SWANS - Love Of Life

[wesdan126]

They should have made more videos, this is awesome!

[SuperSquishface]

This is the greatest film clip of all time

[OIOcellOIO]

9 people are showing the long term side effects of having been blue babies....

[mattcollinsoz]

i wonder if those people who worry about the posturing of the swans want the band to have something they don't have.should've rage against the machine lowered the volume on their politics...opened themselves up to a wider audience?should johnny cash not have had a deeply felt spirituality?i think if the "polemic" takes place inside you as an artist or a person it ought to be discussed.the posturing is a triffle and offset of the art

[mattcollinsoz]

i wonder if beck used the flashback of motifs of this flim clip as model for his "new polution"?

[mattcollinsoz]

maybe if they had a million dollars to do the film clip,ha! it wd ve sucked

[mattcollinsoz]

i say delight and not the terror,or horror associated with the ultra-realists.

and the clip succeeds this way with the ebb and flow of the transcendent in a way high end CGI imaging could not. as if the precise even mattered,but not to take it to the hilt either and arrive at a sort of impressionism

[mattcollinsoz]

he talked of darwinism,but i remember helen razer from JJJ radio Australia introduced this song one day in the 90s as an ode to epicureanism & hedonism ...and she did so well.one could throw in the catholic heresy of the ultra-realists as well...or rather interpretations, paralells and appropiation of the heresy.a delight in a wavering between a certain type of ulta-realism and transcendentalism permeates the clip without any awkwardness,it's as tho image flows into image.

[Lambskin]

I remember watching this video on Request Video channel 56 here in SoCal. This was back in 1992! I never forgot it and have been looking for this song and video since. Finally I found it. Thank you for posting this and thanks to Swans for this rad song and video!

[6x7Grimmylover101]

@Lambskin

Something similar happened to me. I saw it in Germany in 1992, and never again. Until You Tube. Brings back memories.

[FreedomFromYouIn2006]

Holy shit!! 

[PeeteyP]

I think this is the song that put me on the the path of religious realism.

[slick2112]

hypnotic

[spuffchops70]

Swans music would perfect on the i-pod for a long stay in a sanitorium in the Swiss Alps, early 1900's.

[unleash77]

Awesome song

[diemazzmusic]

Great vid, great song, why do we cling so desperately to this life?!

[rusterpus111]

I HAVE THE SCHOPENHAUER BLUES AND THE DARWIN YELLOWS. OK, I LIKE THE SWANS TOO, JUST A LITTLE.

[imiggie]

what's with this Darwinist ditty? swans suffer from too much posturing and not enough substance.

[tubageekgonemad]

I believe Omniscience was only ever released on cassette. Swans' website lists it as out of print. It's a shame 'cause it's a brilliant recording.

[pineal2012]

@tubageekgonemad Not true, I have it on compact disc.

[andinoble]

@tubageekgonemad I got it on CD in a record shop in Scotland in 1992 when it was released. So it´s definitely available on CD. It says on the cover it is (was) manufactured and distributed in the UK by Revolver. Record number UK - YG CD 7, Germany 334.0450.2 if that helps in the search. Try Discogs.com, I just checked, 19 October 2010 they´ve got it on CD fro between €19.99 (Euros) and $79.99(US Dollars.

[moni5194]

haven't seen this video for ages, thank you!

[FNTM3rd]

I used to have a cassette copy of Omniscience, as well...hell if I know where it went!

[spuffchops70]

'White Light', 'Love of Life' & 'Omniscience' all passed me by at the time because I was into buying loads of other music & figured I would catch up later. Now they're all deleted & hard to get a hold of. Ah, the sweet folly of youth. So annoying!

[AttackShipOnFire]

@revcow Stereotypes are usually based on ignorance viz Satanism=Philosophical Atheism.

Having said that, are you American (apologies to any intelligent US citizens reading), by any chance, & do you think Sarah Palin & The Tea Party are intelligent people, viewed from your Mid-West Guns N God redoubt. The rest of The World really wouldn't be surprised.

[dizxfilmsohio]

yay trippy

[spuffchops70]

Great video! Thanx for posting.

[andinoble]

Rockin', simply rockin'. Thank god Swans existed and thank god even more that they exist once again, reincarnated in whatever form, Gira's album of Swans "demos" - I am not insane - is great. Rockin'...

[wdamian]

Weak video for a great Swans track

[picchionero]

not the best swans track

[marklungo]

I love how wonderfully deranged this video is. Watching it is the closest I'll ever get to taking LSD.

[trojanlol]

@marklungo The movie is nice (a bit too dismal..) but the song isn't great, go listen to early pink floyds, braintickets, can (mushroom from tago mago), etc..

[swans1997]

@trojanlol What do those bands have to do with this? I was listening to all that along with this. Always comparisons with Floyd, fuck, I couldn't careless. Love em' but there are other bands for me to get into. Gee, isn't music great?

[AttackShipOnFire]

@marklungo Just try it. You know you want to!

[insectstorm0]

I always thought this song was about the inequality in society such as rich and poor strong and weak etc "now the strong survive" not about religion i could be wrong rither way its a great song!

[polistyrenejassband]

m gira said the song is about darwins survival of the fittest theory

[revcow]

Swans lyrics are fundamental. Gira says this song is just an ode to Darwinism; however, Darwinism isn't solely fundamental, but also liberal/symbolic. the dinosaurs (who were the strongest in the food chain) weren't the strongest to survive the meteor blast.. it was of course these insignificant looking small mammals who were the strongest because of housing themselves underground ;)

[codeaires]

SWANS ARE BACK TOGETHER EVERYBODY! NEW ALBUM COMING SOON TOO!!! Check their Myspace!

[BSideleau]

this song is not satanic...it actually, like much of the Swans material, is critical of religion in general (which would include satanism). Michael Gira himself stated this in interviews regarding their 1987 album "Children of God" (a wonderful album by the way) that he does not believe in any god and that much of the lyrics are related to religious hypocrisy and a fascination with religious thought.

[revcow]

Gira in interviews said he is doing an *ode to Darwinism* with this song. The video looks satanic (but that's their aesthetic), Satanists like theological-history/symbols of Sumer.. Babylon, also Satanism is not only Atheism, it's not a religion like you think. Indulgence, Self, Science.

[revcow]

that's Satanism! Satanists = philosophical atheists.. dur!

[squirrelike]

Killer Video-Killer Music-Killer Band.

[mazokizt]

I remember watching this on MTV many years ago, only once saddly...

[KINZOisHERE]

I recorded on VHS back then, I guess I destroyed that tape after watching it so many times :)

[ralphinio4]

Why isn't this on iTunes?

[swiv03]

music does not get much better than this does. Jarboe is one of the great vocals ever!

[Sanss0uci]

Damn. I remember when this was aired on the local music TV *BEFORE* MTV :O

[swans1997]

@Sanss0uci You mean your area didn't have MTV, back in `92? I saw this premiere on MTV's 120 Minutes.

[wdamian]

Fan fuckin tabulous!

[stiggyh]

okay now i want my mommy !!! :))) this video is really scary !!!

[stiggyh]

would it be fair to say that this video has a slightly luciferian subliminal messaging going on ;)))

[p97154]

Lots of disturbingly sexual subliminal pics - just what I would expect from Swans!

[sonicsnout]

Saw this on Request Video on LA area (or San Diego?) local access back in the days! My brother got the album... some of the best Swans stuff, although alot of purists prefer the early sloooooww heavy stuff... but this album ruled.

[marumaru54]

wow, how insightful

[darksouldealer]

are they like pansy division? now thats good rockin

[swans1997]

@BitchinnShoes07 When was this popular?

[BitchinnShoes07]

@swans1997 Back before there were losers who would look back through a years worth of comments just to find a comment they don't agree with.

[swans1997]

@BitchinnShoes07 Obviously, you're a loser who doesn't agree with my comment, and so punctual. Kudos.

[pineal2012]

@swans1997 This will always be popular for those who desire music made by true artists!!!

[swans1997]

@pineal2012 depends on who the "artist" is, for me. plenty in the "alternative" or underground who I don't get into either.

[balbulus666]

I much prefer the "Omniscience" version of this song. This version (indeed this whole album) lacks power and conviction for me.

[Frenchiedog]

Vegetarian Progressive Grindcore is the greatest genre of music that ever existed. Everybody should worship When Vegans Attack... Wait... Fuck them!

[cthopper]

Keep checking Amazon for used copies. That is how I got mine. Took a few years. I lost my original cassette years ago.

[ekko933]

I miss this song! Can't find it on ITunes. Anyone know where I can get it?

[azathoth12]

that's fucked up

[bktodorov]

I remember that they showed it a couple of times back in 93-94 on 120 Minutes on MTV :) hehe. It was absolutely unexpected! :) Great song, great video, raw as it should be!

[PeeteyP]

I saw it there too, then went and bought a tape of omniscience. This song had a strong philosophical effect on me.

[Putyourknifinme]

This song is incredible live,

[insectstorm0]

Great song probually there best love the repeative sounds!

[resonanteye]

I have this on vhs, taped from...usa up all night? or something like that, I think. so good to see it again without the skips and jumps.

[labrocca]

This album is phenomenal. Swans has never recieved the recognition they truly deserved. M. Gira is a genius and his musis is wonderful. Love of Life should be in every music collection as the epitomy of excellent for this intringuing band. Jarboe's creepy vocals with Gira's strong front end deep voice pushes the limits of mental input.

[codeaires]

Oh Jeez I agree. Swans are so underrated. My friends and I are like the only people in my city who cares about them.

[swans1997]

My friends and I are like the only people in my city who cares about them.

Pathetic as that sounds, considering SWANS were one of the finest and original bands in recent music history and STILL are, it's not surprising.  Radio fodder like Shania Twain and Martina McBride, Kenney Chesney, ugh, are embraced by the C&W establishment who shunned Johnny Cash. Who helped him back to his justifiable position as a legend? Nashville? HA HA! No Rick Rubin in NY.

[codeaires]

Man, wherever you live sounds lame XD

[swans1997]

Actually ,I was answering one of your posts, ha ha. The place was packed when Swans came by for the Final Tour. So, I reckon, there's more than 1 or 2 people who dig them. As lame as Seattle, can be musically. Yeah, I know we had grunge, but big deal. Never cared. We had Nirvana and Soundgarden, whoopee. NY had Swans and Sonic Youth, sigh.

[swans1997]

I see someone gave me a bad rating. Care to p.m. me and tell me how you really feel?

[darksouldealer]

i missed that tour...sigh...

[OdeToNecrophilia]

@labrocca "Swans has never recieved the recognition they truly deserved." no real good musicians do.

[you4n00b]

@labrocca Amen. That is all.

[Crimsonphilosophy]

michael put something of swans on dvd please!!!1

[Putyourknifinme]

i ordered omniscience, should arrive near christmas, what a great present!

[nobukowski]

Yeah, I'm waiting on my copy of that one too. It should be great

[mhofkp]

i still have this on 3/4 inch video. original promo copy. if i only had my clear vynil copy of FILTH...

[drlarrymitchell]

Is this from Omniscient?  I still have this, on cassette.

[WeHaveExplosive]

There is an eight minute live version on Omniscience, yeah. The song is from the album Love Of Life.

[drlarrymitchell]

I realized that after I posted my comment. Omniscience is near impossible to find, especially in a digital format.

[WeHaveExplosive]

Very true, my copy of Omniscience is on cassette too by the way!

[you4n00b]

@WeHaveExplosive My copy is CD, 8+ years old easily. Still rare. /envy cassette. /love Swans.

[Doc4orUgs]

@drlarrymitchell its like 20 bucks or so as i remember on Ebay... if anyone else wants to know.

[TimshelPaganini]

@drlarrymitchell Funnily enough, I managed to find my CD copy of Omniscience used at my local Wherehouse in California for six dollars.

[OdeToNecrophilia]

@drlarrymitchell i actually thought you were talking oniscience literally.

[hungry4stink]

you can download it from isohunt

[yrmexmetanoia]

you suck, this sucks, whut the fuck? I guess I'm what you would consider an American moron, because this has no value to me. It's the worst of "new wave", and it's the worst of "no wave". It's the worst of the 80's. It's the worst of anything to come out of western pop music since the Partridge Family. Deviant is to Charles Manson as Mundane is to the SWANS. .......................NO VALUE!!!!!!!!!!!! BLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bloodyrockfire]

@yrmexmetanoia I think you either want to have some fun in your attempt to coprehend peaple's ideas and correct them by trolling or make a huge confusion.This music here is experimental.New wave sounds softer than this actually

[Casar1973]

Awesome! What a powerful song.

[p97154]

Never mind the song, the vid is A1 mofo!

[Casar1973]

No.

[courageousjohnny]

Rage played this again last night.

[PeeteyP]

yeah, I saw this on mtv, - I incorporated it into my philosophy.

[Cadavaris]

I saw this on Rage a while ago at midnight, I think, awesome stuff, very odd

[Idig4ad]

For the love of LIFE!

[ductil44]

i dont kwow but where is napalm death here????????

[Fvrahgments]

Napalm Death was influenced by their earlier work, which sounds little like this song. Swans' early work also doesn't sound like Napalm Death, since it lacks any kind of speed, though it's definitely crushing and heavy.

[emosscareme123]

These guys are interesting.  Not as brutal as I expected, but it's fascinating to listen to.

[Fvrahgments]

Their earliest work is the heavy and crushing music you've heard about. :)

[emosscareme123]

I'll take a look.

[Sandbag209]

Did you regret it yet?

[emosscareme123]

Actually, its pretty sick shit...in a good way.

[p97154]

Jarboe is hot, hot, hot!!!

[p97154]

PS Please forgive my "Suicidal Tendancies". Hopefully I'll still be here tomorrow. :-)

[p97154]

"New Mind" on "Children Of God" might ease you into the total heaviness that is - Gasp - "The Swans". We need more folks down here in the Pit Of Despair. Lol. Steve

[forakiller]

swans destroy me

[p97154]

Very psychadelic & colourful. Until now, I've always thought of the Swans as BLACK, BLACK, BLACK. "Oh no, there's a bit of grey up there" NO, THERE ISN'T, YOU FOOL!!! Accept it.

[p97154]

More Swans please.

PS My prev comment "Poetic etc" was for OlivierDelacroix. Don't know why it didn't follow that thread

[p97154]

Nowhere near enough bass to get the ultimate "heaviness" of "The Swans" across to newbies.

See "Children of God" for further information.

If your ears don't bleed, it ain't loud enough

[porcu77]

I can't compare it with Joy Division...For me was like Joy Division was alive ( a little different, but the same)Too bad that time is making us small...

[OlivierDelacroix]

It's relentlessly beautiful ... shockwaves of desperate pleasure.

[p97154]

Poetic & accurate. Sorry mate, just clicked the "Thumbs down" rather than "Up" by mistake

[p97154]

Fuck me. Just done it again, so double apologies. My mouse is inaccurrate, plus I'm pissed, so several excuses. Sorry. Steve

[insectstorm0]

Pity they never played in ireland!

[megla1]

Gira has a strong feel for tantric themes. i would even say, one of the few original western tantrics.

[LegledTrepteg]

the drummer now still plays in Unsane.

Jarboe still performs and makes a lot of music.

Gira has his group Angels of Light now.

I would have liked to see Al Kizys (bassist) continue Of Cabbages and Kings, but they disbanded (signorelli the drummer was in that too) around the time of this song and Al left Swans.

[mohiko2929]

creepy video clip.but it matches to the music. I kind of like this music.

[stiggyh]

scary like a nightmare wow THANKS :-))))

[23wino1977]

23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23

[agnusoid]

nadal genialne

[swans1997]

Never knew that. Never saw Rage Tv. Thanks for the info now I feel a bit more wiser and feeling a warm glow all over ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh­hhhhhh.

[swans1997]

There was a cool clip where Maynard of Tool is introducing this vid on Tv here at youtube. I wanted to rub that in my Tool lstening buddy's face who's not too keen on Swans.

[jpdvc]

well he was a guest programmer on Rage TV when he introduced it, if you want to get technical

[julzfin]

Believe it or not, I actually saw this on MTV when I was a teenager, and I still have the videotape I caught this on... however, the tape ran out towards the end... but it was on 120 Minutes in the early 90's.

[sarahk66]

i remember that Sunday night as well when I first saw it on 120 minutes.

[hokutonotmo]

My mate pete tried to hit Micheal R Gira with a hammer once. Micheal was too strong and overpowered him, but check this it wasn't Mr Gira, it was actually a GHOST.

[skillisme]

yeah, the very same thing happened to me once. It's quite common.

[haditnuit]

93

I really must ask what you are talking about exactly?

Was this just some sort of drug thing?

Maybe some in- reference I don't get?

93 93/93

[Tahlock]

I've only heard Miracle of Love, and this (love of life) and it seems that they build and build lots of tension in their songs, but not much release? its just really strangely intense.

[OnTheRazorsEdge]

Depends what era. Their early stuff was pure release, no tension. Check out Holy Money (A Screw). Bizarrley, my neiece loves that.

[tross]

Superb. I'd love to see anything else you've got by them.

[mediawardotcom]

love it. gira's voice is immense.

[theantiroman]

theyve gone further with music/art than anyone will understand for a while. I think. Beautiful.

[jardix]

Great Swans stuff

[mondosucko]

Swans are one of the most powerful bands in the world. This album shows there foray into psychedelia.