Harry Nilsson-"Mr. Richland's Favorite Song/One" (1971) (1/7)

[@hoarybat61]

Absolutely u nailed it. Nobody and I mean no white singer, writer has ever had the talent Harry had. IMO he has no equal. I give the Beatles a big thank you for recognizing Harry and helping to bring him to the masses. I give a big booo for the people that booed Harry at a young age when he first performed for an audience which frightened him so much that it stuck with him which made him never perform a live concert.

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

Didn’t know that’s the reason he didn’t perform live. So sad

[@esteemedyams]

What a nice, racist thing to say

[@hoarybat61]

@@esteemedyams Indeed it was a credit to the stupendous artists of color as well. Harry the experimental melodist. Glad you liked it!

[@micheldemontaigne9726]

The last 50 seconds of this clip are literally orgasmic to anyone who appreciates true vocal beauty.

[@vincedavis5526]

The whole song is a masterful showcase of Nilsson's voice and songwriting skills. I love all of his work.

[@rustinholliday2252]

@@vincedavis5526 Agreed, but the last 50 seconds are extraordinary.

[@angrytater2456]

That segway was brilliant. Harry was a brilliant person. This was '71, I was born a year after. All of my heroes have died.

[@greym7857]

Achievement, melancholy, sorrow, and isolation are in this vocal performance. The realization of mortality in a nutshell.

[@broeheemed32]

If ever there were an example of how drugs can destroy, Harry was it. So much raw, natural talent flushed away.

[@litlnemo]

I have watched this over and over and over and over... it's so good. What I wouldn't give for a proper DVD release of this special.

[@madmaxbocka]

litlnemo Have you seen his animated film "the Point?"

[@tangogrrl]

Oh it's a great work of animated art. And he did all the music. Both versions are available on here, if you search. The one with Ringo narrating the UK version, and the one with Dustin Hoffman narrating. Both good, just a little bit different.

[@traviscrowley6099]

Yes! I want high quality of all his video performances. There aren't very many. The documentary is excellent. There are lots of lip sinc videos on youtube, but the quality is usually poor and text on the screen. very annoying.

[@billheineman472]

@@traviscrowley6099 BBC has over time been notoriously neglegent at archiving their programs.

[@Jacz1]

Beautiful, absolute genius

[@karenreardon5398]

Brilliant version and performance by the late, great Nilsson.❤

[@conradzacharias3981]

Oh. My. Dear. God. So amazing. It's unreal how soulful and beautiful Nilsson's voice is.

[@Raiderfn31]

One of the best live performances ever. The transitioning between songs was nailed. Totally different songs joined very seamlessly. Nilsson on top of his game.

[@billheineman472]

Taped for broadcast. was a canned audience.

[@atimtambaby]

His songs almost always have at least a tint of melancholy...one must wonder if he had a wholly content moment after his father's departure

[@altdelet3778]

A remaster of this concert would be so sweet.

[@TheSilverhorn]

Incomparable Harry Nilsson! Such soul he gave in his lyrics and singing!! Thanks :)

[@boonestead4812]

love love love this song this guys a true talent the videos awesome I could watch it all day hes so intent while hes performing goes to show you don't have to have explosions and 100 backup singers and dancers if the main show is quality to begin with the scat part is my fave!

[@barbaraeffros3168]

Harry was a brilliant musician, wordsmith extraordinaire, loving father, fearless gun control advocate and surely died too young. Fools cut him down for his drinking-too many suffer with alcoholism. Harry left us a legacy. He will always be remembered.🎶❤️

[@jordancurlee9104]

I just started listening to him last year and has instantly became a favorite. Why does no one talk about this music genius?

[@plk5520]

If you're interested you can watch the movie about Harry Nilsson. Available for downloading on one of the popular online video sites.

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

@@plk5520 Great documentary. Harry's vocal range was so great in those days that he would do all the backing vocals at well. One critic lambasted Harry that he never credited his backing singers on his recordings, not knowing that it was Harry himself. Too bad he hurt his vocal right before recording the Pussy Cats album (produced by John Lennon) and he could never hit that range again. His last performance was as cameo with Ringo's All-Starr Band to sing "Without You" where Todd Rundgren had to sing the high parts.

[@JcoolV]

To call him the fifth Beatle is a discredit, a stand alone genius.

[@joefitzgerald2762]

I wish I could sing like Harry did. Wasnt born with such a sweet voice but I have been practicing every day for an hour or two doing vocal exercises and trying to mimic my favorite artists. Anyone else try to imitate Nilsson? haha

[@carladiciaccio8955]

…..I sing to all Harry’s songs when I’m listening to his music! I can’t help but join in! All memorized because I play the songs over and over and over again! 😲 🎶

[@wendysmail]

How could 11 people give this a thumbs down....Neanderthals...no soul...barely a trace of heart!!!!! RIP Harry I ADORED YOU SINCE I WAS 16.....STILL LOVE YOU TODAY 67

[@SaltyChip]

Some of my fav lyrics!

[@j.morrison73]

Damn, been so long that he's been gone. Can't help feeling pissed that many don't even know him or of his contributions to those that they do know of and like.

[@nadiasimmons5403]

Brilliant singer !

[@chasecom1]

Never rushed for perfection. It all flows so fluid. Absolutely beautiful. What a remarkable talent he had. I once read he said " i just open my mouth and it just comes out. Nothing really to it." What came natural for him, others could never duplicate. To this day, nobody really makes me sit up and pay any attention. Sure, their are allot of wonderful singers out there. Harry's voice was an instrument of perfection. Listen to Life line from the BBC sessions. If that does not give you goose bumps, then your most likely not going to understand this thread...

[@FiveCentsPlease]

+Barbarian The acoustic piano versions of his songs are especially beautiful and highlight his vocal abilities. I think he may have been working on an acoustic version of "Without You" for piano. I found a rough studio demo recording which I think would have been remarkable if it had been finished and perfected. I don't have a date for the demo, or if it was made after his vocal chord injury. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZm9emmnf6epeqc

[@JelqtronZero]

The scat part to the original Mt Richlands is so good. This ones fire but the OG is so good i wish it went on for like 5 mins.

[@iangarrard390]

Best voice ever.

[@ScorpioMojo]

I love his voice... blondie had some killer pipes

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

The BBC In Concert special was interesting due to the fact that Harry (due to his stage fright) only agreed to film it with just the crew in attendance (several scenes with an audience was stock footage). He did this again later when he did another BBC special with an orchestra to promote "A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night" with Harry sitting with the orchestra. The 1973 special was the only full concert that Harry performed for television (He did sing live in the US for the Smothers Brothers and Playboy After Dark, but never a full concert)

[@makemeeasy]

awesome

[@Gbonejohn1974]

One of if not the greatest performance live I've ever seen So dark and moody compared to the upbeat album versions

[@fredericvalade5797]

Yes

[@Sauce421]

The 1 dislike is the loneliest number that you'll ever know

[@deborahrobertson8606]

I remember watching this at the time. I was 10 and we loved Harry. We had an amazing "In Concert" BBC series, where young artists like Joni Mitchel, Neil Diamond, Neil Young etc would perform in front of a small studio audience. Great performances. He didn't have a live audience, so he faked one. And that made me feel uncomfortable - the lack of a rapport with a live audience. But he was brilliant.

[@Twins-in2il]

Our favorite song is "Me and My Arrow".

[@MAMsMom97]

@dar0381 I know, right? These versions of the songs on this program totally beat the studio versions, hands down! Who knows, maybe someday. If the Monkees can get back together for a 45th anniversary tour, than that's proof that miracles do happen.

[@traviscrowley6099]

great version of fantastic song. There are some nice cover versions out there. Cats of Sherman do a more rock oriented version. I really like the Nilsson remixed version from Aerial Pandemonium Ballet

[@withnailfin]

powerful.I love you tube sometimes.

[@TheJeffreyDisney]

Notice his mention of "The Walrus"? Such beautiful voice, creative imagination, amazingly talented.

[@joefitzgerald2762]

could it be related to the Beatles reference? Or Vice versa? It finally hit me today that the two could absolutely be connected. Thoughts?

[@richardpowell3259]

@@joefitzgerald2762 The Beatles were craftsmen (John Lennon RS 1970) . 1962 article states the lads r off to Emi recording studio. They just came off a tour. The songs have been Written for the Beatles. So Craftsmen is a masonic term. They went to the studio and perfected the harmonies to the already produced tracks laid down by session players. The first 7 albums were recorded like that. John also said we all fell for the Beatle hoax. Even us 4 fell under the hoax. We actually started believing the myth. Why was the White album so raw? Because they actually finally played. When they first toured. They learned the already crafted songs and took em on the road. By '66 James Paul was replaced by William Campbell. If u do not believe me go to Sage of Quay PID channel. Mike opened all our eyes. The credit all goes to Mike Williams. Cheers!!!

[@joefitzgerald2762]

@@richardpowell3259 thanks for the comment! thats great stuff. Always love a knowledgable music head.

[@johnnymartini4989]

Favorite song for the “concert” lol

[@APerson-ok7jv]

On Google Chrome, use 'Ok Google' and say "What is the Loneliest Number?"

[@garytube1955]

Why did you leave Harry?

[@MaskedMarvyl]

I guess the Walrus eventually caught up with Nilsson...

[@tangogrrl]

+John Richardson Paul McCartney?

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

Daisy Rothschild Lennon

[@ZacktheOrange]

the album version does not even compare

[@Gbonejohn1974]

Couldn't agree more this is a million times better One of best vocals I've ever heard on a track

[@subg8858]

Same with BBC version of 1941 and Without Her IMO

[@irplane]

I enjoy this "live" version much more, but I also enjoy the circus vibe of the studio version a lot as well.

[@benjclarke5825]

The version on Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (the "remix" album) is definitive for me. I love this, too, though. There's just not enough Nilsson and I'm grateful for all of it!

[@wadewatson2751]

Yes, these live versions are unbelievable masterpieces, epic stuff.

[@drallid3413]

2:56

[@boonestead4812]

a smattering of applause at the end didn't they know they had just witnessed genius?

[@hoarybat61]

daniel klodt There actually was no audience. The audience clips were put in the recording of this TV special. Harry never had a sizable audience and never did a concert ever. That's Ok when harry had no stage fright his artistry and ability shines!

[@boonestead4812]

joe-hoarybat yeah ide read somewhere he had severe stage fright so the audience clips make sense thanks

[@wgoslin688]

The Audience is a sample of his sense of humour. He was so Laurel and Hardy. Have you ever had a Brandy Alexander?

[@MAMsMom97]

@teamcrumb Well, that would put you in the minority, with others who apparently fail to see the contributions they made to our popular culture, either as a group or as individuals. Additionally, Harry didn't die during an earthquake, he was buried during an earthquake.

[@misstreebird]

& who was The Walrus?

[@noahzuniga-williams7679]

It's from Alice in Wonderland.

[@misstreebird]

+Noah Zuniga-Williams true. koo-koo-kachew :)

[@tangogrrl]

+misstreebird It's a complicated lyric. Yes, it's from Alice in Wonderland, but it's also in a Beatles song when John Lennon sings I am the Walrus. He later regretted that, finding out the Walrus in the story was the bad guy, but he couldn't change it. To confuse matters further, the Beatles were in the early process of breaking up, so in the 1968 Beatles song "Glass Onion" he sings, "I told you 'bout the walrus and me, man/You know that we're as close as can be, man/Well here's another clue for you all/The walrus was Paul"... McCartney and Lennon were the primary song writers for the group, but ended with a bitter feud. Harry was John's best friend for years. So... in the end... we still don't know what mystery Harry hints upon. No matter, it's still a great song, and segues into one of the most famous love songs of the time, "One', made a chart busting hit by 3 Dog Night.

[@subg8858]

The Walrus in the Alice poem represented the greedy capitalist who used trickery to take and hoard all the resources. Definitely could be read as a massive slam on Paul, considering that matches his reputation.

[@vincedavis5526]

The dark boogeyman who so tortured poor Harry throughout his remarkable, musically-gifted, too-short life.

[@topsypart2880]

I can see why lennon was fascinated with harry. I saw harry in 1982 beatles fest he looked really bad and drunk. I got pussycats lennon produced it wasent outstanding.but lennon was getting some innovative production sounds. life sent fair

[@cney82]

@DavelovesRealMusic He actually didn't want to do live shows or concerts. so not poor harry!

[@SirDavidHaddon]

Sad that Alcohol and Drugs took Harry from us, He had a great voice and a better personality... He was a great friend of John Lennon,,,,,,Even had a Cartoon on TV ,,, THE POINT.. It was funny ...

[@tangogrrl]

+Sir David Haddon So much more than a cartoon though, it was a full animated film, his concept. There were 2 versions, one with Dustin Hoffman narrating for the US release, and one with Ringo Starr for the UK version. You can find both to compare on KZbin. The voice of an angel.

[@vknqueen]

thank goodness he realized he was about to screw up his voice and recorded the old standards...his manager and promo people told him it was bad timing and too soon.....guess not!

[@subg8858]

Harry was even better friends with Ringo. Both were the best man at each other's weddings. Lennon had to leave LA to escape Ringo and Harry's, along with their pal Keith Moon, level of debauchary. Which is really saying something when even a man like Lennon can't hang. There's a fascinating letter from Lennon to Phil Spector, known as the piss letter, that sheds some light on this.

[@tangogrrl]

Wow, didn't know that. That's really saying something. Would sure like to see that letter!

[@subg8858]

Do a google image search for "a matter of pee"

[@Griff-s1f]

When he was young, he sang in a band, and his fans all looked the same And the fans he had were younger than he, and they loved to scream his name They'd leave at the end of the third show, go home and talk of the fun Well isn't it nice, the parents would say, well isn't it nice, you've got someone, someone to idolize He must look twice his size I think it's great, you're going through a phase And I'm awfully glad it'll all be over in a couple of days The calendar changed, and the pages fell off, but the singer remained the same And he never grew tired of singing his song, and his fans still called his name They'd leave at the end of the second show, go home and talk of the fun, For most of the fans were married by then, so they had to be in by one, Is the loneliest number that you'll ever do Two can be as bad as one, It's the loneliest number since the number one The time has come, the walrus said, to speak of other things Like a fallen star who works in a bar, where yesterday is king The fans would stay for an hour or so, they'd still remember his fame But the time has come, the walrus said, to call your fans by name

[@SnoopyBunting]

When he sings "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do" I always get a lump in my throat. Such a sad sentiment. :'(

[@DeanJarrett]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. One of my favourite songs ever. Love it.

[@grannie2010]

I have enjoyed this man since 1969 Midnight Cowboy. Everybody's Talking About me. His I' d Rather be dead than wet the bed! Is fantastic....I'm 81

[@DeepOwl1073]

I hope you're still with us, Dorothy! What a great artist Harry was.

[@mikealexander2005]

Good lord. I felt every note of that. Such honesty

[@hoarybat61]

Could sing amazingly, could play many instruments amazingly, could party amazingly. The rawest talent I have ever heard who was not born blind.

[@ZacktheOrange]

when he skats at the end it makes my entire body shiver

[@forgivemeifidontshakehands9091]

Possibly the best youtube video i've ever seen, what a voice!!!

[@vincedavis5526]

I love to hear Harry sing...He has real soul and a memorable voice, incomparable vocal range, and the songwriting...WOW, just WOW!!!!

[@brademond7640]

this song gives me chills

[@Paulmancieri67]

Great voice. Just rediscovering Mr. Nilsson. His work from this period is so good. Love it. What a range.

[@RuthButlerMusic]

This is INCREDIBLE! This song started playing in the background and I literally thought it was Nina Simone's voice I was hearing. To my surprise when I clicked over!! WOW!

[@vincedavis5526]

An absolutely incredible song-master gone far too soon........

[@gerchoke]

This is fucking beautiful. Why haven't i heard this before? Love it.

[@saintcruzin]

GREAT special..so underrated is Nilsson!! The song loosely based on Sinatra who was "out" again at that time! Harry was one interesting talent!!

[@adrienneloveskaiba]

Sometimes I cry because I wish he was still alive. He passed two years before I was born... if only I could've seen him live :/ rip you beautiful angel.

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

the lyrics to Mr richland are so dark and real..it is the fate of many a performer whose hits have stopped...they DO eventually recognize the same fans after a show...and the thousands become hundreds of people and eventually he knows them by NAME..RIP hARRY GENIUS

[@brinkwar]

Wow, I'm so glad this is up. I can't believe there's less than 500 views so far. I really love how he melds these songs together, cutting edge for the times in a lot of ways, great songwriter

[@doonbiz]

such a unique voice. such a loss...so many losses too, too early...

[@melissadana7829]

I cannot imagine what poor fools could possibly have given this sublime performance a thumbs down. Heresy!

[@grfhumpf]

We miss you, Harry.

[@trackingstationneillindsay]

I've loved Harry since his first album. Mid 60's, at a Hollywood record store. An endorsement sticker from John Lennon on the album helped the buying decision.

[@crlmala]

Fifth Beatle!

[@morganstockberger9207]

I wish.

[@adamkeenan5707]

I wish he was in the Beatles instead of John Lennon

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

@@adamkeenan5707 Then The Beatles wouldn't exist. Plus, he and Lennon were friends.

[@BabaBooey88]

fuck! i watched this special a ton of times and never saw this one. so freaking good.

[@karenreardon5398]

I totally agree with one of the reviewers: the last 50 seconds is beyond magnificent. Miss this man so much😢❤.

[@Bruno6h45]

This live performance makes good to me! Thank You for sharing

[@MAMsMom97]

@dar0381 You can probably get a bootleg on DVD somewhere. I found a source on the Internet where you could download it. I tried to, but failed. I only got the introduction by Derek Taylor that was added to later telecasts of the concert on British TV, but nothing else. There is no legitimate release of this concert that I know of.

[@helenwallace2898]

Thanks for sharing.........Love this song!

[@cynthiajanowiecki9325]

I’ve always loved Harry. No one like him ever.

[@lindadonofrio8314]

Absolutely gorgeous

[@chasecom1]

I tried looking in dictionary for a word to best describe this piece. I couldn't find one. I've never heard anything so beautiful to my ears. What a huge smile and tear this brought to my face. If you don't hear what I'm hearing, then you don't understand real music.

[@wendysmail]

Thanks barbarian for your beatiful post about Harry....even 5 years ago it still holds true....really very little holds up ...but his genius is a constant!!!!!!

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

:) QC

[@broeheemed32]

Let's see you do that, Billie Eilish.

[@susantaulli730]

Three Dog Night recorded it too

[@ahmedghazal4240]

1:48 venom 2 trailer song

[@GRude420]

It's on youtube. of course you can. Google is your friend. RIP Harry.

[@godspeedyou1996]

@DavelovesRealMusic C'est la vie. It's life. People forget, renew. But sometimes it's shit to renew, such as this music, should be remembered forever. We can't control, the thing we can do is tell our children. Peace.

[@godspeedyou1996]

@DavelovesRealMusic Nilsson never showed his art in public. You should see the dutch documentary about Nilsson and Lennon named "Uur van de Wolf"' Very nice.

[@dalemurphy9558]

Mr. Richland's favorite opus. The loneliest opus is opus #1.

[@steviep1871]

Elliot Smith looks like and writes like Harry Nilsson....not the other way around.

[@mquartarone]

What a great artist - the 5th Beatle for sure

[@PetalumaPete]

He was comfortable there. God bless him. He was comfortable which is why the rapture kicked by ass. Thank you Harry. RIP.

[@madmaxbocka]

PetalumaPete Pretty sure that comment doesn't make sense man.

[@JoradnLont]

max rakestraw I think he was high on Jesus and in the moment of watching Harry's passion

[@madmaxbocka]

JoradnLont I guess so.. I never touch the stuff, it rots your brain.