The Sound of Silence from Simon & Garfunkel, Disturbed, and Pentatonix is sort of like a conversation. S&G were saddened by what they were seeing and providing a warning, Disturbed was deeply discouraged and angry that the warning wasn’t heeded, and PTX is saying we can be aware of the reality while still holding onto our hope for a better future - very PTX of them, thematically. Fantastic reaction! Thank you!
Honestly, if by some miracle, Pentatonix covered something I had made, I’d probably just quit. I don’t need someone to come along and show me how great my material could be if only I was better. 😂😂🥲
One of my all-time favorite songs. Their version is spectacular. I've heard it said by another reactor that Kirstie throws her voice out like a fishing line, and leaves a cat-like tribble hanging on the end of it. Which she does here; She really shines. Great reaction, thank you.
I hope you get a chance to see them live one day. They did actually go to Australia this last year on their world tour. I had seen this video many times, but my husband didn’t know they did this song and when they started singing it during the concert we went to in September and he was absolutely mesmerized.
You are the first reactor who said that this was not about the Vietnam War only that it came out then which is what Paul Simon says about the song. Because that song could be written tomorrow and it's just as relevant. People break it down as Simon and Garfunkel was a warning Disturbed's cover is the anger and rage that we have not yet learned the lesson and Pentatonix is in their little offering hope. If you haven't seen disturbs version I highly recommend it. I personally would go with the official music video because the video gives you a visual representation of the song so much so that it is actually a part of the band. For a Timeless timeless video of Pentatonix which is happens to be my most favorite video in Pentatonix catalog is there cover of John Lennon's imagine. They have updated it to reflect what is going on now which is still pretty much what was going on. Pentatonix is known for their harmonies and this presentation shows off of their harmonies better than any of their other songs. What's sad is that it was relevant when John Lennon wrote it it's relevant today and it will probably be relevant for years from now because we've never learned the lesson
Yes. I believe the best way to think about the all of these versions is like a trinity. They all have their own inherent meaning based on the timeframe. They’re all amazing but together they broaden the depth of the original song.
I loved your reaction to this. They always get me emotionally. Their voices, particularly for me, Mitch's basically reach in and grab my heart. It's so beautiful - especially the Pentatonix 'wall of sound'.
I'm a little late to the party. You are one of the few reactors who called attention to the beautiful transition through the key change before Kirsty's verse. I was afraid that I was the only one noticing that or missing something. I also see that several folks recommended Kiss From A Rose, and I strongly concur. You will undoubtedly appreciate the precision pitch placement of the background vocals as well as several surprises in the performance.
Having grown up with the original S&G version, I prefer this to Disturbed's cover, which I would definitely call dark. I saw this song as a call to action to those who are mesmerized by technology and the routine of their lives. It is a protest song, but a call to get off our butts and participate in life, especially communicating meaningfully with one another. PTX moves dramatically past the wistfulness of S&G to a full-blown hopefullness... a great progression, IMO. Excellent reaction!
Yes, so caught up in media we got disconnected...staring at the tv screens. We forgot to look at people. That's why the writing on the subway walls and tenement halls..."Hear Us!! We are suffering." Understood it way back then, understand it tenfold today. It has increased in power. Song from my youth. (50's child)
I’m sorry to say they were here early this year, I saw them in Brisbane and they were phenomenal. Everything I ever thought they would be and More. I can’t wait until they come back again. I hope you get to see them one day.
The original, Disturbs version and PTX versions have the same lyrics but different feels to them. PTX comes through to me as there is hope. The other 2 are much darker. Love them all.
Great breakdown of the lyrics. Being a child of the 60's, my personal favorite is the original by Simon and Garfunkel, but I do enjoy the PTX take on it as well.
It’s impossible to not enjoy it. It truly is magical. I just noticed that it had a different vibe to what I was expecting. Having lived with it now and also from reading several excellent comments, I have reframed it in my head because a song CAN evolve with the times and take on different meanings based on the current climate. One things for sure, the performance is angelic.
That is the best meaning I have ever heard describing The Sound of Silence! We Should Make It The World's Anthem to be played 3 times a day around the World!!
Agreed. I’ll get my people on it immediately! Wait.. I don’t have people. Maybe you and I will have to agree to play it three times a day ourselves and start more a grass roots revolution. 😊
I love this song and the way PTX does it. Such a strong message and a very powerful set of voices to deliver that message with such emotion and passion. And I totally agree with ShinyElfriend that S&G sang it as a warning, Disturbed as a disappointment, and PTX as a new hope. This assessment is so true and relevant to today's mentality and feelings. PTX is so far beyond their own age, it's scary. Thanks for your reaction. I think you are right on the money with your assessment. Keep 'em comin' !
😊❤ A while back I read something in the comments that I thought was an interesting take on the song by 3 different artists. (I'm sorry I don't know who to give credit to) They said the original, Simon and Garfunkel is sad, the Disturbed version is a warning and Pentatonix has a hopeful feeling to it. No matter what version you like, no matter who covers it, the song stands the test of time. 😊❤❤
It’s okay to allow yourself to feel! For God sakes, Sound Of Silence is a powerful song! I too was brought to tears! You’re absolutely right about the lyrics. Faces in the palms of their hands staring into a fake world called a cell phone. Where the only communication are words flat on the screen. No emotions no face to share. To which I absolutely despise!
My friend, THAT is why I subscribed to you some time ago... on my first listen, as I recall. Your reaction was so pleasing to watch. I have heard this song by PTX so many times I have lost count. I know the song forward and backward. I was watching YOU as you listened. Your obvious passion and complete immersion are what drew me to you in the first place, and this was the same. Love your "keep my emotions in check" face! LOL! Great reaction!
The "world tour" mentioned in the PTX outro has a story behind it. This video was released in early 2019, just before the pandemic and it's lockdown took over the world. So their world tour had to be delayed for a year. And then delayed for a year. And then delayed for another year. So finally, in late 2022, they were finally able to start their much-delayed world tour, which finally finished up in spring 2023. And they did stop in Australia for that tour, so it may be a little while before they make it back there. Right now they've just started their 2023 Christmas tour in the US, so we don't really know their plans for next year yet. Speaking of Mitch and Kirstie: a reactor who is a vocalist/singing teacher was watching her first Pentatonix video, and mentioned that she was a little surprised that there was only 1 female vocalist in the group, as most a cappella groups would normally have at least two females. Then...she heard Mitch sing for the first time (Mitch-slapped!), and said that she understood why PTX only had 1 female, because they had Mitch!
In many ways I actually appreciate having to take it slow. It’s like when you catch up to an amazing TV show and then you have to wait for them to make a new season. Or worse.. The show got cancelled!! Being a reactor I have to be careful to not get ahead of myself and just dive into an artist’s work. It could cost me some amazing future reactions. It can be difficult, but it does mean that I can value each piece as a landmark rather than be overwhelmed by tonnes of songs and maybe not appreciate each one’s value.
Thank you for reacting to this beautiful Pentatonix video. Pentatonix toured Australia twice since this video. They toured in 2020 before the pandemic. They also toured there earlier this year, 2023.
The saying goes like this, Simon and Garfunkel waa a warning for the future if things didn't change. Disturbed was pissed because no one listened. PTX was hope because finally people were listening. Although I do understand being drawn in to the sadness, and the dark energy of the original.Great reaction, and brave saying anything about PTX that can be misunderstood as any thing less than perfect. LOL :)
Haha. Firstly I love that assessment of the different versions, and second, you may have noticed how carefully I was choosing my words at that moment. I really didn’t wan’t people to think I was criticising it. It really is just a taste thing. And really, how could I criticise such a perfect performance? I’m in no position at all pass judgement on Pentatonix. Stellar work!!
Thanks very much for your insightful analysis! I'd love to see you react to their versions of 'My Heart With You' and 'Carol Of The Bells' as well as their mash-up of 'Pure Imagination / Christmas Time Is Here' (they only just released the latter). They're in 5-part harmony (4-part for COTB) and, to me, some of the best harmonic and dynamic work they've ever done (which says a lot!).
PTX is amazing as always. Since you love this song so much, you definitely need to hear 'Disturbs' version. It's like a totally different song & yet still amazing. Just like the original by S & G. Three amazing versions of the same song, unique & special in their own way.
So... as an OLD GenXer (defined from 1965 to 1980, I was born in 1966, my sister is 1975, there is even gap that is obvious between us)... Growing up with a father that was more Morally and Culturally aware of Social Injustices here in America than most... this and John Lennons Imagine spoke to us. That said... I have understood American cultures downfall was Commercialization. The loss of the community, caring for our neighbors was disappearing. After listening to Simon and Garfunkels Original was a warning of the loss... Disturbed's version was the ANGER those of us that watched Commercialization take America over... And Pentatonixs version... became the hope newer generations will heed the words... and maybe change the future. A few commenters have echoed my thoughts... almost word by word, but I guess it's flattering? I cry every time I hear PTXs version of both! Great reaction!
Yeah it was pointed out to me in another comment that a songs meaning can evolve when transposed over a different time frame or set of circumstances. It’s definitely given me something to think about! Once thing is for certain Pentatonix version couldn’t be performed better if an ACTUAL choir of angels came down and did it themselves. Absolutely magical!
Wow, loved your interpretation of this song. In a sense, all thoughtful songs from the ‘60s were protest songs. In this one, it can represent the two sides screaming their message across the void but neither side listening. Or, there was also an awareness of the Silent Majority phenomenon back then, (Edit - this is wrong, see below) *people who felt impotent in the face of big government so, believing it wouldn’t matter, they said nothing*. (With the renewed interest in the song, I went back and listened to the original. It was much boppier than I remembered.) The thing about good songwriting is that the message can evolve to suit the times, something Pentatonix also demonstrates in the cover of John Lennon’s Imagine. I enjoyed your reaction and analysis very much, so thanks. As others have said, their brand new live cover of Kiss From a Rose from the VEVO studio is just stellar and you may want to add it to your list. To me, it’s a continuation of the maturity, power and passion they have demonstrated recently in Prayers For This World, Creep and I Rise. Would love for you to react to it. Peace from Ohio …
@@PrymalChaos So sorry, I completely mangled the idea of the Silent Majority. I’ve since looked it up and evidently it meant the mostly white, blue-collar workers who were okay with Nixon and the government’s stance on the Vietnam War but weren’t vocal about opposing the protesters of the time. That’s quite different!
This has been one of my favorite songs since I first heard it, over fifty years ago. I have always came up with different meanings every time I hear it. I agree with you in many ways and I am glad you enjoyed this version. I'm not sure how you would rank them but the original is my first with this one coming in second, and Disturbed is third.
I think for me it would depend on how I was feeling that day, but boy is Pentatonix performance magical. I tried really hard to make sure I didn’t come off as being critical, I can’t imagine any group or performer coming up with a version that improves upon what they did. At the time It just seemed a little more joyful than melancholic. But when you put five magical voices from five beautiful angelic people together singing in perfect harmony, it’s almost impossible not to experience joy. 🤷
@@PrymalChaos The melancholic version has already been done. We know PTX will always find a new way to sing an old song. I think their version is still filled with the warning but it leaves room for the hope that we will heed the warning and get it together. . IMO
please react to pentatonix / love again. new rules. sing. cheer leader. pompeii. gold. the feeling cant hold us they rap in this. . radio active. new here from ireland
I always felt Simon and Garfunkel’s was very melancholic, I didn’t like Disturbed version at first because it felt angry, and I thought it lost the melancholy feeling. It did grow on me the more I heard it, but then this one I felt, tried to marry the melancholy with some of that intensity and ended up with a beautiful melody and a moody message.
The neon God = television. People hearing without listening = Radio. People writing songs, that voices never share = Big Vinyls iron grip on the music industry. The words of the prophets = untapped potential because of economic disadvantage. "The medium is the message" - Marshall McLuhan, 1964.
Oh WOW! Thanks for that! That has put a few things into perspective. I knew there was a deeper meaning for the allegory, in the moment I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I settled for progress and consumerism. But yes! It’s media.
Awesome as always- I'm positive I mentioned the concert in march lol... okay so i am hoping haha Can I back up the suggestion of checking out their latest release Kiss from a Rose, Its a whole other level, be an interesting comparison of time TeapotNinja says it best.. Babytonix were outstanding. Teentonix were exceptional. I have no words for Growntonix 😍
Firstly, thanks for the support mate! I appreciate it as always! Secondly, I have always been so busy being in awe of PTX, that I never even considered that they were evolving over time. That analogy of their different eras has really got me thinking! 🤔
I liked your reaction, but you, like several others I’ve watched, seemed to have missed Matt’s lead/solo where he does that octave dive on “sound” (of silence). I thought it was amazing.
Didn't tell you because: See discord but, in brief the original & a few other versions are better; also your channel is about you finding and perhaps introducing the listener to new music & its not new, you've already done Pentatonix & this version isn't challenging, it's just nice & well sung; doesn't elaborate on the original idea or context.
Subscribed. To answer your question, Yes, yes they can. I like your channel. If you are inclined to explore more may I suggest a rection to BABYMETAL. Their music has a positive and uplifting message. They have a fun and awesome performance: BABYMETAL - PA PA YA!! (feat. F.HERO) (OFFICIAL) 🖖 ❤
i liked hearing your point about the meaning and feeling of this song. I heard this version before Disturbed's, which maybe influences my opinion, but I still hear Distusbed's version more as the typical metal cover, which i would love when i was a kid. Pentatonix's version is deeper to me, the complexity that Pentatonix bring to it adds to the deep meaning of the song itself. To me, it doesn't have the feel of a hymn, which might be because I'm not religious at all. But i think this is purely personal taste, because i think you value the song maybe in a more simple (less overwhelming) version, while i like it as overwhelming as possible, even though i prefer silence on my daily life!
@@PrymalChaos I truly don't see it like that, to me their expressions don't transmit that either. But then again, it might be because I listened to it first!
Arts friend in college, was struck blind, and called Art “Darkness “. Paul, being the budding social justice warrior, saw Art’s friend as a metaphor for the evil of greed, and materialism. This actually angered Art. Simon then expanded the theme to include Facism, where the masses are afraid to speak truth to power. Art refuses to perform the song. Once the government becomes God, everyone ends up poor, living in squalor and poverty. Their friendship is strained to the breaking point. The message is dark, and cynical, but that’s where people were after JFK. The only thing that saved the song was that everyone loved it, and it became a financial boon to them. If you ask me, which you did, PTX actually helped the message by shouting it out.
