British Dad Reacts. John Farnham - You're the Voice

John Farnham - You’re the Voice (Live)
John Farnham and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
• John Farnham & Melbour...
John Farnham - 60 minutes, Australia
• How John Farnham found...
Heart, Studio verion
• Heart You're The Voice...
This video is intended to inform, educate and entertain. Fair use applies: Copyright disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowances made for 'fair use' for purposes such as criticism, commentating, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.
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Released in 1986 this song is credited with reviving the career of John Farnham, an Australian singer although he was originally born in London before moving to Australia with his family aged 10. He was a major pop artist known as Johnny Farnham in the late 60s and 70s. After his career took a significant dip You’re the Voice was the beginning of a new wave of success for him. He has since won many musical awards.
Because the lyrics are asking people to use their power, the song did have an inevitable couple of political twists and John Farnham spoke out about an anti-Islamic group in Australia wanting to use his song, and also some anti-lockdown groups during Covid. But he did allow it to be used by a group advocating for the indigenous Australians to have a voice and change the Australian Constitution.
The song was composed by some British songwriters - Chris Thompson, Andy Qunta, Maggie Ryder.
It was written in response to a large anti-nuclear demonstration of over 100,000 people in London, and to reflect how people can use their voice to affect political change.
I also wanted to give a shout out to a version by 13 year old Anthony Abrakmanov
• Anthony Abrakmanov- Yo...
We have the chance to turn the pages over
We can write what we want to write
We gotta make ends meet, before we get much older
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
This time, we know we all can stand together
With the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better
Ooh, we're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
Ooh, we're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make the noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence (we're not gonna sit in silence)
We're not gonna live with fear (we're not gonna live with fear)
Oh, whoa

[@jennygavrilovic7415]

John wasn’t given permission by the writers of this song to record it. He did it anyway and now those writers are reaping the rewards, because they loved his arrangement of the song. It’s our unofficial anthem in Australia. John is a legend period. The best male vocalist on the planet in my opinion.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

I didn't realise it was an anthem for Australia - good choice.

[@barnowl.]

@@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx It's an 'anthem ' for the world.

[@mssuziquzi]

They’ve since admitted that they were so wrong. The best thing that ever happened to the song was that John Farnham recorded it and turned it into a national anthem.😊

[@user-xg6jw7mp5e]

Thanks for the reaction to an Australian legend !

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you for watching

[@xxticxxtocxx7909]

John Farnham. Had his first hit single in 1967. Richard Marx, singer/song writer calls him one of the best male vocalists ever, and later co-wrote an album with him. Tina Turner covered John's version of the Beatles 'Help', which it's reported John Lennon praised as 'how the song should have been'. Celine Dion absolutely gushes over John Farnham, has been aware of him for decades before her rise as a vocal phenomenon and considers meeting and performing 'You're The Voice' with John as a special guest at her shows a highlight of her career. That's correct, Celine Dion covers John Farnham songs in her concerts. Sammy Davis Jr. praised John's stage presence and vocal ability. Ray Charles performed a series of concerts with John Farnham, and had nothing but praise for him as a human being and musician. Tom Jones is a very close friend of John's and is blown away by his voice. (John is blown away by Tom's voice too.) Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen recorded in Australia with John after the death of Freddie Mercury, with the intent of having John join Queen. Venetta Field, original Ikette for Ike and Tina Turner came to live in Australia after tiring of the international music industry, singing backing vocals for the likes of The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, to name just a couple, and ended up a backing vocalist with John for the next thirty years. Olivia Newton John was a lifelong friend, and collaborator with John Farnham. The list goes on. John had number one records in Australia every decade for fifty years. He holds the record for his 1986 'Whispering Jack' being the highest selling album by an Australian artist. For what it's worth, renowned KZbin reactor and opera singer 'The Charismatic Voice' (with 1.69 million subscribers) said of John's version of the Beatles 'Help' 'This is the best cover I've ever heard!' John Farnham is NO Meatloaf wannabe.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

wow, that's more than impressive. I clearly need to listen to more of his work. He seems to be far more highly regarded than I realised

[@joanmonaghan8428]

Not only highly regarded as a vocalist, but loved by millions for the beautiful human being he is. There is no one like John, and there probably never will be.

[@Jojomac-ix7oi]

All true. John is the GOAT!

[@wyattfamily8997]

@@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx Suggest you give a listen to his version of "Black Dog" which he only used a s a "warm up" prior to concerts. The recording is only audio as a sound tech recorded it surreptitiously, it's outstanding. It demonstrates his range, and he can sing any genre.

[@carbine5378]

Meatloaf had a nice voice in his day but could NEVER be compared to John Farnham.

[@eggy4152]

John was 39,when he did that tour in 88/89, that tour was a sell- out in every city of Australia, he toured for months, that concert is nearly 36 years old in November this year. I know it was year 88,because it was Australia's bicentennial year and i was 16.👋💕🇦🇺

[@user-qh1vh6wh3c]

Thank you for the commentary on this unforgettable song! John's voice is incredible!

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you for watching

[@kerrypattersonneewhiteside7807]

Thank you

[@georgeibrahim7945]

John is the voice singing you’re the voice. You should check him out singing his own rendition of the Beatles classic “help” live from this same concert

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. I'll add it to my list of recommendations - good shout.

[@jeffwilson7100]

@@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx Definitely this. Help from this concert is probably the best live vocal ever performed. Absolutely epic.

[@kennethdodemaide8678]

The fact that he was born in the UK has nothing to do with his music. He grew up in Australia, is a proud Australian and Australian of the Year, and has developed his music career in Australia. Nicole Kidman was born in Hawaii but would be insulted if anyone called her American. She is 100% Australian, just like John. I don't hear Brits starting any comments on Freddy Mercury with the fact that he wasn't born in Britain. People choose their national identity. The bagpipe player was wearing an Australian tartan, not Scottish.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. I agree that where he was born does not imply his identity, I was just surprised that he was born in the UK and wanted to note it. I didn't realise that there were Australian tartans - thank you for letting me know

[@kennethdodemaide8678]

@@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx His tartan is actually the official Australian tartan. When I was in Scotland, I learned a lot about tartans. My ancestors came from the Orkney Islands, the Spence clan, in the 1850s. I tried to get a Spence tartan as a souvenir but found out I couldn't as it was owned by the head of the Spence clan and I would have to get permission to have it made. Way too expensive. Many Australian singers came to Australia as children when their parents migrated here in the 1950s and 1960s such as Olivia Newton-John, Jimmy Barnes and the Bee Gees. Barry Gibb recently said in an interview that although he was now living overseas his heart was in Australia.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

@@kennethdodemaide8678 thanks for that info. Are the people from Orkney called Orcadians? I remember when I was young the offers of £10 flights to Australia for those who wanted to emigrate. Thanks for confirming his tartan as official Australian.

[@rickandersen2284]

Calm down. I think John's background has a lot to do with his music. His vocals are understandable...enunciated..without an American accent...and I suggest that isbecause of his background. He was a fan of Tommy Steele for hecks sake. SocI think his English heritage comes through loud and clear. Is he an Aussie? Of course! Does his background help make him what he is today? Of course!

[@Kaz54650]

Fantastic voice

[@LynnCarroll-ty4dm]

I am a 70 year old British woman and lived in Australia 1969/71 Johnnie Farnham (as he was known then) was like Cliff was to Britain, even more so. I was a huge fan and remember singing along to his hits. One that stands out is Sadie, the Cleaning Lady. Dig it out if you can. I still play his CDs today

[@JillFijolek]

You couldn't have asked for a worse song to represent Johns talent. Anything but Sadie - anything at all and preferably a live performance.

[@wyattfamily8997]

Suggest you give John's version of "Black Dog" a listen, its eye opening its only audio as he used it as a "warm up" for concerts and an audio tech taped it. Most overlook it.

[@LynnCarroll-ty4dm]

@JillFijolek Hi, I wasn't saying it was a great song but as a teen it stuck in my memory. No one had heard of him when I returned to UK but I still play his stuff.

[@AussieDebb]

OMG I've been reading the comments. For a start Freddy Mercury said John had the best voice on the planet and he was asked to replace him when he passed. Celine Dion calls John "the Voice" and when she can sing again she is going to sing Johns HELP to honour him. There is no comparison to anyone else because no one else can sing any genre, any cover and make it his own like John can. He is the consummate performer. Please listen to more of him singing rock n roll, ballads, heavy rock, opera, blues, soul, country, R&B, and so on. Listen to him singing Black Dog - it was a sound check and warm up and is just so incredible. There is a 4 part series called John can sing anything - please look at them so you can see the genres he can sing. He is a wonderful person with no ego, loves and respects his band and his audience. John just performs for the love of it, and we love him for it. He is the G.O.A.T. and is recognised as such by many of his peers. Elton John admires him along with Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Sammy Davis Jnr, Richard Marx, to name a few. There is absolutely no comparison in vocal ability, agility, stage persona, ability to connect with his audience, and touch our souls. He definitely is not a wannabe, anyone. He is the 8th natural wonder of the world in my opinion. You will find out how the Aussie Army will protect our Aussie legends. John was made Australian of the Year in 1988. Listen to his speech about his love for Australia and how proud he is to be an Australian and to bring his children up here. Anyway, I just encourage you to listen to more of him and just enjoy him. ❤🎉😊

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. I definitely need to listen to more of his performances. From all the responses, it seems that he really is an incredible singer. Good to see the Aussie Army supporting him

[@user-ks2sb9ge5m]

Welcome to the John Farnham rabbit hole enjoy the journey he is one amazing human he is much loved here in Australia 🇦🇺

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

@@user-ks2sb9ge5m thank you. I never realised he was so big in Australia

[@AnnieD.1982]

Thanks for listening to John 😊 He really is amazing as you will find out if you watch more. His career is endless and you cannot go wrong with anything you listen to. Couldn't agree more with the suggestion of his rendition of Help from the same concert if you want to hear more. Incredible. His version of the song is his own arrangement originally from his 1980 album Uncovered which I think is one of his best. Go the Aussie army ❤ That Meatloaf comment was just wrong!

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Fair point and noted. I will definitely be listening to more of his work

[@AnnieD.1982]

​@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx Appreciate your reply 👍 I hope you enjoy whatever you choose to listen to next. John Farnham really is something special and means a lot to Australia and his many fans abroad. He deserves all the recognition and respect he receives. Have fun choosing one of his songs to check out next. His body of work spans from 1967 until 2020, only stopping due to Covid lockdowns and then a 2 year battle with cancer. He was performing into his 70's at that point! Thankfully he is doing much better now. Thanks again for your reaction. Looking forward to another 😊

[@carbine5378]

When John recorded this song he was very much a pariah in the music industry at that time due to the fact that he had a bad Manager who basically drove his career into the ground. When the song writers of The Voice were approached by John to record the song, they responded with a firm NO because they had heard John’s song Sadie which was recorded and was a huge hit back in the 60’s. Yes, it was a huge hit but not really a song that would in any way highlight the talent of John’s vocals; it was about a cleaning lady. Anyway John decided to go ahead and record the song anyway and here we are. I’m sure the song writers were laughing all the way to the bank.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. He's had an amazing career

[@mylittlepwny9282]

You're obviously pretty educated on John Farnham! Would be great to see your first time reaction to something you haven't seen or heard by him before 👍 there are some fantastic live performances that are more obscure.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. I have thought about first time reactions and that is a good suggestion

[@PatrickWilliams-ou9hu]

it is criminal what the music industry and TV executives and the entertainment industry in general did to John he has always had a fantastic voice for some reason he was written off by them because they thought only pop bands would make them money

[@cristiona22]

The tartan is an Australian tartan.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Yeah someone else told me that. I didn't know that there was an Australian tartan. Thank you

[@user-io7vx9sy1v]

In the 80's john was in Adelaide doing his gig also Stevie Wonder who came to the venue to suprise john on stage and he was quoted as saying John had the best 9:26 he had heard and wanted to sing with him, i have some amazing photos of them both singing together, what a crazy night. Love you John, Jenny Adelaide South Australia

[@barnowl.]

You may like to read the biography of John Farnham named , 'John Farnham - The Untold Story,' by Jane Gazzo. Also, 'Finding The Voice', is a film about John's life and career.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. I do like music biographies and I'll check out the film.

[@rickandersen2284]

It is hilariously refreshing to hear his name pronounced correctly. So many reactors are American, African, European etc and they make a real hash of his name lol.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

I try my best, but I'm really an amateur at this game

[@rickandersen2284]

You said it perfectly...after all it is a British name lol.​@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx

[@leandabee]

Probably because it's an English name 👍🤗

[@rickandersen2284]

@@leandabee that's what I said.

[@leandabee]

@@rickandersen2284 yes, I only saw your comment after I posted, but I'm here to second your comment 👌😃

[@wyattfamily8997]

You're the Voice should be the rousing song of the Reform Party.

[@suemoore984]

To see John as an older singer, close to 70, watch a short video when he sings Granada with Anthony Warlow, an Australian opera singer. There's some comedy, some jokes and some singing.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. I'll add it to my list - I never realised how good a singer he was. So have been happy to get lots of comments to check out his other stuff, which I will

[@zaccat693]

an excellent choice. Also with Olivia Newton John, Please don't ask, from the same show

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

@@zaccat693 Thank you for watching

[@jayneattherock1083]

I love the 'Main Event' concert - John Anthony and Olivia, but that was late 1990's - John close to 50 - not 70, - for a 65 year old John, I'm sure you will enjoy this one - (if you haven't seen it already) - ‘Summer Nights’ - and ‘You’re the one that I Want’ Melbourne 8 April 2015 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJjHg6mOf91nm9U ( I only recently found it and love it)

[@mssuziquzi]

John Farnham is the GOAT! He can sing any genre better than anyone and is a much loved Aussie legend.❤❤❤

[@user-rv5mf7hi4p]

Meatloaf....wtf. As someone else noted try his version of HELP or him doing Led Zepplin Black Dog or in duo with Jimmy Barnes doing 'when something is wrong with my baby'. Respectfully then you may be able to get a better insight into his voice.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Fair point

[@gigisplayground4657]

I don't mind meatloaf at all, but I've seen his live performances and they're underwhelming imho. He sounds muffled. There is no real clarity or power to his voice. I don't understand when people are in awe of his voice. Get the isolated vocals and meatloaf vs John and there is no comparison. Sorry not sorry 🤷‍♀️

[@carolynh8866]

Even thoigh John chose to base his career mostly in Australia, he was still well known and respected by musical greats around the world.. He has worked with people like Brian May and Queen, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Celine Dion, Richard Marx, the Little River Band Lionel Ritchie, Cold Play, Olivia Newton John, even Sammy Davis Jnr was a fan of Farnham. He did spend some time as the lead singer of The Little River Band, for 4 or 5 years and toured the US for a while..after he released You're the Voice and the Whispering Jack album, it also became a huge hit in Europe and he did a couple of huge concerts over there. His time in the US and time Europe was enough to make him know that he was happy to stay at home. So he became the biggest and most loved artist thus country has ever had. He has also sung You're the Voice with many Celine, Cold Play, Brian May, Tom Jones and Olivia to name a few.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

@@carolynh8866 thank you. Yeah, I hadn't realised how well respected he was in the music industry or how much he came to represent Australia. It's good to learn, so thank you

[@JillFijolek]

Sorry i couldn't watch your complete ' reaction'. From your comments it seems you are just reading from your notes and not really reacting at all. If you think Meatloaf compares to John in any way ... well, you are way off there. John is the GOAT and revered in Australia - with good reason!

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. Yeah, it wasn't a full reaction as this is a song that I have loved for many, many years but I wanted to explore some more of John's history so I did do some background research

[@rickandersen2284]

If you keep doing Farnham songs you'll pick up a few aussie subs. Just sayin....

[@gigisplayground4657]

Oof that's quite insulting 😂 John Farnham has almost unmatched vocal range, technique, agility, flexibility and power. No offense to meatloaf but he doesn't even come close to John Farnham 🤭

[@gigisplayground4657]

I think also if you compare live performances of meatloaf and John Farnham - John is without question the GOAT. Pitch perfect and performance perfect every single time. Meatloaf has many bad live performances where he's off and just can't sing well. That's very telling. Sorry to say but John is far superior to meatloaf (no disrespect, may he RIP.)If a comparison is brought up, I have to argue for John based on the evidence of live performance where you cannot hide behind many attempts to get things right. You have one chance.

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Thank you. There is definitely a consensus about how good John's voice is. I like your final sentence - You have one chance, reminds me of an Eminem lyric

[@gigisplayground4657]

@@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx hahaha you'll have to pardon our passionate argument for John 😂🤣 we are a deeply loyal and passionate bunch. Meatloaf was certainly a great entertainer and singer and he deserved his fame and following no doubt, but I think most would agree incomparable to our John on many fronts.

[@gigisplayground4657]

I think because I've also been doing singing lessons for many years now it's even more evident to me how utterly incredible and impeccable John's voice was over the decades. He could belt (not an uncontrolled scream) high notes that I, as a female mezzo soprano am still unable to achieve... his transitions from chest, to mix voice to head voice are silky smooth. And that clarity and power. I'm so jealous! And then he can turn on that grit and that rasp too for the hard rock music or certain parts of songs. I will never not be blown away! (Which reminds me - when the war is over - live is a great example of turning on the rasp and the controlled belt/scream) 🥰

[@DeclanCBlue]

a classic song for sure, but by a Meatloaf wannabe...

[@joanmonaghan8428]

Love Meatloaf, but John is no wannabe Meatloaf. John is in a class of his own, very few can match his vocal abilities and his stage presence. And to top it all off, he is one of the nicest people you could meet.

[@Saan42]

Lol. Meatloaf wasn't able to perform like this live, even at his best. I can find you plenty of footage of Meatloaf singing awfully - he was very inconsistent. You'll not find a single dud note from John live, no matter how hard you look. No comparison between the two. Their voices are superficially similar, but John is a far better vocalist than Meatloaf ever was, and in many more genres as well.

[@mylittlepwny9282]

Lol! What rubbish dude 😂

[@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx]

Good point! Not many can match Meatloaf

[@Saan42]

@@BritishDadReacts-ui4jx You think this guy has a "good point" that John Farnham is a Meatloaf wannabe? Lol, ok.