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 greatest albums of 87. Still have my LP.

[@Originalstapo]

Super Album

[@paulhooker6346]

This is not a boy band, this is a very good 80s funky pop group of the highest quality .

[@Generalbas1972]

well technically it is a boy band since the four original members were all boys - but yeah i know what you mean just couldn't resist😂

[@bigpants6121]

these 'boys' do not have a feeble voice like most boy bands do.@@Generalbas1972

[@danieldaley9097]

YOU’RE JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE VERY TALENTED ! Lol

[@tonyjones2838]

Boys bands tend to only sing not play own instruments

[@susannepowell8914]

You are so right!!!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@markchawner1586]

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

[@dannytafrodon]

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

[@alleykeosheyan4779]

They reacted to that one a few months ago!

[@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!

[@SLOPPEWALL]

"Children Say", another fine Level 42 track.

[@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.

[@andrewroberts4736]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@michaelscarn007]

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

[@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!!!!!

[@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.

[@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"

[@philhardy1179]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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 😆

[@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

[@georgedominguez255]

Love this song!!!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@JasonKelley-nr6nf]

One of my favorite songs of all time. Love Level 42

[@TheNotedHero]

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

[@lesleycarney8868]

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

[@revgurley]

Love this album. Thanks for the reaction!

[@oldwight6703]

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

[@jimmymac4559]

I wore this vinyl record out

[@arthurmc3929]

Thank you for reacting to the best music of all time and I LOVE THIS BAND …LEVEL 42 Launches me to an special moment in my life…THE 80s

[@artdogg50]

That Mark King bass gets me every time!

[@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.

[@DEmma1972]

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

[@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"

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.

[@nickyd6457]

“Running in the Family” is a choooon!

[@emmettervin]

Classic.

[@kitskivich]

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

[@Robotsausagemusic]

Gotta love level 42 Mark king best bass player in the world and a voice to match. Sending love x

[@johnthompson3522]

Certified banger

[@yvonnemendez3075]

Luv his voice great jam😅😅

[@krissybrowne8495]

Wicked bass player! Sooo many good songs!

[@fayesouthall6604]

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

[@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!! 🙏✌️

[@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

[@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”.

[@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.

[@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..."

[@sherrihayward4500]

YES!!!!! ME TOO!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ YAY!!

[@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.

[@binky1612]

I get tears of sheer happiness listening to this song!

[@enriquetheprofessor]

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

[@kevinhaynes2699]

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

[@jimipurple123]

Brilliant band. Always on the playlist

[@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 🇺🇸 ❤❤❤❤

[@alpsskiman]

Mark King was originally a drummer who moved over to bass and lead vocalist. He became one of the best slap bass players of the 80s. World Machine was their breakthrough album in the states. "Leaving Me Now" is another great single from that album.

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

This is yet another great 80s song from the most innovative decade in music history! To today’s artists, you can learn how to produce great music by listening to more 80s sound like this here from Level 42!!

[@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".

[@dgauper]

Awesome band. 2 great voices and great songs!

[@beachcoconut1208]

Mark King is God on bass & great voice

[@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.

[@SuperKevin57]

Dig the slap bass.

[@SimonColey]

Great Band memory songs

[@therunningmanz5339]

One of my favourite groups of the 80s. So unique and mesmerizing sound. Fantastic track. Another one to check out is 'Its Over' arguably my favourite from them!

[@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.

[@stephensutton4286]

In a live concert i saw bassist and lead singer Mark King play slap bass solo 15 min non stop, incredible, as is the whole group.

[@mccdiy6978]

YEAH!!! Thank you! You did Level 42 again! Next up please…my absolute favorite Children Say!

[@bones1959]

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

[@lesrolon40]

That bass ❤

[@lesrolon40]

Bring back so many memories. ❤❤❤

[@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!!

[@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!!

[@mac2920]

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

[@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. ✌🏽

[@AL13NM]

I remember when this first came on the radio, loved it instantly!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@michaelalejandro3267]

It’s cool to see young people listening to music that I grew up with in the 80s as a teenager.

[@JohnnyUtah15]

Another Level 42 banger is “Hot Water”. Bass line is a thumper.

[@NoCanDu]

Yes!🙌

[@coachtomas]

TRUTH !

[@seanswinton6242]

@@coachtomas Check out their later tracks like "All Over You" and "Forever Now." Those have that "Hot Water" groove, but they've added real horns. Also from 1988 "Tracie" with drum monster Gary Husband.

[@seanswinton6242]

@@NoCanDu The later Level 42 has added horns. Check out "Forever Now" and "All Over You"

[@NoCanDu]

@@seanswinton6242 I’ve had the CD since 1993! 😉 Have Guaranteed also. I think I have the whole catalog plus remixes, etc. Big fan here!

[@denisdelaney9272]

It's only now that I have realised how grateful i should have been to be around to hear this as being new pop rock metal a forms of music im blessed

[@user-cp5fp3nv2x]

If you want an 80s synth pop classic with a Falsetto voice try Bronski Beat-Smalltown Boy

[@Guildofarcanelore]

I was thinking of Bronski Beat too!

[@davidhuggan6315]

Ooh yes!! With the video!!!!

[@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 !

[@alexmarin4245]

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

[@Hagbard123]

Loved them since they had there first hit. Finally caught a concert last year. No seats, standing only. Knee and back got effed but totally worth it😉

[@annmonaghan4360]

Saw them at Newcastle City hall around 4 years ago in the October. It was Mark Kings birthday and the audience sang happy birthday to him. They sounded exactly the same live

[@MemoBar100]

What a great band!!!

[@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!

[@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. 😎👌🎸

[@MrJamieMonkey]

Saw these guys last year and they still sound as fresh as they did in the 80s

[@raymondohlsen5054]

I didn't recognize this song until it started playing. Brought back memories.

[@debbie995]

LOVE Level 42!

[@mojokg13]

My favourite level 42 song has to be 'leaving Me now' such an awesome song. Loved this reaction guys 👍