The Damned I Just Can't Be Happy Today Peel Session Version

The Damned's Hypnotically chilling ode to paranoia. Originally recorded for the ground breaking 1979 Psychedelic Punk album Machine Gun Etiquette,the song is a dark seductive gothic masterpiece.
This version with slightly different lyrics from the original was recorded for the John Peel Show. The video is stitched together from several live performances of the song including the infamous Old Grey Whistle Test appearance.
An alternative version using the rare and much sought after Radio 1 Sessions version will be available on youtube so

[@francesrobertson587]

...wonderful...just bloody wonderful...thankyou the Damnedxx

[@user-im4mz4ev7z]

What a banging tune..after all these years..fucking awesome.

[@chinchilla687]

Yeah, right.

[@mrsleep0000]

Most 'punk' bands were conforming poseurs... The Damned were one of the few to be truly punk... Everyone had their own style, they weren't afraid to use keyboards, they weren't afraid to show they could play their instruments, they weren't afraid to write unconventional songs for a punk band. They truly did their own thing and didn't give a fuck.

[@vcp93]

Agreed. They really evolved over time to be so much more than a punk band. (not that a "punk band" is something lesser). I mean holy crap, who could even think up a masterpiece like "Curtain Call". I listen to that song and think, "who in their right mind could come up with something like this?" Simply brilliant and criminally under appreciated.

[@mjh5437]

@@vcp93 You should try listening to a few Progressive Rock (or "Prog") bands,that`s where Curtain Call comes from

[@michaelstephen819]

Pistols and Exploited were two of the genuine ones. The likes of the Clash were just a middle class art school manufactured act.

[@heraldeventsandfilms5970]

Bollocks.

[@heraldeventsandfilms5970]

@@michaelstephen819 R.sole.

[@paddymacIV]

Sad news today big Algy. Killer Bass lines like here and great sound . Really enjoyed his input. The super Bass lines will live on. Thanks Big guy 💚💣

[@kemicon]

the peel stuff always sounds uber-amazing. Very clean with no energy loss IMHO.

[@timmyqbe]

Having been into the Damned for 40 YEARS (just realised and expressed that for the first time - scary) I am mystified that I have never heard this Peel sessions version before & mystified multiplied by illuminated by how crazy different / exquisite / fucking brilliant it is.

[@killyourtelevision]

True of so many Peel Sessions versions of songs

[@kevinadamson7571]

Brilliant

[@williamsterben]

I'm sixty and feel lucky to have been around in those times, although I didn't appreciate it then as much as I do now or would have with hindsight.

[@eddieds312]

I listened to this song 10 times today and it gets better and better every time!

[@echoofasong2339]

That's so rad!!!

[@stoneyll]

Old Grey Winstel Test.. Oh hell yeah, the Damned~!

[@bernadettegrassby730]

saw them tonight..... Captain slayed the guitar!!!! Captain you were the hero of tonight..... the most fun concert of my life ever

[@Frank-cc4rj]

The Damned are still going!? Dammit I have got to try and get them to play in my village. What do you reckon the chances I could offer them a working holiday?

[@vcp93]

I just checked out the other versions of this song and this is BY FAR the best. Thank you so much for posting this version, it kills.

[@samhain66]

Glad you like them both Frank, my intention was to bring both versions to a wider audience

[@DanielWesterdale]

I agree, is it on the Chiswick Compilation album?

[@vcp93]

Holy shit, I've never heard this song before. I've know "of" the Damned forever, but never really knew a lot about them. I recently saw the documentary, "The Damned: Don't You Wish We Were Dead" and I've been hooked ever since. Such an amazing band and what an amazing story. If you've not seen the doc, check it out. "Where's the replay button...."

[@Limagris912]

thanks for the info, the same happened to me

[@stevenmartinez438]

I was 18 again there for a moment, I'm back now. I'm old and poor, but damn I look good.

[@creedworshiper]

me too. where is my black mini waitress uniform and candies wood heels?

[@ewancorral1959]

luv your comment matey

[@stevenmartinez438]

@@creedworshiper I have no private thoughts anymore.

[@chee-sum-know-buddy866]

The lord will restore us,lol

[@lisalmitchell]

one of the most underrated bands ever?

[@lefthandedluke]

+lisa lorraine They are still doing gig's, the captain is with them and they still are fantastic. They did the Concord 2 at Brighton this year, catch them when you can.

[@clintdavies491]

underrated by whom? these were immense, what a pathetic comment..

[@dylanevans2498]

@@clintdavies491 Obviously by those whom do not rate them above a certain threshold. Hope that clarifies the term 'underrated' for you.

[@clintdavies491]

@@dylanevans2498 brother or dad? another pathetic comment . 7?

[@jrkchannel37]

You gotta be kiddin me..

[@RottenReverend]

Eine der besten Bands des Punkrocks !

[@stratocaster539]

12 years later and I love it more! Tbh, the John peel sessions were often better than the big lable recordings. The original punks from the Welsh Valleys.

[@brotzmannsax]

Best Damned punk band ever!

[@lauranewberry6520]

Brilliant keyboard play love this song

[@santiagobenites]

A most incredible version of a great song!

[@bjornsvoice]

one of the best songs in the world!

[@YdaAnn]

Hands down the best version. Thanks OP

[@BrettsJackson]

Great version of another Damned classic

[@theflyintheointment]

Vanian and Sensible - what a perfect double act.

[@maccheeseshow4818]

IMO, the very best version of this song.

[@ZiolaBee]

I dig the psychedelia craziness in the background fueled by the depressive motto. That's what makes The Damned so loveable. Everything is mismatched and undeniably attractive.

[@sussbox]

LOVE IT! Dave is still hanging about Hemel now and again. His mum lives next door to my mate. Great version of the track. John Peel always did great sessions.

[@mjh5437]

Oh dear,I always thought Dave Vanian was ultra-cool until you mentioned he hangs out somewhere like Hemel Hempstead lololol

[@chrishenniker5944]

A great piece of gothic garage.

[@margeryharper7837]

The best :) Still listening at 61 lol

[@JennRighter]

Absolute genius; one of the best bands of all time. Ground breaking.

[@chetrok1]

One of my favorite Damned songs next to plan 9 channel 7 and smash it up

[@fadik5293]

chetrok1 Don’t forget Fan Club

[@susanb.1113]

These three are my favs of all..... Hope they play at least one next time I see them in Glasgow this year

[@drumheadj3024]

Thank you 🙏 never heard this before

[@davidlyons8398]

My 2ND favourite after Go Buddy Go buddy, Go buddy, Go buddy .. go, go, ...GO!!

[@RichardCyberPunk]

Brilliant, one of my favorites of all time.

[@spiteclassictv]

Your editing is just astounding!

[@samhain66]

Spite Classic Thanks, glad you liked the video

[@Swaggs303]

Great upload defo my fave song by them. Lyrically where we are right now

[@thomasbaker8124]

The best

[@CarlDraper]

great version, i think the clarity and bass tone is what really makes this one great for me. :)

[@iangriffiths5725]

I was supposed to be seeing them in Bath Komedia tonight but they've cancelled due to Covid. :( Very appropriate title

[@daveblack4364]

The damned....awesome...

[@Clivebbb123]

The best version, by far.

[@StormyRain77]

Yeah, this was before my time.:Dlol A lot of great music from that era, must have been an amazing time!!!

[@reservoir123dogs]

WHY AREN'T THESE GUYS MORE POPULAR?

[@dianasendt9509]

Cause there old cunts and awesome

[@RichardCyberPunk]

The synth sounds totalty difrent to the versions i knew before. Amazing to hear this song in just another version. Great. Thanks for sharing.

[@nickmoon2735]

Great video montage

[@nigetwelvetrees4019]

Excellent video another good video Mr Samhain666 25 people clearly have No Damn(ed) taste!!

[@FrontmanVideo]

Wow what a great version!!! Much more up-front and in your face than the album version. I prefer this over the album version!

[@janemillerick9614]

my heroes!

[@kidcalabria]

Thanks for posting this. I never thought of this song as an 'ode to paranoia' tho', 'cause that's a form of delusion, while this describes waking up to reality (even if described in an exaggerated, almost sci-fi way, & with extreme conclusions) & a moment of awareness & consciousness, maybe even a 'call to arms': "Illegal to dance, forbidden to cry/you do what you're told & never ask why/Ignore all those fools/they can't understand we make our own rules". Real Rock'n'roll, no paranoia... : )

[@mjh5437]

Too right,and more true now than ever in this age of internet snooping and control.

[@StormyRain77]

Thank you for the song suggestions,.. I enjoyed them both. :)

[@thomasfehrenbacher3397]

damned, this is great!

[@S2313]

The scanners they use can even track dreams. True. 😔

[@BagpipeHustler]

much mightier song than say: "don't stop believin'"

[@TheRealHeadBanger]

Cheers for the post. First time i saw the damned was on machine gut tour in coventry. I remember that old grey whistle test performance and now i have it! Wicked man.

[@spiteclassictv]

Absolutely fabulous editing amigo. I'm surprised I hadn't noticed this before!

[@chaoticAssualtbuddys]

all good makes life worth living

[@ChrisLean]

Great version.....

[@foxdawnstar5405]

Beautiful version of thos song,

[@christopherlock8644]

How true is this.....2021

[@teleroylichtenstein]

Wonderful, masterpiece

[@punk4life870]

Smashing ♡

[@floppybollox3]

As relevant as ever, more so even.

[@pifjehey]

thanks sam !

[@myopicvision]

Bass line is so bad ass!!

[@gothdawn1966]

Timeless :) Don't know if any has ever covered it. A travesty if not......

[@bigriceburner]

Perfection!

[@wingmover]

happier now, BRILLIANT!!!!!!!

[@spiteclassictv]

Incredible editing!

[@firecracker187]

happy 50th dave!

[@walterberry2071]

this version always makes me :)

[@oriolser5862]

Un clàssic d'una de les millors bandes que mai hi ha hagut. Grans!

[@stoalanmulyyf6856]

Great song BTW :D

[@thomasbaker8124]

Still the best

[@thomasbaker8124]

Always great

[@johnwillis308]

Rick Wakeman watch out!! Captain on keyboards, nice! That how it should be done. He plays a mean guitar as well. Wot happened? Ta, John.

[@teamvmg]

Captian and Monty sharing the keyboard solo! Nice work

[@ConstantContext]

this is Rorschach of the Watchmen's favourite song

[@priestessamabael9974]

I love the do whop at the end...lol

[@aleksanth5362]

Στην λευκη με αγαπη αλεξανδρος 1991 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@busyboy63]

2nd greatest UK band ever!

[@StormyRain77]

Love this!!!:D

[@PIERRECLARY]

great lyrics!

[@wingmover]

BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jarisalonen7788]

...the funniest and best punk bands since Monty Python. The first album is great third fantastic and Black Album great fantastic. 90, 05 %. Captain Sensible' s solo albums are good, humoreus and melodiaan. Me an' me Granny like them, although she's always raving about Metallica! Oh mi god! I hum her to Light sleep with " I' m the Spider" song. Thank god she doesn' t saw that David Cronenberg Movie! Greetings all! Damned and blessed.

[@tupelomississippiflash968]

Awesome !!

[@jackielambton1800]

Sheer brilliance.....

[@wk4max]

IGNORE < ALL THOSE FOOLS THEY DONT UNDERSTAND WE MAKE OR OWN RULES!superb!

[@johnwillis308]

Cheers mate! That woz quick, cannot fault them, refreshes my total disdain for what is going on with the music (if you can call it that) of today. More like friggin Karaoke. Still sounds fresh, what a great band. Cheers, John.

[@scream62]

thank you (-;

[@stephenmerriman7081]

Fookin brilliant

[@simonetta-ta]

❤ ❤ ❤ the best the best the best ❤ ❤ ❤

[@hannahbufton]

brilliant :)

[@stephenmerriman7081]

Brilliant

[@AlphaGoII]

So love this ;))

[@peterlehy1211]

Top 🤟🏿

[@lauranewberry6520]

Fantastic what a band super musicians cooler than cool

[@1001orpheus]

It's something like that!

[@san_droid]

great!!!

[@josefizquierdo6139]

I'm not sure if it is punk rock as many label The Damned's music... It's more clear and melodic...like 1960s psychedelic music...Wow !!!👁️👁️

[@AlizarineTV]

cool stuff!

[@KRAPYBARA84]

This sound 😍😍

[@stratocaster539]

I love it