Agree, fantastic song, and can make you wistful while listening to it. I think that's the big difference between Lessons and Something About You - both are great, really catchy, but Lessons can kind of grab your emotions a bit and make you think.
@@frankrodriguez2999 I like that movie too. I'm a big John Cusack fan. I watched it many times since I had the movie on VHS. Agree they need to react to "Lessons In Love".
I’m so sad you didn’t watch an actual video with this! Mark King is such an amazing bass player and lead singer.. along with his iconic gum chewing. Michael Lindup with the falsetto. I love the 80’s ❤
@@JF-NYC-NJ-Girl The video absolutely brings it to another level! Especially with the added in ghostly laughs and roars that Mark's clown character was doing towards the end. These guys would be blown away with that video!
Ya his gum chewing and awkward disturbed movements, the insane clown look, this was like a Pink Floyd video from the time, the camera angle was great too, very English feel, classic video🤘🤪🤘
Have to see or hear him live to truly appreciate his talent. Their live LP "A Physical Presence" is a showcase for him. Bunch of nasty solos lol. Top three bass players I've ever heard for sure; Maybe the best
"Children say", "It's over", "Silence", "Good man in a storm", Freedom someday", "Leaning me now", "Two hearts collide" are among my favorites from them. There's many more. Awesome group.
My eldest daughter is 33 now. When my wife went into labor (with our eldest daughter, ALL those years ago), this is the song that I remember playing on the radio as we rushed to the hospital. This song will always be very special to me. Whenever I hear it I always think about my daughter.
The 2nd British invasion of the 80's was amazing and Level 42 was part of that incredible wave. Mark King was so underrated as a base player and as a vocalist.
In fact he was so 'rated' as a world-class bass player (and specifically 'slap' style) that his agents had his hands insured for 2 million BP back in the mid-80's.
Along with Tears for Fears, The Cure and Depeche Mode, I was all about British Synth Pop back 7n the day. Level 42 remains the only one of those bands I haven't seen live. 😥
@@jglencarr5390 Mike King runs the Kings arms in Bristol mate , we were talking about Mark King , you know , that decent bass player from Level 42 ? The 80’s band?… you must know who I’m talking about ? He used to have his bass nearly all the way up to his armpits ?… yeah , that’s the one ! I didn’t know Mike King played Bass , I’ll ask him about that next time I’m in Bristol at his pub 👌……😂😂😂😂😂😂👀 👍🏴
If you ever feel down.. Just turn on this song, i mean, it will make you feel so darn good. Love this masterpiece, even after 39 years, since it was released.
People don't give the lyricism of 80s UK synth pop enough credit. Bands like Level 42, Howard Jones, OMD, etc. - listen to the words. It's poetry, not just a few lines with a hook and bridge.
Something About You was Level 42's very first Top 40 hit in America. The song did peaked at the #7 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1986. Mark King was the front man, lead singer, lead bass guitarist and co-founder of Level 42. This song is a banger!!!
Level 42 is a British band known for their distinctive style that combines elements of pop, funk, rock, and new wave music. The band was formed in 1980 on the Isle of Wight and achieved significant success during the 1980s and 1990s. Some key information about Level 42: Formation: The band was formed by Mark King (bass, vocals), Phil Gould (drums), Boon Gould (guitar), and Mike Lindup (keyboards, vocals). Musical Style: Level 42's music is characterized by a prominent and skillful use of bass guitar, often played by Mark King, who is known for his slap and pop bass technique. Their sound is a fusion of pop, funk, and rock with a strong emphasis on rhythm. Hits: Level 42 released several successful albums and singles, including "Lessons in Love," "Something About You," "Running in the Family," and "It's Over." These songs helped the band achieve widespread recognition and commercial success. Personnel Changes: Over the years, the band saw some personnel changes, with different members joining and departing, but Mark King remained a constant and iconic figure within the group. Albums: Some of their notable albums include "World Machine" (1985), "Running in the Family" (1987), and "Guaranteed" (1991). Popularity: Level 42's music was popular in the UK and other parts of Europe, as well as in the United States, where they had a strong following. Hiatus and Reunions: The band went on hiatus in the 1990s but reunited in the 2000s for various tours and new albums. Level 42's music continues to be enjoyed by fans of the band and has left a significant mark on the music scene, particularly in the realm of 1980s and 1990s pop and funk music.
Yaaassss!! Level 42! Finally! One of my favorite bands. Banger of a song from their catalog! So many great songs by them. You should see a video with Mark King slapping his bass. He has a unique way of playing it. Very talented. He is also the lead vocalist. Next song should be "Lessons in Love" you can watch that video as it shows then playing the song. "Love Games" was off their first album and more of a jazzy tune but so good! "To be with you again" is a fantastic deeper cut single and It's Over is a heartbreaking break up song that brings tears.
I was an American ex-pat living and studying in London 1986. This song and the entire album was played everywhere. I still have the CD (the entirely new format for albums at the time). Love Level 42 and London!
One of the best bands EVER! This was their mega hit in 1985. The time that this was top 40, there were no cell phones, no personal computers, no social media and people really connected with each other. It was a happy, fun, amazing time. I remember the time before all the 'advancements' and wish I could go back. There is the live version of the same song from 1985: th-cam.com/video/hwPWSRVpR9Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jI38xXEBN1RZaUd9
Lead singer is Mark King the blonde guy in the images, he's also the bass player. The uniqueness of almost giving the bass guitar parity with the lead is sheer genius. Check out Lessons In Love another great hit
Love this 80’s tune, takes me back to some great times. Another band to give a spin is World Party, especially “Ship of Fools”. Cheers from Canada and yes to Maple Mondays! 🇨🇦
Oh Definitely! Huge World Party and Karl Wallinger fan here! I would also recommend their 90's ballad "She's The One." Many of their songs were definitely Beatles influenced but totally their own sound. I thought they would have been bigger. Unfortunately, many the great UK artists at that time were more successful in Europe. Radio and MTV were fixated on particular artists, Hard Rock, Dance, and US Alternative bands. Were it not for MTV shows like "The Cutting Edge", Joel's Holland's show, and "120 minutes," we could have missed them.
He has a cool bass with glow I the dark fret board, too, A must see band live versions people can dance....bands keyboard player acts out his own words with actions......see the LIVE Version
Seen them 3x, backstage twice, on the bus once. Mark King is the reason I play bass today! Heard them and said “WTH? I wanna do THAT!!!” And I did! Thanks for reviewing Level 42!
I discovered Level 42 because a boy I had a crush on in middle school had the tape. In an excuse to speak to him, I asked if I could borrow his tape? While the boy and I never had a relationship, I was introduced to Level 42. Great band, great song!
Level 42 is an incredible band, and Mark King is a phenomenal bass player. You can't go wrong with any of these songs: Leaving Me Now Lessons in Love Running in the Family To Be With You Again It's Over Children Say Heaven in My Hands Take a Look Tracie The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) Love Games
Still touring in 2023. Saw them at the Cliffs Pavillion in Southnd last Sunday. Such a great band with so many great tracks. "Thunder Thumbs" Mark King is the bassist and lead singer.
One of my favorite songs in the whole world. Thanks for listening to this! If you watch a live performance, Mark will lay down that funky bass line, sing lead and chew gum at the same time. It's a shame this group didn't get more recognition for their talent.
Check out sone of their earlier U.K. hits like “Microkid” or “Hot Water” for a more obvious bass driven funk. Mark on bass (lower voice) and Mike on keyboards ( higher voice) share lead vocals. Mark takes more of the lead parts overall
Mark King is a fantastic bass player, slap bassist more than anything credit where credit is due . They were pretty big in the 80s, with hits like living it up, which I think you would thoroughly enjoy, lessons in love etc.
This Song was extremely Awesome and I am an '80's Rocker. The key, and chord progressions are phenomenal. Mark King is an amazing bassist!! I wanted to mention the vocalist is the keyboardist, I had a Yamaha p515 and used to play this progression, there are three different keyboards being played, he is super talented. Btw, in the '90's I listened to Bone: Thugs-N-Harmony, I have an eclectic taste in Music, I would listen to them, then a KISS tune. Music is meant to be fun.
Saw them in concert back around 1987 when they opened for Madonna on the "Who's That Girl " tour. A great concert and tickets were just $25 back then, miss those days.
One of my Hubby's favorite bands!! THANKS for bringing back memories of him....been so QUIET, here. Was a crotchety ole hippie - but, he was MY ole hippie!! RIP, MY LOVE! They have a much more diverse catalog, tho - this was more "popish"....GREAT vocals!! Great lyrics to this one, although a lil' simple!! HUGS, YA'LL!! ❤❤❤❤
As a teenager, I used to watch Level 42 playing the pubs around where I lived back then (Leatherhead area, Surrey) before they hit it big with Love Games. Great band. You should have picked a video that showed the band playing live. Mark King is a great bass player and vocalist, but the band are all musically skilled. And the Shep Pettibone remixes of some of Level 42's songs are brilliant!
This reaction made my heart happy ... Five other songs I heard around the same time (if you haven't already) - "Shattered Dreams" by Johnny Hates Jazz - "Captain Of Her Heart" by Double - "Baby I Lied" by Deborah Allen - "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister - "Hard Habit To Break" by Chicago The last two ... The lead singers are the bassists. 😅
One minor add … Deborah Allen did a live version of her song on the Mike Huckabee’s TV show and he played bass in a different key. It was a good video.
A really good one! Classic 80s. If you like this type of sound, perhaps try "Someday" and "Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone" by Glass Tiger (late 80s) or even "One" by the Bee Gees (1990) for songs with similar styles. Ya know you can't resist doing another Bee Gees song, lol. Just imagine Barry singing behind a techno beat, it was their big comeback hit after being all over the radio in the late 70s and then disappearing for a decade in the 80s. Great bass guitar riff at 2:30 also.
There’s just something about this song!! 😄 Yet another creative, brilliant song from the mid-80s! It has that classy, sophisticated, modern-sounding vibe to it. 🥰
This was never one of my favorite songs, but now when I hear it on the radio I always let it play out because even though it wasn't a favorite, it was everywhere, and now when I hear it it is like time travel back to then... The 80's was so much fucking fun that I always listen to the songs from then that take me back, even if they weren't a favorite then. Either way, they were connected to my life at that time, and they take me back, and I'll take that little time trip any day at all! (Howard Jones songs really do this to me, I wasn't into him at all back then, but when I hear him now I'm instantly remembering things from back in the day...)
I absolutely LOVE this song. The lead singer is also the bass player. The falsetto part (chorus) is sung by the keyboardist. Check out their other hit "Lessons In Love"
This is one of the few pop songs from the 80s I like. The arrangements of the vocals calling back from the lead is very 70s drawing from bands like The Temps, The Delfonics, The Stylistics. Love that.
When I met my husband in 1988, this band was amongst the CDs he had. If I can recall correctly, his newborn CD library had Level 42, Peter Gabriel, Beethoven, Al Jarreau, INXS, RUSH, Alan Parsons Project, Larry Carlton, Stanley Jordan, Djavan, and Vangelis. Feel like I'm forgetting a couple. Anyway, I introduced him to Andreas Vollenweider, Sade, Teena Marie, Luther Vandross, Alexander O'Neal, Phyllis Hyman, etc. Since he loves jazz, I was surprised he hadn't come across Sade. The first concert we went to see together was Dianne Reeves. Perhaps react to Dianne's song "Better Days" sometime. Over the decades, our music library has only expanded. During the pandemic lockdown, we splurged on a turntable, and are slowly rebuilding our vinyl library.
Finally, Level 42! Please react to Lessons in Love. Runing in the Family was also a big radio hit here in Europe, a kind of jazzy pop song (their background is, afterall, jazz). They have other great songs as well. Also watch a live performance (Mr. Pink, for example) to fully apreciate Mark King's bass playing ability.
So glad you got around to Level 42 - this song was my JAM when I was a kid!! Running in the Family and Lessons in Love are a couple other tracks of theirs to check out! Love y'all - keep smiling!!
What a great choice. Level 42 had a lot of good stuff. Hot Water, Running in the family, Lessons in Love, Love Games, World Machine, Living it up, Micro Kid... I saw them live in 1988 - Mark King is an amazing bass player.
@@seanswinton6242 actually no drums. Mo created the “stomps” & beginning sounds in his garage, then sampled them. But he would never tell how he created the sounds- though many interviewers asked.
Thanks guys! My long time favourites! Level 42 make me so happy! Even my adult kids love them, and still play them loud! Yes, that bass! Mark King is a bass boss!🤩
This one takes me back to high school 😊 I love Level 42 and this one of my favorite songs of theirs. Some of my other favorites, which are definitely worth checking out are “Lessons In Love”, “Running In the Family “, and “Two Solitudes “
The lead singer, Mark King is also the bass player. Great band with a lot of great songs. And yes, the bass is one of the main instruments in all their songs.
Finally, you guys did this song. Not only did Mark King provide one of the best basslines of the 80s with this, but the track in general is AWESOME. Congratulations on discovering Level 42.
Level 42 was my first live concert back in the day. This was one of their big hits; the other most well known track is “Leaving Me Now”. You need to see a clip of them playing as the way Mark King slaps the bass is quite unique. My favorite track is “Lying Still”, which is beautiful, melancholy, haunting and memorable. For a real heavy bass track, even by Level 42 standards, try “Good Man in a Storm”. It’s all great stuff.
Mark Raymond King (born 20 October 1958) is an English musician. He is the lead singer and bassist of the band Level 42. King is known for his slap style of playing the bass guitar, with MusicRadar describing him as "the guy who put the slap in pop during the 80s"... "Man with the Golden Thumb." He is such a good bass player that his hands were insured in the late 1980s for a fortune. >>
For me, it's the combination of the two voices. The lower register of the lead and then the falsetto coming in on the bridge and then the double harmony in the chorus that really get me every time I hear this song.
This came out my senior year of high school and it's been with me ever since...on cassette, cd, itunes, and now spotify. Give their song, Hot Water, a listen. It's funky, it's super fun, and if you're down, it'll pick you up, get you moving and have you singin' along.
"Living It Up" & "Lessons In Love" are 2 more hits of theirs from the 80s. See if you can watch them performing for the next reacted, you just have to see Mark King's unique way of playing the base. Great band, and im really glad you both enjoyed it. ❤🎼🎸🇬🇧
The funky bass part and the lead vocals are both from front man Mark King.
Mark King on Bass ain't no joke!!!
Level 42 another incredible UK band I’m so proud of our musical contribution to the world as a Brit
You should be! It's amazing what the UK has contributed to music!
Their "Lessons in Love" was another top 20 hit on the US charts in the mid-80s
Yessss That was my Jam!!! I hope they react to it!! 👍🏿
Absolutely
Agree, fantastic song, and can make you wistful while listening to it. I think that's the big difference between Lessons and Something About You - both are great, really catchy, but Lessons can kind of grab your emotions a bit and make you think.
I like the movie its used in Hot pursuit (1987) with John Cussack
@@frankrodriguez2999 I like that movie too. I'm a big John Cusack fan. I watched it many times since I had the movie on VHS. Agree they need to react to "Lessons In Love".
I’m so sad you didn’t watch an actual video with this! Mark King is such an amazing bass player and lead singer.. along with his iconic gum chewing. Michael Lindup with the falsetto. I love the 80’s ❤
Saw them a couple of days ago and they were amazing, still gigging and going strong.
YES!! they should’ve watched the video!!!!
@@JF-NYC-NJ-Girl The video absolutely brings it to another level! Especially with the added in ghostly laughs and roars that Mark's clown character was doing towards the end. These guys would be blown away with that video!
Ya his gum chewing and awkward disturbed movements, the insane clown look, this was like a Pink Floyd video from the time, the camera angle was great too, very English feel, classic video🤘🤪🤘
This song is pure 80’s joy
😊
Totally!
Yes it is!
Truth!! It kinda makes me ache.
Brit Funk at its best .
The back singer singing in falsetto gives chills
Mike lindup
Mike Lindup did so as an homage to Philip Bailey...
I love Level 42! What a great take! Mark King, the vocalist, is also the bass player and he's fantastic.
Have to see or hear him live to truly appreciate his talent. Their live LP "A Physical Presence" is a showcase for him. Bunch of nasty solos lol. Top three bass players I've ever heard for sure; Maybe the best
To see Mark King in full flight you only have to watch " Mr Pink"
React to level 42 live at Wembley 1986
It has most of their best songs
The best thumb in music
"Children say", "It's over", "Silence", "Good man in a storm", Freedom someday", "Leaning me now", "Two hearts collide" are among my favorites from them. There's many more. Awesome group.
Another vote for Level 42’s “Lessons In Love”! That song had a great baseline!
BASS line!!
Learn how to spell
Back in the 80's in the UK this is what we called Jazz Funk; Mark king lead vocals and bass guitar brilliant!
It was actually called Brit Funk from what I recall, but yeah, it did involved a jazz feel.
maybe where you are they called it Brit Funk, but where I am in the UK we all called it Jazz Funk I was a DJ at the time, take care...
"Running in the Family" is another fantastic track from Level 42. Incidentally, the bass player is also the lead singer.
That's a good one; another great song by them is "Children Say" -- strong jazz feel.
Living It Up , Hot Water and Heaven In My Hands
He plays bass, sings, and chews gum at the same time in their live performances… that’s what you call a MACHINE.
Living It Up is my favourite.
Love this group... This is my 2nd favorite song of theirs. Their best song imo is 'Leaving me now ".. A beautiful ballad.
Can't have an 80s playlist without this song.
Hell no you can't 😮
Mark King is a Monster!! His bass playing is fab and I love his voice too! Great tune and great production as well!
Such a 80’s vibe song ❤ look at Amber dancing! Love this one!
It is such a joy to watch her reactions!
My eldest daughter is 33 now. When my wife went into labor (with our eldest daughter, ALL those years ago), this is the song that I remember playing on the radio as we rushed to the hospital. This song will always be very special to me. Whenever I hear it I always think about my daughter.
The 2nd British invasion of the 80's was amazing and Level 42 was part of that incredible wave. Mark King was so underrated as a base player and as a vocalist.
He really wasn't underrated
Eh…. I don’t think he WAS underrated as either tbh .. sorry 😅
👍🏴
In fact he was so 'rated' as a world-class bass player (and specifically 'slap' style) that his agents had his hands insured for 2 million BP back in the mid-80's.
Along with Tears for Fears, The Cure and Depeche Mode, I was all about British Synth Pop back 7n the day. Level 42 remains the only one of those bands I haven't seen live. 😥
@@jglencarr5390 Mike King runs the Kings arms in Bristol mate , we were talking about Mark King , you know , that decent bass player from Level 42 ? The 80’s band?… you must know who I’m talking about ? He used to have his bass nearly all the way up to his armpits ?… yeah , that’s the one !
I didn’t know Mike King played Bass , I’ll ask him about that next time I’m in Bristol at his pub 👌……😂😂😂😂😂😂👀
👍🏴
If you ever feel down.. Just turn on this song, i mean, it will make you feel so darn good. Love this masterpiece, even after 39 years, since it was released.
People don't give the lyricism of 80s UK synth pop enough credit. Bands like Level 42, Howard Jones, OMD, etc. - listen to the words. It's poetry, not just a few lines with a hook and bridge.
You are awesome.
Love you mentioned OMD, Secret is such a jam!😊
@@danielmankowski922 Pandora's Box is one of the great pop songs of the early 90s
Howard Jones is amazing. I hope they do a much deeper dive into them and OMD both.
I like Level 42, but come on, they had some of the cheesiest lyrics out there
Something About You was Level 42's very first Top 40 hit in America. The song did peaked at the #7 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1986. Mark King was the front man, lead singer, lead bass guitarist and co-founder of Level 42. This song is a banger!!!
Totally agree. I think he's got to be one of the most underrated vocalist of the 80's.
This is one of my favorite songs!! Glad you liked it!! ❤😄😎
Level 42 is a British band known for their distinctive style that combines elements of pop, funk, rock, and new wave music. The band was formed in 1980 on the Isle of Wight and achieved significant success during the 1980s and 1990s.
Some key information about Level 42:
Formation: The band was formed by Mark King (bass, vocals), Phil Gould (drums), Boon Gould (guitar), and Mike Lindup (keyboards, vocals).
Musical Style: Level 42's music is characterized by a prominent and skillful use of bass guitar, often played by Mark King, who is known for his slap and pop bass technique. Their sound is a fusion of pop, funk, and rock with a strong emphasis on rhythm.
Hits: Level 42 released several successful albums and singles, including "Lessons in Love," "Something About You," "Running in the Family," and "It's Over." These songs helped the band achieve widespread recognition and commercial success.
Personnel Changes: Over the years, the band saw some personnel changes, with different members joining and departing, but Mark King remained a constant and iconic figure within the group.
Albums: Some of their notable albums include "World Machine" (1985), "Running in the Family" (1987), and "Guaranteed" (1991).
Popularity: Level 42's music was popular in the UK and other parts of Europe, as well as in the United States, where they had a strong following.
Hiatus and Reunions: The band went on hiatus in the 1990s but reunited in the 2000s for various tours and new albums.
Level 42's music continues to be enjoyed by fans of the band and has left a significant mark on the music scene, particularly in the realm of 1980s and 1990s pop and funk music.
Yaaassss!! Level 42! Finally! One of my favorite bands. Banger of a song from their catalog! So many great songs by them. You should see a video with Mark King slapping his bass. He has a unique way of playing it. Very talented. He is also the lead vocalist.
Next song should be "Lessons in Love" you can watch that video as it shows then playing the song.
"Love Games" was off their first album and more of a jazzy tune but so good!
"To be with you again" is a fantastic deeper cut single and It's Over is a heartbreaking break up song that brings tears.
Yes - gotta see how high the man slings that bass!
This is my favorite by the group. I think its one of the most "feel good" songs ever recorded. Very infectious. Lead singer is good too.
I was an American ex-pat living and studying in London 1986. This song and the entire album was played everywhere. I still have the CD (the entirely new format for albums at the time). Love Level 42 and London!
We love you right back, mate.
One of the best bands EVER! This was their mega hit in 1985. The time that this was top 40, there were no cell phones, no personal computers, no social media and people really connected with each other. It was a happy, fun, amazing time. I remember the time before all the 'advancements' and wish I could go back.
There is the live version of the same song from 1985: th-cam.com/video/hwPWSRVpR9Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jI38xXEBN1RZaUd9
Its one of those songs that just gets to you.
I love the song, but you two are a breath of fresh air. Nice and happy people. Thank you for the smile.
👍🙏❤
The radio stations played played the hell out of this (along with
Toto's Africa & Kansas' Carry On Wayward Son) back in the day.
Love this song.
This song has such an awesome vibe. It brings me such 80’s memories! Love the lead singer’s voice! ❤
Lead singer is Mark King the blonde guy in the images, he's also the bass player. The uniqueness of almost giving the bass guitar parity with the lead is sheer genius. Check out Lessons In Love another great hit
I do believe that Phil Lynott played Bass in Thin Lizzy, and wrote the songs. So it's nothing new.
@@trevorsaunders580 you're quite right he did, my point is really that it's not a common thing. Loads of time for the Lizzies
Love this 80’s tune, takes me back to some great times. Another band to give a spin is World Party, especially “Ship of Fools”. Cheers from Canada and yes to Maple Mondays! 🇨🇦
Oh Definitely! Huge World Party and Karl Wallinger fan here! I would also recommend their 90's ballad "She's The One." Many of their songs were definitely Beatles influenced but totally their own sound. I thought they would have been bigger. Unfortunately, many the great UK artists at that time were more successful in Europe. Radio and MTV were fixated on particular artists, Hard Rock, Dance, and US Alternative bands. Were it not for MTV shows like "The Cutting Edge", Joel's Holland's show, and "120 minutes," we could have missed them.
I've been trying to have them do an all 🇨🇦 female Friday for months. Mix it up with Diana Krall, Bif Naked, Amanda Marshall.
@@billdecat855 My idea of a good female Friday would be a three for all from Canada 🇨🇦 featuring: Darby Mills, Lee Aaron, and Sass Jordan!
Majorly underrated song “ Ship of Fools “ From Australia
Video of Trump and putin are the best on ship of fools
He has a cool bass with glow I the dark fret board, too, A must see band live versions people can dance....bands keyboard player acts out his own words with actions......see the LIVE Version
Seen them 3x, backstage twice, on the bus once. Mark King is the reason I play bass today! Heard them and said “WTH? I wanna do THAT!!!” And I did! Thanks for reviewing Level 42!
Back in the day I used to listen to level 42 the base guitar is was out of this world
I discovered Level 42 because a boy I had a crush on in middle school had the tape. In an excuse to speak to him, I asked if I could borrow his tape? While the boy and I never had a relationship, I was introduced to Level 42. Great band, great song!
This song makes it to all of my playlists
Love the vocal combination of Mark King and Mike Lindup on this song, as well as on Lessons in Love
Fun track! This has to be in my Top 10 favorite 80s songs...something about this just encapsulates the "sound" of the 80s better than most 😊
Level 42 is an incredible band, and Mark King is a phenomenal bass player. You can't go wrong with any of these songs:
Leaving Me Now
Lessons in Love
Running in the Family
To Be With You Again
It's Over
Children Say
Heaven in My Hands
Take a Look
Tracie
The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)
Love Games
All my faves!
Yeah, all great and Leaving Me Now is fantastic.
LOVE GAMES! That bass line is a killer. (I saw them live three times in the 80s. Super musicians!)
great 80's hit !!
This is one of the dopest jams ever!!! The groove is 🔥. The bass line is 🔥! The vocals and harmonies are tight.
Still touring in 2023. Saw them at the Cliffs Pavillion in Southnd last Sunday. Such a great band with so many great tracks. "Thunder Thumbs" Mark King is the bassist and lead singer.
I'm so jealous. Saw them in Brighton and Guildford in 2018. Then lockdown. I think they tour every two years.
Saw them at the Sage on the 22nd. Saw them with my dad and grandparents
One of my favorite songs in the whole world. Thanks for listening to this! If you watch a live performance, Mark will lay down that funky bass line, sing lead and chew gum at the same time. It's a shame this group didn't get more recognition for their talent.
Check out sone of their earlier U.K. hits like “Microkid” or “Hot Water” for a more obvious bass driven funk. Mark on bass (lower voice) and Mike on keyboards ( higher voice) share lead vocals. Mark takes more of the lead parts overall
Mark King is a fantastic bass player, slap bassist more than anything credit where credit is due . They were pretty big in the 80s, with hits like living it up, which I think you would thoroughly enjoy, lessons in love etc.
This is an iconic song from my childhood. Wave pool in the summer with this playing in the background. The 89s was a beautiful experience.
This Song was extremely Awesome and I am an '80's Rocker. The key, and chord progressions are phenomenal. Mark King is an amazing bassist!! I wanted to mention the vocalist is the keyboardist, I had a Yamaha p515 and used to play this progression, there are three different keyboards being played, he is super talented. Btw, in the '90's I listened to Bone: Thugs-N-Harmony, I have an eclectic taste in Music, I would listen to them, then a KISS tune. Music is meant to be fun.
Saw them in concert back around 1987 when they opened for Madonna on the "Who's That Girl " tour. A great concert and tickets were just $25 back then, miss those days.
If you are enjoying the bass, Level 42 is a great band to listen to. Mark King is amazing.
Def screams 80s that everyone loved. One of their biggest hits in the U.S. Thanx so much, stay groovy, Peace
One of my Hubby's favorite bands!! THANKS for bringing back memories of him....been so QUIET, here. Was a crotchety ole hippie - but, he was MY ole hippie!! RIP, MY LOVE! They have a much more diverse catalog, tho - this was more "popish"....GREAT vocals!! Great lyrics to this one, although a lil' simple!! HUGS, YA'LL!! ❤❤❤❤
Reminds me of Joe Jackson’s Stepping Out and Is She Really Going Out With Him. 😁
FINALLY!!! IVE BEEN REQUESTING LEVEL 42 FOR OVER A YEAR!!!! THANK YOU!!!
Good bass guitar on a new wave synth pop classic. This band has lots of good songs.
As a teenager, I used to watch Level 42 playing the pubs around where I lived back then (Leatherhead area, Surrey) before they hit it big with Love Games. Great band. You should have picked a video that showed the band playing live. Mark King is a great bass player and vocalist, but the band are all musically skilled. And the Shep Pettibone remixes of some of Level 42's songs are brilliant!
Thanks for this tip, will check Shep out 👍
Yessss! The Shep Pettibone Remixes are Perfect! Can it be that songs are sligthly sped up? Makes them even better 🎉
First band I saw at Guildford Civic still love them my favourite is Love Games
Guildford uni
Talented band…their pop prowess come easy to them as they started off playing jazzy fusion music, unusual to have a singing bass player as well
This reaction made my heart happy ...
Five other songs I heard around the same time (if you haven't already)
- "Shattered Dreams" by Johnny Hates Jazz
- "Captain Of Her Heart" by Double
- "Baby I Lied" by Deborah Allen
- "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister
- "Hard Habit To Break" by Chicago
The last two ... The lead singers are the bassists. 😅
One minor add … Deborah Allen did a live version of her song on the Mike Huckabee’s TV show and he played bass in a different key. It was a good video.
A really good one! Classic 80s. If you like this type of sound, perhaps try "Someday" and "Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone" by Glass Tiger (late 80s) or even "One" by the Bee Gees (1990) for songs with similar styles. Ya know you can't resist doing another Bee Gees song, lol. Just imagine Barry singing behind a techno beat, it was their big comeback hit after being all over the radio in the late 70s and then disappearing for a decade in the 80s. Great bass guitar riff at 2:30 also.
There’s just something about this song!! 😄 Yet another creative, brilliant song from the mid-80s! It has that classy, sophisticated, modern-sounding vibe to it. 🥰
Mmm 80s. Nothing beats the 80s. My teen years.
Just inject the 80s nostalgia directly into my veins, please
This was never one of my favorite songs, but now when I hear it on the radio I always let it play out because even though it wasn't a favorite, it was everywhere, and now when I hear it it is like time travel back to then... The 80's was so much fucking fun that I always listen to the songs from then that take me back, even if they weren't a favorite then. Either way, they were connected to my life at that time, and they take me back, and I'll take that little time trip any day at all! (Howard Jones songs really do this to me, I wasn't into him at all back then, but when I hear him now I'm instantly remembering things from back in the day...)
Gosh, I still love this song. It's just a great pick me up and a positive thing.
The Shep Pettibone 12" remix is awesome :)
I absolutely LOVE this song. The lead singer is also the bass player. The falsetto part (chorus) is sung by the keyboardist. Check out their other hit "Lessons In Love"
This is one of the few pop songs from the 80s I like. The arrangements of the vocals calling back from the lead is very 70s drawing from bands like The Temps, The Delfonics, The Stylistics. Love that.
Thank you for reacting to this one. One of my favorites. I love Mark King’s voice and the music definitely has a funky vibe.
Level 42 is a very talented band. They have many good songs.
I remember buying this 45 in 1986. Great tune!
When I met my husband in 1988, this band was amongst the CDs he had. If I can recall correctly, his newborn CD library had Level 42, Peter Gabriel, Beethoven, Al Jarreau, INXS, RUSH, Alan Parsons Project, Larry Carlton, Stanley Jordan, Djavan, and Vangelis. Feel like I'm forgetting a couple. Anyway, I introduced him to Andreas Vollenweider, Sade, Teena Marie, Luther Vandross, Alexander O'Neal, Phyllis Hyman, etc. Since he loves jazz, I was surprised he hadn't come across Sade. The first concert we went to see together was Dianne Reeves. Perhaps react to Dianne's song "Better Days" sometime.
Over the decades, our music library has only expanded. During the pandemic lockdown, we splurged on a turntable, and are slowly rebuilding our vinyl library.
Finally, Level 42! Please react to Lessons in Love. Runing in the Family was also a big radio hit here in Europe, a kind of jazzy pop song (their background is, afterall, jazz). They have other great songs as well. Also watch a live performance (Mr. Pink, for example) to fully apreciate Mark King's bass playing ability.
So glad you got around to Level 42 - this song was my JAM when I was a kid!! Running in the Family and Lessons in Love are a couple other tracks of theirs to check out! Love y'all - keep smiling!!
80’s music: There’s something about you♥️
‘Nuff said🫶🏻
What a great choice. Level 42 had a lot of good stuff. Hot Water, Running in the family, Lessons in Love, Love Games, World Machine, Living it up, Micro Kid... I saw them live in 1988 - Mark King is an amazing bass player.
One of favorite 80s songs.
Try You Win Again for some 80s BeeGees!
Yes! Those drums on that song were epic! I'm surprised they haven't been sampled more often.
@@seanswinton6242 actually no drums. Mo created the “stomps” & beginning sounds in his garage, then sampled them. But he would never tell how he created the sounds- though many interviewers asked.
For more British soulpop , check out the Blow monkeys and «digging your scene». Biiig hit in in 1986. Great saxophone also👍
I AM SO GLAD Y'ALL DID THIS! THIS IS MY GO TO JAM!!! I could listen to this twice a day and never get sick of it!!!!!
Thanks guys! My long time favourites! Level 42 make me so happy! Even my adult kids love them, and still play them loud! Yes, that bass! Mark King is a bass boss!🤩
This one takes me back to high school 😊 I love Level 42 and this one of my favorite songs of theirs. Some of my other favorites, which are definitely worth checking out are “Lessons In Love”, “Running In the Family “, and “Two Solitudes “
The lead singer, Mark King is also the bass player. Great band with a lot of great songs. And yes, the bass is one of the main instruments in all their songs.
LEVEL 42 IS AWESOME!!! So many hits! Probably quite a few songs you didn't know were them. Play as many as you can!
The bass player's the singer as well both
Finally, you guys did this song. Not only did Mark King provide one of the best basslines of the 80s with this, but the track in general is AWESOME. Congratulations on discovering Level 42.
quintessential 80's sound
This was one of the most 80s songs of the 80s. Pretty much every school dance for years had this song. So many first kisses to this song.
Level 42 was my first live concert back in the day. This was one of their big hits; the other most well known track is “Leaving Me Now”. You need to see a clip of them playing as the way Mark King slaps the bass is quite unique. My favorite track is “Lying Still”, which is beautiful, melancholy, haunting and memorable. For a real heavy bass track, even by Level 42 standards, try “Good Man in a Storm”. It’s all great stuff.
Awesome voices. No auto tuned used. Real talent. Thanks for another great reactions. Made my night 🌙 ❤️. Hello again from pa USA 🇺🇸.
Mark Raymond King (born 20 October 1958) is an English musician. He is the lead singer and bassist of the band Level 42. King is known for his slap style of playing the bass guitar, with MusicRadar describing him as "the guy who put the slap in pop during the 80s"... "Man with the Golden Thumb." He is such a good bass player that his hands were insured in the late 1980s for a fortune. >>
A favorite song from the 80s. Wish they had more great songs.
What? lol Level 42 has a TON of great songs. THIS song is not even in my top 20 by them.
From "The Chinese Way" to "Guaranteed" every track is a Gem from Level 42 ! For Bass, their track "Hot Water" is just Sublime .....
For me, it's the combination of the two voices. The lower register of the lead and then the falsetto coming in on the bridge and then the double harmony in the chorus that really get me every time I hear this song.
Such a great song! Got you both dancing in your chairs 🕺🕺🕺. “Lessons in Love” is another huge hit from Level 42 xx
The whole world machine album is 🔥. The Bass is kicking on most of the tracks.
World Machine remains one of my all-time favorite albums. 😊
One of my all-time favorites from the 80s--so smooth, so fun for dancing AND aerobics (😃), and for posing to.
I would recommend watching the music video for this, it goes well with the song, and it's one of my all-time favorites from the 1980s. :)
Great video for sure!
This came out my senior year of high school and it's been with me ever since...on cassette, cd, itunes, and now spotify. Give their song, Hot Water, a listen. It's funky, it's super fun, and if you're down, it'll pick you up, get you moving and have you singin' along.
"Living It Up" & "Lessons In Love" are 2 more hits of theirs from the 80s. See if you can watch them performing for the next reacted, you just have to see Mark King's unique way of playing the base. Great band, and im really glad you both enjoyed it. ❤🎼🎸🇬🇧
This (and their song, Lessons in Love) are two of my favorite 80s songs ever! Both life my spirits every time I hear them ❤