Glad you mentioned the acoustic version.... I was going to mention it, too. It gives a whole different feel to the song. He played the acoustic version on an episode of Scrubs! One of my favorite episodes of the show.
@KevinSchmitt77 If I remember correctly, he ended up playing the whole song in parts/segments. I kind of remember the episode of being something like "a day in the life of JD at the hospital" kind of vibe, and that Colin would pop in singing verses. I think I, too, need to go back and watch that episode again (it's been awhile.... lol).
I loved Men at Work back when this came out but the lyrics didn’t mean much to me back then. Now this song hits hard as I deal with severe anxiety and depression.
The show 'Scrubs' had an episode called 'My Overkill'. Lead singer Collin Hay was in it and sang an acoustic version of this song in a clever way interspersed through the story line .
My Favorite Men At Work song BY FAR!! The lyrics of this song are Brilliant! Colin Haye is just a genius. His solo acoustic version on this song is also great!
I’ve seen Colin Hay perform many times. Solo acoustic, with a full band and with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band. Always a great show. He’s really funny and tells great stories.
Looove this song! ❤ Music today is severely lacking in its use of the saxophone! I love that 80’s music is just full of the sax. Definitely sets the atmosphere.
@@scottyg3406As a saxophonist who began playing learning about Rock as a young Black lad in the mid 70's, I totally agree. I was a frustrated guitar learner. I always heard sax in Rock and in movies. David Sanborn's horn on James Taylor, Bowie, and other records did it for me. I learned many songs and solos, because I could play by ear. The 80's were truly the last great decade for the saxophone on hit studio recordings as synths took over. I've always said it, "Lead saxophone and horns, there is no substitute!"
@@eclecticexplorer7828Sadly the saxophone in popular music by the end of the 80's. You saw them in concerts to add color and bolster the synth horns. Some jam bands like David Matthews band, The Dead, and Blues bands still had them. You don't see it as much, because of the cost and maintenance of a saxophone along with the decline in music programs in schools.
I honestly think the acoustic version is better because it seems to really punctuate the lyrics that much more and of course lets Colin Hay's voice shine. In either case, it's a fantastic song, no matter which version you prefer.
You’ll have to do the unplugged version of Colin Hay , The lead singer of men at work sing and play overkill. A good one is from Bob and Tom radio show.
A majorly underrated but influential band from the 80's. They played an interesting tempo of music and the songwriting was top notch. Huge fan of Men at Work.
I think about "It's a Mistake" from time to time. Its a good song. I have to say, I do not recall if "Be Good Johnny" was released as a single, but is from the album "Business As Usual" (Had both Down Under, and Who Can It Be now?) was a pretty upbeat song. Overall excellent album. To Be Fair Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive was fun.
This one is special for me because it spoke about feelings I couldn't quite understand fully as a 13 year old. Anxiety and fears about dreaming weren't situations there was even language for in that time. It's like the line in Bittersweet Symphony, I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, this song was that for me❤
The location in the video is instantly recognisable, some very well known landmarks. It is shot in St Kilda, a now trendy suburb of Melbourne. I would frequent the area (my mate lived in nearby Elwood), especially The Espy (Esplanade Hotel, featured here). The Espy is, or was, one of the best music/gig venues in Australia. You want genuine pub bands, Melbourne music with the full cultural experience, including the sticky carpet, this is the place. Just walk in and look over all the band posters on the walls. This is it, you're immersed in one of the greatest music scenes in the world. I used to love having a late afternoon pot of beer and gaze out the window at the bay as the first band warmed up. Walk the Esplanade and out on the pier just like Colin here.
One of my favorites. Colin Hay is an amazing songwriter and singer. He still performs this as part of Ringo-Starr's All Starr Band. He also had a guest appearance performing this song on Scrubs.
I've been listening to this song since it came out. I never get tired of it. The harmony with his voice almost sounds like ghostly whispering. And his voice is so original and distinct, no one like him.
That group has done a lot of songs that are sadly neglected. I wouldn't focus merely on their hits. Something more like "Micro-Kid" or "The Sunbed Song"
Back in my school days I used to sing it as "Day after day, we have beer". Speaking about Australian groups, how about some more INXS? "Just Keep Walking" is a nice early point in their career to focus on.
When he comes in later in the song after the instrumental bridge and shouts ‘I CANT GET TO SLEEP!!’ I get chills. Couldn’t tell you why but it focuses a lot of emotion into five words and I love it.
Not to be too analytical, but he both amps up the energy after the (seriously great) guitar solo, also he takes his whole vocal up and octave which gives it a big lift. My fave MaW song, by a pretty long way!
Love this song as well, when you get the chance listen to the acoustic version with just the singer Colin Hay. Was used in en episode of Scrubs with him singing it in the episode , love that version too!!!
I FINALLY got to see Men at Work last summer at the Hard Rock in Tulsa. It was awesome! One of my favorite childhood bands. You should also check out these songs by them: be good Johnny, dr heckyl and me jive, it’s a mistake, down by the sea….I’m sure I’m forgetting something but that’s a good start.
I think Colin Hay singing it live with a Choir in NYC back in 2017 is my favorite. At this Hay was 64 years old and long departed from Men At Work in late 90s . Check that version out with ‘ Choir ‘
Heh.. it's so cute to see you guys enjoying this piece of work. This song was darker and more edgy in the 80's than it seems now, though. Almost every human being on the planet was terrified of nuclear war with Russia after Ronnie Ray-Guy (our then-President) took office in 1981, and immediately started rattling sabers with our non-allies, and we (collectively) especially in the United States were waiting for the worst to happen. "Day after day, my heartbeat shows the fear" - "especially at night, I worry over situations that I know will be all right - it's just overkill" It was about the insane nuclear arms race. But as only Colin Hay could - he portrayed our feelings with this epic song perfectly. I have both a nostalgic love for this song, but also a memory of being a young 20 year old, terrified of the world state of affairs. Thanks for the reaction!
Love Men at Work. My Dad used to play the heck out of their albums in the 80s and its where I first heard them. Thanks Dad! :) Jimmy Fallon had Colin on his show a few years back and said how much he loved this track.
I was in high school when this came out. I remember when I bought the cassette version of this album, me and my friends drove around in a blue Ford Bronco(1973), while playing the album. Great memories! We even did a “Chinese Red Light “ at a stoplight. If you don’t know what that is, you stop at a traffic light and then everyone gets out of the vehicle and runs around it and then gets back in, usually in different places than you were in at the beginning. It was always a blast!
Wow, haven’t heard this in years but all the words came pouring out of me. I was in high school when this song came out and Men at Work was on the car radio constantly.
I've literally been playing this song 10x a day for the past 2 weeks. In fact if you go check out the video there's a comment from me 12 days ago lol. This song has such a beautiful nostalgia, It fits so perfectly with these beautiful sunny afternoons on this big ball _of earth hurtling through space to an unknown destination, all of us, together_
For someone whose Aussie accent comes through in her singing, check out Missy Higgins, perhaps her song "Set Me On Fire", a song about her struggle to write music at a tough point in her life. "The Special Two" is another great one of hers. Excellent pianist, excellent singer/songwriter.
Had the pleasure of seeing him solo at a small supper club in Los Angeles back in the 90s. He's literally feet away from the audience on a small stage. What an absolute treat that was.
Was that at Largo by any chance? I didn't see him there, but I met him in the audience at a show at the Roxy that was put on by a bunch of regulars from Largo. (Man did that club book some great performers.)
colin the lead singer of this band suffered from anxiety and depression what hes talking about is that it comes back day after day and its overkill for him, all these thoughts going on in his head its hard for him to live day to day, its great song about doing with mental illness and what it can do, where he talks about not being able to sleep because he worries over everything
As a teen that suffered from severe depression during the '80's, songs like this helped me because it made me feel that others felt the way that I did, so I didn't feel alone. The song that first made me feel like others felt the same way I did was "On the Outside" by Oingo Boingo.
This was the last album I listened to in my 30s, on vinyl, at home. Colin Hay wrote so many great songs for other bands. Alto sax I believe on this one.
"It's a Mistake" was the biggest single from this album, but a favorite of mine is the somewhat silly "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive", which has a funny video as well.
Written by Colin Hay. Same key 🔑 as Who Can It Be Now. Singer and rhythm guitarist 🎸 Colin Hay was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, UK 🇬🇧. He moved to Australia 🇦🇺 and is q of the founders of the band. He still has the accent. The late Greg Ham, RIP, on alto saxophone 🎷. The scene is Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 at night 🌙 . Same city where Men at Work was formed. Colin Hay sang this and played acoustic guitar 🎸 in 1 scene in the TV 📺 comedy Scrubs. Suggested video 📹: Men at Work performs Everything I Need.
I've liked them since they hit our airwaves! They were fun, and their sound was SO unique! Sometimes you knew who they were from the first couple of notes.
Absolutely a great song but I’m astonished that I can’t seem to find a reaction to an absolutely great band from Australia called Cold Chisel. I would start with either Khe Sanh or Cheap Wine or Flame Trees but to be honest any of their other 20 hits or so are fire . Hopefully I will get to see your reactions to Cold Chisel soon . Cheers Jay and Amber
YES! I had to scroll down about 150 to find yours, the first request for the masterpiece that is Down By the Sea. Simplistic, but extremely atmospheric and beautiful, with lyrics that really paint a picture, and put you right there on this cold, windy Australian shoreline. And the somewhat stripped-down instrumentation really brings out the power of Colin Hay's vocals. Love this song.
This song is about anxiety and the fears that come trying new things… Pretty deep message I easily overlooked back when this came out but that line, “Ghosts appear and fade away”, is one of the greatest I have the pleasure of understanding now... Favorite Men At Work song, hands down!
men at work are one of my favorites! their lyrics are so beautiful, and they have such a unique sound. id love to see your reaction to dr. heckyll and mr. jive from their cargo album.
