I know I'm old, but I just have to ask the question: Where did shows like this go? No dancers, no gymnastics, no pyrotechnics, just incredibly beautiful singing. Just a sense of effortlessness. Just music

The greatest ode to unrequited love that has ever been written, played, and sung. Still heart-wrenching after all these years.

The year is 2023 and this generation has no idea what great music is ... the late 60's , 70's & 80's were the best. I'm 74 and this music never grows old.

covered by Adelle, George Michael....Bonnie OWNS this, the woman's voice can melt stone, incredible.

The fact that this is better than the studio version really says something about Bonnie Raitt.

Why are there, seemingly, no shows on TV like this anymore. This is just pure class.

We all know that Bonnie is The Goddess... but, let's get some props for Bruce... what a talented man.

In the spring of 1970, I was at a concert in Andover, MA, where the leadoff act was a red-haired woman whose voice just floored me. I was 18. After her set, I asked her if she had any recordings out. She was flattered, and said, "oh, no, I'm not at that stage yet." I knew that if there were any justice, anyone who could sing like THAT should be a star. Her name was Bonnie Raitt, and justice prevailed.

There are stars… and then there are SUPERSTARS…

Bonnie Raitt is one of the coolest women I have ever met. In 1976, I was managing Tom Hayden's campaign for U.S. Senate in Northern California. One of the really fun parts of my job was coordinating the entertainment for fund raising concerts around the State. One night in San Jose, with Hayden and his wife Jane Fonda sitting in the front row, I I was in the wings onstage watching Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt perform a romantic duet. Bonnie Raitt had already sung her numbers, and she had brought down the house. Suddenly, from behind, I felt a cold glass on my neck -- it was Bonnie offering me a Scotch on the rocks, and she said, "Look around, you put this whole thing together. I salute you!" We toasted glasses, and then she gave me one of the sweetest kisses I have ever experienced in my life. It was like a dream, and luckily for me, it lasted longer than the normal "showbiz" kind of kiss. Talk about conflicted -- there I was in a business capacity trying to act professional, and there she was gifting me with this totally unexpected bit of sensuality. Every time I hear her voice, even now 43 years later, her beauty and sexiness once again sweep me off my feet. I was 29 then, I am 71 now -- the feelings are the same.

Her voice, liquid gold.

Life time musician. I was front row in an old theater in San Francisco early 90's. For the life of me I can't remember the theater. Bob Weir, Wavey Gravey....and Jorma....anyway. Then Bonnie and Bruce did that song. It's one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. I'm 70 and I've had a few.

I have been a paid musician for 40 years, bass player, and this live version, with many of the original musicians, of this wonderful song, is such perfection, in my opinion. It is rare that a live performance is better than the original studio version, but this one hits a home run. Bonnie and Bruce really deliver the goods on this one. Of course I love what James Hutchinson does on his fretless acoustic bass and is inspiration to me, as a fellow bass player. What a fantastic decision it was to have Bruce Hornsby play on the original, and this live version. I can remember the first time I heard this song, and immediately noticed and loved what Bruce did for this song. Thanks for posting this live version. A+ performance!!!!

putting bruce on the keyboards moves this song onto another plane

Hornsby’s chord voicings are sublime. And Bonnie’s voice. Bliss.

There are many beautiful versions of this song but this is sheer perfection. Makes a 76 year old man very happy.

If you're a human, you've been there. We all have. This kind of God given talent is what helps to keep us going, as mere humans.😊

This song tears me up, whether I'm listening to it, or playing and singing it. Why then can I not get enough of it!?!

Unless you have had your heart torn out of your chest you won't get this song.

One of the most underated voices of our time. A treasure

Everybody's heart cries inside when she sings this. It's just too real. And it's so absolutely beautiful, we can't turn away.

You don't have a pulse if this song doesn't touch you, simply amazing performance

I love Bonnie Raitt, if you ever get a chance to see her live...GO...she will make every emotion that you have be felt. I love her and have tickets to see her again on October 8, 2024. Can't wait!!

It’s funny that Bonnie had said she couldn’t do better in the studio than the first take at capturing the emotion of the song, but I think she just had to do it in front of a live audience like this, she and Bruce absolutely kill it.

Arguably the saddest and prettiest song ever recorded. Beautiful.

"And I will give uuuuppppppppppp thissss fiiiiiightt!!!!!!!" My god her voice is perfection!!

Not many artists sound better than the original studio recording. Bonnie is in a class of her own.

The ones who put a thumbs down on this are simply beyond redemption.

Happens sometimes but not often: perfect song, perfect accompaniment, perfectly sung.

"I'll close my eyes 'Cause then I won't see the love you don't feel when you're holding me." That's dark on a depressive level. I used to sing that frequently back in the day.

This woman can't help how good her voice is. Natural and strong but with a sensitivity that shines through. It's as if she's living the lyrics

I always get tears in my eyes when I hear this sad beautiful song. Facing reality is hard. Bonnie has a strong beautiful voice & Bruce Hornsby can really play that piano. Great combination.

Bruce Hornsby is so unique No one could have played this song. Simply amazing.

The note Bonnie hits at the 3:00 minute mark is glorious! She and Bruce captured the magic, the love and unfortunately the "loss" that comes along with this song. Breathtaking....

Written by two men in Nashville. Mike Reed, who used to play in the NFL, and his writing partner half his age. They got it right with this one. And nobody could sing it better. Hornsby is a gem. Bravo.

She is so completely in this song. Take notice players. Stop playin’ Get inside and feel that pain.

This is such a special song for my wife and I. When we first started dating it became our anthem. We both were very shy having been bitten more then once. When we realized how much alike we felt we literally fell into this song together. 30 yrs later the rest is history but I lost her on May 16th 2016. Rest in peace Barbara,my 💘 love we'll meet again someday.

You are not an adult until this song actually means something to you. Until then you are just a child.

April 2022 and I still listen to this. One of the most beautiful songs and one of the best female singers.

Bruce Hornsby and Bonnie Raitt are two of my most favorite artists on the planet. Bruce is severely underrated, and Bonnie is a north star that just won another much deserved Grammy. 'Luck of the Draw' was my favorite album as a junior rising senior at Georgia Tech in 1991. This is the absolute truth. I love you Bonnie Raitt!!!

how does she sing this without tears rolling down her face? Every time I hear her sing it, tears well up.

2020 Young People, this is talent....this is real music.

The emotion in her voice, the words and the music just make me cry. Perfection.

My God! What a voice and Bruce's piano....amazing!! two gifted souls

you know the audience is stunned when there is a moment of no applause just restful alertness after having been transported from here to here.

Probably my favourite song ever. Unrequited love has to be one of the most difficult things we humans have to cope with. It doesn’t get much better than these two.

Bonnie Raitt is a force of nature. She has paid dues for fifty years. And during that time, she has become one of the best slide players, vocalists, performers, and songwriters in the World. She has captured her life in song, and the maturity and grace she conveys is magic. And she can still out funk, and out rock them all. Rock steady Bonnie Raitt.

"And I will give up this fight" kills me every time.

I read that this song was really difficult for Bonnie to sing, the vocal range, holding long sustained notes, the breaths in the song but you would never guess. She sings it with incredible passion. Bonnie Raitt is truly the most underrated female artist ever.

I read an article about Prince before he died. He had been wanting to cover this song for the longest time but never did. He said in the article he couldn't get it right . He said that he couldn't do it any better than it had already been done , so he gave it up. After seeing this it's not hard to understand what he meant.

When I hear Bonnie's voice and the perfect control over every note, I get the goose bumps and I cannot help but feel the emotion inside me burst out into tears of sadness and joy. Thank you Bonnie

It's rare to be in the midst of pure perfection, but this is is.

One of the finest songs ever written. Simply beautiful.

This song can me cry 30 years later. The heartbreak I felt then I can still remember. Fabulous song & singer!

Bonnie's voice and Bruce's piano, the endless journey in search of love.

'Don't patronize' is one of the best lines and placement in any song anywhere, anytime. "but, you won't" what a beautiful line of sad knowing. Resignation and longing. LOVE this song.

Bonnie tells it like it is; her soaring vocals and Bruce's perfect pianistic accompaniment are unparalleled.Bravo!

Thank you Mike Reid, Bruce and Bonnie for this masterpiece.

I thought George Michael’s version was special but this is defining. Bonnie’s phrasing and restraint is sensitively, eloquently embraced by Bruce’s refined playing. Gorgeous.

this is when you realize you are stronger than you ever thought

This haunting song hits me every time... Love Bruce's piano and Bonnie's powerful delivery... So good!

I’ve heard this heart-wrenching song many times, but no one reaches inside and pulls every emotional string the way Bonnie Raitt does. With the amazing Hornsby on piano and Raitt’s bluesy voice, this performance captures the aching hopelessness of unrequited love with an almost unbearable power.

Why did I listen to this 😪 So beautiful, so sad

If there is a song that will floor u and make u cry in the corner...Its this one......

The combo of Bonnie and Bruce is beyond sublime.

I wish I could explain to every singer this is what You call perfect tone and emotion without all kinds of tricks. Her pitch is insane!

I saw Bonnie and Bruce perform this live, this version. Tears up my heart every time.

One of the great vocal performances in modern pop music.

Bruce's piano playing is just superb, but on this track it is inspirational. Fabulous song!

i totally understand a simple moment that spans a life time.

The Lord really blessed these two with great talent. Also a great song. One of the best live performances I’ve ever heard.

I just saw Bonnie live - she sounds just as great as she always did - 73 and going strong!

There have many covers of this song but no one comes close to Ms. Bonnie!!!

I allways find back to this song, Bonnie Raitt’s incredible voice and Bruce Hornsby on the piano….. magic

If you are not touched by this song you are not human.

If you have ever felt real love and lost it, this song describes it.

So,this is one of the best ballads ever recorded by one of the best artists alive and one of the best rock pianists in the business bar none.

This song is so powerful and moving because it is the universal cry of the soul that wants to give and receive love as a basic need, even when it is sometimes blocked or misplaced. Bonnie Raitt, in this masterfully done song, gives perfect voice to this archetypal longing and need, and it's denial.

Beautifully sung by the incredible Bonnie, and pianist Bruce Hornsby- it doesn’t get any better than this. 👏🏻💓

Two phenomenal musicians. Bruce Hornsby on the piano chords, he's a genius. and coupled with Bonnie Raitt's performance - she never let's the side down. Xx

God bless those who can honestly say their first love was there last; for the rest of us mortals, there are these words

If this doesn't move you in any way, check your pulse. Absolutely breathtaking.

It is love in its purest state, something so personal, so deep and transcendent that it is unconfessable and absolutely unshareable. It can only be lived, felt, without there being words or actions to communicate it.

This song makes me weep. And this is the best version of it I ever heard.

With Bruce Hornsby on keyboard and the slower tempo of this version, this song really comes across and hits you. Great voice, great orchestration. It can't get any better than this,

3/2021, wow 30 years later, and this song is the greatest.......it is so beautiful, so loving, so kind, so real

Bonnie varies each performance of this for authenticity beautifully!

One of my favorite favorite songs. Bruce Hornsby piano is haunting. Bonnie is sweeter than ever in her pain. I've been there.

I love how the crowd erupts when Bonnie nails that incredible note leading into the second chorus, but then just as fast quiets back down b/c they want to immediately get back out of the way. My interpretation is that they sense this Bonnie is so vulnerable, particularly in that moment, that they wanted to stay in the background but just couldn't help themselves. Plus, they may have been caught off guard that Bonnie soared on "up" rather than "fight" ("I will give up this fight").

One of the saddest songs of all time. Incredible.

I saw her perform a few years ago in a theater here in town. When she started this song the entire sold out crowd went completely silent, and stayed that way until the standing ovation at the end.

When a song performance hits your soul.....you know that's talent!

Probably the hardest thing in the world, when you're deeply in love with someone and you have to try and focus on their feelings and except they don't feel the same way as you do !

This is something I’m going through in my life and this version she sings my pain , even Bonnie Rait knows when to give up this fight

This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it - for those who have dreamt of that "someone" in our lives who we never got to love the way we thought we would - and for these artists who bring those dreams closer to reality - I thank you, Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Hornsby - your God-given talent is hauntingly beautiful!

The absolute best love song of all time. Most people who have loved have had their hearts broken.

One the best female voices of our generation!

Was there ever more magic than Bruce and Bonnie I will give up this fight omg

Bruce is a genius on the acoustic piano or keys generally but he's much more than that. He chose to follow his own path so he's not had the success or acclaim he deserves. Bonnie is such a fantastic singer & great stage persona as well. I'm so glad for her that she won those recent Grammy awards. I would love to see them do this now as older performers or do a new collaboration.

*GREAT PERFORMANCE! Ironically, when I saw Bonnie in concert, she does an even slower version of this song, and the band and Bruce follow her! This is the best version of this song! If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “Less is more!” Bonnie gives us just enough to suck you into her vocal performance! And Bruce Hornsby gives us just enough on the piano to make us feel every note he plays and Bonnie sings! Just riveting!*