I'm in this video. Two friends and I cut school and drove down to Scarborough. We are in the crowd rushing the record store and dancing in the field. Such a fun day.
There are so many beautifully written verses in this song. Choosing one is tough. When I first listened to this remake they invoked a sense of urgency with the tempo and base. Their harmony brought a sadness, it's hard to describe in words. Just beautiful.
From Wikipedia : In December 2008, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney was asked by a session musician which bands he enjoys in the current music scene. The response was the Barenaked Ladies: "Their harmonies are right on. They could outsing us any day of the week. I don’t think John and myself ever had the sort of range they do." McCartney added that he would not mind recording with the band in the future.
Man, what a cover! As time passes, you really appreciate how talented these guys are, and how different they were compared to everything else in the early 90's
These guys are awesome! I love the fade in harmony, beauty of it all..the original version is like a window back into the 80s. A song I never knew existed! Love it!!!!!!!
I still find it hard to believe Scarborough turned into a ghetto. I lived there when this song came out and it was a good middle/upper-middle class place.
I was once a lover in a very dangerous time. I am filled with joy (among other things) that I no longer have to hide my true self in this more accepting world. This song got me through, time and time again. I never thought I would say this but ...Thank you Barenaked Ladies!
This was their best song (in my opinion), their first single, and a cover song which I think is better than Bruce's original which makes the whole thing that much more impressive. Recorded my last album with Bruce's long time bass player Fergus Marsh but never thought to get his view on this great song. Cello, keys and harmony add so much depth. I truly believe it is their best work as a band, even though they went on to some pretty great things as a Canadian group, and this was even before Enid if I remember right. Awesome video and editing for the budget. Drummer seems very underrated for Canadian music over the last 30 years too, some really great fills in this and their other stuff, and I don't even consider myself a BNL fan. Just really love this version, it's great to keep coming back to once in a while.
the drumming is definitely underrated...just try to improvise and get along with hitting your flat hands on your feet, which gives you a short impression how great this one is...and we're not nearly there.
I think their skill as musicians and their musicality has always been underrated because in some ways they've been tagged as a novelty band (even though they've been around for more than 30 years now). And I agree with you. I think this is still by far their best song.
Yes, a fantastic version, up there with Patti Smith doing Bob Dylan's Changing of the Guards and Caretta doing Le vent nous portera, and Paul Anka doing It's a sin by Petshop Boys.
They were such youg guys ... very talented beyond their years...they imbue this song with mood, melancoly , and a morose melody that sums up these depressing days we find ourselves in ....rock on d. S .
Petey the hallway that the lovers were running down was a condo at Midland and St Clair. I realized it was the building I was living in at the time because I just seen it on Much, and was going out. When I was walking down towards the elevator, I recognize the light fixtures on the ceiling and the carpet in the hallway. I think I recall Ed saying that where they were driving around in the back of the pick up was the neighbourhood that he grew up in.
My all-time favourite cover song. Absolutely brilliant. Wasn’t at all surprised when it came out and their careers went supernova. Who in Canada wasn’t already familiar with this already great Bruce Cockburn song? And then this?!?
My wife died a week ago today. She was 21years my elder. We had a different interpretation of this song than the writer, but it worked for us. It was our consolation song when someone brought up our age difference. I love both this and the original. If you find love, keep hanging on to it through thick and thin.
@@MrJohnECanuck We waited til winter here in Canada and didnt have to do road hockey. my memories were the trip to the schools outdoor rink (craphole) and lacing up my ratty skates to skate for hours :) but yes best memories you dont even know tey are passing :(
I think those of us that grew up during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s were the last innocent generations. After that social media made everyone grow up a little too fast.
Still like to think that my wife and were some off the first (in the US) to hear these guys, and appreciate them. We're from Southeast Michigan. BNL is basically the soundtrack to our 26 year marriage and 31 year relationship.
The most Scarborough video ever. Not only my old dentist's office but my fave hamburger joint and more! Cedar Hill jacket. I could deconstruct this video and tell you things that I did or happened to me in the location of each scene!
This song takes me back to my early teenage years in Canada. Young love, teenage angst, and heaps of fun. BNL was there through it all. What an amazing song
Holy crap!! Scarborough, where I grew up. I used to go to The Real McCoy burger joint (2:14 into the video) religiously, my favourite was the banquet burger. Man, that’s reelin’ in the years!!!
+Dylan MacDonald Well he left the band when his drug and hired women habits became "news". He "fell on his sword" so to speak, but forgive and forget I say. Reunion Tour for the win!
I heard about the coke and apparently he was actually in the window of his place and a cop seen him with coke on the table from outside the window. Didn't know about the whores haha. It would be nice to have them reunite with steven and do a new album and a tour together.
+Salvation73 Apparently It was too much for the band but I agree. I love and hate how they still wont play "If I had a million dollars" without Steven... Its like that song doesnt exist without him and even the band said so. So you know theres still respect there for him...would love to see them back together
Still can remember seeing this on MuchMusic back in the day. Can't believe it's been almost thirty years. Loved seeing them get inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
So true, the only big song that came out once Steve left was the theme song to Big bang theory... it least the show did well... (I'm assuming they get a lot of royalty $$$)
Driving around the Toronto suburbs in the back of a pickup truck during a nasty cold-snap of the already long Canadian winter is definitely dedication to one's art!. :-) I remember this was originally on a record that Canadian artists put together as a tribute to Bruce Cockburn (Kick at the Darkness). They were just hitting the Canadian scene back when they recorded the song. Less than a year prior, they had been featured on Speaker's Corner, a show that aired on CityTV and really helped give the band their start. I was quite young but remember watching speakers corner laughing at their antics and being hooked on their music. They just had a dorky fun approach with serious undertones that spoke volumes to me and my sense of humour. Not long after this they were banned from playing in Toronto because of the name of their band. The city council felt it was an "inappropriate name to advertise and associate with the city" needless to say the backlash prompted a swift reversal and of course today, Toronto proudly claims them as their own.
I was going to respond with some asinine silly attempt at comedy but then I saw your name. I knew a Jennifer Bryans that lived in Brampton who's now in her forties. You kind of look like her a bit. I dont think you're the same person. Just weird to see that name so close to this Toronto theme. I grew up in Toronto and it was funny they wouldnt let them play at City Hall New Years because of the name. Back in the early 90's there were no Bare Naked Ladies allowed.
I disagree but I like the sound of New Wave 80's more than violins and twangy banjos. Also the vocals weren't handled as well. They tried to do a harmony but couldn't match Bruce's depth.
Awesome song and beautifully arranged. Love the video too. The two girls dressed the way they are brings back the early 90's, so nostalgia is reigning me in.
Love watching it, takes me back to those days in Scarborough by A&A records and by Markham and Brimorton....luv those days. Great video....for my heart.
I just learned that five minutes ago, even though it's been the better part of a decade, to my understanding. How sad! I mean, I guess I'm glad he's moved on and is doing something he has always wanted to do but- BNL will never be the same, I guess is all I mean.
Honestly, I saw them two weeks ago and think they sound just as good as ever. They've rebalanced the songs and given the other members more parts, and it sounds just as good as it did with Page at the helm.
As a heterosexual, I for whatever reason get a feeling that this song relates to gay relationships when it was illegal to not only to be in a gay marriage, but openly gay. It's a strange point of view, but it's just a changing world and the more you learn about history, the more innuendo you find. Especially in music.
Not only that.....but the 80's until around the late 90's, we gay men truly lived as lovers in a very dangerous time. Fortunately, that's when the more effective HIV medications were created. So many of us lost so many friends & lovers during those awful years.
My favorite part of the video is when Steven's head pops up with that righteous grimace on his face. It's hilarious, and it gets me every time. These are serious musicians. They work hard and they play harder. lwol.
This song takes me back to 1993 when I was 10 yrs old , watching YTV , Tarzan dans hit list would come on & I would tune in & see this video . I loved this song immediately. Still sounds great in 2022
I grew up in Scarborough so this video is super nostalgic for me. For whatever reason, I remember often passing by that Bingo Hall when my parents were driving It has long since been torn down.
This video is essentially a time capsule of my childhood. I grew up in the neighborhood in Scarborough the video was filmed. This video always brings me back to a simpler time!
I saw them in concert in 1990, they were the opening act for the Hip, I had no idea who they were at the time, so glad I got to see them when they were just up and coming and were still super enthusiastic about the whole thing, just amazing to think back on.
When I was in Canada and I hear this song so many times I always thought it was from this band. Later I noticed that was a cover from Bruce Cockburn. But, with all respect I keep this version in my memories and my harth how the best of the best. 20 years of my life in that great nation.
i remember so many times these guys couldn't play in many venues because the name of the band. what a laugh, they were amazing from the first time they played together. even the Mayor of one of our major cities barred them from playing a concert because there was going to be children at the concert and didn't want the kids to think they were actually seeing bare naked ladies instead of a band named that. they ended up becoming one of the most popular bands coming out of Canada. lmao
Al Huggins I think it was former mayor of the former city of Toronto June Rowlands (1991-1994) who tried to block the Barenaked Ladies from performing.
no my friend, it was Hazel McCallon the mayor of Mississauga but i respect your comment and appreciate your feedback, but a damn good Canadian band, right?
Al Huggins Sorry dude, it was absolutely June Rowlands - she had them kicked off the New Years Eve bill at Nathan Philips Square in Toronto cause of their name - I was in school downtown at the time and saw them multiple times at the El Mocombo - After that, they blew up and this was the first song they did after that that was a nationwide success - Hazel McCallion wouldn't have cared less, she's got tougher skin than that
This video was shot outside toronto I think in scarborough..things look diferrent now but I love this video the cars, empty lots, the side streets, the cold, remindes me of my childhood, canada has changed.
It is McCowan and Eglinton . I grew up 2 blocks away at Bellamy. I bought my first "tape" at the A&A featured in the video and had my brakes done at Speedy across the street, also at the end of the video. The field covered in snow is actually a communal garden for the surrounding buildings' tenants.
This will always remind me of my first trip to Canada (Milverton, Kitchener, Ontario). What a country! So many great memories. I’m from Germany by the way.
The arrangements in this song are stunning, breathtaking, and exquisitely gorgeous. Who knew that a moody cello intro could have been the start to a hugely successful pop tune?
Might sound weird but.....I've always thought of this as a "Christmas Song " . I think it's the due to the video being shot on a regular Canadian winter day. It could be any town in Canada. I always play it a ton during the holidays.
Something about the music BNL puts out doesn't quite make me cry but puts tears in my eyes. I don't know if its the nostalgia from growing up listening to them, how great their music has been in poor spots in my life or what.
its like how can someone hate on such a beatiful song so sklllfully written (bruce cockburn) and covered so well... they definetly were a passionate fan of it too you can hear it.
An old memory: these guys playing at Call the Office in London ON in 1990, selling cassettes out of a car after the show. Glad I was talked into going.
