Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Motherfucker=Redeemer (complete)

Hey!!!! My account just got enabled to upload videos longer than 15 minutes, and it's time to celebrate by uploading a track I never would have been able to upload the way I wanted to otherwise. This is from Godspeed's 2002 album Yanqui U.X.O., courtesy of Constellation Records.

[@munastronaut8147]

George felt strange standing inside the elementary school classroom. It was not just the size of the chairs and desks, which left him feeling enormous and plodding, nor the colorful decorations pasted against white cement walls. It was a… synchronicity, he thought, surprising himself with the word. A sense of deja vu. Staring at a dry erase board covered in a teacher’s careful scrawl, he felt like he had lived this moment before. The feeling scared him. He cleared his throat and ignored the uniformed military aide waiting for his order. “So, uh, should we get back out there and show these folks a good time.” Chief of Staff Andy Card stood against the wall. He seemed dazed. He stared wordlessly at the open black briefcase and the documents scattered across the teacher’s desk. Keys in the ignition. A cheer echoed through the walls, as the earliest states reported their returns. “Come on, now. Look, it’s important… It’s important that we take this as it comes. Don’t want to spook people,” George nodded, his speech growing faster as he talked. Endless sunny optimism. “Keep it going. Keep the machine going, y'know what I mean? These people came for a good time…” “Mr. President,” said Andy. “Deal with the problem in the morning but now we have a show…” “George,” Card’s voice was a croak. George let out a shrill laugh. He was beginning to grow angry now. He didn’t understand why Andy was acting like this, why he was trying to fuck him raw, after all they’d done to prove themselves to Dick, to Ted, to Poppy. There was another cheer from the auditorium. They were so close to the precipice. He gave Andy a smile so sharp it could cut. “We can’t disappoint these people. We’ve done so much. We’ve handled the situation. Deciding. I’m the decider. They’re voting now because-.” “Mr. President,” the uniformed man’s voice was firm but surprisingly gentle. George turned. “You have just ordered a nuclear strike on a hostile government.” A beat. “As we speak, your order is being transmitted. It will be acted upon imminently if not already.” Another beat. “Once the Government of China’s early warning systems detect our launch, they will retaliate.” The man’s eyes were not unkind, but they bored into his own. “Do you understand?” George stared uncomprehending, his mouth agape. He wondered if Poppy was watching the returns right now, if he was sitting in his carpeted study with its red telephones and briefing papers and miniature cathode television and knick-knacks accumulated over a lifetime of service and distinction and good judgment. He wondered if he was waiting for him to call, waiting for his son, as he sipped on brandy and watched the returns pour in. The military aide turned to Card. “I need you to get the president’s detail. We have maybe twenty minutes to get to the airport and for Air Force One to be wheels up-with as many people aboard as possible.” The order went through Andy like a jolt. He left the room and was screaming for agents, who were even now barreling down the hallway. George felt himself being grabbed gruffly around the jacket, feeling the stitching come loose as he half-walked, half-skidded down linoleum tiles away from an auditorium of supporters. He could see the surprised faces of reporters and volunteers watching the president be dragged through a school. He could hear the low thrum of a helicopter being started. This was all wrong. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be happening. He needed his bagman. He needed Blake to give him his cell phone. He was supposed to be in DC with Laura and the girls and an adoring crowd at the Reagan Center that screamed like falling rockets. He needed the gleaming lights and sounds. Instead, he found himself hurried into the night, lifted into the chopper, and strapped into a chair. “But I still have to talk to Poppy,” George mumbled. His military aide did not respond as he slammed the helicopter door shut. He could not see the man’s face as the vehicle went airborn.

[@Alex-N-T]

I can feel the profits of pizza stores in the D.C area just sky-rocket up to an all-time high when I listen to this.

[@RichardNixonStan]

HOLY SHIT IS THAT A MOTHERFUCKING W. REFERENCE

[@ToHellOrUtopia]

I remember sitting in a park in south Minneapolis nearby where the George Floyd riots had broken out, my friends and I had fled to this park due to smoke from the fires and the tear gas and we couldn’t take it anymore so we fled to a nearby park to recover. I remember sitting on this grassy hill and tearfully watching so many clouds of black smoke billow over the city I call home, and this particular song came to mind. Specifically the part at 13:45. I watched the clouds of smoke grow higher, could hear the distant sirens, the boom of concussion grenades, even the faint noise of “Say his name, George Floyd!” chants from distant protesters. It’s an experience I’m never going to forget, catching my breath there on that hill trying to regain my composure.

[@officialRAGEgames]

Really don't know why people weren't keen on this album. I think it might be their best album, a very strong contender for skinny fists imo.

[@Sportfuck]

+OfficialRAGEgaming yep those two. rest are too pretentious.

[@Woahthere668]

Please tell me how music with no lyrics in them can be pretentious?

[@someguyontheinternet2714]

I think it's their best for sure.

[@peytonwarren1936]

Sailor Scrivner dude I love GYBE but have you read any of their song or movement titles

[@ezemusic8140]

Yanqui is deeper and more dissonant and polyphonic. In some moments it seems there are an optimistic melody over a pessimistic one. This record is absolutely unique.

[@cellperfecto421]

W. should have chosen Frist tbh.

[@eggbind2989]

That's why you don't watch Zoolander.

[@pomniplushie833]

Maybe he should have listened to the fat Ted Kennedy at the last minute

[@WakeUpEveryone]

F#A# - 10/10 LYSFLATH - 10/10 SRFNZK - 10/10 Y UXO - 10/10 A DBA - 10/10

[@Woahthere668]

LT 10/10

[@PDZofficial]

ALFOTHAD - ?/10

[@jakubk.7990]

yeah same

[@InfinityPotato97]

GPATSE - 10/10

[@billyalarie929]

@@InfinityPotato97 disagree.

[@Ardakapalasan]

Holy fucking shit. This isn't even music, this is in a league of its own. Abso-fuckin-lutely blows your brain to pieces.

[@articunojay]

I'm just going to say it right now. This is the greatest song of all time. I am sorry, but there is NOTHING that comes closer to fitting my defination of a perfect song. Long song, check. Epic orchestra-like instruments, check. Stir undescribable emotions, check. An all around experience instead of just a song, check. I could do the whole checklist, but that would take way too long. Hats off to you GY!BE, you have created the greatest experience ever. This surpasses even The 12 Step Suite and SDoIT by Dream Theater (my favorite songs from my favorite band.) Now, if I could only go to a concert and hear this live, I would be the happiest person on Earth.

[@articunojay]

True, but I feel like longer songs expand on the great ideas it's had. Anyway, I've since changed my mind on the best song ever, aka the whole Slow Riot EP (I know I'm cheating, but hey, they go into eachother and play off of eachother so...)

[@emiliob6250]

haha i feel the only people that can top this song is gy!be themselves. i keep this song in my top 3, but i believe that sleep is the exemplar of a perfect song. even though it is just a single piece in a larger picture (lysf), it stands alone as a complete piece of art. It’s an emotional behemoth and sounds like the musical equivalent of a spiritual awakening.

[@bertramcreates8620]

That outro... Good. Grief.

[@pillai9786]

whoa there, mordecai's got some real taste in music i see.

[@pillai9786]

@@emiliob6250 i just thought the same thing

[@vlado544]

Incredible. It's like there is a huge buildup until 25:10 and then immediately the whole song collapses in itself... Still gives me goosebumps decades later

[@mfohawk6779]

Without a doubt, this epic movement will be the last thing my ears hear when I decide to close my eyes for the last time...

[@Gy0952]

damn man...

[@pinktooth5473]

When I was taken through a death meditation some years back I had said that Yanqui would be the album I go out to. Still stands all these years later. Cheers, friend.

[@mfohawk6779]

@@pinktooth5473 All these years later, I too, feel the same....under a canvas of stars on a moonless night much like this (taken myself out in western Washington overlooking Mt Adams....while listening to M=F) flic.kr/p/KTEytN

[@pinktooth5473]

M Fohawk wonderful photo. The concept here gives it a sorrowful albeit peaceful vibe. Great photo though.

[@mfohawk6779]

@Nikhil Sharma I love the "original" live version that got the nickname "Railroads" because of the background projection of trains. Sophie's violin vibrato technique is much smoother sounding compared to the studio version....which almost sounds like reverb effect. Starting at the 45 minute mark- kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioG8f5xjj8lrg9E **Derp. I was thinking of "Anthem For No State". Whereas the pre-release/name of "Bosses Hang" was "Buildings". Both from their live show at Paris Bataclan.

[@RandysRacingPlace633]

One of the greatest song titles *EVER.*

[@KimInChains]

One of the greatest SONGS ever.

[@The1stMrJohn]

She dreamt that she was a bulldozer, she dreamt that she was alone....... Is the Saddest song title

You drink alot of coffee for a teenager

[@jsteezy456]

@ Lets be best friends

[@vikivik9141]

after the 10 th minute the music is like a dive into your inner sadness and emptiness

[@rihanloulou7442]

Hey its been 5years how are you?

[@mfohawk6779]

I'm still following that rabbit hole into the emptiness every time I listen to that exact moment....

[@vikivik9141]

@@rihanloulou7442 still alive I guess

[@rihanloulou7442]

@@vikivik9141 yay nice to hear that i was scared you did something bad to yourself❤️

[@rakshakshrestha2543]

This song gives me so many dopamine releases, it helps me with all the pain, hardship dragging me down. It takes me to a spiritually deeper level, shows me how beautiful things can be. I'm truly grateful for GY!BM. This is magic. Oh what I would do to see the band live at least once before I die.

[@diegosebastian2226]

Over the years, Yanqui U.X.O. has grown into my favourite release of theirs. Like many, I started with 'Skinny Fists'...which of course is a masterpiece. But I also find it slightly heavy-handed in its appeal to emotions. Not a bad thing at all, I almost always cry to that album (specially 'Storm', that movement has helped me get through very tough moments including the death of my mother). I then rediscovered the brilliance of F♯ A♯ ∞ and the pervading darkness of that album (particularly the CD version) just overwhelmed me. The first time I heard any part of it was when I watched 28 Days Later, where The Sad Mafioso plays. I heard it in full on an acid trip, where I took 3 [admittedly weak] tabs, probably around 150mics total tbh, no more, and just lay in my couch in full darkness for around 12 hours tripping. Heard that album 3 times in a row, absolutely mind-blowing experience, it's all ingrained in my brain's grey matter now. I thought then 'it cannot get better than this, surely'. Half assed listening sessions for the rest of the albums followed. Of course, I found things to enjoy in all of them. But a gaping omission was Yanqui U.X.O., as I was too caught up with the band's reformation and consuming the latest releases. I listened to Yanqui U.X.O. after my mother died, on a lonely day of mourning aimlessly walking around Barcelona, where I was living at the time. It blew my socks off completely. Walking around without direction, with my monitor headphones on and blasting this at full volume while trying to make sense of the death of my only parent (never knew my dad), the parental connection fully severed forever. The chaos of the instrumentation was very healing for me. I then made sure to listen to it on 2 tabs of stronger acid (probably around 200 mics this time) while I spent New Years Eve 2021 alone in my rented apartment in Barcelona. It changed me, it took me a step forward in my grieving process. I don't think I've ever heard a better movement by this band than 'Rockets Fall from Rocket Falls'. The whole album feels like it's dealing with the self-destructive tendencies of us all, but that piece in particular feels like a nuclear apocalypse destroys the world, but it ultimately is but a cosmic whisper in the infinite nothingness of the universe. But through it all, you get a sense of 'OK, I'm a tiny speck of nothingness, sure - but beauty is still in reach. Let's reach for beauty'. A very, VERY important band. Honesty and emotion are their main tools. I've seen them live twice now - a criminally low amount for my liking. Hopefully I can increase this by 1 by April of next year. I'm hoping they continue their search for the beauty in this wretched world, cause I'll be there.

[@Orvixran7692]

Have my like, you beautiful cosmic spec

[@necromantic2955]

18:11 depresión, melancolía, perdida , angustia,dolor y todo esto en menos de dos minutos u.u hermosa pieza instrumental todo lo que hace el Godspeed es bello.

[@patrickcummins79]

si.

[@hanielulises841]

Sí.

[@wllulu]

Bien dicho

[@WickedDaniel]

Definitivamente.

[@s-nooze]

Spent a lot of time driving windy mountain roads listening to this. Such an amazing piece of music.

[@hovhadovah]

This song got me through a very rough loss in my life. I don't know how to explain it, but blasting this at full volume and crying my eyes out helped me cope without losing my mind. There's simply no other song that captures feelings of grief, anguish, and hope all in one.

[@spooki1000]

this song is quite possibly my favorite by them.

[@fizzletrie1592]

i love this music. it makes me sad that not everyone can get into it, because it's not just music for the sake of music, it's art. and not everyone can appreciate such art. i really hope someone in my life sees this band for what they are actually worth.

[@derramful]

I become helplessly addicted to their sounds/songs for a weeks at a time, and then I move on to the next of theirs.

[@TwoBs]

The one song I can never get sick of hearing. It's just perfect.

[@TwoBs]

+Bandita Señorita ...I still think it's perfect, by the way. Every time I hear this song, for me, it's like hearing it for the first time back in 2003 when I copped the album from Soulseek. I still get _massive_ chills, feel several different emotions all at once, and end up listening to it a few more times with each time hearing something new. I've cried, laughed, and then felt anger all at once from this one song. It's hard to put into words, but it has always been a song that I know I can listen to no matter the mood to just let it all out. GY!BE's music is the type of music that should always be shared, regardless if it's 13+ years old. Everyone should at least hear one song by them to just let their emotions pour out to...because, personally, I don't think anything else could compare. Simply beautiful music.

[@TwoBs]

9 months later, and I am here again. Still beautiful.

[@souptime1909]

9 months since your last comment, time to check in again?

[@TwoBs]

Well, it's a year late ... but I always find my way back to this specific song. It'll always be this one.

[@TwoBs]

Oh, by the way, *for anyone reading this* in the future: I find that music connects so many of us, regardless if we know one another or not. It makes us feel like we have some kind of unspoken bond between one another when you find out someone else other than yourself likes a song that you really enjoy. It's actually pretty wild when you sit and really think about it. You don't know me. I don't know you. However, considering there is an enormous variety of musical choices out there to choose from that makes its way to our ears from all corners of the world, it's pretty cool we cross paths here. So, if you're scrolling through the comments and you are reading this, I wish you the best in everything, stranger.

[@RB939393]

Godspeed is the best band ever

[@kerryannmiller3237]

This has to be my 4 th time listening to this ... Last night was my first ... I can't get enough of it

[@billyalarie2841]

28:39 how seamless this transition is, it's incredible.

[@fictitiousname9513]

is my life without words.

[@Hippolf]

All I wanted to do was watch Zoolander with Ted Kennedy

[@billyalarie929]

25:18 breath of fresh air after being locked in a coffin for years

[@CityofButterfly]

Yeah, this is from the CD version of the album, which is pretty close to 80 minutes, and so the beginning of part 2 was cut for time. Apologies for not making that more clear.

[@comedyisover]

13:43 was my favorite part in this piece that I first discovered. Now it’s the whole thing as per usual with GY!BE

[@sepiae]

1st time hearing that track, at a friend's, asking 'what. is. that.' - that's what the term 'pivotal moment' had been invented for.

[@blindorize]

When I forget the name of that thing inside of me, I slide on my AKGs and turn this song up.

[@bca327]

This song will play at my funeral.

[@M4skedBoi]

29:24 Please don't tell me I'm the only one who enjoys this totally chaotic drum rolls at this part.

[@zmkarakas]

I enjoy anything after 28:00. everything seems to be done perfectly. I cannot find any mistakes even if I look for them

[@Rydel23]

It took me some time to appreciate these guys, but after seeing them live with you I'm sooo glad you introduced me to them. Epic stuff.

[@sparrowhawk81]

Saw them play this song live and I was pretty surprised to see the guy actually whip out this weirdass little music box thing and put it against his guitar.

[@The1stMrJohn]

Sparrowhawk .... It's probably an E~Bow, or electronic bow. I have one ... they work by disturbing electromagnetic fields, so when playing an electric guitar you can get a continuous vibration of a string without picking... .. and then fret where you like, usually using legato. it is very similar to violin. as I type this I can hear at 10.25 ownwards a thin scratchy continuous sound. that is an E~Bow being used, but instead of producing a clean sound, the vibrating sting is bouncing off either the pickups or frets,.. the string is flapping about too much. possibly the E~Bow is being held far too far away from the bridge.... intentionally of course. just heard 14.25 onwards.. that's an E~Bow, I know that instead of fretting to change the pitch of notes,... ... a screwdriver is sometimes used. that's not a new thing, check out the very offbeat guitar playing of "Blind Joe Death" .. real name John Lehey {spelling?} too much blah from me

[@Whatremainsof]

David Bryant actually uses a music box for the intro before the guitar comes in. There's a couple of live videos from 2003 that show him cranking the box up against the pickups of his guitar.

[@konchu4u608]

I'm addicted to the part that starts at 3:17

[@The1stMrJohn]

i have to listen to this, gradually increasing volume. Especially the last bit, before the music is sucked away. it makes the immediate silence scary and poignant.

[@williamgag]

That end.... oh that end! Spectacular

[@lorenzosala9289]

From 28:40 on the music it's pure desperation.

[@arcxyne8634]

wow one of the best songs ive heard....

[@patrickcummins79]

15:00 mournful AF.

[@mfohawk6779]

Definitely. Other than the end of the decrescendo ~10 minute mark... at 15, it provokes the feeling of being at the bottom with nowhere to go, and to only be able to look up at nothingness.

[@The1stMrJohn]

Stunning. couldn't go to see them the last 2 times they were in my country. i hope I will get to one of their concerts if they come Bach John Hampshire England

[@diegosebastian2226]

Hi John, have you been able to see them at all this year in their UK tour? I hope so.

[@The1stMrJohn]

@@diegosebastian2226 🎶Unfortunately not

[@zmkarakas]

Not Bach but Mozart.

[@billyalarie929]

i love the production on this thing, the drums especially sounding like they're gunfire. which is... y'know...... resonant af.

[@orbitalbutt6757]

The last eleven minutes of this song might be my favorite in music

[@TheSwinubClub752]

Ashamed to say this is one of the few songs i havent listened to fully by GYBE. something to look forward to tonight!

[@StemsMusic]

Awesome to hear it all in one part! GYBE are one of our greatest influences.

[@zmkarakas]

Only going to say this: 28:38 to 30:30 so many feelings, so many thoughts, so many hopes. I really wish they developed this part further! Even a new album can come out of such a small spark

[@The1stMrJohn]

astonishing brilliant

[@patrickcummins79]

15:49 - deep depression/loss

[@EddyMcGuire]

This is off the charts good!

[@grimshawr]

I want to see the movie that this song would be used in the opening to.

[@mattjammy9884]

masterpiece!

[@KelenKich]

amazing!

[@billyalarie929]

seriously, i still think they should've used this for the dance portion of that one weird puppet show Efrim was on that one time

[@thembluetube]

13:45 - My favourite part of any GSYBE! tune. So epic.

[@FrenchKettleStation]

Legendary.

[@Zwischenderwelt]

wow, thats one of the best psychedelic tracks, I ever haerd ! it´s a drug.

[@vitokoskullerx9345]

Love Post rock ❄

[@nickjerram5010]

Not complete. The vinyl version has about 3 or 4 extra minutes on the beginning of part 2. Just FYI.

[@johnmisterjohn8200]

Awesome

[@hanielulises841]

Just take a moment, think about how your life used to be before everything went wrong. 8:10

[@BoboBen35]

This is so fucking amazing

[@marekkarmansky3979]

EPIC

[@mericet39]

21:23 shame there's about 5 minutes missing at that point. I think it's only on the vinyl version. Full version of part II here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n57aimN8ZaZoirM

[@FamilyxxxJewels]

Where can you get that? I would pick that up.

[@mericet39]

This is not complete. After part I finishes at 21:20, part II is missing the first 5 minutes or so. It misses much of the build-up. The vinyl version is complete.

[@Mum2Boys]

At 31:29 I actually was scared. Seriously. That fucking reverse thing still scares me.

[@Estarion404]

So, what do you think about mlodic?

[@Agensahu]

2:13 is something where it starts and how it ends

[@SiliconMolybdenumNitrogen]

The complete version is on the vinyl and it's 41 minutes long with a George Bush sample at the end!!!!

[@garrrett_81]

Damn I got the cd

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

Strange title.. But as always the music is excellent =)

[@gersijbers]

Always wondered where the album art comes from? Does anyone know?

[@chestcavity_]

still a mystery to this day!

[@arafatnote92]

I think it's come from documentary movies

[@orbitalbutt6757]

Vietnam.

[@GenteelCretin]

Man, who's to blame for the sound quality on this album? Did Albini just record the drums from a far field mic in another room, or was the mastering done on microcasette? The song is much better than the mix lets on. Kind of a drag.

[@youtubeisevil]

It's definitely intentional. They have done this warped, skipping, lo-fi sound before on songs like Moya Sings Baby-O and Glockenspiel Duet.

[@GenteelCretin]

@@youtubeisevil Those are cassette samples, not studio band recordings. This album sounds like some Slap A Ham Records flexi disc.

[@youtubeisevil]

@@GenteelCretin Yep!

[@diegosebastian2226]

I like it. I think of it as listening to this from a bouncing radio signal from the cosmos that you just happened to be lucky enough to pick up on your receiver, years into the future after the nuclear apocalypse has all but obliterated the planet. There's no point in projecting your own desires for how you wish something to sound. How it sounds is how it sounds, you either like it or don't.

[@bakkermaarten007]

How are you able to do that? I mean upload videos longer than 15 minutes?

[@naruii5160]

whats up man 9 years later

[@bakkermaarten007]

@@naruii5160 Crazy I know. Even more miserable than back then. And less hair too. Fortunately I've got zen-meditation to hang on to. Best regards

[@naruii5160]

@@bakkermaarten007 thats nice to hear man, your comment threw me off, but then i saw that it was made 9 years ago and i was like, “hey, i wonder what this guys up to.” Welp anyways, good luck and godspeed.

[@vitokoskullerx9345]

Corto metraje hecho cancion, las canciones de GY!BE son super densas para el público comun, pero vale la pena darte media hora para oir joyitas asi ❤ 3:18 - 8:56 28:39

[@The1stMrJohn]

Ruspurgivesthepawsup

[@patrickcummins79]

11:00

[@panicineurope]

I am so tired and I cannot sleep

[@CityofButterfly]

You ok?

[@billyalarie929]

gonna need an update man, did you ever get any of that good good yet?

[@Coctvdt]

Wishing you a special day and much much sleeping

[@yeet8036]

3 years you good?

[@bernardobispo5941]

crying for this again fuck

[@SiliconMolybdenumNitrogen]

Actually it is not the full version! The vinyl version is 41 minutes long with a George Bush sample at the end...

[@dune1774]

14:59

[@gospodin-goober]

Free Palestine

[@user-zl8um3pb8v]

15:00