Almost Saturday Night"
Rockpile. Yup, its about time someone did Dave Edmunds. I'll add in "Crawling From The Wreckage", "Queen Of Hearts" and "Girls Talk".
He had 6 or 7 songs I really love and adore but this was my favorite he did. Appreciate you all giving it some spotlight
Great song, great video for this as well. A different Nick altogether, Nick Gilder, Hot Child in the City, is a late 70s one hit wonder that is worth a listen.
Heck yeah! Jay and Amber would love that.
Agree another great song!
One of the best power pop songs and artists ever! The lyrics are tongue in cheek.
Underrated classic.
Nick Lowe has a whole catalog of later tunes, most about the experiences of being an older guy. Very funny and relatable to us old guys. “A better man”, “The Club”, “I trained her to love me”, some of the titles.
One of my favorite songs,love me some nick.
Nick Lowe is a person. Nick was a person in a band called Rockpile. The band you see in this video is Rockpile. It's complicated. Legal stuff I think.
Nick Lowe is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and producer. His discography consists of 14 studio albums, 1 live album, 3 EPs, 23 singles, and 6 compilations. In addition, he has been a performer and producer on numerous albums by other artists.
He recorded with Dave Edmunds (check him out too, try his 1st hit "I Hear You Knockin") and they briefly had the band Rockpile. Nick wrote the big hit for Elvis Costello - What's So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding.
@@lovman The man who wrote the impassioned What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding also wrote icky-sick Marie Provost. Since these two liked the Bay City Rollers they also should check out Lowe's brilliant "Rollers Show".
Dave wouldn’t thank you for calling him English. He’s actually from Cardiff, Wales. Great performer and much respected along with Nick Lowe.
It’s from the Wikipedia
I was 13 when I bought the 45, single it does my heart well to c this young people listening to this awesome song rock on Rockpile
Lowe may be best known as the producer of Elvis Costello’s first several albums (which include Costello covering Lowe’s song “What’s so Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding”). You should check out Watching the Detectives or Allison by Elvis Costello.
I love this tune. One of my faves. He’s such a good songwriter and has produced some classic tunes! Check out a chum of his, Elvis Costello’s songs from the late 70s… "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?", Watching The Detectives, Accidents Will Happen, Every Day I Write The Book, Shipbuilding, I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea, I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down... Great post-punk, new wave tunes!
Thanks for stayiing in tyhe 70s Rob Squad This was a huge hit in March 1978 The same year as Grease the Movie and the song Hold the Line By Toto Love your videos Very sweet couple and Family,, Take Care, ,Amber you would have fit into the 70s so groovy Baby,
Great old band from the 70's, with Nick Lowe, & Dave Edmunds (purple jacket) sharing lead vocal duties on their other songs!!
Absolutely, irresistibly, catchy track, the history of which is well documented in the comments. Still sounds great after hundreds of listens.
Thank you, Thank you guys!! First Nick Lowe reaction I've seen! He was a great singer/songwriter in his own right. I LOVED his band Rockpile with Dave Edmunds. But, he was also a brilliant producer for Elvis Costello , Graham Parker and the like. Please react to Elvis Costello s video 'What's so funny about Peace Love and Understanding' written by Nick.. Love you guys!
Ahh this brings me back to my middle school days where I spent many hours dancing to music in my basement, including this tune!
I give this a high rating as one of the catchiest songs. To me, those background vocals have always sounded like the band America.
👏👏👏👏I think you two understand what the meaning of this song is. I understand it as someone who loves you enough to be brutally honest with you by telling you the truth even though the truth might hurt them but actually the truth is intended to help someone. Some people can't handle the truth in some cases. I believe that is what this song is about. I don't know the whole background of this song or inspiration. Just what I think until someone tells me differently. Enjoyed your reaction! ☮💕
Agreed
That's how I feel too. "Being cruel" because you speak the hard truth that your loved one may not WANT to hear, but they NEED to hear it.
This song is a perfect song. It's always been one of my favorite songs ever. It's just a great song to sing along to.
Nick Lowe was a staple of my teenage years. I had this on vinyl, it was released In 1978. And in the video to this song was of his actual wedding to his first wife. You guys need to check out his "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" 1978, it sounds very different to "Cruel To Be Kind", but it was one of my favourite songs from that era (still is tbh).
❤🎶🎼🎙
I ADORE Nick Lowe. I saw him with Los Straitjackets in August, and it was so good and definitely soothing to a soul that needed it in that moment.
Other Nick Lowe songs to try include "All Men Are Liars," "Switchboard Susan," "So It Goes" and "Lately I've Let Things Slide."
I adore this song! It's so catchy and fun. I still have the album I bought in the 80s.
Great song! Quite obscure and very old.
I love, love, love this song, and hardly no one knows it today.
Now I feel the urge to listen to some old Elvis Costello records.
Take me back to Junior High 6th grade . One of those great tunes to sing along with on the radio.
I am SO happy you reacted to this! There were a whole bunch of artists that played in each other's bands in the late '70's to mid '80's in England that also recorded understeer own names and groups. Would LOVE for you to react to more Nick Lowe (I Knew The Bride), Dave Edmunds (Girls Talk), Ian Dury (Reasons To Be Cheerful), Elvis Costello (What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love And Understanding, Radio Radio), Wreckless Eric (Whole Wide World), Madness (One Step Beyond, Our House). It would be great if you would give these a listen. I really think you would enjoy these! Have a great day!
What's So Funny was written by Nick Lowe, too.
@@QuicknStraight - That's my aboslute most favorite song ever. I love Elvis Costellos version on Armed Forces
Sometimes as my son grew up I would have to tell him to do something or learn something he didn't really enjoy. When he would ask "Dad, why do I need to do that?" I would sing him the chorus from this song... lol. :) Even now, years later, and I tell him some advice that he doesn't want to hear I may add on this ditty at the end. :)
This song came out in 1978. I was 13. Good memories. So many good songs came out that year!
1978 was an awesome year for music for sure !!
@@rpminc1974 Totos Hold the line and Sultions of swing Diar Straits From 1978 And 100s of others
I was 9 and I still like this song.
I've been a fan of Nick Lowe since noticing his name on an Elvis Costello album. I believe there are 2 reasons for his long career making music. First is the royalties for a cover version of his song '(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding' on the soundtrack album for the film 'The Bodyguard'. That album sold 45 million copies. The other reason is the income from his work as an album producer in the '80s for major artists and bands.
Best song of late 1979!!!🎉
I got to meet Nick at a show and have to say he was absolutely wonderful. He's one of my favorites even though he never had tons of mainstream hits.
The video for "Cruel to be Kind" was the 67th video to air on MTV and is a combination of actual footage of Lowe's wedding to Carlene Carter,[10] as well as a humorous re-enactment of the wedding, featuring Carter as herself, Dave Edmunds as their limo driver,[10] Terry Williams as the photographer, Billy Bremner as the baker, and Jake Riviera (Nick's manager at the time) as the best man. The wedding took place on August 18, 1979, at the Tropicana Motel in West Hollywood. All family stayed there for the wedding and reception (also featured in the video). Filming for the video took so long that Lowe was actually late to the wedding.
Can't thank you enough for reacting to this song.
It was literally one of the very first songs ..I learned the words to ..when I was very young.
Always been a very memorable song for me.
One of my very first exposures..to great music.
A person never forgets those..great memories!.
I've always loved this song! It puts a smile on my face and makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs! A great driving song!
Nick Lowe was in the band Rockpile. You would,like their song “Teacher, Teacher”.
"I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock and Roll)" is a fun Nick Lowe song, remarkable because it is rockabilly, and he's British. You'd never guess he wasn't an American from the South. As for "Cruel to Be Kind", I interpret it as a song about "tough love", indicated by some of the phrases, such "cruel to be kind in the right measure" (measured and restrained by love, not malicious), "cruel to be kind, it's a very good sign", "cruel to be kind means that I loved you". As for the negative statements, I see them as the way the recipient of "tough love" might interpret the actions of the person who is trying to help them.
This was popular when I was teenager! Loved this song!
May I suggest ‘That’s What I Like About You’ by the Romantics (you’ve reacted to them once) you’ll be dancing in your seats! and ‘Mayor of Simpleton’ by XTC- sweet song sweet sentiment …both are ‘80’s tunes
Wow. Song was from the late 70's when he married June Carter Cash. The wedding incl her are depicted in the original MTVvideo incl Dave Edmunds as the limo driver. (She is D-I-L of Johnny Cash). He was a famouis songwriter for Elvis Costello, John Hiatt amd others besdies cutting over 10 albums himself.
Nick Lowe was in a band with Dave Edmunds called Rockpile. You should check out “Teacher, Teacher” by Rockpile. And Dave Edmunds has a great catalogue of his own. “Girls Talk” is a great Fave Edmunds song.
I was 13 when this song came out. It’s a staple for my teenage years. I love seeing people appreciate it.
Great tune!!! 👍🏼 Played many times in my youth. 🤟😝🤘
Thank you for listening, and enjoying!!! 👊🏼
Oh I love that song. So cute, great melody, great lyrics. Perfect pop confection.
The guy singing was Nick Lowe. The band was collectively known as Rockpile. They did one album under that name. The guy dressed up as the limo driver was Dave Edmunds. The four of them did albums together under either Nick or Dave’s name. They were most popular during the early 1980’s.
The STIFF Records label had some of the best artists of the late 70's / early 80's. BE STIFF!
If it ain't STIFF, it ain't worth a....
@@thisnicelady
Yes! Exactly! 🤣🤣🤣😉
Don't forget I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll by Nick Lowe
This came out during the height of disco, so this stuck out bigtime. This and " Chuck Es In Love" seemed to be out of a different universe lol
Nick Lowe and Rockpile opened for Blondie in '79. It was the first concert I ever went to. Thanks for the memories.
At last you stumbled into british pub-rock.....there's a lot to discover.....Nick Lowe, Rockpile, Dave Edmunds, Ian Gomm, Dr. Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe, Kilburn and the High Roads, Joe Jackson, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Brinsley Schwarz, Eggs Over Easy, Nine Below Zero, Bees Make Honey, Count Bishops, The 101'ers, Help Yourself, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, Dire Straits, Graham Parker and the Rumour, The Inmates, Solid Senders, Steve Gibbons Band, etc.......great, great music !!!.......thank you !
Nick Lowe wrote the Elvis Costello classic "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding"--well worth a reaction.
One of my favorite songs still today. Cruel to be kind was a huge hit in 1979. This song seemed like it played every 10 minutes on the radio. Even though I wasn't even a teenager back then this song has always stuck with me.
"I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll" is a great Nick Lowe song, telling a story which I think you'll like. I'd love to see your reaction to it! Greetings from Yorkshire,, UK.
Nick Lowe is a guy. He was in a band called Rockpile and they had a hit with Teacher, Teacher, a similar vibe to Cruel to be Kind.
Rockpile had a similar style artist named Dave Edmunds who had several solo hits in the UK, and a small hit in the US with a song called Slipping Away in the early 80s. You'll probably like that one too. This genre is currently called Pub Rock, with artists like Elvis Costello, Dr. Feelgood, Ian Dury, Graham Parker, and some of Dire Straits and Squeeze.
Cool, this has been going through my head as of late. It's great to see you guys reacting to it.
Seen him back in 78. They were on the ticket with Mink DeVille and the headliner was Elvis Costello.
In my opinion, Nick Lowe stole the show.
I've been a fan since then.
Get this, the concert cost 99 cents for 3 bands. Circle Theater Indianapolis Ind.
Great memory.
Thanks for reacting to him/ them
This is still a bop after all these years.
Nick Lowe also wrote "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" which was a big song for Elvis Costello in 1979.
One the greatest songs of its era. Pop-savvy and poignant. Good that it's getting some current appreciation.
Poignant? 🤨
@@merlball8520 Yeah, poignant in the realization that you have to risk hurting someone you care about sometimes to say the needed thing. I'd say the lyrics are rather deep for a pop song. So yes, poignant
The sign on the screen at the beginning of the song is the U.K.'s influential punk and new wave record label. They were the first to release a punk song "New Rose" by the Damned in1976. I was in college and had just discovered the sound breaking in England and have been a lover of the sounds ever since. The statement from the label was " If it ain't Stiff, it ain't worth a fu..k."
It's both an artist AND a band! This is actually the band Rockpile, which featured Nick (bass) and Dave Edmunds (guitars). However, because both Nick and Dave had had solo careers before forming the group in 1976, they were signed to different labels and so the group couldn't record as "Rockpile" (which was the title of Dave's 1972 album) until *1980* , when the deals were up.
So Nick and Dave both released "solo" records that were pretty much Rockpile content; all the members of the group (including 2nd guitarist Billy Bremner and drummer Terry Williams) played on all the songs on both albums. And the records were released simultaneously in 1979; the songs where Nick sings are on "Nick's" album, the ones with Dave singing are on "Dave's".
This was Nick's hit; Dave's hit was "Girls Talk". Nick reached #12 on both the US and UK charts; Dave hit #4 in the UK, but didn't chart in the US. (Dave was a star in the UK; he'd had a #1 hit "I Hear You Knocking" back in 1970.)
So, after this, FINALLY their solo deals ran out, and they were free to record as Rockpile. At which point they made ONE album (officially) as a band…and broke up. Huh.
Elvis Costello was a friend of the band; the 2nd-most famous song Nick ever wrote was "Peace Love and Understanding", which he'd recorded with his previous band, Brinsley Schwarz, back in 1974, but it wasn't a hit until Elvis did a cover. And Elvis wrote "Girls Talk" for Dave. (Dave is not a songwriter.)
So, thanks to Wikipedia for all the details (I didn't remember ALL of that off the top of my head, lol!), and if you had trouble sorting through the text, here are my recommendations for future songs from these artists:
Dave Edmunds, "I Hear You Knocking" (1970)
Brinsley Schwarz, "Peace, Love, and Understanding" (1974; Nick Lowe writes and sings it)
NIck Lowe, "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" (1978; NIck's biggest UK hit, reaching #7)
Dave Edmunds, "Girls Talk" (1979)
Also, I don't know how much Elvis Costello you've done, but obviously there's a lot to cover there. So if this leads you to that, all the better.
(And yes, it's amusing that this leads to my mentioning Elvis Costello when I see your next reaction is an Elvis Presley tune. Purely a coincidence, but still cool.)
This is actually by a group called Rockpile. The guitarist wearing the purple jacket is the equally talented Dave Edmunds and they alternate name credits depending on who wrote the song. You should check Dave out, some great songs for you to review !
One of my favorites! Thanks for covering!
Fun song and Nick Lowe is a very respected artist. Listen to 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" by Elvis Costello who is a fantastic artist if you've never heard him. It was written and produced by Nick Lowe. I think you will love it for the music and the message!
Fun! Another terrific Nick Lowe track is “I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Great tune, hilarious lyrics, and the music video for it is loads of fun too.
He wrote "Peace, Love and Understanding." Elvis Costello made it famous, but you should listen to his version, It is also great.
I saw him back in August open for Elvis Costello - he wrote Elvis’s hit, “My Aim is True,” also known as “Allison.” That’s another love ballad you guys should hit.
This video featured footage from Nick and Carlene Carter’s actual wedding. He is an amazing and underrated songsmith and he’s still a phenomenal performer, in his 70’s. I’ve seen him many times over the years since 1980. Most recently with this past summer with Elvis Costello. If you want to hear the versatility in his songwriting, check out “The Beast in Me” ( originally written for his former father in law, Johnny Cash) or “I Live On A Battlefield.”