British guitarist analyses The Knack with 'My Sharona' Live in 1979!

[@brotherjohnnyjones693]

The complexity of the drumming on this song is seriously overlooked.

[@morganfayel9329]

Absolutely !!!

[@DLoh7073]

I saw The Knack in Phoenix in 1979 when My Sharona was a hit. It was amazing. I will never forget it!

[@billthebutcher4435]

This is the most criminally underrated guitar solo in rock history.

[@scarbourgeoisie]

Without a doubt!!

[@tonyshoulders7598]

I couldn’t agree more.That guy can play the crap out of a guitar.

[@markdovers5150]

You are absolutely correct! The creamy sound of that Les Paul neck pickup (on the studio recording) is amazing.Burton’s ability and technique serve this song well. I don’t think I have ever heard mention of this solo, when the topic is “ great guitar solos “ . It’s been in my top ten list forever.

[@brianpickrell2477]

I never heard it on the radio. If it's criminally underrated, we need to throw some 70's Dj's in jail. In the same prison with all those disco heroes who committed fashion crimes.

[@duane8829]

Brian Pickrell when I was a kid we all considered it the greatest sounding guitar solo of all time

[@fredpayne6260]

I'm about to turn 70, & this is one of my all-time favourite top songs. It was a huge hit in Australia for months when it came out, & I still play it a few times a week. If this song doesn't fire up the adrenalin, you are beyond help. Gr8 review.👍👍👍👍👍

[@my-t-mikedaly607]

Hi Fred, i also turn 70 soon and love this song with his amazing Solo. And there are more great underrated Bands & songs , like The Cars .

[@hkhilner]

The Knack came along at a time when a large percentage of suburban American kids were flat out sick of the disco that had been saturating the radio airwaves. This was a straight forward garage band playing a catchy groove.

[@hifijohn]

Nooo kidding, disco came out of nowhere and took over everything.the knack was a breath of fresh air, shame they only had one good album in them.

[@friotaiocht101]

Yes indeed absolutely SICK & tired of DISCO PERIOD...

[@RonaldReaganRocks1]

The greatest guitar solo ever in pop music.

[@MrPaynejoh]

I just said the same thing!

[@feedwinnie]

They never reminded me of The Beatles but rather The Kinks. Sorta. Kinda. 😏Great review Fil!😁

[@gnosticmom2805]

Beatles - no way, never. Kinks, yeah - kinda sorta... :D

[@Voirreydirector]

Yeah, kinks, cars, Joy division, my boys of summer! You really are going to give me flashbacks one of these days! This was just the song that followed me everywhere back when I had hair prettier than yours, I was called Sherona like constantly. By the time I was twelve I could hit the Chinese restaurant and kick back a couple double Cutty Sarks, no ice, then hit the roller rink and with skates on, up my score on this terribly rigged game of Centipede that had these two screws, one on either side of the track ball, which would actually give you an electric shock if you touched them, all the while singing to what was on, whatever. Two outta Three Ain’t Bad also comes to mind. Next morning grab my saxophone and get on a bus for some competition or fundraiser for the school, babysit all night and then Sunday School and choir Sunday morning. High School was even more, well, unorthodox, but that I will save for the next flashback.

[@shirleymuhleisen683]

Great call on Kinks

[@elaineandjohn9599]

I think your definitely on to something.

[@PK1971PK]

Yep, more Kinkish. Great comment!

[@gatekeeper65]

I still listen to this album regularly. Don't listen to Sharona while you're driving or you're almost guaranteed a speeding ticket ;O)

[@marquee6]

gatekeeper65 also never listen to Super Freak. Same thing!

[@Gynecologist]

Lolol. These comments. Good advice!

[@GT-mq1dx]

I almost rejected a business call yesterday because it came in right when the solo started, needless to say I took the call, though lowered the volume…lol 😎

[@snowdog202]

My shredder buddies always gave me shit when I listed this as one of my all time favorite solos. Very underrated.

[@edwardvaca2627]

Way ahead of its time. That is how I always felt.

[@monkmchorning]

The idea was short sharp "breaks," not solos. Giving the dancers a rest after two and a half minutes.

[@mandyharewood886]

Who needs shredders anyway?

[@billybud9557]

A very underrated band.....this was the biggest hit of 1979 and one of the few songs that sounded totally new and fresh at the time. I'm a New-Wave junkie, and this is one of the best. Still play this and Good Girls Don't at least a few times each year. Thanks for this. Stellar.

[@gregfeo8639]

Miss my friend, Doug, passed on Valentine's day, his music lives!

[@jv-ep2tc]

I didn't know him but I do know that he was a warrior for the rock and roll cause. Thank god for him and the music he left behind.

[@imogenimeson664]

Miss Bruce Gary more,my kinda guy.

[@imogenimeson664]

@Billy Reed yep.

[@candydale8380]

NO WAY I heard "My Sharona" yesterday & totally thought it would be great if Fil did a segment with The Knack! Unbelievably cool!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@dahliaall7041]

I think what made watching live performances of the Knack is just seeing how much Doug and the rest of the band is BEAMING are so so happy just to be living their dream - it's truly heartwarming.

[@g.prince6265]

Yeah and then jealousy in the music industry went to work crushing them.🤔

[@kolchak357]

So frustrating when you’d hear the “radio play” version with all the great guitar work cut out. Always hated when they would shorten a song for a quicker playing time. 😤

[@chrisstory563]

yeah, the single version really butchered the badass guitar solo. talk about insulting. radio edits are downright abomination when they're not done right.

[@flee4342]

The worst case of this is “Whiter Shade of Pale”. After the first verse it’s like someone just turns the mic off. There’s actually 2 more verses.

[@Alsatiagent]

@@flee4342 I remember listening in horror on the very day of Bob Marleys' death as a Toronto radio station butchered No Woman No Cry in the same manner. Blasphemers!

[@LJPorcello]

Completely agree. One of the many ways that rock radio killed itself. Another case of this is when they cut off a part in Bob Seger's Night Moves...it's just a simple acoustic part where he sings "I woke last night to the sound of thunder..." It's perfect...understated...and cut off.

[@bobbynoe1]

Totally right - same with The Doors' "Light My Fire" and, worst of all in my opinion, "Riders On The Storm"!

[@MarcoPolo-je5ej]

I remember when this song hit the radio waves in the late 70s. It was HUGE here in the States.

[@laurakali6522]

And then they kind of just faded away......but man was this song hot. I sort of recall Rapper’s Delight out around the same time....but again, blurry times....

[@JeepersCreepers2013]

@@jayedwards1205 Because it was lampooned or you just don't like it?

[@paulablissett9396]

@Mr. FIRST AWWWWWWW......

[@paulablissett9396]

@Mr. FIRST Hello,yeah,,him and Crazy Legs, it's Friday Night, tho, and i'm doing laundry, so exciting, lol!

[@paulablissett9396]

@Mr. FIRST EWWWW, YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?

[@stevebengel1346]

For all of us who were old enough to remember this ruling the airwaves: just remember, this. was. 40. years . ago

[@marnaehrech1223]

LMAO

[@haroldwilkes6608]

Steve Berger - you're mean - I was trying to forget - darn Alzheimer's never kicks in when you need it.

[@aryanmia9281]

Don't remind me!!!!!!

[@gregfeo8639]

Attended Doug's memorial with 200 of his friends and family. Before the doors closed (at the House of blues on sunset), Ringo and Joe attended.

[@mike04574]

How did you get to know Doug? Always loved the Knack

[@jamesrusso2523]

@@mike04574 RIP

[@bazbear]

what a riff......as a child of the 60's, a big fan of 60's to mid 70's music, this caught me ear; it's a case of notes, rhythms, energy, coming together to reach my blood stream

[@Lea99Jones]

The history here is phenomenal. Your perspective is priceless. Keep going.

[@indycustommade3568]

Great job Fil. You are definitely doing the music of the past a big service to the youth coming up. It takes someone with a passion for music to do it right. Thanks again.

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Indy, I agree. Fil does a great job. I was a bit embarrassed at the time to tell anyone I had bought the single. Just not something a self respecting Sabbath, Stones fan would do. But the Beatles fan in me loved that hook. Guilty as charged!

[@nadogrl]

@@starshiptrooper7670 - Sounds like you knew good music, and followed your instincts.❤️

[@thewalruswasjason101]

If you don’t bob your head to this song, I can’t be friends with you. What a pop/rock song. Pretty perfect

[@rodentcafeteria]

This was a great song that withstood the test of time! Seeing them play it reminds me a bit of The Kinks.

[@pipperlou6753]

Love the Knack. Can’t hear this song without smiling and feeling energized! WHEW!!!!

[@quicktastic]

Being old and remembering clearly when this came out, it was in the late stages of disco and that music was still dominating pop radio. Then one day, this drum beat comes on the radio and that rhythm. The clincher was the guitar solo. It just rocketed. Just a note on that, the radio version cut the solo short. When I bought the album, I didn't even know there was a longer version, but it was sublime to hear it and a sin that there was ever a version with it cut short. Great video again.

[@ty_stick1410]

The band who put the stake into the heart of disco! Their first LP was a life preserver to a lot of us back in '79. Excellent job, Fil!

[@nkyryry]

One of the tightest sounding bands you’ll ever hear.

[@watzup62]

This is one of those iconic songs that never fails to put a smile on my face every time I hear it which is a rare thing these days.

[@ms8742]

One of the best written solos ever, and he plays the hell out of it. Just perfect in every aspect.

[@anthonyhaylock6655]

Hey Phil , let me just start by saying , that here in Australia at the time of The Knack’s debut album , they weren’t maybe as big as they could have been and should have been , the initial single My Sharona and preceeding singles were absolutely brilliant , the songwriting . The lyrics and musicianship of these guys was and will always be outstanding from my point of view , I am 62 years now and having a working musician since I was about 14 years. I tip my hat to the Knack for the brilliance of their whole catalogue of their music , I’ve owned many of their albums and have thoroughly loved every single song in the collection since the beginning and will always be a huge fan of this band

[@enigmacarson927]

Sina drums gies an excellent drum cover of this song which has went through my head 40 years...she really gives the original drummers style to anything she plays...Pert, Ringo, ect... Awsome analysis Fil !!!

[@ricklacy2485]

Please analise Peter Horrelbeck and His band "Rare Earth" he was the greatest asset the band ever had and made thier sound iconic. In my humble opinion.

[@shirleymuhleisen683]

Tight, fun, band-great musicians and showmen-love the groove!

[@scottmcgregor562]

Bruce Gary on drums was a hell of a drummer and actually had a pretty amazing career before The Knack. In the early 70s he was playing for Albert Collins and went on to play with the Jack Bruce band also featuring Mick Taylor. He was also a very in demand session drummer. A subtle yet powerful drummer that play with alot of skill and invention. What a wonderful surprise analysis. Thank you Fil. Cheers.

[@jamesrusso2523]

Didn't know that,thanks for the info

[@leriwaters.9744]

I have him also on a albert king record with joe walsh...

[@imogenimeson664]

Hardly mentions him,not right.

[@fiction8909]

He was the Knack - he made that song, but his skill stands out immediately.

[@TWTexasA1]

Even after he left the Knack and became a highly sought after studio drummer, ya man Bruce was just incredible…👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@tkenglander6226]

The camera person didn't focus enough on Burton during the guitar solo. I really wanted to see more of that!! Thanks for the wonderful review, Fil!! I love how your respect, admiration and generosity toward other musicians is so obvious in your reviews. :-)

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@newspapertaxis1]

Let me just say this.....Doug and Sharona were friends of me and my Ex-wife....Everytime the Knack would play in town or even near by Doug would always call us and invite us to the show and Dinner.....I remember 1 night the 4 of us stayed up until 5am and partied in the hotel room What a night!!!! And when we had our 1st baby, Doug made sure to give us a call That night!!! Doug we LOVE you!!!! May you RIP..............................

[@geraldhartley]

Oh the stories you could tell....

[@ellzedd4113]

So sad to hear how the media treated him.

[@fieldsrt2]

Phil, you are such a musician. I learn so much from you on your analysis of bands and their songs. thank you. The Knack don't get the credit they deserve because their flame burned out quickly due to many things outside their control.

[@tomfresh9478]

Great album .....I had it on Vinyl back in 1979 ........ got it as a birthday or Christmas gift.....

[@pauliuskellius8309]

That guitar solo is a magical musical moment very rare to hear it makes everyone smile.

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

wow... Burton's amp tone is CLEAN AF. And he still absolutely SHREDS that solo... *salutes*

[@amierikke6225]

I love this, I was in high school when it came out. What I love most is the joy, the heart and soul the band is showing, and just their joy in their playing and singing. They seem like they are having a party, so happy to be there.

[@johnnyreno7200]

The way the album was recorded...brilliant drum sound...Bruce Gary's drumming is so much fun...so much energy he had...and the parts he created...just great fun!

[@user-m3w5g]

My thoughts exactly , love the early albums , and Bruces creative and high energy drum work, just great, cheers.

[@johnnyreno7200]

@@user-m3w5g ...heck yeah brother man...you know what I'm talking about...the drums sound so alive !...Rock n Roll!

[@user-m3w5g]

@@johnnyreno7200yeah Thanks frm downunder ,Rock on Johnny.

[@bekind6763]

They were on the radio all the time way back.The Knack had it all, great sound and playing abilities in every way. Thanks for the reminder of them. ❤😎^m^

[@tonymusic4773]

Absolutely brilliantly informative analysis. I bought the album first time round. What a band. Thanks Fil.🎸🎵

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@shannondawn44]

I remember when this album came out , I always thought Doug Fieger resembled a young Pete Townsend , so that's interesting that they were inspired by The Who with My Sharona . I had never heard that before . It was actually ten years ago today that Doug passed away . Great video Fil

[@Butterflies-are-free]

💕 FIL 💕flashback in time. Thank you! 💕

[@blanewilliams5960]

I remember when this song came out, everyone I knew liked it and were telling their friends. Great riff and that solo is excellent. Well done Fil, thanks.

[@ChrisWhalenCPA]

The lead solo from the album version of the song is my favorite of all time. Berton Averre is a legend.

[@Morticia1313]

Love this song! Hadn't heard it in a while! Great!

[@trinkab]

LOVE!!! This is gonna be stuck in my head all day...and I'm not mad about it. One of the best things about this song? It gave you a great big smile!

[@tjmooremusic]

The last thing that could have possibly come to my mind watching this band was the Beaatles.

[@TILTHENEXTTIME]

Great song, great playing, super tight!

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

This band bridged the 70’s and 80’s as much as any. Nice job Fil!

[@geoffoakland]

I always thought this was a forgotten, overlooked and under rated guitar solos. Thanks for giving it the credit that it was due

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

My favourite band of all time. They were absolutely amazing live. Their albums are chock full of superb tracks. They did a fabulous concert at Radio City Music Hall, most of which is on KZbin.

[@jazzcat8786]

A great slice of Americana!! I remember having the 45 single of this when I was 12🥺 Great guitar work, I love the extended version🤘🏻

[@loripond1839]

I adore this song!!!...Talk about a hook!!!....Thanks Fil!...✌❤🤘😎

[@jamesgordonakacrazylegs8222]

Had some fun with this one back in the day

[@icm65]

Doug was a real Rock and Roller and this band was very tight! Incredible. Doug called this “jungle music” with the drum beat influenced by Elvis Costello’s “Pump It Up”...I had the chance to see them.. 🙏 Doug and Bruce 🙏

[@robertsparkman8516]

If you were in a band in the late '70s you played this song.

[@HamiltonRb]

You are right, we did for sure and was always received well. Funny, the we played that always got the biggest ovation was Brewer and Shipley’s “ One toke over the line”

[@sjwillis1137]

It was a powerful sound .

[@philip8899]

The Knack had been my favorite band when I was a kid growing up in the 70's. I was so happy that I finally got to see them in Las Vegas before Doug passed.

[@eileendobbs8009]

This song is a total earworm and they wore it out on the radio but I never got sick of it. One of the catchiest songs ever.

[@fairmont___d]

I think The Knack and The Kinks shared the same manager who said in a radio interview that My Sharona was recorded live and in one take, as was most of the album. He said they were one of the best live bands he ever saw.

[@robertoclavo3078]

Me encanta The Kinks

[@Murp268]

I was 15 when Get The Knack came out. Huge success right off the bat. I do remember the backlash too but it didn’t bother me as the album was so catchy and the musicianship was top notch. No gimmicks just straight ahead rock on the pop side. I agree with all that said Berton’s solo is iconic. Still as fresh and rocking as it was 43 years ago. Bruce Gary’s drumming and fills also a standout.

[@ellzedd4113]

The stupid backlash was stupid. Everyone loved this

[@sirtedricwalker2979]

I saw them in 1979-80 can't remember the exact year but I was like 4 rows from the stage at the Fox theatre....It was great!

[@DoctorQuackenbush]

Sharona is now a real estate agent (per WSJ). She said that she is frequently asked if she knows the song. 😏

[@ellzedd4113]

They don't know its about her? 😂

[@frostriver4547]

I played bass in a band that covered this song. It was really fun to play and audiences always seemed enthusiastic to hear it played. Was lucky to be in a group of guys that could always pull it off very successfully!

[@leandabee]

I tell you what, I'm so glad I had these songs in my teen years. Great era of music 💖💖💖💖

[@graciegolding9508]

Great video, Fil!

[@darlatidwell9995]

The Knack was throwing down here, sounding pretty good!! Everyone loved that * mega hit * and we all still do. I do. Now I know they are very cool live! Really takes everyone back. Thanks for your views Fil, great videos. 👍👍

[@darlatidwell6255]

They came to play,.. very well .👍🎤😎🎸🤟🥁

[@EarthWindandFirepower0990]

I WAS 15 WHEN THIS JAM CAME OUT.NOW IN MY MIDDLE 50'S,I STILL CAN DANCE HARD 2 THIS JAM.WELL AT LEAST FOR MOST OF THE SONG.

[@katherinea.rodgers8366]

What a fun band they were. I have always loved live bands and so many covered this song! Thanks for the history.

[@DEPARTMENTOFREDUNDANCYDEPT]

I have been listening to this song recently, after rediscovering it on KZbin, and was amazed to discover that great guitar solo which was always cut from the radio play version. I was pleased to learn that Doug and Sharona remained friends and she was present in his final days.

[@michaelmatthews4096]

This song put them on the map,great song.

[@rcsproject627]

One wicked tune, love that song. Thanks for sharing Fil and great analysis as always.

[@chazblitz]

This song always takes me back to when it came out. I had just gotten my drivers license and that changed everything! It's the infectious bass riff that makes this song go.

[@markjohnson8352]

Thank you, Fil. Great sound!

[@TolKOZAK]

Fil, you really have a knack for sharin' on a massive scale, your incredibly insightful musical knowledge. My, my!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@buixrule]

I will never, ever understand how or why a camera wouldn't be GLUED to a solo like this. We saw everything but the solo. WTH are they thinking?? But thanks for this Fil! This was a highlight and climax of the 70's and a hard launch into the 80's.

[@marnaehrech1223]

I found that very annoying myself!

[@johnvender]

Another amazing Mike Chapman production

[@jmflyer55]

Fantastic. This song is all about the groove. The syncopation. . If I’ve played it once, I played it 100 times on stage. This one and Good Girls Don’t.... This was huge in the US in the early 80’s. Remember it like it was yesterday. Great stuff! Thank you!

[@maryasbury7814]

Haven't heard that song in tears but I loved it! Thank you.

[@aprils6589]

Great sing along song and the stutter was the best part to try to get right. Thank you Fil

[@499PUCK]

Great insight Fil (I spelled it right this time). I thought I knew a lot about them but you filled in the gaps. You know how to tell a story with good research.👍👍

[@bossdog1480]

Great song, very catchy. It was a big hit in Australia too. They're having a great time playing this as well. Thanks for the info Fil. I didn't know any of that history. What a shame about his untimely death at 57, Always so unfair when great artists leave us so early.

[@KingCoolRobert]

Love this guy, no one better to explain music in a fun, entertaining, technical way, period.

[@Cyrano66]

The Knack were really talented. Get The Knack is loaded with great catchy, fun pop songs. I'm glad you credited Bruce Gary and Prescott Niles. They're both great, Bruce is such a great pop drummer. * I love that the guitar solo might be a little sarcastic knock at Lynyrd Skynyrd's over the top "Free Bird" guitar solo. Lol...that's just my interpretation, I'm probably wrong. Great analysis Fil.

[@comicblueswithjonygitar36]

Freebird is also played nearly the same way every time despite frenetic sound. I miss Doug. He was really nice down to earth guy. Show business moves on very quickly, hard to capture success in a bottle. Soon you're just another guy at a meeting or jam. Doug wrote and sang a #1 hit, not too many people can say that.

[@tommonk7651]

Great tune. Takes me back to my freshman year of college. This was on the radio constantly. They could never duplicate the magic they had on that first album.

[@grooviefan]

Then you never saw them live years later. Their later albums were superb but tragically ignored

[@ravelg]

I remember watching a documentary on this band, and if I recall correctly, other than 1 or 2 songs on the album it was recorded in one take. Incredible.

[@victoriateague9012]

💖💖💖😎😎loved dancing to this song.Love how they are dressed😍I notice everything😂

[@mikesummers4530]

Yep, show everyone in the band BUT the guitar player during the solo. Fine camera work there.

[@peggysullivan6760]

Love this little jam ❤️

[@TheSlandis]

I graduated HS in 1979 which was an amazing year for music. Get The Knack was one of my favorites that summer. Fast forward 40 years; I've finally learned guitar and my band is playing this song. I play Doug's part, but I don't have to pause to sing so I can play along with all the parts. It's really fun and I hand it to our lead guitarist who plays it really well.

[@mandyharewood886]

This song has the best energy. No difference between the live and the recording. Just brilliant!

[@brucerave2468]

Great job on this! I was actually their A&R man at Capitol. We did rush the follow-up album. Not that we wanted to but when signing them we had to give them full creative control and their manager wanted the next album out to accommodate touring plans. We hoped to go with "She's So Selfish" for a third single and yes it would have been better to hold off on "But The Little Girls Understand" for awhile. Berton was one of the most underrated guitarists. The limelight wasn't important to him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@marksherman1887]

They were a great signing during an exciting, yet short -lived period, that gave us the Cars, Joe Jackson, The Plimsouls, The Beat (Paul Collins who I believe was with Columbia Records?), Blondie, The Producers, the Romantics, The Jagz and the Talking Heads. Must have been a great time to be in the music industry!

[@brucerave2468]

@@marksherman1887 Thanks! Amazing time, and so many of these songs are still relevant today.

[@invisibleman1028]

That's exactly what Doug has said in interviews. He blamed himself for the decision of rushing out the second album.

[@invisibleman1028]

Any chance you have any Knack items you might want to sell ?

[@Deborah4Antiques]

Love to see you do this Fil! I really like the suits with the long hair. I think Doug was brilliant and very hard working.

[@SM-vw7pl]

The extended lead is one of the best in rock... especially the studio version.

[@ancil57]

For those who lived through the misery of the Disco movement of the late 1970s, this song, which sounds very tame today, was thankfully the beginning of the end of Disco. I remember feeling pure "joy" when I first heard that solo. "Yes," I remember saying aloud to myself, "Finally!"

[@borgtennis]

One of my all time favorite songs. Loved the riff, energy, direction of the song, going into the amazing guitar solo. as a kid the lyrics went over me. I love the music not the lyrics.

[@karencogs1]

I still love this song! Reminds me middle school! I love any 70’s song because if all the memories!!

[@Knards]

Something I always thought about the solo is that its just so natural. Its almost what you would expect to hear. Reminds of the Jeff Beck Song "Situation" from the Rough and Ready album

[@PresidentGas1]

Gotta tell you .... in 1979 I was working at Atari in Sunnyvale night shift maintenance lab. My co-worker/ buddy and I had a routine back then. Get completely blazed before going into work, put on the cassette of the KNACK and have that album play continuously for our entire 8 hour shift. We did that every day for months. To this day I still think from start to finish it's one of the greatest pop/rock albums ever produced. The sound quality is perfection. Who ever mixed it was a genius.