I knew you were a good guy. This song is an Anthem to so many gay people, it's basically the life story of so many and certainly mine. I was beaten and ridiculed and mocked when I was young. I don't think I was feminine, but I had Polio so had a handicap and I was gay so I was more like a wounded animal and the Wolves went in for the kill. I endured years and years of very violent abuse being beaten with baseball bats Etc. I went to a very tough City school where the students literally used to beat up the teachers, I saw this myself, and they would also physically and sexually abuse the handicapped kids, so there was no help in school at all. My parents were uncaring and in a very bad marriage and there was no help at home nor any love or affection of any kind. I literally had to run away and find a new life, which I did. I want to thank you for your kind and open-minded reaction to this, it means more than you realize.
Wow mate. The meaning of this song was always so clear to me and so powerful. To hear the depth of the song echoed by a gay guy himself is even more powerful. I hope your pain lessened and life got better after you did leave that toxicity. All the best mate. Actually wish I could jump through this screen and give you a hug. I wouldn't be arrogant enough to give you any words of wisdom as I'm sure you would know better than me. All can a do give you my sincere and deepest respect. Cheers brother xx
@@jamesmorgan4121 hey, that is really kind of you and greatly appreciated. Life did eventually get better, though we all have our ups and downs. Even though I went through an exceptionally bad youth, I never hated myself or became self-destructive, never got into drugs or anything like that. I was determined to make myself stronger. I did remain extremely insecure for years and didn't even wear a short-sleeve shirt until I was 26 because I was so self-conscious of my crippled hand. People had really been the ones that crippled me. It took a long time to get over it. I just could never understand the cruelty of man, and I still can't. Again, thanks so much bud, I really appreciate your kind comments.
@@cookingartguy2170 It breaks my heart, what you went through. I've never understood why so many people need to hurt others that way, I can only think that they are damaged in some way. I'm glad you had the inner strength to rise above their shit, it's the only kind of strength that matters at the end of the day. I hope with all my heart that you are surrounded by love.
Jimmy is my kid brother theres 5 years between us ,I am 1 big proud brother and he is still singing although through means of videos ,he teamed up a couple of months ago with Rick Astley to make a song via video to help young musicians struggling through this horrid time it is the streaming tunes.
One of My favourite bands Bronski beat and followed him through the years along with Erasure . I love Heavens gate I played this constantly, would love to watch in concert 😍 🥰🥰🥰🥰
One of the most melancholy, yet amazing songs every written. Doesn't matter if you're gay, bi, straight whatever, this song hits hard. A synth pop classic.
Memories come flooding back to me - I was an 80's girl - the MTV (when they actually played videos lol) . . we had some lame songs but this one is a standout !
Same. I always get choked up when the dad gives him money. In his way, his dad showed love. I’m glad society is more understanding. People should not have to hurt like this.
Absolutely same- straight but love the song. Sad because it’s pigeonholed as a gay anthem I tend to turn it up when I’m in the Car myself and I really shouldn’t I should be strong enough to think I’m straight and I don’t care it’s a great tune! In the right sound system it’s immense....
The lead singer, Jimmy Somerville, co wrote this song and it reflected the challenges he faced when he was growing up and coming out as gay. Absolutely brilliant song.
This was basically an autobiographic song for Jimmy. He ran away from his small town in Scotland to London where he met the two other band members of Bronski Beat and got lucky enough to catch the attention of Elton John who helped to get them signed. Jimmy went on to another band. A duo called the Communards which had several hits before finally going solo. I recommend a song called "For A Friend" which Jimmy wrote in just a few hours after receiving a phone call that another friend of his had died from AIDS. It's stunningly beautiful.
@@johnsomerville8510 you must be so proud of his achievements. I saw the video with Jimmy where he sang with the busker, who was singing his song... Had I been the busker, I would have fainted on the spot... Your brother is an amazing vocalist & writer.. Wishing you & your family all the very best...
Spot on with your review. Although we all knew the song was about homophobia at the time, the song became an anthem for anyone who was being bullied, suffering domestic violence or just saw no way out of their situation in the 80s. For the 'working class' much of the 80's was no picnic, it was bloody bleak.
Christ though, that's a great track. Every time I hear it I wonder if it is the only song recorded that has the male singing the higher register than the female. Might have to google that right now!
My mom kicked me out of the house for being a lesbian in 1987. Bronski Beat was one of my favorite albums. It really spoke to me, inspired me. Thank you for you non-judgmental, thoughtful review. You get it! 🙏🏼❤️✝️🏳️🌈
As a kid i just thought it was a guy who really liked swimming in speedos... And his parents were embarrassed and didn't understand! So he ran away to a nude beach. Problem solved!
Im 52, and i will never forget spinning a borowed vinil of this, and just crying my heart out. But afterrwards feeling the greatest sense of relief. Representation matters.
I believe I was 14 when the song came out. I already knew I was gay and I believe a lot of people suspected it as well. I was bullied and teased. I kept to myself as much as possible. My teen years basically played out pretty much like this song. When I was 17 I left that town and never went back. I'm 50 now and to this day it still brings back all those emotions. Thank you so much for reacting to this. You truly are a good man.
Things were starting to change back then but it was early days. Songs like this and artists like Boy George really went a long way to speaking to kids of my generation who were becoming really aware of this stuff. I really dislike bullies and picking on anyone, for whatever reason, just feels so wrong to me. His voice is ethereally beautiful.
Putting a voice behind righting a wrong on the age of consent. Challenging discrimination pushed at gay men treating them as lesser than equal citizens. I was 12 when it came out
I got bullied a lot during my teenager years, until I finally fought back and put my bully into hospital. This was one of my very first songs probably, when I went to a gay club in Berlin in my 16. This is one of the songs I always cherish, cuz my coming out was struggling to my parents. I moved out when I was 19 to escape the abusive ex partner of my mum - so yeah the struggle is real. I am 40 now, and sill proud I came out so early - have it done and be proud.
hope you are happy where you are now, i do not understand parents who can turn their backs on their child that is already fighting for acceptance to be able to live their life as it should be my daughter has told us she is trans gender going into male, we have her back and love this child and cannot imagine her/him not in our lives, she is 30 and i wish she had told us sooner so she could begin her journey, but it is what it is, we know eaxctly that the struggle exactly, she has lost some freinds because of this but they couldnt have wanted what is best for her, i wish i had guessed sooner as all the signs were there, but i would much rather have a son than lose my child our love is unconditional for always and forever, hope you have an amazing life good luck xx
Such a moving song....... And a moving reaction Jovaughn...... Don't know what you intend to do in the future but you would be a great role model for kids....You have such a big heart❤️ and a deep understanding of life for a young man. ❤️
I actually used to be in highschool I was apart of this scholars program and we had to mentor Troubled middle school kids that we were assigned. I didn’t realize I made an impact until one day when I was working a little boy came up to me and thanked me saying I was his mentor. I had honestly forgotten
@@JayveeTV what a great story. Kindness , compassion and a good heart are qualities you have , they are what counts in life and to help other people, sometimes by not even knowing speaks volumes, you're a star 🌟✨.
I was a kid in the 70s and a teenager in the 80s, I grew up with this music and the tail end of rampant mainstream homophobia, I am straight but music helped shape understanding, my own personal philosophy is that as long as your preferred partner is adult and consenting, I don't care what floats your boat, that's your concern and literally none of my business, love is love.
You're on point with the message. Sadly, this song hits home having been a street kid back in early 80's. The group of boys (13-14 yr olds) I ran with we're all gay and were forced out of their homes. Back then being gay wasn't accepted like it is today. I saw what my friends went through, from family and strangers alike.So glad you did this song. ❤️
@@jonnylumberjack6223 I appreciate that. My situation was entirely different from theirs. I am not gay but had no choice but to leave home at 14. Gay or not, we all were persecuted simply for being on the streets not knowing it wasn't due to any of our choices. It's sad to think it's still going on today and especially in these times with the virus, it hurts my heart to think what dinner may be going through 💔. Thanks again, Take care, stay safe!
The album was called “Age of Consent “. The album cover featured a pink triangle on the front and on the back was a list of the age of consent for each country.
Yeah, but it's better now. Millenials catch a lot of flack for challenging traditional institutions, but this is a good example, I think, of an outdated ideology.
@@glenjohnson9128 The battle at least in western countries has been won, and rightly so. The problem is the regressive left act like gays in the US or the UK are still being discriminated against on a large scale. What is infinitely worse is the lack of support for gays in developing countries - especially the middle east. Because that would be islamaphobic, wouldn't it?
Sad to think that no matter how much better it gets, so many people insist on acting like they're persecuted even if they're not. Better gays fought the fight. Like the singer in this video. Let's give respect to the actual fighters, not all those spoiled late arrivals. If they want an actual fight, focus on where there is actual persecution of gays, like in most Islamic countries today.
@@zel3888 Here in Latvia it's still quite terrible. There was a small gathering of protestors when a new law was passed which didn't allow maternity leave for same sex parents. Most politicians and civilians do not acknowledge such families as real and say it's not natural. Throughout my 24 year old life here in Latvia, I've seen only 1 gay couple expressing their love in public. They were visibly judged. About 6 months ago a professor at a university got beaten up because he came out as gay. The government and media does pretty much nothing to support LGBTQ+ community and parents keep raising their children telling such lifestyle is not acceptable. At least it's not against the law and you can't get sentenced for living.
Damn, Jay. You got it right away. I've seen some reviewers say "what does that mean?" Totally missing the point. It's a heartbreaking song. I'm a straight guy who has had gay friends over the years. I was a teen in the 80's in a "small town". So guess what. I lost gay friends due to Aids. This isn't meant to be some kind of virtue signaling, but I was so proud that they felt comfortable enough around me to share that they were gay, and that their secret was safe with me if that's how they wanted it. So, I guess I empathized with the pain and fear they felt, when they should have enjoyed love and acceptance. Well, they got it from me. they were my friends . Why should it matter? I guess things are better now, but still. Anyway, this song makes me cry.
@guido I agree with your sentiment. First and formost we are all human beings, regardless of ones skin tone, ethnicity, socio-economic past, religion or sexual preferances. I live in Israel, we have Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouine, Cirgezi and Armenians. Straight, gay, pale skinned Europeans, dark suntanned, Indian, Yemini and Ethiopian. Ultra religious, traditional practicing and ethiests. Everyone has their place, all have a right to search for happieness.
I was 9 when I first heard this and broke my heart, I cry every time I hear it. It's so heart wrenching to know parent's "love" for their children is limited and conditional. Thank you for spreading love and respect in your channel.
For me thats your best reaction ive seen and i think ive nearly seen all your vids. You wasnt stuck for words and you handled the subject matter really well. from your neutral stand point. and very sincere and understanding you were. its made me admire you more hearing your reaction to this vid. I love when you react to english bands also.
Bronski Beat became The Communards not long after - Jimmy with musical partner Richard Coles. Richard is now a well known broadcaster as well as a vicar in the UK. Check out their stuff, man.
You are my World is great - fantastic piano work by Richard Cole and Jimmy Somervilles voice soaring straight to heaven. Also Dont leave me this way - guaranteed to get you moving.
I love Bronski Beat!... This song is sooo catchy and really shows off those New Wave synths and the message of the song as well is pretty darn relevant to the subject at hand. 👍...I remember this song from back in the day and the MTV MV days...Memories! 😎😍😎...I want to jam out sooo much in an 80's nightclub to this song right now, but also the subject matter...the song hits home in a number of ways personally...But I miss going out dancing and we all know why, so! :-P
Jimmy was part of this group until 1985. This song is self-referential. Later he founded The Communards, and it also had his hits. Then he had a solo career and one of the songs that stands out is To love somebody.
Your sensibility to try to understand every video you react to is remarkable. You're such a polite and sensitive soul. Thanks for one more great reaction.
"I'm leaving tomorrow" - another song where a happy sound is wrapped around serious lyrics. BB / Communards / Jimmy, solo. So many great songs. I love him/them.
More 80s UK bands ... Style Council, ABC, Thompson Twins, Paul Young, Dexy Midnight Runners, Roxy Music, Pet Shop Boys, Bonnie Tyler, Fine Young Cannibals
I love how you get the message of the song. I never did when I first heard it and not for many years after that as far as I remember. Might be because English is not my native language, but I just love it when you completely understood it was about being gay, bullied and misunderstood and feeling there’s no other way out than to run away.
We're so cruel to eachother... to the point that we're killing eachother. Why? Do we ever learn, do we ever grasp the concept of empathy. It's so simple and basic... Cheers!
As 1968 born, "The age of consent" as a hetero is still one of my favorite albums. And as a kid from a small village in Germany. I didn`t recognized the meanings that time. It is still one of my top ten favorite albums.
I remember when this came out. His voice was so unique. Being young at the time I didn't really pick up on the gay subtext but I did pick up on the worries and emotions
I literally bumped into Jimmy, the lead singer in a gay bar ( the Village soho) in London years ago. He was so sweet, polite and humble. He had deep Scottish accent which contrasts with his high alto voice. Just lovely ❤️
UK songstress Corrine Bailey Rae....Put Your Records On ....or anything else by her. She is soooooo beautiful with a voice to match....please don't miss out on her
The casual violence from strangers in this video is bad enough but the rejection from his father of even a handshake gets me every time. It is a masterpiece in evoking a reaction of an experience I am thankful I have never had. It is beautiful and haunting.
And the fact that while there is a slightly empathetic copper taking him home in the video, lets not ignore many officers were openly racist and homophobic in 80s UK, and would take no action against your attackers if the could get away with it.
Wow. After all these years listening and watching this video made me cry. Thinking of my buddy Kelly. We met as runaways when we were teens. I was tough me. I could take the hits. But him he didn't do so well. Not sure where my strength came from, probably my mom. But Kelly, his family rejected him. He was so kind and open to every one. He spent his time making sure we were all happy and okay. But in the end his soul crushed and he got ill and passed away. This song made me think of how much pain he must have been in. I miss my buddy, my best friend. Thanks though for this post. I needed this. Its made me realize I have to honour Kelly in some way.
Nice reaction as always man... you're just so genuine, i like the fact that you enjoy every type of music. I know i already suggested, but i recommend a band called Muse. The best song to start with are Knights of Cydonia, Uprising, Reapers...keep up the great work, cheers from an italian sub ;)
You're right about the beat making you miss the lyrics. I feel that as a teenager I never really appreciated the lyrics, that's what I love about you I'm seeing music in another light.
In 1984 I was a DJ at a cool club and only 18 years young, our music was energizing and up beat, there was no judgment of any others everyone was allowed personal expression with hair and cloths and clubbing was king. 1980 - 1990 were cool to witness and lots of love and minimal garbage of hatred like today.
The British are always leading when it comes to club music they're unbeatable they're always on the sword's edge. Sounds like this is what mature 1960s looks like. 1980s were my heaviest influence I was born in the mid-70s
oh wow, didn't know you reacted to it. Such a milestone, such an important song and video for so many people. Timeless. You can hear his pain. The video got real! Much more real than videos nowadays. It's basicly telling so many peoples every day life story.
Jimmie has the most soulful incredible voice! I met him and he is down to earth, lovely man! This means so much to me because when I was 19 I was attacked and the fallout of that damaged me. He was supposed to be a friend and I blamed myself for years.I remember having this playing on my walkman , on a bus, in the dark of night travelling to the ferry , the chorus in my head, confused, crying inside! This helped so much. Big thank you to Jimmie and the boys for getting me through and to all souls who suffered at the hands of others! xx
He (Jimmy Sommersville) has a grear voice. He took great care of his voice. I heard him do a live performance and he still had a great voice. From Bronski Beat the track "Why" is a great one to recommend. From 'The Communards' the song 'for a friend' is also a nice one to recommend.
I'm in my later 50s. This song saved a lot of young lives. Watching your reactions after a 1st listen to this 80s freedom anthem has been an honour. Seriously. 1st time here. You're doing great things here. Building understanding, reducing hate. It's beautiful and important. Check out Morrissey's 'Boy with a thorn in his side'. The message speaks to all people who've felt different.
One of my all time favorite songs. I loved the dichotomy of an upbeat song having such heavy lyrics. I'm not gay, but I did understand that many people were. Now I was a teen until 87 and the 80's were truly my decade. I have four children. My youngest is the only girl. However it's my youngest boy that is gay. He officially came out his senior year of high school. When he told me, I knew. I said that by him coming out, nothing has changed. He's still my youngest boy. I love him the same as I did the day before. But I told him that the sad thing is that only gay people need to announce, you know, that their gay. I told him a straight person doesn't have the same burden. The gay community will never be on equal footing until they no longer have to come out. Not until all the straight people are the ones standing up to the wrongs bestowed on the gays. It's not the gay voice that needs to be heard. It's the straight voice calling out. The oppressor needs to stand up and say enough. The gays know that it's enough. It's been enough for centuries. It takes the majority to free the minority. Let that be now. Not soon. Now.
Your comments and reactions are truly appreciated by this fabulous fifty year old. Me! Jimmy is a stupendous vocalist and kind man. You sir, are all everything a decent man should be. Thank you 🙏 🏳️🌈 #La!
My brother was an estate agent in hampstead back in the day. Jimmy and boyfriend came to a viewing and asked for the keys so they could hang out for the afternoon.
Wow... listening to you stop and talk about your appreciation of the lyrics got me quite emotional. This was such an important song for so may of us to hear as teenagers when it came out. It was the very beginning of not having to accept a role of victimhood for being gay. Bronski Beat were one of the very first groups to be an openly gay, mainstream band and this was their first song and how they announced that to the world. Hearing this song at high school dances and having friends and bullies alike dance to it was life changing and signaled that my life as a young gay man would be different than that of the Bronski Beat guys before me. His voice is stunning. Here is an acoustic version he does years later which let's you hear the words and his voice better. His voice is a little gruffer but still s spine-chilling falsetto. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CNhLOfUPHa8.html Thank you for doing this one and introducing others to it.
I was a teen when this came out, one of my fave artists from back in the day. The lyrics to this song sadly summed up what a lot of young and older gay people faced on a daily basis. The stigma was unbelievable. If you want to watch a series on what it was like in the 1980s and early 90's watch It's A Sin. I am not sure if it's available in the states yet.
There is a great clip of a German busker on RU-vid singing small town boy.. And Jimmy Somerville is out walking his dog and just starts singing it with a completely freak the busker kid out.. It's pretty cool of him to be fair .. Well worth a couple of minutes to watch...
I'm a 50yr old white british guy and I grew up with these tunes. I used to love this tune and used to try to sing it. Seeing someone from a different background and generation like yourself react to these classics is immensly enjoyable especially since you come across as very empathetic and likeable. Keep up the good work.
Jayvee, cheers to you man, just for this. This was THE song for me as a young man in 1985, trying to figure out my life, in clubs at 16-17 that were 21+. I know you do a lot of "white" music", but the early 1980's in Chicago were complex and we all (black, white, Latino, basically everyone at clubs because everyone 16+ found a way in) listened to house music like Frankie Knuckles and Jamie Principle, and "hot mixes" on WBMX 102.3 from Chicago DJs. If you can find that music and put it here, we would be forever in your debt.
Personally I much prefer the album version which is very different and doesn't have Marc. Instead Jimmy is backed by a male voice choir. It's fantastic. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QGstAJ1hiz0.html
Probably one of the most pointless cover versions, ever, in my honest opinion. The original Donna Summer (Giorgio Moroder) version is probably one of the most influential pop records ever recorded.
@@MisAnnThorpe Donna Summers original is fantastic, but Bronski Beat's album version (NOT the Marc Almond one) is very different and brilliant in it's own way. Have you heard it ? If not here's a link if you're interested: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QGstAJ1hiz0.html
I cried the first time I heard Jimmy Somerville sing this song. I am not gay I’m just an ordinary old woman who loves this song and loved everything about Bronski Beat. I still have their first album. And I still have a phonograph, so I can play it.
