Gilbert O'Sullivan - Interview

[@gottfridvaneck4933]

I recently bought an old copy of Gilbert's first album Himself. It was in a Dutch thrift shop and costed me only 50 cents (in Euro). Wasn't even looking for tis lp, found it by accident but immediately remembered his 1971 hits on the radio when I was a kid. Matrimony and Nothing Rhymed of course. I didn't understand a single bit of the English lyrics back then, but I still tried to sing along. I even did a short Gilbert O'Sullivan playbackshow on my primary school with a cardboard piano I made myself and with (kind of) the same twenties (crisis) clothes he wore. So he was my musical hero when I was only 9 old. And now, exactly fifty years later, I found his music again by chance. I really enjoy it, not just for a trip down memory lane, but because of the timeless beauty in his songs.

[@rbjanitorialprod]

Mr. O" Sullivan has a special ability to write with a perfect sound. Very talented man.

[@lillylilac3831]

Loved Gilbert all those years ago, and still do, such a talented singer songwriter, it's a real shame that he never did get the recognition, he so richly deserved. His song's are so simple, but so true to life, long may he continue.

[@joseperezdelgado9939]

Gran compositor he. Interprete. Que conoci su musica trsbakando la. La escuche y hice mucha. Voz

[@glamdolly30]

Didn't he get the recognition he deserved? He had many hits and made around £30 million! Many performers would love to be that kind of failure, lol!

[@geoffjoffy]

Gilbert, such a modest man - yet so talented. Thanks for this.

[@burgofichakia]

When I was a kid in Chile I was a fan of these brilliant melodies... I never thought I would be listening by 2020 to Gilbert and his talent. Thank you for uploading this JOYA!!

[@philpreston6406]

Anything, related to Gilbert O'Sullivan and I'm hooked. One of my favorite singers, for decades now.

[@tomsmyth4836]

The most modest genius in music - ever! What a lovely guy. Incredible Irish accent for a guy who moved to the UK when he was 7. We are in the presence of Music greatness that will not come around again. Take it in people!

[@deniseperryman2814]

I just adore Gilbert He’s a genius I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to see him he’s brilliant live love ❤️ from Denise in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💖😘👋XX

[@JeffDenham5691]

Saw Gilbert on 24 Mar 2018 in Perth, Western Australia and loved his concert. Still sounds great. His writing is very special. His way with words is unique...I think. :)

[@PianoGesang]

Methinks too :)

[@stevedawson256]

My sister played his songs endlessly in the room next to mine when I was young I now have my own collection on cd and strangely enough I know every word to all his songs 😂 . Brilliant singer/songwriter. Thanks for all the years and the memories Mr O'Sullivan you're a legend .

[@donnal.carlkuchinski1394]

I hope Gilbert knows how brilliant and incredible he is....he's the BEST songwriter ever....it's 50 years of creating music and Gilbert is STILL superb. For me, no other songwriter's music touches my heart like Gilbert's songs do

[@PianoGesang]

I agree with you and as far as I can say Raymond knows about his special ability.

[@anthonybrogan390]

He mentioned Paul McCartney as an influence, but I think he is a better Lyricist than Sir Paul

[@chadporter5907]

Brilliant, incredible, songwriters like you so described like Gill do not think as themselves as that/ as others may do and so it goes . Be bkessed

[@DG-mv6zw]

Judging by the interview, it seems pretty certain that he's well aware of his talent.

[@annebust602]

thankyou for the music you gave us loved it then and love it now !

[@raymondscott8499]

We moved into our house in the seventies very little furniture and a little record player.It was spring and the soundtrack to our life during this time was the L.P. Himself .Now aged 70 My beloved wife and I are still in the same house 4 children later. The other day I was working away in my little workshop and I said "Alexa play Gilbert O'Sullivan" I was thrown back 50 years with Susan Van Huesan and the likes. What a songwriter he is. Thanks for all the music Ray

[@jayrichardson6872]

God bless you MR O SULLIVAN You are a total true legend. A fantastic song writer. What a velvet voice 👍☮️✊🏼

[@DavidThomas-fz1qi]

Such an excellent interview and I'm very glad to have caught it. I've enjoyed Mr O'Sullivan all these years often returning to listen after quite some time. Don't really recall an interview so this was especially lovely. Many thanks 😊💖💐👏👏

[@ericleach7074]

Good interviewer, great subject, really good interview. I always hope that I will bump into Gilbert when I'm working in Jersey, he is certainly one of my favourite artists.

[@matt75hooper]

Gilbert O'Sullivan produced a song for the ages that touched every soul that heard it- Alone Again Naturally. There are artists that have made hundreds $ of millions dollars in their careers that can not claim such a mark. 50 years later I'm tearing up listening to that amazing heartfelt song. I dont find it super sad- I find it a prophetic explanation of every human being goes through sooner or later. Tremendous sadness. It is preordained the day your are born.

[@richardbickle4098]

thank you Gilbert for shining such joy into my childhood

[@jcddcjjcdnz]

Fantastic artist and person.

[@normasmith937]

That interview was very interesting, he is a very down to earth man, and the whole experience was most enjoyable.

[@chasleask8533]

I found his songs nostalgic , achingly so , even before I was old enough to have a past . 'We will' predicted how I would feel now , looking back at myself as a young father. Great stuff.

[@carljones9331]

I was about eight years old sat on my grandparents stairs hearing What’s in a kiss never knowing that now I am 46 I have over 200 of his songs. He is not talked about and so underrated.It’s just gone 2021 and the virus is still here and I I am waiting to go and and see him when we can go out again,my ticket is ready from a year ago.

[@afterlate8866]

"We Will' is indeed a lovely song and Gilbert should be proud of it. It really catches the essence of the very ordinary, every day events that make up the life of poor, but well cared for and well brought up Catholic (Irish) children. It is honest and also sad because this simple but safe life, narrow as it might have been, has gone for good.

[@WarrenFDuffy]

Well said!

[@alfching2499]

We Will is a Masterpiece.

[@helenmoore9528]

I have is entire CD collection, and love his writing abilities, I started buying his vinyl. But eventually started and completed my cd collection. I have been a fan, from the early days to the present. Would love to see Gilbert O'Sullivan the musical

[@TrueNeutralEvGenius]

Literally one of the greatest melody makers and lyric writers.

[@NisseOhlsen]

Thank you very much for uploading!

[@Soulmates94ver]

It was Ray's birthday 2 days ago - Happy birthday to one of my favourite singer/composer!

[@robvandervaart6489]

It looks like 'Come On Home' will be part of Gilbert's forthcoming 2022 album 'Driven'! 🙏

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

Himself is a classic album. Great songs, orchestration, production. Played it to death back in the day and know every word of it. The man is a genius.

[@dikless222]

Very smart man. I could listen to him chat all day! Massive part of my own musical journey...

[@johnr8095]

Love the line from matrimony " What Begins with "M" and ends in "alas!". Such a great line.

[@billymog]

What a great guy and a top songwriter.

[@havensabaini7334]

One of the most intelligent, interesting, innovative, icons...Mr. Sullivan. ☮️♥️🕉

[@cosmoshfa88savant66]

first time a heard Gilbert O'Sullivan was Clair,,,,i was on the CB radio,,someone was playing it over the air,,i was about 14y old,,,that was me hooked,,,,,

[@michelleoraboni8474]

Same! I absolutely love Clair! What a sweet song and catchy melody

[@williamowen6901]

What a really interesting man,looking forward to tomorrow night seeing him at Liverpool philharmonic hall should be great

[@keithvincent322]

I'd love to meet Gilbert one day, I've carried his songs around in my head since the early 70's.

[@user-zx6lf5so4w]

Hes pure genius, love all of his beautiful music.

[@DarrieWindeatt]

What a guy I grew up listening to Gilbert on my Fidelity turntable ! Ha! Timeless music from a much underated artist in this country 🇬🇧 I wish we could hear more from him on mainstream radio and TV in the UK. Talking of his law battles you can see how much that hurt him with regard, his manager and Claire the lady in the song. I'm so pleased, that's resolved itself now. Gilbert's parents wherever they are, in this world or the next will be immensely proud of him and rightly so. A true gentleman,musical genius as time and popular musical history will prove.

[@rogerd3051]

There are great song writers in the world , but there is only on Gilbert O'Sullivan , his song writing is timeless

[@glamdolly30]

4:44 American songwriter and singer Chip Taylor wrote the 1967 song 'Angel of the Morning' after hearing the Rolling Stones' 'Ruby Tuesday' on the car radio, while driving into New York City. He said: "I wanted to capture that kind of passion". Taylor also wrote the 1966 song 'Wild Thing' which was a hit for 'The Troggs'.

[@AppleMan531]

I was the one that sold Biz Markee Gilbert O' Sullivan's Alone Again(Naturally). Many years ago, I was a Manager at Colony Records on Broadway & 49th Street in NYC in The Famous Brill Building. One day Biz Markee came in and I was helping him. He wanted the album/Vnyl of Gilbert O' Sullivan's Alone Again(Naturally) which was on the album Himself. I had a copy in stock and sold it to him not knowing what he was going to do with it. He sampled it on his Warner Brothers album without Gilbert's permission. Gilbert didn't like it and sued Biz Markee and Warner Brothers records and won the case and the album was pulled from the shelves. Biz Markee's follow up album on Warner Brothers was entitled "All Samples Cleared". Gilbert will be playing his first concert in the USA in 45 years at The City Winery on July 9, 2019. The last time he performed in the USA was in 1974. I got my tickets and will be there at the show. I hope to meet him and personally tell him this story.

[@byronelenica8329]

A genius. I love all music..I play Himself in my car this very day. Its a masterpiece. January Git is a stand alone special beat.

[@MrHairyNeck]

He doesn't look 70. Thanks for the video.

[@davidcassidy9013]

Hairy Neck

[@geoffbrown5939]

So, what’s wrong with looking seventy.....if you’re there? Mature.....yes. Mentally there? Definitely, ......artistic, humourous, melodic......on and on he goes and grows. Unlike the the over-the-top rap rockers with nothing intelligible to say today.........they can’t sing.....can’t articulate....a lot of stupid jumping up and down to over-amplification and distortion. Thank you Gilbert for years of great tunes.....and hard work.

[@elizajohn5]

It`s great after all these years that Gilbert hasn`t lost his Irish accent.

[@jharris947]

Been a big Gilbert fan since his early days. I loved the bit about the Japanese rock band version of Alone Again......Really enjoyed the video and could have listened to him for another hour.

[@kmlh9]

thank you!

[@postekomo5893]

I knew it! The melody! Not the lyrics! I can hear from his songs that the melody is kinda special and very pretty! That's why I love his songs so much! Thank you Gilbert!

[@kevinmorley3263]

i cant wait for february 16th... at buxton opera house... to see this very very talented man...

[@dadodydo]

Great songwriter and storyteller; now that Mr. O'Sullivan mentioned Mr. Dylan's influence, I can see the relationship. A very interesting interview.

[@frankhogan7541]

About 30 years Ago. In the days of Cassettes I had a Tape which Included a Song of Gilbert's called "Gulliver" The Story Of The Song was based on Gulliver's Arrival In Lilliput. The Chorus Goes "Gulliver, Gulliver Watch Your Step, You're The Biggest Thing We've Seen Here Yet, Take Care, Take Care Take Care When You Walk Around". Could Someone Please ask Mr O'Sullivan if he'd post that on Here Thank You.

[@petersutton2182]

Great interview thanks for sharing

[@teabag3339]

Thanks for your visit to Ilkley October 2019.

[@voulafisentzidis8830]

I've loved and listened to his music from the beginning. Despite his comment that Nothing Rhymed was written without having personally experienced the sentiments expressed in the lyrics it's obvious that he's an old soul to have been able to write such beautiful, heart-felt lyrics in that and his other songs without the benefit of life experience, certainly at the beginning of his career. I'm not surprised by the depth of his lyrics written as an older man although some never mature even with aging. Given how militant the music companies are against the public for streaming music for free, it's disgusting that Warner's used his music without permission.

[@JendrixHimi]

Amazing that Gilbert talks of the other bands and seems to feel lesser ,, Shadows, Beatles etc , obviously in volume he was not with them, but in actual great songs , Alone Again was as great as any song ever made , ANY song, as good as any Beatles song , and that is the highest praise , That is like a BMW M3 naturally aspirated V8 !

[@faustusTVR]

A BMW? Talk about damning with faint praise.

[@glamdolly30]

Hugely talented man who was self taught on piano and wrote his own songs.

[@kidcharlemagne7238]

you can hear he has spent weeks on his songs, fantastic Gilberto :)

[@RogerCarpenter-bz8ue]

Love your songs I write poetry and had one published in Australia for the terrible fires I am now writing a sc/fi novel it’s just the artistic in me I do it for me I paint for my own. My first records of yours were not for sale as I was a dj then always the gentleman and live that you only write for yourself as you truly have a god given gift. My grandson is playing the piano takes after me I can play piano and organ.

[@steveclarke2189]

very interesting guy and great songwriter,keep it goig gilbert!

[@carljones9331]

Thank you Gilbert,it’s that simple.

[@jc6594]

Happy 70th Birthday Gilbert

[@globe255]

He is 100% right, a song needs to be melodic.

[@reginacoelicostanogueira7629]

thank you for giving us love, sir

[@bjbell52]

One of my favorite albums was on I found in the clearance bin at a grocery store. It was an album that featured the songs of Raymond O'Sullivan on one side and Gerry Dorsey on the other. Anyone else ever hear of this album?

[@dennysmith7862]

GREAT TALENT - NICE GUY TOO... 70 is the new 50... 50 is the new 30...AGE is an ATTITUDE not a number... Mick Jagger is 78 & still rocking!!! Our generation ... what a party it was... feel so sad for teens today - everything is SO serious...

[@helenmoore9528]

2022 New album called Driven going to see Gilbert/Ray at Saint George's Hall Bradford October 2022.🎉

[@michaelclements7824]

What can I say i have followed Raymond from when he started and have all his work im a big fan he is the only song righter that can use the word bagsey in a song the man is a genius he can make you laugh and cry in one song 🎵 Well that's what I can say 😆

[@tbeau6663]

Top man

[@markdarley7167]

Brilliant

[@tomkent4656]

Gordon Mills was very short-sighted in his later dealings with Ray.

[@wallyklw5]

My precious 5 yr old named Claire, listen to the song most nights at bedtime and talk of our love for each other

[@partsunkown5681]

Claire is a song about his lust for a little child! Disgusting and then the laughter at the end is creepy.

[@olearysgrave]

@@partsunkown5681 You disgusting piece of shit. I pray for any child that you get near.

[@maryderham8933]

luv him x

[@67Parsifal]

Ray comes across very well in this interview. Very generous of him to say these words about Gordon Mills, who did indeed do a lot for him at the start of his career and recognised his talent and how it should be presented to the world. I well remember the court case and the judge’s damning verdict on Mills (‘Mr. O’Sulivan is an honest man; the same cannot be said for Mr. Mills’). By that point, Mills’ empire had come crashing down and he was in the grip of a terminal gambling addiction. He died only a few years later. Sad. 😊

[@CliffMcAulay]

Between this terrible interviewers posturing, it is a treat to hear Gilberts reminiscences. Thank you for posting.

[@dmcnamara9859]

Cliff McAulay: Many Journalists/Academics' traits are to try to suck the creativity from those that are Masters in Music, Arts,Engineering,etc.>>>>>which of course leads to speculation of how this and that came from wherever....the erudite will never get it,know what I mean?

[@paulfinn8871]

Couldn't agree more. He spoke over him within two minutes of starting the interview....no way back from there.

[@kathyf5549]

I saw nothing wrong with Neil's interview of Mr. O'Sullivan, he seemed very knowledgeable, and was trying to get info that, maybe, we hadn't heard before. AND Gilbert is so talented and confident, SOOOO SEXY!!

[@martinwedge7732]

There’s nothing wrong with Neil’s interviewing technique. He knows his subject matter and sets the stage for Gilbert to elaborate so we get to know the nuances of his writing style. There’s plenty of space for Gilbert to chat and tell us his story.

[@CliffMcAulay]

@@martinwedge7732 Ok Martin.

[@manguera9]

reading sheet music doesnt mean you got talent in music anybody can learn to read music Composing music is the big thing playing and instrument with skills and improvising with heart thats talent.

[@onlyonce1707]

I wanted to know more about these lyrics he wrote at such a young age.

[@tatjbere]

This interview is so interesting, especially when you going to have oral finals in music 🎶

[@sharonboldy6291]

The best 👌

[@jc6594]

Happy 75th Birthday Gilbert

[@ellesnyder942]

lol he could have passed for a young Craig Ferguson in that "Matrimony" clip.

[@helenmoore9528]

Gilbert O Sullivan the Stage Musical. Good Idea Ray

[@littlebigmanlbm]

Anyone know if a Bonaparte shandy is brandy and lemonade ???

[@Leeds-iq9ty]

Lovely man

[@teacat55]

Charming man to this day

[@DelilaBlack]

Brilliance

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

Gilbert O'Sullivan is a genius.

[@raymisnt]

So, I'm listening..... I veered off, as we can now do (via the web) and listened to 'Latin Ala G'..... It isn't you Gilbert; not the singer that once sung to the common man; you know? Remember us? Those normal people that had for so long waited for a fellow common man, with the ability to express that which we could not express, buy which you were able to express on our behalf. You've forgotten the effect that you had all those years ago, upon us, the 'common man'.

[@tomsmyth4836]

Ray Mutch Jesus Ray do you actually think he has ever been anything other than a working mans man? If you do...think again. Why do you think he never wanted the limelight or the overseas stuff. He is about as down to earth as you can ever get in music. Come on Ray???

[@kidcharlemagne7238]

sounds a bit like Mc Cartney, the Irish blood I guess !!

[@gerrynightingale9045]

Let's see here...Art school...musically self-taught...loves playing words against each other...likes writing 'pop' songs...doesn'tlike being 'pidgeon-holed' into any one style of writing or performing...hmmmm.This reminds me of a Liverpool boy...wish I could remember who it is!

[@bjbell52]

From what I've heard he isn't musically self-taught. Rick Davies, a schoolmate and friend, taught him how to play piano and drums. Gilbert mentions in the interview, he was in Rick's group "Rick's Blues". From what I've heard, Gilbert was best man at Rick's wedding.

[@helenmoore9528]

Gilbert O Sullivan the Stage Musical Maybe one day?

[@tiqvahone]

Strange how he, Paul McCartney and Phil Keaggy have similar looks.

[@flat5sharp11]

Gilbert has an uncompromising honesty and lack of pretentiousness in interview similar to Joni Mitchell. Perhaps that level of personal authenticity is required to write meaningful lyrics that touch people deeply.

[@anthonybrogan390]

Healthy Arrogance... never heard that before

[@cosmoshfa88savant66]

around 1984

[@Aromaticduck]

I much preferred him when he went solo from Gilbert and Sullivan.

[@clouddweller1195]

The Irish.

[@andypac7]

A Peaky Blinder way before the TV series.

[@GantzIsSloppy]

36:19

[@richardbickle4098]

j s lowery caricature but with fantastic vocals

[@Igzia.B]

The guy must be related to Jack Watson(Wild Geese)

[@chadporter5907]

To bad John Hammond Sr. Didn't get his hands on Gill. He was just o light and " Alone Naturally