Jimmy Nail - Big River - Live

[@JohnCooper1]

That is one of the purest and most poetic folk anthems of my demographic and generation. Shattering moment as he clenches a fist authenticating the will to rebuild in honour of the legacy.

[@colinatkinson6908]

Am from Gateshead, lived in Darlington for over 50 years… Get a lump in my throat every time I hear this

[@DudemanSwede]

Me too, even though I'm not even British. I grew up in a small community in central Sweden (Smedjebacken), next to the large iron mill and our beautiful river. Our iron mill today, has only a fourth of the workers it used to have back in the 70's. It touches me deeply. I just love hearing the sound at night from the furnace...

[@ConradAshtonMusic]

Criminally underrated singer-songwriter absolute genius 🖤🤍

[@leslielees5438]

I have listened to this song a hundred times. Genius

[@Katherine7759]

Agreed ❤

[@donhanlon7121]

​@@leslielees5438Me too though this is my first time seeing this version. Brilliant even without Mark Knopfler's guitar backing ☘️👌

[@ianwhite242]

I'm a Mackem...but this guy and this song sums up the north east....pure soul...

[@glengraham7080]

Yes. I reckon Glaswegians will feel the same as we do about the lyrics too.

[@srdjanjapanmusic5817]

Fantastic Artist ! Jimmy Nail !!

[@ilcorvo9559]

@@glengraham7080absolutely.

[@belasera2819]

R

[@paulryan3633]

Absolute class, being a boy myself from the North East, I salute my forefathers

[@barriepaige7313]

I don't think I have ever seen or heard a performance of a song given with more genuine emotion. It brought tears to my eyes.

[@stephenbrady112]

Same wish he had concert here

[@bobbymaximiliano8810]

pro trick : you can watch series at kaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using them for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.

[@leoneltrenton325]

@Bobby Maximiliano definitely, have been watching on KaldroStream for months myself :)

[@leslielees5438]

When it came out I was on a car trip with my posh friend Nick and I made him listen to this song on loop for more than an hour. Well more than that. I was so overwhelmed by it's beauty truth and brilliance. It is so close to my heart and is my emotional home after my mum and dad died.

[@boxinglegends6454]

Played this at my Dads Funeral Although he was a Scouser this song reminded him of his childhood by the mersey plus he had great friends from Newcastle

[@bikelawbloke]

I’m not sure people realise just how much Newcastle and Liverpool have in common: mainly the attitude of their people. So many kids from my north-east school went to university in Liverpool and said exactly that. Meanwhile, I went elsewhere and my good mate there, originally from Liverpool, said many of his classmates went the other way to the north-east and said the same thing. I’ve always found it to be true.

[@grassfuse]

A very underrated outstanding Actor and Singer,I hope whatever he is doing he is happy,and knows how much pleasure he has brought t people.an excellent ambassador for both Newcastle and Geordies every where!Thanks Jimmy!

[@OurTrystan]

Just one of the best songs ever written by anyone. Fills my heart, floods my eyes, lifts my soul. Different class, Jimmy!

[@psyjanadox]

to everyone else this is just a song to us northerners (including scotland) its the most beautiful emotive thing ever written

[@pleaberg5971]

I can see your point, but I don't agree with it! To me this song is like he said about the place where I grew up. It really doesn't matter that my hometown looks nothing like the place he describes.. It's the feeling it provides!

[@terryhurley1]

from a south londoner

[@georgepeace3791]

I agree entirely those who can remember the pride men had working in the shipyards it was life to them. its all gone now, nearest i got was Dorman Long,s Factory working for a wire machine supplier, and l had to show my union card. George Peace

[@CoinUnique]

Well said, when we in Scotland get our independence, we will fight to declare Newcastle as Scottish :)

[@kierankeegan4665]

Pride doesn't pick towns or countries ..

[@davidhart7792]

Great voice, great actor, great songwriter. Love to see him back on our screens.

[@jimmygb64]

Jimmy Nail that was a really beautiful song brilliantly sung and you did your City Proud....God Bless you Jimmy...

[@normanphillipson5486]

As a Tynesider from Gateshead now living in Ireland for 50 years , I have both sad and fond memories of my childhood and family. The North East gave so much to the prosperity of Brotain but got insufficient recognition. Jimmy's song brings tears to my eyes as I reflect on such a marvellous place

[@ThomasHawes-q7f]

Love that song love Jimmy nail ❤❤😊

[@martinglynn272]

Only heard this song 2 years ago for the first time recently I travelled from Edinburgh to London by train and passed through Newcastle and then I saw the big river class song really touched my heart

[@michaelhastie9729]

This song reminds me of my own youth. When I was about ten I jumped on the tram down to the Broomielaw (on the river Clyde) to watch all the old cargo ships. One Saturday I got o talking to a couple of deckhands who were painting the ships side and told them when I left school I was going to join the merchant navy. One of the seamen took me onboard and showed me around and explained the kind of work I would be doing if I went to sea, that was when I knew this was going to be my life. After leaving school in 1962 I join the training ship "Vindicatrix" for three months (June-August) training. When I left the Vindicatrix I joined my first ship (Ferry to Belfast) as deck boy on the Clyde. I stayed at sea from 1962-1990 when the shipping Federation (Pool) closed down and the shipping companies got rid of us and started employing EU foreign seamen. We we finally get the hell out f the EU I would like to see Britain rebuild our merchant fleet and our shipbuilding. The merchant navy is the best life for youngsters.

[@bullsnutsoz]

great comment mate

[@joannemcgowan5036]

Love this song get a lump in my throat every time I here it makes me proud 2 be a geordie

[@bullsnutsoz]

well stop whining then

[@marianwalters5241]

❤❤

[@peternicholson4839]

I'm from Liverpool, and can relate to this great song, love Jimmy Nail...lump in my throat now!

[@jamessmith4612]

And believe me, if you ever leave the North East and go and live down-south, you really understand it even more. The line: "We build them tough, we're built to last" Is just so true. I moved to the South West about 15 years ago, and couldn't believe how sensitive everyone was.They were always whinging and complaining and getting upset about things people have said, or done. And I used to tell them: "You wouldn't last 5 minutes, in my family, mate!" And it's true! All kids in Newcastle get brought up the same way. Our parents and families toughen us up. The minute I walk into a room, in Newcastle, with my cousins, or uncles, or parents, someone has a pop at me. Not in a nasty way, but a jokey way. Banter. Wind-ups. But that's what toughens us up. It makes us who we are.

[@marianwalters5241]

I moved to Kent in ‘78 and thought they were a whiney bunch! I’m back in the NE now and this my all time favourite. I wish I could play it on repeat!

[@louisebrigden9240]

This was sung at Dunfermline Folk Club the other night. What an incredible song 🎵 One of the most moving I've heard in ages.

[@krmoore1000]

how proud is jimmy, singing this song. good on yer mate

[@johnroyce8355]

This song reminds me of my Dad who worked as a plater in the yards on the Tees, I have tried to learn this song so many times, I can never finish it because makes me weep every time.

[@jeffatkins6890]

The song is fantastic , simply beautiful lyrics ! and the lady dancing is too

[@salamace7]

When Jimmy Nail penned this, I imagine the following thoughts went through his mind: "My god... I'll never write a better song than this..." followed shortly by "... then again, neither will anybody else."

[@krmoore1000]

salamace7, nice comment. im from hull. proud of my roots,im proud of this song because it reminds me of hull, MY PROUD CITY.

[@JohnBrown-tn6gz]

salamace7 pl

[@chezzyr]

I loved oz, seeing Jimmy do his stuff was even better

[@ulfibonkers3205]

As only Jimmy could :-)

[@terrytelford4361]

Top bloke top record from a mackem to a geordie quality 💯👏👏👌

[@jamesbowman4788]

Fabulous entertainment well done Jimmy. Nostalgia at its finest

[@mikedeman5351]

This is a great song and a great performance by Jimmy Nail. It touches your soul. It reminded me of songs by Bruce Springsteen when I heard it first. But in fact it is better than anything Springsteen has ever done and it is the best thing that Jimmy Nail has ever done. Well done, Jimmy, and thank you.

[@ilcorvo9559]

“The river” by Bruce Springsteen by any chance? Both brilliant songs which resonate.

[@mikedeman5351]

@@ilcorvo9559 Yes that was a very special song too. Thanks for mentioning it :)

[@gailal]

"The Neptune (Yard) was the last to go, I heard it on my radio". My dad and his dad both worked as drivers in the Neptune Yard.

[@EdwardAQuinn-mk1ft]

Gone forever sad brilliant Jimmy nail

[@krmoore1000]

the best song he has ever done,where is he now. miss him, and his music. please help. i know he is not with his wife. he is in london. come on jimmy. i know you are doing something with mark knophler. you have a lot of fans out here. come on mate. if i have to go to york at xmas i will. i live in hull. please help me get jimmy back on the music scene. i miss him loads

[@davidbyrne1873]

What can you say , im a Longbenton lad and this song makes me so proud

[@geoffshaw83]

This is the only song that makes me cry we built the best ships in the world on the rivers Tyne and the Wear

[@jonsouthgen]

As a son of Clydebank , I would disagree ,but hey,we have too much in common.

[@alexnicolson1502]

@@jonsouthgen and Greenock....

[@Bluesgerd47]

one of the heartful and touching songs that sadly never got great publicity. A perfect singer and a great songwriter.

[@davidbyrne7139]

I just love this song , makes me proud to be Geordie lad from Longbenton

[@jackiehoughton9727]

Thank you, from this working class northerner 💜

[@leearmstrong3407]

Absolutely smashed it Jimmy. Your a legend

[@stephensmith8886]

Love this song so much it makes the hairs on my neck stand up and makes me proud of where im from! Jimmy 'Oz' Nail is a legend. Toon Toon

[@stevecardwell6911]

My favourite song. My dad worked in the Neptune Yard so this song hits home.

[@artyboydando3021]

I have always loved this song ever since it was first released on cd, but this is the first time i have heared it played live, and i have to say, i like it more than ever now, you can really feel the pride and passion as he sings it. Gives me chills........

[@jameswhitehead3554]

Love this song almost breaks me everytime I here it I started work in the pits in 1981 a job for life I was told as started my training by 90's they were nearly all gone same as ship yards and steel works

[@01123581321341]

No matter where I might be in the world or whenever i hear this it takes me straight back home to the north east, childhood memories and proud,proud people.

[@grahamcochrane9152]

Pure emotion , just magic I can smell the river !

[@richardbickle4098]

this is a very evocative song. very emotional for many working class on the verge of distinction running for the last jobs

[@adrianmorley9917]

Can't listen to the song all the through reminds me of my dad he was from Newcastle upon Tyne

[@donhanlon7121]

Love your comment, sometimes a story is just too real👌

[@adrianmorley9917]

@@donhanlon7121 thank you

[@davidspenceley7433]

A touching song to everyone over 60 even Yorkshire man like myself

[@cuteurchins8535]

Pure emotion, authentic performance, this guy spreads spirits and courage to make for freedom and courage in all now and thens, cladded in a grand song. I believe in every lyric he expresses!

[@markhanley463]

A great song and a Geordie anthem.Jimmy Nail is very underrated as a vocalist,a great voice and a giant of a man with a heart to match.

[@faey06]

Brilliant,brilliant!!!! And every time I hear it, it makes me all choked up. Maybe 'coz I'm over in Canada

[@hollycasey9870]

Came across this song a few days ago , pure class, why didn't it make it big

[@johnsimpsonkirkpatrickhist1372]

An amazing song. Very moving!

[@pjolivier2888]

Beautifully written and performed.

[@peterdrake5156]

I'd forgotten how damn good a singer Jimmy is. This is superb

[@philiprobin9275]

This is such a wonderful song. Absolutely perennial! It should have been a number 1 hit...for weeks!

[@1926reilly]

Up there with Sunshine On Leith and YNWA. Feckin love it.

[@jamesmclaren2268]

well takw away the showtune and im with ya

[@johnny88sunday]

What a song, and what a singer, can't believe he's hitting that high note live!

[@paul888smith]

Absolutely love it. Talented man...

[@arthurmckeown7709]

Brilliant song and heartwarming performance from Jimmy.

[@SuperChamp62]

from a rough arsed brickie to this. Awesome song that will resonate with all northern towns and cities that had mines,ship builders and steelworks. The Tory bastard can never take the spirit of the North.

[@georgestergiou9271]

What a song, and what an artist!!

[@MrTaurusBill]

Brings back fond memories, I used to hang around the river in the fifties, once went fishing when I was 15 beyond the piers for mackerel, it was a crazy thing to do as we only had a wooden dingy with oars, wow those days

[@ladywalker8200]

What a great voice and a lovely song. Jimmy is the greatest!!

[@gracielou8110]

Jimmy is wonderful singing this song this makes me cry every time I hear this my granny's family is the north east forever in my heart ❤️❤️❤️

[@MargaretMcPhail]

This reminds me of the Clyde in Glasgow my cousin who was a joiner went down to London with other workers from the yards to protest when Maggie Thatcher started shutting them down. Both him and I went down to Gateshead every summer to stay with my aunt and uncle. This song always brings the mist to my eyes bt also pride in what the shipbuilders did.

[@markllsinkus729]

Only just discovered this song in 2019. Lovely track

[@KuroMicra]

Love this tune. Just caught it on Radio 2. Totally forgot about this wee gem. Very underrated artist singing a song about his home town. Sad but beautiful at the same time.

[@philbrown6642]

this song continues to make me cry when i hear it, a sad story of the ship yards closing and jims dad fighting for his country and then years later his ashes scattered on the tyne, jim is a very good song writer and very under estimated,thanks for posting this sir.

[@CLVASHJBHWFS]

The North between Birmingham and Glasgow, built Britain.

[@joshuachew8051]

THIS - shame we only have one vote up on YT.

[@CLVASHJBHWFS]

@Kevin Davies Yes Totally. I should say the Severn to Wash border is the real border and North of the Border and includes all of Wales. Any thing south has pockets, still important, but pockets in which the main industry was/is service and banking in which many cases do not produce wealth like manufacturing. Banking extracts wealth when really it should be there to serve industry in proper fair investment. We need and industrial bank, created by industry to service (real) industry.

[@gregmardell6653]

Lovely song from Jimmy Top bloke!

[@cretan982]

Beautiful voice - so soulful.

[@Fortune650]

What a fabulous song! Well done Jimmy, you nailed it!

[@davidp4043]

well done Jimmy👏👏👏

[@pamorr9081]

Reminds me of my school days. Such a humble and honest performance

[@neiltomkins4713]

Sung with passion. Brilliant.

[@glengraham7080]

A brilliant song. So heartfelt.

[@joeellis4068]

mr jimmy nail. i salute you.

[@allandodds716]

Thank you Jimmy for writing that song just for me, a plater's son.

[@tomclark3384]

Born near the River Clyde next to the last integrated Steel Works in Lanarkshire.This song resonates with everything that was wrong with Britain in the early eighties.The destruction the life ,the future destroyed.I write this in 2018.It has never recovered.

[@philipsudron]

Just perfect. One of my all time favourite songs and s superbly performed.

[@olofnordahl2099]

Its great,Jimmy👍just love your song

[@vvolkerknapp]

I must admit that I heard the song the first time today, but it will be my favorite for this year. Great song, very authentic.

[@stubmandrel]

Such a classy video, suits the song perfectly. The best thing ever to come out of Essex since jam and cream scones.

[@MrNorthbriton]

Brilliant.... superb.. Jimmy Nail gives a heartfelt and moving performance of a wonderful song that totally tugs at your heart.A great city with a great history well respected and honoured..

[@scalemodel_sean]

hard to believe when Jimmy auditioned for Auf Wiedersehen, it was only for a role of a extra and had no past experience in tv. and has gone on to be a Geordie legend and create brilliant songs as well

[@FreakyJay1974]

I love this song too. I'm from a Borough of Newcastle upon tyne, so it kind of hits home with me. Theres one called Big River - then & now with Jimmy singing his song and showing places in Newcastle Then & Now, its awesome. And Jimmy Nail sings this song like he does all of his others, simply beautifully.

[@paulfrancs3315]

been to newcastle twice last seven months great place great people

[@paulfrancs3315]

that's a fact great people true to heart

[@paulafarmer7907]

my Geordie hubbie loves this beautiful song it means the world to him and tells a fantastic story❤

[@krmoore1000]

love you jimmy, your music is class mate. to the roots. A PROUD FAN FROM HULL. thank you jimmy

[@tiannaw9766]

Absolutely brilliant classic

[@thomaskeane7527]

As a Man utd fan in the seventies Newcastle always favourite away ground great times and top fans and atmosphere was awsome

[@Sandybeaches07]

Seen him in concert many years ago he was brilliant! ❤

[@murphy1980100]

a song sung from the heart love it x

[@MrMackem01]

Brilliant Jimmy.... You make me feel even more proud to be from our salt of the earth North East

[@จันทร์พรส์สุธาสินี]

I like his voice and I like his song❤️love Big River❤️

[@paulpeacock4081]

Passion proud of his own city top man jimmy nail 🤍

[@kenmcintyre3258]

Still brilliant

[@hoppersgirl11]

Stunning!

[@MrPeach18]

stunning,really.

[@lite4919]

I love Jimmy's authenticity and. Presentation of this song

[@merichamarais1607]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you

[@robbieforster3021]

Beautiful song shame its all gone now end of an era... Good luck 🍀 to you Jimmy lad! 👍

[@davidspenceley7433]

My favourite song of all time

[@leslielees5438]

Evey word in this song has meaning for me.. The greatest song of all time