Tommy James Draggin The Line Reaction

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[@secolerice]

I am a big Tommy James and the Shondells fan! I have many of their songs on a Radio Faves playlist. The earlier stuff are my favorites (Crimson and Clover, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Mony Mony, Sugar on Sunday, etc). I was 13, 1970, when I really got into this music but I probably heard it before then. My dad was in Vietnam and music was my way to cope. It still is.

[@yolandajohnson8685]

Suzanne Cole-Rice Tommy James came up with the title Crystal Blue Persuasion from a college student's term paper that was titled, Crystal Blue Persuasion..he was SOOOOOO impressed with the classy, and sexy title that he decided to use that for his next masterpiece!!!

[@ddarkshark]

me too!

[@sandragrace2u]

Yolanda Johnson ~ I don't know where you get your information but Tommy James Himself says Crystal Blue Persuasion is about Jesus Christ, you can look it up on KZbin when he did an interview with the 700 club!!!!!! God Bless and be well!😊🌸💗

[@yolandajohnson8685]

Sandra Crawford a few months ago I heard it on a documentary and he mentioned visiting a college. I wouldn't just make that up.

[@yolandajohnson8685]

it was the name of a college student's Term Paper

[@r.awilliams9815]

Yep, that's what Tommy James songs are about, feeling good, feeling happy.

[@Terri6868]

My favorite song is Crimson and Clover. Me and my sister had a special dance to that song we were probably 12 years old. ♥️

[@hitmixhyepock9405]

My mom dated tommy James back in highschool. Hes from the niles Michigan area. Tommy James has been to my grandma's house before lol. My mom also has her picture in Tommy james' book.

[@klee8960]

Cool didn't know he was from Michigan, my home state

[@hitmixhyepock9405]

@@klee8960 yeah, they formed the band in niles. He used to work at a record store downtown niles.

[@klee8960]

@@hitmixhyepock9405 I guess he was born in Ohio, then moved to Michigan.

[@andreadeamon6419]

@@klee8960 explains why a lot of my musician friends love doing his music at least 1 song per performance. They're around his age also

[@jimithy47]

Very cool, thanks for sharing your story.

[@Tomlightning]

if you want a real mind blower same group check out crystal blue persaussion

[@sandragrace2u]

Most people think Crystal Blue Persuasion is about drugs. I saw Tommy James interviewed and he said it is about Jesus Christ! The interview is on KZbin. Yes it's a mind-blowing great song!! And to Norbury53 ~ Crimson and Clover is my favorite song too of theirs!! I listen to it on a loop!! God Bless and Be Well! In Jesus Name 😊🙏🌸💗

[@loriwatts3449]

Yes, that is an awesome song.

[@katyb3265]

Love crystal blue persuasion. Now this is rock and roll !!!

[@katyb3265]

@@sandragrace2u wow, i didn't know.and I've been listening to Tommy James for a VERY long time.

[@lindabergman3127]

Exactly it's beautiful Harmony 😁

[@olddrummerguy]

This song brings me back to the summer. Driving with my parents and sisters in our Delta 88 on our way to the beach listening to the radio. I was probably 8. Great song.

[@pattymesagal2654]

one of my favorite groups during the 70's for dancing. I would hear one and have to start moving. now I am an old granny but do a lot of dancing in my chair. thanks for the reaction love and smiles to you

[@charleshonig7080]

Ty, it was the 60"s the era of Peace, Love and understanding.

[@walterlawrence2485]

I was 10 when this song came out. One of my favorites. "My dog Sam eats purple flowers" classic.

[@teesiemom]

Oh, Ty, this song always takes me back to when I was a young girl growing up in the 60s and 70s, with my older cousins that I looked up to like older sisters, who played all this great music for me and my younger sisters, took us to the zoo and the mall, kept us during the summer, and we just had fun being kids! My mom and theirs were sisters, and the cousins were 8, 10 and 12 years older than us, and we had such a great time then! I miss those days sometimes, but mostly it was that feeling that songs like this invoked. That whole 'groovin' on a Sunday afternoon' kind of vibe from that era. So different from now. The hippies, granola eaters, tree huggers and Jesus freaks, all just wanting everyone to love each other and love and care for the planet. Naive, maybe, since it was the Viet Nam era, but hey, they were hopeful things would get better. Took a while. Still working on it, aren't we?

[@lesaserrato3575]

My older brothers used to hand me down their records when 8track tapes were all the rage! ( Making me feel old just typing this!) This album just happened to end up in the mix! My brothers had a huge impact on me with their love of music. I ended up married to a multi talented musician!! Lol Crimson and clover was my favorite from this band.

[@musicandmoviefan9217]

You can always tell when you love a song...your head starts involuntarily bopin to the music and you get that look on your face. Love it when you find a really good one!

[@timothybessemer7316]

I remember this song from 1971 so well. It was on the radio as a feel good song from a feel good guy who should have gotten enough acclaim to be in the Rock n' Roll hall of fame with his 100 million plus record sales. He was covered by other artists, being the only person in music history to have a cover of one of his songs at number 1 being replaced by anther number one cover of one of his songs (Mony Mony by Billy Idol and "I Think We're Alone now" by Tiffany). How someone can sell over 100 million records and not have the acclaim to be hall of fame is beyond any explanation that i have.

[@sevenmile]

My all time favorite. Thanks! This is part of the soundtrack of my youth while working in the fields during harvest. My funeral will be the first time Tommy James gets played in our church!

[@peterblood50]

Those blonde Fender tube amps at 2:50 would be like having gold today. The best natural distortion of all time. 😍

[@yolandajohnson8685]

peter blood very well worded!!!!

[@Smedley61]

Still have my pre CBS Fender Twin Reverb.

[@sukie584]

One of my fave bands of the 60s (I was in elementary school ) and all his singles were huge AM radio hits. Blasting out of the car radios, beaches, school yards and dance parties.. Tommy James and The Shondells (Draggin' the LIne was a solo hit) made wonderful uplifting music.. I Think We're Alone Now, Mony Mony,Crimson and Clover, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Sweet Cherry Wine, I"m Alive (a great cover of Johnny Thunder's record), Hanky Panky.. You might know MOny Mony or I Think We're Alone Now..

[@Thomas-es4kl]

I need to say my husband and I watched you for the first time we found your channel because we listened to the original and it was fun but your reaction to it was even more fun in that you’re passing it on meaning we’re like 4550 years old and you have just experienced it for the first time and I’m gonna hand this over to my husband and he’s gonna talk out loud so it’s all recorded goit’s really awesome that you’re bringing music means something back into the new generation and for that I thank you and I wish you a merry Christmas. We both wish you a merry Christmas and happy new year. Take care.

[@annagonzales8178]

I was an 80’s child and I remember this from the movie “Don’t tell mom the babysitters dead” ahhhh! Love this song! Best song to hear in the car. Another song my mom and I would sing to in the car... miss her!

[@dewdewism]

Born in 62, I know that people's minds were much cleaner back then. This song brings back SO many wonderful memories.

[@Nitro1970]

Elvis Presley - Way Down. Was the last single released before he died. Great song and has some crazy deep notes by J.D. Sumner (He held the Guiness Record for lowest Bass note for 18 years.)

[@timcarr6401]

I've been a big fan of J.D. too. Have you ever watched any Gaither Homecoming videos?I met J.D. twice. The first time was in 1973 and the second was in 1987 or so. I can get pretty bass when I want to. The first time I was waiting in line during intermission while J.D. was manning the table. I was getting more and more nervous. By the time I reached his table my voice had risen really high. I said : "Do you want to have a well-off?" He gave a comical reply.I like Richard Sterban also of Elvira fame.

[@Nitro1970]

@@timcarr6401 wow, it would have been such an honor to meet him. You're a lucky guy

[@eightieslivenow7579]

1971 - going into grade 9 - and New Years 2020 - my friends and I out at our favourite club - dancing to a local band playing this and all of us singing our hearts out thinking this was going to be a great year - well - we had a blast on NYE anyway - will remember this even more fondly

[@annsteiger3531]

Early 70's. I love this song. It's one of my ring tones. It was always on the radio when my older sister had to drive me somewhere. 😁😁😁

[@anitahartzell9015]

Heck yeah!!! I was born the sixties. Grew up with this music. Never gets old.

[@johndeeregreen4592]

I was born and raised near where this band formed and even after they became famous, they would give back and do free shows at the local fairs in the summer.

[@mikimike]

"Crystal Blue Persuasion" is another great song if you can do that one it would be great. Keep up the great work, I enjoy your channel.

[@douglashowser3429]

I love your fearlessness when it comes to your reaction videos, many reactors get stuck in one genre and never really get to appreciate the whole musical spectrum! I've said it before and repeat watching you react is like watching a child on Christmas morning and each gift is as good or better than the last! You're killing it here,keep up the excellent work!

[@davidkelly1820]

Ahhhh. The good ol days of tripping on lsd, hugging trees,talking to bugs and hanging out with the rockin horse people eating marshmallow pies and seeing the world through kaleidoscope eyes. They were definitely long strange trips indeed.

[@jflaugher]

They were happy because it was the 60's they were probably smoking pot and lots of it. You should check out more Tommy James, like "Crystal Blue Persuasion" and "Crimson and Clover"

[@TheSimpleJoys]

Only caught a few minutes live but it was a pleasure to listen to you briefly and see your friendly face again! Wishing you a week filled with lots of love, luck & laughter 👍😀🙏💚

[@honeylambb9864]

@Modern Renaissance Man - This song came out in 1969 and there was a dance that went it that we learned in 9th grade gym class. It was common for songs in the 1960's and early 1970's to have there own dance to go with the song and the song and the dance would be featured on American Bandstand or some show like that. I was looking just last week here on youtube to see if there was any videos with the Draggin the Line dance but could not find anything so I was suprised to find your channel today and nice to see you reviewing this great Tommy James song. Subscribed !!!!!

[@charlesbennett3311]

fun, feel-good song. the simple but cool bass line carries the groove. joyous lyrics. great vocals and harmonies. one of my favorites from back in the day.

[@jbrlvegasram9815]

They have so many good songs but my favorite is Crimson and Clover.

[@oldschool72]

I was heart sick when they broke up in 1970 but Tom did so good though when he started solo. This is one of my favorites of his solo hits in 1971.

[@ZeeStranjelz]

Crimson & Clover, plz...The way he sings that very 1st line melts my knees every time...=)

[@yolandajohnson8685]

ZeeStranjelz I KNOW, that first note is a classic!!!!

[@QueenSnowPea]

I thought I was the only one who thought that. It was my all time favorite song. I was 14 and in 1971 I saved up my babysitting money and bought my very first album which was The Best of Tommy James and the Shondells because it had the long version of Crimson and Clover. I had the biggest crush on Tommy James. I loved his hair.

[@merrileekeshiro5420]

I found you for the first time tonight. I rarely ever subscribe to channels because it is next to impossible to find a good ethic today. Thank you. I did subscribe because I am sure I will be pleased.

[@Modern-Renaissance-Man]

Thank You!

[@Marcus-Oh-really-yes]

Tommy James and the Shondells were popular when I was a baby. I became more aware of them in 1987 when Tiffany ("I Thnk We're Alone Now," No. 4 for Tommy in 1967) and Billy Idol ("Mony, Mony," No. 3 for Tommy in 1968) both had No. 1 hits with covers of these songs, one right after each other in November of that year. What a coincidence! Then in 1969, Tommy had a No. 1 hit with "Crimson and Clover," which Joan Jett covered and reached No. 7 with her version in 1982. The originals and the covers are all good.

[@robertshulenberger]

I was born in 1985 and I still love this song. I wish I could have been here when this video premiered. I like Crimson and Clover

[@nreising2722]

Draggin' the line....you crack me up!!! Love your work!!!

[@rhondaflesher8313]

According, Tommy James himself, the song was about working on his farm. Draggin' the line was simply referring to working every day. A little side note, his line about seeing a tree and hugging it, is the where the phrase "tree hugger" came from. People who were interested in the ecology at that time took this reference and ran with it.

[@ronsmith5572]

The Hollies : The Air That I Breathe is another good song you should check out .

[@sherrifrazier5722]

Ron Smith yes and He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother

[@douglashowser3429]

Bus Stop too!

[@crystalvision1111]

Oh yes, the air that I breathe!!!!! LOVE that song!

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Good choice ! Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress too.

[@sandradeelawson.9655]

I've heard of it now. I was very younger when I heard it on American Bandstand every Saturday evening.

[@modmary1]

Tommy James and the Shondells. Also did the original Crimson and Clover, later covered by Joan Jett. Love it!

[@stephenulmer3781]

"Ma BelAmi" by The Tee set from 1969

[@yolandajohnson8685]

Stephen Ulmer YES YES YES!!!! I LOOOOOVE Ma Belle Ami, by the Tee Set. Peter Tetteroo is on lead vocals and the group is from Holland..this song takes me back to my childhood...this song sends chills down my spine.....I love those late 60's and early 70's white groups...my father used to play all that stuff and as I got older, I'm 53 and is still playing those precious songs....The Night Chicago Died, Signs, Billy Don't Be A Hero, well I guess you get my point...please continue to enjoy these precious oldies...

[@douglashowser3429]

You are a child of the sun and the sky and the deep blue sea!

[@rebeccas4899]

Yolanda, Doug and Stephen: When somebody asks me what song means the most to me after 67 years, and I always say "Ma Belle Ami." It was "our song" with the boy I feel in love with at age 16. Oh, I wish MRM would react to it.

[@jaykoala6691]

This song was featured in the movie "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" with Christina Applegate. It came out in the mid-90s, I think. Anyway, that may be where you heard it before.

[@anniem4026]

Wow, blast from the past. Their songs are a fabric of my life, camping with the family and having an old radio iout on the picnic table, tuned to am, because there wasn't fm channels. Their best songs that people will know would be crimson & clover, Crystal Blue Persuasion.

[@estherwhalen614]

Tommy James had some great hits in the 60s. The group was great to listen to. The following comments will give you many of their best hits. They are worth listening to.

[@cherylfoster1223]

would like you to consider doing Green Onions by Booker T and the MG's

[@doylesinclair4499]

I've been asking and asking for that song!~ Also, if you want to hear a superb version of it. Watch on KZbin, the version of it that is done by Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates (along with Booker T) at Green Onions - Live at Daryl's House. It is truly great!

[@yolandajohnson8685]

Cheryl Foster Time Is Tight' is also a masterpiece by Booker T & The MG's

[@oregonchick76]

Green Onions or maybe Hip Hug-Her? A lot of their songs are fairly similar, and they all sort of make you want to strut around. They're so good, it's amazing how much of their careers they spent as the house band playing backup for Otis Redding and other Stax Records artists.

[@jimfrederick3907]

Time is Tight by Booker T

[@TheNo1BandDad]

I was ten years old when this song came out. We had just moved back from Panama, and my dad was getting ready to go to Vietnam.

[@belleferrar8898]

I LOVED this group, their music was fun to dance to or to just sing along to. I dig these blasts from the past, they are groovy! Yes, I was around when dig and groovy were popular...not ashamed to admit it. LOL

[@mikecalderon5251]

One of my favorite songs, including Crystal Blue Persuasion. I was like 4 years old. But these songs bring back memories from that time.

[@dogfighter57]

This song played during the movie credits on "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead".

[@60shippy27]

Love this! Always have, thanks for the memory....I was a young woman and we wore this record out.

[@shhh5260]

I worked masonry for my father summers in HS. In 1991 the oldies stations played 50s, 60s and some 70s. It was all we listened to at work. I heard this on a job working with him.

[@forsakentruth773]

Try The Hollies Long COOL woman in a black dress

[@edcastillo9342]

One of Tommy James' last big hits. From 1970 or so...

[@dd22musicfan1]

The movie you’re most likely thinking of is Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead. One of the main songs on the soundtrack (particularly the closing credits) is a cover of this song.

[@barbarasmith4043]

I was young, but I had teenage sisters & a (much) older brother. My sisters listened to Top 40. My brother listened to heavy metal/acid rock. My parents listened to Big Band, pop, jazz, & country. I liked everything, especially folk music, but I wasn't too crazy about acid rock/heavy metal. "Draggin' the Line" contrasted w/ acid rock & introduced me to what a bass is supposed to sound like when it's good. Loved it! For more incredible bass guitar check out Victor Lemont Wooten. He plays bass w/ Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, & also has his own band. Incredible bass player!

[@timothybessemer7316]

The song was played in "We Are Marshall" in the original version. REM did a cover of it that may have been in a movie also, though i can't recall with certainty if that version was in a movie. Wikipedia states that the REM version was used in an Austin Powers movie.

[@videoinformer]

Worth listening to with headphones. They work the stereo for all its worth, and give each ear its own unique experience, with action changing back and forth rapidly from ear to ear with different instruments and different vocals.

[@tinatreitler9192]

A freakin classic from my childhood!!! I luuuv the beat line...its a finger snapper and the R n B feel!!!

[@johnhargrove7486]

In 1971 I was 8 years old and living in Hawaii and digging this music. And my favorite song of theirs was Mony Mony. The 70's had some of the best music of all time. Considering I grew up listening to music from the 50's all the way to today's music. And listened to change from jukebox of the 50's to the ( babe ) music of the 60'. And the long ballad music of the early to mid 70's. Even the disco era's which I wasn't a big fan of. And the 80's hair band days. So I've been really lucky to have been born in the early 60's and enjoyed it all. So take some time and really check out some more of the 70's music and I think you will enjoy it a lot. Thanks for your honest reviews really enjoyed it

[@carlbarrs929]

Susan is right This Guy and group did lots of popular rock songs. I used to go to many of the Rock festivals of the late sixties and naturally party all night. The band would wind down around 3 in the morning and we would eat sandwiches ans sleep until the music restarted. On Saturday morning very early before the Georgia Sun got high and hot on the Weekend of the July 4th Tommy James started the day with 'Crystal Blue Persuasion' and I will never forget the people stirring awake and Listening to the opening lines,"The sun is arising".I want to share some of my stories with you on many of the songs you are now experiencing.I really enjoy the people of your generation beginning to love our truly magic music of those times. And 'dragging a line" is what Electrical linemen do when they install new electric lines and in this song I think it represents working hard and being happy.,

[@donhogan6887]

You must listen to Tommy James and the Shondells, "crystal blue persuasion" the video version

[@zynjams]

the 5th dimension Age of Aquarius

[@tombeach1262]

I was in middle school when his early stuff came out. Remember listening to it on my little transistor radio. It was mono analog signal blasting from a 2 inch speaker, but it still sounded good because of all the good music back then.

[@walterensz7556]

This guy is a leader. MRM!

[@hungfao]

Back when Tommy was still doing drugs. The production of this song is brilliant as it takes advantage of making the most out of so few elements. Tommy has always had a good ear for creating catchy songs....AND, he is a class act!! I went to one of his shows quite some time ago. He put on a great set and afterwards came down and sat with us in the audience to watch the other acts. He conversed, shook hands, signed autographs. He still records occasionally and does still demonstrate his ability to write catchy tunes.

[@jamesberlo4298]

Excellent Song !!! The Hammond Organ , Brass and Bass !!! Crystal Blue Persuasion. I was 9 years old in Boston during a Hot Hot Summer, it was the mood of the time.

[@betweentwomillennium5057]

A cover of this song was done in "Don't tell mom the babysitters dead"

[@BOOMNERD51]

Peace of mind! Yes! Love the bass, drums, deep voiced guy "dragging the line." High school days

[@jameskirschling7887]

I was twelve years old when this song came out. I was tapping my foot and singing along to this. My favorite Tommy James song is I Think We're Alone Now. I think I was ten when that song came out, my older cousin liked the song too so she actually talked to her little cousin. I also like Crimson And Clover as my second favorite. The story that is popular is that Crimson was the first song to use a wah wah pedal on vocals. Moni Moni is another good one.

[@Texama57]

THis band was so far ahead of the times back then, so many great songs.

[@chipdamutt108]

I always liked the line "My dog Sam eats purple flowers".

[@KittKattKlub]

1 of BEST songs EVER... just makes you happy

[@shannonmccullough8324]

I have always loved this song.

[@TheRockin1953]

that was the year i married October of 1971, i will always remember that song, because just getting out of the 60's and away from the Vietnam War and away from the doo wop and into the Disco sound that Draggun a Line was the first of many more cool tunes to come along, and I want to thank you for refreshing my old memory, and I really enjoy watching your videos so keep them rolling ☺

[@MySherry10]

LOved this as a kid, just made you feel so good , bright happy days of being a ,kid

[@thomasautonomousanonymous2050]

Many of the greatest songs make it into movies A) for their message; B) they fit the time period for the setting; or C) they were created exclusively for the movie...

[@stevebengel1346]

Maybe a reaction to Paul Revere and The Raiders ? Songs like Kicks, Just Like Me, Hungry, Indian Reservation? Thanks

[@AdrianDeVore]

Good Thing and Him or Me (What's It Going to Be?).

[@michaelshackelford566]

Indian Reservation I'll never forget that song and nobody I know or ever been around me ever heard of it. Lol. So proud to live . " " " die.

[@ricardojunco4718]

First time I heard this song I was sitting in people's Park in Berkeley California when I was a kid

[@yolandajohnson8685]

Ricardo Junco ALL MAN, I love stories like this...

[@tombeach1262]

Great band. Tommy James is a christian brother also. He gave an interview to 700 club some years ago - it really impressed me.

[@teenut7024]

Luv, luv, luv these old feel good tunes! 😊🎶🎶

[@oliasofsunhillow7116]

Good ole Tommy James! Too many great vintage radio songs and classic rock music to list! A wide array of different styles and sounds to check out!

[@carollandrum9223]

My childhood and early teenage years. Crimson and Clover was the first song of theirs I heard when I was probably 10 or 11. Also love Crystal Blue Persuasion.

[@roryschweinfurter2601]

The Joan Jett version kicked ass too

[@lethalweapon4052]

Great song from when I was a kid. Tommy James and the Shondels also sang Crimson,and Clover. So I was listening to this one and my niece looks at me an says " what are they saying" I said Draggin the Line. She cracks up and says. I hear "Jack and a Lime"" yeah she bartends.

[@lynjudd7106]

Another great song we roller skated to.

[@DerekDominoes]

"How Can I Be Sure" by The Rascals would be a good one for you to check out.

[@andydanko7074]

Headphones are a must for Tommy James and the Shondells 🎧🎧 🎸🎵🎶

[@maddbutcher666]

There's a bass behind you! How could you not wanna play along? Hahaha love this song

[@wearinganapron]

Delightful song! I do remember it being on the radio all the time, back in the day, but have no specific memories attached. I appreciate it more now than I did then.

[@connieleighton4375]

Good morning.... ah the seventies woke up to the Carpenters, the Bee gees and Tommy James great start to my day . I remember back then most all songs had a happy feel good sound.... way different from today's sound - you got to really search it out now days...♡

[@timothybessemer7316]

I think this was played in "Remember the Titans". Also REM did a cover of it in "The Spy Who Shagged ME" (Austin Powers). Yes, very positive song with a great vibe! Really great vibe to the song. : )

[@nfinn8]

You gotta try Tommy James "Crimson and Clover"

[@sandragrace2u]

Yes please!!😘

[@deelawson4551]

It was in Don`t Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead...takes me back to that movie everytime I hear it..

[@brendaisajiw3417]

Love their songs. Heard them on the radio quite a bit in my teen years. Where did the music go???

[@davidleland8729]

I dig how you groove to the tunes of the 60's and 70's!

[@americanmutt9089]

All this music that is new to you is all part of the soundtrack of the movie that is my life. Even, if I wasn't hearing it. It was running through my mind, while my life was going on.

[@dianefiske-foy4717]

Would love your reaction to "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum.

[@terithompson6623]

Seventh grade (about 1971) My favorite album was Tommy James and the Shondells greatest hits. Crimson and Clover, I Think We are Alone Now, Hanky-Panky great songs.

[@JesusRodriguez-mm9uh]

I was in little Leauge baseball and this song played on the pa system while the team was warming up