Murray Head - Pity The Child "From CHESS"

From the album CHESS THE ORIGINAL RECORDING by Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus.
Listen to the full album here: PolarMusic.lnk...
Music video by Murray Head performing Pity The Child. (C) 1984 3 Knights Ltd., Under exclusive license to Polar Music International AB
vevo.ly/fpI8vY

[@kevinharrington2078]

Lets not overlook the amazing guitar work by Lasse Wellander, Guitarist for ABBA

[@andreaskrieckhaus8756]

This song also features the ABBA-Musicians Per Lindvall on drums (Great Job) and Rutger Gunnarsson on Bass.

[@ambidextra_ambidextra]

Always

[@neckapb]

R.I.P.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Hiow on EARTH, could anyone do that, a total masterpiece, unmatched by anyone, ever.

[@DavidLopez-nr7wp]

Ladies & gentlemen one of the hardest songs in musical theatre for men

[@ejh314]

I'm not a professional singer, but I can sing this. But I can't hit the high/long note in Anthem from this same musical.

[@JeremyB83]

@@ejh314I can sing both and this song is way harder todo correctly. Also this is a rock song and anthem is a classical piece. They require different styles of singing, of which, it’s generally easier for classical to sing rock than the other way around

[@jaanlepnurm]

Despite Freddy being the negative character in the show I absolutely love the dignified manner in which this song portraits him. It is very moving how they depicp his journey to the top and the final raising of the king. Just excllent work on the producers and the musicians part.

[@BarbAF100]

Why isn't Murray Head a bigger star? I think he's fabulous.

[@josephsonoftheuniverseahur6976]

Because like most things in this relm people only see what they want to see. Lies and fake... The few see the truth and real... Love from the relm above the tell below.

[@kimberlygabaldon3260]

I agree. He has a rock and roll voice, not an operatic voice, but every time he has been cast in a role, it was because he, and only he, was perfect for the part.

[@BarbAF100]

I want to see him perform the role of Judas since he was so great on the original Jesus Christ Superstar album. Some one needs to tell him to get going on that project! : )

[@kimberlygabaldon3260]

Me2 he is definitely my favorite Judas.

[@BarbAF100]

I think that album is going to be 50 years old next year (is that possible?). They should have a reunion performance.

[@chesterxrock2383]

Why isn't Murray Head a biggest star? I think he'a very talented singer.

[@MrDaiseymay]

The blunt truth is--nobody is writing quality music any more

[@adriennefuller4984]

yes he is

[@AdrienneFuller-s3m]

yes indeed he is

[@AlexandraWindsor-t9l]

yes he certainly is great

[@AlexandraWindsor-t9l]

you're right he is fabulous

[@truckingscouser]

This song is SO powerful, it always makes me cry when i hear it :-(

[@sofiastern8218]

😔😔

[@henrikdue]

Me too friend

[@ukrandr]

I saw Chess years ago and this song, which I haven't really listened to since then, is so powerful and the insanely talented Murray Head just OWNS this. My god!

[@MrDaiseymay]

FOR ONCE, THAT EXPRESSION, HAS TRUE MEANING. NO ONE ELSE WILL DO.

[@cooldudicus7668]

This song has a lot of true things to say.

[@AlexandraWindsor-t9l]

sad but true

[@ShawnBarnesbass]

Featuring the distinctive sounds of Benny Andersson's Yamaha GX-1 synthesizer.

[@harryfyhr4010]

The guitar solo at the end still brings a tear to my eye. R.I.P. Lasse Wellander

[@frasseh]

Many artists have tried to sing this special song. Nobody does it so perfect and emotional as Murray Head.!! All credits to him!!

[@JessDifferent]

frasseh i saw a guy do it in a local theatre and he was fuckin incredible

[@sofiastern8218]

I can sing too. And I have autism. But we called it A when I was a kid. I could never say Autism

[@dfsstuff6572]

I like Alexander Kazmin's version

[@brokl26]

I agree. Many guys sing it with powerful voices and clean sound. The song needs Murray Heads almost hollow sound, to sound like the child the character once was. Murray could have done more with it. It's about pain and longing. Not sounding perfect. Fantastic song

[@zakariashartley]

@@brokl26 He sounds terrible like he's trying to squeeze a two-week turd out

[@lenamfh6333]

Lmao, I love how at the height of the song, even with such gut wrenching singing he's still got his hands in his pockets looking cool as a cucumber

[@DrLeavingsoon]

Defensive perhaps? Or rather a fantastic artist who hasn't experienced these things? Phenomenal performance, but, with the wisdom of a person who's lived these exact conditions, I detect not a drop of pain in his voice.

[@LogoMan7777]

@@DrLeavingsoon A friend on Facebook left this analysis: "I see it as the protest of a master manipulator who, instead of repenting, turns the camera away from his own sins to the sins of his father. Furthermore, every word of it could be sung (once again) by someone like Tim Rice, who climbed to the top of a very esoteric field that calls one’s masculinity into question. In short, it is brilliant within the context of the play, working on several levels at once. And yes, shockingly difficult to perform eight times a week. Even Head could not do it live."

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@LogoMan7777 COBBLERS

[@LogoMan7777]

@@MrDaiseymay So you buy his story?

[@MrDaiseymay]

Your the only joker.

[@AdrienneFuller-s3m]

this song and nobody's side along with anthem form the powerful basis for this wonderful musical.

[@verkaforever]

Easily the best version of this song in my opinion. Really makes you feel for the character.

[@sofiastern8218]

I have autism but have suffered a lot in my life emotionally. I had my parents and sisters but the teachers never listened to me when I was a little girl

[@truckingscouser]

@@sofiastern8218 😓😓

[@MrDaiseymay]

I've never heard anyone else sing it--or would want to. Original, is always best.

[@verkaforever]

@@sofiastern8218 I also have autism and can relate to this song. Secondary school was very difficult for me. They say school is the best time of your life, but for me it definitely wasn't.

[@Drock20J]

Y'all need to listen to Adam Pascal do this song.

[@sylvierau3208]

Magnifique chanson . Murray Head a une voix extra . J'adore Chess c'est une très belle comédie musicale

[@danbike9]

Guitar solo: Lasse Wellander. Long time ABBA session/tour member.

[@jonathanoakey4745]

My favourite guitar solo ever.

[@sofiastern8218]

I have always felt abandoned... since I went to presschool. But I read and write and sing😊👍

[@MrDaiseymay]

MANY THANKS FOR THAT INFO--ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW THAT. an incomparable mind blowing performance.

[@keeswesselius3946]

Lasse did it again, like on Our Last Summer of ABBA. Brilliant.

[@christar.larsen4560]

This is the most beautiful versionf Pity the child.. Murray You are a star.

[@keeswesselius3946]

Unbelievable, what this song expresses. Thanks Benny for the marvellous composition and thanks Murray Head for the emotions. What. A. Masterpiece.

[@BillandTine]

This man is way above us mere mortals. What a talent.

[@tomnoziglia8385]

Beautiful song, written by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulveus from ABBA. Murray's voice is extraordinary.

[@zandorvorkov7257]

What an album.

[@Mozart2Muse]

Clearly one of the greatest guitar solos in ALL of music!

[@gerhardvanderwesthuizen842]

My favorite song from Chess, with a musical reference to "Like an angel passing through my room".

[@Dave.T]

Emotionally charged beautiful song,performed superbly. Wonderful lyrics by Tim Rice,with an amazing composition.

[@jbg101]

Murray is such an awesome underrated artist!!! I love this

[@DoctorKandosii]

Those lyrics are a bit painful for me. Great song, but they are far too close to home. Not so much a chill down my spine as a power tool down my vertebrae. Fantastic song, and a wonderful performance.

[@jordanjay5901]

Same here. What a wonderfully f**ked up life we all have! Oh well!

[@faybelle2991]

@@jordanjay5901 yeahhh boyyyy dreamcrushers I call them

[@lorddaniel427]

I share your feelings on this

[@alunsmith5705]

With you all the way.

[@sofiastern8218]

I know what you're feeling

[@potterheadaleyna9452]

he has quite a unique voice. I like it

[@julieporter7805]

I'm not going to play the "Who's better card?" The song is just wonderful no matter who sings it. It's a powerful song about child abuse and abandonment and how those scars still resonate even into adulthood. In the end, it's not self-indulgent or whiny the lyrics are more subvert than that. It's saying "Don't pity me, I'm a mess and this is why but I got out. But I know that I'm messed up but I'm fighting it and one day I'll be fine." I think both this version and the Broadway cast brought out different things in the performance. Murray Head's is more detached, colder, almost analytical as if coming to terms for the first time "Oh yeah, this still bothers me, why?" Phillip Casnoff's version is angrier, more fierce and in the end more draining as if saying "I know this still bothers me, I've been fighting it my whole life and still fighting, but I'm so tired of it."

[@adelaidedupont9017]

Thanks for introducing the Casnoff version to me, Julie!

[@writerlisakaye]

Julie Porter I fell in love with his voice when he played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and this will always be the quintessential version of this song for me. However, I wish I could have heard his brother, Anthony’s rendition as well. Amazing voices seem to run in that family so I’m sure it would have been noteworthy.

[@esterscott468]

@@writerlisakaye there is a recording (that I have) of Anthony singing Pity The Child :)

[@tootsie5052]

If you're still there after 10 months and haven't seen it yet, watch the Russian cover of this song by EGOROV.

[@mocuishle1028]

I agree! Why can’t both versions of the song be amazing as the singers interpreted it?!

[@kimberlygabaldon3260]

Just wow. Heartbreaking. Makes you want to go hug your kids. I don't need to hear other versions. Why mess with perfection?

[@sofiastern8218]

😔 don't ask me. I guess we're just humans. Don't make it less painful though

[@MrDaiseymay]

absolutely

[@messupd]

wish my parents hugged me. go hug your kids, everyone

[@Wojact_Taki]

Nothing compares to the original cast of the "Chess". The same in case of Abba. It is very often hard to listen these Mamma Mia versions but for one of us by Cher.

[@MrDaiseymay]

IT IS VERY RARE, FOR THE ORIGINAL OF---ANYTHING, TO BE EQUALLED, LET ALOWN BETTERED

[@geoduck23]

Especially taking the video into consideration, "Pity the Child" is really walking the fine line between genuine sentiment and melodrama but Murray Head goes so hard that I can't help but love it anyhow

[@sofiastern8218]

I have autism and have lost much people in my life. Teachers and friends bullied me. Lucky for me I had my family

[@MrDaiseymay]

thats so generous of you

[@zenak1973]

Been listening to this song for decades and love it still!

[@yourfriendlykillernextdoor7592]

"He can get anything, if he's prepared to pay" Completely agreed. I won't pay. I almost always refuse presents. Kudos, Knud

[@sofiastern8218]

I had to pay for the help when I was a kid. Even if I had my parents

[@yourfriendlykillernextdoor7592]

@@sofiastern8218 Humans are cruel. Sad as it is. Kudos ! Cheer Up ! Knud

[@lakeswirl6985]

on one hand, this hits too close to home, stop calling me out. on the other, pov freddie trumper is giving you a powerpoint on his traumatic childhood

[@messupd]

On live TV, too!

[@AdrienneFuller-s3m]

so different to one night in Bangkok both fabulous

[@adriennefuller4984]

a beautiful song beautifully performed

[@andysbg77]

Fantastic!!!!! Absolutly FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

[@upsidedownskull4400]

+andysbg77 Agreed

[@imjustafemboymaid65]

i no right

[@raiusdaltar1483]

Best version of the song by a landslide.

[@garywoolton1875]

My 2nd favourite song from Chess, Anthem is first... Strong and heartfelt... You just feel it

[@janel342]

Where is he? He’s so good. No ego. He serves the song. Lovely thank you 🌹

[@sofiastern8218]

This song speaks to me. I have autism and was an outcast😔

[@concordep2504]

I am sorry you feel that way no one needs to feel unwanted or unloved. I hope you’re doing much better now.

[@souldeep69]

Maybe more than any other video on KZbin, this shows that the ads before nearly every video are NOT the big problem. It's the ads AFTER, while you're emotionally reeling from the power of the song and the performance, that destroy the whole experience in a blaring loud slash of corporate greed. It's KZbin's way of showing it's users definitively that they don't care about us in the least. Not that we didn't already know.

[@LogoMan7777]

Get KZbin Premium

[@anettelekander9766]

Heartbreakingly beautiful.

[@70Dallas70]

Thank you, Lasse❤️

[@Funbundle44]

I'd like to hear him do a duet with Peter Gabriel (another favourite) - similar type voices!

[@dirkturrell6460]

Mary Heywood I'm pretty sure there is an effect added to his voice in this! If you hear his other work he usually has a more raspy soulful rock voice! Not saying there's anything wrong with this song!

[@kimberlygabaldon3260]

Dirk Turrell i don't think it's any technical special effect. I think he's just using his voice differently for this song. Rock stars have ways of making their voices sound raspy.

[@Genesis66666]

Sooooooo fucking great performance. Murray Head is one of the greatest vocalists indthe world,,,,,when it comes to this kind of music(;.->)

[@user-mb1ts7zj8z]

Fantastic song, like every single song on the original concept album of Chess. Days like that have passed. The old school composing is gone. Nothing original is created these days. If you wanna hear great compositions, you have to be a historian.

[@MrDaiseymay]

SADLY---TRUE.

[@kfaughter4350]

This song is so powerful, especially with those who relate to it.

[@jenniferharris7633]

What a gorgeous male specimen.

[@MrTRN80]

Very good song from Chess.

[@gerhardvanderwesthuizen842]

Such passionate delivery

[@turiddegard7520]

Chess må jo være tidenes beste musical.

[@infocus]

This is one of those songs from musicals that I've always thought could be well-covered by a modern band. Gotta have the voice for it, though.

[@tootsie5052]

If you're still there after 2 years, watch the Russian cover by EGOROV. It's one of the best, even in Russian.

[@LACONSTT]

Fantastic song, wow!!!🏆

[@jaimhaas5170]

The scary part is that some of us experience this on a very personal level.

[@holmavik6756]

I certainly did, quite litterally actually. But this piece of rock music, outstanding. And the guitar solo of Lasse Wellander…unearthly…

[@messupd]

you folks have no idea how hard i relate to this song. my parents were like this. i, too, had an assistant/lover that i lowkey was in love with but i was too ambituous about my life. she, too, went to another country to get away from me. so me and Freddie are the same. except that instead of being good at chess i'm okay at sudoku.

[@colintomlinson1112]

Thanks for that. It's the first time I had really taken in the words. So thankyou. Love you daddyman. XXX

[@JimColyer]

Powerful song!

[@masarusenpai1952]

I never knew Judas was so good at chess

[@messupd]

this is what he did on the side to raise funds for thr 12 disciples 😝

[@adriennefuller4984]

so different from one night in Bangkok both fabulous

[@raytylicki9001]

He is just as talented as Queen

[@JF-sh2sm]

The song was written by the guys from ABBA

[@Lehyi]

Великолепная песня, глубокий смысл.

[@Marjopolo302]

Brilliant song

[@rbee3936]

Might I suggest everyone watch and listen to the 1989 version of Chess from Sweden. (Here on youtube). Best version I've ever heard, with the stunning Judy Kuhn playing Florence (as opposed to Elaine Paige)

[@UnLogicc]

powerful

[@hotelbastard7853]

Beautiful.

[@imjustafemboymaid65]

love this song its my hole life:-

[@dirkturrell6460]

dino world whole** lol

[@danielgiacomelli9707]

MAGIQUE !!! ♥️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️

[@oliverkeating4894]

This is Abba++

[@BiseUshery]

Песни Мюррэя Хэда, отличная рок-лирика)

[@ashleyartus1193]

Wonderful. X 😎

[@alunsmith5705]

Showstopper.

[@MrDaiseymay]

COULD THERE EVER BE A BETTER ONE ?

[@larsnilsson6821]

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus wrote the song.The whole album.CHESS

[@edydy3309]

The best song

[@ChrisLee-UK]

If my life had a theme tune...

[@rphrph167]

wonderful!!!...

[@tootsie5052]

If you love this song, check out the Russian cover by EGOROV. It's amazing, even in Russian!!

[@MrDaiseymay]

I never knew they covered it, but why not, I can see why it appealed to them.

[@melissag1859]

Murray Head musician brother of actor Anthony Head (Merlin, dancing on the edge and numerous other parts in films & tv.) Murray seems to be best known for his role in Chess.

[@gribfib]

Don’t forget he was also Judas on the original concept album of Jesus Christ, Superstar, many years before Chess. Also great.

[@BalooSJ]

I'm pretty sure Tony Head is mostly known for his role as Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

[@cheeseandonions9558]

Such a weird song... such a great song...

[@ТатьянаС-б2т]

Шикарно Благодарю

[@yourfriendlykillernextdoor7592]

Just imagine, Your mother made it perfectly clear, You're the cause ... Kudos

[@BarbAF100]

Funny how that crane is still at the dock 25 years later! 1:07 - 5:04

[@vaguerant]

This construction strike is really getting out of hand, guys.

[@Hyapatia77]

Hell. Yeah.

[@yourfriendlykillernextdoor7592]

I did call. I have to agree. It was a stupid thing to do.

[@ukrandr]

That guitar solo. A David Gilmour feel about it.

[@GilaSpaceleigh]

Are there any official recordings of Murray's brother as the American?

[@Mxyzptlksac]

Gila Spaceleigh the only recording I know is of Phillip Casnoff as Freddie/ American.

[@MrPerry4me]

Masterpice like chess👍

[@iwonttell4958]

I love and hate this song, because it's my life. Bring in abuse from mother as well, as she thought beating was a proper way to bring up a child, hope she understands why I hate her before she dies, I have not talked to her in 30 years, she still tries to contact me. I just want her to understand so that she dies regretting. I love this song because finally someone describes what I went trough, but hate it because when I hear it I break into tears. But by God it's such a fantastic song! My mother went to London to go to the original musical, brought the record back (LP), and when she played it in the living room, this song came up, I was 10 and could speak and understand English fluidly (I think, I'm Norwegian), I broke into tears, and she didn't even notice, realize or understand. Don't want any love from her, don't want to hear that she's sorry, I want her to die in agony and regret. But I guess she's never had the capability to understand beyond her own needs. This is her story as well, she just never realized or understood the consequences.

[@lauren3010]

I learned about this song by Josh Groban. Didn’t realize this song was so old, haha! Such a different sound!

[@LogoMan7777]

Groban was the Russian, not the American

[@lynharrod5087]

"He probably thought I was queer" A father who didn't share his young son's passion for Chess....Perfect lyrics...Many young singers had the same attitudes from parents...They later became house hold names. Parents don't always relate to talented children. Nothing new. Grins.

[@rachelbradley4734]

First time I saw the video. Okay, why are they showing him as living in England, when his name is "the American"?

[@buschap]

So, it's weird enough that Elaine Page uses a hard G in the line "never take a stranger's advice" in "Nobody's Side", but what is up with Murray Head's pronunciation of "jealous" that also seems to start with a hard G?

[@SmileyxKyley]

Andy Busch the lyric is careless not jealous.

[@grinanilson8714]

i met u Benny in Paris. Remember that brat by Luxembourg. Toy moguls

[@timepoet77]

He sounds a lot like Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull.

[@kimberlygabaldon3260]

Thomas R. Skidmore I think he sometimes does in this song (especially at 1:26). I don't usually think he does.

[@williammead4646]

On this timeline my mother never nurtured my talents for playing chess. I would have been a world chess champion.

[@mattias5157]

Am I only one hearing a lot of Genesis influences here? The lamb lies down... Or was it the general musical style of the time that influenced Genesis?

[@johns7981]

When Styx split up due to ego problems, Tommy should have reached out and offered Murray the opportunity to replace Dennis DeYoung. He may not (or may?) play keyboard, but the vocals would have been a beautiful transition while retaining that distinct Styx sound.

[@glindathegood4007]

LOL on several of Dennis' solo works he has covered several songs from Chess.

[@ladythalia227]

“Just in case she said “who”” 😭

[@patrickhicks9880]

it's better with the video i'm glad my parents split up my father was a monster

[@analauramarcet]

Tiene un aire a Peter Gabriel y a Roger Waters