Vocal Coach reacts to Blues Traveler - Hook (Official Music Video) 

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"They've done something to that harmonica." Yeah, they gave it to John Popper. That's 100% legit, dude is likely the most famous harmonica player in history at this point, and easily one of the most skilled, lol. He's absolutely insane.

Popper is undeniably the Hendrix of harmonica... ✌️💙

"Surely they sped it up..." You'd think so, but no ;) Popper is a BEAST. He's actually playing it that fast. There's a bunch of live shows here on the RU-vids where you can see!

"They've done something to that harmonica." You're right. They have. They handed it to John Popper.

If you watch him live, you will notice John Popper appears onstage with a vest of 12 holstered harmonicas, one for each key. He is a master of the mouth harp.

I have seen Blues Traveler about 40 times live starting way back in 1994 and I can assure you he plays everything in real time ..not sped up or screwed with in any way shape or form , IMHO he is one of the greatest harmonica plays ever.

He is an amazing harmonica player, I would recommend “but anyway” next

John Popper is the best harp player in the world, IMO. Everything you hear is actually played in real time

They've done something to that harmonica... yea, they put it in the hands of John Popper. Popper is a wonderful lyricist, singer and a tremendous harmonica player. And while the hook will bring you back to Hook, they have a catalog of smart and interesting albums to delve into. 'Conquer Me' was one of their earlier songs to get some radio play. If you want to confirm the harmonica playing is real there are plenty of concert videos available... one of my faves is Regarding Steven from Live From the Fall.

The guy on the couch is Ken Ober. He hosted a game show on MTV called "Remote Control" in the late '80s.

Some of the most brilliant meta lyrics of any song ever made combined with incredible musicianship. Really great little song.

I was lucky enough to be a part a an interview with Blues Traveler after a show, right before the broke out with the album Four. My friend asked Popper what it was like being the Hendrix of harmonica. Popper answered "I'd rather be the John Popper of harmonica". The best answer possible!

It doesn't matter what I say So long as I sing with inflection That makes you feel I'll convey Some inner truth or vast reflection But I've said nothing so far And I can keep it up for as long as it takes And it don't matter who you are If I'm doing my job, it's your resolve that breaks Because the hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The hook brings you back On that you can rely There is something amiss I am being insincere In fact I don't mean any of this Still my confession draws you near To confuse the issue I refer To familiar heroes from long ago No matter how much Peter loved her What made the Pan refuse to grow Was that hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The hook brings you back On that you can rely Suck it in, suck it in, suck it in, if you're Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn Make a desperate move or else you'll win and then begin to see What you're doing to me, this MTV is not for free It's so PC it's killing me, so desperately I sing to thee of love Sure, but also of rage and hate and pain and fear of self And I can't keep these feelings on the shelf I've tried, well, no, in fact I lied Could be financial suicide, but I've got too much pride inside To hide or slide, I'll do as I'll decide and let it ride until I've died And only then shall I abide this tide Of catchy little tunes of hip three minute diddys I wanna bust all your balloons I wanna burn all your cities to the ground I've found I will not mess around unless I play then hey I will go on all day, hear what I say I have a prayer to pray that's really all this was And when I'm feeling stuck and need a buck I don't rely on luck because The hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The hook On that you can rely

The harmonica is normal, the player is a harmonica phenomenon. No kidding. He's probably one of the best there ever was or will be.

When Emma Stone competed against Jimmy Fallon in a famous Lip Synch Battle on his show years ago, this was one of her song choices. It was amazing. Great song, so many interesting layers.

7:26 - "They've done something to that harmonica." They did, indeed. They put it in John Popper's hands.

I feel like a total idiot because I've heard this song a million times but never listened to the lyrics other than 'The Hook'. Point made, new appreciation unlocked.

Oh that’s him on harmonica. No speed up! He’s incredible.

Done something to the harmonica? Ya it’s called John popper….

It’s actually amazing to watch someone see popper play harmonica for the first time. The inability to grasp that’s possible made me laugh so hard. I’ve seen him do it live and it still doesn’t feel real.

Blues Traveller used to rehearse in our basement rehearsal space in NYC back in the ‘90s after their Four album came out. Incredibly facile voice.

John Popper is an absolute monster, he does a cover of 'No Woman No Cry' with Ziggy Marley (who sounds spookily like his father) which gets sent to the atmosphere with his Harmonica solo, as well as his and Ziggy's vocals

I adore this song. I’ve seen them in concert many times. John has such a unique voice and the band is so talented and fun! They attract such a variety of fans! I think the lyrics to Hook are so catchy and d clever! John sings and plays the harmonica. It’s truly a sight to see and hear live. He’s incredible at singing so beautifully and playing that thing like a badass. This band is worth looking into!

Their song "But Anyway" has the COOLEST harmonica solo. It's mind blowingly good. I'm not sure if it deserves its own video, but you deserve to hear him play it.

For about 2 seconds you can see one contestant’s New Jersey sash fall to the ground. A little homage to the birthplace of the band, Princeton New Jersey.

I remember seeing the Spin Doctors and these guys and Phish at the wetlands NYC😊 and let me tell you what these guys are still rocking just as hard

Blues Traveler's Four is an amazing ALBUM...The Mountains Win Again is definitely worthy of a review....that military belt he wears around his neck is all different harmonicas in different keys that he switches back n forth from during the course of a performance. I sort of lost the thread on them when their bass player passed away, tragic loss.

While hooks can be used for nefarious purposes (advertising), I’m all for goods ones. Keith Richard’s guitar hooks are legendary!

I didn't know that Paul Shaffer was singing with the Blues Travelers until today. 🤦‍♀️

“Surely they did something to that harmonica” No, Popper is just that damn good.

DO MORE BLUES TRAVELER. they are the american 90's in a band. Along with the Spin Doctors. DO THE SPIN DOCTORS

Another one of my favourites!

I loved this song back in the '90s, but I haven't thought about it a while and hearing it now it seems prophetic. There's some great pop music out there and there's something to be said for a good hook, but at the risk of sounding like an old curmudgeon, the way hooks have become more and more prioritized has really been a detriment to the overall quality of a lot of commercial media. Btw, the harmonica in the solo wasn't affected anymore than any of the other instruments on the song. Popper is an absolute virtuoso. There's probably plenty of videos of him playing it live here on RU-vid.

John Popper…Born in my hometown of Chardon Ohio! Another track off this album that is brilliant is Just Wait…check that song out Beth

The subtle undertone of Canon in D was amazing in this song

Straight up that’s him on harmonica. No manipulation of speed.

good vocals. beast on the harmonica

hes just an excellent bender of notes and sliding to the note. He utilizes the higher register more than usual and his style can be really bright compared to other harmonica players. He plays lead harmonica. Fun live show.

Swords! Welcome to America! This is my kind of guy! Never bring a sword to a gun fight, Mick!

John Popper plays the harmonica like he was born with 1 in his mouth and 1 in his hand. The ability to actuate breathing is key to both . Beth love❤

He didn't play it half time. John Popper is an incredible harmonica player. It upsets me a bit that he can also sing so well. Leave a little for us little folks, John. Signed, Former Harmonica Player.

That is 100% pure John Popper playing the harmonica unaided by technology. He is the world's greatest virtuoso of harmonica and its not even close.

Popper is a harmonica GENIUS!!!! And his voice is amazing as well!

Olá,react cantor brasileiro Ricky Vallen don't cry for me argentina ,obrigado

My all time fave Blues Traveler song!! Such a smart, insightful and wickedly cynical message wrapped in a fantastic pop/blues wrapper!

You should check out the Mountains Win Again

OMG please do more BT! Especially Look Around!

Blues Traveler, has admitted that, they "stole" this from Pachebel's Cannon

Saw BT in Rochester NY years ago and not speed up in his playing but he does use effects on his tone, such as distortion. I started playing harmonica and know first hand how hard it is to play most of his solo licks. Harmonica is not designed for single notes lol.

diggin your videos. not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but that harmonica solo is not sped up at all. that man might be the only person alive who can do that with a harmonica. look up live stuff, he plays his harmonica through a marshall stack! total badass

@4:27 The bald guy with the sunglasses is Paul Shaffer. He was the band leader and musical director on "Late Show with David Letterman".

She's suppose to talk about his wonderful voice, not the story.

so cynical to assume he played a solo in half time and sped it up. shame on you. what is next, you think jimi hendrix programmed everything on his ipad?

John Popper is AMAZING on the harmonica. Nothing is sped up he does it all full speed live and it's just as good as the recordings. He's a mad man

Paul Shaffer is the guy on keyboards and backup vocals. Paul worked for David Letterman for over 20 years as his music director. It was Pual Shaffer and the CBS band. Paul is like the American version of Jools Holland.

I love ya girl, great video, but you need to brush up on what can be done with harmonica =)

They played at the college across the river from mine back in spring of 1993 before this album came out. I think I was the only one that didn't go because I'd never heard of them. I stayed back at the frat house, picked up the keg and had it tapped when everyone got back. lol

Saw Foo Fighters in Indianapolis about 10 years ago, which is just happens to be where John Popper lives. Rumors kept going around that he was at the concert, then he came on stage and had a harmonica/guitar battle with Dave Grohl and it was awesome. So yes, he plays that fast. And this song is used in university- level Music Theory classes.

No, not likely sped up. Watch him improvise it live.

I never noticed the Pachelbel bit. Now I can't unhear it :)

John Popper is from a small town in Northeastern Ohio about 20 minutes drive from where I live. I went an embarrassingly long amount of time into my adult years before it was pointed out to me that the music just follows Canon's chord progression.

Love seeing Paul Shaffer in the rap section 😊

John Popper is nothing short of amazing with harmonicas and blues harps... I'd watched him play constant eighth and sixteenth notes for well over twelve bars at 120 bpm live quite a few times at festivals in the late 80's and afterward in the 90's when Blues Traveler became popular. The control he has over his air shows up in his vocals too.

"They've done something to that harmonica" Yeah, they put it in John Popper's mouth. The man is a legend.

You should watch them play this live at Howard Stern's birthday. He is just that good on harmonica.

Amazing reaction.....first time I think I actually like a reaction more than the song. Thank you ma'am.

Welcome to Gen X. We got lit and sprung, and nobody cared, so we returned to whatever. Yall younger shits need to sort out the whatever.

John Popper is a really underrated musician and singer.

Popper is harmonica wiz, that is how he plays it!

Thank you for reminding me to put this band back in my rotation.

Nope not sped up he’s the real deal on a harmonica

YOU ARE THE HOOK in your presentations...

I love the darkness and complete jadedness of this song, disguised under an incredibly catchy song with a great... you know. Fantastic song!!

Seen them live. I can attest he can do it live perfectly. He switches harmonicas while playing. Totally amazing. Popper is arguably the best harmonica player alive.

When you see them live, watching Popper go from blasting on the harmonica directly into singing without taking a breath is absolutely astounding.

Pachelbel Canon in D… an OG hook 😊

amazing uplad! peace out! Beth, )

1000% real harmonica ability. Ive seen them in concert several times now. I could go just to hear him play it the whole time!

Was the great #PaulShaffer from #LateNight with #DavidLetterman in that video?

I had heard harmonica players before, and sometimes it is played as a sound effect (think of a train) or to set a mood, or just some, "Oh, there's a basic harmonica". I was amazed when I heard this song years ago. I listened to the harmonica solo over and over ... great solo for any instrument, let alone for a "mere" harmonica. As a dozen comments already pointed out, what you hear in this song is not sped up ... that's just how good he is.

WhenI'mfeelingstuck, andIneedabuck, Idon'trelyonluck Because a ......

Popper is just THAT good with a harmonica. Legit check out live performances.

Saw them play this live, he did this in real time and it was awesome

No, Beth. John Popper really did play that fast. Listen to some of their other songs. You really never did hear this song before.

The trick with the harmonica is he mastered it. Another Great reaction Beth!

I haven't seen one of your videos in a while, I came back on a great one. Popper is great harmonica player with a distinctive voice. Good luck with your music. My favorite reaction you've done is the Baby Metal doki, doki morning one all those years ago, I think it was the first video of yours I saw

My favorite band. I love his use of resonant backspace in his voice but yet his sound is so forward at the same time. That harmonica is not sped up. He really plays that quickly and accurately. I told him the band helped me through some hard times and he said: “You got yourself through those times but I am glad we were about to a musical motif for you.” Great band. Check out Just Wait and Sweet Pain and Orange in the Sun and Pretty Angry by Blues Traveler as well ! I’ve seen them at least ten times live and they are a great live band !

The meaning of the song is hilarious. How he wrote it and sang it is incredible

Everyone concentrates on the musical aspect of the word hook; it’s overlooked that a Hook is an integral part of a Con-Game. The part of the con game that appeals to baser human nature: Fear, power, love, Vanity, pride-A hook Appeals to those needs and people will fall for what you’re selling regardless if it’s a lie when portrayed with sincerity as sincerity is the lubricant of the 🪝 which is why all the characters in the video are selling sincerity from the two face (Fool/ charming) politician to the aesthetically pleasing Beauty pageant contestant to get what they want. Ultimately ending the lyrics with what is essentially a Flim-Flam man/ Matchstick men/ Grifter/ confidence man prayer: When I’m stuck and need a buck, I don’t rely on Luck because the Hook…. Basically he’s calling the record label executives con-men with contracts Source: I love con man movies The Sting/ Grifters/ The Hustler--The Color of Money/ MatchStick Men/ Choke/ The Brothers Bloom (The Brothers Bloom breaks it down in the first Con of the movie)

I love hooks. It’s one of the reasons I love pop music. So what if the purpose of a hook is to sell something? The satisfaction is real and feels good over and over again.

I've been "listening" to this song for 30 years... and yet, I never "heard" it. This is the first time I actually listened to the words and obviously, the hook works. 95% of the time, I'm listing to music for the music and harmony, not what's actually being said, which is so painfully obvious now. lol!

JHON POPPER IS THE BEST HARMONICA PLAYER IN HISTORY..only one to ever have an hamonica named after him...hes a virtuoso...no speed up

John Popper is a descendent of the great Bohemian cellist and pedagogue, David Popper. David Popper's etudes and show pieces are absolute STAPLES in the cello repertoire even to this day. His musical genius comes honestly.

I don't hate hooks, but it's never the part of the song I want. I'm always looking for the pay off. The climax, if you will. For instance, this song has an excellent pay off with the "suck it in suck it in like you're ren ten ten, ramblin'" bridge piece.

Blues traveler was a classic of my early teenage years, and this is my go-to karaoke song. No matter how bad you are at singing, if you can stick the rap, this song always kills it

Ken Ober?

It's not sped up. It's how he plays the harmonica. John Popper. Blues Traveler good Band 🍄

'IS THAT A HARMONICA' ??????? GIRL, ARE YOU INSANE??!!!!! 2 WORDS JOHN POPPER. I got a little angry when she asked that. Go search a live performance of this song and then tell me if it's sped up or not.

Harmonicas come in a variety of sizes and keys. The one used in this one is likely smaller than you are thinking and in a higher key that the more common varieties