Gilbert O'Sullivan | The Story Behind The Songs

[@Boobear16]

A massive part of my childhood,I still play his songs to this very day including white Christmas dec 2024 what an absolute legend Gilbert is and never to be repeated ❤️

[@leokimvideo]

Possibly the most underrated artist in the music history

[@DrWhom]

giving it all away

[@robharding4028]

I would have to agree with that sentiment, He's wrote some great songs.

[@theelvisguru9490]

I couldn’t agree more! Him and Harry Nilsson. Both criminally underrated.

[@anderskarlsson9236]

Alone again is a masterpiece in every aspect. Then, listening to songs like Matrimony and Clair makes you realise what an incredible range he has. As you say; underrated.

[@phila2361]

Beautiful songs from a truly gifted and beautiful songwriter. Please, don't let your songs die on a forgotten, dusty desk. Offer them..... GIVE them to any of today's "talent". I transcribed "Clair" for my big band remaining as faithful to the original as possible and I include it in my programs as often as I can. Please continue to gift your genius to the world.

[@JanuitGroningen]

This man was huge in the 70's. An incredible songwriter. Simple and beautiful.

[@emilianox3000]

80's, 90's, 00's and he's still so good

he was part of the soundtrack for me growing up far away in ZA, great big clunky 8 track tape, never to be forgotten.

[@shauncampbell969]

I remember him from the 70s, "Alone Again Naturally, Clare. All the best Shaun of NYC

[@jmc2284]

Adore him and his music.

[@jennyoshea1958]

Nothing rhymed. Beautiful. Great songwriter. Wonderful. Thank you, Gilbert O'Sullivan

[@tomred3506]

Fabulous composer and person too, it seems. Hugely underrated!

[@susanmassey5116]

Lovely Gilbert, brings back my youth, loved all his songs, great artist.

[@yanottial6058]

I recently "found" GOS, well underrated, many have become national treasures with half the talent this guy has. Thank you GOS for your music.

[@christiaanjellesma1851]

Completely down to earth genius who just wants to be in his own world, i can relate to that, this crazy world is getting to you

[@vladimirvlek]

Beautiful lesson about the creative process. This program is gold for human knowledge. I hope to visit the npo radio someday. Greetings and lots of supports from Argentina!

[@yvonnewinters9699]

I think - as a dutchie - it’s not as easy to get in. The Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum is and has great archives about (Dutch) tv & radio and its accessible - as a visitor.

[@merrickwitt6525]

Gilbert is a wonderful song writer and performer with a very iconic voice

[@thomasmarthinussen8978]

Gilbert OSullivan is such an insightful man and a superb songwriter. Love Is Like A Good Divorce....marvellous!

[@philpreston6406]

I love Gilbert's songs. So spiritual......and he's unique. No other artist, sounds like Gilbert. The berry best album, is fantastic!

[@digital6string1]

What an amazing song writer.

[@valtovey3676]

Fabulous songwriter - loved him since 1971 when I was 15 ❤ follow his concerts today. Just enjoyed one at Buxton ❤

[@AboutFocusTV]

Never thought I’d see you behind Grand Piano Gilbert ! Love all G O's songs.

[@jakela671]

Gilbert O'Sullivan has a sweet soul. I adore his song 'Claire"

[@beverlybradley5485]

I heard Clare for the first time in ages, and the words are quite bizarre, give them a listen and now I’d doubt if people would even release it these days.

[@elizabethmcaninch-gray5021]

I've loved Gilbert O'S since I was a young teenager - after all these years my husband and I are going to see him live later this month. I cannot wait! Oh the memories xx

[@kenlyneham4105]

Few I'm sure will agree, but for me, Ray O'Sullivan is the Gilbert and Sullivan rolled in with Irving Berlin, in the modern era. He has written so many classics that are timeless and that tug at the heart strings, they will endure for many generations. The reason they will endure is, the simplicity and truthfulness of them. His music strikes a familiar chord in us all.

[@maciejsochon]

Love the peace coming out of him

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

He's a good man as well as a great artist.

[@maciejsochon]

@@Khayyam-vg9fw I made over 100 songs in mylife and I feel okay about. He made much more. Decent guy.

[@mikekaraoke]

He was doing a Worldwide Tour last year, And I got my mum and dad tickets to see him at our local Theatre in UK. At the Orchard Theatre in Dartford

[@theelvisguru9490]

I saw him about 10 years ago at the Albert Hall. Amazing. And even more amazing when he sang Clair and then introduced her in the audience (Gordon Mills daughter)

[@julianwilsonsongwritermusi9413]

Really enjoyed the whole thing. What a Pro! - He reinforced what I already knew and forgot. 'Write for yourself', 'Just do it' ... All simple and powerful words. Long may he continue. Jules

[@jennyoshea1958]

Oh and I adore 'Why'. All his songs were magical.

[@wombatboter]

Fantastic songwriter with some incredible lyrics....

[@beller8501]

Simple man with a gift

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

A very gifted man, but not as simple as you might think.

[@NothingMaster]

Claire, Alone Again Naturally, and so many more unforgettable tunes. ❤🎉💯

[@nashavelli9508]

Very underrated musician...

[@lazlomattachine8334]

What a genius songwriter- you can tell he’s put the work in, and he seems like such a thoughtful gentleman.

[@chonas.4763]

Love his voice... Very natural..thats why alone again naturally😍

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I really liked his musical style, lyrics and presentation...it makes him distinguishable with the rest.

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Fantastic insights! As a songwriter myself(etc) I find it to be an amazingly mystical process. It took me till my mid-30's to really start writing, but that's when it was right. I needed the experience and desire to create.

[@kimbaker5905]

Love his songs .Brilliant

[@johnnyroadcrew3841]

Love Gilberts writing .. .. ..

[@marcjacobs5988]

'Clair': Probably, together with 'The Long And Winding Road' the songs I cried most to.....

[@robvandervaart6489]

Thanks for this Top2000 Special! I knew the one about 'Nothing Rhymed' but this one - about the craft of songwriting - is even more interesting. As is Gilbert Himself!

[@aubellefleurbbsigogne9252]

Mijn achterneef Gilbert is naar hem vernoemd! Deze clip van Matrimony was ik helemaal vergeten. Overigens is Gilbert (de zanger) nog steeds actief, ook op facebook.

[@meee48476]

Watching 2021 beautiful storey about clair😁👍

[@monticlassictv]

Most probably Britain’s most underrated singer/songwriter ever . . . Gilbert could write a song about a washing machine and it would be an instant hit I personally love his simple no nonsense songwriting talent and we are very blessed to have him God Bless you Gil and hello from us all here in Scotland.

[@NineHellHeaven]

Most probably because he's Irish.

[@craigbeale8540]

Love his music but he always lately reminds me of Roy Keane just the eyes and mannerisms And love that too. he's dedicated to his music, and still as he used to lays out all his music on his floor in a certain order to know where it is .... Just a lovely man

[@hwy1310]

It seems to me that There are more hearts broken in the world That can't be mended Left unattended What do we do What do we do Alone again, naturally

[@northernengland]

My late friend penned Adam Faiths songs, he said once to me Gilbert is a fantastic songwriter.

[@johncanavan599]

Simply the best attitude towards work and life ,a gift to us all

[@zhillaburns1160]

l love this man. fabulous

[@paulakrenn6554]

Underrated Underrated Genius!

[@markwilliams3174]

Not knowing his full biography but appreciating his early 1970s "purple patch" , I wonder if Gilbert might have benefited in his fallow years from engaging in more song-writing collaborations.

[@Your.Uncle.AngMoh]

The lyric is not "oh, hooray". It's "I'm going to marry you, will you marry me, Uncle Ray?" as O'Sullivan's actual given name is Raymond.

[@florisdejong1512]

He has the same facial expressions as Brian May, (guitarist from Queen)

[@michaelmuldowney3131]

I feel like an idiot for discovering him just now. But he is so brilliant.

[@renevishaarlem2948]

I would like to know more about his system with the cassette tapes !

[@oliviadegen7599]

Agreed

[@BillMcGirr]

Just a wonderful songwriter.👍

[@nervo6321]

Sounds an ideal lifestyle...deserved for a great talent...

[@bartcox274]

he acts himself great inspiration

[@mattstockton2433]

Love this man

[@keithvincent322]

I long for the day when rap disapears and this type of music returns

[@potiswad]

I'm so in love with Clair.

[@MatthewMaindonald]

This is such COOL SONG😊

[@SuV33358]

Oh Clair 👍🏼❤️

[@Otty-uk4hf]

When I was a kid I was living in Weybridge, Surrey. Gilbert O. had a big house in St. George's Hills (posh private estate). Me and my mate were doing bob a job (scout's thing), He had a big Rolls outside on his drive. We rang the bell at the gate and he answered. We told him what we were doing and asked if we could wash his car for the good cause. I'll never forget, via the intercom he shouted F..k off. Lol! I guess he was having a bad day :/

[@Channel-os4uk]

Swindon misses you, Giblets O'Sullivan...

[@svenfeenstrakuiper]

Does anyone know the intro music, the song before 'Where did you go to?' started playing.

[@bigsqwill3446]

I had the same question and thanks to some Shazam magic I found it! The Song is Swimming by Bernard Herrmann from the soundtrack of a film titled Twisted Nerve. The title track from the from the movie’s soundtrack was featured prominently in Kill Bill!

[@luvyesmusici4886]

Brilliant Legend.

[@barrypatrick5512]

Rob, You have good taste in music

[@dm95422]

He should team up with Paul McCartney and produce a duet album. That would be amazing.

[@danvickers3211]

I noticed he still has the fats domino lp which he talked about in an interview in his home in 1972

[@Ardoyne10]

I seen him many times over the yrs around the country best place was Ronnie Scots jazz club in soho.back in 2000 great

[@badideabearcub2747]

So, his biggest hit around here was Alone Again, and no mention of it? I guess not in the Netherlands.

[@TeeKing]

A treasure...a true treasure.

[@psv998]

You can’t force creativity.

[@wimschoneveld5359]

haha, "Uncle Ray" in Clair is vertaald als "Hoera" in ondertitels. Gilbert is Raymond Edward O'Sullivan (Ray)

[@tanglewood777]

great songwriter

[@maddymud]

Seriously? No “Alone again Naturally?”

[@maddymud]

@Email Subjekt - actually I was way better at school than life. But, you seem to have a winning personality.

[@BattlecatRed]

I know, I was slightly disappointed by that - but this was a good documentary still

[@StratsRUs]

Magnificent

[@evanokeroa4877]

Back in the day

[@unc1589]

Good melody waters the eyes! I can write 10 songs using the different melodies in Clare alone. By the time that song gets to the harmonica outro I am a bowl of mush. Every Single Time! I can’t listen to it in public. The structure of his songs are just breathtaking to me. The bridge in “ Naturally” has 8 moves in it. EIGHT! Just the bridge! It’s how he comes out of that bridge “what do we do” 2x. Masterful! He’s a melody machine and a lyrical genius. Glad he goes to church. I thought he was mad at God. He shouldn’t be. Because his gift comes directly from the throne. I’m not Irish but he validates my theory that the Irish historically are the kings of melody. Whoever wants to argue that just ain’t paying attention. Blacks have soul. Italians have gusto and high emotion. The Jews have amazing adaptation. But there’s something about those simple but complexed melodies of the Irish…. They make me happy to be sad.

[@tumadoireacht]

Always loved his music . Would really love if he recorded a duet with Ron Sexsmith.

[@tumadoireacht]

Or Carsie Blanton

[@hunky_wasabi]

him and barry manilow, are what I called poets

[@michaelodowd4807]

Quite an interesting character seems to be an air of dissatisfaction in his personality which is surprising as he had a great career,I noticed the same thing with Leo Sayer.

[@robvandervaart6489]

All through the years there's been a lot of people who mocked, derided, even despised him. Could it be for his original image, or his court-case against his manager. I don't know. I think he's Great with a capital G! And I agree when he says: "Those who can, write songs; those who can't, become critics."

[@johnnj3858]

This is great

[@evanokeroa4877]

Stay awake you,never die always prove true

[@jmc2284]

Lyrical genius!

[@myopenmind527]

Someone should tell him about Spotify. Could save a fortune.

[@シロダサンダー]

Going through a bunch of records and finding a gem is a joy Spotify can't really touch.

[@Hy-Brasil]

way too many commercials for an artist like him. spotify is for those with short attention spans.

[@longnetter]

Blimey he hardly looks any different from the 70's.

[@davidshillito]

... but he really should quit dying his hair now. Ray, take a cue from Bryan May & Tom Jones ... embrace the 'arctic blonde'

[@michaelgerardgosiengfiao9560]

Too bad he isn’t on Spotify!

[@kenjihemmert]

newark, new jersey?

[@Bottled-Soap]

No the isle of Jersey

[@DD-tt6up]

Simple committed genius

[@edgregory1]

Jersey must be lovely in Summer.

[@davidmalpass7129]

Mans a genius the end.

[@BakiSmaki27]

Nothing rhymed is a great great song.

[@jackevans2386]

A lot of posts here with many saying "Under rated Artist ". He was never under rated where I'm from. Maybe in the African Congo or somewhere like that.

[@morbenezra274]

He is an intelligent musician and with his appearance with the hat he looks like a simple man it's so funny 😂

[@Engelhafen]

I don’t think this gives much insight into the story behind his songs

[@evanokeroa4877]

Whose you're like the others aswell

[@robertcronin6603]

This guy is as British as they come.

[@anthonywood9041]

he's as Irish as they come.

[@KingpinTBM]

@@anthonywood9041 Only good thing to have come out of Ireland then aha

[@Dan-eq6po]

His posh Irish accent seems British

[@Dan-nt2yb]

He doesn’t talk about ‘Alone Again….Naturally’ because it almost tanked his career. Great song but..too depressing for some people.

[@TomLike2ski]

Ik mis in jullie lijst van band nog EEN ERG GOED NUMMER>>>>>>DE Kast In nije dei

[@humanseeksjustice8830]

Seems he isn't into black music much. Still he's a genius that creates awesome music.

[@Iloveflowers2024]

Yeah he didn't say any but I'm sure he has some in his collection. I did see a Ray Charles cd.

[@mieczyslawaszostak6904]

Kpham

[@khtlon]

An almost eighty year old with a wig.

[@sianiswack633]

I like his music collection. The story about his manager's daughter sounds like it could be classed as grooming

[@ERICKTERRAPLANISTA]

donde esta clair??????