No shit. When I Get to Heaven is a good song to listen after this. Editing to say this is my husband's acct. I forgot I had his phone and no matter how innocuous the comment I don't like to without people knowing it isn't him since he didn't comment. God Bless.
I'm a pretty tough old guy, but this song chokes me up and brings tears to my eyes...every time. It is an awfully big dose of reality to swallow within the space of the few minutes that it takes to listen to it.
John is so amazing and unfortunately unknown to many people. He is unquestionably one of the greatest American songwriters. He was wonderful live, we went to as many shows as we could when he would be close to Lexington and we’re never disappointed. It so sad that’s he’s gone and we won’t have that experience again. React to his catalog as much as you can, he will bring out every emotion we have as humans. His voice is one of those that you know within a second of a song starting. Thanks for reacting to him!!!!
Man, this is one of the most, if not the most, vulnerable reactions I'ver ever watched, and I've watch a lot. When I was about 25 years old, I was on my way to work one morning. I worked at UPS. The parking lot at the building only had a few parking spots for customers. So, employees had to park a block or 2 down the street. This one morning, that time won't allow me to forget, I was walking towards the building from the parking lot when I saw this older gentleman walking towards me. He was white gentleman with a posture that kind of said he didn't have much of himself left. As we inched closer towards each other, that still small voice said to me, "tell him good morning." He looked to me like he wasn't all the way there upstairs, and I allowed that to cause my pride to get the best of me. "What if I say good morning and he doesn't say it back?" I thought to myself. We got within a single step of each other. My eyes took to the ground to avoid the encounter, and my lips restrained themselves under the pressure of the pride. The suddenly a gentle pleasant "Good morning!" filled the space between us. He didn't allow pride or anything else to speak on his behalf as I did. Of course, after he greeted me, I said good morning in return, but by then the shame had already fully engulfed me. It's been about 20 years and I still remember how shitty I felt that entire day afterwards. Till this day, I think about it and I can still feel some vestiges of the shame. If you're ever in that position, don't do as I did.
The most amazing thing about this song is that it was on his first album, which was released hen he was only 24. He had a gift for walking in other peoples' shoes.
It's only recently that I can listen to John Prine at all without tearing up, since his passing from Covid. But this song always made me tear up anyway. John was a world class songwriter and you would enjoy a lot of his catalog. For something lighter, try 'Grandpa Was a Carpenter' and 'Dear Abbey'. For more beautiful/make you think/tear up songs try 'Sam Stone' and 'Souvenirs'
Same here! I literally told my mom to shut up when she told me the news. I shut down for a long time and just recently can listen to his music again. You got gold birthday celebration was amazing!
I'm still not there. John Prine was like a soundtrack for my life. My mom loved him, and we went to see him in concert 8 times together. When Covid took him, I thought....mom is getting a John Prine concert in heaven , and she's probably thrilled.
Thank you from a 76 year old for your analysis and appreciation of this song. How the hell he had the pathos and understanding at 24 to write this is beyond my understanding. Thank you again. Frank
Don't be afraid to jump into his catalog. John Prine could make you cry then the next song will make you chuckle or laugh. Both of these songs were off John's first record and came our in 1970 or 71. Until his death from Covid-19, he released so many records, one right before he passed. He was an amazing writer!!!
Thanks, been waiting to see someone play this gem. He could literally make you lol before that was a thing or cry and somehow enjoy it. John Prine's music should live forever.
One of our most prolific song writer's in America. He has left us an amazing library of music and tales of life. Truly missed but never forgotten, thank you for reacting to this song.🎸🎶
One of the most significant singer songwriters of my generation and recognized from artist of all gendres of music as one of the most impactful on the music scene for the last 40 years RIP John
Oh, God, he wrote and sang some of the most devastatingly beautiful and seriously sad songs I know. I love them every time, and I tear up every time. Just so you don't think he's a depressing guy, I think your next round of John Prine should be Dear Abby, or Please Don't Bury Me, or Illegal Smile. They'll all make you smile and balance out the beautifully sad songs such as those you've heard in this one and Sam Stone.
I still find "There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes" to about the single saddest line in music. Thinking about a child who comes to that realization on why they're a poor family. Why he does 'without'. Why mama does.
Wow indeed, huh? I first heard John Prine in high school years, early 70s. A "New Dylan", as they'd say of every extraordinary new singer/songwriter that came along. Without doubt one of the most gifted and affecting artists I know of. Great suggestions up and down the page here.
Yes, as a 65 year old, living far from my old friends, the isolation of age can make one very lonely. Thank goodness for the Portuguese and their "small town" community attitude, for when I am out walking, neighbors and strangers will say "Bom dia"(good day). It is a small thing, but it helps keep the clouds of depression away. John Prine was a master of plucking our heartstrings.... Try his Dear Abbey for another of his gifts to us.
@@petercooney2597 generally warmer than most places here in the south(I am from the Niagara region in Canada) relatively inexpensive, very low crime rate, nice people, socialised medicine. Portuguese language is a bit like Spanish but sounds more eastern European due to their use of the (shush) sound occasionally when s c and z are used, but English is spoken, if somewhat begrudgingly, in most larger towns here in the Algarve. French is also spoken by some of the older folk.
Thank you for highlighting this beautiful song and it’s important message - respect the ones that came before and paved the way… we owe them at least 5 minutes to chat and “see” them
I love that you let us listen to this beautiful song without interrupting it. I never heard it before - I've heard of Prine but never heard him. Thank you, wow
Thank you for your reaction to this song. Thank you for playing it. John Prine seemed to be the Everyman of songwriting. His songs covered the whole range of life - sad, funny, thoughtful, silly, young, old. I loved him. and I cried like a baby when he died.
Creeping up on 70…body says I’m all that but my mind still feels like it’s in the 20’s. 🤷🏼♂️ It’s been 5 years since I’ve seen my kids or grandkids. Text messages and the odd picture in the email, so this song really hits home for me.
The first time I heard this song I was not yet 20 years old. Now I'm in my 70s. I'm not yet at the point that I get overlooked, mainly because I strike up conversations first. But someday I will be faded and overlooked, all my friends dead and gone. I've seen the death of at least five boyfriends I was seriously involved with in my younger years. I expect to outlive them all. So far, I've been lucky to have friends in all age groups. This song reminds us to engage across the generations regardless of how old you are.
nice video ! i think you are a nice guy too. i m 75 yrs..living in Amsterdam.. i feel i m getting older too.. but there are still so many nice things - and music - to experience
Kudos to you for taking on “Hello In There.” John Prine was such a prolific writer and performer. A national treasure known by too few people despite decades of clever phrases, humor, and some damn serious songs. I don’t believe I have aeen any other reactors touch this one. As a country, we are getting to the point where most of us know of someone with Alzheimer’s. It’s sad. Like this song. Prine develops characters to an astounding depth in just a few lines. We feel drawn in, as though we may have known them ourselves. Above all, he comes across as eminently believable. So here is a less serious song, more humorous. The couple’s relationship is serious and steady, but the song is funny. John Prine with Iris Dement “In Spite of Ourselves.” ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P8tTwXv4glY.html
Some great suggestions. I'll add Lake Marie, Big Old Goofy World, All the Best, Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, Quiet Man. I don't think John wrote a bad song.
Beautiful reaction, Mr. Wilburn. It always gets to me. I always drop a tear. Now that I am no longer the radiant gazelle of my youth, I am ever more grateful for the Internet, but there is always something to do. Learning online languages. Playing online chess. Reacting to reaction videos. Writing short stories. Composing symphonies and songs. Interacting. Missing lost loved ones though too.
Please check out Paradise by John Prine and illegal smile. Paradise he wrote of a fellow soldier that got a letter back explaining how his childhood stomping grounds were gone because of coal mining. Big corporation came in and took paradise away. I was hoping that after covid and my husband could go see him. Covid took him but his songs are real and they last.
You are so right, the more you listen to this song, the deeper the meaning. I am 72 and luckily I get to say "Good morning" and "Hello" to several older folks every day with a smile.
The video is so sad, I still like seeing him young or older singing it live. His storytelling between songs at a concert made you feel he was one of your best buddies. RU-vid has some cool interviews showing his natural charm. Roger Miller ("King of the Road" was similarly a sad, funny, deep but real songwriter.)
My favorite song of his is Paradise. I was born in Greenville. The next stop on Green River after Paradise. It always touches my soul because of what happened to the people and the land.
This song often makes me think of a story told by Dr. Leo Buscaglia (Dr. Love) about a man who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. When authorities went to his apartment they found a note that said if one person smiled at him on the way to the bridge, he would not jump. It was a story about the small gestures of kindness for strangers, the smile, the "hello in there, hello." I am sure some people think I am nuts, but I heard this in the 70s and also heard a lecture by Buscaglia and have made a point of smiling and saying hello all the time.
From his youthful years as a postal carrier, walking up to porches, sometimes seeing inside open screen doors. Hello in there. It's really a great judgment on self-respect: Are you worthy of asking a question and listening to the answer? Do you have the guts to do that? It's tough. "I have no time-!" is a common excuse to not ask, not say a thing, not make eye contact. It takes guts. It takes a person who knows they're worthy and willing to hear the response.
His use of language was so amazing. “You may see me tonight with an illegal smile…”. “I am an old woman name after my mother, my old may is another child that grown old…”. “Please don’t bury me down in that cold cold ground. I’d rather have them cut me up and pass me all around…”. I could go on with this, but I hope you will continue to get into John Prine.
I agree 💯 with your valid assessment...there's another song written by Iris Dement "When My Morning Comes Around" that's powerful as well...l heard Heather Masse sing it on A Prairie Home Companion with Guy's All Star Shoe Band & l froze at the way Heather brought Iris's song to life - awesome beyond description
John Prine was just such a masterful singer/songwriter. He will be sorely missed. Both songs you've done are powerful songs, though emotionally draining. Try "In Spite Of Ourselves", his duet with Iris Dement, for something fun. THAT song is a lot of fun. It's hilarious...and a bit shocking, too. "Angel From Montgomery" is another beautiful song (and may be his best known) - it's kind of his observations/imaginings of the life of a 40-year-old housewife. RIP, Mr. Prine
You have to remember that John could not have been much more than 20yrs old when his first album was released (which is where this song is from--unless my memory is betraying me). So young with such moving and mature tunes. It's a pity that Covid caught him.…
A good, thoughtful young man you here...Hey Willie B...For one of John's most powerful tear jerkers, you can't do better than Sam Stone. "There's a Hole in Daddy's Arm Where The Money Goes..." Those are the words of a thoughtful man...
I have not listened to you recently.I like how you respect the old songs.Please react to to an old Delbert Mcclinton song.I flirted with an old lady today and it made her day.
