Is He Good Enough Or Has He Lost It?! 

Look suave, cool and smooth in some JHRA couture: thejawsofvictory.com/collections/jhra

He is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Great personality, really deep lyrics, and an AMAZING voice

Lewis has an extremely powerful and emotional voice, just perfection. His Netflix documentary was heartbreaking in places, raw and honest, showing his vulnerability. I hope he realises how talented he is. The cross on the grave is usually put there for a year to allow the ground to settle before a headstone is placed there ❤

Lewis Capaldi sings in his Scottish accent and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. Thank you for your reaction 😊. Honestly he is my favorite artist 😍

I think he's awesome and such a nice down to earth guy. fantastic voice. ive seen him reply to fans on FB posts saying thank you..great to interact with your fans.

Capaldi isnt really my cup of tea musically, but I really like his personality and hope this album does well for him.

He'd be a fun Podcast guest.

"they're united again in like heaven which looks to be like an attic room"😅 Brilliant dissection of the song!... Now I'll listen to "Dust in the wind" or "Everybody Hurts" to continue with the blue mood 😭😭😭🤧🤧🤧

"Oh the dog passed away. Oh Fuuhh..." Me too Justin. Me too. This was a beautiful song and your breakdown of it was great. But damn. I'm crying at work now.

He's amazing and I adore him. He's young and growing and I can't wait to see what else he does.

David Bradley is very much alive, fantastic actor. Apparently, the puppy dog is 5 year old Cairn Terrier called Winnie from Worcester. Awww 💖

Your description of unexpected success, and how you feel when it happens, is really descriptive and amazing. I can hardly wait for your memoir. Also, it is ok to not be ok. It caused me to have years of fun and hi-jinks. Here's to the weird people. Keep on rollin', Justin.

Last night I dreamed I was in a shop and there was another customer singing the Rides Again theme tune. I joined in, we smiled, and went for a drink. 😄

Lot of comments here saying people like Lewis but not his music/voice. OK fair enough. I, on the other hand, love his voice, his music, and his personality. I first saw him late one night in a short clip of the Graham Norton Show where his interview was hilarious. The clip didn't show him singing so did a search. OMG I have to say, even though his first album had mostly sad songs, his music save my life. I listened nonstop all the next day and a couple days later I bought everything he had released. He and his music have made such a difference to me. Oh, and BTW, I'm not a teen girl, I'm 68yo.

That’s David Bradley! Who has played the first Doctor Who. And Lewis Capaldi is related to Peter Capaldi, who was the the thirteenth Doctor. Yes I’m a Whovian nerd.

Really love your videos. You enable me to enjoy music on a deeper level, so thank you.

The sounds like a song written specifically for Christmas adverts.

Thanks a lot, Justin. Can't stop crying. Beautiful song, beautiful video. 😭

Never gone in search of his music, but I do love Lewis Capaldi! He’s such a genuine guy with a brilliant sense of humour and it’s impossible not to admire the way he’s handling his Tourette’s. So much respect for him. I think he’s a talented singer/songwriter too and if I ever go through another break up I can’t think of anyone I’d rather listen to. I get that some people find his music depressing but sometimes sad songs can be healing, especially if they articulate our own emotions. Ps. That “old guy” in the video is David Bradley, AKA Filch from Harry Potter, Walder Frey from Game of Thrones and ‘The First Doctor’ from Dr. Who amongst many other roles! He’s an absolute acting legend! Shame on anyone who doesn’t recognise him! 😝

I think he'd prefer Celtic to adopt one of his tunes, he wouldn't be too happy with his tunes being adopted by the loyal blues at Ibrox!😂 Lovin' your work JH & JM!❤

He's a hell of a singer with great natural overtones in his voice, he doesn't need all that saturation and harmonic distortion added as well. It's a stupid trend in modern vocal production to just squash the dynamic totally flat and then add back some intensity with distortion and a hyped top-end. It's the new loudness battle. My dog just shot itself* *I have neither a dog nor gun.

This sounds like the typical song they would play on American Idol right before commercial break when meeting a contestant who had a tough road

Love your work on here brother. Respect from Glasgow my friend 👍🙏😎

I love this song... you are breaking it down to the point where it's almost mathematical to you, so I hope you didnt forget that this is art... there are no rules in art.

A sad fact about the grave, headstones are not erected until the soil has fully settled, hence the wooden cross. He has a fab voice by the way. Cheers Justin, another great review. Again !

I'm so glad of your usage of "erstwhile". We really need to start using that word more. Especially if we have several exes.

Regardless of you like his music or not, I don't think anyone can deny that voice and his character. Just seems like a genuinely great guy, down to earth and the vocals are excellent. I thought his first album was great to be honest. This one will likely be a bit samey and nothing new, but that's ok, if it works for you then why change it I guess.

Please contact Lewis and ask him to record that song with you guys again. You're dead right that a big loud sound on the background would be amazingly powerful!

‘But they’re United in heaven, which looks to be like an attic room’ really made me lose it 😂😂

“Oh the dog passed away…f#;k” haaahaa hysterical laughter. You mimicked my exact reaction!

I always wonder how artists like capaldi can exist in the modern pop music spectrum, it’s crazy when like everything is this insane blockbuster production and then he’s just a guy with a piano

Justin I just love your reviews. You’re funny, intelligent and extremely well informed and incredibly talented. Thanks to you I have been introduced to incredible artists like Ren … your ability to deconstruct a song and explain them to us mere mortals is always a pleasure to watch and learn from.

Justin is so awesome, this channel is great

Oh gosh, Justin does the best breakdowns...subbed x

We need a new “Be Nice” segment!! Those always provide a good laugh & one of the things that endeared me about this channel. Not saying I don’t dig everything else,but it’s always good to have one of them every now & again. Cheers!

Great channel this is. Love your videos Justin.

Just discovered your channel and i must say i think ive fallen in like with you, so nice to see you on youtube and looking so well. X

Hi! Your channel is fire m8. Really, I loved you as an artist already but you really, seem to be a straight through nice guy. And what makes you more interesting to me for someone running this kind of channel is that you have skills that are special within more than one field. Even compared to the best within those fields. AND you are non typical personality wise for a leader or member of a typical rock/metal band which gives you a more interesting perspective than most has. You are truly special in many ways man. And in many ways, very few will ever have the ability to play and sound like you do for instance. Now... I do have a few people I do idolize within the field of rock but for me to go that far that I idolize SOMEONE, even a musician, there sure as hell is a personality aspect to that for me, on top of skill and contribution to their music or field. And beyond. Good exemples of that are Dave and Taylor from Foo Fighters, as well as Slash, Eddie vH and a small number of others musicians. You possibly ending up on that list as well for me at some point now when I get to know more about you and how important all music is to you as well as the fans OF music. No matter if they are your fans or not. One of the... no THE biggest idol I have and ever will have probably, is actually the reason I write you now though: Lemmy The most hard core fucker ever to exist in a rock band at the same time as he was the sweetest soul. Intelligent, analytical and real. He never insulted anyone by assuming them too fragile to be honest with and he was never mean but always had a reason for what he told people, and why he thought what he thought. He was always prepared to explain his reasoning, because he always did have defined reasons for his opinions and usually even a point with telling people about them when something negative. I don't know if you ever talked with him after that time at the Rainbow (I think it was). He did like to fuck with peoples heads sometimes, and it seems you come in contact with that part of Lemmy that time. After which he wanted to set things right again by visiting a Darkness show, only to realize that he was not allowed in at all. :p Could you tell the story about that from your perspective? Him not liking your album, your response to that, possible realizations about who and what he really was in rock n roll, if you didn't really know that before hand. And you might of course dislike him still, noone likes everybody after all. What went through your head as you realized he was coming straight to your table that night, after Dave called him to watch your reactions when realizing he was coming to your table, after that interview you guys did about him. Must have been a bit "Oh shit!" I guess not knowing him. I'd love to hear about your side and what you felt and thought about it back then, and now. So funny situation that! Great content and channel! Cheers.

I'm put in mind of a parallel universe where Adele is a scotsman, musically and physically not a huge leap

So much love to you Mr. Hawkins

I've seen an interview he did and loved his authenticity, but admit I've never heard him sing until now. Haven't really been in to current (pop) music since the ... 70s/80s, but this is sweet, easy listening.

Lewis, if you're watching, still top notch, you cannot write bad or poor songs. You can only write one 'first' album, and can only have the new boy on the block reaction once. Your talent and output is consistent and the second album may not be received like the first in terms of a new talent explosion, just accept that you have arrived and in the game. If you're feeling the solo pressure why don't you do a collab album ? 10 tracks , 10 collaborations, spread your wings pal and put yourself about. You are a talented and funny guy, what more do you need ?

I love Lewis Capaldi...great video Justin...

Thanks Justin. I love the song and video - a sad love song. He conveys emotion well. I will look up that Netflix you mention.

There's an interview with him on Graham Norton show. He's a freakin comedian as well, hilarious

The Darkness should be headlining arenas all over the world!!!! Just saying

I sit here so amazed at your ear and then have to remember... literally the guy who sang/wrote "I believe in a thing called love".

I cried from that short snippet at the end. Not necessarily music I’d seek out but pretty powerful.

Is that a David Hasselhoff life size cut out? If it is it's hilarious that I could identify him from what's available to see.

I found this really interesting. Thank you!

The name on the grave is John Fry. I think this is a nod to Grayfriars Bobby. The dog who sat on his owners grave in Edinburgh.

Another interesting episode. Nice 1 Mr Hawkins.

I think he is amazing ,he has a voice that we are never going to hear again so we should embrace it ,i am scottish and i know it is hard for a scot to get music out there because of the accent,but he done it well and is still doing it well .

love your videos man, could you do the clash analysis, hope your doing well

Hi Justin, love the videos. I only found out recently you did a song with De La Soul and was wondering how that came about?

Dude obviously has a GREAT, huge voice. He seems to have a delivery formula that delivers hits and tugs at the ladies heart strings. Starts with a mellow, acoustic intro, followed by a bridge that sets up the dilemma being presented , followed by a melodic dynamic ascension into the obligatory explosion that unleashes his trademark unleashing of the full power of his voice. That teaters on the verge of collapse but delivers turbo emotional feelies, meant to make the angst-ridden teenage girls to unleash their tear ducts as they sing along to the heartbreak chorus. That's his formula and it works like a charm. My only issue with him i that he generally utilizes a 2 part dynamic range. From mellow ballad delivery to bombastic tragedy. It's the element that people refer to when complimenting his voice. And it's the one thing IMO that he need to use more judiciously as he explores the full dynamic range at his disposal. Not sure if that makes sense or not, but there it is.

I love Lewis, his voice & music. My son is at Glasgow University & every time I’m through in Glasgow I hope I run into Lewis 🤣 I believe he was busking on the street there at some point.

New Foos single is out. Would love your thoughts ❤

Justin you are great 👍 I was about to cry but you made me laugh instead 😊

Never watched that video and I don’t think I will. Just the few clips with the puppy makes me want to cry.

This song & video nakes me cry real tears every single time. Sad for the dog to lose his human & pine then crying happy tears when someone else gives him a home then just totally heartbroken when the dog dies then happy tears theyre reunited in the after world. It's such an emotional roller-coaster.

Everybody needs a dog in a basket when cycling.

Truly love him, I'm not a fan of a lot of modern love songs etc but I love his voice

If you can somehow manage to get Lewis on the podcast, it seems like it would be such a hilarious and great chat!

I’m generally too old for modern music. I do however, love Lewis Capaldi. Just as because he is who he is & he’s talented. That video made me weep

Completely agree Justin think he would kill it in the rock/metal scene too. Luv your vids 🤟🏻

Love his music and personality. He is genuine and real. A genius in his own right.

The dog looks like my little Molly... had me weeping at the end! I guess that's mission accomplished then.

Nice one mate!

this video reminds me of one those john lewis christmas adverts

Musical output seems to be a double edged sword. Some groups put out one a year with a small club tour. Momentum gains, tours extend, do they write on the road and get intermittent studio time to complete a successive album, or let the tour finish, rest up and write or go into the studio cold and write songs there! Output and the power to control a bands output seems to come from massively successful bands that record labels need to prop up their own profit margins. The band has the control at that point surely. On the subject of Lewis Capaldi I’m full of admiration for him as a person. Down to earth and a cheeky chap. To see that video of him struggling on stage was raw. Admirable that he’s that open with his struggles but sad that the record company seem to exacerbate the pressures.

Hit and miss with his stuff. Thought he was better as an 'underground' artist, rather than constantly trying to get the radio hits. Watching his documentary though and being of similar age, I related to so many things regarding anxiety and health hypochondria. He must have it ten fold compared to a regular person, while trying to cope with the pressure of the industry and everyone around him. Will always have my support. Good lad.

Interesting ... Thank you for posting 😊

Just the “record two albums” meander had me thinking “wow, this is a great JHRA episode” Then the ninth prevented a major-to-minor-chord-change-induced JH vomit, also great! THEN the mental construction of the great compact disc throne!! This episode is great great great!!!

No Chance. Lewis is a Celtic man. If he ever writes a song for Rangers it'll be called. "Yer clubs deid and the new clubs shite"

😭 Ok, this song is so beautiful. I lost my aunt 2 years ago and I just lost my dog son in August and I could barely get through this video. My aunt's cat she dearly loved died 2 years before her and we buried them together. ❤ ok where's my tissues?

I remember the Darkness bursting onto the scene and the buzz it was generating. Loved how it was music I loved, but also music my parents immediately took to. It was a wonderful cross-generational thing. And I do believe the band has continued to create music that deserves a much wider audience than it's gotten after that Permission to Land buzz. But glad you guys are still out there making great rock music in 2023. Love to see your videos, your witty takes are hilarious, Justin, but never mean-spirited. You're the gentleman of rock 'n roll in my book.

excuse my nerdery, but does the inclusion of the 9th on the maj/minor change not make it a Dmaj7? or just an Am9?

His music's not really my bag, but man he's got an incredible voice. And he just seems like a properly sound lad as well. I'd love to hear him do an acoustic blues album like old Robert Johnson type songs. Think his voice and saddness in his writting would really suit it

Love his music, love his personality! 🤩

LC is cool as is........luv the guy and you JH......shout out from South Africa mate

Thanks! Good work Mr Hawkins

For comments day thanks on the channel again Justin. Me and my wife saw you in Cardiff and you absolutely owned it, can't wait to see you guys again. Can you show me how you do that guitar playing behind your back also any chance of getting your thoughts or a review on Status quo in the future

That was really nice. The video was really nice too. I wonder how his frozen pizza tastes? As good as his music and video? 😊❤

I love Lewis Capaldi on so many levels. A great singer and a genuine human being. So I may have felt overly invested when, for a brief moment, you were on the verge of bagging him. Thank f* for that 9th chord between major and minor! 😅

Violent Femmes sort of did that - Their well-lauded debut album is the one everybody knows and references, but their second release, Hallowed Ground, is mostly made up of songs they wrote before the first, and failed to meet the expectations born of the eponymous record. For my money though, Never Tell is one of their finest songs, and among the tastiest bass lines ever recorded.

Your suggestion to keep the breakout hit, first album to put out as your second, reminds me of the New York book publishing house that hired a consultant to investigate why - no matter how good they thought their books were - only 10% of their titles succeeded, and how to increase that percentage. After 6 months of research (and consulting fees), the consultant came back with a report with a solution: they just needed to only publish those books which are "good enough" to make the 10%. 🤦‍♀️ Genius.

JUSTIN FUCKING HAWKINS RIDES AGAINNNN!! 🎶🎶🎸

Dude have you seen this music clip its brillent it hits hard along with the music

I've often thought/wondered if any artist out there would record essentially a life work of music (many albums), and then release them all posthumously. At that point they can't be spoiled by fame, expectation etc. Of course, the artist is dead and can't enjoy the success ... but you know, I thought maybe someone, somewhere out there would do this :)

Looks like you have a bandaid on your forehead the way your bangs are hanging down. Love your channel.

Your the best bro ❤

"United in Heaven, in what looks to be like an attic room" is my favourite line from this video.

I adore HIM. Music not really my cup but he's a phenomenal singer songwriter and a hilarious, humble human. Loved his staging at Glastonbury wearing his I❤Noel t-shirt. So funny 😂😂😂

You're right about the actor, he was in Game of Thrones, played Walder Frey

The picture on the tab looks like Chris Bailey from the great Australian band The Saints.

A fucking rangers reference was the last thing I expected in this video hahaha. Superb as ever Justin! Welcome at ibrox anytime 😂👌

1:31 nice reference to Fish, I’d love you to analyse the title track of Vigil In A Wilderness of Mirrors or one of his other solo tracks 😀

Love his self deprecating humour. Another Scotsman i'd be interested in hearing your opinion on would be Gerry Cinnamon