For The Love Of Harry

YouTube offers hundreds of hits for Nilsson; including fans performing their own Harry covers, video tributes using Harry's music, clips from official releases (from The Point! to Popeye) and even Harry himself, in rarely seen footage. We've gathered some of them here, with links back to YouTube. We'll add more as we go along. Some of the more important YouTube offerings are already spread around For The Love Of Harry, but here are a few others - some offbeat, some just fun - you might enjoy. Please report dead videos.

Asher Roth (featuring D.A.)
"Gotta Get Up" (3:21)
A white-boy rap version of Harry's "Gotta Get Up" features the iconic opening chorus and a stream of consciousness rap that pays homage via various liquor references and gratuitous public robe use.

Raul Malo
"I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City" (3:00)
Excellent version of Harry's New York City serenade, performed live in concert by the former leader of The Mavericks. Malo expertly weaves in the chorus from "Everybody's Talkin'" at the end, drawing subtle attention to some similarity in both songs. As fans know, Harry wrote "I Guess The Lord" for inclusion in the film Midnight Cowboy, but lost out to his own cover of "Everybody's Talkin'."

Marianne Faithfull
"Don't Forget Me" (3:39)
The promotional video for Marianne's 1997 version. The intro includes Faithfull's bizarre story of Harry dying in the dentist chair and his coffin being literally swallowed up by the L.A. earthquakes. I first saw this story via an interview with Faithfull in an ancient Mojo magazine. The tale has since been debuked, obviously, by those who attented Nilsson's actual burial. As of 1997, however, no one seems to have told Marianne otherwise. Here's another live version.

Van Dyke Parks w/ Clare & The Reasons
"He Needs Me" (5:21)
Van Dyke Parks, on stage with Clare & The Reasons, performing Harry's "He Needs Me." San Francisco, Feb 12, 2010. Parks arranged and orchestrated the tune for the Popeye soundtrack. Thanks Sam.

Harry & John In Central Park, NYC (5:56)
UPDATED! Just recently surfaced. Excellent new footage (with sound) of Harry and John Lennon on stage in New York City, for the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon on April 28, 1974.


Filter
"One" (4:47)
Unique spin from Filter's contribution to X-Files The Album. Another unique spin from this fan video, made from a war game. Effective on all fronts.

Priscilla Ahn
"The Moonbeam Song" (4:13)
Utterly charming live rendition from the utterly charming Priscilla Ahn, who's got a vocal clarity that does Harry justice. Super audience cam.


Sean Nelson
"Think About Your Troubles" (2:25)
Four live videos from Feb, 2009. The audience cam quality is lacking, but it's an intimate look at Nelson at work. "1941," "Maybe" & "I'll Never Leave You."


Neko Case
"Don't Forget Me" (2:52)
Live from Seattle's Bumbershoot fest, August 30, 2008. A studio version appears on Neko's 2009 album, Middle Cyclone. It's great to see a new generation embracing Harry's music.

"Harry Meets George" (0:24)
Some interesting videos that have surfaced come from musician E.J. Gold, who offers tantalizing snippets of private moments with Nilsson. Here, Harry describes meeting George Harrison.


"Lay Down Your Arms" (0:22)
Another E.J. Gold video of Harry listening to a playback of "Lay Down Your Arms" on Dec. 30, 1993. Catch glimpses of Harry in other Gold clips, 1993 birthday party & Strawberry Schmilsson Forever.


Westside Sax Ensemble
"Coconut" (4:03)
A live-at-home performance from a sax quartet. Offbeat, fun and surprisingly entertaining. Presumably from 2008.


Howie On Harry (0:56)
The Turtles' Howard Kaylan, photographed like he's in the Witness Protection Program, discussing Harry's health, bathrobe fetish and appearance on his band's cover of Nilsson's "Battle Of The Bands."


Rob's How To Play Cool Songs (4:45)
Not much of a performance (it's set in a bathroom for cryin' out loud), but it's an easy & effective instruction on how to play Harry's "Life Line" on guitar. Even I can play it now. Rob's got more of these for other artists, too.

Melanoid (John Hanson)
"Don't Forget Me" (3:45)
At home on the piano singing the 1974 Pussy Cats tune... like it's Nilsson Sings Newman in 1970! Also a no frills take on Harry's cover of Randy Newman's "Living Without You." This guy needs a director something fierce, but he's certainly got Harry's voice & style nailed. MySpace.

Sandi Shaw
"One/Without Him" (3:32)
Shaw's lip synced medley of Nilsson's "One " and "Without Her" from UK TV in 1972.



"Without You" (1:41)
Another handy 'how-to.' This one shows you how to play "Without You" on the piano with three fingers. From the fine folks at pianoshortcuts.com. Delight and amaze your friends. Slay 'em at parties.