Gilbert O'Sullivan

(not to be confused with the opera-writing duo of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan) thumb|Gilbert O'Sullivan in 1974. Raymond Edward "Gilbert" O'Sullivan (born 1 December 1946) is an Irish singer-songwriter. Song lyrics Playlist on YouTube of some of the tracks listed below thumb|right| Do what you want to within reasonbut remember, take your time:nothing stops for thosewho can't afford to wait.The best advice that I can give youis to hold on to your headand as long as you are good and kindyou'll always be a friend of mine.And it's true to say that a good friend is hard to findBut I'd like to think that you area friend of mine. "A Friend of Mine" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "A Friend of Mine" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|I don't know what makes a manor a woman even think thatterror isn't evil.How could anyone have plansthat would guarantee the death ofthousands of people?And yet as I look back now on what happened,like the calls from those in planesthey were trapped in,whatever they felt that day,"I love you":that was all they wanted to say. I don't know what makes a manor a woman even think thatterror isn't evil.How could anyone have plansthat would guarantee the death ofthousands of people?And yet as I look back now on what happened,like the calls from those in planesthey were trapped in,whatever they felt that day,"I love you":that was all they wanted to say. "All They Wanted to Say" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "All They Wanted to Say" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|It seems to me thatthere are more hearts broken in the worldthat can't be mended,left unattended.What do we do?What do we do? It seems to me thatthere are more hearts broken in the worldthat can't be mended,left unattended.What do we do?What do we do? "Alone Again (Naturally)" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Alone Again (Naturally)" (song on YouTube) Gilbert O'Sullivan, Live performance with orchestra, February 2016 (on YouTube) Gilbert O'Sullivan, Live street performance outside Rough Trade West, April 2017 (on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Brush Arbor on YouTube) (banjo) (+ Cover version by Shirley Bassey on YouTube) (+ Cover version by David Bayu, Vega Antares, Erikson Jayanto on YouTube) (+ Acoustic cover version by Sammy Copley on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Neil Diamond on YouTube) (+ Jazz cover version by Gautier Geoffroy, Khalil Chahine and others on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Fujii Kaze on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Ryan Lerman, Larry Goldings, Aaron Sterling on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Laura Oakes on YouTube) (+ Cover version by the Pet Shop Boys (feat. Elton John) on YouTube) / (Alternative version (longer)) (+ Cover version by Esther Phillips on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Ardhito Pramono on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Vonda Shepard on YouTube (with pictures and lyrics)) (+ Cover version by Soffee on YouTube (includes lyrics)) (+ Cover version by Suthipongse Thatphithakkul on YouTube (includes lyrics and guitar chords)) (+ Cover version by Trang Tooc, Duy Khang, Khoa Le on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Diane Trask on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Joe Turone on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Sarah Vaughan on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Andy Williams on YouTube) (+ A substituted version by Nina Simone on YouTube) (+ Piano instrumental by Ed Baum (on State Street, Oct. 2017) on YouTube) / (Oct. 2018) (+ Trumpet instrumental by Don Ellis on YouTube) (+ Guitar instrumental by Daniel Estrem on YouTube) (+ Guitar instrumental by Sungha Jung on YouTube) (+ Orchestral instrumental, David Rose & Orchestra on YouTube) You say you got a big house out in the countrywith a ruddy great swimming pool.You say you got a lot of things I never had. That's true.But are you happy?Are you happy?Are you happy?When you get right down to the nitty-gritty,are you happy? You? "Are You Happy?" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Are You Happy?" (song on YouTube) At the very mention of your nameI get shivers down my back and in my brain.The parts that used to function normallyare now, as you can see,acting very strange.Oh, at the very mention of your nameI don't know why but if I were tied up in chainsI would somehow be releasedall problems too would ceasemy heart would never feel no pain.At the very mention of your name. "At The Very Mention Of Your Name" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "At The Very Mention Of Your Name" (song on YouTube. (Live performance in Japan, 1993.)) I know that you've enjoyed all the good things money's given to youand that to have to live without them is not an easy thing to do.You take great pride in your appearance, all of which is second-to-none,and I can understand how you're feeling when you see yourself growing old,the man you love is never there to hold.But bear with me just a little bit longer.Honey, won't you bear with me, and I guarantee you that our love will grow stronger.Bear with me just a little bit longer. Honey, won't you bear with me? "Bear With Me" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Bear With Me" (song on YouTube) There's nothing in the world that I'd like morethan to be left standing outside your door,where perhaps I might be asked to come in.There I could very easily demonstrateof what now appears to be my fate,you see I'm hooked on somethingand it's not heroin.Oh, I just can't get enough of you.No, I can't get enough. What am I gonna do?I've tried every trick in the book that's going,now I've decided that they're not worth knowing,my predicament is as simple as this:I'm not satisfied, and the reason isI just can't get enough of you. "Can't Get Enough of You" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Can't Get Enough of You" (song on YouTube) Clair, the moment I met youI swear, I felt as if something somewherehad happened to mewhich I couldn't seeAnd then, the moment I met you again,I knew in my heart that we were friends,it had to be soit couldn't be noBut try as hard as I might do, I don't know whyyou get to me in a way I can't describe.Words mean so little when you look up and smile. "Clair" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Clair" (song on YouTube.)) (+ Live performance in Japan, 1993. On YouTube) thumb|right|Sometimes I think I don't know what I'm doingbut I always end up doing what I know.And what I know may not, I know, be a great dealbut what I know nobody can take,nobody can take, nobody can take away from me,no, no, no. Away from me, no, no, no.I do what I know. Doing what I know.Sometimes I think I don't know what I'm doingbut I always end up doing what I know.Away we go, doing what I know. Sometimes I think I don't know what I'm doingbut I always end up doing what I know.And what I know may not, I know, be a great dealbut what I know nobody can take,nobody can take, nobody can take away from me,no, no, no. Away from me, no, no, no.I do what I know. Doing what I know.Sometimes I think I don't know what I'm doingbut I always end up doing what I know.Away we go, doing what I know. "Doing What I Know" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Doing What I Know" (song on YouTube) Once upon a time I drank a little wine,was as happy as could be, happy as could be,Now I'm just like a cat on a hot tin roof,Baby, what do you think you're doing to me?Told you once beforeand I won't tell you no more,so get down, get down, get downYou're a bad dog, Babybut I still want you around, aroundI still want you aroundHey hey hey "Get Down" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Get Down" (song on YouTube) (+ Duet with Lulu. On YouTube) thumb|right|When the evening is over,put your head upon my shoulderand I'll tell you something I believe is true:happiness is me and you.In a world so distorted,where the worst is best reportedlove may be something that will see us throughHappiness is me and you. When the evening is over,put your head upon my shoulderand I'll tell you something I believe is true:happiness is me and you.In a world so distorted,where the worst is best reportedlove may be something that will see us throughHappiness is me and you. "Happiness is Me and You" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Happiness is Me and You" (song on YouTube) I've been over and I've been under,I've been through all kinds of hell.Trouble was not only my middle name,It was my first as well.Through the years, all I've encountered,I've just one thing to say:"Hold on to what you gotand don't let it slip away."I've been taken for far more ridesto places I've never been,stabbed so many times in the backI no longer feel a thing.Oh, ask me what all this has taught meand I'll tell you what I'll say:"Hold on to what you gotand don't let it slip away.Save it for a rainy day." "Hold On To What You Got" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Hold On To What You Got" (song on YouTube) (+ Live performance in Japan, 1992. On YouTube) "I guess I'll always love you...I guess I'll always care.I guess I'll always love you...I guess I'll always care.""I guess I'll always love you...I guess I'll always care.I guess I'll always love you...I guess I'll always care." "I Guess I'll Always Love You" (song, duet) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "I Guess I'll Always Love You" (song on YouTube) Where to begin?The pain I am in,hard to know when to stop.Out of the bluea dream came true,only to see it drop.I'm no genius where love's concerned,more fool me to pretend.Whatever it takes, while my heart achesI'll never love again. "I'll Never Love Again" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "I'll Never Love Again" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|"I hate it, but that doesn't mean it's bad.In other words, I quite enjoyed it.Apart from which, it's the best you've ever doneyet if you were to change the wordsit would be superb... with perhaps a different melody...?" "I love it, but it doesn't knock me out.I think it's great, but it could be better.I like it a lot, it's just not my cup of tea,yet if you were to change the melody,take out a part that you think should be here,put in a part that wouldn't otherwise appear?Well, it's only an idea.""I hate it, but that doesn't mean it's bad.In other words, I quite enjoyed it.Apart from which, it's the best you've ever doneyet if you were to change the wordsit would be superb... with perhaps a different melody...?" "I Love It But..." (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "I Love It But..." (song on YouTube) I have not a girl that's mineI have not a friendI have not got a place to liveIndeed it seems the endBut it ain't, for meas I've got myself, which matters mostthroughout the life I lead.I have not a penny in my pocket, and if soon I should be found just as badly brokenI won't gloomcos it ain't, for meas I've got myself which matters mostthroughout the life I lead "It Ain't For Me" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "It Ain't For Me" (song on YouTube) I've never known a girl lovelier than youIf I did I would be lying - that I wouldn't doCome on, have fun, mmm, make my day tonightNothing really matters when you are in loveIt's the only institution I'm not weary ofDon't be lonely, mmm, make my day tonight "Make My Day" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Make My Day" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|You'd never think, to look atyou'd never think to look atthat building there, is where thereused to be trees.You'd never think it, would you?You'd never think it, would you?That building there is where thereused to be trees.That building there is where there...That building there is where there..That building there is where there...used to be fields. You'd never think, to look atyou'd never think to look atthat building there, is where thereused to be trees.You'd never think it, would you?You'd never think it, would you?That building there is where thereused to be trees.That building there is where there...That building there is where there..That building there is where there...used to be fields. "Me (reprise)" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Me (reprise)" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|Miss my love todayas I miss the stars that shine abovetelling me one day my lovewill come to me again.Miss my love, I'd say,is the only thing that I can do.I just can't live with someone newreminding me of her. Miss my love todayas I miss the stars that shine abovetelling me one day my lovewill come to me again.Miss my love, I'd say,is the only thing that I can do.I just can't live with someone newreminding me of her. "Miss My Love Today" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Miss My Love Today" (song on YouTube) I have just one regret in life:that chance I wasted when you said goodbye.And to be honest, at the time,though I could see, I must have been blind.Oh what I'd give to have you back,relive those moments once again,I'd take your hand and we would fly,Just you and me, my love and I. "My Love and I" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "My Love and I" (song on YouTube) Once I was hailed as a prodigal son.In other words, loved by everyone.Now it's so different:wherever I go, nobody wants to know.Tried having meetings. Running about.Same as I did when I started out.Now though, it's different: wherever I go, nobody wants to know. "Nobody Wants To Know" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Nobody Wants To Know" (song on YouTube) No matter how I tryI just can't say goodbye.No matter what you saylooks like I'm here to stay.No matter where I goI don't know if you knowbut everywhere we've beenI'm kept in quarantine. "No Matter How I Try" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "No Matter How I Try" (song on YouTube) (+ Live performance on Top of the Pops. On YouTube) (+ Live performance in Japan, 1993. On YouTube) thumb|right|When I'm drinking my Bonaparte shandyeating more than enough apple pieswill I glance at my screenand see real human beingsstarve to death right in front of my eyes? When I'm drinking my Bonaparte shandyeating more than enough apple pieswill I glance at my screenand see real human beingsstarve to death right in front of my eyes?Nothing old, nothing new, nothing ventured,nothing gained, nothing stillborn or lost,nothing further than proof, nothing wilder than youth,nothing older than time, nothing sweeter than wine,nothing physically recklessly hopelessly blind,nothing I couldn't sayNothing. Why? 'Cos today nothing rhymed "Nothing Rhymed" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Nothing Rhymed" (song on YouTube) Gilbert O'Sullivan. A live performance. On YouTube Gilbert O'Sullivan. A performance with orchestra, c.2017. On YouTube Gilbert O'Sullivan. Observations about "Nothing Rhymed", fifty years on. (On YouTube) (+ A cover version by Franklin Brown on YouTube) (+ A cover version by Colleen Coughlan on YouTube) (+ A cover version by Conor McCauley on YouTube) (+ A cover version by The Ocelots on YouTube) (+ Guitar instrumental by Phil McGarrick) From the looks you're giving meI can tell, as well seeif I've done something you think's wrong:no words need be conveyed.Then again, when we embrace,from the look that's on your faceif heaven is a place on earthright here is where it's been. "No Way" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "No Way" (song on YouTube) Ooh, baby, your love is so badYou, baby, you're driving me madOoh, baby, your kiss is so sweetYou, baby, knock me off my feetOoh, baby, I wish you were mineOoh, baby, we'd have a good timeOoh, what can I do? "Ooh, Baby" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Ooh, Baby" (song on YouTube) One minute you say you willand the next you won't,One minute you want meand the next you don't,You're turning me upside down,Giving me the runaround,Don't think that I don't know -I do,Don't think that I won't go.You watch me:It isn't out of question "Out of the Question" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Out of the Question" (song on YouTube) (+ Performed live, 2017.On YouTube) thumb|right|Say it is. Say it isn't.Say it's someone else instead.Say it's good when you don't like fishing.You just knock it on the head.You just knock it on the head.Say goodbye. Say good morning.Say good evening and good noon.Say "Hello, tell me how you're feeling.""Very well thanks and how are you?" Say it is. Say it isn't.Say it's someone else instead.Say it's good when you don't like fishing.You just knock it on the head.You just knock it on the head.Say goodbye. Say good morning.Say good evening and good noon.Say "Hello, tell me how you're feeling.""Very well thanks and how are you?" "Say Goodbye" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Say Goodbye" (song on YouTube) I never thought I'd see the daywhen murder would become so commonplace.Hardly a minute ever goes bywithout a murder taking place. And why?Well, for a start, the punishment's not hard:they sentence you to life but you're out in no time. "Talking of Murder" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Talking of Murder" (song on YouTube) Once in a while, out of the blue,I might appear somewhat rude,but don't be alarmed or get upset.Just say to yourself "This I'll forget".When I come home after being awayit might do me good just to hear you say:"Darlin' don't move an inch, keep perfectly still,now do with me what you will." "That's Love" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "That's Love" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|That's the kind of love I...That's the kind of love I...That's the kind of love I need That's the kind of love I...That's the kind of love I...That's the kind of love I need "That's The Kind Of Love I Need" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "That's The Kind Of Love I Need" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|When I'm alone with you it seems all my dreams come trueIt makes me feel so good I just can't help loving youCos you're everything I could hope for:that's why I love youSometimes I tell myself this girl don't love you no moreand that some day with someone new she'll walk from your doorBut if you did, my world would break in two,that's why I love youAnd any time I see your facesomething very unusual takes place:all my inhibitions disappearnow that you are here When I'm alone with you it seems all my dreams come trueIt makes me feel so good I just can't help loving youCos you're everything I could hope for:that's why I love youSometimes I tell myself this girl don't love you no moreand that some day with someone new she'll walk from your doorBut if you did, my world would break in two,that's why I love youAnd any time I see your facesomething very unusual takes place:all my inhibitions disappearnow that you are here "That's Why I Love You" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "That's Why I Love You" (song on YouTube) You were the best fun I ever hadYou gave me a love that couldn't be badYou taught me things that I thought were rudeOh, ohhh, you were the best girl I ever knew(You were the best girl I ever knew)We were a couple so much in loveWe gave to each other over and aboveYou made my life and I'm gladOh, ohhh, you were the best fun I ever hadYou were the best fun I ever had "The Best Fun I Ever Had" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "The Best Fun I Ever Had" (song on YouTube) Somebody told me once money does not grow on trees.Well, if that's true, then how do you explainapples oranges and lemons,not forgetting melons? "The Golden Rule" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "The Golden Rule" (song on YouTube) It's the same the whole world over.Every year we get a little bit older.No matter what you say, no matter what you doRich or poor, you know it's gonna happen to you. "The Same the Whole World Over" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "The Same the Whole World Over" (song on YouTube) The way things used to benot so long agowhen we were young and free.The way things used to benot so long agoyou were loving meevery night and every day, strong in every waypassion glowing like a fire, burning with desire.Whatever happened? "The Way Things Used To Be" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "The Way Things Used To Be" (song on YouTube) You seem to be wantingeverything yesterday.Always the impossible.That's what you seem to portray.Give me one good reasonwhy even if I stay,you won't walk away from metomorrow. Today. "Tomorrow, Today" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Tomorrow, Today" (song on YouTube) There is too much attentionpaid to him who shot at heand to how he got awaybut didn't quite.Yes there's too much attentionSo much so that we'll believehe's not guilty of the crime which he's being triedSo forgive me when I tell youI ain't got no place to goI ain't got no one to talk togot no one left to say hello "Too Much Attention" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Too Much Attention" (song on YouTube) What a way to show I love youOther than below or above youWhat a way to kiss each other goodbyeWhat a way to start tomorrowKnowing that there'll be no sorrowWhat a way to keep each other alive "What a Way (To Show I Love You)" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "What a Way (To Show I Love You)" (song on YouTube) thumb|right|What's in a kiss?Have you ever wondered just what it is?More perhaps than just a moment of bliss?Tell me what's in a kiss What's in a kiss?Have you ever wondered just what it is?More perhaps than just a moment of bliss?Tell me what's in a kiss.What's in a dream?Is it all the things you'd like to have been?All the places that you haven't yet seen?Tell me what's in a dream. "What's in a Kiss?" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "What's in a Kiss?" (song on YouTube) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "What's in a Kiss?" (A 1981 live performance, with other material. On YouTube) So where did you go to, who did you see?How did you know I’d be there?Oh, and did you remember not to forget?Tell me cos I don’t...Tell me cos I don’t careDon’t care. "Where Did You Go To?" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Where Did You Go To?" (song on YouTube. As audio.) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Where Did You Go To?" (Official video, on YouTube) thumb|right|When the world you live inreally gets you down,when you feel a pain inside youstarting to pound,and the girl you love,she doesn't want to know,let an old friend, as a godsend,lead you to where peaceful waters flow When the world you live inreally gets you down,when you feel a pain inside youstarting to pound,and the girl you love,she doesn't want to know,let an old friend, as a godsend,lead you to where peaceful waters flow "Where Peaceful Waters Flow" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Where Peaceful Waters Flow" (song on YouTube) Who was it that came to see youwhen there was no one else in sight?And who was it that stayed over an hour(and not as I'd expected, overnight)?It was me, and I'll tell you why:Oh, I did it because of mypure unabashed devotion to loving(pure unabashed devotion to loving)you, you, you, you.Who was it that caught you falling? "Who Was It?" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Who Was It?" (song on YouTube) (+ Cover version by Davy Jones on YouTube) Why after all these years we've been togethermust you behave as if we'd hardly ever spoken,let alone met?It seems that you're happy as long as I'm upset.Oh why, oh why, oh why?Is it that you don't love me? Oh why?Have you just had enough of me?Oh why do I always have cry myself to sleepseven days a week? "Why, Oh Why, Oh Why?" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Why, Oh Why, Oh Why?" (song on YouTube) Sat for hours in front of a screenMouse will tell you what you are seeingWhen you get home, how to relaxAnother screen for you to look atWelcome to the world of workIt's a kind of livingwhere you give more than you'll ever receiveWelcome to the world of workOnly place a loyal servant can bekicked in the teeth "World of Work" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "World of Work" (song on YouTube) You may have given me the breaks,amended all my life's mistakes,ooh, but wait a minute,you don't own me.You may be more than just a friendon whose assistance I dependooh, but wait a minute,you don't own me. "You Don't Own Me"/"If I Know You" (song) Gilbert O'Sullivan, "You Don't Own Me"/"If I Know You" (song combination on YouTube) External links Some websites: Gilbert O'Sullivan - Official website Gilbert O'Sullivan - YouTube website On YouTube: "The Story Behind the Songs". Working as a songwriter. - Interview, 2013 (9 mins) Interview with Marco Gandolfi, editor of Music News Ltd. - May 2015 (17 mins) Interview for Neil McCormick's 'Needle Time' - 2015 (48 mins) Interview with Danny Baker on BBC Radio 5 - February 2016 (24 mins) Interview with Studio 10, celebrating 50 years in showbiz - 2018 (7 mins) Telephone interview by Caswell Cooke - 2020 (26 mins) Interview on This Morning - 29 January 2021 (7 mins) "Just Gilbert" (making music; having fun) - 2020 (3 mins) Category:Singer-songwriters from Ireland Category:Composers from Ireland Category:Pianists Category:1946 births Category:Living people