Reaction to Stiff Little Fingers - Johnny Was Song Reaction!

[@MadderMel]

They sort of made it their own ! Always played it as an encore ! It fit perfectly with the troubles in Northern Ireland at the time !

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Yes so well done!

[@tonycasey3183]

SLFs Suspect Device was my intro to the band at age 16. I have loved them ever since. Seen them live numerous times. My greatest honour was to have Jake Burns make a positive comment on my ukulele cover of At The Edge - an absolutely fantastic song to react to - their version, not my uke version obvs.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

That is great Tony!

[@randalpmcmurphy1340]

The version on the live album 'Hanx' is incredible. In fact, Hanx is my favourite live album ever. If no one has heard it, please give it a listen. Jim Reilly's drumming is out of this world on it.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestion and thanks for watching Randal P McMurphy!

[@theoderich1168]

"Hanx" and "LocoLive" by the Ramones were two albums I used to listen to almost every day for quite some time as did many others I knew...over 40 years ago....greetings from Germany

[@heathcornbeef]

And you have impeccable taste Randal THE CLASH AND STIFF LITTLE FINGER'S ARE THE GREATEST

[@richardwynne6596]

I saw them first on the Hanx tour. Jonny Was live is awe inspiring

[@stevecalvert5212]

Definitely agree Hanx version is the dogs dangly bits

[@jasonwagner9387]

Awesome song by one of my all time favorite punk bands and an amazing album .

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@teptime]

I can't tell you how pleased it makes me to see this song appreciated by someone who's around the age I was when this classic album was released. They stylized JOHNNY WAS seamlessly, and I think it stands as one of the great masterstrokes of early period post-punk.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks T really appreciate it!

[@heathcornbeef]

👏👏👏🤘👍

[@davejensen7922]

First vinyl album I bought with my first paycheque in 1980 as a teenage punk was Inflammable Material by SLF and I still love it

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great memories! Thanks for watching!

[@XtheMystic244]

SLF were there before Greenday. Championed by the legendary John Peel. The live album "Hanx" is superb.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestion and thanks for watching Scott Willig!

[@hawklord100]

A brilliant band right at the beginning of the Punk movement, you can hear the SLF riffs in many later US punk bands, like most punk bands the lyrics are important

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for watching!

[@emmandkev]

And still a great band today. Still going strong. SLF for life!

[@patthewoodboy]

the gig they played at the corn exchange , Cambridge 1979 goes down as very special. it was packed out and I was one of the last 10 people to get in.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

at is a great memory!

[@patthewoodboy]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics I for got to mention , I got to the front and it was madness 🙂

[@pmsphoto]

One of the all-time great cover versions in any genre. Live it was an incredible experience. Stiff Little Fingers covered this song in a similar way to The Clash covering Junior Murvin's 'Police and Thieves', which both reflected the punk/reggae crossover here in the UK in the late 1970s. I'm of an age to have seen them regularly over the years and most recently here in London at the legendary Roundhouse. SLF rarely get the recognition they deserve, but would still blow most bands half their age off stage. For me the definitive version of 'Johnny Was' is from a gig I was at in 1988 - check out the whole of 'See You Up There' for a full flavo(u)r of their earlier years, live and direct. I love Green Day, but Billie Joe Armstrong was just starting grade school when Jake Burns penned 'Alternative Ulster' !!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for all the info and for watching!

[@feargalbuckley1559]

I grew up on this band - they certainly portrayed the environment in Northern Ireland at the time and it extends to any

[@patthewoodboy]

Barbed wire love is a great song full of humour and word play

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out! Thanks!

[@fraser9056]

Really like listening to your opinions on these songs. You certainly know your stuff!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Super appreciate that!

[@delorangeade]

Great to hear this. Inflammable Material is my favourite album of the punk era. SLF were controversial at the time because they belonged to the second wave of punk and had honed their chops playing in rock cover bands, so they were more accomplished than many of their contemporaries and some questioned their sincerity. This especially because some of their lyrics were written by the band's manager and dealt with growing up during the Troubles in Norther Ireland, which could be seen as exploiting misery for effect. Others questioned whether an eight minute song was really in the spirit of punk. I love very second of it, and SLF had many other great songs as well. The BBC Peel Sessions album gives a good cross section of their career, but songs such as Alternative Ulster, Suspect Device, Wasted Life, Fly the Flag and Doesn't Make it Alright are essential listening.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestions and thanks for watching delorangeade!

[@Bruh4reel]

Strange. Just goes to show haters gonna hate. Ive been around punk for many decades and theres never been a punk band that more exemplified the spirit of the best punk can be.

[@andynicholas1728]

Now that's how to do a cover version! I have the Bob Marley original version on the Rastaman Vibration album and it's very good BUT Stiff Little Fingers have taken the song from Jamaica and made it relevent to Belfast 1978/79. They have injected passion, fire, anger and created a monster. Absolute classic. Some fantastic guitar work, raw vocals, grooving bass and tight punchy drumming from the original SLF drummer Brian Faloon. None of the other SLF sticksmen, brilliant as they've all been, have ever quite recaptured the feel that Brian gave the song on Inflammable Material. Brilliant.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Well said Andy, I think the best covers are when the band reinvents the song and makes it their own. That is exactly what SLF did here... such a passionate and raw song!

[@MadderMel]

Fills me with tears every time !

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

The true mark of a fantastic song!

[@MadderMel]

Very true statement that ! I only saw them once , me and two friends saw them 40 years ago in Bristol in England , we all were just 16 years old , just kids ( Bits of Kids ) , I have 2 main memories of the gig , 1. We literally danced all night long ! And enjoyed it immensely ! 2. After the gig , we met them backstage , all the band were just so very nice and kind to us , never forgotten that ! They were brilliant with us !

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

That is fantastic and unfortunately rare with most artists, thanks for sharing that!

[@geozeo710]

Sitting on exercise bike warming up for gym and tears welling up. A song and delivery that makes you feel.

[@seanie002]

Seen SLF multiple times. Superb.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks!

[@heathcornbeef]

Oh yes they are Jake Burns AND Charlie Harper (UK sub's) are a dieing breed who i hope last at least another 30 years fingers and eye's crossed

[@DazzleMonroe]

I saw SLF for the first time in '79, then all the way through the 80s and most recently just before lockdown. I played the album Nobody's Heroes to one of my younger friends who suggested they were just copying Green Day. As much as I love Green Day, I had to stop my eyes rolling out of the front door.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha great story! Thanks DM!

[@T3rratubby]

Really. Green Day are nice but b4 slf is having a bubble

[@harrywood6150]

A classic song

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@Trampguitars1]

A great reaction to my favourite slf song. Thank you

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the kind words!!!! Thanks for watching Jon!

[@neilgater2213]

Best Served Live & Loud

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha true!

[@heathcornbeef]

Tray my friend these guys are ONE OF THE GREATEST BAND'S EVER MY OPINION I'VE SEEN THEM 3 TIME'S MET THEM AND THEY SIGNED MY BANNER I MADE FOR THE FIRST GIG ... ROOT'S RADICALS ROCKER'S AND REGGAE one of my favourite songs ever . three years after that first new zealand show in 2007 at my 40th birthday STICKY FILTH GAVE ME AN UNPLAYED COPY OF THEIR 1989 ALBUM WEEP WOMEN WEEP AND IN SIDE THE INNER SLEEVE WAS STIFF LITTLE FINGER'S SET LIST SIGNED TO ME ....BOOT THE DRUMMER ROADIED FOR THEM ON THEIR FIRST TOUR HERE AND HAD HELD ON TO IT FOR THREE YEAR'S BEFORE GIVING IT TO ME.. WICKED!!!!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

That is some great stuff right there Heath!!!

[@kevinm4138]

I have to give this whole album a listen, I’m only familiar with Suspect Device and Alternative Ulster. When it comes to SLF my go to album is 1981’s Go for It, favorite song Roots Radicals, Rockers and Reggae. Trey ,I think you reacted to SLF on one of your top tens. Pretty sure it was a track from Go for It. Glad to see SLF getting some recognition.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Kevin!

[@heathcornbeef]

Root's Radicals Rockers and Reggae is my favourite song of all time i made a massive banner for the first SLF SHOW IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND in 2007 welcome nobody's hero's ROOT'S RADICALS ROCKER'S AND REGGAE and they came out and played my favourite song first and signed my banner after the show HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY i was a pig in shit

[@RichardSmith-ew3xz]

Check out the live version on the album Hanx. There is a different drummer on the live version. I prefer it to the Inflammable Material version.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will do. Thanks Richard!

[@RichardSmith-ew3xz]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics Another interesting story about this song. As you know the song is about a guy being shot for being in the wrong place and time. SLF drummer Jim Reillys brother was shot dead by a soldier. (Later charged with murder) while in Belfast visiting family. Thomas “kidso” Reilly was Road manager for English bands Bananarama and Spandau Ballet. The Spandau Ballet song Across the Barricades is about the death of Thomas Reilly.

[@geozeo710]

Hanx version is sublime.

[@Gravel-Idle]

A great band. I would try 'Alternative Ulster' and 'At the Edge' next

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for those suggestions Richard. Really enjoyed these guys so look forward to it!

[@seanie002]

Jake is singer and lead guitarist. Henry was rhythm guitarist.

[@seanie002]

Jake currently residing in Chicago.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Seanie!

[@MrRolandgent]

Henry usually played the tricky lead bits

[@itsclem1]

Henry didn’t play lead, jake did and carried most of the real technical licks on guitar

[@MiguelVazquez-mu1zm]

Stiff little fingers es una banda demasiado subestimada debio aver tenido drnasiado reconocimiento sin duda

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@johndoyle2397]

Ivwas 11 when i first heard slf. Im 54 now

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Long history! Thanks for watching John!

[@street691]

Hanx is my fave J was track😎😎Live aswell its just classssss

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out. Thanks!

[@jerrybailey5797]

You shoukd listen to Tin Soldiers , by SLF aswell , that's a fantastic song , great guitar riff in the middle

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out. Thanks Jerry!

[@timholder6825]

Haven't heard this song in years and what I'm getting is overtones of Radiohead. They've lifted a rif from this (something Radiohead are famous for doing) but I can't quite place the song they've used it on. It'll come to me. If I remember, or find it, I'll be back. It's definitely a Radiohead though.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Now you have me curious I will try to figure it out as well! Thanks Tim!

[@tonycarson4234]

Hi Tim, I love Radiohead, but this song is from 1979. Maybe Radiohead got their riff from listening to Inflammable Material back in the day.

[@timdraper4559]

Hanx! is brilliant. Enough said.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@Gof67]

Thank you for this one. Had this song on a mix album as a teen. Loved this song (oh tho kinda clules) Lost the album, and somehow got it into my head that this song was by Sham69... Finaly here we are: SLF, and the real song! :D

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for checking it out GOF!

[@garylowe9070]

One of Rita Marleys best songs

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@edward5643]

Johny was a good man, johny was a gun man is the line at the end

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great stuff! Thanks for watching!

[@carolpurcell1772]

You might not believe this by looking at me, but I'm married (since 1997) to one of the original members of SLF -- Henry Cluney. That makes me a bit partial. I think this is brilliant! 🙂

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha i love it! Thanks for commenting!

[@poetgb]

Trey, Interesting facts you share on the artist and song. This music well played instrumentally with rocking guitar. It has a catchy riff. The tempo is steady then it slows at the very end. I agree, there is energy in the vocal and the music. I agree, there is angst in the lyrics and the performance. Interesting cover of a Marley song.Very good job on your reaction in your comment.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Poet!

[@poetgb]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics Yes Sir.

[@1969JohnnyM]

The Troubles in the North East of Ireland cast a big shadow on this song.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for watching!

[@andyg4482]

Try "Each Dollar a bullet" of the Flags and Emblems album, another SLF classic

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestion and thanks for watching Andy G!

[@PeterChoyce]

OMG i never connected this was covering Bob Marley but that is prolly because the original is such a different vibe

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@karmannghiaman1041]

Big crossover of punk and reggae back in the day. Obviously Bob name checks The Damned, The Jam and The Clash in Punky Reggae Party. Lee Scratch Perry (RIP) produced Complete Control while Mikey Dread worked heavily with The Clash on Sandanista. Not sure if you have done anything by Scratch but he was a genius, the George Clinton of reggae.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

We dont, we have to check Scratch out. Thanks!

[@karmannghiaman1041]

@Michael smith just buy a copy of L$P Arkology as the starting point to the genius of the man. What he produced is an unmatched volume of work of any producer in an any genre. His own voice is a bit marmite but even so, Disco Devil, Roast Fish and Corn Bread, I am a Madman, Put the Water In are brilliant in their own right. There's a book on his discography and it's over 300 pages long so we'll be collecting for a long time yet.

[@T3rratubby]

@@karmannghiaman1041 Oh I'm a collector...bringing it on. Thanks mate.

[@karmannghiaman1041]

@@T3rratubby there are loads of his compilation out there, don't have to spend too much to get started. There's one called the Black Ark Years - Sipple Out Deh, something like that anyway and that's got a load of great tracks, Congos, Heptones etc

[@T3rratubby]

@@karmannghiaman1041 Are you in UK? Greensleeves - Shepherds Bush/City Sounds, Holborn/ Groove Records -soho all deceased plus record exchange Ladbroke Grove and Islington but thanks. I spend a lot on tunes old & new. Just got a Terry Callier album, What Colour is Love & The Who live at Leeds. But more to the point have lots of Trojan & Studio 1 7" / plus Ethiopians. Never got the Black Ark stuff so that is a mission for me. Thing is I'm 63 and I don't think I have enough years in me to listen to what I've got.Sad but that doesn't stop me from getting stuff I aint heard before. My daughter has got an inheritance beyond cash.

[@seanie002]

DEVO and SLF on the same day? What have I done to deserve this?

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha we try to please!

[@tonycasey3183]

If you want a ska/punk track to react to, may i recommend She Got Arrested by The Interrupters. One of my favourite songs of all time.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestion and thanks for watching Tony!

[@heathcornbeef]

Hell yeah

[@1965peyton]

Dude that was great thanks but honestly if you wanna hear a great version of that song look for SLF LIVE ALBUM HANX FROM 1980 ITS JUST OVER 10 minutes long. Also some of fingers later stuff is really good too such as here’s some I like: you can’t say crap on the radio: you also got another cover of a Paul young song , LOVE OF THE COMMON POEPLE: MY DARK PLACES: HALF A LIFE AWAY: IS THAT WHAT YOU FOUGHT THE WAR FOR: honestly there are a lot of SLF AL UMS Out there & you can’t go wrong listening to all or any of them. Good luck on you SLF journey. I know it was three years ago you did this but I only found it this evening so hope your still looking for good fingers sings to listen to as there are many many to choose from good luck geeza 👍

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Appreciate all the suggestions. I am always looking for good music! Thanks for taking the time to watch and share all that great info!

[@LevonsWound]

Hanx!!!!!!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@colquemarcos3913]

Bob marley song

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@stevecalvert5212]

Rita Marley

[@T3rratubby]

@@stevecalvert5212 we no