Added: 4 years ago
From: rundgrenfan
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  • thanks for posting

  • The vocal here has so much more feeling than on the album.

  • now its called karoke

  • I LOVE TODD!

  • The white bell botttom pants, the disco moves, Todd could be hysterical. What overshadows it all is that he was and remains a Wizard, a True Star. Gave us some of the best music of the 70s.

  • Still remember great concerts with him in the Cleveland area at the (now gone) Richfield Colosseum. Also the (original) Cleveland Agora, when I snuck in as a 15 year old. Those were the days when music was good...

  • god they need to create time travel!!!

  • I have just rediscovered this man too after many years - I remember why I loved him, too :) x

  • this guy = so good still this song came out 2 stay in my head 4ever THNX tod u are/had such an infuence on me!! it changed me!! © - your A Dream Goes On Forever this way!!

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  • wtf

  • His ego turns me off

  • Sweet Todd is the man>...

  • Typical audience reaction of bewilderment. They must have been wondering what Broadway musical this was from and why some guy was up there singing a showtune. I do love Todd, and this is one of my favorite songs - but clearly not everyone gets it.

  • At 2:04 or 5 his look is sooo cute!!

  • I agree totally straight up SOUL SONG. A great one too.

  • But the thing is, This is a straight up great soul song, ala Hall and Oates, Gamble and Huff... whatever. The goofiness is sort of hard to square with that. He's one more bead in the necklace of popstars who end up shooting themselves in the foot. I say that LOVING so much of his work. How about hiring a REAL BAND!?

  • @stpauldandy He is the band!

  • Did anybody else spot the similarity in chorus between this and "Slow Hand" by the Pointer Sisters (made 7 years later)? The melody, at least with the musical melody in the background of this song, sounds just like it. Just thought I'd share my observation and see what all y'allz thought about it.

  • i picked up AWATS in the record store in 1972 as a junior in HS. The cover made me buy it (and I dimly remembered 'Leroy" from sixth grade. That was it, I was HOOKED for life. I knew I was listening to something and someone radically different. I loved his voice, his songs, his vulnerability of lyric and of course I loved his look. Starving, skinny rocker, kinda feminine but pants ALWAYS bulging.......who could resist this REAL MAN? Not me! Todd did it ALL with panache and owns a Therevin!

  • i think he's a dolphin.

    

  • It is so amazing at how young Todd was and how prolific his lyrics were! Thank you!

  • First karaoke.lol

    

  • Is it just me or is this way ahead of its time? This is from '75 but it sounds like it should be from '85.

  • @patrickstyleittakes that's a good point. i think its the fact that he influenced some of the big acts of the 80s, most notably hall & oates, who he also produced (and co-wrote with).

  • i wonder what he lipsynched.. at teh beginin lol

  • Oh shoot back to my junior high days here...he is so sweet too bad we never got to see this in my day I was a bit young for concerts.

  • He's quite the dancer, great hip action there Todd, love you!

  • amen!

    have had a crush on him since I was 14 uhh, 30 years now! He's brilliant musically and beautiful!

  • What an amazing performer, love ya Todd!!

  • Whomever did the thumbs down must be crazy!

  • I just love Todd. He is funny and smart and witty and every girl's fantasy of a first date. hecko. :)

  • I love Todd Rundgren but this video really sucked. There needs to be a live band up there.

  • Did his agent tell him to do a Travolta imitation?

  • @DrJTG this is 2 years before Saturday Night Fever so I doubt it. lol

  • If u think todd is one of the greatest, thumbs up this

  • I love this guy, he is so unappreciated by the masses.

    Whats wrong with the audience, were they expecting Perry Como?

  • its called karoke now

  • Great job Todd on a fabulous song, but don't like watching you dancing around???

  • Great job Todd on a fabulous song, but don't like watching you dancing around

  • Fabulous song, great great job Todd. Oh by the way, I don't like watching you dance

    lol

  • What the hell is up with the audience?! This is great!

  • Why isn't that audience on their feet and cheering for this guy?!?

  • dude got style

  • healing I, II,III......have the album....

  • See with my heart

    Hear with my heart

    Feel with my heart . Sometimes it works better . be a real man

  • Todd is a God!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @yourgirlchloe I agree... #6 yrs ago I was into his music when nobody understood what I did amongst my friends. The current metal bands were the shit as far as they were concerened. I liked so many different kinds of music but Todd was a true star...

  • I met him at an airport back in the 80's..his humor and good nature..his down to earth honesty make him unforgettable...his music..genious pure and simple..The Album this song was on "Initiation" was cover to cover just brilliant...

    Few folks realize that Todd was also one of the great guitarists of the end of the 20th century...if interested look into the Utopia Album Ra to see his greatness on the "git fiddle".

  • He's amazing, love his music so much!!! Wow, it takes a real man to stand up there and sing for that audience, duds!!! Great video, thanks for sharing!!

  • The man!

  • "The vocal is live, because--" (silent): "I'm not lip-synching at all!" xD

    Seems he insisted to the producers on singing it live, even though it sounds as if he was losing his voice midway through the song...Still, quite a pretty good song! :)

  • Like the person said earlier, talent, talent, talent. Hey, I'm into rockabilly now... but you know what?... I can honestly attribute a part of my musical growing up to Todd Rundgren. He himself came from 60's Philly R&B (The Nazz) and developed himself as an artist. So, if anyone has anything to say ... piss off! Be a REAL MAN !!!

  • This song figured in heavily during a tough time in my life. I needed it, Todd provided. What a guy!

  • @captdeckard2007 I agree. Back in the day he didnt get the airplay he deserved. His music always stirred my thoughts...true writing and emoting that made me want more...

  • he gave so much to music and many other topline artists owe him so so much..he has lots of respect from them im sure.

  • I barfed.

  • todds just who he is always was...no pretense...talent, talent, talent....beautiful...i luv him always

  • Wow did Todd invent Karaoke? Holy cow.

  • A fearless musical genius.

  • in the day... the man and the truth.. thanks brother Todd....

  • So great. Only thing that could compete with this video on the 'cuteness scale' is a bed full of new born puppies!! Those girls at the edge of the stage are Todd's first panti-pitchin groupies. lol

  • Nice use of 1st corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

  • @zwreckless1 AND IT HELPED ME GROW UP RIGHT AND PICK UP THE BOOK AND LEARN MORE..I SEE WITH MY HEART

  • 1:51 - someone in the audience is sleeping! O_O

  • Such an endearing performance.

  • Oh he is so cute. Was and still is. forever n ever...n evermore.

    that's a real man. luvtoddferever

  • Thanks for putting this video on.... What a song..... What a man.....

  • What a fantastic, talented man. One of the very, very best, ...... ever

  • so so Sexy and Cute

  • Only Todd could do this. So tongue in cheek it's INSANE. And he STAYS in it. Front to back. What a sick, sick, funny, amazing man. Nobody knew WHAT the fuck to do with this guy. Brilliant at every turn.

  • @TheRealSlipperman The same today!!

  • Vocal is live because... what? I'm not zippy on?

  • you must decide. yeah todd.

    he's so beautiful.

  • Man I love Todd , I have 20 albums , some are strange , but I love those quick catchy tunes like this , so original and talented .Something Anything playing all instruments , like Stevie Wonder - above most

  • @gravano2 Yeah, like Talking Book.

  • @squareparker ? I don't know this one

  • LOOOOOOVE TODD!!!

  • Shades of Saturday Night Fever!!

  • LUV you Todd

  • Todd I love you and Utopia. I hope you read this stuff so you know I know you are the shit dude you always have been. Your are talent. webster dic talent : Todd Rundgren

  • hhhmmmm...you either got it or you dont got it...todd's GOT IT, no matter the circumstances...his voice is always amazing and he has a natural abiltiy to ROCK!!! he is very young here and i ALWAYS like his adorable look...

  • This is why TODD IZ GODD:-)

  • I love Todd! SO happy to be transported to the 80s! I had to show my kids that believe it or not - back in the 70s and 80s we had awesome music and we were ALL skinny!

  • exxxxxxcellent song.

  • where's that band...I don't see any band.. Todd is SO cute and charming here!. love his voice!! move those hips Todd! Like SUGARBEAR0199 said below this pop performance is so NOT Todd! But I love anything Todd does. rundgrenfan -thank you so much for this video and all your Todd videos!!

  • @bonnies79

    he's so friggin cute. I wish I could get in a time transporter and be there to see that show live. omg

  • @newsy8 -we both love Todd!! I just saw him in concert last week in Mass. He was amazing!! I met him after the show!!!!

  • @bonnies79

    I know !!huh???

    He gets in your head and it don't ever let up!

    I guess I'll to have a no-todd day to get some rest! lol

    no can't do that. :)

    yeah yeah yeah

  • I always liked him best just sittin' at the keyboard and bangin' out the tunes.  Though this is so much better than his "glam" period ; )

  • is it me or dose he not remind you of marlny manson.....just a little

  • That's some sexy midnite specail preforming right there.

  • some body feed that poor boy

  • that guy in the front thought the mic was gonna hit him at the end of the song

  • I LOVE this video! And not just when I'm drinking beer! Todd is so aDORable! He LOVES entertaining! He's such a showoff and I love his sweet moves! Todd is the greatest! Praise Todd! Amen!

  • Todd Rundgren's lyrics are authentically spiritual. And his tunes are irresistible pop/Philly blue-eyed soul. Yay Todd.

  • Love the lyrics to this song and love this man!!

  • It is funny to see him acting like a pop star...that's just so not like him...lol!

  • So Ffnny to see him act like a pop star when he's actually the antithesis of it ;)

  • Todd rocks

  • Rundgren was SO hit and miss... A few timeless pearls in the midst of a vast ocean of horrid, forgettable cheese. This particular song and performance - to my ears and eyes - is cringe-worthy. An embarrassment. A karoke jack-ass - though way ahead of his (its) time!

  • @termsofusepolice

    No way! This song is way ahead of its time, and ABSOLUTELY could stand to be heard today in this sea of endless whiners, entitlement whores, and forty-year-old children who still depend on daddy to bail them out of every little thing.

    ...okay, the performance is a LITTLE cheesy. But come on, it's the 70s, and cheese comes in all sorts of great flavors. :)

  • Todd is such a MASTER & GENIUS.Overlooked Ignored, and Misunderstood.

    Todd Rundgren needs our support RIGHT NOW More Than Ever! Not finacially secure after all he has accomplished in the Music World and Computer World. Please support shows buy merchandise & spread the word.

    Also please click periodically on his myspace music page. Help HIM RISE 2 this OCCASION !!

    ROCK LOVE,

    CHERRY XOXO

    I am on Twitter too supporting TODD using same Username Just Loving Fan

  • Ya think U2 would let this guy open for them?!!! I think not.. hmm, wonder why?

  • これを一番最初に、いつも歌うってことはTodd先生の信条なん­でしょうね。

  • lol he is wearing a doilie

  • Hey! I resemble that remark! Nyuk nyuk!

  • BEAUTIFUL MAN!

  • so right you are socrates...genius

  • Brilliant, all the stories about his ego etc aside, why isn't this guy selling out Giants stadium for 3 nights? Huh?

  • beautiful song

  • FYI - Todd Rundgren produced earliest Hall and Oates albums...Darrel Hall was taught to sing by Todd

  • That's interesting, whenever I hear Hall & Otates, I hear a lot of similatities. Love Todd!

  • Got a great bluesy tone to his voice. Kinda reminds me of Darryl Hall (Hall and Oates).

  • I like how he levels with the crowd during the intro that he has no band, but is singing along with tracks. I've never seen that before; it's as if he was devoted to being truthful about that.

  • he is a skinny fucker ,100 lbs.and 7 ft. tall,he always did seem to have allot of good songs though

  • ....I'd like to have a little sparkle while I'm here........

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  • Gosh........this is a weird observation but for me if you ever wanted to explain to someone who hasn't taken acid what the world sounds like when you are on acid......this is it.

  • big time nostalgia

  • "sub-Brechtian intro"

    -a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing...lol

  • I guess you Bertold him!

  • I had the pleasure of seeing Todd and Utopia on the Pier at NYC back in the early 80's...he's amazing. so much energy and heart and soul....plus, he's SUCH a cutie!

  • The sub-Brechtian intro probably made a lot of people turn off their tvs, being honest. But what a song. I honestly believe- musically - the Beatles were four John the Baptists and Todd is God. Laugh at me for I know it's true

  • think you might be right my friend.

  • Well Ringo ain't chopped liver.

    What's yellow and lives off dead Beatles?

    Yoko Ono.

  • @endaoliver Listen to Deface The Music and you`ll see ol Todd bowing to the Fabs.

  • Todd is god. What a phenomenal talent.  Love you, man

  • In my opinion this song is by far the best track off initiation. Also the second side of his album Faithful is some of the best songs I've ever heard.

  • sidbolero, you have no clue. Keep chugging those beers and it WILL get easier. Todd makes an awkward situation into something a little more comfortable.

  • it must be a drag being 8 feet tall

  • there was a guitar player that i played with in a band in Vancouver.he was addicted to todd.even went to newyork to jam with him.chris oakey if yor out there have a good one!

  • I remember this show. It was broadcast on the Midnight Special on what I believe was Valentine's Day 1975. The Midnight Special was an hour and a half, 11:30 to 1:am. On the particular show however, three acts appeared and each had a half-hour performance. Me and several other then Todd fanatics waited 2 weeks to see Todd. But the first half hour was Gladys Knight and the Pips, Then, the 2nd was The Spinners. Todd's 1/2 hour rounded out a very soulful show indeed!

  • His message...having a penis does not make you a man...just a male in a species...

  • You guys-- don't you realize that he's totally mocking the idea of what it means to be a "real man" ? He's up there shaking his ass all over the place and talking about being a real man. Todd's a super-intelligent guy. To be honest I think he's mocking Michael McDonald which is hilarious. Todd's too cool to think about what anyone thinks about him. xo

  • Todd likes to have fun--he's really into satire; if you go see him live, you'll know. Take care!

  • What the hell are you all talking about? Just enjoy the song and stop coming up with ridiculous crap.

  • This song is definitely about self actualization, but then he chickens out in front of the audience, trying to take them on some red herring trail apparently either afraid to have them think about what the song really means, or perhaps thinking they are too dumb to understand, so he tries to entertain them in some other manner

  • Forget about my body? Self-actualization is fine but dropping the mystery dance is taking it too far. A lot of people think forget about my body is to move on from the pleasures of narcissism and self absorption but I talked with Todd and he just said .. I couldn't stop seeking about how good-looking I am and I wanted to try to change.

  • I would have to agree with your friend... I THINK TODD IS CUTE IN THIS VID, TOO! Born too late, that's me :o(

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  • ditto!!

  • Great song. The man knows about real life. Todd's our last great living American composer.

  • Todd proves he truly gets it, being a man isn't about hate those not like you, screw over folks to gain a buck and he who dies w/the most toys wins, it's about love, compassion, those things money can't buy; being self-actualized, trusting your own thoughts and understanding of your innate sense of right and wrong. Todd nailed it with this tune. So sad that too many people think brutality, intimidation and getting others to fear you and bow to your will makes one a man, talk about uncivilized...

  • Very good points. Actually, people forget that a man is simply ANY male person who is an adult. There is nothing more to it.

  • Way down inside me... there's a real Runt!

  • Is around this era that Todd really started sounding like Daryl Hall.......or did Daryl start sounding like Todd? By the time Nearly Human came, I couldnt tell them apart.

  • very good song .. much better on record. Todd has a lot of talent but I wish he never met Meatloaf and produced him. I wish he'd get back to this type of song and Something/Anything stuff.

  • I love Todd when he writes hits , but he looses me with some of the elctronic stuff

  • i saw the Initiation toour at Asbury park in NJ and Todd blew the roof off. Real Man is a great song and they really jammed Utopia with Roger powell. I had 5 row center. Also todd really can play the guitar.

  • is this the show where he played a song on piano while a little ballerina danced on top (via 70's era special effects)?

    racking my bean on that memory...

  • No, that was "Can We Still Be Friends" off the Hermit Of Mink Hollow album, in 1978.

  • The Ballerina Video, "Can We Still Be Friends" was produced entirely by Todd. Imagine that, plus he wrote the song, played all the instruments, sung all the voices, AND..produced the music pretty much by himself And much of that, he did in the midst of two Utopia tours in 1977.

  • Keep talking. No one's listening. (They're just hoping to avoid making eye contact.)

  • todd rundgren no talent? are you serious? this guy is a genius.

  • SHMUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • detectivesyme, do you have no ears at all. This man is a musical genius, who really did play all the instruments. If you had ever seen him live you woul;d be blown away man!!

  • Saw Todd live in the 70's and the '90's and he has tremendous stage presence. I believe he was doing entire concerts with just a tape recorder at one point. I prefer seeing him with a backup band and playing his guitar. Thanks for sharing this..great song.

  • he is like my main influence for recording

    id always as a kid wanted to be like him.

    i wish i could meet him that would be great!

    BTW he had a LOT of guts doing this song the way he did having only the tape to back him up live! also very genious!

  • Todd is GODD!

  • My boyfriend looks exactly like Todd

  • you're unbelievably lucky

    is there anyway you can link to a photo, i'd actually like to see the resemblance

  • with Todd it is you love him or you hate him

    that is an awesome power to inspire that much emotion in people

    I LOVE HIM

  • I COULD NOT AGREE MORE! I LOVE HIM, AND I'M TRULY JEALOUS OF REX and REBOP!

    COULD YOU IMAGINE IF TODD RUNDGREN WAS YOUR POP?

    WOWEEE!!!

  • I really like Todd! Most of my so-called friends would saY I'm gay but I'm not and this guy and his music means so much to me. "Don't take no crap from no one Be a real man"

  • Some songs should not have the accompanying video...this certainly qualifies....rundgren meets john travolta!!!

  • todd always delivers, what a cool guy

  • Hello Robin S.

  • ...so Todd Rundgren invented karaoke in 1975?!

  • or so it appears, because he would go on to frequently do shows in this way for a long time, some say too long. lol

  • @gqonline OMG I never even considered that til now!! You're right!! TODD IS GOD