Billy MacKenzie - Kites

[thefloozysoozy]

@sgtrayelwood I concur. I love this version by Billy. Billy put his touch on everything

[fetishalchemy]

some of the most haunting songs billy ever sang were nothing but him and a piano. Lots of stuff on The Glamour Chase and later on Transmission Impossible. There is not nor has there ever been anyone to compare him to vocally. Strangely only Roy Orbison(another great singer/songwriter with a 4 octave range) and opera singers even come close.Others are as powerful, but almost no one is as distinctive.

[OZK033]

Horribly oversung. Kills the impact. Piano player obviously doesn't know the song. I like the attempt at such a great and powerful song and some of the piano derivatives are really nice in the instrumental breaks. A truly great voice, but it doesn't matter how well you can sing if you can't find the heart of the song.

[sgtrayelwood]

@OZK033 In the world of Billy MacKenzie, there is no such thing as "oversung". You either get it, or you don't.

[OZK033]

@sgtrayelwood Nobody is an exception. The guy has a great voice, just a shame he had to do an over-the-top version of this sweet little song in which the piano is not played in time and the ridiculous vocals steal the soul away from the song. In the world of music, the song is god, not the man singing it.

[sgtrayelwood]

@OZK033

Like I said, you either get it, or you don't!

[sgtrayelwood]

@sgtrayelwood

I'm fully aware that there are people who find Billy's singing at times over the top, hysterical and histrionic, and as a result detest it. And then there are people who find Billy's singing at times over the top, hysterical and histrionic, and as a result absolutely adore it. No prizes for guessing which category I fall into. ;-) This isn't classical music - it's pop. Therefore there are no rules, no right or wrong - it's just pure entertainment. And no song is sacred.

[sgtrayelwood]

There's many a version of a song that I dislike, but shite happens. I happen to like this version of this song, as do plenty of other people. You don't - your shout.

[OZK033]

@sgtrayelwood All songs are sacred. Like you said "You either get it, or you don't". Play music/write songs for a living for a while and come back to me on it. I do, however, respect your appreciation for MacKenzie and his explosive voice, I just don't care at all for his interpretation of this song. I feel he made the song about himself and how well he can sing, rather than making the song what it is: a sweet and juvenile profession of love.

[OZK033]

@sgtrayelwood You have to live inside the song. The song doesn't live inside you.

[AthanArk]

Someone has it in mp3? D: I only have a poor audio rip...

[MrDebrich]

haunting and tormented,,god rest billy

[AllyKnox1]

amazing version from scotlands finest singer ever, just turn off the lights relax and listen.

[leadadde]

@AllyKnox1 Just rediscovered it. stunning. so sad

[retrodude01]

Amazing voice, beautiful song.

RIP Billy, such a waste.

[joolsr]

It was released as 94 Lion Street (I cant remember the exact number ..) on RSO records in 1981. I'm lucky enough to have a copy on 12" ;-)

[sgtrayelwood]

@joolsr

It was 39 Lyon Street. :-)

[joolsr]

@sgtrayelwood

Thanks. I'll have to dig it out some time

[MisAnnThorpe]

This really is Billy at his very best. As much as I love the claustrophobic sound of Sulk, one of my all time favourite LP's, something magical happened when Billy sang accompanied by nothing more than piano. This and Beyond the sun reduce me to tears and I'm not even embarrassed to admit it. There's also a very interesting performance of No, with Howard Hughes again, on piano, at Ronnie Scotts, that I'd recommend to all who haven't already seen it.

[stevedoree1]

Beyond brilliant.

[jeanmaurice1]

beautiful.....just beautiful......!!

[mijahan]

Stunning version.

[mijahan]

Thanks to ever posted this. Absolutely class. Good old Billy. Much missed.

[CREDITS4CARBON]

Stunning, so sad that he is no longer with us.

[tollcross]

left us too soon

[retrodude01]

Beautiful song, so sad.

RIP Billy.

[Uberlaser]

Deply moving - Rest in Peace, Billy - The Brightest Candles burn for the shortest time . . .

[TheMalcolmgraham]

wow

[rocknrollunlimited]

Absolutely awesome cover from a much missed talent. Miss you Billy.......

[sjorsjimmie]

the piano and billys voice both simple yet clear, beautiful and haunting, bone chilling good. these are the true songs that stir emotion. Fantastic.

[wiredtojupiter]

was just starting to really notice Billy, then he went...love this...

[wiredtojupiter]

this is truly amazing

[wiredtojupiter]

hi Billy, we still love you boy...

[wiredtojupiter]

to my American friends, enjoy, Billy has gone, but we remember his talent and just himself always...

[shum65]

Beautiful.......!!

[shum65]

Beautiful....cheers dear Billy...!!!

[citizenpaparazzo]

This guy was a unique talent, what a loss.

[Riverman1986]

God, yes. This is a new one on me. Love it.

[Poussey]

Achingly beautiful ~ a sad loss ~~

[sulk100]

Utterly gorgeous, Billy, I miss you.

[CREDITS4CARBON]

A much better version than other singers. Stunning by his rendition of this song.

[CREDITS4CARBON]

Of all the songs that i have found on youtube that are sung by Billy, this is the best by far. I went and listened to others sing "KITES" but no of them could hold a candle to this arrangement by Billy. It is stunning how he arranged it to be a much better song. WOW, GOD sure gave him a great talent. Thanks for posting

[CREDITS4CARBON]

Stunning and a much better voice than Bowie. This guy had so much talent it is almost unheard of. His writing ability ans singing is fantastic. Thank you GOD for inventing youtube so we can hear the blessings that you gave to Billy.

[KillerCaz]

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

[massivinmensch]

fantastic version!

what a pity that there`s no official release of that

version... :(

[purpleharv]

The most beautiful version of this song.

It breaks a heart to its bleakest at the loss of this true genius.

Once a whippet racer x

[dancingchexmix]

I love you too - an associate

[purpleharv]

What can you possibly say except this is the most beautiful song perhaps ever. I remember Billy from the whippet racing championships at Measham, Leicestershire in the 80's when he travelled with his racing colleague Martin Johnstone and co.

What a miss, what a tragdy to lose such a special person x

[dancingchexmix]

I absolutely love this video's visual intimacy. Specifically his eye contact with the camera & the dual imagery as well.

It's as if He is here/now fully present

Watch closely & see - From Eternity & Beyond!

[dancingchexmix]

Magnificent~

[WillCrazie]

Thanks Susan,This is one track I'll be putting on my comp cd to my new love,

she likes what I've played to her so far and 'gets' the Billy Phenom that I put out :)

[MENLOVE6]

such a beautiful man his musicis sssooo you unique ...who esle coluld com close to this tellme i ilkedd to know xxx

[dancingchexmix]

Thank you for your kindness / posting this.

[dancingchexmix]

Billy & Bubba - Infinite presense within, in Whom all live; Joy supreme, flooding all with eternal peace, I adore thee. I feel thy calm. As deep cries unto deep, so my thoughts cries unto thee and Thous dost answer.I am renewed and refreshed; my being responds to Thy love, and I am complete in Thee.O lover of my soul and Keeper of my Spirit, none can separate us, for we are one. So shall Thy Wisdom guide me, Thy Presence dwell within me, Thy Love keep me now and forevermore. I rest in Thee. SOM

[dancingchexmix]

So precious these songs are to me. Love to Billy always.......Merci

[makymark1]

haunting