The The - Out of the Blue (Into the Fire) (Official Video)

Music video by The The performing Out Of The Blue (Into The Fire). (c) 1986 Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited

[@HinesRiley]

Been a fan of The The, since 87. NEVER thought of looking for this vid till tonight. Wow. It resonates in 2024... That's pracically defined as 'timeless,' at this point.

[@fryewerk]

You need to watch all the other videos and read up on the story of near self destruction that came from making this album into a whole set of mini movies. It’s pretty amazing. Between getting bitten by a monkey, Peruvian rebels, Russian roulette… he’s lucky to have survived.

[@louisegormley7461]

I was 11 when Infected came on Channel 4, i had never heard music like it before, and even at that young age it changed me forever. Thank you Matt Johnson, pure genius!

[@ianmooney5566]

+louise gormley same for me, that whole video changed me, and yep on channel 4.

[@ITzRKG]

+louise gormley Funny, I was 20 and it did the same to me!!

[@paulgrimes5580]

+iTzRKG No, actually, I was 20. Wrong account! :)

[@pesky33]

I could have written this comment myself! I was also 11 and my mind was blown

[@paulgrimes5580]

Actually,my mother dreamt of THE THE before I was conceived and indeed even before Matt Johnson was born!! So,if there are any royalties owed,I'm claiming them....

[@chrisodriscoll3077]

One the most criminally underrated acts of all time. Mind you the press didn't know what to make of this album when it came out. I don't how he convinced his label to pony up the budget for a project like this but I'm glad he did. Masterpiece.

[@peterloncar9306]

I remember reading at the time that Coca Cola chipped in. After reading your comment and watching the whole Infected videos again it becomes a game of Where's the coke logo. Heartland video is the most blatant with the girl pouring coke over her white t-shirt.

[@stuadam4442]

I like to think the name 'The The' confused them somewhat.

[@CHALETARCADE]

Very meta name that might have heard them, I agree.@@stuadam4442

[@vouchkojean-luc7297]

This song never met the kind of success it clearly deserved.

[@gabbajay9739]

Neither did Infected, great album as well.

[@StoutProper]

It definitely did

[@bomek-drogvanor]

So true.

[@kirkules330]

It’s a song about a guy hooking up with a prostitute. It’s pretty on the nose too. It’s brilliant but thematically it ain’t exactly commercial radio material.

[@atomickeeyu2285]

@@kirkules330 Good point.

[@davewilson9738]

"Lying on her back with her lips parted, squealing a stuffed pig". The imagery and desperation is palpable. Matt Johnson aka the REAL lyrical gangster.

[@Foxiepawstotti]

I think its Stuck pig but I get you. (its a saying, " screaming like a stuck pig"...a pig thats been stabbed).

[@marknelson6319]

I always loved the debauchery of this song, it was perfect for a 23 year old college kid! Still love it 36 years later!

[@sethkaye7897]

Bought the VHS tape of Infected, still own a VHS player in 2025, just for this Gem of an album, a Great follow up to the Masterpiece that is Soul Mining

[@Zefo_No]

How could this band (dude) be so good yet nobody talks about them?

[@neiltitmus9744]

I know

[@kathymcbride955]

Alot of people are fake, so the rawness and power of this band would intimidate them. That's why.

[@agramsci]

"I didn't wanna hurt your feelings honey, but I couldn't suppress my own." Quite possibly one of the greatest pop lyrics ever written.

[@anapaulabrandao7290]

Antonio Gramsci verdade

[@nickmazonowicz511]

Antonio Gramsci oh yeah. What about ‘agadoo doo doo, push pineapples shake the tree’

[@susannehadden2324]

Why's that, been here before or what? In this situation, I mean. Hahaha

[@christinagiannaros9817]

@@nickmazonowicz511 Porky pine pine was my personal fav for greatest lyrics ever. But Matt, well 'I was trying so hard to be myself I was turning into somebody else hits it for me.

[@glennrobinson3113]

What a fukin song How this band wasn’t the biggest thing of their time baffles me

[@royrodgers45]

My favorite song from my favorite album, the sound track to my teenage years. A true musical genius. Very few artists can match his creativity.

[@gazzamundo734]

totally agree

[@regplasma7906]

SO VERY TRUE.REG PLASMA

[@gabbajay9739]

Mine too..

[@kathymcbride955]

Mine too.( 2nd Angels of deception.)

[@koookeee]

Music. Poetry. A wonderful voice. Matt has it all.

[@eshockblues]

15000 views..........what a world we live in. Love to all the real people listening to this x

[@bastianrung-hansen6320]

8 years later and it has gained some traction

[@geinikan1kan]

I never let the views get to me. If I like a song what else is there?

[@RobFieldFlorida]

Almost forty years later, and Johnson is still my favorite Christian rock artist.

[@seussman71]

Dammit, you just made me spit out my coffee!

[@virgiljones4808]

THE THE - MOST UNDERATED BAND OF ALL TIME!

[@leesnedker3583]

Absolutely this

[@skelagervej423]

Consider my self lucky, to have listened to the lyrics and music of Johnson and TheThe

[@EnriqueMillan-gg6fr]

This song, this album, and this artist have always been like a secret handshake. Brilliance!

[@glennvage]

great comment

[@barksnbo3625]

This is an IYKYK band… The more fortunate of us do.👍

[@trevorwebster3824]

This band was definitely underrated, great song.

[@chekamystery675]

Agree. Totally Underrated. ♫

[@ngkktht774]

I think that the word "underrated" is definitely overrated in youtube comments.

[@gimmedavidb]

Not underrated. His fans have always loved The The's music. The fact that it didn't appeal to the masses shows that it's real art.

[@MegaHariboboy]

Fun fact, this 'band' is technically one person, Matt Johnson

[@nonoviabuzinez4864]

Matt Johnson is the band. Only underrated by non fans.

[@katoness]

Love how the song builds .

[@2ndlieutenantcaptian]

What a great song ,video lyrics and imagery . One man's descent into the dark night of his soul ... Brilliant track from a brilliant album and band

[@eyebrowman1]

I too watched Infected on Channel 4, at something like 11pm in 1986. I knew and liked a couple of tracks already. However, nothing prepared me for the audio/visual masterpiece of the video album. Inspired and incredible. Matt was a prophet too on Mind Bomb.

[@TheEleanor1]

Possibly one of the most honest words I’ve heard. I was 14 and I am 50 now and nothing has changed x

[@briantoomeyjr2086]

Master piece best live

[@sarahsilver4008]

Bought this album when I was 13 - much to daddy's disapproval :-D - and still love it. Always considered Matt as a true 'seer' and a great contemporary poet.

[@kevinpotts123]

I too have been a Matt Johnson/The The fan for many many years. I actually met Matt after one of his concerts and he was such a genuinely decent dude. He also introduced me to Delores O'Riordan who was opening for him that tour with The Cranberries.

[@Pukkap72]

I was 14 in 86 and discovered this album after seeing infected on the chart show....I played this album and this tune specifically all summer . Changed my musical landscape and led me down so many other musical paths. Thankyou matt Johnson.

[@mattcarroll3469]

My Dads favourite band, He flew to London for what he thought was his last concert ( a bucket list thing) a few years ago from Australia, just to find out he was touring Australia the next year he then proceded to attend all his Australian concerts my mum got sick of this as he purchased 2 tickets to each concert he would take anyone the would go my wife went with my dad in Melbourne she said it was fantastic and she had no idea who Matt Johnson or The The was..!

[@tonyclayton6975]

They’re coming back to Oz. Not sure who’s still in the band.

[@paulwhitby4752]

He gives us a complete character study here, as well as a fine short story and killer music. And everything in perfect synergy.

[@brendanobrien1729]

Im 13 and love this band so much and this is my favorite song by them

[@clairepod1]

That's actually quite worrying.... Lol

[@kathymcbride955]

You are very advanced for your age sonny.

[@leelabizbee]

😊👌

[@davegreen1915]

35 years young, still a perfect album

[@caineshaw9317]

Looking back at this now, establishes even more the genius of The The, to write and arrange such music at that time and at that age...

[@dizmop]

not to be patronising but the '80s was way more experimental than it is now, the creative landscape was a gold rush of unchartered territory that led to bands like this, nowadays everything is reminiscent and manufactured to make money rather than a creative expression

[@caineshaw9317]

@@dizmop But you are being patronising though.... I was around in the 80s, and I am acutely aware of the time and the situation, musically, and politically Music was not driven by moguls in the underground. I owned a nightclub with my brother, had three older brothers, so from Roxy Music, Sparks and all of the others to John Foxx, Landscape, Kraftwerk, and having gone to the same school as Simple Minds Jim Kerr, friends with The Alex Harvey Band, The Jesus and the Mary Chain, Having Met Thomas Dolby, Depeche Mode, Aphex Twin and dozens of others, fck it would be easier to say who I don't like and I have left the rock side of my life out of it..

[@tailendcharlie]

That outro is fantastic....my favourite tune off infected!

[@indieeye]

this is an evergreen masterpiece. All the "infected" project is geniàl. The songs, the concept, the videos!!!! love it

[@urbanflyman6389]

One thing I like about the 80’s and this song is a fine example? People weren’t afraid to do different, this really is a work of art! 👌

[@openplz3000]

They blazed a new path

[@dizmop]

I think an issue also is that acts today don't know how to be different, they're so aligned with money and sales as part of their 'creative' process that it blinds them to true individuality

[@kathrynJMwest]

My Sixth form soundtrack; I can't remember the bloke who introduced me to The The back in 1986 but I am eternally grateful! Some of the best lyrics of any band.

[@pogdog31]

The lyrics are great but listen to the production too. Incredible.

[@ickyflix1955]

don''t forget he is alone, so played all instruments. He made also all the artwork for the sleeves

[@pogdog31]

Rob Kemmeren no he didn't

[@cespo77]

That is not true... He had many well known musicians playing on this album. His brother did all the artwork for the sleeves.

[@philwalker6016]

pogdog31 ;NOT TO MENTION..SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHOM PLAYED ON BOTH(?)'SOULMINING/&'INFECTED'-JOOLS HOLLAND../NENAH CHERRY..JOHNY MARR..Et Al...love it..pure t.of.b

[@JohnMcGurrell]

Hairs standing up! after all these years amazing band, glad I saw him once!

[@LeeJackson]

I remember a story about this video - the woman watching in the hotel wasn't planned - she just managed to get in shot and the production team loved it. A bit like The Pet Shop Boys.

[@kathymcbride955]

My favourite of this album.

[@davegreen1915]

Only Matt Johnson, Lou Reed and Nick Cave can do sleeze this perfectly

[@marinerebirth271]

Yeh def an ode to 'street hassl_ but life over 30yrs has left merealising how porn (could be?) Integrated into mainstream theatre. Our personal feelings aside: methinks the final scene couldve been radical ala 'brown-bunny' or 'irreversible' film of the time...🤔

[@myblueextremes1526]

I'd argue this is more a song about loneliness?

[@craigborland4383]

It’s uncanny how the lyrics to this , mimic various experiences in my life. Dark , but so uplifting

[@GT380man]

Yes, you’ve been engineered. It’s intentional, deliberate that your life echoed the themes washing over you at a very impressionable age and time. You’re not alone. I only recently binned my extensive Bowie collection, having been a consistent fan since 1972. Listen to or read DJ Mark Devlin’s “Musical Truths”. There’s a growing group of serious researchers exposing the wrongdoing at an industrial scale. It’s exactly the same forces at work today in the political sphere.

[@LeslieHardy-df6dy]

This is such a great song. It’s like a novella. And Neneh Cherry!

[@db4035]

Neneh Cherry doesn’t sing on this track. Backing vocals are by Tessa Niles. Neneh sang vocals on “Slow Train To Dawn”.

[@TrifonDK69]

My gf back in 1987 introduced me to TT and the Infected album via this very song. 35 years later every song on the album, but especially this one hits so hard right in the feels…. Amazing music, production and lyrics out of this world. So glad I got to see them live in Athens back in 1990… one unforgettable evening…

[@audreyokyere-fosu7235]

One of the best outros ever❣

[@CHALETARCADE]

The The, Talk Talk, Wall of Voodoo....Those were the days.😞

[@wellsy127]

Timeless song and video from The The. Just incredible.

[@Se7enthG]

Where has all the creativity gone in music, music now days doesn't come close to this artistry, i love when the vocal chemistry harmonizes between male & female singers, pixies were very good at doing this also. Ps ; this is one of the best tracks you can ever listen to on good ecstacy or mdma, especially the last 3rd of the track.

[@ilysvengeance]

the 3 bitten apples by the window make this video the best video ever

[@MikeSmith-xx7tj]

what an under rated artist. 80's music heaven

[@michaelhodges5921]

What a 20th century absolute classic! Was at a free festival back in the 90's and this lad set all these speakers up for some band "Scab" I remember, they hadn't arrived and he played Infected from start to finish, fucking loud. Was Epic, cheers

[@stiiffyrabbit]

A milestone album. A real turning point for me. Turned away, again but, I'm back now and feeling much better!

[@thyathyatyabyatya]

Without doubt the greatest song writer of his Genre. THE THE are my fave band of all time. timeless.

[@andrewquintian2333]

i have bought this CD at least 8 times over the years. in mostly because of this song.

[@Blondejam]

Loved TheThe for forty odd years. Finally got a chance to see them in Birmingham. Brilliant! At last! Keep up the good work Matt

[@decanusgimmiethatharpboy319]

Takes me straight back to my 15 year old self. The The - always welcome in our house,

[@Markell1991]

This song is so powerful. It's beautiful.

[@paulfernhout6657]

i loved this album saw them in christchurch new zealand 1998 they were great!

[@Dr.Shocks]

Had a tape copy for a long time. I finally bought thr CD. Later I found out my best friend had bought it the day before totslly independently. I didnt even know he liked it.

[@maxq1974]

His music has and will always stand the test of time .

[@blkgrlmgclwyr]

I remember there was a period when this video was not viewable in the U.S.! I haven't seen this in years, and it's AWESOME it's available now! Thank you, #THETHE !!! 😈💕🙏🏾✌🏾🔥💕

[@markgreen7378]

"I was trying so hard to be myself,I was turning into somebody else"

[@mandyjudkins1913]

Thankyou for my lovely memories of 80s what a great band

[@endurobeest]

Amazed when I 1st heard it.. many many years later it still has the same affect. I think we all been there at some time in our life's ;P

[@indidot6664]

One of the best songs ever made

[@Markell1991]

Just yes.

[@timhall3575]

the most perfect song... every second... astonishing.. blew my 14 year old mind when i first saw this video/heard this song in 1986

[@cazb877]

Still stands the test of time, utter brilliance.

[@mandyjudkins1913]

Underrated genius

[@planetdubai23]

one of the all-time great tracks

[@Foxiepawstotti]

I loved that old lady from the first time I saw it....a long long time ago!

[@Kartalallen]

One of my all time favourite songs and bands. You just cannot find artists who write such thought provoking songs any more

[@Yathome00]

I can’t wait to see you in concert after all these years! ❤️❤️

[@happentodie]

Classy LP ..I accidentally got Into this back when I was 15 ..it got me thru those difficult times , brilliant stuff

[@btaylo24]

Should of been a UK Number 1 .

[@adamski2034]

This is one of my all time favourites and always will be.

[@bobbyshafto3259]

Fantastic song/video from a very young looking Matt "Genius" Johnson. One of the best days of my life was when I saw THE THE on Naked Self tour at Leeds Town and Country (now O2).

[@ScottyP51]

It really hasn't dated at all! Amazing album, a masterpiece.

[@levivincent7698]

A beautiful betrayal of a man going through solitude.

[@01aleph]

...Well I didn't want to hurt your feelings, honey but I couldn't suppress my own, I had to pull myself outta this nosedive by proving something to myself. She was lying on her back with her lips parted. Squealing like a stuffed pig-- I was going through the motions faking the emotions, and wriggling around like lizard in a tin. Trying so hard to cleanse myself, I was turning into somebody else. I was trying so hard to please myself .....This is pure gem , Matt Johnson is a genius .....

[@johnfrench7864]

Matt Johnson, just wonderful. Best lyricist....ever.

[@raymorley1015]

+john french Agree - just fantastic lyrics. Affected me as well when I first heard this

[@raymorley1015]

+john french Agree - just fantastic lyrics. Affected me as well when I first heard this

[@johnfrench7864]

+Ray Morley yes Ray and looking down the list of comments he seems to have had a profound effect upon so many of us. The ability to say so much, so beautifully so often within the confines of a song. So many of his lyrics i can remember.

[@glynwilliams1786]

+john french Check out some Don van Vliet stuff mate. Funnily enough you share a name with the drummer!

[@johnfrench7864]

+Glyn Williams what Captain Beefheart you mean? The bloke was reputedly able to change channels on the tv with the power of his mind?! I'm not joking.

[@davidstirling7450]

Stunning group, great music and fantastic lyrics

[@1ksweatyrikers455]

always loved the synths and production/effects on this track

[@karlpadley-y7n]

still brilliant, ahead of its time, such expressive, male, dillema, lyrix. matts got sum bottle 2 b so open, and helpful... thanx 4 baring your innermost

[@pauldirects]

masterpiece..

[@vinylsurrender]

My favourite TT song, back then and ever since, but just now I was questioning whether it's still that good or perhaps it's become dated, until I heard it again just now. Absolutely Awesome. Fantastic, anthemic song with brilliant lyrics.

[@jamesconnell1531]

I got the cassette when it came out I was 15 and it still sounds great today after all these years

[@marty9376]

I watched the INFECTED Soundtrack movie on VHS first

[@lynchh69]

sublime lyrics n music

[@ianlightfoot9458]

Yes, remember the highly aclaimed film on C4 around '86. They showed it 2 or 3 times and saw all three! My dad still hadn't bought a bloody video recorder!

[@marcusburmingham7967]

What can we say.. Matt. Genius... ❤❤❤

[@JC-bq9zt]

Depth and quality. Simple. Thank you.

[@Orgruk]

I used to listen to this a lot, never saw the video until now. Thanks!

[@edbarrett5995]

I used to hear this played in two places - on Tony Snell's radio show, and at The State nightclub. Felt like I was plugged into a different world.

[@tharg330]

First I had the album, and then the MTV video - which was so cool. Then I got to live the life, in SE Asia. Every young guy should experience it.

[@tonycairns6728]

Great post! It still sounds and looks way ahead of its time.

[@Blkfiredawg69]

Matt Johnson is and was a genius! The The is one of the best Groups ever!

[@johnfrench7864]

Trying so hard to be myself I was turning into somebody else...priceless.

[@HiVizCamo]

+1, the linee reminds me of Talking Heads - Seen and Not Seen, check that out for context.

[@susannehadden2324]

Why is that.?

[@snowgoose1421]

I can still remember the first time I listened to this, ahhh the memories.

[@timwuk]

Pure Matt Johnson genius - "Well my adrenalin, was curdling like cream, as I was being led by the hand. Through the sound of sirens And the distant noise of some drunken jazz band"

[@Spaceserenade]

I wish the outro was as long on Spotify as it is here

[@Liquid_Alchemy]

I was a senior in high school when this song came out. It was in the middle of the AIDs crisis. It was terrifying to both gay and straight.

[@leekellock6368]

luv this song so much,it totally reminds me ov ma daughter,,who wee are so apart now,breaks ma heart xx

[@kev1959in]

I bought the VHS when it came out and am coming back to Infected and many other albums,maybe listening to them with wiser head

[@lindso6105]

this tune is just soo cool,xx

[@Christianradleyburt]

So absolutely magnificent.