Pere Ubu, "Waiting for Mary"

[oscarrlopezg]

Glorious!!!

[MrLaurence19]

wish they would put this series on dvd. have tapes but getting worn out, every week such enjoyment

[acoronab]

Now I understand where Talking Heads come from

[TheFarrout1]

he was a bit of a boy that dt saw all of these back in the day ubu certainly best o f bunch at sheffield leadmill intense!!!!

[BornOutOfAGuitar]

@Heahmount And who the f*ck do you think you are? GOD? you lame ignorant fascist

[blumbino]

@BornOutOfAGuitar

Won't we feel silly if he turns out to actually BE God....

[BornOutOfAGuitar]

@blumbino God is Dead (Nietzsche)

[SexonToastable]

@Heahmount why are you here?

[ultramouse]

I always found this album a little weird, Ubu doing something so pop-ish, but they were good at it. Sanborn's sax is a bit too much though

[Epsilon15]

Whoa, check out David Thomas! Man, I wish I could have seen Pere Ubu back then.

[therealjosephoseph]

hahaah john head produced it. funny name.

[milad83300]

shame on you

[thesemenincident]

Okay, I've already commented on Debbie's horrible, lackluster singing here in the past, but I seriously wanna know, is she TRYING to ruin the song? Don't even get me started on Mr. David "Full House" Sanborn.

[Tontonscalp]

i saw this on TV. I still don't understand why they pull the plug in that show.

[Scrotemeister]

Sanbourn = how to fuck up a song. NO - do your fusion shit elsewhere.

[NJDev35]

Why can't we just get the released video for this crown gem?!

[BootyFister]

omg mullets!

[jbarph]

It's a shame the original "official" video is gone. I, too could do without Sanborn's Kenny G-esque saxophone.

[flashtheoriginal]

Hmmm. Enjoyed this. I saw Pere Ubu live in 1978/9 ish in England, with Gang of Four and Delta Five. Pere Ubu were misunderstood that night by a shit audience. I still have "Misery Goats" on CD, converted from the Rough Trade C81 issued free with NME. Class in a glass.

[RedMapp1]

Ubu genius!!

[squeakystool]

The best.

[55chh]

Sooo good, so incredibly good!

[MrGenXer]

that was just totally cool.

[Cigarshark1]

I thought Pere Ubu were an overrated cult band. Now I know better.

[kentonlarsen]

Insanely great line-up.

[disconnected22]

"Welcome to Mars, we're open all hours!" Still one of my favorite opening lines to a song, ever. Great performance, even though Little Debbie does kind of lose it during the last chorus. There's actually an mp3 of this floating around.

[Shooby52]

Really used to love "Night Music". One of the only late night music shows that showcased all kinds of music even tho David Sanborn was the host. Got to give the guy some credit if he also liked the stuff.

[emsctemsct]

Did I see Bill Cosby? :P

[mramone]

Why do other bands even bother? They're not going to be this good. Not even close!

[SuperPrincipeCarlos]

Gay start

[thebigm]

What I love about this video is that it starts out sounding ridiculously, stereotypically 80's. But then Dave Thomas starts singing, pulling it all together and it culminates into noisy punk rock awesomeness. Fucking brilliant.

[TroutMaskReplicaa]

0.55 Blondie got penetrated.

[miloSILO]

I am responsible for so many of these view counts. It brings me back to a happy time and during my shitty job, this song brings me close to bliss.

[chh5555]

David is such a tremendous stage presence, excellent timing, humor and pathos in one BIG package... such a great song too!

[xwaystranger]

Music ended in 1979. this is proof.

[emsctemsct]

@xwaystranger It's in 1989, I suppose

[ohmmes]

Great!!! Love David Thomas!!! It would have been better without the credits...

[MrLaurence19]

When oh when is this show going to be availble on DVD? Some really great music from this series.

[RedMapp1]

i don't know the lyrics but talks his body

[Haters714]

Epic proportions right here.

[infradig8]

What year would this have been - 1989 when Cloudland released, or later?

[ccfrahm]

so shy but so cool

[nmaloney01]

Still waiting for Mary.

[melanziobalduccello]

pere ubu,grandi!

[VINCENTECT]

Debby Harry is ever so beautiful !!! A local native Hawthorne NJ resident. I grew up near her.

[carlwinslow408]

black dude wants to fuck Blondie

[technohead]

@carlwinslow408

black dude probably did, LOL!

[wizishere]

saw this on mtv the other day...NOT! XD

[ccfrahm]

HE looks very shy. But what a weird cool voice and cool songs.

[clevebobtube]

Yes, that is the late, great Jim Jones.

And, we did see Ubu this past Friday night @ the Beachland Ballroom play The Modern Dance in its entirety. I think that they're playing Chicago and NYC at the end of the month. Run, don't walk to see them. Dave was in fine form and Tom Herman (original guitarist) was fantastic.

[Kohntarkosz]

Is that Jim Jones playing guitar? He looks really different here.

[talissin]

That's what i'd call feeling the music.

[ericarmstrong1]

I would kill to see them in Cleveland next month. Or anywhere for that matter. David Thomas is really one of a kind as a songwriter, orchestrator, singer.....

[isthismusic]

the sax on this is possibly the worst thing I have ever heard. I assume the guy playing it has it in his contract that he can ruin anything that his guests play - a bit like Jools Holland?

[himself801]

I think the purist in you is getting in the way of enjoying anything that strays too far from the the studio recording.

David's peformance is rather on the manic, hammy side compared to the recording on Cloudland, is seeing that a problem oppose to just listening to the record?

[isthismusic]

not it's just the sax. It sounds like Kenny G, which for me is a bit too far removed from the studio recording.

Saw them live when this came out and David was just like he is on the video.

[himself801]

I'm aware people who perform on stage make their gestures rather broad so they can be seen by the audience at the back of the house.

[Asymmatrix]

Was listening to Why I Hate Women (2006). Thirty years into it, and it's as good as anything they've ever done. They just don't put out bad albums. Fucking great band.

[plopnod]

Damn amazing!!!

[hobocakes]

man check out those guests! what a collection!

[Timmybear]

Somehow, until now, I never noticed the Yokoesque vocalese Debbie does (the soprano wailing about halfway through).

[Timmybear]

@Timmybear - specifically around 2:44.

[lundehund44]

Yeah, she kills the song. I love Debbie Harry, I was a Blondie fan club member back in the day, but her 'vocalizing' here is atrocious, someone should have cut her mic.

[Timmybear]

Isn't diversity of opinion wonderful? I thought she was one of the highlights, but, then, my favourite Beatle was always Yoko. :) (in order - Yoko, George, John, Ringo and Paul)

[himself801]

Even joking, I'm surprised you didn't get thumbs downs or unappreciative responses about just mentioning Yoko Ono.

I do like some of Yoko's late recordings for reasons independent of Liking The Beatles records

[Timmybear]

i like most of yoko's song stuff, and most of Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band in terms of 'non-song' stuff.

[himself801]

Can I assume The B-52's hold a place near your heart, even if Yoko had them take "Don't Worry" off "Whammy!" (which is uploaded elsewhere).

[Timmybear]

Yes. I have a vinyl copy of Whammy in order to have Don't Worry. :) (I also like both the original and the remix of Why I Hate women - am a little iffier on Long Live Pere Ubu...)

[Timmybear]

Though nobody can outdo David Thomas (I would like to do David Thomas, but that's another story ;) ).

[KevinHeaven9]

the studio version should have had sax

[sandbar3000]

Well, the music is great.

[andymccoy78]

Mio dio è la cosa più bella che abbia mai visto ha ha

[disconnected22]

That whole thing he does right before he starts singing is great. And the laugh after that first chorus...awesome. And truly one of the best first lines in popular music.

"Welcome to Mars, we're open all hours..."

[jlToolfan]

I am smitten by Debbie Harry.

By Debbie Harry, I am smitten.

Cool song and all too

[chardoze]

AMAZING!!!

[emperorcaeser]

what a genious voice!

[MartaBtrp]

Hahaha

[chh5555]

I keep coming back here again and again, what a song! and what a performance! David's antics are so... convincing, charming, I can't get enough.

[SexyFatKid]

I love hearing this 80's sounding pop song with David Thomas' trademark frightening wail. This is so amazing.

[dogmanstar71]

David Thomas è un Genio!

[borgorusky]

David Thomas!! Hahaha...great great!! In truly great form...nice one!

[valeriaf89]

spettacolo !!!

[LennyTootsHoffman]

Jim Jones rocked the world. Debbie Harry rocked the bass player.

[velouric]

Todo un personaje!

[vootie99]

Night Music was one the finest music shows... open minded... and took some risks...

[holybear]

Sanborn is a liabillity and Debbie looks out of place, but Dave is the bee's knees!

[shuairan]

fan-fucking-tastic!

[disconnected22]

One of the best opening lines of a song EVER!

[Khultan]

Damn! So, this is Pere Ubu. First time seeing this. I only read about references to him, I think, in the book 'England's dreaming', I'm not sure. Maniac. I love it! Ha ha ha

[stuckdan]

1980s sax solos turn every song into the 'Full House' theme.

[stinkymouser]

this guy looks and acts like laurel and hardy.

[PVCVIDEOLA]

More like Jackie Gleason-same idea...

[himself801]

In the video for "Waiting For Mary", the way David is dressed, he looked like Ralph Cramden's younger bus driving brother.

The video uploaded else of "Waiting For May" isn't the same one as originally shown MTV

[Brianjonestown]

1970s sax solos turned everything into DSOTM "Money"

[thesemenincident]

@stuckdan seriously, an that's not really a good thing, just annoying... I kind of wish they would've toned it the fuck down... It's louder than any other instrument!

Also, jesus, Debbie can't sing for shit apparently... "WHUDDUR WE DOIN HEEEYURRRR?" Great job on that delivery, deb...

[NewPaltzIndie]

@stuckdan and Dave Thomas' incessant shouting makes Danny Taylor's head explode

[ZEBU1212]

@stuckdan full house wishes pere ubu played the theme song...!

[hookalakah]

Thomas really should've learned to loosen up a little bit.

[yamagouchy69]

Insane musicians are always the best musicians, but DThomas didn't think to turn to drugs, like the rest of the good musicians did.

[nubbs]

wow, that looks like it was quite the show. that's a lot of talent on stage

[madnessmoe]

why does everybody hate the saxiphone intro ?

i love it, should have been on the studio version

[willzyx12]

proble coz it makes it sound like a "Friday night with.." programe lol

[hahahahaha23]

even david thomas was wonderin when it was gonna end

[disconnected22]

I actually found the mp3 of this on Limewire.

[himself801]

Because the saxophone isn't part of the original studio recording of "Waiting for Mary", which tends to annoy purists

[Caligula138]

Amazing people on that stage... but is this song really any good?

[wtfwaco]

Yes. Art pop perfection.

[Caligula138]

I guess i dont like Art pop... this music sounds like the opening for a 80s sitcom... not a fan...

[wtfwaco]

Try to track down the LP version - no sax (which is where you're probably getting the '80s sitcom impressions from)

[DJkevvykev]

David Sanborn dd the L Law theme tune that's why you're getting those vibes..

Check the rest of the guests !?!

[TheMemberForHiggins]

Yowsah! Pere Ubu was not a band I previously associated with the phrase "all-star jam". I've learned something today.

[chh5555]

Whhhoo boy! That's a piece of art history.

[mookie2637]

Pere Ubu and....David Sanborn? Does not compute!

[sanspoint]

You should see the video of Conway Twitty with The Residents on the same show. (Different episode, though.)

[thanatogenous]

I read that when he was recording "Electricity" some producer tried to get Beefheart to "hire a broad to sing the part" rather than use theremin... I imagine the result would've been similar to the off-key warbling offered by Ms. Harry during the most excellent synth "solo".

[stavse]

theos!!

[zoranest]

ontws hahah

[janosnapoli]

ottimo capolavoro

[WayOutWardell]

Why can't network television produce a show like this any more?

[crookedspokeadjacent]

i wish i could tell you i wish i could tell you but i can't so ill just thumbs up ur comment. you are the future, not hannah montana-myspace-charity for show-text message-gangsterish-cynical bullshit

[gilgamess]

@WayOutWardell If you have BBC America, try "Later with Jools Holland". Not quite as eclectic but it does a fairly nice job. Where else in the same night will you see Seasick Steve, Eartha Kitt and Japanese drummers?

[ryanaaxxx]

I think I've contributed to at least 20% of these views

[schulheft]

that would be 9769 views?

;D

[TempusTransit]

That blond chick doesn't stop moving her legs the duration of the video. She's doing the robot! Or is she a robot?! If she is, she must be a bukkake robot made in Japan

[sambda]

>That blond chick...

Oh hell, rock's expert is on Youtube. Don't you really know who she is?

[TempusTransit]

I'm 18 and I'm not a woman. No.

[sambda]

Look further down the comments - you'll find her name. Then find out which seminal late 70s/early 80's New York group she was in. Then get some of their music - you'll enjoy yourself.

[vikingvin]

Debbie Harry (Blondie)

[NoRosesForMe]

Those are the only moves she had. Haha.

[ziffels]

That blond chick may have the legs of a robot, but she has a heart of glass.

[NoRosesForMe]

Hehe! I dunno if your comment was meant to be funny or not...im too tired to think...but it made me laugh. Thanks.

love yr avatar pic btw.

[superbobosbourne]

Debbie Harry was pretty good looking.

[LennyTootsHoffman]

Jim Jones is, and was a master of his craft, in the highest order!

[Soul74]

NBC is always taking down clips from their shows (like Ornette Coleman on SNL) but they seem to have left Night Music alone. Thats good news for fans of real music!

[truemansparks]

i have just discovered pere ubu after 42 years of being on this planet!!wow!!this has put me on a new journey of musical discovery thankyou for posting,youtube can be a fantastic educational tool i am now listening to stuff from sixties and seventies which absolutely blow the living shit out of anything made today!!

[lizardale]

I need a Pere Ubu anthology. Now.

[LilacNell]

There was the 'Datapanik in the Year Zero' box set on Geffen a few years back. You can still find it around.

[lizardale]

Yes, I know it... there were all the historical years in it... ;)

[vaspers]

congratulations. today this video was selected by the prestigious NYC Punk Rock Evolution Foundation. way to go, early punk pioneer of inimitable grandeur!!!

[krezzykrezz]

That's Superb!

[Bassmaster86]

Random fact- I am friends with David Thomas on facebook.

[joefax530]

The Ub's one flashing, flaring stab at pop stardom, but in three-minutes more brilliance than anything else the decade produced, and all they got was the closing credits for some throwaway music show that aired at 3:30 AM. That's fitting, and that's what you deserve, George Bush America, you MISSED it, and you'll never get it back. Enjoy David Archuleta.

[crumbase]

Bang on .. weren't they sometin

[dubbedcrazy]

sanborn played with the stones too....i think

[mikebott]

i think sanborn was a bowie sideman for a couple records too.

[quartzy]

I love the singer's body languages

[sobbjeboss]

Dave Thomas is not a human. He's a demon. A DEMON! I wanna be like him!

[qwisp]

Sanborn with this great punk line-up rocked sweetly. Ubu is magnificent.

[AliasUndercover]

I want to watch this whole show!

[Islwynpaul]

I love this band, it's the shit.

[sleestack]

amazing song!

[sgtnull]

one of my favorite vids on youtube

[hernanpelado]

breath! no longer available?

I love that song

[Rieve84]

if only the music matched up to the madness of the people involved

[Bydand22]

album version cleaner - no sax! But also no sex, Debbie...

[mattanam]

David Thomas è il mio cantante preferito.

[JasonBNYC]

Pere Ubu with Debbie Harry on backup & David Sanborn on sax!? Who would have thought???Awesome!

[johnny991965]

Pere Ubu is one of the godfathers of punk, but love this pop track... He`s cool!

[DJkevvykev]

Umm... "He's" a band. They are cool.

David Thomas is cool.

This video is mad bonkers - in a good way !

[sleestack]

I like this better than the album version. Why? Because the way the produced records in the 80's sucked. Extremely thin and brittle sounding.

[underthewater]

does the album version have the sax on it? this song is good but holy shit the sax fucking kills it.

[ritualfunk]

I agree. wholeheartedly. fuck me, DIEEE sax.

makes it sound like a cheap soap opera intro...

[Soul74]

Its called musicians jamming together, trying to make something new and different.

[mrb3213]

sanborn is badass...

but it does sound way too soap-opera ish

for a good sanborn collaboration, look up him + bootsy collins.

[Soul74]

Maybe because he invented that sound.

[microbus99]

OMG...Debbie Harry at any age turns me on!! O.K. I'm a low life....Sorry!

[dreadOFdread]

i feel the same way about iggy pop so don't kick yourself around :) i understand ...

[lobotomicindulgence]

what a great and visionary band! (and how sexy a lady...)

[thewormster]

that was incredible,i have the actual music video that pere ubu put out and had posted it but youtube warned me to take it down ..what a shame i know after seeing this that others would have enjoyed it..but this was great

[Moa57]

Too bad about the warning, the original video was pisser......wish I could see it again.

[BaudeLaire78]

That's crazy but SO great!

[tbzeee]

who do you think spent more time on their hair, sanborn or tony maimone(bassist)? and yes, david and loudon wainwright performed one of davids weird sea-chanteys. i remember him huffing and puffing away on a squeeze box. anybody have it? for another fine late-80s mullet consult the XTC letterman clip from 89. you youngsters laugh, but EVERYBODY HAD THEM, it was normal. sort of.

[LennyTootsHoffman]

Only Jim Jones Could transform Pere Ubu into a pop band. Mary waits no longer.

[Hamptonio]

That opening guitar riff before the sax really shows Verlaine and Television's influence to me.

Kinda sounds like a saxier "See No Evil".

Great pipes, Dave.