This Interview DEVASTATED ME...I WISH There Was Something I Could Do...-Professor of Rock

Thanks for this great video and the back story on the song which I never knew of. For some reason whenever I've heard this song I've thought Tom Petty was the singer. Glad to be finally corrected and know the real singer!

This song hit me hard then and never stopped. I was the assistant to the owner of 328 Performance Hall in Nashville in 1993 when Soul Asylum did a double bill with the Lemonheads. It was a crazy time and I didn’t get a chance to talk to Dave. I did hang out with Evan Dando a bit. I didn’t realize Dave and I had important things in common or I would have taken the time to talk with him. Really fantastic interview. Thank you for your empathy. 🙏🏻

Beautiful song.

I get what he said about people pulling phones out at a concert. Fu%k people, put the phones away and just enjoy being in the moment! Nobody gives a fu%k when you post a video showing you were there.

I missed this song in the 90’s. ( Im an old guy) I discovered it when you covered it before on your Chanel. Now it’s in my playlist. (I’m slow to add to my playlist.) glad to meet the artist.😊

Wow, what an awesome story. The entertainment industry is very often exploitative & toxic, but every once in a while it actually does some good. And out of one man's deep sorrow (I can relate), there came a light in the darkness. I never knew about any of this. You made my day!

Yes enough with the phones

I remember how I felt the first time I saw the video. It's been the same sense.
I can never keep a dry eye.

I love Dave and Soul Asylum. Before Grave Dancers Union I would tell anyone who would listen that Dave Pirner was the best singer song writer of our generation and Soul Asylum was one of the greatest live rock bands of the day. I've seen them many times. Got a VIP ticket to a show in KC as Covid was shutting down live shows everywhere in March 20'. In fact, it may have been the last show that year for them. I got to meet him and even as a 55 year old man I was star struck and really couldnt speak. He's why I never gave up writing, playing, and recording. Im sure its what has kept him alive. I get it. Thank you Adam for this amazing video. Love you Dave.

Soul Asylum an is apt name for troubled souls.

People that rarley look you in eye have "issues."

This song got me through some tough times.

maybe when he plays it live put local missing kids on the screen as in the original video.???

Have you done any videos on Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds? I'm particularly interested in the song Red Right Hand.

On a side note, does Adam take that coffee table along, everywhere he goes to interview people?

After I watched the video way back when this song blew up on the radio waves in the 90s, I had to avoid listening to it because it struck such a cord with me. I'd tear up and couldn't help it. It was almost impossible to avoid however because it was everywhere.

This guy is a kindred spirit

I love Booker T and Runaway Train.

This is the voice of someone who actually lived that 90s life and what happens to the soul when it wasn’t done in the name of fashion or fad. This song always did hit those buttons just enough back then and still do today. I appreciate this interview because the the honesty and entertainment are both honest. And funny because back in the 90s being “ honest” WAS the ruse….

I dont even look or sound this rough after a 3 hr sleep after a 4 day bender. Good luck to him....I hope he is happy

I remember being in my early 20's and knowing something was wrong but I had no idea what. Then one morning I was waiting for a bus in a cold and crowded transit shelter and this song came on my walkman radio. I still remember hearing it to this day, tears welling...I realized that whatever was wrong with me, for the first time I did not feel alone. I was 30 before being properly diagnosed, so this song holds a high place in my heart, something to help me keep going. I love that the video saved so many lives, but I really wonder how many lives this song saved? @ProfessorofRock thank you!!

Did you ever hear of The Bel Vistas?

I think when they pull their phones out they are showing how much it means to them

Im glad your videos and interviews have become so successful. You are passionate and really good at what you do. Thank you much.

I remember hearing this song for the first time, during an extremely dark period in my life and how it absolutely crushed me and set me free at the very same time. You know it’s a true masterpiece when it has the power to move people in that way.

Wow, he didn’t look to be in a good place here. Hopefully, he’s doing better.

Is Dave ok?

Not my style but one other successful Minneapolis. band was The Jets. Once again, great interview POR. Come say hello at the Midway Bakery! We are less than an hour from you.

Runaway train is ridiculously nostalgic for me. It was huge in my middle school and high school years. Part of my musical journey/influence. Wasn’t necessarily my favorite song, but definitely on my life soundtrack.

I love this interview. So real and honest. This dude definitely didn’t just have the “grunge” image.

Never thought they had a hit.

This is the first time I've ever heard of this. It's amazing though.

So glad Dave exists and made such beautiful music for us. The world's a better place because of his creations!

Soul Asylum didn't get enough credit for being one of the very best bands of the '90s. Dave's lyrics are always thoughtful, funny and creative, though not always all at the same time. I drove my brother nuts playing the Grave Dancer's Union and Let Your Dim Light Shine cassettes over and over back in the day.
I actually purchased those and Slowly But Shirley on CD a couple weeks ago.
Great Albums. And mad respect to Shirley Muldowney for signing off on the latest.

I still can't listen to this song without the tears starting. Great song with awesome lyrics sung absolutely perfectly.

I hope he continues to heal and really understand that his, I guess "self-therapy", not only helped himself but has helped countless others, both through the video and through its message about depression (which I am sure was recognized by many, many people, including me). And thank you POR for allowing him the room to open up.

I love this band so much I am so glad to finally see them get some respect and love that they deserve

For the longest time, I thought this song was from Tom Petty. Seriously. Even after watching the interview, it STILL sounds like a Tom Petty song.

I know nothing about this guy. But he looks very depressed.

I saw them in 93 on a bill with Screaming Trees opening, then Soul Asylum, then Spin Doctors as the headliner. They blew the doors off of Spin Doctors. One of the better bands I've seen live.

🎶Can ya help me remember how to smile?..make it somehow all seem worthwhile..how on earth did I get so jaded life's mysteries seem so faded🎶

I always thought it was about depression cause it was alot of the feeling I was having at the time. And found out i was bipolar so was my daughter. So i helped me alot even today.

Soul Asylum is one of the best band names ever. Makes me jealous haha.

I LOVE THIS SONG! I had no idea this song was about runaway children. WOW What a great interview and a great interviewer.

This is an incredible interview! You really had to meet Dave where he is. If you hadn’t, His words would never have had been heard. What an incredible episode!!! Truly impressed!

I was born in 1967 and grew up just west of Minneapolis. My brother was 5 years older and he was very into the local music scene which he passed along to me. I was listening to Prince by the age of 12 and in the early 80's was exposed to Soul Asylum, Husker Du, The Suburbs, Replacements, The Wallets, Suicide Commandos, The Time and so so many others.

Back then it was easy to get into shows even when uderage, but better still the famed First Avenue used to have "All Ages" shows where those that prove they were over 21 would get a wristband allowing them to purchase alcohol, still allowing those of us that were younger to get in including the attached 7th Street Entry. Other local venues such as the 400, Fine Line, Liquor Lyles, The Longhorn, The Cabooze, etc. were also often lax with age enforcement. It was a truly magical time to be a music fan and I will ever forget those times.

We're ALSO big fans of the Replacements.

Adam i applaud you for conducting an interview with someone still in the hole of depression. I
can see you struggling but you carried on. This is the only show that i have cried, cry for David and for the video. But you got David to smile and that"s part of life is to smile. Great Job.

Poll: What is your pick for the MOST HAUNTING SONG of the 80s and 90s?