A VIBE!| FIRST TIME HEARING Men At Work - Overkill REACTION

[@tomknj3356]

If you want a real treat, check out the Colin Hay acoustic version of this song. Absolutely incredible.

[@dalelawrence8374]

Glad you mentioned the acoustic version.... I was going to mention it, too. It gives a whole different feel to the song. He played the acoustic version on an episode of Scrubs! One of my favorite episodes of the show.

[@fan123casual8]

Came here to say this. (Colin Hey is the singer of Men at work and wrote most of their songs).

[@KevinSchmitt77]

@@dalelawrence8374 As I recall, he "kinda" played the song. Wasn't he interrupted by JD and Turk? Okay, now I have to go rewatch that episode!

[@rhalarda4088]

I actually prefer the acoustic version, not that I don't like this version either.

[@dalelawrence8374]

@KevinSchmitt77 If I remember correctly, he ended up playing the whole song in parts/segments. I kind of remember the episode of being something like "a day in the life of JD at the hospital" kind of vibe, and that Colin would pop in singing verses. I think I, too, need to go back and watch that episode again (it's been awhile.... lol).

[@lovinlorne]

Love this song. It always comes down to either this song or “It’s A Mistake” for my favorite

[@jnbennett6496]

yes , its a mistake is my fav, a little reggae

[@rickr949]

Same.

[@mkmstillstackin]

For sure, "It's a Mistake" is a great tune.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

both are great

[@kelliedee]

I was going to suggest this one too!

[@nataliestory2614]

I’m in my 60’s. Been a fan of Men At Work since the beginning. Colin Hay has such a unique voice.

[@Gordonroyce]

Me too. Iam 57 yo.

[@carltonbakerii8274]

62 checking in!

[@seanswinton6242]

​@@carltonbakerii827455 also from the AARP crew joining in!😂😂

[@pmR32red]

👍

[@thatfelladownunder9396]

60yo here, Business as usual.

[@amauriabreu146]

The whole Business As Usual Album is a masterpiece.

[@chezellis]

Ever since it came out, this has always been my favorite Men At Work song. Second comes in with Be Good, Johnny.

[@andrewpetik2034]

I love that song! Both Business As Usual and Cargo are pretty amazing albums.

[@debrafong8899]

I came to say the exact same thing.

[@walterrutherford8321]

🤣 I first misread that as, “Ever since I came out…” 🤣

[@jayjayjase9796]

Be Good Johnny is a classic

[@luciemurphree1597]

OMG.....I FREAKIN LOVE THIS SONG!! The vocals and the emotion❤❤❤❤ They have an acoustic version which is just as amazing!

[@WeirdAlpha]

omg that acoustic one is soooooo gooood

[@Starlesslight]

Definitely my favorite song of theirs.

[@MattSmith-wz1xh]

First time I heard the acoustic was watching Scrubs. Great song and show!

[@michaelburggraf2822]

​@@MattSmith-wz1xhThat's really a very special episode of Scrubs and certainly one of my favourite ones.

[@obananagato]

one of the greatest songs about anxiethy ever written for sure

[@emilywilhite5807]

I loved Men at Work back when this came out but the lyrics didn’t mean much to me back then. Now this song hits hard as I deal with severe anxiety and depression.

[@nealeger8154]

The show 'Scrubs' had an episode called 'My Overkill'. Lead singer Collin Hay was in it and sang an acoustic version of this song in a clever way interspersed through the story line .

[@mkmstillstackin]

My Favorite Men At Work song BY FAR!! The lyrics of this song are Brilliant! Colin Haye is just a genius. His solo acoustic version on this song is also great!

[@nomicrowave]

Overkill and It's a Mistake are my two favorite Men At Work songs.

[@stpnwlf9]

One of my favorites. Colin Hay is an amazing songwriter and singer. He still performs this as part of Ringo-Starr's All Starr Band. He also had a guest appearance performing this song on Scrubs.

[@robertcrawford1791]

When he comes in later in the song after the instrumental bridge and shouts ‘I CANT GET TO SLEEP!!’ I get chills. Couldn’t tell you why but it focuses a lot of emotion into five words and I love it.

[@PlateOshrimp499]

Not to be too analytical, but he both amps up the energy after the (seriously great) guitar solo, also he takes his whole vocal up and octave which gives it a big lift. My fave MaW song, by a pretty long way!

[@blueeyedraven396]

As a teen that suffered from severe depression during the '80's, songs like this helped me because it made me feel that others felt the way that I did, so I didn't feel alone. The song that first made me feel like others felt the same way I did was "On the Outside" by Oingo Boingo.

[@doplinger1]

Colin also released an acoustic version of this and it's awesome - also featured on an episode of "Scrubs"!

[@Trapper50cal]

He was a good sport in his cameo role on scrubs.

[@laurakali6522]

Brilliant episode.

[@laurakali6522]

I’ve seen Colin Hay perform many times. Solo acoustic, with a full band and with Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band. Always a great show. He’s really funny and tells great stories.

[@reneeheknowsmyname6771]

That is such a GREAT episode of Scrubs!! It gets me every time!!

[@Marant2327]

Yes! This always reminds me of Scrubs! Love this song. 💙

[@chuckemory6004]

One of my favorite songs of the 80s. Thanks for this.

[@The_OneManCrowd]

A majorly underrated but influential band from the 80's. They played an interesting tempo of music and the songwriting was top notch. Huge fan of Men at Work.

[@Apostrofe]

One of the best sax parts in all of rock/pop.

[@sunnybearbuds]

Great! Most people forget Overkill and only remember Down Under...thanks for this nice memory!

[@nnoddy8161]

In 1983, I loved this song and its boppy tune. In 2000, I started listening to the lyrics. In 2024, it is therapy. Thank you MAW and Colin. RIP Greg.

[@rockyshields9122]

This is my favorite Men at Work song as an adult. In the 80's it was Who Can It Be Now. This song is just so well written and played.

[@SRGots]

My favorite Men At Work song! I'm glad you liked it.

[@ericstaton6896]

Jay & Amber, great reaction! A very good song by Men At Work is "It's a Mistake"! It's an anti-war song by them! As always Love, Peace & Blessings!!!

[@julieheath9507]

“Be good Johnny” is another good song.

[@alwynemcintyre2184]

Unique band, Scottish lead singer and 4 aussie musos RIP Greg Ham

[@adrianwright1702]

"Ghosts appear and fade away" such a brilliant phrase for real life situations. Brilliant sax, guitar and everything, plus Colin Hay is fabulous.

[@ryanfeit1420]

1983 was a great year for Men At Work. Another great Men At Work song that came out in late 1983 was "Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Jive". Great reaction guys!!

[@MarkChappell1]

I've been listening to this song since it came out. I never get tired of it. The harmony with his voice almost sounds like ghostly whispering. And his voice is so original and distinct, no one like him.

[@marksimpson1991]

YES! Great band! Colin Hay is awesome. One of my favorite singers, with such a recognizable voice, and a brilliant songwriter.

[@ruff500]

Colin was born in Scotland but moved to Australia with his parents as a teeneger

[@tandemteachingmoments1109]

His solo work is simply amazing! "Are You Looking At Me" is great....a vibe for sure.

[@362chop]

The uniqueness of Colin Hay's voice. Such a good song.

[@motodork]

This album came out when I was 12, and I got it for christmas when I turned 13. I still listen to it often and it always reminds me of that wonderful time when I was becoming a teenager, and the world was getting smaller.

[@garycp70]

I got Business As Usual as a cassette for Christmas in 1982 and I bought the Record Album for Cargo. Played both all the time! Great memories in the MTV era!

[@jamiedianne6778]

Looove this song! ❤ Music today is severely lacking in its use of the saxophone! I love that 80’s music is just full of the sax. Definitely sets the atmosphere.

[@scottyg3406]

The sax 🎷is the most underutilized musical instrument in modern music. Soooooo many 80's hits had a saxophone sound and it always added to the song 🎵!

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

Mainstream modern music lacks musicians, period. There is still a lot of music out there with sax.

[@seanswinton6242]

​@@scottyg3406As a saxophonist who began playing learning about Rock as a young Black lad in the mid 70's, I totally agree. I was a frustrated guitar learner. I always heard sax in Rock and in movies. David Sanborn's horn on James Taylor, Bowie, and other records did it for me. I learned many songs and solos, because I could play by ear. The 80's were truly the last great decade for the saxophone on hit studio recordings as synths took over. I've always said it, "Lead saxophone and horns, there is no substitute!"

[@seanswinton6242]

​@@eclecticexplorer7828Sadly the saxophone in popular music by the end of the 80's. You saw them in concerts to add color and bolster the synth horns. Some jam bands like David Matthews band, The Dead, and Blues bands still had them. You don't see it as much, because of the cost and maintenance of a saxophone along with the decline in music programs in schools.

[@arthurgatward7369]

Music today is just severely lacking full stop.

[@lisemzarate4029]

This one is special for me because it spoke about feelings I couldn't quite understand fully as a 13 year old. Anxiety and fears about dreaming weren't situations there was even language for in that time. It's like the line in Bittersweet Symphony, I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, this song was that for me❤

[@stephanieo2509]

I love it because of the subject matter that is something so many people can identify with--overthinking situations and anxiety.

[@laurakali6522]

And insomnia….the worst.

[@johnboehmer6683]

Yes. So common to The Human experience, so unbelievably rarely dealt with in song.

[@BrianHa00]

Love this song so much!! “It’s a mistake” is a must :)

[@minxiv7]

This is my absolute favourite of Men At Work ❤ such a great song about overthinking and anxiety. Colin’s voice is freaking amazing in this. ❤❤❤

[@GrantReedIII]

I think about "It's a Mistake" from time to time. Its a good song. I have to say, I do not recall if "Be Good Johnny" was released as a single, but is from the album "Business As Usual" (Had both Down Under, and Who Can It Be now?) was a pretty upbeat song. Overall excellent album. To Be Fair Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive was fun.

[@joeyblowey123456]

"Ghosts appear and fade away" Great line , great song.

[@Trapper50cal]

The acoustic version is incredible as well.

[@marksimpson1991]

Have you heard "Going Somewhere"? I'm sure you have. If you haven't you'll love it.

[@cmholmes1067]

Yes it is!!

[@cjk5115]

I honestly think the acoustic version is better because it seems to really punctuate the lyrics that much more and of course lets Colin Hay's voice shine. In either case, it's a fantastic song, no matter which version you prefer.

[@Trapper50cal]

@@cjk5115 I feel the same way...more lonely and echoing darkness.

[@ShujinTribble]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE... There is a version of this sung by Colin Hay (The Lead Singer) with "Choir, Choir, Choir", it is GORGEOUS!

[@christopherlievens]

You’ll have to do the unplugged version of Colin Hay , The lead singer of men at work sing and play overkill. A good one is from Bob and Tom radio show.

[@xanajak]

Men at Work were on top of the world for about 18 months in '82-'83. This song is one of the great moody broody masterpieces. Day after day it reappears, night after night my heartbeat shows the fear, ghosts appear and fade away ...

[@RitzyTrailerII]

Heh.. it's so cute to see you guys enjoying this piece of work. This song was darker and more edgy in the 80's than it seems now, though. Almost every human being on the planet was terrified of nuclear war with Russia after Ronnie Ray-Guy (our then-President) took office in 1981, and immediately started rattling sabers with our non-allies, and we (collectively) especially in the United States were waiting for the worst to happen. "Day after day, my heartbeat shows the fear" - "especially at night, I worry over situations that I know will be all right - it's just overkill" It was about the insane nuclear arms race. But as only Colin Hay could - he portrayed our feelings with this epic song perfectly. I have both a nostalgic love for this song, but also a memory of being a young 20 year old, terrified of the world state of affairs. Thanks for the reaction!

[@paimannamazi1128]

Brings back memories of when I was younger in the 80s. So much happier back then, the best decade for me.

[@arconeagain]

The location in the video is instantly recognisable, some very well known landmarks. It is shot in St Kilda, a now trendy suburb of Melbourne. I would frequent the area (my mate lived in nearby Elwood), especially The Espy (Esplanade Hotel, featured here). The Espy is, or was, one of the best music/gig venues in Australia. You want genuine pub bands, Melbourne music with the full cultural experience, including the sticky carpet, this is the place. Just walk in and look over all the band posters on the walls. This is it, you're immersed in one of the greatest music scenes in the world. I used to love having a late afternoon pot of beer and gaze out the window at the bay as the first band warmed up. Walk the Esplanade and out on the pier just like Colin here.

[@jjr007]

"Be Good Johnny" will put a smile on your face, really fun and my favorite song by them!

[@lesscarmel5527]

Fun fact: the first fan letter I ever wrote was to Men at Work, specifically to sax player, Greg Ham. I loved him and that band so much. Saw Colin a few years back and he was amazing-a great storyteller and songwriter.

[@lorilemley5348]

Another gem I’d forgotten about from the eighties until just now! Love your channel!❤❤❤

[@monolithic87]

This song is about anxiety and the fears that come trying new things… Pretty deep message I easily overlooked back when this came out but that line, “Ghosts appear and fade away”, is one of the greatest I have the pleasure of understanding now... Favorite Men At Work song, hands down!

[@CousinWhatIsIt]

"It's a Mistake" was the biggest single from this album, but a favorite of mine is the somewhat silly "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive", which has a funny video as well.

[@jeri-annabbott1896]

I love both of those tracks. for me they are more enjoyable than their two big radio singles.

[@TD411A]

I like both of those! Another silly one I've always enjoyed is Be Good Johnny from the Business as Usual Album

[@DorkThink]

Literally one of my favorite songs of all time, ever ✨ I sing/play it daily

[@Nicksterino]

Guys this has always been my favorite MaW song, and your reactions were spot on! Thanks for keeping this channel going!

[@maha77]

I've literally been playing this song 10x a day for the past 2 weeks. In fact if you go check out the video there's a comment from me 12 days ago lol. This song has such a beautiful nostalgia, It fits so perfectly with these beautiful sunny afternoons on this big ball _of earth hurtling through space to an unknown destination, all of us, together_

[@warrennicholsony.fernando4513]

Who Can It Be Now, Everything I Need, and this are my favorite songs from this group.

[@derek5168]

The Melbourne suburb of St kilda was the perfect place for the film clip to match the mood of the song

[@Rufus6540]

Possibly my favorite song by them, thanks for reacting to it!

[@kimcutts6153]

What a voice. Most (if not all) their songs are catchy. You just cant help joining in. ❤🎙🎼🎷🎺

[@jadakid6942]

My favorite Men At Work song and one of my favorite songs period.

[@Vinylrebel72]

My FAVORITE Men at Work Song, Colin Hay is one of the greatest singers.

[@raytorres2685]

🎶 Co-hit from this "Overkill" album is "Be Good Johnny" Blasts from the Past" Catchy lyrics parents can appreciate 👍

[@kennethcoon7547]

Johnny Be Good! Is my favorite song from them. It really rocks!👍

[@hickokhaley]

Love their music and Colin's voice!

[@JohnLacok]

Absolutely a great song but I’m astonished that I can’t seem to find a reaction to an absolutely great band from Australia called Cold Chisel. I would start with either Khe Sanh or Cheap Wine or Flame Trees but to be honest any of their other 20 hits or so are fire . Hopefully I will get to see your reactions to Cold Chisel soon . Cheers Jay and Amber

[@moanman1776]

This was a great song from the 80s. Colin's slower, more stripped-down version (recorded later) makes you realize how lyrically-potent this joint remains, Glad you guys dig it as well.

[@xoxxobob61]

This is my favorite Men at Work song! I wrote an Email to Colin Hay telling him how much I loved this Song and he replied back saying it was one of his favorites too!

[@salmuscles]

Hi bob

[@xoxxobob61]

@@salmuscles Hey sal !

[@imaspoon4522]

I wish my anxiety sounded this lovely.

[@SteveWest-R215]

Gratitude is the antithesis of anxiety, two different parts of the brain you can't be both at the same time. 6 yrs of therapy, ptsd. It's harder than people think.

[@weezerang]

Men at Work just might be one of the most overlooked bands of all time. Like Big Country, they have a very unique sound. I agree that "It's a Mistake" should be next, either that or "Be Good Johnny".

[@flairfan4life1]

Saw Them LIVE! Love COLIN HAY! He's quite talented.

[@rsmith2491]

His acoustic version of this is great. He also does with Choir, Choir, Choir and that is really fun to watch.

[@mitchelldruckman1452]

One of the deepest and greatest songs of all time!

[@joeyjojo5986]

agreed. it just puts me in a mood like most songs can't.

[@danielwolf1673]

Thank you. Absolutely.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

Not only my fave Men At Work songs, but one of my fave 80s songs! Also one of the best 'Nite songs! dbl ♥

[@terrylewis_]

I love Colin Hay's voice. I really like his song "Waiting For My Real Life to Begin" and "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" are two of my favorites of his solo stuff. I also highly recommend his live performances - I think he is a great live. :)

[@Stacey7742]

This is my favorite Men At Work song.

[@MASolko]

Colin Hay (the lead singer) has a gorgeous solo song "Waiting on My Real Life to Begin" worth checking out. It's incredibly powerful!

[@markzalubas5793]

Absolutely love Colin Hay's voice. It's an instrument on its own.

[@sandgroperwookiee65]

Indeed! It's mesmerising live & acoustic. ..& still as strong as ever to today. ( & Playing in Ringo's all-star band ✌️❤️)

[@gdoggatl]

Spring, 1983!! Loved it. This and "It's a Mistake" from their second album were my favorites!!. Their best!!

[@davidjones6389]

Flash back to when MTV showed music. Great song....

[@joeevett9007]

Men at Works "Business as Usual" was the first album (cassette) I ever purchased on my own. Overkill is my favorite Men at Work song.

[@yolandabrooksqueenofsevens]

My Birthday Twin is hitting in this song. I love Men at Work 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mbohlin01]

My daughter has true OCD. Love how these lyrics capture the anxiety one can have and sometimes have a hard time controlling.

[@ladyamythyst69]

I love Colin Hay’s voice. If you want to hear a really moody Men at Work song listen to Down By the Sea. Such a beautiful song with great sax.

[@johnboehmer6683]

YES! I had to scroll down about 150 to find yours, the first request for the masterpiece that is Down By the Sea. Simplistic, but extremely atmospheric and beautiful, with lyrics that really paint a picture, and put you right there on this cold, windy Australian shoreline. And the somewhat stripped-down instrumentation really brings out the power of Colin Hay's vocals. Love this song.

[@BaccarWozat]

Back in my school days I used to sing it as "Day after day, we have beer". Speaking about Australian groups, how about some more INXS? "Just Keep Walking" is a nice early point in their career to focus on.

[@ginamyers5238]

Love this song as well, when you get the chance listen to the acoustic version with just the singer Colin Hay. Was used in en episode of Scrubs with him singing it in the episode , love that version too!!!

[@TheLaker85]

Had the pleasure of seeing him solo at a small supper club in Los Angeles back in the 90s. He's literally feet away from the audience on a small stage. What an absolute treat that was.

[@Johnny_Socko]

Was that at Largo by any chance? I didn't see him there, but I met him in the audience at a show at the Roxy that was put on by a bunch of regulars from Largo. (Man did that club book some great performers.)

[@TheLaker85]

@@Johnny_Socko Bingo, yes it was at Largo. Loved that little club on Fairfax.

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

This song has helped me to cope with depression. The Sax’and guitar solo in the middle, just sublime)

[@Gladiator0719]

He used to do cameos on Scrubs and would cover this song as well. Great classic song and group, longtime fan.

[@MoonChild-1994]

Haunting, insightful, encouraging.. BRILLIANT!

[@markhickerson7431]

Colin Hay released an album called Man @ Work where he did acoustic versions of Men at Work songs. They used that version of this song on an episode of Scrubs. I heard that version before this one. Both are great.

[@johncook2765]

Love the acoustic version of this song, also the version Colin did with Choir Choir Choir. That is a must reaction.

[@beokayian5378]

Love the Choir! Choir! Choir! version

[@michaelwaynekidd1288]

What an amazing song. Stands the test of time for sure.

[@bertisjordan1085]

Men At Work had a nice run of hits here in America in the early 80's. What was really cool is that i worked with some Australians. First time I ate Vegamite!

[@williamjackson6705]

The lead singer of the group, Colin James Hay, also recorded an acoustic version of this for the television show Scrubs. He also appears in the show singing it. Both versions of this song are awesome.

[@InvestBetter.]

These Aussies were killing it in the early 80s' This topped out at #3 in 1983 They had two #1s, three Top 5s and four Top 10s

[@Vader1138]

The singer Colin Hay has a very thick scottish accent in real life. He moved with his family to Australia as an older child and met the rest of the band in school. They broke up late 80's and he moved to California. I saw him last year on tour. He plays solo and between songs tells humorous stories about himself. Awesome guy and an amazing song that brings back memories.

[@julianschulz1620]

On that last verse, i'll bet the producer yelled: Colin, come on, man...i WANNA FEEL THE ANXIETY!

[@ClaudeJordan-rh4zx]

I've liked them since they hit our airwaves! They were fun, and their sound was SO unique! Sometimes you knew who they were from the first couple of notes.

[@FastHatTrick]

Glad you got around to this one. You two hit on so many songs by a lot of great artist, and all of us here on the other side so badly want to grab you for a few hours to take you on the deep dives with these artist. So when you get around to the deeper tracks like this one it makes us happy. And "It's a Mistake" should be the next one.

[@Jahani31]

My favorite Men At Work song and Scrubs episode

[@Whitebrowpriest]

Songs like this makes me miss the 80s. What a time it was! ❤😊

[@owenbb505]

Loved this song since watching the video constantly on MTV in '83 when i was a kid. My favorite from this band and I'm so glad you guys appreciate it. You two made me smile again with this reaction and I thank you! Keep up the good work, you two 😊

[@stephenhamel9464]

I FINALLY got to see Men at Work last summer at the Hard Rock in Tulsa. It was awesome! One of my favorite childhood bands. You should also check out these songs by them: be good Johnny, dr heckyl and me jive, it’s a mistake, down by the sea….I’m sure I’m forgetting something but that’s a good start.