LEFT BANKE - Pretty Ballerina

[GrtSatan]

As mannered and foppish as any of the British bands they were emulating, and great for all that. A wonderful song that John Mellencamp used to do as an encore.

[Rfreidenbloom]

Groovy!

[laukers1]

love it makes my day

[cshargeit]

maybe it was model like lady jane.. the image was pure. she was into what made her feel good.... he would feel good if it did not hurt to see such beauty.

[TUBABIES]

I WAS A CHILD WHEN THIS SONG WAS PLAYED ON THE RADIO.STILL BEAUTIFUL!

[kashmirpage]

I always wanted a Flowers in the Attic version of this video.

[sahpngyi]

Yep, Steve Martin-Caro is God, all right, as it's been said. What a great video, and your graphics and illustrations are perfect! Thanks for the upload.

[jeffmoore9487]

My God, I'd forgotten how beautiful this was 40 years ago.

[jimbarrow]

Such a wonderful song and video. I hope I never run into the four who hated it.

[dejahthoris]

Great job!

[drummingface]

Baroque pop at it's best!

[GrannyTenderstone]

they are so baroque they can't pay the piper LOL just tryin' to be clever sorry folks lol. Love em, have since my childhood quite a long time ago.

[deanslist101]

I like this even more than WALK AWAY RENEE. Maybe because it didn't get as much airplay and it didn't get played to death. My sister used to go out with the lead singer Mike Brown, as did another female friend of mine from college. I saw them perform at a club in Spring Valley, NY when I was 16 and I got Mike's autograph on a sign language card I'd gotten earlier that night after giving some money to a blind man. I probably still have it stashed away somewhere. Those were some fun years!

[pkappel006]

@deanslist101 a wonder-land hit, so rare but touching

[dandy7989]

It is a great nostolgic song. Brings backs memories

[LastTree]

Nice voice.

[dandy7989]

Brings back memories!!

[borecleaner1]

@dandy7989 Brings back a lot of memories for me also.I was eleven when this tune came out.I'm 54 now and think that the VERY BEST music came out of the sixties and seventies,IMHO

[darkhoarse820]

@borecleaner1 1955-1975 as far as rock is concerned.

[animascat]

elegant and haunting. love the song. nice video as well. good match.

[drummingface]

One of the first song I learned to play drums on. Great string arrangement.

[halfmonk]

an incredibly beautiful and overlooked song. a diminutive pop masterpiece.

[qtronics1]

Another dimension in time when I was maybe 11 years old.

[MrArdata]

Nice images that go along with the song.

[roachrip]

so good

[time2act1001]

.... "just close your eyes and she'll be there" ....a terrific production of a super song.

I particular like the portrayal of out-sized instruments and the # 2 + is artwork that trancends individual tastes... Ride on!!! -:)

[46razzledazzle]

Love the song and the video.

[middledge]

what a gorgeous song.....timeless.....the perfect 'antidote' for walk away renee

[Aldebaron9]

Is that Joni Mitchel at 0:52 ??????????? Unno?

[Ardalla555]

@Aldebaron9 That's Renee Fladen from Walk Away Renee.

[46razzledazzle]

One of those great lost oldies. Thanks for reviving.

[StevieWonder501]

Man...this makes me feel like I'm in some huge ballroom or something. Usually I don't like that sorta atomosphere...never been to one...but this take me to one. And I like it. Go figure.

Classy piano.

Ah, who am I kidding, I love this song!

[CurtisMateer]

Nice job. Great song!

[soaringvulture]

Wow. Genius of youth. The Left Banke had tremendous skill but more than that, they delivered emotion. Maybe that's why they couldn't stay together; they had too much to say.

Great writing, great playing, great singing. Right up there with Joni Mitchell. And probably not old enough to buy a beer.

[Laurisa718]

I loved this song since I first heard, and I have had heck finding it. But here it is for all to enjoy again. Lovely, haunting... so beautiful! Thank you for posting!

[Thadmotor1044]

great song , with the hauntingly beautiful melody . check out alice coopers version , great pics on this 1

[leoschmeo]

@Thadmotor1044

I love it, but I totally expected a "sick things" take on it. I always knew Alice is a good man.

[Playback007able]

p3terpsych...who is the Jim McGuinn lookin' dude at 1:03? Guess withh all the hair n' those rectagular sunglasses, jus' about anyone could look like Jim McGuinn.

[BigBishop1]

@Playback007able its him

[tomthefunky]

@Playback007able: It is Jim (Roger) McGuinn

[noracs1975]

I have always loved this song. Thanks for the great video. You put together some beautiful images. Jimbob

[finnertyManuel]

que música más perfecto...

[stevieboy5588]

"Pretty Ballerina" is such a beautiful song and story of fleeting love. It could stand the test of time for any generation with its hauntingly poignant lyrics. That being said, this video has got to go...it was made in someones room from scrapbook pictures while they were high on who knows what! Such trash! For such a beautiful song, we need a flowing, storytelling video that does justice to the lyrics.

[sirjawoflife]

tres bien

[Fersomling]

Hauntingly beautiful.

[beatlesarefab]

Love this tune!

[Misterhappynyc]

Not much better than this -- just one song but as good as the Kinks or Beatles at their best.

[ARTIEOUS]

WHEN LIVIN' WAS GOOD

[rockergrez]

q cancion mas bella..............

[61dodgelancer]

Go for Baroque.

[TheRamrod100]

Cool song, really mellow and soothing. Never knew who sang it, Thanks!

[seymouro]

Brilliant!

[sevenahm]

Anyone know who the artist is at 2:12, ballerina in pink dress? I can't read the signature.

[Mavarla]

*Great* sound upload, but golly, that's The Kinks @ 1:16, not Left Banke...guess all those Mod 1960s groups look the same to you---hah-hah-hah!

[wormonthefloor]

Thanks so much for allowing everyone the chance to enjoy the fanciful trolley car ride. I get the feeling that I'm moving everytime I hear that.

[laurenjaynecoffeeice]

I adore this song.

You did a wonderful collage of all these gorges prints, photos, etc.

Thank you so much.

Lauren Jayne

[JimmyDiggs87]

extremely psychedelic.  so beautiful.

[pauswa1966]

Groovy.

[molinagrosz]

tremenda pieza great song so original

[raine528]

i give this 10+stars too, i hope they don't take this one off too

[nick40nick40]

great song, great album, great group, great voice

[radiotomi]

suena como elliott smith es verdad muy buena apreciación.

amo the left bank y a elliott obviamente también.

[fantoto]

really good song

[powerpako]

Como me ha atrapado esta canción de The Left Banke.

[TheCaptcarl]

very pretty song

[jsbach15]

Well done video. One of my favorite songs.  Thanks for the upload. 10+ stars!

[newportgwentdragons]

alice cooper did a good version. that is why i am listening to the original, which is great

[Waldocounty]

newportgwentdragons: Sexually confused alice cooper (b. Raymond Fournier) could never cover this and come close. The '60s originals can't be copied. All of rock and pop followed from the 60s, from the long hair of the Beatles to the light shows of the touring bands, and all are poor imitations, IMO.

[newportgwentdragons]

For your information, Raymond (Actually it,s VINCENT) Furnier is NOT sexually confused. You are missing the whole point. I agree that the original is better in almost all cases but it is a tribute to the original that people cover them at all. All rock has its roots in African rhythms/jazz/blues. Everything borrows from its predecessors

[CosmicTraveler]

This is a gorgeous, awsome, exquisite song. All their stuff is hauntingly beautiful! Long Live the Left Banke

[djflyingv]

Now that I've told you that now hear this: Walk Away Renee" it's not really about the woman as much as saying good bye to childhood. I mean Renee was my 1st girlfriend, you know, go all the way with. So if you listen carefully to the lyrics, they mention a lot of childhood images that are no more. But what makes it really powerful is that the singer, is saying you're not to blame.

Most songs say, oh! Don't leave me, or how can you hurt me like that. Etc. "Renee" is saying I'm letting go.

Tom

[abstractartgallery]

Wunderbar! Thanks Tom. Love you. You're always there for us.

[djflyingv]

A few people left messages for me so , I thought i'd tell you another story about "Ballerina" : the song is what's known as a male anima projection, for instance, a male's projection of his female side, which all men possess, especially in western society. Let me give you a few examples of that elusive female used in famous songs;

"Ruby Tuesday" the standard

"Laura" (on a train that is passing through) etc etc. There are hundreds.

They're all about. Mystery female that doesn't exist.

[shrew06]

well except in this case... she did...

[abstractartgallery]

I used to watch and listen to this video regularly - then one day I couldn't find it - depression and sadness set in - I'm so glad it's back!

[genxxxersize]

How fucking gay and retarded, a double motherfucking whammy, ya puke!

[UandMeKid]

I love this song. Wonderful lyrics. Nice video too.

[problem49]

The first time I heard this was the live John Cougar version, which was released as a B side on one of his terrible 80's singles. Needless to say, I preferred the B side!

[UandMeKid]

John Cougar did a version of this song?! I can't imagine what that would sound like nor do I want to! haha!

[problem49]

It was a pretty good cover. I'm sure his audience hadn't the faintest clue about the musical reference-at least he wasn't pandering to the lowest common denominator.

[eki63595]

Excellent song and video combination. I never tire of this song. It's as if I'm the one singing about my pretty ballerina. (Yes, she does exist!) Beautiful images throughout the video. Thanks p3terpsych!

[103twretro]

One of my absolute favorites. Thanks for posting.

[farodyoung]

I dont why but this song scared me as a child.Kind of eerie but i cant stop listening. Beautiful song!

[djflyingv]

Hi I'm Tom Finn (bass player Left Banke) you say it scared you as a child. Well, Leonard Bernstein said on television that "Ballerina" uses a very scary chord pattern

quite similar to his pen song "Maria" it's called the devil's chord, interesting huh? Tom Finn

[abstractartgallery]

Yeah Tom, this song definitely makes an impact - young and old - male and female - I think anyone would agree, it's a haunting melody.

[farodyoung]

Thanks for the reply Tom, Yes i believe certain chords from the piano and violin kind a puts the eerie effect. And i always have been a big fan of Leonard Bernstein for years. My nephew is a Tenor (Derek Lee Ragin) He did a tribute to Leonard Bernstein on his 73rd birthday in Atlanta some years back. God Bless

[LasVegasJim]

@djflyingv This is an absolutely beautiful song. The still shots are perfect to capture the feel of the music. Roy Lichtenstein’s “Blonde Waiting” is only one of the sensitive and appropriate selections. Very well done to highlight this wonderful song and interpretation with art stills! Thanks to the Left Banke and this post.

[capn02]

Thank you!

[Wichita1953]

Somewhere a mountain is moving,afraid its moving without me.........

[mrbrightside42]

One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs from the sixties. It's rarely if ever heard on oldies stations. This is mainly because the PD's at those stations have their heads up their asses.

[kittenwtw]

one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Haunting...

[cheerbear237]

I like how you credited the person who gave you moral support. How thoughtful! ;)

[cheerbear237]

Baroque rock!!

[xeuropn]

I think that this was there best song, but just didn't get the airplay it deserved.

[parisensore]

What a lovely vid to an awesome song! Very emotional.

[theZodiacDigital]

i found out about them cause of alice's cover...but this version kicks ass too.

[jdal1950]

elagant, demonstrates eclectic nature of pop music in the sixties

[Orangepoindexter]

This is the song by the Left Banke that lodges itself in your head... catchy yet provocative. Brilliant.

[PippinPogle]

Beautiful song.

[Moodeyes54]

way ahead of their time.......this was in the 60's!!!!! wow! i remember "Walk Away Renee" when it first come out and loved it!

[djnross]

Martin and Brown were mutually smitten by a fair damsel who befriended them both.But alas,she--Renee'---chose Martin,not Michael Brown.He remained heart-rended long enough to compose 'Walk Away Renee','She May Call You Up Tonight' and this song,in tribute to her.

[stripedhyenuh]

Absolutely gorgeous middle eight. I think I'm in love with this.

[rodneymcc2]

a beautiful song and he has a nice voice they were a outstanding band

[wardeleven]

omg TY for posting this. I loooooooove this song. and good sound quality too!

[Mp25DIII]

Wow--2 awesome songs released within 5 months of each other, and that was it. Two bad they couldn't hold it together longer.

[hobbsk]

love this song. sounds like elliott smith!

[solonakatierap]

exactly what I thought!

[viola1]

@hobbsk

It really does. I've read that Elliott was a Left Banke fan, and this song really seems to have influenced him. Great stuff!

[cheerbear237]

What a beautiful song/video. Loving this! I must be on my 20th viewing.

[marksmail2]

Thanks for posting! The sound is superb, and an interesting video, too!

[f4tweet]

They called it Baroque Rock. Beautiful.

[doofus0123]

this is such a trippy song. I heard it for the first time ever on the radio last week, a local radio station was playing their entire song list. Great Stuff! I hope to learn it on the guitar.

[paris10103]

love love,, thank you that was special.

[kroys15]

wHY MOZART? Why violinist girl? Why great eye? Why blonde girl cry? why ask you stupidities?

[nonnarolanda]

Great band!

[Faroutdog]

Thanks for the memoeries, we all enjoyed it.

[timjregan]

Why the photo of Roger McGuinn???

[pkappel006]

wow really??? that sounds spooky

[timjregan]

Why the photo of Roger McGuinn??? What is the connection????

[timjregan]

Why the picture of Roger McGuinn?? What is the connection??

[xxmass222]

Hi Timjregan, you asked Why Roger McGuinn? Well if I'm not mistaken I think R McGuinn wrote this song, Xxmass.

[golfer1024]

what a GREAT song! The music takes me back to sixth grade!! Thanks for the posting!

[jtrex1]

haunting

[blt4speed52]

such a beautiful song, not heard much these days. Thank corporate radio!

[p3terpsych]

Agradecimientos: A Left Banke, por la música y las imágenes. A la bailarina del principio, un vestido precioso. Al tío que toca el clavicordio. A las chicas violinistas. A los contrabajos de diseño. A los edificios que se aman. Al fotógrafo que inmortalizó a la chica del ojo grande. A los diseñadores de moda del siglo XVIII.

[cooking222222]

Beautiful visuals, and such a lovely

song.

Thank you.

[VinceMeal]

Dude, you totally lifted the layout from leftbankenu. That's in bad taste and you should give the site credit for all the pictures you sntached.

[themaltesebippy]

Wow thanks for taking my pics and not giving credit :/

leftbanke (dot) nu