As a psychology professor, I use this song to have students identify which lyrics reference biological, genetic, family, environment, and free will factors in determining who we become. It is so much more meaningful than if I just had them list or define the factors.
The boys - and their usual arranger, Darren Rust - know just how much, or how little, embellishment a song needs. The absolute minimum of percussion here is perfect for this. And the harmonies are perfection, as always.
Hauntingly beautiful…..for those of us that come varying degrees of a dysfunctional family, these words really hit home. Kudos to Home Free for keeping the arrangement simple and making it about the words and meaning of the song. They have another song that hits me in a similar way, it’s called What We Ain’t Got and it’s mesmerizing. Thanks for another wonderful reaction DJ! ❤️
Yes! What We Ain't Got gets me every time. Mesmerizing is a perfect description. The video concept and the song are in my top 5. I was thinking about having it as my Patreon reaction. I'm sad I don't see some of their older stuff get attention. Another favorite is Woman, Amen / Female.
The beatboxing here is so brilliant in its simplicity. We all know Adam can go crazy. But this song needed a downhome simple beat, and Adam's extra harmonies.
Thank you, now, and for future reactions to Home Free songs. I ran on to them on RU-vid about 8-9 months ago, doing "Man of Constant Sorrow" and it only took about 30 seconds and I was, and still am, HOOKED. There aren't words to describe how much I love their music! I'm a 71 year old Great Grandma who has loved the Bee Gees for 45 years. Their harmonies were always impeccable. I still love their music! I have to say, Home Free, has crossed the finish line a nose ahead. Again, thank you, SO MUCH, for your positive reacts. 💜🤗 A proud HOME FRY. 😉
I’m a grandma too lol, what Tim refers to as a seasoned’ Home Fry. I was a rock singer in my youth, always in choir, singing and performing every chance I got. I’m teaching my grandchildren to sing confidently, my granddaughter is a natural! My grandson is over it, lol but still sings along to placate me. I discovered Home Free on RU-vid also, and can’t stop listening to them. I’ve listened to Voiceplay, love them too.Pentatonix, while technically great, just don’t do it for me. I find them rather sterile and formulaic. Home Free tops the list for me too!
This is utterly stunning. I think I might have fallen a tiny bit in love with Adam Chance in this video. Wow...I have no words. Thank you for this lovely reaction to this stunningly peaceful and beautiful song.
Home Free has a cover were i always tell reactors to pay special attention to the video for the simple reason that it shows how the world COULD BE if we just accepted that we´re all different and we all deserve to be treated with respect and love please react to -- WE JUST DUSAGREE . Much love and respect from a devoted fan / Home fry 🍟🍟
I love Home Free's version of this beautiful song. This is in my top 5 songs by them. They really brought out the emotion of it. Tim's lead is amazing with his deep bass. Also love Rob & Chance's solos plus the great harmonies. And Adam is tasteful in making the simple sound of pounding his chest & thigh. I believe we can change our course in life. We don't have to make the same mistakes as our parents. We can choose to rise above it.
Out of 7 children, I'm the only one that looks like my mom. She passed away in 2014 from Alzheimer's and the last couple months of her life I barely left her side, mostly because she wouldn't let me. I had to lie to her - or have whoever was there - if I had to go out for a bit. I hadn't even realized I looked like my mom until shortly after she had gone and people came up to me at her funeral and told me. So as this song hits, my heart automatically goes back to spending those last few weeks with her, not wanting to ever lose her and hoping I'd be even half the woman she always was.
My personal Favorite. This is the song that saved me from a very dark mental health losing my soul kind of place. This one I cried ok Sobbed for an hour got a headache and woke up feeling lighter than I had in years. you Nailed this reaction thank you !
Good luck in your life’s journey. I too have been in the dark place you describe. When I lost my husband suddenly almost 7years ago, I fell into a deep depression, lost motivation and interest in absolutely everything. I shamefully wallowed in my grief and let the darkness suck me in. It took a ruthless intervention by my grown sons to shake me back to reality. I’m much better now, but the grief still creeps up on me occasionally. So, I know things do get better with time and effort. I hope you are in a wonderful place now and wish you blessings and happiness.
Home Free shows genuine respect for their source material, especially when the lyrics run deep. It’s one of the group’s most endearing characteristics.
When John Mayer released this song I already loved it. The lyrics are really something to think about. But I think this version has something more. All those different voices at exactly the right time. Adam keeping it simple but perfect for this song. It's on my favorite playlist.
I have never heard a Home Free song I disliked…and having said that, this has to be one of my top 5 favorites, right up there with Helplessly Hoping and Brothers in Arms. Thanks for understanding that they held back on the vocal gymnastics to allow the poetry and poignancy of the lyrics to shine through. Tastefully and honestly performed, with Adam providing the heartbeat throughout. This one always brings me to the edge of tears.
Each time one of the guys step up and take the lead, I think to myself that this is my favorite part of the song. Until the next guy sings his part! And the next guy. I love them all! All unique. All hauntingly beautiful voices. This is a song by John Mayer.. Very well written. One of my all time favorite covers by Home Free.
This is a John Mayer original…and it’s absolutely timeless and universal. 💔 Home Free doesn’t have a flawless batting average…but they are brilliant at what they do. This was an incredible interpretation of a song that has no need for “improvement”. Love your reaction as well as the commentary. ❤
You are one of the few reactors I’ve seen who hasn’t been in tears by half way through-I think that may be a result of your relative youth. It stabs the heart for those of us who have grown up in dysfunctional families.
Love this song. One of my favorites. It’s by John Mayer. The lyrics are powerful for sure. Are you doomed to repeat the mistakes of your parents or can you change? Of course you can change….with lots of work. But you can do it. Loved Tim’s low voice and Chance is smooth as butter. Love Rob always. Good one DJ!!!😍😄
When you add the different tones and textures together it brings with it a depth that you don't often find. The same goes for the way simplicity in the arrangement lets us be able to decipher the complexity of the lyrics and message within the song. These men are masters of their craft and we are all lucky enough to be here for their journey! Great reaction from you and it's always wonderful to have a reactor that pays attention and gives an honest opinion. ❤
This is in my top 10 of Home Free covers. They are so awesome in their interpretations and their dynamic harmonies are the very best bar none. This evokes so much emotion due to the aspect of family relations it crosses all families no matter the circumstances. ❣
I'm a huge Home Fry and singer, and yes, I love their version. BUT this is a BRILLIANT composition by John Mayer (who I'm not a huge fan of, but have to give credit where credit is due). Home Free gives this song the justice it deserves.
Let's not forget Chance holding down the bass line in spades while Tim sings up higher...LOVE THIS! Thanks for your reaction! This hits home for us from "blended" families~ ❤
This will always hold a special place in my heart. I used this version as my audition song for the Acapella Choir I'm in. Sang from the beginning thru Rob's part. ❤🔥 That's all they needed to hear. 😏
This is one of my favorite Home Free songs. I can and do listen to it over and over again. It still amazes me that they don't have any songs I don't like. Even songs they cover that I don't like the original, I love them when these men sing it❤
The beginning of this is Tim at his loveliest. We forget when we celebrate his bass all the time. And having Adam available for that fifth harmony just fills it out so well. This song doesn't get a whole lot of 'love' - maybe BECASUE there is no OMG beatboxing or Austin doing riffs in the stratosphere or Tim plumbing the depths. Just plain old fantastic signing with a wonderful arrangement.
This one is a ...painful favorite....for a few different reasons. John Mayer--was influenced by a local Blues musician, Stevie Ray Vaughan, who passed away in 1990 (who you should consider reacting to). This song hits hard because I grew up being abused by my parents. After some failed relationships, I decided to avoid that altogether. I do have an acquaintance who also had a similar experience with his parents at a young age. It started this brilliant, broken man down a bad path. Although ultimately, his choices were his own, he's spent 50 years of his life in prison and will die there soon, of old age. It just makes me sad that with a loving family, this could have been avoided. This is why Rob's plaintive line, "I can feel the love I want, I can feel the love I need, but its never going to come the way I am" hits so hard, because, while Ive had a hard life, my friend in prison has never really experienced a good life outside of prison. And I would do anything to be able to go back in time and change that for him.
I love just how thoughtful and interesting your reactions are - this is such a great song, and you picked up on just what makes this performance special.
This song came out as hurricane Harvey was hitting in south Texas. Wash out in the water.... can I rise above the flood. Boy, the flood we got at that time always reminds me of this song. Love your reactions !
I'm so sorry to hear that Scott! Look after yourself and absolutely don't stress about the patreon! I will always be incredibly grateful for the support you have given there and continue to give here on youtube ❤️❤️ Hoping your situation improves for you soon
Beautiful song with a very true and deep meaning. My son and I were talking last night about the guys individual voices and although they are all great, Rob is so unique and silky smooth you can pick him out right away. He sings like no one else I've ever heard. Have a great day!
I think of Robb's voice as being silky. Chance's voice like whiskey. And I think that Adam's body percussion was so powerful given the topic of this song. That it also allowed him to contribute his lovely tenor voice to the harmony is a wonderful bonus.
This song really hits hard, particularly this version IMO. It's a very personal song for the writer, who struggled in his relationships with well-known celebrities like Taylor Swift and Jessica Simpson, where he was apparently a terrible person to be with. This song came later, and it's good to recognise _why_ you do what you do, but you also have to fully acknowledge your own agency (he has partially done so in public, which is more than many people do). I hope this song is a step along the way to him growing into a person who can do the right thing for both himself and the people in his life.
I'm not sure anyone really ever grew up in a Father Knows Best world - in some way most families are dysfunctional to a minor or major degree. The song leaves you to ponder nature vs. nurture. Of course the singing, harmonies & beatboxing are terrific - they always are. The original was by John Mayer. I don't know if you've watched the video for Austin's original "Save the World" - I think you'd identify with it.
I love the jaw drop...they earned it. Tim's vocals in the beginning gives me good chills. Chance on the second part was so wonderful. But what got me the most was when Rob came in on the chorus. This song is so powerful yet simply stated so that anyone can see themselves in it. WOW!!!
Great reaction - and I like your explanation of how you are reacting / feeling as they progress through the phases of the song. This one really hits me on a personal level, and Home Free's version of it gives it more intensity, even though it is smooth and gentle. Maybe it is because of the way it hits me more than just musically - but I think this is one of Home Free's masterpieces.
I love how Home Free keeps a lot of their video environments simple--allows the focus to be on their incredible acapella vocals. Their 4-part harmony is already peerless, as far as I'm concerned, but their 5-part harmony is even more impactful❣️🎼🥰🎶❤️ #HomeFree
Great reaction :). As always! But I’d like to put a bug in your ear and mention something. I almost never see reactors covering shorts, like the shorts VoicePlay puts out, which aren’t clips of their longer videos. You might want to plan a few videos where you watch 3 or 4 shorts, since no one else seems to be doing that. I’d strongly recommend starting with VP’s cover of Time Warp, from the Rockey Horror Show.
