Peter Hammill ... "Man-Erg" ... The Best Song Ever Writ ... (1978 - live)

[professoricon2]

I am doomed ...

[carfaraph]

Merci beaucoup Professoricon

vos belles et bonnes vidéos

[billpleska]

Lyrics of this song perfectely describe Hammill´s voice: it contains angel and killer in one.

[whrazithar]

io non ci posso credere... solo 85000 visualizzazioni... :(

can't believe it... just 85000 views... :(

[TeoOrlando]

I have just discovered tha the phrase "the tempest in my mind" is borrowed from Shakespeare, whom Hammill knows perfectly.

But where the greater malady is fixed,

The lesser is scarce felt. Thou'dst shun a bear,

But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea,

Thou'dst meet the bear i' the mouth. When the mind's free,

The body's delicate: the tempest in my mind

Doth from my senses take all feeling else

Save what beats there.

(W. Shakespeare, King Lear, III, 4)

[professoricon]

@TeoOrlando:

Ther are many great lines from Shakespeare that can/should be used in lyrics.

[HeadfulOfHollow]

What a heavenly tune! Really underrated, this guy should have the same status as Lennon or McCartney.

[uglybettyx1]

Grandissimo Peter.Mi sono onorata di assistere ad un tuo concerto.Per me indimenticabile!

[Rhayad3r]

the most underrated band ever....

[irish231985]

@Rhayad3r Unfortunately you're right

[BoredxByron]

Indeed an extraordinary version of this fantastic song

[nick40nick40]

No words to say for Mr. Peter Hammill

[LOSTHOMEY1]

Lyrically, Van Der Graff was the deepest of the Prog Rock groups of the time, but musically, they were no Gentle Giant or Genesis

[sassaiola74]

mamma mia

, la voce di una creatura perennemente in bilico fra inferno e paradiso.

grande Peter!

[professoricon]

A volte non sa che

[GiorgioDOPPIAG]

@sassaiola74

Concordo pienamente.

GRANDISSIMO cantante e compositore.

di sicuro uno dei migliori.

[awol2602]

The lyrics strike me as extraordinary - unique; the music adequate only and the vocals something of a struggle at volume. Wonderful words though.

[awol2602]

the lyrics are quite remarkable - unique. the music to me is adequate only - the vocals a bit of a struggle . Marvellous words though.

[KillingLies1]

regularbon and mangoo5moo

u can eat my shit, go listen to miley cirus,

prog rock was only for real musicians who were ambitious, skilled and had 30º more balls tham most of humans

[svecter]

Hammill has an unusually great depth of spiritual understanding.

We can all learn much ( about ourselves) from his lyrics .

[monica48047]

merci les larmes aux yeux! bonne année good year van der graff generator y love this music

[professoricon]

le meilleur

[mauricemorning]

Thanks, professor. I just watched Faint Heart.. I can't believe how powerful it was without all the heavy organ. You have some great vids and I saw a song I had forgotten about--Undercover Man/Scorched Earth. Love the Paul Rodgers, too.

[mauricemorning]

I'm not sure which one I'd need more on a desert island but Supper's Ready rivals Plague. They are the great masterpieces of prog rock for me. Close To The Edge is a distant third and Starless is one of favorite shorter masterpieces. One Peter Hammil song I still listen to often is Faint Heart And The Sermon. I don't think he ever outdid the power of that song toward the end. Most of his stuff is bollocks to me these days.

[professoricon]

I have also posted a brilliant version of Faint Heart from the 'live' Peel sessions.

[professoricon]

Also included are two other brilliant songs from the Peel sessions, "The Emperor In His War Room" and "(No More) The Sub Mariner".

Check out also "Time Heals", "The Lie", "Patient", and "Last Frame" (amongst others).

[mamelaurent]

@professoricon Thanks sir , you're right the Peel Sessions are great! I will also recommend the solo live performance "Typical" a live masterpiece.

[mauricemorning]

One of the best songs ever. The King Crimson-like frenzy surrounded by two incredible melodic sections reaching another frenzy. I don't care for this version but respect its uniqueness. The greatest Van Der Graaf song for me is A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers. It has so much, so many movements and surprises. It is the greatest going to bed with headphones on song ever. You wake up when it gets loud then drift back to sleep only to be awakened by another wall of sound! Also, House With No Door.

[VssRss]

this is live

[KillingLies1]

Tell me ur favourite prog songs pls , im starting !

[professoricon]

My two favourite albums from Van Der Graaf Generator are "Pawn Hearts" and "Still LIfe". Check out fans' reviews on Amazon. Man-Erg is included on Pawn Hearts.

[mauricemorning]

@professoricon

I like Still Life as well. And World Record. But really for me it comes down to House With No Door, Man-Erg, and Plague. Wondering and Scorched Earth while enjoyable are like a different group. But a GOOD group. :-)

[KingCrimson776]

These peasants leaving negative comments have no fucking clue. Goddamn, anyway, Hammil is the man.

[Jam2morrow]

I think you just enjoy this for what it is....remember it was early (mid '70's) and that people like Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols say that Hammill was a big influence on them before they even shaped the concept of Punk. Hammill/ VDG are a timeless outrigger in the music business and always will be. VDG will always be rediscovered by the outliers of future generations,

[scryingglass]

I met and spoke to Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) at the Marquee in 1978 (i think). He was watching Van de Graff on Hammill's Quiet Zone tour (We went more than one night). Nick Potter, bass guitar and part of the original VDGG lineup gave me a bottle of vodka but later asked for it back!! Brilliant days!!

[OriTheEep]

I have to thank Derek Jewell for getting me into VDG(G). He was playing stuff like this on Radio 3 (Yes, amongst all the Mozart and Beethoven) in the mid to late seventies. It was late at night and I'd have a transistor radio playing quietly under the pillow so I didn't get shouted at for disturbing people. What else: The Enid, Ralph Towner, Chick Corea, Shakti. I remember that he wasn't too impressed with Eddie and the Hot Rods but he still gave them airplay!

[mangoo5moo]

Quite obviously not the best song ever written, I dread to imagine a lesser version.

[professoricon]

Living life in peace ...

[regularbonj]

maybe the worst song ever written, i prefer mccartney's frog chorus! shit!

[professoricon]

McCartney's frog chorus - what an excellent sense of taste you have.

[regularbonj]

utter shite! go and listen to someone with balls you fucking losers!

[willy1957]

Like who?Michael jackson? balls??

[KingCrimson776]

I know right? Peter Hammil has more balls than almost any musician ever, playing this kind of out there stuff by himself on a piano. You can't find that kind of balls in music nowadays.

[professoricon]

Excellent comment.

[professoricon]

Check out my video for "Patient".

He's got more balls than Wimbledon.

[TheMitzjob]

truly, one of the greatest songwriters that ever played a chord

[axzck]

I preffer "Childlike faith in childhood's end", but this one is very good.

[godbluffvdgg]

Isn't that the greatest song ever written? existence is a stage on which we pass, a sleepwalk trick for mind and heart...

[Ronnza222]

Happy fuckin` days indeed

[axzck]

this version is much better than the original.

[saytra123]

the killer lives inside me...yes I can feel him move...great!!.

[stevend2182]

Brilliant version, edgy, dark & viseral. The studio versions sound bland in comparison, thanks for uploading

[hsfhpslp99]

i like van der graaf but here he must be really drunk... his voice sucks!

[Wanderlustus]

A turd trying to make himself a nest.

[SabbathMan8815]

Anybody know why this song is called "Man-Erg"?

[vertjaars]

Well.

I don't know but:

An erg is a scientific measure of energy outputted by something. So the title could be a reference to the effort the narrator puts in attempting to find his true self past the angels and demon lurking inside every man.

[thealmightybubble]

Listen to the van der graaf generator studio verison, it is a masterpeice, this verison kind of sucks.

[Hammill]

it's true. His voice sounds awful in this concert. I'am dead fan of pH and i won't denie it.

[professoricon]

Someone stated that he sounds tired. This is possibly true, but I think that his vocals here are slower and have an added quality of poignancy which makes it even more emotional than usual.

[KingCrimson776]

I agree on a lot of these, his live solo version of My Room, don't know if that's one of your vids or not, but wow. One of the most emotional pieces of music I've ever heard.

[professoricon]

It is not one of mine, but I have marked it as one of my favourites.

[diedaniel]

funny comment not that great song ha

[Hortelan]

I never said no one will like this song. Sure, if you have a passion for listening to a drunk man singing lyrics to random notes, this song is just perfect for you! But the truth is that most people will not like this. It's a fact.

[coffeeintheface]

Listen to the studio version before you pass judgement. The studio version is AMAZING.

[NewVengeance]

Musics an oppinion, I personally don't like this at all, but that's just my oppinion, doesn't mean someone else won't find it to be amazing. So if you want to hate on the song, shut up.

[Hortelan]

Ugh ... this is not very good ... I believe that is a common opinion.

[kayvon]

i don't like thissssssssss.

[orchestron]

thank you very much for posting

[Pwecko]

This is not as good as the album version. The singing is pretty poor, to be honest, which is a shame. Check out the album. Much better.

[professoricon]

Actually I prefer this slighty slower version - more poignant.

[rof670]

*sigh* I searched for:"best song ever" and EVERYTHING that turns up is shit like this.

[soyvuestrohamster]

ahahah, this is true! Everyone thinks that their favorite songs is the best song ever. Loosers.

[professoricon]

It's a little arrogant to call everyone a loser.

[soyvuestrohamster]

Not everyone! Only the people who think that their favorite song is the best song ever.

[peteaunks]

Sei un grande stronzo.

Translate it from italian.

Pier Paolo Piccioni from Ascoli Piceno

[peteaunks]

Naturally my previous sentence is for soyvuestrohamster, and only for him.

Ciao from Italia, and many compliments for your musical taste

PP

[soyvuestrohamster]

Why? Because I said that everyone thinks that their favourite song is the best song ever?

I LOVE THIS SONG, so stop crying. I dont need to translate your topical italian insult. Thanks for the advice anyway!

One final question:...do...do you think that your favourite song is the best song ever? Please dont lie to me.

[subuto]

LOL Shut up and dont insult, sad italian boy.

[JimmyPageroma94]

se non ti piacciono i van der graaf non andà a vedè i video!

[ManErg16]

El mejor tema si, pero esta versión no le hace honor a lo que verdaderamente hace estremecer ( por ej. Man-Erg en el concierto en Leverkusen, de noviembre de 2005 )

[professoricon]

Tengo un DVD de VDGG en Leverkusen - "Rockpalast - Leverkusener Jazztage de 2005".

[DP250291]

.. I´ve just got a headache

[lightonjohn]

keep em sane peter

[bfm01]

this song deeply affected me at the time. I think of it and VDGG very fondly and always will.

[fabio8008]

This is a very great song, maybe not the best song ever, but one of the best song ever.

And Peter Hammill is one of the beautiful voices ever! And this is a fact!

[nilzardo]

best song ever? three words: Jester Script Transfigured

[Gerstroncio]

Maybe it's a good song, but the best music in the world is classical, and this song (and type of music) has nothing to do with it.

[groover888]

are you stupid?

[Gerstroncio]

not so much as you ¬¬ (next time give a better reply, not that shit)

[carnalbeto]

horrible, this sucks, it is like shit, his voice is fucking ugly.

[professoricon]

You are in a minority grouping - we love it.

[carnalbeto]

ok ,I am so sorry for talk in that way.

[kobold92]

"I know I shall be caught, while the angels live."

...Just Perfect!

[hottruse1414]

it sounds like rocky balboa XD

[Jolasveininn]

I don't like it song... boring song .. sorry.. :/

[professoricon]

Perhaps you should listen all the way through, especially from 3:40. Even if you don't like it, it can never be labelled boring or predictable.

[giopagoda]

This song is AWESOME, I love VDGG. But I didn't like this version...

[professoricon]

This is my favourite version because of the slower delivery and its sadness and poignancy. The whole album is awesome.

[daddymilk200]

this is not the best song ever

[professoricon]

Oh yes it is!

[xXAkridXx]

Nah it sucks.

[Buana72]

Beautiful, but not as powerful as the VDGG version.

[professoricon]

True, it is not so powerful, but the reason I love this version the best is the poignancy and sadness of this slightly slower vocal delivery. It is so emotional.

[professoricon]

The delivery of the word "live" at 2:48 is just extraordinary - I count 10 syllables in 15 seconds.

[professoricon]

... and the piano piece from around 1:30 to 2:25 is exquisite.

[threviatghei]

um i dont think this is peter hammil O_o

[threviatghei]

omfg sorry, i was mislead by the beginning

[hottruse1414]

do u ppl think this is good?XD

[NAORUTO123]

Yeah XD go fuck yourself :o

[xXAkridXx]

No, it sucks ass

[Cifrocco]

Hammill is truly awesome, one of the pioneers of a great music genre.

[thejamesholz]

I agree. I discovered Hammill when I was 15. I bought chamelian in the shadow simply because I liked the cover... ever since then I was hooked!

[DocOnDrugs88]

Hammill is a genious. He can do with his voice what Hendrix can on guitar.

[Teriaky08]

srry but sux

[Snyphen3]

eww i threw up believing this could actualy be someone's favorite song, what a joke

[professoricon]

I know exactly how you feel.

I threw up believing that someone could actually call themselves Snyphen3.

[hellmuth26]

too bad he didnt do that bitonal part at the end, hehe.

[neutn]

bertucciw

Se existe música no cosmos, é de Peter Hammill

[professoricon]

Universal Em Qualquer Idioma

[elpsiconaufrago]

que pedazo de artista, che...

[professoricon]

Él es verdaderamente un original

[Normandt88]

Just got my answer by watching the lyrics. Thanks a bunch for sharing!

Normand

[Normandt88]

This is a treat. But where did you find all these movies?

Normand

[telemacherT2]

Dis-en-GUAGE!

[lymph12]

i like the first half of Lemmings, but it kind of loses momentum. This song is great, but on the album i noticed that later on the cymbals stop working, they dont have any decay.

[vidgamer77]

Surely is one of the best songs ever written, pure genius, speachless at it

[ciano417]

after john lennon and cat stevens hammil is my favourire songwriter and musician

[wericfender]

peter hammill is a genius.

[soupmaster1]

PH at his best as sung as his pianoplay

[mihaireal]

Best Song Ever!

[professoricon]

for as long as the angels live ...

[mihaireal]

van der graaf is my favorite band ever! peter hammill is genius!

[brunogroove]

There's no best song ever written!

[Dipso1985]

Agree, and even if there was it's certainly not this poor excuse for a song.

[fmpm77]

Hi there!

I agree with the most of you, and add a little word (or two) to a known sentence of you all... "On of the best songs ever written"!

By the way...could someone tell me where can i find this song recorded (the name of the live album, a bootleg, etc) ?

Tks ;)

[professoricon]

This is from the unofficial live and solo album "Skeletons of Songs".

I got my copy on eBay.

Please check out my other videos.

[pois0nblast]

how is this song at all good

you motherfucks

[professoricon]

You are entitled to your opinion, of course, but remember also, we are entitled to ours.

[OriTheEep]

He is definitely entitled to have his own opinion - no question there. The problem is that he feels that WE are entitled to it as well.

[sep1000]

MY all time Favourite VDGG Song!

[professoricon]

Mine also.

[heartbreakasam]

is he drunk?

[mihaireal]

I am drunk for this music. It's an amazing song from Pawn Heart Capodopera! Non commercial!

[P0LSET]

Great Work!

I Heave this CD