I remember reading a Kieth Richards interview 20 or 30 years ago, hell it might have been 40 years ago and he said this guy Big Bill Broonzy was really the old blues guy that lit his fire. Today is the first time I've ever heard a song by him. The wonders of the internet never cease to amaze me.

This has always been one of the coolest pieces of film that I've ever seen. From the beautiful song to the noir-ish smoke filled club to Big Bill's smooth player style lighting of the cigarette with the candle while staring at the girl at the end, this whole thing makes me wish that there was a lot more film on ol' Big Bill and that I WAS THERE.

This performance was on The Beatles Anthology, they didn't say what song it was so I've been hunting it down, being 19 I've only listened to the obvious blues artists i.e. Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, but I found this incredible, just had to find it

Thanks everyone for the comments! I saw a short clip of this years ago on some documentary (either on Clapton, or the blues) and was blown away by it. I tracked down somewhere online the complete film, and cut it down to this song because I thought others would enjoy it as well. Cheers!

i would die a happy woman if a man i loved sang this to me while im on my deathbed.

Keith Richards brought me here.

Times when we danced cheek to cheek, with closed eyes...

This beautiful piece of art never fails to bring up my emotions..

It was Big Bill Broonzy that introduced me to this great song, I’m forever grateful, one of the most beautiful, heartfelt songs I’ve ever heard!

Oh Lord. Big Bill...Breaks ya heart

I watched this and I am proud of it.

Apart from the music...his face is wondrous ...like a fine West African carving.

There's not enough film of ol' big bill

I just discovered Big Bill. Wow!

This is the best version of this song.

Somehow this song flow to all hearts!

love big bill....notice no negative comments or trolls on really good music...makes me happy.

I was a day old when my grandpa sang this to me for the first time, 43 years ago Sunday. He continued all his life. He wrote the lyrics in a letter that day, I have it still with my birth picture he kept till his death. I love this Artist. I've known him always. Just a treasure.

I must say, the way he sings and plays this song just gives me goosebumps.

Guys like Big Bill inspired all the bands that inspired me to be a musician great stuff

Even though this was originally a pop song, Broonzy's version gives it so much more heart and soul. The pop version sounds more like a novelty, and the words seem "cute", but this version sounds like it's from deep down in the soul.

He's the best!

Like other people here, I also saw a tiny clip of this on a tv documentary 20+ years ago and it has stuck in my mind ever since. I thought I'd never track it down but here it is! Fantastic stuff.

George Harrison said he was a big Fan of his Music in The Beatles Anthology.

I can't watch this without breaking down in tears, it is just so beautiful.

What beautiful lyrics...timeless Big Bill you one of the greats.

My favorite version of this song ,hands down. His voice is raw and just sounds so damn good !

My Farther told me about this when I was really young and listening now I understand why his words were so passionate and strong when he said "what a beautiful, beautiful song" x

from the film low lights and blue smoke...wish i could find it

Love this - Great Blues 🙏😇💙🎸💙🎸💙🎸💙🎸💙🎸

Love this song. I heard a Broonzy version with a bit of amplified guitar distortion in the first few notes. Sent shivers.

Always a clump in my throat and a tear my eye listening and looking at this mans face

Great Music is forever --- this is for always ---- rip big fellow

Gérard, si tu vois ce message, donne nous un signe de vie (surtout pour la mamie)

@aaarrrggghhhh "the Broonzy version is truly magical." True.

Fantastic, professorial performance, and what a guitar playing. Applause from me, as long as Mississippi.🙂❤️🎸🎤🎵👍

George Harrison, big fan of Big Bill, brought me here!

That part where he sings "your little halo" is one of the most bluesy things i've ever heard.

Blows me away every time.

Always loved this song. A real departure from Big Bill's usual style but he nailed it. Brilliant!

AN AMAZING TALENT!!!

Love this!! It is SO awesome that he can still touch so my lives with his talents!!

Music is by Richard Whiting, lyrics by Walter Bullock. It was nominated for an academy award in 1936.

OMG!....this the shit!!....I love this music....I cut my eye teeth on this music....this my parents music but I love it so

Bill can get some!

Beautiful song ❤

Back again....

Thank you KZfaq for the ability to find songs like this.....

Been after this for ages saw it on an Eric Clapton southbank show loved it

Damn, bluesy and soulful. Good tune.

A singular event, and so moving.

Love

This is healing water from deep down in the well.

Absolutely incredible.

This is a great song that was written in 1936 by Richard A. Whiting and W. Bullock. It has been recorded hundreds of times. If you like the song you should go to the new Richard A. Whiting Facebook page and give him a like. Videos are posted daily of different versions of his classic songs.

Wow!!! I thought the song was a Bob Dylan original and was looking for the lyrics when I stumbled across this video. I had never heard of Big Bill Broonzy, but after this I sought out the wikipedia and am starting to explore some of his music. What a talent! The funny thing is before I read the wiki I thought his guitar style sounded very similar to Eric Clapton's, and then I read that Clapton cites him as a major influence. Thanks for posting!

Yeah, very gratefull. Thanks.

great contribution- great song- great artist-

Best Thang I have ever heard or seen. Beautiful

enfin ! j'en rèvais, KZfaq le contenait. Vive Big Bill ! merci Berlin1925. martin

Well done for posting Berlin. The performances from this gig in Belgium are repeatedly removed form youtube which is a great shame. It was watching this in the 80s which inspired me to take up guitar. In my view, no one, no matter how talented, ever comes close to Bill when trying to perform music he has already touched with his gift.

Lindo demais...

to byli muzycy prawdziwi...

so beautiful

Muddy Waters was a pallbearer at his funeral!

This is so good

Wow! Thank you for sharing such a gem! 😍The perfectly fitting song for my angel... I love you mon cœur ❤

first time I've seen this. thank you for sharing.

Keepin it alive.

Shared on G+ June 12, 2016.

Love this

Would have LOVED to hear this man live. Thanks for putting this up. Only his fans know he was the inventor of Glory of Love....so sad....he was born at the wrong time.

Esto es BLUES. Saludos desde Perú...

beautiful

Belleza ...aun con cancer......😢

My oldest friend yused to play that, I'm 81

Transcendent.

Amazing!!!

bellissima..

Great stuff.

precious

❤❤❤

its one of the blues songs that the 60's artists like to mention as influence and sometime cover it themselves . like sweet home Chicago by Robert Johnson and (call it) stormy monday by T bone Walker

This is beaut and so sad

nice tunes

Of course, in spite of various comments posted on this site, this song is not a blues but a popular song written in 1936 by Walter Bullock & Richard Whiting. It was introduced in the movie musical Sing, Baby, Sing by Tony Martin and later recorded by him.

Ear candy!

@berlin1925 I saw the same documentary, I'm sure. ( I actually had it on video until recently..long story) It was just a short clip of Big Bill Broonzy after the interviewer asked Eric Clapton about his influences. It stuck in my mind for many years and I have searched for it often. I know this song has been covered by many artists, including Bob Dylan, but this, the Broonzy version is truly magical. Wonderful upload. Thanks many times over.

My man!!

Thank you for posting this!

hello big bill inot brelieve in heaven but i believe in love

Wow! Thanks for posting this. I too saw this years ago on a Clapton documentary and was completely blown away by Big Bill Broonzy on this song. It is AMAZING. Haven't been able to find it anywhere, so thank you again!

Thanks to the uploader! I know exactly the documentary you're talking about; it was on Clapton. I remember seeing this clip from it years ago and it blew me away, too. And like you, I had been looking for it for ages. Thanks for making it available!

wow thanks

Me too!

wish i can play this

I know it ws on a biography of Eric Clapton on the Southbank Show years ago. I have a similar version of it that I found years ago on Napster, back when you could still d/l without fear. Anyways, it's an awesome video clip and that you for sharing it.

@Johntheresonator On one album, perhaps recorded in Paris in the 1950s, his guitar intro hits some feedback, creating some early fuzz notes. Spine chilling.

lee mitchell is correct -- this song will break ya heart !!

great band check em out