I don't know if it means anything, but this song was played in Chicago as the final encore after a year of suffering through a horrible breakup after being with a girl for nearly 5 years. I awkwardly asked on Myspace for them to play it at the concert I was attending, and when it was the last BNL song I heard live as i stood fifth row from Ed Robertson I felt as if a part of my entire existence had been validated. This song has touched my life.
Going through a divorce. After 5 years of beautiful happiness.. My own PTSD from the Army and issues with childhood brought us to an end. Your story is very relatable brother. I hope after these years you were able to find a centered peace.
@@kusuma.kusuma I'm sure nowadays they are required to do a safety check of the lift (inspect the cables, raise it fully up and down, check the floor, check the controls, etc), wear a harness with a full safety check of that (inspect the harness, inspect the connections, look for threads that are torn or connections that are bent, etc) before they step foot onto the platform because that's a basic OHSA requirement nowadays. Granted, 20 years ago that probably did not exist, but I was eight 20 years ago. So I definitely wasn't working, unless you count mowing the lawn for a couple bucks a week work.
This is the best BNL song because it is able to create a unique and humorous situation (a window washer singing) but at the same time, it deals with serious subject matter. Plus, there are a lot of creative lyrics ("my secular rosary", "painting's creating and I'm just erasing"). Plus the little physics reference. Just so good.
I still can’t keep up with your fingers, but I’m trying. My wife and I have separated, and BNL is a group my time with her haven’t spoiled. I’m back to wrap up in these tunes to breathe again! Thanks for this song.
is it odd to say this song calms me when I'm having an anxiety attack? don't know why, something with the guitar and Eds voice can clear my mind and helps me relax.
LadyNekoshema I know exactly what you're talking about, I think it's something to do with how complex the guitar part is plus the somber nature of the rest of the song.
I've seen you guys in conscert about 10 times or so... and this song gets me every time. Your beautiful Ed. "Their frightened of jumping, in case they survive...." Just perfect.
When ever I hear this song, I listen to it twice. First I listen to the lyrics, then guitar -- Both incredibly important parts to this song. Makes me think about the the feel of the wind. How it gently flows around everything. Makes you want to just flow on through, just like it. A wonderful pick-me-up for those blue days every now and then.
Always absolutely LOVED this song... Ed's finger picking and crystal clear voice, laying out ironically charged lyrics. NO OTHER BAND does masterpieces like this ... And yes, one of those songs that help clear your mind and make you feel oddly good, despite the rather dark subject matter. (LOL)
This is the song that I have had going though my head for 8 years. I love this song so much, and I don't think that I would be the person that I am today without this song. Thank you.
even after 9 years still relevant, a timeless classic by the masters of wordplay, the tongue in cheek tongue twisters. Wish they stayed forever young and never grew up, this is me in grade 9
It still brings tears to my eyes to listen to this song. So beautifully written and emotionally conveyed in composition. Thanks for creating this amazing classic!
I think this is my favourite BNL song. I decided when I started playing guitar that this was my ultimate goal, and that if I was able to play this song reasonably well, I would call my playing a success. Well, I can play it now (mostly), but have since set my sights higher... Like "Crazy".
Probably one of my favorite songs of all time. The elaborate descriptions and the in-your-shoes feelings. The song tune itself is amazing and perfect. I can only compare this to another timeless song, little wing by SRV. Full of emotion.
24 years already since this song came out. Growing up in BC I was lucky to see these guys live quite a few times in BC and Alberta starting in the early 90s. Will never forget those days skiing and road tripping with BNL, barney bentall, Tom cochrane, Northern pikes, great big sea, blue rodeo, ahh the memories!
Thank you for perfectly describing this song. Ed always had a knack, as well as Steve for writing lyrics. Ed always has heartfelt songs usually about feelings. They deserve more respect.
1.5 seconds in. Thank you to a fellow musician. Learned more about music in a moment than anyone taught me in five years of schooling. Big 👍 Edit: Capo was a huuuge help. Been doing it the hard way all these years. My fingers thank you as well. P.S. On a moving moment. I cried. Good work Sir. Re re edit: After the second watch... anyone else notice that the man uses his index finger to do barr chords even though the Capo is firmly in place? Thank you for being a creature of habit. Warms the heart.
My favorite of yours. The poetry touches on so many issues we all struggle with. And like LadyKekoshema says it's calming for some reason unknown to me....
As soon as I discovered "the bathroom sessions" I immediately started searching for this song. When I Fall is my absolute favorite BNL song (and has been for almost 10 years!). This version is so intimate and touching. Thank you Ed for sharing such beauty with me.
So glad these sessions exist. Ed you are a star. It's so cool when a mastermind like yourself makes yourself so accessible and personal to your fans. Long may you pat yourself on the back for your contribution to the human soul. Bnl forever. Much peace and all the best for 2011.
This is absolutely amazing. You're my favorite band by far and I've been trying in vain to see a show for almost two years but for whatever reason I've been unable to go. Finally today, I got my tickets for the Chicago show and I'm so excited to see you guys for real! Thanks for everything, your music is just incredible and unlike anything I've ever heard before.
tI've been going through a lot of shit lately. I dont really know why but this song makes me feel better. I've been listening to it almost non stop for the last coule days lol
A very beautiful song indeed. I have really been enjoying the "Barenaked Ladies and the Persuasions" album. I came here hoping to see how this song was played on the guitar : ) What a gem this is - thank you so much Ed Robertson and BNL : )
I seriously am strting to think this band was for me :) cuz all of their songs make me thinkl of my life and how i feel like 90% of the time. GodBless u guys :)
on the face of it, it's about a window washer doing his job hanging from a scaffold high up on the outside of a building... but the words are much deeper and involve him analyzing his life... definitely my favorite song by them...
Brilliant. The chords are really neat. I just realized that this song reminds me a bit of Toad the Wet Sprocket's style (e.g., Something's Always Wrong), which is never, ever a bad thing.
One of the greatest BNL tunes I have always wondered... does he jump in the end? All through the song, he says "If I fall..." Yet at the end, he asks "Would you catch me if I fall? When I fall...?"
This was an inspiration for me to record myself playing. I've tried and failed so many times on this particular song. Wish I could nail it and sing like Ed.
Such a powerful verse, I can really relate. With trials and adversitys in our life, we overcome them and grow stronger. A crystal canvas is my masterpiece..
Whoever thought that a song about a window washer could be so passionate and emotional?! This used to be my favorite song of BNL, but now that Steve left the band I've become nostalgic and claim every song as my favorite.
I can't love this enough.. please sing in my bathroom. I imagine you would love to play with acoustics.. I'd just love it. If you're ever in Lincoln Nebraska 🤷♀️ my kids would be dig it
If I could just learn this one song on my guitar I would be the most interesting man in the world.!! I would take my guitar everywhere I went and start playing and singing.
Sackomano Harris One of my favorite songs to jam on my acoustic. It's really not that hard if you're good at chord transitions, hammer ons and picking.
Sorry to nitpick, but the title is misspelled. Love this song, both the album version from Born on a Pirate Ship and the live performance from Rock Spectacle.
I remember once, I had been working in an old NY office building for about a week when one day, a man I'd never seen before walked in, with some stuff in a bucket, opened the window and stepped out. I had never been more afraid in my life! It was the window washer. He attached some ropes to the sides of the window and hung there washing the windows, risking his life, so we didn't have to look out dirty windows. At least he has a song to pay tribute to him!
Steven McGhee K, but the point is taken. Plus the drag would vary as he flipped over and friction from his suit slowed him, but it may be 6.8 on average, but you do get the point, haha.
Steven McGhee It's worth noting, I think, that the line is "*it's* 9.8 straight down". It's not saying it's 9.8 m/s^2 that the window washer is accelerating at, it's saying the pull of gravity on him (a more accurate, if not somewhat simplistic term for the figure) is 9.8 m/s^2. After all, the window washer doesn't actually apparently fall in the song, just that they eventually will. Just a different perspective to consider. :)
@pysgodfach usually i hate it when people target the dislikers to make some kind of joke. but this one is right on. this is literally my favorite song.
such a beautiful song.. definitely one that represents some rough points in my own life.. but its a song that i feel kind of a has a GOOD point at the end.. or at least a conclusion to what the window-washer is thinking
![Barenaked Ladies- Some Fantastic [Bathroom Sessions]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/f_fJUg0eiZ8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Barenaked Ladies- Some Fantastic [Bathroom Sessions]](/img/tr.png)
I don't know if it means anything, but this song was played in Chicago as the final encore after a year of suffering through a horrible breakup after being with a girl for nearly 5 years. I awkwardly asked on Myspace for them to play it at the concert I was attending, and when it was the last BNL song I heard live as i stood fifth row from Ed Robertson I felt as if a part of my entire existence had been validated. This song has touched my life.
15 years later. I hope you’re doing well. Please let me know
Going through a divorce. After 5 years of beautiful happiness.. My own PTSD from the Army and issues with childhood brought us to an end. Your story is very relatable brother. I hope after these years you were able to find a centered peace.
I hope you are doing well 15 years later. My family to yours and we love you
still my favorite song in the world 20+ years later.
Hey man I cleaned windows for about 20 years. This song is special. Thanks.
Eli Erickson how accurate is the song lol... btw much respect to you sir. Could never do what you did.
@@kusuma.kusuma I'm sure nowadays they are required to do a safety check of the lift (inspect the cables, raise it fully up and down, check the floor, check the controls, etc), wear a harness with a full safety check of that (inspect the harness, inspect the connections, look for threads that are torn or connections that are bent, etc) before they step foot onto the platform because that's a basic OHSA requirement nowadays. Granted, 20 years ago that probably did not exist, but I was eight 20 years ago. So I definitely wasn't working, unless you count mowing the lawn for a couple bucks a week work.
Shit you guys don't understand, huh? It's not literal at all
This is the best BNL song because it is able to create a unique and humorous situation (a window washer singing) but at the same time, it deals with serious subject matter. Plus, there are a lot of creative lyrics ("my secular rosary", "painting's creating and I'm just erasing"). Plus the little physics reference. Just so good.
I still can’t keep up with your fingers, but I’m trying. My wife and I have separated, and BNL is a group my time with her haven’t spoiled. I’m back to wrap up in these tunes to breathe again! Thanks for this song.
These lyrics are some of the most beautiful I've ever heard.
is it odd to say this song calms me when I'm having an anxiety attack? don't know why, something with the guitar and Eds voice can clear my mind and helps me relax.
LadyNekoshema
I know exactly what you're talking about, I think it's something to do with how complex the guitar part is plus the somber nature of the rest of the song.
LadyNekoshema awesome
it's beautiful. makes me feel the same.
13 years later, this song and this performance still gets me. Bravo, Ed.
I've seen you guys in conscert about 10 times or so... and this song gets me every time. Your beautiful Ed.
"Their frightened of jumping, in case they survive...."
Just perfect.
When ever I hear this song, I listen to it twice. First I listen to the lyrics, then guitar -- Both incredibly important parts to this song. Makes me think about the the feel of the wind. How it gently flows around everything. Makes you want to just flow on through, just like it.
A wonderful pick-me-up for those blue days every now and then.
The chord progression at the start of the verse just pulls at something in my chest. I love this song.
This really makes you appreciate what a great lyricist, a great singer and a superb guitarist Ed really is!!!!
Always absolutely LOVED this song... Ed's finger picking and crystal clear voice, laying out ironically charged lyrics. NO OTHER BAND does masterpieces like this ... And yes, one of those songs that help clear your mind and make you feel oddly good, despite the rather dark subject matter. (LOL)
I get that 100% A rare band in their prime for sure.
This is the song that I have had going though my head for 8 years. I love this song so much, and I don't think that I would be the person that I am today without this song. Thank you.
I still look straight in the mirror, but its not a bit clearer. 15 years later and this shit still speaks to me. Thanks Ed.
Artists like this dont exist anymore. Great song and a great song writer.
They do, just hard to find
He's not dead. :P
Such a beautiful song... I loved it the moment I heard it all those years ago, and still love it. Thank-you Ed. ❤
even after 9 years still relevant, a timeless classic by the masters of wordplay, the tongue in cheek tongue twisters. Wish they stayed forever young and never grew up, this is me in grade 9
Ed, this is the greatest song you've ever written and by far my favorite. Never gets old.
Ed's voice and compassion is just amazing in all of his music.
It still brings tears to my eyes to listen to this song. So beautifully written and emotionally conveyed in composition. Thanks for creating this amazing classic!
One of my absolute favorite Bnl tracks, 2nd only to Brian Wilson.
Both Steven and Ed are genius songwriters!
I think this is my favourite BNL song. I decided when I started playing guitar that this was my ultimate goal, and that if I was able to play this song reasonably well, I would call my playing a success. Well, I can play it now (mostly), but have since set my sights higher... Like "Crazy".
I was thinking this will be my end goal song for now too. Did you take lessons or start online?
Guys I did it
Probably one of my favorite songs of all time. The elaborate descriptions and the in-your-shoes feelings. The song tune itself is amazing and perfect. I can only compare this to another timeless song, little wing by SRV. Full of emotion.
This is still one of the most breathtakingly good songs on TH-cam
Crystal clear canvas is my masterpiece... What great writing. We are hardly worthy.
24 years already since this song came out. Growing up in BC I was lucky to see these guys live quite a few times in BC and Alberta starting in the early 90s. Will never forget those days skiing and road tripping with BNL, barney bentall, Tom cochrane, Northern pikes, great big sea, blue rodeo, ahh the memories!
@HalfwayxThere Not only that, but there's an extra "s" in "sessions." I love it!
Wouldn't believe how desperate I was for you to play this song as part of the Bathroom Sessions. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for perfectly describing this song. Ed always had a knack, as well as Steve for writing lyrics. Ed always has heartfelt songs usually about feelings. They deserve more respect.
1.5 seconds in. Thank you to a fellow musician. Learned more about music in a moment than anyone taught me in five years of schooling. Big 👍
Edit: Capo was a huuuge help. Been doing it the hard way all these years. My fingers thank you as well.
P.S. On a moving moment. I cried. Good work Sir.
Re re edit: After the second watch... anyone else notice that the man uses his index finger to do barr chords even though the Capo is firmly in place?
Thank you for being a creature of habit. Warms the heart.
This song saved my life.
@Belindashort I cry every time I listen to this too...
My favorite of yours. The poetry touches on so many issues we all struggle with. And like LadyKekoshema says it's calming for some reason unknown to me....
As soon as I discovered "the bathroom sessions" I immediately started searching for this song. When I Fall is my absolute favorite BNL song (and has been for almost 10 years!). This version is so intimate and touching. Thank you Ed for sharing such beauty with me.
Thanks for posting this, always one of my favorite songs! I really love the rock spectacle cd!
So glad these sessions exist. Ed you are a star. It's so cool when a mastermind like yourself makes yourself so accessible and personal to your fans. Long may you pat yourself on the back for your contribution to the human soul. Bnl forever. Much peace and all the best for 2011.
This is absolutely amazing. You're my favorite band by far and I've been trying in vain to see a show for almost two years but for whatever reason I've been unable to go. Finally today, I got my tickets for the Chicago show and I'm so excited to see you guys for real! Thanks for everything, your music is just incredible and unlike anything I've ever heard before.
tI've been going through a lot of shit lately. I dont really know why but this song makes me feel better. I've been listening to it almost non stop for the last coule days lol
This should have far more than 33,XXX hits!! This is one of my favorite songs... Thank you for sharing!
still my fave bnl song. after all these years it still hits me... keep it up!
I agree! I wish they would release a bathroom sessions album! I just love them !!! I saw them in concert a few weeks ago....just amazing!
this is my by far favorite barenaked ladies song...and i love the fact that it was recorded in a bathroom.......love you guys.keep it up
You guys make a big difference in my life. Don't stop! :D
What beautiful music and amazing lyrics. Thank you for this.
Love his voice so much, this song calms me so much, especially this acoustic version
A very beautiful song indeed. I have really been enjoying the "Barenaked Ladies and the Persuasions" album. I came here hoping to see how this song was played on the guitar : ) What a gem this is - thank you so much Ed Robertson and BNL : )
This is my absolutely favorite BNL song.
brilliant... in my playlist many years ago, and still worthy to remain. Thanks Ed / BNL!!!
So nice to show guitar players the chords. I am not a guitar player. I appreciate musicians.
there needs to be some HQ versions of these!
This is Robertsons best work
one of my favorite songs by them and I am loving the bathroom session version!
I seriously am strting to think this band was for me :) cuz all of their songs make me thinkl of my life and how i feel like 90% of the time. GodBless u guys :)
on the face of it, it's about a window washer doing his job hanging from a scaffold high up on the outside of a building... but the words are much deeper and involve him analyzing his life... definitely my favorite song by them...
Brilliant. The chords are really neat. I just realized that this song reminds me a bit of Toad the Wet Sprocket's style (e.g., Something's Always Wrong), which is never, ever a bad thing.
One of the greatest BNL tunes
I have always wondered... does he jump in the end? All through the song, he says "If I fall..." Yet at the end, he asks "Would you catch me if I fall? When I fall...?"
Inspired, superb composition. Magnificent.
This was an inspiration for me to record myself playing. I've tried and failed so many times on this particular song. Wish I could nail it and sing like Ed.
Love this song and this video will help me play it which is what I've wanted to do for a year now. You rock Ed and thanks.
Beautiful.
Id say its almost better then the original! you should release an acoustic cd of the bathroom sessions!
This song is amazing, and one of my all time favorites. Thank you for putting it up Ed.
This has just made my year. Best. BNL Song. Ever.
Such a powerful verse, I can really relate. With trials and adversitys in our life, we overcome them and grow stronger. A crystal canvas is my masterpiece..
wow i just woke up and watch some clips.... this is a nice one to wake up with!
Whoever thought that a song about a window washer could be so passionate and emotional?!
This used to be my favorite song of BNL, but now that Steve left the band I've become nostalgic and claim every song as my favorite.
Absolutely. One of my favourites.
Ed this really is one of your best songs. I love the guitar work! I wish the best for ALL of you guys! Keep rockin'!
I can't love this enough.. please sing in my bathroom. I imagine you would love to play with acoustics.. I'd just love it. If you're ever in Lincoln Nebraska 🤷♀️ my kids would be dig it
"Barenakes" Ladies, lol.
Nah, really, thanks for posting this. I love this song.
one of the more beautiful songs there is, so creative
This is Ed's best song.
dunder567 absolutely!
this is THE best song
If I could just learn this one song on my guitar I would be the most interesting man in the world.!! I would take my guitar everywhere I went and start playing and singing.
its a fun song to play, it requires a lot of pick control
Sackomano Harris One of my favorite songs to jam on my acoustic. It's really not that hard if you're good at chord transitions, hammer ons and picking.
Not that difficult. Chord shapes are easy to learn, picking is in a simple pattern.
Indeed. This will always be a favorite of mine.
Best song of all time. You are a genius!
Sorry to nitpick, but the title is misspelled.
Love this song, both the album version from Born on a Pirate Ship and the live performance from Rock Spectacle.
This will always be one of my favorite songs.
Same here. By the way you are drop dead beautiful :* If you dont mind
me saying so :)
Thanks, @@jtstevenson81.
I love that song. Thanks for sharing.
How is it that this doesn't have like a million views yet?
Hey, sheep, wake up.
my friend just introduced me to this song recently. it is amazing. i love the meaning in it. it's truly unique. keep up the great work, bnl. :D
I remember once, I had been working in an old NY office building for about a week when one day, a man I'd never seen before walked in, with some stuff in a bucket, opened the window and stepped out. I had never been more afraid in my life! It was the window washer. He attached some ropes to the sides of the window and hung there washing the windows, risking his life, so we didn't have to look out dirty windows. At least he has a song to pay tribute to him!
I have been a BNL fan for years but i only just found this song!! Damn being born in Australia! I love this song more than I can say :)
Thanks for sharing Ed - say hi to Serena - loved her in Spokane 5/2010
absolutely beautiful song, only regret that i only recently came across it.
I was hoping that you would do this song in your bathroom sessions. Thank You!!!!!
Sounds Awesome!
Thank you! Still one of my faves❤️
thinks this and all these sessions are musical masterpieces. The gravy, is they are Canucks. Just my two coppers worth.
it’s just such a beautiful song. ❤️
damn I love this song. nice version, sweet guitar
This is the kind of wholesomeness the internet used to consist of in 2007. Man those were the good old days.
One of the greatest Canadian bands of all time
9.8 straight down is the acceleration of mass in a vacuum 9.8 meters per second. Window cleaner falling is falling at 6.8 straight down.
Steven McGhee K, but the point is taken. Plus the drag would vary as he flipped over and friction from his suit slowed him, but it may be 6.8 on average, but you do get the point, haha.
Steven McGhee I don't think too many people would get the 6.8 reference. Besides, that's without wind sheer from the storms that October brings!
I think he's implying that the character's life IS a vacuum. Meaning within meaning.
WayToSkateKate he is a window cleaner on a scaffold.
Steven McGhee It's worth noting, I think, that the line is "*it's* 9.8 straight down". It's not saying it's 9.8 m/s^2 that the window washer is accelerating at, it's saying the pull of gravity on him (a more accurate, if not somewhat simplistic term for the figure) is 9.8 m/s^2. After all, the window washer doesn't actually apparently fall in the song, just that they eventually will.
Just a different perspective to consider. :)
I am impressed by the fact that the chords are the same as Pinch Me but that it sounds totally different.
@pysgodfach usually i hate it when people target the dislikers to make some kind of joke. but this one is right on. this is literally my favorite song.
such a beautiful song.. definitely one that represents some rough points in my own life.. but its a song that i feel kind of a has a GOOD point at the end.. or at least a conclusion to what the window-washer is thinking
Reminds me of being in the Top of the World restaurant in the old WTC when I had clients there.
Lots of suits and a long way down.
Beautiful. Great job brother!
Love this song !!