Oooof. As a disabled person, I've never seen myself so well represented in a music video before. My disabilities may not be the same as Jacob's, but that fear of ostracism and hatred is universal for us. This song will forever be more powerful to me.
My exact reaction as well. I wish I could dance with Jacob. I wish I could hug him, if he wanted that. For now, I'm crying and crying and dancing a little alone in my apartment.
This is my first ever RU-vid comment. My son is almost five years old. He loves the Decemberists most of all. His best friend has autism. We watched the video together and talked about differences. This is a very powerful video and it inspired a very important conversation.
Kim, we all are here for you... youre an all star and we all should look at you in awe... getting through life is difficult..much less having a disability...Kerp your head up sister!
Oh my.. me to.. 28yrs together,21yrs married,my wife told me she doesn't want to be a wife anymore last year.. I cried the majority of 2020,rejected,lost,numb,confused,depressed.the absolutely worst hurt,pain ive ever experienced in my life That someone I've known since we were teens,raised 5 kids together,2 grandchildren now.. How do you say goodbye after countless memories,experiences together? I still haven't figured out how to do that.. life as I knew it.. changed FOREVER Wasn't till about a month ago the acceptance stage finally came,I haven't cried like this since then I definitely needed it,didn't realize I still had tears left to cry.. but apparently I do ✌😌
I have been listening to the Decemberists since I was about 15 and as a model with rare disease and multiple disabilities I have a special connection to this song. I'm seeing from the comments I am not the only one emotionally charged by this song. Thank you for making disability not only the convo but for making it about how strong and versatile and helpful we can and could be(with more access, empathy)Acceptance is not easy to come by when people view you differently. Thank you Decemberists and thank you to the people like Jake who dance it out instead of blaming others. I love you so much
This made me feel something deep inside myself that I adore. I've played this over and over again and each time, I want to join him and show him that it's going to be okay. To all all the people who feel alone and singled out, keep being you. ❤
that last part when jacob spins skywards: that was my secret childhood dream - kind of still is at 41 - and I remember longing to just rise above it all, feel free and no longer weighed down. thank you for doing this and sharing it.
My secret childhood dream - to dance in zero gravity - this video and song means so much to me. I was completely paralysed 15 years ago and couldn't sleep for the pain so closed my eyes and spent hour after hour in my oldest dream dancing . On the third day the nurse bringing round medicine said 'she's moving her toe'. I walked out four weeks later - that dream gave me my life back (with a few breaks to my nose and teeth cos I still faceplant often 😁!) and this song is amazing :)
Totally crying-I recently moved from LA, they can be brutal. I know that restaurant-those bridges, that feeling. Thank you for capturing it. I lived with the awkwardness and cruelty of having a learning disability and later in life diagnosis of MS. There is something very special about finding yourself through all that and despite all that-that cannot be easily explained, but this does a good job. Thank you Jacob
I feel for you and am so sorry you experienced cruelty here (I still live in LA). I grew up in L.A. from 3rd grade on up, and the people were often brutal to me, too; especially growing up (I'm now 55). I'm glad you found yourself. Finding one's self is a beautiful thing, as I've experienced it, too.
It is rare that a song has touched me so deeply. I had to explain to my mother why I was weeping when she called me right after I finished watching this.
Normally, when I get attached to a song like I did with this one, I avoid watching the music video because the artist's interpretation is usually very different from mine, and I don't want to visualize the video when I hear the song. But after watching this video and reading Colin Meloy's and Autumn de Wilde's commentary on it, _Once In My Life_ has an even deeper meaning for me now. Which means I can't listen to it in public anymore, because it'll probably make me cry now more than it did before.
I feel so happy and free when I see the man in the video dance. I can feel what he is feeling. I feel so happy for him and so proud of him for finding freedom for his spirit. I want this for everyone to feel. To whoever reads this, I believe in you and I support you feeling this free and loved.
My father, my eldest son, and I are all autistic, so I acutely get how the societal norms/actions can be to us, and how others treat us for it. This song speaks to my dad(along with a couple others from the album), and I think what you've written with the video will make it all the dearer to him. Thank you, The Decemberists, your music has been with me through the good and bad these past 12 years. Now another generation is also loving your music, and I hope you all continue on for many years to come.
I wish this video reached more people, it is touching in so many ways. I'm a 30 yo with a speech impediment. I've pleaded with the universe a few times
I have goose-bumpily, lump-in-throat tears. Autumn de Wilde never ceases to amaze. I already loved this song, and all of it's beautiful sadness, but its use as a piece of a puzzle box tribute really brings out the inner beauty of the song's message. It's great when true artists can unite, and create something this powerful together. The world needs less soul-suckers who want to take from one another, and more collaborators who want to give.
Heard this song on the show Manifest the other night and fell in love with it. Watching this video and hearing the story really connected with me and now I love it that much more. Thank you Autumn, Jacob and The Decemberists.
The beauty of this song is that we all feel this way at some point. I'm 5'3", so this hits home, but whether you're unconventionally beautiful, seen as fat, too skinny, have unique features etc. We've all felt singled out and down because of it. The world would be pretty damn boring and uninteresting if everyone looked the same. Embrace who you are and let it shine on.
You are beautiful Jacob! Blessings and gratitude to YOU for elevating all of our souls and reminding us of the power of our shared humanity. I am so grateful for every deeply felt emotion this exquisite video has evoked.
I have always loved this song and just stumbled on the video. As the mom of a 12 soon to be 13 year old boy with Autism this video touched me deeply. I see him trying very much to connect to his peers and often he feels horrible about himself for his differences.
I come back and watch this video and listen to this song when I'm having a bad day. Sobbing of course haha, but the message behind the song and video alike is profound. It is beyond words and I love it with all my heart, thank you for sharing your art with us!!!!!! It helps more than you will ever know
I’ve devoted my adult life to supporting differently able people and was at the funeral of an amazing young woman we supported just hours ago. The last time that I saw her was at her 21st birthday party, one month ago today. Doctors and all kinds of experts said that she wouldn’t see birthday after birthday but Eleanor just kept going. She touched the lives of so many people in her short life. She loved music, clothes and laughing. Most of all she loved life. Some people will always see differences. Education is obviously essential but while there’s people to look past the differences, sometimes, it’s better just to focus on the love that a human being can exude and garner, no matter what they may look, talk, act or speak like. For every “celebration of sadness”, make sure you manage to have a celebration of life and love. Be good to one another.
I've heard this song before, but just discovered the video. The video, the song, Colin and Autumn's statements, all of them came together for me to make a really cathartic piece of art. Thank you Colin, Autumn, Jacob and everyone else. I've been in a bit of a rough place and this is just the kind of thing I needed today.
This adds even more to this song....the concert that I saw in Red Rocks of "The Decemberists" was perfect....everything about it. If you haven't seen them on this tour - you are missing out. Wonderful. Just pure wonderful...
I was at the Red Rocks show as well. I cannot describe how amazing their performance was. Thinking about it still gives me chills and brings me so much joy.
I burst into tears as soon as the video ended. What an incredible message. I already loved this song and now it has reached a new peak. Thank you for this.
As a single dad of an 8 yr old , I know that feeling of trying your hardest and things still don’t go your way . All we can do is keep trying .. this song hit right in the feels 😣😔
Andrew Bryson I am, it's just a silly joke. Most people will deny crying, and use an excuse like "There's something in my eye". But it's something I think anyone would cry about, so I was pretty much saying "everyone is crying" lol.
Once in a while a song will come into your life that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up on end! It will make you smile it will make you cry. And personally thats what this song has done! If i could change anything it would to be of found this song sooner! Its such a beautiful song and think it can have so many different meanings to different people. The video is amazing and Jacob is one of this worlds most perfect imperfections! Living life to his fullest is just my opinion Its not always easy to see the light in the darkest of times!!!!!
Class. Real Class. Love me some Decemberists. Their harmonies,are just sublime. Class vocals,class lyrics,and wonderful musicianship. Thanks for This Fantastic Upload. Regards Frank
This is a wonderful song and I couldn't agree more with everything Amber said. Meet people , adults and children where they are and as they are. Don't make them step into your world all the time.
As a person who lost one of the most important people of my life, this song completely captures my feelings because my relationship with him was considered non-traditional by his family and friends - he was my boyfriend and very LDS and I'm not sorry or embarrassed for saying that. And everytime I see this video, I can't help but sob... but it's a good sob... like someone out there really understands me. I say thank you for this video and thank you for this song.
Sterling, i understand how you feel. I lived in SLC during my H.S. years and was rejected by many in the LDS community. 30yrs ago i was hung up and hurt by a girlfriend who wanted me to convert, and i couldn't as i disagreed with their beliefs. Its really worked out well for me as I learned compassion for them. I moved to the South and the Lord saved & healed me of the pain this life can bring, and i hope He does for you as well. He introduced me to my wife and we were engaged on our first date, married 4months later. Tomorrow is our 27th wedding anniversary 😊
How dare any of you act like victims when you're why lgbt Americans have less rights in over half the country. Trans Americans, and their kids, and Americans of color. LDS people shun others for not behaving just like them, and their violence doesn't deserve "compassion." A civil war officer had the right of it over 100 years ago, but instead we slaughtered the natives and let Utah continue to be an embarrassing monument to white mediocrity for over a century.
😁My IATSE Local 33 coworker, Jake, stars in this beautiful music video. 😁 Everyone comes in different shapes an sizes. This video captures the challenges of fighting through life with a learning disability. Before you laugh or judge, try to understand what's its like for others. 💖Much love to Jake and this band for making this inspiring music video. 💖 😀Please share it with your friends and comment on RU-vid under the video and lets spread the word and help my friend, Jake, go viral!! Thank you! 😀
I love the message of this video….. Never Judge and just spread LOVE !!!!!! This song made me really cry… Nothing goes right in my life… so this really hits hard!!!!!
I heard this song first the first time this morning in my car, and the tears just started rolling down my face. After reading Jacobs story and watching this beautiful video, I realized I've been through similar experiences. I was bullied as a child, although not diagnosed then, I believe I do suffer from ADHD, and slight autism. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety as an adult. At 52 I do function, and appear "normal", whatever that is. I've never truly fit in, never married, and although studied at an acting conservatory, never fully realized my dreams. maybe there is still time. Thank you for this powerful song and video.
I've recently discovered I've been neurodivergent my entire life, after decades of believing myself to be "typical" -- capable but not in a way that fits in with the rest of society. I've been a Decemberists fan since the early 2000s, and when this song came out I immediately connected with it, even though I didn't know I was neurodivergent at the time. Love to my neurodivergent and disabled community. I am only beginning to discover how amazing this community is, and I only regret not having been able to do so sooner.
Been watching this video for months now with my kids, one of which has special needs.. Huge thumbs up to the Decemberists for going out on a limb to represent. Great song, great video. Keep coming back to it over and over again.
I have never been so moved to tears at the first notes of a video. Just overwhelmingly beautiful. So looking forward to seeing these guys live this weekend for the first time!
This song is very apt about my own experience, growing up I knew that I was different from my friends and family, and never. I got diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2016, when I was 48, and suddenly everything made sense. My brain worked differently than others. And I knew why. I realized then that there wasn't anything wrong with me; my whole life up until that point was just a developmental disorder asserting itself.
It didn't take very long for me to burst into tears. It instantly brought to mind all those in my life that have been different. Especially the folks I got to know and love at a group home for those suffering from schziophrenia. All they want is to be talked to like a "normal" person, to have someone look them in the eye without seeing a threat, or worse, pity. Thank you Autumn, and blessings to Jacob. Thank you Colin, and blessings to Hank. I'll be seeing you and your cohorts on the 27th in Tahoe. If I may request this song in your set list? Safe journey.
De Wilde's statement about her brother sank into my heart and made me laugh, thinking about how many times I've been asked if my brother is an athlete or that he should be one. How every year buying clothes for school was a journey of failures and stares. How grocery stores are the worst because he clears over most shelves and everyone wants to point, talk about, give advice, and ask him to touch the ceiling. How people laugh when he admits to getting panic attacks in crowded places sometimes. 'But you're the tallest person here, no one is going to want to mess with you!' My brother is also around 210cm/7ft. He has Marfan syndrome. No, he is not a basketball player. He will always be my little brother and love him no matter what challenges he faces.
It must have been so hard for him as a kid, always being taken for much older than he actually was. I hope his panic attacks grow less frequent and that he finds that special someone who makes all of that disappear and happiness take its place.
I am 45 now and this song hurts my heart so bad!Iused be someone who picked on people in my school years and now I get so angry when I see this.I had mentally challenged uncle when I took him places people would stare and laugh,it made me so angry.He passed away about 15 years ago and I miss him so much,I would give anything for my kids to know him,he was so special.The best person I EVER met in my life.now that I am older I can't understand why people pick and laugh at others!
tim dye bullying is part of the social conditioning that was encouraged by the faculty ignoring or rewarding the bully and ostracizing the person who was different. This was designed by the Catholic church and incorporated into the grammar schools in the UK and of course USA. First I was bullied as a school child for being poor and having a mother who lost her mind and a father who drank too much. Then I was bullied for being in a book all the time and for being the new kid. In all the 20 different schools I went to the faculty never punished the bullies but I was punished constantly for challenging the teachers to see what was right in their faces.
@@tomb613 I am sorry to hear your struggles,I hope all is good with you now!I just try to make sure my kids never judge anyone before they got to know the person that they are,
This is beautiful, Jacob did so well, I hate how judgemental people are towards any indifference especially towards mental health conditions. I know people have said about the song being mostly chorus but the song & Jacob and Hank is really good. It's just so powerful !!! I'm very close to 2 young people with mental health conditions, one has depression & both have anxiety and one might have bipolar & also has ADHD. I just love this video and I've had depression myself. I know we have come a long way with mental health, diagnosis etc but there is still a stigma attached to people who face this everyday yet also there is so much compassion as well.
An amazing song and an amazing video. Autumn De Wilde, I love that you said this video is a love letter to your brother. It's a beautiful piece of art.
This is so beautiful, so moving, so uplifting. Rarely does a music video exude such love. Thanks very much for making it and for the Decemberists for another cracking song.
The Decemberists are amazing and this song proves it. Please read the statements from Colin and Autumn. Very touching video. I wish it would touch everyone like it touched me. We need to love each other much more than we do.
My son who is 19, is gifted, has Autism and ADHD and is also taller than most at 6"3. His twice exceptional nature (gifted and Autistic) is a blessing and a curse. The Autism, though most would see it as a curse, is a blessing because he sees the world differently than other people do. It makes him the amazing young man that he is. Being gifted, which is a blessing in a lot of ways, is a curse because unlike lower level functioning Autistic people he really sees how different he really is. Growing up gifted myself it can make you an outsider already, let alone having a disability to go along with it. Over his lifetime he has only had 2 real friends, both of whom he stays in contact with to this day, which I am grateful for. One is on the spectrum, the other is not. This song came into our life at just the right moment. He and I have been struggling a lot for the last couple of years with him going to a local community college. I'm not sure if he will graduate or even be able to hold down a full time job. I guess we are both hoping for something to "go right" in our lives.
I came here because I can't stop crying...I've been waiting all my life for life to be what it was always meant to be...but instead here we are...suffering and dividing till the bitter end...I dont want to cry anymore...
Someone famous once said, " The best thing of this life is that you can choose when it ends" In this video, I think Jacob made a decision. Something went right.
