Richard Thompson - I'll Never Give It Up - Jools 2007

[xander4320]

Give the man a damn knighthood!

[adjrean57]

I doubt it. More likely it is about his authoratarian, unkind father.

But, why analyze it? It's his business who (if anyone) it is about. Why not just enjoy the music?

[BwanaTube]

"Ladies and Gentleman. John Malkovich on bass! "

[polopoful]

Who doesn't like the video?!

I'm gonna kill him!

[zootyzoot]

A Muslim guitar player with a Jewish star on his hat.  Coexist!

[Daycron66]

This song is ABOUT Teddy, or FOR Teddy? 

[MrCinder82]

Not only has SAMCRO given me hours of tv enjoyment, they have also turned me onto hours upon hours of great music catalouges. Especially Richard Thompson. 

[MonaLaMoyne]

Nobody mentions the fact that he is 85 years old in this video.

[choronzonexcidium]

@MonaLaMoyne u meant 58?

[syffuf25]

Over the past couple over years I've been to dozens of show. I've seen Rush, Tommy Emmanuel, John Butler Trio, hell even Slipknot. But seeing Richard Thompson so far has blows everything out of the water, simply an incredible artist and performer.

[calboy64]

@syffuf25 yeah i am starting to see that too

[Onisun]

I swear this is the definitive version of this song. Thompson brings so much to live performance.



[dixiedragon54]

JUST heard of these guys and this music is hot hot hot LOVE THEIR SOUND (they are pretty freaking hot too !!!!!) Gotta find me some of their CDs this is just great stuff

[SuperLouis12]

is anybody else here because of soa?



[ReverendEd330]

Fantastic live performance, just what to expect from RT.

[bonoix]

Great performer. Love me some Richard. 

[PretoriaElle]

Richard Thompson said in an interview on radio 4 this song was about his son Teddy.

[departments2006]

You want an angry old man? Look no further that the great Rchard Thompson. If only Weller could claim such dignity and vitality even at 8 years younger.

[BucksStudent]

Please, stop the song analysis. It's just a good song, and you ruin the fun for some people.

[22rawrrawr]

Dude i heard their song dads gonna kill me on soa but i fucking love this its really good

[mando3b]

Four guys playing--but it sounds like 6 or 7. Strictly in terms of chops, it's hard to imagine a group playing any better or tighter than Thompson-Thompson-Jerome-Zorn. (Of course, you really can't do any better than RT's songs, either!)

[chbooboo]

one more: "there's no halfway with you": you're either with us or against us

[mando3b]

I always thought this was about right-wing commentators (e.g., Limbaugh, Fox "News", etc.) smearing people who didn't agree with what the Bush administration was doing. The Bush/Cheney interpretation is basically the same thing, though, I guess.

[GrungeHippie95]

@mando3b he is english

[mando3b]

@GrungeHippie95 True enough, but he lives in LA, I think.

[GrungeHippie95]

@mando3b I didn't know that

[chbooboo]

It's about Bush/Cheney.

[yohei72]

How do you figure? I'd love to believe it, but I can't make the lyric scan under that interpretation. Sounds like something about someone specific from his own life - disgruntled ex-collaborator or something. Kind of the opposite number from "Put It There."

[chbooboo]

"you want me dead or alive": what Bush said about Bin Laden

"you see red white and blue": duh

"when the sky fell in you cried": 9/11

"Come on, do your worst, boy

That's the way, that's the way

Hit me where it hurts, boy,

That's the way, that's the way": torture?

[chbooboo]

More:

"When you crawl out of your sick little hole": Cheney's undisclosed location.

"reptile smile": I'd like to think this is Cheney's smirk

[daf827]

I agree with your analysis!  I have always thought this song was about Bush//Bin Laden...from Bin Laden's perspective.

[siancanning]

Superb. Such energy.

[jaymc2112]

this smokes! and i just might! bubble up!

[wen790]

He is not ultra smooth like SRV the master

[octarhaberee]

and that's supposed to be a bad thing?

[BucksStudent]

They're two different breeds, brother. SRV copied, RT invented! Most guitarists who solo sound bluesy, and RT is devoid of all of them. He invented a style, he plays stuff that took him years to perfect, and not any guitar player can do it.

[very95ape]

Jools Holland show rules. Also this song is amazing. Guitar solo is superb, too.

[daf827]

IMO Richard has no peer. While most of his contemporaries settle into semi-retirement or rest on past laurels, RT keeps pushing himself as an artist and producing work that, if anything raises the bar even further.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to what this song is about?

[BucksStudent]

Said so perfectly!

[halfirishrover]

RT was amazing when he first started years ago. He just keeps getting stronger. Incredible guitarist, phenomenal singer, brilliant songwriter.

And he has a great smile and twinkle in his eyes, although this clip doesn't show it.

[BlaineDeschain]

I love him so much it's not even funny anymore!! Go thompson!!!:D

[mrgb46]

It's a shame he isn't as popular as he deserves to be!!! Been a big fan since the 80's..

[cp1492]

fighting music!

[PoppyJr78]

Mr Thompson is a true Muslim.

When You know your God, You can achieve miracles.

Go Richy Go, keep up your Angelic Rock.

Love ya......

[BlaineDeschain]

Is he actually a muslimO_O? i never knew xD who cares what he is, his music is fantastic!!!

[Lauryn74K]

one of my biggest musical heroes - catch Danny Thompson on bass!! awesome. Richard is one of the best songwriters.

[Brody666Ed]

Freaking awesome. The man can do no wrong. Thanks a million for posting this.

[Tessietots]

This was the first song I ever heard from RT.. It was instant love. I cant get enough of his music. Brilliant"! Thank you

[jontheid]

Brilliant!

[lokdi]

What a group! More energy and more power then lots of young groups today!

[bigsuey]

thats my new fav song iv been listenin to it solid for 5 days now

[jontheid]

Haha! I can believe that.

[Geodge]

That's the way, that's the way.

sublime.

[Kegwithlegs]

It's nice to see live, basic, music again! Yes, the drummer does well with his "basic" kit, what would he be like on a Ginger Baker style kit???

[Nigog92]

i love this drummer. he is the world best drummer ever! michael jerome!

[ak47doubletap]

have been checking tickets for the Eastern USA/ will ride the bus - can't afford the gas and price of a good ticket ! Riding the Bus and listening to Tom Waits Songs - makes a great combination; and the PRIZE OF SEEING RICHARD perform live is worth it 100 X's over.

[wally4taiwan]

beer in a wine glass

[lokdi]

Who' s the drummer? He's cool and good!

[RTFan52]

Drummer is Michael Jerome. There's a video of this band doing Hard on Me on which the drumming is just spectacular.

[lokdi]

thx very mutch!

[mojopin52]

Live.. Yes he played a festival (2 sets)solo and acoustic, in my town a few years ago. Signed a CD and was a very pleasant chap all round. If you think Danny Thompson on bass was cool here, catch him if he's out with Eric Bibb or check old albums by John Martyn..

[pyro9050]

I can't stand how amazing this is. I'd kill to see him live.

[hensleighwellman]

Absolutely fantastic performance; Richard you've enhanced my life for years. Many thanks.

[OceanBien]

I hope RT & the band tour the US soon, especially to see my cousin Pete Zorn. I just purchased the Live at Providence DVD that has RT, Pete Zorn on horns, mandolin, guitar, & vocals, Rory McFarlane on bass and Earl Harvin on drums.

RT is now touring the USA on his 1000 Years of Popular Music with Judith Owen and Debra Dobkin.

Pete's also a sesson musician in London on many instruments...

[twangalot]

Great stuff!! Thanks joni36. Don't know about the ageist, patronising slant but otherwise I agree, hope someone will post Dad's Gonna Kill Me from the same episode. Blew everyone else on the show away-Rock and Roll and RT at their very best. Mind you we born of the 50s and 60s should be good at rock-we invented it.

[sonofbignose]

And we youngens are all very grateful that you did!

Seriously, though, I really wish I'd come across Mr Thompson earlier - blows just about everything else in my music collection away.

[bawsbawsbaws]

aye this band of crooners were shit hot, grandad on the double bass churned out the funk in unbelievable quantities. made a usually impressive battles look mediocre.

Dads gonna kill me was my personal favourite. Delicious.

[Buksboy]

Did this not blow the hell out of everything else on this episode?? I love Crowded House, but they appeared like children compared to this. Rock n roll forever!