James dad was actually dying from kidney disease & this was his tribute & farewell to his dad. Thankfully his dad received a donor kidney & is doing okay now. If this song doesn't get to you emotionally, there is something wrong with you. This song resonates with me as I was my dad's caregiver for 5 years until he passed away 2 years ago.
You can see the pain in his eyes . It's real it's raw it's absolutely f**king beautiful. Thank you for this song and for reminding me how truly great full and blessed I am to have both my parents with me ❤️❤️❤️❤️
And the trippy part of the story is a distant cousin seen the video and was a match for James’ dad and donated a kidney and James’ dads name is Charlie Blunt and the cousin is named Charlie Blunt
I took care of my daddy for the last three years of his life. He went from a 6’3 270lb man to 120lbs. I was his main caretaker. Bathing, feeding, etc. I used to lift him from the bed to his chair. He passed 2 years ago. I wouldn’t change any of those years of caring for him. When I was a little girl, he would chase the monsters away from under my bed, and my closet with his service gun. It was my honor to hold his hand, and return the favor when he was taking his last breath. I love you daddy forever and day, I’ll always be a proud daddies girl!! This song made me cry like a baby.
My dad is also 6’3. I could never even imagine… 😢 I hope you had plenty of memories and I’m very surprised you are so positive about it but I’m glad you were able to make what sounds like the worst. Into the cherished. You were one of his (if not the) best gifts in life
I don't normally comment on vids I watch. I had never heard this song and had the same reaction as you Shawn. Sometimes music just kicks you in the nuts. Big love brother.
My mom passed away of cancer so I moved in with my dad to take care of him.. he was fully capable and was just heartbroken. Five years later one night before he went to bed he started crying, and we hugged and he said, "I miss momma". I said tomorrow will be better dad. As he always said but didn't that night, "wake me up when you go to work". I went in to wake him the next morning to find he had peacefully passed away in his sleep. His sheets where completely undisturbed and he was just sleeping on his side. I Love You Dad.
OH DAMN!!!! I don't know how I missed this song, but I could barely listen to this. This is the most I've EVER cried watching a RU-vid video. Right now I'm dealing with my father, who is all I have left in this world. He was diagnosed last year with cysts on his pancreas. Well this past April the cysts have started grow and change. The dr has told us what my father and I both feared. Its turned cancerous. My father now weighs only 110 lbs from a once 165 lbs. Losing my mother destroyed me. My father was the last person I could hold onto. Now as I type with tears running all over my face, and hitting the screen, it hits me so hard I'm soon going to lose the last parent I have. I try to distract myself every day to not let in the sadness or the hopeless feelings that pummel me every day. This song completely disarmed me, and stabbed at my heart. I want my father to hear this, because it's how I feel about him. I protect him, and have advocated for him through all the tests they put him through to find what was wrong with him. Now we begin his final chapter in life. I know he looks forward to being reunited with my mom again. But It hurts so bad to know I'll soon be without them. Being left behind to continue on. I try my best to be strong and focused, but parents are not regular people. They're part our lives since day 1. I consider myself blessed and fortunate to be born to two amazing and wonderful people. Its a privilege knowing them as an adult. Thanks Shawn & Mel for reviewing this song. It more than touched my heart deeply, it moved my soul. Now I need to go hug my dad
❤I respect you so much for this. I just lost my hero dad after 5+years of care. I hope you remember the support you gave him & that it gives you strength. It says so much about who you are, they created a person to be so proud of
Yes this is his father in the video , both men served in the military , and both struggled with showing their emotions , especially his father who didn't really understand what all the fuss was about . Thankfully his father received the treatment he needed from a cousin and is doing well at this time .. But definitely a song to hit you in the feels
Apparently when James played this song, everyone in the studio was crying… except his dad. His dad asked why everyone was crying and said he “wasn’t dead yet”.
Yes, that is his dad. He wrote this song for him. His dad got better though. But, have you seen the American idol winner this year? You need to watch his audition; he sings this song! He also learned this song, and sung it to his father that was dying. He tells his story; and how his dad got him into singing. He is from Hawaii Hawaii
Sorry, I got cut off. Anyway, his name is Iam Tong ie. He even sings this song later in the finals with James Blunt! It is so emotional, and beautiful at the same time! Please watch it, and let us see your reaction to it!😊
Beautiful reaction! Watch the last couple of seconds… you’ll see James’ dad reach out and pat his arm once more… even though the song is James telling his father he will take care of him, a parent will always want to reach out and comfort his child right to the end 😢.. that last pat on the arm always gets me.
Shawn, I'm with you bruh. I was not familiar with this song and it had me in tears also. My father's been gone for 19 years and though we didn't always see eye to eye, he always had my back and I still miss him so. Also, I'm a Hospice nurse, who has helped family members chase the monsters away and have ushered literally hundreds of people into the next world. And this song just unleashed a huge swell of emotion from me.
Karl, I don't know how people, like you, can do these things for others but I, personally want to thank you and all in your profession - no, you're calling. to do the gentle work you do in a family's desperate time of need. re: my post above. Bless you.
Yes that was his dad. They said that the director wanted to do the song and video again but James insisted on using the original, not only that but James said that everyone in the video crew was crying and he was crying the only person on set that was not crying was his dad.
Those tears from James were real~ that is actually his father in the video, who he thought was about to die from kidney failure. Fortunately, he received a new kidney. This is such a beautiful song, and your reaction was so moving. Thank you for that one~ much love to you and condolences for your loss ❤🙏🙏
I'm obsessed with this song because it is an expression of my present feelings... My Father is receiving Hospice care in my home and I am his caregiver. He is a wonderful man who has genuinely blessed the lives of all who have known him. I count myself blessed to be his caregiver in the final days or weeks of his life, but my heart is breaking in two. I've watched virtually all of the reaction videos to this original video, and by far, this couple who shown the reaction that I've most appreciated.
Michael, I too took care of my Father during his hospice care, I moved in and was there for 6 months..it was THE hardest thing I have ever done in my life....I will pray for your dear Father as well as pray for you...sending you all my good wishes and my strength!!! No that you are not alone...and it will be hard but, I am so thankful my father didn't have to leave his earthly home waiting to transition to his final home.
Bless you, I have lived through the loss of beloved father, the pain is still raw but I was blessed to have such a rock in my life. This song rips me up, but I am proud to feel it. I wish you peace.
Both James and his dad were officers in the British Army: James was a Captain and his dad was a Colonel. The line; "we're just two grown men saying goodbye" was said by James to his dad as he was leaving for the Kosovo war in '99. At the end of the recording, James and the crew were all in tears. His dad snarked "I'm not dead YET"!! and had to console them all. After releasing this song, James gave all proceeds to the British charity "Help For Heroes", which aims to help veterans. What a champ!! By pops passed almost 15 yrs ago, 62 yo. I am now a caregiver to my elderly mom and just told her that when I pass, this is one song I want at my funeral.
I think we as people who love to watch reactors, like to connect sometimes, & showing vulnerability with us, does that......thank you guys, for being real & raw with us 💗💗💗
THIS IS A REAL REACTION!! This is how it should be. All you fake reactors out there take note on this reaction. When you allow a song, the words, the emotions to touch you, that’s what makes us come back for more. Bless your hearts. ❤️❤️ You are the real thing.
James wrote this for his dad who was dying of kidney disease, that’s him in the video….very personal song for them!!! By God’s good Grace, a family member donated a kidney and his father went into remission…..this song is deep Ur reaction is everything Shawn, big hug to u my brother!!! 😘 no warning, I think this is my favorite reaction from u two ❤️ 🥰 #Beautiful
I'm 42, this was the first time I ever broke into tears because of a song. I actually didn't realise I had started humming it in work and I got to the monsters line and I had an uncontrollable big petted lip, :D I was like WTF😂😂
Shawn & Mel, the story goes that this was the first time James had sung this to his father and it was recorded exactly as we see it. James' record company wanted him to use 'Auto-Cue' but he refused because he wanted this recording to be absolutely genuine and real. His father had only just recently been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure and needed an urgent transplant, which they found eventually. Both men were previously officers in the British military. This is an incredible testament from James to his dad, who by all accounts was not expected to survive but thanks to the grace of God, they found a suitable doner. What a contribution this is from James to his father. Amazing.
I lost my dad last year to covid and this song breaks me....he always had my back no matter what stupid mistakes I made. He was my best friend and since he's been gone life hasn't been the same, and it never will be. Thank you for such a real and sincere reaction. 💜
alot of grown men cry to this song, a persons parents are the most important people in our lives before we become parents ourselves and our dads are our heroes
I lost my dad in 2001 one week before 9/11. I lost touch with him after my 2nd daughter's birth. He was diagnosed with bi polar. He was a wanderer and wound up in Texas where he was killed by a drunk driver. This song here is so beautiful, and sad all in one.
I lost my dad in 2005 and last night no joke I listened to this song 7 times and I couldn't stop crying. So much I wanted my father to see before he passed. I wanted to buy him a suit, I wanted him to meet my Wife, and him to meet his grandson. I loved how yall broke this down. Man if I ever met you brother Shawn I would definitely give you bro hug man. God bless
I just lost my father at the end of March, and it was just like this.......monsters and all.....I was there for his last breath and it was peaceful like he wanted it. Thanks for sharing this song
I lost my Dad back in the 90s from cancer. It was a really rough time for the family. Just last year I lost my Mom after being her caregiver for several years. I was with her all day that last day and was holding her hand has she took her last breaths. Hardest thing I've ever been through but she was worth every minute of my time. If you still have your parents treasure them. They won't last forever and when they're gone you will never get over missing them.
James Hillier Blount (born 22 February 1974), better known as James Blunt, is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A former reconnaissance officer in the Life Guards regiment of the British Army, he served under NATO during the 1999 Kosovo War. After leaving the military, he rose to fame in 2004 with the release of his debut album Back to Bedlam, achieving worldwide fame with the singles "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover". Blunt's first album has sold over 11 million copies worldwide, topping the UK Albums Chart and peaking at number two in the US. During Blunt's Kosovo assignment he had brought along his guitar, strapped to the outside of his tank, and would sometimes perform for locals and troops. His father was a cavalry officer in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars and then a helicopter pilot and colonel of the Army Air Corps. The family has a long history of military service, dating back to the 10th-century arrival of their Danish ancestors in England.
You two made me cry. I think we were all crying together. Some songs just get you. Great honest reaction. " chase the monsters away." That phrase reminds,me of a healed adult abuse survivor chases the monsters away for their children because their parents did not chase them away for them.
This is the most beautiful sad song that just makes your your break with just the first few words of this song. How brave of his dad to sit through this tribute, I don’t know how James could sing this so beautifully with a limp in his throat. BRAVO JAMES.
So much love we can give to the ones we love.... In my memory I still see my grandfather happy face while I was shaving him to put him in a good mood because he was too old and he couldn't do it.......I loved doing this things for him..... Then he passed ....... Many years after I still greet him when I enter his old house.....😞.....death is a hard pill to swallow.
Everyone can feel that song, but only someone who has lost a parent can truly understand. I lost my father on May 14 th 2022. He called me every Janary 16th on my birthday and would sing me happy birthday. I have a lot of new firsts for me as well brother. Love to you all.
Thankfully, a true and honest reaction; so tired of everyone pausing this song every 5sec! Your facial expressions say it all, I thank you. My own father is going through something similar and I just hope I have the strength to be like this with him. Keep well
Thanks guys Lost my dad when I was 2 years old I still struggle so much and could not bear watching this, even at 53 years old! However it’s a great cry, makes me value being a dad now to 4 great kids ♥️♥️♥️
James’ Father received a kidney donation largely due to the publicity of the song but at the time of the song he was dying and this was James’ farewell to his dad. Yes that was his Dad with him he’d did the song in one take and apparently the only one not crying at the end was his dad. You show your humanity with your reaction to this❤️
Wow! So I wasn't expecting that! What a powerful, sad, but beautiful gift to a loved one - letting them know that it's okay for them to let go when that time comes. I could see it in his face as soon as he began singing that this was personal to him. If this doesn't move you, you have no soul!
Men, it's okay to express love and it's okay to shed tears. I've yet to make it through this video without breaking down. We're all human and have earned the right to express our emotions. Thank you for sharing yours with us. Peace and love to all.
I heard this song with you both for the first time right now. Lost my dad in 2019, and watching him age and experiencing him needing me more than I needed him was a huge thing, and it this song touches on that - our hearts feeling a way we never knew they needed to. Much love to you.
This song reminds me of all the good times with my dad and that special relationship you have with your father. You may have disagreements here and there, even some that cause a momentary split, but you always come back together. Props for you, Shawn for being brave enough to show that you are vulnerable. Music has this amazing power of empathy. That's why music is so special to us. Music, makes us laugh, it makes us cry, and when the sky falls down on us as it does from time to time, music like a good friend is always there to comfort you through the storm.
Everytime I hear this song I want to call my daddy. He's 77 now and he gets confused and forgets things so I always wonder if God is gonna give him another day. Same for my mama. I cry, ugly cry when I hear this.
Here in Canada during the covid lockdown my father had been living in a extended Care facility which was in lock down when he passed away. His health was continuously fading and I was not allowed in to see him for months. With the time of his passing drawing near and with him no longer being able to verbally communicate I had to say my goodbyes to him over a video call. During the call I played this song for him and I could see the tears starting to roll down his face. At that moment I knew he could still hear, and understand everything that was being said to him. And just how much I loved him and was proud to be his son. It was the hardest time I have ever faced in my life because I just wanted to be there to hold his hand before his time came. This song will forever remind me of that moment.
Woah… this hits me to the core. Same here haven’t visited for 2 years because of covid (we leave in different countries). Had the time to come back for a month this summer and thought I could return this winter but he passed away recently. We could just phone during the last weeks. Heartbreaking… We also both loved this song and I know he was touched by it.
Lotta people do these reaction videos. I was the last person to see my Dad in hospice when he died of Alzheimer’s. I whispered in his ear it was ok to leave that me and my sisters are gonna be ok. He did his job. Doctors say it’s doubtful he heard or understand me. I believe he did. Your reactions were just like mine when I heard this. I couldn’t control myself, left my body and felt his pain. Your honest reactions shone through . Much love and props
My dad went thru a tough time the last few years of his life, but it was also a time we grew closer and said many things we couldn’t say before. I was glad I had that chance to take care of him. It brings tears to my eyes each time I hear this song as it brings back all those memories.
Would love more men to realise showing that emotion is positive and a sign of a real man. I never got to have a relationship with my father and just hope my three boys realise my love.
I appreciate you heartfelt reactions to this video. This song by James Blunt was relatively unknown until Iam Tongi sang it for his audition on American idol in March 2023. Iam's father had just passed away from kidney disease (like James's father had) and Iam was singing for and with his father in his mind as he had done so many times before when his father supported him in his music. It tore up the judges and brings tears to everyone else who has seen it. I'm sure you've seen the video by now. It has more views (over 150 M) than any other audition and hundreds of reactions as well. Even some reactions have gone viral, so I think some channels are just doing reactions to get views and likes now. I only watched this original moving video by James Blunt because of Iam's cover. I heard that Iam has made this song so popular, James Blunt's recording has made the charts again after several years!
I haven't found one person who didn't cry while watching this video. This was an authentic reaction. Thank you for not being afraid to show your emotions!!!
My dad passed when I was 14, way back in 1990. This is a beautiful song. It’s a great example to follow......it’s more difficult for children to take care of parents.....it’s tough. Love and respect, always first.
Shows you have a big heart young man the older you get the more emotions come thru. Take it from a hard ass most of his life. Cry like a baby sometimes these days
I have watched reactions to this song many times. It's hard to do but it warms my heart to see everyone, big strong dude or a little lady, react the same way. The feelings are universal whether you loved a parent or did not, SOMEONE cherished and nurtured you and it breaks your heart to lose them. You must say your peace BEFORE they are gone.
I've watched so many reactions to this song and each time it has tears running down my cheek. It's one of the most beautiful and real song ever written, you can't help but feel this in your soul. Much love ❤
I am always ugly crying to this song by the 2nd verse. The passion and emotion in this song makes it impossible for anyone with a heart not to tear up. Great reaction as always!
The filming of this video is the first time his dad heard the song. It strikes a chord with me. Lost my dad to cancer in November of 2013 and I was his caregiver until he went on Hospice care at the VA center.
This song brought me to my knees. My father's relationship with me when I was young was an abusive one. So much so that I spent many years not talking to him. My father spent the last years of his life living as a hermit in the woods of Maine. He was found outside his cabin months after his death. What was left of him at least. In our last conversation he tried to reach out to me to connect as father and son. I told him that I didn't think of him as my father. He replied "But I am your father!" I said "My father is six hundred feet tall and broke bones and walls and mothers. It's best for you that I don't think of you as my father. To me you are an older friend that I share a similar sense of humor with that I speak to once a year (if that) on father's day." Eerily similar to " I'm not your son, you're not my father. We're just two grown men saying goodbye. I knew his mistakes, he knew some of mine. He was my monster. I could never get past that.
he was what he was and u are what u are. he can't be better now, but u still can. let that be your fuel. what will be the legacy u leave behind? what will be the impression u leave on ppl? u are your own unique person 🤝
Lovely reactions you two. It's exactly how most people react when they first hear this amazing song (and every time they watch it afterwards too). You should have been warned to have some tissues with you!
When my dad was dying from cancer I took time off to stay with him but I had to go back to NC to support my family and it broke my spirit and my heart knowing I was seeing him alive for the last time
In 2016 my father had succumbed to cancer and was near the end. I bent and whispered in his ear that he can let go and go peacefully. I will take care of mom. I completely lost it when James said, Don't be afraid, it's my turn to chase the monsters away I thought of that moment in time and completely broke down in tears.
I absolutely adore my father and I'm blessed to have him still here in my life and world ❤️❤️❤️ I love you dad to the moon and beyond always always 👩❤️👩👩❤️👩👩❤️👩
Shawn I lost my dad too so the first time I seen this video I completely broke down as well. It really hits you hard. It's such a beautiful song with a beautiful meaning. My heart goes out to you
