the Sex Pistols - Belsen Was A Gas

[@nicolaemadalinboboc4902]

I tend to associate early punk with sloppy live performances but this is everything you want from a live performance. Really impressed.

[@reemism]

Nobody Cares ..

[@sou3adhadda548]

Ha na

[@JudasPriest82]

It really is, all of the years I knew about this band and I never heard this one song it blew me away, very tight performance, Steve plays every note perfect, and the way Johnny sings this is flawless, way better than the Winterland audio for sure

[@TFstudiosofficial]

It’s cuz they’re all actually mad as hell, that’s why it’s such a perfect performance

[@user-gx8id5bl2e]

You’re thinking of early 80s American punk. 70s punk for the most part is composed of very tight bands.

[@fionntanobraonain1486]

tHiS oNe'S cAlLeD bElSeN

[@itwontcomeout5678]

oNe tWo tHrEE fOuRR

[@Brewzerr]

Oh, it’s fancy text.

[@simonhunter3430]

@@juantruenos463 not helped by the fact he was totally shit-faced x

[@jlouis4407]

I love how Rotten always ends this song awkwardly and stares into the crowd to see their reaction. 😂

[@AJCzarkowski]

"I don't see enough people - " "THIS ONE'S FOR BELSEN!"

[@shaebryant1916]

Called not for

[@ianwhitehead691]

🧷🇬🇧♥️

[@slashedrhoads913]

love how sid just blasts over johnny 1 2 3 4 and the band jumps right in

[@Stigmatix666]

AND Steve. Oh, shit.. jumps right in lol

[@loganshank926]

I didnt see that?!

[@allmodcons6570]

The Death Squad we will never know, doubt he would remember now anyway.

[@punkrockgod7850]

Me to

[@pixel8ated]

Sid wos mum gave him H so he didnt get sodimized in a NY prison, wake up pop kid JR was the only real punk

[@ryubelmont2259]

This is without doubt the best version of the song

[@mccann444]

Excellent Version . Sid on form here . Steve nearly missed his Que to play

[@skipmichaels6184]

Love the raw overdrive of Steve Jones' guitar.

[@andrewknudsen6674]

Greatest sound ever.

[@garyowen6797]

Concur

[@_fabio1978]

Genius

[@chrissevastopoulos9027]

The live sound engineer has done good here.

[@travelerx]

Steve Jones is a world class guitarist. John Lyndon can sing, perform, and emote better than just about anyone. Paul Cook could belt the drums hard and still keep spot on time. Even after Glen Matlock the bass playing, song writing genius left, Sid could keep time with Cookie and look cool. Anyone saying the Sex Pistols couldn’t play can meet me out back. I’ll take you on one at a time or you can all hold hands, either way is fine by me.

[@speedking7224]

I hate this narrative that they couldn't play. They played and they played better than Any punk band out there

[@averyadrian1534]

Sids one move… arm up jumping back… This is so dark… too dark…

[@ShawnAddieX]

I agree with the first three observations on SJ, JL, and PC. As for Mr. Simon John Ritchie AKA Sid Vicious, on their chaotic tour of the USA in 1978, he had his bass unplugged most of the time, sadly. Why? He was soooo strung out on heroin, he couldn't play well enough and that's what the rest of the band decided was best. If you look and listen to the video clips where they are playing at Randy's Rodeo in Texas, it's vary apparent because the thump is not Sid's bass, but merely the bass drum of Paul Cook. Lemmy of Motorhead tried to teach Sid but he admitted that Sid just couldn't catch on--at that point. It was a case of too much too soon. Sid does thump it out a bit for Sex Pistols at Winterland, though, but tragically that would be it for the Sex Pistols and doom and death for Sid would end it all for the chap on Feb. 2,1979. Peace up on you, travelerx and all who read this!

[@Stigmatix666]

Who said they couldn't play??? This is pretty fucking tight!

[@Kelly14UK]

Played slower than the released. It's a good version here

[@sexobscura]

ahh... Malcolm

[@paullack9025]

Sid Couldnt Play.,. Thats Why He is Turned down to Non Existent.,.

[@CrassusCazius]

@@paullack9025 this is true. They turned Sid’s amp all the way down.

[@degrassi420]

sid could not only play he wrote the song

[@johnnyoranges]

Sid wrote it, so he was proud, and could play it.

[@JoM-f7q]

Didn't know that fact.

[@kevanbrown7620]

Sid didn't write this song. He didn't write any of the Pistols songs. I know he's credited on both Holiday In The Sun and Bodies, along with Cook, Jones and Rotten, but that's because they credited all songs to every member of the band. Sid never wrote any song for the Pistols and he never played on the Never Mind The Bollocks album as he wasn't good enough. Steve Jones played a lot of bass on the Bollocks album, along with a session musician. While Rotten was in the band all of the songs were written by Rotten, Matlock and Jones.

[@johnnyoranges]

@kevanbrown7620 Johnny has said that Sid did write 'Belsen', and Johnny has disowned it. Steve and producer Chris Thomas have both said that Sid played some bass on 'Bollocks', but it was buried in the mix under Steve's better bass lines. It has been rumored that Glen was asked back in to play bass on the album, which would have resulted in even better results, as Steve pretty much mostly just sat on root notes throughout. Glen by contrast was a very good fingers only player.

[@kevanbrown7620]

@@johnnyoranges I believe you're right about Belsen Was A Gas. When you think of their 2 songs 'influenced' by their visit to Berlin, Holidays In The Sun and Belsen, Lydon's Holidays In The Sun is a much better and more intelligent lyric than Belsen Was A Gas. I love it that people still talk about the Sex Pistols. All the best and take care.

[@Michael-pq4wd]

@@kevanbrown7620 I think the lyrics were co-written by Sid, or maybe started by Sid, then John took it over, adding better lyrics.

[@skidvicious411]

Sid counting the song in like a badass hahaha.

[@duane8829]

...or like a junkie

[@Brewzerr]

Or like a guy in a band counting off a song.

[@duane8829]

Brewzerr yes. A junky member of a band. Just facts.

[@skidvicious411]

@Philip Holmes Wow you guys sure showed me over a passing, non-serious comment. 4 years later.

[@mertustun5442]

This is their best song and performance.

[@Stigmatix666]

Yup, it really is

[@awesomeness2502]

your not wrong he sung this one from his heart

[@phildempsey9197]

in a uk interview when asked about this song, lyndon said, this is a song that shouls never of been written, i am ashamed of it, or something to them words, its a long time ago now.

[@AndrewMiff162]

@@phildempsey9197 yes your correct....the only song he wished he never written sed it was nasty👍

[@priley218]

By far

[@Gilby1231]

I'm glad someone below has pointed out that 'Belsen Was a Gas' was written by Keith Levene & Sid. The others had reservations about it, maybe why it was never properly recorded.. The best Pistols footage here!

[@neillp3827]

Well its just shock value, the other pistols songs were very clever too, this wasnt on the level of those good dark riff tho

[@markgreet3543]

Sud wrote some words I've seen them handwritten I'm not sure if Keith wrote I think when public image ltd did there version words were different and keith and John wrote new lyrics in parts of the version of the song

[@markgreet3543]

Sid words were the first verse of the song it had a different chorus

[@charleshall3372]

Sid wrote the original words

[@royalston2324]

And the music too

[@royalston2324]

Abd the music

[@Pamplemousse82322]

I can tell.

[@Michael-pq4wd]

@@royalston2324 No. Sid's friend, and later PiL guitarist, Keith Levene wrote the music.

[@psmiddx2096]

Most excellent hard-rock song by the Pistols, love it

[@adicted_to_chaos5967]

Its Punk Rock not Hard Rock :)

[@jakelay4218]

riderman0071 Games punk is hard rock

[@Mika-rd7xb]

But its a nazi song

[@xfilesfoxisdead7979]

Severus Snape its not nazi but ABOUT nazi death camp. Sex pistols as a living scandal likes to piss off and shock those old english fart and grannies that's why vicious had swastika t shirt and Johnny had also. But they are not nazi band

[@sexobscura]

@@Mika-rd7xb nothing at all wrong with that

[@olivermitchell2538]

Extremely underrated song

[@AkiZivina344]

XD Sid totally wrecked Johnny's speech!

[@charleslipscomb2567]

John was saying "I don't see enough people dancing!"

[@BigHugsFromHell]

It's important to understand that much of what pistols/punk negativity amounts to is irony, or sarcasm. It's not blatant hate or sadism, but anger and shaking up a norm. How the line still gets a rise out of the uninitiated is a sign of its effectiveness. How the point can still get lost is a little saddening... I get the impression that part of the lyrics are about him wanting to die himself, or have us all face our own - gladness for death as acceptance of death itself - we can laugh at evil.

[@강경화-j8s]

The song was about a 2nd World war death camp

[@samwindmill8264]

​@@강경화-j8s and one that looms particularly large in the British psyche so to speak, because the British Army liberated that one, burned the buildings with flamethrowers cause of rampant typhus. Same camp Anne Frank died in, I believe. The British public was especially horrified knowing that the Nazis made propaganda depicting the camp as a happy place, hence the line: "life is fun and I wish you were here/they wrote on postcards to those held dear"

[@samwindmill8264]

I think the closing rant about "be a man, kill someone, kill yourself" is probably the most important part of the song in a way. Apparently some neo Nazi shit-rock band actually covered this song later on, even tho it is most certainly not a pro Nazi song by any means.

[@DuncanThomas-lq7lq]

1:33: It's cool to see the time John could violently scream. It's a shame he blew out his voice after the Sex Pistols. Love his P.I.L voice too!

[@ECNIV2000]

Love the tone that Jonesy got with his hybrid double set of Fender Twin Reverb. Even if Malcolm sabotaged the tour, He played well, as Lydon once said “I love Steves playing, absolutely loved it. Ever now and again he would hit a bum note, but was clever enough to make it sound like it was supposed to be there”.

[@Brewzerr]

Steve’s tone both in the Pistols and in the Professionals was the greatest guitar tone *EVER*

[@ECNIV2000]

Brewzerr -Cheers Brewszerr! “Sex Pistols Guitar Hero”!

[@duane8829]

T.J. Cooney Jr it was either Steve or Lydon that said “we were lucky that the guitar tone and vocals made a great match”. Very true

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

It's not too late, I will save U if U repent 😂

[@dillonx11]

cant jam to this song without sid's intro

[@johnmathers4134]

The moment Sid counts in, Steve and Paul go straight into it.

[@KilmaJessica]

Johnny Rotten + Sid Vicious = Punk

[@Gunnery_Sergeant_Hartman1969]

No

[@leedsboy64]

Sid was good at that 1234

[@SuperPestorosso]

im JEWISH and i love that song. REALLY PUNK !

[@Mika-rd7xb]

Yeah why not ? This is a anti nazi song

[@jasonlynn1017]

Damn right.

[@joaoalmendra65]

Ironic and sad and anger all in One.

[@judesheckelberg5135]

@@Mika-rd7xb Nah. It was for shock value, pure and simple.

[@judesheckelberg5135]

Do you want a rugelach or something?

[@colddarkness1798]

Rip Sid Vicious I feel his pain you live for ever punk rock LEGEND

[@rickbowles9795]

It's still so unbelievably fantastic. All hail the pistols. Ain't no moonlight after midnight

[@evilsidsmonkey]

The best song by Sid and this is good that Sid was bassist

[@adielstephenson2929]

Great song and very relevant now as ever.

[@DionPolites]

Pistols kicked down the doors down in the music industry! One of the greatest bands

[@ECNIV2000]

This is wonderful, this is what inspired me to play when I saw stuff like as a little kid!

[@charlesmaximus9161]

People have noted that the American punk scene was already at least five or six years old by the time they did this show, but when you compare that to what was happening over in London, it is a totally different thing. This was down in the Southland in the late 1970s; it was incredibly downhome style back then. Not to mention if you actually watch the raw footage of the locals outside of these venues, the crowds were absolutely insane, every place ended in complete mayhem. Steve Jones himself has said many times over the years that he was actually in fear for his life on a few occasions due to how violent some of the more hardliner cowboys egging them on. He admitted that McLaren had the right idea for the tour being in the South; the problem was, he had absolutely no idea what the hell he was doing and was rarely, if ever, involved in maintaining any kind of organised security for the band. I think for many of us, especially those of us such as myself who have played in bands, we tend to think of your average punk show and how run-of-the-mill and “normal” chaos at shows can be. But the Pistols were first wave, they were not used to such low-end, disorderly, DIY-style atmosphere. They actually wanted a real music career and a lot goes into organising a successful live performance for signed bands on major labels. For the environment in which they were immersed, this was completely haphazard and unacceptable. To compound all the unnecessary chaos, they weren’t even being paid; a lot of that was pocketed by McLaren. Just imagine you’re in their shoes: 19 or 20 years old (that is how young they were here) catapulted practically overnight into the world of celebrity stardom, and you aren’t getting any of the usual amenities that go with that rock n’ roll star lifestyle.

[@joejones9520]

@homie3461 yes the ramones started punk rock but it didnt get big until pistols hit and sid especially created huge publicity and notoriety for punk that is still the foundation of people's general perception of punk.

[@tonyjohn1395]

Some tough guitar from Steve.

[@Brewzerr]

Always a tough tone with Steve, at least up until 1983 or whenever it was he played in Chequered Past.

[@sexobscura]

'join the army'

[@underdawg2743]

It's 4 fuckin chords

[@EO1816]

Yes, well I am referring to the ad-libbed lyrics that Johnny adds in this particular version. He is speaking directly to the audience in a perfect fit of angst and caution.

[@JESCO58]

Cookie/Jones are top 10 rock guitarist/drummer all time. Tougher than it looks and these two crushed it.

[@razorcatheter6333]

That fucking riff!!!!!

[@SpeedMetalMadness]

rightwingthug YEs

[@aivopark]

+rightwingthug It is a SS- Panzar assault !

[@michaelnixson9099]

This shows how there weren't any PC shit in them days....I miss em!

[@sexobscura]

this is why we have it now mr. whitemale

[@duane8829]

sexobscura conform and obey

[@punkoid76]

The Sex Pistols pushed an inclusive, leftist agenda. This song is supposed to be ironic, the biggest shame for early punk is that it goes over the heads of people listening to it now, imprinting their own values on to it. Lydon is probably pretty baffled by it.

[@hypergiantferocity3256]

The odious stench of your comments. “Mr Whitemale”. Firstly, ‘white’ is a misnomer; second of all, if u think for a second that would fly in the face of punks back then, you’re deluding yourself. It’s cultural Marxism. And a lot of punk was misplaced anger. “qUeStiON EveRytHInG!” (except, of course, WWII)

[@michaelnixson9099]

Max Cox Ha ha ha😆😆😂 You knob.! My dads from India! Some “whitemale” eh?

[@paulbelisle7213]

Jonesy great on guitar

[@markopolo8845]

Lyrics by Sid, guitar riff by Keith Levene. PIL used to play this song too.

[@patricktimothy8354]

This is why I rate Slayer's Angel of Death the 2nd best song about the Holocaust.

[@viviandarkbloom100]

know any other good ones?

[@sneedwashere]

Dachau Blues

[@Lieu3C4]

What a foundation for future careers!

[@warrenharding1659]

Just plad along to belson..still maiks my hers stand on end such a kick ass song to play ..I still love it after 40 years of first learning it..I love the boys..not like thee panseys now lol.warren your graitast fan..

[@mrsuperger5429]

The greatest rock ' n' roll band ever. SeX PiStOLs

[@aivopark]

Just like on the record. Well done !

[@markgreet3543]

New box set every track is amazing

[@dusanpantic792]

Sid: "1,2,3,4" LOL

[@DJBFAD]

Wow this is surprisingly tight!

[@Brewzerr]

Most live recordings of the Pistols are very tight.

[@warrenharding1066]

Belson...one of the best kick ass..RIF's iv ever lernd to play..I still..love it after all thees years..Orsum

[@draxlerchronicles5851]

Now you just need to learn to spell and you're laughing.

[@PeterNgola]

Gaza was a blast I heard the other day

[@Wizzy678]

6 millions 😂

[@MikeSmith-lk6zm]

Sid write this

[@markgreet3543]

He wrote first two verses,and John then wrote the rest of the words.

[@magnehoiberg]

authentic... nothing more, nothing less....

[@SethHesio]

How the FUCK have I never heard this song before?

[@UneedaMedicalSupply]

Get the soundtrack to "The Great Rock n Roll Swindle", it's on there. There's also a demo version on a recent reissue of Never Mind the Bollocks...

[@awesomeness2502]

because your not 45?

[@ninaaramirez199]

Edwin Kaye it as nothing to do with the age ? I'm 17 & I heard this song when I was just 7 or 8 .

[@leemcqueen500]

UneedaMedicalSupply The demo is crap. This version is the best.

[@UneedaMedicalSupply]

I've never really listened to the demo version, so I wouldn't know. I just know it's on there and thought it was worth a mention. It can't be worse than the version with Ronnie Biggs.

[@rangerwhite5165]

I'm surprised this isn't played more at weddings.🤔😆

[@seventeen3737]

RIP sid

[@Ursdemars]

« Hahahah » love that part of the song 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@megamancoman]

i wish i didnt have to press replay to listen to this again

[@BigHugsFromHell]

I wish I could like this a hundred times, up to the top

[@bernicia-sc2iw]

Steve Jones is the only one holding this together.

[@Kelly14UK]

Always wondered what a Bollocks type production done in the studio would have sounded like. But the live Swindle one was immense and the best performed song on their last gig, just my opinion. It was in your face.

[@Brewzerr]

Well, there was that studio demo version that was included in the deluxe edition reissue of Bollocks that came out about 6 years ago. The one with the really weird vocal take. The music itself sounds great, but like I said, the vocals sound like they were recorded in an empty airplane hangar.

[@Kelly14UK]

@@Brewzerr Sounds like the cover versions from the Swindle before they got knocked into shape for release. Wondering if anyone could bring Lydon's vocals out better with less reverb

[@Brewzerr]

@@Kelly14UK Well the technology is definitely there, but something tells me there's a lot of licensing bullshit and red tape getting in the way, as is typically the case with the Pistols' recordings.

[@stevenrobinson1597]

Looked like Steve was loving it .

[@warrenharding1659]

One of the the ones he due play along with..did an Steve rote the Songe together listen cerfull u can her SIDS bass

[@BaronVonPenguin]

You can find it on the recently released Never Mind The Bollocks Deluxe Edition

[@kallalexandre9697]

Sid is the one who gives the order to start the song being the last member to join the band

[@laudanum669]

I don't know why, but this song makes me laugh.

[@DC-rn1fc]

Life is fun and I wish you were here!

[@shockingbluefanandynirvana7364]

AHHAHAHAHA...OHHH AHAHAHAHAAA...the coolest laugh eva'

[@joysboy6588]

🇬🇧This should be our countries national anthem - straight up.

[@d_walsh]

Glen oh so liked the harmonizing

[@reekeraiken9670]

SID JUST JUMPS RIGHT FUKIN IN THERE LOL

[@themannen]

I'm terrified that Johnny Rotten will die, he is king and already 66 years old

[@kevinmorrow5557]

It's amazing how the Sex Pistols weren't seen as a "serious " band by some people in the late 70s.. They were THE MOST "SERIOUS " BAND AROUND ACTUALLY.. !!!

[@_ms.mannequin_]

They set the bar..

[@farralad734]

My youth.....was a blast!..its wasted on the young 😃

[@ejr1636]

This ones called Belson....And my bass isn't plugged in....

[@filipematias5127]

ejr1636 : Sid could play bass!

[@ABraptor12]

@@filipematias5127 just because he could play some ramones songs and the 3 songs he wrote himself doesnt mean he could play bass. As a bass player and all round guitarist I've spent hundreds of hours practicing and playing non stop to be considered a above average bass player. Sid cant play. He didnt play on the album their guitar player steve did. If you listen to the winterland show they turned OFF his bass half way through. Dont get me wrong i love sid but you gotta be realistic. He had the style but Glen matlock is the only REAL bass player they had.

[@ioulton9861]

Three notes are enough to play bass ... you did not get it. I ve seen many “ hundred of hours “ like you who can’t really play a Ramones song properly.

[@matteaton9108]

JohnnyCr(A)sh nobody cares this is punk rock son. If the junkie can play Ramones songs he’s good enough to play in the pistols for fuck sakes shake your head

[@stevenanderson4285]

there will always be an england

[@drowningin]

The empires already gotten way smaller. If you are so sure about world history for the future of forever write a book and let us know wtf to expect

[@judesheckelberg5135]

*Bonglandistan

[@sallysmith1484]

Lydon takes much too much pleasure in singing these lyrics for this to be a parody. Actually he said Sid wrote the song (after Sid died.) Oh well, believe who you want to!

[@mccann444]

Sid is credited in writing 3 of the Pustols Songs . bodies , Belsen was a Gas and Holidays in the Sun

[@Brewzerr]

Sally Smith - I bet you’re one of those idiots who actually thinks “Bodies” was a pro-life anthem. You need a brain transplant.

[@dzenacs2011]

@@Brewzerr it is. Before punk becomes pc whore in 2010

[@omggarybuseyRULES]

This is surreal

[@ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣΚΟΥΚΟΥΤΣΑΚΗΣ]

Sid wrote " ha ha ha ha ha ha ha"

[@MrMymanalishi]

If you don't get this song don't comment.

[@Brewzerr]

Yeah, good luck. Most of the comments here are from people who obviously never got it. Probably the same people who think “Bodies” is a pro-life anthem.

[@markgreet3543]

Sorry I meant some muppet said he did not play at winterland when he played quite well at winterland

[@Godscominglookbusy]

perfectly ironic, anarchy.

[@GarieTag]

agency work sets you free , my struggle x

[@phuongweary5433]

So Great

[@JoseSanchez-wo9wi]

This footage was edited with some from different gigs on the US tour for the GRRS film. Embarassing

[@ficticious2025]

These were the Sid Vicoiusyears, anything to offend the most to the extreme.

[@rossturrell1219]

Love it

[@NicanTlacaWarrior1]

No see... Sid WAS plugged in.. but during "Bodies", Steve went and turned down the volume on Sid's amp.

[@kesytam1]

I dont understand why show not recording full and why show begins to be filmed EMI

[@filipematias5127]

Matěj Perútka : The first part of the video recording of this concert was accidentaly erased by an employee of the american TV network! However the sound recording of the first songs played in the beginning of the gig is available and also some still photos!

[@blade0954]

superb

[@dusanpantic792]

It was so ahed of it's time,the punk music.

[@893thewaytobe]

Paul Cook!

[@Daniel24724]

I wait for an adaptation : "GAZA WAS A GAS" !

[@Wizzy678]

Like ur country france was a gas in the 40s and now

[@jamesmason1347]

Oh dear

[@Astroubot]

HAHAHA.. HAHAHAHA..HAHAHA.. HAHAHAHAAAAAA..!!!!!!

[@user-lr5ph1gk5j]

Самая лучшая группа

[@CDB-yb8gv]

One of the best pistols songs, Imagine if you sang this song now, you’d “hurt to many people’s feelings” and get banned 😂

[@redvelvetunderground]

bitch they were already banned in 1977 what the fuck are you talking about

[@CDB-yb8gv]

@@redvelvetunderground yeah but now there would be more hate on them

[@Massivelock]

Bruh what the fuck are you talking about

[@redvelvetunderground]

@@CDB-yb8gv johnny rotten was literally attacked in the street and almost killed as a result of the entire country cancelling them over god save the queen, like people thinking this song is tasteless in 2021 can't compare but sure jan

[@ntr7030]

They did get banned.

[@markgreet3543]

Seeing this in the swindle back in 1988 I did not know the song title when I bought the swindle album and heard live version at winterland which was on the album I knew then it was belsen was a gas They only showed a brief clip in the swindle the be a man a real man bit

[@thomasmurphy9348]

I cant hear sids bass...thank god.

[@philipholmes5884]

Hey Steve Jones/Pistol fans ! Check out a gig we did w/Steve in '83 ! We almost played this song but swapped it for "Bodies" ! Type in "The Nothings & Steve Jones" ! Cheers !