*FIRST TIME* 🎵 Natalie Merchant - Carnival REACTION

[@jcavazosj]

This is my favorite song by Natalie Merchant. Another by her would probably be "Kind and Generous", "Wonder", and "Jealousy"

[@jco207]

For me, you can add "River" and "The Letter" to that list. Brad and Lex, I'm glad you got to her, looking forward to hearing more. You should also check out 10,000 Maniacs, the band she was in before going solo.

[@mage1439]

This is a great song and all, those others, too, but I'll never consider any song by her better than Beloved Wife. But it's also just about the saddest f'ing song I've ever heard.

[@deafsheperd]

"Break Your Heart" is a favorite to add.

[@jeffreyboyer3714]

I don't even like anything else by Natalie Merchant, but I love Carnival...groove galore.

[@Psyche-ud2mn]

Next logical step would be 10000 maniacs, her first band - an enormously talented band

[@surlechapeau]

they reacted to their "These Are Days" about 4 months ago

[@brettkenschaft4239]

They did These Are Days.

[@juicedcoupe]

Another great 10000 Maniacs song is the cover of Because the Night, on MTV's unplugged. IMHO, it's the best version of that song.

[@raymo6795]

@@surlechapeau ..."Our time in Eden", was not my favorite album..it was good, but not as good as 10,000 Manics prior albums.I felt Natalie was a bit tortured.She seemed to hate her success...She is a left wing pinko..But I love her , I have watched her twirl many times. Their best music probably came in the late 80s early 90s, "Blind Man's Zoo" and "In My Tribe"..."Hope Chest" and "The Wishing Chair "were also great

[@scottfrench4139]

"Planned Obsolescence."

[@BossDM-2]

Another awesome 90s diva, and it's about time you did more of her stuff, wither solo or with 10,000 Maniacs. Very unique voice and lyrical delivery. I would love to be able to see her live again sometime.

[@Glasstronomic]

You must listen to "Wonder" from this album. It will be a moving experience for you, a young couple expecting your first child. And the real star of this whole album is Jennifer Turner on electric guitar. She absolutely slayed on this record. Stole the show.

[@dibbysstopmotionchannel9472]

Would agree ,especially the acoustic version

[@randybaker6042]

Good videos on the tube with Natalie and Jen talking about those days.

[@stacievetterli2394]

We had “Wonder” playing in the delivery room when our 2nd child was born, along with a ton of James Taylor 😊

[@3DJapan]

I recommend the song Like The Weather that she sang with her band, 10,000 Maniacs.

[@thatsmyassbrostop]

I came here to say this. 10,000 maniacs is amazing

[@billallen1307]

Or Because the Night

[@staceygray4081]

My intro to Natalie was Like The Weather. The band was so good and Natalie’s voice is so hauntingly beautiful.

[@othermotte]

The comparison with Carole King is a good one and the “Ophelia” album is probably Merchant’s “Tapestry”, with every song pretty much a masterpiece. ‘Life is Sweet” and ‘My Skin” being two particular favourites…I’ve seen people in tears, including Natalie herself, when she sang them on her many visits to us in London.

[@nealm6764]

"My Skin" is awesome.

[@RecoveringChristian]

Lol the "90s ughhh"

[@daryldodge7751]

Life is sweet is such an amazing song.

[@joeltwinx3805]

When I first heard this song I didn't think much of it and then I rediscovered it it is possibly one of the greatest songs of all time

[@wen-nz3sk]

When Natalie came out with her album Tiger Lily I was spellbound, I love 10000 Maniacs but somehow she nestled in my heart and has stayed there forever!! 💗 Brad...she is MY Alannis!! 😁

[@John_Chu]

Special mention should be made of the lead guitarist on this album: Jennifer Turner. She's an incredible guitarist who made quite a splash with this album, toured with Natalie and then sort-of fell off the face of the earth. Still around but deserves to have a much bigger career than she's had. Can really play that thang.

[@michaeltrevino201]

That's solo remains to be one of my absolute favorites

[@mmnj6963]

Absolutely. A masterful performance on the guitar. Soothing, yet powerful. Dripping in subtle emotion. 💯. And, I’ve been pretty much in love with Natalie since around 1987 or so.

[@jeffreymccain2639]

Definitely one of my favorite guitar pieces on a song. That tone is amazing!

[@gemsun6512]

This entire album is FIRE!! So glad you are checking her out!! I wore out this CD!! Great reaction!! ✌🏼❤️

[@23000tc]

my go to album, i listened to this everyday.....fire....and i only listened to hip hop back then.

[@soulscream78]

I was just telling my brother that I haven't seen many reactions to Natalie/10000 Maniacs, and you couldn't have chosen a better starting point. She's my favorite female singer, even though her style is outside of my wheelhouse. She leaves most people yearning to hear her open up those obvious pipes and belt it out. Unlike most singers forcing vocals, she tends to release hers. What grabs me is how genuine an artist she truly is, she remains humble and when she was younger she was a stunning beauty imo. Thanks for the content!

[@christianalander9487]

Natalie has such a distinctly beautiful voice. I fell in love with it when I first heard 10,000 Maniacs in high school in the late '80s. Then my mom heard me playing one of their songs and she fell in love with them too! One of my best memories of my mom was when the two of us saw 10,000 Maniacs in concert, about a year before Natalie left the band. Such a great time to share with Mom. ❤️ She passed away 10 years ago this month. Watching this and remembering that time with her made me smile. So thanks for that! 😎

[@philjan2]

Well found. Motherland is a classic of hers. Beautiful❤️

[@runyunhyde4373]

This song is a lyrical masterpiece with a masterful delivery. I always look at the world around me when I listen to this and think to myself yes this a carnival

[@Robert-tc1bt]

This song Kicks ass!, Memories!!! I remember requesting this months, maybe a year ago, Thank You!

[@brendaotoole4012]

Love her! Her voice is so unique and beautiful. Her song River about the death of River Phoenix is amazing. Her biggest hit with 10,000 Maniacs is These are Days and is sooo good. Trouble me is also wonderful!😊

[@cinavs21]

Natalie Merchant is one of my all time favorite female vocalists, with 10,000 Maniacs and solo. She has so many great songs!

[@gainesp2003gainesp]

Jennifer Turner's guitar work really makes this song - such an original sound.

[@barnacles62]

VERY underrated guitar player. Her work in Wonder is addicting. She is proof gender has nothing to do with talent....

[@HH-vr3un]

finally someone does a video reaction to this great song......thank you for doing that

[@pettyguy64]

My two favorite music eras, the 70s and the 90s. Best music ever made during these two eras. Great life memories for me.

[@dbsagacious]

Natalie is an absolute gift. One of the best. Pick a song and just enjoy

[@robertobada74]

Rumor has it that Aileen Wuornos who was arguably America's most famous female serial killer listened to Tigerlily (the album) while on death row and requested "Carnival" be played at her funeral that Natalie Merchant gave permission to....

[@hopeaguero7460]

Oh I watch the FBI file and it broke my heart so bad and I cry.

[@johnbruner8440]

Lex, you nailed it. She has always reminded me of Carol King. Just the ease of the flow of her beautiful voice.

[@surlechapeau]

Brad & Lex, you'll love her "Wonder" and "Jealousy"!!! They are also from her outstanding debut album 'Tigerlily"!!

[@josephcolllins365]

She used to sing for a band called 10,000 maniacs very good band you should give them a listen

[@Mekias]

Always been in love Natalie Merchant's voice. 10,000 Maniacs was one of my 4 favorite bands in high school (along with U2, R.E.M. and The Cure). Such a chill vibe and soulful, rich tone.

[@CharlieDontSurf1006]

Man you got to love Natalie merchant. I was a drummer for 28 years played a lot of Ozzy Led Zeppelin Boston Van Halen so forth and so on.... Natalie Merchant is one of my favorite female artists ever. I'm from Alaska played drums at Mardi Gras and of all of the venues I played Mardi Gras was great because at night we played a lot of rock music but in the early evening we would play stuff like this and I had such a great time. Keep up the good work you guys I love your channel I love what you do and I love the variety

[@seattanf2348]

It's been a long time since I listened to this song. When this album first came out I listened to it over and over. Natalie has such a unique and beautiful voice.

[@dr4782]

That steady bass line always reels me in. "Carnival" was Natalie Merchant's biggest hit, with or without 10,000 Maniacs, and her only Top 10 pop hit, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 28, 1995. In all, both as a solo artist and as the lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant had 11 hits on the Hot 100 from 1988-1997, including five Top 40 hits and one Top 10 hit. Here's the list of her Top 40 hits in chronological order: "Because The Night" (10,000 Maniacs) (#11 in 1994) "Carnival" (Natalie Merchant) (#10 in 1995) "Wonder" (Natalie Merchant) (#20 in 1996) "Jealousy" (Natalie Merchant) (#23 in 1996) "More Than This" (10,000 Maniacs) (#25 in 1997) She had another solo hit called "Kind & Generous," which was never released as a single, so it did not qualify for the Hot 100 at the time, but it did peak at #18 on the Billboard Radio Songs (née Hot 100 Airplay) chart in 1998. Worth noting is that "Because The Night" is a live version from 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged album, covering a Top 40 pop hit by Patti Smith (#13 in 1978) which was co-written by Bruce Springsteen. Also, "More Than This" is a cover of a 1982 classic by Roxy Music.

[@jollyj3285]

Great song!!!!! She had many.... so does her earlier band 10,000 Maniacs!!!! One of my favorite voices and lyricists

[@davidsutton9117]

This album sits at the core of my young adult life, branching out into a career, listening to this and other mid-90a contemporaries. And man, that guitar! I just can’t get enough of that guitar.

[@allanjones1680]

The first time i saw Natalie Merchant she was the opening act for Bob Dylan...after her set i didn't even stick around for Uncle Bob's show...i just knew he could not compare to what i just saw, so we left and never even saw the Dylan show

[@neilmartin99]

How come there's no music like this anymore? Where has all of the creativity gone?

[@mikecaetano]

1995. That was the year my mother passed away and Natalie Merchant's debut solo album, Tigerlily, ranked high among my favorites that year -- so yeah, verklempt... "Carnival" is one of the great tracks on that album. The guitar tone is so sweet! Natalie Merchant was the lead singer for 10,000 Maniacs. They broke through with their 1987 album, In My Tribe, which featured several radio hits including "Don't Talk", "What's the Matter Here?" and "Like the Weather" as well as an excellent cover of the Cat Stevens classic "Peace Train", and a wonderful ode to wayward writers and poets, "Hey Jack Kerouac". Natalie Merchant's 2003 version of the classic labor union song "Which Side Are You On" might sends chills down your leg. It does mine!

[@Maroon1313]

the whole Tigerlily album is a complete listen through love it.

[@skiziskin]

I saw her at a TED talk once. She talked about, played, and sang songs that were like 400 years old. And that vibrato, Brad, gets me every time. I don't always like too much vibrato but hers is perfect. Yes, Lex, great song to wake up to.

[@johnenglish1955]

🤠 My favorite female vocalist, and my favorite song of hers. Beautiful lady with a beautiful voice. 😇

[@RobertTaylor-cx2fg]

I totally love Natalie Merchant because of this song and I have never been high while listening to it. What a fine, fine female voice she has, absolutely beautiful. When I hear this song it sends me somewhere I am not quite sure where. I enjoyed y'all reacting to it. Thanks!!

[@xanajak]

Such a gorgeous song, and video, one of the best ever. Many times I have watched this 15-20 times in a row.

[@musicaddict5076]

This album is fantastic. So many great songs, vocals, guitaring. “I may know the word” might be my all-time favorite song by her.

[@portcullis5622]

'I May Know the Word' is a truly great song.

[@13_13k]

Thanks for reacting to this song. It has been a while since I've heard this song and this album. This is an epic album by Natalie Merchant. Tiger Lily has so many well written and well produced songs. I had forgotten how much I loved this album and Natalie. She has one of the best female rock voices ever.

[@3DJapan]

Hey finally some Natalie!

[@bashab3098]

NM has the most incredible voice she could sing the phone book for me.

[@fredkrissman6527]

When 10,000 Maniacs dissolved I was disappointed, but subsequent Merchant solo lps maintained and even improved on the band I'd loved... Thanx for this reaction, that stirs many complex memories!

[@kerrylewis2581]

Her voice is so unique to me. She has always impressed me.

[@mkmstillstackin]

Love me some Natalie Merchant! Such a fabulous female artist. You guys described her perfectly..."chill" vibes. A lot to choose from between 10,000 Maniacs and her solo works. Another artist who still performs today.

[@francisstanley4325]

Her song "Wonder" should make your hearts smile

[@brizzmartin7612]

First time I did ecstasy I listened to this song and determined it to be one the greatest songs of all time! I was high, but I wasn’t wrong

[@MyNameIsBucket]

First time I was on LSD was the first time I heard this song. I could have sworn we were listening to it for TEN MINUTES before the lyrics even came in.

[@jeremyedwards1093]

Jennifer Turner on guitar! Incredible tone and feel! Brilliant!!

[@RandomJane104]

This whole album is gold.

[@dannford-premiersothebysin9057]

Natalie Merchant is a gem; please do more of her music. Brad, the word you're looking for is bravado. Her music has so much substance and depth. She was the lead singer in 10,000 Maniacs.

[@cocoemrick1903]

Truly one of my favorite tunes! A great karaoke song! Thank you!

[@gablen23]

I love this song, and Natalie Merchant ♥so hypnotic! The live performance is even more impressive.

[@st0n3p0ny]

The drums had me hypnotized. So simple, but really perfect.

[@TheJoshuaPimentel]

I love her stuff with 10,000 Maniacs.

[@leewafer6583]

Her cover of because the night, on Mtv unplugged, when she was still with 10,000 manics is really good,

[@justayoutuber1906]

She's a really cool person, a very humble empathetic artist. Watch an interview of her if you ever can.

[@grussell76]

I think you'd like Because the Night MTV Unplugged version. Natalie Merchant is amazing on it. I believe Bruce Springsteen wrote that song. Also, I think you'd both appreciate Wonder by Natalie on the Carnival CD, given you are expecting.

[@garyarnett1220]

Love her voice. Check out her cover of "Because the Night" with her band 10 000 Maniacs.

[@Brien84]

I love Natalie merchant and 10000 maniacs. Her and then have a whole bunch of music to chose from.

[@jtarantula3390]

Classic, such an absolutely beautiful track

[@TheAcgtrs]

Natalie was/is one of the greatest vocalists from 90s/2000s… This album was huge, and only eclipse at the time by Alanis’s ‘Jagged Little Pill’ in the Female artist categories. A really GREAT album.

[@SingOnStreet]

I just love it😍

[@t0dd000]

One of the really standout albums of the nineties. She doesn't often cut an album, but when she does, it hits! Tracey Chapman is the same way.

[@skipwalker1954]

I've been hoping you two would delve into Natalie Merchant. She is amazing. We saw her live once at the Hard Rock in LV once. The richness of her voice and her storytelling are amazing!

[@CarolinaCharles777]

That whole album is great!

[@brianhildreth9099]

Love me some Natalie!! Great memories of that era. So much fun back then.

[@vaskylark]

The 90's was a great decade that is underrated. I had this CD and played the crap out of it. Love Natalie Merchant. That thing with her voice is "vibrato" and really cool he picked up on it as I myself didn't really notice it but I'm sure that's what he was talking about.

[@nickrobinson8339]

I watched her first ever TV spot in the UK on our brilliant alternative music programme in the day called The Tube in the 80s. She was on their with her band the 10,000 Maniacs and I was hooked. I spent a fortune buying just about everything they ever released. You might like their tracks "Wonder" "Whats The Matter Here" and "Don't Talk" among so many. Also if you have time please try and listen to the British Indie band the Cocteau Twins "Heaven Or Las Vegas" "Iceblink Luck" "Aikea Quinea" "Cherry Coloured Funk" and "Pearly Dewdrops Drop". The lead singer is Elizabeth Frazer who also sung "Song To The Siren" with the band this Mortal Coil. It is perhaps the most beautiful song ever and her voice was said to make the Angels weep by the British Music press at the time.

[@DavidJonesZMBY]

Love the song. "San Andreas Fault" is brilliant, too.

[@RobinT-treehugger]

She's talking about walking thru life and everything around her is like a Carnival, people hustling her to buy things, people with their makeup on and people pretending to be something they aren't. Natalie was the lead singer for 10,000 Maniacs as I recall.

[@1234uz]

Natalie usually records songs that deal with society and our social ills . Not all her songs but she is definitely someone concerned with how we treat other in our culture . I love her rendition of " Which side are you on " a song originally recorded by Pete Seeger about the coal Mine Strike in Kentucky and West Virginia .

[@classicaustralianmusicandf7425]

Just a wonderful song full of hidden meanings, well done.

[@Lovejazz01]

Love me some Natalie Merchent! One if my favorite artist of all time, former lead singer of the band 10,000 Maniacs who had many hits from the 80’s to the 90’s, she one of most prolific singer-songwriters and one of the most unique beautiful voices , she’s a legend to me! Many hits from her band and solo!

[@jeanniedebartolo5965]

She did a cover of Because the Night. Absolutely amazing. Great voice

[@deankaraman2086]

Jen Turners guitar on this and "Wonder" is extraordinary.

[@LaserRanger15]

Always really liked this song. Unique.

[@REDZ28won]

10,000 Maniacs - Candy Everybody Wants . Great song!

[@3DJapan]

Like 10 years ago I found this album on sale and remembered liking her so I bought it and listened to it for like 2 weeks straight.

[@kurtkish6970]

One of my favorite female vocalists.

[@justinguerin6549]

My favorite female singer of all time, when she was in 10,000 Maniacs they did an MTV Unplugged that is one of the best ones in that series of shows and was released as a live album

[@CharlieDontSurf1006]

Man I'm surprised you guys have only done this song by natalie. This woman is amazing. Please check out because the night.. Wonder.. these are the days.. Carnival.. jealousy.. you guys are going to love this chick. Great music for cleaning around the house or just chilling with your friends.

[@wadsworthaaron]

This song was a HUGE college radio hit when it came out, as well as having a lot of mainstream recognition. I loved her 90s stuff *(^,^)*

[@deadmeat_0152]

This whole album is a great listen

[@gsc76]

One of the most underrated albums of the 90s.

[@maha77]

her song *'San Andreas Fault'* is so chill and amazing

[@lindsayj56]

Damn I love this song. You two are the most genuine reactors I've come across by the way.

[@kayakuprising5914]

Natalie Merchant's voice is so underrated. LOVE HER!!!! Some of her songs when she was with 10,000 Maniacs are also great, but I like her solo career more.

[@mynameispaul0530]

Her singing in 10000 Maniacs band was beautiful.

[@bradbla]

Tigerlily is a solid album.

[@hangingwithmygnomies1843]

I've been wanting you all to react to this song for like 6 months love it love it love it!! The female serial killer Aileen Wournos had this song played at her service after she was executed she has a very unique voice Brad and lex is spot on you all have great taste in music 🎶

[@scottwelsh8072]

Natalie is a very undervalued talent.

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction! Natalie Merchant has a unique voice and is a great singer.

[@jeffblack4491]

Go out into the world and walk around it's like a carnival. Good song.

[@eximusic]

Great artist (originally from the band 10,000 Maniacs), great album, great song. Awesome guitar work by Jennifer Turner.

[@marcoiacobuzio4075]

I remember when the Tiger Lilly album came out in the early summer of 1995 (I was 22 years old) this was Natalie's first solo album after leaving 10,000 Maniacs to me it's an absolute haunting masterpiece and still my favorite of all her albums and also it really spoke to the mystical haunting chill vibe of the very alternative 1990's especially for me living in New York city in downtown Manhattan's Greenwich Village area

[@VogonPoet67]

Natalie Merchant is an amazing singer and songwriter. So many great songs and such a unique voice and vocal style. Please react to more!

[@CuttinEJ]

Natalie Merchant is a genuinely and thoroughly beautiful human being. She’s a very deep thinker. You have to listen to the lyrics again and understand there’s a real meaning to them that we can all relate to. This version is slightly cut, but not too bad. The original album version is better though. Another reason to listen again is the amazing guitar work of Jennifer Turner. My God this is unbelievably soul crushing from start to finish. Turning jazz, fusion and blues into soft rock that ROCKS puts her on another level. Do listen again. Another masterpiece on the same album is I May Know The Word. And I don’t have the words to do it justice. Just listen to it. Much love ❤️

[@michaeltrevino201]

I was privileged to have to live in the San Francisco Bay area during the golden age of 90s gangster rap and grunge. Growing up, my parents played a lot of Motown and souldies in the house but somehow this song has stuck with me and I find myself listening to it at least a few times a week. An absolute masterpiece

[@feferosette]

I love her songs.