Inflatable You by Tim Minchin

Performed at the Royal Albert Hall for the Tickled Pink Breast Cancer Fundraiser, Sept 2005

[@MrMG2R]

The mesmerising thing is that he blows the point of his joke in the first seconds and still is able to keep it funny for five minutes.

[@TheGalaxyfighter]

Seems that at first. But I feel that the real on going joke he makes is how hard a real relationship with a real person is. In any case, genius and funny!

[@lh2738]

@@TheGalaxyfighter Yeah, that's what I think as well.

[@Circuitssmith]

“Blows”.

[@troystewart7730]

Who else can be stuck- sitting behind the piano- other than sir Elton- He can control an audience like no other

[@rlzerocy]

The inflatable thing is a premise, rather than a punchline which is why it's at the start. The entire song is built on jokes from that premise. this comment is 9 years old and I'm sure most people get it but the urge to point this out is bugging me, sorry. Anyway this is such a great and fun song.

[@smurfyday]

The comedic timing of leaving out the word "tissue" made it an actual LOL.

[@mrswafflechops]

"Your skin is so smooth, I couldn't afford you with hair" 😂

[@adamborison3054]

Only Tim could think to rhyme feasible and knees at all

[@alfredomarquez1916]

To be fair he kind of abused the "at all" rhyme in ways that would have it seeking therapy.

[@chazhinkley6602]

Adam Borison he also managed to find a rhyme for parthenogenesis.

[@alfredomarquez1916]

Chaz Hinkley Which song?

[@chazhinkley6602]

Alfredo Marquez Woody Allen Jesus

[@colt4505]

But it doesn't rhyme-at-all

[@maggot95100]

only Tim Minchin can sing a song about an inflatable doll and get the entire auditorium's applause

[@danscott2289]

There's a beautiful moment around the 4:28 mark where the audience go very, very quiet as they realise he's actually a piano god and it's a glorious moment to replay

[@PDDojo]

piano GOD!!! That's the thing, even without the comedy, he's stupid talented with a piano.

[@timothycarroll3204]

There is something incredibly charming about this song. Even after 10 years I still come back to it and laugh.

[@rily8329]

2021 and still funny

[@AstrumG2V]

@@rily8329 2022 and I'm dying

[@stevenl5751]

​@@AstrumG2V 2023 Still laughing.

[@ohdehhan]

2024 and laughing😂

[@mad3moyer]

Tim Minchin's ability to stretch a punchline with creative lyrics is amazing. The joke is made clear in the first 45 seconds, yet he is able to keep it funny for a full five minutes (as with many of his songs). I love music comedy acts like Lynch, FOTC, Lonely Island, etc...but IMO Minchin is a step above. :)

[@lavenderwalrus9875]

finally someone else who acknoledges lynch

[@MMedic23]

That nervous look he gives the crowd in the beginning and the end lmfao

[@belowthelaw9607]

His voice during this performance is incredible

[@SuzannadannaUSF]

I love the look of amazement when he sees the crowd. This is right after the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is the largest audience he had performed for.

[@TheMaracaman]

I love Tim's "You actually liked that?!" look at the end xD

[@Octobris]

When I was around 20, I was shown this vid but because of language barrier I did not get the joke. Today, ten years later, I randomly remembered the tune so I googled it and let me just say... My mind is BLOWN. (pun intended xD)

[@myhandlewastakenandIgaveup]

That is the best reason to learn a new language I have ever heard!

[@askaliu2943]

he is so smart with his lyrics sometimes you really need to know the background and UK life to get it, i grew up in australia, so i understand most of it, but some still escapes me and i have to look down in the comments to see if anyone explains LOL

[@lh2738]

Literally same haha! I first discovered Tim 3 years ago, when I was 20 as well, and I found him very funny, although I didn't quite get the whole of it. Now that my English is a bit better, I find him VERY funny and utterly clever. Learning a language really pays off, eh?

[@hisyamhasbi8257]

Hah, i cant understand what he's saying rn. I might be able to enjoy it more years later i hope

[@maggielee9530]

I love the look on his face when he's "messing up"... He looks like a happy little kid. :3

[@GeetarAdam]

Bahahaha! "Ignorable, back-door-able you".....*wink......

[@OdieD]

Was the 'B' intentional? I reeeeeeeeeeeealy need to know...

[@GeetarAdam]

Indeed, it was. A "bahaha" is quite different from a "hahaha". It is a decidedly more primal and uncontrollable laugh....I s'pose...

[@OdieD]

Ah, i see. Im sorry i had the cheek to doubt you.

[@daisyterry4408]

OMG I THOUGHT HE MEANT HE COULD SHOVE IT OUT THE BACK DOOR IF IT WASN'T NEEDED 😭😭😭

[@ravanaRTT]

So romantic ❤️

[@davidschmidt6013]

A very well-respected actor once said "It takes a skilled actor to look like they don't know what they're doing..." and here, it takes a genuine virtuoso like Tim to sound like he's just rambling ...BTW, just for the record, this kid is fucking SCARY on the piano....just sayin'

[@123fakestreeeet]

Perfect song for Valentine's day...

[@IvyCrack]

Just now got into Tim Minchin and the man is a musical/comedy genius. Full on dude-crush happening.

[@gwija5783]

My unexplainable, obsessive interest into learning English as a kid brought me years later to enjoy Tim's performances one after the other, now everything makes sense

[@DiogoPedrosaMusic]

This doesn't seem like it was a decade ago! :o

[@userWoxxii]

Diogo Pedrosa omg you're right its almost ten years ago wtf why do i think my entire life is in 2012 lol

[@MattSieli]

+Woxxii It has to be a nice feeling, isn't it?

[@userWoxxii]

Mateusz Ś. 1 year later lol

[@dempseysodeau6254]

8 months later

[@MrSunbeam]

Is this song a parody on other song? Strongly reminds me of something.

[@lizaking25]

I may actually be in love with him.

[@BethanyRachelFairley]

I'm going to a fancy dress party soon, and I couldn't think of what to go as. I'm a massive Tim Minchin fan, so my best friend told me to go as him. I said "no, that's kinda hard to recreate." and she goes "don't talk crap, all you have to do is backcomb your hair and wear eyeliner and you're sorted" lol :) gotta love Tim minchin and best friends :P

[@jlsinner99]

Never heard of him until I saw him on Californication and looked him up. I friggin love this guy!

[@joebleasdale5557]

"I clean it all off with a............." 😂😂😂😂

[@TardisNerdGirl]

I LOVE THIS GUY. Along with being friggin' hilarious, he's a really gifted pianist. WIN.

[@WatchYourAttitude]

"You have all the holes real girls have. Plus one for the air." hahaha!

[@tonydavies7307]

A wordsmith of the highest standing, a poet of the modern age which continues from one decade to the next

[@MissJadeGreen]

I think the best part about this song is his facial expressions... he just doesn't understand why his love song is so funny :'D

[@MrFrankieXIII]

"I took you round to watch the... footibul...!" Quality x

[@rubydubdub2965]

Tim Minchin has such vocal talent, and this song really shows it off

[@thesherbet]

Couldnt have thought of a better casting for Atticus Fetch...

[@CorXxXSmile]

Got to love having this in my head for two hours through economic principles when someone bought an inflatable doll into the lecture :D

[@kimroberts7006]

That piano solo was bonkers. Wow. I can't believe I'm only discovering this man now. I've got some catching up to do for sure.

[@canny_linguist]

Takes an incredibly talented pianist to intentionally play badly for comic effect and then knock it of out the park

[@jimmy31hendrix]

He should go to Eurovision

[@MomentousGaming]

And do a song similar to his pope song.

[@MrRocky42100]

He's Australian...

[@jimmy31hendrix]

Oh, ok, sorry :/

[@ifacro]

Mr Rocky He lives in England

[@MrRocky42100]

He used to live in England, he lives in America now

[@saeqimo]

Musical comedy genius, 17 years later still kicks 🎉

[@caltha2720]

Backdoorable you *wink*

[@korneld]

Tim: So, did you like this song? Viewer: Yes, it was great. Tim: Thanks a lot! Viewer: Don't Minchin it.

[@YAMMAS]

You gotta work a bit more on your comedy

[@lachlan1704]

After 9 years I’m going to be the first one to say. That joke was fucking awesome

[@tillyw7418]

Oh my god Tim does not age!!

[@scallywaggle]

+Tilly W It must be the eyeliner.

[@polinapavlenko7290]

Well.. Check out Cardinal Pell. You'll be surprised.

[@FabricioSilva-ij8iz]

He is a ginger vampire !!!

[@FlyingButterHorse]

Only a ginger, can call another ginger ginger! Art thou a Ginger?

[@TarqPick]

Tim, you have a beautiful voice, and you're obviously a very talented musician. I appreciate the humor, but lyrics aside, that was a genuinely beautiful song. On one hand I envy you. On the other, it must be frustrating to be so talented in several areas, and have to choose just one to pursue. You're genuinely very gifted.

[@lythsian]

You better look into it, his CV goes a lot deeper than this.

[@Merrygate_]

Every time I hear the word tissue I think of this song

[@Valueclown]

Little Beatles homage at the end. Like it.

[@lucagacy]

would anyone else pay 10mil to hear Michael Buble to sing this song ?

[@itsjustneon5233]

+Luca Gacy I sent his people an e-mail

[@MrUndersolo]

100mil!

[@berniebasset9465]

No.

[@ryanmoon1985]

I’d give him about 3.50

[@jesuisfudgeman874]

Maybe not 10 mil, but I would pay an obscene amount of money to watch that.

[@sgtmd1]

Wow! Over 14 years ago this got uploaded! Just think........ If it wasn't for this song we would have possibly never had the pleasure of all of these years of Tim's wit and genius! Scary thought.....

[@fatmangoboom7722]

This guy is a genius! Never herd of him till a few days ago, but omg, so so fun I am jealous

[@RyNsWoRLD]

I love how the meaning of this song slowly dawns on you.

[@CaelenSawyers]

I got it on the first "inflatable you"...

[@RyNsWoRLD]

Oh man, you're so smart. Can you teach me how to get the meaning of comedy songs faster?

[@CaelenSawyers]

It said...inflatable...you.....

[@RyNsWoRLD]

The joke of the song is that inflatable isn't supposed to be immediately considered literally. Inflatable can be an emotional thing. You can 'inflate' someone: raise their spirits, or elate them. If someone is inflatable, they are cheery, easy to make happy. That's why each verse makes it clearer and clearer that he's actually being literal. That seems to be Tim's humour. He's rarely straightforward with a crude joke. He lets you do the work.

[@RyNsWoRLD]

Caelen Sawyers Really, my point is that we all 'got it' after the first one, but that the song is deliberately gradual in it's explicitly, and I like that aspect of it. I mean, the song is full of double meanings. The "don't let me down" at the end is a perfect example.

[@Jacquobite]

He looks like the love child of Bill Bailey and Jo Brand. Two of my favourite comedians.

[@ilyarepin9490]

Why does he seem so much more psychotic without the black eyeshadow? seems a bit backwards to me.

[@sophiemcawesome6371]

tim and a sex doll... still a better love story then twilight! :D

[@Miannon]

Definitely less scary and abusive :D

[@sophiemcawesome6371]

Miinamuff. That is so true, they have a messed up relationship... (in twilight)

[@OsofoGriot]

That joke is nearly as old as this video, and youtube itself. Damn funny though.

[@voliteon]

he's SO very talented on piano as well as being hilarious as a comedican. pure genius talent - done in true Aussie style :)

[@michalhornak2675]

He s smart, funny and talented... he s just awesome.

[@kendraspevak5109]

It took me half the song to realize

[@EmmaRiddle543]

I love the look he gives the audience at the end 🥰🥰😂😂

[@114488able]

He's so funny and clever just amazing

[@DeinosDinos]

It took me so long to notice that wink at 3:30, lol

[@Thomas_Winters]

❤️❤️❤️thank you❤️❤️❤️

[@olliedylan1381]

I love that in the solo he plays the piano really badly and people are screaming.... Then he plays perfectly and there’s silence

[@riparianlife97701]

Who says Tim doesn't have a dark side?

[@LetsTalkOnePiece]

Tim Minchin - Dark Side (Awesome Version)

[@asordidreality]

He's usually esoteric, this is just blatently funny... I think Storm is closer to his dark side. haha

[@ZephyrBluePaddy]

I'd say the Lullaby song is fairly dark haha

[@Kerstee1525]

The fact that Tom Hiddleston was about to sing this song made my day.

[@alanhowell3646]

Superb musician

[@lptomtom]

Nice Beatles bit at the end!

[@fsdetained]

The Beatles reference at the end makes this the best comedy song ever.

[@Jabbermouthrulz]

I LOVE the way he looks confused when they laugh XD

[@sign8print]

The most loyal partner I've ever had. I recommend her!!!

[@TheRedPandaQueen]

wow i just love this guy. hes eyes are gorgeous and so is his voice

[@77jacquishaw]

love this guy always makes me smile.

[@robwarriors62]

i feel like 50% of the audience didn't know what was going on

[@TidalCrush1]

oh he's just so attractive. ;_;

[@steviebkhall]

That was genious .I'm glad I got to hear it! Thanks !peace.

[@Bhaddis]

One of my favorite Tim minchin songs to come back to

[@alexmacleod8448]

Wish I hadn't taken a drink around 3.50. Tim, love your work 😂

[@OldUncleRabbit]

What a delightful performance.

[@TwizzTard]

I absolutely love the way he plays his piano solo x3

[@lauramegu3]

I'll never get over this song, this man is a genius hahaha

[@ThePamelator]

absolutely captivated by this mans brilliance

[@Mon.qu3lou.s3]

i actually love his voice :')

[@lovelygolucky]

His voice is so great and he is amazing at piano.

[@sfbayareagirl]

Tim Minchin, a precious gem. ❤

[@iSamirSi]

Don’t let me down. Don’t let me down. Don’t let me down. And I won’t let you down Just Genius!! :D

[@iloveonepieceXD]

He's so Cute :3

[@exsappermadman25055]

So underrated as a stand up comic this guy.......Hes a fucking genius!......

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I could imagine Victoria Wood coming out with a similar song - maybe the counterpoint from the POV of the doll. That is, btw, the ultimate compliment to Tim; I don't habitually connect even excellent performers with her. She could be very "cheeky" and could, eh hem, "pull off" anything like that. Her "Let's Do It" (look it up if you haven't seen it, it's one of the funniest things you'll ever see, especially if you get a live version) came out in the 1980s iirc. Some of the lines in that could fit - in temperament, as it were - into this absolutely hilarious song! Tbh, I think that she had opened the door to adult songs on family TV wide open - it had been pushed ajar a number of times, but she kicked it off the bloody hinges. Without her laying the groundwork, so to speak, maybe Tim wouldn't get away with half of what he does. And that would be an absolute tragedy if we were forced to miss out on his exceptional wit, musical ability, and overall genius! She was taken too soon. Far, _far_ too soon. If you've never heard of her, do yourself a favour and look for videos on KZbin. For a skit she wrote but wasn't in (her bff Julie Walters - yes, _that_ Julie Walters, took the lead as she often did in one of Vic's TV shows), look for "two soups". I don't know the name of the sketch, but that should work. Didn't mean to hijack this as a Victoria Wood fangirl comment, but Tim's sense of humour and talent at the piano reminds me so much of her because she was so very similar - except she was from "oop North" rather than Oz. Once more, this is Tim at his brilliant best. I've never heard him do anything that wasn't 100% spot on, including now. Bravo maestro! Bravo!

[@mralfiejohnsonalfiejohnson8592]

This was a decade ago. I live my life in 2008, I swear...

[@77gravity]

Tim, you seem a little more manic than usual. Nice clip, thank you.

[@sm00thns]

+77gravity recorded 10 years ago. when he was fresh, more comic and not that deep like today.

[@Jeremy-di4ye]

Tim related in a new interview screened in Australia tonight that when he first walked out on stage for this performance and looked around he thought, "f- yeah - I can do this".

[@Jonesmayes]

Just came back from Tim Minchin concert. I met him, hugged him, got signed posters and tickets, got my photo with him AND talked about ovulating chickens. :D SO HAPPY!!! :')

[@dandeelyonn]

The captions are hilarious

[@MutantFoodStamp]

I like him. He's like a funny Russel Brand. (with music)

[@GamingScotsman]

(and less drugs :P)

[@mikeheff99]

***** 100% more piano and 25% more gay :P

[@lh2738]

hahaha true

[@louismitchell2285]

That solo was pure class!

[@sassyyz]

Love love love love!

[@josiahorm1650]

i have listened to this song like fifteen times and I only just realized it was a sex doll. I am an idiot.

[@DJ_Damo_]

+Josiah Orm ha ha

[@notalexbayley]

it took me a few listens and then i was on holiday in cornwall on a small beach just sat with my earphones in and when it came too me i screamed out loud "ITS A SEX DOLL" and everyone stared.. didnt care though XD

[@raspberrycrowns9494]

I actually thought it was just a really weird love song and then when I heard 'do what your told' I was like ...what? and when he said fold able it clicked

[@TheDGomezzi]

What could you possibly think the song was about?

[@bonafide_idiot]

@@TheDGomezzi a really unique bike …

[@chrisscm]

Hilarious!!! Very, very clever!

[@komfuckoola5137]

That's what i call a true artist! One of a Kind!

[@annierlanger5971]

Tim minchins songs r the best!!!!!!!:)

[@lauralikescatz]

this song always reminds me of mystery by hugh laurie

[@Aquaday]

This was uploaded 10 years ago today...

[@ropuchK]

Thank you, Tim, for being available in my region!

[@elliedarmiento1463]

Beautiful! Love him!

[@itsmyaccount1153]

Hilarious and clever lyrics.

[@jordobanana2053]

50 times listen to this and just realised that he was talking about a sex doll

[@fredrikdagsvik7863]

the innocence is strong in this one

[@doktorspock8910]

a backdoorable sex doll *wink*

[@Thars36]

Dude. You just blew my mind. I feel so dumb right now.

[@kacpermoney2820]

How fucking stupid are you? Its obvious from the title itself

[@joesr31]

what did you think it was before?

[@TheSteveydave]

he seems so chilled... i love it. what a man

[@supercool254]

I love all his songs