The Valley Road

[Airjet2582]

Mickey Rooney on Clarinet

[c130mover]

long vally road was the best

[terrytomlin1]

Leo Sayer on lead guitar, Kelsey Grammar on drums!

[stik30]

Jack Nicholson on the drums, Billy Dee Williams on the synth, and Jon Cryer on the guitar in the beige shirt!!

[pianolady1998]

2:50-3:50.. badass piano partt. :D

[aea41888]

GINGER!! 0:43

[ChampionDriver01]

The music in this song is beautiful... my favorite Hornsby song for sure!

[drellim50]

ambrosias bass player ..

[SatelliteExile]

No matter about Jack Nicholson on the drums, is that Billy Dee Williams playing the synth?

[SilenceIKissYou]

is Jack Nicholson playing drums?

[terrytomlin1]

@SilenceIKissYou No, it's Kelsey Grammar!

[terrytomlin1]

One of the finest piano players EVER!

[Windykopple]

I know the guy that dropped the thing on 3:20

[mikemarselis]

Gotta love the Firemen:P

[stuvo1977]

Sideshow Bob is on guitar.

[wttwmusic]

4:09 to 4:11 --- What a great kid.

[horizon428]

what is this song about?



[SilenceIKissYou]

@horizon428 who cares what it's about ... it's an awesome song

[alciaran]

Wish I was in Virginia!

[Shenanigans33]

3:37 "Party Over Here"

[manferot]

I didn't know Judge Reinhold could play that well

[raul6902]

very god sond god bles everybody

[patrick2976]

Quality. Leo Sayer on guitar as well!

[75rocher]

.....THIS IF IT WAS MUSIC.....

[terrytomlin1]

Lokks like Kelsey Grammar on drums to me!

[deadstrider]

I want original songs with a meaning, all I have is a bunch of mainstream shit. After a while you get sick of every song being about sex, money and drugs. I'm 16 and I love 80's and 90's music.

[AVEXentSUCKS]

This song gives me goosebumps. Beautiful composition, amazing sound. Such a rich tune. World class music.

[Johnleatherman123]

Cool!

[Mea7707]

mi piace tanto

[riodejaneir10]

What a piano! He plays too much! Awesome!

[EarlofCrawford]

Given the tragic story told by the lyrics, everybody sure looks happy in the video!

[wurster2008]

Did you see all of the stars in this video....lol. Nicolas Cage (Bruce), Jack Nicholson (drummer), Richard Simmons (guitar), Richard Pryor (piano), Andy Griffith (sitting beside Bruce).

[fsusurfer78]

saw Bruce on a date at the Orlando house of blues back in summer of 99'. Great show, hopefully I'll get so see him again.

[amarcadia]

This song deserves a beautiful video. It's a shame :(

[eddievangundy]

Easily his best song.

[hazardprofile116]

Bruce never gets enough credit for changing the dynamics of southern music infused with jazz and bluegrass. It's such a unique sound. One that always makes me smile. Thx Bruce!!!

[ANTONZANESCO]

fantastic !!! exept the sound of that piano. SORRY !!!!!!! beautiful song.

[yampear]

The drummer is John Molo and yes he plays open with his left and then right on the hat.

[cavediver1948]

I wonder how many people notice that the drummer starts out left handed then switches to right handed?

[inconyblue]

if the image is yours, is it yours, or what you have been given.. if its not yours but what you have been given.. then what are you? a reciever, a tool? is your heart in your control?

no? ok.. then walk on.. stop what you do not know, at your consequence, just as much as what you recieve.. else, you will not walk on.. the tool is yours.. are you the means. and the consequence, or just the reciever?

[palomopicon1977]

I love this video and the music too is from 1988

[badmacdonald]

i hate this video but love the song and the album it came from.

[theonlymoo5e]

Hit #1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart for 1 week in June 1988

[luckybruceful]

Hornby's first two albums were outstanding----this song is one of my favorites

[Uploader1992]

Jack Nicholson playing drums at the 0:37..

[ironwoodadq]

Like the song but this video stinks.

[RJ4960]

Still sounds GREAT after all these years... a true classic! And he's produced more than a few...

[ewelimak]

fajny utwór facet trochę mniej

[kylemas2005]

Why can't current kids play like this now? Is shit regressing or am I just a cynical asshole?

[damo9811]

@kylemas2005 no your not,the usic by todays kids is mostly shite

[PostConsumerMedia]

@kylemas2005 My label, Post-Consumer, is working on it.

[Madisonrvr]

@kylemas2005 you aint cynical--it has regressed. New stuff now is awful. Nobody plays their instruments anymore either, nobody writes their own stuff. It's all prepackaged, over-produced stuff designed to make money. I feel you.

[navidhendrix]

@kylemas2005 It's regressing I'm afraid. :(

[jenniferfreedlangley]

@kylemas2005

I think we are both- but hey F*k' em if they cant take a joke, right?

I love Bruce

[MrYuppie]

Great great GREAT song. de rigueur 80's video.

[177coc]

Oh ! I love this !!!! True MUSIC !!!!

[gumbyjag]

I really hoped there existed a video for this fantastic song. I too, wish it could have faithfully visually portrayed the elaborate story being played out, but I'll definitely settle for this. I love this song.

[MrGeno502]

Happy Birthday Bruce!

[BanditHamlin11]

One of the best music videos of all time! I've only seen The Way It Is and Mandolin Rain and The Valley Road. Did Bruce do other ones?

[semwebia]

"Every year, some rich girl would get involved with some country guy, and they would act irresponsibly and have to deal with the ramification" - Bruce Hornsby on Valley Road

"Plantation" has nothing to do with it being in the Old South or that the guy is black(unlikely). There is no rape in the song either. I've heard some people say that she is sent away for an abortion. That's fuzzy. Sending girls away to give birth was a very common practice and they talk about her living with her sister.

[MrYaakov1958]

Jack Nicholson on drums

[type61m]

@MrYaakov1958 And Richard Simmons on guitar.

[capegirl6214]

Ouch! Who didn't have big, fluffy hair back then? But thankfully zero spandex or lycra in the video.

[capegirl6214]

I'm going to beg to differ a little bit re the performance vs low-budget friends walking around. Yes, absolutely, the performance is great...but I still think it's a great kick to see the "low budget cast" grooving to the song...simple fun for the common folk who appreciate music for its own sake -- no need for Big Budget Glam Videos to get the point across -- and if any artist can't get the point across without a bunch of hype and spangles....?

[capegirl6214]

@capegirl6214 One more thought from the Way Back Machine...."The Way It Is" and "Scenes from the Southside" provided a lot of good listening, steering wheel tapping, (on cassette?) during road trips to the beach. Signed...a Carolina Girl.

[tjb9693]

The clarinet was absolutely his dad. I seem to remember back then, that was possibly the most popular part of it. It's rather funny he's miming a clarinet solo over a guitar line. Good for Bruce. The performance part is the best part of the video not the low budget friends walking around thing. I read where Bruce's dad passed. What a memory for him.

[capegirl6214]

From the beginning "clap-clap", I just don't understand how anyone could be bummed out listening to this song or watching the video. Still have the album on vinyl. Pulled it out the other night, still pristine. A good time.

[capegirl6214]

I wasn't sure, but took a wild guess the clarinet was Dad-related. Now was that Jack Nicholson playing the drums? :)

[sonixsystems]

The guy on the clarinet is Bruce's dad...

[capegirl6214]

Say what you want to...but I could watch and listen to him play all day. And for the person who (hopefully meant the comment as a joke regarding a cheaply made video...and the following comment re that was back when people were stupid...) it's fun to watch--they all seem to be having a great time and feeling the music -- and isn't that what it's all about? Maybe I'm being oversensitive...but don't mess around with my appreciation for Bruce.

[boogs2007]

@capegirl6214

I like your attitude man but it's good to add a little humor.

People have bad days, That's why we need it.

Happy people are good people.

[bootylover973]

I was in Augusta Ga, back in 1987 when I first heard Bruce hornsby...

[WobbleSkanker]

YES!

[capegirl6214]

Still one of my favorite songs. Thank goodness for You Tube. A great kick to be able to see this again and on demand.

[ladytigah]

This reminds me of riding with my Dad on Saturday mornings in our red Volkswagen Rabbit in Vancouver when I was four. Then we moved to Winnipeg and we did the same thing in a blue Topaz... Man, this song is great for travelling on the open road.. Bruce Hornsby & The Range are amazing. Thanks guys!

[SupernalOne]

So, what's the story? Back in plantation days, a wayward or strong-minded girl was typically seduced and then exiled, in order to keep the rest of the respectable womenfolk suitably docile? It was a standard practice? Hmm, that's essentially what happened to Tori Amos --

[c130mover]

hey who cares his best song ever

[1234captron]

I saw the band in Omaha bout this time, Great concert,Bruce and the band played their 4-6 popular tunes and took requests the rest of the nite, They played Rolling stone, Jo JO Gunn, Beatles ,,etc How COOL

[okaussie]

For Civilized Folk Only!!!

[c130mover]

fantastic song  and the vis awwww aome

[krazynite]

The music clip does not justice to the song at all..... A serious subject that I dont think the casual listener has worked out :( epic tune though !!! Love it !!

[mgrimm5]

It was founded bruce's hometown of williamsburg virginia. The gymnasium is the old basketball gym at the college of william and mary.

[JSUSSSI]

HEY IT'S JACK NICHOLSON PLAYNG THE DRUMS! LOL

[snowtrax29]

Classic Smooth Greatness ..... oh yeahhh !!!

[GDMCane305]

That piano solo is just DEVASTATING, pure skill. That's one of the reasons I love this song and I'm a hip-hop head.

[GDMCane305]

That piano solo is just DEVASTATING, pure skill. That's one of the reasons I love this song and I'm a hip-hop head.

[donnellraymond4]

reminded me of my hometown

[franmosan56]

abra alguien q cuando la escucha no este moviendo los pies?

[shuvel55]

Anyone else confused why the clarinet sounds like a guitar during the solo?

who cuts out the old man!!!

[gatermap]

Is that Jack Nicholson on drums? LOL. Love it great song! Love music like this.

[Peoria3165]

Great tune....

[patentagosse]

I never got tired of such epic songs. Music from the heart... with soul.  His playing on piano is an amazing signature that other can only copy...

[kiwichopz]

best song ever would love to learn the guitar solo in this cant find tabs for it tho

[Redh0t2011]

brilliant! cant decide whether this or 'the way it is' is better. call it a very honourable draw

[tdirgins]

It was filmed in and around Williamsburg, VA. Bruce's hometown. Many of the extras were from the College of William and Mary. (His day was an alumnus)

[supercooled]

Who's the guitarist with the uncanny resemblance to Jon Cryer (2 half men). Is the black keyboard player also another famous musician? I can't quite put a name to his face but he sang about Jack and Jill and cheating girlfriends.

[c130mover]

hey best song i ever herard foot tapper

[jeffsmithnyc7]

His dad is "playing" the flute. There is no flute part in the song, it's a prop so his dad can be inconspicuously in the video.

[pearlsfortheswines]

Some very unpredictable timing in the chord changes, great stuff!

[c130mover]

hey dont read the song , just listen, a great song and takes yr foot tap and great to dance to, but the yanks wont see that

[ttottman]

I think it's Hornsby's Best song to date-or ever.. For such a serious undertone; it also gives hope w/ a wink for happiness, and like who cares; Carry on.... One of my Faves... Always gives me a lift. Great piano and bass...

[rodgerc100]

This is a great song along with The Way It Is

[lawboss20]

60,000 Views Exactly on 8/18/2011!

[unicron93]

1 person is tone deaf and has no idea what good music really is.

[npkoski]

okay they look all to happy to be singing about a bad situation. yikes

[carolhathorn]

drummer looks like Jack Niclolson in the shinning :0}

[RK831]

One of Bruce's best songs ever, though I suspect the lowest budget for a music video. When I first heard the song back in 1988, I thought this song was about a mismatched tryst during the plantation days of the 19th Century, and a million-dollar budget would be the most elaborate video depicting such a scenario. Instead, it looks like Bruce got his boys together in the studio and offered people to just walk around and into the studio for free. Just pay for editing and tada! Cheap video.

[220friend]

@RK831 its not even a studio, it's like an old high school gym

[LAS2YYZ]

@RK831 Or maybe he just wanted to showcase some of the landscape of the city in which he grew up and was proud of. The Valley Road was/is a great video tribute to the people of Williamsburg, William And Mary, W.F.D and James City County PD (If some of us were even paying attention). Great stuff from Bruce. Representing the 757 (frmr 804!)!!!

[hedgewytche]

@RK831 Seems you have already imagined the scenario, so you hardly need to watch a million-dollar budget video :-) and I can think of a lot more worthy ways of spending a million dollars, lol. I had never seen a Bruce Hornsby video until today, yet have loved his music for many years. Ultimately it's whatever floats your boat, but for me it has to be the music and lyrics.

[capegirl6214]

@hedgewytche You're so right. Sort of like "don't judge the book by it's cover." Imagination is a good thing.

[rikkster100]

Dude can def tickle the ivorys!!! Kinda like Liberace without the gay

[rikkster100]

Great BH song. What's with the guitar players fro??

[zalapski]

Great Song, video has not aged well, depending on your perspective.

[Falcon4646]

Yer dead if you don't at least tap yer toes to this one... It's one of his best

[arianaalioth]

ONE person has no taste.

[arianaalioth]

the winter scenery /imagery is just fantastic. Brilliant Hornsby artistry in action.

[arianaalioth]

And where do I get ahold of this boxed set?

[Rodrigo2838]

Great song!!

[ThomasRowsell]

why is their hair like that?

[arianaalioth]

@ThomasRowsell "That was back from when people were stupid." - Butthead :P

[MIKECNW]

Probably one of the most silliest music videos of the 1980's.

But still enjoyable.

[hersheybarsoccer]

A masterpiece... the story, lyrics are amazing. But Hornsby's vocals and hands on keyboard and....... just listen! This and "The Way it is," "End of Innocence" are absolute classics! All i can say to him is THANKS!!!

[saleens7austin]

Is that actually a different guy singing at 1:11? Cause the voice doesn't sound as much like Bruce. 

[lopro091]

AMAZING TUNE LOVE IT!!!

[paulvalletta01]

Underated song, just fantastic music..love this1

[mrpolaroid123]

The drummer looks like Michael Ironside to me........

[kbf1978]

The 1980's produced a wide range of incredible music. This song will stand alone ahead of all others as a masterpiece.

[damo9811]

i thought as much,the british bbc corporation used this,without the lyricis,as the closing credits of their brodcast of that years television broadcast farnbourouhg air show programme

[damo9811]

was this 1988 or 1990,i remember the bbc used this as the tune for the closing credits of their television broadcast program of the 1990 farnbourgh airshow

[tombutleruk]

@damo9811

It was no.1 in the States in June 1988. I would have put it as earlier as I always thought this was the follow up to "The Way It Is", which came out in 1986. But apparently not.

[enlightenedminds1]

Ohh wowww!!

[raljazz]

Oh man........this song brings back wonderful memories, when i lived in Hampton Roads ('water town')!!!

[saleens7austin]

Amazing and plaintive song.

[damo9811]

i was going to comment on the state of the hair on the guitar player at the back,but then again it was 1989

[844jimthompson]

Great song great video .Love the pig at the end.

[yakuzenshin]

23 years ago, I bought the album "Seans from the Southside", and still now this song is one of my favorites!

[paistekid]

I Will Walk with You and Till the Dreaming's Done are the best 2 songs!!

[Reeligion1]

Hey world,

That rolling piano just boots it. I've loved it from day 1....

Greetings from down under, Australia baby. The home of Valley Roads.

[babajii321]

....and who's the asshole that doesn't like this?

[babajii321]

One of the few - very few - decent bands to come out of the '80's. Since then, too.

[mactheartofwarfare]

bruce has lived out my dream of becoming the songwriter and pianist he is, because like him i have idolized elton john & leon russell since i was 9 years old and have been playing piano all my life and i'm now 46 years old

[groovem0nkey]

isn't the guy in to keyboard .... .. from an 80's sitcom?

[Horatius316]

Bryan Doyle Murray on the clarinet and the former lead singer from Krokus on the bass!

[Alexsuper15]

This reminds me of star wars O.o and seems like a very nice town

[chelseamatt]

Lovely, lovely, delightful song. Bruce Hornsby & The Range are a wonderful band. Such beautifully-crafted songs.

[kalasa12]

muy buena muy buena excelente song

[palomopicon1977]

this song makes me to fly around a lake or an ocean looking the sky and the sky blue so awesome the piano and the melody are so nice lovely delight

[palomopicon1977]

this song makes me to fly around a lake or a ocean with my wings flying and enjoying of the music walk on walk on

[gregoir]

haha cool! check ouyt the guy selli perch for a dollar a pound! I'll take 200 #'s!(vs these days ) i used to live near there.. miss it!

[TheSerafen]

About time this video showed up here.

[gregoir]

@TheSerafen yeah right! cool n can't believe I havent seen it!lol is that RAINBOW in back a the man?!(Bruce @ the BALDWIN)

[louklou812]

Boy, that drummer sure does look like Jack, only a younger version! LOL

[swrevels]

hahhahahha. I was just thinking that looked like Jack Nicholson

[jeffrey2711]

I think YouTube needs to upgrade...even T-1 lines don't work well with YouTube these days... Perhaps Google overexpanded. I am at the point, even with great posts like this one that I am about to forget YouTube... it seems they have not upgraded to meet their volume.

[vodude]

Great to see that Bruce filmed this in his hometown of Williamsburg, VA. Bruce has always been great but I think he peaked early with this 1988 album. "Scenes from the Southside" was about as perfect of an album as one could make.

[agoodcupoftea]

あぁ、懐かしい。。。＾＿＾

[Mitsy1212]

This is my favorite Bruce Hornsby song. :)

[amyleoness]

Sometimes I lead...sometimes I follow....

[muddysneakers]

I dig Bruce, but this video could have been so much better if it had followed the story in the song.

[Sherpaful]

great song, not so good video

[Dutchly]

Karen P. gave me this album in 1988. Nothing but good memories with her out in the Mojave desert.

[bradmorris67]

One person has never walked on walked down the Valley Road.

[Fritz739]

As said, Great 80's Stuff, this one took me off back then Bruce got my attention w/ That's the way it is w/ his keyboard work..............

[spainishgirl]

SING SOUTHERN BROTHER!!

[CATTOBAR]

I love his music, the way he play the piano is amazing!

[amyleoness]

GOD. I love piano music.. I am trying to play this.

[tegoarcanadei]

Walk on Bruce, top tune, great memories.

[Duskdog717]

Wow. I love this song, but the video absolutely fails to capture the subject matter of the song (which is part of the appeal for me). Oh well. That's not so different from most music videos, I guess, but it's disappointing.

[JamisenEtzel1]

excellent song; atrocious music video