LA-DI-DAH..JAKE THACKRAY

[Thetrackrecords]

Although this song is comedic it is also a very great love song, one of the best ever written.

[samiskim]

Such a clever, wiity song. A down-to-earth song about life and real love - forget about the confetti and the pantomimes. Jake Thackeray is brilliant - love his work - so funny and real.

[lazza747]

Five people need to have the confetti removed from their ears.

[44Millz]

i heard this on the radio yesterday and cracked up XD

[swanlee33]

if i die tomorrow, I'd like this to be played at my funeral. or anthing by the fall will do. lovely stuff.

[bombsmacked]

thanks is not enough wow fantastic

[sweetsformeonly]

sweet lord, this is outstanding.

[sinandacceleration]

a sinatra killer.

[patandkeith03]

Love this

[damos300]

it takes a genius to observe human nature and write a funny song as heart movingly beautiful as this

[3o4Titties]

This song is fucking hardcore!

[saraj12]

this is unbelievable.

[bombsmacked]

great vid thanks

[degsy111]

gone but never forgot

[degsy111]

gone but never forgot !!

[degsy111]

gone but never forgoten

[JamesAOK]

"I'll keep off the pale ale when we're off on our own"... I love this lyric because I relate to it. :)

[JamesAOK]

Putting up with someones bullshit because you love them more than anything. What a wonderful song.

[ghaladgwaith]

Haha, my Mum has this on single and we played it over and over when we were kids.

[MorrisManDanceMan]

brilliant thanks very good

[66gadus]

lovely song - so true eh? RIP & god bless our Jake X

[Sharpeslipper]

Thanks for this! I saw Jake Thackray in Newcastle in 1970, he was a magnificent live performer and the audience just loved him.

I was with my teacher who'd been at university with Jake so after the show we nipped backstage and met him. I can't think of anyone who could have been less big-headed - he asked about my A levels and was truly a gentleman to a scruffy kid he needn't have bothered with. It was possibly my most memorable ever pint of beer.

[LadyMyrddin]

Perfection.......funny, but Oh so Romantic...

Thankyou so much for this song and video....

Well! I wont say anymore La di bloody Dah....Elainex

[Pathwalker444]

One of the best love songs ever written.

[kramssilyab]

The most under-rated and under played genius. Simply brilliant!

[outRIAAge]

Thank you for posting this. I saw Mr. Thackray (twice!) in Sheffield in 1972. The concerts were like having a black-sheep-of-the-family favourite uncle come visit.

[bombsmacked]

very nice song indeed a very talented man he was , thanks for the upload

[ianmcgeachy]

Brilliant!!! This is Jake keeping it real (properly real that is-minus the bloody posing of those who normally profess this)..nearly forty years ago. Genuity in music and performance not approached by many.

This song should be compulsory listening by all corporate suavesters and modern politicians-embarass em' with their bleeding lahdi bloody -dah !!

[brentortroll]

Astonishing how this song manages to be funny and truly romantic at the same time. Always makes me cry, which is a bit embarrassing. He was a guest on every TV programme going when I was growing up in the 1970s (when it wasn't bloody Clodagh Rodgers). Always thought of him as a strange mad uncle. Only come back to him in the last five years or so -- can't get enough of him now. Wish I'd seen him live.

[inisk]

What can one say, this is still as good today as the day it was first heard, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

[newtonbrown]

I am surprised that there seems to be no mention of his liking for Georges Brassens the French singer poet and of course that he read French at Durham Hatfield before that's Life He appeared with Brassens in the seventies at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. Master and pupil sort of thing The BBC recorded the Brassens half ,if I remember Was it Les Copains de Cardiff.? The audience was made up of French teachers and students and French assistants. Brassens only concert out of France I think

[TedRob1958]

I lit a show for Jake in about 1980 in Cardiff but I'm pretty sure that was solo and it was most certainly at the WCM&D in North Road. Brassens was a genious as was old Jake!

[intherein]

This is a most romantic song - I wish I could write like this. Thanks for posting - The world is a better place thanks to Thackray and his bloody ladida.

[cuthbertfuxworth]

his guy is amazing god bless

[danielmacmillen]

genius and magic!

[SuperIMH]

I bloody love this!

[Zebrowski32]

I am sure that Victoria Wood was influenced by Jake...

[TheSherilee]

fabulous absolute poetry gorgeous...cant stop playing it thanks thack x

[johnnyarb1]

Until two days ago I'd never heard of Jake Thackray and it's my loss, Jake was a genius. La-di-dah, the bantam cock, on again... sheer genius

[sweetthursday47]

I saw him live many years ago -  A wonderful man and performer and sadly missed. One of his best.

[warmonger9999]

I never forgot hearing his material decades ago. I never found his songs again until I recently had internet access. Utterly devastated to learn he has died. Brilliant man, wonderful song writer

[maudie25]

doesnt anyone have that vid of Jake doing LahdeDah, It was on Youtube for a while, he ws wearing a red pully, Then it disappeared. Someone musthave it surely, Its good to hear it but so much more fun to see his quirky face

[coxpaul]

absolutely brilliant , & well said vambo 23!

[kemagsw]

Pure Magic. Jake was a genius. A true national treasure.

[vambo23]

A truly great song by a huge talent. If he was French he would've been massive and every pseud would have his box sets and posters on their walls.

[sherlockcurlee]

one of my favourites

[sherlockcurlee]

great talent!

[TedRob1958]

Worked on a show with him in Cardiff in 1982 a good man who I'm sure would turn aside the silly comments with the the dry whit that he brought to his lyrics, lets face it here was a man of intelligence and humour, which is sadly lacking in some people. What could he have done with text speak?

[charliemctruth]

Cheers Ted.

Jake would have went down a storm at the Phoenix Club .

[rmacph15]

@TedRob1958 whats he like? he still around? iv only heard a few songs but hes a poet like!!! any suggestions on more songs

[cuthbertfuxworth]

@TedRob1958

this is the best love ever written i love it so much. im 27 and none of my generstion have heard of jake and its a shame i might do a cover band of his music hes geious

[RaddyGriffWood]

What a beautiful song. That's love!!

[katycoyote]

miss you mister jke and lover

[xlekkyx]

seriously WTF is this? it sounds like he is straining to go that low, he can't even sing, tbh all of these people are old ^^^ if they like this? ^o)

and what the fuck is with this lyrics? o_O

"lah di dah?"

absolutely pointless song ^o)

the lyrics annoy me so much, doesn't even have a point! >:(

[youareanignoranttwat]

To xlekkyx (below) Sod off and expose yourself to some culture and/or experience beyond your tiny, tiny, zeitgeisty milieu before you dare deem yourself worthy of judging the work and the opinion of others.

Must try harder...

BTW Not, in fact, an old person writing this, just one with a degree of intelligence and an open mind. You prick.

[katycoyote]

o bugger off stupid...

[valpiani]

I love most of his work and was looking to find Remember bethlehem, found a webside dedicated to Jake and read he died this day 6 years ago, Thanks Jake for leaving us with some fantastic songs and music.

[LadyMyrddin]

Hi Charlie

Long time no speak....I am feeling Romantic...

and have come back to listen to this very special song....

Merry Xmas my dear old friend....

Love Elaine xxx

[charliemctruth]

Merry Xmas to you Elaine....

I promise I'll keep off the Pale Ale !

Love Charlie

xx

[clarenceclutterbuck]

I remember being amused at Jake Thackrays' telly appearances when I was a child, but have only recently started investigating his work more closely and realising what a wonderful talent he was. I'd love to see him singing "The Kiss," from his "Lah di Dah" album if any such video is available. This song features absolutely ace lyrics, singing and guitar playing. More Jake please!

[blutey]

As a child I remember seeing him sometimes on the TV. Was too young to get the lyrics but he had a presence that was attractive and entertaining. The documentary on BBC2 recently was fascinating. Pity I only caught half of it. Hopefully they'll repeat it.

[Magicbrianwood]

A very special and literate  talent.

[MarkB1ngham]

There was an offbeat wacky mid/late 60's UK TV show called 'Tickertape' Jake did the title music for I vaguely remember chorus went-- "... but we can't tear ourselves away, we've got to listen what it has to say, that wittering nitwit tick-o-tape" It was strangely dark/fascinating like all JT's work and has stuck with me, wish someone would post it.

[getmesumgreen]

im only 16 i watched the documentary on jake on monday 3rd november and i was entranced by his voice nd lyrics and the way he tells his story/songs i do hope bbc releases some more of his work

[lizzielh]

I'm slightly older than you but I agree watched the programme and love his stuff

[PDN11141]

I remember seeing Jake playing in Monmouth, I was about 12 years old but, I never forgot him. I wasn't allowed in the pub. So I had to peek though the doors to watch. I remember falling in love with his huge eyes and his very deep winsome voice. Magnetic. It was tiny lunchtime audience. I remember the laughter.

[TimothyAnorak]

Of course you do. But at least you got to see him, squinting through the pub door: a melancholoy elegy to lost childhood, like 'Coming Up For Air' or 'A Shropshire Lad'. All the best.

[PDN11141]

if you ever get here this is for you from me xx

[joeninetyjoe]

Was there ever a more original artist? Can't think of one.

[poinsy]

This is quality. Regarding the lyrics, been there, got the badge...

Jake is the master.

[jimlagos]

Very clever man, very sad that one more genius has gone.....

[maudie25]

still hoping the rotten BBC will release some of their many videos of Jake, there must be loads in the archives and I want the younger generation to know what they have missed

[SwiftUK]

Wow. Someone just told me about Jake and I think I'm being born again watching stuff like this. I always knew the BBC were over-rated these days, and if they're withholding this guy's material and not giving us documentaries about him then it confirms my suspicions. Thanks for posting!

[maudie25]

great video, thanks Youtube, wish you could find some more videos of Jake. I watch On again every day but would love to SEE him singing Ulyses and all the others on the CDS. Not the same, just hearing but not seeing his whimsical face. Very tasty he was

[firestartertwistedfi]

If there's a lyricist with a more brilliant command of the English language, I'd like to hear him

[gorkys6]

I want to see "The Castleford Ladies Magical Circle" - wonderful stuff. Does it exist with Jake singing it?

[charliemctruth]

Funny you should mention it.Its next on my "Jakelist"

[alf56uk]

a great observer of north england life, where we would rather laugh at ourselves than humiliate others - a great loss to the world - as funny as ronnie barker and eric sykes

[roxyrowboat]

ROFL ... love it!

Thanks to Myrrdin6 for the share.

Still laughing ...

[teddibearsworld]

I've never heard this before. Funny as hell, and very original. Thaks so much, Elaine for the share.. and to charliemctruth for posting.

[myrddin6]

Oh the memories.....xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[isthatmusicicanhear2]

thanks sweetheart . never heard this in a loooong time 'thanks also to charlie for the post ' issy

[StanPomeray]

I remember him doing a song each week on "Thats Life" in the 70s, and I didnt "get it" at the time, largely due to being about 9 years old. But with the passing of 35 odd years I can now say that he was indeed superb.

[016511]

Being a Yorkshire bloke I'm not given to enthusing about much(miserable sods,every last one of us,must be the weather!)but Jake Thackray was absolute genius,he had the skill to make you laugh and to cry from one song to the next.BRILLIANT STUFF.Could someone perhaps post "the ballad of Billy Kershaw"?

[admjmonsoon]

As a fellow Yorkshireman (in some respects!) I agree. He can make you laugh and smile and cry in the same song, on occasion (Ulysees!). The Ballad of Billy Kershaw is stunning, but it's the BBC 4 documentary I really want to see again. Fascinating chap. Sithee!

[maudie25]

It is absoluely super, Lah de Dah used to be on Youtube, Jake was in a red pully, then for some reason it was withdrawn, If only we could see him singing it again. Yes, if only the BBC would releasse a DVD of his stuff. Not much hope of that though not with the present BBC

[ssstevex]

wonderful - thanks for posting this you guys are heroes - "...I'll keep off the pale ale........"

[iwasknownasthewild1]

Nothing on the world wide bloody web can match this! Pure magic from the big man.England's finest.

And to think I once turned down the chance of an aftershow drink with the the man,'cos I might have been nagged by the missus!!

Jake wrote songs about people like me...

[firestartertwistedfi]

i'll smile and acquiesce when she invites me to caress her scabby cat

if there's a better lyric than that, i'd like to hear it

[gordonl]

The very best of the very best - and that's from a Lancastian!

[jamierourketen]

has anybody got a vid of him doing the jolly captain?

[jamierourketen]

he used to come on telly every week that show,bernard braden!!!!! oh yes, he was a brilliant lyricist and musician i have not heard him since i was a young boy,i used to tell my mates i liked him and they would laugh! cos i didnt say slade or g.glitter! LOL i have tear in my eye now ... thanx charlie this brilliant,is he still alive? if not that young lad doing the covers should do a tour, he would make a lot of people very happy...

[vonwurzel]

Hello,

I love Jake Thackray. I remember him when I was growing up in the 1970's and redsicovered his music again just 5 or 6 years ago, not long after his untimely death.

My friends are always introducing his music to whoever will listen.

We have even put our own video on You Tube with La di dah and an unsuspecting sleeping partner! If you search on Gangly1 (chess) you should find it.

Jake was/is unique.

Max

[al28041966fitton]

I vaguely remember Jake from That's Life.I clearly remember "Sister Josephine", his superb sense of humour and his mastery of the English language.I miss that he is no longer with us..

[shaffersteph]

Ah, I love this song--it's so sweet and funny, and you've put together a nice montage for it.

[lehipster]

The more I hear this guy...the more I love

him....quintessentially English.....I make it a rule now...never get involved with in-laws...

[SeadogErk]

How lovely to hear Jake sing this song once again.

You will not believe the memories this particular song invokes.

Brilliant.

[maudie25]

You did have a video of Jake singing LahdeDah, He was wearinbg a red woolly pully and it was marvellous. Where has it gone? PLEASE bring it back. Along with On Again, it was my daily dose of actually seeing Jake Please bring it back

[shaffersteph]

I think that it was another person that had posted those performance videos that were recorded from a BBC special. I miss them, too... may the BBC will sell a DVD of the special sometime.

[bachwoman]

I love the way you've done these with the photos. I've been searching for every crumb of audio and video of Jake, and this is a lovely addition.  Thanks so much.

[charliemctruth]

Thanks, I will be posting more soon.

[myrddin6]

My boyfriend and I, very much in love in the early 1970's came across this '45' in a second hand market stall, 33years later and still in love it has become 'our' song, and for two rock/hippies of the time, that preferred 'YES', Deep Purple and Pink Floyd that's saying something....

[charliemctruth]

at heart were all rock/hippies..

xx

[ianclivewright]

Beautiful, realistic, about the pain and humor of blending yourself with another's family.

But what were his songs, but a metaphor for life, moments seen through a filter of his fertile brain?