The Motels - 'Total Control' (Live)

Live version of 'Total Control' by Martha Davis & The Motels, recorded circa 1980.

[@jakeg.7562]

I mean, what can you say? Almost unreal, it is THAT good. Those musicians are playing with incredible restraint, the mark of pros. And the singer? Besides being a true beauty, the restraint of her on-point vocals matches the players perfectly. On top of all that, the lyrics themselves are as identifiable as any of the great, old standards, maybe more so. Who amongst us has not desired total control over both our lover and ourselves? We all know that no one singing today can equal this, not this kind of raw, blanketed emotionalism. But who could from the past? Probably no one as well.

[@Tanner.Bananner]

Well said. For years I've been looking for the perfect song. A song with just the right tone, the right speed, the right emotions. Then I heard this song and I was crying. The lyrics said all the things ive wanted to say without wanting to say them. This song is one of a kind

[@lavielemond]

An absolutely phenomenal comment, mate...I couldn't agree more with everything that you've written...& the only other thing that I might also have mentioned is how bizarre it is now, more than 40 years later, to see that cigarette in her hand while she sings...LOVE IT!! Obviously, you could NEVER get away with that now, in this day of age of PC this & tight control of virtually everything but I'm also blown away that smoking didn't damage her beautiful voice! But back then, I imagine that HEAPS of the greatest singers were smokers...anyway, cheers & best wishes from "Down Under", campionissimo...Matt.

[@alandwyer2144]

Yeah Jake, that's what I meant to say:) How fantastic

[@StilettoCutsQuick.]

@@lavielemond that cigarette is everything. Just shows a very raw personal emotional performance

[@lavielemond]

@@StilettoCutsQuick. Absolutely, Ann...mjf.xo

[@benpotaka5893]

Martha Davis is one of the most sultry voices ever 🖤

[@timothylanders3189]

That slow, steady rhythm & hot singer ~ What a performance & the expression in face & voice in some verses = absolute bliss

[@Beerlust_AUS]

A very special band. Given the combined talents they had, they should have gone on to do some really special things muscially over a good period of time. I am grateful for what they did do though. The Motels were very well received in Australia when they first released their music. I've never forgotten them & still enjoy listening to the music they created back then. Hearing Martha Davis sing is a priviledge.

[@TheNesianscribe]

wow...the smoking is very sign of the times, this song is rough and ballsy and obsessive and I love it!!

[@veteran20002001]

That's the 80's!

[@blakewhittington4336]

My mom was smoking when she gave birth to me

[@johnj7477]

I love it too, alwats have!

[@annettejacobsen6035]

Yeah it was orsome to have a siggy in a bar

[@lavielemond]

@@tonyboleno8191 You MUST be a fellow Aussie with that post, mate!!

[@GoodMrDawes]

This footage had me hypnotized at age 10 when first aired. Love at first sight and sound, The audience new they were witnessing a classic

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

Holy crap. That's by far the best Motels live performance on KZbin. Incredible.

[@blakewhittington4336]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX2li52ap7CGprs

[@virginiacabezudovivanco3195]

Motels inferior control

[@burpvom]

Great performance and great footage .

[@crashburn3292]

I'd sell my soul for total control over time travel so I could go back in time and see The Motels live in 1982.

[@flamencoprof]

I am here for Martha's performance, but would like to commend the admirably restrained yet tasteful contributions of the guitarists. Not to exclude that saxy solo with Martha on her knees!

[@ronaldmichaels7108]

Martha gave the best performance I have Ever Seen........This tops the biggest stars. Genius, and inspirational to me as a singer.

[@johronok4067]

My favorite track by them, timeless masterpiece.

[@carlbaskerville5331]

For my husband: I will always love you wow, she sounds great live,. not many of today's singers do that

[@joealfaro8412]

I saw the Motels as a student at the Stanford Coffeehouse in 1979, before they released this. I remember being stunned by this, almost not knowing what to do, other than pick my jaw off the floor. Martha had such an incredible presence. I knew I was watching greatness.

[@sirius6113]

it´´s a great version..and performance by martha... she was..wrecked out at that time and still one of the most emotional/authentic singers i´d ever seen!

[@a.schroederkathleen5080]

Holy crap. That's by far the best Motels live performance on KZbin. Incredible. Good lord she is mesmerising!

[@dbyzant]

Heard it when it came out , heard it again today , never fails to give me chills....

[@damianbowyer6258]

Stunning was Martha, Singing Her Heart-Out with The Guys.

[@user-bw9bk3gl1b]

Stunning was Martha, Singing Her Heart-Out with The Guys. Brilliant. remember seeing them in Darwin in the 80's and this song has always been a fav :)

[@rmsmith2396]

wow, she sounds great live,. not many of today's singers do that

[@nignig5101]

I was 25 when I first heard this. Possibly on Radio Luxembourg. Totally blown away at the time. Still love it.

[@Carmeladior]

You can tell this song really has a lot of emotional meaning to her. You can see her eyes close whenever the lyrics are most passionate

[@samjezewski3196]

looking counter clockwise.... knowing what could happen...

[@sirius6113]

the more often i look at this i´m so sure she´s drugged and so into this song..i love her and adore so much for her musical and survival power

[@markstanton63]

Heartfelt and almost confessional in it's honesty

[@tonebox2767]

WOW Martha and the motels, always gonna love it, beautifully raw.

[@oldhippie81]

The Vamp of the 70's. Beautiful.........

[@albertoeinstein7663]

Martha Davies is a incredible woman.

[@benpotaka5893]

Davis

[@kathysemrau2301]

Martha really is an emotional singer. I just love her. Then and now. Lucky West Coast, the Motels are going on tour all up and down there this fall. Go see them!!!

[@lavielemond]

May I please enquire whether you ended up seeing them perchance, Kathy?

[@angelinamarina8992]

Gets your soul deep 💘

[@KayZee1957]

On an album full of winners. This might be the quintessential. Minimalist, moody, slightly dark, emotionally honest and a great turn on the sax by Marty J.

[@larciabella]

I JUST SAW THEM IN NYC..........SHE WAS AMAZING!ROCK ON MARTHA!

[@TheOrganist007]

what a great band this was

[@PinkGuitarWoman]

i agree great song, wow does this bring back some memories, long live the 80's

[@TheLemon714]

1980 @ Madame Wongs Chinatown Los Angeles, super fantastic memory! Great voice!

[@grahamking8186]

Just brilliant - the song, the singer, the band & could put on repeat for ages

[@MasKistershi]

Good lord she is mesmerising!

[@veteran20002001]

What?

[@lavielemond]

@@veteran20002001 What's there to "What?" about?! She IS truly mesmerising in this video, is she not?!

[@POPARTPRODUCTlONS]

One of my all time favorites and a trully awesome song!!!!!!!

[@alandwyer2144]

There is only one Martha Davis, wow

[@GoodMrDawes]

The audience knew they were seeing a classic. I did at age 10 seeing it on tv. I told myself and friends that it was a joint she was smoking. I know it wasn't now.

[@scirocco09]

This song is drug

[@lindadote]

Found it! Thanks Martha (and Motels) I loved this track and many more of yours, still play the music. Thanks for the post.

[@enriqueestradasjournal]

Martha Davis is beautiful....her voice hits me at my heart

[@camdite2506]

Always have room for the motels

[@gregstarkey3586]

Then she sang dont tell me the time, greatest ever ❤

[@nikitafaie]

love this band......wish they was around now like then...

[@TheFourOfNine44]

100 Stars.... My Last Year Of High School. Thanks for posting.

[@flamencoprof]

Proof that expression of sensuality does not require exposure of body.

[@goatfish07]

Well said 😊

[@OctozoidPRS]

Elegantly wasted and a beautiful performance.

[@dainstokes212]

you know, oh those memories...thanks for the song, I always Loved it most.

[@westerngerry]

wow, a vid with no dislikes! that's how good it is

[@brettdavies5239]

Masterpiece 🙌🏼

[@andyfredericksen3224]

Background music is awsome Thats why i love the song she could have total control over me

[@MaleCrystalBall]

what an honor to see this LIVE clip! THANK YOU!

[@TheTuggerrype]

Brilliant. remember seeing them in Darwin in the 80's and this song has always been a fav :)

[@reginahelenanepomuceno3764]

A música tem uma batida perfeita, saxofone + teclado = nostalgia de blues perfeita. Musica assombrosa, hipnotizante, eu preciso ouvir no último volume no meu quarto para esquecer tantos momentos. Porque aprendi que a vida é feita de momentos, nao vivi intensamente esses momentos porque eles nunca existiram. Pedem que eu viva intensamente, mas meus dias são somente de lágrimas. A musica me faz sonhar, me desperta, é meu abrigo do mundo... Nos 3 minutos não há nada além da plenitude, preenchendo com o sax, o teclado e a voz sensual, agridoce a minha solidão!!! 😢💔😢💔💔💔

[@leecook6854]

Just absolutely brilliant ❤

[@Mahnynames]

Favourite song ever ❤

[@COTTERO]

BEAUTIFUL.

[@zhengsulin9219]

Thanks for posting this clip. Great song

[@TFMB]

I lost it to this song.

[@pgroove163]

back when even bad habits were allowed..freedom

[@angel1329us]

Full spectrum, in color, memory brought to full life. Time warp!

[@adrianmarriner5742]

Thank you for a cool tune on the radio.

[@bhagyashrishelke9125]

Background music is awsome Thats why i love the song

[@k98k9]

Thanks for posting this clip.

[@ericsanchez3599]

I will always love the motel s

[@benpotaka5893]

Sultry voice 🖤 Martha Davis 🖤🔥

[@snatchdawg]

as long as we are sharing.... I was just writing an assignment....and as Martha said control..i wrote demonstrates "control" of media and skill......at the exact time she said it.....shit story i know ..but was awesome....ahh and then i found 20 bucks.......

[@TheTuggerrype]

brilliant!! thank you. so smooth.

[@askidbarrett]

Saw them do this in a club on Charing Cross road,London 1978……It was a good 10 minutes. I wish I could have said the same for the rest of the show.

[@STEADY599]

This so makes me wanna be in a smoky blues club in the late 70s.

[@lavielemond]

YES!!

[@peterlindstrom4912]

this is great!!!

[@OU-qe5pp]

Awesome gazzobaphone solo.

[@petrafikiri1667]

For my husband: I will always love you

[@user-gj5se7er3r]

Feelings,lost now nowadays inthe world of love

[@rebel2rebel]

Such Beauty...Love this song~

[@gitarrengurt7868]

Das waren noch lebendige Zeiten, damals.

[@rwfrench66GenX]

Man, I bought so many Kleenex in the 80s because of Martha and Phoebe Cates in Fast Times at Ridgemont High!

[@danielaskar2949]

I swear the hottest singer ever, the way she moves

[@richardshepherd4157]

just brilliant

[@flamencoprof]

Martha picks up a guitar at the end. I'd love to hear what came next.

[@kevengray1319]

So too the fans. Enhanced experience

[@brankotopal2802]

Beautiful

[@mile1920]

i met martha,she is very sweet

[@FunConcertMama]

What is she like in person? Kind, apprehensive, warm? How tall is she? Martha always had some very striking eyes. Are they as striking in person?

[@dataglasses]

Yes six years for me but i might change back to my old ways ..........for martha !

[@kimnguyen-dq9mg]

HAHAHA 171-0 nobody have ever seen this in a game,football,baseball,basketball,youtube,Never!! For my husband: I will always love you

[@Manoftheswamp]

Sublime.

[@Eladiovillarejo]

Great song

[@robertandrewhales2356]

I SEE I CHOOSE

[@HansumRob100]

wow.... wish i was there...

[@brianbarcus5853]

EXCELLENT! CLASSIC! She's so passionate about what she sings - and so damn sexy!

[@dainstokes212]

get it togetha, will ya, Marhta, lol, you are the BEST.

[@lucefece]

The bassist loves her, but she loves the sax player

[@FunConcertMama]

Martha and Marty (saxophonist) have something *special* together, but I'm not thinking it's a romantic type of love, but more family/friend. Do you really think Michael (Bass player) holds a torch for her?

[@W103WWRW]

@fretts She was like this before and after the hits...just who she is...Very talented!

[@johnm2631]

Awesome

[@megajay7065]

~PERFECT REAL NATURAL~

[@semitar6]

She sounds better now then she did in the 80's...

[@aidanmargarson8910]

I bought the album on vinyl in the day .. still listening

[@colonelflagg9669]

Her voice reminds me of Gwen Stefani.

[@FunConcertMama]

NO, Gwen Stefani's voice reminds you of Martha's.

[@erniemaalat3588]

awesome classic goth😁

[@sprintbass]

this is historical.