(ABSOLUTELY SOUL CRUSHING) How To Be Me (Live - Ren x Chinchilla) Blind reaction | Ian Taylor Reacts 

Hope you enjoy the reaction:) These two are a POWERHOUSE! What should we react to next?:)

"Over the hills and the valleys below". That phrase shouts "Wales" to me. I picture his mum driving him back home from Brighton after a breakdown. And the voices of the dead / bodies in halls, which sound metaphorical, may have been actual hallucinations: psychosis symptoms. Likewise, "I forgot how to be me"; that may have been actual clinical derealisation, not just an identity crisis. So, his mum is taking him home, but that is also where his life's most tragic experience took place; the suicide of his best friend.

Speaking of soul crushing, I don't believe that you have done Crutch yet. Ren featuring Bibi, who was his girlfriend at the time. That song and that video..... I don't even know what to say I'll leave the words to you. But suffice it to say it is powerful stuff. That's my recommendation today. I'm so glad you decided to do the reaction thing. Your reactions make me happy. Thanks Ian. 💜 Editing to add Humble by Ren featuring Eden Nash as a suggestion because that is my anthem at the moment. And it's a vibe.

It's beautifully haunting, deep & sad. About Ren's friend that committed suicide 💙

This is so powerful. I hear this song both as Ren voicing his friend's tormented mind prior to jumping off the bridge and Ren expressing his own ongoing thoughts and feelings about his friend's suicide, with the very last part being Ren's voice alone (I miss you so). Another moving song about his love for his friend Joe Hughes is Precious -- check it out, he did a lovely version with The Big Push.

Crutch, Humble, Crucify your Culture

45 views in 16 minutes! So happy you started this channel & you’re going down the Ren rabbit hole! This is the song Ren wrote about his friends unaliving. Her wrote it from his friends perspective. Also, his friend jumped off a bridge. They’re singing on a bridge. He also wrote Freckled Angels about his friend.

This get’s me every time. Congratulations on such fast growth. Check out Rens song “Dear God” it gives a sense of where Ren was at least at that time on his feelings and questions about God. I’m always amazed at how Ren and Chinchilla can stare into each other’s eyes the whole time. I think that would be difficult to do for most people.😊

For me it's a song about grief, about not knowing who you are without THAT person, about grief eating you up. Questioning "god" not only, because nothing is pulling him through but also because...well what god would take Joe, would not protect him...? Earlier in the song, he is singing really intense and looking up into the sky, maybe to his friend in heaven? or maybe to the "so called" distant god? By the way, as far as I know Rens agnostic as well... Great reaction man! Keep it up!

Thanks for another thoughtful lyric breakdown Ian. I'm so glad you have decided to start doing reactions. There voices are so beautiful on this one. The lines such as over and over and the use of the round make me think of cycling thoughts that turn faster and faster: like a rock rolling downhill, as it tumbles faster and picks up speed, it becomes more uncontrollable. I agree that the bed, home, tomb are all metaphors for being stuck in your own head. As others have mentioned, this has to do with with suicide of Ren's friend, Joe Hughes. 'Have our saviors die to soon' makes me think of 'the voice that loosens the noose' in Hi Ren. If you feel so beaten down that you can no longer see something better, then the savior within your own mind will not be there to save you.

I love the way you get so excited by the lyrics and the poetry of songs like this. Congrats on the 1.5k! Ren has said in interviews that although not religious himself he does love the stories and mythology from multiple faiths, and he tried everything when he was his sickest and hoping to recover (including a shaman and an exorcism), so like his references to other pop-culture stuff it seems that he weaves in a lot of the things he has studied, especially if they open the songs up for people to ascribe their own meanings. I think it's part of what makes them relatable to so many people; they can be taken literally or seen as a metaphor for [insert your own demons here].

This was written to the memory of his friend who committed suicide by jumping off a bridge ,his body has never been found.

Ian, keep doing you. This is your show and a lot of us are here to get your thoughts on these songs. I love this song so much and the spotify studio version is also beautiful with violins.

Great breakdown ! I always have to stick around until the end , because I never know what pearl you might drop in the last minutes . So at the end of this one you spoke of how an artist might resonate you in a way you never expected that an artist could , in reference to Ren . That is one hundred percent what happen to me with Ren . Then i discovered His work with the Big push , and the pure jooy and love of music . There is so much more to Ren's music . I could go on and on , suffice to say there is something there for every mood , and many of my thoughts put to music.

Another great reaction! 👍 The great thing about Ren is there is a wealth of great performances. Both in his solos and collaborations. While many are just fun songs, he has a lot with deep and powerful messages, meanings and expressions, such as this one.

I'm 59 and did not come to your realizations and understanding until 2017. I found Ren 5 months ago. Now I'm finding all the others like me. For the very first time in my life I no longer feel alone. And I'm perfect in all of my pain and scars and demons! I'm a beautiful mess and I'm beginning to love myself! Your wisdom is inspiring! 😊 Much Love! ❤

I feel he is speaking from his friend’s perspective. As someone who also lost a friend off a bridge late in the dark, this song kills me.

Ren has a song Dear God... I guess you'll like it... And Domino's has a twist to it, too... Check his Demo's 1 Album. You will understand so much... He is an open book...

Try Rens Track Fire Ian it is Fire and is a Genre of Music that no one expects from Ren

This is so heavy, but Ren and Chinchilla kill it!

I love this song so much. I'm sitting here bawling right now because I've been feeling like this for 3 1/2 years since my 30- year-old daughter passed away unexpectedly.

Thank you again for such a thoughtful reaction - I understand that this was written in memory of his very close friend who killed himself.

You are very swiftly becoming one of my favorite reactors. Amazing how insightful your analysis is 🤯 Very intelligent, well read and empathetic 🙌🏻

"I don't feel safe in this bed" has an eery echo to the opening line of Chalk Outlines "Still here in this bed that I crawled in, hope I'm someone else in the morning". Bed should be the place where you are most secure as yourself. But he is not ...

Ren's album Freckled Angels is dedicated to his friend Joe who jumped from this bridge two days after christmas - His body was never found. 😪

Thanks for another amazing reaction. Had fun watching this with you! Sometimes Ren will have a synopsis of the song down below. I’ve realized with how deep and thought provoking his music can be, that it’s a good place to start before getting into the music. Just a friendly tip if your interested. Hope you have a great day, can’t wait for the next one!

You've been a busy bee! Ren stated on a Q&A that he is agnostic. Another solid reaction.

This is so beautiful ❤ - their busking together videos are amazing - Sexual Healing on Chinchilla’s YT channel and One Dance /Drunk in Love mash up on Tens YT channel

Chinchilla. Definitely Chinchilla. She is ridiculously talented. Ren's sister from another mister. 1. Fingers - Live 2. Elements 3. Little Girl Gone - Lyric video

I think the last couple lines are supposed to recontextualize the song. It goes from being about depression to being about grief. It's a double for two feelings that are intrinsically linked, I think.

Great Reaction up with Knox . Congratulations on the subs and views Ian .You be beating your own channel soon .

His track Insomnia expands on what you were saying about the bed

I was hoping you’d do this song, after your wondering if someone close to Ren had committed suicide. 😢💜

I've listened to this on repeat since i heard it for the first time but your breakdown of the lyrics gave me a whole new angle even though i thought i analyzed it to bits. Great breakdown. and thank you for sharing your personal connection to this song. 💜

Hey Ian, there is a song "dear god" by Ren, an honest conversation with god... there are not many reactions to it... maybe this could be interesting! Peace and love from Germany Great that you started this channel!

Love your interpretation of this song. This has been a battle that I have went through and have come out the other side knowing who I am. I still have moments of questioning things because I lost so much.

This is one of my favorites and I wish you didn’t stop and analyze lyrics without listening through. It’s another thing to speak of the melody, beat, flow etc.

The only thing that I can really add (unless someone's mentioned it and I just missed it) is that best I can tell about Ren's religious beliefs is that he's mentioned that he's personally not religious but really loves religious imagery for painting pictures - unsurprising given the church and thus the religion's cultural prominence in the UK and how I've seen many others from the UK who enjoy the imagery and pageantry but aren't religious or really believe any of it. Most of us in the "western world" have grown up with the mythology and symbology of that religion being a centerpiece of the societal tradition, etc, so it's a powerful way to paint mental images for people in songs.

Wow you are smashing through the Reniverse👀👍🦇

Your energy is a breath of fresh air man, glad I discovered you on Ps channel

He is talking about his childhood friend Joe Huges who committed suicide. Ren ran to save him but was moments to late. It also ties into Freckled Angels.

Beautiful and haunting!

My husband passed away in Nov. 2020. He died of cancer during Covid. We decided to let him stay home because Covid would have prevented family from being up in hospital. Hospice was great, but he passed away at home. I understand this one more than most.

'Elements lyric video ' by Chinchilla next. Great reaction Ian 🇬🇧

Another great interpretation Ian, your insights are amazing

Just a pro tip from someone who habitually watches these reaction videos of Ren... I think trying to look at the lyrics and watching the performance in real time sort of feels a little distracting for the viewers. They are such powerful performers and I think what makes the reactions so good is to see it through your eyes again for the first time. When you look away, it kind of makes me feel like I'm missing important moments. I would say watching the video, pausing, then reviewing the lyics is kind of the best approach imho - but hey, maybe that's just me. All good if you feel differently.

Thanks!

Great reaction. Ren wrote this after his friend commited suicide 😢

You may want to listen to Dear God, another of great songs of Ren :)

Dude… you are deep af ✌🏼❤️

Another great reaction, sir. We must protect you at all costs!

I’m a new subscriber. You’re excellent. Good luck building your channel

Freckled angles is a song about Joe his friend. Thats worth a listen

Ian you should check out some of The Big Push! Hope you’re having a good day.🙌

Thanks for another great reaction! For future reactions, I'll cast another vote for Ren's song Crutch ft. Bibi

RIP Joe Hughes 🖤

The intimacy of this performance gives me goosebumps - beautiful. I’ve also watched Ren play this song alone on his IG stories too - either way a beautiful song written about his friend Joe. Love your thoughts about some of the lyrics here.

Loved the reaction man! Another great song I’d love to see a reaction too is a song by Ren’s band, The Big Push called “Dignity”. It’s one of my favorites right now. Also would love to see you react to “Donnie Darko” by Cal Scruby and “Fill The Space” or “Spring Valley” by Ouija Macc. Oh and “Crush” or “American Teenager” by Ethel Cain!

Outstanding reaction Ian. I really enjoy your takes on these!

Loving your reactions Ian ,love from the UK

This is so hauntingly beautiful.

Thanks. You make some really good reactions and I already subscribed after the first one I saw. Ren has been in a band and I think you'll like this one; The Big Push - Sweet Little Lady (live acoustic) Anyway, I will enjoy hearing your opinion

Powerful reaction.

This is such an emotional song for Ren that I often wonder if that locked gaze he keeps with Chinchilla throughout the whole thing is almost necessary for him. He also does a lot of questioning of religion in a lot of his music. Dear God is the best example but spirituality and religion is a common theme for him.

Weird question for other viewers... do you watch to see a reactors honest reaction or are you wishing to see some sort of reflection of your own feelings you felt when you experienced a song as some sort validation? I enjoy reactions where the reactor is showing his own thoughts. knowing the material as well as i do, it is fun to know he had these ideas and then he will get more information and rewatch with that knowledge and get a new experience from the music.

REN had a friend named Joe. Joe committed suicide and this is how REN expresses how much he misses Joe. You must learn more about REN. This is not about his identity.

I appreciate you as a person, an artist, and a reactor. I just can't handle stopping the video/song every single sentence. No vibes, no feel or flow. I wish you all the best bro, it's just to much interruption for my taste.

You should know by now that you’ll gain a lot of subscribers if you keep going with Ren reactions .😅 Again,a lot of us asking you for a check of Crutch and Dear God ,even all the rest of it ! Thank you for your accurate personal vibes with this great artist ❤

Ian, do NOT try punching holes in european walls, ever. 95% or more are NOT drywall. They are solid stone or brick of some kind...yes, even the inside ones...

❤ ty for mega reaction❤ could u also go down chinchilla rabbit hole she is a female ren can sing anything from heavy metal pop reggae etc n is truly unique like ren together they are too awesome❤ good luck with ur channel xxx love from the uk❤xxx please take a peep at fingers her hunger live tv version it off the scale vocally xx

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I think talking to the dead referenced his friend who died. The location of the video is where his friend died.

A quick decision, late in the night / people die, late in the night (Genesis)

This song is about him losing his best friend who committed suicide.

And maybe the tomb reference could be sung from Joe Hughes' perspective instead of Ren's?

In desperate situations if you believe in a god or not it can sometimes be the last attempt at trying to get an answer

Random one that will blow your mind - Kasey Chambers Live @ Civic Center - Lose Yourself (Eminem Cover).... It's such an iconic song by Eminem, but she literally made it her own and basically a brand new song. Appreciate the reactions!!

I suggest Crutch also. You are doing a really great job imo. Thanks.

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The Dr. Pepper of religions, shout out to South Park lmao

I always play this straight after Chalk outlines.

Would love to see you react to The Big Push - Precious

I have heard somewhere that they wrote this song together. Don’t know if it’s true or not.

Great reaction again mate. I'd vote for Humble and Ocean. Both Ren ft. Eden Nash. Amazing tracks. Other than that, I would love to see you react to Ardee Bl@ck Box mockingbird freestyle.

I interpret this as he is singing this from Joe's perspective, apart from the last verse.. heartbreaking either way

A good one to follow from this is Insomnia given you speak straight away about bed not always being somewhere we can relax or feel safe - and follow that with Diazepam... Then Dear God.. Great reaction - sorry that's a bit lazy and lame for all the insights and perspectives you share here - I'm so tired but suffice to say I appreciate your work here

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It is about his friend who commited suiced ,exactly on this bridge.Sorry english is not my native language

Loved the reaction. From what I know through his music. Ren could have meant ALL of those things when writing it.

His best friend committed suicide. Ren didn't make it in time. He jumped off that bridge I think & they never have found his body. I lost my son to suicide, my ex's parents took my g'daughter, my daughter overdosed, my dog died during the c, my dad, all in June starting in 2014 & I thought 2022 I made it past June only to lose my other dog in Sept. I have their bodies all around me. The final straw was my dog. Ren saved my life. I'm so scared of June coming up but I have been getting some help. I will be Ok

I noticed this in your last few videos when the lyrics are off screen It's really distracting because you spend a lot of the video looking at the lyrics instead of the video. Might just be me but it takes away from the reaction. Maybe try putting the lyrics closer to the video or go back and read the lyrics after you pause? Anyway just my two cents great work my man

I feel Like you need to go to school to be a psychiatrist fr You are so tuned in man

Yeah, if anyone should answer it better be your imaginary friends.

It is about his friend who commited suiced ,you are funny but you thalk too mutch😊

I feel he is speaking from his friend’s perspective. As someone who also lost a friend off a bridge late in the dark, this song kills me.