I was 18, 1988. Given a week by your Mother to leave home, told not to ever influence my brother's by telling them. To hear your Father say he is ashamed of you, and will never be able to tell anyone. As a 52 year old gay man, I'm reconnecting with my brothers now in 2022. I have marched and fought for my rights, lived through the AIDS rhetoric. Seen so much change, my teenage self never thought possible. Yet this song still takes me back to the escaping 18 year old. Running scared, to be nothing other than I was created to be.
1967 saw the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales (though that led to years of higher arrest rates), Scotland waited until 1980, NI 1982. 2013 saw the law in the UK finally repealed totally. Has to be said Scotland then led the way for acceptance for the whole of the UK. Glasgow is one of my favourite cities, and where the man I care most for and who keeps me sane resides.
Same age. I remember this and similar songs... being completely oblivious to the message at the time but just appreciating the great music. The past is a different country.
I get you. Had a very similar experience, put it behind me and got on with a life. Now I'm retired, the conversations are about looking after Mum (very elderly but fit) and I can't help thoughts and feelings from 40/50 years ago coming into my head. Sometimes it difficult to reconnect, sometimes things just feel so set and permanent, and I'm not sure I have the energy now. I wish you luck with yours, it is possible.
@@bear6845 I feel for you, dear Bear. I am gay as well, (and an old gal of 51!) Know that God is nuts about you, and made no mistake when He formed you....it's people who are jerks. X
@@seniorslaphead8336 51yo. Left UK in 1993 but when I go back, there is still stigma amongst my friends. It isn't overt stigma as I've introduced gay friends to my straight friends without issue. It's just how they address homosexuality amongst each other. Still it's not as bad as the 80s when even physical contact with something a gay man had touched would cause revulsion. Thankfully I don't see any of this in modern Australia but then again my social circle is very different.
This tune reminds me so much of my late great uncle Colin. My uncle was a young gay lad, who travelled down to London from the midlands circa '77 (due to not so progressive views)...this song is basically his journey...He unfortunately contracted HIV in the 80's and eventually succumbed to AIDS... Always in my heart, R.I.P Colin x
I am so sorry. My son is gay, and thankfully will never have to worry about the awful death caused by AIDS. He is 33 now and has had the same partner for 8yrs, and only one other relationship. Medicine has improved so much since the loss of so many. My love to your darling Uncle Colin ❤️
Jimmy Somerville is a friend of a friend of mine, they grew up together through school. They both became friends due to him being a very small lad with fair ginger hair and seen as different, her being small herself and walking with a limp due to medical issues. She speaks of him as an extremely kind, gentle and loving soul....
Same for me. My muscles tense when hearing this song and I'm thinking what I would do with the bullies. Love eachother hard people, don't let anybody fade away!
I was just about to make a similar comment and then saw yours. It breaks my heart. We’ve still got a long way to go culturally, but I feel we’re slowly getting there and there’s a lot more visibility of the struggles people go through and a little more awareness these days. One of my mates came out as Transgender a couple of years back. He was the most alpha male you could ever have imagined, but it was something he’d been struggling with since first realising it as a toddler and he never told anyone about it - keeping it bottled up for decades. I couldn’t be happier for him and have a huge amount of respect for anyone who comes out in whatever way. I know it’s easy for me to say, being straight, but be yourself people. People that really love and care about you will stick by you. I have a 5 year old daughter and I know that however she chooses to live her life will be fine with me. I know this is wildly different, but when I was a teenager, I started losing my hair. I went through years of angst, with people telling me that I was going bald and that I was ugly. In the end, I shaved it all off, and couldn’t be happier now. I know this is different from accepting your sexuality, but the message I got from this is that the only way out of this is “through.” Accept yourself just as you are and you’ll be a lot happier in the long run. Those who love you will stick by you no matter what.
@@SuperFurry68A For me there is consolation that my 17 year old son doesn't show any prejudice towards homosexuality or for that matter bigotry. This generation seems much more progressive than mine ever was.
I can see myself being the father , but after giving it thought i feel conflicted because he is still my son . But . .maybe it is fair to say the dad needs time and space too process this .a bit selfish but its better than disowning the kid
I have a gay daughter and me and her father couldn't love her any more than we do shame on parents who bought children into the world and disown them it breaks my heart
Wake up, that's not a successful path for her. Stop buying into this Liberal retardation that same sex people live out happy lives. It's not bliss for straight couples, but it's a sacrifice that leads to a worthwhile journey, rather than "I want to get emotionally satisfied via new thing". Fact is, gay women relationships are more violent than same sex partnerships. Both far less violent that man / women Christian based relationships.
This song is so powerful because it tells the story of so many of the LGBTQQIA+ people... this story keeps on repeating endless times around the world.
Love the review. I'm a dad with a gay daughter and I told her from a young age that I didnt care who she wanted a relationship with as long as she was happy. Obviously as a dad, no one was going to treat her badly whoever she chose as dad would be having a word. In reality though its best not to interfere but, she is happy and married to her lady.
Thanks so much for reacting to this guys. This spoke to so many young Gay people who had endured bullying and violence and also shame and rejection from their own families. 40 years ago (and further back), there was a lot of entrenched ignorance from wider society towards Homosexuals and of course widespread ignorance and fear regarding AIDS and I love how the Band address this in the very last scene on the train with two of them taking a bite from the same apple to try and dispel the (then) current myth that the virus could be spread via saliva, which wasn't - and never has been - true.
This song played a huge part in this straight guy being able to empathize with the plight of gay people in those unaccepting times and places. I'm not a huge fan of the song musically, but I will always love it for that. If you want more from Jimmy, the covers of "Don't leave me this way" and "Never can say goodbye" he did with his next project The Communards, are absolute bangers. Thanks for the reaction guys! 🏳️🌈
I was born at the same hospital as Jimmy, has to be said Glasgow has changed massively since this vid was made. From a working class background, as a teen, I wasn't allowed an earring, as that would have meant I was gay according to my dad.
@@trevordoolan5011 I never got my ear piercing, but years later, after leaving home, I got a tattoo. When he saw it, he said "what's that, yer no in the bloody navy".
I came out in the 90s. This song has true meaning for me. My dad didn't speak to me or even stay in the same room as me. I ended up offering to leave and he'd never hear from me again. He said "I just need time". Now he totally understands and wants me to be happy. When my mum asked her mum to sit down... She said "Mum... Pete's gay" and my nan said "bloody hell!... I thought you were going to tell me something awful". I have total support from my family... I'm just Pete... I actually hate 'Pride Month' because I'm not gay one month of the year... I help out the other 11 months.
Actually this was a year ot two before AIDS. Jimmi and I were both members of the Gay Teenage Video Project. When we all discussed the things we wanted to raise in our film, it was noted that all the guys had needed to leave home. In London we could form clubs and venues and make new friends. It changes you for life, making a clean start in a new city. We also had to learn to defend ourselves on the street and deal with police harrassment, etc. I would never have asked you guys to watch this, but happy that you did... and you didn't let me down!
I remember that Video Project, not terribly well, but I do remember enjoying it years ago, Jimmy singing Junk, and looking even younger than in the video above! I left home in West Lothian, same time, same reason, but only made it as far as Edinburgh. That Video Project made a difference, to me and others thank you for your work.
You wanted fame, attention and cummies. You broke up your family out of a similar kind of desire that makes middle aged men stare at children at the pool, but with a kink. Where has it gotten you @antiqueinsider? Are you finding pride in your kids, love for your family, or cuddling up to another 60yo confused man?
@@nickthefox72 What is the point of this? Terry Higgins died at the end of 1982. The meeting between London Gay Groups and US friends/CDC was in the summer of 1983, and in July. the Gay Youth Movement Summer Camp and the start of the LG Video project. yes it took nearly a year to get the single released. Only around this time did we realise that the AIDS situation was going to be really serious. (At the time we were still counting UK deaths in low hundreds). It was 1984 when 'Factor iv' was identified. The end of 1985 that the number diagnosed got to epidemic numbers. (2000 in the uk at the EOY 1985). In social terms Smalltown Boy is definitely 'pre AIDS!! In 1984 Jimmy was much more engaged with the miner's strike than anything to do with AIDS. (see the movie 'Pride')
I love this song. It stopped me in my tracks when it came out. I was raised in a family that had a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia (my aunt lived with her partner for 50 years), and it broke my baby heart that someone could be disowned by their family just because of who they loved. And Jimmy's voice! My God!!! He's still got it, btw❤
My only living child is gay. He never worried about our family accepting it, he knew they loved him no matter what, it was his mates he was concerned about. He grew up in a country town, not many gays here, but his mates have all stuck by him, it made no difference to them. He is also not at all feminine and is a big boy, so was never bullied. Anyone would just think he was a tradie or a farmer. No feminine traits at all. I didn’t even know and I’m usually pretty good at picking these thing s up. The only thing that made me sad is that I won’t get a grandchild, they are not very interested and it’s harder here to get a surrogate. Otherwise I love his partner as my own son and never want to lose him from my life. He has the same name as my stillborn daughter.
I wouldn't say that. It was of its time, I'd say the difference is that people now are more accepting of other people's differences so it's heard more.
Great reaction lads. I vividly remember this being released back in ‘84. The video is tame by todays standards but attitudes were so very different back then. This song & Jimmy’s beautiful voice continues to touch peoples hearts. Why can’t humanity just be accepting & kind. Happy birthday Jimmy S, (22/6/61).
After "Bronski Beat", Jimmy teamed up with Richard Coles (whose now a vicar) to form "The Communards". In 1986 they released "Don't Leave Me This Way" And in 1987, released "Never Can Say Goodbye". Both great tunes. Maybe you could react those 2 songs. 🎵🎼 My mum always used to say he (Jimmy) was "a great mover" 🕺
I find it amazing how this song has touched so many generations. I am no oldie, I'm 17. However growing up where I did, I had a hard time coming to terms with my sexuality. This song touched me in a way I could never describe. It got me through a lot. If you are going through similar, I hope nothing but the best for you!
My God this sounds epic on a dance floor. I just revisited my 80’s heyday recently when thedj played this 12” version. Men in their 50’s and 60’s got up and danced and knew every single word. It was amazing. ❤
This was a real outlet for many of my gay friends in college it was the soundtrack to their lives, to travel hundreds of miles to be accepted by stranger's, friends didn't understand how we could accept them but their parents wouldn't.
Back in the 80's checking the train sidings at Charring cross my buddy and I found a young kid about 16 sleeping in one of the passenger trains parked up for the night,. The boy said he'd been kicked out of his home for being gay and had nowhere else to sleep. My co-worker who was usually very aggressive towards vagrants, and a 6 feet 4 was very intimidating at times for once took pity on the kid , let him stay on the train .and even told him how to get help from social services. As we were walking away i asked him why he'd done that as he was normally a total bastard. He said because the kid reminded him of himself, as he;d been kicked of his home at 14 for being gay and had slept on the streets for 3 years.. Till that moment I didn't Know he was gay or had ever been homeless . You can't tell a book by it's cover.
@@luckyleprechaun-e7h I should of said after working with him for 2 years I didn't Know he was gay. Myself I'm straight , and spent 6 years in the British army. And even though it was over 40 years ago and I've Knocked all around the world , washing up in Canada. I'd still say he's 1 of the toughest and capable men I've ever known.
I was 16 when this song came out. Seeing this video on MTV back then was a total revelation. I no longer felt like I was alone in my feelings. The next year I left home.
This song could have been set to any genre of music, as it was a political song that meant so much to we that were coming out at that time. The government at the time were set to introduce draconian laws on being gay. But because it was set to a gay hi energy beat and it cut through to the normal charts, this stands as one of the Greatest political songs of all time. If it didn't change the political landscape of the time, it certainly started it. Thanks for understanding and reacting.
This song is an important piece of music history. First their is Jimmy Sommerville's stunning banshee-like falsetto we really hadn't heard anything like it before. But more importantly, the topic--which everyone new someone with a story like in the video--was now being sung out loud and without lyrics in code or inuendo... AND it goes on to be a mainstream dancefloor hit... was kind of revolutionary; Boy George didn't even sing about gay themes openly. Thank you for doing this song. Very cool of you.
When I was a teen and saw this for the first time, it cemented what I already knew--I was gay, and I would experience pain and abuse, but with the right group of people, life goes on. almost 40 years later this song brings back those memories.
You guys are great doing this one. You nailed it. It sums up the huge cultural position at the time in the UK. So pleased you Americans could grasp it. 👍
Spotted John Collins from Yorkshire playing the father. He was a fixture on British television during the 1960s and 1970s. As a supporting character in many top rating TV series.
I grew up with this song, its a banger and although I knew what it was about it never truly hit me until I was 20 and out at a small basement club... there was maybe 3 people on the dancefloor when this song came on including myself and a few girls, and next thing there was 20 guys dancing their hearts out. It was and to my view still is an anthem.
We all fell in love with Jimmy when this song and video came out. I was lucky as came out around this time and my mum had a bit of an issue at first though not with me more within herself. My Dad i later found out just said 'Ok he's still our son what ever' My later husband he him got on like a house on fire some years later. There is a great british film called 'Pride' about the pride movment and they gay support for the mine workers during the big strike.
The "like-minded guys" at the swimming pool and on the train are the other members of the band - the one in orange is Steve Bronski (after whom the band is named).
Happy Pride guys and thank you for reviewing this song which is still relevant now as it was back then, So many young men and women have had to run away from home just because of who they are, Sadly a fair few don’t get the chance and they end their own lives, I really appreciate your review and understanding of this song and how you sensitively handled it have a great day both and remember…….Embrace the Suck!.
Jimmy, the singer, grew up gay in working-class Scotland in the 1970s/80s and had to leave that homophobic environment to come out and live his life. i recognise that as I did the same, at the same time, for the same reason. This was not to do with HIV or AIDS, this was years before that, though the song came out as that was arriving. The song deals with the homophobia that existed before AIDS and still exists today. I was very surprised that you chose this song because of 'Pride Month', you read all the lyrics and correctly identified what this song was about, and yet not once did either of you say the word 'gay' or 'homosexual', you did say 'straight' and mentioned HIV, so it felt like you were skirting around the word but for some reason couldn't let it pass your lips. That is the homophobia that Jimmy is singing about, 'the love that dare not speak its name', I think you showed that it still exists.
Hello fellas, you need to listen to “Why” by Bronski Beat and “Don’t leave me this way” by the Communards (also a Jimmy Somerville band) highly recommended.
It’s a good tune, I was a bit of a kid when it came out but then later realise what it’s actually about which makes it even better. J Somerville does have a great unique voice aswell
As a kid in the 70s I grew up in a world where homophobia was so ingrained, the word barely existed. To my shame I got swept along with the mood of the time, all the jokes, insults etc, maybe because back then people still believed it was a perverse lifestyle choice. Being disowned by the family was a real possibility back then. It was a long time before I realised that it isn’t a choice and that sexual orientation is biologically determined from birth, and then I began to realise what those people went through, the fear, rejection, isolation and intimidation they lived with and still do in many places. I suppose it’s part of the process of human enlightenment as we learn to recognise the suffering in others and understand that they don’t deserve it.
@@arronvickers6950 Cis doesn't necessarily mean someone is Straight, or Gay. Cis means somebody identifies as being the same gender now, as when they are born. And 'Yes'... they are two Cis Guys✌ .
@@BLew657 wurds are hard... Not sure what you mean by "modern weirdos" ? There are constantly words being added to the English Language (and all other languages too) and Dictionaries. Words evolve just as with evolution (unless your a Creationist). Cis is an old Latin word. The earliest known gender-related use of the prefix in any language was in a 1914 German-language book. Oxford English Dictionary earliest use of the Cis prefix in the context of gender in English is used from the early / mid 90's. .
What all the great artists try to do, from Mozart and Beethoven to Constable and Turner, from Oasis and The Sex Pistols to Andy Warhol and Henri Matisse, they try to capture the times they are living in
This was released in 1984, Two years before the whole AIDS announcement!!!! This video is still hard hitting 38 years after its release!!! Lads the US needs to get its shit together or this type of situation will happen to the LGBT community again in your country as result of the ROE repeal!!! BTW I'm straight in case you think otherwise!!!!!
I m a straight guy but i remember this song and video caused a storm back in the day. And what you must remember is that Jimmy Somerville the singer came from Glasgow. One of the toughest citys in Europe. A different world back then
if you guys are having a pride week, could you please react to the film 'Pride' its an absolutely belting film and a 100% true story, set in the 80's in the UK during the miners strikes...
Hello fellas, you need to listen to “Why” by Bronski Beat and “Don’t leave me this way” by the Communards (also a Jimmy Somerville band) highly recommended.
There's a great film called 'Pride' from 2014 featuring an activist called Mark Ashton who was friends with Jimmy Somerville back in the 80s. and in the credits plays a song that Jimmy wrote for/about him. Wonderful watch
When I think back to bronski beat it didn't last long, so I also think of the communards and yazoo as the bronski beat follow on's. If you are staying on the PRIDE theme, you probably want to check out Erasure. Vince Clark was in Yazoo and Depeche Mode, before starting Erasure with Andy Bell. Some of their video's have to be seen to be believed and you probably don't want to look into Andy's live on-stage costumes. They're in their 60's now, but still touring.
Brilliant! I used to walk to school with a tape recorded off of Radio1's UK Top 40 including this and many other greats (Heavy D & The Boys - Now That We've Found Love etc) Fantastic Times! And yep fantastic voice! Thank You!
Do you know Stephen Fry is gay? My favourite Stephen Fry moment is "they say of the acropolis where the parthenon is" on a quiz show he presents called "QI", that episode has Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey, Rob Brydon and Alan Davies. Great cast and hilarious moment.
It’s him leaving his small, insular town and moving to the big city rather than being kicked out, hence the name of the song. It’s based on his experiences as Jimmy did move to London when he was still a teenager.
I was the same with Relax, loved the song, had their poster on the wall but had no clue what the song was about as I was too young but I thought the song was amazing, still do.
Theres a thing about glasgow and a certain style of songwriter Jimmy somerville, Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian check out "the boy with the arab strap", Aidan Moffat (arab strap and solo artist), they seem to capture a weird mix of self loathing, questioning the world and moving forward.
This is the first reaction I've seen from you guys and aside from loving that and subbing quick fast,it's really nice to see your support for pride most dudes wouldn't bother but allyship,compassion and mutual respect are desirable characteristics more dudes need them
If you get a chance to see the UK series It's a Sin which covers Aids in the gay community in the UK, seize it. It has a great soundtrack and is a brilliantly done drama.
OMG i forgot how good he was, check out these to. The Communards - Disenchanted HD Remaster (Official Video) The Communards - So Cold The Night (Official Video)
another song for your pride month and an amazing song with a story is the rod stewart's the killing of georgie part 1 and 2 a sad song but a great you should check it out
I grew up in the 80s in Germany, and all the British bands of the time were just as popular: Bronski Beat, Pet Shop Boys, FGTH, Depeche Mode. With the exception of the last one, all were gay and had gay-themed songs. While we didn't understand all lyrics, it was well known and nobody cared. I was gay myself and of course still in the closet until well in my 20s, but i did feel that it didn't matter that much. I also never had any traumatic experiences, though you experience some level of discrimination and dumb comments even today. I know I was lucky, but that's just how it was. It never was a big deal. But here's the crucial thing: I feel that we haven't advanced much and maybe even stepped back! Think about it: it is a horrible story the video narrates, but it still happens in 2024 and this song was a massive hit when it came out (was it 1986?). Some people were well advanced and society caught up with it, but if you had asked me in the 80s: I would have thought that the world was much more advanced and peaceful. I did not think it would turn out this way.
