i only discoverd phils songs about 2yrs, ago what a revelation it was!! it was a long n hard road it led me through paul simon, cat stevens,simon n garfunkle, melanie ,donovan(legend),dylan,beaz,seeger,guthrie and then i found what i was looking for PHIL OCHS im only 36 my partner didnt what was going on before that i loved synth pop (grew up in 80s england) and nobody that i no has heard of him,not for lack of me ranting about him though,i mean 50 phil ochs fans cant be wrong!!!!!!!
If Phil were still around today, imagine the songs he could compose about what is going in the world politicallly. Miss you Phil and your songs take on such special meaning considering how relevant they still are today.
Gordon Lightfoot told me that Phil wrote this song while he was visiting Gordon in Toronto. He wrote it while sitting on Gordon's back steps one day. Best song ever.
may the heavens hold you phil. you inspired me when i was young, & your songs still ring true & clear. the cost of freedom is measured here. had you found a way through your illness, i don't know if we'd have your songs. so, here's to you, brother lost & found.
Well, for my money, one of the most beautiful melodies and sets of lyrics ever put down on paper...His voice is good too. Phil called this "The Day The Universe Moved" This is recorded in Boston off of Phil Ochs in Concert, I think.I wore out the record years ago, still play it...
I saw Phil twice. Once at Hunter College right after the gold lame period (he was incredible) and once shortly before he died in the Village. He was so drunk he couldn't get past the first song, couldn't hardly stand up and couldn't remember the words. I just cried. If you can, see the documentary. I saw it the first day it came out here in NYC, the first time I went to a movie alone and it was incredible.
@LaylaBklyn I was a teen in Vancouver, don't know how or when I got turned on to Phil but this song prompted me to pick up my dad's 6 string and learn enough chords to play along, words reaching down deep. I also saw Phil, similar experience. It was a small club in Vancouver, I felt out of place but happily endured it with the anticipation of seeing PHIL, ready to drink in the experience. Instead, stabbingly painful .. he was drunk..catcalls .. led off. now all these years later I'm here. ahh
This is his most beautiful song - not a typical Ochs protest song but one of my favorites and I love this performance of it. Poor Phil - RIP. I miss you every time I hear one of your songs and hope you found peace.
I'd never heard this performance before--thanks for sharing it! Do you know where it was recorded? Supposedly, Phil wrote this song during an intermission at a concert. Undoubtedly the result of a "manic episode"--or an incredible burst of creativity. I would not wish what he endured on anyone, and yet the question remains. If Phil had been "medicated", would he have left us all these beautiful gifts?
don't ya think that truely great artist have something different than the average/normal person.it makes them special and insiteful.they often pay for their difference buy judgement and sometimes the ultiment price.
Bob Fass interviewed Phil Ochs on WBAI in the 60s, and Ochs sang Changes in the studio. (Wonder if that tape survived?) What I recall is that, Ochs was less worried about his own fame than the failure of what he thought was his best song to get out there . The record company had, I think, Jan and Dean record it in a loud banging arrangement inappropriate to this wonderful poetry. Ochs and Fass played some of that, sort of jokingly, but Ochs sounded broken-hearted.
Bob Fass interviewed Phil Ochs on WBAI in the 60s, and Ochs sang Changes in the studio. (Wonder if that tape survived?) What I recall is that, Ochs was less worried about his own fame than the failure of what he thought was his best song to get out there . The record company had, I think, Jan and Dean record it in a loud banging garrangement inappropriate to this wonderful poetry. Ochs and Fass played some of that, sort of jokingly, but Ochs sounded broken-hearted.
I wish I could have seen Phil in person. If you get a chance in Chicago, they made a film documentary biograph of Phil called "There But For Fortune" which is absolutely awesome. I love Phil more than I ever thought I could.
Phil was a beautiful under-appreciated gifted and tortured artist. If he had lived longer he might have felt recognized but of course, living in The Village in Dylan's shadow must have been complicated. By the time I saw him at UMass is the 70's he was already suffering in public and it was heartbreaking. His music speaks for him forever.
@squintybeasts Nice commentary,Squin. I saw Phil in Boston in the late 60's...what a compassionate, great talent....so far ahead of us. Such a sad ending...
i luv this song. it makes my heart sail, where i don't know!
fairtradedirect 1 week ago
i only discoverd phils songs about 2yrs, ago what a revelation it was!! it was a long n hard road it led me through paul simon, cat stevens,simon n garfunkle, melanie ,donovan(legend),dylan,beaz,seeger,guthrie and then i found what i was looking for PHIL OCHS im only 36 my partner didnt what was going on before that i loved synth pop (grew up in 80s england) and nobody that i no has heard of him,not for lack of me ranting about him though,i mean 50 phil ochs fans cant be wrong!!!!!!!
mrdylandemi 3 weeks ago
amazing song!!! dont know if this is my favourite ochs song simply because that changes daily but definitly up there!!
mrdylandemi 3 weeks ago
If Phil were still around today, imagine the songs he could compose about what is going in the world politicallly. Miss you Phil and your songs take on such special meaning considering how relevant they still are today.
LeeMike233 4 weeks ago
Gordon Lightfoot told me that Phil wrote this song while he was visiting Gordon in Toronto. He wrote it while sitting on Gordon's back steps one day. Best song ever.
lydiaexe2 1 month ago
The best thing Phil ever wrote... and that says a truckload, man.
mussman717word 1 month ago
@eurose93 Here's to similar memories! Clink!
LaylaBklyn 3 months ago
may the heavens hold you phil. you inspired me when i was young, & your songs still ring true & clear. the cost of freedom is measured here. had you found a way through your illness, i don't know if we'd have your songs. so, here's to you, brother lost & found.
navajomudtoy 3 months ago
Well, for my money, one of the most beautiful melodies and sets of lyrics ever put down on paper...His voice is good too. Phil called this "The Day The Universe Moved" This is recorded in Boston off of Phil Ochs in Concert, I think.I wore out the record years ago, still play it...
TheVaughan7 3 months ago
@TheVaughan7 Have no idea when or where this was recorded, but it's definitely a different version than the one on "In Concert..."
tml4873 1 week ago
No one can express the wistful sadness in this song as sensitively as Phil.
fedela100 4 months ago
The fight will go on - as you always knew it would. RIP Babe - the world misses you.
paullavan2011 4 months ago
I saw Phil twice. Once at Hunter College right after the gold lame period (he was incredible) and once shortly before he died in the Village. He was so drunk he couldn't get past the first song, couldn't hardly stand up and couldn't remember the words. I just cried. If you can, see the documentary. I saw it the first day it came out here in NYC, the first time I went to a movie alone and it was incredible.
LaylaBklyn 4 months ago
@LaylaBklyn I was a teen in Vancouver, don't know how or when I got turned on to Phil but this song prompted me to pick up my dad's 6 string and learn enough chords to play along, words reaching down deep. I also saw Phil, similar experience. It was a small club in Vancouver, I felt out of place but happily endured it with the anticipation of seeing PHIL, ready to drink in the experience. Instead, stabbingly painful .. he was drunk..catcalls .. led off. now all these years later I'm here. ahh
eurose93 3 months ago
This is his most beautiful song - not a typical Ochs protest song but one of my favorites and I love this performance of it. Poor Phil - RIP. I miss you every time I hear one of your songs and hope you found peace.
msandisue 5 months ago 3
I'd never heard this performance before--thanks for sharing it! Do you know where it was recorded? Supposedly, Phil wrote this song during an intermission at a concert. Undoubtedly the result of a "manic episode"--or an incredible burst of creativity. I would not wish what he endured on anyone, and yet the question remains. If Phil had been "medicated", would he have left us all these beautiful gifts?
Johngalt43 6 months ago
don't ya think that truely great artist have something different than the average/normal person.it makes them special and insiteful.they often pay for their difference buy judgement and sometimes the ultiment price.
nomiclas 6 months ago
Bob Fass interviewed Phil Ochs on WBAI in the 60s, and Ochs sang Changes in the studio. (Wonder if that tape survived?) What I recall is that, Ochs was less worried about his own fame than the failure of what he thought was his best song to get out there . The record company had, I think, Jan and Dean record it in a loud banging arrangement inappropriate to this wonderful poetry. Ochs and Fass played some of that, sort of jokingly, but Ochs sounded broken-hearted.
wonderfuloldguy 8 months ago
Bob Fass interviewed Phil Ochs on WBAI in the 60s, and Ochs sang Changes in the studio. (Wonder if that tape survived?) What I recall is that, Ochs was less worried about his own fame than the failure of what he thought was his best song to get out there . The record company had, I think, Jan and Dean record it in a loud banging garrangement inappropriate to this wonderful poetry. Ochs and Fass played some of that, sort of jokingly, but Ochs sounded broken-hearted.
wonderfuloldguy 8 months ago
I still miss you, Phil.
SFVoice4Israel 9 months ago
@SFVoice4Israel I miss Phil, too
dpgjmg 5 months ago
Brilliant! Listen over and over.........This is true poetic music artistry.
berky1 9 months ago
Saw him in an impromptu concert at a Boston Peace rally shortly before his death. Oh imagine if he was here through the Bush years...!!!!
RIP Phil....
celticrosie 10 months ago
I wish I could have seen Phil in person. If you get a chance in Chicago, they made a film documentary biograph of Phil called "There But For Fortune" which is absolutely awesome. I love Phil more than I ever thought I could.
LeeMike233 1 year ago
You lucky bastards got to see him at all.
ThisIsUngood 1 year ago
Phil was a beautiful under-appreciated gifted and tortured artist. If he had lived longer he might have felt recognized but of course, living in The Village in Dylan's shadow must have been complicated. By the time I saw him at UMass is the 70's he was already suffering in public and it was heartbreaking. His music speaks for him forever.
squintybeasts 1 year ago 2
@squintybeasts Nice commentary,Squin. I saw Phil in Boston in the late 60's...what a compassionate, great talent....so far ahead of us. Such a sad ending...
garykatzusa 1 year ago
This is it.. finally the waiting is over for the a great version of a great song by a great man.
11xzxzxz 1 year ago
Met him once, in Chicago at the Trainwreck. Wish I'd had more time with him, but it was a busy week.
pedonbio 1 year ago
Fantastic song...very sad...but beautiful. Happy 70th birthday, Phil. (December 19, 2010)
PorkyBarnes 1 year ago
Ochs was bipolar, He did not lose his marbles but had an untreated illness This song is breathtaking
beulahethel 1 year ago 8
@beulahethel Yea his sister said he needed medication
spacepatrolman 1 year ago
A very troubled, but incredibly talented man. Enjoy one of his best- and everyone have a great Saturday!
jimmyb227 1 year ago
He was a truely great artist. It's good to see he lives on in the memories of others. Though very troubled I will always remember him fondly.
steve42555 1 year ago 9
He lost his marbles but was a great artist.
Loosetear 1 year ago
This the best Phil Ochs version of this song in my opinion. What concert was this? Thank you for posting this.
VJ254 1 year ago
Fabulous. Painful.
rubio66 1 year ago
beautiful
euw7 2 years ago