Pure ear candy from underground rock royalty. That’s Rockpile as the backing band including Dave Edmunds who is amazing in his own English rockabilly way. Nick produced the first five Elvis Costello records and the two shared many a song. Love these guys
The bride is his real wife at the time Carlene Carter, also a singer songwriter and daughter of the late June Carter Cash. Her step dad was Johnny Cash. Nick Lowe is a master producer, Elvis Costello and the Pretenders just two of his artists. He is a real renaissance man.
Nick Lowe is a solo artist - but his band Rockpile is backing him here. This is an AWESOME power pop song from 1979! One of the best songs from that era!
Lowe was a member and songwriter playing in bass in pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz which was a band named after its lead guitarist. Most of the Brins went on to back another famous pub rocker, Graham Parker, as the Rumour. Calling Rockpile “his band” is a misnomer, as it was the pairing of Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds that created a special magic for Rockpile, and solo albums by both artists. Nick Lowe is also a member of three chord (if necessary) “supergroup” Little Village, including John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner.
OMG you guys, I couldn't click this fast enough. This was one of my favorite songs when I was young. I sang along at the top of my lungs. Thank you for doing it. Glad you enjoyed it.
Two other Nick Lowe classics you should try: “I knew the bride when she used to rock’n’roll” and “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?” As already mentioned he was Johnny Cash’s son in law. Another fun fact: after David Bowie brought out an LP called “Low” Nick Low called his next LP “Bowi”
@@bethmiller1840 You're right, "What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding" was recorded and played by Elvis and the Attractions. The song was written by Lowe, who also produced the LP on which it appeared, Armed Forces, for EC & the Attractions. And the music video for the song was shot in Vancouver, BC - fun to see local sights in the shots, starting with Stanley Park. th-cam.com/video/Ssd3U_zicAI/w-d-xo.html
NIck Lowe was one of the PIONEERS of new wave and synth music in the late 70s/early 80s. This was his biggest hit (in 1979), but I also recommend "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass". Now, if you want to continue down this road, PLEASE check out Gary Numan, whose sound at the time was REVOLUTIONARY. His songs "Cars" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" were mind blowing for those of us whose brains were accustomed to rock and disco. It's because of Nick and Gary and bands like Depeche Mode that synth music exploded all over the world! (And aren't we all better for it???)
I've always loved this song - of course Dave Edmunds (whom I love as well) was the lead guitarist (of Rockpile) - see "Girls Talk" (th-cam.com/video/S4TzjRFfsJs/w-d-xo.html ) and "Queen of Hearts" (th-cam.com/video/qy2HdKaP1EU/w-d-xo.html ). In terms of Gary Numan, "Are Friends Electric?" was the first synth single I ever purchased (which was interesting as they had a non-electronic analogue drum kit!).
@@jethro1963 I love Gary Numan's "Cars" but it was never the same after UK comedian Bill Bailey (who is a brilliant musician) covered it (in French) playing the main theme on car horns (th-cam.com/video/4F4gDAP5JgI/w-d-xo.html )! 🤣
Was involved in punk, produced the first punk hit New Rose by the Damned plus all those great records with Elvis Costello BUT he is not a synth pioneer!! Would love a reaction to Cars though and Tubeway Army
Nick Lowe has been hugely influential, even if mostly behind the scene. His work with Dave Edmonds, Elvis Costello and others truly changed the British Pop Scene. ✌️
43 years later and I STILL remember the words. Can't even tell you the last time I heard it but I was 9 when it came out in 1979. Nick Lowe is a UK artist with bandmates. It was actually written for the band he was in prior to and it never got released. He signed with a new label and they bullied him into re-recording it. It was inspired by a song that he loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost'.
The first time I ever heard the chorus of this song, I thought it was the band America. The harmonies and the melody sounds almost exactly like Gerry Beckley singing lead.
I'm a big fan of Nick Lowe and I recently just saw him in concert opening up for Elvis Costello in September 2022. He sounds as good as ever. This song is Pop perfect. I never get tired of it, ever.
I saw him live a couple of years ago, in a relatively intimate setting. He performed this, plus a bunch of covers, alongside Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather-Low. Three very talented men.
@@dolphinbear661 He's a bit non-descript when talking (perfectly pleasant, just a bit lacking in personality), but what a voice! I saw him again this summer at a Festival. He was on around 6pm. 4 hours later: Squeeze. Gutted that he didn't come on to do Tempted with them. But he did his version and then they did theirs.
@@ToniMcGinty wow, Squeeze, also indescribably great. I was fortunate enough to see them live WAY back in the day, wanna say it was about 1987 or 88 in a small college in Virginia and danced all night. Will never forget it!
"Cruel to Be Kind" was originally written by Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm while in Brinsley Schwarz, having been recorded as a demo during this period. Lowe stated, "I wrote that when I was with a band, Brinsley Schwarz, that I was with from the early '70s to about the mid-'70s. ... We recorded it on a demo, it never came out, and when I signed to Columbia Records the A&R man [Gregg Geller] there at the time suggested I record it again. And I didn't think it would do anything, but he kind of bullied me into it." Lowe recorded the song with his band Rockpile; he recalled, "I said, 'Boys, I'm sorry, I've got this song which I've been told we've got to record, and it goes like this.' They grumbled a bit about it." Musically, the song was originally closer to a soul style. Lowe later said, “Initially... the inspiration was a song I loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost', and the bass line was the same... we loved that Philly disco stuff from the 70's, The O'Jays, all that stuff, we loved that... I can't really remember much about recording it. It was just another tune that we did, you know, and I sent it over to New York to Gregg and said, Uhh, will this do?'" In more recent live versions, Lowe has performed the song closer to "The Love I Lost"; he explained, "How I do it now sounds quite different. In fact, it was on the radio the other day and I was quite amazed how differently I do it now". "Cruel to Be Kind" proved to be Lowe's most successful American single. Lowe reflected on this, "When I had my couple of hits, I sort of felt like I was ticking a box more than, 'Great, I'm off now on a chart-topping career.' I felt that in order to do what I wanted to do, I had to do certain things, and one of them was to have a hit in my own right. At least one. I managed two or three, if you take in Europe. But in the United States, where it really matters, I had one hit and people still remember it, and it's a pretty good little song, you know?" Lowe continues to perform the song live and still looks favorably upon the song, saying, "I really love it. It cheers people up. ... If they're good songs, they really will stand the test of time".
After this hit was going back down the charts Dave Edmunds released " Girl's Talk. " Both songs should have been under the band's name " Rockpile. " I found it really strange at the time. Anyhow, great music.
This video has actual footage from his wedding to Carlene Carter mixed in. I've always loved Nick Lowe and this song in particular. By the way, from Songfacts: "Lowe cribbed the phrase 'cruel to be kind' from Shakespeare, who used it in Hamlet: I must be cruel only to be kind Thus bad begins and worse remains behind"
"Cruel to be kind" is from Shaekspeare's "Hamlet" where the Price criticizes his Mother, for remarrying after his Father's "mysterious death". Nick Lowe, a great talent in music, and producing. I've seen him Live. His three band members, who play other roles in the video were collectively known as Rockpile. they made only one album, in 1980, "Seconds of Pleasure" is an amazing album!
Thanks for the Shakespeare reference. IDK that. As you probably already know Rockpile, as a group, made several albums together, but because of contractual conflicts with Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds they had to credit those records of one or the other’s names.
Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds had their own band that they formed to play on one another's albums - including this song - called Rockpile. A classic pub band.
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "So It Goes", "I Knew the Bride(When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)", "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" and "Switchboard Susan"!!! edit- that's his real life wife Carlene Carter(from 1979 to 1990), a singer. I have one of her albums. You would like Carlene's "Two Sides To Every Woman".
Carlene Carter is the daughter of June Carter Cash, from June's first marriage. Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds belonged to Rockpile, and ALL Rockpile's songs are just as catchy as this!
"Cruel To Be Kind" by Nick Lowe, was released as a single in 1979. In 1981, the music video for this song was among the earliest music videos ever aired on MTV.
Cruel to be kind = tough love. You have to tell the harsh truth in order to grow and experience an honest relationship. 1980's. It's a single artist by the name of Nick Lowe
The lyrics make it sound less like tough love and more like the person he's singing about is trying to justify their abuse. "I pick myself up off the ground to have you knock me back down again and again".
When your crude to be kind you're being honest, brutally honest with a person, examples: your friend asked how she looks in her new dress, in reality, she looks dumpy but she's expecting you to tell her she looks fine instead your cruel to be kind by telling her honestly that she should change outfits. You tell someone you know their breath stinks that's cruel on the surface but in the long run, it's kind.
I was going to say that every time I hear this song I think of that movie. It is in my top 10 go to movies. I have watched it SO many times! I love Heath Ledger in it.
Letters to Cleo (with Save Ferris) did a great job with this song in that movie, also one of my guilty pleasures. Nick Lowe’s original is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Nick Lowe was in a band with Dave Edmunds called Rockpile. You should check out “Teacher, Teacher” by Rockpile. And Dave Edmunds has a great catalogue of his own. “Girls Talk” is a great Fave Edmunds song.
The sign on the screen at the beginning of the song is the U.K.'s influential punk and new wave record label. They were the first to release a punk song "New Rose" by the Damned in1976. I was in college and had just discovered the sound breaking in England and have been a lover of the sounds ever since. The statement from the label was " If it ain't Stiff, it ain't worth a fu..k."
Fun song and Nick Lowe is a very respected artist. Listen to 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" by Elvis Costello who is a fantastic artist if you've never heard him. It was written and produced by Nick Lowe. I think you will love it for the music and the message!
That's Dave Edmunds on guitar/backing vocals/chauffeur. He has several songs worthy of a review: "I Hear You Knocking" "Queen of Hearts" "Girls Talk" "Slipping Away" and more.
The women he married is Carlene Carter stepdaughter of Johnny Cash. She also is a singer who had some hits in the 90s. Her and Nick recorded a few songs together also.
One of my favorite songs from when I switched from AM Top 40 to FM Rock (and later New Wave). I was 14 in ‘79 and I felt that’s the 80s were going to bring something new in music. The Cars, The Police, Blondie, Squeeze. You could just sense a new era.❤
Nick Lowe is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and producer. His discography consists of 14 studio albums, 1 live album, 3 EPs, 23 singles, and 6 compilations. In addition, he has been a performer and producer on numerous albums by other artists.
He recorded with Dave Edmunds (check him out too, try his 1st hit "I Hear You Knockin") and they briefly had the band Rockpile. Nick wrote the big hit for Elvis Costello - What's So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding.
@@lovman The man who wrote the impassioned What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding also wrote icky-sick Marie Provost. Since these two liked the Bay City Rollers they also should check out Lowe's brilliant "Rollers Show".
"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" is my favorite Nick Lowe song. However, in the TV show "The Magicians", in the penultimate episode, the cast is under a spell where they do this song. Pretty cool. They also do The Ramone's "I Wanna Be Sedated".
As has been said already Nick Lowe was a pioneer along with Dave Edmunds and Rock Pile. Dave Edmunds is a phenominal guitarist (he plays the chauffeur) I had all their albums and loved Dave especially.
One of my favorite songs still today. Cruel to be kind was a huge hit in 1979. This song seemed like it played every 10 minutes on the radio. Even though I wasn't even a teenager back then this song has always stuck with me.
Sometimes as my son grew up I would have to tell him to do something or learn something he didn't really enjoy. When he would ask "Dad, why do I need to do that?" I would sing him the chorus from this song... lol. :) Even now, years later, and I tell him some advice that he doesn't want to hear I may add on this ditty at the end. :)
Nick Lowe produced the first punk record ever: the New Rose single by the Damned. He was the house producer for Stiff Records, pioneers of indie music, where he produced lots of great music. His nickname was "The Basher" because he bashed out songs so quickly. He married Carlene Carter, Johnny Cash's stepdaughter. Imagine meeting the great man - he says to Nick "So you play guitar?"
Thank you, Thank you guys!! First Nick Lowe reaction I've seen! He was a great singer/songwriter in his own right. I LOVED his band Rockpile with Dave Edmunds. But, he was also a brilliant producer for Elvis Costello , Graham Parker and the like. Please react to Elvis Costello s video 'What's so funny about Peace Love and Understanding' written by Nick.. Love you guys!
Lowe may be best known as the producer of Elvis Costello’s first several albums (which include Costello covering Lowe’s song “What’s so Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding”). You should check out Watching the Detectives or Allison by Elvis Costello.
Nick Lowe is freaking cool as hell. "Little Hitler", "half A Boy & Half A Man", "I Knew The Bride(When She Used To Rock And Roll)", are good songs. He was also in a collaborative band called Rockville which also featured Dave Edmunds. Speaking of Dave you guys should check out his songs "I Hear You Knocking'" and "Almost Saturday Night"
I am SO happy you reacted to this! There were a whole bunch of artists that played in each other's bands in the late '70's to mid '80's in England that also recorded understeer own names and groups. Would LOVE for you to react to more Nick Lowe (I Knew The Bride), Dave Edmunds (Girls Talk), Ian Dury (Reasons To Be Cheerful), Elvis Costello (What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love And Understanding, Radio Radio), Wreckless Eric (Whole Wide World), Madness (One Step Beyond, Our House). It would be great if you would give these a listen. I really think you would enjoy these! Have a great day!
Nick Lowe has a whole catalog of later tunes, most about the experiences of being an older guy. Very funny and relatable to us old guys. “A better man”, “The Club”, “I trained her to love me”, some of the titles.
Great song, great video for this as well. A different Nick altogether, Nick Gilder, Hot Child in the City, is a late 70s one hit wonder that is worth a listen.
Can't thank you enough for reacting to this song. It was literally one of the very first songs ..I learned the words to ..when I was very young. Always been a very memorable song for me. One of my very first exposures..to great music. A person never forgets those..great memories!.
I love this tune. One of my faves. He’s such a good songwriter and has produced some classic tunes! Check out a chum of his, Elvis Costello’s songs from the late 70s… "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?", Watching The Detectives, Accidents Will Happen, Every Day I Write The Book, Shipbuilding, I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea, I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down... Great post-punk, new wave tunes!
I bought this on cassette tape in 1979, which also had "Crackin' Up" on it.I also have his "The Convincer" CD, from 2001, not so poppy, but still excellent stuff.
👏👏👏👏I think you two understand what the meaning of this song is. I understand it as someone who loves you enough to be brutally honest with you by telling you the truth even though the truth might hurt them but actually the truth is intended to help someone. Some people can't handle the truth in some cases. I believe that is what this song is about. I don't know the whole background of this song or inspiration. Just what I think until someone tells me differently. Enjoyed your reaction! ☮💕
Great song! Quite obscure and very old. I love, love, love this song, and hardly no one knows it today. Now I feel the urge to listen to some old Elvis Costello records.
Wow. Song was from the late 70's when he married June Carter Cash. The wedding incl her are depicted in the original MTVvideo incl Dave Edmunds as the limo driver. (She is D-I-L of Johnny Cash). He was a famouis songwriter for Elvis Costello, John Hiatt amd others besdies cutting over 10 albums himself.
At last you stumbled into british pub-rock.....there's a lot to discover.....Nick Lowe, Rockpile, Dave Edmunds, Ian Gomm, Dr. Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe, Kilburn and the High Roads, Joe Jackson, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Brinsley Schwarz, Eggs Over Easy, Nine Below Zero, Bees Make Honey, Count Bishops, The 101'ers, Help Yourself, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, Dire Straits, Graham Parker and the Rumour, The Inmates, Solid Senders, Steve Gibbons Band, etc.......great, great music !!!.......thank you !
Thanks for stayiing in tyhe 70s Rob Squad This was a huge hit in March 1978 The same year as Grease the Movie and the song Hold the Line By Toto Love your videos Very sweet couple and Family,, Take Care, ,Amber you would have fit into the 70s so groovy Baby,
Interesting fact…in this video. One of the guests (in white) is Rosanne Cash (you 2 just did a reaction on her week or so ago)…that’s her stepsister Carlene Carter that Nick Lowe is marrying (they were married 10 years I think) 🤙🏽
Nick Lowe was a staple of my teenage years. I had this on vinyl, it was released In 1978. And in the video to this song was of his actual wedding to his first wife. You guys need to check out his "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" 1978, it sounds very different to "Cruel To Be Kind", but it was one of my favourite songs from that era (still is tbh). ❤🎶🎼🎙
His biggest hit by far. 1978 was when this came out, great song. "I Knew the Bride(When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)" is also a pretty good tune by this artist. I was just thinking.... have you checked out the great Canadian band 'The Stampeders' yet? They were big in the late/mid 70's as well. 'Oh My Lady' or 'Minstrel Gypsy' for a slow one or 'Hit the Road Jack or Wild Eyes' for a Rocker. Cheers.
Pure ear candy from underground rock royalty. That’s Rockpile as the backing band including Dave Edmunds who is amazing in his own English rockabilly way. Nick produced the first five Elvis Costello records and the two shared many a song. Love these guys
ROCKPILE!!! :) No matter what each member did in their solo career, the other members of Rockpile where in their videos or on the recordings.
Welsh rockabilly, perhaps, but definitely not English!
LOVE and miss Rockpile, one of the greatest “what if” bands ever.
I was lucky enough to see Rockpile/Nick Lowe/Dave Edmonds a few times! The masters! 🤩🤩
@@rickmancr lol, didn’t expect to get called out on that 😂 Don’t tell my relly’s in Cardiff
The bride is his real wife at the time Carlene Carter, also a singer songwriter and daughter of the late June Carter Cash. Her step dad was Johnny Cash. Nick Lowe is a master producer, Elvis Costello and the Pretenders just two of his artists. He is a real renaissance man.
Maximum points, Cecilia! You got it all covered.
Johnny Cash definitely collected some amazingly talented (former) sons in law. Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, and Nick Lowe.
…and the video is from their actual wedding!
Now you need to listen to his buddy, Dave Edmunds "I Hear You Knocking". Together they were Rockpile.
Nick Lowe is a solo artist - but his band Rockpile is backing him here. This is an AWESOME power pop song from 1979! One of the best songs from that era!
Teacher Teacher👍
Lowe was a member and songwriter playing in bass in pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz which was a band named after its lead guitarist. Most of the Brins went on to back another famous pub rocker, Graham Parker, as the Rumour.
Calling Rockpile “his band” is a misnomer, as it was the pairing of Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds that created a special magic for Rockpile, and solo albums by both artists.
Nick Lowe is also a member of three chord (if necessary) “supergroup” Little Village, including John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner.
@@scottlafleur4148 crawling from the Wreckage
OMG you guys, I couldn't click this fast enough. This was one of my favorite songs when I was young. I sang along at the top of my lungs. Thank you for doing it. Glad you enjoyed it.
Same! I LOVED this song when I was 9-10 years old and would get so excited when it came on the radio.
@@wendywatching Hi Wendy, I just commented about my memory of being 9-10 years old when this was out in the UK :) We must be the same age :) xx
@@laineydavey The same age and have the same awesome taste in music!
Me to mate, top song
One of the first records I bought 😁
Two other Nick Lowe classics you should try: “I knew the bride when she used to rock’n’roll” and “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?”
As already mentioned he was Johnny Cash’s son in law.
Another fun fact: after David Bowie brought out an LP called “Low” Nick Low called his next LP “Bowi”
"Peace Love and Understanding" was Elvis Costello. Great song.
@@bethmiller1840 You're right, "What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding" was recorded and played by Elvis and the Attractions. The song was written by Lowe, who also produced the LP on which it appeared, Armed Forces, for EC & the Attractions.
And the music video for the song was shot in Vancouver, BC - fun to see local sights in the shots, starting with Stanley Park.
th-cam.com/video/Ssd3U_zicAI/w-d-xo.html
@@parissimons6385 I didn't know that. Thanks!
It’s Nick Lowe with an E, which is why he called his record Bowi without the E.
@@gotham61 yes I know! Only spotted the mistake after I’d posted the comment
NIck Lowe was one of the PIONEERS of new wave and synth music in the late 70s/early 80s. This was his biggest hit (in 1979), but I also recommend "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass". Now, if you want to continue down this road, PLEASE check out Gary Numan, whose sound at the time was REVOLUTIONARY. His songs "Cars" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" were mind blowing for those of us whose brains were accustomed to rock and disco. It's because of Nick and Gary and bands like Depeche Mode that synth music exploded all over the world! (And aren't we all better for it???)
Yes, I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass is great!
Can never get sick of Cars. Nothing like it before or since.
I've always loved this song - of course Dave Edmunds (whom I love as well) was the lead guitarist (of Rockpile) - see "Girls Talk" (th-cam.com/video/S4TzjRFfsJs/w-d-xo.html ) and "Queen of Hearts" (th-cam.com/video/qy2HdKaP1EU/w-d-xo.html ). In terms of Gary Numan, "Are Friends Electric?" was the first synth single I ever purchased (which was interesting as they had a non-electronic analogue drum kit!).
@@jethro1963 I love Gary Numan's "Cars" but it was never the same after UK comedian Bill Bailey (who is a brilliant musician) covered it (in French) playing the main theme on car horns (th-cam.com/video/4F4gDAP5JgI/w-d-xo.html )! 🤣
Was involved in punk, produced the first punk hit New Rose by the Damned plus all those great records with Elvis Costello BUT he is not a synth pioneer!! Would love a reaction to Cars though and Tubeway Army
Nick Lowe has been hugely influential, even if mostly behind the scene. His work with Dave Edmonds, Elvis Costello and others truly changed the British Pop Scene. ✌️
Yep - Basher...
43 years later and I STILL remember the words. Can't even tell you the last time I heard it but I was 9 when it came out in 1979. Nick Lowe is a UK artist with bandmates. It was actually written for the band he was in prior to and it never got released. He signed with a new label and they bullied him into re-recording it. It was inspired by a song that he loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost'.
The first time I ever heard the chorus of this song, I thought it was the band America. The harmonies and the melody sounds almost exactly like Gerry Beckley singing lead.
I'm a big fan of Nick Lowe and I recently just saw him in concert opening up for Elvis Costello in September 2022. He sounds as good as ever. This song is Pop perfect. I never get tired of it, ever.
Lucky! What a line- up.
I saw him live a couple of years ago, in a relatively intimate setting. He performed this, plus a bunch of covers, alongside Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather-Low. Three very talented men.
@@ToniMcGinty saw Paul Carrack in ' 19 @ The Palladium in London. Agreed, he's amazing.
@@dolphinbear661 He's a bit non-descript when talking (perfectly pleasant, just a bit lacking in personality), but what a voice! I saw him again this summer at a Festival. He was on around 6pm. 4 hours later: Squeeze. Gutted that he didn't come on to do Tempted with them. But he did his version and then they did theirs.
@@ToniMcGinty wow, Squeeze, also indescribably great. I was fortunate enough to see them live WAY back in the day, wanna say it was about 1987 or 88 in a small college in Virginia and danced all night. Will never forget it!
"Cruel to Be Kind" was originally written by Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm while in Brinsley Schwarz, having been recorded as a demo during this period. Lowe stated, "I wrote that when I was with a band, Brinsley Schwarz, that I was with from the early '70s to about the mid-'70s. ... We recorded it on a demo, it never came out, and when I signed to Columbia Records the A&R man [Gregg Geller] there at the time suggested I record it again. And I didn't think it would do anything, but he kind of bullied me into it." Lowe recorded the song with his band Rockpile; he recalled, "I said, 'Boys, I'm sorry, I've got this song which I've been told we've got to record, and it goes like this.' They grumbled a bit about it."
Musically, the song was originally closer to a soul style. Lowe later said, “Initially... the inspiration was a song I loved by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes called, 'The Love I Lost', and the bass line was the same... we loved that Philly disco stuff from the 70's, The O'Jays, all that stuff, we loved that... I can't really remember much about recording it. It was just another tune that we did, you know, and I sent it over to New York to Gregg and said, Uhh, will this do?'" In more recent live versions, Lowe has performed the song closer to "The Love I Lost"; he explained, "How I do it now sounds quite different. In fact, it was on the radio the other day and I was quite amazed how differently I do it now".
"Cruel to Be Kind" proved to be Lowe's most successful American single. Lowe reflected on this, "When I had my couple of hits, I sort of felt like I was ticking a box more than, 'Great, I'm off now on a chart-topping career.' I felt that in order to do what I wanted to do, I had to do certain things, and one of them was to have a hit in my own right. At least one. I managed two or three, if you take in Europe. But in the United States, where it really matters, I had one hit and people still remember it, and it's a pretty good little song, you know?" Lowe continues to perform the song live and still looks favorably upon the song, saying, "I really love it. It cheers people up. ... If they're good songs, they really will stand the test of time".
Ian Gomm had a hit called"Hold on", which is an awesome song
After this hit was going back down the charts Dave Edmunds released " Girl's Talk. " Both songs should have been under the band's name " Rockpile. " I found it really strange at the time. Anyhow, great music.
It really does sound early 70s. Now I know why!
This video has actual footage from his wedding to Carlene Carter mixed in. I've always loved Nick Lowe and this song in particular.
By the way, from Songfacts:
"Lowe cribbed the phrase 'cruel to be kind' from Shakespeare, who used it in Hamlet:
I must be cruel only to be kind
Thus bad begins and worse remains behind"
Awesome, thanks for the Shakespeare reference. Hamlet's chock full of wisdom and quotable lines - yet I didn't remember that this came from it. 🙂
So basically Tough Love? Is that right? That how I've always thought of this song, which I absolutely LOVE💕
I heard it's about S&M.
@@cathyortiz1280 you've been reading to much shades🤣
@@aveemarie268 No, it was in a Rolling Stone Mag interview with him.
Labour of Lust is one of the best albums of the 1970's. Everything on it is a total banger. Welcome to the Rockpile rabbit hole.
100% true ! .. That album is still one of my very favourites of all time .. As you say, it's chock full of bangers .. Totally love it !
"Cruel to be kind" is from Shaekspeare's "Hamlet" where the Price criticizes his Mother, for remarrying after his Father's "mysterious death".
Nick Lowe, a great talent in music, and producing. I've seen him Live.
His three band members, who play other roles in the video were collectively known as Rockpile. they made only one album, in 1980, "Seconds of Pleasure" is an amazing album!
I wore that cassette tape out back in the day!
Thanks for the Shakespeare reference. IDK that. As you probably already know Rockpile, as a group, made several albums together, but because of contractual conflicts with Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds they had to credit those records of one or the other’s names.
@@ChasBeauregarde Yes. They should be in the Rock Hall -on my personal list!
One of my favorite songs,love me some nick.
Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds had their own band that they formed to play on one another's albums - including this song - called Rockpile. A classic pub band.
Oh man. I still rock out to Dave Edmunds' "Slippin' Away".
Those guys, Dr. Feelgood, and Ian Dury. First rate!
@@Shrykespeare Slippin Away is fantastic.
I remember Rockpile! Awesome. 👍
@@petestaint8312 Pete's Taint? That's outstanding. Funny stuff.
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "So It Goes", "I Knew the Bride(When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)", "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" and "Switchboard Susan"!!!
edit- that's his real life wife Carlene Carter(from 1979 to 1990), a singer. I have one of her albums. You would like Carlene's "Two Sides To Every Woman".
Carlene Carter is the daughter of June Carter Cash, from June's first marriage. Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds belonged to Rockpile, and ALL Rockpile's songs are just as catchy as this!
Also "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass". Pretty much all of Jesus of Cool.
Here in Australia Dave Edmonds charted in 1978 with I knew The Bride
My choices: 36 Inches High, She Don't Love Nobody Rose of England and All Men Are Liars.
"Cruel To Be Kind" by Nick Lowe, was released as a single in 1979. In 1981, the music video for this song was among the earliest music videos ever aired on MTV.
One of my favorite songs ever!!! It’s so catchy!!!
Agreed its so catchy
Agree. One of my favorite songs too.
Cruel to be kind = tough love. You have to tell the harsh truth in order to grow and experience an honest relationship.
1980's. It's a single artist by the name of Nick Lowe
Or S&M!!
79 but your close 80s Kid
It's a Shakespeare line
Other ways to say the same thing. Tough Love, Brutally Honest, Don't Sugar Coat It.
The lyrics make it sound less like tough love and more like the person he's singing about is trying to justify their abuse. "I pick myself up off the ground to have you knock me back down again and again".
When your crude to be kind you're being honest, brutally honest with a person, examples: your friend asked how she looks in her new dress, in reality, she looks dumpy but she's expecting you to tell her she looks fine instead your cruel to be kind by telling her honestly that she should change outfits. You tell someone you know their breath stinks that's cruel on the surface but in the long run, it's kind.
This is such a catchy song. All over the radio at the time. It was covered in one of my guilty pleasure movies "Ten Things I Hate About You."
I was going to say that every time I hear this song I think of that movie. It is in my top 10 go to movies. I have watched it SO many times! I love Heath Ledger in it.
I would strongly recommend 10 things I hate about you for your movie channel and it has a great soundtrack too
Thanks for mentioning "Ten Things I Hate About You." I thought it was just me. 🙂
Letters to Cleo is the band that covered it in 10 Things I Hate About You😀
Letters to Cleo (with Save Ferris) did a great job with this song in that movie, also one of my guilty pleasures. Nick Lowe’s original is one of my favorite songs of all time.
This song was in “Ten Things I Hate About You” during the prom scene
Love this song.
Great cover of this by Letters to Cleo in the movie 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, which you MUST watch.
This is a 1979 hit that has a 60's feel to it. Awesome!
One of my favorite songs of all time. Thanks for reacting to it.
Perfect, timeless pop song.
Nick Lowe was in a band with Dave Edmunds called Rockpile. You should check out “Teacher, Teacher” by Rockpile. And Dave Edmunds has a great catalogue of his own. “Girls Talk” is a great Fave Edmunds song.
Love Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Rockpile- so much good stuff
The sign on the screen at the beginning of the song is the U.K.'s influential punk and new wave record label. They were the first to release a punk song "New Rose" by the Damned in1976. I was in college and had just discovered the sound breaking in England and have been a lover of the sounds ever since. The statement from the label was " If it ain't Stiff, it ain't worth a fu..k."
Fun song and Nick Lowe is a very respected artist. Listen to 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" by Elvis Costello who is a fantastic artist if you've never heard him. It was written and produced by Nick Lowe. I think you will love it for the music and the message!
That's Dave Edmunds on guitar/backing vocals/chauffeur. He has several songs worthy of a review: "I Hear You Knocking" "Queen of Hearts" "Girls Talk" "Slipping Away" and more.
Nick Lowe and Dave Edmonds.Great selection!!! Almost Saturday Night by Dave Edmonds is a rockon' tune as well!
The girl in the video is Carlene Carter, who was rock 'royalty' back in 1979, she is Johnny Cash's Step Daughter
The women he married is Carlene Carter stepdaughter of Johnny Cash. She also is a singer who had some hits in the 90s. Her and Nick recorded a few songs together also.
One of my favorite songs from when I switched from AM Top 40 to FM Rock (and later New Wave). I was 14 in ‘79 and I felt that’s the 80s were going to bring something new in music. The Cars, The Police, Blondie, Squeeze. You could just sense a new era.❤
Nick Lowe is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and producer. His discography consists of 14 studio albums, 1 live album, 3 EPs, 23 singles, and 6 compilations. In addition, he has been a performer and producer on numerous albums by other artists.
He recorded with Dave Edmunds (check him out too, try his 1st hit "I Hear You Knockin") and they briefly had the band Rockpile. Nick wrote the big hit for Elvis Costello - What's So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding.
@@lovman The man who wrote the impassioned What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding also wrote icky-sick Marie Provost. Since these two liked the Bay City Rollers they also should check out Lowe's brilliant "Rollers Show".
Dave wouldn’t thank you for calling him English. He’s actually from Cardiff, Wales. Great performer and much respected along with Nick Lowe.
It’s from the Wikipedia
I was 13 when I bought the 45, single it does my heart well to c this young people listening to this awesome song rock on Rockpile
"I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass" is my favorite Nick Lowe song. However, in the TV show "The Magicians", in the penultimate episode, the cast is under a spell where they do this song. Pretty cool. They also do The Ramone's "I Wanna Be Sedated".
Loved this and his other big one, I Knew The Bride. The other song will have you smiling!
I was a freshman in high school when Lowe released this. We sang this on the way to football games on the bus.
He had 6 or 7 songs I really love and adore but this was my favorite he did. Appreciate you all giving it some spotlight
As has been said already Nick Lowe was a pioneer along with Dave Edmunds and Rock Pile. Dave Edmunds is a phenominal guitarist (he plays the chauffeur) I had all their albums and loved Dave especially.
One of the best power pop songs and artists ever! The lyrics are tongue in cheek.
Great old band from the 70's, with Nick Lowe, & Dave Edmunds (purple jacket) sharing lead vocal duties on their other songs!!
One of my favorite songs still today. Cruel to be kind was a huge hit in 1979. This song seemed like it played every 10 minutes on the radio. Even though I wasn't even a teenager back then this song has always stuck with me.
Sometimes as my son grew up I would have to tell him to do something or learn something he didn't really enjoy. When he would ask "Dad, why do I need to do that?" I would sing him the chorus from this song... lol. :) Even now, years later, and I tell him some advice that he doesn't want to hear I may add on this ditty at the end. :)
Absolutely, irresistibly, catchy track, the history of which is well documented in the comments. Still sounds great after hundreds of listens.
Best song of late 1979!!!🎉
Definitely check out Dave Edmunds work such as Girls Talk or I Hear You Knocking
Underrated classic.
Nick Lowe produced the first punk record ever: the New Rose single by the Damned. He was the house producer for Stiff Records, pioneers of indie music, where he produced lots of great music. His nickname was "The Basher" because he bashed out songs so quickly. He married Carlene Carter, Johnny Cash's stepdaughter. Imagine meeting the great man - he says to Nick "So you play guitar?"
Thank you, Thank you guys!! First Nick Lowe reaction I've seen! He was a great singer/songwriter in his own right. I LOVED his band Rockpile with Dave Edmunds. But, he was also a brilliant producer for Elvis Costello , Graham Parker and the like. Please react to Elvis Costello s video 'What's so funny about Peace Love and Understanding' written by Nick.. Love you guys!
Rockpile was one of the tightest little bands since The Beatles. Saw them in Atlanta on a Dave Edmunds tour.
"So It Goes" by Nick Lowe would be a good follow-up ......
I ADORE Nick Lowe. I saw him with Los Straitjackets in August, and it was so good and definitely soothing to a soul that needed it in that moment.
This song is a perfect song. It's always been one of my favorite songs ever. It's just a great song to sing along to.
This song came out in 1978. I was 13. Good memories. So many good songs came out that year!
1978 was an awesome year for music for sure !!
@@rpminc1974 Totos Hold the line and Sultions of swing Diar Straits From 1978 And 100s of others
I was 9 and I still like this song.
Haven't heard this song since I was a kid, so I forgot how much I like it!! Love his voice..
Lowe may be best known as the producer of Elvis Costello’s first several albums (which include Costello covering Lowe’s song “What’s so Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding”). You should check out Watching the Detectives or Allison by Elvis Costello.
Nick Lowe is freaking cool as hell. "Little Hitler", "half A Boy & Half A Man", "I Knew The Bride(When She Used To Rock And Roll)", are good songs. He was also in a collaborative band called Rockville which also featured Dave Edmunds. Speaking of Dave you guys should check out his songs "I Hear You Knocking'" and "Almost Saturday Night"
Rockpile. Yup, its about time someone did Dave Edmunds. I'll add in "Crawling From The Wreckage", "Queen Of Hearts" and "Girls Talk".
I am SO happy you reacted to this! There were a whole bunch of artists that played in each other's bands in the late '70's to mid '80's in England that also recorded understeer own names and groups. Would LOVE for you to react to more Nick Lowe (I Knew The Bride), Dave Edmunds (Girls Talk), Ian Dury (Reasons To Be Cheerful), Elvis Costello (What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love And Understanding, Radio Radio), Wreckless Eric (Whole Wide World), Madness (One Step Beyond, Our House). It would be great if you would give these a listen. I really think you would enjoy these! Have a great day!
What's So Funny was written by Nick Lowe, too.
@@QuicknStraight - That's my aboslute most favorite song ever. I love Elvis Costellos version on Armed Forces
Nick Lowe has a whole catalog of later tunes, most about the experiences of being an older guy. Very funny and relatable to us old guys. “A better man”, “The Club”, “I trained her to love me”, some of the titles.
Nick Lowe was a very successful Artist in the 70’s.
Great song, great video for this as well. A different Nick altogether, Nick Gilder, Hot Child in the City, is a late 70s one hit wonder that is worth a listen.
Heck yeah! Jay and Amber would love that.
Agree another great song!
I give this a high rating as one of the catchiest songs. To me, those background vocals have always sounded like the band America.
Can't thank you enough for reacting to this song.
It was literally one of the very first songs ..I learned the words to ..when I was very young.
Always been a very memorable song for me.
One of my very first exposures..to great music.
A person never forgets those..great memories!.
Try Big Kick, Plain Scrap or Switchboard Susan. Nick Lowe is the solo artist his band was Rockpile. Rockpile’s biggest U.S. hit was Teacher Teacher.
Pure pop/rock. Came out late 70s with clear influences of early 60s American pop. My era music while still loving the oldies sound .
I love this tune. One of my faves. He’s such a good songwriter and has produced some classic tunes! Check out a chum of his, Elvis Costello’s songs from the late 70s… "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?", Watching The Detectives, Accidents Will Happen, Every Day I Write The Book, Shipbuilding, I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea, I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down... Great post-punk, new wave tunes!
Take me back to Junior High 6th grade . One of those great tunes to sing along with on the radio.
I got to meet Nick at a show and have to say he was absolutely wonderful. He's one of my favorites even though he never had tons of mainstream hits.
Nick Lowe is a person. Nick was a person in a band called Rockpile. The band you see in this video is Rockpile. It's complicated. Legal stuff I think.
I've always loved this song! It puts a smile on my face and makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs! A great driving song!
I bought this on cassette tape in 1979, which also had "Crackin' Up" on it.I also have his "The Convincer" CD, from 2001, not so poppy, but still excellent stuff.
This was popular when I was teenager! Loved this song!
I adore this song! It's so catchy and fun. I still have the album I bought in the 80s.
This song is part of my gardening playlist. Pruning my roses. it hurts me to do it but it's for their own good.
Oh I love that song. So cute, great melody, great lyrics. Perfect pop confection.
Such a classic song! Nick Lowe is a legend.
👏👏👏👏I think you two understand what the meaning of this song is. I understand it as someone who loves you enough to be brutally honest with you by telling you the truth even though the truth might hurt them but actually the truth is intended to help someone. Some people can't handle the truth in some cases. I believe that is what this song is about. I don't know the whole background of this song or inspiration. Just what I think until someone tells me differently. Enjoyed your reaction! ☮💕
Agreed
That's how I feel too. "Being cruel" because you speak the hard truth that your loved one may not WANT to hear, but they NEED to hear it.
Great song! Quite obscure and very old.
I love, love, love this song, and hardly no one knows it today.
Now I feel the urge to listen to some old Elvis Costello records.
Don't forget I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll by Nick Lowe
This is still a bop after all these years.
Similar time and track. A must react.
Grahm Parker- "Local Girls"
The STIFF Records label had some of the best artists of the late 70's / early 80's. BE STIFF!
If it ain't STIFF, it ain't worth a....
@@thisnicelady
Yes! Exactly! 🤣🤣🤣😉
Always a "like" for soccer people!
Nick also wrote "Peace, Love and Understanding" that was one of Elvis Costello's first hits.
Wow. Song was from the late 70's when he married June Carter Cash. The wedding incl her are depicted in the original MTVvideo incl Dave Edmunds as the limo driver. (She is D-I-L of Johnny Cash). He was a famouis songwriter for Elvis Costello, John Hiatt amd others besdies cutting over 10 albums himself.
At last you stumbled into british pub-rock.....there's a lot to discover.....Nick Lowe, Rockpile, Dave Edmunds, Ian Gomm, Dr. Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe, Kilburn and the High Roads, Joe Jackson, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Brinsley Schwarz, Eggs Over Easy, Nine Below Zero, Bees Make Honey, Count Bishops, The 101'ers, Help Yourself, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, Dire Straits, Graham Parker and the Rumour, The Inmates, Solid Senders, Steve Gibbons Band, etc.......great, great music !!!.......thank you !
Always loved this song. Makes me think of the Monkees. Cheers!
Thanks for stayiing in tyhe 70s Rob Squad This was a huge hit in March 1978 The same year as Grease the Movie and the song Hold the Line By Toto Love your videos Very sweet couple and Family,, Take Care, ,Amber you would have fit into the 70s so groovy Baby,
Interesting fact…in this video. One of the guests (in white) is Rosanne Cash (you 2 just did a reaction on her week or so ago)…that’s her stepsister Carlene Carter that Nick Lowe is marrying (they were married 10 years I think) 🤙🏽
One of my favorites! Thanks for covering!
Nick Lowe and Rockpile opened for Blondie in '79. It was the first concert I ever went to. Thanks for the memories.
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!
Nick Lowe was a staple of my teenage years. I had this on vinyl, it was released In 1978. And in the video to this song was of his actual wedding to his first wife. You guys need to check out his "I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass" 1978, it sounds very different to "Cruel To Be Kind", but it was one of my favourite songs from that era (still is tbh).
❤🎶🎼🎙
Nick Lowe was in the band Rockpile. You would,like their song “Teacher, Teacher”.
His biggest hit by far. 1978 was when this came out, great song. "I Knew the Bride(When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)" is also a pretty good tune by this artist. I was just thinking.... have you checked out the great Canadian band 'The Stampeders' yet? They were big in the late/mid 70's as well. 'Oh My Lady' or 'Minstrel Gypsy' for a slow one or 'Hit the Road Jack or Wild Eyes' for a Rocker. Cheers.
Other Nick Lowe songs to try include "All Men Are Liars," "Switchboard Susan," "So It Goes" and "Lately I've Let Things Slide."