GEORGE FORMBY: It Serves Me Right (I Shouldn't have Joined)

[@thedrifterr]

The more mature I’ve grown the more I realise this man was a legend

[@tipsywizard7865]

A real G

[@EllEff652]

I'm a Yank who's stumbled onto George Formby all these years later. Absolutely brilliant timeless talent!

[@steveh.7552]

Likewise, amigo!

[@sampsonroofing7377]

I guess he's an acquired taste.

[@chickenpie9728]

My grandad would be so pleased that people were still enjoying George in 2020. I have the box sets and regularly have Alexa play his songs! Reminds me of my granddad and it’s another hidden gem online when everything is just so doom and gloom! Turned out nice again!

[@Rukzy]

And in 2021

[@TheRealRaveGamer]

And in 2022

[@TheRealRaveGamer]

Until the end of time, we’ll never forget him

[@loudassknifeprime8915]

Still going strong

[@pekkapikkuinen6896]

Even now i do

[@charlesmaximus9161]

American Anglophile here. Absolutely love George Formby’s music. God bless him.

[@lisalannom4397]

Lived there for 4½ years but don't remember hearing him. The hubs has auto-play going on the background and this song came up - so funny!!! WILL be looking him up for his other offerings ❤

[@MilitaryGamer83]

Going to visit his grave this weekend I've even bought a little Ukelele to leave at his grave. RIP George thanks for the Memories and Laughs

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

I hope you didn't buy an expensive one. It'll get ruined in the weather.

[@beveridgembp]

My Grandpa played George Formby to me on his many cassettes till he died aged 85 in 1993.. it makes me smile every time I hear those cassettes... which are still playing to this day for my own daughter from her being born.... I realise now my quiet and unassuming Grandpa was a sly old dog, although very downtrodden like poor George....with one helleva naughty sense of humour... which I treasure to this day.. George Formby was way ahead of his time... I wish he had been more appreciated during his life, as he gave a huge amount of joy to so many people, including 1000s of soldiers... his life was far from easy, but he wholeheartedly tried his best at making people smile and laugh. God rest his soul.

[@japsley6172]

He may look dated to some now, but as kids many of us loved him. He was funny, good natured and harmless in his movies.

[@thehotyounggrandpas8207]

I'm a 46 year-old who has a 15 year-old daughter that plays the ukelele (as 85% of teenage girls do nowadays) and I just turned her on to George. She is amazed at the "new" chords and "strange" melodies and can already play When I'm Cleaning Windows!

[@japsley6172]

@@thehotyounggrandpas8207 excellent! Great to see that appreciation of George but also the continuation of what really is our heritage!

[@thestrengthwithin4249]

J Apsley 👏👏👏👏👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@thestrengthwithin4249]

👏👏👏👏👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@newforestpixie5297]

And weren't a few of his tunes intentionally a bit ' nod nod wink wink ' ? If so then this was indeed an English tradition which was continued 30 years after by ' sophisticated ' rock musicians albeit regarding illegal drug use rather than sexual references 😉

[@EBSJones4]

You have to smile when you hear George Formby sing, don't you?

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Absolutely! 😁

[@englishcountrylife3805]

When I was a kid I didn’t understand the innuendoes, but I do now😅😂🤣

[@fxbootstraps]

Good for you.

[@lesliegoodman-malamuth9796]

“Sweeping Mrs. Joneses’ flue”!

[@musmus-culus]

This song captures my present feelings about university

[@declanosullivan8770]

Shut up you mong 😂 you had options you chose to do it and any mong with a pencil can get through uni.

[@Botomatic]

Absolutely love this song, makes me thing of my great grandad George. He traveled from Edinburgh to London to enlist in the 2nd World War only to be told he was too young to join. He had to contact his mother to come and pick him up (Edinburgh to London wasn't an easy journey back then). After WW2 he ended up joining the Royal Navy for many years. God bless him and George!

[@StephenLyons-tl8ie]

You're right; God bless 'em both!!

[@billycaspersghost7528]

Uniquely British. Who else would have sung something like this. "it serves me right ,I shouldn`t have joined" The Germans would have killed you The Yanks would have suppressed it. Gulag for the Russki. Film for old George.

[@jamesleate]

I was talking to an old Russian man via my ex in Moscow. He was continuously complaining about everything modern and how much better it was under the Communists. After an age I capitulated and stated "well if you had complained like this under Stalin they'd have executed you on the spot, so they had some commendable policies at least", I don't know how well it was translated but it didn't stop him.

[@Tyfreaky13]

I beg to differ: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWWZoZ6DaNuCY9k And I can go all day with those. And there a a million American comedies with songs that make fun of the military.

[@jackbeswick4662]

Yeah, that's just not true though is it.

[@653j521]

@@jamesleate Look at how many Americans think every moment of the past is better than the present, no matter how horrible it was, and the ones online get very angry to be contradicted because of their "right" to believe what they want. It is ever thus. Every age but the present time is the golden age.

[@corvuscrow5485]

The Krouts wouldn't have killed anybody for this. The Yanks wouldn't have suppressed it. And Ivan would have already killed you for following orders and showing up in the 1st place...

[@earth7636]

I like how the stern petty officer starts cracking up and enjoying it

[@eliasblum753]

And the sub-lieutenant who looks in, pauses for a second, and thinks - 'No, I'm not going to stop this or say anything. I'm just going to let the lads enjoy it, and enjoy it myself, too.'

[@derekmills5394]

@@eliasblum753 Good for morale too, what!

[@BrotherSurplice]

@@eliasblum753 A rare flash of brilliance from the bright ideas club!

[@MichaelHopcroft]

IIRC, George Formby actually attempted to enlist in one of the services at the start of the war. They found some dubious medical grounds to give him the equivalent of an American 4-F grade and keep him out. As it turned out, he did a great deal more for the war effort entertaining troops and civilians than he could possibly have done as an enlisted serviceman. So it all worked out.

[@christophercleary6780]

Not only did it all work out - it turned out nice again.

[@Kreln1221]

*When I was in the NAVY, I learned that **_"NAVY"_** stood for, **_"Never Again Volunteer Yourself."_*

[@iahelcathartesaura3887]

I'm laughing and in tears crying at same time. I miss this innocence, I miss England simply being England, & I've long loved dear George Formby. Many thanks.

[@howardchambers9679]

Innocence?! Did you listen to the lyrics?

[@jamesleate]

The last time a woman was indefinitely placed in a mental asylum for "having a baby outside of wedlock" was in the mid 1950's. An awful lot of evil and nastiness went into keeping that vaneer of innocence.

[@fabclark123]

@@jamesleate yep. we need reinventing. fast.

[@fabclark123]

@steve gale ok boomer.

[@JohnTaylor-ne2kz]

@@howardchambers9679 I know, right? hahaha aww he's just feeling nostalgic. Right on Howard! I liked it too! Oh my how times have changed.

[@Baresark]

A mate of mine introduced Formby to me. He died last year at the age of 35, his favourite song was cleaning windows but they're all good. God bless em both.

[@brandonchavez9924]

Extremely clever lyrics and melody. Thank you from Mexico, England. We’ve always loved your gifts to the world.

[@ULTIMATEDANCE]

My Son who is 16 months old loves this song. Better than listening and dancing to todays rubbish. RIP 🙏 we love you x

[@FlameRetardant1]

While being an American, I do much prefer the UK. A place much better than the hellhole America dug for itself. “America is the Land of Freedom” bullshit gets me mad.

[@garryferrington811]

Heard about this guy, but the first time I've seen him. Seems pretty charismatic.

[@motorridder]

Even my grandparents in Holland knew this ukelele genius!

[@benstevinson764]

GEORGE FORMBY Never Gets Old he is a Legend!!! 🌟 🎶🎸

[@dorothyriley5274]

As kids we used to watch the George Formby show every week ... great memories! Simple enjoyment!

[@reneecarter6702]

He was so precious, bless him 😩💔

[@Macho_Fantastico]

It's 2020 and it's still charming as hell.

[@lisalannom4397]

Make that 2024! And ditto your sentiment!!😊

[@JohnyG29]

"I wish I was in Wigan sweeping Mrs Jones' flue" 😂

[@kaibroeking9968]

Other nice lines: - "I'd rather stick me Marlin spike in Ilkla Moor baht'at" ('On Ilkley Moor without a hat' - Yorkshire folk song). - "I've got barnacles on me binncale and it ruddy well serves me right."

[@sapper82]

And probably banned off the BBC for that line and a few others.

[@andyf4292]

they were us, a century ago

[@lizardsssreviewsss7505]

Rest in peace George Formby No one will ever write a song as good as yours

[@FinAndo69]

Lizard'sss Review'sss no they won’t he was great but also my great great uncle

[@lizardsssreviewsss7505]

@@FinAndo69 REALLY?!

[@FinAndo69]

@@lizardsssreviewsss7505 yes

[@hahahhahah3295]

This is good

[@antoniosilvestro2494]

He was a favourite of my mother and grandmother who were both English.

[@steveguest2003]

I had the pleasure of looking after George Formby when he was dying at St Joseph's Convent Hospital, going way back, he was a great person! Sadly missed ✝️

[@jandos113]

Man, he died in 1961. That means you would have to be at least 80 to be able to look after him at the time. Either your profile photo is fake or you are a very old person.

[@qcompressed1409]

He didn’t die at the hospital. He died of a sudden heart attack. Think before you claim to be something.

[@georgebamber6871]

Bullshit why lie

[@jboland1192]

He was 56 when he died in March 1961

[@therealdarthvader6185]

As weird as it sounds u very lucky thing I'd wish it would have been better circumstances but to meet him and for him to be looked after by someone like your lovely self I'm sure was a blessing for him well done

[@canadacalling6892]

nobody could ever play a banjo like George.

[@Thonolan000]

Banjo ukulele.

[@canadacalling6892]

@@Thonolan000 Hi, yes - Banjo Ukulele - now I have one and play it too. Merry Christmas

[@gregcotier]

Reminds me of my grandad, even though he was from Derbyshire and not Lancashire and didn't play the uke.

[@Hereford1642]

My old man from the Welsh valleys, when asked why he joined the tank regiment in 1938 replied 'Well, I didn't know there was going to be a bloody war did I ?' Different generation.

[@thomaskallmyr]

This is my Grandfather George Formby Jr 1904 to 1961 R.I.P.

[@Rob.Martin]

George never had any children. So he can't be your grandfather.

[@Bigupbizz]

He died in 1961 in mount street hospital preston

[@2394Joseph]

"Did George Formby have any children?" "The George Formby Story A forty minute, one man show in a BBC series known as 'The Friday Show'. It was to be a confessional with George admitting that Beryl (his wife) had been the driving force behind his success, that he couldn't read and write properly, that he didn't understand music and that he regretted not having any children." "How many times was George Formby married?" He was married to Beryl from 1924 until her death in 1960. Less than two months later, Formby caused a stir when he got engaged to Pat, the 36-year-old daughter of a family friend. The couple planned to marry the following year, but Formby died from a heart attack in Preston at the age of 56 before they could do so.10 Apr 2018"

[@Cal-Valhalla]

The haircuts are so cool

[@peterkeane7767]

A Star! Back in the day when 'Stars' really did light up a Theatre ! George was years ahead of his time. Laser Wit,able to openly challenge the Censor,and 'make 'em larf' as he got away with it! Allways one of Natures Gents and committed to making sure the Working Man and Woman went home happy, It's only since starting to learn Ukulele during 'Lockdown' that I've fully realised just how brilliant a Musician he was! If I can EVER Play any of his Hits as well as he did I will be a very happy Teddy! P.S. You can't beat the Morale boost actually learning to play brings,and the Ukulele is one of the easiest Instruments to play ! If you are feeling 'Blue' you can get a 'real' one second hand for around £20 and Brand New for not much more! Try it, maybe you can sing along one day!

[@dagda825]

All these years later and George still has it lol what a performer.

[@holydiver73]

My dad was in the navy in WWII and said that they used to sing this song in the mess all the time.

[@Red-Revolution708]

I loved the old George Formby movies years ago when I was a kid with my father who has past now , great memories .

[@graciefields898]

All best wishes to you, my friend, you grew up watching George Formby (like me) and you support Liverpool FC - champion!

[@whiggygirl]

I'm 39 and have loved George since I was tiny. My Dad was raised in "Wiggin" and his father and all his ancestors were born and raised there, so I was brought up on our George. As I've got older, I've started to appreciate his talent even more. We have been to see his old house in St Anne's a couple of times over the past 18 months. It seems surreal to think George lived there. I would have LOVED to have met him, as I know my grandad did. It's turned out nice again!

[@graciefields898]

I'm 45 and have loved George since I was about 10 when some of his films were shown on daytime British TV. I didn't know that the house he lived in was available for the public to see so thanks for sharing that, I'll be sure to visit some day. It has turned out nice again and I wish you and your family much happiness.

[@ricardoservellon6506]

Primera vez que oigo a este artista. Lo descubrí por casualidad, y me ha gustado como cantaba.

[@alanblissett9834]

We need fun entertainers like him now

[@memejunkie4744]

I’m in the navy and I sing this on my way to morning muster

[@Maynke]

Thank you for your service & excellent music taste! :)

[@graciefields898]

That's brilliant. I'll have a rum tonight and toast to you doing just that. All best wishes.

[@sicks6six]

Wigan the centre of the known universe in George Formby's day,

[@stevejeffries1603]

He was awesome!!!

[@patrickmolloy3002]

Love him makes me laugh when am down

[@catherineoloughlin7451]

i have loved george since i was a kid....i am now 67...and i still think he was so cute

[@thetooginator153]

I think this was from a 1943 film, which is pretty darn subversive for wartime. A year later, the British “Dance Music Policy Committee” found the song to be “enemy-friendly”. Maybe I’m to soft, but I think it would be a reminder for the sailors what they are fighting for. The German Navy would have sent this guy to the Eastern Front - if he was lucky.

[@andrewboffin3890]

it was bell bottom George the film

[@panzer63]

Lovely good old Blighty

[@jameswaters5133]

If you watch this without a smile you're not human. What a legend - very naughty lyrics, charm and an amazing technique.

[@Emsie76]

I love George..... 👌

[@andrew7taylor]

Damn. Not just a singer and a comedian, but a dancer! Amazing strumming patterns towards the end, too!

[@peterbuckley265]

SO MANY EXCELLENT PASSED VERY TALENTED ALL ROUND ENTERTAINERS' HERE ARE HUNDREDS = , RONNIE BARKER, VICTOR BORGE, ROY CASTLE, TOMMY COOPER,TONY HANCOCK, ARTHUR HAYNES, BENNY HILL, OLIVER HARDY AND STAN LAUREL, LIBERACE, WILL HAY GRAHAM MOFFAT AND MOORE MARRIOTT, CHARLES PENROSE, JON PERTWEE, PETER SELLERS, PHIL SILVERS, ERIC SYKES, MICHAEL FLANDERS AND DONALD SWANN, REG VARNEY, MAX WALL, KENNETH WILLIAMS, HARRY WORTH TO NAME BUT A VERY FEW OF HUNDREDS, NOW REPLACED BY TOTAL FILTHY CRAP !!!!

[@Wimmles_Emily]

I’m 16 and I love George and not many people my age do. Proud to be wiganeese

[@melanietoth1376]

That was wonderful! I dont know how I got here but I regret nothing. The dance at the end too! ♡♡♡♡

[@patrickmcgough2416]

Best intro ever. George comes out, starts playing his Uke, and a young lady pipes up”I could never learn how to do that, it involves using two fingers at the same time “

[@jboland1192]

At the time, the highest paid performer in the country, he had a home on the Norfolk broads and a gorgeous motor launch The Beryl

[@Peter-tu1qp]

This guy was an absolute joy 2 watch in his films. Always got the ladies, sang brilliantly an as 4 the ukulele was the best ever. Always on You Tube listening 2 his music an watching his films. This song was brilliant an funny. When he dances at the end was hilariously funny. A true Lancastrian, like misel. George Formby, gone but never will b 4gotten. R.I.P. George, the great performer an actor.

[@allanegleston4931]

2023 and loving him.

[@MikeDial]

Now I see where the Beatles were coming from when they sang songs like "Yellow Submarine" and "Honey Pie".

[@ThomasJJacksonVA]

From Wiki: "Much of Formby's virtuosity came from his right-hand technique, the split stroke, and he developed his own fast and complicated syncopated musical style with a very fast right-hand strum. Joe Cooper, writing in New Society, considered that "Nobody has ever reproduced the casual devastating right hand syncopation, which so delicately synchronised with deft left hand chord fingering"."

[@peterthegreat1883]

He used his hand all right

[@Bazroshan]

A major contributor to the development of ukulele technique!

[@JMAdams-ew9yt]

Punk as fuck

[@pantarei8382]

better then most made in 2022... good tune and superb lyrics...

[@nezbit8989]

Absolutely love this fella he’s in my favourites of days gone by in and amongst other legends of yesterday 👌

[@greenttoll8885]

love george great humour and british spirit through n through

[@benstevinson764]

Still Listening 👂 to George Fornby in 2023!!! 🎶🎸❤️🌹

[@MarthaMyDear6]

Hahaha! I’m sitting here just smiling and smiling! Thank you so much. Love Mr Formby’s voice! ❤️❤️❤️

[@JohnSmith-ji6lu]

An absolute legend.

[@basilpeewit3350]

"I wish I was in Wigan sweeping Mrs Jones's flue" Haha.... and he got away with it....

[@anthonykelly1872]

Yes he often did, wide eyed innocent deadpan delivery of some, for the time, very risque innuendos.

[@easilyoffended8106]

he didn't get away with it. He was banned from the BBC. I think it was singing about his "little stick of Blackpool rock" that did it. 😂😂

[@whiggygirl]

@@easilyoffended8106 no, it was With my little ukelele in my hand 🤣🤣🤣

[@marywilliams9858]

Nothing wrong with that line.

[@basilpeewit3350]

@@easilyoffended8106 I'm surprised Lord Reith had any idea what it meant.

[@Currabell]

109 thumbs down. You must be the most miserable sods on planet earth! George Formby rocks!

[@RWMoortgat]

George was a born entertainer! And I dare anyone to find a lad with a friendlier face!

[@chudleyflusher7132]

Pure joy!

[@davidharrison6615]

I miss the old uniform . People saw us coming a mile away when we walked along with pure style . best uniform out of all the services by far !

[@frankhyland6333]

I had three uncles in the navy, and when they were on leave together at my grans, and in their uniforms, it was like being on board ship. Yes, they did look smart ,and I have always thought the uniform was tops.

[@AllansStation]

I liked my real Bell bottoms U-Front and Tiddley Bow on the Cap

[@kevinduffy80]

Hear hear life in a blue suit

[@MrJamesdryable]

These are still the uniforms...

[@jamesleate]

I never understood why people join the navy. Flying fighter planes is cool, tanks and guns are cool, sitting in a big metal tub waiting to get hit isn't cool in any way.

[@dansiepman9531]

Literally anyone whose spent time in the service gets this. Also, innuendoes galore.

[@richwiz2]

He was great! Glad Herman’s Hermits introduced me to this wonderful song.

[@ColinHarperSummerson]

Beautiful, love George's music :-)

[@royalirish4208]

Don't how how I found this but im so happy I did, never heard this Formby song before.

[@nonconformist0189]

A look at what we used to be like before 1950 and the mass immigration of people who are nothing like us . Just 70 years and we are just a example to eastern Europe why they need walls like America does

[@brian.deller8313]

When I used to visit the Isle of Man for the motorcycle TT races each year there was a cinema in Douglas that showed "No limit!" with George as the star. It was a religious act of devotion that we all saw the movie each year. George was a very keen motorcyclist ending up with a Vincent-HRD, 1 000 cc bike. I believe that is still kept going.

[@Guardianofdreamcastle-ne5uv]

This never gets old. A true legend.❤️

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Brilliant comedian, actor and singer!

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

No doubt this added a big smile to that stiff upper lip on many an Englishman's face during the war...more and more I'm convinced it's impossible to play sad music on a ukulele/banjolele...😁👍👍

[@t.gibson2765]

What is the name of the movie? My grandfather and I watched old movies together. After, he played the banjo and ukulele. I loved Saturday nights! It was the early 70s and I was not very old. We'd sit together and laugh and laugh! Then my grandmother would join, lift up the edges of her dress and apron and dance while making funny faces. I remember laughing until I felt silly. It's a lovely memory, given after that, I was severely abused and beaten when my Mom remarried and my new stepfather moved us away. They almost destroyed me. I ran away with Police assistance at 17 and never returned or had any financial assistance from them again.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

@@t.gibson2765 I'm not sure what movie this was from. I'd love to see it though. I just googled his movies and assume it was one called "Bell Bottom George" from 1943.

[@venderstrat]

Bloody brilliant.

[@carolinejayes157]

Timeless enjoyable classic.!

[@lesliegoodman-malamuth9796]

That toothy grin!!!?!

[@tommiatkins3443]

Formby. The grandfather of thrash metal.

[@mac148]

i loved watching him with me grandad good memories

[@jakecarter2775]

That was entertainment in the days pure talent R.I.P sir

[@brianpope5243]

What an extremely talented man

[@messymatthewstudios]

The Two Ronnie's brought me here, and yeah this guy is awesome :D really like the fun and harmless satire in it :3

[@Maynke]

You, sir, have excellent taste. The Two Ronnies make me laugh to this day!

[@davidsummer8631]

Hitler never stood a chance

[@heru-deshet359]

Felt just like this after I was in Great Lakes Naval Training base. After my term I'm proud to have served.

[@kevingarry11]

Reminds me of summer holidays with my brother and grandma watching his movies as a kid ,i miss her ,and ye im from wigan too like george R.I.P.

[@andybibby342]

Well he was born in Wigan but bred in Warrington.

[@marywilliams9858]

The British are soooo funny!

[@blank-dr2kx]

WIGAN LAD and LANCASHIRE LEGEND. We're still here laughing George

[@liasmith9286]

Big up the Lancs

[@robertbenton3104]

awesome! Love George Formby

[@tonywilson8101]

these songs and films are still wonderful today. To all the people that hear these songs and ban them because you see a sexual content in them you need to get a life.

[@lefthandedluke]

What a talented man he was, rest in peace you funny bastard !

[@wademcconnell1144]

3 years in still play this

[@chrismerrick]

The background doesn't look like a 40's warship, and doesn't seem to be a movie set either. Reminds me of HMS Warrior. PS. George was a genius.

[@stevefraser8071]

Ooh eck George you made the world smile 😊😊😊😊😊

[@КолзакМикхаылов]

This is so bri'ish🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@angleschannel9373]

Loved him

[@slumpy254]

I’m a kid and you may be like kids may think he’s bad but this mans my favourite ukulele man

[@graciefields898]

Good for you, Slumpy, you have great taste!

[@RadicalCaveman]

11 men named Mr. Jones watched this video. ("I wish I was in Wigan sweeping Mrs. Jones's flue.")

[@RatelHBadger]

Me and Mrs... Mrs Jones

[@gremlinuk1968]

1st seen george on tv as a kid in the 70s, born 1968,, with my late gran,!! add , our sgt,major,, another great song,