Amen Corner - If Paradies is half as nice 1969

[masonfreeparty]

a saturnic group...demon AMY loved by john dee...watch out for AM-Y symbolism ..AMEN

[MultiTimV]

I loved it then. I love it now.

[fooman65]

superb, best use of lalala's ever in a song and there are many, believe you me!!

[TheOldun666]

thank's ahh memories

[byrd5d]

a pretty voice and a pretty boy- first time ive seen him but i bought his hit single so much 60s music was not shown on her majesties broadcasting corp. we had pirate rADIO BUT NEVER HAD PIRATE TV til now- up the revolution and spread the word- love

[Poppylulu]

Oh, I was so in love with Andy Fairweather-Lowe :D A great decade to be a teenager!!

[bilbobagins1951]

mckilroys on a monday night i remmeber seeing this group

[Macsgrafs]

memories of days with no worries where the next penny was comming from!

[sionnyn]

This just just doesn't age, does it? 

[MrSeventiesMan1]

My last year at school when this was a hit, my first girlfriend..life was all love and music!!!..life was Great!!!!!..this song really brings it all back to me!!!!!.

[HilaryMG]

Gosh does`nt time fly by? yes I would love to have my youth back, but not if it meant missing out on the greatest bands ever.

I saw Amen Corner when they were the backing to the great Steve Ellis who I went to see in Brighton in Oct. this year and what a great band they still are, and Steve will never let you down ;) xx

[TheHitDetector]

This is superb

[janutd7]

Luv Andy...saw him Abergavenny many many years ago .....i remember that nite as though it was last week......he came on stage and although his band walked off he stayed and sang this song........x

[TeenyR1]

Love a bit o' Amen Corner and Andy Fairweather Low (what a fantastic name) - and also, how fab that he has got together with Kate Bush!

[niznet111]

Wonderful memories of my youth!

[patsyod]

AFL could have been a ventriloquist! still superb tho'

[SuperBIGTEL]

Makes a garden out of mine.

[alanlovedog]

my mother claims to have worked with the drummer in a cardiff store - she says they used the building for rehearsal- either BHS or macross - bit unsure which....

[noushitaisa]

What a bloody awful suit. I know... my first one was just like it! Good song though...

[LukeCutox97italia]

R.I.P. Lucio, our dear Lucio and to everybody who love this song must listen bella linda, wake me i'm dreaming, 7 e 40, luci-ah, mi ritorni in mente and all the song of Lucio Battisti

[garylongden]

A fantastic song, and performance

[willmurphy1951]

Such innocence and common sense music. I pity the kids of today. Thanks for this post. x

[jennyschofield]

I was a young impressionable teenager then. Ahhhhh.

[murphy1980100]

love andy takes me back to my teens he was gorgeous those were the days

[digbydo1]

wonderful pure joy

[tirnaog09]

Enjoy the music but don't chase yesterday, you'll miss tomorrow!

[botabara80]

Love it

[MsAinemaire]

Those were the days!!!!

[skinnyrichard]

yesterday!!!!!!paradise is more like forever.........

[TimSchohdesmoines]

Dana Carvey rocked before he got into Comedy

[majuryni]

Sing it out Andy!

[elodieC]

omg! ...hot summer holidays partying in the woods near home with transistor radios, long dresses and no knickers...he was soooo. good! ...I think! lol!

[ludo281160]

This song is such one you can remember (for me I guess 1970 over 1987 on CD, now on YT). Difficult for being not a UK-guy! Because of the millions of great songs.

Maybe should this song be a tribute to Andy Murray today at Wimbledon...not have won against Rafael Nadal...The Paradise is HALF(SEMI-FINAL) as nice ;-)) Thank you for the video***

[Meeeeeeee8eeeeeeee]

Such good looking guys, it has to be the long hair that helps...love long hair on a guy...great song, great memories, great times...

[SteGreenall]

It occurs to me....thank goodness the Germans, who made this programme, didn't wipoe the tapes like some jerk did with old Top of the Pops

[RedFox742]

I am listening to this while watching "Amen Corner" at the Masters. It syncs oddly well.

[skinnyrichard]

believe me paradise was more than half as nice!!!!!!!

[TheDavidjoy]

@skinnyrichard It was!!

[elisabethann1]

brings back memories for me to thank you

[wpDM34]

On the Swedish chart to

[levialone1]

Keep playing this music, I loved it in 68/69 and you still got it.

[TheEctomorph]

If paradise is half as nice as the heaven that you take me to, then the heaven that you take me to is twice as nice as paradise !

This classic track by a band from South Wales featured the excellent Andrew Fairweather-Lowe on lead vocals (about 7 years before he had a big solo hit with "Wide-Eyed and Legless").

I am a lil too young to remember when "If Paradise Is Half As Nice" was @ no. 1 in the charts [in '69] ...... but I think that it is a great song.

[mrsaddlebag]

Just put this on my oldies list .I am 61 .This lot were my dads favourites .Incredible .Brings back memories .

[niamhemer]

Brilliant!! wHAT IDIOTS DIDNT LIKE THIS??

[midmodgal]

I meant swirly... :P

[vevejay]

oh God thankyou for letting me born when I was and being able to enjoy all this wonderfull music in every way that is possible, I truly feel blessed.

[myworld1112]

i love the laLALALALALALA BIT

[midmodgal]

@myworld1112 and the squirly keyboard

[myworld1112]

@midmodgal

ye defo haha

[skinnyrichard]

reminds me of the gooner danny miller!!!!!

[TheLovelyladylover]

@shagmonster100 Ha! LOVE IT!!!

[Tabbs333]

God he is just soooooooo Cute. Take me back to 1969 right now !!!!!!!!!!

[MrStedart]

Great Great Lucio Battisti!

[sergejisd]

@MrStedart Bravo!

[Catherineone]

Saw them at Tottenham Royal in north London in 1967/8

Seems like yesterday

Great band live

[M374EVL]

best blues guitarist top ten mr andy fairweather low

[MrFoxhunter123456]

Seems like yesterday !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[poshboy111]

@MrFoxhunter123456

Yeah today has been a long day

[eddietheturdburglar]

THE UK USED TO PARADISE

[grancop1]

THIS WAS # 2, IN FRONT "I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME" BY THE TEMPS AND SUPREMES? HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? SOMEBODY WAS TAKEN TO MANY DRUGS OR THE WRONG TYPE. THAT'S JUST WRONG I DON'T CARE IN WHAT PART OF THE WORLD YOUR IN.

[eddietheturdburglar]

@grancop1 This song got to N#1,Ross ANd The Temps only got to n#3,reason Far better song for me,only my opinion tho....

[raffaele1111]

PART 3

The song in Italy was successful by the cute blonde singer from Venice Patty Pravo.

Search on youtube " Patty Pravo "Il paradiso"

You can see her on youtube searching " Patty Pravo-Qui e là-Carosello Algida "

[raffaele1111]

PART 2

The song was successful in Italy only after another italian singer,Patty Pravo,listened the song in Uk and proposed it in Italian.

Only after she discovered that the song she belived composed in the "swinging London" was an italian composition.Very funny...

Read it on wikipedia searching "Lucio Battisti" in english or searching " (If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" always on wikipedia

[raffaele1111]

This original song was compose by 2 italians Lucio Battisti and Mogol in 1969.

Search in wikipedia in english about Lucio Battisti.

The original version was first sung by Ambra Borelli.

Search in youtube " La Ragazza 77 (Ambra Borelli) - Il paradiso della vita ".

The Amen Corner made only a "cover" by an italian song that strangely was not a success at the beginning.

[reddevil1953]

I was in Romanos BBC Radio 1 Club n Belfast when they played this live AND andy announced that they had just heard that they had become number 1 Brilliant times

[nannysbhoys6]

@reddevil1953

 i was in Romanos that night as well...adored andy fairweatherlow way back then... still love him singing...

[bfoconnor03]

@reddevil1953 I also went to Romanos Radio 1 club! It was great! Loved it.

[skinnyrichard]

why does this remind me of football in the eighties?!???

[Pauline60tube]

Definately hotter then. Whistling Jack smith was totally hot I think.

[sue2208]

@Pauline60tube So you liked Whistling Jack Smith aka Billy Moeller, brother of Tommy of Unit 4 plus 2 fame...interesting!!

[RowJnr]

We were hot in them days. But Andy Fairweather-Low is a knobend

[reddevil1953]

I remember the day this got to number on, i was at radio 1 club in Romanos in belfast it was live, and Andy just announced that they had just hit the number 1 spot, great times

[kana498]

YET AGAIN A CLASSIC

LUVING IT

[Feisty1967]

I can see where the Glitter Band got their ideas from, twin saxophonists. You can see the origins of glam rock in these groups. I love the long hair and the double-breasted jackets they used to wear in those days. It was all about the clothes and the music, such a cool time to live in!

[granbranfan]

Perfect song, perfect musicians, perfect singer...

[Ukettergrl]

it’s the trousers.

[teebee1984]

This is everything a pop song should be. Wonderful stuff.

[mariabest]

Happy days xxx

[80smetalchild]

i love thi song! XD

[cancanturco]

you are right they guys were hotter in those days!!! I love all the groups from that time....

[snoopydog11]

i was handsome like him ........in 1970.... alas time has taken its toll lol

[skyflyer91]

i know neil jones the guitarist :D

[jabueh96]

das war bei mtv home porno ping pong

[Delia1950]

Oh !!! I once wrote that in a Valentines card !!! Happy days.

[chris974able1]

it's a lucio battisti song!later recorded by patty pravo.lucio was an italian singer died in 1998 in milan....listen his songs in italian on you tube!by

[lyndloo]

excellent classic !! they were Great !!! long live the 60s' ... thats where its at!!!

[milesaxy]

i love this song

[blackpearl186]

BlackPearl186 I made No. 1 and I think records like this can make a come back and be No. 1 again

[workhousemum]

Went to see AFL last night. He was on with Dennis Lecorriere, had a great night, lots of memories from my young and wild days. Didn't remember much about AFL but when he came on he was really good. Great musicians with him. Worth seeing.

[ElledieWildAndFree]

@workhousemum I went to see them when they came to my town,they were great .Andy was my first love.

[maggiev0805]

I used to love this, I was 10 at the time. Such a lovely song.

[Petal60]

showing your age maggie,same age as me.those were the days

[terrysteward]

As well as roger waters,to name a few,andy has played guitar with joe satriani,eric clapton,and procol harems gary brooker !!!

[rodtemplar]

great video, thanks whoever you are.

[rich88b]

I went to see AFL the other night and he and his Low Riders were superb!!!! I can't wait to see them again!!!

[silverfireUK]

Andy Fairweather-Low and Johnny Vegas - separated at birth?

[2360lynmac]

God he was soooo handsome!

[kingtarkus]

It's funny to think that the singer is now Roger Waters's main henchman in his band.

[basje78]

Anyway Patty version is over edges....... ;-)

[basje78]

@mrmalcolmgn ........ Yes you are right, the original is written by Battisti-Mogol.. But I prefer the originallity of Amen Corner cause they covered it before Patty did it..

Bye

[Meeeeeeee8eeeeeeee]

I used to fancy Andy like a crazed girl in the old days....if only he knew, lol

[roboroschi]

E io che pensavo fosse di Patty Pravo!

Che fregatura...

[fellinian]

@roboroschi

La prima a cantare questa canzone fu Ambra Borelli, ma non ebbe riscontro. L'anno seguente uscì la cover in inglese degli Amen Corner che divenne un hit mondiale e di seguito Patty Pravo la reincise in italiano.

[roboroschi]

Caspita!

Come sei informato!

[JohnPaul0livier]

Why didn´t Andy play guitar on this song. He is one of my fab guitar players ;O)

[twoslices]

I dont think he was that good back then.He's great now tho.

[basje78]

@elledie, Yes same year !! But who wrote this song..... Battisti-Mogol in 68 ..

Anyway great song !!

[ElledieWildAndFree]

Andy was my first love

[basje78]

Nice version, but the original is far better... Patty Pravo - Il Paradiso... Check out !!

[ElledieWildAndFree]

@basje78 Both versions were released in 1969,both are good.

[mrmalcolmgn]

isn't the original by Battisti?

[IBerndI1]

knorke,prima,super

[tomhits]

Late 60ies heroes, ahh....I just love the song and the movements of the sax section, how cool was that!

[4pilotooo]

great cardiff group

[MrNeilclarke]

@4pilotooo I thought they came from Newcastle. Amen Corner is the name of a street there.

[MrNeilclarke]

@MrNeilclarke ----I'm wrong, they are from Cardiff. Is there an Amen Corner in Cardiff as well as Newcastle?

[mredsquiz]

Is it just me or were the guys hotter in those days! Must be the long hair....love it! This song brings back so many warm fuzzy memories, thanks!

[PsychedelicRock]

And the genital pinching trousers!

[mredsquiz]

Ha ha, absolutely, it's a wonder how most of them went on to father children!

[custer1968]

Giving your age away there :))......nah...I just think the guys were better dressed back then :)) X

[mredsquiz]

@custer1968 Ha ha, yeah, satin blouses with bow ties, glitter makeup, painted platform shoes.....I guess you could say that!

[baggieboy1968]

@mredsquiz its true theguys were hotter i should knowi was oneof them lol

[21433H]

@mredsquiz I've got long hair ;)

[august251976]

@mredsquiz Can't comment but thery were def better dressed! I'd love to have his jacket

[mredsquiz]

@august251976 Oh yes, they were certainly stylish in those days & quite flamboyant as well with the satin shirts & flares etc.! I miss it all!!

[Framptonfixation]

@mredsquiz It definitely IS the long hair, it makes me melt.... all men should be BANNED from the barbers in my opinion LOL!

[Framptonfixation]

@mredsquiz Although not referring to Andy F.L....more like that sax player on the right, yum! :P

[mredsquiz]

@Framptonfixation I totally agree, sooooo cute! Such a gorgeous smile & yes, the hair!!!

[TheEctomorph]

@mredsquiz

It is interesting that you think that the "guys" [i.e. male pop/rock stars] were "hotter" in those days!

Funnily enough, Ms Caroline Sullivan (a journalist and author) expresses exactly the opposite point of view in a book - entitled "Bye Bye Baby" - that she wrote back in the late 1990's.

Ms Sullivan makes it clear in her book that, in HER own personal opinion, the male pop/rock stars of the 1960's and 70's were considerably UGLIER than their counterparts of the 1990's!

[sue2208]

@mredsquiz God yeah; weren't they yum.Just one thing, wasnt AFL pretty rubbish at miming?

[millwallpaul76]

my era 50 next year so much fun then an aura we will never see again loved it

[schusterlehrling]

Patty Pravo sang it better.

[poppycat2]

Amen Corner were one of my favorites along with the Casuals Great era

[MyMatt63]

@poppycat2 Jesamine was our song till she left for St Andrews University and it all fell apart. Even after 40 years I still love her and would give up everything to have her back.

[280553vs]

Amen Corner were fab. Andy Fairweather-Low has an amazing voice. My era and I am glad that it is. I never want to be part of what is only an excuse for talent now. Good on you Andy. Thank you UTube

[steve1984spf]

Love it!

[malinmoate]

Thanks Fritz. YouTube just brought me back 40 years.

[TEACHERCLAIR]

brilliant my era

[ChiaraMichela]

"IL PARADISO"

MUSIC & LYRIC by:

MOGOL-L.BATTISTI

ORIGINAL ITALIAN MASTERPIECE:

Singer : PATTY PRAVO...

NOTHING TO COMPARE WITH is..much..much better the italian version..

[trottolicchio]

No è bella anche questa versione britannica

[ChiaraMichela]

Non é bella TANTO QUANTO la VERSIONE ORIGINALE ITALIANA di PATTY PRAVO... :-))

[welshbudgie]

His voice was brilliant !!!

[spinny81bs]

Lucio Battisti we miss you..

[thegenericgnome]

then you should be proud............think of the love he must have created.

[FACTUNTHJU]

Not like vile rap shit about today breeding hate,violence,drugs,killing,tr­eating women like shit

[OREN2465]

i love this sound of the late "60",thank you fritz51136!

[hellosuzie123]

I don't remember Amen Corner played in McKilroys in Swindon, but I do remember them played in Locarno old town, Swindon and I never got to see them live because I was not old enough to get in the Locarno. I was very upset. They were my favourite group in the 60's especially Andy Fairweather-Low. He was gorgeous

[souldiva1000]

Just love You Tube for these sort of things just as good as I remember it

[bilbobagins1951]

any body remember these playing at mckilroys in swindon on a monday night

[themountinmonkey]

blast from the past wow

[schusterlehrling]

Look at the original from Italy.

THAT is a blast.

[schusterlehrling]

Patty Pravo "Paradiso"

[uglybug48]

This is the best of their hits. And what a great idea to name the band after part of a golf course !

[englishsandy]

Well at least the Welsh got something right with these,and

 Bonnie Tyler.

[jurrassicsparks]

Andy is still going strong,i saw him touring with Roger Waters 2 years ago here in Auckland NZ.On the In the flesh tour.

[fireflyriver]

They were brilliant. And Andy wasn't bad either. Also the two sax players always moving in time were fascinating. I was just a wee 'un but Andy gave me this thrill, and I couldn't quite work out what it was. ;) He still gives me a thrill!

[elcapitan90012]

id rather have paradise than you

[mal334455]

one of the best bands to come out of the 60s

[Wurzel55]

Saw him at Wincanton racecourse abt 1970 as Fairweather

[spicenice54]

IF PARADISE IS HALF AS NICE..LA LA LA

[tonysouldays]

i loved amen corner i knew alan jones oneof the sax players [ i,m from wales you see ]

[sedroc99uk]

YEAH HE IS ALSO  MY GRANDAD

[bilbobagins1951]

i remeber seeing these at mackilroys on a monday night in swindon along time ago any body else ????

[gattodifiori]

Musica di Battisti!

[Andreagear4]

I never heard this for so long, thank you.

[TEACHERCLAIR]

brilliant my era

[RiffsandBridges]

Clive Taylor is my Uncle!!!AND IM NOT JOKING!!!

[angelicabelladimare]

oh lucky man!

[RiffsandBridges]

Seriously he is my Uncle

[odonna17]

I believe you-please tell him that he saved me from a VERY boring holiday in 1967-we were in the middle of nowhere -i.e. North of Scotland-Radio One had just arrived on the planet thank God ! He is now in Eric Clapton's band, I believe-best wishes-Donna

[julestheangel]

Child of the sixties here! Wow wat a song ! still great aftyer all these years!AFL was gd and still is!?

[susiesaint]

if anything he is better he is Clapton's Right Hand man on his current tour 2009. Saw him May and as a guitarist he is AWESOME Seemed odd when in the sixties all I same him as was a cute singer. He is a truly talented musician

[MrFitolopez]

Jodé qué buena!

[kinkygiraffe]

just fabulas!

[scarymary13]

Thank you so much for this.  Brilliant. My first crush.