Ex Metal Elitist Reacts to James Blunt "Monsters" 

Read the description of the song. His father was dying from kidney failure and was at 11% function with no available donors. Blunt wrote the song to say his goodbye to his dad, played it privately for his dad, then asked his dad if he would sit in on the one take video. The video was released, blew up the charts, was heard by a distant cousin who was moved to get tested and was found to be the only compatible donor, which ultimately saved Blunt's father's life.

I'm so sorry, my friend...my pop died in the car, sitting beside me, as I tried to drive him to the E.R. in a blizzard...I watched him have a heart attack. When we got there and I opened his door, and he fell out of the car onto the snow...but I was in my twenties. I'm so sorry you experienced that so young...

Thank you for sharing such personal details. Losing your dad so young probably helped you realize how important you are to your children. Many people don’t get that at all, sadly. And your son with autism is particularly lucky to have a dad who sees all of him. James Blunt wrote and performed a hell of a song 💪

Both James and his dad were officers in the British Army: James was a Captain and his dad was a Colonel. The line; "we're just two grown men saying goodbye" was said by James to his dad as he was leaving for the Kosovo war in '99. At the end of the recording, James and the crew were all in tears. His dad snarked "I'm not dead YET"!! and had to console them all. After releasing this song, James gave all proceeds to the British charity "Help For Heroes", which aims to help veterans. What a champ!!

Wholly shit.... I'm not a real fan of Blunt, but this struck a chord....Lost my Dad 1.5 years ago. "I know your mistakes and you know mine," is exactly how our relationship was. Open, honest, heartfelt and supportive.

There is no pity, only empathy and compassion. You lost your dad, very young, I lost my dad in February. He was 88 and I was 64. This song hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t think I even cried that hard at his funeral or burial, but to see the pain I saw in James and saw in you, that connected to the pain in me.

That son saves his father’s life.

I have seen this video dozens of times and I cry every damn time I watch it!

At least in James's case there was a happy ending. Google the story behind the song, it's astonishing.

The producers of this song wanted James to have less emotion in his voice and he said no way. I want it authentic because this is real.

When my dad passed I just immediately started working because I wasn't ready to deal with the fact he was gone.. several months I kept the cracks from showing then one day in the warehouse this song came on the radio and I just broke down.. any time I hear this song it gets me

Losing your father changes you... It's onions everytime I hear this friggin song as well. It's good to bare your soul, bro. Authenticity is as native to the best music as it is the best people.

like a lot of people here i to lost my father over 20 years ago from cancer i sat by his bedside in the hospital watching him fight for every breath .i found my self thinking just go to sleep dad and leave all the pain and suffering behind , so when he sings " so just close your eyes " it allcomes back and i become a blubberring mess of tears ,my heart goes out to everyone who is affectted by this song in a simular way, and remember know one is every truly gone if someone remembers them . live in peace and my your god go wth, and keep you safe

“Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later . . . that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called Being a Father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life.” -Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities Sometimes it's hard to see our fathers as anything but our dads. We just need to remember they were boys like us. Thanks for opening up about your own dad.

Your silence at the end literally speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing your heartache with your viewers.

I am so glad you released all those thoughts and emotions. I feel you were supposed to see this video. I cried for you, I absolutely did not feel sorry for you, I felt total empathy. There will be a huge number of people who were in the same boat as you & understand exactly how you felt then & now. You have been blessed with 2 beautiful children, so your dream to be a father has come true, each unique in their own way. Life is never a straight road, there are always ups & downs. Love & enjoy your children, they are so precious. I am sure your dad is so proud of the person you are & no doubt is looking out for you all.

I am happy that you had your Father for the time you did. My Father passed a month and three days before I was born, I feel like I will never feel whole because I never got to see him, hear him… I will always be searching for a ghost

Not going to read any other comments before i post but i can imagine theyre full of support and appreciation. This song is very close to my heart and i watch every reaction i can find to it, which is why i find myself here listening to someone ive never seen before in my life break his heart in real time. You absolutely bared your soul there, man, and you have nothing to be ashamed of for doing so. No part of it was cringe, or 'whiny', or reeked of self-pity. Just a strong, brave man telling his story. Even through the tears speaking of your son made you smile... i imagine youre a great Dad and, dare i say it, i imagine it would make your father proud. You have my heartfelt appreciation, admiration and best wishes for you and your family.

Well considering James did this song in 1 take and everyone was crying proves this song meant a lot to everyone. Thank God his dad survived and is well now thanks to a kidney donation from a family member. My dad passed when I was 5, i do remember certain things about him to this day, he was a kind, funny and loving father, who i miss daily this song hit home to me.

I've watched a lot of reactions to this song, and I think yours was truly honest and touching. You emotions are certainly not cringe. Great video!

You are not cringe and I am extremely moved by what you had to say 👌 The song I agree is very emotionally charged it makes me tear up every time I watch the video x

I've seen a number of reactions to this song and literally everyone says "I'm ready for this" and by the end every single one is chocked up with emotion or just weeping or unable to even put how it feels into words. For me one of the biggest bits of the song is the Lyric "I'm not your son, you're not my father we are just two grown men saying goodbye" and for me it speaks about the changing of relationship between a child and their father when the realise that their Dad is just a guy, a random dude who isn't what they thought but just another flawed human doing (hopefully) the best they can. From your story it sounds like you managed to have this milestone without your Dad still around but not everyone does.

At its core it is a healing song ❤

Thank you for being so open with your story. It may help someone going through what you did. I think your boys will see this when they are older and be proud.

Sometimes people telling their story can help other people that are going through something similar to them. Thank you for sharing and stay strong my brother❤❤.

James Blunt's father Charles, himself a kidney donor, was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease.Blunt wrote "Monsters" to "express his feelings about his father and his illness, almost as if it's a touching farewell to his father.

Mate I’m fortunate to still have my father here and he is 76. I know the end is somewhere and it’s not soon god willing, so I can’t imagine how you feel with the loss. My son is autistic and my dad has a great relationship with him, so I can relate to not seeing that. So I am so sorry for your loss, take joy in being a great dad, as your dad is watching and proud.

Thanks for being vulnerable in your reaction as James was in the song. It's so engaging, the sincerity. Well done. 👏

Lost my father to cancer 13 years ago and it still hurts. This is a great song. That voice....that voice.... Man. I had recommended "Goodbye My Lover" (That song is so incredibly personal to me) but this was great. I hadn't listened to it before. (Pretty much swore off James Blunt because of the feels...but this was worth it.) Edit. I commented at the end of the song, but now that I've watched the rest, hearts out to you brother. I was 33 when my dad passed, but we went through several phases. Growing up, I didn't understand him and he didn't understand me. He was a strong guy's guy. He was so amazing with his hands. Could build literally anything. I was a computer nerd. It was hard to connect. I loved him, but there was no "connection". Then came the years where he and my mom were ending things, and I pretty much cut him out of my life for awhile. About seven years before he died, I rekindled the relationship. We had so many great conversations and visits. I truly respected him and I feel like the direction of my life let him down. (It let me down.) The last time I saw him, he was a shell of himself physically. His mind was active, but his body just couldn't keep up. My last visual memory of him was him sitting in his recliner with the wall of glass behind him and the sun shining through casting an aura of light around him. He died the next day. In the end, no regrets. We left on very good terms...but wow. I could really use him in my life right now. For what it's worth, I'm on the spectrum myself. I'm very high functional and it's really just a "diagnosis" more than a life altering state of being, but just know that as hard as it might be to "understand" your son, he's cognitive of you. Just being there for him in whatever he goes through will mean a LOT.

Oh man..I just want to hug you. Thank you for being vulnerable and saying what you said. It helps others just by hearing you. Take care.

You Dear,Gentle Man….Heartfelt response…..our Dads are always with us…❤️

I’m so sorry for your loss at such a young age 🇨🇦♥️🇨🇦

James was a captain in the British army, his dad was a colonel. The "two grown men saying goodbye" line is what they said to each other as James was being deployed to Kosovo in the 90's

My Dad was a Funny man to everyone... And strict on me... I cried for weeks to this song.

I never had a dad growing up...but I, myself am a father of 4. Two boys, two girls... I bawl listening to this song, for the father that I never knew and for the father that my kids DID know. "No need to forgive.. No need to forget... I know your mistakes and you know mine.."

Bless your heart...I feel for your loss. You never get over it, but you do move through it and you will carry that with you forever, like a private scar on your soul.

I appreciate your reaction to this song. I wasn't close with my father, but, my oldest brother was actually my father figure. He passed away at the young age of 52, and I think of him everyday. This song kills me every time I hear it.

Thank you for sharing. My dad died in 2012. It feels like yesterday. I'm sorry for your loss.

Brings me to tears every time. I lost my dad in 2010 and my mum last year. X

The process of healing is a lifetime journey. It's been over 30 years now since my parents passed 11 months apart and I miss them both terribly to this day! Eventually that pain finds a place to hide in your heart and comes out when it needs to. Thank you for your ability to share!

So sorry you lost your dad at such a young and vulnerable age and in such a tragic way. It stays with you for the rest of your life. Don’t ever beat yourself up about how you were towards your dad, you never got to have the time to have a relationship with him as an adult son, you were a teenager, just starting out on your journey to adulthood and you had to do that without your father by your side. Enjoy your family and watch your little ones grow and embrace every day with them and enjoy fatherhood. Your dad would have loved you just like you love your children. We all miss those that are no longer with us. We have to deal with life’s losses and keep the memories close. Be kind to yourself ❤

Glad I found you. Your past and paint heals others in one way or another. Always remember that. Much love.☯️💟☯️

This is what music is supposed to be about. Connecting us emotionally. Do not ever feel ashamed of an emotional reaction to music. I can remember the first time a song hit me when I was a kid. "Seasons in the sun." Our music teacher was playing it for us. And for some reason it just hit me so hard. I will always remember that.

I lost my Dad June 25th. He fell down his stairs at home. Everyone loved my Dad. I miss him and this song makes me cry everytime.

It must have been an incredibly sad time for you being so young when your dad passed away. My condolences. It was a true song at the time of James Blunts father but fortunatly a cousin gave a kidney to his dad which is so heartwarming. My father died in 1990, a very long time ago but he is always on my mind no matter what. R.I.P. to your loving dad 💔💔💔

Yup, the song is hard. I can only advise everyone to reconcile with their family. My father died of cancer when I was 21. It was also the first death I had to experience. We were not so good to each other for a long time. We were too similar in character. We said goodbye on good terms, but it wasn't good enough for me. That still hangs over me today, 22 years later. Together with the same image in front of my eyes, the dominant memory of how he waves goodbye to me and my family. Even the fact that I told him that I loved him fades into the background as if I had never said it. And then he was dead the next day and there would have been so much more to say and work through. It wasn't enough. Our shared pride has been in our way for too long. And in the end, there wasn't enough time. This makes you incredibly depressed. In the meantime, everyone in my family has died, except for my mother and niece. Make sure you don't regret anything in the end. This will haunt you for a lifetime and be good to each other, that if you die one day, you will be remembered as a good human and you will not leave any traumas behind. That would be my advice.

Not cringe at all - it was important that you shared this. A good father (none are perfect) is a wonderful blessing in life even if we don't have them for very long.

My heart breaks for you. I was blessed to be with my daddy when he passed. He was there when I took my 1st breath & I was there when he took his last. Your son is so lucky to have you as his daddy...

I lost my dad, too, and it's a loss you simply don't "get over" no matter the age. James Blunt said so much in this very simple song.

I came across your video on my fyp on Tik Tok. Searched you on RU-vid and now I’m tearing up.. I didn’t want but needed this❤️ much love

Thankyou very much for this. Your story mattered a lot to me, and I appreciate you sharing it.

Never feel sorry for your emotions. They are there. Like it or not. My dad was my best friend, and past at 55 this last December. I'm recovering. We never get over that part of us leaving. But we learn that we aren't alone in our sorrow. And learn to cope. Learn to heal. Every day. Stay strong my friend. You aren't alone.

Love and Light Wolff. Thank you for telling your story and sharing your reaction

Wow, that must have been so tough for you. Thank you for sharing. I still have my own father, but he is not well. I will have to go through this experience myself in due course, and it terrifies me. Thank you for your strength. Keep well.

That was deep. It made me tear up. Bless.

Ren and James reacts always get me. Hope for more in the future!

Beautiful reaction

Mike and the machines, living years. Breaks me every time I hear it. My father is still alive, so far as I know 😢

Thank you for sharing part of your story and posting this video.

I also lost my father at 14. He was also very sick, and I watched him die. This song reminds me of that time, almost 40 yrs ago.

Mate, that wasn’t “cringe” at all! I could’ve listened to you talk about your relationships forever. Subbed.

Thank you for your heartfelt reaction. Sorry it took you to a place where you felt cringy. As I've gotten older, and watching my sons grow up, I realized how important it is to be vulnerable. Not that we're looking for attention, or asking anyone to feel sorry for us. It's vital for True human connection. When we share our joy as well as our pain, it has a chance to resonate with others. Because, as you said the beginning of your video, we all have stuff going on. To have that connection, let's us know that we're not alone as we go through life's challenges. Having our own experiences resonate with someone else and help them through theirs, creates value in that struggle. Enjoy your journey

Thanks for ultimately posting this. I appreciated your story.

lost my dad to cancer when I was 6, in 1988, still hurts 30 odd years later 🇬🇧🩵

This is first time i hear james and that song is so powered.

I am myself a dad and I am looking at this song from the perspective of my children almost losing their father because of my lung embolism. When I had my embolism, I had just lost my mother and more than anything, I was worried about my children having to go through that at such a young age, having to grow up without a father, or my wife having to adjust her life around me not being there and the grief this would put them through. There was no cringe in this video, just honest thoughts. Nobody will think less of you for opening upnabout your personal history.

This was difficult, but sharing will let the demons out and you will feel better. Hiding feelings is neither good or necessary. It is hard to talk about, I know. Been there, done that. The song is brilliant and something few can create. Well done!

To find people like yourself who really know what this feels like, and despite the pain, shares their story about it openly has helped me immensely.

Thanks for sharing some of your story. You’re a really good dude I can just tell. Best of luck tou and your family.

I think you were meant to watch this video. Music is what unites us all. Thank you for sharing your feelings.

Im glad you decided to post the video, it wasnt cringe at all!

Yeah, it certainly should come with a health warning but it seems to give lots of people especially guys time to reflect and cry . The other thing about your story is your appreciation of your dad and of course teenage boys aren't usually the easiest to get on with and only tolerated by parents, which we don't get till we're older.

I was 16, 5 days before xmas he was hit by a car. I can only count xmas' not the day he died . This year will be 35. I cant even have a sparkle of true happiness that time of year but I can sure act for my 2 children and 1 grandson. Im terribly sorry you had to grow up without your dad. I see and feel your pain.❤

Thank you for your honesty. My dad past away when I was 6. You helped me today😢. Thank You Very Much 😢

I lost my father some years ago he had demintia, and this song hits me hard

My father was my hero and best friend, he taught me everything and supported everything I did, to let me learn mistakes on my own. He went into hospital during “covid” and never came out. No goodbyes, no hugs, no visitation. I enjoy watching mens reactions to this song. This song lets me release all the struggles. I appreciate your words brutha, dont let your past define your future, all we have is now. All children are very special, I dont believe in labels, they want to define my son with adhd, hes just abundant with energy. Thank you for helping us heal.

I feel you brother , sometimes its necessary to be vulnerable it keeps the keel stiff it assists the focus needed to truely see ourselves , this gets me everytime - God I miss my dad cheers brother Kiatau te rangimarie

I lost my father and two of my sons 15 years ago it hurts, l think of them every day. But l have to push on because of my other 3 son's and my grandson. ❤ beautiful song.

love your honest reaction, thank you

I hear you brother. Your description really hit home for me when you mentioned that you weren’t treated the same as others. I’m curious, did you have other siblings and if so were any of them brothers? Being the only son in my family I tended to get treatment (and not good) that my sisters were able to avoid. I really have mixed emotions when I watch this video. Hell, I’m 64 years old and those feelings still surface from time to time. You just push them down, along with the other sh!t that’s been thrown at you, and keep moving forward. But yeah, I hear you brother.

Thank you so much for doing this song. I lost my father when I was seventeen. I'm in my forties now. I still grieve like it was just yesterday. I had a problematic teenage-hood and my dad suffered greatly with pancreatic cancer and only lived eight weeks from diagnosis. I don't think I've ever dealt with my grief or the things I saw as a teen. It was the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I miss him every day. And I live with the guilt of not apologizing for the trouble and grief I caused. The part "No need to forgive, no need to forget, I know your mistakes and you know mine" hits extremely hard.

I can empathise with losing a father at a young age. I was 11 when my dad died from cancer. I didn't know I was autistic and so I couldn't handle my emotions. It wasn't until 13 years later that I worked through his passing. Then I met a man who was disabled and who didn't look after himself. He was a bilateral leg amputee. Due to me helping him and accepting me as his unofficially adopted daughter I began to heal. Then in 2015 he became really sick. He went into hospital the night before my biological father's death anniversary. He suffered for 14 weeks before his body gave out. Now, I can handle the passing of both my dads. I tell stories about them and help other dads by telling what each of their stories impacted on me. It is now 25 years since I lost my father and almost 8 years since I lost my dad.

My dad wasn't a good dad which is a hard thing to say , he died of a heart attack when he was on his own ,as i get older i do wish id been able to say goodbye but not being able to ,this song hits hard .

God bless you! ♥

Losing your pops at 14 is hard enough, losing him right in front of you… I cannot imagine. I don’t know you, but I love you big guy!

Heart felt words fella - big love.

I’m sorry for loss. Both of my AMAZING Parents died suddenly, unexpectedly and out of country. My greatest regret in life is that I maybe didn’t say I love you often enough

He has such a unique voice. I appreciate its beauty, but this is one doesn't hit me much emotionally. Thanks! PEACE!!!

I should add that James' Father was in kidney failure and they were having issues finding a donor and this song was recorded at that time. Luckily, at the last minute they did find a donor and his father is now doing well.

My dad wasn't present, when I hear this song, I think of my mom. She chased the monsters away.

I know when your dad passed away in front of you, it marked you. My dad died in my arms of a massive heart attack the day after my mom died. I was hysterical, screaming at him not to leave me because he was all I had left. It marked me. This is something you just learn to live with. It's been over 20 years, but I'm still dealing with it. I was very close to my parents.

I’m a new subscriber! I love the way your reaction is so true to yourself! ❤

💔 the song and momories it brings up....

Beatiful.

My dad was also strong and strict. It wasn't till I grew older that I realized that he was strong, strict and fair based on results. Thanks for sharing your experience similar too mine.

Fathers in the generation of mine were not meant to be dads, so we are a lot to have grown with "daddys issues"... yesterday, mine was here to visit my kids and me, and he's so an old man yet, that I can't remember all the grievance and discontent I could have once. I'm still not an adult for him, but he's no more a real grown up man, solid and stable, and that imabalance give an imperfect new tender relationship. Strange. All that blablabla to say "keep on sharing thoughts with music, it's a relief to us all"

Thanks for your thoughtfulness, openness and honesty.

I loved your review and your channel. Thank you for your honesty, I'm so gald that you can now appreciate your farther, your experience and understanding will help forge you as a Dad. If you can see how your dad would understand something and you don't, it means your on a path to understanding. I've been reading all the comments, and It's been enlightening, thank you all.

A great reaction thank you.

Yup. We need a little brutal reminder of familial love once in a while.