Bob Marley vs Stiff Little Fingers - Johnny Was Comparison (Reaction)
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- čas přidán 14. 03. 2023
- In this video we're comparing Bob Marley and The Wailers and Stiff Little Fingers' versions of Johnny Was. We were surprised to see that Stiff Little Fingers had covered a Bob Marley song, and we were most curious about what they would have done with it. They are certainly not the same type of artists. We're excited to check it out. More than that, we've not heard either version. This will be great! Enjoy!
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Stiff Little Fingers are criminally underappreciated .
I don’t understand how this band has been so overlooked & underappreciated for 45 years. I’ve first saw SLFin 1979/80 23 times since love this band always have always will jake burns deserves more recognition for his songwriting there I said it ✌️
Truth
I saw them at Digbeth Civic Hall, they were incredible
And their version of this song is inspired
Seen them 7 times live
Bob Marley is a legend but SLF turn a great reggae song into an absolute epic masterpiece. Amazing
totally agree!
The version of SLF is strong in meaning, put in the context of the time text speaks in Ireland, the musicality the changes of rhythm and the voice of Jack Burns are just brilliant..
When you hear SLF play this live with 3,000 voices singing along you’re blown away (no pun) - love Bob’s version but SLF smash this
Uncle Bobs vocals are like a warm blanket wrapping around you on a Cold night COMFORTING AND JAKE BURNS JUST DELIVERS EVERY TIME EMOTION AND POWER
SLF for me but that's because it was my youth. Fingers and The Clash were and still are my 2 fav bands.
Both are excellent, each one representative of the political turmoil and violence going on in Jamaica and Northern Ireland.
If you want to check out SLF live for " Johny Was" the Live Album called "Hanx " Is the one !
100% agree
@@stevecalvert5212 cheers !
Still amazes me the maturity of a 20 yr old Jake Burns et al to fashion the perfect punk cover, pay homage and enhancing the original (and yes admittedly replacing the soul with anger).....and 40+ years later still showing Green Day how it's done
An interesting wee story about SLF and Johnny Was. The song is about a guy getting shot for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. SLF drummer Jim Reillys brother Thomas "Kidso" Reilly was shot dead by a soldier while visiting family in Belfast. The soldier was charged with murder. Thomas Reilly was road manager for Bananarama (who carried his coffin) and Spandau Ballet. The Spandau Ballet song Across the Barricades is about Thomas Kidso Reilly. A guy shot dead for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thomas Was.
and of course Wasted Life was about this incident as well.
Wow ! That is a proper shame ! Love to you !
@@charliegeorge9393 It's not - Wasted Life was written and recorded years before Jim's brother was shot
🙏🙏🙏
Never knew that bud n I’m a lifelong fan n never saw a better drummer than Jim, wow!Thats quite a story, thanx for sharing🤛
There was a great affinity between Reggae & Punk. Stiff Little Fingers , The Clash , Generation X & The Police 🚔 all encompassing Reggae musically & lyrically into their content. 🇯🇲
The Ruts, The Members, The Slits are a few others.
@@SPKdesign1 All great band's aren't we lucky little buggers to be alive at this point in history electricity amplifiers and great music not standing around a piano with ma and pa and granny's singing crappy song's about the poor harvest
@@heathcornbeef I missed the 60s but am old enough to remember the 70s and the 80s.
I would hate to have missed them.
@@SPKdesign1 30 march 1970 this smartass cheeky bugger arrived and the world hasn't had a moment of peace and quiet since that day. One day they will NAIL THE LAST NAIL INTO MY COFFIN LID AND bury me 12 feet underground cause deep down I'm not that LOUD (or bad) MAYBE 🤔
For once I'm edging towards the cover version.
I bought 'Imflammable Material' as soon as it was available in HMV, which may even have been before the official release date. Some things you just have to have and I'd waited for it to be released. 'Johnny Was' is front and centre of a magnificent punk album, possibly the best along with 'Never Mind the Dooh Dahs' (as it said in Woolies).
I went to see them in 1979, getting into Tiffany's at 15, when the age limit was 18 - deep voice and stubble helped. 'Johnny Was' was magnificent as was everything so it can't really compare with the Bob Marley version for me. Love Bob Marley but SLF on this occasion.
Agree on Inflammable Material & this song. I think it was a mate of mine got me into them probably soon after this release. Never saw them live,although used to see Jake at quite a few other gigs milling around.
Ha ! thats Ace ! Saw a few bands in Penzance about the same time ! I was 14 or 15 saw
an extremley loud Motorhead , Dexys Midnight Runners , 999 , UB 40 , The Damned to mention a few ! Did not see SLF which was a shame ! but great times ! Cheers !
it's definitely a win for the fingers for me on this one, they expanded the song and although i must admit i have never seen bob or the wailers do their version live i have seen the fingers do it live and with the crowd singing it back its a take the roof off kind of moment, also i suppose it depends what mood your in and what you want to listen to!
Yep ! All about the mood ! Or the state of your head !
Stiff Little Fingers. But their live version takes it to another level again.
got weekend ticket to see SLF at their spiritual home Glasgow Barrowlands on 16-17th (Paddys night) March - can't wait, music of my youth, now music of my senior years,,,,feel sorry for people only finding SLF now
Yep, SLF. Just think - they recorded this in Northern Ireland during the height of The Troubles, when young men like Johnny were being shot dead every day. Growing up in Northern Ireland, I loved this song for years before it was a cover of Bob Marley.
I prefer the SLF version but both are great.
One of the best punk albums of the 70s
Two greats bands, saw Bob Marley at Stafford Bingley Hall and SLF at Cavendish House Manchester.
Punk and reggae was a thing especially dub, The Clash toured with Michael Campbell ( Mikey Dredd) Rastas and punks had some kind of affinity as both groups viewed themselves as outcasts of the wider communities.
The Bob Marley song is soulful, sympathetic and warm, I guess written with regard to the political violence in Jamaica of which he himself was a victim. The Stiff Little Fingers version is gut-rippingly visceral in its energy and anger, and portrays the human cost of the nightly news I was watching growing up. I think the band did a brilliant job with the arrangement, and the guitar solo is my favourite from any band of that era. To do an eight minute song with a guitar solo really went against the grain of what was thought to be the punk ethic, but for me the band, and Jake Burns in particular, make every second matter and more than forty years later it hits me as hard as it ever did. SLF for the win on this one.
Well said can't argue with you on anything Jake Burns is one of my musical hero's i can't imagine the last fourty years OF MY LIFE WITHOUT S.L.F i love their music now as much maybe more than i did as a 14 year old in 1984 it doesn't get old or boring it's musical perfection in my opinion
@@heathcornbeef I still have a nagging voice in my head telling me I need a Yamaha SG, even though I don't.
Eloquently put - Marley's original is delivered as a form of eulogy which you could imagine being played at Johnny's funeral.
SLF version would be more appropriate at the demonstration protesting Johnny's death.
Well said that man !
@@delorangeade you know you really do need it it's not a want it's a need DO IT 🤘👍✌️ you only live once and if you have the means to do it DO IT 💥
I am a massive SLF fan as I grew up in Belfast at the same time as them. You should listen to their version of Johnny Was on the live album called Hanx - incidentally , an album I won on a local news programme in Northern Ireland!
Bob of the two versions you played. However SLF do a live version on Hanx which is bloody awesome
Stiff Little Fingers will always be my top band! The GOATs!
Not fair to say Fingers version blows Bob & Co out of the water, but,I hadn't heard the Wailers original until today, whereas I've had the SLF version from 1979 in my head for more than 40 years having played it to death at the time from their brilliant intro album 'Inflammable Material'. So,it's still SLF for me.
My first love affair with punk music was and is slf
I saw them at Digbeth Civic Hall and they should get more recognition, this version is incredible
I prefer Stiff Little Fingers version it’s one of my favourites, it took me a number of years to hear the original version back in the day it wasn’t easy to find.
SLF and The Clash got me into reggae
Me too friend but also The Ruts.
Greedings from,, Kiel,, north Germany.. In the ealy 80,s the live LP from SLF was a favorite here... Watch :"Stiff little Fingers, live at Rockpalast,, *
I saw them 2x in Hamburg👍
S LF live version on Hanx is their best version.
Perfect NPR type cretics. Both are great Love Bob Marley. SLF brought a reality of the struggle to a new level.
I preferred SLF to the Specials last time, but how can I choose here? They're both amazing, and both are from authentic experiences of living in 'the system' imposed upon them that creates conflict and comes from conflict. Both the soulful mourning original and the angry cover are powerful and genuine ...
SLF's version would be my go to listen, but I give this one to Bob as it conveys the message better.
Your best upload yet in my opinion. Like Mrs Hanier I think both are great but I would edge it to Stiff Little Fingers.... Now if you want something else in that style and quality try Police and Thieves by Junior Mervin and the cover version by The Clash or Pressure Drop by Toots and the Maytals also with the cover by the Clash.!!!
Pressure drop, great shout.
I know The Clash's version of 'Police And Thieves' but haven't heard Junior Mervin's original yet, so I'm voting for that, too! 😊👍
Two great shouts and well worthy. Love both versions of both, but The Clash's version of Pressure Drop wins hands down.
I love your content Haniers. I'll take the guilt trip of relegating Bob and the Wailers to 2nd place on this occasion.
If you are looking for a similar comparative song and cover, there is "Police & Thieves" by Junior Murvin (Produced by Lee Perry & Written by Murvin/Perry) and The Clash.
There are a few of versions of this kicking around with Jah Lion and Glen DaCosta.
Has to be a tie ! not for dressing up ! Both brilliant ! Bob Marley is so calming ! SLF Is edgy but message is the same !!
There is actually a really good movie called "Johnny Was" as well with "Vinnie Jones, Lennox Lewis, Roger Daltry and Samantha Mumba to mention a few.
It's about I.R.A. politics and set in London. The soundtrack is amazing.
mmm! Have to check that out ! Do you remember "Harrys Game "? Clannad did the title music !
@@ghichens3418 Wasn't such a big Clannad fan but they did have bits and pieces.
@@SPKdesign1 Yes ! I know what you mean ! Very atmospheric !!! I think they call it !
Both versions are Fantastic ... Brought up in the late 60's 70's i had the privilege of learning & enjoying both punk and reggae & (and obviously the offspring) SKA.... But i was just a bit more drawn towards punk SLF are way better than the music most people live through 40 yrs + still going say's it all .. Hanx to my fellow fingers family for these suggestions love you guys
Check out some more Marley: Concrete Jungle, Burning and Looting, Rastaman Chant are some great early tunes, deep tracks. Also look for some of their later tracks: Roots,Rock, Reggae, and Punky Reggae Party
A tie for me. One of my favourite cover versions though. Galaxie 500 were masters of the cover version and did a sublime take of JDs Ceremony and my favourite ever cover of Modern Lovers Don't Let Our Youth Go To Waste
Both songs are so good. Fingers used the song to make the point of the wasted lives in the troubles Recently herd Johnny Was live
So good as a live song
Also good to listen to Bob when chilling in the sun
Good choice people, SLF nailed the production and solidified the marriage of punk / reggae. Feel that they could have afforded to trim up to a minute at the end without losing any of the song's intensity though.
Yes have it SLF ❤ smashed it out the park
I love these comparisons. I have never heard this song before and the renditions were both great but I have to choose one so I'm going for Bob Marley and the Wailers. That was so soulful that you could easily get lost in it.
I look forward to next week's comparison
Both are superb, in their own way. I can't separate them! That guitar break - wow!
I'm so happy she immediately picked Stiff Little Fingers! I think Bob Marley would pick their version too.
Bob Marley is much better!
Please folks, go and listen to the live version on the Stiff Little Fingers live album “Hanx” (thanks in Belfast vernacular).
In fact listen to the entire album.
These guys were critical of all the sides in the Ulster Troubles.
People in Belfast had been shot for saying less than what SLF were singing about.
That cannot be underestimated.
✌️
Your video made me realise how great SLF are! The original is more nuanced but SLF really transform their material!
Reggae and punk have always had a strong connection since the late 70's due to similar social situations of that era. (has it gone?) Love both these versions - Johnny is a good song :)
Both are good. Reggae and punk are rebel music
The SLF version is much angrier - that righteous indignation is perhaps the most important difference between the two versions. Marley's is perhaps a little too laid back considering the message...
Bob focusses on the sorrow of the death, while SLF got hyped in the anger, both emotions are present with a death in that manner.
A protest song about innocent people being gunned down on a small island, gets repurposed as a protest song about innocent people being gunned down on a different small island. Some things don't change.
I've heard a lot of reggae and love it but I don't think I've actually heard Bob Marley's song before. I know 'Inflammable Material' very well, it's one of my favourite albums.
I loved how Cynthia was totally getting into SLF's version.
Awesome cover of bob marley track but i prefer original but stiff live verSion from their live album Hanx is mega
The SLF version is a masterpiece. After all these years it is the first time I've heard the Marley version. Also liked it.
Here's one for you from two men from the same mold compassion righteousness and genius saint Joe Strummer ( with Johnny cash) and uncle Bob Marley .
Uncle Bob's song REDEMPTION SONG Joes version is honest humble and spine tingling in my opinion
Kia ora hello again guys hay when BOb Marley was here in Aotearoa New Zealand he was asked why he wrote PUNKY REGGAE PARTY and his answer was PERFECT
BECAUSE REGGAE MUSIC AND PUNKROCK MUSIC IS REBEL MUSIC.
SO ON THAT NOTE CHECK OUT BOB MARLEY'S SONG PUNKY REGGAE PARTY
Another SLF track that I stumbled upon { Think it was later in their carreer or vocation } is
"Under a Beirut Moon " Brilliant ! Have you seen the movie "Good Vibrations " ? Cheers !
@@ghichens3418 kia ora hello hay no i haven't seen that movie but I'm going to have a look ✌️👍🤘
@@heathcornbeef Thanks ! Suppose I should tell you what is about ! Reckon you will love it ! Chap opens up a Record shop in Belfast in the 70s ! {amongst the Troubles}
True story of the shop owner disocovering the "Undertones " and their success in UK and wider ! the Irish Punk scene is shown !
Great Movie !! Another Great Irish Movie with Fantastic music is the "Commitments "
Enjoy ! Cheers !
For me, it's a tie. Stiff Little Fingers would've won this if I liked their singer's voice better 🙂
Yes ! Fair Point ! May be his voice suits other tracks !. "Wasted Life " his voice is spot on for that song
I think !
His voice is one of the things I love about it, but I appreciate it's not for everyone. That was true, even at the time.
@@delorangeade Yep ! Agree ! Cheers for that !
Been a slf fan forty odd years 🔥 the very song that got me listening to BOB l love both versions 👍SLF live version on HANX amazing 🔥🔥🔥
You need to put both songs in the context if where the singers grew up. Jamaica and Belfast during the troubles.
Check out SLF's cover of "The Message" by Grand master flash. I prefer it to the original.
Stiff Little Fingers. Always Stiff Little Fingers. Unless The Clash is in the mix. In that case always The Clash.
Try Black Sabbath paranoid v The Dickies version, The Dickies is better
That's a great shout.
Excellent as usual guys. Perhaps try Fly the Flag by SLF. A great comment on the UK.
Just listening to Bob's now - have to admit its my first time and its incredible, as is SLF's - draw!
SLF get the anger that this song needs
Heres another comparison you might be interested in doing, a triple one at that! larry williams doing the song slow down and the beatles doing a cover of it and also the jam doing a cover of it, all are great so will be interesting to see who is preferred out of the three!
Another one, She's not there, by The Zombies and UK Subs
Peole like bob marley because they think they have to...he was really overated. Stiff little fingers were one of the most underated bands ever
100% agree, thanks for saying it.
When you get a chance have a listen to The Undertones (My Perfect Cousin or Teenage Kicks would be a great reaction) good luck with the channel it’s a lot of fun
Now how 'bout a comparison between Marley's and Eric Clapton's versions of "I shot the sheriff"...
We know both of those versions quite well.
Kia ora hello guys as i said before it's reggae Sunday here in the kiapara hills and BOOM 💥 YOU GOOD PEOPLE play The Protector's give back our land and I'm hanging around sniffing out more reggae on your play list hehehe 👍✌️🤘
✌️🔥 For life !
Bob was good but SLF did this one better.
Got to to Walk On By - The Stranglers
Yes ! I mentioned that one a wee while back ! Dione Warwick v Stranglers !! Ace
We have a video for The Stranglers - Walk On By. We know the Dionne Warwick one very well
@@hanierfamily Hi ! Thank you so much for dropping us a line !Looking forward for that video of Stranglers v Dionne warwick !
did I mention "Jealous Guy " John Lennon V
"Roxy Music " ? I will try and sort some more tunes that you might like !So glad you enjoyed "Rory GalIagher " proper made my day !Thanks !Later !
We know both versions of Walk On By. We knew The Dionne Warwick version and we did a reaction to The Stranglers version before we started doing comparisons. We have the other comparison on our list. Also, so glad we could make your day!
@@hanierfamily Thank you ! Very much !
Music is such a great communicator !
Glad you enjoyed "Budgie " They were so brilliant ! I promise not to bombard you peeps with loads of suggestions !There is no fire !So I will wait till you have sampled
Wishbone Ash, then I can make a few more suggestions !Also seeing you both react to
certain types of music , Is great ! Thanks again , regards
Graham
Fingers version better in my view was written by bobs wife rita marley
different countries but same oppression n hate S L F my favourite 💙🏴
Try Police and Thieves by Junior Murvin and by The Clash
We did that comparison!
@@hanierfamily I am impressed! well how about "Tom Hark" by Elias and his Zig Zig Jive Flutes, 1958, compared to the Ska version by the Piranhas in 1980?
Slf easy
Slf all day long is better, I prefer the live version on hanx album
I believe you have to enquire/ask for a certain song at least a couple of times. Having mentioned it once already, here's my second request for Soundgarden and 'Outshined'. Failing that, 'Rusty Cage' would more than suffice. Thanks! 😊
We know both of those rather well. And Jesus Christ Pose. My (Chris) brother is a huge Matt Cameron fan. He's what influenced his original drumming style.
@@hanierfamily I'm struggling here, but how about 'Rear View Mirror' by Pearl Jam. Failing that, another dose of The Stranglers and 'The Raven'!
@hanierfamily I'm a drummer myself and Matt Cameron is in my top 10. As for my favourite sticksman ever, it's a toss up between Can's Jaki Leibezeit and Gong's Pierre Moerlin!
SLF!!
Slf no doubt
Its Irish punk in a troubled time
I beleive many other bands ripped off slf riffs
SLF
SLF
SLF