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.
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 ...
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.
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!
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!
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 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!
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...
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.
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
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.
In a fabulous dark brown new wave man shag, no less. Austin, TX 1979. Love you, Nick. You helped make college fun and added a another groovy element to driving to tedious mall jobs as a student. This regardless of how it’s presented, takes me back. Ah youth.
Newsflash to all the idiots here who mention appearance/age: As you get older your appearance changes. At 65 you dont look the same as you do at 30, hence why he doesnt look like 1979. Smh..
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
Sorry just watched the original video,then watched this wow can't be I've that's the same guy ,age is terrible ,then I remember when I first watched this I was about 16 and now I'm 50 so that's what happens to us,ah now I understand
+ redsky 106 Gee, we all get old. I've played guitar and bass for 40 years and I play softball at 56 years and I still "crack em out"!! what's your point?
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 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...
A D9th at the 5 th fret works nicely X54555 though taking your finger off of the fretted D string and playing it open at the appropriate times adds a cool low D into the chord. It would be cool if Nick stopped by and gave us the answer. Great song....!!
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.
Not really, he has always been kind and supportive to other musicians even ones who were struggling. As far as fans go he is probably more kind and approachable then any other musician that I have ever met except perhaps Paul McCartney.
Brilliant - he has grown old as we all should. Look at Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart - WIGS are not good - Grow old naturally - top bloke
I was joking "Nick hasn't aged a day", but it's only the white hair. Still got the chops and plays a great rhythm guitar. Great job Nick!!!! Like someone below said, I got more than I expected here. Somebody else I gotta see in concert!!!
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.
What a great song. I was 15 when this song came out. Oh young love good times, good tunes, and this song just made it so much cooler. Great song. Your awesome.
Like a few other here, I was surprised to see how "mature" Nick is now... But t hen I caught my own reflection in the mirror. Has it really been that long? ;) Good vibes with this tune, and good memories evoked too. Love and Peace; One and All.
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.
Hey! It sure would be nice to invite Nick to my place and have him sing this song for me and my friends! We'd all all kick back have some java or drinks and have a good ol' time! Thanks for the music Nick!!!
If you like this, check out Rachel Heath's "The Man Who Was Put On Earth To Serve Women": pinkflamingo.com/The-Man-Who-Was-Put-On-Earth-To-Serve-Women-PF6237.htm?categoryId=-1
amazing adorable the best song for me ,and in more I adore Mr Lowe a great Sir, We find the same construction chords of guitar, for the song " femme of jean luc Lahaye 1982, Madona holiday live 1983 etc ... Many singers copied to you it proves that your song is a monument Mr Lowe !!! And Incredible Mr Lowe you improve as great wines !! I bottom when i ' listen to this songThanks a million !
Great song as a kid I heard this on am radio and always liked it digging in to this cool ol dude realized he was producing many other artist and had a great career over the years some older stuff reminds me of thin Lizzy how the songs are arranged no one hit wonder here although probably his best known or well known here in the US ...is this song
I,too,expected to not approve this stripped down arrangement but,like Johansen,when HE slows down old Dolls or solo material-kept the catchy-ness and revealed NEW POWER in an old song
Ever since this came out around 1980, I always envisioned the singer as someone who was talking to Mother Nature, who had to be "cruel to be kind" to maintain the strength and fitness of all plants and animals to keep nature strong. I know it's some guy whining about his abusive girlfriend, but I like my interpretation better. No bias on my part. :)
Kick it Nick! He is amazing. His sentences made me happy. His rhyme and rhythm like an angel. I shall pray for him every week. Like Adam Warlock or ..Michael Hutchence. 1:342:05
I have to share something funny. I didn’t realize this is nick Lowe. I thought it was an older gentleman doing a copy. And funnier yet, I was saying this guy does a nice version but he’s certainly no nick Lowe. Yes. Feel pretty silly. And further, I was thinking, I wonder what nick Lowe looks like today. I love this song in whatever time and space he wants to sing it.
hey yo that pretty damn good acoustic playin'. i saw the video i enjoyed it. some have said of the electric version sound that it had an underlying sense of campiness, Dat is B.S. i say...- Cruel to be kind now belongs to the Rock of Sound. Great tune
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
![ลองสั่งของจากแอพ temu ถูกจริงหรอ?? [โกงไหมครับ ep.88 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RTcZSQTiDZw/mqdefault.jpg)
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.
An absolute masterclass in Pop song craft...
Makes it look effortless, doesn't he? ❤
no backups, no auto-tune, no other instruments, one man, a mic, and an accoustic , think about that
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 ...
Hahahahaha! That is what musicians do. Nothing amazing. What is amazing is that you find it amazing.
simple is best. humanity.
It's a damn good song; He wrote "Kid" done by the Pretenders.
@@Pimp-Master Dont think he did..? He produced a few for the pretenders but Chrissy Hynde wrote kid?
That is just a beautiful song in my opinion. Thank you Nick Lowe!
A fantastic pop song brilliant lyrics and that Dm7 he ' throws' in is such a lovely touch August 79 where the fuck does the time go?
Lowe's effortless delivery is sublime and a joy to behold.....one of the most underrated writers and musicians of his generation.
How many singer/songwriters would have killed to have written this absolute gem?
47? he sounds great.
Tru dat
Mr. Lowe has never received the proper respect he has earned.
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.
@@noneofyourbeeswax01 He has since come to terms with gratitude. It is his.
My favourite song of the whole English pop scene in those days. Nick Lowe always delivers.
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.
Wish we'd had Nick Lowe at Carleton, just up the road from you. I have always loved this song.
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 awesome...imagine your grandpa saying.."hey boy, you wanna hear something?'
then he picks up his guitar
Whether it's the original video or his solo acoustic version here-both songs are intertwined-married!!! Beautiful Nick!!! 💚💚💚
Phenomenal phenomenal song. Wonderful memories of my youth & MTV days
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!
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
Another beautiful song from a time when lyrics still have meaning.
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!
Great comment! Rock The Fuck On too :)
Agreed.
He's still got it after all these years.
Although I have absolutely no idea what " Rock The Fuck On too :) " means....
George Penwell Rock the fuck on!
"Rock the fuck on"?? Are you a child?
@@chipgaasche4933 Are you a cranky old crusty whose last vestige of passion has evaporated?
So great in 2024, hope this gentleman is still with us
Still as cool as ever!👍
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...
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.
he still sings like a champion
Great version, Still has it .
retrorestore has
Took the words right out of my mouth....
Has what dude?
@@jamessim1858 Talent.
pure class what a great song love it
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
Great song, great singing, and class act!!!Sounds great after all these years, Mr. Lowe, great job!!!!!❤🇺🇲🇬🇧
I think one of the best songs ever♥️♥️♥️
This Is The Sort Of Person Who You Want
To Be Trapped In A Broken Down LIFT With!
A Hour or So Of Entertainment!
Still relevant....Music is timeless
Ya totally agreed just posted the same comment myself
There's an old man singing Nick Lowe songs - wait a min - we're all old men what happened?
nice song and cool to see Nick still jamming!
super crushing on Nick 36 years and counting!!!
Nick Lowe was one of the most incredible artists of my youth but a critical building block for our music. Merci beaucoup, Mr. Lowe
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.
He Still sings well, a lot of his fellow performers from his era have lost there voices.
The hair may be white, but the voice is still gelled up and blow dried dark brown. :)
Nicely put
In a fabulous dark brown new wave man shag, no less. Austin, TX 1979. Love you, Nick. You helped make college fun and added a another groovy element to driving to tedious mall jobs as a student. This regardless of how it’s presented, takes me back. Ah youth.
Newsflash to all the idiots here who mention appearance/age: As you get older your appearance changes. At 65 you dont look the same as you do at 30, hence why he doesnt look like 1979. Smh..
There really are some major oxygen thieves about right? Let's hope at Nick's age they start shitting themselves in public :)
Time should make us all wiser but idiots are everywhere not just in Australian Parliament.
He's fucking adorable at any age! Suck it, haters.
One of the best songs ever written.
Hard to believe that song came out 36 years ago. That dude has still got it!!
make that 40...
O You koi
41 yrs now....2020 dumpster fire, 2021 cruel to be kind, stay safe we will get through this 🤷♀️
44 years.
OMG! - he's changed so much; can hardly believe it, but still a great song. Wish I could say he was my brother!
Nick Lowe is so cool.
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
Love it, love it!!!
And BTW, Sue, it was 45 years ago, not 35!
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
Lady Suzette
35 years is correct. this came out in 79.
He was born in 1949 lol. He was like 30 then
Sorry just watched the original video,then watched this wow can't be
I've that's the same guy ,age is terrible ,then I remember when I first watched this I was about 16 and now I'm 50 so that's what happens to us,ah now I understand
Yeah, but look at that amazing hair!
+ redsky 106 Gee, we all get old. I've played guitar and bass for 40 years and I play softball at 56 years and I still "crack em out"!! what's your point?
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 !
unederrated and totally brilliant as a musician, writer and performer
Mikey xx
He looks good-and, I like this version; original, though, still, is fabulous!
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...
He's adorable.
Which = the end of Pop Star. Ugh. Not dogging ya. We all are just old now.
Totally doable and he is much older than me!
He is a rockstar
Awesome!! I get to sing all of the harmony and doo-doo-doo-doo-doos with Nick Lowe 😃
A D9th at the 5 th fret works nicely X54555 though taking your finger off of the fretted D string and playing it open at the appropriate times adds a cool low D into the chord. It would be cool if Nick stopped by and gave us the answer. Great song....!!
The music lives on as you age. Good job Nick Lowe.
from Southern france i adore you Sir Nick Lowe
I've been waiting for a Country version of this song, accompanied by an attractive fiddle player of the opposite sex.
Still so amazing.
Incredible voice and talent. Back then and still today!!! Genuine!! God bless sir 🙏 and thank you for that lovely song.
Wow, watching this reminds me of how old I actually am. I remember this song from preschool!
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.
Not really, he has always been kind and supportive to other musicians even ones who were struggling. As far as fans go he is probably more kind and approachable then any other musician that I have ever met except perhaps Paul McCartney.
Pure class!!!!!!
Damn, I remember the video. Young people, take my advice ...don't get old!
A voice that still resonates: Nick Lowe!
Brilliant - he has grown old as we all should. Look at Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart - WIGS are not good - Grow old naturally - top bloke
Shit, if I look half as good when and if I reach that age....
Big ass glasses always help, I'm tellin' ya.
He turned into Jimmy Stewart.
Aww. In looks only, not politics. He hasn't lost his sass, either, but I can see why you say that...
Bill .Meelayder Or Spencer Tracy
Bill .Meelayder Anderson Cooper
George A. Romero
He looks more like Carl (the old man) from Up
I remember, of course. Damn we're old
I was joking "Nick hasn't aged a day", but it's only the white hair. Still got the chops and plays a great rhythm guitar. Great job Nick!!!! Like someone below said, I got more than I expected here. Somebody else I gotta see in concert!!!
Like a fine wine, this song has got better with age and this version is better than his original :) Thanks for posting!
You still sound great Nick Lowe. Love this song. Thanks for the memories too. I was a little kid when this song came out !
Great song ,I used to play it in my band when I was a young bloke , ageing is such a tragedy because it was never meant to be that way .
Nick is a songwriting beast! A true craftsman 🍻
So true great lyrics great song 🎸🎸🎸🎤🎧🎸🎸🎸
"Cruel To Be Kind"....is saying to this once Jesus of cool, he should do less "la-di-da-" crap tunes....
Picked up my Guitar, had to play along LOL
What are the fancy chords? Someone mentioned a D9....
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.
Its true. Ur ears do still keep growing
He sounds great..and he looks very dignified. Almost a bit like an older Cary Grant.
Wow, I feel like the sentimentality of the song was meant for someone of his current age to be singing this. LOVE IT
What a great song. I was 15 when this song came out. Oh young love good times, good tunes, and this song just made it so much cooler. Great song. Your awesome.
This song totally underwhelmed me when I was a teenager. These acoustic versions work so well! Or maybe, I've just got a lot older...
Nick is one of the GREAT musicians of my lifetime, I truly appreciate his sound, and good to see him going strong and with great heart into his 60's!
Like a few other here, I was surprised to see how "mature" Nick is now...
But t hen I caught my own reflection in the mirror. Has it really been that long? ;)
Good vibes with this tune, and good memories evoked too.
Love and Peace; One and All.
Nice:
Good to see he still sings and plays even at 65.
Inspiration to us all.
On ya Nick! Still a geezer.
Nick, you're great!
He is a great songwriter. Just one of many great songwriters. He deserves the "title" as one of " the best songwriters of the late 20th Century."
Fantastic he hasn't lost his beautiful voice unlike alot of other singers beyond 40
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.
Really love this, Nick has absolutely still got it!
Good stuff !! Pure and simple ! 😎👍
Who the hell is this singing a Nick Lowe song ? 😱
Hey! It sure would be nice to invite Nick to my place and have him sing this song for me and my friends! We'd all all kick back have some java or drinks and have a good ol' time! Thanks for the music Nick!!!
If you like this, check out Rachel Heath's "The Man Who Was Put On Earth To Serve Women": pinkflamingo.com/The-Man-Who-Was-Put-On-Earth-To-Serve-Women-PF6237.htm?categoryId=-1
amazing adorable the best song for me ,and in more I adore Mr Lowe a great Sir, We find the same construction chords of guitar, for the song " femme of jean luc Lahaye 1982, Madona holiday live 1983 etc ... Many singers copied to you it proves that your song is a monument Mr Lowe !!! And Incredible Mr Lowe you improve as great wines !! I bottom when i ' listen to this songThanks a million !
Great song as a kid I heard this on am radio and always liked it digging in to this cool ol dude realized he was producing many other artist and had a great career over the years some older stuff reminds me of thin Lizzy how the songs are arranged no one hit wonder here although probably his best known or well known here in the US ...is this song
I,too,expected to not approve this stripped down arrangement but,like Johansen,when HE slows down old Dolls or solo material-kept the catchy-ness and revealed NEW POWER in an old song
I’m so glad that Nicks not stiff yet. Genius
I saw what you said there... ;-)
Damn, he's turned into an old guy from the 50's.
He's cool as fuck....that's what he is.
Number 1 should surely be Dave "The Cat" Gahan. Died and resuscitated 4 times....
Ever since this came out around 1980, I always envisioned the singer as someone who was talking to Mother Nature, who had to be "cruel to be kind" to maintain the strength and fitness of all plants and animals to keep nature strong. I know it's some guy whining about his abusive girlfriend, but I like my interpretation better. No bias on my part. :)
Kick it Nick! He is amazing. His sentences made me happy. His rhyme and rhythm like an angel. I shall pray for him every week. Like Adam Warlock or ..Michael Hutchence. 1:34 2:05
I have to share something funny. I didn’t realize this is nick Lowe. I thought it was an older gentleman doing a copy. And funnier yet, I was saying this guy does a nice version but he’s certainly no nick Lowe. Yes. Feel pretty silly. And further, I was thinking, I wonder what nick Lowe looks like today. I love this song in whatever time and space he wants to sing it.
Not really a defamation post. I seen Elvis' buddy Nick, thinking it would be with a group besides Rock Pile, and this is what myself and others got.
hey yo that pretty damn good acoustic playin'. i saw the video i enjoyed it. some have said of the electric version sound that it had an underlying sense of campiness, Dat is B.S. i say...- Cruel to be kind now belongs to the Rock of Sound. Great tune