This Took Its Toll - Monsters (James Blunt) - UK Psychology Professor Reacts.
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Today's reaction/analysis is concerned with the song Monsters by James Blunt. In this video, I take a close look at Blunt’s raw, emotional tribute to his father, exploring the complex and sometimes painful bonds between fathers and sons. This is a song that captures the bittersweet nature of love and loss, and it serves as a powerful reminder of what it means to be truly connected to someone. We'll go over both the visual choices and the lyrical depth, unpacking the profound honesty and acceptance Blunt shares here.
In exploring these themes, I also touch on how such relationships shape us, the courage it takes to face pain directly, and how music can provide solace even during life's most difficult moments. This reaction isn’t just about analysing the song's content but also about reflecting on our own lives and relationships. If you've ever had a meaningful relationship that taught you love, support, and resilience, I think you'll find a lot here that resonates. We would love to hear your thoughts and any shared experiences you have with this song.
Artist Link:
• James Blunt - Monsters...
Psychology lecturer Dr Nic ANALYZES and REACTS! Subscribe here:
/ @nichooper7
About Me:
I am a University (College) Psychology lecturer and a writer also. On this channel, I react to various media that I've been pointed towards, and try to analyze them from a psychological perspective. I do this in the hope that it makes some sort of difference to the mental health, wellbeing, wisdom or understanding of people out there.
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There would be no grief if there was no love. I’m always touched when people show emotion.Wonderful song!
I love the last pat on the arm by James' father, almost like he's saying 'You did good kid'
He's the one who's ill, yet he's comforting his son. You just know he's been a great dad.
He's telling his son He's still got this.
True, that got me too. Imagine you are dying and you still have the strength to comfort your son like "it's all good son." That's the dad I want to be.
As our wonderful Queen once said, ( I paraphrase) "Grief is the price we pay for love" She was so right.
Exactly. His dad still remains to be the rock and anchor for his son. Still supporting, yet realizing they are both adults. Absolutely Beautiful!
I saw an interview with James and he talked about the video. He indeed said it was because his father was dying and wrote this song. He said during the taping, he was crying, his producer was crying and his cameraman was crying. His father was the only one who wasn't. His family supported him from the beginning and believed in him.
I read that somewhere else too. I guess when the song was done, his father took a look around the room and asked why everyone was crying.
@@vh4355 ....."Yes, he said, why is everyone crying, I'm still here", then shortly after the video went viral, a distant cousin saw the video, and donated his kidney to the father, so the father is still alive today.
I'm glad you watched to the very last second so you saw his father pat his arm at the end.. most reactors stop it before that moment. Some other tear jerkers from James are Dark Thoughts, No Bravery, Carry You Home and especially The Girl That Never Was. He has said that his song writing and performing are his therapy and I would say our listening and watching his pain is our therapy.
The subtitle was wrong, since it was about feeling his hand on his arm, not "his own."
I've seen many reactions to this song, but for me you view and response nails it for me. It's a fantastic song and excellent review. Lost my Dad in 2009, he was my hero and would give his life in a heartbeat for me. He taught me so much and I miss him dearly. Your review hit so many points that ring true. Thank you fella!
I think we as people who love to watch reactors, like to connect sometimes, & showing vulnerability with us, does that......thank you for being vulnerable & raw with us, & sharing your knowledge & commentary ❤
Awesome reaction. Different lyrics have a different impact, but for me it's the "well I'll read a story to you" - my dad used to read me a bedtime story every night as a kid, voices and everything. As I got older, I had audiobooks or read to myself, but my dad always took an interest when I talked about them. James' "daddy" is how upper class brits address their fathers, but there's nothing as vulnerable as a child needing their daddy.
This hits on so many levels, but all in a positive pain way.
Col. Blount (father) was in kidney failure, Stage 4, with death imminent. As a result of this video, a donor was found (close family had been tested and did not qualify). He is doing as well as can be expected living on a transplant kidney. He had previously donated a kidney to another person.
Another song by James to consider reacting to is The Girl That Never Was. I'll let you discover the topic, whether in listening or researching it. It shows a number of interesting psychological issues in its presentation.
You can see the emotions in his face and eyes, and the strain in his neck trying to push through while singing.
That was such a good perception regarding the angle/distance of the camera was his Dad. Wow. Thank you
It's okay to cry on this one. It is a genuine and raw pain. I have sen this song's video dozens of times, heard the song even more, and I cry every single time.
I never listen to peoples break downs after they watch the reactions. I listened to your words because you smiled when the father patted James's arm. Glad you caught that because I received some great treasures from your breakdown that made me reflect internally. Bravo
I have seen many reactions to this video, but your analysis was so beautiful....as beautiful as the song. Thank you
I like your perspective about his focus toward the camera putting us in the perspective of his father. In the latter half of the video when the camera reveals his father his focus goes from the camera to his father thus shifting our perspectives and at the very end they both turn to face the camera. Good stuff all around
I too watched Iam Tongi’s rendition on American Idol first. It was a tearjerker. When I decided to listen to James Blunt’s original, it was on a different level. James know how to use the right words to convey what most everyone can relate to. His raw emotions caught on camera straight on was incredible. I have watched many, many reactions to this song, and it still affects me and moves me. He is a master storyteller and this song is unmatched in every way, in my opinion. Great reaction!
Yes, it is, a VERY "hard watch". I love this song and James Blunt as well!!! Love your reaction, thank you.
It's not mad that his father is comforting James at the end , what eats me the most is the fact that at my passing I will not be there to comfort and support my children.
In a good relationship, the support is always bi-directional. Being a good parent means that one always has a sense of responsibility towards one's children and that pat on the arm at the end from his father proves that!
Great reaction, first time watching your reactions. James's music is all therapy, he lays out his whole life in music and knows how to connect with us all to the core. He has so many songs like this
No Bravery and Carry you home about his time in the british army, Dark thoughts about Carrie Fishers suicide (who was his best friend)
The girl that never was, about his wife's miscarriage. The list goes on and are all worth a watch ❤
One take is all it took❤
You got the true meaning of what this song really means! It's not a show of weakness of men but the true emotion that men can show between each other.
Great song and reaction. I couldn’t imagine singing this song especially with his father was sitting right next to him whole time but don’t see him til close to end. It’s so beautiful song and sad 😢❤❤❤
❤ You just need to be real, Nic. You just need to be real. There will be pain and significance and loss and mourning whether you're a "good" dad or a "bad" dad, a "good" man or a "bad" man. Your death will be important to your son because you are his Dad, because you are his model for being a man, not because you're consistent or strong or supportive or what have you. Just because you are his Dad, just because you existed. You do not have to be good, you will be on some level whole and infinite and precious to him no matter what you do or how you show up in this world 💞 this is just how it is. Love to you, despite everything and Happy New Year.
It’s very hard to not tear up.
Watched this video and its reactions a hundred times. This was one of the best. Subbed.
This is a great review. I've always said that tears are a tribute to someone you love and if we are dying or have passed and not one tear is shed, we've not done our job during our time on earth. Tears are healing
Tears are a tribute of respect and love. I've written a few poems for funerals in my life time with this in mind. Part of one "I hope I made a difference on the day I had to leave. I hope that my passing has caused your heart to grieve. If I've caused a single tear to fall on my behalf, I must have done the job that God placed on my path.".. the greater the love, the greater the pain which turns to a sweet ache of lovely memories. This song hits me hard after home hospicing my mom through stage 4 cancer during covid. I gladly embrace the pain for the privilege of having her in my life for 65 years 🥲
A note to your friend, his dad knows. He was and still is loved right down to his toes. That love is always there.
Needed that cry. This song always hits hard.💔 great video - just subscribed ❤
I didn't get to say "goodbye" to my dad. So whenever I hear this song, I wrap a "goodbye" up in all my love for my dad and send it out into the Universe. I do that because, tho I'm sure he's out having a helluva good time visiting other inhabited planets and having a beer with their inhabitants, I still so miss him. Everyday. You know?
Something I've found through direct experience and listening to interviews, podcasts etc, it seems like a lot of people with an incurable illness accept their own impending death (even if they decide to fight against it) but they are much more worried about how the people they leave behind will cope. There's several details about this video and the stories about its filming that show Charles is one of those people. It's really beautiful and it brings me some comfort when I think about the people I've lost and how it's likely that they would be more concerned about me being sad than about their own death.
9:16 If you look closely he's nudging his father to put his hand on his arm there. I'm assuming it was talked about maybe, and he forgot perhaps, or missed the queue? However, the point is how real and authentic it was. That this was something they did in a single take with real emotions. Nothing appears contrived. That could not have been easy.
The best reaction i've ever seen to this song
Your videos are so good.
Thanks for sharing.
I Loved your wonderful reaction. You are a great gentleman and Wise guy
Love hugs from Malaysia your 66 years old faithful fan❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I appreciate your discussion of the song, a truly valuable, helpful, and distinguishing purpose to your work here. I've seen a number of reactor videos on this song. I've taken to turning the sound off, to observe the reactor rather be reactive to the song (tears...every time: my father died unexpectedly at age 49, heart disease, and this song brings back that moment standing by his hospital bed at age 19, holding his hand and trying to figure out what to say, feeling faintly as he tried to squeeze my hand to comfort me, so yeah, this is all of us). Observing the reactions, when the song really hits the viewer, how it hits them, and how they are able to discuss the song (mostly not at all) is interesting. This video helps with that basic need, to talk it out. If you are looking for another song to review, I think you're insight into Leonard Cohen's "Famous Blue Raincoat" would be helpful. A letter, in song form, of two broken relationships and three people told in such extraordinary detail.
Such a thoughtful analysis of this song. Thank you.
Greetings from Malaysia. Thank you very much for your continous hard work & reaction for a productive year 2024. God will bless you greater success in the coming years 2025 as you have shared joys and Love to all of us around the world.
Gabriel is such a SuperStar Vocal Monster and deserved to be heard by all globally. If I am a mllionare, I would have signed up with you and organised World tours internationally as you are such a God given talent and Perfect Singer.
Love hugs from Malaysia your 66 years old faithful fan🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🩷🩷🩷🥰
Minor note. James sister first wrote a poem describing the situation that James based his lyrics and music upon. Reminded me of Harry Chapin's 'Cats In The Cradle' based on his former wife's poem about a son and his dad. Peace out.
Brilliant song. Brilliant reaction. I feel the same as you about my adult children.
Good stuff, Dr Nic. Well done. Robert, uk.
Anticipatory grief is the worst feeling. Feeling helpless😭😭
The part in the song "I'm not your son, you're not my father" is personal to them cuz, they were both in the armed forces together, so that is what would say to each other before deployment 😢
Its too late for my son and me to mend our relationship so guys, take the time to build that relationship with your kids
This one hits hard.
Big hug x
It's a tough watch , cry every time I watch reactions to this song ❤
❤
Great reaction.....
I just found your channel and subscribed. There are two songs I would love to get your take on: Chris Stapleton "Fire Away" official video ( the only official vid he has, agreed to do it to raise mental health awareness), secondly Craig Morgan "The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost" written by Morgan
You need to check him out singing" the girl that never was" bring your handkerchief
I discovered that song a few days ago and it does hot hard.
As a man who has lost his dad this one hits harder for me personally but both have made me cry.
Fantastic reaction. I wish I'd had a relationship like that with either of my parents. I felt nothing when they died but relief. They hated me and I knew it.
I feel I'd like my sons to celebrate a life well lived and not be in pain, some tears, yeah, but not pain.
Excellent review!
Great reaction and insight, I second others suggestions of The Girl that Never Was but I also implore you to discover Lara Fabian Je Suis Malade next
Ps love that you said that was lush from a fellow Welshie
Regards
Sometimes, we miss saying what we want to say to our loved ones before their demise. Monster is a clear demonstration of - do not wait till the funeral. Tell them how we feel now before it is too late
Thank you. This was helpful.
James said it's the first time he realized his Military hero his father wasn't invincible
This song guts me every time.
The video for You're Beautiful is a bit disturbing. In an interview, James said this video was shot five times, twice with his father.
lost my dad a few years ago to the rust, he never saw me as man enough as 1st born even though i followed in his exact footsteps career wise .
i still would have played this song to him knowing the ridicule to come, loved him, aspired and admired him.
❤❤❤
Can I suggest My Father's Son by Steven Wilson Jr. Such a beautiful message.
😢❤
No Bravery might be an interesting study in trauma for you. I think the only way Blunt gets through the song is by channelling his anger
Such an underrated and moving song.
Always cry in front of the world. Without emotion breath is just a clock, ticking.
🧡💛
If by any measure, tears....that is actually the best truth. It is sad that you blathered on too much.
LOL, anyways, until your next misadventure.
All the very best.
Cheers.
You are missing the part where some fathers and sons don't express emotions of love towards each other so easily. He wanted to break away from that and not let his father die without expressing his love for him.
My Dearest Dr Nic , Greetings from Malaysia your 66 years old faithful fan. MERRY CHRISTNAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025.
Thanks for your wonderful reaction.
You Must watch Gabriel Henrique Please be WOW by Gabriel. All our Gabriel Global Fan Club all my fellows will support your channel
Gabriel is the Best Male Vocal Monster of the current new generation.
Pls continue react to Gabriel Be Stunned Be Shock and Amazrd. EXPECT the UNEXPECTED!!!
Gabroel performance NOT TO BE MISSED:
-AGT Golden Buzzer 2023
-Something Beautiful
-Earth Song
-Never Enough
-I Want To Know What Love Is ft Carol Black to Black
-Stand Up ft Carol Bkacl to Bkack
-O Holy Night I've in Romania
-I Look To You live in Romania
-I'm Telling You I Am Not Going
-Hurts
-I Have Nothing
-I Believe
-Saving All My Love For You
-One Moment In Time
-Listsen
-The Clim
-Love in the Dark ft Kevz (Spanish version)
-Too Little Too Late ft Kevz (Spanish version)
-Tu Es
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🥰
I share your impressions about the song/story. Thank you.
Stage 4 kidneyfailure after song a distant cousin gave him kidney .when in the service in war both use to say good buy every times they saw each other 2 adults say good bye .think his sister wrote the song.
Johnny Cash "Hurt" a more sad song that seems to be autobiographical and the video is rife with symbolism and regret. Hard to believe that Johnny didn't write the song himself and it is a cover of Nine Inch Nails.
Another poetic song with despair is, "Like a Stone" by Audioslave sung by Chris Cornell...an amazing vocalist and arguably the best singer of the grunge bands.
don't be ashamed Jesus wept and so can we
Actually Heaven is great. You live forever, but it's like here, but much more. You'll always have everyone to visit and traverse without limits in a pure form
A University professor who writes it's instead of its? Hardly
Lots of similarlity to Sam Warburton's voice 🙂
Are you Welsh??
Please react to pearl Jam Black MTV Unplugged, I'd love to see it..
I wish more people would do the listen and care a lot more and stop flling the gaps with senseless words
😢❤
My Dearest Dr Nic , Greetings from Malaysia your 66 years old faithful fan. MERRY CHRISTNAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025.
Thanks for your wonderful reaction.
You Must watch Gabriel Henrique Please be WOW by Gabriel. All our Gabriel Global Fan Club all my fellows will support your channel
Gabriel is the Best Male Vocal Monster of the current new generation.
Pls continue react to Gabriel Be Stunned Be Shock and Amazrd. EXPECT the UNEXPECTED!!!
Gabroel performance NOT TO BE MISSED:
-AGT Golden Buzzer 2023
-Something Beautiful
-Earth Song
-Never Enough
-I Want To Know What Love Is ft Carol Black to Black
-Stand Up ft Carol Bkacl to Bkack
-O Holy Night I've in Romania
-I Look To You live in Romania
-I'm Telling You I Am Not Going
-Hurts
-I Have Nothing
-I Believe
-Saving All My Love For You
-One Moment In Time
-Listsen
-The Clim
-Love in the Dark ft Kevz (Spanish version)
-Too Little Too Late ft Kevz (Spanish version)
-Tu Es
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🥰