FIRST TIME HEARING FIRST TIME HEARING Level 42 - Lessons In Love REACTION

[@robsmith6461]

Lead singer Mark King, is a brilliant bass player. Level 42 are funky and a staple of British and radio in the 80s and not a boy band at all!

[@ZeeDahktah]

They’ve come a long way but still have a lot to learn.

[@donnakubiski5572]

Definitely not a boy band.

[@philiptodd6255]

Level 42 were a jazz funk band with U.K. hits from 1981 to 1987

[@ajakuk1]

The best group to ever come out of the Isle of wight ❤

[@kevinhurston1555]

If you listen to a really good bass player he doesn’t compare at all. This is watered down funk

[@agoodday4pi]

Love Level 42. Running In The Family is such a solid album!!

[@seanswinton6242]

I agree. I would add "Staring At The Sun," "True Colours" and a later release "Forever Now" on which they added horns.

[@ricardobento6474]

Children Say too

[@conan5885]

Yes it is. One of the best of 87. Still have my LP, still remember the day i got it at the record shop after school too

[@Originalstapo]

Super Album

[@NoCanDu]

They are a band’s band! They all play their instruments and sing impeccably! Pure musicians.

[@sidneyjackson8005]

Great group I listened to in High School

[@sfcub-Bill]

Not a boy band... They are a Bands band! The vocals, the Bass, the musicianship! Pure Talent and Craftsmanship! And still performing! Awesome Band!

[@gwenda2808]

I agree they are not a boy band. But are you saying they can't be a boy band because they are British? I hope not because you also gave the world Take That and Boyzone. lol

[@phild6193]

Boyzone ain’t British!

[@davidsonofyisrael]

​@@phild6193If Boyzone is British, then U2 is Yugoslavian.

[@ericpolese4957]

Level 42...just pure talented musicians...great catalog..Mark is great vocalist and bassist.."Leaving me now",is a epic composition

[@seanswinton6242]

I agree. I always wanted the piano solo to be longer. It is why I like the live version.

[@pattiebraymanskelly954]

My fave by them

[@marlew6629]

ditto

[@jamesevans5743]

Living it up - the sun goes down. Make that you’re next Level 42 track!

[@no2all]

Level 42 is from the Isle of Wight. Their lead vocalist (Mark King) is also the bassist and performs with a "slap"-style technique originally credited to funk bassist Larry Graham and further developed by jazz great Stanley Clarke. This is one reason why Level 42 is often given credit to its funk and jazz origins.

[@donnakubiski5572]

I had never known about his bass playing technique until someone mentioned it in a comment that I read. So I searched and found a live performance video for this song and his playing just blew me away. I had never seen anyone play the bass that way before. It was utterly amazing.

[@fayesouthall6604]

@@donnakubiski5572when you watch Mark play slap bass. One of his formative music experiences was seeing mauvishta orchestra who are a free jazz group on tv.

[@thewomble1509]

@@fayesouthall6604 Mahavishnu Orchestra. Stanley Clarke was the bassist.

[@pauljarman4929]

Level 42 are still touring. I saw them in Cambridge last year and they are awesome live!

[@seanswinton6242]

Congratulations. I'm in the USA and haven't seen them in decades! Huge fan still! Enjoy!

[@michaelasay8587]

​@@seanswinton6242US ... terrible!! Hope u guys vote right next time!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@hellokimmy68]

This song was a big hit in 87, my first year in college. I don't even remember the last time I heard it, but holy cow, the memories just came flooding back. I loved them back then, but hearing them now in my 50s, I have such a greater appreciation! Thank you!

[@dannytafrodon]

'Something about you' is my favourite of Level 42 songs.

[@alleykeosheyan4779]

They reacted to that one a few months ago!

[@markchawner1586]

"Hot Water" .... "Children Say" .... "Heaven in our Hands" .... "The Sun goes Down" ...."Guaranteed" .... All outstanding Level 42 tracks .....

[@SLOPPEWALL]

"Children Say", another fine Level 42 track.

[@andrewroberts4736]

Listen to the slap bass of the genius Mark King. 😁

[@vizzini589]

Level 42 and Talk Talk. Two of the 80's best bands. Both featured great musicianship.

[@coldwhite4240]

Indeed, and both criminally underrated in retrospect. They don't get the recognition today for being such a significant part of the early and mid 1980s especially, as they should do.

[@davidf6117]

Wow yes agreed, my two favourite bands both massively underrated!

[@JeanPierreWhite]

Such a classic 80's hit. Very polished and groovy. Agree with Amber this is very accomplished music, it's not just a teenie bopper boy band. They have talents.

[@MorrisB1971]

Love this song!! Brings back memories!! Love the band and his voice

[@juniorvega42]

Level 42 were on their own "level"! The lead singer, who is also the bassist, was considered one of the best bass guitar player in the world. These guys are just pure and great musicians! Little nugget of info: The 12" version of this song is still to this day the record I use to test out my sound system. The production and the recording quality of that 12" is beyond incredible! Sounds better than pretty much every other record I own, and sounds better than most recordings of these days. Just a great song in all aspects!!!!!

[@michaelscarn007]

LOVE YOU GUYS! Thank you for becoming such a welcome, positive, staple part of all of our lives ... you are amazing.

[@Jude_196]

OMG - CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! :) This was one of hubby's FAVORITES - he LOVED LEVEL 42!! THANKS, YA'LL, for refreshing my MEMORIES!! HUGS!!

[@herminiahernandez1512]

Love, love, love this song. Takes me back to my teenage years. The best time, my teens was all music.

[@marksmall6145]

And to prove Level 42 are not just a Brit funk band try 'Its Over.' Full of great melodies, harmonies and tear jerking lyrics.

[@SimonWilliams-n3d]

I saw an interview once with Mark King, bassist and singer for Level 42, he said in 1986 their record company challenged the band to write a really big hit which they never had before and Mark was inspired to write and compose Lessons in Love from listening to Vera Lynn's big hit during the second world war "We ll Meet again". If you listen to Lessons in Love and We ll Meet again, there are similarities. Lessons in Love still remains Level 42s biggest hit in the UK.

[@geraldlevin1383]

Awesome band,absolutely love level 42,mark of a great band is that their songs still stand up today as they did then,lyrical and musical geniuses.

[@MrSteveLoucks]

I sooooooo loved Level 42. Next, check out Running in the Family! You already loved Something About You, one of my all-time favorites.

[@seanswinton6242]

"Leaving You Now," and "Hot Water" 🔥

[@davidhuggan6315]

Good story in Running In The Family

[@thewomble1509]

@@davidhuggan6315 Mr Pink, Dune Tune, Heathrow, Kansas City Milkman. There is much more to L42 than chart material.

[@nedeast6845]

the lyrics to Running In the family, it is the kind of song you wish you could write yourself

[@falafavasofa]

Aztec Camera - Oblivious, General Public - Faults and All, Boom Boom Room - Here Comes The Man

[@DorkThink]

Aztec Camera! I love love love Roddy! ❤

[@rockyibrahim]

#Rob Squad, Watch their live video of this song and witness this vocalist on how he played his bass guitar.

[@heidichristensen7919]

Sings, plays bass AND chews gum! Mark is a beast!

[@virtualal]

Totally agree !! Its easy to misinterpret what you are hearing as lots of electronic synthesizers. Watching a live performance sets the proper context for appreciating Mark King’s talent

[@TheNotedHero]

One of their best! Mad nostalgia feels. Another song of theirs to check out, a ballad called "Leaving Me Now"

[@db-gb5xi]

Other 80s acts to check out, Go west - call me, we close our eyes; Bodeans - you don’t get much, only love, closer to free; David and david - welcome to the boomtown, swallowed by the cracks, ain’t so easy; Abc - when smokey sings, be near me; Hothouse flowers (irish) - I’m sorry, don’t go, give it up; The alarm (welsh) - rain in the summertime, sold me down the river; World party - ship of fools, all come true, way down now, put the message in the box; The call - let the day begin, the walls came down, I still believe, everywhere I go; Thompson twins - lies, lay your hands on me; The motels - total control; Romeo void - a girl in trouble, never say never; Thomas dolby - I love you goodbye, Europa and the pirate twins, I love you goodbye; Timbuk 3 - the future’s so bright, life is hard

[@bridgemanjr]

Don't look down GO West

[@CharCanuck14]

Yes yes yes to David+David's "Swallowed by the Cracks" & Hothouse Flowers' "I'm Sorry, Don't Go.."

[@chrism70kc]

Agree with Go West 👍

[@seanswinton6242]

@@bridgemanjr Also "One Way Street" "Innocence" by Go West

[@seanswinton6242]

Awesome list. World Party "She's The One"

[@gregtal33612]

I was living in England at this time and bands like Level 42, Curiosity Killed the Cat (Down to Earth, Misfit, Name and Number), Spandau Ballet, Madness Matt Bianco (Whose Side Are You On, MoreThan I Can Bear, Half A Minute) and singers like Basia (Baby You're Mine, Cruising for a Bruising) were top of my music list.

[@soulgalorememories9921]

“Hot Water” would be a good next peek at Level 42 - funky, bass led and great fun….look for a live version to see Mark King and bass in action.

[@philhardy1179]

''Leaving Me Now'' and ''It`s Over'' are two amazing songs by Level 42

[@Dazzler2339]

I went to see them back in October in my home town (Sheffield). They were brilliant and they've still got it. You've only just scratched the surface. Mark King the lead is the King of Slap Bass. You've got many more tracks to enjoy. With lots of BASS ! Just to correct you guys, LEVEL 42 were NEVER considered a boy band over here in the U.K. Just great musicians.

[@kitskivich]

LOVE Level 42 and this song. So smooth from the vocals to the music.

[@gwenda2808]

I'm glad you love them. I would never classify Level 42 as a boy band, though.

[@keithjones7390]

How insulting! 😮

[@trickygoose2]

Well they are an all-male band, but then so are Slipknot!

[@gwenda2808]

If you insist. We certainly weren't calling them a boy band in 1984. Boy bands are, generally speaking, heavy on the choreography.

[@gwenda2808]

@@trickygoose2 😆

[@craig2340]

Beautiful song! When you paused the song to make the mid-song comments, you mentioned how much you are enjoying the vocals. I was thinking, "Just wait for the part coming up shortly, when the keyboardist does his solo..."

[@yvonnemendez3075]

Luv his voice great jam😅😅

[@gailjohnson5950]

You need to do a live cut of theirs.. my personal fav is "Something About You". Don't know if you've reacted to it yet though. It is a banger for the ages, and Mark King thumb slappin' that bass and chewing gum while he sings lead!!! You will love it!! Thanks for all the love!

[@jeremyarrington9427]

i think they reviewed it but didn't see the great mtv video for it lol.

[@enriquetheprofessor]

They reacted to "Something About You "

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

0:28 Amber says they reacted to “Something About You”.

[@chrisf8855]

I LOVE this song. In fact, I was just listening to it. Glad that you checked it out and like it too. The 80s had the best music of all time, by far!!! FACT💯💯💯💯💯

[@ALMUK22]

@RobSquadReactions - Have you listened to any Aztec Camera? I think you’d enjoy the guitar sound. ‘Oblivious’ was their first hit from the album ‘High Land, Hard Rain’ all written and performed by the wonderful Roddy Frame who was only 18 when the album was produced.

[@lesleycarney8868]

one of the best bass players . . saw them live several times in the eighties.

[@MGrayl-ib5fo]

Level 42 had a great string of hits in the UK & Europe throughout the 80s - please check out "Sun Goes Down" - they turn it on its head with this one!

[@geraldlevin1383]

Truly brilliant band.i loved them then and still do now,and I appreciate them even more now as I'm getting older,so much better than the trash that's being churned out today,check out the song it's over by them,brilliant. Bring back the 80's.

[@DEmma1972]

With Level 42, the songs you have played today and in the past really need the video to really appreciate the instrumental awesomeness.

[@revgurley]

Love this album. Thanks for the reaction!

[@krissybrowne8495]

Wicked bass player! Sooo many good songs!

[@heidichristensen7919]

Level 42 is right up your alley - killer bass, awesome harmonies, and saxophone! I think their best showcase of what they can do is a live video of “Leaving Me Now”, at the New Theatre, Oxford in 2006. The harmonies in that song are breathtaking.

[@seanswinton6242]

Gotta do "Forever Now" and "All Over You" for the real bass and horn experience! Classic like "Leaving Me Now", "Hot Water", "Starchild" and "Dune Tune". Also "Heaven In My Hands," "Tracie" "Almost There", "Kouyate"

[@tl7796]

I'm new to this channel y'all are playing some great music. I'm 58 and grew up with this music. This is my favorite song by level 42 . If you've been in a relationship or marriage that failed but you still have feelings then this song will touch your heart. The song hits all the bullseyes, upbeat and soulfull lyrics. If you listen closely and watch the video it is about building and hopes that are gone with the wind.

Another HIdden GEM... this is a very good Band - Enjoy

[@jeffredd9965]

This was the first song I downloaded with audiogalaxy when I figured out what mp3's were back in the early days of dail-up internet.

[@oldwight6703]

From the Isle of Wight, England. The official video of this track is fun too. Excellent 80s band.

[@georgedominguez255]

Love this song!!!!

[@Pulpdiction1999]

Allegedly Lady Diana's favourite band in the 80's lots of historic footage of her attending their gigs back in the day.

[@nickyd6457]

“Running in the Family” is a choooon!

[@jimmymac4559]

I wore this vinyl record out

[@carolinaandreapadillagonzalez]

Me encanta Level 42!!!! Extraordinario grupo.

[@surlechapeau]

Jay & Amber, you’ll love Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes’ “Trapped Again”, “We’re Havin’ A Party”, “I Don’t Want To Go Home” and “The Fever”. Similar to Bruce Springsteen in style. Songwriters: "Trapped Again" (Southside Johnny, Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt); "Havin' a Party" (Sam Cooke)"; I Don't Want to Go Home" (Steven Van Zandt); "The Fever" (Springsteen). Van Zandt the guitarist from Bruce’s band. Saw Johnny in concert Nov.’81.

[@seanswinton6242]

THANK YOU! They are one my all-time favorite bands!

[@stefanwilliams2576]

The Fever video set at a pathetic wedding is hilarious! I don't want to go home should be a live performance

[@no2all]

One of the most fun live-performance bands ever. Love the songs mentioned above but my ATF is still "Talk to Me."

[@surlechapeau]

@@seanswinton6242 you're welcome!

[@surlechapeau]

@@no2all yeah, probably should have put Talk To Me before The Fever.

[@michaelmiller3980]

Took me right back to high school. Lifting weights at Lancaster PA racquetball club this song playing over the radio speakers. Great times

[@taragreenetarotastro]

This song was so parallel to what was going on in my life. I was living in Sedona Arizona in 1987 and my first marriage was very stressed out. This song was always on.

[@joannetyndall3625]

They also have a couple of heart breaking ballads-Its Over,and Leaving me now xx

[@davidhuggan6315]

Both excellent songs

[@joannetyndall3625]

@davidhuggan6315 agreed x

[@alexmarin4245]

One of the best 80's songs! I LOVE THIS BAND! GREAT REACTIONS, GUYS!

[@GeorgettaRoss-sg3hs]

Level 42 was NOT a boy band and never considered such. They are real musicians that understand the intricacies of jazz and funk and experimented with it. I don’t know if you’ve played it but Something About You was my fav.

[@miguelangelvalero6938]

Thank you for share your emotions again and again, blessings for you both and for your family, hugs and respect from Monterrey México friends!

[@greg6985]

The 80s.... what a decade!! Nothing like it since then and never will be duplicated!! Groups back then didn't need Auto-Tune!! Now anybody can be a singer!! 🙏✌️

[@emmahowells8334]

Knew you guys would love this one, I defy anyone who can stay still when this plays, you have to dance it ma,especially you move and you can't control it. Always loved the base line in their songs, awesome stuff. 😎👌🎸

[@sherylnantus9646]

Grew up with these tunes; loving to see your reaction! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@ianallsopp9841]

Awesome Band, I will say this again, I will say it a million times but you so have to watch a Live performance to truely appreciate their ability especially the Bass & Vocals from Mark King. You will be in Awe. They still tour and sell out every venue and you leave their concerts on such a high. For your next Level 42 reaction i would suggest " The Sun Goes down" Their first UK Hit or my personal favourite "Hotwater".

[@briancalibergbmd]

My favorite group of all time!! Saw the video for this song on MTV in 1987 and bought the album and all their albums!!

[@char8222]

One of my favorites for sure. I still have this CD and listen to it quite often. Other tracks I recommend are Two Solitudes, Running In the Family, It‘s Over, Fashion Fever , Children Say. The list goes on 😊

[@kevinhaynes2699]

Level 42 was Madonna's opening act for her "Who's That Girl Tour"

[@michellecasey5752]

Haven’t heard this in a long time. It still slaps! Thank you!

[@artdogg50]

That Mark King bass gets me every time!

[@ALMUK22]

Oh, wow! The wonderful Level 42 from my youth! Fond memories of one of my favourite 80s bands. Mark King’s bass guitar, vocals and song-writing are fantastic. Rob squad - you’ve clearly enjoyed what you’ve heard so far. Now listen to the equivalent of the old 12 inch singles of the times, and you’ll be even more blown away!! Oh the joys of having enough money to buy the 12 inch singles on vinyl! Those were the days! I still have all my 80s records in pristine condition on vinyl. It’s great to hear so many KZbinrs reacting to 80s tunes, and enjoying them so much. The music made the 80s a special time to be young. Level 42 are from the Isle of Wight, just off the South coast of England, which is where I live now. Mark King still lives there and is still performing - I had the privilege to see him in concert a few years back - his vocals and bass playing are still as great as they ever were. Try next

[@caz1385]

Was hoping this was the video version, if you could see Mark playing you would be amazed. Saw them live back in the day, remember the gig was being filmed. Some of my mates are on the live of this. Amazing…. Jay please watch a live of Level 42 to understand how Mark played. ❤

[@SEANBANOG4]

"The Sun Goes Down" is one of their best. Mark's bass just kills. Amber your Doppleganger is in the video, seriously.

[@virtualal]

That is so true !! Good shout !

[@mikekling]

Running With The Family!! It's another banger of theirs!! Please consider Johnny Clegg hits "Dela" - "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World" - Scatterlings of Africa" --- it's so great seeing you both discovering treasures from the soundtracks of our childhood and lives - we were truly blessed to have lived when these great songs were on the radio and back when MTV still played music videos - gosh - I'm OLD!!! LOL - love y'all - Keep Smiling!!

[@anthonyharty1732]

I went to see them live at their peak in the 80’s. They are a fantastic group, all great musicians as well.

[@claresmith-hill9417]

The Chinese Way, brilliant. This is the first band I saw live in 1985. Mark King's bass playing is amazing

[@genaroperez81]

I can see and feel how much you guys are "Feeling" this band. That's EXACTLY how I felt the first time I heard them in the 80's. Big fan. Underrated band.

[@CherokeeIrishman]

Awesome 👍 group I loved level 42 back in the 80's what music 🎵🎶🎶

[@mac2920]

One of best groups in the 80s. So unique. You need to see this done live

[@jrc58526]

I remember seeing Level 42 in London back in the late 1980s. Brilliant live band 😊

[@shawnkarabinos6263]

❤❤you guys FEEL the music!! It a joy to listen to your reactions.a new fan🎉

[@frankticasdroppinknowledge2363]

I can't believe you guys are checking them out! This and "Something About You" were songs that made me feel like an adult when i listened to them when I was 8-9 years old. It was funky mature music and I used to sing them out loud. You guys really do read the comments!

[@lepoetress]

Loved Level 42 and their musicality was top notch. I was surprised after Running In The Family, I didn't hear them on the radio anymore. They were very good

[@sarahtooldtocare8561]

Hopefully Rob noticed that the lead singer is the basis guitarist as well. Also the name level 42 come from a book call the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy buy Douglas Adams a great fun set of books you might want to read sometime.

[@dale3852]

Love his bass mate

[@seanswinton6242]

Mark King aka Thunder Thumbs" bass guitar god!

[@dale3852]

@@seanswinton6242 I was lucky to see them live at Wembley arena with his red lights bass flashing away I there heyday. We loved his solo showing off filler. Crowd went wild.

[@Ramonafloyd]

World Party Ship of Fools ya'll need to listen to that u will love it!

[@christopherten-eyck4473]

Listen to that real voice, no autotune back then PURE TALENT .YOU CAN'T SING OUT OF TUNE ,OR NO RECORD LABLE WOULD ACCEPT YOU. THANKS FOR ANOTHER AWESOME REACTION. HELLO FROM PA USA 🇺🇸 ❤❤❤❤

[@fuiplu]

A band and staple of my teen years...One if the best bands...level 42, love em

[@enriquetheprofessor]

"Something About You " is my favorite by the band. But this one would be a runner up. It's definitely a VIBE

[@petercourtien4581]

I was ages 15 to 24 in the ‘80s. High School and College. It was so fun, but now I know how special the decade really was musically. So lucky!❤

[@jeffmelson9830]

You have got to listen to Level 42 (Mr Pink) Live at Reading Concert Hall. You will love the very bass driven song. Most of which is a bass solo

[@wencireone]

Next level 🎸

[@fayesouthall6604]

A top band of the 1980’s and 1990’s. So talented.

[@terrimilka7805]

Another great one, you guys are playing gold!So talented and unique sound ❤

[@stevegirard-voiceaudiopodcasts]

No one should be dissing Mark King: great bassist, writer & vocalist. Many great songs on this album; To Be With You Again, Children Say, and the album’s title track is one of my fave’s… and don’t miss Two Solitudes, with keyboardist Mike Lindup’s lead vocals, and a great chorus!

[@bones1959]

Mark King, amazing vocalist and amazing finger plucking bass player. one of the best ever if not not best. X

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Prior to Les Claypool, there was Mark King inspiring bass players to stick out their thumbs and start slapping. But he himself said that he got it from players like Larry Graham and Stanley Clarke.

[@PjRjHj]

Stanley Clarke's "Lopsy Lou" is the direct inspiration for Level 42's "Heathrow"

[@RastaSaiyaman]

@@PjRjHj Yes, and that first album is very much a Return to forever salute in its entirety. Level 42 were a way better band than people give them credit for.

[@richardyoung2578]

Love this guys, reminds me of growing up in the 80s to so many fantastic tunes and I have been blessed to have seen Level 42 a few times. If you get the chance check out Children Say, which they filmed in Paris, Love Games, Sun Goes Down, Leaving me Now, It’s Over and so many more❤

[@BaccarWozat]

Thanks for revisiting one of my favorite groups! I do hope you'll come back and explore many of their other songs which, though not always hits, are quite excellent. "Sirens", "The Sunbed Song", "Micro-Kid", "The Chant Has Begun", "Kouyate", "Foundation And Empire", "Love In A Peaceful World", "Eyes Waterfalling", "Coup d'Etat", "Man"... Level 42 are one of those kind of groups where every song is interesting and listenable.

[@kevinturner9733]

I'd forgotten about this one until it just came up on my fyp. From Level 42's Forever now album "The sunbed song. The live version recorded in 2022 is so damn funky it should come with a health warning!!

[@BoricuaBox]

I would love for Jay and Amber to react to British 80s pop group ABC - When Smokey Sings - Be Near Me - Poison Arrow

[@mito66]

And 'The Night You Murdered Love'

[@tamcon72]

They already did "Look of Love." Pro tip: Before suggesting something, go to the KZbin search bar and type in "Rob Squad Reactions" followed by a band name. It will show you what they've already reacted to by that band.

[@jeremyarrington9427]

yes abc! be near me is my fave!

[@surlechapeau]

ABC's "Poison Arrow" also.

[@gabrielmcdonnell8699]

@@tamcon72 Thank you! It happens on every channel and habitually I reply with the link to the reaction. Not a crime but too often subs/viewers post how the reactors should do this or that song when it was already done in previous years. Btw, J & Amber reacted to “The Look of Love” in April of 2023. ✌🏽