Level 42 - The Chinese Way (The Tube, 18.10.1985)

Level 42 performing 'The Chinese Way' from their 1983 album The Pursuit Of Accidents live on the cult British TV show The Tube in 1985. 'The Chinese Way' was the band's first top 30 single in the UK.
Footage licensed from ITV Archive. All rights reserved.
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#Level42

[@xprs1257]

This brings a tear to my eyes.. Our nation in happier times.

[@fabianapicoli9079]

❤❤❤

[@EddieG1888]

Whether you like slap bass or you don't (I can personally take it or leave it and don't use that style myself), you simply can not deny how technically amazing a bassist Mark King is. Whether finger style or slapping lines, the man is incredible.

[@jtmoomin2296]

Spot on..... he's truly gifted. I never got to see the original line-up, it's one of my biggest regrets, but they were one of those bands that gelled so well musically.

[@ScumOfCaligula]

Mark’s attack is flawless.

[@steveanimatrix3887]

He credits it with starting out on drums and learning to use both hands constantly

[@brucelee9750]

Unbelievable from Mark King, how on earth does ge sing while playing such a bassline.... Total respect to the legend he is. ✊🙏👏👏👏👏👏

[@OakleyANDSittingBull]

@Bruce Lee, Mark King is a force of nature. In his case, it’s not only understanding and skill but also a clearly “natural talent”.

[@greatwhite61967]

Ok if you think he's that great , which I know he is , but i'll let you into a little known secret & that Mark King is naturally Left-Handed................ But he chose to play Right-Handed Bass Guitars , im guessing due to the lack of amount of enough left handed bass guitars that hand all the bells & whistles that were on a right-handed bass guitar just didnt have enough that were around back then & even now it still difficult to buy a Left-Handed Bass Guitar that could give a progressive bassist a great sound & I'm sure at John Diggins HQ they have built Left-Handed various JD Bass Guitars for those who specifically asked for it to be Left-Handed & I'm sure Rob Green would've done the same & I know that the makers of Wal MKII Fretless Bass Guitars have also done as I keep seeing the same Left-Handed Preowned Wal MKII Fretless Guitar on a specific stores online website & I keep thinking IF only it was right-handed but I'm not Mark King & though I might have gotten to a certain stage of playability , there's no way I could play my right-handed Bass Guitar as great as a Left-Handed Bass Guitar... There could be cases that could say that it's because Mark is ambidextrous but IF he is I've never heard of anything about this over the 4 decades that Level 42 have gone on Tours more often than not... I personally put it down to the fact he wanted to be one of the best drummers as he remembers certain festivals held on the Isle Of Wight & on seeing amazing drummers like Ginger Baker & many other great drummers reinforced his need to keep playing & the fact that a drummer has ti think fast as they are playing many different parts with both hands , has in my opinion , been the reason he manged to change to a right handed bass guitar but damn yiu have to admit that to play the way he does on a bass guitar & yes of course sing at the same time makes what he's done during his career takes on a whole other different respect when you hear that he's naturally Left-Handed... In light of this still ongoing coronavirus and it's variants stay safe and healthy wherever you are in this world... Take Care One & All .....

[@danielhicks4826]

What's really amazing is he honestly hasn't even improved a whole lot in 40 years...in other words he got about as great as he got in like 9 years of fricking practicing and playing so he was almost maxed out 40 years ago! and that is not an insult to this day he is still one of the worlds best bass players and specifically slap players. guys a freak!.

[@danielhicks4826]

And of course he has improved just saying by not as much as you'd think he didn't need to...bloody maxed out his instrument 40 years ago lol.

[@garylagstrom3864]

One of Level 42’s best grooves and songs! WOW THIS SONG IS 41 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR! Now I do feel old!

[@chasvonplatten1298]

Ouch!

[@danlc95]

Phil Gould is a freak of nature. He cut that music up and is wearing it like a suit. He's fully integrated. Perfectly seasoned. Nutrient dense.

[@user-he2qz4jd2i]

Absolutely agree 100%

[@dissyduster]

I was at one of their first gigs back in the day,They took the roof off,,,I was lucky to meet phill and boon after the gig TOP PEOPLE Xx...R,I,P boon X...

[@miger1824]

I saw Mark and the boys play live many times back in the early '80's and we knew that Mark's talent was something really special.The years have just added to the legend of the man, shown here at the very top of his game.

[@geraldwright9841]

Mark's chops are right up there with Dave LaRue, Geddy and Jaco!

[@GrahamsYouTube]

To think that was 1985, playing that skillfully and singing too! Amazing groove and melody

[@eyelidman09]

Chinese Way is what kickstarted it all for me, back in 1983. That descending bass line and great vocals and lyrics just did it for me, and I was hooked - and have been ever since. This is indeed a journey back in time.Warmest thanks. 🌞🙏👍🇬🇧🌞

[@davecoalwood9487]

Top Man.

[@davecoalwood9487]

Brit Funk Forever. 🇬🇧🎸🎹🥁🎺👌😁

[@mikepaolo3169]

same here for me.... hooked ever since...

[@andreasg7834]

Great Gig. 👍 The years before "Lessons In Love" have been their best ones musically. After that they got too commercial in my opinion. And without Phil and Boon it was no more the Level 42, which I knew.

[@jonathanhawkins2227]

At their peek..long for more bands like this

[@danlc95]

I'm playing drums a lot like this in all my projects.

[@The.Doctor.Venkman]

Saw them live in 1983 when this track was in the charts. They blew me away!

[@KennyEvansUK]

I get a huge amount amount of joy watching Mark King do his thing. Really hits the fecking spot. Immense talent. Nearly 40 years listening to these guys.

[@russelljupp6338]

2.55 - 3.23, Boons rhythm playing is like a metronome. Absolutely in the pocket.

[@wtorules4743]

He's doing everything in this song. Superb playing.

[@thewomble1509]

@@wtorules4743 Still the best drummer they had. Gary Husband comes close but Pete Biggin is too busy imo.

[@doodlebug2003]

Great performance. I love how most of the audience look like they turned up to watch The Cure but are all still digging the wizardry of MK and his band.

[@sarangcemut]

Yes my friends, with that kind of bassline, Mr. King sings while playing it 😁😁

[@jameswhite7997]

Will always be in awe and wonder...how???? Genius.

[@sarangcemut]

Hours and hours of practice prolly 🤔🤔 ....or pure talent??

[@awlonghurst]

Fantastic musicianship by everyone. Wish I'd seen you live. So good.

[@lepecqbenoit4738]

Power, rythm & melody in action.

[@thiaguinnnrs]

LEGENDS!!

[@stefanoripari1816]

Level 42 Great WONDERFUL

[@joebee1558]

I used to listen to this getting ready for a Saturday night out great year 83

[@danielpalmersofficial]

I adore that bass line Mark is playing, I’ve always wanted to learn it. ✌️☺️

[@Level42Man]

Teenage Memories...Can't beat 'em 🎵👍🏻

[@amandaLe4V2eL]

Always great live. ❤️

[@davideyres955]

Ahhh the 80s. Crazy times, crazy haircuts and crazy dancing. Hard to believe it’s 40 years ago. 😢

[@angelapeters6111]

You can't beat old one's one of my favourites

[@gastonlamarque4979]

Wow this was not televised at the time, brilliant 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@sweebeyh4327]

Brilliant! The tracks of my youth!

[@BazzerObama]

A fabulous live band, always slipping in some added nuanced parts from the album versions. Always entertaining, always working hard, MK always working up a lather.........I bet that woollen jacket didn’t help 🙀

[@hql400]

...nothing to add...

[@chrislj2005]

Pop with talent and musical technique. Awesome

[@mdwayne741]

Anyone who doesn't know these guys....they are truly missing out on greatness.

[@heatherquance7758]

I just turned 40 and I just found out about these guys 3 days ago. I thought I knew all the good music out there. My mind is completely blown that I’ve never heard of them until just three days ago. I will be spreading the word of Level 42 everywhere I go from now on. ❤

[@laurencevanhelsuwe3052]

Love, love, love this. Real music.

[@amandahodgkinson9193]

Oh fantastic. Also a favourite of mine live.

[@Edmouk]

Great live version of Chinese Way (the intro is just awesome !).

[@tartanteapot9387]

I watched this. Loved L42 from day 1 and still, all these years later. Fabulous track, then even more came our way during thhe 80's. Eargasmic!🎵🎙🎶👌❤

[@tomymulya2973]

Amazing... The legend song. 👍👍👍

[@user-li4hv8yn4]

One of my all time favs. Still play it on a daily basis.

[@deanfernandez4095]

Seriously such a kick ass song. Just love this band

[@Crichton51]

Sheer class

[@mr.lemonsito1588]

Bassist singer amazing

[@Anthony-vm1wb]

I went to see them live back then, all of them are great musicians. They were brilliant.

[@OGBrawlerina]

Mark King in the 80s...😍😍😋😋

[@mattjb72]

Ah ‘twas supposed to be at the Uncle Albert Hall to see you guys this week! Ah well here’s to 2021!!!

[@patcom1013]

Great performance. So-called 'artists' of today don't come anywhere close.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Absolutely fantastic. So remember watching Level 42 on the Tube all those years back but not this track. Must have been filmed after the end credits? Phil and Boon (sadly missed) alongside Mark and Mike the definitive line-up! (Not forgetting Annie on backing vocals and Krys on saxophone)

[@slider7264]

thats cause you were problably watchiing the 1984 one not the 1985 one

[@markrobinson1360]

Remember seeing the band on The Tube and the medley of Something About You and A Physical Presence - as well as Mark's thunderous bass solo earlier - and the show ending at the end of the latter. This is clearly after hours, when the live show went off-air - "This is just for you - we're not on telly anymore". This wasn't unusual; when ZZ Top did The Tube, they carried on playing for another hour, even though Channel4 had cut away from the live transmission to its regular schedule. Towards the end of its run, the programme showed an extended version of the show on the following Sunday, which broadcast the unshown footage from the end of the Friday edition.

[@jameswhite7997]

The fab four. Less than a year later Wembley stadium. I reckon all the punks and goths in the audience loved them secretly and got tickets. Love this so much.

[@sarac.3259]

Yes - I saw them at Wembley - then boyfriend managed to get front-row tickets. Fabulous.

[@rokit430]

The equivalent to Phil Vollins..and the ability to sing and play his 🥁. Mark has the same kind of brain to play and sing at the same time...wonder if they met or know each other.. Love Level 42❤❤

[@angelapeters6111]

My daughter was only 4 and new every word of this x

[@nataliegarrett8021]

Pure class

[@boum62]

Super talented. As a young trainee accountant I met him through work . charming lovely guy unlike most pop stars who were total wankers.

[@ruthfeeney9441]

The start of the eighties 💖💞💖💞

[@stevelawrence4705]

Absolutely amazing!! ❤

[@biglouie964]

I like the songs that we get to hear Boon playing louder.

[@markrobinson1360]

Remember seeing the band on The Tube and the medley of Something About You and A Physical Presence - as well as Mark's thunderous bass solo earlier - and the show ending at the end of the latter. This is clearly after hours, when the live show went off-air - "This is just for you - we're not on telly anymore". This wasn't unusual; when ZZ Top did The Tube, they carried on playing for another hour, even though Channel4 had cut away from the live transmission to its regular schedule.

[@ivanpedreros3620]

The Best!...

[@balancasuldobrasil9414]

Monstros da música💓👏👏👏

[@MST785]

RIP Boon. Thank you for unintentionally teaching me 'groove' as a young drummer.

[@craftmania000]

love you all Level 42

[@ianeverley9839]

100% committed

[@WestminsterDoornobblers]

Stellar 🌟

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Brilliant

[@user-fq4qk9wz5k]

The heady days of the early eighties great times and this lot were a big part of it if only we could turn back the clock and do it all again ide b first in the cue

[@trescopas2887]

Genial. Este fue el primer tema que conocí de la banda

[@delicate28]

Best 👌👍

[@MISTERZANZAN]

C'est vraiment une super version, épurée !

[@martins5174]

Listen to the sound quality

[@richardlangellotti6208]

Killer bass line! I can play keyboards, and I'm pretty good, but no way can I sing at the same time.

[@19starfire84]

"Uncle" Mark takes all of us to school...

[@julieallen2583]

❤️

[@larissanascimento2504]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@alessandramarques6965]

👏🏻👏🏻🎵💕🇧🇷

[@annaritadelprete7676]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

Is it available on DVD?

[@annaritadelprete2370]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@j1592]

Two questions: how are we going to eat and what floor’s the restaurant on?

[@AnselmG1970]

0:19 Mark:"F*cking terrible"

[@JayDee11]

Yeah, seems like that's what he said - lol.

[@johnraina4828]

The hairdoes is soooo 80ths loool

[@user-zo3zv5nj8i]

kevin bacon on drums

[@jamesmitchell8922]

Can you show your Top of the Pops performances?

[@oliverbowen17]

That wasn’t live. Your not allowed to play live on top of the pops

[@jamesmitchell8922]

@@oliverbowen17 I know it wasn't live. Stop getting involved

[@oliverbowen17]

@@jamesmitchell8922 I meant no disrespect 🤷‍♂️ I was just letting you know. If you don’t what people getting involved then don’t comment. get your temper under control.

[@stevesteve8098]

hmmm... words softly spoken in Cantonese..... there is a misnomer if ever there was one....

[@mugjunk]

Who does know what they know?

[@ianeverley9839]

does King ever give less than a billion percent?

[@richsan4923]

But what do the Chinese think...

[@oddities-whatnot]

Smug prick trader advert again, getting it on every video. Who is this guy ? Mr perfect family man with the perfect lifestyle ? Really doesn’t sit well at the moment when people are struggling with bills but of COURSE you only have to spend ONE hour a DAY and all your dreams come true, YOU can have a life just like him ! Wow, sign up now. FFS

[@oliveroneill1388]

Always thought it was done on a fretless bass

[@melodic777]

I hate the tone. The playing is awesome though