One of my favorite YouTube reactors – Jayy with two y’s – discovered Elvis about 3 years ago. 2020. Going in, she had no idea. She had only a couple of very vague preconceived notions, mainly that he danced around like a crazy man and lots of people didn’t seem to like him. That’s what she knew about him.
Cut to: 5 months later: she’s visiting Graceland, live-vlogging the whole thing, and crying at his grave. lol. I mean, this is the power!
Her gateway was “In the Ghetto” – the first Elvis song she listened to – and “If I Can Dream” – and since then she’s gone on and watched/listened to it all, dragging in family members to show THEM the clips she loves. She just gets it and she “got it” almost instantly. She didn’t have to research it for context. She just felt it. I love how much she has a crush on him.
So here she is reacting to “Santa Claus is Back in Town”, one of the dirtiest sexiest bluesiest tracks in Elvis’ whole career. Even dirtier because it’s a song about Santa. As Tom Petty said, “‘Santa Claus is comin’ down your chimney tonight’ sounds absolutely filthy when Elvis sings it.” At one point, Jayy is cradling her Elvis doll, still in the box, and swaying to the music, declaring, “Lord Jesus, he better STOP.” lol The transformation!!
“Definitely had me some christmas spirit” ha ha ha dying! Girl, we know just what you mean.
I can’t spend too much time on Youtube otherwise I’d spend ALL of my time on Youtube, but some of those reactors are just so awesome. The genuine appreciation, especially when it’s a different culture or time period, makes me so happy. I watched that one guy discover Lynyrd Skynyrd live concert videos, it was glorious.
Yes – I am not sure what itch it scratches, but “reaction videos” are so … wholesome? It also lives in the space I want to live all the time – basically open to new things. You don’t need to “learn about” culture by taking a class – or even having some nerd explain the context. (and please: I am that nerd often so no shade). You don’t need a MEDIATOR. You just need to experience the art. You’re free to not like it or say “not for me” but pure response is where it all starts. This is how I learned things since I didn’t go to school in media studies or film studies or anything. Nothing came to me through a mediator. It was all first-hand experience with no context. If I wanted context I’d have to go look it up. and I love when the YouTube reactors get curious enough to pull up their phones and investigate the circumstances of a song that intrigues them.
I also have to limit my time on YouTube! I can’t be on there all day every day!!
Yes! Although I do love a mediator, not when they just EXPLAIN things to me – that can be little condescending – but when they are sharing WHY they love it so much – I actually want to do a short round up on a Substack post (haha, that’s becoming my imaginary substack, that only lives in my head) of people I follow on social media only because I love how passionate they are about their thing – even if I don’t particularly get it, sometimes. I mean, obviously, when it’s both nerding out AND sharing the love, it’s even better – it’s how I ended up here, after all.
But yeah, I know what you mean. I was so intimidated by poetry – still am, but I remember the first time I read We Real Cool and it LITERALLY took my breath away, like I had been punched in the guts. No need for a prof to lecture me on form, etc. It was so immediate.
I think that’s why I particularly love when people “react” to things from other countries, or time period, etc: it’s not only being open to discovery, but also the generosity of saying “oh yeah, I see what you were talking about now.”
I’ve spent some time in circles that were so critical that we spent most of time talking about what we DIDN’T like, and it sucks the joy out of life. Yeah, you need critical thinking, but you also need to feed your soul with love and joy and creativity.
Yes, I agree with all that you said.
As a person who writes criticism for a (meager) living – I have to be able to say when something doesn’t work. And hopefully explain why. Not that it won’t work for someone else, but why it doesn’t work for me. I don’t see my role as telling people what to think. Just show how I think.
But watching these YouTube reactor kids – is just such a great reminder to remain that open to the new, the unknown – to watch with openness. To not go into something already closed off.
You still may not like whatever it is – but at least you’re open to the experience. I really get inspired watching these “kids” do that! so generous, like you say!