Harry Nilsson-"Life Line" (1971) (4/7)

Harry's slowed-down acoustic reading of this track which first made an appearance on his animated movie "The Point!" and the accompanying soundtrack is much more somber and just as powerful. Personally, my favorite version of all the versions of this song I've ever heard, and one of my all-time faves from Harry.

[@ringer4883]

3 chords and a beautiful voice. What a unique and brilliant talent. There’s NOBODY like Nilsson

[@wadewatson2751]

That voice just pulls you in doesn't it?

[@bornflippy1]

Harry could have sung the daily news and made it sound amazing.

[@juditpozsonyi5469]

I agree

[@johnscialfa7391]

one of the most amazing voices ever shame he never took care of himself. @@bornflippy1

[@BogartandBacal]

Why is the world missing this? Not one post in four years till this one, today. Nilsson is a joy.

[@beachcomber4141]

And me two years later. Why indeed brother.

[@Martin-iv6lq]

Your mom is a joy

[@tomallen5837]

no one can touch this. yes I'm a bit surprised that no one has come here during isolation and left a note, but here we are.

[@mrmojorisin8752]

This is a live recording, and it’s nothing short of vocal genius. Who else-ever-could achieve what Harry achieved vocally in this performance? Vocal genius requires far, far more than a great set of pipes. I requires use of the voice as an instrument to channel the deepest, most powerful emotions. No one else could do what Harry did here.

[@ChristopherDimitriousPhanara]

This man was pure genius...i cried.

[@chriselliot1920]

The real deal. No bollocks...just talent and a gift for expressing true emotion.

[@jeraldcuccurullo2497]

DITTO MATE

[@enidmcneely762]

Amen

[@jeraldcuccurullo2497]

Exactly!! He was the best!! For his voice and utter uniqueness. Ditto Mate, you nailed it.xx

[@cairnman]

One of the greatest singers ever.

[@jamescooper3571]

Feelings of loneliness and longing come in many different colors and shades. The feeling isn’t static; it can be as empty and parched as a desert, or as wet and intense as a rainstorm. In this song, Harry takes us on a journey, not mainly through the melody or lyrics, but through his evolving vocal. When we arrive at his epic crescendo at 2:45, we receive both a desperate plea and a forceful demand, wrought out of exasperation. And he ends on such a note of fragility. When he wasn’t feeling it, Harry was merely an incredible singer. When he reached deep within himself, here, and in Without You, his voice communicated in ways that others just can’t. A hundred and fifty thousand hits.....What the world is missing. To top it off, it’s a live performance.

[@wadewatson2751]

You nailed it, great comment!

[@jaysonnolastname1260]

I love that he sings the echos. Such a playful, soulful, interesting musician, and by design perhaps the most underrated artists of the 60s.

[@martinkent333]

HE IGNORED HIS WIFE AND CHILD AND BECAME A WINNER WITH DRUNKEN CELEBRITIES AND PUKED ON THE DESERVING ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnscialfa7391]

amazing

[@FiveCentsPlease]

@@martinkent333 Though he did sober up to become good dad to his children. His firstborn Zak died in 2021 from cancer.

[@jeannettejohnson2375]

I still am blown away by Harry's talent. To pen lyrics like he did. And his voice range. Wow

[@martinkent333]

CLASSICAL AND JAZZ ARTISTS ARE SUCH POO? WHAT UP?

[@Zapheteroped]

His range, power and sustain remain nearly unmatched to this day. Such a plaintive, gentle urgency to the beat and the raw emotion wrapped in a lilting and soul searching plea. Unforgettable! Thank you for posting this!

[@MrYankovicAl]

The genius at his art with his broken heart..

[@LoriAnneKat]

hypnotic, compelling, desperate, sad - wonderful

[@davidrichardson6089]

Wow! Nilsson is brilliant! Just found his music and can't stop listening. May be the best voice I've ever heard.

[@trevorbakerr5672]

Keep listening David. Unfortunately, like his life, there is little remaining of such a beautiful talent when time calls a number.

[@tangogrrl]

+David Richardson One of an angels incarnate.

[@tangogrrl]

+David Richardson Welcome, David... you are among us and you shall be haunted by his voice forever. It sings to us, only.

[@hoarybat61]

Best voice I've ever heard. So well rounded, complex and utterly mesmerizing. Soooooo talented...

[@pandorasoutofthebox]

Absolute genius. The Point is the most influential album of my life, loved it since I was a young child and my mother would put on the LP.

[@mcmalibu5350]

Harry's phrasing on this version of Life Line particularly shows inner beauty of this song ...

[@FiveCentsPlease]

+ mc malibu I've heard a rough recording of Harry working out the chords and phrasing with a piano version of "Without You." If he had perfected that I can only imagine what it would have sounded like.

[@michaelgouda305]

I cry when I hear this song. It’s so beautiful.

[@2degucitas]

Harry Nilsson was a musicians' musician, a songwriters' songwriter. His genius died with him.

[@clarkthesharkshow9944]

1971 ; 6 years old and the music of Nilsson brings a strange "Joy" ,... Early 1994; Worst day of my Life when i got the news,...

[@erollmunro7718]

This is a song about depression, soo accurately put.

[@bornflippy1]

" Will you please send out a lifeline ? " at 2:45 just hits you right in the soul.

[@borgetc]

This seriously just cuts right through to that place that very few pieces of art can every reach. Absolutely brilliant. And yes, one of the very most talented people to walk this earth!

[@saintcruzin]

Harry was a creative genius! He said some songs he's written took as long to write as to sing! Amazing talent!!

[@miacrawford4662]

Being down at the bottom really makes me appreciate this song. Feel it in my soul.

[@mech6]

That was a very haunting and emotional rendition of this song. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@wadewatson2751]

I've just discovered this, and it's a real shame we don't have tons of concert footage, since he didn't tour. This is great stuff.

[@trqsdays1]

Come back Harry!!! And bring John with you!

[@wendysmail]

Oh god i love him so much when iwas so young and heard his first solo album so AMAZING....i always think wow with that incresible voice he could have ened up working as a banker his whole life and we would never hear his truly one of a kind GENIUS... I can feel so much from his music.....his joy , his sorrow....his Beauty....rest in peace and love Harry....

[@lunachickfringe5319]

Just beautiful. This song highlights his voice so wonderfully. True emotion comes through. I could listen to nothing but Harry til the day I die.

[@kateyharper1974]

Couldn't even explain how good this is. Harry Nilsson genius

[@beachcomber4141]

This might be the most under appreciated performance on youtube.

[@crisisactor420]

His voice goes all the way to the moon and back. No one does backing vocals and lead at the same time like schmilsson. You know he once robbed a convenience store for $17- to make rent?

[@damiendavisisraelcom8603]

This is the way the had people and still have ,sad

[@markdimarziomusic]

So profound and moving . Great songwriter . With any kind of greatness comes the darkness . Just finding a way through this is a lifetime journey and not everyone makes it out . But the art survives . Thankyou Harry for your beautiful songs and singing .

[@martabaum3698]

Not missing this or any of his ever …pure and so beautiful … a dream forever ……. ❤️.

[@howardjdownes]

Agreed absolutely ! His BBC special contains his very best performances available, utterly surpassing the album versions. It's clear that he felt very relaxed and at ease in the UK, he did his best work here. Maybe the Scotch is that much better than Bourbon, and the BBC is well-known for its excellent quality snuff as well 😉 Listening to this everyday of late. Spellbound.

[@emirozdemir2037]

wow it felt like he could've hold that vibrato for hours

[@toddwaddingtonproductions4227]

Another tragic loss. One of the greats.

[@RandyR]

Had the honor of talking to this great guy many times at Beatlefest. Miss him. First time to hear this song an man how I can relate. Bless you Harry

[@pjingy]

2:20 Harry at his best! Utter hilarity amongst the depths of crushing despair.

[@BEINGOOD77]

Underrated for certain. Loaded with talent, songwriting was best .

[@shellanstewart1241]

Been "strumming with" him since early 70s. Still here!!!

[@strings41]

The phrase at 2:45 is one of the most powerful musical passages I have ever heard!

[@carladiciaccio8955]

I agree!! And watch him as he holds the note... effortless! Harry is superb!

[@howardjdownes]

Agreed absolutely ! His BBC special contains his very best performances available, utterly surpassing the album versions. It's clear that he felt very relaxed and at ease in the UK, he did his best work here. Maybe the Scotch is that much better than Bourbon, and the BBC is well-known for its excellent quality snuff as well 😉

[@Eis_Bear]

You mean 2:20

[@aquahealer]

Wow this guy was a master. I went from One to this...One completely blew me away. I'd take Harry's version over Three Dog Night's anytime. This guy is great. Off to the next song....

[@bunikelly6033]

This makes me cry, wish he had, had trusted friends by his side, in dark times xxxxxxxxxxx

[@robertmcgee5717]

Harry had many close friends that loved him...

[@rharleymusic]

Harry we hear you....

[@EileneOnHim]

I have watched the movie over and over again with my granddaughter. First saw it back in the 70's with my son's. Now with their children. This is my favorite, too.

[@LiaMari]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing this one. Down to the bottom Hello, is there anybody else here? It's cold and I'm so lonely Hello, is there anybody else here? Hello, won't you throw me down a Life Line? I'm so afraid of darkness And down here, it's just like night time Oohs, are all around me Hello, will you please send down a Life Line? Down and there isn't any hope for me Unless this dream which seems so real Is just a fantasy

[@subg8858]

***bu bu bu bububu blues are all around me

[@BollingWillse]

What a profound gift it is to hear this genius play! thank you! The Point is still my favorite animated movie!

[@treehouse9713]

I gifted my 40 yr old daughter the original LP, Video & CD @ Christmas, She cried Happy, happy tears, recalling when we watched this together, when she was still a lil' pre-teen. My favorite (among Many) is "Think about your Troubles'. Once a Daily singer, I now have 1 'cut' vocal cord, yet I Croak--sang the full song to her, which Also brought on more "Tears of Joy'' , much Surprised l recalled the full lyrics. It's among my short play-list for friends to listen to after i'm deeply "planted" in my own sweet soil, whence Both daughters will plant 1-2 fruit trees atop . "Ingie's" personal favorite is "Me and my Arrow.". Last year (now in full spinal fail) I had a friend pull out All of my Many, many LPs from 78s, 45s & 33rpms (as well as Decades of old' 8-tracks, Cassettes, DVDs and CDs ). Though they're all Extremely (financially) valuable , she'll Not let go of a Single One.. For me, I'll Never consider it Hoarding when it comes to Physical Music nor Books . Again,(even if she wasn't a full "performing artist" herself, She'll not let go of a Single one (Many, many now being fully out-of print) So happy to have collected them all. Even as a pre--teen myself, I'd cruise the beach, from Early dawn to dusk in the sand and all rubbish bins to cash-in @ a Nickel a Piece w/my 1st purchase being 'Unsung Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. Before I was home-bound, I Still sorted thru Any "Thrift Stores" as able, collecting ongoing "LP's" from All genres of music (other than ''80s Disco',' 'Acid Rock' or "Heavy Metal' bands I often replaced some damaged LPs from Miles Davis to Melvin & the Blue Notes, w/Teddy Pendagrass . Ingrid was the Only of my daughters who grew up and Treasured Musicals.. She discovered that the Youngest of "Yul Brynners" daughters (still singing, as an adult, in Las Vegas loungea) bore My name (Oh, be Joyful) , in 'The King and I. I still cherish watching that , most Specially the "Shall we Dance?" segment. My 'double vision' has likely made a bit-of-a-mess trying to type this out. . Still, I Truly wished to share these many, lifelong, Cherished memories. Thanks to All and Any wiling to muck thru & Read my Long , convoluted ramble. " 🎶🎶 Sweet Nights and Happy, Healthy, Juicy days to you All. 🎶🎶

[@laurafontaine1233]

I just love him!!! Always have!!!

[@brendaseven9828]

I bought the album " The Point" i loved it, i found it here on youtube the other day, if anyone hasn't watched or listened to it, give it a try it's wonderful! and it has "a point"!!!

[@mikeohagan2206]

he defines the hopelessness of depression in a song, brilliant.

[@bob_._.]

When silence is the greatest ovation

[@idaho_rex]

His little vocal run at 1:34 is absolutely brilliant. Very "circus"

[@aledw]

Heartbreaking. Works on so many levels.

[@tagskinner778]

What a performance. Wow.

[@tbl2001]

Astoundingly GREAT!

[@zeidyalfarocordero922]

Thanks to a friend that shared the video with me I listened to this beautiful song for the first time....and now I can't stop listening to it.

[@mikehaiduck99]

Passionate song that is unmatched.

[@robariosto3694]

Simply brilliant!

[@chasecom1]

makes me cry its so beautiful to hear

[@stephensandberg5037]

Love Harry.....just admire his ability to make his own feelings be shown by his amazing voice and piano playing.....Thank you Harry....thanks for everything....

[@angeliquenomade4353]

Merci du fond de mon coeur pour cette chanson.... Merci Harry Nilsson

[@martybenson2035]

pure genius...unmatched... vocal velvet

[@zickscittswinn]

Trying to go to sleep and couldn't stopping thinking about how much I am afraid of dying... instantly thought of this song and I had to grab my phone and search for it and listen to it... I guess I can go to sleep now. (for the night, not forever) 😌

[@retriever19golden55]

Sometimes at 3 or 4 am panic attacks I listen to the Moonbeam Song to get back to sleep too. Miss this man. Hope you're still out there, Zick.

[@bodyhandvideos]

Just my favorite video on KZbin. Harry cuts me in two! I revisit this from time to time. Still makes me tear up and laugh then tear up again when he calls out lifeline at 2:46. Kills me dead! Pure tone!

[@kitspics526]

Harry we miss you lad. Tearing up my heart never was done so brilliant.

[@imcat-holic10]

Harry Nielsson's is highly uh underappreciated. I've heard some of his most popular songs on the radio as well as many renditions of his songs. I don't know that I ever really heard his name. Soooooo good to hear this great song writer and singer.

[@wadewatson2751]

He did not tour, so he wasn't well known, but won two grammys and was rewarded for his extraordinary talent.

[@partyvr5053]

Magnificent! Wish he was still with us!

[@JandHAdventures]

He's so beautiful.

[@joandeakin6944]

JandHAdventures Agree

[@KeizerHedorah]

The Point! is an adult album that can be played to children, the songs are loosely knit together by Harry's narration. The songs themselves are for the most part very deep and of High Quality.

[@mquartarone]

Truly amazingly gifted artist.

[@phillipvaleri2754]

One of the greatest chord progressions of a ballad you'll ever hear. What talent. I could listen to this one hundred times straight and not get tired of it.

[@ludwigbooth4882]

heard every word of that...

[@saundrab3023]

Me too. I feel some musical artists have the rare ability to convey and capture pure truth in music, and that is why they never get old or tiring. After all, truth never goes out of style.

[@benjclarke5825]

One hundred times straight... and another hundred, stoned.

[@twinoak170]

"Down here is just like night time".

[@saintcruzin]

Wow..I can't believe how great this is!! Harry was truly an artists artist!!

[@PaulVoudouris]

Stunning, one of my all-time favorite artist/songwriters.

[@PepperWoodson]

Saddest song in the world...

[@jonnierotten7]

Such longing. He reaches in, and tears out your heart!

[@dalehair12]

Rufus Wainwright sounds as if he heard this a bunch. Great vocals

[@BogartandBacal]

Heart rending.

[@nicholasflorez3530]

This is my life line right now.

[@johnmcgreevey7795]

So much depth of feeling. Gone way too soon.

[@fayshaw1]

I love this song. It speaks to my occasional despair. When I feel like that, at the bottom, I come to the realization that I am the one holding the lifeline. No one else is coming.. My higher self has to rescue me.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Thank you for posting this, amazing performance. Wow!

[@claireborley3451]

Kinda feeling like this these days of COVID. 😏

[@CoolGamer-yg8ur]

Brings me back memories of the most tearful and lonely times in my childhood. Depressing song when hearing the lyrics, but beautiful at the same time.

[@eacIipse1]

Love Harry

[@varzaruvalentin8358]

This is my favorite from Harry! Is amazing this song... Love his work!

[@WhatWouldZappaSay]

My very favorite Nilsson song. Great rendition. Thanks for posting.

[@Raiderfn31]

The audience had no idea that they were seeing a music man.

[@natashasemrau3670]

Harry wasn't an extravert, but he was a great musician. My sister loved him so much, so l heard him all the time. He did so much in a short time. He died of a heart attach, not anything else. He left behind a wife and five kids. I sure wish he had of been more famous. Harry was considered one of the many, fifth Beetle. The radio didn't censor his songs, eighter!

[@rmulvihi0521]

Lol, never got the joke or message in this until now. He sings a beautiful song about loneliness and despair and when finished the audience doesn’t applaud and is indifferent. Things can be worse and people around you are often indifferent when you are struggling.

[@mrmojorisin8752]

And the audience isn’t a real audience. They just stitched in a crowd shot of indifferent people; that is, they haven’t even been listening to the song.

[@FiveCentsPlease]

+@rmulvihi0521 Harry recorded these performances in an empty BBC studio. These acoustic versions by him are so good. There is rough recording of him working on "Without You", and if it could have been perfected into another acoustic performance it would have been very good.

[@karlslabinski6665]

this version is amazing! I was trying to find the version from the movie, because I am feeling like I am falling down a dark hole.................and I came across this. What an amazing artist. His inspiration for this was when he was doing acid, and noticed all the trees had points, and all of the houses had points, etc.......you can read about in on Wikipedia........amazing talent.......beautiful song

[@KONETAPRODUCTIONS]

Wee all miss you Harry.

[@MAMsMom97]

@justmusicandme I agree, this is one of his best, and definitely the best version of this song ever! I wish the BBC would release this on DVD someday. Thanks for stopping by!

[@lindadonofrio8314]

My God, he's a beautiful man

[@joandeakin6944]

agree

[@cwtao]

Yes, he was.

[@Paulinho-cv8si]

Artista straordinario

[@jackiescanlon]

Just discovered this song two weeks ago... Been listening to it constantly.

[@jonnierotten7]

Been nearly 50, for me.

[@BonusSpin7]

Unbelievable! I've have never seen or heard this version!

[@thomasarig1]

shivers down my spine harrys voice amazing

[@ryanrios519]

send chills down my spine

[@mo-po]

Still the best. Still makes me cry. Still alone.