Gang of Youths cover The Middle East 'Blood' for Like A Version 

The smile on that female cellist's face is so life-giving.

EDIT: They fucking did it. The year is 2021, with this song fast approaching it’s fourth birthday, and we are still yet to see it on Spotify. PLEASE Triple J, I haven’t lost faith.

The fact that the last lyrics go "and the cancer spread into her body and her blood, and there's nothing you can do about it now" mixed with David's life story so far makes this even more powerful than the gorgeous track. And not only this, in Sydney he revealed his ex wife died 5 months ago from the cancer. This is more than simply a song, this is fucking real. Thankyou Gang of Youths for this gem

In my opinion this is still the greatest like a version (dare I say song) of all time

It finished 2 mins ago and I'm still sitting here in silence, crushed. Damn. What a cover. What a song. Hadn't heard either version until right now.

These guys are some of the most talented musicians I've ever listened to. His voice is incredible. I could honestly listen to him sing anything.

possibly one of the best like a versions i have heard.

I love how happy the blonde cello player is! Just stoked to be there and be part of something amazing

My grandmother is pretty close to dying of cancer, and my grandfather will never love another. They dated 5 weeks and have been married 50 years, 4 children and 12 grandchildren. This song hits home like a freight train. Rad cover, and thanks to Middle East for the untouchable original. Music like this amplifies the emotions of this surreal life.

Whenever someone asks me to give them a song to listen to they may have never heard that they will love - I send them to this video. West Coast USA

Kind of feel like I've been flayed alive. My grandfather passed away yesterday, and the lyrics have struck me to the bone. Thank you for such an honest performance.

I truly did not think I could love this song more. And then I heard this.

THE DAY HAS ARRIVED - IT'S ON SPOTIFY

Played this song to my 85 year old mother the other day, and she said it was so beautiful, so deep, she loved it too

My school band teacher introduced me to this cover, as well as many other songs from less popular musicians. Each day I am thankful to my father and that teacher for allowing me to have such a diverse taste in music. Thanks Mr. B

This guy could sing the phone book and make it sound amazing - what a great band. And violins elevate just about anything. Best cover ever.

Older brother, restless soul, lie down Lie for a while with your ear against the earth And you'll hear your sister sleep talking Say "Your hair is long but not long enough to reach Home to me But your beard Someday might be" And she'll wake up in a cold sweat on the floor Next to a family portrait drawn when you were four And beside a jar of two cent coins that are no good no more She'll lay it aside Older father, weary soul, you'll drive Back to the home you made on the mountainside With that ugly, terrible thing Those papers for divorce And a lonely ring A lonely ring Sit on your porch And pluck your strings And you'll find somebody you can blame And you'll follow the creek that runs out into the sea And you'll find the peace of the Lord. Grandfather, weary soul, you'll fly Over your life once more before you die Since our grandma passed away You've waited for forever and a day Just to die And someday soon You will die It was the only woman you ever loved That got burnt by the sun too often when she was young And the cancer spread and it ran into her body and her blood And there's nothing you can do about it now

3:55 look at the female cello player. This is what music does to us. Love and joy!

These lyrics speak to my heart & soul. They take me back to that hospital room where you had to leave mummy and daddy behind and go play with the angels. Miss you sweet girl.

Ben & Liam, you are both doing a great job. We appreciate it mateys!!! Much love to you both and FUCK the haters!!!

Greatt !!!!! I saw 2 days ago in Lisbon playing this song with Mumford and sons .... no words !!!!

ITS HAPPENING ITS FINALLY ON SPOTIFY ❤️

I cried. I'm not even ashamed. By far one of the most beautiful Like A Versions I've ever heard

Absolutely crippling cover. The original is so beautifully written and this does it such great justice. Kudos - goosebumps felt across Australia this morning.

The diversity and sensitivity in all their songs is just amazing, so passionate, full of life, full of angst, just is alluring to listen to, and musically so provocative, cannot pick a song that I love more than the others, this Band totally rocks!!

It's finally in Spotify!!! About fckn time!!!

I'm in tears, this song got me through so much when I was younger. Thanks Gang Of Youths for doing it justice and taking it ever further!!!! Absolutely stunning.

Everyone wanting this song on Spotify, the day has finally arrived. September 9th the year of our lord 2022.

One of the BEST like-a-versions ever, I'd say.

Gang of Youths are a true gift to music. Breathtaking performance.

Me again. Just reminding myself that this is truly one of the most beautiful songs ever written and performed. Thank you for making my life feel exceptional once again as I listened to your masterpiece.

Can't stop listening to this cover. Better than the original, and did not think that was possible.

I return to this song often. It is exquisite. An all time top 100 as far as I'm concerned.

There have been a lot of amazing covers through Like A Version, covers that alter what you think of when you remember a song, and I think this is right up there. Just the energy & enjoyment of everyone playing gives off a positivity that hits you every time you watch this.

am i the only one that listens to this over and over again

This is still the best like a version of all time

The best Like A Version of 2017, if not all time. Gave me goosebumps all over.

Someone always says it about every Like A Version but this is hands down, no contest, the best one ever

This band is blowing everyone else away at the moment! Who would have thought The Middle East would suit them so perfectly. Brilliant version!!

This will forever be my favourite Like a Version - absolute magic. Can't wait to see them live, in November!

I am sitting here stunned after listening to this for the 10th time....an incredible cover by an incredible band, not since Ben Harper did under pressure has a like a version affected me as much... there is something special here... thankyou for giving this to the world

Unbelievable song, just so great and perfectly delivered by one of my favourite bands Gang of Youths. Shout out to the classical string section who perfectly deliver the vocal choruses from the original and they seem to love this song just as much as I do.

I'm an absolute mess right now :') That song means the world to me and I think this is the greatest cover/version I have ever heard of it!

Hearing David sing these lyrics is absolutely emotionally shattering!!! Incredibly powerful performance... and one of the greatest like a versions of all time... if not the greatest.

Joji is such an amazing guitarist, honestly after re-listening to over and over again, I realised how much of the tone he sets just through his playing alone. Love the way he has those high tones throughout almost like a bango twang but somehow on an electric guitar!

This is my favorite type of cover. Respectful to the original while putting your own essence into it.

Such a good song !!! Proposed to fiancé the day this was played. Holds a special place

How do they do it every single time? All my friends by LCD a couple of years ago, and now this? They truly are incredible musicians and people. PLUS THEY ARE RAD LIVE! The total package.

Quality interview too boys. Gang of youths breath hope and life into the world, I can't get enough.

It was a long 5 years, but thank you for finally putting the original cover on Spotify ❤️❤️

Their new album, tour and now this. It is all so beautiful and has so much meaning and I think it is brave of him to put so much emotion into the music. He puts so much love into the way he sings and I think there are so many people out there that forget about this beautiful side of music. PS: those fucking high notes at the end killed me

Easily one of the best voices ever out of Australia

cried when i heard it on the radio, cried even more when i watched the video. God damn Gand of Youths, you've made my day, week, month

one of the BEST like a versions EVER !!! The whole thing is like one massive crescendo and its to perfect oml I'm still tingling from listening to that!!

All these instruments and his voice in harmonious spirit are just angelic

Jesus, this man is attractive.

Easily my favourite like a version to date. I can't get over how beautiful this is...

Get around em for #1 in the hot 100. These rock legends deserve their name in lights now!!!

I am rarely floored or impressed. Too many drugs as a kid , but this made me cry for real. This is why I listen to so much classical. The emotion evoked here is one I rarely feel. Thank you gals and gents. This was special and you made my year!

Everyone, it's now on Spotify!!!

Am totally addicted to this Band, this song!! What awesome musicians, the lyrics, the presentation, the interpretation of the lyrics, WOWWWW!

This song and cover are perfection…tears, every time ✨😪💛✨

Hands down the best Like A Version ever. Just pure perfection.

The ending of this song, is so emotive, the quiet but soulful wish, an elegiac remembrance, so many emotions resonate in this song, it is certainly an amazing piece of music, I LOVE IT!!

THIS IS NOW ON SPOTIFY. I REPEAT THIS IS NOW ON SPOTIFY

There have been a lot of truly amazing Like a Versions, they have been going on for so long, have covered so many different genres. I don't think it is possible to declare one that is the definitive 'best' however if someone did, it would be pretty damn hard to go past this one.

Touches the heart strings

I’ll always be so grateful that someone took the time to introduce me to this beautiful song. Everything about this is breathtaking.

David Andrew on piano. Those of you who saw the Hordern gig will recognise him. He's the guy "Persevere" was written about.

Oh wow.. I think the ending is the most heartbreaking thing ever, I just love it so much with the violin and the humming. Sadly, in the live versions at concerts they nearly always leave that part out

i sometimes feel like bands are cheating when they do like a version with a full band...then this shit gets dropped and my jaw is on floor good job making it your own

Officially my favourite like a version, Gang of Youths never cease to amaze me.

Still one of my all time favourites

I keep coming back every week to hear this again

The girl on the cello can't stop smiling when the song really kicks in...same for me. Amazing version, incredible band.

I've listened to this tune once a week since it's came out, it is still the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.

This is a really, really special performance. Thank you for putting this together and to the beautiful band.

So so great, love this song and Gang of Youths. I love this... BUT! Can we have "All my friends" back please? THAT one is the greatest like a version of all time!!!!!!!

I can't stop watching this. It was seriously the best like a version ever. Dave's voice is like no other. These guys are true artists.

My number one vote in 2017 hottest 100, every time I listen to it I get goosebumps and tears. Just keeps getting better and better each time - cannot thank gang of youths enough for the incredibly positive impact they’ve had on my life.

I adore this song and I am in love with this version of it. Incredibly powerful. Well done.

This makes me want to move to Australia even more, one of my favorites and this cover is better! Like A Version is the best!!!!

Wow. Goosebumps. The looks on the cellists' faces say it all really!

when two of my favourite bands combine and i feel like crying

Fucking hell they really need to release this as a proper track on spotify

Heard this version at the Mumford and Sons concert, played together by the two bands. It was absolutely the most beautiful music I heard that night. The original version is a great piece for work but this version makes it unforgettable because you get addicted to it!

Hands down the best like a version ive listened to!! What an emotional ride too!! Gang of youths you fucking rock!

One of my fave songs, awesome interpretation. Love it.

I FOUND IT ON SPOTIFY TODAY!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Pure music, real instruments, raw emotion ♥️

Don't believe that there could possibly be 612 people who dislike this. Simply not possible.

Every aspect of this is amazing, the vocals, instrumentation, everything So good!

Utterly incredible my skins tingling my hairs standing on end and my hearts on fire

This is an absolute masterpiece. My god.

Billions brought me here to this amazing band.

One of the most beautiful songs, and they have done it so well

The best Like a Version of the year, thank you Gang of Youths

Oh great it's finally on Spotif- [song not available in my country]

I missed it Live this morning. So worth waiting for the video, I could listen to that voice all day. Well done guys, love your stuff.

The chick playing whatever stringed instrument is just so beautiful and in to it