Victoria Wood - Lets do it - The Ballad of Barry and Freda - An Audience With...

[@HighHoeKermit]

Freda and Barry sat one night The sky was clear. The stars were bright The wind was soft. The moon was up Freda drained her cocoa cup She licked her lips. She felt sublime She switched off Gardeners' Question Time Barry cringed in fear and dread As Freda grabbed his tie, and said: Let's do it! Let's do it Do it while the mood is right! I'm feeling Appealing I've really got an appetite I'm on fire With desire I could handle half the tenors in a male voice choir Let's do it! Let's do it tonight! But he said: I can't do it I can't do it I don't believe in too much sex This fashion For passion Turns us into nervous wrecks No derision! My decision I'd rather watch The Spinners on the television I can't do it I can't do it tonight So she said: Let's do it! Let's do it Do it till our hearts go boom! Go native Creative Living in the living room This folly Is jolly Bend me over backwards on me Hostess trolley Let's do it! Let's do it tonight! But he said: I can't do it I can't do it Me 'eavy breathing days have gone I'm older Feel colder It's other things that turn me on I'm imploring: I'm boring Let me read this catalogue on vinyl flooring I can't do it I can't do it tonight So she said: Let's do it! Let's do it Have a crazy night of love! I'll strip bare I'll just wear Stilettos and an oven glove Don't starve a Girl of a palaver Dangle from the wardrobe in your Balaclava Let's do it! Let's do it tonight! But he said: I can't do it I can't do it I know I'd only get it wrong Don't angle For me to dangle Me arms 'ave never been that strong Stop pouting Stop shouting You know I pulled a muscle when I did that grouting I can't do it I can't do it tonight Let's do it! Let's do it Share a night of wild romance Frenetic Poetic! This could be your last big chance To quote Milton To eat Stilton To roll in gay abandon on the tufted Wilton Let's do it! Let's do it tonight! I can't do it I can't do it I've got other little jobs on hand Don't grouse Around the house I've got a busy evening planned Stop nagging I'm flagging You know as well as I do that the pipes want lagging I can't do it I can't do it tonight Let's do it! Let's do it While I'm really in the mood! Three cheers! It's years Since I caught you even semi-nude Be drastic Gymnastic Wear your baggy Y-fronts with the loose elastic Let's do it! Let's do it tonight! I can't do it I can't do it I must refuse to get undressed I feel silly It's too chilly To go without me thermal vest Don't choose me Don't use me Me mother sent a note to say you must excuse me I can't do it I can't do it tonight Let's do it! Let's do it! I feel I absolutely must I won't exempt you Want to tempt you Want to drive you mad with lust No cautions Just contortions! Smear an avocado on me lower portions Let's do it! Let's do it tonight! I can't do it I can't do it It's really not my cup of tea I'm harassed Embarrassed I wish you hadn't picked on me No dramas! Give me me pyjamas The only girl I'm mad about is Judith Chalmers I can't do it I can't do it tonight Let's do it! Let's do it! I really want to run amok Let's wiggle Let's jiggle Let's really make the rafters rock Be mighty Be flighty Come and melt the buttons on me flame-proof nightie Let's do it! Let's do it tonight! Let's do it! Let's do it! I really want to rant and rave Let's go Cause I know Just how I want you to behave: Not bleakly Not meekly Beat me on the bottom with a Woman's Weekly Let's do it! Let's do it tonight!

[@jamessky9155]

Thanks for this. There has always been a few lines I could not make out. Something made me come to watch this this evening. The energy and perfection of this piece always leaves me in complete awe :)

[@jamiew1664]

Nice one! Thanks for that! She’s a great writer and singer. Brilliant lyrics

[@twistywillow]

Brilliant thank you for this. I am partially deaf so sub titles really help a lot, these are great though seeing the lyrics listed here (y)

[@MotorhomeVoyagerUK69]

Everytime I see my hostess trolley...

[@stevenkmiller]

Thanks for adding the lyrics.

[@stevelee4952]

God we miss her genius.

[@tfe1788]

I'm 16 and in January 2024 when I first heard of Victoria Wood my dad showed me this song and I died of laughter, then I figured out she died and just burst into tears, she is a pure genius and a comedy legend

[@HighHoeKermit]

I live in her hometown and we have a statue of her, dressed as she was in this performance as it was widely regarded as her best and most well- known. She made some things you can watch, try Dinnerladies if you haven't seen it. 🙂

[@tfe1788]

@@HighHoeKermitI was about to start it the other day but didn't get to it, but I will be watching by the end of 2024

[@muddydog6605]

When I was 16 I was lucky enough to see her in concert, that was a very long time ago but it's so nice to see that people are still discovering her now. She meant so much to so many of us and I'm watching this yet again with tears in my eyes myself. Take care and I hope you enjoy other things by Victoria if you watch them in the future.

[@tfe1788]

@@muddydog6605 ❤️❤️❤️

[@muddydog6605]

💖

[@finlaymacintyre1]

When she died Woman's Weekley had her on the front cover

[@chookaschookas444]

How singularly appropriate👏👏👏

[@sonofednawelthorpe8609]

I hope that’s true!!

[@andyhanrahan2781]

How on Earth did she come up with a song, over 5 minutes long, where every line was funnier than the last? She was an absolute phenomenon!

[@mcfcguvnors]

have you tried singin it ? i often wonder why she bounces on her seat ,its to get air in her lungs ,its hard man well hard to get all that out & play the tune ,she was amazing

[@foxryan2971]

@@mcfcguvnors puffed and the family bro X x gr8 fffggfggfffgggffgffgff gr8 g

[@foxryan2971]

You fffgfgfgffggggf

[@foxryan2971]

@@mcfcguvnors fry r fffdfffffgffgffffg

[@foxryan2971]

@@mcfcguvnors fry the gr8 x yfgrfffgfFancy forget about you g

[@garrywarren8316]

Not bleakly, not meekly, beat me on the bottom with a woman’s weekly! Absolute genius. Such a wonderful talent, sorely missed.

[@JohnMcrorie]

35 years later and this performance is still truly brilliant and makes me laugh out loud every single time.

[@phillipdavies1081]

If that performance wasn't worthy of a standing ovation then I really don't what what is.

[@petermcclenaghan5735]

100% agree

[@guitarmuso1]

stuck up celebs on those audience with shows were always the same

[@miken891]

I don't think standing ovations were allowed on 'An Audience With ...'

[@chloebrindle9295]

@@miken891I wouldn’t care I’d stand anyway 😂

[@bernadettegriffin8569]

I was just thinking that.

[@Ranchorita]

Wow! What a brilliant and talented lady! How am I just finding her in 2024?

[@7omly]

This lady was pure genius. She was the best British comedienne we ever had. It's so sad that she was taken from us so early. ❤

[@mofty7878]

Simply the greatest. Victoria is so desperately missed. I grew up on her work.

[@xoffie1]

Yeah, so many of us did. Such a comfort to watch this stuff and remember life before the internet!

[@CatherineBradley-Neill-y7c]

Fantastic. What a star she was. Lost too young. Julie Walters and Victoria, Acorn antiques with Ms Imrie the wonderful actress in Nanny McPhee. Thanks for the memories.❤

[@darrenplatten454]

I never get bored listening to this ❤❤❤❤

[@SheilaGraberAnimation]

magic.. what a legacy she leaves us

[@PaulB-justme]

I would personally say that she is one of the funniest comedians ever - so silly, but in a very educated way, and could be smutty but without coming over as being rude or swearing. Such a wonderful lady, and such a shame that she is no longer with us. I would have loved to have seen her live. 😢

[@pennypickle64]

I did see her live and she was wonderful ❤

[@daniellegrimsley3484]

Victoria Wood was simply a fantastic person who was taken too early from us 😢

[@roberthoward1950]

Live, Victoria was fantastic.

[@bluelagoon77]

I saw her at the Albert Hall in London, sensational.

[@philfletcher3434]

Possibly the best risque comedy song ever penned; it's a pity she died aged 62

[@philfletcher3434]

Thanks for the HC.

[@fionagriffin5559]

The fact that she performed this in the company of fellow professionals & made them laugh so voraciously proves her true genius. Also, that it was almost 5 minutes is something many songwriters could aspire to.

[@sandie321]

Oh my, I'd forgotten how funny that was. Thank you Vernon Kay on R2 this morning for reminding us and suggesting we came here. Such a talented women. One of a kind.

[@mattwho81]

What nobody outside the UK will get is she’s doing different accents for the voices. The female voice has a middle class northern accent but the male voice has a working class Yorkshire accent.

[@fionagriffin5559]

It's hard enough to write a song over five minutes, but for a stand-up comedian to write this iconic song is something future comedians should learn from And to perform that well in front of likeminded comedians takes skill.

[@xoffie1]

Every word is so carefully chosen, even small things like saying ‘pipes want lagging’ than ‘need lagging’ - such a northern parlance. Adds to the charm.

[@berenicewhittington1079]

A shy women with the guts to be a grest comedienne and actress. Bless you for all the fun dear lady.

[@simoncurtis2827]

Utter utter genius.

[@joelwhitehead3677]

When you look back at sheer talent like this , and then see the mind numbing shit on TV today it’s like we’re evolving backwards

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

"Devolving," darling

[@kc9602]

Or "Regressing", even?

[@paulgraham6316]

I couldn't agree more.

[@cadams6563]

You're absolutely right, sadly.

[@turinmormegil7715]

It took talent to even be lewd back in the day What do we have today? Twerking. How boring

[@G6JPG]

"She switched off Gardener's Question Time" - isn't that so British! Definitely one of the classics of the 20th century. I want it at my funeral, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that!

[@artful1967]

an under rated national treasure and sadly missed. The genius of the woman was that she always wrote the funniest lines for others in "dinner ladies"

[@themoonraker8720]

I've watched this so many times and I still end up crying with laughter but end up with a tear or two in my eyes knowing she's not with us anymore. She went beyond the realms of legend. For the 27 dislikes that have appeared I doubt any comedy would make you laugh. God bless Victoria Wood

[@paulgraham6316]

The problem (and very sad thing) is that when we lose people like this there aren't any to come along and replace them. Where are the Tommy Coopers, the Ken Dodds, the Benny Hills and so many greats like them?

[@artful1967]

People like you are why YT felt they had to protect everyone from the nasty dislike option. I LOVE VW but will defend 100% the rights of anyone to dislike something I don't But now they can't because of butt hurt snowflakes.

[@Zach90888]

Sometimes I hit it by accident

[@thesecrethippy1446]

This song is exemplary, but I just don't feel like we are talking about her electric blue, purple and shocking pink super shouldered combo enough!

[@melwilby7947]

Woke up at 2.30 to my husband watching this and its stuck in my head. Love this, she was an absolutely the best. This song now lives in my head 😂😂😂

[@francaperotti5934]

Victoria wood was an absolute genius everything she did. I miss her so much.

[@djmoch1001]

Definitely one of the jewels in Victoria's crown is "The Ballad Of Barry & Freda". Each verse going over the top, her performance getting more and more manic till she hits the climax at the end. An absolutely astonishing talent gone way too soon. We miss you, Victoria Wood!

[@rockbandny]

Most funny woman on earth, one of the greatest comedians and one of the greatest women on earth

[@muggedinmadrid]

she's an excellent painist. and this is a masterclass in comic drawing room songs. she references old music hall greats like gracie fields and noel coward but delivers it in the classical musical brillliance of cole porter while making it about the mores of english culture in the 1980s. its really clever and lovable.

[@danivarius]

Pianist.

[@markfox1545]

Sentences start with capitals. I'm puzzled why you went to the trouble of overruling your phone when it did it automatically.

[@muggedinmadrid]

@@markfox1545 what’s a sentence ?

[@dseray9494]

I was going to point out she did manage to hurt her finger as a joke, but it wouldn't be funny, your comment is 7 years old, and two people have already added mediocre at best comments, so never mind

[@joannefitzpatrick6720]

I have never been able to see a copy of Woman’s Weekly since without thinking of this…..

[@chloekelly9654]

I have watched this so many times that I know all the words. If people don't like this, I don't know what is wrong with them. IT IS AMAZING!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@tonylarvin7928]

True genius

[@martinkemp9397]

So glad I watched this live

[@Shakespeare65bu]

Wow!

[@jonahtitchmarsh4930]

Love the way her own lines crack her up!

[@paulhennessy5627]

The world is truely a lesser place for her passing. What an amazing performer, writer, singer and allround decent human being.

[@johnwalsh3512]

RIP Victoria ❤ this song alone will be remembered forever 😂

[@jojo67666]

She was an absolute genius, very sadly missed

[@pionelpessi707]

Thank you Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame for bringing me back to this masterpiece ❤️ Context: she sung this song in one of her unarchived karaoke streams

[@philingleassociatesltd4703]

How did that not get a standing ovation?

[@lynne523]

Because they were all celebs probably...

[@barrygreen5782]

I'm a Barry and I find this hilarious rip Victoria wood 😊😊😊

[@bethbarrie118]

I can remember laughing helplessly at this as a kid (though I didn’t understand it all at the time). ‘Bend me over backwards on me ‘ostess trolley...’ 😂 Watching it now, it’s genius, actually. Her observations were always spot on and I love how good-matured her humour was, gently poking fun rather than excoriating her subjects like some comics. Very talented lady, and sadly missed. RIP Victoria ❤️

[@londoncalling151]

I was 14. Victoria Wood's comedy saved me.

[@CarysCreatesThings]

Same. I knew it was rude, but I didn’t understand why. I just thought it was really funny! Same with Lily Savage’s Marlene Deitrich “there’s a lamp post attached to my mac” song. I thought it was one of the most hilarious things I’d ever watched as a kid. I watched it again when Paul O’Grady passed away & noticed all of the lesbian references that went completely over my head as a child. RIP to Victoria & Lily/Paul. Two delightful comedy legends.

[@flatcapgolfer]

Nothing beats the respect and admiration of your peers. That audience know they are watching an elite performer.

[@PamelaEdwards-x3q]

Comic genius miss her so much❤️

[@SophieWorsley]

She was the best! Not to mention, the musicality is absolutely brilliant too.

[@TheNotthediver]

Cole Porter wrote the music lol

[@traceymarshall4481]

Still laugh as hard now as I did when I first seen this on TV years ago when it first came out. Every verse just gets better and better. Laughing all the way through it but in the back of your head you still can't believe she's passed away ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheGrayfrog100]

Comedic Genius and Composer and Amazing Musician as well. ❤

[@sarahc5188]

Comedy genius, there was nothing she couldn’t turn her hand too! National treasure in every sense of the word, this song has me howling everytime, no other comedian has even come close

[@gordontaylor5373]

She died far too young. RIP you priceless woman.

[@chrishowland6062]

Nothing I could write here will be be enough credit for the ultra talented Victoria wood. Thank you for every laugh you have induced to man and woman kind❤️

[@dozadog]

The greatest comedy performance in the history of British comedy

[@DaveyC95]

Brilliant. Made in 1988 for LWT. I remember reading an interview that Victoria did a few years before she died. She said that the Ballad of Barry and Freda "was a joy to write, but an absolute bugger to perform" The tempo goes up a notch with each verse. And she was pregnant at the time.

[@Monothefox]

Tempo AND pitch. Reminds me of a students' muscial thatre number where they raised the pitch EIGHT times in three minutes.

[@rosiefay7283]

@@Monothefox The pitch going up strains the voice all the more, but it also means that the accompaniment lies under the fingers completely differently.

[@bfunirfeyh5822]

And all the modulations, playing so well in each key, tricky!

[@darrenplatten454]

This lady is a true comedy genius she was totally amazing and work still remains and makes us laugh so much I remember my mum watching this and laughing so much she was crying with laughter. Thank you so much Victoria Wood ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@alancaunce3199]

The Unmistakable Brilliant Comic Genius Of Miss Victoria Wood. Thank You And God Bless Miss Wood For This And Many More Monumental Memories You Have Left Us All To Enjoy.

[@chriswinwood6501]

God bless you, Victoria. Irreplaceable.

[@LEON.1717]

She should’ve got a standing ovation for that.

[@johnwalsh3512]

I watch this once a month just to cheer me up 😅 hilarious !

[@wenglishsal]

BRILLIANT, brilliant, brilliant writing..." Smear an avocado on mi' lower portions..." AND .."Beat me on the bottom with a woman's weekly...." Just make me howl with laughter... Oh Victoria Wood you utter genius... :0)x

[@jaclynhorrod2894]

Absolutely! I heard this played (a small section) on the Emma Barnett show on 5 Live, and I was howling.

[@rogerstaniforth2879]

... 7

[@juliamcintyre5012]

Fantastic, unbeatable. Nobody will ever be as brilliant as her.

[@paulgraham6316]

This woman was an absolute genius, a rare talent. Hilarious. A great writer, poet and a superb musician. Sadly missed

[@mogznwaz]

This is so charmingly British 🇬🇧❤️

[@gailsykes8000]

This never gets old - classic

[@ciarand2823]

She really was a machine, don't get them like that any more

[@cedgson91]

This song has entered my brain again 😅 It’s so catchy

[@suzyrichardson7566]

Well here I am at 3am in the morning listening to this, all because for some reason I woke up and this song was going round in my head, not Oasis or chilli peppers but Victoria wood! How random but she was brilliant and so funny! I first heard this at around the age of 12 and I'm 42 now. It will never get old even the womans weekly is still going I think?? RIP Victoria 🙏 never forgotten!

[@ZombEtag]

got to say similar, i was walking out of the front door of a store today and the line "beat me on the bottom with a womans weekly" popped in to my head for NO reason whatsoever!

[@joesycamore2899]

@@ZombEtag I know what you mean

[@paulsabiker]

sooooo funny after all these years......i remember seeing it the first time!!!

[@Annie.C.61]

This never, ever fails to bring me to tears of laughter. Every time from the very first to just now. This wonderful lady was a genius and a legend. There are no words to say how much I miss her.

[@daniellegrimsley3484]

😂 Victoria is absolutely fantastic 💕 And is definitely missed

[@katemate7253]

She was a comic genius. Every time I watch this it gets funnier. What a talent she had. Miss her so much 🥰🌟🌟

[@FilmFan-iv7sz]

Lol the way she says let's do it till our hearts go boom

[@jools99caithness17]

Utterly superb- and who listening to Stormy Daniels is remembering that WW reference ?

[@LilyGrace95]

How I managed to watch this next to my partner, and contain my laughs enough that I didn't wake him up, is absolutely beyond me 😂

[@redthorpe]

You've got a Barry

[@LilyGrace95]

@@redthorpe I absolutely do not, but just in case I'll get out the hostess trolley 😂

[@tonywarburton5084]

Whenever I feel down I give this a quick play. The woman was a comedy genius. Unfortunately I am of a certain age and I recognise nearly everyone in the audience and they are all media types, producers actors and even her long time partner Julie Walters and she has them all in stitches. Simply the funniest song I have ever heard.

[@AftabGujral]

I love this song. It's so funny. Victoria Wood was really a great talent

[@KB-dk6px]

What an genius of a woman. Such a loss for comedy and to all fans of this wonderful lady.

[@danielhipgrave9360]

I’m still laughing at this every time I see and I know every word but it still gets me smiling every time. Miss you Vic!

[@Watchugoton]

I loved this on tv as a kid and didn’t understand much at times but the odd few one liners cracked me up like flame proof nighty and beat me on the bottom with a woman’s weekly which was a magazine. A true comedy genius

[@Daft_Ideas]

I would have married this woman on the strength of this song, both the fact that she created it and the way she performed it. Sounds naïve, but I'd have made a great decision I'm 100% sure.

[@thirstfortruth8904]

Insanely awesome pianist. She never got anywhere near enough love for her playing. The voice - perfectly imperfect!!! Love it

[@rosiefay7283]

Her piano accompaniment sounds simple enough, but she plays it in several keys. And all the time singing this song with so many verses -- sounds as if it must've been a bear to memorise.

[@jackhambleton882]

I love how enthusiastic she is, particularly by 4:52! Brilliant!

[@Greg-cv1fl]

I watched this vhs so many times

[@danielharmer6072]

Just pure comedy genius, a once in a generation comedian!

[@carolmurray187]

Absolutely priceless. She’s missed.

[@pollydickinson4789]

Victoria was a one off and l still watchable today. What a super star she was😊

[@jimloring2495]

OMG! Thanks to the Dr. Who version for bringing me to this! She was Brilliant!

[@TheRejinho]

This was absolute comedy gold..

[@sarahhart7404]

Only a few years, back I was staying in an awful hotel in Earl's Court and a repeat of Victoria Wood came on really cheered me up 😂😂😂

[@neilh6510]

Never have, and never will get tired of watching this absolute comedy genius at work, and at her very best.

[@iainsar66]

She was a genius. RIP x

[@jamesmiller3752]

Pissed myself laughing when I heard it back in the day,and still comedy gold to this day brilliant stuff.

[@Backoffboogaloo]

You really can't beat a good (well-written) silly song, and this is truly one of the best.

[@ilaria298]

Still awesome now nearly 30 years later comedy genius she is!!

[@littleniyah]

Karen Nuckley someone referenced this in a review of the terrible 50 shades movie. I had totally forgotten it...its so funny...and she has a great voice and can really play

[@Englishham]

One of my mums faves and now going back and watching i can see why she loved her so much

[@BIGREDMACHINE070678]

Sadly we may never see Talent like this again

[@denisebruce203]

Wickedly funny & smart lady.a true national treasure & much missed comedy legend ❤️👍💯

[@Dogs-of-war]

What a wonderfully funny and talented woman she was, I think it's only when we lose these wonderful icons do we appreciate just how good they were.

[@MedievalFolkDance]

Wait a second here. Vic was palm rolling the keys like a concert pianist pro!

[@kirkbannister3729]

One of the great x