A YouTube hit makes you feel so good in Daydreaming on the Porch
- Aug. 16, 2020, 3:57 a.m.
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- Public
Okay, all you YouTubers out there. Buckle your seatbelts. The latest phenomenon to rocket to fame are two twin 21-year-old brothers from Gary, Indiana — Tim and Fred Williams. This is a classic YouTube success story, and it could not have happened to two more deserving young people.
There are now many music video reactors on YouTube, but these guys have catapulted to popularity, closing in on 500,000 subscribers, most of it in just the past few weeks after their reactions to “Jolene” by Dolly Parton (she instantly tweeted her approval) and the astounding response to their reaction to Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.” That one video of theirs now has 5.9 million views and 17,000+ comments. Frankly, I never realized he was that popular, but hey, that sudden drum break is something else.
The thing about the twins that is making them so popular is that they are sensitive and perceptive and are willing to listen and react to just about any type of music from Tennessee Ernie Ford to Aerosmith and everything in between and after. And they’re funny. It’s the first time they’ve heard any of this. Every genre of music is fair game, and their genuine enthusiasm and likeability, as well as the sheer fun and delight they derive from listening to all kinds of music, make their channel a pure pleasure to listen to. Even though I’ve never listened to most of what they react to, I can guarantee I and anyone else willing to step outside their musical comfort zones will be in for an eye-opening education in popular hits that span decades. Bravo!
If you look at the thousands of comments they receive, one thing stands out. Older people who grew up listening to the songs the twins are hearing for the first time are just plain happy, glad and grateful that people as young as Tim and Fred listen to and enjoy music popular with different generations. It’s refreshing, it’s astonishing, it’s unheard of. How many teenagers, college students or young adults that you know are similarly open-minded? I confess, I haven’t listened to much contemporary pop music, and after growing up with the great classics of the 60s and 70s, I’m not sure I would want to. So maybe I need to branch out.
The brothers have just been featured in an article in The New York Times, and they are been interviewed on CNN and numerous other media outlets. I personally don’t think fame is going to get to them. They’re going to stay humble and continue to share their love of music with us. In these terrible days of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s a sheer relief to listen to the twins react to the music we love, and in the process take our minds off all the troubles that swirl around us every day.
In the comment section listeners send in thousands of requests for the twins to listen and react to. My first time hearing Tim and Fred was their reaction to one of my favorite songs, “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers.
Here’s one of their most recent videos, listening to Linda Rondstat’s Blue Bayou
And this sampling:
Phil Collins — In the Air Tonight
Neil Young — Old Man
Leslie Gore — You Don’t Own Me
Jimi Hendrix — Hey Joe
New York Times article:
Last updated August 16, 2020
ConnieK ⋅ August 16, 2020
It was amusing the first few times, but in the end, I found I really didn't care what a couple of kids thought. :)
Oswego ConnieK ⋅ August 16, 2020
They’re natural entertainers and they love that camera. But as I said, I doubt I’ll listen to any of the songs I don’t recognize...so I might be defeating the purpose of posting this. :( Oh well, they give me a lift in these scary times. Thanks, Twins!
ConnieK Oswego ⋅ August 16, 2020 (edited August 16, 2020)
Edited
No argument that they are entertaining. It just gets too repetitive for me and I don't get anything out of their observations. Chalk it up to another of my many flaws! LOL!
mcbee ⋅ August 16, 2020
I'm glad you posted the links, I hadn't seen some of these. My son and I have always had very few things we agree on, but I shared these guys with him and he loved them. That was followed by more conversation where he admitted he knows all the "oldies" because I taught them to him. He said he has so many friends that have never heard of most of this music. That's a connection we don't often have anymore. Good things can come from shared appreciation and it made my week better!
Oswego mcbee ⋅ August 16, 2020
These guys really brighten my days. And these days, I really need that. When did you share the Twins’ videos with your son? It sounds you raised hm to appreciate good music! :)
mcbee Oswego ⋅ August 17, 2020
I shared the videos with my son about a week ago. He replied "awesome" which is a real compliment from him. Later in the week we talked about all the music we listened to when he was growing up and he said, "that's one thing I got from you Mom, none of my friends know who any of these groups are." He was stuck with me in the car during all the transporting you do with kids and I mostly listened to classic rock and r & b, then later in the early 90's I got into country. At night he started listening to a 70's, 80's classic radio station to go to sleep by. I also like 40's and 50's popular music so he heard a bit of that too. Music makes life better...that's the main thing I taught him. :) Now my grandaughter likes to have classical music at bedtime.
Marg ⋅ August 17, 2020
Sorry I’m being a bit of a grumpy old fart over here but I’m a bit cynical of how genuine these reactions are. Obviously the more they react the more hits they get so that makes me a bit sceptical and there are so many kids doing it now it’s become a competitive market. I preferred the ones where young folk would get their granny’s genuine reaction to a beautiful piece of music or rap or something heard for the first time and post it :)
(Have you seen the Cadburys chocolate ad with the ape drumming to Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight? Brilliant!)
Oswego Marg ⋅ August 17, 2020 (edited August 17, 2020)
Edited
Yes, those guys love to get their numbers up, and they are savvy about that. Who wouldn’t like thousands of adoring comments and suggestions! But I think and hope they’re gonna stay humble. Their hearts are in the right places.
They are also great entertainers and whether or not every reaction is genuine (and I believe the vast majority are), they invariably bring a smile to my face. Personally, I’m not sure how on earth they could like some of the stuff (garbage) they listen to, but I’m an old fart and resistant to listening to new stuff. :)
So Marg, respectfully, I disagree with you. I’ve listened to enough of their reactions to believe they are indeed the real thing! (At this point you’re probably saying I need to get a life. Lol.... Maybe. 🤔
I will try to find that Cadbury ad, but for the life of me, except for that drum feature, I can’t see what people like about Phil Collins’ music as for example, “In the Air Tonight.” I haven’t paid attention to the words because his voice is so whiney and obnoxious! (Sorry — mini-rant! 🥳
Marg Oswego ⋅ August 25, 2020
I agree! I've never seen what the fuss was about with his music and how on earth he was so adored or found sexy! I just don't see it🤷🏼♀️
Kristi1971 ⋅ August 17, 2020
I've recently heard about reaction videos...kind of different, but I guess people really seem to like them!
Oswego Kristi1971 ⋅ August 17, 2020
They absolutely love them. I am trying hard not to get hooked and move on to more substantial things on YouTube! 😌. Wish me luck!
Jinn ⋅ August 18, 2020
I am not much into you tube videos :-) but if it makes you happy ; I say ; go for it !
Oswego Jinn ⋅ August 18, 2020
Yes! Yes! Very much so. It’s now the Mother Lode of the Internet! :)
Jinn Oswego ⋅ August 18, 2020
Maybe I need to explore it more :-)