Musician reacts to Ren X Chinchilla - Chalk Outlines  

Brother, I am 53 years old and had tears steaming down my face by the end. Music has such a unique way of connecting with us emotionally, unlike any other medium in my opinion, and this performance was so incredibly intimate and raw. Thanks for the honest and vulnerable reaction. This guy (and now Chinchilla) have an incredible ability to bore down into my soul, and it’s nice to know I am not alone in that feeling.

"It's such a perfect day ... take it just in case" ... "I'm scared of being OK ... because all things change" ... this crushes me every time I hear it. Great reaction and analysis.

I can't imagine the cross section of society that you'd see at a Ren gig. It could just as easily be a queue of people at a supermarket or a bank - so many different age groups all resonate with his music. Rightly so, too - it's incredible

Excellent reaction. I’m 59 years old with end stage heart disease. I live each day as it could be my last, because it very well could be. Ren’s music really resonates with me because he is able to put what I am feeling into words and music better than I could ever possibly hope to do. His music is cathartic to me. I can cry away some of the hurt and fears at least for a little while when I listen to him. Keep up your excellent reactions. I just recently found your channel and am working my way through your older reactions.

Hi ren made me tear up, cause I could empathize. It was more personal to him. But this one made me lose it. I was literally on sertraline for years, a high dose. But I got off it because I started doing better when I met my wife. I'm a father now, my life long dream, but I have been feeling down and the words "I'm scared of being okay, cause all things change" made me sob. It made me realize WHY I've been feeling down again, I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop, something to go wrong. But this helped raise my spirits again.

That line, 'I hope that I'm someone else in the Morning' breaks me every time i hear this song.

No worries mate... Ren does that to everyone! He's the only artist who could sing the phone book, and make it an emotional roller coaster!

Brother, in a month I will be entering my 70th decade and I have tears when I listen to this song. I was brought up on proper music played by musicians who created. For the past 2 decades, we have been fed a diet of formulaic tunes that really don't hit the spot like this. The reason Ren is so amazing is that he bares his soul in his writing and performances. We've been missing this for too long, he is hitting the spot. Peace and love to you all!

I've been going around and watching everyone's reactions to these songs. I even recognize the names in these comment sections. Ren, and Chinchilla hit it home HARD with this one. I am suffering with chronic illness as well, I am in end stage liver failure... the medications I have to take to even get through one day just leaves me blank.. emotionless, unable to feel anything but suffering. Music helps me tho, especially as I am a musician as well. I can't sing, but I play every instrument. I have some music I've written on here. The ones I wrote for family or friends I lost were very therapeutic for me. I love all of you that can feel the music, not just hear it.

'I'm going to try not to pause till the end.' Famous last words, when listening to Ren or Chinchilla. Made me chuckle. 🤣 Edited to add, that you then made me emotional and I remembered how I felt hearing it for the first time, thinking of the struggle, through Ren's eyes and now yours. Heartfelt and real. Stay hopeful. 🫂

I get it! This one hurts me so bad! It is so intense, personal, raw and the desperation and despair makes me feel that.

Thank you for the reaction and for your willingness be vulnerable. He is speaking to millions like us. A different kind of community but a community none the less.

I feel you... and Ren's music is with me every day since i found it... thank you for your reaction and spreading his music; he really deserves it!

Your Ren reactions are top tier my guy. Please keep going down the rabbithole.

The great thing about watching tons of these Ren reaction videos is knowing what's coming, and getting to watch otherwise composed people unravel, because when people are unraveled by music like this, real, painful, wonderful and powerful shared truths emerge. It's because the music holds no truth in itself. The artist had a truth they had to release, and it spoke to you through the medium of the song. But the song was just the signal, just permission to have the feelings you'd otherwise be unable to endure. And OMG is there a well of sadness in everyone's heart? And when you hear Ren sing, and when you feel what he brings, it's such a healing and valuable thing. You mentioned Ren's use of chest and head voice, but did you hear the way he alternated between the two? When most singers go to the head voice it's purely functional, as in they cannot reach the upper notes, the technique eludes them. But Ren switches back and forth within lines, using head voice and chest voice on the same notes depending on the emotion that he wants to evoke. That's why his vocal performances are so powerful. He is in command of that instrument in a way that most male singers aren't even aware of.

Thank you for your vulnerability. Sometimes I feel like I'm out there all by myself and then you come with this reaction and it's like you know everything I'm going through. That is the power of Ren and it's obvious you get it.

This song cut right through my soul. He has some uncanny ability to really use the perfect words to describe a specific feeling even if that feeling is different for everyone. He's got an ability to find the most universal way of visually representing that feeling that everyone can relate to regardless of the severity of their illness or feeling. I think that alone is genius in itself. That double meaning of "take it just in case" is so good, coz the last line Chinchilla sings as her empty eyes stare out into the void the perfect resolution to that vicious cycle of being on or off meds. Goes back to the pendulum in Hi Ren..

Thank you for letting your emotion show. I too get emotional whenever I view such beauty and talent.

Ren has definitely saved lives. You are also saving lives as a man speaking about your experiences. Ren's biggest gift to us is helping us find each other.

Thanks for your reaction brother, very honest and human... I'm dealing with PTSD after a car accident 3 years ago that wasn't my fault but has left me in bits, so i can relate to having to deal with my family/life stuck down in a very dark hole....Much love man 😢✊🏽

Stop and analyze all you want. That's why we're here. We have the original to watch all the way through and enjoy afterwards. Great reactions!

Thanks for such an honest account of his song, and I agree with you about what the consequences might be for somebody listening to Ren’s music who is in need. Very touching 👌

Ren has the ability to deliver emotion, you can feel his pain so bad that it makes you cry. So many of us can relate to this. I've been through so many things in life that I feel also scared of being ok or things go (too) well, so I'm waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Quite sad. Much love from Germany.

It’s heavy material and a heavy performance. Messed me up too. When you do how to be me…same 2 performers, performed live, but sonically the opposite of this one…you’ll see when you get there…but only when you’re ready to have your heart and guts ripped out again. Glad you’re doing reactions…and it looks like you’re in the Bay Area too!

Yeah it's incredibly healing to have something so relatable

YES!! I finally found some one who literally thinks and listens to the lyrics the same way I do!!! Maybe we have to had gone through something emotional to see things this way!! Thanks for such an amazing authentic and eye opening reaction!

Have seen Chalk Outlines a hundred times, have teared up 100 times. Emotional depression caused by even a loss of love is how I relate. I feel like the smile represents an ability to move forward..because else there is no other option other than to drop off our tip toes.

I've really been enjoying your reactions tonight. I actually laughed out loud after at the beginning you said you weren't going to pause it. But then you couldn't go past the first bar. 🤣 Totally get it, I frankly have no problem with pausing and sharing your feelings in fact that's why I watch reactions. As long as people go back to the verse that they just paused at it'll be fine. I wanted to point out something that I haven't read or said before about this song. The concept and the imagery of the chalk outline makes me think of a detective at a crime scene. He's put us at the scene of a crime and we become our own detective deconstructing the crime. Brilliant! His poetic lyrics are so amazing. The intimacy when they look at each other is so overwhelming to me. When you get to the next most powerful one you will see what I mean. It makes me feel as though I shouldn't even be watching. Like it's a private moment that I have infringed on. His artisty is amazing! (I'm sorry about all the comments tonight I will keep them brief if I make more)

Ren brought me here, but staying for your insights and great technical analysis. Any reactor can sit and nod along, but helping differentiate between melodies and counter melodies, moving from chest voice to head voice are the things I don’t know about and want to hear from reactions. Plus your lyrical breakdown was super heartfelt and on point. Nice work

We are all there with you, feeling this one really deep!

This and Hi Ren makes me cry every time. And I've heard them a lot. Your reaction was authentic and beautiful, thank you for that.

You got it right. I just love your reactions. They are all sensitive and smart both. Take a hug.❤

Love your reaction. Consider doing Crutch, which he recorded with his girlfriend at the time, and explores how his illness shaped their relationship.

This one is gut wrenchingly beautiful for me because it brings back memories of the 10 years I lost due to anxiety/panic attacks and being on medication! Each day wondering if today was the day I could stop taking pills and hoping and praying well meaning people would stop saying "you have to pull yourself together"! Ren's songs are so relevant and I'm grateful he was brave enough to put it all out there 😊 thank you for your reaction 😊

I actually like this version of the song so much better than the version that was recorded in the studio. To me, this one just has so much more emotion.

Hi my friend great reaction tomorrow his rens birthday and that's when he drops his new song have a look at the big push and ren I shot the sheriff road to Zion hip hop and Bongo bong and you will see a different side to ren many thanks love and respect from the UK 👍👍👍👍👍👍🌟😀😀 amazing channel 👍

No need to apologize for being emotional. That was how you felt when you were listening to the song. I think all of us relate (some more then others, but we all feel it) to how you were feeling while experiencing this song. The reason your reaction is so great is because of the emotional vulnerability you show. Well done sir.

Another great reaction. It was this song that after seeing I made the decision to stop my head meds (as I was on Sertraline as mentioned in the lyrics) and whilst I have my wobbles, I'm pleased I did. P.s. not going to comment on hat game from here on in as you'll get bored lol

I’d suggest another song these two did together.. How to be me (live). Absolute magic.

I know I am late to this video but I am awe if your ability to not only listen intelligently and respond emotionally to the song, but to be able at the same time analyse it musically! And did you say they were singing in 'counter melodies' rather than harmonies? Loved the guitar stuff you did at the end. I love this video - I have seen it so many times and every time it makes me cry - Chinchilla really embodies whatever she is singing and if I am not crying already, that moment when she falls backwards is the moment that gets me. The raw emotion from both of them and the intensity are overwhelming. And the most impactful line for me is 'in the gallows I'm standing on my toes so I can breathe' - such a myriad of meaning in those few words. Great reaction video, thank you

What a great reaction! So much insight into the lyrics, message, and music.

Thank you for your honest reaction. Ren’s music is definitely helping to save lives. He is a voice of hope.

Showing or sharing emotions is not weak but shows strength as a person it’s what makes us special ….. loved your reaction ❤❤

Authentic beautiful reaction To our Amazing Ren ❤Thank you

What is amazing is he can bring everyone together, because we understand ❤️

Such a cool reaction and analysis of this!!! And yeah this track has probably more emotion than hi ren and the setting works so well

Great reaction, thank you. ❤

WOW, just WOW!!! Such a raw and honest reaction, thank you...

This is a great ren reaction video... ive subscribed, as ur raw emotion , touched the soul x thank u for being you ! I think you hit the nail on the head ,, i imagine he has saved many lives . I feel ur pain here and when we have been there we feel empathy for others who have been there x I wish ren was around when i was struggling , he definately would of helped me .... to accept who i was also .... even though im ok these days now in early 40s , ren has touched my soul so deeply and helped me to understand those dark days even more than i ever felt possible . Thanks again !

Never apologise for feeling anything bro! The first time I heard this it had me in 😢 yet it also was so powerful for me personally, basically this song helped me! Your interpretation of this song took words from mouth so thankyou for your reaction/s 👊 you keep making them ill keep watching 👍

Really enjoyed your reaction - very thoughtful. I missed the start of your premiere but wanted to watch straight through from the beginning (so didn't join the chat). Ren does a lot of emotional stuff but, if you ever need a break, he also has some fun stuff (Humble, What You Want, Losing It, his busking band The Big Push, collaborations with Sam Tompkins etc etc)

Appreciated how you were obviously touched by this one but then able to break it down so clearly too. Dominoes is another where Ren takes a heavy subject and in my opinion has created something powerful that may just help a few people. On the flip side I highly recommend checking out his band The Big Push performing I shot the sheriff /Road to Zion / Hip Hop mash up for a feel good and amazing musical performance. Stay well mate.

Beautiful, honest reaction. I'm so glad you mentioned the line about the gallows, a lot of reacters don't acknowledge it. I liked the added comments you said about they way he was singing and the harmonies. I think you'd enjoy his band The Big Push doing covers of Wade in The Water, I Shot The Sheriff/Road To Zion/Hip Hop and War Pigs. Also Ren and Chinchilla busking doing Drunk in Love

I've really enjoyed your reactions to Rens music. No need to apologise for being emotional. Remember we are all human beings ;) Keep up the good work and take care of yourself. I'm subbing.

that's the thing with Ren.. on one had he is extremely emotional and deep in the themes and content of his lyrics... on the other hand he is this great musician and performer who makes a lot of very deliberate choices in what to do, how to do it and how to put it on tape... from location scouting to sound mixing, from acting to rhyming patterns and lexical choices, everything is deliberate, studied and prepared in advance, yet this still doesn't take away from the emotional impact the song and the performance have on me... and that just shouldn't be possible.

Another excellent reactions to ren, in every reaction video to rens music I've noticed ren is attracting people of all ages from I think the youngest was 16 right up to 78 years old, it just goes to show how many and for how long people can suffer with different ailments or struggles, however once we get through rens messages of it will be alright we then get onto his lighter side and his other types of music to lift you up, ren pulled me out of a deepening dark hole and I'll be for ever eternally greatful 🙏

...and I'm other Ren fan who found you. And strangely enough, I'm another old guy, like Brian and William who replied previously. Obviously, Ren is tapping into something that reaches so many. Thanks for your own authenticity. Haven't yet looked to see what else you've reviewed but for something lighter, you might look at "What you want." Thanks again. New subscriber.

Thanks for explaining the music and the techniques he’s using that make this so evocative. I’m totally ignorant about music theory and really appreciate your expertise. Learning tons from you!

Is it his love of music that keeps him going, to have a big smile on his face in terrible times?

Looking forward to your reaction

I love the honesty and rawness of this reaction. Take care of yourself Buddy, and know that you're good at this RU-vid gig!

This one got me too. Plays in my head all day.

This one wrecked me. When she hit that note; and you know exactly which note - I was done.

I've been going down the McFly JP rabbit hole this evening and watched all of your Ren reactions. Great and honest videos! Respect to you!

Great reaction it’s a very genuine and emotional journey he’s taking us all on ❤️

Loved this reaction! Thank you for sharing your emotions and technical skills and analysis with us. I'm very late to Ren, just found out about him the other day and now I'm possesed. I've seen and listened to both Chalked outlines and Hi Ren for like a million times and they are both still gives me goosebumps and tear me up. So I feel you on this one. With love from Sweden

Thank you for opening up and thinking deeply about this song! Appreciated your thoughts and emotion.

Check out How To Be Me (live) and bring the tissues.

Such a TRUE song! Hits HARD!🥺

I feel the exact same way you do about this song, this one hit me and stayed with me more, however hearing hi ren first allowed my mind to be opened to his genre bending talent. This one though is my fav so far

Brilliant reaction and analysis, thanks 💕

I know this is a month old but thank you for doing this one and being yourself. Bc as i tell everyone thats always enough. May not seem like it at times but, those times always end. Your channel is only going to go up as long as you stay true to you bc thats all you can be. Way to go.

Man! I'd managed to listen to this and not cry four times straight. You buggered my streak lol. Oh well! I'll have to start again. Loved it. Take care. And keep them coming. Big love from Spain.

Thank you for opening up to us bro! Appreciate your honesty and heart! It's nice hearing someone else talking about similar ways I feel. Liked and subbed bro 🤌👌👏❤️

I'm going through emotional termoil at the moment and in lots of pain, I'm at the beginning of my journey of finding out what's wrong, so I total understand how your feeling hugs to you, its okay to feel emotions to his songs xx

Great reaction and analysis! Thanks for going into so much detail! This one hits home for a lot of people who've had the crippling days of depression, the trapped-in-my-stupid-self of social anxiety, and the fear of the uncertainty that comes with a potential life beyond periods of constant struggle and numbness. Really appreciate that you spoke to this in your analysis! - Hopefully you don't apologise for being emotional in videos/in the rest of your life in future. It's okay to feel something. Btw, at 22:08 I know you didn't intend this, but that hand movement followed by "is to build up to the climax" made me chuckle! 😂

Fam, another dope reaction ! If you want to see him spit some sick bars i recommend Hunger, that's the toughest joint to me. Next more lyrical one would be Genesis. I'm 57 from Canada, FYI.

I just found your channel through Ren reactions lol I'm deep diving. Ren is bonkers and I'm currently obsessed. Your reactions are just great, and I see you did a Linkin Park reaction which I plan to watch for sure. I miss Chester too. I'm also excited to see your reactions to the tales of Jenny and Screech and I want to see if you notice anything I've noticed in particularly Jenny's Tale that I haven't seen anyone catch yet. I'll comment on that vid and let you know if you did notice the same thing I did or not lol. Anyway much love and I look forward to watching your reactions going forward!

Love your reaction brother. Ren is on a different level. Love your honesty

A great reaction thank you 💛

I just love this track so much.

I feel the same way as you! Another thing you probably missed is when he talks about "a new habit"... like recreational drugs. Chalk Outlines comes with the pills or with the drugs. And we can't get out of this cycle.... we just want to feel some relief... and for me the "great big smile" is being fake to other people, because we know that will scare or worry others, or worse, that people will pitty us. People call us "toxic" and we have to pretend we are ok, but we feel dead inside. I'm not a pretender, so most times, I isolate myself. Only the ones that are passing through this, can understand... Now I take one day at a time! Love from Portugal ❤ and thank you for your honesty.

Great reaction. This one hits hard and the more I watch it, the more it hits me. Ren has that ability!! Sending love and good vibes to you and to him.

Glad you liked this one. When you can check out Illest of Our Time. The dude is all out talented in every regard. Also.... Can we get some Atmosphere on the channel?

great video man!

Powerful…Love the emotion 👏 Thx

Please listen to Depression, Insomnia, Ready for you, Patience, Penitence, Crutch & Dominoes... Ren tells the world a lot in those songs.

Thank you....

Ren was wrongly diagnosed and given antidepressants etc he has Lyme disease from a tick bite, and while the doctors were not treating him for it that’s what caused the pain and the psychotic episodes and his autoimmune problems. All that from a wrong diagnosis. He is so positive and he gives so much hope!

I relate. 👍🔥❤

Thanks for your reaction

Me too brother.

Beautiful reaction! This one gets to you! ❤

Great reaction!! 👍

Great reaction.

Ren and his Cameraman Sam are working on something here in Canada, so I have heard ; ), check out his song Crutch, and Depression is def a listen to

So 12:37 is a spot I wanted to talk about. One thing about psych meds is that they often leave the person taking them feeling numb. So what I noticed was at this point in the song, she's singing a 5th above him. (I think) What wouldn't surprise me at all is if Ren deliberately left out the 3rd on purpose. Is it major? Is it minor? Happy? Sad? It can't be either! If he did that on purpose, that's some next level craftsmanship. What do you think? You caught the lack of resolution in Hi Ren, so I was definitely eager to learn your opinion. Thanks for being real and vulnerable with this song. It matters. Genuine and authentic matter. You're doing a great job with these. Total respect. It's a blast being on the ride with you!

Nice & heartfelt review, thank you for sharing. ❤ New sub

Good job and thanks for not hiding emotion.

Hi new member here loving your channel started here with your Ren reactions but here for your channel now