Bonnie "Prince" Billy - I See A Darkness (Live on KEXP) 

Was a time I was homeless and the only thing I had was my MP3 player and this album, still remember being in a bush to these words

Usually this sort of soul is in a body that’s beaten itself into oblivion. Luckily, this man is very much still with us. Very thankful.

I've listened to probably half a dozen versions of this, and I just love that every version has a completely different feel. That's how you know Oldham is a true artist: he doesn't just sing the 'song' - he sings what's in his soul at any given time!

Probably the best song to be written in the last 30 years.

Such an incredibly weird, raw , brilliant performance. From the flat, sound of his guitar to the way he delivers the vocals in such a weird timing, he just seems completely in the moment, and it’s absolutely haunting and perfect.Dude is definitely one of a kind.

One of the best songs ever written

A few years back I lost a buddy to suicide. Every time I listen to this song, it reminds me of our last few conversations. He had a beautiful soul.

You gotta love this weird bastard. That was a tasty performance, as always.

This guys music changed my life

This is absolute perfection.

probably the most important song i have ever heard. and he plays it so well. not alot of people sing about our darkness. and the joy that eludes us ... thank you Mr Prince .. cause you have saved us from some darkness

I don't know that any song or performance has ever moved me this much. A song I've listened to hundreds of times and still it fills me with melancholy, nostalgia, happiness, loss, hope, regret, love and sadness, all at the same time.

I like every version and style of this song. Billy is the best

Will Oldham's voice is timeless. It aches so much.

There is something so very haunting about this song. A strange beauty.

this song is so haunting, one of the best ever written.

I am so lonely. I am the darkness that only Sweet Bonnie can see.

This song is so powerful. Every version takes on a different dimension. It’s like the winding journey of a lifetime in one song, the dreams and the downfall and deep friendship’s role in getting through it all.

My favourite song of all time, Richy this one is for you rest in peace my friend ❤x

Danke für diese wundervolle Musik! Danke fürs Hochladen!

Over all the years I always come back to this version.

This song makes me cry inside for my passed brother-in-law (and best friend).

It might sound weird but my eyes teared up half way through the song, just looking at this genius perform, not because I am sad or depressed but just the pure pleasure of music and darkness.

bloody hell it's even more tearjerking like this, beautifull

weeping over here ... poetic bonnie prince billy performance

This is one of the most powerful songs I have heard. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Cash cover this song, with his own signature sound imposed on it.

A few years ago, I heard johnny cash's version and it just hit me in the heart. 2 days ago, after years without listen to it, the music appeared in my feed, so I thought about looking up the original. Been listening to his stuff every since then. Just pure poetry.

So much emotion in his voice.

I am SO 9 years behind the times, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy.... Absolutely fantastic !!

enigma. nothing less. thank you KEXP. for this and so many others

im pretty sure the interviewer has tears in eyes at the end of this song. i know i do. everytime i hear it.

This song helped me more than most of you can imagine. Thank God for this great band.

Always gonna appreciate a dude who can rock a beard and nail polish

I love how he can take his song that I'm sure he's performed many, many times over the years and always make it new and interesting. One of a kind. God bless Will Oldham, and all those who sail with him.

this might be the peak version of this song. wish I could buy this on bandcamp or something - I just bought this song twice on there I need this version

This Song is extremly beautiful

It hurts my eyes at the end to see a beardless man after such glory

I love how the DJ is crying at the end of this. This song is just beautiful

Holy shit, after this ad I get to see this in person? Thank you God.

Absolutely beautiful.

There are about 20 live performances I've found on youtube over the years that I come back to at least once a month. This is a weekly pit stop.

This is brilliant in so many ways. Love the work by KEXP on the video and love Bonnie Prince Billy's performance, so much honesty in that man's voice.

Muito impactante são as palavras e esta versão de Bonnie Prince Billy. Não há como ouví-las sem chorar. Saudações do Brasil.

A clareza da voz, o despojamento e a simplicidade torna esta música perfeita. É impossível pedir mais. Espero que um dia consigamos Ultrapassar a escuridão e sentir a luz para realmente iluminar o nosso caminho e darmos um sentido a cada dia.

This guy is a genius. Period

Makes my heart sing. Is this guy a genius or what?

Stille untouched as the very best and most honest song in recent years. Bonnie knows.

Wow! What a courageous song!

Dude never blinks.

U can hear the pain in this mans voice In my opion thise are the best kinds of songs cuz hes not just singing hes spilling his heart and soul crying out for help

wow... this a beautiful song...

I love both this version and Johnnys. Both have their amount of real feelings. Personally the uptempo version with Bonnie is best!!!

this Bonnie's (not Tyler) live on KEXP is just perfect, so touching !.. moment of amazing grace.. whipped and this one are so good on it ! this live show "KEXP" is a great place given to music ! !

Have a Like, nine years later. Incredible.

i’m seeing him tomorrow. been hoping to for years.

Such a brilliant talent. So admire him!

So much soul...that was beautiful :')

Un tema brutal en manos de Bonnie, que gran voz tiene este hombre.

pure genius this song

LYRICS Well, you're my friend It's what you told me But can you see what 's inside of me? Many times, we've been out drinking And many times we shared our thoughts But did you ever, ever notice The kind of thoughts I got? Cause you know I have a love For everyone I know And you've seen I have this drive To live, I won't let go But could you see its opposition As it comes rising up sometimes? Sure, you must see it Comes blacking in my mind? See, I see a darkness And I see a darkness I see a darkness I see a darkness Did you know how much I love you? Here's a hope that somehow you Will save me from this darkness Well, I hope someday, buddy We have peace in our lives Together or apart Alone or with our wives That we'll stop our whoring And pull the smiles inside And light it up forever And never go to sleep My best unbeaten brother This isn't all I see Oh no, I see a darkness Oh no, I see a darkness Oh no, I see a darkness Oh no, I see a darkness Did you know how much I love you Has been a hope that somehow you Would save me from this darkness

Nothing short of powerful. PEACE.

those lights. those eyes. those nails. did anyone else think the shade of nail polish added to this video experience? the shade is so serene and cloud like, peaceful.

This is the best thing in the world

I feel like this everyday.

Spiritual lyrics. Hooked on Will since the 90's, especially with ''Palace Songs' '' ''Werner's Last Blues To Blokbuster'' and the great ''Agnes, Queen Of Sorrow''; please check them out!

Did you know how much I love you is a hope that somehow you would save me from this darkness

bonnie prince billy smashed it big time respect to him

Unfuckingbelievably beautiful...

Love Will Oldham so much, especially the fact that he doesn't need a mic screen.....

Great version!

What a great songwriter. Viva Will Oldham's blues!

I love that his nails are painted.

If this doesn't move you, you don't like music, Will sings so purely from the heart.

It's a story of two mates. One going through tough times and the other growing a massive, all encompassing eyebrow hair.

I discovered this song because of Rosalia's cover (I'm Spanish, what did you expect?), but thank God, this is magic

Saw 'Palace' advertised in an off beat newspaper when I lived in Minneapolis. I'll be damned: Will Oldham at The Entry. The room was packed and not a peep. Everyone was mesmerized.

4:06 pierced me through the heart

What a superb artist. People like J.J. Cale do a less is more trick. Will does less is much more. A one of.

Hands down, the best 4 and a half minutes I’ve ever wasted.

Best song ever!

Will did the video for this in Glasgow, just a few miles from me, and it's stunning....but I prefer this.

Awesome real music!

There is no better performed song ever

Beautiful. That is all.

Gorgeous guitar case.

hes a true legend.

Beautiful

Well you're my friend (It's what you told me, anyway) And can you see (What's inside of me?) [Verse 1] Many times we've been out drinking And many times we've shared our thoughts But did you ever, ever notice The kind of thoughts I got? [Verse 2] Well you know I have a love A love for everyone I know And you know I have a drive To live I won't let go [Pre-Chorus] Could you see its opposition Comes a-rising up sometimes That its dreadful end-position Comes blacking in my mind [Chorus] And that I see a darkness And that I see a darkness And that I see a darkness And that I see a darkness And did you know how much I love you Is a hope that somehow you Can save me from this darkness? [Verse 3] Well I hope that someday, buddy We have peace in our lives Together or apart Alone or with our wives That we can stop our whoring And pull the smiles inside And light it up forever And never go to sleep My best unbeaten brother This isn't all I see You might also like Madeleine Mary Bonnie “Prince” Billy Monsters James Blunt I See a Darkness Johnny Cash [Chorus] Oh no, I see a darkness Oh no, I see a darkness Oh no, I see a darkness Oh no, I see a darkness And did you know how much I love you Is a hope that somehow you, you Can save me from this darkness?

Oh, guys, periodically I listen this version and as usal I cry. Is there a KEXP audio compilation of all these live performances?

This song is so well written. In order to write something like this, he must have done some serious soul searching and been in some really dark places.

I heard only prog metal, death metal, thrash metal. And than i ask for myself: "Why I'm hearding this song?" "Simply because it's a masterpiece"

magical.

Just once in my life I'd like to see Will Oldham struggling to eat soup.

Genius.

love will bonnie

...always transcends!

Wonderfully dark.

"I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob." (The eye and mouth brows made me say that) I like the variety of renditions of this song.

It's 2022 and I haven't listen to Johnny Cash version yet... and I love Johnny Cash

Would drive me crazy having a moustache that long. He must be stoic