City Boy "The Day The Earth Caught Fire"

[bikergirltoni]

Damn Lol Mason was HOT!!

[blazak]

I love this 1979 album to death but I have to wonder how much this video contributed to global warming.

[COHStarSlammer]

The final Track on Side 2 is Ambition Tull29, I was luck enoughto get a CD of it in the late 90's and it is a cherished treasure...

[TheBirdofTokyo]

Crofty you read the comments?

[Tull29]

Fantastic album and I have it on vinyl but not the means to play it.

What was the final track on side two? Got to hear that again!

I remember playing air hockey in a basement with this tune blasting along with a strobe light and a black light for lighting effects!

This is one album that for memories sake I must update!

[19chimp24]

saw these guys in Toronto in the early 80's on this tour

[angelamaracle]

I had this album as a kid. Surprised to find this on youtube.

[akrocuba]

The Big CHEEZY 80's.....LOL

Great song though....memories run wild!

[MrManfly]

i bought this album when it came out.....it's long gone, but i sure wish i had kept it !!

[aijo10]

it`s so great too hear this music again :)

[aftkev11]

still got this record in my vinyl collection ... ACE

[BohemianConspiracy]

hey the singer looks like a 70s Mark Ruffalo ...it's good to have a "real" video of those guys... it sound a litlle bit as if in 1979 suddenly Uriah Heep and Queen decided to record secretly together and took a more artrock-new wave direction...

[AlburyAustralia]

St kilda ,Melbourne is a world known location for everything CITY BOY suggest.

I can think of how BAD FOR BUSINESS it is to have prostitutes serving the street ,pressing aganst poles that get hit by smoke having a beer at "the Prince".

I can know how BAD FOR BUSINESS it is to have a long culture of people outside all social norms everywhere you sit or stand.

But CITY BOY just sing about it,they were not Australians!

THEIR ACT JUST REPRESENT PLACES TO THE BONE.Kings Cross too!!!

[witt19800]

Hmm. Now I know where Capone n Noreaga's "Reunion" comes from.

[blizzardoakenshield]

i have book early and i love it...does anyone know if they have remade that album on cd or not?

[zmagusta]

So alt ! Und doch jeden Tag aktuell !

[BadFlyingV69]

Good band that I did not discover until years later. Produced by Mutt Lange I believe.

Cool album!

[mljansson]

I LOVE this song and all that CITY BOY have done ... I LOVE IT.

[midlandmaverick]

Yes, Lol Mason (with the beard) was the frontman of The Maisonettes.

It's a pity the video isn't of the album version with Mike Slamer's brilliant guitar solo on it ;-)

[midlandmaverick]

Yes, Lol Mason (with the beard) was the frontman of The Maisonettes.

[MrScotsman50]

didnt he guy with the beard sing with the maisonettes heartbreak avenue ?

[TheMaKops]

Not to bash but pretty gay... :)

[cdtheduck]

@TheMaKops No frikkin' pooftahs in this band, mate!!

[MrJaybee61]

I used to listen to this album alot

[sRod21]

This is so cool, I actually met the bassist, Chris Dunn, at my neighbor's new year's eve party. Didn't even know he was in a band till he told me.

[quazar68]

Best band EVER!!!!!!!!

[hamderjohn]

Faldt lige over en lille sjældenhed :-)

[hhdacount]

isn't Mike Slamer in this band?

The work he did with Steelhoude Lane is also amazing. Same bombastic feel in the songs. AHe also played in Streets with Steve Walsh of Kansas on vocals check it out!

[aijukulautanyt]

Live City Boy but never got nobody?

[carinadrexler]

the best band ever!!!!! i have all there records I tell you they play in the same leauge as The Queen

[boppefors]

Have all theire albums...what an underestimated band...but, unfortunately it isn't the skill of the musicians that create success or not...to bad. Please,check out a first, humble, rehersal tryout of this song at my channel, no, were not commercial so it's not an advertise, just a hobby.

[PJAvenger]

I wonder if Lol Mason knew that his name would be used in billions of text messages in the future? LOL

[mal2pool]

superb...could have been from the war of the worlds album...1979 oh yessssss. big hit...noooo

[lwkite]

blazak - The Day the Earth Caught was released on CD in 2008. You can buy mp3 from Amazon.

[SusanUpstairs]

CITY BOY! WHAT A GREAT BAND! I PLAYED THIS ALBUM TO DEATH WHEN I WAS A KID. THANKS SO MUCH FOR LOADING IT! YOU ROCK!

[bjarnifreyr]

Heard Jorn Lande cover this song and had to fint the original.. I am impressed

[paukut1]

One of the greatest songs ever! I'm amazed, that here in Finland we never heard about this band until it was too late - or is it ? Are they still making music, who knows?

[tbayrocks]

This is the very first song I saw performed Live in concert...... They backed up Prism in November 1978 at the Winnipeg Arena........

[glimor]

After seeing this video I.... more like hearing this music I have to laught at today's music! This is very well-produced indeed!! Music that runs in your heart for years. No-one has done that except for Toto and a couple of others.

[blazak]

God DAMN I loved this album in the late 70s. Was it ever released on CD? Up in the 80s!

[tkljung]

City boy is in my heart, i grow up with this. Many memories. But... why or where is those giutar solos that complete those songs. shi t Mike Slamer. sorry for those people that know "better". Seems you dident fit.??? why isent solos included? anyone know..............?

[MBS9900]

They were ahead of their time. it is what we hear today and too often.

Not only that, it is a great number

I like this song............

[neastrum]

If you enjoy the original, which is awesome I may add. You may like to know that Jorn paid tribute to this song. Almost the same just a little more modern. Cleaner guitar tone & over all audio production value.

[collinsjamesl]

@neastrum I'm a big fan of City Boy's, but I have to admit, I love Jorn's cover of the song. I found it by accident on iTunes and scooped it up immediately. I'm glad Jorn didn't try to change the song. Jorn's version it hot hot hot! Does anyone know it it was released as a single anywhere worldwide?

[acfor6]

Useless!! The magnificent guitarsolo is missing!!

[jaegerbh]

@acfor6 Yep, he deliberately cut out the solo!

[groundhog713]

Wow! We just saw an episode of "As The World Burns" starring City Boy....anyway, that's a great song and video......

[jaegerbh]

rarrendarren, where is the rest of the song??? The video stops just short of one of their most amazing guitar solos!

[Ju5tP1an3Cra2y]

this is a good song, but I have a question. does anyone else think that the one guitarist looks like he's not wearing pants, or is it just me?

[clapfire2]

it's just really tight pants

[RandyRocketMetal]

Hahahaha, good one!

[nyghtshadowe]

I think you all have my email address, but just post on the board - either the main one or the Forum.

Early days yet, but I am very excited, believe me!

LOVE to you ALL,

Max Thomas and you, uberbelly!!!

[nyghtshadowe]

Lol has always said he would NOT be interested, but....

John will be contacting Mike and Steve. Watch this space!

The request; we are trying to locate the master tapes of IP, but an alternative woulod be to get hold of a pristine copy of the album itself, either on vinyl or on CD. Is there anyone out there who would be willing to lend John thier copy so that he could use it as a master? Please contact me immediately if you can do this. to be con't

[nyghtshadowe]

Well, one thing led to another, and there is now some serious discussion going on about trying to reform the band with a view to releasing "It's Personal " in the USA, AND following it with a NEW City Boy album next year. Roy is definitely up for it, and John Edwards, the CEO of Renaissance records is in the process of ..... wait for it....trying to convince Mutt Lange to be involved with its production.

Who else? Too early to say at this stage.

to be con't

[nyghtshadowe]

Here's some news from Max taken from the CB-forum today.

Dear all,

First, I'm sorry I haven't posted anything for such a long time.......

I have some news that will be of interest to everyone....and also a request.

Laurelie wrote to me recently - and I feel very bad about not even communicating with you - and suggested I get in touch with Renaissance Records about their re-releasing stuff..

to be con't

[EdgarOM22]

this song is better with Jorn.

[Nekokun77]

Not bad. I like it, but I still think Jorn did a better job with it - especially the slight revision of his revision on his "Unlocking the Past" album :D

[Swenrik]

This is an realy great song but Jorn Lande have done an even greater cover of this amazing song!

p.s.

Jorn forever!!

[STEPPBANGKOK]

mick slamer played with streets awesome band check them out

[MazterGuitarz]

It's really a good vid (not?) but it so great music it doesn't matter, (we can discuss that somewhere else if the music vids are better now!!)

This was the70/80:s Record Companies way of expressing a so called "hit".

Are there any difference today?

Yeah, hopefully 'cause most talented and aware musicans doesn't let the RC bastards rule their careers,

we got Internet now .....

[theyank125]

got the day the earth caught fire on itunes thought i would never get my hands on this again used to have it on tape 25 years ago , sounds great on the ipod

[dubedaare]

ahahaha

[dettigs]

heard this song today for the first time on xm radio channel 40......very kool, can't believe i'm 45 and never heard of these guys. is the rest of their music as good as this, or even better?

[balo11]

Hi

Then you are in for a surprise , yes their music is very very good. They were popular over here in Scandinavia in the late 70s, the 3 albums I will recommend you to look for is :

"Dinner at the Ritz" 1977

"The Day the Earth Caught Fire" 1979 and "Heads Are Rolling" 1981 .

[dettigs]

thanks for the info......i will definitely check them out!

[MazterGuitarz]

Hey, it's kind of compering stars agaist shit,

this was the 80:s and they was'nt even ashamed,

why should they, this was/is still kind of QUALITY!!

Firback almost any of todays wannabee's..

No probs...

In 4 years no one will ever refer to that

"KIND OF SHI..."

[lutfesk94]

It's as good :- D,,

[prof1plum]

Has anyone got 'bad for business'? it was the b side to 5705.Would really love to hear it again after all these years.Great guitar riff!

[jonnienye]

im bummed the guitar work is not included...that whole album-side had impact on me and my bro,i remember buying it cause of the cover art!

[lwkite]

I remember playing this in 1980 when the volcanic ash from Mt St Helens was falling all around us.

[iconicide]

So, what is it, they did a video for the abridged version? The strings breakdown is one of the most powerful parts!

[billiardball001]

MY DAD'S THE BASSIST IN CITY BOY BABY! (Chris Dunn)

[BloodyMetal]

OMFG

Amazing

[krisslee]

I got slated something rotten for liking this band, all mymates were into the punk thing, for me this was one of the best bands ever, as was siad before way ahead of their time, so glad to have found this thanks for posting

[paulbyford]

Amazing- I haven't heard this song since it was first released (about 1978 I think). It's better than I remembered and the video is excellent for its day. Thanks for posting- I really enjoyed it.

[Citydanois]

Very underrated indeed, too bad they were ahead of their time and they did not fit into one particular genre. I'm lucky to have all their albums, even the hard to find "Heads Are Rolling" when they were down to 4 people. This was one of the first bands Robert "Mutt" Lange work with as a producer, and I believe he produced the first 5 of 7 albums. Mike Slamer has always been an inspiration to me as a guitar player. I was lucky to see them live in Copenhagen when they toured for "Book Early".

[colemann76]

Underrated

[jamey12]

belive it or not thety played inlittle ole fort frances,,and yes im amazed at their voices the way they just all finly meshed..all the keys they sang in one of my favourite bands of all time

[ianpmckay]

Also met lead guitarist Mike Slamer a couple of times at our local pub "The Garden Gate" in Handsworth Wood, and remember discussing our shared love of seafood! Not sure if he ever wrote anything about crabs or squid though, but a damn fine guitar player all the same.

[ianpmckay]

Also saw them at Wolverhampton Civic Hall and one famous gig at Birmingham Odeon where they supported Sutherland Brothers & Quiver, who'd just had a major hit with "Arms of Mary." Of course everyone had only come to see their local heroes, so you had to feel a bit sorry for the headliners as most of the audience retired to the bar when they appeared.

[ianpmckay]

Birmingham's finest, sadly killed off by punk rock, and I do remember Max (the keyboard player) having a rant about it published in NME at the time. Saw them several times including the old Bingley Hall, where the Symphony Hall now stands.

[SpuriousEmmision]

Managed to replace my well worn vynil with a CD. Won it off German Ebay. What a chance find, as it wasn't released on CD here in the UK. Ironic considering they are from Birmingham. Sadly as posted by other people, Mike Slamer's excellent guitar solo has been edited.

None the less, great to see the video. Thanks for posting.

[STCCLover]

Still going strong.I simply loved this in the 80:s

[americantear]

So few people have ever heard of City Boy. They were a great band. This song is one of their best.

[minijag]

City Boy were afantasticband and this is a fantastic video -even though bably synced

[Peekingduck]

This was awesome in the 70's and it still is...

Thanks for uploading

[COLDITZx]

GREAT BAND AND A SONG!! Warm thanx for the posting from Finland!!

[patrick66a]

Great stuff Thier manager gave my dad the first album. I have two of the first and most of all of them..

Fashion seems to have come round again.

[ModestDeathFish]

If 9/11 had a theme song....this would be it.

[drcosmic2hotmail]

The song is Not Complete. The album Version, which is longer and much more intricate, is amazing!

Released at a time when Popular Music was being flushed down the "Policitally Correct" crapper that was the 1980's, This is, indeed, a Classic!

The album (Also called 'The Day The Earth Caught Fire") had several excellent cuts on it, and is my personal favorite by the band.

If you like this, I suggest you check out Klaatu's album's "Hope", "Sir Army Suit" and the Classic First album, "3:47 EST"

[TheCyberPit]

Yer right... I have the original album version on cassette & it was the instrumentals that drew me to the song. I Love Klaatu & Hope is one of my top 10 favorite songs. It seems that back then, music had more meat and message to it than now. TDTECF would fit right in today with the environmental "green" thing happening. I really miss tunes like this.

[Larsfive]

Great song :)

Larsfive (sweden)

[kenster180]

MY friend's dad was the bassist for this band.

[Saranar]

Totally kickass, Jorn Lande version is better, especially with Ronni Le Tekro as guitarist.

[TheLEAX]

Yeah this song is super but with Jorn Lande its AWESOME :)

[colemann76]

One of the best songs of the 70's

[aftkev]

brill band fab song .. i av the original

[Artdekadent]

I Love The Video.

[riffdude1]

I like this song, I found it after listening to a cover. You should check out Jorn Lande's cover of this song, it really kicks ass, but I don't think you will find it here on youtube.

[nzfilmsdotcom]

@riffdude1 found it, watch?v=tOW-xpae508 :)

[FatherGump5130]

thank you thank you, one of the most underrated bands of the 70's and 80's. I bought everything they made!!!

HAP-KI-DO

[patrick66a]

Have uou got 5705 on a 7" blue plastic. I have tee hee. Glad I am not the only City boy fan.

Take care,,, Patrick

[quazar68]

This is classic!!!

[walkaboutsteve]

Thanks for posting this video - a great song from a great album. A trip down memery lane, cheers.

[MAN615]

Oh my God!!! One of my fave albums of all time. Seeked them out whe I found out that the album was produced by Mutt Lange. This album is a concept album from with some of the most creative lyrics and vocals ever heard. Love alot of their stuff, but never knew there was a video for this song, SO KEWL!!!

[bmajs]

Caught them live in Portland, OR in the early 80's. They opened for Hall & Oates. My brother and I actually went to see City Boy. H & O were just icing on the cake. Great show!

[threebillion6]

They cut out Slamer's guitar solo! These guys are so creative you think they could of had a better video. Love them none the less, though.

[saplace]

Caught this band at the ol' barn arena in Winnipeg, Canada in the early 80's with Rush or Styx. They were great then! I think I have this LP SOMEwhere in my joint. LOVE the dated video. I am gettiing old!!!

[tritonol]

Believe it or not I have this LP at home! It's nice to finally see one of their videos.

[sram2480]

the album is spectacular, just hope their music gets picked up on a film (eg like Donnie Darko) and the world wakes up to what they've missed. They invented Muse before Muse were born.

[nosehair351]

God bless Mike Slamer

[Peolomi]

The video stinks...but the song is so GREAT! THX UL...Great Copy

[eloypath]

This is a very good Album,but their first 3 are very awesome. Thanks for posting.

First: City Boy

Second: Dinner at the Ritz

Third: Young Man gone West

[ziggeman]

Great Band...great album...did tho toss it in the bin when the cd came...cityboy dot org exist tho:)

[adedarrxx]

max thomas was my maths teacher at broadlands

[quazar68]

best 70's album. and thats that.

[TNTfan101]

watch?v=tOW-xpae508 Jorn Cover

[PaddyGoo]

Just listened - the Jorn version is identical, well done, but totally identical.

[0XsailormoonX0]

AWESOME!

[quazar68]

Doesn't get much better than this. Simply amazing!!!!

[Artdekadent]

I just love them,and my favorite is Life on The Balcony.

[TNTfan101]

JORN's cover was better!

[TNTfan101]

Whoever marked my commentt have you even heard the cover? I posted the link.

[Surlejma]

I love this album.. My first.. Haha.. I was only 13 years and a girl..

GOOD TIMES ROLLING

[guvner09]

yup! awesome stuff... kinda forgot about it and this just brings back so many memories.

Let the GOOD TIMES ROLL AND ROCK!!

[PilferMusic]

Wow I love LOVE this album. One of the very best of the era!

[nikralenash]

Brilliant! These guys (along with Sad Cafe)are some of the best talent ever to be ignored on this side of the pond. They were supposed to come to Victoria ,BC in the late seventies to back up some other band that we didn't care about. They never showed and we almost caused a riot. We got our asses tossed for that. Still stands the test of time. I played some tapes for the 20 somethings at work. Holy shit! Who the hell is that?

[bjursus]

Yes, really a band that has never got the credit they deserve. Their records you can listen to over and over again. I my opinion "The day the earth caught fire" is one of the best record ever made.

[scamgrammy]

First time i have heard this song and its quite good. I thought they only had 5705

[quazar68]

agree, totally!

[FelixPhoenix]

XD. My dad was the bass guitarist. My favorite song of theirs has to be The World Loves a Dancer, though.

[BADBAZIL]

Have to agree with your opinion of your favourite song. City Boy is one of my all time favourite groups. Favourite album would have to be Book Early closely followed by The Day the Earth Caught Fire. You must be really proud that your dad was a member of this group.

[0XsailormoonX0]

REALLY?

[PaddyGoo]

Love that track too! So many though, 5000 Years, Sunset Boulevard, Raise Your Glass, Moving In Circles, the list goes on - a truly marvellous band.

[balo11]

This was one of my favourite albums in 1979. Thay also released 'Heads are rolling' in 1980 and its another great album, now Im just waiting for any rare video clip from that album....

[gwtele]

fun facts produced by mutt lange he sing backups on it[just like everything he records]and mike slammer lead guitar also played guitars on warrants cherry pie...saw city boy in concert in calgary 79 opening 4 prism...blew em away...

[chubhunter]

the band never made it cause lots of bad timing. explanations to be found if you google cityboy story, or something. the story was like when they toured in the uk no one came. then they toured in the states and the uk started to scream for them. when back in uk it was too late. and when the americans wanted them back, their tour were cancelled due to truck drivers strike... bad luck. // shania twain was produced by the same team i think.

[beagleheadfred]

lOVE THIS SONG.The reason this band never got far is probably because they didn't look like rockstars,so today they'd have no chance at all at even getting a record deal.

Anyone know what these guys are doing now?

cheers!

Why can't music be about talent?

[caml06]

The days of great music like this are over and long gone. Now we have gems like Byonce and 50 Cent!!! Long live ROCK & ROLL!!!

[luangu]

OMFG!!!!! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! WOOT!

[beagleheadfred]

Been looking for this clip out of curiosity,haven't seen it in about 20 years.Thanks much for pitting it up on here.These guys look so geeky but fine musicians and singers! Great tune!

[thoerring]

Happy to se that fantastic band (i still listen to their LP's) Happy happy Greetings

[styxfankc15]

Even though the name posted for the song is wrong...the Clip is VERY MUCH Appreciated...Cheers to you for posting it...an Absolute Fav!

[Peekingduck]

I LOOOOOOOVE this album (before CD'S)

Outstanding.

Outstanding music

Thanks SOOOOO much !

[edavidathome]

Never seen this before, thank god for You tube. Damn good song got to about 78 in the UK, which shows they were never meant to be. One of the great groups though.

[rincewind1968]

Man !!! This made me cry, finding this video, THANKS!!!!

[supersobchak]

what a disaster! worse than Styx! Rush, The Cars, and Toto, chewed, digested, and crapped. AWESOME

[Pompdragon]

Excellent stuff, thanks for putting this one up - I

had never seen it before - love it - just love it :)

[Vaffanura]

It's really called "The Day The Earth Caught Fire". Thanks for putting it up!!

[ofusion]

God damn that's genius!