First Time Listening to Imagine - pentatonix reaction | IF ONLY EVERYONE COULD UNDERSTAND THIS :( 

They are not only diverse, but very respectful of their bandmates. For instance, Kevin's Christian religion considers Friday their sabbath. So, they never, ever schedule a concert on Friday nights. They support one another without question.

Imagine by Pentatonix may be one of the most important videos of this century. This group took a classic, timeless song of tolerance and peace and modernized it as only they can. They are a perfect example of what respect and love can be like. Five people with differences in race, religion, gender, and sexuality can do beautiful things when they work together. I cried when I saw and heard this the first time. I still usually tear up when they go into Wall of Sound mode.

When Scott (blond baritone) was a little kid. his folks asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up, and he said he wanted to "sing and make people happy." And that pretty much sums it up for all of them. Avi had to leave (people have already nailed the reasons) but Matt fits right in - he's so chill and good-humored as well as talented vocally. ETA: subscribed for more Pentatonix!

I agree with you 100% about PTX. They definitely spread love, joy, kindness, unity etc.. this has always been a beautiful song with a powerful message, but PTX leveled it up! And they definitely should be bigger.

Good to see you back with us. Avi left the group in 2016 "amicably". Reportedly his mother had cancer and their heavy tour schedule kept him away from being able to be there with family and friends. She has since recovered. He wasn't ever comfortable with how much they were on the road, so this was the perfect time for him to step back. He has since formed his own group and tours on a smaller scale. His new music is a completely different genre than what PTX sings and he is obviously passionate about a more bluegrass style (I'm likely wrong about the style as it isn't music that i listen to, so if that's wrong, sorry), so it's probably better for him to be able to sing the kind of music he writes. Matt has been the perfect one to join the group and they are going just as strong, if not stronger now than they did with Avi. At this point he has been in the group as long as Avi was originally, so can no longer be considered "the new guy." They've got new Christmas music this year and you've still got tons of their previous music to watch. Try out their Joyful Joyful, Sing!, and Carol of the Bells.

They absolutely did John Lennon proud with their take on his song Imagine - they took his words and gave the viewers the visual of his message - enjoyed your reaction

They are better than we deserve. They seem to have the ability to release songs that the world really needs to hear. Some songs that I think fall in that category are That’s Christmas to Me, Sing, Imagine, Amazing Grace, Mad World, Thank You, The Prayer, and now Prayers for This World. We need to keep making Pentaholics so people can hear the beautiful messages that they regularly put out

Well said, all of it. I agree. Peace …

This is a beautiful reaction, thank you. I really believe that is who they truly are, and that is why they have remained grounded and real and together for 12 years as Pentatonix, and earlier even than that for the Trio of Mitch, Scott, and Kirstin. Avi leaving was an emotional event, and as there always is, there are conspiracy theories and interpretations trying to add drama to what was handled professionally by all involved. There is a video of all of them together as Avi makes the announcement, and the emotion from all of them is completely authentic. Their final live performance together was heartrendingly emotional. It was absolutely the right move for Avi, who wanted a different lifestyle and to focus on what he has to say musically. It was also absolutely the right move for Pentatonix, too, because the addition of Matt added to the group without changing what makes Pentatonix, Pentatonix, and they all seem to be on the same page. He's such a joyful person, it is so infectious I can't not smile when I see him, and of course he's a wonderful talent that beautifully complements the band.

We like to say that Pentatonix doesn't do covers, they do upgrades, and for the most part it's true. But how do you upgrade a song that's already perfect? Well, if you're Pentatonix you look for a way to make that song more itself. In the case of "Imagine" Pentatonix treats the song and the song's writer with the utmost respect, and engages in a dialogue. John Lennon saw that things like religion and nationality divide us, so he suggested that we get rid of those things. But Pentatonix sees that it isn't possible to get rid of religions and nations, so they propose another solution. You see, the real problem is something much deeper than religion, or nationality, or even money. The real problem is the human tendency to reject people who are different. So Pentatonix looks for ways around that problem, and then they show us how a healthy community deals with differences. First Pentatonix looks for and finds the things they share with each other, the ways they're alike. And in the process they also find the things that make them individuals. And because they've already found the things that draw them together they can not only accept their differences but celebrate them. Doing that, looking at differences clearly and with love, gives them greater insight. It makes them a stronger, wiser, more compassionate community, and they all benefit from their diversity. Instead of dividing them diversity draws them together, until they can look at everyone and see the one thing that we all share - we're all human. And this means that when they meet someone who is very different indeed, in ways that otherwise might seem bizarre or dangerous, they can still see that fundamental truth, that we're all human, and we're all in this together. Unlike everyone in Pentatonix, I'm old enough to have heard John sing "Imagine" live. And that means I'm old enough to have the evening news from December 8th, 1980 seared on my memory: John Lennon, dead. Killed by an assassin who ambushed him when he was coming home after an evening out with his wife, Yoko. For those of us who remember that night, the grief and shock remain as strong now as they were almost 43 years ago. John had only 40 years on this planet. We have no way to know what else he would have given us if he'd been able to live out his full life; all we know is what he DID give us, his perfect anthem, "Imagine." I wish he'd been able to see this video. It would have made him so proud.

Avi left in love and honestly Matt is a joy. There,s,a,u tube video of,them all together with him announcing,he’s leaving with all of sitting together. Mitch and Kevin and Kirstie,all have tears as Avi explains why he’s,leaving. It’s so heartfelt by all of them 11:42

Regarding your wondering why they "are not bigger"...its my opinion that the radio stations and big media companies are so stuck in their ways that anything new or different is sadly under-represented or ignored entirely. The same reason why the label that signed then as a part of their winning The Sing Off dropped them a few weeks later. Thank goodness PTX was not as short sighted in understanding their potential as those executives were!

I love this video so much. The message is just as important today as when they filmed this. Thanks for your words.

This is one of a very few songs that Pentatonix can't perform as well live as in the official video, and the reason is that ever-changing first sign. All of those changes to the sign had to be done electronically, in post-production. The technology to do it in real time, on some kind of real sign that's small enough to be passed around but large enough to see, doesn't exist yet. E-ink is getting us close, but no one makes something that big with e-ink capacity on both sides, yet. Maybe one of these days....

Takes courage to put yourself out there despite opening themselves up to the negativity this world can dish out!

There is something so special about their ability, to tell the songs story, allowing us to listen with a new perspective, and hear & feel emotions, we may not have heard from the original artist 💖💖💖 Not only their voices, but their delivery is also their gift! *IMO, no other group, can build up a song, like Pentatonix* They are masters at pulling on our emotions!!! 💗💗💗 *They are individually so talented, however, when put together, it is truly magical* 💗💗💗 Thank you for such a thoughtful reaction 💗💗💗

Avi Kaplan, the founding PTX bass, now has an incredible solo career ~ I hope that you will consider giving his original work an honest reaction. The three songs that I recommend as an introduction to his talent show the wide range of his musical ability. First is his powerful "Change on the Rise" ~ followed by his gently beautiful "Avi Kaplan, All Is Well, 7 Layers Session # 126 ~ then his jamming 'When I'm A Fool, Live at Sunset Sound" Great music by a wonderful man! Yes, I'm still a Pentaholic, but must admit that I now also follow my original favorite former PTX member ~

Loved your reaction, J! I can tell you are 'experiencing' the magic of PTX, not simply listening to the music, if that makes sense - YES, they have come out with their Christmas music and I think you would love 'Please Santa Please'! It's a very upbeat, catchy song sung with Kirstin as the lead - she, Kevin and 2 other people (I believe), wrote this song which makes it extra special - I am a 100% Pentaholic and I have subscribed to your channel - I appreciate your feedback for their songs -

If you look up "Avi leaving Pentatonix" you will see the interview where he tells everyone why he is leaving. You should react to it along with "Dancing on my Own" which is a video they did without Avi and before Matt.

Watch “Beginners Guide to Pentatonix” you will learn all about the group and their changes

Pentatonics is not a disease it is a lifestyle - You get us on board and you win! Just sayin’

Forgot which video had it but at the end they announced Avi leaving and they just fell apart while doing the announcement. Avi's mom got cancer and he needed to help her with the recovery. Plus he was getting drained by the constant touring they were doing.

Avi, the original bass, left because the tour schedule was crazy and he wanted to do a different kind of music. I suspect he was also tired of being the adult in the room. Most of them are pretty silly. Avi is very focused, so focused that Kevin "got really scared" when they first met. I believe he was physically and emotionally drained and needed to soak in nature for a while. I'm a tree person myself so I get it. I enjoy their diversity. Sometimes when I feel like all the work we did in the 60s was in vain, I watch them and realize it wasn't. I do get a chuckle out of the fact that, given how many Christmas albums they have done, some people expect them to be a part of the so-called Christian white supremacist movement. Nope. The band is comprised of two gay men, two Black men, and a Latina. That really blows some people's minds. First time I saw this video I cried for 10 minutes. John Lennon (one of the Beatles) wrote the song. He would have been very proud of this rendition.

You should check out Ren. He’s another artist that speaks his own truth.

You are absolutely right! Excellent review.

Thanks for the reaction. They definitely take this John Lennon song and make it their own. I don’t like when reactors use the HUMAN as their thumbnail as it could spoil the ending for anyone who hasn’t seen the video.

Loved your reaction. They are amazing. Their diversity makes them unique and their obvious closeness allows their music to shine. It’s mind-blowing to me that a group with over a billion RU-vid views and 3 Grammys can’t get a song played on the radio except for an occasional Christmas song, which by the way, they do Christmas music like no one else. Their split with Avi started out amicable but unfortunately by the end of negotiations there was a definite divide. I believe only Kevin and Avi are still in touch. In true PTX style though they never bad mouth each other, actually they never even talk about each other at all as far as I can tell.

Loved this reaction. Thank you for your comments and your insight. You are so right. I wish PTX was bigger or at the very least that every person in the world could hear this song. I think if everyone heard this song we might be able to change something or at least start the changes. It won't happen over night and probably not in my own life time. But someday, someway, I hope that humanity matures and evolves into something more loving and accepting. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JU244kTWH-o.html here's the video where avi announces his departure. I heard he departed amicably and it was because of a few things. His mom I think was going through cancer stuff and the pace of their touring and such was really rough on Avi who needs that separation and quiet and being able to escape to nature when he's feeling overwhelmed and needing to feel that connection. He's since started back up with music and writing it and has his own successful channel.

When they pass the cards, they are showing what they have in common such as Mitch & Scott are LGBTQ+ and Avi & Kevin are both American. Then they flip the cards to show their individualities. Ending with what they and everyone watching shares - we are all humans.

Avi left on good terms. His family needed his attention!

Avi left to do his own music.

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I just Liked and Subscribed !🙂✌

Great reaction! You should react to Kiss From A Rose and O Holy Night ❤

did they already do their concert? LOLS, do they ever stop doing concerts?

you should listen to the song aha you see a very different side of Mitch its amazing

Avi had illness in his family. Being on the road so much took its toll

The message wasn't theirs, it's an John Lennon song originally

Avi Kaplan Anonymous Updated 1y He was unhappy for a long time and didn’t like the current setup of the group and especially thought Kirstin was a weak link and needed to be replaced. For years he made her life miserable and she seriously considered leaving the group because she was so unhappy. Everything that went wrong he blamed on her. Finally Avi came to the group and said me or her. They discussed it and fairly quickly came back with her. This all happened in 2016 while they were working on the Christmas album. It was around that time when they came up with the idea of PTX classics and they used that album to get Avi out of the contract with RCA rather then going forward with the second original album they had planned. Once Avi left the group he blocked all their original songs any of them had written for PTX on a technicality, even the ones he had no part in writing. He wanted the band to continue to pay him what he was making when he was in the band and held these songs as ransom. During the writing process for their first original album they wrote a ton of new songs and intended on saving some of those for their second original album. The band had that second original album ready to go for 2018 and they were ready to tour on that new album, but had to quickly come up with the Top Pop album to replace it. The tour was so huge because it was for an original album. It was also supposed to be international, but they scaled that back as well. In 2019 after legal issues with Avi ended, they had to start from scratch writing all new songs. They lost close to 50 originals we will never hear.