I am sorry.... I believe perhaps you were asked to play this. To pull at heart strings... please correct/contact someone about that position... if it is an actual issue. I’m not playing a game. I’m sorry... I truly have an appreciation for music and the sharing here. It upsets me that someone is trying so hard to hurt my family. Thank you again. I’m hoping to continue to enjoy and return to this channel. Please know that. This is how the manipulated are going “ freaked” out... made to appear to be unstable emotionally!!!!! Please know that. You are sending an honest message, than may be just to aggravate a situation. They will use this to their benefit. Against your good message.
Agreed. Just recently watched a performance from the Jon Stewart show. It was phenomenal, and she was even sick at the time. You wouldn't know except she mentioned it at the end.
First song to ever make me cry. I was ten years old, and didn’t even understand what it was about, but I cried. Even without a grasp of the lyrical context, this perfect pairing of vocals and melody simply *radiated* desperation and longing-my heart just _broke_ at the loneliness and helplessness in Johnette’s voice. That a song could do that to a naïve *ten-year-old* is remarkable.
Music has always gotten me in the gut like that too. IMO it's something to be grateful for, to be able to feel the depths and the heights enough to be moved to years.
@@weebunny Well said. Those songs that stir the strongest gut reactions are the ones that stay with me the longest, and that I hold closest. The downside is that while, yes, there are _a few_ songs that I find uplifting or invigorating, the vast majority of those songs powerful enough to *move* me in _any_ direction are "downers". Still, when given the choice between a vibrant/bombastic, well-produced, sing-along-while-driving, positive track, versus a minimalistic, bare-boned, but well-crafted and heartfelt downer, I will, almost every time, take the latter of the two-at least when I’m alone.
I was in high school when this came out, and about a year later I went through my first real break up from my first real boyfriend, of two years. I definitely understood what it meant.
Such a sad song, written about her feelings of powerlessness as she watched Marc Moreland of the band Wall of Voodoo drink himself to death. Makes me cry every time I hear it.
They did make the Pretty and Twisted album at least. It seems even most Concrete Blonde fans don’t know but they all should. It’s fucking beautiful and heart breaking. Johnette and Marc basically faced it head on for all who might’ve wished to hear before he passed. Which of course is simplifying it. Cuz. Well...
I was married for 15 yrs to a man named Joey....love of my life.....who drank too much, and as the years went on, he became meaner the drunker he became. I stayed & prayed it would get better, but it didn't. One night, in fear of my life, I took my purse & left as he ripped the sun roof off my car. I was going down the road when this song came on the radio. I thought she was talking directly to me. I sped to a record store & described the song to the clerk. He knew exactly what i was talking about. I played that song SO MUCH that I had to buy a 2nd CD. Whew. Memories. Play more Concrete Blonde!!!
@@TheWorseOne I understand! Other than the drinking, Joey was the best man EVER! So talented, so kind & generous, an awesome father, so handsome, and he loved me so much, but his addiction beat out over everything else. It's so sad. And unfortunately, those of us who love them, really can't see how destructive it is till we hit OUR rock bottom with the abuse.
@@azzureasthesky I heard Crazy Train on the oldies station with my 11 y/o grandson in the car. I yelled about it very dramatically and he just laughed. Where did doo wop and Motown go? Christ, I'm old.
"Joey" is the ninth track from Concrete Blonde's third and most successful album, Bloodletting. The song was released in 1990 and was written and sung by Johnette Napolitano. Napolitano mentioned in her book Rough Mix that the song was written about her relationship with Marc Moreland of the band Wall of Voodoo, who would eventually die of kidney failure following a liver transplant. I didn't buy many Albums or CD's after 1980 (I was starting a family and it wasn't a necessity) but I did buy this one. That was always one of my favorite songs.
@@christinehanson7579 it was such a tough song to tackle, she couldn't even bring herself to write the lyrics until they were in the car on the way to the studio to record it. She just couldn't face it before then. Poignant indeed.
She's the definition of a real female rock star! Plays bass guitar, sings awesome and writes her own music If you wanna get rocked some more..."Heal it up", "God is a bullet"
@@kobolslastgleamingdragon3732 Yes Sir! That's another good one. The Beast is another killer. In fact anything from Bloodletting is good. Dang, I really miss that band! Cheers
@@GenX4ever A chill ran through me at the thought of The Beast...I know what I'm listening to for my workout today! I saw Johnette do a solo show when I lived in Albuquerque. It was around the time of Pretty and Twisted. She did most of that album, and some CB songs as well. Amazing night. Cheers back!
Johnette Napolitano is one of the most underrated female singers EVER! Jamal, I think you'll agree if you hear some more of her music. She's a gifted songwriter as well. Every one of her albums is loaded with gold. No duds. Her voice is so unique - raspy & beautiful, perfect pitch and loaded with passion. More Concrete Blond, please! (and thank you!)
This is why I love coming here. Born in the early 50s, I grew up listening to all the different decades of music. They all had their great songs and I’ve forgotten about a lot of them. Thanks for keeping great music alive!
YES. YES. YES. Do more Concrete Blonde!!! You'll get a kick outta Still in Hollywood. Also, Walking in London and Bloodletting are some of her most well known hits. Also, God is a Bullet. Do eeeet!!! 😍😍😍😍
This one always hits home, too many loves lost to drink/drugs/poor impulse control. Being the one with your proverbial $#!+ together but loving someone who definitely DOES NOT, cause it’s own brand of damage.
She is quite possibly the most amazing female rock vocalist ever. Her Voice still gives me shivers after 30 years. She can be sad, angry, dark, edgy, scary, feminine, tough, sexy, and heartbreaking… Sometimes all within the same song. You should check out the acoustic version they did live on 120 minutes of the Leonard Cohen song “Everybody Knows.” In fact, I’ll share it here for you. 😊
My late brother was a HUGE fan of Concrete Blonde. He actually met the band and hung out with them. He said they were absolutely the nicest rock stars he had ever met...and he had met a lot of rock stars. The irony is that he died at the age of 45 from alcoholism. RIP brother...💔
Ha! Right after you watched What's Going On by 4 Non Blondes I thought, he has GOT to react to Joey. Great minds, right? Can't wait to have my throwback session.
I made the mistake of playing Bloodletting in my car while giving my mom a ride somewhere. Later that day she confronted me because she was worried I might be suicidal or satanic. It was sweet that she was worried about me, but man what an awkward conversation.
@@AP-zw6ql had a similar thing happen. "Tomorrow, Wendy" came on while the cd while a devout catholic friend of mine and I were driving. He was gobsmacked and said "that singer is very, very angry at G_d over Wendy's death." It opened a weekend long discussion on faith in a fallen world. He has since become a huge CB fan. This was around '94.
Okay, J-Man, I love (L-O-V-E) this band. For your own pleasure check out: "God Is A Bullet, Still In Hollywood, Little Conversations, It's Only Money (Thin Lizzy cover), Tomorrow Wendy, Everybody Knows (Leonard Cohen cover), Take Me Home and Roses Grow" as a sampler.
Have to toss in Mexican Moon, and Walking in London. Still in Hollywood is a straight up banger, I love that track. Saw them in concert in 1992 when they were touring "Walking in London". She closed out the show just her alone, band left the stage, and she did "Mercedes Benz" by Janice. It was amazing.
I'm a 65 year old man and I cry just thinking about "Tomorrow Wendy". Johnette's voice haunts me anyway, but on THAT song, I'm just overwhelmed. Every...Single...Time...
I have said this before I have heard this song way back when it was release but it got lost to me like other songs; thanks Jamel_AKA_Jamal for bringing back songs I had forgotten about. Added to playlist got it now.
I hate bloodletting...its not as good a Mexican Moon. Granted Bloodletting is a staple of goth clubs and i have heard that song way too much in my clubbing days.
Man! I am so glad you did this reaction. Johnette Napolitano has one of the greatest rock voices ever. This lady rocks! It’s unfortunate that Concrete Blonde is not huge. They have their fans, yeah, but they are so so good they should be bigger. Jamel, do your ears a favor and listen to Heal it Up, City Screaming, Caroline, Days and Days, I Call it Love, When You Smile....I could go on and on and on. This band has so many great songs! Some are rockers, some are more mellow, but just about all are really, really good songs. The band is right. Her vocals are amazing! Check out those songs, man. You will not be disappointed.
Check out CB's cover of Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows, on the great Pump Up the Volume soundtrack. She also sang a track on No Talking, Just Head. That was the album out out by the Talking Heads without David Byrne.
Their live album is solid all the way through. "Bloodletting" for sure, I'm surprised that hasn't popped up on any TV shows (Or maybe it has). Check out The Motels, Martha Davis also has a great slightly unusual voice. "Only the Lonely"
Man, I'm so glad you got to this one. A highly underrated group and such a banger of a song....really gets you in the 'feels'. That voice is so smooth and sultry.
My heart! One of my fave bands. They were ‘80s + ‘90s. Got to finally see singer Johnette Napolitano live solo in early 2000s - she’s SO powerful. Their compilation album “Still in Hollywood” is especially amazing. The acoustic version of this song on that album was really popular on alternative radio in the early ‘90s. Recommend their covers of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” (please do this one, Jamel!!! - especially since Hendrix originals are generally blocked) and Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows.” The latter was on the “Pump Up the Volume” movie soundtrack - a super cool movie ‘80s movie about a teenage underground radio DJ and how I originally got into them when I was a kid. Agree with others here on “Heal It Up” and “Jenny I Read.” I love “Walking in London,” too. They honestly have too many great songs to list... “Bloodletting (The Vampire Song” from this album would be a cool Halloween season react.
@@aoleon3908 ~ Gets me also. It's good they found most of those missing children. I was also talking about the part where the little girl being forced into prostitution, goes into this pervert's car, and is later found dead. That portion of the video just gets to me every time...
Love the song, but its not about runaways or the abducted. It's simply about addiction and relapse. The video is emotional yes, but not what the song is talking about. The "runaway train" is getting high to avoid. Sorry, I just have to do this everytime someone misinterprets Runaway Train. Lyrics first, video second 😉
This just keeps hitting me on such an emotional level,so many of these songs are so important to me as a person,and your love for the music is just so evident.I am just feeling so blessed to have found this channel.
Some other female one hit wonders like this: Alanna Myles: Black Velvet Sophie B Hawkins: Damn, I wish I Was Your Lover Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians: What I Am Joan Osborne: One of Us
Thank you! Concrete Blonde was one of my favorite bands of the 90s. Try the songs Caroline, Tomorrow Wendy and Bloodletting. They were so great and deserved to be superstars. There is no reason why they weren't.
Concrete Blonde was such a highlight of the LA music scene. Johnette's voice remains one of my favorite singers... always and forever. Love her lyrics, Jim Mankey's guitar playing, the band live was amazing. Go down this rabbit hole Jamal you won't be disappointed.
Thanks Jamal for keeping great music alive! I love Concrete Blonde! Definitely a gem from the 80’s and 90’s. Johnette Napolitano voice reminds me of Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders. Her voice is so haunting.
Her voice sails...powerful without assistance from vibrato, no vocal acrobatics , heavy vibrato tracks or electronic embellishments. Powerful and haunting....did need to go up 2 or 3 octaves to be impressive s hell!
I saw them in a small club (The Backstage) in Seattle in the early 90's. Johnette belted it out like you wouldn't believe. Absolutely rocked my world. One of the greatest voices ever.
OMG I haven’t found many reviews for these guys! The live version is even better.!Her voice is amazing. Tomorrow Wendy live is fantastic! They also do a great version of the Leonard Cohen song Everybody Knows. You should totally check him out. Amazing writer. Famous Blue Raincoat is my fave. He is a poet and a treasure. Everyone redoes his songs. He wrote Hallelujah that has been covered a gazillion times! 🙂
Those of us who have known alcoholism, or known a loved one who has; cannot help but cry in recognition to the anguish in her voice. 30 years later and it still brings tears to my eyes.
Very first time I heard this song, as soon as she started singing, I could imagine it being Grace Slick/Jefferson Airplane singing "White Rabbit"; same tone to their voices.
Thank you for listening to Concrete Blonde. Jonette is such a bomb vocalist. I highly recommend Caroline and The Vampire Song from Bloodletting. The Sky Is A Poisonous Garden is also a great song. They also do a song on another album about a ghost and Texas but I am drawing a complete blank in the song title and the album name (Mexican Moon or something like that).
A vastly underrated song and a great singer. A little bit of soul, some punk rock vibe, and the shades of rock and roll we thought was long gone. Glad to see you do a reaction to this song; one of my favorites..................
Jamel when i first heard this song i got the chills man it was so good. not so much the meaning of the song but how it was sung. i really liked watch you hear for the first time and how you appreciated the vibe. Different kinds of music is something all the different people of the world can enjoy.
"You can't help someone that doesn't want to help themselves." I've dealt with an alcoholic for 23 years married to it. It's always been heartbreaking to hear.
That is my absolutely favourite song of theirs. I saw them in the early 90's, but can't remember if it was the Walking in London or Mexican Moon tour. In my top 10 fave concerts and I've been to well over 100 shows.
Ahh welcome to the club my friend. I knew sooner or later you would get to Concrete Blonde. Probably one the greatest bands that never got huge. As others on here have said, they should have been so much bigger than they were. Johnette Napolitano’s Vice is just awesome. I must insist Still in Hollywood, and Tomorrow Wendy.
First of all I have to say I love your Channel been watching you for a long time now this video here really really got to me just for the mere fact I used to be a serious addict back in the 90s with cocaine I haven't touched drugs or alcohol in over 20 years now I'm completely clean a sober I thought this would never ever happen to me so when I was listening to the song I started crying cuz I knew the pain I was putting everybody else through really hits your heart
