Wow, it's great to see you on youtube and commenting. I *love* telling people about how great you are as a bassist and use this song as an example. You definitely inspire me as a bassist!
The fact that Nick Beggs was voted best bass player in Prog for 5 years running tells you everything about his ability and he's such a likeable guy too.
Absolutely right. If you HAVE to play some pop... Start on pop when you're very young. Then NEVER look back. Never play it except for a laugh: remember when we played this? Pop is poison. Classical is the growth medium, Prog is the goal.
@@phillymopwater Your fallacious observation was proven false over 2000 years ago. Reductio ad absurdum is one of several apagogical arguments with too many exceptions to count rendering the statement false without additional claims. I'm laughing at you. Pop is short for popular (in case your small mind lacks the prerequisites) Popular is the lowest common denominator (same) where music is made for the expressed purpose of appealing to the most different people with different tastes and different cultures. You have to remove elements of composition, that are too complex for the simple-minded (like you) to appreciate. Remove anything; from alternate time signatures, discordant melodies, counter melodies, progressions. You have to stick to cookie-cutter recipes, with familiar form and chords, add a hook and throw it against the wall to see if it sticks. Make a thousand more and you might have an album. We call it "selling out". Prostitution. OR: The music biz. My view is that of a retired professional, my advice is normally expensive, only an idiot would not appreciate it for free. I was in what is now called a boy band in college, I played in an american philharmonic for 30 years, I am now in a symphonic metal band. The structure still has me learning, practicing, getting better, and enjoying the music. If I had to play ANYTHING LESS, I would drink bleach. Pop is determined by the ignorant. They wouldn't know QUALITY if it bit them on the ass.
The 80's were a mix of genres, all my friends went to metal shows but still listened to pop, no one told us we couldn't do that. Slayer and Tears for Fears, heck yeah, Metallica and The Carpenters, The The, Aztec Camera, Gwar and the Dead Kennedys. Gary and Rick and Baloff, Tom and Robby, Kirk and Lars hanging at Ruthie's Inn. Memmmmrieeesss..
Yeah. Honestly, the bass line is not really for me, but watching this dude talk about it and demonstrate on his guitar, it is kind of fascinating. He appreciates the music as an expert, in a way that I never could. And his enthusiasm shines through.
Many musicians from the 80’s new wave scene were not given enough credit like the drummer from Simple minds and lest not forget the bassist/singer from Level 42🙏🏼💜🇨🇦
On point with those 2....although most people with a little more than average interest in music would recognize Mark King's bass skills as phenomenal. Simple minds' drummer.....oh hell yes he's great! Never heard him get much credit....but he's a beast.
Really? I'm not an expert, but I used to be able to tap along just fine with Alive And Kicking and Don't You Forget About Me. Or am I picking the wrong songs?
That's one of the best New Wave songs on the 80's, there is something special about it. it never gets old. It's one of my favs from that era. That bass line just sticks in your head forever - it was so funky and the symmetry with the keyboards....is what made it so unique, that's why it stands the test of time. Thanks for covering this song.
Along with Duran Duran’s John Taylor, Nick Beggs is underrated because of his “too pretty to be stuntman” feature. Both are such hell-of-a-good bassists.
Back in 1984 I was helping out with the Lighting on a large outside Concert here in the UK. Most of the audience had gone It was late at night and the Stage was being cleared and Lights always the last to start coming down. Then by complete surprise and he didn't have to, looking great wearing a really smart suit after wading through up to his knees in mud was Nick Beggs. That didn't bother him as he wanted to take the time to come, hang round for a chat and thank us all behind the scenes personally for all the hard we had all done. Really nice bloke. Just goes to show the power of "thank you" as although that was some decades ago, to this day that really meant a lot.
He's the nicest guy. I made a training video for a multitack recording device. He came and found me at an exhibition to thank me as he'd been using the hardware. I was blown away. There were big buggles but no troubles.
Thanks for this. Nick Beggs is amazing. Because people don’t listen well and write off New Wave as just synth music, he and John Taylor are criminally underrated.
The musicians in many synth based bands are top quality. All of Duran Duran are accomplished musicians. I don't like all their stuff but Ordinary World has a unique, complicated chord structure rarely found in rock music. It's amazing.
@@forwardsdrawkcab I disagree I think the song is great and catchy. You think too technical and not enough emotionally, which is how a song should relate.
I just discovered this channel today, and I was just going to comment about John Taylor but you beat me to it. I remember reading that Bernard Edwards of CHIC was his biggest influence and if you don't know the bass riff from GOOD TIMES by CHIC, then you just don't care about a good bass line. I also think Bernard Edwards willed one of his favorite basses to John Taylor after he passed.
I'm not a musician and I don't play guitar or bass, but watching you play those riffs helps me hear it so much better. It brings a new appreciation for a song I grew up with. Thank you for that.
And this was from a teeny bopper band lol. They as well as lots of other British pop bands from the 80s were schooled in music. Can't say the same when we hit the 90s lol
Nick Beggs is a monster player. He used to live up the road from my uncle, and I used to see him around Leighton Buzzard a bit - really nice guy who would always say 'hello' when you saw him. It's quite remarkable what he came up with for such a young player. You don't get to play with the likes of Steve Hackett or Tony Levin without being a virtuoso.
Look up Nick Beggs bass on "Big Bubble, No Trouble" by ELLIS BEGGS and HOWARD, just awesome! Along with John Taylor (that bass on "girls on film" 12 inch man!), Mick Karn of Japan, and Mark King of Level 42, and Pino Palladino in Paul Youngs band, 5 of the greatest bassists ever, known as pop "stars" in their bands, yet unknown and overlooked as genius musicians, Mark King and his slap bass style, and Mick Karn and Pino when on their fretless basses? Just wow man!
Tony Levin left his Chapman Stick at my house a week ago and I think I could give them both a run for their money now. Nothing about my comment is based in truth.
My wife tossed a bra at Nick Beggs at a Steven Wilson concert while he was playing the stick and singing backing vocals… he smirked and didn’t miss a note
@@finnmcginn9931 A Great Joke that I will pass on to Tony Levin if/when I see him again at one of the local Bars here in Kingston NY where I live about 25 blocks or so from Tony Levins nice old Colonial House. Tony grew up here and is just another local yokal. A very nice educated Man. People who grew up in small towns are more grounded in life I should think.
@@russisaac813 i mean i dont agree he was overlooked, he was in every BASS magazine for years.... sure maybe teen boppers don't know who he is, but bassists do... i dunno, maybe he was.. have a nice weekend
I think that John Taylor is the quintessential 80s bassist, but this one IS sublime. Fun fact - Kajagoogoo was discovered & produced by Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran, so the sound similarities are no coincidence.
Synth sound similarities from Steve Askew, yes. Probably...but similarities from the bass? Nope. Nick's bass was nowhere near John's. I'm a Duran Duran fan too...the fact that Nick Rhodes found this group was simply because they're different. CMIIW, Wally Badarou was also present right? He's also present in Level 42 album productions.
i kept telling people how Kajagoogoo is a great band with great musicianship. but people always looked at me like i was stupid. Islands is an excellent album. the instrumental The Loop is an incredible track. such an underrated band, and Nick is criminally underrated.
I think they were promoted as a "boy band" or whatever the term was back then but I can remember Nick Beggs being interviewed in serious music magazines. Nick Kershaw was popular around the same time and he's a very proficient musician but the music press ignored that.
I keep telling my friends that Kajagoogoo had an avant garde edge, but they insist that they are a generic sounding 80s pop band, and that I’m just trying to be unique. Too bad that they can’t see what we see.
Image was the BIG thing at the time. It was crucial a band looked outrageously glamorous on stage. This was at the precise moment in time when it started to become too exaggerated to the point of ridiculous. It may have fed the pop-star mania but it also turned people off the musicianship. Nick's look was too much for many, I'm sure he wanted fame and fortune over being recognised as being a good musician. I did think at the time, this guy was talented. Howard Jones is a great musician as is Nick Kershaw.
I was 13 years old I asked my mom to buy me the little 45 record and I played over and over and over and OVERRR i still have it, I kept ALL my vinyl 33's and 45;s theyre my treasures
I can only think of Mick Khan from Japan he was quite good Glen Matlock Pistols solid bassist don't forget Mr Beggs was at the age of too young for the 70 s he was of his age 21 early 1980 s excellent to hear he still plays well
I never appreciated how rad this bassline was until I heard some other people cover it. It's freaking awesome. Nick Beggs is also great in Steven Wilson's band and I thoroughly recommend checking that stuff out.
It didn't quite get it exactly but it's certainly nice. Here is Nick playing it live you can see some differences. Still a great review. th-cam.com/video/xNVylTCe5MY/w-d-xo.html
@@keithmurray9241 Reminds me of back when they started playing the 80's stuff on the "oldies" station. It was a slap in the face as to how much time had gone by.
I'm consistently amazed at the topics and spotlights on this channel. It present an understanding of the bass I have yet to see elsewhere on TH-cam. Paul just gets it. Well done once again.
I picked up bass for the first time a couple of years ago, after twenty of playing guitar and dabbling in keys, and this is probably the channel that most influenced me in realizing it is, hands down, the coolest instrument. The understated passion in every video is compelling.
I started taking bass seriously in the early 90's and was lucky to know a bassist whose approach to music was as wide and deep as pdbass. As a rock bassist, that guy I met inspired me to go way beyond playing the root notes & fifths. And it's also good to know that pdbass' name is Paul. 😅
His name is Nick Beegs,…I’ve been studying him for years,…If you want to here some Madness,..get the album White Feathers,…only above average bass players can handle those songs!
I've been playing bass for 32 years. I remember seeing the "Too Shy" video over and over on MTV when I was a kid, and I went out and bought the single. I always loved that baseline in the intro, and when I figured it out for the first time and played it, I was like... yeah, this is sick lol. Bravo Mr. Beggs... Bravo.😎
I just discovered the video for “Too Shy” on TH-cam last week, and was blown away by what I saw going on on Nick Begg’s bass. One week later, I discover this video analyzing it. The happiest of coincidences! Love it. Thanks as always. I love your love of the instrument.
your hunger, and passion for all things bass, throughout multiple genres, and eras is clear to see, and you sharing that with us is a gift I'm most grateful for. Cheers from the UK!
I remember hearing Too Shy for the first time back in 1983 when I was 9 years old and that opening bass line just absolutely blew me away and still does to this day! Fantastic musician Nick Beggs and he doesn't get the credit that he deserves. Thanks for sharing this with us and best wishes to you. Greetings from North Wales, UK ❤🙂👍
💯 I always thought this was a catchy tune, but didn’t appreciate how dope this baseline was until I heard somebody else breaking it down and playing it like this. Respect
Literally listen to this jam daily on Spotify. 80s had some phenomenal music…. ABC, Howard Jones, Depeche Mode, New Order…. To me this bands stand up there with Zeppelin and such it’s just a different vibe
ABC "Lexicon Of Love" is a phenomenal album with some incredible basslines by Mark Lickley (fretted) and Brad Lang (fretless),,,,its a near perfect pop album - like a dance-pop version of ELO's "Eldorado" lol
@@Rib13Bass I don't often find myself saying this, but I completely agree. It was a masterpiece of music and music production, not least due to the efforts of producer / engineer extraordinaire, Trevor Horn.
Joy Div/New Order, some Depeche Mode (personal Jesus & l feel you are great).. But Kaja Gugu? The joke use to be.. If U wore jeans that are so tight.. itd KajaGugus I'd understand Killing Joke, Cave etc.. but not the sugar coated droll shite dished out weekly.
This song made me want to learn how to play the bass. So many cover bands could never play this song because of the bass line. One of the greatest pop songs ever.
Nick Beggs from Kajagoogoo and Mick Karn from Japan were two of the best bass players I ever heard together with Wooten, Joco, Flea or Squire. All amazing bass players.
Everyone you listed is great, but Mick Karn has always stood apart from many other bassist. No one sounded like him before, during or really after. His sound and technique was in my opinion truly unique and instantly recognizable.
Wow, this was totally unexpected, but a well deserved feature. Thank you for reminding me of this classic 80's tune and highlighting the brilliant musicianship of the bassline. Definitely going to the shed with this one, much love and respect from the Central Coast of California!
Òrale two more !, just make’m Bohemia or Pacifico or even betta’ , 805s !, not piss H2O corona!….😂 stay dry , but not thirsty ma’frend ! greetings from san miguel .
Awesome funky tune from the wonderful 1980's. So glad I was there. Even the rockers loved this tune. A great song is a great song, no matter the genre!
This is one of my favorite songs. I was born in '78 and got to enjoy all of the great music of the 80s as it emerged. To this day, it's in my TH-cam playlist for my car. :D
When i was a teenager and heard Kaja's White Feathers album, I almost got discouraged from playing bass cause Nick Beggs was so damn AMAZING, I thought I could never do that. John Taylor was my Hero but Nick was a god.
Bro, it was the contrary for me! Nick Beggs started me up on picking up the bass! He's got the smoothest basslines ever. (the guitar and piano was a bit confusing to me at the time. With all those chords and all...Lol)
Saw him play with Steve Hackett in the UK. Fantastic musician and fit in perfectly, never overplaying or overstepping his mark in the band but still being a stand out performer amongst the talent on stage.
I also saw him on tour with the Steve Hackett band in Norway a few years ago. My friend spent the first half of the concert asking me who the leggy blonde with black leather skirt and bass guitar was. (We had seats a good distance from the stage - I'll give him that 🤣 ) I held him in suspense until he googled the band members ... But it was a great gig, and I have listened to quite a lot of Nick's solo work after that. A really brilliant musician, and as you say; his great performance suited the old Genesis classics as well as Steve's solo material without being "flashy" and trying to show off in any way. A concert to remember!
@@JohnnyTronny19841 I don't think he used that trick on the gig I saw - that must have been on an earlier tour ... But I've seen it later on video and have to agree it looks pretty cool (and a bit "flashy" as well, I have to admit .. 😅)
@@attepotterrmmefiremerkersm68 yeah! To me it just added to the dramatic feeling of that track - felt like it went along with how I feel about the track...ominous, heavy, foreboding, majestic, etc
I first became aware of Nick Beggs when I heard him on Steven Wilson's solo work (the song "Luminol" is a spectacular example). I looked him up and was like, "Wait, the guy from Kajagoogoo?" I went back and listened to "Too Shy" and only then realized how incredible this bass line is. Thanks for putting some focus on it!
As a 56 year old lifelong Bassist this song is one of the reasons that made me pick up the instrument. Always thought it was the coolest and still listen to this song constantly. Huge influence. I really enjoyed the breakdown here.
same here, 52yo and still rocking with a 5 strings! Thanks to Nick Beggs, among others (John Taylor but also Geddy Lee or Johnny Myung...) Cheers from a swiss bass guy
Ok...we all know that white boys can't jump. However, white boys can thump the crap out of a bass line if your name is Nick Beggs. I'm 68 years old, Black and I've been playing bass with a pick and my thumb for 53 years. After hearing "Too Shy" back in the day, the only thing I could pick was my ass and thumb my nose to people..... ....."Badass Beggs"!!!
This was illuminating. Thank you! It was Limahl who stole my 8 year old heart way back then, but I loved that song, and have never ceased to re-visit it. Can't believe 2023 is the 40th anniversary of its release. It was, as you say, a strange fusion of synth and funky jazz. I hear this a lot on other tracks from the same years. Tears For Fears' 'Change' (1983?) has a comparable bassline that drives the song's energy in the middle 8. Also, Duran Duran's 'Rio'. I love that you give Kajagoogoo worthy praise, as people tend to disregard them a bit in retrospect. Howard Jones is another of my '80s faves, though I didn't discover him properly until i grew up. All the best from England.
UK was very blessed to have such amazing talent in that era.Too many to mention. Kajagoogoo were quite teeny/poppy at the time but you couldn't help notice nicks funky bass style. tears for fears were uttely jaw droppingly amazing,and gary numan/depeche mode/new order were really pioneering on the electronic scenet at the time
You really do a good job of helping us actually understand what's going on when you play the bass line with the backing music. I can't think of any way to improve the way you're doing it. Thank you !
What a great analysis on so many levels. Too Shy really shaped my musical taste back in '83 - 40 years ago and just light years ahead of what kids have today. I laughed out LOUD when you gave Limahl the shout-out.
I love videos like this because it takes songs, musicians, and bands I remember from my teens but didn't take seriously at the time and shows me how good they really were. I get to rediscover them and gain a new level of appreciation.
THANK YOU for highlighting this bass line, and artistry of Beggs. Wow. How many times I’ve tried to convey the genius of this song and it fell on deaf ears. You rock, pdbass. Funk on.
Nick Beggs had his bass strapped higher than anyone back in the day for slapping and pinch-plucking. "Too Shy" really does have a killer bass line! It's been years since I heard it.
I’m 50 so this came out just as I was picking up bass around 12 or so. This- Duran Duran - The Firm - all had an impact on me and what attracted me to bass.
I was a teenager of the 80s who started playing then, and could never figure out how he played that intro. The hammer-on idea never occurred to me because I thought it was in Bb. Thank you so much for that.
I grew up in this era, but never really listened to much of the "new romantic" synth pop. I'm just now having fun rediscovering it and realise just how amazing some of it was. It was a unique time in music. Your video was great - subscribed!
You forgot that a drummer and Nick Beggs on Chapman were the ensemble chosen by none of than the most legendary JOHN PAUL JONES of Led Zeppelin for his "Zooma" solo album world tour. Saw that tour 4 times in 3 cities: IT WAS THE STUFF OF LEGEND! Those two legends together were almost universe-collapsing in terms of gravity of the moment!
I saw them touring Zooma in Orlando. I got to say 'hi' to Nick as they were exiting the venue heading to the bus after the show and got a handshake. It was my first exposure to a Chapman stick. I was blown away with how Nick pulled off playing Plant vocals, Page guitars, and Jones keyboard sounds with the stick.
I am so fucking serious right now! I just turned on my phone and clicked on your video, and when you said, I think bass, and the first thing that came to mind was too shy by Kajagoogoo! And this is who you are featuring?!?! I am blown away!
You've done it again Paul. I've now been enlightened about an older song, but this time it's one that I've actually hated all these years. I've gotta go back and listen to 'Too Shy', only with this new information in mind. Thanks for a great video. 😎
There were some 80s pop songs with killer bass lines. "Too Shy" is one of my favorites. Some other great examples are: Duran Duran - Rio Paul Young - Come Back and Stay Level 42 - Something About You The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
This channel is so epic, I love a lot of things about it but the lack of snobbery is refreshing. A lot of guitar bass players would turn up their noses at synth bass!
OMG SIR, you are the best music explainer. LOVED that you dissected, deconstructed & gave visuals on the keyboard!!! Your style of teaching & interpretation is clear, comprehensive and concise to those of us that play by ear. Best music teacher award. 🏆🎸🎹. You're damn right I subscribed. ⚡☝🏼
I love your playing. You keep the feel/swing of the songs you discuss. So many TH-camrs play songs in a technically correct manner but lose the feel. Your students are lucky to have you as their teacher.
This is a very technical breakdown. The intricate details are caught by someone who must really love music!! I remember this tune kinda grabbed me and I didnt know why. Thanks to this video, dude!! You broke it down. Impressive bass composition and ARRANGING!!!
Totally agree "most unique and creative line you'll ever hear". The intro is a mental time machine - iconic. So thankful for the band, and the good memories they were the center of.
Always admired Nick Begg’s bass playing. This track was so cool and catchy. Beautifully explained and demonstrated as usual Paul. The 80’s produced some great bands. Would love you to feature Mick Karn from Japan. As with so many of these gifted bass players, Jaco was such a huge influence ❤
Mick Karn was amazing. The stuff he did with David Torn was awesome. However, I'm pretty sure I read that Karn didn't even know who Pastorius was until after Japan had become well known. I think he has acknowledged Percy Jones as an influence.
@@davidevans6514 He really was a great player and this can often be the case, not knowing musicians like Jaco, until later. Just depends on your musical exposure. I was into everything, it helped having an older brother who turned me onto all the great bands and musicians. I saw Japan live twice, fantastic. Percy Jones is a tremendous player.
Mick Karn was exemplary, such an understated man and gifted as a sculptor too. I really like his work with Pete Murphy in Dalis Car, for me even better than Japan.
British musicians from the 80's had learned a lot from soul records of the 60's and 70's and it showed in their music. Brit pop was far funkier than US pop of the 80's for that reason. Beggs is fantastic and he kills it on this song, another great track is Ooh To Be Ah, the funk bass on that is incredible too.
Old comment but to call Brit pop funkier than the US at any point in history is laughable. British waves (of many genres) owe *everything* to the US (specifically Black Americans). Funk, Disco, Jazz, RnB, House, Blues, Rock and Roll would not exist in the world without the US.
@@Abolas452 -- Dude, you missed the guys point. He said rightfully so that Brit pop was more funkier in the 80's than US pop, and said they owed it to the soul records which of course came from the US.
When i first heard this song it sounded like it really was out of this planet. No way they could create this in todays mediocre music industry. I used to play this song when i used to DJ l, and people would enter a state of sophisticated trance to this tune. This is truly a sophisticated, ahead of its time, talented gem. Thank you for giving credit to it.
This was such a sublime video! Thank you for your passion and the breakdown of Kajagoogoo’s most iconic song. I was jaw dropped. We all love John Taylor but this was illuminating!
I was a kid in the 80s, and already a passionate metalhead but somehow Kajagoogoo slipped past my no pop filter and it was almost entirely down to Nick Beggs' bass playing. He has to be one of THE most underrated and under appreciated bassists of all time. Glad to see someone giving the man his props, it's been a long time coming.
Man, that was brilliant, I remember the song from when I was a kid but at the time never thought about the bass line, but as soon as you mentioned the song it was like something clicked like "oh my lord, that guy was playing". Great video. Thank you Paul.
Growing up with this song and seeing them on MTV was so awesome 🤘🤘. We had some of the best bass players taking the instrument to new levels. John Taylor from Duran Duran was another one who was just really making the bass a driving force in the songs.
That logo is fire. The bassline of this song is just incredible. The bounce he does at the end of the chorus sound just adds to everything else he does.
Beggs coined the band name and drew up the logo, too. KajaGooGoo was his baby all the way. That "White Feathers" album is righteous. The follow-up single, "Ooh to Be Ahh" is another bass-fronting belter.
This is very kind and thoughtful. Thanks for remembering me. x
Wow, it's great to see you on youtube and commenting. I *love* telling people about how great you are as a bassist and use this song as an example. You definitely inspire me as a bassist!
😍🤩
Love you with Steven Wilson , He's no fool . You are a amazing part of the band !
One of the best memories of my tween years.
Thanks for helping me survive my childhood. ❤
Nick Beggs and John Taylor are two of the most overlooked musicians, probably just because they play for pop groups, but they are amazing.
Absolutely!
I'm a big Duran Duran and John Taylor fan, and a bass player but, technically, he's not in the same league as Nick Beggs.
I've seen Nick Beggs play with Iona ( Jazz / Celtic / Prog / Fusion ) a few times. Great musician !
JT, divine! 💜
I taught him everything he knows about bass 🔊 😌
The fact that Nick Beggs was voted best bass player in Prog for 5 years running tells you everything about his ability and he's such a likeable guy too.
Absolutely right. If you HAVE to play some pop... Start on pop when you're very young. Then NEVER look back. Never play it except for a laugh: remember when we played this? Pop is poison. Classical is the growth medium, Prog is the goal.
@TheUprightLuthier-1959 what a laughingly and disappointingly small minded view
@@phillymopwater Your fallacious observation was proven false over 2000 years ago. Reductio ad absurdum is one of several apagogical arguments with too many exceptions to count rendering the statement false without additional claims. I'm laughing at you. Pop is short for popular (in case your small mind lacks the prerequisites) Popular is the lowest common denominator (same) where music is made for the expressed purpose of appealing to the most different people with different tastes and different cultures. You have to remove elements of composition, that are too complex for the simple-minded (like you) to appreciate. Remove anything; from alternate time signatures, discordant melodies, counter melodies, progressions. You have to stick to cookie-cutter recipes, with familiar form and chords, add a hook and throw it against the wall to see if it sticks. Make a thousand more and you might have an album. We call it "selling out". Prostitution. OR: The music biz. My view is that of a retired professional, my advice is normally expensive, only an idiot would not appreciate it for free. I was in what is now called a boy band in college, I played in an american philharmonic for 30 years, I am now in a symphonic metal band. The structure still has me learning, practicing, getting better, and enjoying the music. If I had to play ANYTHING LESS, I would drink bleach. Pop is determined by the ignorant. They wouldn't know QUALITY if it bit them on the ass.
@and321now Throw Beggs Chapman playing into the mix!
Idk he comes off as a little pretentious... I guess that's because he's English lol
I'm a life long metal head, but I must admit this song was a guilty pleasure. The bass is just so good! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
The 80's were a mix of genres, all my friends went to metal shows but still listened to pop, no one told us we couldn't do that. Slayer and Tears for Fears, heck yeah, Metallica and The Carpenters, The The, Aztec Camera, Gwar and the Dead Kennedys. Gary and Rick and Baloff, Tom and Robby, Kirk and Lars hanging at Ruthie's Inn. Memmmmrieeesss..
Oh yeah, me too. The intro to this is top notch though ❤
I dont know nothing about bass but what "Hit me with your rythym stick" Ian Dury and the blockheads??. Cool bass line.
Me too! I can listen cannibal corpse and Kajagoogoo! They are awesome !
Same! There are quite a few 80s pop songs you just cannot ignore.
Man. I’ve never heard anyone analyze Too Shy so deeply!!!! Mad respect!!!
Yeah. Honestly, the bass line is not really for me, but watching this dude talk about it and demonstrate on his guitar, it is kind of fascinating. He appreciates the music as an expert, in a way that I never could. And his enthusiasm shines through.
Many musicians from the 80’s new wave scene were not given enough credit like the drummer from Simple minds and lest not forget the bassist/singer from Level 42🙏🏼💜🇨🇦
On point with those 2....although most people with a little more than average interest in music would recognize Mark King's bass skills as phenomenal.
Simple minds' drummer.....oh hell yes he's great! Never heard him get much credit....but he's a beast.
I remember reading an article a out mel gaynor from simple minds in the 80s describing him as the best drummer in the world at that time
Mark King is a Legend all across the world!! Facts!
Ah yes - Level 42 - if memory serves, Mark (King) was one of the (very) few to be offered/given an Alembic. Sweet!
Really? I'm not an expert, but I used to be able to tap along just fine with Alive And Kicking and Don't You Forget About Me. Or am I picking the wrong songs?
"The dude was 21 years old!" Man, I felt that.
And the Wall bass he played at the time was almost $20 Grand back then.
ja unfassbar, mit 20 so perfekt zu sein .... 💓
That's one of the best New Wave songs on the 80's, there is something special about it. it never gets old. It's one of my favs from that era. That bass line just sticks in your head forever - it was so funky and the symmetry with the keyboards....is what made it so unique, that's why it stands the test of time. Thanks for covering this song.
Along with Duran Duran’s John Taylor, Nick Beggs is underrated because of his “too pretty to be stuntman” feature.
Both are such hell-of-a-good bassists.
I agree. Nick Beggs, John Taylor, Mark King, and also the Stock Aitken Waterman trio made fantastic bass lines.
Hella good!
@@cjmq1970 John's basslines are just melting into the other parts of the songs
Back in 1984 I was helping out with the Lighting on a large outside Concert here in the UK. Most of the audience had gone It was late at night and the Stage was being cleared and Lights always the last to start coming down. Then by complete surprise and he didn't have to, looking great wearing a really smart suit after wading through up to his knees in mud was Nick Beggs. That didn't bother him as he wanted to take the time to come, hang round for a chat and thank us all behind the scenes personally for all the hard we had all done. Really nice bloke. Just goes to show the power of "thank you" as although that was some decades ago, to this day that really meant a lot.
He's the nicest guy. I made a training video for a multitack recording device. He came and found me at an exhibition to thank me as he'd been using the hardware. I was blown away.
There were big buggles but no troubles.
Thanks for this. Nick Beggs is amazing. Because people don’t listen well and write off New Wave as just synth music, he and John Taylor are criminally underrated.
Probably because the music as a whole was quite corny.
This track rather sucks, except for the good bits focused on here in this video.
The musicians in many synth based bands are top quality. All of Duran Duran are accomplished musicians. I don't like all their stuff but Ordinary World has a unique, complicated chord structure rarely found in rock music. It's amazing.
Don't forget Mick Karn of Japan!
@@forwardsdrawkcabyou're crazy. This song is crazy dope.
@@forwardsdrawkcab I disagree I think the song is great and catchy. You think too technical and not enough emotionally, which is how a song should relate.
Just like John Taylor from Duran Duran , that bass line from Rio was written when he was only 22 . Incredible
I just discovered this channel today, and I was just going to comment about John Taylor but you beat me to it.
I remember reading that Bernard Edwards of CHIC was his biggest influence and if you don't know the bass riff from GOOD TIMES by CHIC, then you just don't care about a good bass line. I also think Bernard Edwards willed one of his favorite basses to John Taylor after he passed.
Love love love John Taylor. The bass line on Rio is truly epic
@@babybear9740 I was about to say the same.
That is a MEAN and epic bass line. The bass makes the whole song.
Whenever people talk about pop / yacht rock bass lines from the 80s, it's either this one or Rio that they mean.
I'm not a musician and I don't play guitar or bass, but watching you play those riffs helps me hear it so much better. It brings a new appreciation for a song I grew up with. Thank you for that.
Well said, Rob. And I agree.
And this was from a teeny bopper band lol. They as well as lots of other British pop bands from the 80s were schooled in music. Can't say the same when we hit the 90s lol
100 THIS
Nick Beggs is a monster player. He used to live up the road from my uncle, and I used to see him around Leighton Buzzard a bit - really nice guy who would always say 'hello' when you saw him. It's quite remarkable what he came up with for such a young player. You don't get to play with the likes of Steve Hackett or Tony Levin without being a virtuoso.
Look up Nick Beggs bass on "Big Bubble, No Trouble" by ELLIS BEGGS and HOWARD, just awesome!
Along with John Taylor (that bass on "girls on film" 12 inch man!), Mick Karn of Japan, and Mark King of Level 42, and Pino Palladino in Paul Youngs band, 5 of the greatest bassists ever, known as pop "stars" in their bands, yet unknown and overlooked as genius musicians, Mark King and his slap bass style, and Mick Karn and Pino when on their fretless basses? Just wow man!
Nick Beggs is also a killer Chapman Stick player.
While singing, of course!
Tony Levin left his Chapman Stick at my house a week ago and I think I could give them both a run for their money now.
Nothing about my comment is based in truth.
My wife tossed a bra at Nick Beggs at a Steven Wilson concert while he was playing the stick and singing backing vocals… he smirked and didn’t miss a note
@@finnmcginn9931 A Great Joke that I will pass on to Tony Levin if/when I see him again at one of the local Bars here in Kingston NY where I live about 25 blocks or so from Tony Levins nice old Colonial House. Tony grew up here and is just another local yokal. A very nice educated Man. People who grew up in small towns are more grounded in life I should think.
@@finnmcginn9931 of course Tony Levin is a colossus player in his own right. Besides the Chapman Stick, there's the Funky Fingers
@@finnmcginn9931 you're Tony Levin's barber, aren't you???
Finally this one gets it's deserved recognition. Cheers to Nick Beggs!
He was voted best bass Prog rock musician for 5 years straight. Wake up.
Saw Nick Beggs several times while he was Steven Wilson’s bassist. Excellent player. 👍
Nik Beggs Has always been overlooked, and a fabulous singing voice as well.
No he wasn't.
@@MohammedSinghar jealous?
@@russisaac813 i mean i dont agree he was overlooked, he was in every BASS magazine for years.... sure maybe teen boppers don't know who he is, but bassists do... i dunno, maybe he was.. have a nice weekend
Nick just got his iconic Wal bass back after 40 years.
Nick Beggs is a consummate professional. Some of his contributions to Steven Wilson's music are the epitome of understated genius.
I love the bassline in the live version of Index.
Came here to say this. Love his stuff with Wilson!
I think that John Taylor is the quintessential 80s bassist, but this one IS sublime. Fun fact - Kajagoogoo was discovered & produced by Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran, so the sound similarities are no coincidence.
Exactly the comment I was checking for, before making it myself 😊. No doubt great bass player but the Taylor/Rhodes sound is all over it.
Synth sound similarities from Steve Askew, yes. Probably...but similarities from the bass? Nope. Nick's bass was nowhere near John's. I'm a Duran Duran fan too...the fact that Nick Rhodes found this group was simply because they're different.
CMIIW, Wally Badarou was also present right? He's also present in Level 42 album productions.
Nick Beggs said once that they wanted to sound like Duran Duran, in terms of musical maturity. Their blueprint.
I did not know this.
Colin Thurston also produced Whits Feathers.
i kept telling people how Kajagoogoo is a great band with great musicianship. but people always looked at me like i was stupid. Islands is an excellent album. the instrumental The Loop is an incredible track. such an underrated band, and Nick is criminally underrated.
I think they were promoted as a "boy band" or whatever the term was back then but I can remember Nick Beggs being interviewed in serious music magazines. Nick Kershaw was popular around the same time and he's a very proficient musician but the music press ignored that.
@@geoffpoole483 yes, Kershaw, too. agreed.
I keep telling my friends that Kajagoogoo had an avant garde edge, but they insist that they are a generic sounding 80s pop band, and that I’m just trying to be unique. Too bad that they can’t see what we see.
Image was the BIG thing at the time. It was crucial a band looked outrageously glamorous on stage. This was at the precise moment in time when it started to become too exaggerated to the point of ridiculous. It may have fed the pop-star mania but it also turned people off the musicianship. Nick's look was too much for many, I'm sure he wanted fame and fortune over being recognised as being a good musician. I did think at the time, this guy was talented.
Howard Jones is a great musician as is Nick Kershaw.
I was 13 years old I asked my mom to buy me the little 45 record and I played over and over and over and OVERRR
i still have it, I kept ALL my vinyl 33's and 45;s theyre my treasures
Nick Beggs was one of the best bass players to come out of the 80s
He still is! ❤
I can only think of Mick Khan from Japan he was quite good Glen Matlock Pistols solid bassist don't forget Mr Beggs was at the age of too young for the 70 s he was of his age 21 early 1980 s excellent to hear he still plays well
@@65Antonis… for example with the mighty Steven Wilson!
@@enduser63Mick Karn "quite good" lol
@@jasoncollins865 let's not forget Simple Minds Derek Forbes.
Could you imagine having this guy for a teacher? He's a pretty amazing dude.
Hah! I actually contacted him for lessons
Whereabouts is he?
it's pretty dope!!
He is, I love him ❤
That’s what he’s doing with these videos
"Ooh to be Aah" from the same album has a killer bassline also, the dude has extreme good taste and chops. The band as a whole was fire too
Frayo has a mind-bendingly good bass solo as well
Yessss!!
Beggs is extremely underrated. Great you cast some light on this very talented bassist.
Really? What’s his rating??
@@jumpinjojo 98
So if I rate him high does that still make hime underrated? Stuppid remark
I never appreciated how rad this bassline was until I heard some other people cover it. It's freaking awesome. Nick Beggs is also great in Steven Wilson's band and I thoroughly recommend checking that stuff out.
Thanks for the heads up! I thought this guy was a producer, but this band smokes.
Nick’s a great dude too. You can’t go wrong with anything he’s played on.
I was looking for this comment. Mr. Beggs amazing Chapman Stick right into Guthrie Govan's guitar solo on 'Regret #9' is the stuff of legends.
Re: Steven Wilson, I was thinking the same thing.
It didn't quite get it exactly but it's certainly nice. Here is Nick playing it live you can see some differences. Still a great review.
th-cam.com/video/xNVylTCe5MY/w-d-xo.html
This breakdown of the bass line makes me appreciate it even more. Hard to think it was released 40 years ago this month.
Oh... why... oh.... why... did you remind us of THAT!!!??? Cruelty I say!! Cruelty!!
@@keithmurray9241 Reminds me of back when they started playing the 80's stuff on the "oldies" station. It was a slap in the face as to how much time had gone by.
@@scottdaniels8129....no time has gone by......😂
We are moving, changing, adapting but time is eternal....
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I'm consistently amazed at the topics and spotlights on this channel. It present an understanding of the bass I have yet to see elsewhere on TH-cam. Paul just gets it. Well done once again.
I picked up bass for the first time a couple of years ago, after twenty of playing guitar and dabbling in keys, and this is probably the channel that most influenced me in realizing it is, hands down, the coolest instrument. The understated passion in every video is compelling.
Agreed!!
I started taking bass seriously in the early 90's and was lucky to know a bassist whose approach to music was as wide and deep as pdbass. As a rock bassist, that guy I met inspired me to go way beyond playing the root notes & fifths. And it's also good to know that pdbass' name is Paul. 😅
His name is Nick Beegs,…I’ve been studying him for years,…If you want to here some Madness,..get the album White Feathers,…only above average bass players can handle those songs!
I've been playing bass for 32 years. I remember seeing the "Too Shy" video over and over on MTV when I was a kid, and I went out and bought the single. I always loved that baseline in the intro, and when I figured it out for the first time and played it, I was like... yeah, this is sick lol. Bravo Mr. Beggs... Bravo.😎
Nick Beggs is a phenomenal musician.
I just discovered the video for “Too Shy” on TH-cam last week, and was blown away by what I saw going on on Nick Begg’s bass. One week later, I discover this video analyzing it. The happiest of coincidences! Love it. Thanks as always. I love your love of the instrument.
your hunger, and passion for all things bass, throughout multiple genres, and eras is clear to see, and you sharing that with us is a gift I'm most grateful for. Cheers from the UK!
I couldn't have said it better mate. Cheers from the States! Happy New Year.
Bass player lead singer from Level 42 is great. I’m sorry I forgot his name.
@@markusantonio4866 Mark King
I remember hearing Too Shy for the first time back in 1983 when I was 9 years old and that opening bass line just absolutely blew me away and still does to this day! Fantastic musician Nick Beggs and he doesn't get the credit that he deserves. Thanks for sharing this with us and best wishes to you. Greetings from North Wales, UK ❤🙂👍
Same for me.
Usually, when I watch this kind of video, they take 20 minutes to break down the song. This is short, sweet, and to the point. I like it
💯 I always thought this was a catchy tune, but didn’t appreciate how dope this baseline was until I heard somebody else breaking it down and playing it like this. Respect
SAMEZIES
Yay, we’re all besties.
Same!
Literally listen to this jam daily on Spotify. 80s had some phenomenal music…. ABC, Howard Jones, Depeche Mode, New Order…. To me this bands stand up there with Zeppelin and such it’s just a different vibe
Did you catch Nick playing with John Paul Jones a while back? That was cool.
80's reigns supreme!!
ABC "Lexicon Of Love" is a phenomenal album with some incredible basslines by Mark Lickley (fretted) and Brad Lang (fretless),,,,its a near perfect pop album - like a dance-pop version of ELO's "Eldorado" lol
@@Rib13Bass I don't often find myself saying this, but I completely agree. It was a masterpiece of music and music production, not least due to the efforts of producer / engineer extraordinaire, Trevor Horn.
Joy Div/New Order, some Depeche Mode (personal Jesus & l feel you are great)..
But Kaja Gugu?
The joke use to be..
If U wore jeans that are so tight.. itd KajaGugus
I'd understand Killing Joke, Cave etc.. but not the sugar coated droll shite dished out weekly.
This song made me want to learn how to play the bass. So many cover bands could never play this song because of the bass line. One of the greatest pop songs ever.
Nick Beggs from Kajagoogoo and Mick Karn from Japan were two of the best bass players I ever heard together with Wooten, Joco, Flea or Squire. All amazing bass players.
Everyone you listed is great, but Mick Karn has always stood apart from many other bassist. No one sounded like him before, during or really after. His sound and technique was in my opinion truly unique and instantly recognizable.
@@carriersignal Bang on!
My bass idol...
and John Taylor
Karn - greatest pop bassist of all time.
Check out Bassist John Ferrara from Consider The Source, and more recently doing some solo releases and side projects too.
Wow, this was totally unexpected, but a well deserved feature. Thank you for reminding me of this classic 80's tune and highlighting the brilliant musicianship of the bassline. Definitely going to the shed with this one, much love and respect from the Central Coast of California!
Òrale two more !, just make’m Bohemia or Pacifico or even betta’ , 805s !, not piss H2O corona!….😂
stay dry , but not thirsty ma’frend !
greetings from san miguel .
@@leonidasrosales9315 salud!
Awesome funky tune from the wonderful 1980's. So glad I was there. Even the rockers loved this tune. A great song is a great song, no matter the genre!
The interlude would’ve sounded better if he played a double octave.
This is one of my favorite songs. I was born in '78 and got to enjoy all of the great music of the 80s as it emerged. To this day, it's in my TH-cam playlist for my car. :D
When i was a teenager and heard Kaja's White Feathers album, I almost got discouraged from playing bass cause Nick Beggs was so damn AMAZING, I thought I could never do that. John Taylor was my Hero but Nick was a god.
Bro, it was the contrary for me! Nick Beggs started me up on picking up the bass! He's got the smoothest basslines ever.
(the guitar and piano was a bit confusing to me at the time. With all those chords and all...Lol)
Love that album. It's so underrated. 😎
Saw him play with Steve Hackett in the UK. Fantastic musician and fit in perfectly, never overplaying or overstepping his mark in the band but still being a stand out performer amongst the talent on stage.
I also saw him on tour with the Steve Hackett band in Norway a few years ago. My friend spent the first half of the concert asking me who the leggy blonde with black leather skirt and bass guitar was. (We had seats a good distance from the stage - I'll give him that 🤣 ) I held him in suspense until he googled the band members ... But it was a great gig, and I have listened to quite a lot of Nick's solo work after that. A really brilliant musician, and as you say; his great performance suited the old Genesis classics as well as Steve's solo material without being "flashy" and trying to show off in any way. A concert to remember!
The way he sits at the bass pedals playing them with his fists during Shadow of the Hierophant was so damn cool
@@JohnnyTronny19841 I don't think he used that trick on the gig I saw - that must have been on an earlier tour ... But I've seen it later on video and have to agree it looks pretty cool (and a bit "flashy" as well, I have to admit .. 😅)
@@attepotterrmmefiremerkersm68 yeah! To me it just added to the dramatic feeling of that track - felt like it went along with how I feel about the track...ominous, heavy, foreboding, majestic, etc
I first became aware of Nick Beggs when I heard him on Steven Wilson's solo work (the song "Luminol" is a spectacular example). I looked him up and was like, "Wait, the guy from Kajagoogoo?" I went back and listened to "Too Shy" and only then realized how incredible this bass line is. Thanks for putting some focus on it!
whoa, didnt know the steve wilson connection...
Same here!
Very well said!
Spectacular breakdown. My compliments. You just gave a seriously fresh appreciation for this old classic. Now I know why I always loved it
As a 56 year old lifelong Bassist this song is one of the reasons that made me pick up the instrument. Always thought it was the coolest and still listen to this song constantly. Huge influence. I really enjoyed the breakdown here.
same here, 52yo and still rocking with a 5 strings! Thanks to Nick Beggs, among others (John Taylor but also Geddy Lee or Johnny Myung...) Cheers from a swiss bass guy
Ok...we all know that white boys can't jump.
However, white boys can thump the crap out of a bass line if your name is Nick Beggs. I'm 68 years old, Black and I've been playing bass with a pick and my thumb for 53 years. After hearing "Too Shy" back in the day, the only thing I could pick was my ass and thumb my nose to people.....
....."Badass Beggs"!!!
a word that screams 80s? I say: gay-ass-sex
This was illuminating. Thank you! It was Limahl who stole my 8 year old heart way back then, but I loved that song, and have never ceased to re-visit it. Can't believe 2023 is the 40th anniversary of its release. It was, as you say, a strange fusion of synth and funky jazz. I hear this a lot on other tracks from the same years. Tears For Fears' 'Change' (1983?) has a comparable bassline that drives the song's energy in the middle 8. Also, Duran Duran's 'Rio'. I love that you give Kajagoogoo worthy praise, as people tend to disregard them a bit in retrospect. Howard Jones is another of my '80s faves, though I didn't discover him properly until i grew up. All the best from England.
UK was very blessed to have such amazing talent in that era.Too many to mention.
Kajagoogoo were quite teeny/poppy at the time but you couldn't help notice nicks funky bass style.
tears for fears were uttely jaw droppingly amazing,and gary numan/depeche mode/new order were really pioneering on the electronic scenet at the time
I think Nick was severely underrated at that time. I didn't know till seeing this, how good he was. Speechless here. 😮.
Not because you didn’t know him that he’s underrated, simply.
You really do a good job of helping us actually understand what's going on when you play the bass line with the backing music. I can't think of any way to improve the way you're doing it. Thank you !
What a great analysis on so many levels. Too Shy really shaped my musical taste back in '83 - 40 years ago and just light years ahead of what kids have today. I laughed out LOUD when you gave Limahl the shout-out.
I love videos like this because it takes songs, musicians, and bands I remember from my teens but didn't take seriously at the time and shows me how good they really were. I get to rediscover them and gain a new level of appreciation.
It’s such an iconic bassline with that driving power. And Nick continues to produce sublime material to this day. We thank you Nicholas!
I LOVE this song! The bass is the main reason why. I also love the subtle harmony on the words "shy shy".
THANK YOU for highlighting this bass line, and artistry of Beggs. Wow. How many times I’ve tried to convey the genius of this song and it fell on deaf ears. You rock, pdbass. Funk on.
Nick Beggs had his bass strapped higher than anyone back in the day for slapping and pinch-plucking. "Too Shy" really does have a killer bass line! It's been years since I heard it.
I’m 50 so this came out just as I was picking up bass around 12 or so. This- Duran Duran - The Firm - all had an impact on me and what attracted me to bass.
He's a fantastic artist also! Love his water colours and sketches! A very very gifted fella!!
I was a teenager of the 80s who started playing then, and could never figure out how he played that intro. The hammer-on idea never occurred to me because I thought it was in Bb. Thank you so much for that.
What a great presenter our host is!!! Knowledgeable, charming, enthusiastic, and positive. Made my night !!!
I grew up in this era, but never really listened to much of the "new romantic" synth pop. I'm just now having fun rediscovering it and realise just how amazing some of it was. It was a unique time in music. Your video was great - subscribed!
One of the best bands ever, pity they didn’t continue recording together. Nick Beggs is astonishing!
The man is a musical genius. As a 70’s classic rock follower I have to admit that the 80’s brought about some fantastic bassists.
You forgot that a drummer and Nick Beggs on Chapman were the ensemble chosen by none of than the most legendary JOHN PAUL JONES of Led Zeppelin for his "Zooma" solo album world tour. Saw that tour 4 times in 3 cities: IT WAS THE STUFF OF LEGEND! Those two legends together were almost universe-collapsing in terms of gravity of the moment!
Saw them in NYC opening for King Crimson
@Mark T Collins that was the :thunder thief" tour
I recorded the boston show and shared it everywhere on all the cdr trading sites.
I saw them touring Zooma in Orlando. I got to say 'hi' to Nick as they were exiting the venue heading to the bus after the show and got a handshake. It was my first exposure to a Chapman stick. I was blown away with how Nick pulled off playing Plant vocals, Page guitars, and Jones keyboard sounds with the stick.
Thanks for making this video. It’s one of my favorite bass line of all time! He is one of the most underrated bassist.
I am so fucking serious right now! I just turned on my phone and clicked on your video, and when you said, I think bass, and the first thing that came to mind was too shy by Kajagoogoo! And this is who you are featuring?!?! I am blown away!
Edited bc I dictate all of my msgs/replies and base is bass not basE!!! 🤬
The interlude gives me the goose bumps every time. So so good.
You've done it again Paul. I've now been enlightened about an older song, but this time it's one that I've actually hated all these years. I've gotta go back and listen to 'Too Shy', only with this new information in mind. Thanks for a great video. 😎
Mr. Beggs! One of my favourites. Great video. 👍
I love this analysis - really makes me appreciate the artistry of Nick Beggs. Thank you!
Totally agree. Awesome song and great bass line! Not many people talk about Nick Beggs, but I'm so glad you did. Such a great musician!
That opening line has lived in my head for 35 years. Brilliant.
There were some 80s pop songs with killer bass lines. "Too Shy" is one of my favorites. Some other great examples are:
Duran Duran - Rio
Paul Young - Come Back and Stay
Level 42 - Something About You
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
Intro to Don't look Down Girl....Go West
Pino Palladino
The Fixx - One Thing Leads to Another (and just about everything else they've done) - why isn't their bassist a household name???
@@vixapphire
Wow....I totally forgot about the fixx
I was in a band in Ireland in the 80s...
My bass player was Crazy about them
Duran and Japan too
@@vixapphire One of my all-time fave bass riffs for sure. Like this one from Beggs, it sounds like it comes from some other reality.
@@judgedredd3568 Really underrated album, that one - I love it. Palladino did great work on it.
I’m delighted you highlighted this. The bass playing on Too shy is some of the best I’ve ever heard. A standout 80’s track.
This channel is so epic, I love a lot of things about it but the lack of snobbery is refreshing. A lot of guitar bass players would turn up their noses at synth bass!
Wow! Man, the way you explained the bass and how it was laid down in this song blew me away! Bravo!
OMG SIR, you are the best music explainer. LOVED that you dissected, deconstructed & gave visuals on the keyboard!!! Your style of teaching & interpretation is clear, comprehensive and concise to those of us that play by ear. Best music teacher award. 🏆🎸🎹. You're damn right I subscribed. ⚡☝🏼
I love your playing. You keep the feel/swing of the songs you discuss. So many TH-camrs play songs in a technically correct manner but lose the feel. Your students are lucky to have you as their teacher.
This is a very technical breakdown. The intricate details are caught by someone who must really love music!! I remember this tune kinda grabbed me and I didnt know why. Thanks to this video, dude!! You broke it down. Impressive bass composition and ARRANGING!!!
Totally agree "most unique and creative line you'll ever hear". The intro is a mental time machine - iconic. So thankful for the band, and the good memories they were the center of.
Always admired Nick Begg’s bass playing. This track was so cool and catchy. Beautifully explained and demonstrated as usual Paul. The 80’s produced some great bands. Would love you to feature Mick Karn from Japan. As with so many of these gifted bass players, Jaco was such a huge influence ❤
Agreed! Mick Karn was a beast!
Mick Karn was amazing. The stuff he did with David Torn was awesome. However, I'm pretty sure I read that Karn didn't even know who Pastorius was until after Japan had become well known. I think he has acknowledged Percy Jones as an influence.
@@davidevans6514 He really was a great player and this can often be the case, not knowing musicians like Jaco, until later. Just depends on your musical exposure. I was into everything, it helped having an older brother who turned me onto all the great bands and musicians. I saw Japan live twice, fantastic. Percy Jones is a tremendous player.
@@matthew4694 without doubt. He had the cool movements on stage too. I wonder if that was anything to do with Jaco’s cool swagger and dance style.
Mick Karn was exemplary, such an understated man and gifted as a sculptor too. I really like his work with Pete Murphy in Dalis Car, for me even better than Japan.
No need to remember Nick, you were never forgotten! You are very much alive and here in our hearts, souls and ears! Another amazing video, thank you!
One of my favorite basslines from the 80s..thanks for analyzing this one!
British musicians from the 80's had learned a lot from soul records of the 60's and 70's and it showed in their music. Brit pop was far funkier than US pop of the 80's for that reason. Beggs is fantastic and he kills it on this song, another great track is Ooh To Be Ah, the funk bass on that is incredible too.
Great point. 2.10 short bass breakdown - 'Don't look any further' - Greg Edwards ; )
Spot on and this was due to the melting pot of the big cities. Can't fault Kajagoogoo at al. The bridge bass line and the chords mmmmm!
Old comment but to call Brit pop funkier than the US at any point in history is laughable. British waves (of many genres) owe *everything* to the US (specifically Black Americans). Funk, Disco, Jazz, RnB, House, Blues, Rock and Roll would not exist in the world without the US.
@@Abolas452 -- Dude, you missed the guys point. He said rightfully so that Brit pop was more funkier in the 80's than US pop, and said they owed it to the soul records which of course came from the US.
@@Abolas452 They are masters at selling Americana music back to Americans. British blues invasion case and point. Who listens to that anymore?
Another really underrated bassplayer imo is Mick Karn. His way of playing fretless was really unique.
Now he was a bass god!!!
Where do I know that name from ?
@@rottweilerfun9520 He played in a band called Japan.
Couldn't agree more
Was just about to say!
Was too young (teenager) to appreciate the musicianship or his amazing bass playing. Thank you for pointing this out!
When i first heard this song it sounded like it really was out of this planet. No way they could create this in todays mediocre music industry.
I used to play this song when i used to DJ l, and people would enter a state of sophisticated trance to this tune.
This is truly a sophisticated, ahead of its time, talented gem.
Thank you for giving credit to it.
Spot on. In my naivety, I assumed it was programmed, but yes, can you imagine this type of bass line in any current pop song? The 80's rule!😂
‘Too Shy’ bassline was FUNKY!🔥💛🎶
This was such a sublime video! Thank you for your passion and the breakdown of Kajagoogoo’s most iconic song. I was jaw dropped. We all love John Taylor but this was illuminating!
Brother, this is a beautifully done video! Thank you so very much! Nick Beggs, wow!
yes ! finally someone mentioned "the lions mouth". For me, this one is pure "80s" and the bassline plus Nick's singing always gets me since 1984
Happy to see appreciation for Nick's work.
I was a kid in the 80s, and already a passionate metalhead but somehow Kajagoogoo slipped past my no pop filter and it was almost entirely down to Nick Beggs' bass playing. He has to be one of THE most underrated and under appreciated bassists of all time. Glad to see someone giving the man his props, it's been a long time coming.
Bro I love your presentations, your passion for bass is unmatched
Man, that was brilliant, I remember the song from when I was a kid but at the time never thought about the bass line, but as soon as you mentioned the song it was like something clicked like "oh my lord, that guy was playing". Great video. Thank you Paul.
Growing up with this song and seeing them on MTV was so awesome 🤘🤘. We had some of the best bass players taking the instrument to new levels. John Taylor from Duran Duran was another one who was just really making the bass a driving force in the songs.
MTV? Are you sure?
@@arfandroid6729are you being facetious? This was on regular heavy rotation on MTV.
That logo is fire.
The bassline of this song is just incredible. The bounce he does at the end of the chorus sound just adds to everything else he does.
Beggs coined the band name and drew up the logo, too. KajaGooGoo was his baby all the way. That "White Feathers" album is righteous. The follow-up single, "Ooh to Be Ahh" is another bass-fronting belter.
pd, this is a glorious clip. Thanks for how you present and open us all up to more than before.