No, it's a love song. Puts her before himself, parks his pride, and admires (rejoices even) in the ways in which she exceeds him. For a man, that IS love.
@George V Nope!... Mike Scott, who wrote the song, said it's just about an amalgamation of people he has been inspired by in his lifetime. No one in particular, just people who's creativity he admired, some of whom lived fast and died young.
I love your version. One woman wrote she thinks of her brother who killed himself who lived life to the extremes, no middle ground. He saw the whole of the moon. Music has so many facets and we can all use it to express ourselves
Indeed. I have a female friend who always sees the "whole of the moon". The big and wise picture, while I seen a more limited slice. I have learned so much from her......What a great song. Jennifer Warnes version is so beautiful.
For this film clip, when the band turned up the Director told them to mime to a recording. They said nah, we'll play it live, just film us. It shows. Love this song.
Unfortunately, in the video she used, the uploader duped the audio from the album recording over the live one! Here's an older file that retains the live performance, including the fiddler that wasn't on the studio version: th-cam.com/video/AsNTmjlf1vI/w-d-xo.html
I think this song is about creativity. He is paying tribute to all the great artists, poets and musicians he admires and humbly saying he is not worthy. Great song, fabulous albums.
It's all about lyrics. Not about seeing an old friend and seeing where they are, but about how a guy and girl view the world differently. And when the girl starts singing the la's over the top of his voice, it's just magical. Also, this is a song that requires multiple listens to understand all that is going on.
Karl Wallinger was one of the best and greatest musicians/ composers / producers and collaborators in music history. Sadly the great man has died aged 66. He passed away peacefully at his home. My throat is tight and my eyes fill with tears. Karl's music holds a very special place in my heart and soul. RIP mate you were a genius of the music world. Always in our hearts.
A fantastic Scottish band, just takes me back to my adolescence in Scotland in the 80s.. good times. Always wondered what it mean, I took it to be a love song
The beauty of music is you can interpret it any way it speaks to you. I’m an 80’a child and never heard of this song until a band I love, The Killers, covered it. I had to check out the original. Great song. The lyrics are beautiful and very meaningful for me!✌️❤️
Mike Scott the singer of the band wrote the song for the Scottish singer Roddy Frame of the band Aztec Camera,who i was very lucky to have met the both of them,as i was in a band called Tickled Pink.Could you please play,Set Me Free by Chris Rea if you ever get time as it was my late wifes favorite song,we went to see Chris playing this live,and Josie turned to me and said that the song massaged her soul,best wishes from Bonnie Scotland.
This is one of those songs that define the 80s for me. It came out in the year between high school and University (1985). It was a great year. This song would be pouring out of the windows of my '75 Malibu while I ripped up and down the streets here in Ottawa. Good song, better days. Also: These guys do a great cover of Van Morrison's "Sweet Thing" - worth a listen.
Omg! One of my favorite all time songs! Beautiful love song! Thank you for reacting to this! Thank you to who ever requested this! I would have thought it too obscure. You showed me otherwise!
I realize that this video is over a year old .... but I have to say that this is one of the best songs I have ever heard. An absolute masterpiece of songwriting.
They say each person spends one third of their life sleeping, 2 years of their life eating, 6 years of their life speaking...well i have spent at least 3 days of my life listening to this song in total...one of my all time favourite songs...thanks.
This has a special place in my heart. It is the story of me and my then fiance at the time. And even though we broke up and she went a bit nuts on me I still have fond memories. I always was the pragmatic one and she was the one always trying a new creative endeavour.
oh how cool you found this group ! A member of this group, Karl Wallinger, went on later to form the group World Party. If you have time to you should try to listen to their song Ship Of Fools...
There are not enough words to express how much I love this song (one of the best from the 80s, if not the best IMHO) and the Waterboys. There's so much going on in here for a "pop" song: amazing lyrics, great beat, passionate vocals, great arrangement and production, the trumpet parts (oh my), the backing vocals... I think Mike Scott (leader, singer-songwriter and guitar player of the band) told something like this song was about admiration for and inspiration from other artists or people who shine, hold the fire, the candle burning bright (OK, these are my awkward words LOL). Thank you Mike Scott for the song, thank you Karl Wallinger (the keyboard guy who went on to form his own great band, World Party, shortly after) for your musicianship. And thank you India for your reaction 👍👏
During the mid 80s there were many great british bands lke this. Great energy in this song. Loved iit since 1984. I see by the amount of comments that not many people know this song.
Bless Mike for giving a live vocal for the film clip, he hated miming, he famously refused totp performance of this song because of it, cost him huge momentum career wise. Legendary guy that still always gives his best for the audience
Sweet Thing, The Pan Within, World Party, This Is The Sea, And A Bang On The Ear, We Will Not Be Lovers, Spirit, The Stolen Child, Old England, A Man Is In Love.......and many more. A truly unique band that is difficult to appreciate on first listening, but if you go down the rabbit hole you will not be disappointed. Congratulations for choosing to listen to them - most people have never even heard of them and if they have it will invariably be just this one track, The Whole of the Moon.
You will miss the brilliance of this song if you don't get what it is about. It's basically about a close friend who lived fast and died young, it's a beautiful testimony to them from when they were young, nothing at all to do with jealousy or goals in life.
Saw them live in the cypress tavern in city centre Manchester 89/90 and in the palace in levenshulme just outside of town a big Irish area. This is my wife and mine first dance song... For the record I wanted up the junction by squeeze..😂
So happy to see you reacting to The Waterboys! I especially appreciate how you listen to the lyrics in these reactions and come up with theories. This is a much more interesting format to going in completely blind and coming out with a throwaway reaction like 'that sounded dope" or whatever. Listeners who are familiar with these songs, I'd think, want to really gush and flail about *why* their favorite songs are so good.
Did not see the Waterboys live until l was approximately 72 years old,can't be sure now( old age brain fade). Absolutely knocked out by the whole set,seen them once more since before this Covid thingy took hold.High energy,tight musicianship and beautifully crafted songs........what's not to like!Hope l will have the chance to see them once more at least.Must say the lady that reviews this and other great music,is beautiful and seems to have a even more beautiful soul.Wish everyone well.
The Waterboys is singer Mike Scott’s project. Been going since the early 1980 with over a hundred members passing through the band. He got the name The Waterboys from a line in the Lou Reed song, They’ve Taken Her Children Away.
My favourite song ever, thank you, I need to find your reaction to The Cults - She Sells Sanctuary now. Have you heard Genesis - Mama..... you certainly won’t be disappointed 😁
That was great. It's refreshing to hear some (what I call) old school alternative. One of my favorites (besides XTC) that I've never heard anyone react to is Altered Images. You could always play their song Happy Birthday on your special day. Just thought of The Sugar Cubes Birthday is incredible too. I better stop now, huh?
I feel pretty strongly that it's about a friend's passing. Possibly an overdose. This person "filled the skies" while Mike was grounded. IMO, it's a sad but also a celebratory tribute to this person. The lyrics turn the tragedy into a sort of shedding of grief, a realization that the deceased is now at peace and has become something else.
Well, I was seven at the time in another country, first heard as background music on a TV commercial, maybe in the 2000's and for a while I thought it was called.... The Whole of the Room... When I finally figured out the title, I mentioned that to my brother to which he replied with a puzzled expression on his face "Do you really think The Whole of the Room made sense for a song title?"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Love that you reacted to this. It really is talking about ones "own" self. Looking from outside ones self. To a brother/ sister, a loved one. More importantly it's about the self that exists without the ego.
I recall Mike Scott of The Waterboys had said in an interview that he was inspired to write this song by Prince and his musical genius. One the 12" single release of this song in the run-out groove was etched "For Prince, who saw the whole of the moon". Prince ended up covering this song in a funkier style many years later live.
I don't think its about jealousy, its about trying to keep up with a lover/friend who is so far beyond what you're capable of, and you're reaching and striving to be as good a person as them.
One of the most underrated songs ever produced.
not that underrated trust me its so so much bigger in the uk than it is in the us
Big Dunc nailed it
I agree
One of the best songs ever written
Great lyrics
It's poetry. Beautiful poetry.
Definitely best Scottish song ever written. Amazing lyrics
The lyrics are genius
It certainly is.
Easily one of the greatest songs of the last 40yrs
100%
One the most beautifully written songs. I’ve been in love with this song since I was a teen back in ‘85.
One of the very best songs. Winner of prestigious Novello award. Not many songs win that. It has to be a classic.
No, it's a love song. Puts her before himself, parks his pride, and admires (rejoices even) in the ways in which she exceeds him. For a man, that IS love.
@George V Nope!... Mike Scott, who wrote the song, said it's just about an amalgamation of people he has been inspired by in his lifetime. No one in particular, just people who's creativity he admired, some of whom lived fast and died young.
@@taniaPBearI didn't know that. I love that explanation. Thank you. 🌸
@@taniaPBear o
I love your version. One woman wrote she thinks of her brother who killed himself who lived life to the extremes, no middle ground. He saw the whole of the moon. Music has so many facets and we can all use it to express ourselves
Indeed. I have a female friend who always sees the "whole of the moon". The big and wise picture, while I seen a more limited slice. I have learned so much from her......What a great song. Jennifer Warnes version is so beautiful.
When music moves you into another dimension. The Waterboys were special and 'Fishermans blues' is a classic.
It’s great watching someone enjoying a song for the first time you’ve known and loved for years
Exactly
A great Iirish Scottish band great song love it
The Irish have always loved this band.
I saw them playing in Clonakilty in the late 80s ! I loved them long before that & I still love them ❤️
@@theholyfather1 Yeah. Saw them in Kiltimagh and Claremorris in '89. Supported by The Sawdoctors! Two magic live bands.
So have the English.
If you don't know what Brigadoon is it is a story of a Scottish magical village rising out of the mist only for one day.
Once every 100 years
2,000 Maniacs.
@@erict956 Yes I should have said that cheers all the best from England.
@@Hi-kq1vi And how do to you .
For this film clip, when the band turned up the Director told them to mime to a recording. They said nah, we'll play it live, just film us. It shows. Love this song.
Unfortunately, in the video she used, the uploader duped the audio from the album recording over the live one! Here's an older file that retains the live performance, including the fiddler that wasn't on the studio version: th-cam.com/video/AsNTmjlf1vI/w-d-xo.html
@@meheuck Yeah you can see when Steve is playing there’s no fiddle sound
Walls come tumbling down by the Style Council is absolutely awesome.
I think this song is about creativity. He is paying tribute to all the great artists, poets and musicians he admires and humbly saying he is not worthy. Great song, fabulous albums.
It's all about lyrics. Not about seeing an old friend and seeing where they are, but about how a guy and girl view the world differently. And when the girl starts singing the la's over the top of his voice, it's just magical. Also, this is a song that requires multiple listens to understand all that is going on.
An absolute favourite. One of the best songs ever written.
Karl Wallinger was one of the best and greatest musicians/ composers / producers and collaborators in music history.
Sadly the great man has died aged 66.
He passed away peacefully at his home.
My throat is tight and my eyes fill with tears.
Karl's music holds a very special place in my heart and soul.
RIP mate you were a genius of the music world.
Always in our hearts.
A fantastic Scottish band, just takes me back to my adolescence in Scotland in the 80s.. good times. Always wondered what it mean, I took it to be a love song
A Scots Irish band so good
Great song , great band , still absolutely killing it live !
A have to thank you to that, waterboys are just beautiful and they deserve much more recognition than they have
I love this song. Thanks for reacting to it. It's not as popular as most of the songs you react to, but I think it's a great song.
One of my favourite bands of the eighties, and they still sound fantastic!
Now you are talking,i have seen them live 3 times in Scotland,i have now got their tickets for their next gig cant wait.
It’s great watching someone enjoying a song for the first time you’ve known and loved for years
One of the best songs ever written
The beauty of music is you can interpret it any way it speaks to you. I’m an 80’a child and never heard of this song until a band I love, The Killers, covered it. I had to check out the original. Great song. The lyrics are beautiful and very meaningful for me!✌️❤️
Mike Scott the singer of the band wrote the song for the Scottish singer Roddy Frame of the band Aztec Camera,who i was very lucky to have met the both of them,as i was in a band called Tickled Pink.Could you please play,Set Me Free by Chris Rea if you ever get time as it was my late wifes favorite song,we went to see Chris playing this live,and Josie turned to me and said that the song massaged her soul,best wishes from Bonnie Scotland.
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Aztec Camera. Cool. Oblivious · Aztec Camera th-cam.com/video/OWXCrLPGdnk/w-d-xo.html
You got it when you said "wow",in the uk we have been into the waterboys since 1983,great band great albums
This is one of those songs that define the 80s for me. It came out in the year between high school and University (1985). It was a great year. This song would be pouring out of the windows of my '75 Malibu while I ripped up and down the streets here in Ottawa. Good song, better days.
Also: These guys do a great cover of Van Morrison's "Sweet Thing" - worth a listen.
I’m so glad you did this one. I love this song.
Love The Waterboys. Seen them live a few times. They also do Celtic folk blended with Americana. Great band.
Everything in this song is just.. magical
Formed in 1983 in Edinburgh by Scottish musician Mike Scott fantastic group x
Omg! One of my favorite all time songs! Beautiful love song! Thank you for reacting to this! Thank you to who ever requested this! I would have thought it too obscure. You showed me otherwise!
I realize that this video is over a year old .... but I have to say that this is one of the best songs I have ever heard. An absolute masterpiece of songwriting.
I just loved seeing your reaction to this. . . . It’s one of my all time favorite bands and tracks. The little smiles and that “wow!” said it all. 😉😍
This song is legit the luv of my life. Always has been; always will be. It exalts and rallies and soars in every possible way♥️🌚Moonbeams🌙☺️
My all time favourite
This.....And next life
One of my all time fave songs too. Reached Number 26 in 1985 UK Chart. But was re-issued in 91 where it got to Number 3.
This is by far in my top 5 of 80s music. I remember the 1st time I heard it. When it first came out!!! I honestly wore my cassette out!
Some songs are that good they still feel they just came out the box and this is up there at the top .
They say each person spends one third of their life sleeping, 2 years of their life eating, 6 years of their life speaking...well i have spent at least 3 days of my life listening to this song in total...one of my all time favourite songs...thanks.
I just found this group! They are soooo great!
I saw "The Waterboys". I clicked.
I'm reminded of my great friend, Colin Kelly, who died too young, when i listen to this song. He definitely saw the whole of the moon.
This has a special place in my heart. It is the story of me and my then fiance at the time. And even though we broke up and she went a bit nuts on me I still have fond memories. I always was the pragmatic one and she was the one always trying a new creative endeavour.
One of the best songs of the 80's....this gets played a lot in our house
One of the finest songs ever from the 80's,and a brilliant album it came from "This Is The Sea"
Tread carefully India, i was watching your facial expressions, you are close to falling for '80's New Wave, it's ok, it doesn't hurt, enjoy it lol
80s were awesome
Fall into the 80s girl do it! Next up The Plimsouls! TRUST ME!
Time India opened up to a little Depeche mode or tears for fears..
@@JustLou71 if she did that, she'd be "a million miles away" lol (sorry, it was lame, but i couldn't resist)
@@antonytheolddog8626 Why stop there, Echo & the Bunnymen, Split Enz, Howard Jones (i know, we can go on & on)
He was a fan of C S Lewis Narnia series. With one of the songs from the album, about it.
great song from a great era of music, the 80s.
I'm going to see them on 9/17. Been waiting for years for them to come back to my part of the US.
Enjoy them,best wishes from Bonnie Scotland.
How was it?
@@willrichardson519 They were excellent. Such a solid live band, and Mike Scott is such a great storyteller.
Saw them live in 1989 in lisbon, Portugal, ❤️❤️❤️
oh how cool you found this group ! A member of this group, Karl Wallinger, went on later to form the group World Party. If you have time to you should try to listen to their song Ship Of Fools...
best song of the 80,s by a mile
There are not enough words to express how much I love this song (one of the best from the 80s, if not the best IMHO) and the Waterboys. There's so much going on in here for a "pop" song: amazing lyrics, great beat, passionate vocals, great arrangement and production, the trumpet parts (oh my), the backing vocals... I think Mike Scott (leader, singer-songwriter and guitar player of the band) told something like this song was about admiration for and inspiration from other artists or people who shine, hold the fire, the candle burning bright (OK, these are my awkward words LOL). Thank you Mike Scott for the song, thank you Karl Wallinger (the keyboard guy who went on to form his own great band, World Party, shortly after) for your musicianship. And thank you India for your reaction 👍👏
During the mid 80s there were many great british bands lke this. Great energy in this song. Loved iit since 1984. I see by the amount of comments that not many people know this song.
love this song. one of those songs in the UK, You would here a lot, randomly. so so catchy.
I love that you reacted to this song. I’ve never seen a reaction to them before. Thanks for being original! So many memories to this one.
Bless Mike for giving a live vocal for the film clip, he hated miming, he famously refused totp performance of this song because of it, cost him huge momentum career wise. Legendary guy that still always gives his best for the audience
Priceless to this day, RIP Karl
Sweet Thing, The Pan Within, World Party, This Is The Sea, And A Bang On The Ear, We Will Not Be Lovers, Spirit, The Stolen Child, Old England, A Man Is In Love.......and many more. A truly unique band that is difficult to appreciate on first listening, but if you go down the rabbit hole you will not be disappointed. Congratulations for choosing to listen to them - most people have never even heard of them and if they have it will invariably be just this one track, The Whole of the Moon.
You will miss the brilliance of this song if you don't get what it is about. It's basically about a close friend who lived fast and died young, it's a beautiful testimony to them from when they were young, nothing at all to do with jealousy or goals in life.
I saw The Waterboys in 1984 when they opened for U2!
this was a hit the year i stopped going to school! ... thank you for this blast from the past! :)
also , ...... i love thunder storms :)
Only one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite groups ever. I howl along at crazy volume every damned time.
Fabulous Band!
Saw them live in the cypress tavern in city centre Manchester 89/90 and in the palace in levenshulme just outside of town a big Irish area.
This is my wife and mine first dance song...
For the record I wanted up the junction by squeeze..😂
Amazing live band who are famed for doing impromptu gigs in bars just cool.
One of the greatest poets alive. Mike Scott has some amazing songs that are truly beautiful. My favourite band
I had no idea that anyone had done a reaction of this song............I thought it had been lost to time. :)
So happy to see you reacting to The Waterboys! I especially appreciate how you listen to the lyrics in these reactions and come up with theories. This is a much more interesting format to going in completely blind and coming out with a throwaway reaction like 'that sounded dope" or whatever. Listeners who are familiar with these songs, I'd think, want to really gush and flail about *why* their favorite songs are so good.
You should try XTC - ' Dear God'. The ultimate thinking persons song. Amazing feel and very unique too.
Or XTC "Making plans for Nigel"
@@Kiwi-od7eh Since India enjoys a good "relationship" song, how 'bout the very sweet "The Mayor of Simpleton" ?🌸
Love this song and great reaction as always.
Doy gracias a Dios por haber nacido en esa epoca y podido conocer esta cancion! The Big Music live for ever!
Did not see the Waterboys live until l was approximately 72 years old,can't be sure now( old age brain fade). Absolutely knocked out by the whole set,seen them once more since before this Covid thingy took hold.High energy,tight musicianship and beautifully crafted songs........what's not to like!Hope l will have the chance to see them once more at least.Must say the lady that reviews this and other great music,is beautiful and seems to have a even more beautiful soul.Wish everyone well.
What a banger of a tune. Thanks for reacting 👍
This is my first time hearing it too.. pretty good
All the early albums worth exploring and A rock in the weary land...
I like how Karl adds those Prince 'Delerious' synths at the end...
The Waterboys is singer Mike Scott’s project. Been going since the early 1980 with over a hundred members passing through the band. He got the name The Waterboys from a line in the Lou Reed song, They’ve Taken Her Children Away.
My favourite song ever, thank you, I need to find your reaction to The Cults - She Sells Sanctuary now. Have you heard Genesis - Mama..... you certainly won’t be disappointed 😁
I traveled all over & could only see the crescent. You, because of your imagination, just stayed in your room & still managed to see the whole moon!
That was great. It's refreshing to hear some (what I call) old school alternative. One of my favorites (besides XTC) that I've never heard anyone react to is Altered Images. You could always play their song Happy Birthday on your special day. Just thought of The Sugar Cubes Birthday is incredible too. I better stop now, huh?
Hi Ms India. "Fisherman's Blues" by the waterboys is an awesome song also.
I just watched most your videos.
I feel pretty strongly that it's about a friend's passing. Possibly an overdose. This person "filled the skies" while Mike was grounded. IMO, it's a sad but also a celebratory tribute to this person. The lyrics turn the tragedy into a sort of shedding of grief, a realization that the deceased is now at peace and has become something else.
Incredible song
I just heard this song and the band for the first time a couple of months ago, but I really like their sound.
Well, I was seven at the time in another country, first heard as background music on a TV commercial, maybe in the 2000's and for a while I thought it was called.... The Whole of the Room... When I finally figured out the title, I mentioned that to my brother to which he replied with a puzzled expression on his face "Do you really think The Whole of the Room made sense for a song title?"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Interesting band listen to “ A bang on the ear”that’ll make you smile almost as much as you are now
It's so spooky you keep going into my old vinyl record collection bringing back such lovely memories
A big shout out to Chris Whitten (drums) who went on to play live for the Dire Straits 1991 tour and Paul McCartney.
This song is just brilliant. Its message gets through the more you listen to it.
Love that you reacted to this. It really is talking about ones "own" self. Looking from outside ones self. To a brother/ sister, a loved one. More importantly it's about the self that exists without the ego.
I recall Mike Scott of The Waterboys had said in an interview that he was inspired to write this song by Prince and his musical genius. One the 12" single release of this song in the run-out groove was etched "For Prince, who saw the whole of the moon". Prince ended up covering this song in a funkier style many years later live.
First gig I ever went to.
Great reaction. You should try The Story Of The Blues by Wah! another great band from this time.
My fave band. This song won him an Ivor Novello award. Quite rightly. Legend has it, it’s a bout Prince
I don't think its about jealousy, its about trying to keep up with a lover/friend who is so far beyond what you're capable of, and you're reaching and striving to be as good a person as them.
So beautiful
Definitely in my top 10
Best live concert I ever went to 1985
It's a tribute to Patti Smith the American Singer who Mike Scott thought highly of.