The Divinyls, Elsie- A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Good song. Really enjoyed that. Wonderful commentary thanks Virgin Rock

[@garys1098]

I absolutely LOVE this song! I didn't expect it to be analyzed here. I am so glad you found this! RIP Chrissy Amphlett!

[@Joshualuv13]

Thats exactly what that songs about .So excited to see this reaction.. im in Australia and i saw them live in mid 80's and they remain one of my favourite bands and Chrissy Amphlett definitely my favourite female vocalists.Please do more of the Dyvinal reactions . Jealous and back to the wall , especially highlight Chrissy's voice .

[@mightyV444]

Oh wowww! What a seemingly odd artist choice for this channel! I would've never expected to see The Divinyls pop up here! I love it! 😍 Good on you, Vlad! 😊👍

[@BrianLarkin-q5v]

A very talented and unique Australian singer gone too soon😢.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Chrissie was very charismatic and alluring. Once seen, never forgotten.

[@marklane58]

Chrissie always sang from the heart. Boys In Town is another track sung with feeling and there are many others. Music in terms of photograph? I think a picture tells a thousand words and music tells a thousand pictures.

[@zowieknox]

I knew Chrissie she was nothing like her stage character she was phenomenal brilliant actress and beautiful woman. She was gutsy died to soon always love Chrissie RIP

[@Joshualuv13]

Oh wow . absolutely incredibly talented Lady ..Her voice remains my favourite female vocalist of all time . Amazing

[@ReubenAotearoa]

Oh wow, I’d actually recommended this exact track in the comments of another reactor/reviewer a couple days ago. I’m both shocked and delighted that you’re tackling it. Most people dismiss Divinyls as a one hit wonder because of “I Touch Myself” but to me their first album is absolutely sublime. Not a weak track on it.

[@mightyV444]

'Pleasure And Pain' had been the only Divinyls experience for _me_ for 35 years or so, until last year, when a whole bunch more of their songs kept popping up on a Canadian reaction channel with a strong Australian following (while I am a German also living in NZ). I still would not have expected them to pop up also here! 😀

[@mightyV444]

@Virgin_Rock-y4s - I will BEAT you up if you don't stop harrassing us! Piss off! 😂

[@toneman501]

This was on their first album...the soundtrack to the movie "Monkey Grip "...( Brilliant album )... .. it's about a girl with substance abuse issues... Boys in Town ,and Only Lonely ,were hit singles from the album...

[@wayne_twentyfive]

I love Divynals ! .. Here in Oz, they are an iconic band and had lots of hits .. Definitely not the 1-hit wonders that many in the US believe them to be, with the controversial "I Touch Myself" being their only major hit there .. Chrissie Amphlett is an Aussie rock legend, and her voice and singing style is unique .. I think Amy would like "I'm Jealous", with it's raw emotional lyrics and feel.

[@07headshot]

I saw Chrissy perform at the Bombay Rock nightclub, Surfers Paradise, Australia, in the mid 80's. Amazing band. Rest in peace Chrissy ❤😢

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The Divinyls are just one of numerous great Australian bands virtually unknown to music fans in North America and the UK. Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Skyhooks, Icehouse, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels, Rose Tattoo, Buffalo, Powderfinger, Sherbet, The Waifs, Taman Shud, The Go Betweens, The Triffids, Blackfeather, The Models, The Reels. Just a few. Many were released in the USA, but very few based themselves there to 'make it'.

[@Upe-f9c]

Great song, and it is a fantastic thing that text and music can give us mental imagery, either consciously or unconsciously. The reference to Björk was "very" accurate!

[@mojorider8455]

Wow, very cool you're analyzing the Divinyls...and if we're delving into the female vocalists/artists from the 80s and 90s era, how about the Cocteau Twins, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Johnette Napolitano and Concrete Blonde, Kristin Hersh and Throwing Muses, Lush?

[@johnsilva9139]

Yes, I thought she was going to compare Chrissy's voice to Siouxsie's, but I don't know if she's reacted to The Banshees ( I think she has ). Think she'd enjoy The Cocteau Twins as well.

[@mojorider8455]

@@johnsilva9139 i would hope she would like that ethereal, moody atmospherics by the Twins, it's so different!

[@jktolford8272]

Thanks. Good analysis of a good song. I'd recommend the Divinyls' 'Human on the Inside' (full album version). If you do comparisons, also do the Pretenders' version, 'Human' which was a hit in the US, UK, & New Zealand. Chrissy & Chrissie have very different vocal styles & even melodies. Very different arrangements.

[@grantbernes2468]

Chrissy was a force of nature who always strived for striking that right heart-gut emotional chord in her singing. She believed the best live performance of "Elsie" was at the '83 US Festival (although I'm sure there would've been many other worthy ones) when the Divinyls had just put out their debut album "Desperate." Would love to hear to your reactions to other Divinyl songs, such as "Only Lonely" or "Back to the Wall." Chrissy is very much still missed. 😢

[@lbd-po7cl]

What an excellent choice for your first Divinyls track! They and Chrissie Amphlett are legendary in Australia - one of the best Aussie bands of the last 40 years. Chrissie was a true tour de force on stage, and yes she certainly emphasized her Australian accent in her singing. Seeing her perform this live is both startling and revelatory.

[@arconeagain]

This song is a true piece of art. An extension of this is seeing Chrissy perform this live.

[@Zundfolge]

I'm so glad you chose this track over the one they're famous for.

[@tim_f_jones]

Oh that one 🤨. That would be a fun review

[@tonytjandra4798]

Elsie ( what else we can see ? ). Great observation by Amy. Thank you.

[@vincentdumont-mackay7142]

Did not know this band. Nice discovery! Thank you!

[@PhalseProfit13]

Thanks for doing divinyls many great songs

[@jasonrosewarne6762]

Chrissie was an incredible live performer, sadly missed. Must say that this was my first listen to this particular song also, not one of their BIG songs, but still great.

[@barry7920]

This is a pretty obscure song, but it is definitely art 👍 It's telling a harsh story, and the sonics are appropriately, also harsh... but they are not sloppy, they are precise and elegant... at times beautiful, and at times ugly... props to whoever found it and had the courage to present it

[@mitchellbeston1033]

Yeah Chrissie was a rock goddess with such a unique voice, and very unique phrasing and a great live performer. The band was tight too. Check out "I'm Jealous" by The Divinyls.

[@michaelwebster8389]

She really was a unique singer and personality. This band wrote some of my favourite songs of Australian pop/indie music. They're a bit overlooked, but there music had a certain darkness and realism that was great, and Chrissy definitely took on the roles like an actor when she was singing.

[@laszloujflalussy5832]

I “reacted” to the song at the same time as Virgin Rock, I never heard it before or knew any songs from this band except you know which song 😛. When she said her voice sounds so familiar I was 100% sure she was going to say Cocteau Twins!!! Anyways I was very impressed by the sound and the atmosphere, definitely a band to look at.

[@frankylaseure2641]

Amy: "life can be sad, life can be something you wish you never had". Me: checking if I'm still in the Virgin Rock channel. Ech ... welcome to the world of new wave 😏 Also ... that voice reminded me a lot more of Siouxsie and the Banshees.

[@barriehull7076]

Sorry to do this but as they are Australian there could well pronounce baroque as ba rok. Divinyls (/dɪˈvaɪnəlz/) were an Australian rock band that were formed in Sydney in 1980. Very, very good review Amy, lol.

[@skibugy]

My favorite divinyls song is "battle face" 🎉🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@CrowsofAcheron]

This is a great channel to discover new music! Had no idea about the Divinyls. Btw, I'd love to hear you react to Opeth - Ghost of Perdition.

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

If you are looking for singers who own their own voices, try Dolores O'riordan of the Cranberries, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, and Rickie Lee Jones who is more jazzy but has had many hit's pleid on the rock radio stations. Another nice video, Amy. I always enjoy your reactions and breakdown of the musical technigues being used.

[@andrewramage5850]

If you like individual voices, I recommend that you listen to Namesa. The song I would recommend is "Saty With Me" from the album "The Quiet Resistance".

[@paulsonornot]

All nonames and no Pink Floyd makes Jack a dull boy!

[@hlonghi]

I don't know if anyone else has recommended this yet, but since you are a classical musician I would love to hear your thoughts about Genshin's Impact Natlan Live Performance. I think it might surprise you. Oh, and for some reason I wasn't subscribed but I'm sure I was before.

[@thomassharmer7127]

Kind of Toyah Wilcox meets the Cocteau Twins. I like the quirky delivery coupled with the quite drone-like atmospheric rock track.

[@marcelqueiroz8613]

Nossa, picolé de chuchu essa banda e essa música. Vai um like aí pra dar um apoio emocional para Amy

[@vonVile]

Amy, react to the band Cake. They have great songs like: "Short Skirt/Long Jacket", "Never There", " Sheep Go To Heaven" and "The Distance".

[@thethegreenmachine]

This reminds me of a song Bonnie Raitt sung, called Louise.

[@stuarthein3444]

voice is similar to Alanis Morrisette

[@waynesonter2861]

you have to watch a live version to see her performance while she is not singing to fully appreciate it ...

[@peterhughes8699]

I saw Divinyls many times in Sydney. Elsie is not one of their better songs imo. They have many much better

[@LeonelMorgado]

Thank you for letting me know about this. I felt your line up beyond Queen/Beatles was too blindsided to American rock sounds, and I encourage Brit/Euro sounds of the alternative era, unlike "alt" in the US. This Australian band nails it. Check out from Europe, for that complementary sound: Stone Roses (2nd album), Heroes del Silencio (Spain), My Bloody Valentine, anything from the 4AD label in the 80s, and the industrial "Meine Seele Brent" by Einsturzende Neubauten (Germany). Also: dEUS (Belgium, pref. 2nd album), and Madredeus (Portugal).

[@crazeered71]

Could you take a look at Tina S playing Beethovens Moonlight Sonata 3rd movement

[@toneman501]

I really can't believe you're reacting to this song ...when they had so many 'hit ' songs... The original recording is somehow MORE profound... ... there's a TV going ,to add to the confusion ,..at on point, Aman's voice says " free at last , thank God almighty , I'm free at last" I'm sure Christina would have been ' stoked ' with your appraisal... RIP Chrissy...

[@wesleyrodgers886]

Ol' 55. Tom waits 😊

[@kim_o_the_concrete_jungle]

I'd compare her to Siouxsie Sioux more than anyone else.

[@LunarJetwoman]

Just gave you a sub for your nice work. If you haven’t already done it I would really appreciate seeing what you think of sigur ros varao. To my ears it’s one of the most moving songs I’ve ever heard .

[@bexyweewaggys]

Can you tell me how I request a reaction please? ❤

[@joseluisescuderog]

Can u do. Manfredd Man - Blinded by a light

[@robertoeduardoguerreromora9765]

sounds kind of siouxie sioux... a blend with xmal deuschland and the sparks... siuxie

[@MrAlsachti]

Hi, I have no interest in music at all. I just watch videos, like this one, made by beautiful and charming women. It makes me feel less lonely.

[@fromchomleystreet]

What a strange choice of song to introduce this band to a newby.

[@stormy8207]

She is Australian but that sounds like she was attempting to copy a london accent. It sounds a bit like Bowie. Much like Alanis Morissette's drawl seemed to influence other singers, I think accents could become techniques.