Jason Isbell - Elephant (REACTION!!!) (COUNTRY) 

As a big fan of Jason Isbell, I watched this waiting to see The Moment when you realized what the song is about. Such a great song and a songwriter.

This is one of the saddest songs ever written but also most beautiful. Jason Isbell in my opinion is the most talented songwriter alive today. Y'all should listen to more of his music. He's amazing

"There's one thing that's real clear to me: No one dies with dignity" - I cried

"There's one thing that's real clear to me, no one dies with dignity" - to me this is the single best quote I have ever heard in a song, maybe even anywhere. Jason isbell's lyrical abilities are beyond the borders of this world

Y'all "hit the lottery" picking Isbell!! He's been called (and I BELIEVE him to be) the greatest American song writer of this age. Every one of his songs paints a VIVID picture.

Jason is one hell of an artist, singer, and song writer. He has 4 Grammy awards and numerous other awards. He and Chris Stapleton don't get much commercial air play but are the real deal. Thanks guys for playing this and all the other REACTIONS. Outstanding!

"I've buried her a thousand times, given up my place in line" best line in that song guys. Also, Tyler childers - nose on the grindstone

"The elephant" is so real. Seven years ago I watched as cancer took my 11 year old cousin. It was so hard to fake a normal conversation when all I wanted to do was hold him and cry. The last time I saw him I fought back tears because I knew it was going to be the last time, and shortly after I balled my eyes out at the thought that he might have seen me crying when we're all supposed to be ignoring "the elephant."

Jason Isbell is the best song writer in the game right now. Paints really vivid pictures.

Yo I think the real story here is this. Its not about getting on the country train, or the metal train or the hip hop train. The reality is that good music is good music. Screw all that genre nonsense. Its good for the sake of narrowing things down, but wether its Pink Floyd, or the White Buffalo, or Ne Obliviscaris or Jason Isbell, if you love music and I mean really love music, you know the good shit when you hear it. Keep doing what you are doing guys.

Cover Me Up and Travelling Alone are also two excellent songs from Jason Isbell.

I appreciate these reactions to "Elephant". What I love about this song is the depth of the story and characters. In the hands of a lesser writer, this would just be a song about cancer. But Isbell has created a song about *two people* effected by cancer and a reflection on death more broadly. The Andy "subplot" (if you will) is brilliant because Isbell doesn't waste the opportunity to add layers to the story. Again, lesser writers might have just used a neutral narrator, but Isbell gives us just enough to imagine a backstory - hence the opening line "she said Andy you're better than your past". I'm picturing Andy walking into a bar, trying to hook up with someone, but instead he gets talking to this woman and confesses his mistakes and burdens. I don't think Andy had more than this one night at the bar with the women - the rest is in his head - but he is changed by it and can't shake it ("I've buried her a thousand times"). I also like how "real" the female character is. Isbell doesn't make her into the stereotypical cancer patient - a saintly martyr, fundraising for a cure - she's a regular person dealing with her death the way many people might - by trying to forget about it for a while. It's true - no one dies with dignity - but there is such depth to these people. It's remarkable what a great writer can achieve in under 4 minutes.

This reaction sums up Jason Isbell. The stories are unpredictable and touching. His writing is on another level

every Isbell song is gold

Surrounded by her family, I saw that she was dying alone. That line hits hard! 😢

One of my absolute favorite songs in the world. Jason Isbell is one of the best song writers of our generation.

Yes!! You did Elephant!!!!

When music makes you feel something... that's true, authentic artistry...

I can't listen to this song without crying. One of the most powerful song ever

The best thing about this song is that as amazing as it is it isn't even the best song he has written....The whole Southeastern album is incredible, especially the first five songs. He's done two more albums since this one. Check out "It We Were Vampires" which might actually be sadder (though more bittersweet) than "Elephant."

I really enjoyed this. If you hadn't reacted to this I would have never heard this song. Ever. In my life. This kinda touched me in ways I can't still comprehend and it's saddened me, but I am grateful regardless.

Southeastern is a masterpiece.

Isbell is a whole new level in songwriting .... Not many can touch the depth of his lyrics and the pain in his voice.

Listened to 99% hip-hop growing up and now listen to mostly country/folk because I love good storytelling.

Jason Isbell sure knows how to paint a picture with his lyrics...folk's like him seem to be more and more of a rarity now

Jason Isbell's 'Speed Trap Town' is another one of his songs that hits hard. It's about realizing that it's time to move on when 'there's no one left to ask if I'm alright.' (Father's death)

Jason Isbell is AMAZING. I'm not into country music but I've spent the last 2 years listening to his work and finally watched him live in the UK a few months back. His song-writing is PHENOMENAL, and you really get transported into a different world when you listen to his music. Its almost like watching a movie when you listen to all the different narratives in his songs.

The song touched home so harshly and so gently, it became very personal. If you've ever experienced such things, it's one of those songs you feel you could have written yourself. After 25 years with a wonderful wife, the same elephant moved into our home. You can't just leave it behind, it follows everywhere you go. It rides with you in the car. Long after she had passed, the elephant remained. I'm not entirely certain when it went away and it still comes back to visit. Bittersweet.

"If We Were Vampires" is one of the greatest Isbell songs. Fantastic storytelling.

DAMN IVE BEEN REQUESTING THIS ONE FOREVER. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST. What a songwriter Jason Isbell is. If We Were Vampires is another one of his greats..

He's my favorite songwriter ever. All of his music invokes such incredible emotion and thought!

One of the greatest songwriters of our generation. Truly a gift to us all.

I am a metal guy and always have been. Your metal reactions are what brought me to this party in the first place. But Jason Isbell is a master and is one of my all-time favorite songwriters. He is a true lyrical craftsman. I practically squealed with joy when I saw you guys reacted to my favorite song of his. Thanks for the video and as always, keep them coming.

A lot of Isbells songs get to the heart, If We Were Vampires, Cover Me Up, Goddamn Lonely Love, Decoration Day. His songs always seem to paint a vivid picture. I mean lines like 'Girl leave your boots by the bed, we aint leaving this room til someone needs medical help or the Magnolias bloom' that just draw a picture and set the mood.

1st time I've ever subscribed to anyone. Jason Isbell is top 3 favorite writers of all time and I'm glad you guys dug the song. You guys are informative and fun to watch!

Really cool how you guys attentively listened to a song in a genre that probably isn’t your first and foremost. Going to have to check out more of your channel.

This song helped me allot. My cousin and his wife took me in after I turned every bridge with drugs and drinking. 4 years after they took me in. she got cancer and cancer won 7 months after. I watched cancer rip a family apart. I still struggle with this and want perfect. It really breaks my heart every time I hear this song. But I'm drug free and have full custody of my daughter. Thank you Nikki Lynch and Shaun. I will love you guys more than you can ever know. I think of Nikki almost everyday and try to be the best with your daughter every time I see her. I'm glad you guys listened to this song. Please listen to his newer stuff. He makes amazing ballads. If We Were Vampires, Flagship, Speed Trap Town. Amazing song writer and guitarist.

Jason Isbell was the lead singer from the Drive-By Truckers. He is awesome. So I am going to recommend that you guys review my favorite song from them. Drive-By Truckers - Goddamn Lonely Love

Jason Isbell is one of the great songwriters of our generation. He's brilliant, poignant, witty.... I'm glad you guys appreciated the song and I loved watching your reactions. Thanks for sharing this! Two new Jason Isbell fans? :-)

2:29 is when George realised something was off in the song

Never heard this ever! Dude on a local sports radio station loves him and I’ve never given him a chance! What a great song and review

Jason is a 4 time Grammy winner & has many more great songs. You guys should check out "If We Were Vampires" too.

This song absolutely tears me up every time and so I couldnt wait to see how you guys reacted when you see the Elephant. Thanks guys...great review

My oldest brother Doug passed of cancer this last February. He fought it like hell for over a year, and through it all, his was strong for all those around him. But, like the lyrics of the song say “He knew he was dying alone”. And I did too. My other brother was listening to this song and shared it with me when we left the hospital one day. This song will always have a special place in my many memories of this journey called life. It humbled my ass for sure. I think it got you guys as well. Get the stuff done on your bucket list guys... Because one day you’re going to be trying to avoid that damn elephant in the room. We all will.

Great to hear Jason get some play been a big fan of his for years when he was with the Drive by truckers should check them out and I recommend the album the southern rock opera to anyone who wants to hear some more of him

Finally broke down and subscribed. I just love your breakdowns, your both highly intelligent, and always catch things in songs that go over my head. Thanks Guys. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is really becoming one of my favorite channels. I love how you both give each song your whole attention. As a songwriter - this is the perfect situation. Thank you both. I love what you do. The amount of respect you give music is so unusual these days. So good. Thank you.

I am so glad you guys review country! This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and I love how thoughtfully you actually consider SONGWRITING. So few do that!

One of Isbell's best. Incredible.

Even that very first line - "Andy, you're better than your past" - says SO much. She's dying, but she's trying to let her friend know that he has to think better of himself, forgive himself and expect better for himself in the future. It's such a kind, meaningful, selfless gesture. I don't think any of that is by accident. I just think Isbell is one of the best songwriters alive right now.

Jason Isbell is a fabulous songwriter. I had to take this song off the album for a while - because it makes me cry for days.

WoW....Great song..never heard of this artist. I Luv Lost in Vegas for exposing us/me to different artist and different styles of music. Great people in this community. Different strokes but One Love❤

As someone who almost lost their daughter to cancer, this song bought me to tears. This song perfectly describes a father trying to be strong for his daughter, knowing there was a good chance she might die. Thanks guys, got me crying at work and shit. Lol. Great job as always. Also- Mudvayne- Not Falling.

Man so many great Isbell songs.... so so many. Cover Me Up, Travelin Alone, 24 Frames, Flying Over Water, Relatively Easy, Last of My Kind, TVA...

During a time when marketing has taken over the music industry, this RU-vid channel is fantastic for helping people discover new artists. It's a shame that the majority of people out there don't have any idea that Jason Isbell exists and have no idea what they are missing. It's such a treat being able to sit alone in your car and listen to his albums front to back. It's a very emotional experience.

Jason Isbell is the best. Its more considered Americana music than country. He gets little to no radio play on major country radio stations but he is one hell of a song writer!

Never heard of this guy before, actually I haven’t heard of pretty much every country song you guys have been reacting to haha but I think this guy has the perfect balance between blues/Country. I’m going to check out more of his music. Thanks!!

Isbell's writing is AMAZING. Found you because of my love for him. Great reactions guys. Love it.

Song makes me cry every time. Lost three close family members to cancer in a very short amount of time. Jason's writing cuts me to the bone.

I’m a 38-year-old hardscrabble masculine white southern male. 10 years Army, cavalry scout in Rusafa during the surge. There’s one song I can’t sing along to without my voice eventually cracking. That song is called Elephant. I first found you guys when you covered 46 and 2 by Tool. I’ve been a hardcore Tool fan for more than two decades, and it hurts to admit it, but it took my basic ass 20 times of hearing that song before I understood it at the level you guys picked it up on the fly. Since then, you’ve run down a list of my favorite songs, expertly digesting each as you took it in its own terms. Lateralus. Rooster. Living the Dream. Tennessee Whiskey. Elephant. Metallica and Coheed and Pantera. The reason Lateralus is my favorite song ever is because it talks about reaching out for the random. My tagline on my Twitter is “Spiral out. Keep going.” There is nothing material I love more than music. I have it playing at every moment of every day, and have for almost 40 years. You guys are at the place where my love of music intersects with my love of seeking new experiences and perspectives and understanding and knowledge. I stick it out with you through videos of music that you politely seem uncomfortable with, and I wonder how the fuck people can listen to, because I know you’re going to sit in the pocket and experience it honestly. I might not see the value in a song, but I don’t know everything or get everything, and the important thing is to be willing to listen. I don’t know how much you get told this, but you mean a lot of it to a lot of us. I love your shit. Keep rocking the motherfuck on. Oh, and if you ever get the chance, cover a Shawn James song. I know he’s not mainstream, probably nobody else is going to tell you his name, but if you get a wild hair up your ass, do that shit. Flow, Pendulum Swing or Through the Valley. Unbelievable voice, unbelievable talent.

The craziest part is that almost every song on the whole album is this good.

He’s one of the best songwriters out there today. Loved watching along with you to you discover what the song was about.

i love the reaction of the first guy on the right when he finally gets it, he is like" Holy Sh**" powerful song...great reactions

Very powerful song! Very refreshing to hear from a current country artist. That’s a flashback to the old school “Outlaw” days in the 60-70’s where those artists talked about the hardships in life. I might have to download this guys music!!

Y'all hit me with this one.. I just left the Hospital where my mom is. She had a lemon sized Tumor removed in November but they found more today... thank you for this Jamey Johnson High Cost of Living Explains me

Isbell may be the best song writer of his generation. Poignant stuff!

knowing this song and watching your reactions as it hit you was great, the transition as it got real. great channel. Keep em coming!

its so honest and pure, music truly is the greatest conveyor of human emotion (in my opinion). listening to this song i couldn't help but think of the loved one's who are gone and even the one's who are still here but lost. thank you for this, an absolutely beautiful song which allows us to feel something real and remember where we are, amazing! peace, love and joy to you all!! xxx

Very deep story and writing in this one really didn't expect it to catch the feels man. Really well done performance from Jason Isbell he really captured the essence of the story he telling and not only that but did he do the main instruments as well because I know Country singers tend to be proficient at more than one instrument Im assuming but correct me if I'm wrong. Also it really got me to take a step back and take a better look at my surroundings. Well done from Jason and I enjoyed yall reaction on this Country record Lost In Vegas.

So glad you did this song! I'm a huge Isbell fan. Saw him live last month in Durham, and I swear seeing him live is like a religious experience. He's one of the best song writers of our time. Absolutely captivating.

Jason Isbell is a great teller of stories and, in my opinion, is the songwriter of his generation.

You guys should check out Live Oak by Jason Isbell as well, one of the best story tellers out there!

In Color- Jamey Johnson. Just like that guy suggested. It's my favorite song of all time. You guys will love it

Love you guys! I’d love to see your guys’ take on “Whiskey Lullaby” Brad Paisley

wow, after watching you guys react to all the songs I already knew and loved, I've finally branched out to the stuff I don't know. Isbell is phenomenal and I never heard of him until your channel reviewed him. Thanks for keeping me open-minded and exploring new music!!

Isbell is the Bob Dylan of our generation.

Wow I am floored that you picked one of my suggestions! Great reaction I was waiting for you both to get deeper into the song where the story starts to come together. I don't have a chance to watch every video but I love what you're doing guys keep up the good work! Dive deeper into Jason Isbell if you get a chance, probably the best song writer out there in this genre. Southeastern is a 10/10 album!

I’m so happy that you guys picked this song out of the three. I’ve been a huge fan of Jason Isbell’s for a long time and this album is filled with incredible writing and his, of course, that honest voice. Love it and you’re reactions. I knew you were in for a doozie! Lol. It’s definitely a song that stays with you. Great video. Thanks!

Guy Jason Isbells new Album is amazing. He Won a Grammy and got inducted to the Country Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. My mom is getting her Cancer surgery tomorrow. This song Hits hard first time i heard it! Bad ass live too. Saw him in Dallas @ The BOMB FACTORY

Jason Isbell - Cover Me Up or Traveling Alone

Yes! One of my faves!

So glad to see Isbell on this channel. Haven't seen your reaction yet, but this man is one of America's greatest songwriters, now or ever. I believe I once requested a reaction to his song White Mans World. He was once part of Drive By Truckers, these boys are rockers and they truly get it. Good humans. Isbell is a true story teller and poet, and as good as it gets at it. I saw him in January and before his set started I couldn't help but notice a heavier middle aged woman with crutches on her arms, alone and struggling to drag herself to her seat, which was in the front row of the balcony, imagine that struggle. He sang this tune and when I glanced over at her...she was in church, eyes closed, belting along with every word, and I immediately realized how important to her that night, artist and song was. I could feel it. It was beautiful. He was singing it for her and you couldn't tell her otherwise. This man has a real gift.

"Dress Blues" is another by Jason Isbell that's amazing

Every time I watch you guy's I'm just floored... (in a good way haha!). I never thought I would be this drawn to a reactions/review channel but I absolutely love you two! While you guys discover amazing new artists and music a lot of us discover and learn with you. My playlist is all over the place since I stumbled on your channel a while back. Thank you for what you all do. Also... I wouldn't be a true Free Thinker if I didn't throw in a shameless request. Maybe third times the charm! Parkway Drive - Dedicated. You guys won't be disapointed!

Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, and now Jason Isbell you guys are going to get spoiled listening to these amazing artists none of their “contemporaries” come close to the talent of these gentlemen. Isbell and Sturgill get virtually no love from Country radio bc they sing about some pretty taboo subjects for country...Or should I say for what passes for country these days. Y’all should check out Sturgill Simpson - turtles all the way down and Jason Isbell - cover me up.

I'm so glad you guys picked Jason and I loved watching you appreciate his brilliance. :)

I got a chance to speak with Jason after a concert in 2014, and I asked him if he knew the person in the song. He told me that the song was a composite of a few peoples' stories and he mixed them up a bit to protect identities. Great song; touches you every time I hear it.

That was a great country song. I've actually heard of a couple of country songs before just always got distracted by Hip Hop so I never dug any deeper into country. You guys are the truth. I told y'all that you guys were going to revolutionize the RU-vid game. Speak it into existence I guess is true. Peace and one love fellas

I'm so glad y'all finally did Jason Isbell! He's an incredibly poetic songwriter another really good one from him is Cumberland Gap. Or any of Myles Kennedy's (lead singer of Alter Bridge) solo stuff he's finally releasing!

Jason Isbell is widely regarded as the best songwriter of this generation. I'm glad you guys could recognise the genius in his lyrics. He's considered more in the "Americana" genre than country, but has some great country songs. Far, far better than any of the crap on country radio these days. 4 Grammys with almost no radio play. The guy is a poet.

Finally Jason Isbell! One of this generation's best storytellers.

That is a good song but so sad. I love you guys. Your awesome to watch. Can't wait for the next one. 😭😜

Great choice guys. knowing the song, it was awesome to know the big reveal coming after the pause in that first verse, that had you thinking it was headed in a completely different direction. Love you guys

One of the greatest songwriters of our time. God Bless Jason Isbell.

Check out Jason Isbell’s Cover Me Up. That song has always moved me to tears. Also, Murdered In The City by the Avery Brothers. Along with A Little Bit Of Everything by Dawes, these are the only songs that legit moves me to tears damn near every time that I listen to either of them.

Not usually my cup of tea, but good voice and heartfelt

Cody Jinks or Tyler Childers!!!! You have already done my other favorites. Isbell and Sturgill!

Love how much attention you guys pay to the lyrics. So many people forgetting the poetry of music. Keep it up!

I recently go into Jason Isbell, and when I ran across this song about a month ago, it blew me away. I had to listen to it several times in a row. Thanks for the review of this artist. I get to see him at the end of the month.

Jason is a GREAT songwriter. This is really a sad song. I was waiting for that chorus to hit because I knew you’d realize this song is deep. If you guys ever do another song from him, check out Cover Me Up. As always, you guys are the best.