Bridge Over Troubled Water - John Farnham (1979)

The Don Lane Show, Channel 9, Australia, November 22nd, 1979

[@FionaEm]

This man couldn't sing badly if he tried. What a legend 👏👏👏

[@jennygavrilovic7415]

Agree 110%

[@Marilyn1925]

So true. Perfect pitch

[@bhqld628]

Maybe if he tried really really hard

[@antoinesubitlescoups338]

The like button on the left side could never do justice to this performance. Take a bow Mr Farnham

[@stevenhenderson619]

If he isn't the top 10 singers of all time I'll cut my appendage off

[@Quaxi3]

With that ease of singing today nobody can reach near that level of 50% Johnny sang it back then (40 years or more). Hope my English described that enough

[@0n3faith1day]

He is the best singer ever

[@tonyb4115]

Still underrated, still magnificent and still John Farnham.

[@eagrundling8783]

This man was born to sing.

[@kellieevans2964]

Vocal range is INSANE and such a wonderful singer especially still in 2020... 🇦🇺🎵🎤

[@beresfordthompson1370]

This is my favorite version of this classic song. John’s emotion and passion shines in this performance. Mic and vocal technique is epic and at a young age such an epic performance all round. You could tell John felt every word he sang.

[@user-xr3nf2dx9o]

Wonderful listened many times

[@deansapp4635]

That was insane

[@cheekypeteski7545]

He is the greatest as simple as that...

[@iceberg5220]

Best voice in the world!

[@tonyb4115]

2021, another year , here's to more outstanding singers, and outstanding songs. But I believe they won't outdo , this one, they may raise to par, but they won't better it.

[@DAS1962]

The ease is astonishing

[@tonyb4115]

Yes I say one of his best & most special performances, I think a turning point. This was a difficult time for John Farnham. Many, many kudos to the late great Don Lane for believing in him and giving him a rock solid outlet for him to be able to perform. John just sings the heck out of this great song. Absolutely one of my favourites.

[@SpottoBotto]

Very true

[@marianorthover1193]

Not only a beautiful voice, but he uses it so well. Such a talent.

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing?? it is nice meeting you here.

[@grahamharvey3159]

This is so beautiful! Can the contestants on the voice listen to this voice! I love you John Farnham you are the best ever!

[@patty2850]

His voice is a treasure.

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing?? it is nice meeting you here.

[@ChristopherDavidMitchell]

`anyone with a good singing voice could do this` im not sure anyone could end on the top C like that. Farnhams ease and tone of voice makes him one of the best in the world for sure

[@bettinahansen7630]

This is beyond beautiful, could listen to john all day♥️🇩🇪🇭🇲

[@stevenmeyer9674]

me too. Just not this performance.

[@donnawinter6313]

Oh my God John xxxxxx

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing?? it is nice meeting you here.

[@sir_nonymous]

For me this is the greatest recorded live vocal in history.

[@aussienscale]

What an absolute legend !!

[@11calman]

here we are at the end of 2019 And this guy is still as brilliant as ever

[@somethingisbetterthannothi8269]

One of the greatest and exceptional singers of all time! Simply Best!

[@jenniferroberts6093]

I just love John, he is just one of the greatest talents,really World Class ,still great in his seventies

[@crowiecrowbar354]

Absolutely POWERFUL

[@jawtek82]

Ok, I've heard some of his other covers, and they were just aiight. But this is excellent. I can finally see why Australians voted him the greatest Australian vocalist of all time.

[@alainstasse4602]

This man is insane. He never ceases to amaze me with his voice.

[@lesthomas3029]

Thanks to Don Lane for keeping the career of this beautiful voice alive during the lean years. John Farnham survived and went on to better things. A great talent so underrated.

[@carolsanto6153]

No wonder you considered him worthy of heading LRB..genius! Possibly the greatest ever rendition of this complex ballad. The voice of Australia for 4 decades.

[@karenreardon9635]

This man can sing any song and nail it every time. The voice of an angel. I'm cryin right now as I listen to this.

[@ultravenia]

Because I coach professional singers, and the timbre of his voice is something you either have or you don't.

[@jeremykothe2847]

Some things can be trained. Lots. But I suspect John was born with it.

[@traviscarlson6718]

@@jeremykothe2847 Yesss John said in an Interview once that he never really had any Vocal Training whatsoever It was something that came naturally to him So yesss he was definitely born with it tbh its something you have or you dont i completely agree

[@devi_-]

​@@traviscarlson6718 I feel like he was mostly trained by his own ear, he is extraordinarily talented musically not just vocally imo

[@traviscarlson6718]

@devi_ Yeah absolutely what i meant is that John had no vocal training Whatsoever just only trained as you said by his own ear

[@kennykarlsson9888]

I absolutely love his voice. His tone is nothing but heavenly.

[@namdlefhtes]

Yes... practice. Hours upon hours upon hours. This guy has a voice that everyone should work towards, but few will ever achieve.

[@KoNjire]

this is the true display of perfect, flawless, incredible vocal technique. just about everything he does here is at virtuoso level. not a lot of people can do this without permanently damaging themselves!

[@codywatts7625]

Great version love it Elvis Presley is my personal favorite version great song beautiful heartfelt no matter who sings it ❤

[@mychannel101ify]

John should have been an international success as there is no performer like him !!!!

[@crowiecrowbar3685]

He didn't want success He just wanted to be Himself

[@TCM215]

He didn’t want to be. He’s gaining popularity now though over seas

[@Wayne2300]

What an incredible and timeless voice. There will never be a voice like Farnham's, hands down the best version of this song I've ever heard.

[@endeavouringit]

OMG, one of my favourite songs, and the best version, he's fenomenal.

[@user-ed8bk6rz9s]

Never heard him sing this. Is there nothing he can’t sing!❤️

[@tonyb4115]

Amazing considering where John's career was at. An effortless interpretation. That's why he is so many people's favourite. Wow, again and again.

[@lesthomas3029]

Tony B no one sings like John..... Beautiful

[@RolandHastings]

What an amazing voice. A true Entertainers' Entertainer. John Farnham has done all aspects of the Entertainment Industry. He is loved & admired. So sorry about his current plight. Wish you well John & a speedy recovery.

[@susancain9193]

Wow what a voice brilliant xx

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing? it is nice meeting you here.

[@morbius076j]

Goosebumps!

[@catherinebeacham1117]

I've been a fan for 40 years. Always a great singer but his depth improved as he aged. This video is the talented young John. The older John is truly amazing.

[@danielmay6449]

Probably the best version of this song I've ever heard. Elvis is my favorite singer but that was unbelievable

[@icanfartloud]

Kickass tenor, but nowhere near the emotional complexity of Elvis' version on That's The Way It Is album

[@TheBrownlj]

​@@icanfartloud its a mater of personal taste mate. I reckon John Farnham was a much better singer than Elvis, his range was incredible.

[@rong805]

​@TheBrownlj I think JF was definitely influenced by Elvis' version and he was very impressive. Elvis fans love to not give an inch when comparisons are made😂😂. The original is subpar to both versions for sure. Elvis just put a mark on everything he did and did that better than anyone. There's plenty of singers who were technically better than Elvis, but no one had the combination of factors that made Elvis The King.

[@DKashman]

Befor he did his version of "Help", you can hear the power in his voice, he has without any shadow of a doubt one of the greatest voices in music history, I wish he would had a chance to sing with Pavoroti then would have been something to hear. This clip is also very special because it comes from the Late Great Don Lane show.

[@joycie014]

DKashman I thought it must have been. I vaguely remember him singing it back then. Great version from a great singer and a great bloke.

[@diangara3298]

His duet with Anthony Warlow singing granada is amazing.

[@diangara3298]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWfYqXmBoqiLeJo

[@kylierenee5782]

Best version, by far.

[@xholydiver]

What is this obsession with This is better than That? Music is not competition. Music is art. Farnham's rendition of this song is beautfiul. If you don't find beauty or art in it, then fine. And if you find beauty or art in Elvis' rendition, then great. Music is not a competitive form.

[@thegorn68]

Sad isn't it? This is what happens when we have a whole generation raised on shows like American Idol, The Voice, etc. Everyone thinks there's this eternal competition for everything. Whatever happened to just enjoying different interpretations and appreciating that a work of art can have a variety of renditions that make it great?

[@gustaaf1892]

@@thegorn68 Those shows are the death of music. Bland, formula driven delivery of cover versions of songs. Instant fame without learning a craft and no innovation.

[@leeanne337]

So moving, one of the best versions

[@markhunter5772]

Wow. What a voice, he could sing the phone book and people would pay to hear it. A true legend and nice guy🎤🎼

[@maryabbatiello3087]

Such an angelic voice. I got chills

[@leithmurray736]

What a voice

[@Constantijn09]

This is a vocal masterclass on how to sing a 20th Century Classic

[@Nevergiveup-du9jm]

Truly a gift given by god. In my humble opinion, the greatest voice ever barring classical singers. Absolutely unbelievable

[@clairechoat4692]

I like John Farnham so Incredible male Vocalist

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing?? it is nice meeting you here.

[@alfredo1967]

Woauuuuuuuuuuuu this is incredible!!! is the best voice in the planet, fantastic, John Farnham number one singer in the world, Thanks Mr.Goble LRB forever with you and Shorrock!

[@dawnthomson9269]

I am sorry for this very late posting but for some unknown I have been strolling down John Farnham memory lane & reintroducing myself to this man & his magnificent voice. I had not heard this version before but man I was blown away, he makes it all look so effortless. Now before I heard this I, naturally, loved the Simon & Garfunkle version & then heard Elvis’ version & thought no-one could do it better however that was before I heard this. Now I am not going to get into that stupid pissing competition of Elvis is the best version or this is. I am just going to say that they both have their own unique sound & style, it is just your own opinion.

[@tonyb4115]

Kudos to you ,its about enjoying an amazing singer, not about who's best. This is one of his best performances, and I've been a listener for 50 odd years. At that time it would have been difficult for John but he just belted it out like he does. The statement is I'm the singer but the interpretation is I'm the Voice.

[@mssuziquzi]

2021 and still going strong. What a legend... Love you John.

[@NikNovaMusic]

His rendition is incredible

[@SpottoBotto]

Simply his greatest vocal performance ever!

[@tonyb4115]

Effortless one of my favourite vocal performances ever. Can't get it from my mind considering at this time in his career only his fans knew how great he was. Very emotive and powerful just amazing.

[@ronaldcampbell2501]

Thank you very much Peter this touch my heart.love you so much the lyrics emotional bravo Mr.Farnham.

[@simonbrown6441]

Such a wonderful free and open tone. His sense of pitch is like a laser. Musicality in spades. Genuine power. Beautifully supported voice. I can think of less than a handful of singers who’d even try that. A born singer.

[@Jonnnn85]

Best cover of the song!! Truly amazing!!!

[@Vejur9000]

John didn’t oversing. Like history’s greatest vocalists, he just got out there and sang the damn song.

[@leithmurray736]

Just listening to it again, I can only think that I bet John wishes he still had that range

[@lloydbautista9755]

great voice indeed...

[@victoriaknapp7475]

I totally agree, I adore him xx

[@sehnaz1]

Back in the early days before he peaked as a singer imo. Good performance.

[@trishmcclelland7477]

Hi John I hope u are feeling much better these days. You have a magnificent voice. All the best Trish

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing??it is nice meeting you here.

[@user-ed8bk6rz9s]

Wow Johnny you are a legend. Tina Neilsen

[@plutonium6280]

Well done John, I wish artists would make documentaries on singing, describing what they are doing to help the stars of tomorrow....

[@user-he1wl5om5e]

His voice was amazing so unique like airsupply

[@ianrenton2894]

An AMAZING rendition, love it!

[@liz6965]

I would love to see @ThatSingerReactions #thatsingerreactions react to this earlier performance by John (who I know he loves!). One of my favourite songs and he just did it beautifully! ❤️

[@01evamarie]

Wow! He deserves a Standing Ovation! Awesome!

[@deborahstevens2028]

I prefer John's version to the original!! He can master any genre of music and it seems so effortless!💕

[@cynthiagonzalez658]

No dam way can this compare to Art Garfunkel's angelic vocals. No way in heaven, earth or hell. Garfunkel's voice is ethereal. This guy is ok but pedestrian. two years from now, he is gone. S & G is forever.

[@SugarplumSue]

Whilst you’re certainly entitled to your opinion on which version is better you do need to do some homework. John’s career began in 1967 and he was still singing in 2020. If not for a cancer diagnosis he’d still be singing today. I hasten to add we still may hear him again 🤞 John has time and again been voted the best male vocalist in Australia by his peers and the public alike. He is also admired by many overseas artists - Tom Jones and Celine Dion to name just two

[@williamjordan811]

WOW! I have found a New to Me, Singer!!!! YEAH! Outstanding!

[@patriciaschoemaker914]

WOW!!!! This would have to be one of my favourite songs John has ever done. Amazing!!!

[@MsWilson]

The greatest to ever grace the stage. He truly is ‘The Voice’. In awe of him no matter how often I hear him sing, and he can sing anything he puts his mind to.

[@boofheadharo4450]

Australian greatest singer best wishes to you and family John for your recovery we need to hear your voice again you are the best

[@hildegerdhaugen7864]

what a voice and stage presence.

[@anika1302]

What a great voice ! Over 6 decades !!

[@susancarter3864]

Sooo sweet, thank you.

[@cinemaipswich4636]

Born in 1949, here is John when he was 30 in 1979. His voice has matured, since he was a teenage pop star. A deep and resonant voice with a wider range. He would go on to become the biggest voice in the world. This recording is live in front of a studio audience.

[@elisabethpearl9790]

Beautiful soul, sublime voice, and very angelic face

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing ??it is nice meeting you here.

[@7DearOhDear7]

WHAT A GLORIOUS VOICE!!! Absolutely flawless. Perfection personified!!! We adore you, Johnny/John - Farnsy!!!💐🌹💕💓🌹💗💝

[@khoale4755]

I've never seen this song done by Farnham, it's not on the records or live. Thanks for uploading! This is one of the best version's of this song, I love John Farnham since the 80's with whispering Jack, but Elvis does a very good job on this song too. He sang it like gospel. Both are great singers of this song.

[@sandgroperwookiee65]

Thanks for this GG👍♥️ Have never seen it before😯 Each time I see JF live,I stand there in total awe...👏👏👏 'The Voice' is such an apt 'name'! 🍻🇦🇺 ♥️💛🖤 ✌️

[@catherineoloughlin7451]

beautiful

[@sammyamaramusik]

hello, how are you doing?? it is nice meeting you here.

[@visser896]

awesome

[@clairearendse4877]

Fantastic! Shout out to the band. As John sang I couldn't help but notice some nice bass playing. I noticed John thanked the man on the keys afterwards. I think this if from the days of variety television in Australia where studio bands were live, and the band leaders were great arrangers. Thanks to everyone involved. Bring back quality variety style studio bands. They were gold!

[@ausmac]

Incredible musicality.

[@Quaxi3]

Just fantastic. What can I say else?

[@EffieAnastasiadisEFROSINI]

Beautiful Voice of Johnny Farnham 🔝

[@patrickirvin1486]

Good job John

[@mitchellfialkow]

JOHN FARNHAM IS AUSTRALIAS BIGGEST SELLING RECORDING ACT OF ALL TIME HE HAS FRONTED THE LITTLE RIVER BAND AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR GLEN SCHROCK WHEN GLEN LEFT THE BAND. SOON AFTER JOHN WENT BACK TO HIS SOLO CAREER. THIS IS THE BEST VERSION OF BRIDGE I EVER HEARD THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY

[@stevo7730]

Glen was asked to leave ......... a great choice by LRB but John is not disciplined enough to work with such great harmonies, probably OZ greatest singer ever .... maybe Daryl Braithwaite in his day would have been a challenger

[@stevo7730]

prime

[@DragonballZZZZ1]

Was also asked by Queen to join after Freddy died.

[@billbrimmer1739]

An incredibly magnificent performance.