Loudon Wainwright - When You Leave

A very moving song from Loudon - from 2nd May 2005. This song is from Loudon's 2005 album 'Here Come the Choppers'. Check it out.
Loudon releases his first ever box set on May 3rd 2011, and it also includes his first ever DVD with over three hours of video.
This song is included. From the BBC Four Sessions recorded in 2005.
www.chud.com/38...

[@galbreath34]

Some days I search KZbin for Loudon's songs thinking I need a good laugh and start with the funny ones. More often than not I wind up going to the ones that make me cry, and that's what I really needed after all.

[@marshsherrif2824]

and I remember when I thought this man was just funny. How little do I know

[@johneves6575]

Heart right there on his sleeve! So love Loudon sometimes funny sometimes poignant. Singer songwriter 🕊

[@thusspokegod2593]

That's exactly how I got here, friend.

[@paulhowes5094]

so well said sometimes we need an ear or a hand, and others we may need a shoulder

[@marshsherrif2824]

I was at my mums(78) when this was on BBC. I asked if I could watch it. She stayed up and we watched it together. She said "Why didnt tell me about this man?" I cried

[@anthonybuono02809]

gut wrenching emotion from an under appreciated artist.

[@mvo5720]

Stopped me in my tracks, when I first saw him, and he still does.

[@rpm4565]

Loudon writes songs where he either tears your heart out for you to look at, or he tears his heart out...for you to look at.

[@Tupelo927]

rpm4565 THIS. A million times THIS. You nailed it

[@adamwyman7870]

so true. Ive loved this man for 40 years.

[@larryboyes7276]

Spot on.

[@visigrog]

My god, this guy knows what he is talking about.

[@Teddyb1939]

Such a meaningful song beautiful words Loudon at his very,very best,This song by Loudon should be in everyones collection.

[@MrCook1227]

Loudon doesn't hold back, that's for sure. No other songwriter shows his feelings or reveals his personal life the way he does.

[@dermot1961able]

i was made to leave by my ex. this sums up the whole thing for me. i am losing my children and though i see them once a week its like you have lost your life and your greatest fear is that you will lose their love.

[@EnosEverything]

A fantastic artist who deserves far more credit... Loudon really tears his heart out on many songs and this is just one of the best examples of that... No holding back with the emotional inner thoughts of this guy... A one man guy but with thousands of friends.

[@jameskryzaniak907]

Knocked up? Knock out! With end track by Bob as lil girl runs through park? (Perfect) leaves me speechless everytime

[@AdieBurton]

been a life long fan of Loudon such a talented songwriter

[@gregorypotter844]

s good to be in my teens again at 62.

[@ianmacdonald9025]

Simply outstanding artist. A crime that he hasn't made it.

[@Teddyb1939]

He's made it in my and many other's opinion.

[@ecurbyy]

He has.

[@suesjoy]

He’s made it - he has intelligent fans who are quite loyal. He’s been in films, and his music has also been used in some great films, as well.

[@iankyoko]

He's made it in my world.

[@thecatalunya1]

are you kidding he made it my riend believe me....

[@sweetgypsywife]

Dont let it happen...they need both of you..and you can bring just as much magic into their lives as you always did. hold on in there....

[@suesjoy]

Sweet Gypsy Wife he actually has four children!

[@TomDaniels1949]

I have been accused of putting too much out there when it comes to "feelings" This is one of the reasons I love LW. This song is so freakin' good. I've been there and this song makes my gut ache

[@kristlkrost101]

Keep putting it out there

[@danielcharlton5159]

I always come back to this song

[@TheVirginiawoolf]

Thank you Loudon, you beautiful man. xxx

[@chaplinlives]

An amazing, amazing powerful, poignant song.

[@Broz64]

If i had the guts, I'd make my someone listen to this song. I have loved Loudon since I first heard him in 1970 something. My brother saw Loudon at The Amadillo in Austin and then brought one of Loudon's cassette tapes home to Yoakum Tx. I'd never heard anything so different ... Lyrically, of course, but also the solo thing.... just so cool ....jus sayin

[@Stringman1950]

Simply fearless. A true troubadour.

[@rimbaud100]

Masterpiece.

[@tommccue8628]

I love this song Iove this man

[@anthonythorsen6943]

I listened to 'dead skunk' and on the radio and I loved it. I bought the album and loved it. We played it all the time and bought successive albums. I found a new album at the record shop, Brisbane Queen Street Mall, top end. The lady at the register noted the purchase and declared that LW3 was coming to town. That was it... Mad bookings... change of venues... Advising siblings... And now forty years later We still love him

[@Teddyb1939]

Beautiful words about his life and family moves.

[@robinmead5826]

Oh God. Why does it all always feel like just yesterday? I guess it's because there's really no end to getting past it. I was going to save this song on a play list to listen to again... but I can't. 2 1/2 years shy of two decades and it's still to close. Broken to pieces and if you loved unconditionally, you still don't stop loving... that's the thing. It's total insanity. I've seen dogs do the same thing. Nuts.

[@stevejenks9735]

first saw him around 1971, last saw him around 2014 - equally excellent just a different voice that has mellowed beautifully in the interim.

[@williamedwards7010]

woderfull song loudon i love your songs you have sung my heart out for 30 years thanks

[@niallburns3659]

Where would we be without LWR and his catalogue of tunes

[@Stringman1950]

Man, oh man! Short story in song. Awesome.

[@sloloader]

I think this is the best song he ever did. It fits into my life, like it was written for me about my family growing up. We saw him in concert a while back and at the end this was the song the audience requested, only thing, they kept saying, " when you go". He didn't sing it.

[@jimallen8]

Amazing song, peeling back the layers until you bleed . .

[@14wAYNE]

Sublime, heartfelt

[@seleneinparadise869]

I can’t believe this song is 15 years old already. I wonder if he’s still touring

[@NornIronNews]

Still touring. UK in February 2025.

[@nisadave]

Absolute perfection.

[@kevingoble]

Stunning

[@Secretsquirrel1010]

You are the one for me Loudon 💜

[@davidscully2737]

Nancy Troy I know how he makes you feel.Raw and wonderfull

[@kurtgundersen]

"and those you've left don't want you back."

[@colerainfan1143]

"...the skin you save is growing slack, and the ones you left don't want you back..."

[@mic982]

+Colerain Fan ....nice turn of phrase...can mean a lot of different things, which is the hallmark of a good line

[@jameskryzaniak907]

Slack? Like as is the scars?

[@richardreid3798]

Saw this man perform in Oxford in the late 70's. Still a fan to this day.

[@bobandrayfan1]

One that's difficult to share with friends but must be shared to explain just how the heart's beat can waver and betray the heart's owner..

[@edwardoneill3118]

if he's touched your life he's made it .

[@frankmcpave7965]

Simply great!

[@terrencepainter1466]

Have listed ti louden for years got him on vinyl a musicians favourite love the guy

[@ukrobochips8817]

Rarely does a new song capture me so tightly upon a first listen, but this did. It's remarkable similar to the Ocean Colour Scene's sound. I'm guessing Simon Folwer is a fan of Louden Wainwright. Thanks for the upload.

[@ohpamoh]

So raw and true.

[@carriegarciasanders8558]

crying.

[@stephenbrady6116]

so am i

[@suesjoy]

I love Here Come the Choppers so much. I met him when he was touring it. I brought up Rufus and Martha too...ouch. I shouldn’t have done that! He recovered though. And he ended up playing at Martha’s show that I told him I was going to! 💕

[@MrK9nny]

981 thats fucking tragic. this song is so beautiful and no one even knows about it. :(

[@AUdioHipster]

Godspeed

[@everwood67]

The Greatest....

[@Cosmikwheels]

john wildswimmer He truly is. I saw him live for the first time Monday and I wasn't disappointed, best day of my life!

[@henryedwards6408]

Cuts right to the bone

[@iankyoko]

I wish he came Downunder. My dream is to see him live.

[@4711rosa]

Please come to Holland.....

[@LazzariJ]

Talent Rules x

[@arabelavaz7950]

Hard but necessary truth.

[@charlesschaefer1974]

my childhood

[@Stringman1950]

Always was-sometimes uncomfortably so-and honest to God troubadour.

[@marshsherrif2824]

what a F ing song

[@johndeever]

Very, very, very few videos on KZbin have ZERO dislikes.

[@valpurves45]

Poignant

[@jdavis417]

"Strumming my pain with his fingers Singing my life with his words..."

[@nicolabliemeister2734]

comes e to my town bremen

[@grai]

the skin you saved has now gone slack and those you left don't want you back wow

[@walterkersting1362]

That chimney sound... must be an alternate tuning; Nashville is it?

[@stevehughes7341]

You couldn't be more right, Galbreath.

[@dermot1961able]

thank you. very kind words but facing whats called parental alienation. will hang in there as i love my kids and of course they ove their dad just as they love mum. by the way my great grand dad was a traveller and have an inkling to buy a houseboat or mobile. must be the old gene pool?. all good. peace and love

[@dirkbogarde44]

@dermot1961able Sounds to me like that will never happen. Good luck my friend. Hang in there.

[@DennisTobler]

I'm looking for the early album T-Shirt.....any help?

[@mushuyouhungry]

Dennis Tobler tshirt and final exam double CD set on Amazon now for 16$

[@suesjoy]

Dennis Tobler I have it! 😀

[@tullsongs]

Is there a more honest songwriter ?

[@david-pb4bi]

You go in a record shop looking for Loudon and find loads of Rufus who is pathetic not even a thousand times as good, what is wrong with people?

[@homelessbrother]

I totally agree mate.

[@nuligebla1173]

got a real love-hate thing with this guy. today i hate him.

[@ianburry5629]

And the next time you listen..??