Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

[craziesful]

bill from left 4 dead ?

[TriumphT140]

This song always reminds me of pop. After he died and I had to hack into his email to notify people it wasn't hard, his password was Vincent. I owe my love, respect, and passion for motorcycles, especially English bikes to him.

[ericl777]

My favorite song for 20+ years now. Nothing tops it for me. Thanks RT!

[WatTyler13]

500+ likes. No dislikes. Surely some kind of record? Testimony, too, to the power of Thompson that even trolling, hating wankers can't bring themselves to give it a thumbs down.

[PiratePTG]

I just downloaded both the "Live from Austin" version and the "Action Packed" digital remix from Amazon. Get the Live version. "Action Packed" sounds horrible! WAAAAY too digitally processed. I don't know who was mastering it but OMG! It's so tinny and no depth to the music. Sounds like it was mixed in somebody's bathroom.

However, if you REALLY, REALLY like this song, get a YouTube converter and grab a copy of this video. It has the best sound of any version I've heard anywhere, period!

[boogieeck]

A rare thing, a RT song with a happy ending when the thieving little shit gets killed.

[lastdaysguitar]

RT fan for decades - FAVORITED!!!

[poloball23]

check out reckless kelly's version

[vinnieagogo]

I drooled on a Vincent!

In Mean Marshalls Motorcycles when he was in Berkeley Ca.

He didn't kick my ass till later years..

[Joltzz1985]

One of my top10 songs in music history. Magical man Thompson is. He has ever element of a musician that grabs you ya know? Is it even surprising that it brings some to tears? Not at all my friends.

[durhamy]

Great appreciation of Richard Thompson for writing this classic and his original composition of it. So many others have since put their own rendition to it - Del MacCoury's is probably next best known. Check out a really good version of it on my channel by the Solina Road Bluegrass Band.

[matt06830]

Respond to this video... 

[lilundgren1]

Fantastic tune, fantastically played, fantastic guy...Richard Thompson.

[ChrisPeoria]

Angels came down to him dressed in leather and chrome wow

[tartanoverlord]

anybody who rides a motorbike can relate to this brilliant & passionate song "LIVE TO RIDE RIDE TO LIVE "

[supersport755]

Just love it!!!!



[supersport755]

Just love it!!!!

[GoatBeach]

Oh, Studebaker Dave, I miss you so much. The nights around a fire listening to this tune, the stars overhead, the goats bleating on the hill, the dog at your feet...

[ramonthe3rd]

bravoooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooo

[FENNYMAN]

I haven't looked for a while but the last time I did I couldn't find it on an album. Any developments?

[Cleapatr]

@FENNYMAN It's on "Rumor and Sigh" or the "Action Packed" compilation

[jackydoesit]

First time hearin the song was today... Heard a Del McCoury band version... I love when the music I listen to constantly helps me discover artists and songs like this!! I forgot every trouble in my life the last 3 times I've listened to this!

[masmith1960]

They say one only needs plenty of practise to play like this. I say there are only a few who God gave the ability to play and sing like this.

[dogdogcatful]

@masmith1960 OK well a few months ago I wouldn't have a hope in hell in playing this and I'm on my way to being able to play the whole thing.... so I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.

[FENNYMAN]

@dogdogcatful and presumably we have to take your word for it and trust your judgement.... :)

[dogdogcatful]

@FENNYMAN Hey practice makes perfect, but I did realise there's a whole load of things I'm not doing when  I play it. So it's gonna take me longer than I thought....

[Theo88o]

Ive been listening to RT ever since I was about 8yrs old and my dad got me into his music. Nothing compares to his writing or guitar playing. NOTHING!

[honeychurchgipsy]

@Theo88o my brother played this for me in his old van one night about 6 yrs ago and I've been a fan ever since. still can't listen to "and he gave her one last kiss and died, and he gave her his Vincent to ride..."

[Theo88o]

Absolutely the best songwriter of mondern day and for the rest of time!

[yourfriendphinex]

chills...

[chrisinajar]

Nearly 86 thousand views. Zero dislikes. No further discussion needed.

[craigmacnaughton]

If I had one of these, I'd give it...

[fivethumbsfrank]

My Dad was called James, He road triumphs in the 50's and 60's He always talked about Vincent bikes and how He always wanted one. He rode around the cafe's in the area this song mentions, He died a few years back on a track day and brands hatch on his incoming lap, He didn't crash the bike slowed down His heart stopped the bike came to a stop lay down on its side and He was gone. He would not have wanted it any other way. Richard Thomson wrote a masterpiece that for me is about my Dad.

[paddywhackrn]

I just got back in from riding my Triumph. Not a Vincent, but my girlfriend's color scheme is red this week.

[LIVINGWITHWAR1]

Genius! What a song!

[pingpongmovies]

Finally, a good music video without dislikes? Has the world finally got some taste or is this just a coincidence??

[mynameisbatty1988]

i like this live version more than all the others hes got heart n i love it amazing song showed to me by the love of my life

[StefMc1981]

dick gaughans version is better than this version but i cant find it anywhere on youtube

[debkakes]

I'm not ashamed to say: I tear up EVERY time I hear this song, live or recorded. This is a fabulous video of him. Thank you!!!

[markkymark71]

The singer and guitarist's are great on this. O its just Richard Thompson

[lungsounds]

ah jane...... thank u,,,, she knows

[Kilchattan7]

said it before, the man with three hands and a capo

[dante81nomads]

AWESOME TUNE'S

[yesihavenocigarettes]

Ha! @ 3:34 - dude in audience sings along and peeps beside him don't likey too much . lol.

[mattthetoadlicker]

This is one of the most beautiful stories ever played by a musician in modern times. A true bard...

[auto4union]

Nice one posting this back on ! I downloaded this version just before it was taking off before and was well relieved ! You must`ve posted this no long after that ! What a song,What a guy,What a `bike ! Peace Ye`all !!

[michaeljehn]

Show 'em how it's done, Mr. Thompson!

[mrodrigu]

Can't wait till Brussels gig in Feb'11!

[theoakwoodguy]

He got a little friskier on the guitar than earlier versions . . . I really enjoy his guitar playing, as well as this great song!

[hmsgambia]

and he gave her one last kiss and died and he gave her his vincent to ride !!!!! amazing love it what a song what a story

[sittinghare]

... if fate should break my stride. Incredible songwriter.

[mollieie]

Thanks for posting. Looking forward to ACLFEST this Sunday!

[troopersnoots]

Gona see him in Salford in January 2011 can't wait, pure genious.

[phillyjewel]

What a beautiful live version... Deep appreciation from this black-leather-clad red-headed girl. Thank you for posting.

[eddhartley1]

@phillyjewel The guy is a god great live version.

[razzycaz]

Bass, rythem, and  lead, all from one dude! Who needs a band?

[jackoxpass]

now that's what i call fingerpicking! i've loved following RT's career ever since his Fairport days and Henry The Human Fly, but this song is just, well ..... spectacular! love it. thanks for posting.

[Galapagosguy]

Stunning musical work with two of my favorite things - superb fingerpicking guitar and a timeless motorcycle. Cheers!

[Kenentigern7]

Pour Paulina

[mmcdonn2]

Where's the X Factor now? Thank God real class lie this never goes before those asshole "judges"!

[snakelady666]

someone very special introduced me to this song. now, i absolutely love it.

[plentyplus1]

i have never been able to listen to this song without crying. fucking amazing tune!

[DocShippers]

Bona Fide genius.

[phoebewilkinson]

ABSOLUTELY superb  - in all respects

[phoebewilkinson]

......Goosebumps - big ones....

[brettsontfarrey]

Richard is an incredible songwriter and guitarist, and ridiculously underrated. A great great talent!

[jackoxpass]

@brettsontfarrey so true. i've never understood when people talk about the great guitarists, why they don't add RT. anyway, my hat's off to him.

[pjotr60dvd]

@jackoxpass Because most people don't know him. And he doesn't seem to mind a lot either. But all due respect, he should be at no. 1. I saw him perform 5 times, each time I was listening in awe. Wooow!!!

[recordsare]

very cool...blessings forever....

[77droog77]

red hair and black leather .. my favourite colour scheme

[banjoist123]

I'm just learning about Thompson/Fairport/Dave Swarbrick through US bluegrass. (The McCourys cover this tune). I was a fan of Steeleye Span back in the 70s without even knowing their relationship to Fairport. Now, I think Thompson et al are just the best. FC at Maidstone is amazing. Strong connection between bluegrass/Appalachian rural southern mountain and British folk.

[maico125]

I can almost see the Ace Cafe.....

[2010DarkDevilUK]

Great song and great bike

[grelb59]

gary enbrecht

[steadynow911]

awsome

[thpaine1950]

Red hair and black leather, that's my favourite colour scheme

[AsWeGoHomestead]

Absolutely fantastic video. I really enjoyed this one! Thanks for sharing this one.

[Urmmeyeswideopen]

I know !

[swamper45]

Fantastic!

[ItsCabs]

nothing (much) more shattering than to look around and see the tear drenched cheeks on every bike rider in the crowd. every time! sing this one at my funeral, friends.

[Urmmeyeswideopen]

arww was just a thin piece of canvas away from RT last summer but too overwhelmed to go on and say hello HA wish now I'd gone in and kissed his face

[woodmatron]

Too scared?? dude, big mistake!!

[Urmmeyeswideopen]

The freedom ......when craft finally catches up with art ....another summer of practise!

[designermite]

Great song indeed....

[MrFirstNameBasis]

Pure genuis

[colinm1994]

Fantastic song. I love it. The Vincent was a really cool motorcycle.

[thesound59]

What an incredible singer song writer.Then add fantastic guitar player, and you have a wonderful gift to the world. Richard Thompson is simply the best!

[TheIkaraCult]

just wonderful.

Fahey, Thompson, the two that move me most

[Timberbanktunes]

Best guitar players ever: Richard, Eric and Mark (something in that British water)

[govan64]

Sheer class from Mr Thompson. It must be around 10 times I've seen him perform this live and it's nowhere near enough. Haste ye back to Scotland soon Richard. You know you want to.

[johnnyfolly]

In the last verse he invariably changes the line...."and Douglasses and Rudges and Nortons won't do". I've previously heard him refer to Beezers, Triumphs, Harleys and Velocettes amongst others. Awesome song - awesome guitar. RT - simply the best.

[catweasel28]

The best bike song ever.

Arlo who.....?

[Harry83CANE]

verry great and sooo deep. thanx . also to SuperMAX1776.

i ride to....

[WickedGravityVideo]

I have seen and heard RT play this two times... hope there will be another time. 

Was very special to see him play with Shaun Colvin at the Univ. of Utah Arboreum in the early 90s.

[tisfortomi]

"My buddy who collects old English motorcycles says that the '52 Vincent doesn't need keys!"

Unless he's got it chained to a lamppost...

[catweasel28]

Molly will need them, 'cos she's a girl! ;-}

[ogdenparks]

Thank you for the video - to watch him pick is a joy.

Thanks also for the lyrics - now I know that "...A girl could feel special on any such like..." isn't talking about some searchlight.

Red Molly setting up, or taking a shotgun to, James is too horrible to contemplate even in a poem. Maybe we have watched "Body Heat" too many times.

[katchafiya]

I think Richard knows that a Black Lightning doesn't need keys... maybe he used that image for other reasons?

[williedafish]

I saw him at the Mystic on Thursday -- my first time. His singing style isn't my favorite, but he plays so well, creates such creative and entertaining lyrics, and grows a relationship with his audience -- I'd go see him again in a minute.

Incidentally: Great venue.

[claytonave]

Saw Richard at the Mystic in Petalume Ca, on wednesday and he was outstanding, extraordinary palying ans singing and very entertaining with the audeince. He played this of course. I owned a '49 Vincent HRD in 1971. A very soulful machine.

[nannerbj]

The man is a genius

[missedexit]

Thanks for posting this. So glad I've seen him play this live!

[bobbrode314]

A 52 vincent is like a 56 Jaguar XK_SS. You ll never be able to afford one.

[scappleby]

This man is the greatest guitarist in the world without exception....

[edog1955]

My buddy who collects old English motorcycles says that the '52 Vincent doesn't need keys! Poetic license indeed!

We saw RT perform this at the Kate Wolf Festival in June, 2009. The crowd went NUTS!

And yes, Molly turned his ass in for the bike--wouldn't you? Keys or no....

[RTFan52]

Maybe they were the keys to the garage where he kept it ...

[DeMolay77]

am i the only one who thinks Molly turned him in to get the bike?

[emby76]

yes

[sunaru1]

Yes. He told her he probably wouldn't make 22.

[artsoundscape]

Love it, Beautiful and sad.

[kidn]

so so beautiful. the best storyteller

[mdavis261978]

Great song!

[RedKruzer]

great tune

great performance

[Buzzygirl42]

Great song, loved it for years!

[dickinsonstarkey]

Hello Matt Z,

We are again thinking of you and yes, Red Molly. This is your special time each year,loved still. REST.

[soozikins]

Richard Thompson - What a talent :)

[PratzStrike]

I don't listen to this song very often. But when I do, I listen to this version, and I listen to it over and over and over and over again. Thank you for putting it up for everyone.

[beanhead1996]

That is just epic guitar playing!! Excellent song,one of my all time favourites.

[thatsbyronic]

thank God for YouTube! For some reason I've never been able to find this song on Limewire.

[alexsuchapimp]

You must suck at limewireing. I found like 30 sources for this song.

[amandiar]

Every single time I hear this song it makes me cry. How cheesy is that? I get goosebumps at the first verse! What a song...

[sabrinacle]

I do too. It's a chick thing I guess

[MrArchbold]

Amazing version.

The lyrics on the side need amending on the 3rd verse though

[billcbren]

An ageless song. I never tire of hearing it.

[nickheath72]

Oh. My. This song NEVER fails to move me. And until I actually LISTENED to it I didnt realize how special it is. A classic that sounds like its 200 years old - written in 1991. I also worked at (Ryka's) at the foot of Boxhill near Dorking in Surrey that he mentions. 1000's of bikers used to come down to race the Mickelham Bends in the summer. Magic times.

[quinsmanny]

Amazing, under-rated guitar player. Strumming and picking at the same time! I can't do that.

[1960fjp]

Flawless.

[goldsharktooth]

my fav song at the moment - lovin it - downloaded a version from itunes but this version is much better

[ska1te]

I have a friend who plays this song and does it justice. I had no idea of how hard it is to play this song until you watch the strings while he plays. Amazin to say the least.

[Dionysos37]

I saw RT live last summer 2008 in Lowell Mass---it was an outdoor concert and he blew the roof off the sky. In three hours he gave me 10 years of guitar lessons and a whole fresh sense of how to play, sing, write, live. Freaking AMAZING. We love you RT!

[Rauoul]

Awesome song!! Unbelievable guitar work.

[ludwigvan66]

I could hear this song a hundred times, and I may have, and it will still bring a tear to my eye.

[JohnWinterburn]

The instumental middle section is astonishingly good!

[tavish1979]

this is a great song, up there with the best

[enzo887]

awesome song!!

very touching

it's not very popular in Greece:(

[manatthewindow]

Cleapatr- Thanks not only for posting this, but also for displaying the full lyric in the sidebar. That's very much appreciated.

I'm only just getting into Mr Thompson and your posts are a superb introduction.

Bless.

[whitefeet1]

You know, I'm not crazy about Thompson or this song in particular, but you have to respect him and feel good for him - songwriters dream about writing write one song that gets them all around the world...

[boxboat]

And he's written albums full of them!

[sunaru1]

One song??!!

Have you not heard of Meet on the Ledge?