Wall of Death - Richard and Linda Thompson

Richard and Linda Thompson's Wall of Death. Montage of images dedicated to Lillian LaFrance and all the Wall of Death riders. "Let me take my chances on the Wall of Death."

[@heathrin18]

Oh my gosh! I need to find more footage of this, Lillian La France is my Great great aunt and our family hero so we always are looking for anything and everything about her~ I will show this to my mom she'll get a huge kick out of it, Aunt Lillian was her favorite relative.

[@Chris-hq7nl]

I have come to love this song. Someone mentioned that they thought it was about depression, and certainly music will mean something different to each listener, but I think it's about the nature of life and living. To take risks is to be alive. One can only truly live once they embrace their mortality. The other rides are safer and more "normal," and they represent the safe path. To experience life to its fullest - all of its triumphs and sorrows, you need to take risks, embrace the fact that to live as a free man is to accept the danger associated with it, and that out of this you may not live as long as someone who lived a "safe" life, but you will live a thousand lives' worth of experiences to their one. It is also doing something that looks impossible when one doesn't realize the trick and still is impressive to watch someone with the guts to do it pull it off, and it can't be done halfway! If you go slow you will fall. Just like in life! To LIVE you must take risks and when you take those risks you have to go all in. There is no other way. This is Charles Bukowski's poems "Roll the Dice" and "The Laughing Heart" put in music.

[@qwerty2621960]

I've always taken it to refer to falling in love - presumably after being dumped by your partner

[@alistairewen9558]

You got it right.

[@timoakes450]

Ahmen-full tilt or dont get out of bed-RISK V REWARD(as my ds used to say-"If it were easy or safe everyone would be doing it"

[@michaelhussey440]

These days its the bearded ladies who are getting all the press...

[@billnyc6658]

I only found this classic chestnut 🌰 of a song this year (2023). And I had seen R. Thompson live 2x's over past 2 years! The 1st 20 times I heard it, I thought I heard Richard & Linda sing "Lemme WRITE my name on Wall of Death, 1 more time!".

[@mdfCats]

Linda's harmonies here are spot on, perfect. Goose bumps. Wow.

[@SoCali_Surfer]

Linda actually sings the melody about half the time: I love how they weave their voices!

[@garywhitt98]

I agree. And if you want a plus one, listen to Richard and Christine Collister’s version of “The Wall of Death”. Amazing.

[@robertjarrett1632]

I actually compare Linda's harmony to EmmyLou Harris, which is about the highest praise possible. Emmylou had a much much longer run, but I grew up in acappella two part or three part harmony in the hills, and it was amazing to me that both Linda and Richard were as good at harmony as they both were. @@SoCali_Surfer

[@SoCali_Surfer]

@@garywhitt98 Wall of Death...probably my favorite song! This link is for John Doe (of X) & Mare Winningham in the mid-90s. Other versions of it are by REM & The Country Westerns. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2LPn36piMZ4mJYsi=6PlSkPHmMrieGUn-

[@garywhitt98]

@@SoCali_Surfer Thank you!

[@LimitlessMatt]

This is one of the best songs of all time.

[@sharonmccrea8892]

Can't stop listening to this over and over

[@RichardSchaefer-zx9ig]

Fantastic song + wild video. Seeing the "Wall of Death" wasn't what I had imagined as a carnival ride. I loved it, crazy Great Britain in the '60s I guess.

[@DrooBluhd]

This couple's last album changed my perspective on life. God bless.

[@marybullington7033]

This song amuses me and gives me goosebumps at the same time.

[@adriennekraft2381]

Linda Thompson has such a beautiful voice. Hope she's still around and singing! She and Richard make a great duet. Also, their son Teddy Thompson is a great musician. They've got that musical gene I guess. Thanx for posting.

[@herdinglemurs]

What a wonderful song. I'd known and loved it for a long time without knowing whose song it was before I began appreciating Richard Thompson. Of course, his voice is unmistakable to me now. My two cents is that he saw a booth at a carnival called "The Wall of Death" and spun it into a metaphor for life. In any case, I love both the melody and the harmony.

[@pullego]

a great masterpiece. listen to the guitar duo. fantastic.

[@harryzed1]

When I was a boy, The Wall of Death was a ride where you spun so fast that you stuck to the wooden wall of a drum and then they lowered the floor away from your feet, which is what is being described in the song... just as fascinating are the bikers as depicted here, of course, but it is a spectacle - the public do not get to 'ride one more time on The Wall of Death'.

[@ddd666100]

That was called a Rota

[@grahamwilson2164]

@@ddd666100 it was actualy rotor

[@ddd666100]

Actually, Actually

[@daisywrabbit]

Oh, yes the wall of puke.

[@sanpeteutah8933]

Pretty sure that's the ride referred to in the song for the reason you give: the Wall of Death with the motorcycles and such isn't the kind of ride that carnival visitors ride on, as the other rides mentioned in the song are. The sort of ride you describe is definitely also sometimes called the Wall of Death, as shown in this video (a little different from the one you describe): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJqQdptjqM-Cbdk

[@LatinAmericaStudios]

i saw the wall of death riders while working on the california carnivals in the 90s - awesome time and awesome vibe. loved the whole carnie lifestyle.

[@josephvengen9989]

What better than to be listening to Richard Thompson this fine Sunday eve!

[@josephvengen9989]

Oh 6 years later still love this song proving the timeless nature of Richard Thompson's works!

[@mondoenterprises6710]

One of the great love songs of our time.

[@youthofyesterdayrecords]

THAT is how you close a masterpiece.

[@ronpoulin7962]

I remember seeing the wall of death as a boy at the Ottawa exhibition. Thanks for the video

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

Fantastic song and amazing photos!

[@billsmetal]

Great pix of Cookie Crum and Samantha (Sam Storm) Morgan in there too.. Great tribute to some great riders.. and a salute to the few who carry on today..

[@markkelly3859]

The video is as great as the song. Bravo!

[@AmbientBeat99]

I loved watching this when I was a kid at the fairground Blackheath, London, England

[@selewachm]

One of my favorite songs. I was lucky enough to buy his albums as they were released. The harmonies, the guitars, rhythm section are just perfect. Thank you so much for the pics and video!! A perfect match. They should have done this for an MTV clip (back when they still showed music).

[@66flamer]

At some Carnival somewhere I saw this in person. I think once or twice. I can remember the smell and the sound of the announcer telling people to put their hand out with a dollar and the rider would come by and take it. It was really amazing to see. I don't know if they had any effect on me but I juggle fire and steel hatchets and bowling pins the real ones from an alley. Thank you very very much for this video it is really amazing. And the sound was incredible. Of the motorcycles and of everything else.

[@albertandrews130]

They still do it.

[@drstevie]

Beautiful song.

[@manueldriggs7099]

Oh man! I absolutely love this video. Nothing else could have done this song justice!!! = )

[@SoCali_Surfer]

Listen to John DOe (X) & Mare Winningham!

[@jamesjahoda1613]

I love this song. There used to be one of these attractions at the Fair. They would weave, up and down, two riders in opposite directions. A wall of death for sure. LOUD.

[@Lovemusicvixen]

One of favorite songs of all time

[@rukeyser]

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! Have loved this song since it came out and your video is such an act of love. Wonderful. So grateful to be able to share the song AND the story you tell with pictures.

[@MonsterMusicNMovies]

A perfect song.

[@johndaniels1923]

Thank you for downloading this wonderful song

[@xiane1111]

Fantastic pictures with this - thanks Btakeshi!

[@joehiggs100]

Many thanks, some marvellous archives and a great track..

[@crowjanesghost]

This is a brilliant montage of some great riders. Good job

[@gwynnielsen5081]

Interesting theme for a tune. Their voices work well together.

[@suzannelawson9215]

What an absolutely incredible song. As the song unfolds we are shown the brave souls who took part in this challenging risk because it was just something that they were drawn to do, just had to do - for the thrill and adventure of it all.

[@hni7458]

The Wall of Death is truly No 1; the nearest to been alive. There's an article in the daily paper here today; about a local guy that rode the Wall in the 60s. Fantastic, and what a video this is; I'm gonna give Olle, his name, this link ASAP.

[@marks3532]

This was my personal theme song for a number of years ..

[@anthonydavies8459]

Amazing video , amazing song , amazing musicians .

[@chapmyers9272]

Top notch.

[@Broblem12]

Such a great song!!

[@angel1329us]

such an awesome song I have to comment

[@uboat6313]

I saw the lion at (I think) the Topeka Free Fair around 1960. I thought it was crazy then. I still do.

[@mikelasater2016]

I know. And, he actually looks like he is enjoying the ride.

[@jessestewart169]

Wow.

[@joecrow1481]

Doesn't really get much better than this!

[@ruthdixon7807]

the best thrill ride as metaphor for life song ever penned.

[@user-yg5dr4qu4x]

my grandads funeral song

[@la-zh4231]

What's so cool about this, besides the song, is that it's mostly women. Love the pics.

[@antoniodias4718]

great music

[@markiebrummett559]

let's wild on the ride of death, one more time. let's get wild!

[@albertandrews130]

Brilliant

[@jeffkirpach4815]

Great song 🎶

[@stevenhuckey6718]

Great song and video

[@giovannipalomino2424]

Lillian la france, amazing rider

[@dongeorge4037]

And a show woman, more than capable of captivating an audience.

[@traildoggy]

I sing this one to myself while I tele ski.

[@tradeka4206]

traildoggy awesome! I bet very few people in the comments even know what tele skiing is

[@sanpeteutah8933]

Not the kind of Wall of Death ride referred to in the song, but that's great video.

[@JoffreMeyer]

Centrifugal force is an amazing thing. Go fast or fall!

[@billybarnes6961]

kino song! House has great music

[@shnozberries92]

This song is about the thrill a storm chaser gets from chasing tornadoes. Everything else life offers pales in comparison to riding the "wall of death"

[@66flamer]

I would so so incredibly much love to meet one of these Riders that is still alive. I think I saw this when I was about maybe 10 years old maybe eight. I was tall enough to see over the top of the barrel. I distinctly remember one trick where to Riders Wood Loop in opposite directions. They were amazing. If anybody out there is one of those Riders please message me on this video. Thank you very much. I'm in Michigan.

[@Annascatsandcuddles]

I'm not in this video however I was a go-kart and bally rider for ken fox troupe from 1998 to early 2000s. I received an email from Richard Thompson who told me of this song and it is a favourite of mine. When I pass away in many more years to come then I have this down as my all funeral song!!

[@Annascatsandcuddles]

'all time'

[@66flamer]

@@Annascatsandcuddles hi. I'm seeing your comment for the first time but it was a while ago that you left this comment. I really loved seeing that show back then. I'm actually a busker street performer myself. I have been a juggling Busker and street performer for about 25 years. Seeing this video brought back a lot of memories of seeing the show. I hope you write me back because it would be really neat to talk to somebody who was part of that. I still remember the noise level and the atmosphere of the whole thing. Hope to hear from you. I'm John.

[@GreatMooglyGoogly]

Beautiful video. Wall of Death or gtfo! Live life to the extreme! Buy the ticket… and take the ride!

[@brianjennings7644]

for a long time I thought it was "..let me ride on the waterbed.. yadda".. .. works either way, actually.. really,

[@paulhare662]

Let me ride on the water bed one more time....

[@elizabethhann4028]

[27 February 2021] ...As Richard said to Linda? 😉 On the night before their final, fateful tour?

[@georgeredhawk1996]

great song . Shoot Out The Lights is like a 1980's Rumours .

[@johannbogason1662]

wonderful! This is for me one of Richard´s version on what Voltaire stated: God is like a stand - up comedian performing to a terrified audience.

[@mikemauro3119]

No way did Voltaire say something about stand-up comedy.

[@kayzinti4452]

THIS is one variety of the 'Wall of Death' carnival ride that the song is about: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJqQdptjqM-Cbdk They went by various names, and some stayed horizontal but the floor dropped away while spinning. No motorcycles in *this* song.

[@guyfenson5341]

Ned Smart,RIP March 2019

[@neilladd5799]

Not for the faint of heart!

[@johnweiss3748]

Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time You can waste your time on the other rides This is the nearest to being alive Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death You can go with the crazy people in the Crooked House You can fly away on the Rocket or spin in the Mouse The Tunnel Of Love might amuse you Noah's Ark might confuse you But let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death On the Wall Of Death all the world is far from me On the Wall Of Death it's the nearest to being free Well you're going nowhere When you ride on the carousel And maybe you're strong But what's the good of ringing a bell The switchback will make you crazy. Beware of the bearded lady Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time Oh let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time You can waste your time on the other rides This is the nearest to being alive Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death Let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death

[@Cropredy02]

This is a song about surviving depression - no matter what.

[@WiltshireByways]

Eh? It's about a circus attraction.

[@sueharrison3200]

It's metaphorical. Lots of us have our own version of the Wall of Death.

[@nazrat07]

Richard was made to sing with a woman. His voice works perfectly with a female accompanist. I usually think there's something missing when he's on his own, at least with his own (wonderful) songs. I prefer Linda singing with a man too.

[@zhanay]

I saw Richard with Zara Phillips, his current wife, do this song, (and others) on Friday night in Eugene, Oregon. Fabulous.

[@timarmstrong3251]

@@zhanay I'm pretty sure I can hear Simon Nichol here, too.

[@keithkeller4156]

Thanks and posting tomorrow........

[@RaymondPeckIII]

I much prefer his solo live versions of the song, but thus video is terrific! Thanks!

[@peterzang]

Raymond Peck Really? Missing Linda's harmony and Richard's bitchin' guitar solo? Dude....!

[@RaymondPeckIII]

What can I say, I like Richard best undiluted. :-)

[@RickNance]

I think Richard would disagree with your choice. In fact I think he dedicated a few albums to it.

[@georgeredhawk1996]

I took my son to the circus and there was 5 clowns that were racing Mini bikes on a track made out of 2×4's up high in the air . The corners were banked and it looked like a lot of fun . But they were going fast !!! Lololol . You don't see that everyday . Lololol

[@tonywall58]

I'm only six and I got scared because I thought you will see people keep getting killed

[@harmoniabalanza]

I did such stupid things when I was young it's a miracle I survived them. I have mixed feelings about this song.

[@wolf69ford74]

For. My. Older. Brothers. Simon. M

[@noelmajers6369]

Eleven people are too scared to ride the wall of death !

[@MRTHEOZONER]

Haha, lovin' it!!!

[@juliepowell5941]

Yvonne Horjus brought me here.

[@lindaroot1752]

That's my name

[@suzannelawson9215]

Any relationship to a Lynn Root in California, high school in L.A. in the late 1960's?

[@richardedwards5900]

If I did not know any better I would have thought that this had been written by Ray Davies.

[@kyuutatsu]

This was an odd find, not really my style but still not bad! Found this rather randomly.

[@mares3841]

!

[@dingoswamphead]

Very handy if you don't have much open space to ride your bike.

[@vancepomerening4794]

Ok, is that centrifugal force or centripetal force at work here?

[@susanelliott5209]

Both. Centipetal force is the surface pushing in on bike in its circular path. Centrifugal force is the bike pushing out on the surface trying to escape the circular path.

[@martina4226]

great song but lacks the power provided by the pedal steel on the REM version resulting in a too sleepy sound here

[@bradharrah3339]

I was more familiar with the REM version and wanted to listen again to this one. I do prefer their tempo and more straightforward delivery. Also, I'm about to finish the karaoke of it (R3V1Z10N Karaoke).

[@alistairewen9558]

My father took me in twice to see twod, now, that wouldn't have ANYTHING to do with the scantily clad lady riding pillion --'x would it ???

[@andrewz4537]

Richard doesn't think highly of BM'ers. Listen to "Vincent Black Lightning 1952."

[@billybobb7252]

Crazy ..love that lion . now there's a crazy pussy.

[@michaelhussey440]

The Wall of Death is a thing all right but nowadays its the bearded ladies who get all the press.

[@noah511285]

Or a divorce. They wrote this album while breaking up.

[@jessestewart169]

Ha ha ha 👍

[@coffeecoffee25]

This is good but I kinda like REM better

[@jm13gaming13]

Nope