Pentatonix The Prayer | Vocal Coach Reacts 

Here's a story for you. I fell in love with PTX in 2020 and quickly discovered basically all of their music and joined their Patreon. In 2021, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The day I had my surgery, PTX released this song and video to their Patrons at midnight. I was in so much pain, I was scared and alone, and couldn't sleep. After hearing this song and watching the video, my tears of pain turned to ones of hope, and I was finally able to relax and get some rest. Their music is powerful. I got to meet them last December and share that story with them, and it will always be one of my favorite memories. 💚

They soooo deserved a Grammy for this one!

I love your reaction. You didn/t over analyze the music. This really is wonderful masterpiece. Welcome to the Pentatonix club. It's a huge catalog of all kinds of music,

Mitch and Scott sound wonderful in this cover

Love that Kirsten showed that vocal power! As the only lady in the group, she definitely know how to present her capability in those key moments!😊

I love how you said it's important to enjoy the music instead of strictly analyzing it. I agree so much especially when it comes to pentatonix. I think you would enjoy their cover of when the party's over and say something

I bet you would enjoy the video - The Making of Evergreen, to see how they work in the studio - they have an amazing work ethic.

Please react to their cover of Kiiara’s Gold. If you haven’t listened to hers, listen to it before you react to the PTX rewrite. Thanks for another great reaction and analysis!

We know how Pentatonix began, and the struggles they went through in their early days. We know that there are people they have cause to hate, but they never show any sign of that. I've never heard them say a word about how terrible it was that Epic reneged on their first recording contract; instead they say that it was a blessing in disguise and they consider themselves lucky. Mitch was bullied in high school for his high voice; he's gone through a lot finally getting to the place where he's comfortable in his own body, because of that bullying. But now that the same high voice he was bullied for has made him a multimillionaire, does he gloat? No. Never. If it were me I wouldn't be able to resist. Pentatonix has given us more of a glimpse into their personal lives than most performers of any kind do, and we like what we see. The trio have been best friends since high school; as far as they're concerned they're family, and Kevin and Matt are now part of that family. One of the reasons their music is so good is that they act the way a loving, functional family does. They celebrate their joys together and grieve their losses together. And they make sure that every member of the family gets time in the spotlight. These are the kind of people we all want to be. So of course we love them. Frankly, we'd all like to be part of their family. That isn't possible so we "settle" for loving them, and loving the other people who love them, and that isn't a bad thing. There are no membership lists or dues to be a pentaholic; all you have to do is say that you are. But you're correct to think that being a pentaholic means something more than just being a fan of a phenomenally good singing group. It means joining that greatly extended family of people who love them and love and support each other. Welcome to the family.

When Scott sings in another language, he does extensive research to make sure he has his accentvand diction perfect. He is a true professional! Great reaction!

Thank you is a song Scott wrote when the pandemic ended I recommend it highly

Thank you for your reaction, Nick - as I have said before, one does not 'listen' to PTX, we 'experience' PTX through their music ...Each time there is someone new to share their reactions with us, we are given the opportunity to relive that first experience again through 'you' ... that is a gift to all Pentaholics (welcome to the family, by the way). Whether we are listening to BabyTonix (what I call the group members from their beginning in 2011 thru 2017) to the more 'seasoned' Pentatonix group they are now, every single level of their transformation inspires - their talent seems to continue to expand as does the different types of music they enjoy covering, along with all of their own originals - I'm so glad you are enjoying the PTX journey you are on and that you are sharing your knowledge of music with us as you allow us to take this journey with you - ☺

Yes, you are welcome to join the Pentaholic crew! I agree wholeheartedly with you on the enunciation front. There are very few instances when I’ve struggled to understand a lyric when it’s sung by Pentatonix. Loved your reaction, thanks for continuing with PTX. Peace …

I second the previous suggestion to watch PENTATONIX THE RECORDING OF EVERGREEN. That's the Grammy nominated album that this song is part of. It's fascinating watching them work together in the studio.

Another great thing about Pentatonix is they pick the best person or voice for lead on a song. You are right they have very good choral training. They pay attention to details, especially diction.. This song is mainly a series of duets. Mitch/Scott, Scott/Kirstie, then Kirstie/Mitch. When they all come together when the sun comes out sounds like a pipe organ. There is a really good behind the scenes for this video. If you want to see them put this song together you can watch The Making of Evergreen which had this song on it. Evergreen was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year.

You were talking about the pentaholic community and the comments. I remember when Mitch released his cover of a Billie eilish song, the power, I think it was. I read a comment where the person said that they were thinking about ending themselves, and the song, video, Mitch, convinced them to keep going. So, yeah, Mitch is a life saver, literally an angel

Yes his enunciation is superb. I love how he kept the notes delicate.

I saw them at the Hollywood Bowl last year, and again five days ago (both times with my 80+ year old landlord - in a wheelchair - who had never heard of them before I forced her to watch "Hallelujah" about a month before the first concert), so it's never too late to become a Pentaholic!

I watched Pentatonix on The SingOff in 2011 when they were very young and followed their struggles to get a career going and their eventual success. I think those of us older fans can feel a bit parental / protective about them and love to see them enjoying their dreams come true. I get a positive energy from watching them sing, and part of what got me through the pandemic was their videos and also live Queen videos.

Scott said he worked with an Italian coach for 6 weeks to get as good as he could for the song. They've worked with language coaches for all their foreign language songs except the very first (Gangnam Style way in their low budget beginning, which Korean listeners have said was a good try 😅).

PTX seems to bring such feeling and emotion to everything they sing and always appear to be absolutely enjoying what they do!

I love your reactions and your musical analysis of their performances. I learn so much from you. However, I just plain love Pentatonix. You are so right in that we Pentaholics have an emotional investment in them and their lives. I definitely do feel their music especially when I’m feeling off. 💕

I have always enjoyed Kirsten when she goes into belt mode. And I always love how no matter how high Mitch goes the bass goes deeper as if in counterpoint to him.

Really enjoyed your analysis... and your enjoyment of the song and the group. They are something special and everything they touch is golden. 🥰

In the Making Of.... they reference that they did all the backing chorus oooos and aaaahhhs which we can pretty clearly hear throughout. They joke that they'll never have to hire a choir again; it's easier to do it themselves. :) This song is SO uplifting and powerful - both in message and delivery. I'll be watching for more PTX.

What a great reaction! This version of the Prayer is of course my favorite. Not just because of who performed it but how they fill me up with their harmonies. It also seems to me that they really feel the lyrics. I get chills and tears every single time I hear it. Mitch sends me flying high and it's the best place to be. Thank you for this. Have you done any of their originals? Be My Eyes or Happy Now might be enjoyable for you. They also do a stunning cover of Can't Help Falling In Love With You by Elvis. Thanks!

Welcome to the club! I do enjoy the balance that you strike between showing your enjoyment of and appreciation for the songs, and sharing a modicum of technical information. I'd like to ask if you could please react to "Waving Through A Window," which is (as you likely know) a cover of a song from Dear Evan Hanson. It's one of their less commonly reacted to songs.

Love your reactions. How about reacting to 90s Dance Medley?

Please note that "The Prayer" isn't actually a Christmas song. Pentatonix relesed this on their 2021 Christmas album, _"Evergreen,"_ so they made sure the set looked wintery, but if you look at what they're wearing you can tell that it was just a set. Pentatonix has a habit of releasing non-Christmas songs on their Christmas albums. This is fair, since most pentaholics tend to listen to their Christmas music year-round anyway. There's a video named "The Recording of Evergreen" that you might enjoy, as well as a Behind The Scenes video for "The Prayer." According to everyone in Pentatonix (including Scott), Scott is the one most likely to forget the lyrics, so of COURSE he would have the best voice for Andrea Bocelli's part in this song. He worked extremely hard to memorize this entirely by rote. I don't know about a pronunciation coach, but it would have made sense since he was obviously concerned about getting it right. I'm told that the only problem with his pronunciation is a strong American accent; I suspect that was unavoidable.

We the Pentaholics welcome you into the fold. I think you are right. Yes the awesome music is important, but if it was just technically great music with nothing more we wouldn’t be some passionate about them. We love their passion for music, their friendship amongst themselves, who they are as people, their story, etc.

Recommend their short video “Pentatonix - The Recording Of Evergreen”. It shows some of the process in making their Grammy nominated Evergreen album.

I love your reactions! This is one of my favorite covers by Pentatonix. And like you - I love that they always find a way to take any cover they do - give it a Pentatonix flare to make it their own without straying to far from the original. Thanks again for the reaction! Lesa

"Mitch slap" off the bat!

The first time I heard them sing this….I sobbed! ❤

They absolutely move me emotionally. This song, by them is my anti anxiety song. I wish I’d heard it at the concert on Tuesday, but there were so many wonderful songs that night that they sang.

I would love it if you'd react to Scott's new song, "Four." This is a link to the official video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hMXRu4Quc-o.html and here's a link to Scott singing it to Mark at their wedding reception: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PiY4I_OWm3g.html

Always the upgrade...

No one ever mentions the beat boxer. His performance is always incredible.

Kevin's high tenor note at the end is the highlight of the whole song for me.

Every time they sing in another language they have a coach teach them how to pronounce/ sing the words.

These are the best videos on RU-vid! Please do more of these with you doing the separate soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts, as well as all together as SATB for The Prayer (or any other songs done by Pentatonix), Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Carol of the bells, Be thou, my vision, Now thank we all our God, For the beauty of the Earth, It is well with my soul, Come, thou fount of every Blessing, I heard the bells on Christmas Day and all other Christmas carols and Public Domain songs. Thank you so much for all of your help!

The Five Faces of New Pentaholics 1. The most common is the Mitch Slapped. Commonly found when Mitch is heard for the first time in Hallelujah, The Prayer, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Creep and doing Aha! at the Star Vista. 2. The Wide Eyed Look of Disbelief. Normally found when you hear their Wall of Sound. Found when listening to Mary Did You Know, Imagine, Amazing Grace, The Prayer and Mad World. 3. The I Didn’t Want It to End face. Most commonly found after listening to the 90s Dance Medley. It can also be found after listening to all their medleys and evolutions. 4. The Teary Eyed Look. This is commonly found when listening to an emotional song of theirs or just the sheer beauty of their work. Commonly found when listening to Mary Did You Know, Hallelujah, Amazing Grace, Imagine, The Prayer, Prayers for This World and most especially Thank You. 5. The What Did I Just Hear Face. Happens when Pentatonix starts strong, or when you hear a really special note or Kevin sound. Is usually accompanied by rewinding the video or song to make sure your ears really heard what they heard. Those times are too many to list, but the most common rewind at the start moment is the beginning of Sound of Silence.

STUNNING 💕

I love your knowledgeable commentary, and your appreciation of what they create collectively. Plenty of room on the Pentaholic bus, lol

❣❣❣❣❣

Absolutely my favorite version of The Prayer that I have ever heard. Clearly it made an impression on you as well.

I cant believe you are listening to them without headphones! That is a no no! Unless you are watching them live!

I don't see a lot of people react to it, so I hope you'll do their cover of How Great Thou Art with Jennifer Hudson.

Welcome to the club! Enjoy!

I think you'd really enjoy watching 'The Recording of Evergreen', while they were working on that album they invited a camera in to show their method and it is really cool to see how they arrange stuff and their sound booth looks sooo cool!

Nice reaction! Loved the enjoyment and the analysis you provided, nicely split between the two! Your comment on the "smile technique" reminded me very strongly of a scene fairly early in the PTX video of Daft Punk - it's shot with UV light, and while you can see teeth in most of their mouths, Kirstin's "smile" is just glorious, and it matches her tone in most of the songs they sing, with a very bright sound.

Love that you appreciate and enjoy the music as much as analyzing it. That might sound weird but you even said it’s important to not be too technical or analytical. Some reactors go so crazy in-depth you can tell it’s not enjoyable. I love your style and appreciate your reactions! ❤

Yay, welcome in the pentaholic family 🙌🏼🧡😁 im a pentaholic since i was 15 and i can say its the nicest and most tolerant community i can imagine.

One of the best things about PTX is that you CAN hear every word they are singing. So you really get the full message or story they are delivering. This is something that most groups or singers have a real problem with. This fact, to me, is what I judge most artists by. This is what makes an "Excellent" artist. I agree that they all pronounce and enunciate all the vowels and words the same way. They are so precise in all their endings and starts, they sound like one person singing. This is what makes them the # 1 TOP LEVEL performers that they are and what makes them as popular as they are. I can't say that there are many groups in music that are as tight and precise as they are. Thanks for your expertise and reaction to this one and for not getting too technical and enjoying their mastery. You are one of my top 4 reactors and I listen to a lot of your reactions. I would LOVE to hear what you think of Home Free, another a cappella group who also is a Sing Off Winner. Please, please check them out. They also have a HUGE catalogue of songs, both covers and originals. Pick anything, but some of my favorites are, "Land of the Free", "Mayday", "Playing With Fire", "Sea Shanty Medley", "Skull and Bones". I could go on for weeks. 😅😅 I would put them at # 2 , right behind PTX.

If the label would have released this a couple months earlier it would certainly have been nominated for a Grammy, and, in my opinion, would have won them their fourth

Nick, another great analysis and reaction. You are so well versed in music and vocal technique. Thank You so much for such a great job.

We need more baritone Scott...Italian or not.

React to Ren 'Hi Ren'. It will not be quite the pure singing/performance you may be used to but you will be moved and enjoy it tremendously.

Mitch's pronunciation is one of the Top Reasons I love him so much.

You need to watch the making of Everwood the album hear Mitch say go girl when Kirstie goes for that belt

The original version of this song was from an animated movie called Quest for Camelot.

Mitch is always so good at enunciating when he sings.

Great reaction. I love this song and I love their version better than any I have ever heard. I have been lucky enough to see them 4 times in concert. They are so good. Some people say they don't really sound like that. I will tell them, yes they do. Their Christmas music is wonderful. Just a very beautiful and talented group of people! I hope you continue reacting to them!

Could you please react to ‘The Prayer’ cover by Marcelino Pomoy on 107.5 Wishbus? I think you will be surprise as well.

Earbuds won't do it!

I think that many of us are so devoted to PTX because, in many respects, the music industry doesn’t know what to do with them. Also because of their backstory. Young adults win national singing contest, label drops them shortly thereafter. They set up a RU-vid channel and work their way back to success. They are so talented they win three Grammys. They don’t get much radio play because they don’t fit in a genre that’s popular. You have to hunt them down on Spotify and IHeart. They are sort of a musical unicorn so we feel protective of them. They are also really decent human beings who care about people and their craft.

PLEASE REACT TO VOICEPLAY OOGIE BOOGIE it is absolutely stunning and you will get chills everywhere

PTX!! I AM Devoted!!

All of PTX makes you feel good, but the Prayer goes farther. I swear it could heal a brain tumor if you had one!!!

Thanks. Would it be possible to have a PTX playlist. I do go to this song when needed. This group raises my frequency. Probably the planet as well! ❤🎉✨🖖🌹

Please react to Imagine next. You will be 🤯

Awesome reaction! Subscribed.

I've became a fan immediately.. first one saw ..Sound of Silence.. the backing vocals captured my heart.. I love Kirstin.. best female voice I've ever heard.. and I've listened to the best... Celine..Evancho... Churh.. Westerna, Evanescence .. Wilson.. and she has a beautiful tone and awesome voice control... all of them are awesome.. Mitch does have a natural talent for singing... he's so good .. good reaction and analysis!

I wish I could give you a discreet and concrete reason for my Pentatonics affliction. Pentatonics grabs me and elevates my perception, not just my mood. In other words, I look at myself and say what just changed, and I don't know. It's like enhanced cognition. I somehow have a more knowledgeable grasp of truth. A barrier has been broken.

❤😊 Welcome!! LOL You didn't just join a music fan club. You joined a FAMILY!! 😮😅❤ I really love watching reactors that are also music professionals!! LOL 😅 Because it makes me remember that they are in fact human!! And not aliens or angels as we have all thought at one time or another!! LOL 😅 But seriously, I know that you will absolutely love this giant rabbit hole!! 😊❤❤

React to DAN VASC!!!! You will be just as blown away as you are with these guys. Promise!

I first saw Pentatonix while watching the Sing Off and I turned to my friends that were watching with me, after PTX had finished E.T., and said "they are going to win." I have loved them ever since. Mitch's solo in Dog Days Are Over cemented him as my favorite. I love that they don't fake it. They show you the good and the bad. There has been so many songs I didn't like until they covered them. This song and Amazing Grace are two of my favorite.

I enjoy your reactions. After the roots of this song appeared in a Disney movie, David Foster penned the full version of The Prayer collaborating with Andrea Bocelli which became the song we know today (e.g., which Andrea sang with Celine). Several years later, Foster updated the original 1998 version by adding two English verses (the last two in this cover) in place of the last two Italian verses. So, rewrite yes but by the author not PTX.

I would love to see a reaction to SuperFruit- Scott and Mitch spin off. They have one that is Wicked, Defying Gravity :)

Thank you for your analysis of Pentatonix, it's just the right amount for me, and I really enjoy learning more about singing from your direction and insights. I'm new to your channel but just binged all the Pentatonix ones and a few others that caught my eye. Scott and Mitch used to be roommates and they had another channel called "Superfruit" where they'd just have fun. I would love it if you would react to their cover of Defying Gravity from Wicked (you have to watch it until the very end). Even though they were goofing around, you'll see what talent is there. You might also enjoy Hip-Hop goes Broadway (1 and 2).

That's my beef with Christmas music. 16 artists sing the same song the exact same way ! How boring. Not so with these guys. That's why I call Pentatonix the Royal Court of Christmas music.

Another video of Scott singing in another language is Papautai in French. Trippy video, that one.

I would love for you to react to "Joyful Joyful" Live from the evergreen experience. It is such an amazing live performance.

Wonderful reaction and analysis! Please react to their version of ‘Imagine’. It’s truly amazing and emotional!

2:27 Not just the placement of vocals but also the placement of notes/timing, swells, etc. 8:22 Excellent point! 11:37 Amen ✊🏼

Of course you can join us. Come on in. Stay a while. Make yourself at home...Glad you're here.

I love your ending comments, as well as the whole reaction. You are correct, we all need to step back and enjoy music, instead of looking for flaws or technicalities etc. I love PTX's versions of songs because they seem to pull out more emotions/feelings when listening to them, at least for myself. This doesn't mean I don't like the original (if it's a cover), I just felt the music more with PTX's rendition. :)

Mary did u know is a PTX must my fav. Perfect 4 Jesus is the reason 4 the season...🎵💗🕊

There’s so much that’s great about this video but I think my favorite part is Kirsti and Mitch with their dueling belts. I love that part! Such power!

I don’t know why I haven’t been directed towards your channel before but I’m so thankful that it showed up on my feed today as a recommendation. Yes, I absolutely love Pentatonix and this specific song. New for me was the brief pauses that you took and the wealth of information that you shared. Another thing that I appreciate is that you restarted the video just before it was paused so we get to continue the song with the two seconds reconnecting. It keeps it’s flow. Really, really one of the best analysis videos I’ve seen from a singer’s perspective. Brilliantly executed and so helpful with specific tools that happen to be exactly what I’m working on. I’m working on them to help with a progressive neuromuscular disease that is encroaching on the muscles of my diaphragm. Super excited to see how you handle them in the future. I guess I have to subscribe to your channel. 😉

Lots of comments requesting the Recording of Evergreen. In case it wasn’t clear, would love for you to react to it, not just watch. 😉

There's no amount that could wink your descriptive exercises and analysis, rather than saying "well done" and more of you. You're didactic in all senses.

Thank you for a great reaction and analysis! Would you consider reacting to their recording session of the Evergreen album?

Only thing I disagree with you about is when you said they were a good choral group🙃. They are an Excellent Choral Group 😊. Also, I believe Mitch ended the song with a note one higher than the original.

Kirstie, Scott, and Mitch have sung together since they were kids. It's not surprising that their techniques and vowels match.

We know!

Great reaction to an Amazing song and group! They always blow me away! Thank you!

They are amazing!

Absolutely beautiful… I have been following them from the very start… it’s one of the only bands on my go play list… seriously.

One thing I've seen recently in the arrangements is that they are taking advantage of Kevin's very clear tenor when Mitch is on solo (if he's not doing percussion).