Richard & Linda Thompson - Dimming of the Day (live 1981)

From the show "A Little Night Music", originally broadcast August 19 1981.

[@wentworthcaniac]

A lot of you are missing the point that this performance was after Richard left Linda and their three kids for a younger woman. Somehow, she went through with the tour then retired from performing. The thing that makes this video so compelling is the unmistakable pain in Linda's voice.

[@jefflanaghan6327]

I have never heard a bad performance of this song, but this particular one is probably the most poignant and heartbreaking.

[@laburgy]

Linda Thompson has such a physical beauty, perfect cheek bones. She looks like a pre-raphaelite painting in this video. The music is wonderful.

[@nicolausultanum29]

One of the greatest songs ever written.

[@selewachm]

This is one of the songs I want played at my funeral/party.

[@michaelhenwood4046]

Michael Selewach Yes,me too.

[@mikespark65]

I think this song, along with A Heart Needs a Home are two of the most beautiful love songs written in the 20th century. Thanks.

[@andrewzeiler3445]

Truly authentic b/c this was when they were touring and had already broken up I believe. No acting required. This old house was truly falling about their ears.

[@klausrain111]

Wow, Linda's so beautiful with a beautiful voice. Never heard this song before today, looked up the lyrics to make it even more special.

[@ariadnegunn7177]

hauntingly beautiful, fragile and tender, i need you at the dimming of the day, thank you linda

[@gordondarker6835]

What a beautiful woman and what a voice

[@micksoiseth2652]

This song is a real gem. One of the true great songs.

[@samandjennysambrook]

Thank god for music,especially music like this.sheer poetry.

[@paulbradshaw303]

Wow so much emotion, Linda is living every word

[@brrrenna]

Absolutely, profoundly beautiful.

[@scottweeks6379]

No words to describe how beautiful.....But sorrowful this is.....I played this many times some years ago after I lost someone I deeply loved but it fell apart. I understand the pain in this song very well......I haven't been the same since that lose.....

[@Handlebar1000]

The greatest love song ever written, imho...

[@elizabethkendrick8124]

This song sends chills.... It's so good....

[@dily44]

Heard this many times growing up in Ireland, such beautiful memories

[@billcbren]

Many covers of this song but for me the original is the best.

Very nice this one!!! HAPPY (68th) BIRTHDAY, LINDA!!! (born 23 August 1947)

[@ladymorgaine76]

I first listened to David Gilmour's version and then i just had to find the original version! What a lovely song this is!

[@morgaffi]

Wow, I can't imagine what she's thinking at about <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="110">1:50</a> given the state of their relationship at the time. Talk about beauty coming from such a personal song...

[@nrith]

never thought i would ever enjoy a song with a banjo playing (!) ...but behold...this song is pure perfection

[@rayjay9009]

It was written by Richard Thompson. It is perfect.

[@jeffstevens4262]

Such a beautiful song, it makes me blub every time I hear it. This is what a true genius like Richard is capable of doing. God love him.

[@RomyArena]

The best version of this song.

[@eliescomin1852]

I saw Richard Thompson one time in North Hampton at the Iron Horse. He was awesome

[@mrsterripurcell]

Now that is a memory I saw them do it live all those years and it still sounds magical thank you

[@IlGattonero13]

Beautiful and heartbreaking.

[@ivyedan7183]

Such a beautiful example of music

[@danielreina2548]

Chills every fucking time I hear this ... thank you

[@RoyDunn]

Some of the very best few minutes on KZbin.

[@debbiedunn3779]

+Roy Dunn ....yes. :-) ....his solo version is also very ,very good ..but I do love the way Linda sings it.....they were so good together .....

[@JoUnrau]

I so love his beautiful music & have 2 of his albums.

[@Otispuss2]

There's no justice. A clip like this with only 1100 views? This classic gets 5 stars. Thank you for posting.

[@cirkuspromoter8266]

Couple more versions on youtube that are well worth a listen: 5 Blind Boys of Alabama (from the Beat The Retreat RT tribute album) bring out the spirituality that was never far below the surface in most Thompson songs of that era And there's a terrific live version from Tom Jones posted in February this year.

[@GK6string]

I learned this song to play for Dottie after hearing Bonnie's version! Never got to sing it with her...

[@vza423]

This is beautiful.

[@HarrisKeith]

such a sweet and honest song

[@rukeyser]

Thank you for this. Imprinted as I am on the studio release, I was aware of Linda straightening the tune out a bit and keeping her range closer to the ground, as well as an almost frightening pause before some lines... There is real heartbreak here, almost conversational in its despair - the words were sorrowful a decade before, and she always inhabits her text, syllable by syllable...but this is breathtaking.

[@franklee7939]

That this was wrote this in my life time...hope & inspiration

[@OutsideNila]

Beautifully said.

[@sfkjn2311]

Just beautiful!

[@ianwalkerdownland]

wonderfull version,like quite a few,all are so good.Must be a tribute to the song itself.

[@dannyboyle7068]

Great couple,songstress,guitar maestro.nuff said.

[@nanny999999]

Amazing...........

[@steffyeisenhardt4151]

Amazing song, amazing singers....thank you so much for posting it.

[@randymillage8415]

Awesome deep down

[@carolmburton7173]

Wow! I love your song, Richard! Thank you so much for writing it, and singing the harmony with others. I've been listening to other singers sing your song. I loved Mary Black singing it. I liked Alison Krauss, but thought it was too slow. Yes, Bonnie Raitt sang it a little loud, but in her style - same with Emmy Lou Harris. The harmony is great!

[@normanrobillard2737]

some times i feel God is reaching out to us when listening to this song.

[@anitaross6258]

Oh my...Awesome

[@valverdista]

Superb.

[@eugenemorice3353]

Absolutely superb ! Can I also recommend a version of this song from Clive Gregson's old band " Any Trouble"? Nothing compared the drama and compelling nature of this version mind

[@mscrunchy68]

I just love this and keep coming back to it. Thankyou so very much for this delightful post - how could anyone ever find something negative to say about it?

[@bovarybelle]

I totally agree.

[@Wizard.raven.]

Like if you first listen the David Gilmour version and you come to listen the original version

[@ColoradoCaddis]

Dimming of the Day - Richard Thompson

[@rickduntz]

is true. sorry to say. Is called, trolls. Thank you for this, I love music.

[@franklee7939]

Wow

[@RobHollanderMusic]

Love the song, Richard and Linda, and agree with all comments below, but banjo is simply not right for this splendid song.

[@samgifford2639]

Richard on banjo.

[@ahz123]

It is interesting to compare this song to the covers.

[@thewordofgord]

Thanks so much Colin; any more from this great show?

[@jerryjeff100]

man, that's hard to comment on.

[@oscotto1]

as the arguments rage about the "best" version, i have now listened to five. Its not a competition. However I dont think Gilmour has the range or subtlety of voice. Raitts version is too loud and strident for a tender song about hurt and a fractured heart (why didnt he say something?).Which leaves the other three, Mary Black ,Alison Krauss and Linda Thompson- they are all beautifully poignant in different ways. I wonder which one Richard Thompson prefers,after all its his song.

[@bigfolkie5418]

+ian scott nothing worse than a fking critic

[@mickbozo]

+ian scott I fully agree with you.

[@phredVI]

Can music get any better ?

[@sssswhiner]

I'd like to submit this cover as one of the best...

[@mgazda99]

+John Gordon This is not a cover version. This song was written by Richard Thompson and originally sung by his then wife Linda on their 1975 album Pour Down Like Silver.

[@snackleforkofemir]

Wonderful music, wonderful song, but what a dreadful piece of filming! Who was playing the banjo? Who was playing the squeezebox? Was there a band? Who was in the band? Would one lousy wide shot have killed yer?! Will play again and again, but won't watch!

[@samgifford2639]

Richard on banjo.