I love the electric version, hard and ass kicking. But this unplugged version is freaking awesome. Billy still got it. To bad he's not in the main stream anymore.
Billy, grab that 2x humbucker LP & don't be afraid to turn UP the Overdrive & Prescence on that Marshall. Beefing up your tinny sound is the BEST retort to the post Rock Me Tonight Video Malaise... ;-)
Acoustic crapola. I like Billy Squier's stuff, but I hate it when aging rock stars do acoustic interpretations of their rock songs. As if it gives those earlier songs current relevance. No, it doesn't. It simply makes them sound like demos.
Acoustic crapola? Billy's been doing acoustic songs (both original and interpretations) in concert for a long time. His Happy Blue album is nothing but acoustic songs!! For the life of me I couldn't play guitar and sing like he does, and I bet you couldn't either.
Musicians are artists - if they want to reinterpret their songs, I say more power to them. Shows guts I think. And this song is half rewritten in a way that sounds great acoutically - hardly demo quality!
What does his "Happy Blue" album have to do with him ruining "In the Dark?" Acoustic is for folk singers. MTV's "Unplugged" series was a joke in that guys thought they could be relevant if they did it. It was totally pretentious. What, you don't think it would be a total joke if he did "The Stroke" as an acoustic song? It would be hilarious for all the wrong reasons.
Thanks for saving me the hassle of posting this same clip ;-) A great show, even if Colin Hay didn't come out immediately afterwards to perform "I Just Don't Think That I'll Ever Get Over You". The omission of that song and of "The No-No Song" were the only bummers in a wonderful show. Great clip you posted.
Awesome! My favorite song of all time - now even more! Parts of a Happy Blue song in there at times which fits quite nicely.
His music has meant quite a bit to me over the years; they've helped me get through some tough times and I've found inspiration in them countless times.
I saw him last year at the Cleveland Rock Hall benefit - he stole the show (not just a biased opinion; many people on the way out were saying the same thing). I hope he goes on tour (solo) one of these days...
I love the electric version, hard and ass kicking. But this unplugged version is freaking awesome. Billy still got it. To bad he's not in the main stream anymore.
hawaiianstyler 3 months ago
I'm curious to find the guy on youtube that covered this!
bigworld3001 9 months ago
Unlike the artists of today, this is a true musician that is humble, classy and still got the goods.
southport97 9 months ago
this dude is so cool
love this version too...wow
banklikefrankwhite1 1 year ago
I was at this show - his voice sounded amazing!
RocktheStageNYC 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Billy, grab that 2x humbucker LP & don't be afraid to turn UP the Overdrive & Prescence on that Marshall. Beefing up your tinny sound is the BEST retort to the post Rock Me Tonight Video Malaise... ;-)
Broughmo 2 years ago
I LOVE this minor key version. So Sullen yet profound....Great vibe Billy. Wellesley High Alum!
sweenykim 3 years ago 2
Billy Squier is still great - in the 80's and
today.
JANE15X 3 years ago 4
I guess you haven't heard Happy Blue - has an acoustic version of The Stroke!
I guess we're never going to agree on this one...
adkins6666 3 years ago
Acoustic crapola. I like Billy Squier's stuff, but I hate it when aging rock stars do acoustic interpretations of their rock songs. As if it gives those earlier songs current relevance. No, it doesn't. It simply makes them sound like demos.
drewgooden21 3 years ago
Acoustic crapola? Billy's been doing acoustic songs (both original and interpretations) in concert for a long time. His Happy Blue album is nothing but acoustic songs!! For the life of me I couldn't play guitar and sing like he does, and I bet you couldn't either.
Musicians are artists - if they want to reinterpret their songs, I say more power to them. Shows guts I think. And this song is half rewritten in a way that sounds great acoutically - hardly demo quality!
adkins6666 3 years ago 2
What does his "Happy Blue" album have to do with him ruining "In the Dark?" Acoustic is for folk singers. MTV's "Unplugged" series was a joke in that guys thought they could be relevant if they did it. It was totally pretentious. What, you don't think it would be a total joke if he did "The Stroke" as an acoustic song? It would be hilarious for all the wrong reasons.
drewgooden21 3 years ago
He did do The Stroke as an acoustic song. On the Happy Blues CD.
asafish 3 years ago
Thanks for saving me the hassle of posting this same clip ;-) A great show, even if Colin Hay didn't come out immediately afterwards to perform "I Just Don't Think That I'll Ever Get Over You". The omission of that song and of "The No-No Song" were the only bummers in a wonderful show. Great clip you posted.
ConcertaholicShirt 3 years ago
Billy rocks. His voice still sounds like it did 26 years ago. Awsome.
briaoddi 3 years ago
It doesn't matter what he sings or how he sings it, he will ALWAYS be the best! This is a beautiful rendition. Thank you for posting.
WHSSBabe 3 years ago
Awesome! My favorite song of all time - now even more! Parts of a Happy Blue song in there at times which fits quite nicely.
His music has meant quite a bit to me over the years; they've helped me get through some tough times and I've found inspiration in them countless times.
I saw him last year at the Cleveland Rock Hall benefit - he stole the show (not just a biased opinion; many people on the way out were saying the same thing). I hope he goes on tour (solo) one of these days...
adkins6666 3 years ago
Love him.
shesarunner82 3 years ago