Sixteen Tons (Low Bass Cover)

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#SixteenTons #Bass #TennesseErnieFord #Folk #FolkMusic #Country #CountryMusic #WorkerMusic

[@ColmRMcGuinness]

Do we sacrifice the work-stache or nah!

[@tiaspajic5172]

You keep the stash.... I'm sacrificing mine tho

[@Fenyxfire]

I dunno I feel like it's eliciting a bunch of porny replies. I read a comment you made about yer ma reading these and decided to revert to countryfied cussin out of respect. Take this answer how you like

[@VenomousR0bot]

I vote nay, you could grow the beard and make it a combo lol

[@KecS]

Yes please, or go full viking beard. 🤔

[@cerridwenrowan]

Well given that when, every time I look at it, all I can think of is a certain vintage of a certain type of entertainment I'm reasonably sure you're not trying to represent I would suggest you take that under advisement when pondering this decision.

[@IggyTthunders]

Southerners : Dear, Ireland, you dont need to thank us for the banjo. Just give us more Colm and we'll call it even.

[@kaybee328]

😂😂😂😂

[@AgentPrimus]

You know what. Fair enough. My Irish teacher back in school had a banjo. He is an absolute legend

[@theplayfulparody2183]

Fun fact! The banjo might be more associated with the American South but historically its believed to have originated from west Africa.

[@LJCyrus1]

@@theplayfulparody2183 I'm sure there is no way there could be a connection there. Nope, not at all.

[@MycaeWitchofHyphae]

@@LJCyrus1like creole, jazz and everything else good from the south…as a former southerner I recognize that nothing good from the south came from the owning class

[@jonathanymusic]

bassy boi :)

[@sikstaslathalin1980]

Where is your version Mr. Young? Lol The raspy bass voice you used for Hells coming with me would be perfect for this!

[@ColtonRMagby]

I knew this awesomeness would happen sooner or later. Now, we need Big Bad John.

[@ArisAuditorez24]

Yes, Big Bad John is needed to complete it. I remember the covers Geof Castelluci did on this and Big Bad John

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@ArisAuditorez24 Geoff's covers are NUTS!

[@SHDUStudios]

Please god yes!

[@andrewsalhany5665]

Heck yes!

[@SgtFritz-vq4bq]

or big iron?

[@castlejames4736]

I need Colm and Geoff to duet please! You both killed this song!!

[@MelTyr33]

Yes!!

[@k0ncursus]

It needs to happen!

[@mothvile]

Seriously

[@ongzijun3910]

YES

[@karatthedog6740]

True! This would be splendid

[@Black_Fox07]

The Lyrics for everyone else who likes to sing along Some people say a man is made outta mud A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong You load 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine I loaded 16 tons of number nine coal And the straw boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul" You load 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain Fightin' and trouble are my middle name I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion Can't no high toned woman make me walk the line You load 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store If you see me comin', better step aside A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died One fist of iron, the other of steel If the right one don't get you Then the left one will You load 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

[@leia575solo9]

Thank you so much!

[@throgoy]

Thank you

[@Connor-Skywalker]

Thank you

[@Rina-ov6eb]

Thank you thank you thank you!

[@ProtoNeoVintage]

My family, in the day, came out of the coal mine company towns. This song hits hard. Anyone that doesn't know about the "Company Towns" should read up on them. While you are reading also research the "Red Necks". Unionized Northern coal miners who came south to help their ununionized brethren.

[@umcmedic8272]

"I can't go to hell, I'm all out of vacation days."

[@pherretlord]

My Grandparents were born in 01 and 05 respectively, my mom was born in 31. I grew up rural on a farm in nowhere Kentucky. I grew up listening to Tennessee Earny Ford and the whole of the Opery (Especially the founding members). As someone who literally grew up with this song I can honestly say that Mr. Ford is looking down and smiling. You did him proud.

[@TroySavary]

It's a Merle Travis song. Ernie Ford's version was a cover too.

[@7DdlySns713]

I think both this version and Geof's version are my favorites of this song. They both have different pieces that make them fun and unique

[@breenarnianwarhorse5051]

Absolutely!!

[@impishDullahan]

As much as I love Geoff's version, I think he can eat his heart out after hearing this version as far as I'm concerned.

[@sethsinatra]

@@impishDullahan Damn straight.

[@marshayoung9387]

@@impishDullahan Geoff has a smoothness in his voice & doesn't have to strain himself to hit notes & has to a quality is to his voice that is unmatched by no one. Geoff is too down to earth & humble to worry about what someone else's doing. You can eat your heart out.

[@droolguy]

​@@marshayoung9387 While Geoff is a talented bass, that flatness to his voice is exactly why I don't like him solo personally, his range is somewhat narrow and lacks character and emotion. His work with other artists where he can comfortably stay a bass the whole time while someone else covers mid and high are his best songs. Once again, not bashing him, he is outright a deeper bass than Colm and talented in his own right, but not what I would call a better singer overall. Colm has better overall emoting and his range is far higher than Geoff.

[@megardyn]

I love that your covers are not just covers- you take them and make them your own. The banjo gave just the right atmosphere, and I especially loved the whistling at the end, that was a good touch.

[@erickrinsky1257]

Dude your range of songs is just growing more and more each week, it's fantastic and the mustache adds the icing on the cake to it all

[@randomash07]

Totally agree!

[@shirosenshiesq]

Normally I dislike the base cover trend because most performers have zero nuance with their voices, but you pull it off so incredibly well. It's not deepest base for the sake of it and just because you can, you layer it so well.

[@DrDingsGaster]

Same here.

[@PotofGlue]

thatbassvoice is the only person i’ve seen who can do “deepest base for the sake of it” and make it work

[@youtubeepicuser4209]

But he turned up his auto tune way, way, way too much.

[@thomascraig6814]

Holy shit. This is going to be glorious. I wouldn’t be surprised if Colm wakes Tennessee Ernie Ford from the dead with this one.

[@cavscout6b]

From what I understand, it did. Happened during the deep bass "STOOOOOOORE", and man; Ernie is pissed.

[@Th3BigBoy]

I don't care about your vocals. Only that you have a glorious mustache.

[@Th3BigBoy]

@@seanconservativeburke Because he has a glorious mustache.

[@dec222]

The 'stache is stupendous but I simp for the sweater.

[@MiAmor--]

@@Th3BigBoy He shaved it 😭

[@Th3BigBoy]

@@MiAmor-- It is indeed a dark day.

[@a.i.a3949]

Awesome jumper too

[@singletona082]

This is damned good Sir. So much history in the hills this song was sung thorugh. So many times The Company treated Men worse than Mules because the Men were seen as cheaper. Rock and Stone Never forget.

[@obscurus4054]

ROCK AND STONE! FOR KARL!

[@minionman95]

If you don’t rock and stone you ain’t coming home

[@dabbingperson9236]

ROCK AND STONE!

[@capt.keinskill313]

ROCK AND STONE IN THE HEART

[@benneh4263]

Did I hear a Rock and Stone?

[@AlexHaitch]

I've been loving Geoff Castellucci's cover of this song so much and getting to hear another one of my favorite artists perform it is amazing!!!

[@TheHunterRavine]

You really should do a cover of "the hammer and the anvil" you'd kill it.

[@TheBahamutable]

yes please

[@vlad3967]

I second this request!

[@lazly-prodictiv-6827]

I third it

[@Lordy243]

Oh yeah would be totally up for that

[@Ringohulk777]

Yes please

[@averyn34]

god please Colm keep doing these union jams my guy, this generation really needs to hear these tunes and remember where they came from.

[@OdysseyABMS]

As somebody who was born in Gen Z, I ask that you don't bundle all of us up with those who are imprudent and unproductive. Some of us are working as hard as we can to accomplish our dreams. Have a great day.

[@MycaeWitchofHyphae]

@@OdysseyABMSI think it’s less about chastising the unproductive, and more about reminding those who labor, those who fuel the furnace of the economy with sweat, blood, tears, and flesh that we do hold power. Sing Union songs. Remember that the hand that swings a hammer can swing more. Remember that we can take pain the soft fools can’t. Remember we can strike.

[@maryaigler7651]

Aww, man- your bluesy voice growl, your banjo and fiddle-style instrument playing… they all do honor to the blues style this song comes from. More than well done!

[@Fenyxfire]

This is my folk music.

[@me0101001000]

Colm on more jazzy and swinging songs would be awesome! His voice is made for that as well!

[@starstuff84]

As someone raised on the Tennessee Ernie Ford version I have a benchmark for this song. And this sailed right over. The style change of the last verse and chorus with the added growl and rasp took it a whole 'nother level! Well done, sir!!

[@jame7445]

I recently found this song and HOLY whoever did the mastering on this couldn't have possibly done better! All the instruments can be heard perfectly along with the vocals only being "spoken" over with the thundering clang. I really like how the instruments were staged in the audio as well! 10/10 vocals of course but 10/10 mastering as well!

[@thomascraig6814]

Colm is by far my favorite KZbin musician. He masters every style of music he puts his hand to; even down to the accent. Man, and that growl. 🤯

[@sbskinner369]

This is Tennessee Ernie's song, but Colm is the only singer I've seen cover this song and make it his own! It is truly the best cover of Sixteen Tons that I have ever heard.💙

[@keeperoflenneth]

Geoff's was really good at being faithful to the tone, but man you really sang some struggle into this one. I can't pick a favorite. Incredible job good sir.

[@practicalproblems-x5r]

Sir you may not simply pull out that level of SOUL without warning

[@barbararobertson9505]

I've already listened to this about 10 times on spotify. Love the jazz/blues emphasis. My sister want to marry your voice.

[@samanthatew1990]

Oh my goodness! My dad used to sing this song to me to put me to sleep! I'm sending it to him right now! I love it 😀 😍 ❤️

[@pixiesgarden8353]

Colm, thank you for covering this song! This song has a special place in my heart since my great-great grandfathers on both sides of my family were Irish immigrants who lived and worked in one of Pennsylvania's coal-mining communities. Hearing an Irishman sing this song just adds even more meaning to it for me. Thank you, again!

[@mateussantos6536]

The last minute has some intense Poor Man's Poison vibes. I love it.

[@CaptainHellblade]

The number absolutely SLAPS! Love seeing all the contemporary covers you've been putting out. Would love to hear your version of The Bells of Notre Dame one day.

[@eliyahteague2329]

Been blasting this masterpiece on Spotify all morning! Absolutely fantastic work as always!!

[@madmetalman9227]

My father used to sing this to me and my family while playing it on guitar , and you sir made me fall in love with this song a second time in my life. You are very talented , keep up the good work and thank you! - A fan from Hungary

[@Oooze3424]

you do these working class anthem type songs real well

[@hannahthomas249]

Fun story: I first heard (that I remember) this song about a week ago. Have poked around KZbin for other covers in the last week. Then this popped up on my feed seven hours after it was uploaded. 😂

[@tomsheepskin]

When I was younger, I worked on banana trucks in the port of Gdańsk - within 8 hours you can load 4 trailers with 1,224 cartons of bananas per trailer. Multiply this by 20 kg. cardboard. Which is 97 tons per shift for two people loading on the trailer. And still the worst was rice in 50 kg bags. They had to be stacked on pallets of 2.5 tons each and moved up the cargo bay. Good voice

[@waynemattson9143]

Yes!! I recently commented that I wanted him to sing this, cannot wait to hear it.

[@sarahmattingly6971]

This song will always be linked in my mind with the bizarre, hilarious, and totally underrated film “Joe vs. the Volcano.” I love your take on it, and reliving my childhood listening to it. 😊❤️

[@HippaDip]

I have never heard this song until now, and I can't imagine a better version of this!

[@adamion1993]

Right on, there isn't I've seen literally every single one

[@KlausGaming1]

Subharmonic!!

[@gaylehartwig9041]

Watching a random FB video featuring Hoist the Colours I was floored by the bass singing. Random search led me to your channel and I have a new favourite singer! What a talented man you are, Bravo!!!

[@starrhaltli3742]

My dad used to sing this all the time. So nostalgic! Wonderful cover.

[@Dorftrottel0815]

And wonderful Beard.

[@WoWmakerWT]

And I can understand him. I'm about to do the same.

[@buzztheblocker89]

You absolutely nailed it. Your chorus performance really pulls the listeners emotion into the song and is wonderfully enjoyable. Bravo! Can't wait for the next one! Cheers!

[@ffximasterroshi]

This is absolutely the best version of this song I've heard

[@jaketaft7533]

0:30 Yo thats downright SPOOKY my dude

[@billveusay9423]

The sixteen tons protagonist and the chemical worker's song protagonist must get along really well

[@Werevampiwolf]

Together, they can form a union

[@MycaeWitchofHyphae]

@@Werevampiwolfdamn right.

[@wittyusernamefailed]

I adore the grit and character you poured into this. Not my kind of music usually, but when it's performed like this - I love it, more please

[@audreyanderson5931]

Country music is not my preferred genre at all, but it was something my parents listened to a lot when I was a kid, and something about this cover makes me so happy! Your voice is stunning as always ✨️✨️

[@Tracker947]

The vast majority of country is not like this. Most of it is just whining. But I love finding songs like this one

[@DaveEisinger]

This has a lot of blues DNA to it as well.

[@Tracker947]

@Dave Eisinger True! But Blues is just what a lot of country tries and fails to imitate... at least before you got to the drinking and partying and fucking.

[@audreyanderson5931]

@Tracker947 my parents were into older country mostly (George Strait, Alan Jackson, and the like) so it was fairly different than modern country, especially when you add in my dad's leanings into bluegrass. So definitely not my style, but I have fairly fond memories of that music, even despite the heavy alcohol motifs depending on the song

[@DaveEisinger]

@@Tracker947 The last verse and chorus give me strong Kaleo vibes, such as in "Broken Bones" or "Hot Blood."

[@lorikeetrainwing]

I'm really impressed by how Colm changes his accent in this song. From my perspective (and native region) it's almost like he doesn't have one

[@liviaulbrich6530]

Dear Colm McGuiness! Your voice is amazing and your covers are amazing! Thanks to you I discovered irish music again.

[@TheHoodedWarden]

I remember this song from when I was just SMALL and I NEVER knew what it was called! I honestly haven't thought about it for a decade!

[@jheyplays3271]

Just amazing. The banjo and violin gave a special touch making that perfect

[@MasakixJurietto]

Your voice is like butter to my ears, my goodly Colm and your covers are heavenly, if not perfect to listen to! Found you through your Norse "If I had a heart" and now I am happily subscribed to you! Everything you create is purely undiluted magnificence, wrapped up in a sultry smooth chord of greatness!

[@susanrender9913]

This is an absolutely FANTASTIC cover of my favourite song! And it came out on my birthday no less. Thank you so much Colm! ♥

[@AmneziaAztec]

happy birthday! 🎉

[@artcase8936]

Happy Birthday!

[@xIRGUYx]

jeeeeez when it breaks down its insane

[@PrestonA04]

You killed it this is beautiful cheers Colm

[@kimnichols7946]

So many flavors in this version- I wasn’t expecting the bluesy spin or how the accent I’ve come to know and love faded away in the lyrics but I’m not surprised that this version is special. I loved this song as a kid and wore cassettes out listening to it in the truck with my grandparents. Thanks for a new spin.

[@sulbert0445]

I love this song to bits, there is just something that lets me relax while listening to this and with adhd that no easy, and this has to be the single greatest version of it I’ve ever heard

[@Anonymous-bv7rg]

Never thought I’d love a cover as much as I love Geof Castellucci’s 16 tons but this is incredible. Totally different feel!

[@Valerie-yq1cl]

Sounds great! I love the blues vibe! You killed it!

[@ArisAuditorez24]

I remember Geoffs cover, this just as amazing

[@voluna6002]

Colm... Once again you really went all out and surprised me like crazy. Can't wait to blast this on my travel home tomorrow! Stay handsome and cheers! 🍻❤️

[@ARW1860]

Absolutely THRILLED to hear this masterpiece from this lad!! I'm from a coal-mining state and I have always loved this song!! Gonna be blasting this for the next month at least!!

[@heatherrandall8141]

The funniest, and jazziest song you put out yet. Could listen to this song all day.

[@darklord5824]

I watch you from 200 thousand subscribers, and I can say one thing, you are only getting better, keep it up!

[@baristus]

Goosebumps mate; thanks as always for sharing your talent with us!

[@shmirie666]

My god you need to sing like this more often

[@Razorrix]

God this style is so good for your voice. I love this so much

[@kianpfannenstiel]

Your false American accent is astounding. There's few I've heard as convincing, and it perfectly captures the aesthetic this American folk tradition belongs to. I'm curious about other false accents, especially but not exclusively American, you can pull off.

[@tiaspajic5172]

There is no chance in the world this won't be a n absolute banger

[@crow1062]

Dude, you have the most amazing range O.O I've never known anyone who could go all the way from low bass to high tenor. You're awesome!

[@bumbleb2283]

Your talent impresses me more and more every video. I don't know you do it. Great Job!

[@zacharygallagher1581]

Thanks for honoring my request this is going to be fun and exciting

[@warhammer1299]

Such amazing talent my man. Truly amazing. I’d love to hear a rendition of you doing, I SIT Beside The Fire and Think by JRR Tolkien, one day. I’d probably cry. Keep it up the good work.

[@jacobwheeler9330]

This

[@silviasanchez648]

Yes, this one please!

[@brothers_of_nod]

I've had this on repeat for the last hour, about time I comment on how good I think it is.

[@brandonthebuildertx]

Awesome, a song about how much coffee I drink every morning!

[@AmneziaAztec]

😆

[@flickeringflame6264]

Perfect! My favourite artist doing a cover of one of my favourite songs just in time for my birthday!

[@AmneziaAztec]

congratulations! 🎉

[@xboxonestileshome2821]

Ernie would be proud

[@danielbickford3458]

My father used to sing this on occasion, thank you for bringing back that memory

[@scruffy7254]

After the chemical workers song I was really hoping you'd do this one. Your covers never disappoint!

[@claytonthomas1980]

Love the vocals, suits the song perfectly well and good to go with this one.

[@dipperpines2793]

This cover is like a big 'ole cake: you got the original on the bottom, then Geoff's version on top, and then the original put over that again, and finally 4 layers of solid Colm flair, not including the frosting. it's a delicious cake

[@felinedaze2058]

Absolutely brilliant. Loving this version. Thank you. 🩵

[@SixWingZombi]

Man, I really gotta hear Colm do a cover of Drill, Ye Tarriers, Drill. Old folk Rail Workers' work song.

[@brandonbarrett4584]

Leave it to Colm to make an all-time classic even better.

[@worldwar2guns]

why does this hit so hard in 2024

[@hrwmuffins]

Yet another amazing performance of one of my favorite songs! Fantastic job!

[@VincentMcmanus.]

Geoff Castalucci did a great version of this too, it would be awesome to see you guys singing it together, maybe add Bobby Bass in there too for more fun

[@ultrapowerpie]

Oh, you finally show off the rich bass voice you have... I mean you have it but it's usually supporting and whatnot with only a few bass covers. Love it. Fantastic work and range.

[@bman3794]

The theme song to Amazon fulfillment.

[@FrostFire642]

easily the best arrangement of this song I've ever heard, I can't stop listening

[@Jojrre]

Goddamn, that’s an amazing stache. The song’s good too

[@sarahellie4113]

Wow Just Wow I have no words this is amazing... only 10 secs in and just wow

[@dfwolves6522]

You should do Scarborough Faire sometime. I'd love to hear it with a deep, gravelly voice!

[@Sorchia56]

My foot was tapping away! Love it! On playlist straightaway. 🎉

[@Kalisfusdi4653]

Imagine a Geoff and Colm collab

[@carolynpierce4667]

I love the clanking sound in the background!

[@laurenchroman2388]

Colm, if you are going to open this up to a whole new genre, my dude, we are going to have so many requests!

[@reginagrace]

Duuudde. This is awesome. I never click faster than when I see you have a new song out! You've been crushing it!! 💪🏼