Tennessee Ernie Ford - 16 Tons (Go-Go Version)

[beatlesenforcer]

Thank god ernie ford can't sing badly, otherwise this would suck.

[larrydonguy]

Terrible concept as Kennedynut put it quite well a year ago. On the plus side, however, Tennessee Ernie was pretty much incapable of singing badly.

[catholicpriest1]

Columbia Records is right across the street from the Hollywood Palace on Vine Street. I've been there.

[MrZacSpurgeon]

I can't tell if this is a travesty whose existence defies comprehension and logic, or if it cycles back around to being fantastic.

[iriegnome]

What is really cool is that Ernie realized there was a new audience and was eager to revamp his very classic hit song to put it into a new context to reach out to a new audience. Brilliant!! Forward thinking and very progressive...

[KancerKowboy]

I definitely like the look of the girls in those days. They left something for the imagination . . .

[simplyscrummy]

@KancerKowboy I don't think I'd care to know the contents of your imagination.

[navrozlal]

... I like this...

[Jansay34]

The lyric meanings and the song doesn't fit together. The original version is way better...

[AlabamaBelle1990]

The original is still the best, but this is very awesome!! :)

[NESSJAFG]

Me gusto la versión n_n

[Spooky00ky]

It's the remix version. Cool.

[poowooh1]

What a communist song!

[bpstein689]

@poowooh1

[barmen753]

Get out of thet hole !!!! :D



[MrOutdoorsman32]

I like the "Beach" style background music from the 50's.

[MrOutdoorsman32]

I REALLY like this version. It has Power!!! If you know what I mean

[iapa22]

Prefiero la original

Pero antes que esta la de los hermanos barrón XD

watch?v=giuQVypND_E

[timjmoran]

wow.. that is SO bizarre.. proof positive that TEF did not take himself too seriously.. I mean,

can you imagine say, Johnny Cash doing this?? Not likely !!!

[130545]

No me gusta. Esta es una "versión alimenticia" (para dar de comer a Ernie...)

[AcePilot101]

The song was actually written by Merle Travis.

[MikeBlitzMag]

The 1965 Capitol single is even more garage band inspired than this live take would suggest. And the flip side, the satire Hicktown proves that the good Professor Ford was far more on top of things than any paisley elitism might allow.

[colwynbay123]

Would have done all the chicks, even John Merrick's sister on the right hand side with the enormous head, do not matter what he is singing about!!!!

[Bocoman5]

That mustache is priceless...:) anyway, one of my all time favourite songs, the theme is a little wierdo, but it's a kickass verison...:)

[dulcimerz2drumstix]

"Some things are left well enough alone". So this is what they meant.

[emt511535]

pathetic that he actually defiled his own song this way!!



[dragonflyhearts]

This goes back to the days when as children we learend Jane and Dick see Spot Run, and when we went to Church,,maybe got an ice cream cone, and were able to watch TV Sunday night, past our bedtime..Come on you stupid person.. Tennesee Ernie Ford, used to kiss your little pea picking heart

[unbistec]

The girls make me wish the cameras recorded better back then.

[lolodeman]

I wanna hear more music like this... Please people recommend some good songs to me, I'm going to make a special playlist on my ipod for this!

[wayneleon1000]

I think this is GREAT!! Haha. Obviously done tongue in cheek, by Ernie.

[jonthom11702]

Wow... Ernie Ford goes mash-up! I like it! 

[steve2275]

rock

[klumps51]

fantastic version of a classic hit

[dash690813]

Oh, come on now.....You know Ernie did the original so many times....he had to get sick of it once in while. So he changed it up. It's not that bad.

[deaddoc]

This was obviously a bad idea, but it is fun to see now.

[TheRomulan]

Oh no... just... no.

[TheArithmetic]

The beginning part with the drums and bass is cool but when the beach party guitar comes in it all goes to hell. Too bad the initial vibe didn't stick.

[Onionbaron]

Fantastic! Voice, beat, espri and engagement! T-Ford FTW...

[thomaslamour1]

lighten up pal, I'm just being a bit dramatic in my reaction to this,in my opinion,horrible version of a great song.I don't advocate murder or believe in ghosts,is that clear enough? I'll rewrite my comment in a boring manner: THIS SUCKS.

[rockinrobin31000]

@ThePlayingHands

That's wright... the music is absolutely inappropriate...

But shit, what a swing...

isn't it ?

[thomaslamour1]

OH THE HUMANITY!!!!! I hope the ghost of Merle Travis strangled T.E. Ford in his sleep.

[blunderboy1964]

@thomaslamour1 why would he? Merle was alive at this point if he had an issue with it he would have sued Ernie. it was just basically a live remix

[1alpoe]

This kicks ASS! I love the original, but this was so different you gotta love it. Kind of the opposite of Neil Sedaka turning "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" into funeral music.

[PatJ61]

I love the message of the song and how it explains debt bondage, but oh my goodness, this is awful! Really? Go go dancers???

[ycyor]

Kookie!

The Sixties. You had to be there, I guess.

[sml7799]

This is an interesting curiosity, but he totally effed up the song with this bizarro arrangement. I just LOVE the original though..

[BlameTheLeprachauns]

This song was originally written by the son of a coal miner. Ernie Ford was just another hack trying to make money off other peoples work and the proof is right here on the screen with this abysmal display of inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour to those who do actually suffer in the coal mines.

[twisted400]

dope dope dope!!

[SunnyZaBunny]

I could totally see this version of 16 tons in a spy flick. Great song

[calamityjane58]

best. video. ever.

[Shular67]

Are those the same girls from Leonard Nimoy's Bilbo song?

[MrBerelex]

Понравилось, очень!!! Вдохновеная танцовщица - украшение клипа!

[nothingnew123]

This is the 1960s version of a remix

[Ezldor]

heard this in mad men , epic

[BelfastAtheist]

@Ezldor

Huh? Was this in Mad Men? I've seen the whole series and I don't remember this..

[Ezldor]

@BelfastAtheist yeah , i think it was in season 2 , at the end of one of the episodes

[unbistec]

@BelfastAtheist It's the first episode of season 3

[MrMeatacdc]

11 people didnt load 16 tons and # 9 coal

[MrMeatacdc]

this is always a good song

[Mortoknredd]

I prefer the original, but it was cool to see that he made an effort to make his classic song popular with a younger crowd 9 years after it originally came out.

[CallMeNiel]

@Mortoknredd or 19 years after it originally came out.

[bandobendi87crosby]

Why???  It was a good song...til now

[MrTwinTowers]

GUAUAUAUA I LIKE SO MUCH

[Belinha979]

Wonderful.  Maravilhoso. Adorei na versão Go Go.

[kennedynut]

You know the best part of being a coalminer? The dancing girls......

[kathryn422003]

@kennedynut I am laughing sooo hard right now. Thank you!!!!

[jacquelinethegreat]

@kennedynut Yeah it's seriously ridiculous to see that. i'm not judging Ernie ford or anything or saying that he sold out, but just in general i feel really awkward watching this.

[MrAudioProducer]

Such unusual version!

[cooper28clark]

thats sooo cool, sounds like the cramps!!! GREAT!!!

[cooper28clark]

thats sooo cool, sounds like the cramps!!! GREAT!!!

[violinroy]

stray cats

[sheltv100]

I never knew that T.E. Ford would have been that liberal with this song changing it into a rock and roll hit. It sounds hip. I grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford singing Christian hymns, but rock and roll? After 19 years since his death I find that to be a surprise.

[HingDaiMike]

I like the orginal version

[dannyp3903]

WOW!

[evilblackspider]

wow. whaaaat???

[jailbrake666]

I thought this song was supposed to be about bad times, being in debt and all that ? It just doesnt have that same feel to it :\

[mashmusic11235]

@jailbrake666 No, but it's still awesome in some way :)

[danieldonatelli]

If you would like to smile for weeks see this one.

[danieldonatelli]

This rythem does not exisit today.

[sethnet1022]

The song is about a somber time. Adding flash and flare just kills the heart of it.

[homargc]

@ThePlayingHands: That's quite all right, since I had to also laugh at your preposterous superciliousness... What is more ridiculous, a landmark song from the 1950's tricked up for the youth of the following decade by the use of Go-go dancers, or an adult (assumedly) evincing his ignorance and lack of sensibility by commenting asinine things like those stated herein, or in your profile, where you find puppies adorable (Duh!), and favour a cartoon... Of all things!

Go back to Kindergarten!

[gdhgeorge]

Excellent arrangements, superb choreography, and, of course, Tennessee's performance is brilliant!!

[jacksonhunter53]

were can i download this song

[STU676]

no good

[monicalups]

AMAZINGGGGGG

[TurkeyJizzle]

catchy song fun to play on guitar.

[booksandvideos]

Not much has changed over the years, has it? Singers used to try and add new flash and glammer to an old song, as they do today.

[jeanieQ2]

Those dancers crack me up. I'm 62, grew up in So CAL, and none of my friends ever danced like that. That was just a Hollywood deal. Hollywood was so out of touch back then, and they still are if you ask me. We would mock some of these dances sometimes, if we had a dance partner we weren't fond of. It was all a joke to us.

[LShackley]

Tennessee Ernie was a class act. I've never seen this hilarious 60s version but it's perfect. That guy had a voice!

[tyme4mike]

crap

[WaywardWind1]

I'm thinkin' I much prefer t original version.

[adodge2]

O_o Some songs don't work with backup dancers.

[61ford]

Fantastic.

[fromthesidelines]

Ernie recorded an "updated" version of his classic 1955 hit for Capitol in January 1965; it was released at the time {#5425, one of Ford's rarest Capitol "45" issues} he "plugged" it on this performance of the "PALACE". It wasn't reissued until its inclusion on the 1994 CD box set, "Masters 1949-1976".

[Spheremaster0001]

wow, I dont know what to think...

[TheCreativeDot]

hell this is amazing...im dancing im dancing..!!!

[gster391]

LOL

[isaac32767]

Not intentionally funny. Just a lame attempt to look hip. I mean, go-go dancers in long skirts?

[Tripp9]

Know how I know he's white? He can't dance!

[maitiudeburca]

WTF? It's like Paul Robeson versus Austin Powers!!!

[rib0411]

I hate to admit it, but I really like this version. Didn't know Ernie could swing!

[sr71ablackbird]

@rib0411 neither did I until now. I think that he would have swang better if Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" was playing, because honestly, I can not see him swinging to 16 tons....lol...

[Kharkovkid]

Nanty-Glo and everyone in it is rolling over in their grave...

[LaFlacs]

crazy cool!!

[DeLorean4]

Sensational!

[philh37]

When worlds collide!!

[Ludachrisnew]

new 2010 remix!!! hahaha

[mikewofsey]

I disagree. This is the height of subversion. You have a stage full of pretty girls dancing to TEF singing about the vicious truth of the corporate lie.

How many more people were exposed to the words in this song because of those dancing girls?

[1985MANAmericana]

Probably three or four. Hollywood Palace did not influence very many people.

[mikewofsey]

No ... not just then ... NOW.

[makthnife]

hows that? I would imagine HP influenced quite a lot of budding acts. I say this becuase the show was a springboard as well as a showcase ala Ed Sullivan so I think there was a certain degree of influence. IMHO

[kontroledkos]

were you laughing cause you actually liked it.

[sexologist]

WERK, ms ernie!

[WeezyFsBabie]

Ehhhhhhhhhh............

Lol....

Not a huuuuge fan of this....

I like the sadness of the original

[bigkellyr]

Only Ernie Ford could pull off singing 16 Tons with a swing. As a dirty old man I love watching those skirts swirling around. Has anyboby heard the Homer and Jethro comedy version of 16 Tons? Part of it goes " I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine. I remember my mama wasn't there at the time. The Foreman looked down and said 'Oh My! I wonder if he's gonna walk or fly?'"

[makthnife]

actually, listen to Bobby Darin's version around 67 or 68; now THATS a swingin version! In my opinion, the best version too. Bluesy and with a heavy beat like this clip. Check it out!!

[bigkellyr]

I never knew Bobby Darin had done a version. Of course I was never a Darin fan but I will check it out. Thanks!

[volupiamorte]

Have you heard the brazilian version by Noriel Vilela? THAT is the best!!!!

[RabbitEarFran]

Does anybody know when this came on TV? I'd love to know. :)

[60Cascade]

It says May 22, 1965 in the info box.

[RabbitEarFran]

This must be new ... ;)

[PierzStyx]

This is pretty sweet!

[TopshelfTom]

I seriously cannot believe a live performance clip of this version exists! I've always loved this version of the song and even have it on a 45, released in 1965. Tennessee Ernie Ford's son hates this version, but I think it's better than the original!

[vinylcollector89]

Topshelftom Are you are saying that you have this 1965 version of the song on a 45 or are you saying that you have the original 1955 version on a 45? If this live version is available on a 45 I would like to get myself a copy.

[TopshelfTom]

This version in this video is a lip synced copy of the song that appeared on Capitol 5425, which is a studio recording done in 1965.

[1985MANAmericana]

The 1955 version was much better, at least in my opinion.

[swedishcarrot]

Wow!

[andylfcdon]

This could be a hit now its so polished

[DunlopDaytona]

Tennessee Ernie Ford was awesome!

Not like those idiots kids drool over nowdays.

[Juliaflo]

I thoroughly SECOND that.

Those of you who think The Jonas Brothers could never match the art of Ernest Jennings Ford, raise your hand.

[makthnife]

*both hands raised*

[TheJakestizzel]

@DunlopDaytona u r so right

[neonfox3]

@DunlopDaytona haha i agree man, i was really born in the wrong generation so i can tell you first hand.

[EastTheBakerChris]

@DunlopDaytona times change... people change...

[irvingklaw57]

Not a hair out of place.. on anyone...

[raynarayskye]

I wonder what year this was.

[avernikas]

this kicks ass!!!!

[danthedonHBB]

DOPE REMIX!!

[OneDollarBook]

Listen to the late Teresa Teng's song, "Wait Patiently": same tune, different lyrics (in Mandarin).

[fransas]

thanks for mentioning Teresa's version. Wonderful. 實在非常有意義，又好聽。謝謝

[saucerblock]

that was totally awesome!

thank you-

[rjpcambridge]

Works real well !! Fun and you can dance to it !!!

[TreyNitrotoluene]

Original remixer! LOL

I am showing this one to my gramps who thinks techno is the art of ruining a good song. :D

[william3231954]

never thought I'd see the watusi dance to this song

[OneDollarBook]

He could've played Sheriff Andy Taylor's brother.

[jimdkc]

Weird version of that song... but... Damn! That man had a hell of a voice!

[09preppygirl]

omg old sonng looovvee it doe got to it works wata jazz legend

[OmegaXP]

Sixteen Tons just doesn't work with that kind of beat. Kudos to Ernie for trying, though.

[CT2507]

yea, it doesnt work. but if he didnt try he wouldnt have known.

[AOTAB]

LOVE the "jazz hands" at the end! Go Ernie Go!!

[cyjon007]

Lol, part of it sounds like a Bond theme.

[trevvor94]

the mines is not a laughig matter im 82 years old

and i literally used to owe everything to the mines

(that is my grampa speaking)

[RabbitEarFran]

This version sounds way too happy if you listen to the lyrics :/

[kristijan1985]

this version is a joke....

his voice is killer!

[danthedonHBB]

I like the original better

[7malmusk]

haha wie die hühners um ihn rumhüppen XD

[88franko]

and to think those go-go girls are now the cranky old ladies you see at the food market.

[Gladiator0719]

It's the fate of every man and woman, time is a bitch. Shadows and dust.

[toobyu2859]

Dust in the wind.

[mrslisaoakes]

thank you for having this video up

[SirDonut]

Thank you for uploading this. You are a hero.

[tmclure1972]

Oh My God