Bruce Cockburn - If I Had A Rocket Launcher (Live 8 2005)

[@MsLingling3]

It’s amazing how this song fits Canada state of emergency right now almost to a tee. We all need to do our part. ❤️🇨🇦

[@MichaelStewart-j1l]

I'm not a Dem, and I could use one o' them these days!😂

[@pedrod702]

Whilst he is a great guitarist everyone is forgetting his remarkable songwriting and a great vocalist.

[@SuperAngelic5]

Totally agree.

[@qazzytherock]

So was anyone ever gonna tell me that bruce cockburn is one of the best guitarists of all time or was I just supposed to find out by falling asleep while youtube videos autoplay and waking up to this?

[@dporrasxtremeLS3]

Wake UP!!! Wake UP!!!

[@johndibdin]

What a lovely thing to discover! He's a global treasure, never mind just a Canadian one.

[@g.m.watson1963]

Perhaps sadly, it's not recognized enough just what a superb musician Cockburn is, as well as being a surpassingly brilliant songwriter. In a curious way, the poetry of his lyrics distracts the listener from his music. Anyone who's ever seen him live (as I have, several times), whether solo or in a group, knows this. This vid provides a fine example of his gorgeous, intricate guitar technique.

[@CantGetHandle8]

I was there! To this day, I have never been more astonished and mesmerized by one guitarist who sounds like ten. Absolutely awesome acoustic session - best I have ever seen or heard! A true legend and guitarist - no one better!

[@brucecockburn3672]

Thank you for been an amazing fan .. I really appreciate your love and support for my music.. You can send me a private message on my email ;;;.. [e-mail]

[@roblarocque7770]

Agreed…truly a master

[@platyboss3153]

@@brucecockburn3672 yeah for sure. My email by the way is: [e-mail]

[@bullwinkle57]

I lived in Maryland for 15 years, and one of the best things about the experience was the opportunity to see Bruce play live many times in Alexandria and Annapolis. Whether it was just Bruce, or whether he had a trio or a quartet, it all was equally good. Once he happened to be in DC for a conference on landmines, and so he played a solo show at The Birchmere in Alexandria. Not part of a tour; he just wanted to play. Someone in the audience shouted out, "Where are you playing next?" to which Bruce replied, "Home!"

[@shuntguy]

I was there too. He actually surprised me how well he could play on his own.

[@johndibdin]

Just unbelievable. I heard him live in the 80s and was completely blown away. Stealing Fire is a magnificent album and this song, genuinely, is one of the best protest songs ever written.... oh, and he's a virtuoso guitarist.

[@37Dionysos]

All true! I like "High Winds White Sky" best, have spent years trying to play some of it---

[@jovanovskiguitar4394]

This song hits so hard rn

[@grahamshankarjihunt]

My favourite version, not just because it's an incredible song but because it's such an enormous stage which Bruce Cockburn completely FILLS - Happy Birthday Bruce!

[@futureshock7425]

a lone voice in the wilderness during the heyday of the early 80's

[@looppool]

I so respect him for always keeping his humanistic political stance at the forefront of his musical artistry. It seems very, very rare these days. God Bless Bruce Cockburn!

[@jinndoe7068]

Even rarer today ...

[@brucecockburn3672]

Thank you for been an amazing fan .. I really appreciate your love and support for my music.. You can send me a private message on my email ;;;.. [e-mail]

[@russelmurray9268]

He was around in the 70s son. Traveling around Canada in a bread truck playing

[@BarneysBullit]

makes me want to be canadian. to my friends and me, he is an absolute god. -cheers from texas

[@brucecockburn3672]

Thank you for been an amazing fan .. I really appreciate your love and support for my music.. You can send me a private message on my email ;;;.. [e-mail]

[@aleejones7508]

Made sure my child was born in Canada, Yep Birther from the USA

[@BarneysBullit]

@@brucecockburn3672 sir bruce, if this is REALLY you, you just made my day!!! it's like mccartney, metheny, or montgomery answering a message!!! again, my guitar playing friends down here in texas absolutely worship you. my favorite tunes of yours are "the whole night sky" (what an incredibly beautifully sparce yet melodic slide intro by ms. raitt!), lyrics cut to my soul... how did u know my story??? lol... and also "the coming rains". i've laid in bed many a night listening to that tune, imagining the far off places you've been and sometimes giving thanks i wasn't with you or the "luckless hen". my friend has spent the last couple years perfecting "king kong goes to tallahassee". thanks again, bruce... you are a blessed dude and worshipped more than u could ever know.

[@johnbeaker8721]

@@BarneysBullit Sadly it's not.

[@BarneysBullit]

@@johnbeaker8721 well crap... and here i am at the airport, in my chauffeur uniform holding a "cockburn" sign.

[@leemason4024]

We need more Bruce Cockburn!

[@joseph-ow1hf]

Unfortunately the lyrics to this song remain relevant today. On a lighter note....it is a wonderfully melodic song enhanced by Bruce's exquisite guitar playing. This is one of my all time favorites.

[@dporrasxtremeLS3]

YES!!!

[@saturnchildwinterborn7897]

Live original, heartt felt music. Bravo! 😮

[@louiss1625]

insanely good. proud to be Canadian!

[@davemakichuk9102]

It's the Canada I know and love ... every bit of it ...

[@charleshash4919]

Insanely good, often wish I was Canadian

[@dereksnider7148]

This version is incredible, and I was lucky enough to see it in person, and was blown away.

[@rokulus7910]

I was there too. This stripped down version is so much more impactful than the quasi-disco of the original. An acoustic guitar can pack a hell of a punch in the right hands.

[@thinkforyourself-t6l]

I saw him here in Tucson 30 years ago and he was incredible. He's better now. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@berlynify]

ONE man..ONE guitar....ONE ❤️...ONE SONG - ladies & gentlemen, THE POWER of ONE 💕🇨🇦⭐️

[@jinndoe7068]

#holdtheline

[@dporrasxtremeLS3]

Super YES!!!

[@playnicebereal5850]

I want to move to Canada! Love this musician! Thank you for your insight and music.

[@cal-native]

What an amazing musician and man! Watching the beach balls and distracted crowd, however, I kept thinking wow, no wonder we're in the state were in 17 years later😣

[@daveprentice]

Thank you Bruce, for uncompromising honesty. I remain a fan for life.

[@ChuckKruger]

Outstanding writing and performance!

[@brucecockburn5025]

Hi thanks for watching and commenting on my KZbin channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯💯💯

[@resipsaloquitur854]

There's not a guitar player in the country who doesn't recognize the quality of Bruce's playing. Mostly underrated, but incredible nonetheless. Right up there with Lennie Breau, Kim Mitchell (also underrated), Rik Emmett, Alex Lifeson, Jeff Healey, Liona Boyd, Randy Bachman, Neil Young, Pat Travers, et al.

[@CantGetHandle8]

@@resipsaloquitur854. Absolutely! . . . And don’t forget what Eddie Van Halen said when a reporter asked him what it was like to be the best guitar player in the world. Eddie replied : “I don’t know. Go ask Bruce Cockburn”. (True quote)

[@GreatMooglyGoogly]

And Richard Thompson…

[@Nordraw]

One of the most underrated guitar players in the world. They once asked Eddie Van Halen what's it like being the best guitar player he said "go ask Bruce Cockburn"

[@brucecockburn3672]

Thank you for been an amazing fan .. I really appreciate your love and support for my music.. You can send me a private message on my email ;;;.. [e-mail]

[@neilbeaton9498]

LOL citation needed

[@JoelSimbrow]

@@brucecockburn3672 which actual guitarist made the original quote ? we may never know

[@mariannevelvart9965]

Underrated full stop! An exceptional talent, for me beyond numerous much more lauded artistes. Love your sounds and sentiments Bruce! Thank you.

[@debrabyrn9074]

❤❤❤❤

[@sceanlyonz4571]

I remember when I was younger watching Bruce on Much Music and I was mesmerized!! Then after I became friends with Daniel Lanois another great Canadian musician! Amazing !!

[@guitarman69clark47]

Love this song, insane guitar playing.

[@arroyoribera3636]

When Cockburn performed in Spokane, Washington on 12/18/2021 he performed this song in its full glory and outrage. The context of the song is his first hand experience of the U.S.-funded, advised, and directed wars in Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua) in the 1980s. In the same show he also played two other of his Nicaragua-inspired pieces. His audiences are always full of those who appreciate his political sophistication, his liberation theology influence, and his justifiable outrage over the extensive crimes of empire.

[@TxAllen972]

And that's Dan Akroyd introducing Bruce!

[@brucecockburn3672]

Thank you for been an amazing fan .. I really appreciate your love and support for my music.. You can send me a private message on my email ;;;.. [e-mail]

[@ginogomez4398]

If there was ever a voice & song for unjustified War this man accomplish it 👍🙏

[@terryhoyt2058]

His guitarwork is incredible

[@alexkatsanos8475]

Great song…remember the first time I heard that song which was a rocker those last words. Was shocked…

[@RickTurnerVoiceOverDemo-md4mb]

He carries the same passion in the lyrics as he did when it was first recorded.

[@ielts-Pro-Online]

These lyrics are perfectly appropriate to Gaza today

[@buffalospirits]

The inhumanity of war is timeless and knows no borders.

[@Barabus-yx2cn]

...even more so now.

[@mcpappysgolden]

Holy shit. Great guitar player. I had no idea.

[@debrabyrn9074]

Check out his tune Soul of a Man.

[@jameslee5520]

One of the best guitar players in the world . Full stop .

[@grantmcinnes1176]

I see Bruce has been practicing for this gig. Incredible.

[@bobratcliffe3599]

Absolutely brilliant version

[@susanemery2992]

Unbelievable acoustic guitar 🎸

[@seanedgeworth6738]

love this song Bruce........

[@rodneybaker2643]

Geez Bruce , 31 years back I first heard “ if a tree falls “ !! Way down here in Tasmania,where rampant logging caused big community division! Been on my back in hospital for two weeks just playing so much of your unbelievable music ! Guitarist, poet songwriter! You are outstanding and I thank you for getting me through this awful time! But state of the world I still wish i had a rocket launcher!🙏🦋🤣Thankyou

[@jadeyes1]

I was playing in Wakefield at the Wakefield Inn and missed a set to watch his first show at Camp Fortune, I've seen him many times over the years. Last time was at Canmore, always great!

[@mabajete]

I would like to see him once in Germany. I loved him since 1982.

[@555pontifex]

That is a hell of a song...

[@edwardl1622]

I love this song

[@brucecockburn5025]

Hi thanks for watching and commenting on my KZbin channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯💯

[@edwardl1622]

@@brucecockburn5025 I live in nevada but next month I'm moving to Massachusetts, hope you come out that way

[@brucecockburn5025]

@@edwardl1622 I’m so glad to have you as a fan of mine, i would love us to talk more on hangout you can drop your email address to know more about your thoughts☺️☺️ and advise for me thank you ❤️.. 👏👏👏👏👏.. 💯

[@johnbeaker8721]

@@edwardl1622 This isn't Bruce, don't give them any of your info.

[@jkk2399]

Great song. Amazing artist

[@gened9787]

FANTASTIC!

[@robrowden1018]

An amazing and passionate musician

[@keithmartisius781]

Most underrated guitarist ever IMO

[@Bencisco-World-of-Music]

Great song. Great performance.

[@haroldpolak2551]

One of my favorites!!!

[@pjbillings8603]

Absolutely amazing performance

[@susanemery2992]

Yes, so relevant today

[@debrabyrn9074]

He's going to be across the street at Yavapai College Performance Hall in a month....im hoping to see him. I met him at the Jackson Browne Verde Valley School benefit years ago.....was an amazing show.

[@hollyrushlow2653]

I wish I could see him so bad he is coming to my hometown. The tickets are to much.😢

[@thedudeabides3167]

Nailed it

[@boleslawzajaczkowski9392]

Seems like it was a different Canada, not a lackey of USA.

[@riccardomusiu510]

👏👏👏👏 great!!! 👍😉🇮🇹

[@mattmcintyre5982]

Absolutel legend Canadian treasure

[@nowhereman108]

Perfect.

[@michaelskywalker3089]

I remember as a Canadian when this song came out acknowledging the context of the Guatemalan and Nicarauguan atrocities it was shocking to hear the lyrics "If I had a rocket launcher, some son of a bitch would die". But we participated in World War II to help defeat the German Fascists.

[@cineasticfractalvideos-cfv7053]

Love It !!!!!!!!

[@David-os8zm]

AAAAAAAAWESOME !!!!!!!

[@RobertCarlson-o2n]

Seen him at the Stone Church in Portsmouth.N.H.

[@jinndoe7068]

Sudan, Gaza...

[@ziggyssmokeshop9818]

🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@bluemecker639]

His main instrument is the piano very well with that guitar

[@naderhashemi555]

To the people of Ukraine from me. #StandwithUkraine

[@flashy5150]

One of the world's most powerful songs. It would kill the heaviest of Metal or Rap. If he sat on the street corner like a homeless man playing this, would you finally believe ??

[@BarrioFabulous]

the son of man could play it himself and none would believe.

[@sallylaing6031]

thankyou

[@margotgarcia1]

this about so much more than guitar prowess boys...you might look into it for yourselves...

[@GregJoy-uk3il]

thanks for the truthsqaull

[@555pontifex]

I tried playing this. It's VERY hard to play.

[@CelesteAdores]

Holy duck!!!! 😮🎉❤

[@dudorotomy]

Great guitar playing is assumed in every Bruce Cockburn song, but these lyrics are a gut punch. American exceptionalism at its worst!

[@kwaailight]

So apt today .. sadly .. 😢

[@williamtate7327]

Magnifiscent!

[@DanBennett]

He is amazing with the guitar. I fell in love with this song 30 years ago. Its meaningful, poignant and its beautiful music. It makes me cry a little, every time. So if it doesn't affect you a little, emotionally... Thats how you know that you are fascist.

[@brucecockburn5025]

Hi thanks for watching and commenting on my KZbin channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯💯

[@thinkforyourself-t6l]

Truer fucking words my friend 😭

[@michaelwest1554]

a HERE HERE form 2022!!

[@matgood6231]

Must be frustrating after you write something like that and 30 years later nothing has changed. Same with roger waters singing about how people used as pawns and the masses still buy right into the television “news” and obey whatever told

[@brucecockburn5025]

Hi thanks for watching and commenting on my KZbin channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

The description states this was a benefit to raise money to fight poverty...well...How’s that fight goin’? 🐰❤️🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@brucecockburn5025]

Hi thanks for watching and commenting on my KZbin channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛🎷🎷🎷✨💯............

[@edgreen8140]

Guatamalan war?

[@ghoguet]

WOW!

[@tpeterhern5480]

Man Can Bruce Ever Play The Fuck (# sorry fb but true) out nof that acoustic Guitar !

[@srv7464]

日本にはこの様に偉大な音楽家が存在しない‼本当に恥ずべき国だ‼

[@CrazyBear65]

Gotta understand the sentiment of the song. This is what Palestinian kids think about, and Kurdish kids, and now Ukrainian kids... How long before its American kids?

[@paulfromdonmills]

On the right side Africa banner, l was between (WE......(me).....WANT) in the front row.

[@aniturkishsong6645]

I Mean treasure

[@peteguard3571]

Different conflict I know, but I liked to call this song the Ode to the Stinger Missile

[@brucecockburn5025]

Hi thanks for watching and commenting on my KZbin channel God bless you🤗🌞 hope you don’t stop with your love and support❤️👑✏✒✏kindly drop your email address or WhatsApp contact below for more details about my upcoming album🎊 , 💫Tour or Concert🎄 🎹🎙🎷🎷🎷🎤🎻🥁🎚💛...🎷🎷🎷✨.... 💯💯

[@jinndoe7068]

@@brucecockburn5025 Tour? Omg, are you performing for segregated audiences?

[@rorymurray256]

Dedicated to the Taliban

[@nemrutbaba]

Palestine!

[@sapperdaddy2818]

Lyrics are a bit contradictory but great guitar playing

[@Alonolamim777]

How so?

[@davimurph]

I think that's deliberate. I think, in some ways, he's glad he doesn't have a rocket launcher, because he wants to be better than his violent, vengeful instincts.

[@pippetdog]

Read his book.

[@cal-native]

@@davimurph I think you're right - I just saw him last night, and he didn't do this song, as much as everybody wanted to, given events in Ukraine. He once said this is a not a call to violent action, but rather a cry...

[@arroyoribera3636]

When Cockburn performed in Spokane, Washington on 12/18/2021 he performed this song in its full glory and outrage. The context of the song is his first hand experience of the U.S.-funded, advised, and directed wars in Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua) in the 1980s. In the same show he also played two other of his Nicaragua-inspired pieces. His audiences are always full of those who appreciate his political sophistication, his liberation theology influence, and his justifiable outrage over the extensive crimes of empire.

[@cal-native]

Beachballs🙄

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Borders are not necessarily a bad thing there Bruce.

[@loontil]

Amazing music, chords, playing dodgy lyrics though I remember the eighties when singers were oh so political. Being beaten over the head with "entertainment". Wore thin. SAVE THE MOSQUITO set to a rousing hard rock tune etc