A lot of years ago (80) I saw him open for Elvis Costello at Cornell College. He had a big Dreadnaught and had everybody dancing in the isles with no backing band. I bought a guitar the next day.
I was working security at a venue last summer and he is still touring with Elvis. Elvis came in a private limo and came and went without a word to anyone as far as I could tell - I was alone on that gate that day and even his manager told me, when you hear the music stop, he's on his way out - get that gate ready. Nick Lowe appeared fairly disheveled looking on the promenade and told me as he passed, "I'm with the band" and after the show proceeded to be the funnest guy buying drinks and stuff for a small group gathered around him on a lovely summer night on the bay. When anyone asks, I say Nick Lowe is the coolest. A dude!
This is just so unbelievably cool. A fabulous song and a great performance by a guy who has aged like a good wine. His voice is like silky velvet and he looks amazing.
This such a wonderful, timeless song! I keep watching the video for this song when he marries his beautiful ex-wife Carlene Carter, sad it only lasted 11 years...
Funnily enough, Nick Lowe himself probably would have killed in order to get out of recording this song. He'd written it back when he was with Brinsley Schwartz and always thought it a bit "wet", so was very apologetic when he had to tell the band that the record company were rather insistent that they wanted this track ("I've a better song about a woman eaten by her dog" he told them!). As it happens, when the boys actually started working on the song to get it into a shape they wouldn't be totally embarrassed about, they found themselves become much more attached to it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The man has gotten older ... just like the rest of us since it first came out. But the style and class with which he sings it is unmistakable, and brilliant! Thanks for posting this!
I saw him do an accoustic gig in london years ago at the Mean Fiddler and it was as good as this - he filled the room with swirling sound all by himself ...
I came expecting to be disappointed but found Nick's acoustic version here very satisfying. A great voice at his age which by the way is only a few years older than myself. Thanks Nick .... Rock The Fuck On Brother!
Saw him live solo at Lincoln Center Out of Doors Fest in NYC yesterday. Like watching a great SAGE. Brilliant- that one man can hold thousands in the palm of his hands with his words.
Oh yeah , this is probably the best I`ve ever heard this song . Don`t get me wrong the version we all know and love is brilliant of course , but , listening to the writer sing it as he has it in his head , thats something else completely . Thanks Nick !
I have always loved Nick`s music and now that we are all getting older isn`t it just great to see Nick Lowe playing "Cruel to be Kind" some 39 years later. Oh my goodness when I wrote that I nearly passed out. I was a kid then and not into punk but Nick was a beacon of light. FIRST CLASS.
Wow, really great version, a favorite for sure. . Nick has only aged like a fine wine. Thanks for keeping it interesting and please keep it coming, the voice is so natural
I just picked this old favourite out from memory on my acoustic guitar, and realised I must check out Nick's acoustic version for comparison. Well, some are pros, others are not...
At first I thought, "Geez, Nick, you look so OLD!" Then I remembered it was (OMG) 35 years ago when I was a kid and so was he! Sorry, Nick. Nice job. Love the song as always! XOXO Suzette
Donna Manning OMG, Donna, really? I think it was 35 since I was 21 and I'm 56 now. I used to hear this on my way to work usually right before or after "Precious" by The Pretenders. How's everything? I have to check my email. Sent you a humongous one. TTYS Sue
I saw him a few years ago playing a short set at the Riot Fest, backed by Los Straitjackets. Hit after hit. Sounded so good! Do yourself a favor and see him if he ever comes around.
This lyric is a paradox we must all understand at one time or other in our lives . It makes you prudential ( the right time) and proportionate ( the right measure ) otherwise people take advantage or don't hold up their end.
I Really like this version, lets face it, its just a cool song. It fits you, and its just nice of you to put it on, for all to enjoy. Saved as favorite, definite. I can listen to it many times, without tiring BIG THANKS BRO MAN!! Joe
Nick i have to be cruel to be kind here... only joking. Great version. I haven't heard this so for so long but i still new every word of it. That's a sign of a great song.
How fun!. As a kid, I would play this 45 on our Zenith stereo... which I still have and was just playing some scratchy Supertramp on. Being super shy, I was able to dance around and sing because nobody was around. Good memories.
