John Farnham & the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra - You're The Voice live commentary reaction

Today I listen to John Farnham perform his hit You're The Voice live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. You're the Voice was originally released as a single ahead of his 1986 album Whispering Jack.
Chapters
Links
Original live video: • John Farnham & Melbour...
John Peter Farnham AO (born 1 July 1949) is a British-born Australian singer. Farnham was a teen pop idol from 1967 until 1979, billed until then as Johnny Farnham. He has since forged a career as an adult contemporary singer. His career has mostly been as a solo artist, although he replaced Glenn Shorrock as lead singer of Little River Band from 1982 to 1985.
Farnham has become one of his country's best-known and most popular performers, and he is the only Australian artist to have a number-one record (album or single) in five consecutive decades.
"You're the Voice" is a song recorded by the Australian singer John Farnham released in 1986, which became an immediate hit in Australia as well as several European countries, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. It was released as a single in September 1986 ahead of his album Whispering Jack, and was written by Andy Qunta, Keith Reid, Maggie Ryder, and Chris Thompson.
"You're The Voice" was composed by British songwriters Chris Thompson, Andy Qunta and Maggie Ryder in response to an anti-nuclear demonstration in London's Hyde Park in 1985. More than 100,000 people attended the rally, but Thompson overslept. As an act of penance, he decided to express his remorse by composing a song that emphasised the importance of invoking personal agency when it comes to effecting political change.
Reid also described it as an anti-war song, since it was released in the mid-80s, during the height of the Cold War.
It was a top 10 hit around the world and won the 1987 ARIA Award for Single of The Year.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
We have the chance to turn the pages over
We can write what we want to write
We gotta make ends meet before we get much older
[Pre-Chorus]
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
[Chorus]
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear, oh, woah
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear, oh, woah
[Verse 2]
This time, we know we all can stand together
With the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better
[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, we're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son, oh
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
[Chorus]
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear, oh, woah
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear, oh, woah
[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, we're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
[Chorus]
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear, oh, woah
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear, oh, woah
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear, oh, woah
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear, oh, woah
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear, oh, woah
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear, oh, woah
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear, oh, woah
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear, oh, woah

[@barnowl.]

It is a song of EMPOWERMENT !

[@georgeibrahim7945]

Nothing better then listening to The voice singing “you’re the voice”

[@jayweb51]

John always performs with a smile; and not only entertains his audience, but is also entertained by his audience. With John, it is always a two way interaction.

[@joanmonaghan8428]

John is known as "the voice" in Australia, for obvious reasons. He is well loved in Australia and has been for decades. Not only is he a superb vocalist and performer but he is also one of the nicest people you would ever meet.

[@meghanvidler9147]

John Farnham was the one who put the bagpipes in. This song was going nowhere until he recorded it - against the writers wishes although they are pleased now. The reason this song was “everywhere” is because of this fantastic singer. Watch his version of Help from the same concert.

[@celestelittek7360]

Have a look at his live version of 'Help' from this same concert ❤

[@rodgerbelveal6684]

He take a wonderful Beatles song and not only makes it his own, but he OWNS it!

[@jayweb51]

If you haven't already reacted to John's version of The Beatles classic song Help with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, then you're in for a treat. Also, John does some great duets; his duet with Olivia Newton John singing Please Don't Ask Me from The Main Event Concert is pure theatre, and with Jimmy Barnes singing When Something is Wrong With My Baby from Jimmy's Soul Deep concert is pure r&b.

[@devi_-]

I think there's a misconception that a song has to be negative to be a protest song. This song perfectly captures the sense of hope that is essential to do the work to create change and overcome fear and apathy. It's very real as a protest song.

[@kethlyfallon5095]

Agree it is about the positive influence people can have if they take action. It is not necessarily an anti war but anti nuclear weapons. It was around the time the Berlin Wall was still up and the positive vibes in the world

[@carolynh8866]

We don't all have to like the same things, so thats Ok.I personally love it, and is a perfect example of everyone being able to have their own voice. That is what the song is all about. The sheer number of views that this performance has generated for your channel compared to most of your other videos should give you a pretty good hint at how amazing an artist John Farnham is and how well loved this song is. None of us in Australia believe that this an anti war song....the writers of the song originally meant it to be that way, but John's enterpretation was one of empowerment, for everyone to be able stand up and have a voice of their own especially against domestic violence..and social injustices. One of the songs that he did write that was more of an anti war song... was See the Banners Fall. About the Berlin Wall coming down, African, Vietnamese, Chinese, middle Eastern and south American atrocities that were happening at the time, Maybe give that a listen. Still nothing like 60's/70's Dylan and more of a pop style song but typical of Farnhams way of thinking . ❤ m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZSlZ2WMi7OMfM0 I hope you enjoy it. I think you might also like this one. Its about how industry is ruining the earth for our children. All our Sons and Daughters m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqrKm5aCj550aqs You say he was no Bob Dylan. Certainly not. Totally different eras and ways of expressing themself. But John once you start delving into the lyrics of his songs....especially the ones he wrote himself, you will discover that his message to the world about social and policatal injustices has been just as strong. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqrKm5aCj550aqs

[@AnneSmith-lr7cp]

I think your mistake is your 'understanding' of why it is popular. Not sure where you got your idea it is seen as a great anti war song. To Australians it is seen as a song encouraging us to use our voices and that we all have power if we do.

[@jayweb51]

The use of bagpipes was at John's request, any other instrument that replaces it is sacrilege.

[@jayweb51]

Always react to live performances when checking out Australian artists and bands.

[@markjames3522]

You’re The Voice is universal adaptable lyrically , it’s up to the listeners interpretation . Yes it was written about nuclear weapon disarmament within the cold war era . But John himself has lent the song out to domestic violence awareness campaigns . And recently to the yes campaign for First Nations to have a voice to Australian parliament and Australian constitution to be adjusted to addressing aboriginal First Nations people are the first Australians. Which Australian constitution fails to mention. This decision John may have pissed off some of his fanbase and non fans , upset that John made song political . John was thinking on the human rights situation of the First Nation topic and that they as collective communities should have right to say how their social issues are managed not but not by bureaucrats in Canberra . Sadly some extremist groups have also used the song out of context , making John’s late manager Glenn Wheatley to make a statement that John doesn’t share extremist views and stop using the song in this context. Other hand You’re The Voice is an unofficial anthem in Australia . It’s an ageless classic that still holds meaning decades after its debut .

[@Rassskle]

Aboriginals have the same rights as anyone else but are given more. We are a democracy, not a socialist state. We don't need hundreds of tribes and nationalities fighting each other for ascendancy and their own dictatorship.....we already have the ALP and other socialists pushing us towards a dictatorship and socialist state.

[@Rassskle]

I agree 100 %......the song itself is not great, but it is catchy and not the worst cheesy pop song i have heard. Anything live by John and the MSO is worth a listen......especially his covers of AC/DC, Led Zepplin and The Beatles Help......all with the MSO.

[@brontepetropoulos4755]

SORRY HES BECOME A TRAITOR TO us OZZIES

[@marieeugarde6988]

Please explain

[@AnneSmith-lr7cp]

​@@marieeugarde6988he came out in support of a vote to recognise our indigenous people and it upset the racist rednecks who hoped he was like them. But anyone who has been listening to him for decades knows what side of the social justice ledger he has always been on.

[@commodore1979]

@@marieeugarde6988 its got something to do with some stupid yes/no vote John Farnham will always be a legend peoples ignorance will always continue to boggle my mind its no wonder this world hasnt gotten any better since this song was released

[@markjames3522]

John is humble human being he chose to be on the right side of history. If you are indicating John letting You’re The Voice to used in the Yes campaign First Nations voice to Parliament . It’s Aussie not Ozzie

[@shoresaresandy]

Not to this Aussie, so please just speak for yourself!