This is my first experience running into a reaction from you, and you did a great job! I appreciate that you approached depression and anxiety respectfully and thoughtfully. I would like to say, though, that sometimes depression isn't something you can get to the other side of. I've been in therapy and counseling for years - sometimes to deal with specific life situations, other times my counselor just helps me make sense of stuff that gets balled up in my thoughts. He pulls a thread and helps me unravel things. At any rate, the depression I experience won't likely ever go away (I wish it would!) - but it is a chemical imbalance, it's not situational. Things like the death of a loved one make it worse, but that's where therapy helps me deal with situational trauma and grief. I can be as ok as I'm going to be with the new normal, but the underlying clinical depression for which I'm medicated is still there. I just thought I'd throw that out there as something to help understand others and why they may not be able to work their way through depression. They may physically need the meds and might always need them. I'm ever-hopeful that the next time I try to stop my meds is the time that I'll be "fixed." Anyway, you did a lovely review, and Ren just seems to hit most people where they recognize him, whether it's the exact situation he wrote the lyrics about or not. Please check out Chinchilla's newest drop "1:5" for more of her beautiful voice.
The best musical “siblings”. Ren has called her his sister from another mister and a female version of himself due to their similar approach to music. For me I think it shows in the fact that they both have that something special that draws you in and demands attention. To see it fully for Chinchilla, check out her live version of Fingers. This song always reminds that one of the (many) things that makes Ren so great is his ability to know exactly when to be complex, keep it simple, or even use silence to get his message across. He isn’t flexing his guitar skills in this, just playing exactly what is needed with that beautiful guitar tone. And my favourite line in this is so simple, totally devoid of all the clever metaphors that he is so good at using, but it hits soooo hard: “I’m scared of being okay cause all things change”. I think anyone who has been through any struggles can relate to that feeling of not trusting that anything good will last. You can’t just enjoy it because you’re busy worrying about how long it will last and the feeling that will come when it’s gone. And then good days just make the darkness feel so much worse because you remember the light that’s gone… Ren is so special. He keeps being so relatable that it reminds us that we’re not alone. And we will always make room for more RENegades down the Ren rabbit hole cause we all need his light in the darkness 🐰🕳️ If you want more emotional singing from Ren, please check out one of my personal favourites: Crutch feat. Bibi. It’s an older song from before he was finally correctly diagnosed with Lyme disease and was written after a breakdown following multiple emergency trips to the hospital. It is heart wrenching and beautiful. And very different from everything else in his catalogue.
Like the friend you spoke about, I have been in that position. I have been the one saying "Take it just in case", because I can't trust whether my feeling better is real or not. I still am, if being 100% honest. I woke up to my husband's alarm going off on a morning like every other, except that that morning, just 2 weeks shy of his 34th birthday, he didn't wake up. His arm was pinning me to the bed, and he was laying on my hair. I remember vividly the feeling of my mind ripping, of suddenly having two separate parts, the Madness/Grief/Panic part, and the Calm/Rational/Coping part. For the first few months the Calm side dominated, I had to take care of our son (who had turned 1 just 2 weeks prior), we lost our home and I had to find somewhere to live, organize our lives, deal with funeral arrangements. Then one day, Madness came out to play, and despite all of my work over the past 9 years, there are still days that I can barely function. My anxiety levels have caused damage to my heart, which has spawned more anxiety, because I have to be healthy for my son, and then it snowballs all over again. I cut all of my hair off after my Lee died, I can't handle people touching my hair, and even now that I have grown it out, I have to always keep it tied back. I can't sleep without medication, because whenever I close my eyes, I see his face that morning, those beautiful warm bright brown eyes gone dark. I still deal with an irrational level of guilt that I as his wife didn't instinctively know something was wrong, even with the doctors and coroner telling me no one could have predicted it. When things started going down a darker path for me, every friend we had, friends I had had for my entire life, they walked out on us because "You aren't the same woman I remember anymore." Lee's family blamed me for his death, and chose to cut our son from their lives because he looks like his dad. It became an even lonelier time, with no one to lean on. For the first time, I was thankful for my long history with mental health issues, bipolar 2, OCD, severe GAD, because it has given me the tools to use in conjunction with the medications I was being put on. I am doing a lot better, and I take minimal medication, just what I need to keep the chemical imbalances in check. Ren has helped me in so many ways on a deeply personal level, and I identify with the lyrics and emotions of this song more than any other I have heard that addresses these issues. But not only Ren, you DJ, you make me feel like I have a friend I can turn to any time, even if we don't interact directly. I don't think you realize the impact that you have on my life, even when life keeps me away more than it used to. ❤️ Thank you for putting such quality music on your channel, and for making this a space that is safe for everyone. You're an incredible person, a kindred spirit on the opposite side of the world.
I don’t know you, but I too have mental illness and I wanted to tell you how truly sorry I am for the suffering you have, and are still dealing with. I can’t imagine facing what you have been through and I want to tell you, from one woman to another, from one person who suffers from mental illness to another, that I am so proud of the strength you managed to muster up to continue to face life head on and to continue to be there for your child. You are strong. You are brave. You are capable. And you are seen. 🙏
What a great analysis. You interpreted so much of it the same way I have. It's hard to remember it's the luve version. This performance emotes so well. Thank you!
You want to learn about REN. He dropped 7 chapters of what 8 years of hell he was able to crawl out of and stand back up. It is worth watching. If you want to watch it on your own or react to a Chapter at a time. Just watch it.
Another great collab is 'Ren ft. Bibi - Crutch'. It's so heartbreaking, beautiful and deep. Absolutely underrated in my opinion. Has a great no-budget video as well. 'Crutch' dates back to a time when Ren thought he wouldn't live much longer. Bibi was his girlfriend at that time and started a GoFundMe to raise donations for his treatment/diagnosis.
First time (and every time thereafter) I heard this, her “oh my my” at the very end absolutely BROKE ME. Shattered. Good lord. I love her. ♥️ I’ll be checking next to see if you’ve checked out her original work. She. Is. AMAZING.
Doesn’t look like you’ve checked out her original work. I HIGHLY recommend Fingers (Live!!! For Hunger Tv), 1:5 (LIVE!), Little Girl Gone (official video) are 3 great ones. Like Ren, she’s a true artist. A box has not yet been invented that she can be crammed into. Again, like Ren, she IS the genre. ♥️
For lyrics and simplicity, Crutch feat. Bibi is great. My personal favorite is Patience | Ren Gill | M.E. (ua-cam.com/video/284ugnS_ruQ/v-deo.html) which was featured in the documentary Unrest. It was shot in 2014/2015 while he was diagnosed with Chronic fatigue syndrome (M.E.) and shows a person fighting for his life. Bibi had set up the go-fund me to get him to the doctor who would finally diagnose him with Lyme's. This version of the song is so heart wrenching, especially the final chorus. The defiance and perseverance in Ren's voice and demeanor is everything. On Spotify it's listed under Bear McCreary/Ren as Bear did the soundtrack for Unrest. If you haven't yet, you must watch the Chapters. It's 8 15-20 minute videos where Ren tells the story of his journey so far. Each Chapter ends with a corresponding song, with Chapter 8's song being Troubles. (ua-cam.com/video/hQP7YoQdF3Y/v-deo.html) and then there's the 1M Subscriber video where he defines what success means to him. (ua-cam.com/video/0GeheniEoNg/v-deo.html) All worth the time invested.
I'm so glad you got to react to this song. This one hits hard. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety (among other things), the feeling of being a chalk outline is all too relatable. It's music like this that helps people like me feel seen, heard, and less alone! 🦌❤️🩹
Just found your channel, new sub. I truly love Ren and Chinchilla together - looking forward to a couple more collaborations that are in the works now!
Cherophobia, the fear of being happy. Something I learned from another reactor. Apparently it is more common than we think. I also hear that line "Take it just in case" as either the pill or the day itself because there may not be another day. Different perspectives 😊 Great reaction, subbed for more Ren ❤
Amazing reaction as always and excellent breakdown of the lyrics! I cannot wait for you to see The Tale of Jenny and Screech, more of Chinchilla's solo music and the band Ren was in (The Big Push). They were a busking band full of talented people.
This song hits damn hard...harder than I wanted it to actually, especially lately... Incredible song from Ren and Chinchilla...those lyrics are ... beyond anything. Thank you Jess for this amazing choice, happy birthday and I hope it was absolutely filled with good things for you. Wonderful reaction DJ, thank you for sharing from the heart as you always do. #HerdLove
Last comment, I promise... Dude!! I simply CAN NOT BELIEVE you haven't reacted to Ren's The Tales of Jenny and Screech (and "who the fuck is Violet") Official Video trilogy... Just when you think Ren can't get any better... Dude!! 😳)
There is a song from back in my day, the 70s/80s, a karaoke favorite, called Killing Me Softly With His Song... It took me 50 years to find The One who that song was for me. It's Ren [Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 held that spot... Until Ren...). Please listen to the song because I'm sure you will relate. Much Love!! ❤
This is one very amazing piece of work. I don't have this specific life experience, yet can understand through Ren's art how important it is to be heard.
While I understand your point about those taking antidepressants need to also do the work so that they will hopefully someday not need the medications, not everyone who takes antidepressants can be completely helped or even get to the point where they won’t need the pills anymore. Some folks, myself included, have mental illnesses which require meds to modulate our moods and brain chemistry. If “doing the work” by going to talk therapy or doing cognitive behavioral therapy or going inpatient (I’ve done them all, including ECT) would fix my brain chemistry and keep me off of this endless roller coaster of depression, anxiety, mania and psychosis, I’d gladly “do the work”. Unfortunately, not all who suffer with depression are helped by anything BUT medications. I hate taking them, because there’s no actual fix for what’s broken in me. I have to just keep taking meds, adjusting meds, changing meds, and all of the while still continuing the vicious roller coaster ride. The drugs don’t help me feel good, or even better. They just keep me from feeling much of anything, which I suppose in my case is better than the alternatives. Pills suck, but mental illness sucks worse. There’s no cure, just an infinite pill-paved road stretching out before me as far as my eyes can see.
While I understand your point about those taking antidepressants need to also do the work so that they will hopefully someday not need the medications, not everyone who takes antidepressants can be completely helped or even get to the point where they won’t need the pills anymore. Some folks, myself included, have mental illnesses which require meds to modulate our moods and brain chemistry. If “doing the work” by going to talk therapy or doing cognitive behavioral therapy would fix my brain chemistry and keep me off of this endless roller coaster of depression, anxiety, mania and psychosis, I’d gladly “do the work” (which btw I have tried, as well as ECT). Unfortunately, not all who suffer with depression are helped by anything BUT medications. I hate taking them, because there’s no actual fix for what’s broken in me. I have to just keep taking meds, adjusting meds, changing meds, and all of the while still continuing the vicious roller coaster ride. Pills suck, but mental illness sucks worse. There’s no cure, just an infinite pill-paved road stretching out before me as far as my eyes can see.
This one is one of faves 💚🦠💚🦠 bc this is what it’s like to be given meds that don’t even work. It’s sooooooooo much truth Love from Lisa from USA 🇺🇸 💚💚💚 It’s like being a walking dead 💀 He’s magical and beautiful - @RenMakesMusic is phenomenal
This is my first experience running into a reaction from you, and you did a great job! I appreciate that you approached depression and anxiety respectfully and thoughtfully. I would like to say, though, that sometimes depression isn't something you can get to the other side of. I've been in therapy and counseling for years - sometimes to deal with specific life situations, other times my counselor just helps me make sense of stuff that gets balled up in my thoughts. He pulls a thread and helps me unravel things. At any rate, the depression I experience won't likely ever go away (I wish it would!) - but it is a chemical imbalance, it's not situational. Things like the death of a loved one make it worse, but that's where therapy helps me deal with situational trauma and grief. I can be as ok as I'm going to be with the new normal, but the underlying clinical depression for which I'm medicated is still there. I just thought I'd throw that out there as something to help understand others and why they may not be able to work their way through depression. They may physically need the meds and might always need them. I'm ever-hopeful that the next time I try to stop my meds is the time that I'll be "fixed." Anyway, you did a lovely review, and Ren just seems to hit most people where they recognize him, whether it's the exact situation he wrote the lyrics about or not. Please check out Chinchilla's newest drop "1:5" for more of her beautiful voice.
The best musical “siblings”. Ren has called her his sister from another mister and a female version of himself due to their similar approach to music. For me I think it shows in the fact that they both have that something special that draws you in and demands attention. To see it fully for Chinchilla, check out her live version of Fingers.
This song always reminds that one of the (many) things that makes Ren so great is his ability to know exactly when to be complex, keep it simple, or even use silence to get his message across. He isn’t flexing his guitar skills in this, just playing exactly what is needed with that beautiful guitar tone. And my favourite line in this is so simple, totally devoid of all the clever metaphors that he is so good at using, but it hits soooo hard: “I’m scared of being okay cause all things change”. I think anyone who has been through any struggles can relate to that feeling of not trusting that anything good will last. You can’t just enjoy it because you’re busy worrying about how long it will last and the feeling that will come when it’s gone. And then good days just make the darkness feel so much worse because you remember the light that’s gone… Ren is so special. He keeps being so relatable that it reminds us that we’re not alone. And we will always make room for more RENegades down the Ren rabbit hole cause we all need his light in the darkness 🐰🕳️
If you want more emotional singing from Ren, please check out one of my personal favourites: Crutch feat. Bibi. It’s an older song from before he was finally correctly diagnosed with Lyme disease and was written after a breakdown following multiple emergency trips to the hospital. It is heart wrenching and beautiful. And very different from everything else in his catalogue.
Like the friend you spoke about, I have been in that position. I have been the one saying "Take it just in case", because I can't trust whether my feeling better is real or not. I still am, if being 100% honest. I woke up to my husband's alarm going off on a morning like every other, except that that morning, just 2 weeks shy of his 34th birthday, he didn't wake up. His arm was pinning me to the bed, and he was laying on my hair. I remember vividly the feeling of my mind ripping, of suddenly having two separate parts, the Madness/Grief/Panic part, and the Calm/Rational/Coping part. For the first few months the Calm side dominated, I had to take care of our son (who had turned 1 just 2 weeks prior), we lost our home and I had to find somewhere to live, organize our lives, deal with funeral arrangements. Then one day, Madness came out to play, and despite all of my work over the past 9 years, there are still days that I can barely function. My anxiety levels have caused damage to my heart, which has spawned more anxiety, because I have to be healthy for my son, and then it snowballs all over again. I cut all of my hair off after my Lee died, I can't handle people touching my hair, and even now that I have grown it out, I have to always keep it tied back. I can't sleep without medication, because whenever I close my eyes, I see his face that morning, those beautiful warm bright brown eyes gone dark. I still deal with an irrational level of guilt that I as his wife didn't instinctively know something was wrong, even with the doctors and coroner telling me no one could have predicted it. When things started going down a darker path for me, every friend we had, friends I had had for my entire life, they walked out on us because "You aren't the same woman I remember anymore." Lee's family blamed me for his death, and chose to cut our son from their lives because he looks like his dad. It became an even lonelier time, with no one to lean on. For the first time, I was thankful for my long history with mental health issues, bipolar 2, OCD, severe GAD, because it has given me the tools to use in conjunction with the medications I was being put on. I am doing a lot better, and I take minimal medication, just what I need to keep the chemical imbalances in check. Ren has helped me in so many ways on a deeply personal level, and I identify with the lyrics and emotions of this song more than any other I have heard that addresses these issues. But not only Ren, you DJ, you make me feel like I have a friend I can turn to any time, even if we don't interact directly. I don't think you realize the impact that you have on my life, even when life keeps me away more than it used to. ❤️ Thank you for putting such quality music on your channel, and for making this a space that is safe for everyone. You're an incredible person, a kindred spirit on the opposite side of the world.
Sending love ... ❤❤❤
Yes, love and hugs ❤️ 🤗
I don’t know you, but I too have mental illness and I wanted to tell you how truly sorry I am for the suffering you have, and are still dealing with. I can’t imagine facing what you have been through and I want to tell you, from one woman to another, from one person who suffers from mental illness to another, that I am so proud of the strength you managed to muster up to continue to face life head on and to continue to be there for your child.
You are strong. You are brave. You are capable. And you are seen. 🙏
What a great analysis. You interpreted so much of it the same way I have. It's hard to remember it's the luve version. This performance emotes so well. Thank you!
You want to learn about REN. He dropped 7 chapters of what 8 years of hell he was able to crawl out of and stand back up. It is worth watching. If you want to watch it on your own or react to a Chapter at a time. Just watch it.
Im so glad you loved it, this really is a beautiful song and we can all resonate with it in one way or another 😊🥹💜💜💜🦌
Hope you had such a happy bday jess
Another great collab is 'Ren ft. Bibi - Crutch'. It's so heartbreaking, beautiful and deep. Absolutely underrated in my opinion. Has a great no-budget video as well. 'Crutch' dates back to a time when Ren thought he wouldn't live much longer. Bibi was his girlfriend at that time and started a GoFundMe to raise donations for his treatment/diagnosis.
First time (and every time thereafter) I heard this, her “oh my my” at the very end absolutely BROKE ME. Shattered. Good lord. I love her. ♥️
I’ll be checking next to see if you’ve checked out her original work. She. Is. AMAZING.
Doesn’t look like you’ve checked out her original work. I HIGHLY recommend Fingers (Live!!! For Hunger Tv), 1:5 (LIVE!), Little Girl Gone (official video) are 3 great ones.
Like Ren, she’s a true artist. A box has not yet been invented that she can be crammed into. Again, like Ren, she IS the genre. ♥️
Watched this video hundreds of times... Watched hundreda of reactions... I STILL CRY... Every. Single. Time.
For lyrics and simplicity, Crutch feat. Bibi is great. My personal favorite is Patience | Ren Gill | M.E. (ua-cam.com/video/284ugnS_ruQ/v-deo.html) which was featured in the documentary Unrest. It was shot in 2014/2015 while he was diagnosed with Chronic fatigue syndrome (M.E.) and shows a person fighting for his life. Bibi had set up the go-fund me to get him to the doctor who would finally diagnose him with Lyme's. This version of the song is so heart wrenching, especially the final chorus. The defiance and perseverance in Ren's voice and demeanor is everything. On Spotify it's listed under Bear McCreary/Ren as Bear did the soundtrack for Unrest.
If you haven't yet, you must watch the Chapters. It's 8 15-20 minute videos where Ren tells the story of his journey so far. Each Chapter ends with a corresponding song, with Chapter 8's song being Troubles. (ua-cam.com/video/hQP7YoQdF3Y/v-deo.html) and then there's the 1M Subscriber video where he defines what success means to him. (ua-cam.com/video/0GeheniEoNg/v-deo.html) All worth the time invested.
I'm so glad you got to react to this song. This one hits hard. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety (among other things), the feeling of being a chalk outline is all too relatable. It's music like this that helps people like me feel seen, heard, and less alone! 🦌❤️🩹
Just found your channel, new sub. I truly love Ren and Chinchilla together - looking forward to a couple more collaborations that are in the works now!
Cherophobia, the fear of being happy. Something I learned from another reactor. Apparently it is more common than we think.
I also hear that line "Take it just in case" as either the pill or the day itself because there may not be another day. Different perspectives 😊
Great reaction, subbed for more Ren ❤
Great reaction, as always!!! This song is something special. Very very special.
Amazing reaction as always and excellent breakdown of the lyrics! I cannot wait for you to see The Tale of Jenny and Screech, more of Chinchilla's solo music and the band Ren was in (The Big Push). They were a busking band full of talented people.
This song hits damn hard...harder than I wanted it to actually, especially lately... Incredible song from Ren and Chinchilla...those lyrics are ... beyond anything.
Thank you Jess for this amazing choice, happy birthday and I hope it was absolutely filled with good things for you.
Wonderful reaction DJ, thank you for sharing from the heart as you always do. #HerdLove
Sending hugs 🫂
💜💜💜💜
Last comment, I promise... Dude!! I simply CAN NOT BELIEVE you haven't reacted to Ren's The Tales of Jenny and Screech (and "who the fuck is Violet") Official Video trilogy... Just when you think Ren can't get any better... Dude!! 😳)
There is a song from back in my day, the 70s/80s, a karaoke favorite, called Killing Me Softly With His Song... It took me 50 years to find The One who that song was for me. It's Ren [Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 held that spot... Until Ren...). Please listen to the song because I'm sure you will relate. Much Love!! ❤
This is one very amazing piece of work.
I don't have this specific life experience, yet can understand through Ren's art how important it is to be heard.
This song hit hard before but now, it just hits harder and differently.
I love your reactions, especially the ren reactions 🖤 So glad i followed you
Such a beautiful song. I relate so much to it.
I love this song. Great reaction! 💜
Chinchilla has a song that is an absolute banger (well, lots of them) called Run, Little Girl, Run
I think you would enjoy it!
Great reaction. 💕👍🦇
😂Jeff buckley is rens father
❤❤❤
💕💕💕💕💕
While I understand your point about those taking antidepressants need to also do the work so that they will hopefully someday not need the medications, not everyone who takes antidepressants can be completely helped or even get to the point where they won’t need the pills anymore.
Some folks, myself included, have mental illnesses which require meds to modulate our moods and brain chemistry.
If “doing the work” by going to talk therapy or doing cognitive behavioral therapy or going inpatient (I’ve done them all, including ECT) would fix my brain chemistry and keep me off of this endless roller coaster of depression, anxiety, mania and psychosis, I’d gladly “do the work”. Unfortunately, not all who suffer with depression are helped by anything BUT medications.
I hate taking them, because there’s no actual fix for what’s broken in me. I have to just keep taking meds, adjusting meds, changing meds, and all of the while still continuing the vicious roller coaster ride. The drugs don’t help me feel good, or even better. They just keep me from feeling much of anything, which I suppose in my case is better than the alternatives.
Pills suck, but mental illness sucks worse. There’s no cure, just an infinite pill-paved road stretching out before me as far as my eyes can see.
❤
While I understand your point about those taking antidepressants need to also do the work so that they will hopefully someday not need the medications, not everyone who takes antidepressants can be completely helped or even get to the point where they won’t need the pills anymore.
Some folks, myself included, have mental illnesses which require meds to modulate our moods and brain chemistry.
If “doing the work” by going to talk therapy or doing cognitive behavioral therapy would fix my brain chemistry and keep me off of this endless roller coaster of depression, anxiety, mania and psychosis, I’d gladly “do the work” (which btw I have tried, as well as ECT). Unfortunately, not all who suffer with depression are helped by anything BUT medications.
I hate taking them, because there’s no actual fix for what’s broken in me. I have to just keep taking meds, adjusting meds, changing meds, and all of the while still continuing the vicious roller coaster ride.
Pills suck, but mental illness sucks worse. There’s no cure, just an infinite pill-paved road stretching out before me as far as my eyes can see.
Lol just let me be me😢
This one is one of faves 💚🦠💚🦠 bc this is what it’s like to be given meds that don’t even work. It’s sooooooooo much truth Love from Lisa from USA 🇺🇸 💚💚💚 It’s like being a walking dead 💀 He’s magical and beautiful - @RenMakesMusic is phenomenal