Magazine - Song From Under The Floorboards

Another fine track from Magazine

[@maxbeeken5543]

I heard this and knew instantly, this was my song. The lyrics are perfect and I'll have it played at my funeral.

[@KayAmooty433]

I agree 100 percent and it's on "the funeral list".

[@scottwager6282]

me too ,

[@markhepworth9484]

One of the greatest opening lines in rock history: "I am angry, I am ill, and I'm as ugly as sin". Hits you right on the chin from the very start.

[@KayAmooty433]

god yes. reminds me of gregor samsa.

[@aredbee]

Yes! Up there with "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine."

[@Artaud1957]

And let's not forget "I was born in 1956 / In the back of a pink Cadillac / Daddy is an alien / He ain't never coming back" from Alien Sex Fiend.

[@Juanmariabrausen]

Its the literal initial line from "Notes from the underground" by Fiodor Dostoievski

[@aredbee]

​@@Juanmariabrausen Oh, no wonder it's so great. Thanks for that! I knew the song was inspired by the story, but it's quite a while since i read it. Time to revisit.

[@lopakavolmer6723]

"my irritability keeps me alive and kicking" my mantra since then and before.

[@fillthy]

They were the most underrated band of all time!!!!

[@pturberville108]

Without being pretentious, as some rock fans are, I can honestly say this is a forgotten gem, a sparkling jewel.It is vastly underrated.

[@keithbate9405]

It is difficult not to be . But I for one agree with your post.

[@maxbeeken5543]

This song has lost none of its power in the 40 odd years since I first heard it. Those opening lyrics knocked me for six. I felt they could've been written for me personally. I knew straight away that this was the song I would have played at my funeral.

[@Isthmiades2]

A true classic and a landmark song from the existentialist outsider view of life. Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel 'Notes from Underground' was called 'Notes from Under the Floorboards in the original Russian. The cover of the single was to have had the words 'to FD' on the cover but owing to an oversight by the printers it was omitted.

[@rhettpeter83]

Even with all the great music coming out today, this timeless song reminds you of the great songs of the past and in particular when looking at magazines body of work, their ability to create an audiovisual experience, paint imagery in your mind. Art.

[@zweiosterei]

'But the brightest jewel inside of me Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity' Amazing

[@niasu1]

Great memories from a golden era, grew up surfing and listening to Magazine. 42 years later still sounds as good as ever!

[@markhepworth9484]

Ive just had an image of a surfer reading Dostoevsky on the beach and listening to Magazine. Brill!

[@gharris2389]

I want to get "I know the meaning of life it doesn't help me a bit" on a t-shirt

[@raiffesilva4908]

The bass line kills.

[@Hybridog]

Once upon a time in a land far, far away called Houston, an outlaw radio station called KPFT played this song late at night when no one was listening. Well, except me, I was listening. And I loved it.

[@spensert4933]

Most existential song ever and w dat funky bass well played lads.

[@dermot51]

Pure class and the late great Ian Curtis on drums at 0.24 , quite extraordinary

[@Rudimcd63]

Certain songs in life are timeless,those songs you feel not just hear :)

[@johnparrot9]

Songs that make life worth living.

[@KayAmooty433]

sublime

[@Gerasimo_Carbone]

I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin My irritability keeps me alive and kicking I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact I know the highest and the best I accord them all due respect But the brightest jewel inside of me Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact Used to make phantoms I could later chase Images of all that could be desired Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings And then I just got tired This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked My force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact

[@angelapaul4064]

Thank you for posting the lyrics, I was just about to go searching. Such a classic

[@Gerasimo_Carbone]

@@angelapaul4064 amazingly raw intro. Wonderful.

[@markbennetts8794]

Cheers for posting the lyrics, inspirational song

[@atlantisnewman1722]

in 1980 these guys played a gig in Brisbane , great gig $16- 4 bands ,XTC , Magazine , INXS and Flowers ( later Icehouse) one of the memorable musical days .

[@andreaprodan5616]

JESU! SHIT! THIS THIS THIS is a BAND! Energy, focus, and beauty. Ugliness turns into perfect beauty! Years after the first enthusiastic listenings... THIS is THE song!

[@keithbate9405]

Yes ! This track is awesome . In my list of my favourite tracks of all time alongside The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, Fleetwood Mac, Joy Division, Wall of Voodoo etc etc

[@minimoomin]

Wow, I've heard this song loads of times (it's one of my favorites) but this live version is incredible. I wish I could have seen them. I can't believe they aren't more widely beloved.

[@Enigmaticland]

Magazine is definitely a band from another planet... The only thing's missing is McGeoch on guitar but Robin Simon plays very good. Thanks for uploading this...

[@greedy_muppet]

This is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Not only beautifully composed, but the lyrics are spot on. That last bit, "and then I just got tired," couldn't have been sung an a better fashion. The character really comes through so perfectly. I heard Morrissey's version of this and was pleasantly surprised, but I can't say I'm a big Morrissey fan otherwise (though I haven't heard much else).

[@mrjelly5718]

It’s been 13 years….have you gotten into morrissey yet?

[@haha8427]

@@mrjelly5718 i hope they stayed strong

[@wavelengthrecords-1]

@@haha8427 get bent

[@soulminer]

Lyrics are awesome. And all musicians are truly talented .The guitar and synth work is amazing.

[@vv247]

one of my absolute faves from the 80's

[@1doctoma]

the song i'll have for my funeral...devoto is a genius..and what a bassline from barry adamson...excellent

[@KayAmooty433]

a few of us on here have said this. kindred souls. greetings.

[@Shellback41]

The organ/synth work is amazing here. What a song - unstuck in time!

[@jlepire1962]

Saw them at the Santa Monica Civic in the early 80's (can't remember the year cause I'm old). Only band to ever make my stomach queasy cause the bass was so loud. Incredible!

[@JANER64]

My fav Magazine song.

[@markcolonna6874]

JANER64 Me too

[@Spookymulder9396]

That bass is the reason why

[@stuartmorley3836]

Got loads of MAGAZINE stuff... brilliant band..

A true classic. Good performance.

[@elaineskinner6576]

Best opening line ever.

[@fr06hgv]

The first new wave 45 i bought @ 14 yr old..........this version is SUPERB

[@keithbate9405]

yeah new wave ! not post punk !!

[@casersatz]

This is my favorite song of all time.

[@stevewilson9479]

just a classic.. Howards voice haunting as allways!

[@Deano191267]

This was the best music era ever

[@stevenmccabe8452]

Simply sublime. Saw them in 1980. Wonderful. If only I had a time machine to go back....

[@Demeter62]

What a great band! What a great song! Wonderful to see the incomparable Howard de Voto again!

[@soinsincereish]

They are probably one of the most influential and important bands to come out of the post punk era; now you know of their existence think of yourselve as a member of an exclusive club! They're still touring saw them last year at Manchester Academy...Superb.

[@keithbate9405]

We called it "new wave" in England . Punk and New wave existed together eg The Ruts punk, Joy Division, Magazine New wave (of rock music !) I never heard that horrible term "post punk " until years later . I think it came from the US.

[@therespectedlex9794]

Just 11 years ago? Maybe next time eh.

[@porterhall27]

great lyrics, I saw this lot in 1980 they were great, a truly underated band

[@gracehudson2692]

Weird watching my ex husband Robin Simon playing guitar when we were still married such a long time ago.

[@Spectrescup]

I was thinking the same thing

[@edmundot]

Simon left the band right after this tour no?

[@zaxxx1975]

😍Tell more.. stories as i assume you have are so needed. Much more than the.. " Whos here in year so & so?" Or "so &so brought me here!". Sheesh i want a real stories and informative tidbits section. Any shares ya got will be appreciated. For example I was scrollin down hopein to findout whats the name of the guitarist and voila i found you!!

[@2napoleon6]

Saw him live at the Lowry in Manchester recently. It was fucking amazing, he's the coolest cat I've ever seen!

[@PlayItAgainTubeSam]

it's good to hear that bassline again o°P

[@ivankaramasov]

Best new wave band. For those well read it is obvious why I particularly love this song.

[@leemcquade9352]

Beautiful melody

[@aussiekev939]

one of the greats - i remember my older brother both the album and i listened and listened for days

[@stevewilson9479]

i love this! Howard Devoto live soo good

[@kirkwallboy]

I am angry I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin. My irritability keeps me alive kicking. Possibly, probably, the best opening to a song ever. A brilliant thing with so many original music things kind of swirling around.

[@Hubrisgoat]

@rexswindoll and John McGeoch is a truly incredible guitarist, maybe the most underrated ever..

[@208Royale]

They just don't make them like this anymore ❤

[@12monthsnointerest.69]

Wow!

[@marcfedak]

Magazine had a unique and ahead of their time sophisticated post-punk sound. I love the strange mix of Joy Division distorted barre chords, intriquite post-post funk drumming with liquidy fretless bass and best of all, a Del Shannon "Runaway" Farfisa sounding keyboard. Plus Howard Devoto looks a bit like Eno and even has similar musical sensibilities.

[@CrankCase08]

In other words, pretentious shit.

[@keithbate9405]

Eno influenced Devoto as did Bowie. Magazine influenced Joy D.

[@written12]

@@CrankCase08 no, not at all. Just an interesting and lively mix of influences. But it’s no pastiche. Magazine sounds like Magazine.

[@Spectrescup]

@@keithbate9405 joy div had pretty much finished by the time Magazine started

[@keithbate9405]

@@Spectrescup Really ???? Magazine had released Two albums by the time Joy Division released "Unknown Pleasures " in Summer 1979. Note I also saw Magazine live in 1978 promoting their debut album "real life " .

[@mrjelly5718]

Wow I thought this was a morrissey song. Very impressed. Lyrics are soooo morrissey. We’ll Excited to check out all of theirs songs.

[@douglasbell1227]

Like that Jools Hollandish bit at the end. Really adds something new.

[@justincase4812]

I froth at the mouth to see Magazine play a final ive show in my area. I have to come to the fact, that won't happen. The I got tired of counting all these blessings. Lol.

[@Rudydog65]

I am angry,I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin One of the greatest opening lines in a song,ever!

[@markcolonna6874]

Richard Berry And in a book too!!

[@zaxxx1975]

i know beauty n a good thi g when i see it

[@archbishoprobert]

From The. Book " metamorphosis " Franz. Kafka "

[@crazybob75]

Incorrect. Not Kafka, Dostoyevski. His novella with the title usually translated as "Notes From the Underground" can be more literally read as "Notes From Under the Floorboards." Its first lines are: "I am a sick man... I am a spiteful man. I am an unpleasant man. I think my liver is diseased."

[@aml3668]

I love these, what do we call them, existential polemical openers? This and Patti Smith's "Gloria" are magnificent . What else. "This Is not A Love Song"? Recommendations welcome.

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

Fuck yes! This is probably my favorite Magazine song, it is just too good.

[@1OhOne]

It's amazing how good they sound live

[@RochelleMG]

My favorite Magazine song. I didn't even know they were still playing. I wish they'd come to NY. I just bought the Magazine Peels Sessions CD at a street fair yesterday.

[@stevewilson9479]

Brilliant track..Devotos voice is chilling!

[@spassy13]

absolutly brilliant stuff

[@MrTitch1975]

1 of greatest song ever

[@markcolonna6874]

Mark Doughty yep

[@Gerasimo_Carbone]

A Masterpiece - Inspired by Dostoevsky’s 'Notes from the Underground'. Lyrics I am angry, I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin My irritability keeps me alive and kicking I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked By force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact I know the highest and the best I accord them all due respect But the brightest jewel inside of me Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked By force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact I used to make phantoms I could later chase Images of all that could be desired Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings And then I just got tired This is a song from under the floorboards This is a song from where the wall is cracked By force of habit, I am an insect I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact

[@paulbeardsley4095]

I think there is something wrong with my liver but I'm not going to go to the doctor!

[@hellraiser917]

This is and always will be a Classic!!

[@TheFatOwl]

I might be getting old, but this still sounds as good as it did the first time I heard it - can't say that about too many records

[@Loopjump]

A dutch journalist wrote an article about similarities between the lyrics in this song and a piece of Dostojewski (not the least). This song was my introduction to magazine, one of my neighbours used to start her days with this song for a month or so.

[@coastal16]

Reminds me of Doc martins,black jeans, crew cuts and been young. Oh happy days.

[@KayAmooty433]

then I got tired of counting all these blessings; then I just got tired.

[@designmania_videos]

They are well known to some of us who listened to their music 32 years ago.

[@gaiafrog]

Thanks for posting!! A classic. Where are songs like this now????

[@StacyLHatfield]

They are my favorite.

[@foff4strings]

Does anyone have any live footage of a track from 'The Correct Use Of Soap' called Philadelphia? I bought the LP (yes, vinyl!) when I heard it being played in the Brighton Virgin records shop when it was a little pokey place half way down the hill from the station. The line 'In Philadelphia I'm sure that I felt healthier' always made me smile.

[@slatsgrovnik]

I've always loved devoto's stuff and he's the best lyric writer I've ever heard. bloody shame he gave the music biz up years ago

[@Jupiture00]

Timeless!!!

[@lepopnoir]

Just got tickets for Manchester in february, I'm very excited!

[@keithbate9405]

My Mate went said it was great !

[@looboloo]

Propably the best band ever!

[@Rainhands22]

My philosophy lecturer gave me a cd with this song on it. The CD was entitled 'existential music'. Great song anyway.

[@zaxxx1975]

great to be here again!

[@2301Heli]

Our Best Time

[@exproggo]

great song..great riff...great band

[@chalkywhite7482]

Great band, I first saw these in the late 70s or early 80s on the Tube.

[@alrapids]

that was awesome, many thanks

[@spaceword]

This is funky Richard Thompson//brilliant

[@2napoleon6]

Same!!!!! See you there!!!!!!!!

[@niall441]

I love you big dummy.

[@pancake1979]

Great song.

[@carlin4238]

My irritability keeps me alive and kicking

[@markcolonna6874]

Carlos Henrique Me too

[@drstevie]

So good.

[@franciscojavierherreraamav2779]

Great song!

[@fallflies]

great song

[@lynnmark1]

Thanks for the explanation I always thought the "I am an insect "indicated that the song was based around Kafka stories I just love the self loathing

[@nadja5x]

DaveFomula's GOD..... this song reminds me youth.....

[@fucktheutubeusername]

very good

[@Dave-em9im]

Blimey. Still mesmorised by last year. You see this band and you wonder has music evolved much since??????? Still so good........

[@Takac1979]

Mnogo volim ovu pesmu.

[@lovemaus]

Awesome. Thanks for uploading this.

[@romerlapina]

A classic one

[@tonyvonkrefeld]

I can't recall any mediocre Magazine songs. All are good. Why they were never more popular says more about them than the listening public...

[@VDRP]

This IS a Song, From Under the Floorboards!!!!

[@markcolonna6874]

Philip Cavanagh Sure is

[@CyclingStartlists]

Wow...!

[@jezza3579]

very underated 80's band.