Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now (Live Aid 1985)

Original recording from German TV live coverage of the show from July 13, 1985.
This song was not incorporated into the Live Aid DVDs as according to some sources there was no quality video available, so I guess this might be the best there is...
Unfortunately the first 40 seconds or so the video was of extremely low quality but the sound was good, hence the titles at the beginning. Thompson Twins were presented by Bette Midler.
Will Lee on bass, Nile Rodgers and Felicia Collins on guitar, Philippe Saisse and Rob Sabino on keys

[@dennissanjuan7406]

This was the moment when the best and the brightest artists from the music world shared their talents for a noble cause. This was one of the most beautiful songs in the 80s.

[@inglepropnoosegarm7801]

Yes. It was a unique day in a special time.

[@ZoolGatekeeper]

One of the most perfect songs in music history.

[@mariahightower8531]

My boyfriend knew he was dying, i din,t. So he dedicated this song To me 7 months before he died of csncer. This song touches my heart.

[@LozP_444]

Lots of Unconditional 💜Healing 🌅& Many Happy Unexpected Infinite Blessings to You and Yours

[@jeanleseth9279]

Love this song ❤️❤️

[@franciscorafael7975]

🛐✝🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🙏. Lo siento mucho.

[@KitchenDJ70]

Went to see Thompson Twins (Tom Bailey) this Saturday just gone. My favourite 80s band ever. I sang my heart out.

[@gmackinnon648]

Shame that they'll never be another gathering of great musicians like live aid

[@squeezeracer]

Unfortunately, there may come another time. It just won't be as good. Music today sucks!!

[@oneluv72]

🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾🫵🏾💯☮️

[@LegShowMagazine]

Just like Tears For Fears, another under-rated/under-appreciated 80s band who never got the credit they deserved.

[@dylanshaewood]

Ily for this one

[@fmonk3366]

Their alright but what did they have 2 hit records

[@pieterkock695]

they are playing at Live Aid... had a few hit singles, enough credit i would say

[@fmonk3366]

@@pieterkock695 I would disagree they about 2 or 3 not tops hits

[@Elwaves2925]

@@fmonk3366 You can disagree all you like, the facts prove you wrong. They had 5 top 10 hits and a further 3 in the top 20. Definitely not a huge, long lasting success but still a success band back in those days and certainly more than 2 or 3 hits.

[@dh-1399]

This was a few weeks before my 5th birthday. I would like to think that even then I knew how special the time was and that it was truly a genuine privilege to grow up in that decade.

[@theworldismyoyster1]

These were indeed special times!

[@Logan_Woods-zd2zi]

I was 20 years old and we were all naive enough to think we would ALWAYS have good music to rely on. How wrong we were. Nothing compares to the 60s/70s/80s - it's all gone downhill. Today is atrocious - how can they even call themselves Artists.

[@theworldismyoyster1]

@@Logan_Woods-zd2zi then you are my age :-)

[@franciscorafael7975]

EXACTO.¡

[@courtneypanzer3655]

I was 16 in 1985. This song gives me chills

[@shivapejman8155]

I was 15! One of my favorite songs- I was obsessed with it

[@GizmoBeach]

Yeah, had the single. Lots of great singles early to mid-80’s. After that, music shifted from 45’s getting airplay and listening to the radio to hear new music wasn’t the same anymore.

[@jeffrobodeenyehcmon5925]

So 80' I love it! I cant get enough that's all I listen to. I'm 52 so...yep.

[@sonidosoundwaves]

April 2021... Thank you KZbin, you have brought so many and beautiful memories from my teens

[@marktrowbridge9770]

I never knew that The Thompson Twins played Live Aid. I never got to watch the whole thing due to some reason. I really enjoyed the way they owned this song live. Still one of my favorite songs from the 80's.

[@paulriley3423]

The repeating melody at the start is brilliant

[@dregetfaded]

Look up the extended version of this song… it’s amazing

[@paulriley3423]

@@dregetfaded agreed. The first chorus with no vocals is beyond good

[@dregetfaded]

I was born in 96. And was raised in the 80’s! Just love it honestly

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Paul Riley n was a massive hit, what more could you want? ,:-0

[@jeremykennedy4777]

Paul I heard the intro and I had exactly the same reaction.

[@marcomusicmaker1419]

Great performance. One of the greatest things about good music is the vocal imperfection, and this is a great example. We have emotions, dreams, problems. You can feel them during a real live performance. If you listen to autotuned voices, you can barely feel something.

[@michaelclyburn5858]

Absolutely Marco, well said. Thank you.🥳

[@garyskadra5236]

I don't have any feelings if listening to autotune. It's not real

[@marcomusicmaker1419]

@@slagmilkcard No, I'm saying that he's imperfect as every TRUE singer should be.

[@see-rious-ley]

What vocal imperfection???!? Are you talking about another band?!?? I didn’t detect it at all from what was presented - other than the quality of the video that didn’t do justice for the real singing voice. The band smashed it as always ❤❤❤

[@Rraven4]

"I have a picture pinned to my wall...it's an image if you and of me and we're loving it all" - amazing song!!

[@datruth72]

I've seen many Concerts, they maybe my fav in person. MD in 1986

[@puffy9]

I remember this moment back then when i attended the greatest concert of all time. I was 23, where have the years gone.

[@theanonymouscat5062]

Such an underrated band. I love you Tom ❤!

[@PEANUTLOVEDADY]

im so gratefull that i got to live in the 80s what a magic time it was

[@KockyArapopolis]

Hey there are "Recording Artists" who do well in the studio, and there are musicians who do well on stage. Long live Thompson twins!

[@RogDow123]

Ahh the good old days! Thanks for the memories Tom, Alannah and Joe.

[@Gildedbutterfly1976]

One of my favorite bands from the 80's. Seeing this is depressing. The world is a far too confusing place now and it seems to be getting worse.

[@zapkvr]

oh dear, thats a shame. i hope you get better soon

[@larrysantos6125]

i hear that why did at that time of duran duran tears for fears did it seem more simpler. like they said welcome to your life there's no turning back!!!

[@cocosiria]

I´m full agree about the band but seeing it is not depressing more than it is a big luck due to we have taken the nice opportunity to see them in one of the best time in the world history that was 80´. Good luck Sheels1976!!!

[@pulptricycle7431]

Can this reply be autotuned to make more sense?

[@J.CRIMSN]

Sheels1976 We'll find our way back.

[@SWAllen420]

Pure magic !! Seven plus minutes of joy. They captured the essence of live performance right here. The Thompson Twins weren't playing the music, it was playing them.

[@paularogers3549]

What a great song I’ve always liked it. Music from the 80s is always good. Live Aid was fantastic.

[@evi4601]

🥰🥰🥰 thank's for this phantastic memory

[@junnojunno1771]

I love the Thompson Twins !! All three of them !!

[@victorleon8277]

My beautiful Era the 70’s & 80’s Love this song !!!

[@Sunburst75]

Thomson Twins were great, long live the 80s!!

[@squeezeracer]

A favorite 80s group doing a favorite 80s song. They had quite a few, too. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@johnnpicante6120]

I was at Live Aid Philadelphia (yes, I guess I'm old). The three entertainers that were most impressive were Mick Jagger (no surprise) who had stage presence like no one and held 90,000 people in the palm of his hand. Such self-confidence you don't see...ever. Eric Clapton outshone everyone musically, and Thompson Twins, who blew me away with their performance that day. There were a lot of huge groups there who were put in the second tier by the Thompson Twins. I've never watched the DVD of the show (I should probably do that), I'm just going on what stayed with me for nearly 40 years now.

[@gaile3765]

I still can remember Nile Rogers & Madonna coming out to play on cover of The Beatles' Revolution. I was there also. Got up in front. Spent something lihe13 hrs there. Moved up. Got to stadium at about 1 am. Gates opened 6ish. Huge lines by then Was about 6 of us sitting there waiting. People let us going in first since camped out . When gates opened just ran to field. I think my actual ticket was in stands somewhere. Still remember a lot from that day. Discussing both Penthouse & Playboy. The MADONNA photos Sound going out during The Who. Simon KeBon hitting bum bite during From a View To Kill Which was #1 song in country than Jaffer coming out with Tina Turner to perform State Of Shock Impromptu performance from CSN after LedZep reunion with Phill Collins on drums 80k string singing with Robert Plant during Stairway To Heaven

[@shivapejman8155]

Not Queen?

[@johnnpicante6120]

@@shivapejman8155 Queen performed in Great Britain that day.

[@michaeljonesmckeiver3320]

I remembered listening to this world wide concert on the radio back then

[@chowman15]

love the extended musical introduction in this version; love the Thompson Twins. Wish more bands would do an extended instrumental when they're performing live!

[@marieangel-jabonesartesana8459]

Tiempos felices que ahora quisiéramos ver otra vez, :(

[@dondee5439]

This performance was almost 8 minutes long but it went by like a 3 minute song. Pretty awesome.

[@MikeCee7]

I find it interesting that when Tom Bailey starts singing, you can definitely hear his British accent. but as the song’s pace picks up (and also a little later when more than him are singing) the accent goes away.

[@ersway]

Love it when a song sounds better and more dynamic when played live... especially live aid 💯👌

[@omarquintanar7977]

Que pinche rolota💓!!! Saludos desde México 🇮🇹

[@lionelvillahermosa653]

Excellent beautiful amazing sublime inmortal the 80 amazing rules 🎼 🥁 💫 🙏 💫 🎶 🎵

[@maverick10101976]

The time.. the atmosphere.. the feeling... 80'sssssssssss goood

[@Mexwarrior]

4:31 Great guitar, amazing drums, magical pianos

[@babyamidala]

I have a picture Pinned to my wall An image of you and of me and we're laughing and loving it all Look at our life now, tattered and torn We fuss and we fight and delight in the tears that we cry until dawn Hold me now, warm my heart Stay with me, let loving start (let loving start) You say I'm a dreamer, we're two of a kind Both of us searching for some perfrct world we know we'll never find So perhaps I should leave here, yeah yeah go far away But you know that there's no where that I'd rather be than with you here Today Hold me now, warm my heart Stay with me, let loving start (let loving start) You ask if I love you, well what can I say? You know that I do and if this is just one of those games that we play So I'll sing you a new song, please don't cry anymore And then I'll ask your forgiveness, though I don't know just what I'm Asking it for Hold me now, warm my heart Stay with me, let loving start (let loving start)

[@davidcaldwell4953]

The Thompson twins had some go9d tunes pity they weren't when singing live.

[@sissie711]

Love this song !! brings tears to my eyes even now after over 20 years !! one on my fav bands of the 80s x Thanks !!

[@sportingcristal5144]

All together cry babe...

[@donnakoster9795]

One of favorite songs from the 80's

[@fredhannum4015]

I was working at Coco's in Torrance CA that night and was watching it on a portable 4 inch black and white in the back room !

[@gustavoserrano4063]

Oh una de mis bandas preferidas de los 80s ya hace cuantos años la escuchó y me sigo sintiendo joven pero ya no soy el mismo 😓😔

[@maribels.8894]

what a great all musical band reunited together again fantastic

[@garyskadra5236]

First time I saw this, I really like this version!

[@ACCH-cm9ou]

whenever i hear some of 80s soges like this one, i immediately go back in time.... it was 1984 i suppose, and i was with my parents in my fathers car,driving on to holidays to some relatives ,who were staying in a camping near some Sea..... funny how music can make you re-live your Life and feel vividly , how it was at some points in life.....

[@kristin_cool6537]

A few months after this they performed at Pepperdine University, in Malibu, and my moms roommate let them use HER room to change and they told her she couldn't come back into her room, haha what a group at least they were nice after that.

[@davidbrooks4285]

We know that Queen owned this stage!!

[@momtorachie]

My very first concert was a Thompson Twins show at Jones Beach on Long Island in 1983. Berlin opened for them. I went with my uncle right before my 11th birthday. I still fit into the concert tee. 😂

[@Iceblooo]

Me too. I was thinking today how this song has been with me all my life and I still love it. It makes me smile whenever I hear it on the radio. I still play it regularly at home too.

[@lindadeann]

one of my favorite bands to. love them so much.

[@kokindivertishow]

me gusto desde la primera vez que escuche por los 80, Yo tenia 15 años esta buena canción ...hoy tengo mas de 40 y no la olvido ...enseño a mi hijo a escuchar esta linda melodia y todos los exitos de thompson twins--------good desde Perú

[@evi4601]

Me too 😊😊😊

[@witnessingdaily4327]

When the bass kicked in you know it got real.

[@waassappening8577]

Such an amazing group. When artists had to struggle and perform in spite of audio difficulties. There are virtually no artists today, just skin puppets who write not their own music and perform with computer help as they have no talent unless you count beasts and hard bodies as talents. Forever an 80’s child I am, proud to be Generation X and not Millennial garbage, not to mention their children, generation lost

[@Iceblooo]

Thank you so much for posting ! It's years since I saw this ! Thompson Twins were one of the biggest bands in the whole world during this time period. I remember Alannah saying they were made to cut their set short immediately before they went onstage here as the whole show was behind schedule so their set was very unplanned. Alannah also said the sound was not good so they did the best they could with the situation they were given by the organisers. I MISS THE TWINS SO MUCH !

[@variniathomas6378]

Fantastic song that is one 80s song that represents the 80s and I was 15 in 1985. Love itxx

[@franksrodry9861]

LIVE AID, fue un conciertaso de grandes estrellas con conciencia humanística ,THOMPSON TWINS espectacular con esa armonía de hacer buena música extrañamos los 80s

[@edgararmando7570]

WHEN WE WERE REALLY CONNECTED

[@chrishall7915]

Thompson Twins are legends

[@Chronas9.9]

This stage was amazing. The mass set amount of stage lights and the giant crowd all eyes to the band

[@SeanFavel]

you know its a good song when there is no dislikes

[@rolando0572]

look at the people dancing and singing ..the 80s best musc ever

[@gabrielmendez5655]

Just listening to this perfect master piece of a song seeing the video took me back to the gold days. A world that is gone and like he said in the song a world that we'll never find😢😢😢😢

[@johndavid5618]

"" The lovely 80s,coming back.💪

[@MrFlashjet]

Even sounding slightly off tune - This is still better than most of the shit around today!!!

[@maitai1133]

I would have to agree.

[@maribels.8894]

Live Aid a memorable songs to me super duper ill stay right here cause these are the good old days

[@jefflilyea4669]

She's still the star.

[@BanditDrang]

I like how at the very end that the singer almost rolls away on his own microphone stand. Classic Moment .

[@andysiegel6131]

This song has always resonated strongly with me. R I P The 80'ß

[@andreacostaadm]

Até os concertos dos anos 80, como Live Aid eram impecáveis.

[@donnablackman3954]

Loved that band ❤️

[@JonnievonHeldreich]

Nile Rodgers on guitar!

[@SrTetosalazar]

....YES, HE IS......

[@adrianoourique8474]

VERY NICE = MUITO LEGAL !! PORTUGUESE BRASIL!!

[@nanomicroart]

"Amazing, Thank you very much!"

[@joeylone2427]

I love this version. That intro....

[@ChrisSmith-py5pk]

I loved the Thompson Twins and totally forgot they played at Live Aid. That said I was in England and probably in such a state I missed this bit...

[@andreslaralarasumerzu6506]

GRANDE LOS THOMPSON TWINS.BUENISIMA BANDA LO KEDA DE ELLOS.ORIGINALES.

[@claypillowsaswellastonytah4038]

That really came together. Great performance.

[@youtmeme]

never seen so may percussionists on stage!!!😮 drums, electric kit, bongos...cool!!😎

[@Pete_S]

This song is so good it disappeared form my ipod and I have to reload it on to my ipod from a cd. And I love the intro.

[@adamhaqeem4660]

80'𝒔 𝒌𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 😍

[@chriswylie9056]

Perfect summer sunset song

[@LozP_444]

I saw The Thompson Twins live 3 years ago & They actually sounded better live then in all honesty!! It was a smaller concert though so that’s probably why! It was an 80s Music fest 🫶🏻🙏🏻💫👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤟🏻👊🏻This is one of My favourite 80s songs

[@NickL951]

You saw Tom Bailey and his band.

[@LozP_444]

@@NickL951 Yeah! I did & second best was Jason Donovan 😁😁😁👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@zorayasanchez2256]

Me encanta la estetica y buen gusto de la ropa los peinados de los 80.Se esperaban por versen hermosos y de verdad que lo lograban.Hombres y mujeres eran muy lindos🎉🎉🎉

[@rominaliz]

Gracias Black Mirror por traernos de vuelta esta música en 2019!!!!!!

[@peleador8856]

Cuanta nostalgia⭐👍😎

[@Iceblooo]

I agree. Alannah said at the time they were rushed onstage, made to cut their set short seconds before they went on AND the sound equipment they were given was not sounding good. I still think they did a great job and I love to see them. I would pay right not to see the Twins live once more !

[@KitchenDJ70]

Still playing in 2022 in the UK as Tom Bailey with new artists. They sound brilliant live, went to see then Saturday just gone, snag my heart out.

[@oceania68]

they were all off key all around the world, but honestly, it was as event for the African Famine relief so it was a great event in that regard, I stayed up 24hours watching it starting with Australia's Concerts before moving around the world... definitely electrifying moment in time.. have not seen anything like this since... Sir Bob Geldoff worked wonders..

[@michaelstojsavljevic8453]

Not a mobile phone in sight... wish it was like that now

[@tonioteach84]

The multi-instrumental part is awesome. They sound great! The vocals on the other hand...6:10 - 6:13

[@Triquatra]

the flutter on the video tape is certainly not helping!! :D

[@Afireinside912]

The vocals are terrible honestly. No wonder they lasted as one hit wonders lol

[@soots-stayingoutofthespotl5495]

@@Afireinside912 Let's see... 1. Love On Your Side, 2. We Are Detective, 3. Hold Me Now, 4. Doctor Doctor, 5. You Take Me Up, 6. Sister of Mercy, 7. Lay Your Hands on Me, all got radio play and most were in the Top Ten in the UK. Dubbing the band 'one-hit wonders' is a little unfair then, even if things were somewhat different in the U.S. Can't argue about the vocals though; who the hell strangled a cat on those repeats near the end?!

[@Dularr]

@@Afireinside912 They had a respectable run as a band. But Tom live performance have faded over the years.

[@jeng3000]

NICE... Anton Fig on drums! I love it when I see great session musicians from Letterman's show in other places.

[@maitai1133]

I thought that was Anton. Now that I think of it, that China Boy cymbal to his high right was a dead giveaway...

[@mightyjoe911]

Love the 80's...

[@AudioAtmos]

I just love the comments from those that probably think the world began with the Internet. Those that only know a world of programmable digital mixers, pitch correction and Autotune. They haven't a clue what it was like to put on a huge multi-artist show like this in 1985. The little kiddies need to learn respect for what came before their "perfect" little mess they're making of the world.

[@mrfrogbutt1]

+AudioAtmos Todays youth is just a sad wasteland makes you feel sorry for them.

[@Nyoakushin]

I love today's music though. I don't listen to what's pop today though. and I just love this song. the hair is amazing too. 80's hair should make a serious come back

[@J0ZZE123]

That's right, that was real music, when only the true musicians made it, now days you just buy an auto tune digital FX and you're a singer

[@AudioAtmos]

Kevin Clover/Seventh Level Down: No, actually the "whole world" doesn't know that what I'm saying is "true". OR, the comments I was referring to wouldn't be here. And, unfortunately 36 is not going to quite cut it. Sorry. And also, realize you're replying to a 2 year old comment.

[@oximofo9]

Mixers are as old as recording. Hell the Korg Synth came out in 1962.

[@GreannLee]

i was Punk and poper in same time music and outfits was best time in my life

[@admiralackbar9307]

I love the Thompson Twins so much, it still all feels like just yesterday somehow. after Live Aid the commercial music industry seemed to become more and more manufactured, I think for me Live Aid was the end, the very end.

[@charlesdjones1]

I would say iTunes really did the most damage, music was awesome before 2003.

[@claysnyder7300]

Too much goodness so much take time to pause fascinating I can hang on to these songs Forever

[@ufgtr1992]

It's always great to see this performance by the Thompson Twins - what a shame that "Hold Me Now" didn't make the official Live Aid DVD. But still a gem nonetheless. It's disheartening to read some of the cracks from the peanut gallery below... Yes, Tom was a bit flat, and the stage looked a bit chaotic - but the Thompson Twins barely had time to set up their equipment, and were already forced to cut a song from their set due to time constraints. In addition, I always felt that TT perhaps should've played a bit earlier in the day. Please understand that I am a huge TT fan, yet it certainly must have been difficult in 1985 to play live before Clapton, Phil Collins, and the Led Zep reunion!

[@lorrainepigeon2873]

I agree. And there are bands that do extremely well in an open-air stadium and others not so much. For example, the incredible revival of Queen, which was in its dying days until Live Aid at Wembley.

[@tedfangc]

You got that right!!!

[@maitai1180]

@@lorrainepigeon2873 Yeah, or as Brian May put it, "Either you can play live, or you can't."

[@allowyou9225]

They were legendary that day and their legendary now

[@JeffBailey1999]

I agree. What song did they cut from their set?

[@Iceblooo]

Ooops. Pardon my awful typing. I meant to say .....I would pay right now to see the Twins live once more. In fact I would pay a LOT to see them live again.

[@nicolasferrari6390]

Nostalgia por una época que nunca viví.

[@geraldspencer1956]

Well, this answers something I've wondered for years. How can three people create this awesome hit? There's a lot more than three people in this group. :)

[@urmo345]

July 13, 1985 i was able to see it even in Soviet Union because Finnish TV was on reach of our antennae. :) Had not idea about band and i did not speak english, but i DO remember this song now :)