The Church-Bel-Air

(c) Emi Parlophone
From The Album Of Skins And Heart

[@aus80srockradio94]

Seriously how good is this song. The Church are art at it's very finest.

[@roytbone5791]

One of the best guitar bands ever. Totally under rated.

[@showmyoface]

This song is so amazing...takes me back to an earlier time in my life when it just seemed "easier." Anybody else?

[@aus80srockradio94]

It's taken 13 years for one person to reply, but yes - I absolutely agree!

[@larryearl608]

Insanely great song....I grew up during that era but haven't really listened to the Church until the last year or so. One of my favorite bands

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

NEVER HEARD OF THESE GUYS...one day in the 80s I was walkin to the bar and found a cassette tape on the ground, homemade, it only said skins and heart.....didnt find out for 10 yrs who they were....one of the best ''new wave'' bands I ever heard. The Church was relatively unheard of in Iowa.

[@Xandro.Lombardi]

Great story. I wish I was there when you found the cassette.

[@wessleymcgrath9768]

That’s a lucky find mate

[@codeAlongwith]

Greetings from Australia.

[@adambald600]

The 21st century is relatively unheard of in Iowa😂😂😂

[@wise5632]

After thirty-something years this song, this slow, steady crescendo of a song, still sends chills up my spine.

[@kihmsanders9205]

Love the way this song builds, adding layers with subtlety, painting a picture in your mind. A true classic!

[@calmblueocean7243]

Sublime song! As a guitarist I must add my admiration for Peter's playing - he's my absolute favourite guitarist ever in the entire universe - and Dave Gilmour! 🎸🎸

[@Steve-rp3wq]

Her ruby lips can’t excite me anymore! Beautiful

[@BasswipeNC]

This is one of the best songs ever.

[@heavydq]

Kilbey is one of the best songwriters ever.

[@royferguson3909]

yeah, still true today. Good taste old man

[@TheChamberlaingirl]

Yes, mum.

[@billybuenafe7634]

simply love the guitar riffs... jangly...happy... The Church and the Chameleons UK were cut above the rest...a class on their own. Thanks for growing up with your music Steve K.

[@artofnoly9754]

I love that line.... "her ruby lips can't excite me any more." I was just breaking up with a beautiful girl named Lyndel at the time, and believe me, she had ruby lips, but a negative attitude to life. BUS STOP!!! Bye-bye! Another great Church song, lyrically and musically. Thank you Steven, old boy!

[@beatlloydy]

For some strange reason the lyrics to this popped into my head whilst sitting out in the surf today amidst a thunderstorm and pouring rain on a virtually empty National Park beach...had to get a fix of it...great song. I think the 1st verse is so abstract which makes it

[@PhotospherellcNet]

One of the best songs from their first album. I knew when I discovered The Church when I was 15, they'll be my favorite for the rest of my life.

[@JCridford]

I love this video! It looks as if they're just hanging out, at band practice or something. My uncle showed me a picture of him with Steve in a club somewhere in London from the 80s, he really got me into the Church - amen!

[@Moo01100]

Is this 'pop'? Is it early 80's psychedelia? Is it Indie? This track's real beauty is that it can't be pigeon-holed by music industry bru-ha-ha. It never could be truly defined, and therein may lie the reason these guys never were a Guns N Roses or a U2. And, the reason The Church remain eternal. 10/10

[@tullfan7872]

The Church call themselves art-rock (a catch-all of a number of musical genres), which is prog-rock's cousin, I suppose. Agree 100% that this is a top-class song.

[@leonardotube]

Their early work was definitely (a little too new wave for my tastes) new wave-ish. Joking aside, I don't they really embraced their art-rock side until Priest=Aura, before that they were like a psychedelic version of R.E.M with some prog and even goth moments here and there.

[@saulgoldstein2350]

And yet you're here TommyTwobats. Closet fan? Not exactly a hit except for the harder core fans. Don't be shy. Fess up.

[@Brewzerr]

Tommy Twobats - “a massive copy of The Cure from 1979”. What??? Seriously, are your ears clogged with dingleberries? This sounds *NOTHING* like the Cure... in 1979 or any other year! What a completely bizarre comparison to make. Better get your ears checked, mate.

[@tullfan7872]

@@mebeasensei The Go-Betweens sound a lot more like the Cure than the Church.

[@keithdonald6583]

Steve Kilby ..the most underrated song writer in the history of rock.

[@revup67]

thanks Steve for the uploads and great memories of the early 80s..so glad you guys came to NYC - got to see and hang out with your band at Maxwell's in Hoboken NJ '84 and several other gigs thereafter through 88 - you guys were kind enough to grab a VHS tape of an unreleased live show that Warners had recorded and pass it on to me which I still have -- also have some excellent photos before going on stage of you with R. Ploog and the band..etched in intangible stone--Tony G.

[@patrikdolman3575]

Saw these guys when I was 15 at the Wizbah begged the bouncers to let me stay and watch. Speaking to MWP between sets decided to learn guitar,nice guys.

[@timdebever7458]

I have a neighbour from years ago to thank for introducing me to this band when I was 15 ( many moons ago) so thanks Graham for opening my eyes to music most people have never heard of.

[@35sixer]

True talent ahead of their time.. saw them in Costa Mesa and they still have it.. Thanks Steve for creating such great music..

[@deantucker4897]

I was just spellbound and hooked when I heard this first album, back in ‘81

[@andrewgeraci8798]

Saw you at the Starfish 30th anniversary and it was a huge thrill!

[@clinttoner6239]

great song...great album. great band. awesome live too !

[@destination-nn1zq]

This song is the pinnicle or the jewel in the crown of a great album another aus classic album

[@CaptainWurly]

This has always been one of my favourites too!

[@tullfan7872]

What a great song! Love the build up to the crescendo at the end. I wonder if they were influenced by ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" (1980), which also had that great build up. I always loved the Church's precision and fluid sound - they're easily my favourite Aussie band!

[@johngardner5660]

Happy memories on when I had passion for music

[@Brogiaid]

Got the same album re-release as "The Church" with a "fallen, broken statue" as the album artwork. Always great songs and "great" 12 string Rickenbacker guitars. Catching back up with them finally on CD...

[@merseymain]

I got this album on its European release, re-titled 'The Church', with diff cover, for the Carrere label, in '82, a year after it was released in Aus, as 'Of Skins And Heart'. It was an album review in the British music press that got my attention. Bel-Air is just one of many stand out tracks off the album. So good.

[@l0066]

The end is one of the best climaxes ever written in rock history, but I love the whole song. All the guys were perfect, but it wasn't Ploog who recorded the drums but Nick Ward. Wonderful playback.

[@jamichelash]

i wrote the lyrics to this song on my ceiling in my late teens ( some years back ! ) love steves look to camera at .54. Fantastic lyrics and great memories thanks for posting

[@leonidbreshnevonice6926]

Bel-Air! One of the best song from first album. If not the best.My favorite album. The build up of the song and the ending! Bought the first album on the Carrere label.10 out of 10. Got Tear it all away instead of Korean fighter pilot. Perfect..Later lost the vinyl and had to buy the Australian release.Heartbreaking. Anyway,the best album released by The Church,followed by The Blurred Crusade and Starfish. Who can resist this band?

[@dougpedersen6967]

one of the best bands to come out of oz.

[@6655432]

One of my all time favorite tunes. Nice surprise. Thank You

[@truebootsyes]

Man what a great song! I'm going to get my band to cover this...been wanting to play it live forever!

[@JoeChrisMorris]

Very nice clip nice solo Pete!

[@drstevie]

Beauty. Still.

[@patwhite9575]

4months later still love it and too fast for you ,38 year old memories EXCELLENT

[@johnstuckaiii]

My favourite early Church song by far! These lyrics still amaze me 30 years later or so (for me anyway). I'd really appreciate it if you could ever please upload a higher quality copy.

[@michaelcrafter8994]

First heard this album existed on SSA FM in Adelaide (MMM these days I think) when an Unguarded moment was playing and was blown away - Bought the album the next day and still have it. in original vinyl. In my top 10 still and this song really is quite underrated but is a beauty.

[@thomasbates4299]

amazing instrumentalists...just watch their fingers on the guitars

[@jamichelash]

the greatest pop/rock song ever written and sublimely performed

[@LP-pv5zk]

This song makes me tingle!

[@ACERAMGAD]

The ChurchThe ChurchThe ChurchThe Church! Yeh!

[@Heruka72]

perfect summer song.

[@ivanmcallister4882]

Musical maestros. Sublime.

[@crutchead]

thanks for posting Mr. Kilbey

[@brucelee-wo5ge]

Correct me if i'm off the mark Is he describing DV? Insane song writing!

[@niallkelly9546]

Magic.

[@christianc559]

My favorite first line of any song.

[@JCridford]

Just noticed the Skins and Heart logo on Richard's bass drum :) My favourite song of this album, along with 'Sisters'. Cannot go a day without listening to this band!

[@stillshunter]

Loved the languid poetry of this song back then. I love it still…though now I fear I’m the sunburnt landlord.

[@iancurtis5672]

Sou do Brasil e o The Church é fenomenal, tenho uma banda de Post-Punk chamada Satélite Sonoro e o The Church é uma de nossas principais referências musicais!

[@crimsonwhite1]

thx for posting this. one of my favs.

[@jamichelash]

truly unique...amazing stuff thanks great post and what an exceptional group of musicians. they work on so many levels, just great to hear and watch them perform

[@darylcumming7119]

Memories.

[@chrismannion3418]

And so it started. 43 years later, they are THE band above all others

[@johnkearns313]

Wow...

[@royferguson3909]

Beautiful song.....simple

[@patwhite9575]

just rediscovered this on the weekend ,brilliant on about number 20 rotation

[@danielcirelli1754]

Increíble The Church.-

[@headmasterritual957]

@enialbsitruc I'm glad you like these songs it shows you have taste but quite simply "you're not a Church fan". These are two songs from their first album - they're great as is a lot of other songs off Of Skins and Heear but to say their other songs don't measure up is insult (not intended by you I know). Listen some more....Perhaps start with 'When you were Mine' and work your way forward.

[@scottsutherland9126]

Good story. One of my fave early Killer lyrics.

[@ACERAMGAD]

Splendid!

[@aus80srockradio94]

I love Gold A'noon Fix, but still like Of Skins... the best!

[@johngardner5660]

Voting this track down as someone has should be illegal

[@bigmedicinefilms]

290 to 1 is a pretty good ratio

[@blank5390]

I was here Steven..lol 👍

[@ariasfrancia1854]

Good Song

[@stoult]

Hoooooooly shit. Amazing!!!!!

[@Nigelxman]

Would so love to hear this live again. Do they ever still play it?

[@showmyoface]

Well said...me too!

[@Pstaines439]

it may be lip synched but its still an amazing track off an incredible album, produced by the one and only Bob Clearmountain.

[@BasswipeNC]

Yep, this is a good one.

[@CaptainWurly]

yeah...agree with that

[@permanentbliss]

NAWT!!! Chilean fan

[@crimsonwhite1]

a palm tree nodded at me last night

[@EricaFlipped]

Does anyone know the meaning behind the lyrics?

[@BRicker2]

no doubt......

[@ACERAMGAD]

What Dave Suchy posted... cool..

[@peperodriguez8827]

Ya hagan conciertos ¡¡¡¡

[@jhosuaherrera]

Q pasa gf

[@cmanc552]

Classic Church

[@funfrom61]

What a strange way to hold a drum stick Richard? I've seen him play 4 times and never notice that between the fingers style grip.

[@tanjawinter6492]

I am no musician but I assume they constantly have to learn and practice. Maybe he changed his style completely, maybe he switches when he feels like it?

[@Holden1994now]

does anyone ever wonder if this is steve kilbeys youtube account?lol? just me?

[@zzGRENDELzz]

me too

[@OwrKeeng]

Are those Danelectros?

[@josejuarez7532]

Tsss

[@royferguson3909]

Phycadelic furs pretty in pink

[@5DeadlyRecords]

VERY peculiar technique the drummer has for holding the stick in his left hand. (close up at end)

[@elsea8901]

Ah yes...There was this brief time/place when music didn’t need a category...just be artistically interesting, timeless, beautiful, sad, happy...whatever...no clothing brand or political BS attached etc...just enjoyed

[@landocalrision]

@mistersmith6000 nice lil comment ...........yes me 2

[@Pedrogarciasaleh]

Somebody knows the meaning of this song? It's about Marilyn Monroe?

[@brucelee-wo5ge]

Possibly so. After many considerations, I reckon it's got something to do with violence against women.

[@brucelee-wo5ge]

If i read underrated one more time, I'll vomit!!

[@crimsonwhite1]

i don't know if it was the air or the breeze in my hair

[@СашаВорош]

Гребенщиков!

[@岡本建-n2q]

Eventually they KICKed INXS' asses.