In a delightful turn of events, an English busker found himself in a moment of sheer astonishment when pop icon Jimmy Somerville unexpectedly joined him in singing his hit song “Smalltown Boy.”
Strumming his acoustic guitar and singing in a baritone tone, the busker couldn’t believe his luck as Somerville, accompanied by his dog, casually strolled past, seamlessly blending his unmistakable countertenor vocals into the impromptu performance.
Visibly taken aback by Somerville’s spontaneous appearance, the busker quickly restarted the chorus to harmonize with the unexpected guest. Despite being 52 years old at the time, Somerville effortlessly showcased his enduring talent, flawlessly belting out the iconic vocal hook that made “Smalltown Boy” a classic.
The duo’s voices melded together organically, evoking memories of the original recording’s double-tracked high and low vocals. After their spontaneous jam session, Somerville commended the busker with a simple “well done,” leaving the street performer in awe, double-checking if it was indeed the renowned singer himself – a confirmation Somerville gladly provided.
Since the video’s release, it has amassed over 13 million views and received numerous sincere compliments. One YouTube viewer commented, “I loved how he was like “Oh, wait, uh, give me a moment!” and they both get into playing right after. You could still hear the surprise in his voice!”
Another expressed one’s feeling, saying, “I watch this whenever I am lower than my normal state of low and without fail, I always feel better whilst it plays. To be honest, I cannot think of enough superlatives to describe just how good this is.”
This unexpected encounter not only added a magical chapter to the busker’s street performance but also highlighted the timeless appeal of Somerville’s iconic contribution to music.