The Icicle Works - Understanding Jane HD

[@stevieh9860]

How the hell was this not massive? Terrific intro, great guitar break, absolutely brilliant lyrics, a beginning, middle and end. It’s a fantastic 3 minutes. I despair at the fact that this one got away. It’s a magnificent piece.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

It has a beginning, a middle, AND an end? I have to listen to this.

[@stevieh9860]

@@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music I recommend you do. Not all great music does have a beginning, middle, and end. This, The Jean Genie, God Save the Queen, Blitzkrieg Bop all do.

[@NSYresearch]

I saw these guys last night and they played this... Even in a stripped down version it was a better...had goosebumps all the way through it.

[@robertpeyton9535]

@@NSYresearch Glad to hear they're still out there playing. Loved this record and always felt bad that their shot at the big time, with such an ironic record title, didn't work out. There were three or four songs on this record that could have been their break if the radio at the time would play them.

[@SkeebWilcox]

In Fairmont, WV I made SURE it was massive! #187 on the WTCS All-Time Top 400 Songs list...

[@graemelister5926]

The best f'ing track NEVER to crack the UK Top 40. Some people have no taste. Haha. Total. Belter!!

[@hairyhunkcy]

I'm with you!

[@ianpride1631]

Bang on

[@thiscorrosion900]

It's bloomin criminal.

[@helenwaldron5858]

I've missed hearing this and agree. Very fond memories of this track but sadly never cracked the top 40 as you pointed out. XX😂🎤🎤👏👏👏👏👏👏🎼🎼🎼🎵🔝

[@halenbud]

My favorite song by them

[@majudaem]

What an era...Big country simple minds, the alarm, the mission the icicle works, u2 depeche mode loved the alternative 80,s

[@michaelgiller5444]

After Whisper to a Scream. This single should have been released in the USA. Great song

[@tonybelanagy]

One of the sounds of the definitive soundtrack of my teenage years. Timeless tune, still fresh today.

[@michaelsummers6014]

Same here mate seen these numerous times back in the day great band great sound

[@mikecross1474]

I have this on 7” and play it this day every year in memory of my Mum. I used to bop along to this as a kid all the time! RIP Mum xXx

[@smokeriderl1126]

[@paddyeejit1954]

2020. Still a belter!

[@KarldelaMare]

Saw them live Reading Festival 1987. Absolutely brilliant. One of the best performances I've ever seen

[@colinrgage]

So did I,the drummer fainted and they played dazed and confused!

[@MrHagrid64]

i was a heavy rocker and id walked into HMV and heard this..i walked out with only this that day and loved them since 30 years

[@Bustergonad9649]

Just seen Ian live at Hebden bridge, oh my god fookin amazing, what a guitar player and what a singer and what a gent, met him after the gig.

[@CharlyBown77]

*Incredible song!!! great vocals and music; I don't know why I hadn't heard it before*

[@juanhenry0]

one of the best unknown of the 80's

[@simonapratt1814]

What a great song in every possible way!

[@TBK1966.]

As a kid, the Icicle Works really spoke to me. Saw them twice in Concert in Cardiff, amazing, and very happy memories.

[@kennethmarks886]

Man I love this song. Heard this when I was a kid from the movie date with an angel.

[@noahsledgebottom5508]

Absolutely class piece of R'n'R in my opinion,Chris Sharrock is fabulous drummer.

[@cliffclavin3865]

He's the best there is!!

[@NSYresearch]

Apparently he's with High Flying Birds at the moment

[@sallybob1968]

this one needs to be turned up as high as your volume goes!!! what a jam!

[@helenwaldron8461]

It really does and I think essential. How this was not a number one is ridiculous.XX

[@rjjcms1]

I just turned it up loud and I think it was too much for the neighbours 😄. One of a few singles of theirs that deserved a better placing in the hit parade than they got.

[@charlesblum5256]

It's got a good beat, it's easy to dance to, I'll give it an 89. Some of you old folks know what I'm referring to. 😂 This tune kicks serious tail as does Evangeline.

[@Titirangione]

I saw these boys live all over Yorkshire. That would be 29 years ago. Still play them to this very day.

[@davidthompson9216]

Incredible song got a platinum trophy with this song

[@ralphmorris8169]

Great song great band

[@benjammin2859]

Still have the cassette version of this album I bought when I was 17 for, what was it, maybe $15, when I was earning minimum wage ($3.35) in Syracuse, NY. It moved with me to Pittsburgh, PA, then to Gainesville, FL, then spent six weeks crossing the Atlantic when I moved to the Netherlands and made the cut yet again when I moved to Sweden. One of the few reasons I’m glad I have a crappy old car that still has a (factory original) cassette player.

[@jamesonhorton240]

A cassette was $15 in 1987? That's kind of expensive.

[@iristakenoko3939]

jameson horton maybe then consider import or hard to find?

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Forget the cassette price, how did it take you six weeks to cross the Atlantic? Were you in a row boat?

[@eagle16v]

I just heard this song for the first time ever two days ago. I’ve been missing it for thirty years. Cool tune.

[@DM-tj8ii]

What a song!!! reminds me of my late cousin who imitated McNabb to a *T* back in the day. This cassette would be playing in my car (VW) and he would sing it with such passion...who else see's Lennon and McCartney in McNabb... in this video. Amazing musicians! Tied with a few other bands for best band ever...saw them 4 times in LA...1 time in LBC

[@Kort_Baker]

Listening in 2020 (the worst year since 1918.). Can we go back to the 80's please?

[@andys5325]

the greatest song never to chart???? and 30 yrs since me n the little lady said hello........ jeeeeessssuuuussss

[@TerryMaggert]

Driving guitar and killer lyrics. Perfect.

[@stephenkelly1887]

Simply awesome

[@timfurtado1151]

these guys were a refreshing change in the 80s from U2, depeche mode, the cure etc. His voice has such depth and emotion...they rock in slow songs and fast songs! Awesome band!

[@stephenmccarthy102]

They don't make them like this anymore, excellent

[@Titirangione]

Irish club Leeds 1984 best gig ever. 2 hrs set and they still played on.

[@mikematson9381]

in southern California in the 80's.....we listened to them....i still do. Great band!

[@sallyannefoster2560]

It was massive at RAF Benson in 1985/86 wahhhhh, just found this again 💚👌🏼🎸💪🏽

[@brucemadden1626]

Great tribute to Chuck Berry in the solo middle section--thanks guys!

[@bernardthegwp71020]

Gotta love all the fotage of the 60s and 70s in the vid. What an emotive song

[@trexncome3768]

This song is painful unknown to folks of the 80s. So damn good

[@AlyTennyson]

One of the best songs EVER!

[@hunterscott7592]

Such a great song

[@helenhicks7542]

People all ways mention their lack of chart success, and how underrated they were, well how many people still want to hear and see them in 2018 loads and loads x

[@melchordelmoral8075]

Their best,my favorite 👍

[@jonathangreen8249]

saw them at Shellies in Stone 1989, great underated band , love this song

[@infoscholar5221]

Icicle Works 2.0, loved these guys. Summer had too short a term.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I still have this single - great band

[@pauldirusso7504]

One of the best group ever Even south France listen Long live To UK songs

[@stuartborthwick4807]

Cracking tune

[@TheJimboe11]

Different class !!!

[@sharonphillips5084]

Can’t believe how I forgot about this band absolutely loved them in the 80s only for the amazing Chris Martin forgotten hits absolute 80s ❤️

[@Discoballe]

Thanks @thewildhearts for introducing me to this song and to discovering this awesome band!

[@ianpope6133]

I remember the first time I heard this - driving somewhere, listening to round table on Radio 1. It made all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! Lemmy was on the panel, and he loved it! - I think he said that it "had it's own legs!" Still love that song, and the album it came from is still one of my favourites.

[@kathleenmclaughlin3990]

The only reason I knew this song existed was the movie “Date with an Angel” (part of the soundtrack). Really underrated song.

[@jonmorr777]

Awesome song a very underrated band

[@ghosthunter858]

Defunctland sent me here. Thanks Kev!

[@gavinhughes5399]

Filmed in the open air market where Portobello Road runs under the Westway. Not sure which pub they used though. Oh, and a total tune too!!

[@michaelanderson2881]

Covered this in my 80's "Rock Wave" band, Central New Jersey. And there was a super cute bartender named Jane at one of the bars we used to play at, the Green Parrot. Fun song, great times!!

[@helenhicks7542]

Michael Anderson you sound like fun ,if I wasn't so far I'd pop over from UK x

[@garygrimmett7945]

Lemmy loved it...said it was punk rock with a great voice 👌 gazzz

[@Houl23]

Masterpiece !

[@Cam-hs6xq]

Movies like True Romance and this song getting missed originally. Superior pieces.

[@davidkeeble7730]

watched the band in my youger days.simply amazing

[@seadog92023]

Thank you ❤

[@BeggarsArchive]

You're welcome 😊

[@sanmigfoxy]

i love this

[@jimkranz2181]

Still listening. My band still plays this song. It the number 1 song people ask what was that.

[@lifeistooshortful]

one word.....superb!

[@christwinam2103]

Proper rock'n'roll, firing on all cylinders - play it loud and just to wipe that big grin off your face! My favourite McNabb guitar break. Whammy-licious!

[@TravisTarrant]

WOW!!! I can't even remember how long it has been since I last saw this video

[@imjustablenderseller]

Nostalgia total

[@jamespobog3420]

This is one of those songs that made me perk up and say "What the hell is that?". I never heard this before about 2015. Fantastic pop song, and a problem that I'd bet 95% of all guys have at least once in their lives...

[@mrjasondylan]

Brilliant song, very much ahead of there time.

[@Djtonystewart]

Brilliant

[@noahsledgebottom5508]

THis song has everything i like!!

[@smokeriderl1126]

What boys? Too

[@freyml]

OMG! This one goes out to the one that got away, Mary Batchelor, this is for you!!

[@neekerbreeker]

Damn! This song is AWESOME! Should have been huge in the 80s!

[@xoabby7772]

❤️

[@came6939]

Fortunately and unfortunately a hidden gem

[@peterkrug4124]

I first discovered this song when I saw the film DATE WITH AN ANGEL

[@michaelmurphy2330]

Ian looking so much better without that beard! anyway the music was always good and their 1987 album was really terrific 👍.

[@ew6483]

Like if you saw their reunion tour in 2016! I went there with my dad because sadly I wasn't born in the 70s/80s to go to their other gigs. Great band!

[@markanthony5793]

great!!!

[@halenbud]

One by one my marbles left me Jane would smile but never hold me One night at the pool hall Asked her if she'd hold my cue Can't impress her with no fancy car Resigned to lean here at the bar I'll lose my mind Shiver in responsibility

[@lumpy0100]

Thanks less enough TheArkive.:)

[@VicCajilog]

Ganda

[@robertballot3869]

Yeah, it was a real head-scratcher for me how this song wasn't given a chance on the airwaves in New York, which had a radio station dedicated to what was then called "new music." "Birds Fly" had already made a decent splash and this seemed poised to be the quintessential smash second single. But it never got off the ground. I recall the lead singer being disparaged a little in the rock music press at the time, though that could very easily have been over something personal and petty, like the journo's girlfriend sat on his lap backstage. Lord knows that the rock press all about fake news before the term came into vogue.

[@rjjcms1]

At the end of 1983/start of 1984 they fleetingly had a Top 20 hit in the UK with Love is a Wonderful Colour,which is great as well. They should have had a lot more success than they did,with this song and others.

[@orliesencio2417]

GRRREIGHTIES MOVIE SOUNDTRACK "DATE WITH THE ANGEL"

[@peterkrug4124]

Like this song, I consider the movie "Date With An Angel" to be very underrated and a hidden gem.

[@rickg8015]

Emmanuelle Beart and Phoebe Cates...

[@margotishrn]

The greatest hard rock band in uk history "the Wildhearts" did a cover of this..

[@michaelgiller5444]

Why was this song never released in the US. The only song I remember was Birds Fly (whisper to a scream). I have heard a few more songs by them that were also good. Real shame they never got bigger

[@awaresafety2855]

First band i ever saw... Brum Powerhouse in 1987. Chris Sharrock is still the best drummer i have ever seen

[@emilyrosesparkes8123]

how this never cracked the charts I don't know .... amend this is coming from a 13 yr old

[@ew6483]

Emily Sparkes 14 yr old here. Love The Icicle Works! So did my dad: so much in fact that I was named after another song of theirs.

[@peterkrug4124]

@@ew6483Great to know at least some younger people can appreciate the classics.

[@ew6483]

Peter Krug Thanks, I like a lot of stuff from the 80s over modern stuff.

[@paddyeejit1954]

E W it sounds cliched but the 80s were the best!

[@peterkrug4124]

Shame this song isn't better known, it's great!

[@jasonbirch7944]

Love the passionate scream 1min 54 seconds

[@MatthewOfLondon]

absolutely blinding and fantastic track. tis pity sounded too Pistols for an era when punk was still sneered at and hated, and everyone was into the fucking corporate pop.

[@Catherinewheelband]

Great band, i have some albums and The Best Of .

[@anthonyheeney668]

You could compile a top ten of underrated songs of all time Scattered by the kinks Mr spaceman by the birds Understanding Jane by the icicle works wot a guitar hero

[@colinrgage]

Wow

[@martinquarton184]

Wildhearts do a faithful cover.

[@konradoman]

Underrated... and that's a pity! The Icycle Works can compete with U2 and other superbands!

[@busterhymen6000]

lets not push it, okay pal? we understand your bromance, but lets not cum all over the floor over it.

[@konradoman]

Maybe this is for you (K.W.) a better comment: I agree with the comment of Tim Furtado? ;-)

[@paddyeejit1954]

Buster Hymen no need...

[@AlyTennyson]

@@busterhymen6000 pretty dumb comment, and pissy attitude, that's for sure. ICICLE WORKS are indeed brilliant.

[@IcicleWorker]

There is also the beach version of this video but does anyone know if there was an official promo made for the '92 version of Understanding Jane?

[@luiiacobucci8372]

IcicleWorker beach version is brill when they do the dead ants dance int middle 8

[@cambones1969]

It has a driving force!

[@wadefarrell6221]

Only 76k really. For such great band. It's a shame.

[@colinrgage]

Reading '87 I was there

[@NARAK32]

Date with an angle 💙

[@cesarquinones6060]

Perú 80s, sólo basta esta canción y cervezas a raudales

[@charlotteeagar2352]

this is a really good song! who are these guys?

[@teresitadeleon3179]

Chris is now partner with Steve Roberts of 16Tambourines!!!!