Mental As Anything - If You Leave Me (popular version, 1981)

Music from Australia and New Zealand in the year 1981:
Mental As Anything's alternative promo-video for the hit single 'If You Leave Me Can I Come Too' (May, 1981), taken from the 1981 album 'Cats & Dogs'.
Band Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Track: If You Leave Me Can I Come Too?
Album: Cats & Dogs
Composed By:
Produced By:
Label: Regular
Chart Position: # 4 (Australia) - # 16 (New Zealan)
Release Date: May, 1981
Footage Information:
Links:
- en.wikipedia.or...
- mentals.com.au/
- www.howlspace.c...
Line-up:
Martin Plaza -- Lead Vocals, Guitar
[ Mental As Anything (1976-present) - solo (1986) - Beatfish (1992) -- solo (1994) ]
Greedy Smith - Lead Vocals, Keyboards
[ Mental As Anything (1976-present) -- solo (1996) ]
Peter O'Doherty -- Guitar, Vocals
[ Mental As Anything (1977-2000) -- Dog Trumpet (1991-present) ]
Reg Mombassa - Guitar, Vocals
[ Mental As Anything (1976-2000) -- Dog Trumpet (1991-present) ]
Wayne Delisle -- Drums
--------------------------------------
NZOZ NZOZ1981 1981 Australia Early Eighties 1980's 1980s 80's 80s
Musical Terms: New Wave, Pub Rock, Rock, Pop, Aussie, Old Australian Band

[@jeffraymond4750]

As one of the writers of this song. Thanks for all the great comments, especially the one of the young girl who played it at her dad's funeral. Half way around the world, I sit and hold back my tears. May all your skies be sunny.

[@BasedInc-ms9po]

Thanks for the song that filled many a BBQ and has such great memories for me.

[@C.Comeaux]

Oh, I loved this song SOOOO much in my youth. I first heard it on a show called MV3. In fact, for a few decades, it was the *only* place I ever heard it. I searched for it here on youtube for years. Really. This is such a great little song.

[@wolfgangharrison4005]

Love you Guys! Soundtrack to the Australian summer...Mental as anything...

[@swaggerblonde]

I'm from the UK and am such a huge Mental as anything fan. Such a legendary band with well crafted songs and lyrics. I'm always singing Live it up or indeed this one. R. I. P Greedy.

[@carsstuffchannel8576]

You and the band members live forever 👍

[@barryetherton4889]

When my my wife used to want to leave me, I would always quote that song title to lighten the mood. 35 years still together.

[@sdrewe99]

Nice stuff. Congrats.

[@mickfitz76]

You had a chance to be free. Stockholm syndrome. Some men love the ball and chain.

[@barryetherton4889]

@@mickfitz76 Point I was making I am happy the way it all turned out.

[@elenikominos7404]

Barry Etherton ❤️❤️❤️

[@itorqueutorque5137]

Nice!!!

[@ja5onm618]

This song always takes me back to a more fun and free time in Australia, loads of good oz bands. how I miss those days

[@baconsarny-geddon8298]

>"If you leave me, can I come too?". Cancelled for stalking,/toxic masculinity >"The Nips are getting bigger" Cancelled for racism Hell, even the band's name is "ablist". No way on earth Mentals would even get signed, in this era. I grew up in 80s Australia as a "poor, oppressed" (lol) immigrant, black kid who'd grow up to be gay. But I genuinely feel for kids growing up in Australia today, under the present omni-present, guilt-tripping, authoritarian political correctness. In my 13yo daughter's class, about 1/4 to 1/3rd of the girls deny/reject their own sex, and the majority of those are chemically stunting their normal, healthy development/chemically sterilizing themselves with (100% medically unneccessary) puberty-blockers. A girl in the next year up, has already had "top surgery"/"teetus deleetus"/an entirely needless double mastectomy, of her perfectly healthy breasts; Doctors let this 14yo give away any possibility of EVER breast-feeding (based on ZERO empirical/scientific evidence; Justified ONLY by "but it FEEELS true, to me!!"), for a girl years too young to take legal responsibility for renting a goddam bicycle, or to smoke a cigarette... The girl's mother tried to object, but some school counsellor threatened her with (1) losing custody of her daughter, for opposing the amputation of her own child's 100% healthy body-parts. And (2) threatened criminal charges, coz (here in Victoria) it's legally "DOMESTIC VIOLENCE" (somehow?!?) for a parent to even QUESTION any aspect of their own child's "transition" (this woman goes along with the daughter's preferred pronouns, name, clothes, etc- ONLY objects to the needless, irreversable drugs/surgery) I thank fvck I always raised my daughter to know that being female doesn't limit/define her. And to NEVER hide from simple, evidence-based truth (and PRAY those values took hold...) I always felt SO LUCKY to grow up in Australia... Now, I fear we've dumped our children into an authoritarian, reality-denying hellscape... A place where objecting to the 100% needless mutililation of YOUR OWN CHILD, is literally criminal...

[@nzvnv_]

Pls can you name some of your favourite classic oz bands i love music like this

[@billbot2462]

New Oz Indi lives on Triple J...

[@centuriesvintage]

Small town Indiana and every Sunday on the radio we had a station that played the best songs that we didn't hear otherwise, we all recorded them on our cassettes every Sunday. lol This was one of the best of the best. Song has always stuck in my head.

[@jaster6056]

When I was 22 in '81 I spent a year backpacking around Australia with a friend and we loved Mental As Anything. Came home to Canada with their music. 33 years later I'm sitting here working and began singing "If You Leave Me Can I Come Too" and had an overwhelming desire to hear it again (not for the first time since 81!). It's just as good, fresh and sweet as it was back then. Thank you MAA! 🤗🥰❤️

[@NoCoffeeForYou]

You’re welcome again anytime ❤❤

[@truespyfan]

RIP Greedy... Thanks for the tunes the fun and the memories..

[@fuqueyu725]

This song was playing when I was told an old school mate of mine had been killed in an industrial accident (it was 1987). Occasionally I hear this song and the memory of my friend runs through my head. The song may be for lovers, but I loved that man as much as one hetero man can love another. I am, after all, an Australian. I think of you to this day. It's that time of year my old friend. Rest in peace, Peter G. How I wish you were here.

[@rickwallace6270]

I had the same experience with a song when my cousin was killed in a car accident.

[@8KMCD1]

YO! Peter G. . .. . . . Read the fucking comments of this random add video on YT and help this guy out FFS

[@genevievecoxon6916]

Yeah Mega Boring Damon

[@drewdrewski6278]

Why anyone feels the need to muddy up a song with their sob stories... We've all lost someone! Keep it to yourself and let everyone else enjoy... Fuckin cry baby!!

[@captainkaboom2384]

Thanks for sharing your memory of this great tune. Sorry to hear you lost a dear friend. fuck the haters

[@JJ-wi2uw]

The 80's, no internet, no mobile phones, yet still awesome.

[@Hodaris_Darlin]

People knew how to act like humans & interact with each other back then; social media ruined that.

[@consmyth1346]

the best years!!

[@kippersncustard2865]

All the better for it.

[@tewaewae]

Dancing was shit but.....

[@ifwecouldvote]

A decade of greed and ignorance

[@jimzafiriou7808]

It's easy to forgive, harder to forget.....no truer words have been sung.

[@TuanBule]

There were lots of songs back then that were just for fun and making people smile - this was one of them. Sadly, there aren't that many songs like this anymore.

[@byrondixonbd]

Great Band Martin's voice is super good. Aussie Rock Legends.

[@pcm7315]

I want to say it is perfectly suited to this song.

[@SusyOlivaFuentes]

R.I.P. Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith of Mental As Anything (1956-2019)

[@sim71ful]

RIP 😭

[@fastcars640]

Sad sad day😢😢😢😢 my dads mate

[@danfotoman]

very sad.

[@clairebunt5887]

Sad 😪😪❤

[@mikeleask576]

The end of an era. Farewell Greedy. Thanks for the tunes and the memories of my youth.

[@1956MercM260]

This got some play in the U.S. I remember hearing it while working on truck engines in the shop back in the day. Fantastic tune--thanks for posting it. Even us yanks can appreciate good music!

[@zjzj6800]

Sadly he has passed away December 2019. RIP

[@CLooLoo]

They played them in Canada too, that’s when I first heard them. Always a fan.

[@justsumaussie]

Hope you're still enjoying it 10yrs later

[@79vbcommodore]

You poor septic tanks missed out on a lot of awesome rock because of the stronghold you’re recording industry had on what you were allowed to hear….hahahaha, and us Cold War kids were always told how much better we had over the rusty kids….

[@jeepnutscotty]

@@79vbcommodoreyou’re off ya meds lad 😂

[@garypatterson2857]

A classic Aussie song, one of the best. I don't know why people say it's a forgotten song - I never forgot it but I did mislay it for a bit. And the video looks like it was shot in Hobart. We didn't realise how good we had it in the 80s in Australia. The music was the best in the world, and this song ranks up there. A great band, wish I'd seen them live.

[@tech9803]

Saw them at a Blue Light Disco around 1984-85, great show! I'm far away from Oz but this song just popped into my head today, had to come back and it check it out.

[@johnrdonovan]

Yes this was shot in Hobart. They are all looking quite cold on the top of Mount Wellington there. There is a great section in Stuart Lloyd's new book on the Mentals "Started Out Just Drinking beer" about the video shoot. Martin was not thrilled about being slapped in the face over and over again. Apparently the last slap hurt quite a bit!

[@TopTee101]

Awesome song by such an awesome band still listening to this song 🎵 in 2024, 80s were the best!

[@richardmurphy164]

We had it all in the 80s Every pub every weekend Best time ever for Australia rock

[@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms]

Sounds Based

[@48tilt]

Best time for Australian music by a hundred miles

[@WhiskeyShred]

Rip to an Aussie legend..

[@sim71ful]

😭

[@humanchannel7825]

@@shanedallachy5450 wtf

[@Peterplayingguitar]

This is their best song IMO. Thank you Greedy. You are missed.

[@TheDrewtho]

....I'm calling it a tie with nips are getting bigger ....brilliant Aussie band, absolute classics.

[@digby4060]

Too Many Times is their best

[@user-yq8jd2rm3h]

Still love this 2023!!!

[@thomasjordan5578]

Hooked at once upon first hearing 1982 ish WXTU Philadelphia. Didn’t think it could make sense and learned it does totally 40 years later, such is life. ❤️🙏

[@grahampusenjak3479]

Love the voice Martin Plaza 👍

[@Nicole-tx3hw]

My kids do this now x my favourite group , just never get sick of the songs , live it up was my Dads funeral song, at many concerts they sounded amazing , never forget swinging hands to that somg Dad x

[@jamcofec]

RIP to one of the greatest Aussie musos who was still hard at it (and at it with a smile). Vale Greedy.

[@ayseeef]

I had just turned 21 or 22 in Nashville, TN USA when I bought this new album off the rack. I wore. it. out! Great lyrics! I have quoted "if you leave me, can I come to?" on more than one occasion throughout the years.

[@jonnawyatt]

You know when you laugh so much at something your knees buckle. When my 4 yo son, now 24, first heard the chorus to this song, that's what he did. He doesnt remember but I do. Wonderful memory.

[@SongbirdStone]

RIP Andrew 'Greedy' Smith I always loved this song, Can we come too Andrew? 63 is too young, my heart goes out to his family

[@muzguz7276]

Mental As Anything, wow I'm so privileged to grow up as a teenager in this era.

[@thedrummingkangaroo3263]

I was introduced to Mental As Anything when they opened for Men At Work at my first-ever concert in 1983 & have been a fan since ☺. A 📣 loud 📣 shout-out to Australia & New Zealand for all the awesome music!! Miss you, Greg Ham, 😢💔.

[@kneekeypage3179]

Just love the sound of his voice. I listen to them all the time. 💝

[@mudgetheexpendable]

RIP Greedy Smith (lead vocals) who died 1 Dec 2019 at 63.

[@CaptainNigh]

Just for those reading this in the future, it was the night of December 2, 2019, of a heart attack. What a great guy, who made us smile.

[@houndsylovesdamien]

I can’t deal

[@BJBFOREST]

@@CaptainNigh Saw him perform at the Brighter Days in Bright a couple of years back...brilliant. They had the crowd jumping...

[@mattobrien184]

“Lead vocals”? Greedy was a legend, please post with respect and knowledge.

[@victorsmith5699]

Martin Plaza was (lead vocals) Greedy only did a couple of songs on lead vocal his most memorable being Live it Up

[@waggafletcher]

Thank you for your artistry and for the happy memories of my youth, Greedy.

[@billfairbank5258]

Thanks for the tunes Greedy will miss you but you will live on in my memory:(

[@andie221]

Rest In Peace Andrew. The songs of my youth

[@senoreclectico]

Love this song...I agree, the more I play it (100s of times) the funnier it gets. Brilliant concept, fresh, quirky. picks me up every single time That reggae, country feel to it makes it quite unique... One the greatest pop songs ever no doubt si señor

[@pcm7315]

One of the best "feel good" songs I've ever heard. I was going to go into how much I like the vocals and music, but going to listen to the song instead: just great!

[@manuel4044]

I love the Hobart backdrop in this clip. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@brucebird133]

Just listening to this takes me back, makes me smile... Played a few times at our yr 10 break up party

[@aandrfreeman5085]

Please take me back to this era......

[@lindab424]

Love the Mentals and their music. Still have many of their songs, including this one on my playlist.

[@louiscamilleri4328]

38 years late still sounds great this song.

[@jrmathes6567]

God I miss the 80's....and my hair

[@mskitty238]

JR Mathes .. HA !!

[@jeffwilliams742]

JR Mathes me too but I still got my hair luckily but going grey lol

[@nadineireland3361]

JR Mathes 🤣🤣🤣 Of all the things I ever lost, I miss my mind the most. 😜

[@gxd4b1]

Hey Im sure you are a very handsome man still (im a straight dude by the way)

[@razcann3597]

😉

[@shirleypena4133]

Martin Plaza: a gorgeous voice with the face of an angel. ❤❤

[@katiestait8138]

💕 This riff always gets stuck in my head randomly 💕

[@mattconnolly1729]

What a classic , unseen for decades , would have to be the most underated band of all time . Also , Greedy , may he rest in peace

[@pcm7315]

Heard the band without knowing it when watching "Crocodile Dundee", and loved the song. I actually like this song more....going to listen again!

[@jimmydeats9901]

Still an amazing song. It has stood the test of time and then some!! Awesome memories growing up in Aus hearing this at backyard parties etc!! Great band, great song.

[@markblyn]

One of the greatest song title's ever. I mean the more you think about it the funnier it is. Great band. Very down to earth. Their 'Creatures of Leisure' album from 83' was always my favorite, with some great artwork on the inner sleeve by 'Reg Mombassa' the group's lead guitarist.

[@Justice1911A1]

We are lucky in Western Australia to see these guys play regularly. Every show rocked.

[@ledsith]

loved this song back in 81 . and 30 years later it still sounds great ! also better than most of the stuff out now !

[@magsshoulders7729]

Love it love it love to my friend Miss B.. ‘if you leave me can I come too?’

[@rinzecuijpers7007]

One of my favourite bands from Australia. Still on Tour. Good song

[@footienz]

F%$^&*N Love these guys!...A Kiwi loving Aussie music..Miracles do happen!

[@Tel1954]

RIP Greedy - I will play this song in your memory often. Thank you for the music.

[@samhunt9380]

Sad Greedy has gone RIP buddy

[@j0wled]

I hadn't heard this for probably a good 20 years until I cranked out some old records just now. I love it, all over again.

[@kelbell9312]

Have listened to your music for such a long time 'Greedy" Smith - legendary, fun - gorgeous man R.I.P. You made me smile xxx

[@ColinStuart]

Still one of my favorites from the '80's!

[@queenslander8400]

Thank you for all the memories Greedy.

[@sweetsourpork111]

30 years I’ve been humming this tune. I gave up searching for it even to the point of thinking it never existed 😭😭😭

[@normhansen3753]

Most underrated band in Australia.

[@davidcoates2051]

RIP Greedy Smith. Thanks for the music!

[@thegodthatfailed100]

'81..the start of high school..and the start of a Mentals soundtrack to a turbulent time in my life

[@missmousey6861]

I remember my dad listening to this in our car. I might have been 10, I am now 46..

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

I was 20 when this song came out. Always liked the band, saw a couple of their gigs in Perth and 1 in Sydney and always fun. RIP Greedy, you were brilliant.

[@juliebooth9283]

I am feeling numb, only seen Greedy and the Band here in Tassie in May, was looking forward to them coming back. Such a beautiful Man. Rest in Peace Greedy xx

[@danhemming6624]

Favourite Aussie Band EVER!!!

[@Bigweight66]

Great Aussie band, with songs that make you feel good! I saw them play live heaps and they were always good.

[@palms4759]

martin plaza is right up there with the best rock/pop singers

[@bluejhaygrl]

Vale: Andrew 'Greedy' Smith. Thankyou for all of the wonderful music and memories to go with it.

[@fadiwrx]

Aussie music doesnt get enough recogntion, This era was awesome, absolute classic, can never get tired of this song and many others 20+ yrs on

[@salsachick]

Wish we could go back to these days...Not always easy, but we had hope in our hearts, possibilities, dreams, freedom... 💗

[@athlone1975]

Only knew this band for Live It Up. This is a brilliant track. Written by the singer. With the late Greedy Smith on keyboard. Very funny song title and lyrics. Almost 40 years old and still sounds fresh.

[@nathanielpillar8012]

Are you sure? There's a comment above from someone who said they helped write the song. And I'm pretty sure the commenter isn't martin

[@athlone1975]

@@nathanielpillar8012 wikipedia credits Martin Plaza as the songwriter.

[@matthewkearnes8829]

This song is what turned me onto the Mentals they used to plug this song at Hoyts cinema in Sydney back when they first started out

[@Ppp-kk6hw]

Big up from Scotland 👌

[@suelewindon571]

RIP Andrew Smith. Loved your music and sadly missed only a few years younger than me. 😭

[@PaulFWatts]

Great band and a great song!

[@sdrewe99]

I remember this stuff back when I was a youngster.love it!

[@davidlogan2170]

Glad it liked

[@zyxvwu]

Bittersweet lyrics, yet, nothing but lovely memories of being a young California pre-teen when it first came out.❤❤❤❤❤❤ Still love this song.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@truespyfan]

I read elsewhere "Mental As Anything is something of a phenomenon in Australia having recorded and performed for over twenty years (1977-2000) without a single lineup change." They never needed to. Very very rare that bands can stick together for such a long time without imploding. But what a great era... NZOZ - Thanks for posting again!

[@coreybowmaker7104]

was a pleasure to play some music behind these boys at woy woy leagues r.i.p greedy just a too bloke

[@valez6846]

Great musicians laid back pub music for beers, birds,

[@brucebird133]

Cheap beers too !!!

[@ermthewerm]

t the risk of sounding brash , i was banging bett's left & right to this song & many others like it in the wonderfull 80's !!!!!!!! thank you sincerly to all those loose women who made it all possible !!!!! it was my pleasure servicing you !!!!!!! respectfully erm "the flying italian "

[@beatriceetzel2030]

I LOVE this song!❤️

[@user-lf5uw9nx7h]

And band. Aussie attitude, some of it anyways.

[@Out_of_My_Head]

I remember watching a show called MV3 hosted by Richard Blade and just having a good time enjoying it. I was in the eighth grade when I first heard it. Such fun times. Thanks for the joy.

[@wvs3917a]

We have such prodigious talent in this great country of ours.

[@jamesryan6460]

William Valentine Steele great word mate

[@nathanstapleton5681]

Martin Plaza and his guitar, can't believe I've never noticed it before :-)

[@donquixote2u]

love that loping rhythm in this song, plus Martins distinctive voice.

[@edparks9889]

Jeff, How did this song get past me during the 80's? I watched MTV all the time back then and would have loved it then! I heard this song for the first time just a year or so ago. LOVED it! Still do!

[@gracekelly02]

live longer - all good music will come to you! Saw the mentals at a school dance in 1979 - best missed band ever

[@matthewegan7162]

This song always put"s a smile on my face.

[@racketman2u]

great song, great band. All the aussie bands of the era like MAW and Crawl seemed to share that fantastic chugging rhythm driving the song along.

[@kimknight3182]

Bring back lots of great memories,a great legacy.

[@chrisdaley3296]

Michelle is listening to all the songs. Mum is going down memory lane with songs she liked.thankyou very much it is seven years since we lost her

[@alby1976au]

Awesome Aussie band. RIP Greedy.

[@Steve-pp9us]

Still love this song in 2024

[@sierra6588]

I have loved this band and this song since I was a teenager in late 70's. Not ever gonna stop! Wink wink, Martin you're so supercute!

[@paulwhitehead87]

Great number. And got to love that guitar work.

[@maureeneades5998]

Mental did a video clip " He's just no good for you" in Scarborough St. Monterey in 1986. We lived in the street which was closed at both ends for nearly 3 hours. It was a lot of fun as the street turned out with some locals taking part in the background. Greedy striding down the street belting out the song. R.I.P. Greedy, your music was great fun. The kids of today have no concept of the bands and the fun they all generated

[@tabby956]

I met Reg from Mental as Anything, aka Chris O'Doherty, sometime in 1999 and he sketched me a kangaroo and emu and signed it, I now have it framed in the hallway.

[@funtimefreddie9637]

No you didn't/don't.

[@claudinenisbet4781]

Thats regs song hard out on that one !

[@danielrond1935]

RIP Greedy....you’ll live on with your music

[@DaisyJaynne]

My favorite Oz band of the early 80's. Great place to be! Thank you for the great songs and life soundtrack.

[@nadiaprettyaussie8898]

AMAZING 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@appealmod4650]

Love the Mentals, great 80s band.