I’m stunned that you’ve reacted to this - it’s so outside the mainstream and almost completely forgotten, but it captures the feeling of tortured longing perfectly. I think it’s a great song.
From the film 'Breaking Glass' - well worth a look - as the track 'Breaking Glass' is well worth a listen. Hazel O'Connor is a massive talent who has led an interesting life to say the least, still writing, recording & touring all these years later. She is at the moment recovering from a brain bleed but says though progress is slow she is going back on the road. Other stand out tracks of hers include 'Writing on the Wall' 'D-Days' & 'Give Me an Inch'
The Sax solo is probably one of the best ever recorded in my opinion, the film is set some 40+years in England at at rebellious time. The music for outways the film, ps the Sax player is Wes Magoogan.
In the film Breaking Glass, Hazel plays Kate, an aspiring singer-songwriter with anti-establishment views. Phil Daniels is Danny, a would-be promoter who puts together a new band for her (called Breaking Glass). They eventually get signed by a record company who then force Danny out. They see Kate as more marketable than the rest of the band which causes problems and ultimately leads to her having a breakdown. This is all set against the backdrop of late 70's Britain; one key scene features the band encountering trouble at a Rock Against Racism concert.
It was made in 1980, but yes basis in the late 70s. Dodi Al-fayed son of Harrods old Owner Mohamed and who died with princess Diana financed the film. Hazel O'Connor wrote all the songs and most of the dialogue. It's really sad that the film ended up being the blue print for her career
This song was released in 1981, when I was still learning about love and relationships. (I met my wife the following year.) I always say, if this song doesn't touch something in your heart, you've never really lived.
I loved Hazel O'Conner and saw her once in concert after the release of her 2nd album. The film is call Breaking Glass and she wrote all the songs for it. Its about a young rock/punk singer who wants to record her music. The man in the video discovers her and mentors her. But when she become more successful he get's pushed out by the record company as they want her to produce more commercial stuff, which is not who she is and he knows it. She has a breakdown with all the pressure. Its a great film. There is one scene where she confronts a group of Nazi style rasists and sings a song called 'Blackman' which at first sounds racist in itself until you listen to the lyrics.
that was one of the greatest songs ever,so much talent came from punk in the UK,this was one of my favourites even though I wasn't a fan of her,she definitely was a dramatic artist which is real....
Wow! Stunned to see this in a reaction video! This is from a very obscure early 80's British Film w/Hazel O'Connor. It ran on HBO in the early 80's. Great memories! Thanks for doing this.
Watch it again with no video. Listen to what she's saying. Is he going to stay the night or politely say goodbye. She moves a little closer not really knowing quite what to do. She's all fingers and thumbs. (UK expression for fumbling about) she wants him to bear his soul, gather her to him and make her whole. .... This is an epic and overlooked love song or losing her virginity song. If he doesn't politely say goodbye. And that Sax is awesome.
Saw her live unbelievable..the sax went on for 20 minutes.. shivers down your spine ..such an underated singer..she wrote most of her songs...the movie breaking glass was supurb ...her album ..cover plus was amazing ..
Love watching peoples reactions to this song absolute classic watched it as an eleven year old never tired of hearing , watch the film though it’s on YT
One of my favourite songs of all time. A very haunting sax solo. Great film too! That 'robot' was her and you see it in "Eighth Day" [another great song of theirs/her's]. I'm an original 'punk rocker' [I'm 62] and later New Wave/Goth. So many great songs/groups from that period!
Breaking Glass was an enjoyable movie with a dynamite soundtrack. I hope you get to sample some other tracks as well. The saxophone is played by Wesley Magoogan. It is one of the best saxophone solos I have ever heard.
From the movie Breaking Glass, the robot suit is from the song 8th day, which is about machines taking over. On a side note, this is the song that made me take up the saxaphone, (with a little push from Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street).
One of the most beautiful songs ever written and The sax played by Wes Magoogan is top notch. I don't thing they really got what the song was about or appreciated the music. Can't please everyone.
Punk makeup on Hazel. Powerful tune and the movie "Breaking Glass", is worth watching. A different kind of love song that has stuck around! Cool reaction!
I strongly urge you to have a listen to the entire album "Breaking Glass". This was one of the slower songs from it but the album is awesome. Thank you for reacting to it.
Oh my goodness ,this proves you two human beings are the best ,to play tracks like this simply blows my mind , good lord ,love and respect guys 👍🏾👍🏾🔥💎💙💙🇬🇧
Guys that was a disappointing reaction for me. You focused solely on the video and totally missed what is one of the great saxophone solos in pop music of all time. Just gorgeous.
I was a teenager when this came out and blew my mind. Punk undertones with jazz class just class. The film has a sub plot of a love story that pulls you in but the real story is about corrupt businesses manipulating music and life to control the people and she fights against the control.
A snapshot of 1979/1980 England.. The early days of New Wave music.. You're unlikely to get it like we did (it's not your fault lol).. There's another really good song from this film you ought to listen to and you'll maybe get the idea of the film... Think you were too distracted to appreciate the music unfortunately.
The films called Breaking Glass and was massive in the UK it came out in 1980 and it's a story about getting a band together and the rubbish that happens to the artist once they sign a record deal.
I see that this is a year old but, the movie is an 80s London punk movie. Sort of, but not really, a punk version of The Rose. It's an amazing movie if you can find it, but the ending has been Americanized. I've never seen the original version and it costs about $100. to get a copy of it.
You need to watch the movie called Braking Glass, she wrote the script and the songs for it. It's about how the music industry s**t on people. Which acted out for Hazel in real life after making the movie, it's based in UK during the late 70s and the skinhead era. From Steven in Uk
Its a Love song Guys in the Punk era you either fet it or you dont its aboute the movement the connection the experience the generation the passion of life not just love and breaking glass is the movie and also need to listen to more of hazel and her band he seemd to enjoy more than her but no it's also aboute the night and falling in love it's a British thing also not to say American s cannot enjoy i love everything shes ever made underated artist but if you prahaps watch the movie in your own time enjoy im curious to know if you will seek and watch the movie also now iv been asking for reaction to her work for ages
So the story tells the story of an up and coming band and the singers relationship with their manager. As they find fame, she struggles with how its changing her life. Finally as the band play at an anti racist rally, someone is stabbed right in front of her and it sends her over the edge. It perfectly captures the music and political situation in the UK at the end of the 70s and early 80s. The political nature of the music scene, the fight against racism and the controlling nature of the music industry. Its very British, but you should watch it. It would combine movies and music.
The song is out of sync with her standing at the time as a poster girl for the Punk Rock movement. Clips from her break out film while doubtless providing ready footage when the song was released have nothing to do with the song itself and obviously just confuse matters. I have always interpreted the song as the period of tension at the end of a date evening when the singer is wondering whether her date will stay the night or "just politely say goodnight".
I've always liked this song but this is the first time i've seen the video and to be honest i'm kind of shocked by Hazel looking like the Joker. A bit too distracting for me. :o
Love watching peoples reactions to this song absolute classic watched it as an eleven year old never tired of hearing , watch the film though it’s on YT
Love watching peoples reactions to this song absolute classic watched it as an eleven year old never tired of hearing , watch the film though it’s on YT