I know, you didn't ask, but it seems very few know how to pronounce Harry's last name.
It's pronounced just like it's spelled, "NILL-son"
This has nothing to do with your knowledge of Swedish names, it has everything to do with how Harry said it.
The reason I didn't ask is that I've never pronounced Nilsson wrong, nor have I heard anyone anywhere anytime pronounce Nilsson wrong. How else to pronoun Nilsson than "NILL-son"? Even with the extra "s," it seems quite clear. It's not like it has one of those diagonal marks or degree signs.
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Just watch this movie "Warped", and listen closely whenever his name is mentioned........it's amazing how many people, including 'close' friends, pronounce it "NEEL-son".........
SAVE FERRIS
That's weird, Msdemos. I wonder why that is? The double s? The Swedishness of his name?
This played near me a few weeks ago, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to see it because I wound up working. I'll buy the DVD. How did you like the documentary?
I thought it was really great......particularly because I didn't know a tremendous amount about the man prior to seeing it.......I knew of him, knew his more popular songs, his friendships with Lennon and Starr (though I didn't know he was actually 'closer' to Ringo), but this brought me 'up to speed' on (pretty much) his whole life.
Unfortunately, I get the impression that you probably know a lot more about him, so won't get quite as much out of it as I did.........but rest assured that it's very well done, well worth your time, and highly recommended.......
Oh, and by the way, if you happen to have a Netflix subscription, you can watch it 'instantly' online........that's how I saw it.
Enjoy !!!
SAVE FERRIS
Thanks for the mini-review, Msdemos! I'm very familiar with Harry Nilsson because I've been listening to his music for decades, but I've seen so little film footage of the actual man that this should be a treat.
I assumed he was closer to Ringo than John because Ringo seems like more of a kindred spirit in terms of his playfulness.
I don't have a Netflix subscription, and I'm pretty old-school when it comes to watching movies, so I'll wait for the old-fashioned DVD release. When I turn in my computer to watch movies, I somehow get distracted.
Thanks again, and have a great weekend!
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Really, the difference there is totally affected by accent.
Two people can say it exactly the same way in their minds, but we'll here it differently because of accents. It's not like anyone made a huge mistake there.
Am I correct in thinking it sounded like "Neelson" when the Beatles pronounced it? Since most people had never heard of Harry until the Beatles name-dropped him it would certainly explain why so many people pronounce it that way.
shareYes, John and Paul both pronounced it "NEEL-son"...Not sure about Ringo, but I always assumed it was a British accent thing.
shareHe pronounced it NEEEEEL-son. A dozen times in this movie, he says it himself. As does every single person in this film. Neelson-Schmeelson.
shareHe often pronounced it "Neel-son" in interviews after it became common for people to say it that way...but he clearly says "Nill-son" on any album of his that he says it on.
Pandemonium Shadow Show he says "NILL-SON PRESENTS...Shandemonium Shadow Po!"
In "Son of Schmilsson" he says "SON OF SCHMILL-SON!"
Obviously he was fine with it being pronounced either way so I don't see a need for people to keep arguing about it nearly 20 years after his death.
I'll trust seeing him and every one of his best friends say it on camera versus your recollections. Every time it's said in this film, it's said NEEL-son.
shareMy "recollections" are recordings of Harry pronouncing it both ways. But on his albums (which as an artist are his main statement of who he is to the world) he clearly pronounces it "NILL-son".
Like I said - he was obviously fine with it being pronounced either way. So...sorry if the recorded output of a musician is viewed as an untrustworthy source to you but that's just how it is.
You are correct regarding Harry's pronunciation on his LPs. Also, he sings the credits on "Skidoo" and once again says his name...."Nill-son".
shareOh yeah! Another good example jellyree.
Also - although he seemed to soften his stance on the matter in later interviews (usually just pronouncing it however the interviewer pronounced it) - he must have been somewhat annoyed by the mispronunciation of his name when he titled his 1977 album "KNNILLSSONN". By the way - that's a fantastic album that unfortunately gets barely any screen time in the documentary. I would highly recommend it to any Harry fans.
lol that not how its spelled wise guy
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