Elbow Performing at the Nationwide Mercury Prize 2008

[Bayken1]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG!

[bandung11]

See them at 14th of November :D @ Heinken Music Hall <3 If the play this song and Neat Little Rows then it will be a Awesome concert!

[xFeTcHiNgxZuLux]

completely fabulous. they are the best band in existence.

[SpinningGibbon]

Seems like there are 2 people who don't know the thumb pointing down means "dislike"...

[pollypet]

@SpinningGibbon They're probably Lady Gaga fans or something.

[ShaunberryiPod]

omg They are WONDERFUL live...saw them in March this year. And Guy Garvey is such a charismatic and witty frontman. Has the audience in the palm of his hand from the first note. Enjoy.

[Mythonponty]

Seeing them live in Melbourne in a month.. Words cannot express the excitement of seeing my favourite modern band live.

[iamsneddon]

The note that starts at about 3:04 is just epic. Sends shivers up my spine every time

[macstephens9]

their brilliance is just not appreciated enough.it's not just music for the ears, it's music for the senses and the mind

[GeorgeMaier]

Words cannot express my love for elbow.

[joeafb]

Matty ur class mate funny guy

[joeafb]

Still cry

[joeafb]

Cry

[pollypet]

I love the violonist's slight smile at the end. They knew they were amazing!

[avrilcrx]

@pollypet Ha! That's spot on. She knew :)

[Mattmiester100]

I am actually a tower crane driver and this song was released on the day i was thinking of jumping and ending it all. I heard it on the radio from a local kebab van and realised that if a guy who looks like a plumber can sing like that maybe my life is worth enduring.

[amblekingrat]

"They say im on top of my game."

After this performance they increased what was already a superb reputation.Stunning

[smallmean01]

Ich weiß nicht warum, ist doch nur ein Lied, meine Tochter ist schon genervt, aber es ist meine Melodie seit Tagen.

Großartige Arbeit!

[gazraven]

Love the bit where Guy reaches out with his hand..pushing his voice to the limit...an great performance.

[scannanledothoil]

How those people remained in their seat after that is beyond me.

I would have stood up on the table because a normal standing ovation wouldn't be enough.

[MarcFreeborne1978]

@scannanledothoil Completely agree, i would have killed to be there to see that!!!

[sparkyinbath]

Don't really like there other stuff but i love this. It's awesome.

[roxcraft]

I weep...I weep

[SpinningGibbon]

Of all the years I've been alive, and all the good and bad things I've done, there is only one thing I truly regret:

Elbow came to the US with U2, and between arenas, they played solo at small venues. One was relatively near my house, and for some unknown reason I didn't go. Every time I think about that, I want to punch myself in the face. It's the epitome of bittersweet watching videos like this...

[Bartleby1701]

@SpinningGibbon I don't wanna make you feel worse..I hate to tell you this, but your regret is well justified. I had a friend who made me go to one of those small shows (I hadn't heard of Elbow, somehow). I feel SO privileged to have gone. I haven't ever been so impressed with a vocal performance - moved to tears a couple of times - in my life...and I've seen a LOT of shows. They are deceptively brilliant. But don't punch yourself in the face! That would hurt! = ) Maybe 2011...? Good luck!

[SpinningGibbon]

@Bartleby1701 Thanks for the luck! They're coming to DC again in September, and I have tickets in hand! I absolutely can't wait. A rare second chance at redemption. Believe me, I bought the tickets the moment they were available :)

[Bartleby1701]

@SpinningGibbon Good for you! Yeah, I've got tickets too... to Atlanta... only I gotta FLY there and take a day off of work (which I never do). That oughta tell ya how much they're worth it. Have fun!!

[MarcFreeborne1978]

@SpinningGibbon I did the same they played bournemouth and my mum asked me to go with her, i declined, and then heard this album a week later, i made the wrong choice!

[MrBollockFace]

Perfick.

[Levijam]

thanks Elbow by merely existing...

[mrneiche]

yes the music is great, yes the performance is great - but bloody hell that string quartet are FIT!!!!!!!!!!

[tipdrinker]

jaysus charlie brooker has let himself go ;-)

[DazJClaxton]

beatuiful songwriting,instrumentation,dy­namics and of course Mr Garvey's vocal is ashtonishing!!!

[zygonsftw]

This is so spectacular. It just builds and builds and builds. Amazing

[LowleyUK]

over rated

[tashpish]

@LowleyUK why watch it then you balloon?

[LowleyUK]

@tashpish Such a childish retort, people watch things they dont like all the time! are you telling me that you have never watched a video you didnt like? What if I watched this to see if I liked them? I like some of their songs, I just think they are over rated. jeeeeeeeesssss.

[tashpish]

@LowleyUK dry yer fuckin eyes you sour faced idiot!

[LowleyUK]

@tashpish yeh ok thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

[baxxynufc]

It's so polished, its an album-like performance. Give yourself a pat on the back Guy Garvey for having one of the most overwhelming and powerful voices in the music industry.

[Stube437]

they're just grandstanding on this arn't they?

[jumhed]

He looks like David Blunkett.

[IainRockss]

I think Guy Garvey's voice could probably be considered a super power.

[MrJames960]

I love this song.

[tooclaws]

Well done Elbow.

[Ahoy1982]

Comparing Radiohead too U2 is probably 1 of the worst musical comments i have ever seen.They are light years apart!!

[Ahoy1982]

2 great bands but Radiohead are out on there own in my opinion.Constantly evolving as a band and recreating there sound and nailing it each time.I have no doubt time will show Radiohead to be far superior but i also love Elbow.Have Elbow anything that stands up to Ok computer??Not in my opinion

[sanquhar9]

Radiohead? They're U2 with a bit of student angst. Seldom seen Kid is way better than anything Radiohead have produced.

[martinmedeski]

i think elbow are way better than radiohead.

[teresadisley1]

The very best of Radiohead may be better than the very best of Elbow. But in terms of consistent excellence, there's no contest.

[jan56780]

i think Radiohead has been consistently excellent since The Bends. the only not so great album they released was the first one Pablo Honey. the rest are all great and each one is very different, which keeps things fresh and interesting. Elbow is a great and very consistent band too, but Radiohead is by far more versatile and musically adventurous

[dermotoblong]

so good.

[MrBollockFace]

brilliant, just brilliant, a finer bad on the planet than Elbow there is not

[Barbero1992]

hmmmm....radiohead :)

but they are really good

[cannesho]

Elbow and Doves, are they at the same level on music quality??

Both are so great!!

[fouab83]

Brilliant. One of their best performances.

[hazelnut53a]

Agreed. I've seen them live and that was probably the best gig I'd been to. And what great guys ,especially Guy himself!

[Phantomstruelove]

Some bands are absolute crap when taken out of the studio. Elbow isn't one of them; they are amazing wherever you put them!

[jumhed]

Is it true this was the performance that won them the prize?

[hotelistanbul]

I don't think so. From what I remember, the decision is made before the awards ceremony.

[rherrick123]

The performances aren't considered. I'm not sure if they're even watched by the judges.

I remember Jools saying at this ceremony "they've been debating it right up until a few minutes ago", or similar.

[sortedfores]

@hotelistanbul the winner is actually decided on the night. 

[highwireman]

@jumhed not entirely sure. suppose it doesn't matter?; they deserved it anyway and, if the decision hadn't been made before this, this performance was certainly enough to wrap it up.

[highwireman]

@jumhed No - what the decision is made beforehand. But in a way, its still relevent; what won it for them is balls; cajones; they could've performed a more commercial track; Grounds for Divorce; One Day Like Like This; even got Richard Hawley in to do The Fix. But they did Tower Crane Driver. Not a single, an album track. That kind of approach is why they wrote the tracks that won it for them.

[highwireman]

02:04 - watch and learn lol; the sight of Garvey going to work lol....

[kavacom]

awsome spiritual magic

[12345l6789]

When it goes into the "send up a prayer in my name" bit, i literally dont know what to do. The strings get louder and soar. I just dont know how to react. I'm left speechless every time. Absolute sonic emotional perfection.

[jumhed]

If you like this version, listen to the bbc philharmonic/abbey road version. That bit coupled with an orchestra and choir is unbelievable.

[12345l6789]

its fantastic isnt it. GFD was also great on that

[12345l6789]

00:1

the perfect guitar

[SDuck347]

They're just grandstanding on this

[hazelnut53a]

SDuck, you have no soul ,judging by your comment.

[tstorm2200]

God I get chills when I hear this band. Incredible.

[hinesmatt]

These guys are so fn good, this is a great version of this song, thanks to Coldplay for having them over to tour in support in the States this year or some of us might have missed these guys altogether. Good shite.

[unboundbysin]

stella page is a beast.

[clusterbuck]

Can only get better as a country we produce some fantastic artists and elbow at right there at the top of the tree........Quality surpassed.

Check out Glasvegas.... daddys gone

[pinkstateomind]

not to be a noodge

but Elbow are from Bury

not Manchester

which is nearby but

snot the same thing...

this song gets me everytime...

love it

[LeonardandStuff]

They consider themselves to be from Manchester though.

Looking back over "Manchester's" music history you'll find most of it actually comes from surrounding satelite towns like Salford and Rochdale.

I'm not having a go. I'm a manc myself.

[guyfidelity]

Yeah these guys a great, yet another killer band from Manchester, I'm just pissed that it took me this long to find out about them.

[Shithouse1]

One of our truly great modern bands.

[redsonyaJ]

this is my fav song at the mo and it must be played loud! it has such a pull and can make me cry, it's sung emotionally and is just so moody

[glassineheart]

his voice is fucking glorious

[funkadizzle]

@glassineheart indeed =]

[funkadizzle]

awesome band.

sound as good live as they do on disc...

..better even!

guy garvey nails it. they all do.

[hairytroosers]

straight from the soul

[gouldbass]

i suppose you mean Garvey....I wouldn't say the musicianship is.

[hairytroosers]

what do you mean?

[gouldbass]

Do you not read your comments? I think Garvey has a good voice (albeit a bit limited), but the musicians are pretty bland.

Bass? What bass lol.

[12345l6789]

less is more my friend

[renoo27]

Don't really liek this... Guy really looks like he's struggling.

[sfa2]

Nup - Guy looks like he's singing from the heart.

He's a bloody genius.

[renoo27]

That he is.

[monwinter]

Great!!!!

[Henry1802]

Does anybody know where i can get an MP3 of this?

[Henry1802]

I meant the particular performance, i have bought the album, don't be so aggressive.

[BirdFantastic]

shit i hope hoodratash doesnt mind that i got it for free, but payed $60 to see them in concert

[hoodratash]

i dont care what u do i just want everyone to hear this awsome album that was my point aggresion wasnt intended.

[charcharbiotch]

somebody please tell me coldplay have never one the mercury prize. i hope to god not.

[hedgeanie]

A stunner on an album of stunners. Well deserved prizewinners.

[skyethebard]

I never even heard of Elbow until a week ago and now I am hooked. This live performance in particular...I'm compelled to watch Guy sing this.

Stunning.

[sfa2]

Not ashamed that this song brings tears to my eyes.

[patatmetkip]

this song manages to send shivers down my spine everytime i hear it.

[CarolMooncat]

...mind blowing...

[forest3693]

brought the album off the back of this performance i m a big radiohead fan but think they deserved it two brilliants albums

[hailtheradio]

yeah Radiohead Fan :)

[ospreyjay]

saw them play this at the v festival at the gold coast.. they were unbloodybelievable.. best band on the planet by a long way... legends!!!!!!

[REALBIGMAC]

that was simply beautiful

[trowel12]

who is elbow?

[431972]

soon to be the biggest band around my friend!!!

[hailtheradio]

hey bud, how long has elbow been around? how many albums?

[lopezmt]

2001 they came out with their first album, "Asleep in the Back"; they have released 4 albums in total: "Cast of Thousands"; "Leaders of the Free World"; and "The Seldom Seen Kid"

[YorkshirePunk01]

They've been around for longer than 2001. The reason why they didn't get noticed before was because their record label was going down the pan.

[tsexytez]

work with jups auntie

[rooduck]

epic performance,

[431972]

fuckin amazing band .....

[joeg19]

top Bury lads, go' oan yeselves

[AuroraBorealisxxx]

Such an amazing band :)

[DevilFridge]

Amazing performance, absolutely flawless

[pollypet]

I had this friend a few years ago who was a massive Savage Garden fan and always said that Elbow were crap. It amuses me even now!

[thomyorkeismylover]

a truly exceptional song, but for the defining performance, you must hear the version with the bbc concert orchestra.

[rickenbackerric]

that version of that song is one of best live performances i have ever heard in my entire life.

[hivejfc]

i agree

[MrMontagne]

I love the range of emotions they have. They have absolute highs - Powder Blue, One Day Like This, Switching Off. And they have absolute lows - Tower Crane Driver, Some Riot.

A beautiful, brilliant and masterful band. They deserve all the credit they get and more. They've worked long enough for it.

[louloubell1970]

This is probably the best song I have ever heard. I love it and so looking forward to them tomorrow

[Yarrginator]

You lucky bugger!

[trgzbaby]

I saw them last night :-)

[Schrevs]

the most beautiful thing i have ever heard, cant wait to see them at the end of the month

[franky2467]

The most intelligent band since the Beatles. Elbow's music is diverse, original, beautiful, lyrically brilliant,their musiciansip is phenominal and guy garvey is a brilliant frontman. Highly intelligent arrangements on all their tracks. Their music will live forever!

[MadMathmatics]

The most intelligent band since the Beatles? but do you notice they don't have an enough amout of good songs . i mean, maybe beatles has 40 good songs but elbow has only 13 or so?

[shortyktfc]

Can't agree with that - I think XTC and the Divine Comedy are up there in that bracket.

However this is rightly the Mercury Prize winning album and Elbow are a special outfit!

[homesicksubterranean]

i'D say most intelligent band since radiohead.

[MadMathmatics]

you are my favourate song

[rickenbackerric]

beatles 40 songs? elbow 13?! how fuckng wrong are you. beatles white album alone nearly had 40 on its own. and elbow have made FOUR albums never mind b-sides and demos. you fucking retard

[FreindlyRanger]

The Beatles were just an Oasis cover band. :-)

[sidiki4]

ahaha how does that make sense?

thats like saying mozart covered girls aloud

[FreindlyRanger]

I doesn't make sense, it was a joke. didn't you notice the smiley face? :-).

The joke is that Oasis are only a .....oh forget it.

[sidiki4]

i was laughing at its literal interpretation knowing it wasn't meant to be taken like that

my bad

i wasn't clear

[FreindlyRanger]

No, my bad, I didn't spot the.....do you wanna come back to my place?

LOL okay, that's that settled.

[Chesterlion]

Great song, great album.

[FreindlyRanger]

I'm obsessed with this album. I'm starting to think its the best album ever. Ever in the world. Ever.

[431972]

What a fuckin band..........................­...

[bigbud702002]

just heard theyre playin t in the park this year...awesome

[drhewitt]

absolutely brilliant - can't wait to see this performed live in Australia :)

[boldy77]

didn't know of them till i saw this on the beeb and i thought they were such good performers

[calvinit21]

Outstanding rendition of an amazing song.

[Evypoo137]

casts of thousands made me fall in love. couldn't hurt to start with Asleep in the back, some of their older stuff.

[toryboyblue]

Thanks!

[toryboyblue]

Possibly just beginning to get to know and like this band... which album should I buy to fall in love?

[HodowlaJerzy]

you should definitely listen to the Seldom Seen Kid. IMHO that's the best one.

[toryboyblue]

Thanks!

[lunoblec]

listen to the whole album its a masterpiece

[jamesapplewhite]

An incredible song from an amazingly talented band, easily worthy of the Merc Award and many more awards to come.

Bring on Wembley in March!!

[edjcrooks]

I can't wait til' Wembley!

[dribbler23]

Ha ha. It took a while my dear boys but finally the world has awoken. I only hope you continue with your steady sensuous journey and dont sell out.

[JamesBCS]

3:16 - orgasmic

[Blacknarcissa]

God yes!

[KRM70]

Awesome.

Simply stunning.

[bryseis2007]

Elbow, Elbow, Elbow. What more can I say? Other than this..

Sheer

Bliss...

[ftmtudor]

What a song and what a song title...pure genius! Can't wait to see them in march and none of mates fancied it...fools!!!

[silversebas]

song name?

[hotelistanbul]

The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver off of the album "The Seldom Seen Kid"

[silversebas]

thanks! what a song! what a performance, what a band!

[YorkshirePunk01]

I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sparkyinbath]

can't really think of another song which sends shivers down my spine like this one. one of those songs you can put on repeat.

[panzerkampfss]

same thing here

[hivejfc]

i love him.

i really, really do

[ginbraiba]

one of the best bands around. i´m glad they finnaly did it. I´m fan for a long long time. cheers

[tsuicbd18]

omg theyre insane

[BeJayusAndBeGorragh]

What a song! What a band! The best thing to come from Manchester since Eric Cantona!

[georgewhufc14]

he didnt come from manchester..

[pineapplezzandstuff]

precisely....

[kemikalrxn]

Well now it's obvious why they won, isn't it?

[joeafb]

Honestly, i had brain injury 2yrs ago this was the first REAL emotion i had

[joeafb]

chipapedia

[joeafb]

course tried to input a lucid, strong comment via the medium of theft. k

[sub333]

Absolutely amazing. Very powerful.

[simul68]

im a manc and have loved oasis from the start but these absolutley shit on them, every album every concert ive been to proper quality muscians who do there own thing very very well. what a voice live, love them.

[LeonardandStuff]

I'm a manc and everyone shits on Oasis.