Divinyls - Elsie (live)

[@derlechfelder]

I'll just say it simple : a song forever in my heart

[@brettforrest4602]

Only Chrissie could put the heart n soul into this emotional song one for the ages Lil Brett ❤

[@seiyakan1380]

They really cut it live... So much power.

[@Rodowsky]

The wildest female vocalist ever. So privileged to have seen so many of her performances in Melbourne back in the wonder filled 80's. The Ultimate Rock Goddess for me. R.I.P Chrissie you touched my soul. ❤

[@davidnowhere2637]

I met her in Coogee Sydney at Selinas and I was such an arse hole I am sorry same with Bon Scott

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Probably the Divinyls song that most closely approaches art. An absolutely brilliant, hard hitting "Slice of Life". Christina sings it with a passion that conveys the horror that is "Elsies" life. Brilliant, gut wrenching performance. Other than Janis Joplin I don't think there has ever been another female vocalist with the power of Christina Amphlett!

[@stevengottlieb3449]

Not approaches art, but epitomizes the use of music as a performance art. No one can deny an understanding, or the powerful feelings, conveyed by Chrissie's escalating guttural moans of pain. She gave permission to Courtney Love, No Doubt and many others to write and perform their own impactful music. May God hold Chrissie close and may her memory always be a blessing.

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

@@stevengottlieb3449 Totally agree with your thoughts Chissie was epic and Divinyls are so underrated by many folks. They'll always be a favorite band.

[@charleswettish8701]

I agree with your sentiment, very much. I also put Chrissy in the top 5 female vocalists with Janis (or any gender, for that matter). But, as a musician of half a century, I must insist that music IS art. And, to musicians it is the highest form!

[@jussikankinen9409]

Van gogh

[@TheBlueskyson]

Reckon you're close to correct there bro PV. ty

[@georgeburdine5660]

Chrissy worked her ass off on stage to entertain with such a hard hitting alternative rock song, that it was pure enchantment to behold. RIP Chrissy A.

[@michaelperrow9962]

what a talent what a shame she's gone

[@robertborich4524]

Staggering performance by Chrissie and the boys.She was truly one of a kind.R.I.P.

[@TheBlueskyson]

Simply AWESOME! ty Chrissy and band. Wow!

[@tjcint]

Saw them live .. she had an incredible presence ...

[@Lanewaymusic]

She sure did

[@billk9856]

The fact this song didn't make the ARIA list of top 30 songs of the 1900's is criminal. And remember Cool Change by the Little River Band made the list.

[@johnkerr1957]

Am "young enough" (born in 1960) to say that I saw the band belt out "Elsie" live on-stage. What a song. Chrissie was just amazing on-stage - what a performer! I remember one night at The Thebby (Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide) she was downright scary. Thanks for posting this awesome clip. RIP dear Chrissie.

[@charleswettish8701]

I was born in '64. Of course I heard of the Divinyls....but, I was in a young man's music bubble of classic rock, and my first exposure to them was "Touch Myself", and, though it is a well constructed song, all I heard was pop. I didn't know what I was missing! Fast forward many years and, being a musician, my tastes have expanded to include almost all styles of music. So just recently I heard "Jealous", and I was completely blown away! I listened to several other Divinyls songs and realize that I love this band, and probably would have loved them even when I was in my classic rock bubble years ago! Chrissie instantly became one of my favorite singers, and the song writing is top notch! RIP Chrissie.

[@tjcint]

I saw her live in Sydney.. She was absolutely electrifying. In a way I will never forget. An incredible performer.

[@NU2UTX]

I just discovered this song a couple of months ago. It is such a raw performance. Chrissy perfectly channels Elsie's frustration and rage. I wish I could have seen this live.

[@devileddoll]

I am blessed to live in the lifetime as the same with Chrissie Amphlett and see the Divinyls and have them in my life. My fave Divinyls tune. xx

[@deancaron988]

Earth's a hard place to land on without Chrissy on it.

[@billsteelmccluskey]

My all time favourite Australian group. They had an edge. Raw. So unique. Love u Chrissy.

[@lucky56ification]

Serious vocals from a superb performer with the brilliant crew all firing RIP Chrissie always missed

[@StoryVoracious]

I *Love* this song! Now I loyit even more. Just listening to George Orwell's 1984 again, and realised where I'd heard the line before. "Smells of *bugs* and fornication and a bottle of cheap scent" is almost directly from the part of 1984 when Winston is writing about the time when he met the young prostitute and also thinks of his wife. The thinks of the basement kitchen apartment with the bed at the side. Chrissie used the words almost exactly. What a deep thinker she was to read the book and give the prostitute a name. To relate her to real women she had known or seen. Go listen to 1984!

[@johngerson7335]

Chrissy's on record in an interview stating that "Elsie" and "Wally" were quite real people that she and Mark knew when they lived in an apartment row in their early days.

[@WarrenBridges-um5cg]

@@johngerson7335 Womerah Ave. Darlinghurst. Producer Mark Opitz lived nearby and also witnessed Elsie's antics.

[@johngerson7335]

@@WarrenBridges-um5cg Thanks for the extra details, cheers!

[@Shady.Lady.]

My favourite Divinyls song ❤️👌🏻

[@moniquedouglas2448]

Brilliant guitar by Mark McEntee. We forget how much of Divinyls' sound is due to him!

[@michaelsteven1090]

But why is he then such a jerk?

[@supermarionickyt7430]

Michael Steven He’s probably got a HUGE ego.

[@moniquedouglas2448]

Michael Steven He's quirky but so was Chrissy. That makes them who they are. Russell Crowe was always criticised for being too intense but that same quality made him a great actor, edgy. Mark and Chrissy are intense and edgy too, on and off stage.

[@josefhart7752]

Oh Wow .....just like the ep! Very confronting & moving......Divinyls at their best I’m really moved!

[@far1val2]

Saw them at Rocky Point amusement park 1991 Rhode Island. They were awesome!!!!!

[@roystonmason9125]

Mee Too My Favorite Divinyls song , miss u Chrissy !

[@riloh58]

They were just so ****ing good. So raw and so real and alive in their early stuff. Chrissy was quite simply one of a kind. Amazing. I could watch/listen to this all day. In fact, I might do just that. Thank you for uploading.

[@tuxiemama4676]

My fave Divinyls song.... so sick !!!

[@K.J.S.est1994]

Tuxie Mama arguably the scariest rendition of Elsie!

[@johnking6550]

Joey Roller, my sentiments exactly and in some ways rivals the 1984 live version. Love Chrissy's perfect pacing and cadence, especially during the ''open the door'' sequence, and when she lets go with that coup de gras....the hair stands!...some powerful stuff!...a genuine classic in all of rock'n'roll. Nothing touches it ANYWHERE.

[@benwinter2420]

Spring is come Elsie

[@lordcromwell5512]

1982 can you believe it? 10 years ahead ...While you were listening to the Cars and Phil Collins

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

The Cars were pretty good. I wouldn't put them in a league with Phil Collins.

[@johnking6550]

+Laneway Music - Thanks for having the courage to maintain the artistic integrity of this master piece by including all elements, especially the gloriously profane remark about the door. This is such an immensely powerful work and a remarkable piece of video featuring the ethereal and gritty classic perhaps most associated with early Divinyls in which Chrissy demonstrates a profound instinct for dramatic tension.

[@westozrocker7698]

john king nothing comes close to Elsie live and I’m glad to have experienced it myself

[@johnking6550]

West Oz Rocker...I could not be more envious and certainly had my chances but blew it. Divinyls played Toronto a few times but I was never lucky enough to catch any of what little airplay they got and had no idea of what a phenomenal unit they were. I'd give my left one just to go back for a single gig...especially between '82 and '88. But at my age that's a fairly meaningless sacrifice anyway.

[@johnkerr1957]

It's like discovering an old friend. I thrashed the Monkey Grip LP - heck I ever went & saw the film. Saw them several times. Chrissy was fkn amazing live.

[@kassandraayalasongs]

Love divinyls !!!!

[@rodneylesjohnston8062]

Beautiful Crissie thanks honey big biggest 💫 Band thanks missed we do legend Rokk

[@anthonyulibarri3690]

This song exemplifies the entire band in their prime, long before all that 'I Touch Myself' lame bullshit.

[@mikesabota2570]

Off the first album..a powerhouse killer!!👍👍

[@WarrenBridges-um5cg]

@mikesabota2570 Yeah, "Monkey Grip" version. The American "Desperate" version is different.

[@arcane6465]

Amazing to say the least

[@chrisharro]

The world's a hard place to land on

[@K.J.S.est1994]

God I love this version of Chrissy, so scary and intimidating, compared to the laid back sultry version from 1988/1991!

[@adriennewatt9718]

I remember seeing the Divinyls during this era, & being up the front, fascinated by her, & the boys in the crowd were scared by her.. she was so awesome & powerful on stage & yet maintained that she was crippled by shyness & anxiety back then.

[@aaronquy1968]

Christina was amazing RIP

[@mechaaron]

Divinyls-Elsie, Letra-Lirycs. She never had an education She uses life as her vocation Standing on ledges clinging to the edges The world's a hard place to land on She has this one way conversation Trying to avoid a confrontation Memories of the kind she's rather leave behind The worlds' a hard place to land on Life can be lonely, life can be very sad, life can be something you wish you never had She never had any affection So she relates well to rejection No stories wait discovery Dreams have passed recovery The worlds a hard place to land on She just sleeps all day In her squalid little slum And takes little white pills To make her body feel numb And it's dark and dirty And there's nothing left to eat And in her heart there's a feeling of defeat Smells of bus and fornication And a bottle of cheat scent Should she stick around If this is all that life meant Life can be lonely, life can be very sad, life can be something you wish you never had ¡Open the door wally, open the door, open the door Wally!, ¡¡¡open the f*cking door!!!...

[@rubenowitzv.3135]

Timeless .............................................

[@reboot_2.00]

OMG! Thank you for posting this!

[@GNagle66]

open the door willy...open the door willy...open the fucking door!!

[@mechaaron]

Bella canción de Divinyls, la segunda mejor de Divinyls en mí opinión después de "I touch myself"...

[@morgomorgaf306]

just Wow

[@karnboxx7723]

This is not the "original line-up", but it is close to it. 'Only Lonely', along with 'Boys In Town', were both released from Divinyls first recording 'Monkey Grip' EP (both to be later included on their first LP 'Desperate' {International version}). The bass player seen here [most probably Ken Firth] was the interim bassist between original Jeremy Paul (ex-Air Supply) and his successor Rick Grossman (later Hoodoo Gurus). All other members are original. Grossman would record all bass parts on 'Desperate'. RIP Chrissy [insert love heart here].

[@johnkerr1957]

I was a huge fan right from the start. Even took the then GF to see the Monkey Grip movie at a cinema - it was shit - but the Divinyls were in it. I saw them several times in Adelaide in those early years. They were great. Chrissy was unbelievable.

[@kitsynthpunk]

The only bad thing about this video is the direction. They didn't get any shots of Chrissy smearing lipstick all over her face, which is essential to the full enjoyment of the performance of this song.

[@RodSledge]

Brilliant.

[@keptinkaos6384]

love them brilliant but as they say madness and genius was the best description of Christina Amphlett...Marke Mcenetee the most underrated guitarist and talent ever ... together they were both a powerhouse of brilliant talent and dysfunctional fighting children... 💔

[@glenno5897]

Did chrissie say 'open the fucking door wally' at 3:43 on early 80's TV???

[@WarrenBridges-um5cg]

@glenno5897 Yep. Just like on the original "Monkey Grip" recording.

[@lennawatson8917]

first time i heard chrissy swear in her songs "open the fucking door" amazing

[@warrenbridges1891]

Lenna Watson That's how she sang it on the "Monkey Grip" album/EP.

[@NibsNiven]

@@warrenbridges1891 Not true. She doesn't swear on the album version.

[@warrenbridges1891]

@@NibsNiven Yeah mate? Well I played the Aus only "Monkey Grip" version just now....and she certainly DOES swear. Lol, you've probably only heard the U.S. release of the "Desperate" version. Am I right?

[@NibsNiven]

@@warrenbridges1891 I don't have the physical Monkey Grip EP, just MP3 files. It's possible it's mislabelled. This would be your fault.

[@warrenbridges1891]

@@NibsNiven Seriously, how is it my fault if your files are mislabeled? I clearly cited the "Monkey Grip" album/EP version. Released only in Australia. I have a mint copy on vinyl. This video is the closest thing to that version.

[@ElectricLabel]

Fucking amazing.

[@wendywalsh-pardey9439]

Sublime. Ms C.

[@cmorrow132]

There was a copy of Only Lonely from this same show, so there must be a copy of the full show somewhere. Anyone know where it can be found?

[@johnking6550]

Matt M....I have assembled all 3 of the numbers from this show into a playlist on my channel as well as a few other Divinyls related items that I find interesting. ''Divinyls: Laneway Tapes'' jtk/Canada

[@franko6677]

OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR

[@morgomorgaf306]

P90s go alrite in the LP 🙌🏼 that'd be a veritable understatement

[@cruzdaniels]

So disappointed I can''t find a live recording from later in their career, though I suppose it would be very hard to top this one.

[@stevengottlieb3449]

Maybe the best performance of Elsie ever done. 1984. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZqmZZ58qK-ppJo

[@cruzdaniels]

@@stevengottlieb3449 I saw this live when it was broadcast on network television. I've been a fan ever since.

[@warrenbridges1891]

Cruz Daniels There's a 1988 live version around KZbin somewhere from a concert in America, but it's nowhere near as good as this. Chrissy was starting to turn glam.

[@garyspeed8961]

WTF 24,000 views... add 000,000

[@jamesuren308]

They say Freddie Mercury was greatest male rock entertainer. Well Chrissy is the female version best show was with the angels at dy hotel screaming tribesmen ki led it off

[@robmac6508]

@James Uren - That would have been a great show , the sadly long gone old Dee Why hotel aka The Glider Room, aka The Venue, aka the Jet Club. A much missed band venue. Likewise I saw some great shows there in the late 80s /Early 90s. RIP❤️ Chrissy Amphlet / the Divinyls. RIP The Jet Club.

[@jewelhennessey2383]

I ❤ this Song . Cos this song is Sadly about Me. But... My Name ain't Elsie Its Jewel. I l❤you Chrissy. Xxx xxo

[@lizardears4861]

Chrissy scared me…

[@hicks5828]

This song could be of Siouxsie and the banshees perfectly

[@WarrenBridges-um5cg]

@hicks5828 70 year old Elsie lived near Chrissy and producer Mark Opitz.

[@andrewoliver6022]

#GlobalWarming frustration @GretaThunberg “ A one way conversation “ @ExtinctionR “ something they wish they never had” “Life,can be very lonely .can be very sad” YA I KEEP LOOKING FOR DANGER SIGNS. Chrissy and I ,were so close.On this world that just keeps getting harder to land on..

[@jeffkeating8994]

whos on drums is that Greg

[@robmac6508]

@Jeff Keating - that's original Divinyls drummer Richard Harvey in the drum seat.

[@tuxiemama4676]

1984 ?

[@jussikankinen9409]

Sings like english

[@WarrenBridges-um5cg]

@jussikankinen9409 Aussie accent. She's 1/4 German.

[@lrighttobewhite]

🤮🤮🤮

[@arockj]

Best quality I've seen of this video...great upload and thanks for sharing.