Jason Isbell -- Elephant [REACTION/RATING] 

John Mayer once said "Jason Isbell lives at a level where even great songwriters can only visit."

One of the best songs ever written. Jason tells a novels worth of story in 3 minutes. This one always moves me to tears.

Best songwriter of this generation.

I cried the first time I heard this. What a story of unrequited love and putting aside all of that to do the right thing and make a sacrifice of self for a friend in need.

This came out when my son was dying with cancer. Music doesn't get more real than this.

Jason is amazing. That song, and that entire record quite brilliant indeed.

I love jason isbell. "Andy" in the song is, from my intepretation and what I've heard in interviews, just a long time friend who may have been romantically interested at times but "gave up his place in line" several times and just never got to that level, but still loves her very much.

I've recently come out of a divorce and my ex wife has leukemia. It's going to take 4 more years about, and every day it crushes me. I want to be there all that I can for her, and I just discovered this song yesterday and have been ugly crying straight on through til morning.

Southeastern is an incredible record almost start to finish, I would count about a half dozen stone cold masterpieces. There is something haunted in the songs on this record, his other solo records are good but nowhere hear as consistent. He does have some fun songs too, and there is stylistic variety, check out his songs with the Drive by Truckers before he went solo

Cry every time I hear this song. Every f'n time.

Grew up right down the street from Muscle Shoals Recording studio.

Probably the finest song of the 21st Century to date. Saw him twice in Toronto in 2016-17 when my mom was dying of cancer and he didn't play this song. Saw him in Buffalo a year ago, and he did. It was a genuine catharsis.

Reminds me of Jackson Brown......

I showed up at a Steve Earle concert where Jason opened. I was a bit late, and showed up just as started playing this. I’ve been a fan ever since.

Hes not the husband hes a guy that was friend zoned but still stays with her and helps her ease the suffering

Don, I have no idea how I missed you do this one of Jason's. His songs and Tyler's are where I stay these days. Phenomenal writers, voices and beautiful musicians. They are rare treasures. I am so proud Jason was born 50 mile from where I was born. ❤ Green Hill, Alabama I know is filled with pride. Love your reaction to this painfully hard hitting song. I lost one of my dearest ever friends to cancer. Take care Don, Pam

Probably the best singer songwriter to come out of North Alabama..proud to say he's from my home town

And thank you for the shout out to Greenhill. They usually say he's from muscle shoals

so great.. he just keeps getting better and better and better

Nice reaction. He has an amazing body of work. As I'd mentioned on the Sturgill Simpson video that "Cover Me Up" and "Last of My Kind" were the 1st 2 Isbell songs I'd heard of his and my fandom has grown ever since.

First timer for your videos. This song tears me up every time

What a great review of this song, I really enjoyed listening to your perspective. Also love Isbell, of course. The whole Southeastern album is incredible. I love Traveling Alone and Cover Me Up. Incredible.

I legit was about to give up on the song and then it developed... Damn.

Very Happy to see more Jason Reactions! Also from AL (Roll Tide) and supported Jason since his drive by trucker days. Amazing songwriter so please do more...

And btw ....vampires is just as good or better

Roll Tide! I'm from Greenhill Al. We're very proud of Jason !

He is actually better live.....

You made me a subscriber when you spoke about being patient with songs

wow what a great song to listen to = these lyrics are awesome = agree with your rating - and review- puts lots of ideas in ones brain does this one !!

Jason, the rest is history...

I met Jason a few years ago, I think it was at the Flora-Bama...might have been at a Wayne Mills Tribute and he has turned out to be one of my favorite artists/songwriters. Jason writes very powerful lyrics evidenced by those in "Elephant". The first time I heard it, it was described as "the saddest song ever written" I don't know if it's the "saddest", but it definitely ranks pretty high. You rated it a 9.0, I'd rate it a 10+. I like MOST of Jason's music, some better than other, but , I surely enjoy it...both live and recorded. I don't mind paying to see his shows or buying his albums. Jason is just one of my musician friends...maybe you should check out and rate songs by The Wilson Brothers, Josh Newcom, Adam Hood, Davis Nix, Casper McWade, Chris "MoonDawg" Hall, Brigette London, Donna Slater AND the late, great Wayne Mills. These guys write and perform REAL country music...NOT "BRO" COUNTRY. Give them a listen, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I love my alt/Americana country music only problem is it does get enough play time. Guy Clark "the Guitar" I love this song 2009 song RIP Guy Clark

You’re so right, Don.. The simplicity of the music is the balance, from the weight of the hard hitting lyrics. Jason’s a phenomenal guitar player too. He plays with Wilco, at Mountain Jam, on the song ‘California Stars’ He and Nels Cline trade licks, that bring the house down. Also, 😊, I still recommend ‘To Love Is To Bury’, by Cowboy Junkies.. 😊✌️

Riding with private Malone did the same thing. Great country song. Any song with substance has story and build up. Always been that way

The song as you said, you have to take time to listen to see where is it going. Jason Isbell i Ihave just learned of him and his music. Listen to something Vampires, The lyrics to this song are so deep, meaningful, and hit home with me. He is so talented, amazing. I really do not consider him Country, do you ? He is labeled outlaw country along with Jamie Johnson and others. I cannot believe I have never heard of him, this man can really write lyrics we have never thought of. He is great and as always I liked your reaction, how can you rate after that song and you have not heard anything else. You did good with your 9 after you listen to the vampire song you will then understand why he deserves it.

Helps to understand the term Elephant refers to terminal cancer. One of Jason's most potent songs. wait till this guy hears Jason plugs his electric guitar in & tears it up.

I’d be interested to hear your reaction to “Terrible and True” by Lost Dog Street Band

Great! He is known in Texas Red Dirt music and also a very big part of the Americana country, East Nashville set that boasts others greats such as Elizabeth Cook, Todd Snider, Margo Price...etc. Many of the songs in the Americana songs can be dark but have a definite message. Elizabeth Cook's "Heroine Addict Sister" is a strong song with a great message as is her new autobiographical "Stanley By God Terry" I think it is available on RU-vid. Great song!

///M 💪

Oh wow...please don't shit. This is deep. Good rating.

Do " if we were vampires

You looked like you got punched in the face at the end of that song. Haha. Same as me first time I listened.

He didnt take a risk he's just the real deal.... you just listening to the pop?

Nice video buddy. I hope you get back to Cody Jinks soon and check out 'David" by Cody'! Keep up the good work!

Forgot the ht lol, never heard this one lol

Yeah, country is really not the correct genre to assign to someone like Jason. He does not make country songs, he makes art. I think he and Chris Stapleton are the two best songwriters out there today. Chris gets classified as country also but he is more of a blues artist, IMO. I guess Americana might be about the best classification for Jason. He is from Alabama(near Muscle Shoals, home of some of the best American music) but his wife, Amanda Shires is from Texas. Another artist(group in this case) from Muscle Shoals area, that you should check out, is Alabama Shakes. BTW, I am a metal and hard rock guy but I appreciate great music in any form.

I loved your review, but I don't believe she is his wife, or anything relationship wise. It's always sounded to me like she was just a really close friend. He eludes to it when he said "if I fucked her before she got sick, I'd never hear the end of it".