5:10 no buddy, he's not a harmonica player, he's THE harmonica player. Dude is a legend. Not only is his skill on the harp legendary, he is SUCH a talented vocalist.
Amber's ability to pick up on the lyrics and their meaning, actually listening to the music, while watching the video all at the same time. No other reaction channel can do it, even while watching lyric videos. She almost never misses the meaning of the songs. Jay as well tbf.
Agreed 100%. I have to admit now, I liked the first couple of reactions I saw of theirs - then I went looking for a couple of songs. Once I saw their reaction to those, I knew they were kindred souls with me. Have loved the journey since…
I agree, it's very gratifying. J can sometimes, though not always, get so lost in the performance that he misses the message. It's nice that Amber usually picks up on what's being delivered in the song. That's what's so aggravating about Brad&Lex. Even though they have a slightly better approach to recording their videos (pausing appropriately, rewinding after EVERY pause), they often have a hard time following the gist of the song even when they're watching a lyric video.
@@ericwalker8636 Truth. I like B&L. L is all about the music and vibe and B is always looking at the words as written and the story being presented in the video, but oftentimes it's at the cost of understanding the meaning behind lyrics themselves.
Yes! Amber immediately twigging to the meaning and substance behind the flash and sparkle was what I was hoping for anytime I click on a Reaction to 'Hook' by Blues Traveler. Did not disappoint!
The most creative line ever that for some reason EVERYONE misses the first time. "Familiar heroes from long ago. No matter how much Peter loved her. What made the Pan refuse to grow. Is that the Hook brings you back."
John Popper ( singer, harmonica) is to me, the Eddie Van Halen of the harmonica. He changed the way I think about it, and how I thought it should be played. He’s an absolute genius.
@@NavvyMom Love the Warner Bros. cartoon character reference! Refer to heros from long ago, then goes to Peter Pan. Love the lyrics (point of song), vocals, and harmonica.
This Band is one of the most unique bands from the 90’s. Good Lyrics, He can belt, versatile voice, high pitch, a little bit of rap, excellent on the harmonica. Wow! You just don’t hear this kind of music anymore!
We had a saying that "the 90's are just the 60's turned upside down" and this band personifies that indeed! The whole FOUR album is absolutely a very well produced album! John Popper is still one of the best harp players ever!
Blues Traveler! I knew you'd get around them eventually! John Popper is one of the best harmonica players in the business. If you loved this, you'll love "Runaround" and "But Anyway". "Most Precarious" is also a great song. Now, for a true 90s BANGER, check out "Possum Kingdom" by Toadies. The bass riff will blow you backwards! (P.S. You guys have done well over 200 songs that were released in the 90s... many have been country, or Christmas songs. Many others didn't have that "90s" sound. But I think you've loved more than you haven't... e.g. Cranberries, Collective Soul, Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, were all 90s.)
Agree with Patrick on “Runaround” by Blues Traveler and most of the artists listed here too. Have to include Dave Matthews here though…. Was a great time musically as well, but you had to look more for it because the internet was not as widespread and there was a lot of great underground music. If you like Blues Traveler, give The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - “The Rascal King” a listen!! I think we are dialing in on winning music for you guys in the 90’s
Amber, you get it. I swear, I grin ear to ear when I watch you digest a song. You don't just hear it, you actually listen to it. I don't know if you have tried writing anything for yourself, but I think you have a perspective that should be shared. Whatever your talent is, I hope you get it out there, because we're ready!
The industry industry told him they wanted a "radio" song so in protest he wrote this and it ironically became his biggest hit, BUT you must do other songs so you see how amazing he is!
Played this CD on repeat in the car for a few months. At first, I went back and forth from Runaround to Hook, then gave the other song a try. Mountains Win Again is great. I also love Stand.
The old TV series "Roseanne" always used a song by Blues Traveler in opening sequence. For years it was strictly instrumental , but the last few years of the show you also got him singing as well as showin' out on the harmonica
Finally Indeed!! I'm pretty sure I recommended this song sometime last year. Blues Traveler has such a unique and fun sound! Glad y'all gave them a listen! Such good music!! 😀 Next song by Blues Traveler would be *RUN AROUND*
John Popper is not just a great singer, but may be the single best harmonica players ever. His speed and precision are insane. Looking forward to yall diving deeper into these guys.
Used to go to a lot of concerts when I was 16-28 years old. Drove 4 hours to see Blues Traveler. No special lights. No lasers. No video screens. Just them on stage playing. They played in a converted vaudeville theatre near the Mississippi River in St Louis. I am a big fan of “Hard Rock / Metal / Punk Rock” - and out of 50+ different shows, that Blues Traveler show was HANDS DOWN the single best live show I have ever experienced. The song you did, was from their 4th album. Check out “But Anyway” from the first. Wonderful reaction!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉
The 90’s was the best decade of music in my life and an argument could be made of all time. Even the background songs and artists and run-of-the-mill radio plays were so good
This song has more meaning than just the lyrics. The chord progression of "Hook" is very similar to the basic structure of Pachelbel's Canon in D from the 1680s. This chord progression is very widely used in popular music, often as the hook. This structure has been used in hit songs by The Beatles, Pet Shop Boys, Oasis, Green Day, Maroon 5, and countless others.
I saw them in September 2001 at The Tabernacle here in Atlanta about a week and a half after 9/11. It was the first time we had been out and about since the traumatizing event and our emotions were still pretty raw. Popper opened up the show on harmonic playing The Star Spangled Banner. Tears in my eyes as I type this reliving the experience in my mind. His playing was somber yet beautifully defiant at the same time. It was so, so cathartic and remains one the most poignant moments of my life.
So happy to see you guys listen to Blues Traveler and hope to see you react to more in the future. Should definitely try out "Stand", "The Mountains Win Again", "But Anyway", "Canadian Rose", and so many more. You'll always get some good harmonica when you listen to them.
Growing up as a kid with a father who played harmonica, I've always LOVED hearing songs with a "mouth harp" in them. Blues Traveler appealed to me the 1st time I heard them. John Popper's voice & harp playing are out of this world! Jay, "That guy playing piano" is Paul Shaffer, who was the leader of the house band for David Letterman for DECADES. Blues Traveler owes some of their success to Letterman, who was a HUGE fan and booked them on his show as often as possible. BTW, Paul Shaffer also produced the 1st (and, I believe, the ONLY) album released by a group that you guys reacted to: The Weather Girls (the song was "It's Raining Men").
This band is a must see live if you get a chance. They are the quintessential jam band. Most songs go on for like 20 minutes when they play them live. Lol! Discovered them in the early 90s when I bought a used car CD player and one of their CDs was inside. Been a fan ever since.
@@NavvyMom I’m sure! It was the self titled Blues Traveler CD with the blue & pink graffiti print. First song I ever heard from them was the first track off it,”But Anyway” & was hooked!
I've been lucky enough to have been listening to them since early 90's and hugely underrated band. Great highway driving music, so many road trips listening to them.
Agreed! Pocket Full of Kryptonite was the name of the album. A few top songs from. That album were Two Princes, Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong, and Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.
The coolest thing about this song is that while talking about writing songs with a catchy “hook” it has a subliminal hook imbedded in it. The chord progression is Pachabel’s “Canon in D” which is a wedding march everyone is familiar with. When you listen to it, it dragged you in because you are unknowingly already familiar with it.
I recall seeing Blues Traveller, Dave Matthews Band, Rusted Root, Lenny Kravitz and G-Love and Special Sauce playing together at the outdoor HORDE festival at Cal Expo in Sacramento back in 96... that ticket cost me $10 for a full day and night of music. It was a blistering hot July day... I remember after the sun went down, watching the full (blue) moon set directly behind the stage as DMB played (Blues Traveller had played right before and DMB was closing). It was an amazing show... back when amazing live music was everywhere and everyone could afford it.
There's more back-story to this song. As others mentioned, it's a critique of pop music, but it's bitter. At the time they were recording this album, Blues Traveler had been under A&M Records, which was going to be bought by Universal, a huge conglomerate. Blues Traveler had been told that unless they could make popular music with a "hook", they would not be retained post-merger. They gave in and wrote pop music, but the lyrics were their protest. In the end the label dropped them anyway, and ended up on independant labels, which is probably for the best since it gives them the freedom to do the kinds of music that they always wanted to.
To watch people listen to this song and fall into his trap is always hilarious. Like .01% have a lightbulb go off and the other 99.9% are oblivious. Kudos to Amber.
It's February 1992, President's Day weekend, and I'm on a ski trip in Breckinridge, Colorado. One night I decided to check out the local nightlife and took a drive through town looking for a club with live music. I pass 'Joshua's' and the place is hopping with a band I never heard of, Blues Traveler. Most of what I remember that night was the lead singer John Popper and how he played harmonica so incredibly. Fast forward a few months and I hear they're heading the H.O.R.D.E festivals and appearing on Letterman. Unbelievable luck seeing them before they hit it big.
Looove this band! John Popper is amazing. Other alternative songs from the 90s you should check out are, "Drive" by Incubus and " Far Behind" by Candlebox. 🔥
These guys are so good very few catch that the lyrics are a troll about how folks don't listen to the actual meaning of them in pop songs and how the music industry doesn't care either. Just make it sound profound even if it isn't and the hook (lyrically and musically) keep folks listening.
Man I requested this some time ago. It was worth the wait. Your reactions were fantastic. I knew you both would dig them. Now try runaround by them and but anyway as well. Thanks!
This is one of my favorites, John has so much skill not only singing but his harmonica skill is just amazing. I couldn't think of anytime someone has made a harmonica sing like that. Just epic.
You've only scratch the surface. I'm jealous of you guys you're about to have your minds blown by the talented John Popper if you continue down this road. I know mine was.
So glad you made it here! I was just sitting back and waiting for the rap part, was not disappointed in your reaction. You must listen to more of them.
RUN AROUND was another of their hits , and by the way the other guess singer at the end of the video is Paul Shaffer the lead musician for the David Letterman Late night Show .🎹🎸🥁🎤.
By “what a unique this or that” you mean WHAT A BANGER🤣I’m glad I’m stumbled across this. They were super dope preinternet days outta nowhere hearing this. Solid video.
OMG so after watching this reaction I started searching around for other blues traveler stuff and found an AMAZING video of Blues Traveler with Elwood Blues from The Blues Brothers movie and it was a harmonica masterpiece a must watch for sure
Saw Blues Traveler in Korea in 1999 when they came over with USO show. Great show and great guys! You can't go wrong with any of their songs, but as others have pointed out, Run Around should be your next stop in this rabbit hole!
I remember this song a lot. This and a bunch of other hits of theirs were on the radio all the time in the mid-90s. Hook was my favorite song from them.
Blues Traveler rocks! John Popper is a genius. No one sounds or plays like him. Some of their other popular songs were Run-Around & But Anyway, also love Carolina Blues and The Mountain Wins Again.
These guys were the inspiration behind the creation of the fame 'House of Blues Restuarant and Cafe.' It also hosts live bands too. They have a "House of Blues" restaurant at Disney Springs in Orlando. Florida.
August 1993 I saw Blues Traveler open for Soundgarden, and then Pearl Jam and the Neil Young. One of the best concerts I have ever seen. Outdoors, summer, windy and rocking! When Neil Young performed Like a Hurricane with members from all the other bands. Boom! Eddie Vedder knelt before Neil while he played. It was an utter blast.
So that you've finally found Blues Traveler. One of my favorite groups from the era. John Popper had such a great voice and few could top his harmonica playing.
So happy you finally listened to this one. I love that Amber you almost fully got what it was about on the first listen which is really hard to do. I didn’t understand this song for years, lol. But its about how it doesn’t matter what he sings as long as he sings like that the hook of the song of will make you keep listening to it. Its the most meta song ever. I love it.
When I was in the Air Force, a group of my friends and I were eating at an alternative music themed restaurant in Dallas when a song came on the jukebox and one of my friends freaked out. He was from Philly and it turns out that Blues Traveler was very popular in the Philly/Jersey area long before the rest of the country ever heard of them. Needless to say my friend went over to the jukebox and played every Blues Traveler song. A couple years later Blues Traveler finally became popular everywhere and to this day I think of my Air Force buddy whenever I hear them.
I saw John Popper and Blues Traveler last summer. While he’s lost a lot of weight, he still sounds as awesome today as then, and his ability to play harmonica is incredible and unique. They played shows last year with Jewel, (who you need to revisit, particularly her yodeling) and Train, (who, I don’t believe you’ve listened to, but they have many many hits). Keep the reactions coming. Love the channel(s).
🥰🥰🥰 They are a cool band too. Only had a couple hits and then don't remember anything about them. Love this song and "Run Around" and "But Anyway" are great songs and "The Mountains Win Again" is good.
John Popper is the GOAT of Harmonica Players. The greatness of the song is that they're just saying the Hook of the song brings you back while playing the 300+ year old Canon in D by Pachelbel underneath it as a chord progression.
The guy on the Couch is Ken Ober, who was the host of the Game Show "Remote Control" on Mtv, and the last guy was Paul Shaffer, who was the band leader for The Late Night with David Letterman, and he is also one heck of a musician in his own right.
Wow... Can't believe that Paul Shaffer was on this recording/video. Paul Shaffer was the musical director on the David Letterman Show for you that are old enough to remember. ;) And that harmonica was amazing!!
I am smiling big that you made it to Blues Traveler and that you liked them so much 💙! It's one of my favorite 90s bands as well. Try "The Mountains Win Again" and "Gina" for more great music from them. Also, I will keep saying it. Try the band Toad the Wet Sprocket. A 90s band I am sure you'll like. Start with *Walk on the Ocean."
The guy on key boards that helped with the song change up is Paul Shaffer a Canadian singer, composer, actor, author, comedian, and musician who served as David Letterman's musical director, band leader, and sidekick on the entire run of both Late Night with David Letterman (1982-1993).
Lyrically 1 of the most profound songs ever written. Lead vocalist John Popper wrote this entire song as a mighty slam on Pop Music & not just the garbage of the 90's but All Pop Music basically, with the sewage being produced in the past 20 years at the forefront of craptastic "music". Seriously, I can't even listen to any of today's music without literally getting nauseous. Glad you both definitely understand the message. Love this band &'this song!!! It is my go-to karaoke choice when I get tired of everyone belting out the average songs we all hear doing karaoke. 🎶"I wanna burst all of your balloons... I WANNA BURN ALL YOUR CITIES TO THE GROUND!"🎶
I feel the same way as Jay about 90’s music, it was the beginning of the end of music. I finished high school in 1992 and I can’t get nostalgic of any music that came after that. Sure, there were a few gems here and there but it really started to get too generic and it just became worse and worse. I’m even nostalgic of the music that came before I was born. I feel so bad for today’s kids and the crap music they’re being submitted to.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
One of the most meta songs ever. John Popper wrote a scathing critique of catchy pop songs, and did it in a catchy pop song.
While blatantly ripping off Pachebel's "Canon in D," though dozens of pop groups have gotten fabulously wealthy doing that.
@@lipby "Ripping off" classical music lol someone really doesn't know what goes into the creation of music.
@@OrbObserver Popper himself said he ripped it off.
@@triggerwarning5762 It's called being humble. The same melodies and progressions have been popular for a very long time.
@@OrbObserver It's just a turn of phrase. Even Pachelbel didn't originate that chord progression.
5:10 no buddy, he's not a harmonica player, he's THE harmonica player. Dude is a legend. Not only is his skill on the harp legendary, he is SUCH a talented vocalist.
Charlie Musselwhite is probably THE harmonica player.
Um...Stevie Wonder?!😳
John Popper is to the harmonica as Jimi Hendrix is to the guitar as Charlie Daniels is to the fiddle.
@@censorshipsucks9493 in the sense that those are all guys people have heard of, yes.
Lol. I had the same exact thought. I'm expecting more Blues Traveler in his future.
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "Run-Around"!! John Popper on vocals, harmonica and songwriting!!
Excellent next suggestion!
Nice harmonica in this one. Good suggestion 👍
@@heidi_d thank you!
@@joshsmith302 thank you
I remember "But Anyway" because the band actually appeared (in Amish attire) performing the song at the end of the movie "Kingpin".
Amber's ability to pick up on the lyrics and their meaning, actually listening to the music, while watching the video all at the same time. No other reaction channel can do it, even while watching lyric videos. She almost never misses the meaning of the songs. Jay as well tbf.
I was going to say the same thing; she's pretty impressive!
Agreed 100%. I have to admit now, I liked the first couple of reactions I saw of theirs - then I went looking for a couple of songs. Once I saw their reaction to those, I knew they were kindred souls with me. Have loved the journey since…
I agree, it's very gratifying. J can sometimes, though not always, get so lost in the performance that he misses the message. It's nice that Amber usually picks up on what's being delivered in the song. That's what's so aggravating about Brad&Lex. Even though they have a slightly better approach to recording their videos (pausing appropriately, rewinding after EVERY pause), they often have a hard time following the gist of the song even when they're watching a lyric video.
@@ericwalker8636 Truth. I like B&L. L is all about the music and vibe and B is always looking at the words as written and the story being presented in the video, but oftentimes it's at the cost of understanding the meaning behind lyrics themselves.
Yes! Amber immediately twigging to the meaning and substance behind the flash and sparkle was what I was hoping for anytime I click on a Reaction to 'Hook' by Blues Traveler. Did not disappoint!
This song was their slap to the face of critics. Listen to the words. Fantastic!
Critics and politicians!
What's good J D? You're back in the building, and back like you never left haha shoot.
@@johnboydTx John, you're back in the building and back like you never left, haha shoot?
Is it a slap in the face to critics, who are likely to understand it, or to the easily-swayed pop music listener the song is aimed at?
@@jacobskinner3522 good point.
The most creative line ever that for some reason EVERYONE misses the first time. "Familiar heroes from long ago. No matter how much Peter loved her. What made the Pan refuse to grow. Is that the Hook brings you back."
Not enough people are familiar anymore with Peter Pan, I guess... .
The Pan line ranks as one of my all-time favorites.
Second Star To The Right, And Straight On 'Til Morning.
Awesome line. I had no idea how genius this song was when it was new. I really thought it was a typical pop song 😂
@@calebclunie4001 Holy crap......I forgot that line entirely somewhere over the years. Its blowing my mind how nostalgic your comment just made me.
John Popper ( singer, harmonica) is to me, the Eddie Van Halen of the harmonica. He changed the way I think about it, and how I thought it should be played. He’s an absolute genius.
Absolutely! He’s so talented. I just wish he wasn’t an emotional train wreck and abusive. He’s talented, but he’s a class A jerk of a human being.
Ha ha, never thought of it that way. Beautiful.
Couldn't agree more. Knew Jay would love the harmonica in this song!
@@scottromer8584 Yeah, was great when his eyes popped out like a Warner Bros. cartoon character.
@@NavvyMom Love the Warner Bros. cartoon character reference! Refer to heros from long ago, then goes to Peter Pan. Love the lyrics (point of song), vocals, and harmonica.
This Band is one of the most unique bands from the 90’s. Good Lyrics, He can belt, versatile voice, high pitch, a little bit of rap, excellent on the harmonica. Wow! You just don’t hear this kind of music anymore!
Love that Amber caught the song's meaning. 👏👏👏👍👍👍
Love Jay, but lets be honest, Amber is the brains in this outfit.
I hate to admit it, because back in 95 it took me about 3 listens to pick up on what he was talking about. It's beyond brilliant.
@@22saiaop if I wasn't a habitual liner note reader, I would've missed it too, but I had to read the lyrics to everything back then. Lol
Amber ALWAYS gets it... she's incredibly quick.
We had a saying that "the 90's are just the 60's turned upside down" and this band personifies that indeed! The whole FOUR album is absolutely a very well produced album! John Popper is still one of the best harp players ever!
Blues Traveler! I knew you'd get around them eventually! John Popper is one of the best harmonica players in the business. If you loved this, you'll love "Runaround" and "But Anyway". "Most Precarious" is also a great song. Now, for a true 90s BANGER, check out "Possum Kingdom" by Toadies. The bass riff will blow you backwards! (P.S. You guys have done well over 200 songs that were released in the 90s... many have been country, or Christmas songs. Many others didn't have that "90s" sound. But I think you've loved more than you haven't... e.g. Cranberries, Collective Soul, Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, were all 90s.)
Possum Kingdom is definitely a 90s banger.
Agree with Patrick on “Runaround” by Blues Traveler and most of the artists listed here too. Have to include Dave Matthews here though…. Was a great time musically as well, but you had to look more for it because the internet was not as widespread and there was a lot of great underground music.
If you like Blues Traveler, give The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - “The Rascal King” a listen!! I think we are dialing in on winning music for you guys in the 90’s
Plus the toadies are from north Texas. Not far from you guys.
Definitely Possum kingdom!
I really want them to do Veruca Salt!!!! Great all girl rockers!
I love Hook!! But I love Run Around even more!! The Blues Travelers were such a unique and awesome band in the 90's
The Mountains Win Again is another amazing song from this unique band.
Great tune. Add Crystal Flame and Mountain Cry for my part. There's a very long version of Mountain Cry with Santana that's fantastic.
Ahhh...One of my personal Blues Traveler favorites.
I would echo that. Please "Mountains Win Again" ASAP!
My absolute favorite Blues Traveler song.
Sweet Pain. Hands down the best song they’ve ever recorded!
Amber, you get it. I swear, I grin ear to ear when I watch you digest a song. You don't just hear it, you actually listen to it. I don't know if you have tried writing anything for yourself, but I think you have a perspective that should be shared. Whatever your talent is, I hope you get it out there, because we're ready!
The industry industry told him they wanted a "radio" song so in protest he wrote this and it ironically became his biggest hit, BUT you must do other songs so you see how amazing he is!
This song will forever be a piece of my soul, I’m so glad you two enjoyed it.
One of the absolute best National Anthems I've ever heard was performed by John Popper prior to an Atlanta Braves World Series game
I can't find the link, do you have it?
My team, I was there!
Yes! I saw him play it at Woodstock '93, amazing.
My favorite song by Blues Traveler is The Mountains Win Again. It's about heartbreak and depression, and it resonated with me as a teen.
Played this CD on repeat in the car for a few months. At first, I went back and forth from Runaround to Hook, then gave the other song a try. Mountains Win Again is great. I also love Stand.
Oh yes! Mine too!!!!
The old TV series "Roseanne" always used a song by Blues Traveler in opening sequence. For years it was strictly instrumental , but the last few years of the show you also got him singing as well as showin' out on the harmonica
And John was on an episode.
John Popper appeared on the show and performed with John Goodman and Dan Aykroyd.
The guy on the couch is Ken Ober, who was the host of the MTV game show called Remote Control. This show helped launch Adam Sandler's career.
Finally Indeed!! I'm pretty sure I recommended this song sometime last year. Blues Traveler has such a unique and fun sound! Glad y'all gave them a listen! Such good music!! 😀 Next song by Blues Traveler would be *RUN AROUND*
LOL... last year was a couple of weeks ago. jk... I get it.
@@ColoradoGrami Go away.
Blues Traveler and Ziggy Marley (live) performing "No Woman No Cry" is absolute🔥
Love these guys...this and The Mountains Win Again are my two favorite tunes from Blues Traveler.
Those two are my favorites as well.
John Popper is not just a great singer, but may be the single best harmonica players ever. His speed and precision are insane. Looking forward to yall diving deeper into these guys.
This a great take on the Pachelbel Cannon in D-- composed in the 1680s. Welcome to the Baroque!
Look to "Four Chords" by Axis of Awesome for an explanation.
That should be Canon. Sorry.
Used to go to a lot of concerts when I was 16-28 years old. Drove 4 hours to see Blues Traveler.
No special lights. No lasers. No video screens. Just them on stage playing. They played in a converted vaudeville theatre near the Mississippi River in St Louis.
I am a big fan of “Hard Rock / Metal / Punk Rock” - and out of 50+ different shows, that Blues Traveler show was HANDS DOWN the single best live show I have ever experienced.
The song you did, was from their 4th album. Check out “But Anyway” from the first.
Wonderful reaction!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Aside from its still relevant commentary if you're listening to the words, this is Pachelbel's Canon. This song eternally speaks and rocks.
Writing songs to the Canon is itself a cliche, the ultimate hook.
One of the few front-men who gives me chills with his voice. This song especially.
I honestly thought he sang, "The heart brings you pain" and it talked about how people hook you to believe their false statements.
One of the great songs of the decade, and of all time. Glad you all enjoyed it.
The 90’s was the best decade of music in my life and an argument could be made of all time. Even the background songs and artists and run-of-the-mill radio plays were so good
This one used to be one of my jams in the 90s. Not many people I knew liked Blues Traveler but I just loved John Popper’s passion in the videos.
Blues Traveler is an unbelievable band! I have seen them 186 times in 14 different states. Never gets old. They are phenomenal musicians!
This song has more meaning than just the lyrics. The chord progression of "Hook" is very similar to the basic structure of Pachelbel's Canon in D from the 1680s. This chord progression is very widely used in popular music, often as the hook. This structure has been used in hit songs by The Beatles, Pet Shop Boys, Oasis, Green Day, Maroon 5, and countless others.
That's pretty cool.
I saw them in September 2001 at The Tabernacle here in Atlanta about a week and a half after 9/11. It was the first time we had been out and about since the traumatizing event and our emotions were still pretty raw. Popper opened up the show on harmonic playing The Star Spangled Banner. Tears in my eyes as I type this reliving the experience in my mind. His playing was somber yet beautifully defiant at the same time. It was so, so cathartic and remains one the most poignant moments of my life.
So happy to see you guys listen to Blues Traveler and hope to see you react to more in the future. Should definitely try out "Stand", "The Mountains Win Again", "But Anyway", "Canadian Rose", and so many more. You'll always get some good harmonica when you listen to them.
But Anyway!!
The scatting in Stand makes that song, but I come away with...It's a long long long...long long lo-ong...way to fall...stuck in my head.
Growing up as a kid with a father who played harmonica, I've always LOVED hearing songs with a "mouth harp" in them. Blues Traveler appealed to me the 1st time I heard them. John Popper's voice & harp playing are out of this world! Jay, "That guy playing piano" is Paul Shaffer, who was the leader of the house band for David Letterman for DECADES. Blues Traveler owes some of their success to Letterman, who was a HUGE fan and booked them on his show as often as possible. BTW, Paul Shaffer also produced the 1st (and, I believe, the ONLY) album released by a group that you guys reacted to: The Weather Girls (the song was "It's Raining Men").
This song was so genius. And the song follows the basic structure of Pachelbel's Canon in D, especially during the rap part where it becomes obvious.
I was looking for this!
@@ChristChickAutistic Yeah, first time I heard this song I wracked my brain trying to figure out why it was so familiar.
Fantastic. Never noticed that before, but now it's clear as anything, haha.
It's so obvious...now that I've read your comment! Hah, thanks. Dunno how I missed it before!👍
They were also in the movie BLUES BROTHERS 2000 , John was a hotel receptionist , and his band actually plays in the movie
This band is a must see live if you get a chance. They are the quintessential jam band. Most songs go on for like 20 minutes when they play them live. Lol!
Discovered them in the early 90s when I bought a used car CD player and one of their CDs was inside. Been a fan ever since.
I bet that person looked high and low for their missing CD, mourning its loss.
@@NavvyMom I’m sure! It was the self titled Blues Traveler CD with the blue & pink graffiti print. First song I ever heard from them was the first track off it,”But Anyway” & was hooked!
I've been lucky enough to have been listening to them since early 90's and hugely underrated band. Great highway driving music, so many road trips listening to them.
The bald guy you see on the keys is David Letterman's old band leader/musical director Paul Schaffer getting a cameo.
Ah, you’re right! Thanks for pointing that out💖
They were one of the greatest College Bands. You just had to go to the right bar near a college to hear them jam all night. Man, miss those days
Have you heard of the Spin Doctors they did a song called Pocket Full of Kryptonite in 1992
Agreed! Pocket Full of Kryptonite was the name of the album. A few top songs from. That album were Two Princes, Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong, and Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.
The coolest thing about this song is that while talking about writing songs with a catchy “hook” it has a subliminal hook imbedded in it. The chord progression is Pachabel’s “Canon in D” which is a wedding march everyone is familiar with. When you listen to it, it dragged you in because you are unknowingly already familiar with it.
Blues Traveler’s “Alone” is also amazing
The Live from the Fall version is killer.
I love the seamless progress into Sweet Talking Hippie
I recall seeing Blues Traveller, Dave Matthews Band, Rusted Root, Lenny Kravitz and G-Love and Special Sauce playing together at the outdoor HORDE festival at Cal Expo in Sacramento back in 96... that ticket cost me $10 for a full day and night of music. It was a blistering hot July day... I remember after the sun went down, watching the full (blue) moon set directly behind the stage as DMB played (Blues Traveller had played right before and DMB was closing). It was an amazing show... back when amazing live music was everywhere and everyone could afford it.
There's more back-story to this song. As others mentioned, it's a critique of pop music, but it's bitter. At the time they were recording this album, Blues Traveler had been under A&M Records, which was going to be bought by Universal, a huge conglomerate. Blues Traveler had been told that unless they could make popular music with a "hook", they would not be retained post-merger. They gave in and wrote pop music, but the lyrics were their protest. In the end the label dropped them anyway, and ended up on independant labels, which is probably for the best since it gives them the freedom to do the kinds of music that they always wanted to.
This is true.
His harmonica is golden! I have never heard anyone who plays quite like him and can just say, "forget the guitar solo - I got this!"
To watch people listen to this song and fall into his trap is always hilarious. Like .01% have a lightbulb go off and the other 99.9% are oblivious. Kudos to Amber.
It's February 1992, President's Day weekend, and I'm on a ski trip in Breckinridge, Colorado. One night I decided to check out the local nightlife and took a drive through town looking for a club with live music. I pass 'Joshua's' and the place is hopping with a band I never heard of, Blues Traveler. Most of what I remember that night was the lead singer John Popper and how he played harmonica so incredibly. Fast forward a few months and I hear they're heading the H.O.R.D.E festivals and appearing on Letterman. Unbelievable luck seeing them before they hit it big.
Looove this band! John Popper is amazing. Other alternative songs from the 90s you should check out are, "Drive" by Incubus and " Far Behind" by Candlebox. 🔥
Candlebox is such a great band
These guys are so good very few catch that the lyrics are a troll about how folks don't listen to the actual meaning of them in pop songs and how the music industry doesn't care either. Just make it sound profound even if it isn't and the hook (lyrically and musically) keep folks listening.
I love them, John's voice is spectacular, love their music.
Here's one from 1998 that I bet Jay will like, "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies. Who'll back me up on this?
That is a good one, My fav of theirs is Call and Answer.
Man I requested this some time ago. It was worth the wait. Your reactions were fantastic. I knew you both would dig them. Now try runaround by them and but anyway as well. Thanks!
They wouldn't show anything but glimpses of a genius because of his weight. Sadly we haven't evolved much
This is one of my favorites, John has so much skill not only singing but his harmonica skill is just amazing. I couldn't think of anytime someone has made a harmonica sing like that. Just epic.
You've only scratch the surface. I'm jealous of you guys you're about to have your minds blown by the talented John Popper if you continue down this road. I know mine was.
I always found how amazing his voice is. He sings like the harmonica as well.
So glad you made it here! I was just sitting back and waiting for the rap part, was not disappointed in your reaction. You must listen to more of them.
RUN AROUND was another of their hits , and by the way the other guess singer at the end of the video is Paul Shaffer the lead musician for the David Letterman Late night Show .🎹🎸🥁🎤.
I’m mind blown Amber and I’ve heard this song a ton of times. Just gave me chills at the end. Haven’t heard this in forever. So gooood.
I adore that you guys are grooving to this. Looking back into the 90s, I'm reliving my teen years watching you youngins enjoy. My heart is full.
This reminds me of my teenage years. Love it. ❤️ And Jay's reaction when he heard the harmonica right when he hit pause....perfect lol
By “what a unique this or that” you mean WHAT A BANGER🤣I’m glad I’m stumbled across this. They were super dope preinternet days outta nowhere hearing this. Solid video.
OMG so after watching this reaction I started searching around for other blues traveler stuff and found an AMAZING video of Blues Traveler with Elwood Blues from The Blues Brothers movie and it was a harmonica masterpiece a must watch for sure
Saw Blues Traveler in Korea in 1999 when they came over with USO show. Great show and great guys! You can't go wrong with any of their songs, but as others have pointed out, Run Around should be your next stop in this rabbit hole!
I’m so impressed that Amber NAILED the true meaning of this song! Admittedly, it went over my head for years!😂
Great voice! Great group! Played all the time in the 90’s!! Can’t believe you have never heard of them! Try some more!
I remember this song a lot. This and a bunch of other hits of theirs were on the radio all the time in the mid-90s. Hook was my favorite song from them.
Blues Traveler rocks! John Popper is a genius. No one sounds or plays like him. Some of their other popular songs were Run-Around & But Anyway, also love Carolina Blues and The Mountain Wins Again.
These guys were the inspiration behind the creation of the fame 'House of Blues Restuarant and Cafe.' It also hosts live bands too. They have a "House of Blues" restaurant at Disney Springs in Orlando. Florida.
August 1993 I saw Blues Traveler open for Soundgarden, and then Pearl Jam and the Neil Young. One of the best concerts I have ever seen. Outdoors, summer, windy and rocking! When Neil Young performed Like a Hurricane with members from all the other bands. Boom! Eddie Vedder knelt before Neil while he played. It was an utter blast.
So that you've finally found Blues Traveler. One of my favorite groups from the era. John Popper had such a great voice and few could top his harmonica playing.
So happy you finally listened to this one. I love that Amber you almost fully got what it was about on the first listen which is really hard to do. I didn’t understand this song for years, lol. But its about how it doesn’t matter what he sings as long as he sings like that the hook of the song of will make you keep listening to it. Its the most meta song ever. I love it.
When I was in the Air Force, a group of my friends and I were eating at an alternative music themed restaurant in Dallas when a song came on the jukebox and one of my friends freaked out. He was from Philly and it turns out that Blues Traveler was very popular in the Philly/Jersey area long before the rest of the country ever heard of them. Needless to say my friend went over to the jukebox and played every Blues Traveler song. A couple years later Blues Traveler finally became popular everywhere and to this day I think of my Air Force buddy whenever I hear them.
Correct, they were formed in Princeton NJ
They have so many good songs. The more you go down the Blues Traveler rabbit hole, the more you will love them!
Blue Traveler has always been one of my favs. John Popper has a great and unique voice.
I saw John Popper and Blues Traveler last summer. While he’s lost a lot of weight, he still sounds as awesome today as then, and his ability to play harmonica is incredible and unique. They played shows last year with Jewel, (who you need to revisit, particularly her yodeling) and Train, (who, I don’t believe you’ve listened to, but they have many many hits).
Keep the reactions coming. Love the channel(s).
Crash Test Dummies was a good 90's band. Superman Song, My Funeral, The Ghosts that Haunt me. all great
Excellent choice y'all! I still love him! Timeless music ❣️Check out more of his tunes you'll not regret it.. 😍
They are in Blues Brothers 2000. The list of true legends in the film is astounding, including Dr John.
Fantastic band, great catalog!!! Wicked fun and great live!!! Can’t go wrong with John Popper!!!👍👌✌️😀
🥰🥰🥰 They are a cool band too. Only had a couple hits and then don't remember anything about them. Love this song and "Run Around" and "But Anyway" are great songs and "The Mountains Win Again" is good.
My wife and I saw the BTs in the '90s in Columbus Ohio Much love for this band.
One of the best songs EVER! Iconic.John Popper is everything. Sheer talent.
John Popper is the GOAT of Harmonica Players. The greatness of the song is that they're just saying the Hook of the song brings you back while playing the 300+ year old Canon in D by Pachelbel underneath it as a chord progression.
The guy on the Couch is Ken Ober, who was the host of the Game Show "Remote Control" on Mtv, and the last guy was Paul Shaffer, who was the band leader for The Late Night with David Letterman, and he is also one heck of a musician in his own right.
So happy you have found blues travelers ,They are Awesome. Run around is another good one.
Wow... Can't believe that Paul Shaffer was on this recording/video. Paul Shaffer was the musical director on the David Letterman Show for you that are old enough to remember. ;) And that harmonica was amazing!!
Watching you both relive a childhood jam was awesome. I was born in 89 so this was riding in moms Bronco as a kid for me 🫡🙏
Blues Traveler was a bright spot in the Grunge. More, please. ☮❤🎶
Love this band
Saw them a few times in concert
Danced all night
I am smiling big that you made it to Blues Traveler and that you liked them so much 💙!
It's one of my favorite 90s bands as well. Try "The Mountains Win Again" and "Gina" for more great music from them. Also, I will keep saying it. Try the band Toad the Wet Sprocket. A 90s band I am sure you'll like. Start with *Walk on the Ocean."
Totally loved this group. Thanks for choosing this group to review.
Blues Traveler is such a great band for you to explore. A great introduction for you guys.
I was wondering if you'd ever listened to Blues Traveler! They are a very talented group. Miss this kind of music.
The guy on key boards that helped with the song change up is Paul Shaffer a Canadian singer, composer, actor, author, comedian, and musician who served as David Letterman's musical director, band leader, and sidekick on the entire run of both Late Night with David Letterman (1982-1993).
Lyrically 1 of the most profound songs ever written. Lead vocalist John Popper wrote this entire song as a mighty slam on Pop Music & not just the garbage of the 90's but All Pop Music basically, with the sewage being produced in the past 20 years at the forefront of craptastic "music". Seriously, I can't even listen to any of today's music without literally getting nauseous. Glad you both definitely understand the message. Love this band &'this song!!! It is my go-to karaoke choice when I get tired of everyone belting out the average songs we all hear doing karaoke.
🎶"I wanna burst all of your balloons...
I WANNA BURN ALL YOUR CITIES TO THE GROUND!"🎶
I feel the same way as Jay about 90’s music, it was the beginning of the end of music. I finished high school in 1992 and I can’t get nostalgic of any music that came after that. Sure, there were a few gems here and there but it really started to get too generic and it just became worse and worse. I’m even nostalgic of the music that came before I was born. I feel so bad for today’s kids and the crap music they’re being submitted to.
Every 80’s baby can recite this song word for WORD