First Time Seeing | Tori Amos - "Winter" & "Me & A Gun" (Live) | Reaction |

[@John_in_SoDak]

Glad you enjoyed it Nick

[@nickforell1]

I definitely did. Amazing that there are artists that can be this transparent

[@tandemteachingmoments1109]

Thanks for suggesting!

[@sisterhoney61]

Tori's debut album Little Earthquakes is completely amazing! I love every single song. It's been one of my favorite albums for years. Tori is a SA survivor and she wrote Me and Gun about the experience.

[@shannonn9575]

Her father was a preacher and she rebelled against her strict religious upbringing, but she once said that she wrote this song after an exchange with her father where he asked her, “When are you going to realize that you’re enough?” 😭 So he did validate her and voice his approval after all. She’s immensely well-known, but the height of her popularity was in the 90s.

[@cliveklg7739]

As strict as he was, he knew this was her passion, and would take her around to bars to perform from 13 on.

[@SuziQ.]

She played a lot of concerts in the 2000s. I love the tour where she plays two pianos while singing “I Can’t See New York”.

[@georgeholbrook1886]

She wrote this about surviving a rape that she had to endure.

[@SuziQ.]

@@georgeholbrook1886 , I think the OP is talking about “Winter”.

[@kellyl819]

Her dad was so supportive of her career that when she was a teenager he’d bring her to nightclubs lounges to perform. I’ve seen her perform probably 5 times in Florida and her parents were always sitting in the front row. Her relationship with them was always special.

[@markh.williamsauthor7286]

Winter is one of the most emotional songs I have ever heard. If you listen to the words it's absolutely heartbreaking. Makes me cry every time.

[@markh.williamsauthor7286]

The verse... skating around who I am, but the ice is getting thin...

[@kitsunelee007]

I'm a survivor of trafficking and childhood SA and torture and "Me And A Gun" kept me alive thru the worst of times. I would sing the song in my head as I was raped and it somehow made it possible for me to endure.

[@jenwendy7]

♥

[@mattiusgabe7354]

Tori is a gifted musical healer. Many use her songs (her songs are "girls" to her) to bring themselves out of a dark place. She helped create the organization "RAIIN" - the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network to help victims. She and Maynard James Keenan of Tool do a duet at the fundraiser concert for RAIIN that I need to rewatch every now and then.

[@saturninebear]

both songs reduced me to floods of tears. Even though I've heard them hundreds of times. The other song of hers that does this is Northern Lad.

[@sidhedanu]

For me it's Cooling and that one 1998 Waitress performance.

[@Caspian1011]

Because of the rain...

[@caromailloux4224]

Me is Baker Baker

[@gennyreese420]

As a lifelong Tori Amos fan and someone who has seen her multiple times I’m just delighted to see you doing this reaction and I’m commenting before I even watch you lol… no one can silence a room like she can with the words 5 AM Friday morning! The great thing about Tori tho, she doesn’t just mess you up and leave you hanging she always gives you something beautiful to heal the pain like Winter💙 People may tell you that she’s underrated, but she’s not, she’s highly highly regarded within the industry and very well loved worldwide, it’s just that her true fans don’t mind staying in the shadows and you’ll understand why once you see this video✌💫

[@nickforell1]

Really glad you enjoyed!

[@tandemteachingmoments1109]

Aww, my name's Genny with a G also. I don't see many.

[@gennyreese420]

@@tandemteachingmoments1109 so cool, I haven't seen many either, always catches my attention, mine comes from a Kingston Trio song that my dad liked LOL Genny Glenn ✌😎

[@tandemteachingmoments1109]

@@gennyreese420 I'm gonna look Genny Glenn up. Mine is from my grandmother, Geneva. 😊

[@jenica1388]

I’m also a life long fan or “ewf”,lol. It’s amazing to hear how many modern artists say that this album changed their lives or how inspired they are by Tori. She definitely is very known and loved in the industry.

[@sidhedanu]

She was actually the youngest accepted at Peabody at 5 years old. She still holds the record. Much more impressive than the cancelation of her scholarship.

[@dusk5119]

Thank you for mentioning this. Yes, yes, and yes! ❤

[@finfin2004]

My Dad is my best friend. This song always reminds me of him. He’s battling cancer right now. This song was my favorite when I was younger. It hits a little too close to home. I can’t stop crying. Good choice Nick❤😢

[@hilarywilkes7853]

I am right where you are, word for word. Love and hugs❤

[@finfin2004]

@@hilarywilkes7853 thank you so much Sending good thoughts your way

[@hilarywilkes7853]

@@finfin2004 Thank you honey.

[@dauntingbutthereyougo6910]

I was lucky enough to see Tori in London during the Little Earthquakes era and you could have heard a pin drop. She was truly spellbinding and it's a concert I'll never forget. I was even luckier to meet her afterwards and she was very sweet. One of the most magical beautiful and stunning performances I've ever been to.

[@angieormiston8028]

Thank you for taking this seriously. A lot of people think it’s for $$$ or fame. She’s a goddess. Thank you for your input

[@jarvivuori]

Thanks for the great reaction, Nick! And thanks to whoever suggested these two performances, great combo and a good way to introduce Tori's music and performance to a new listener. A bit more info for you to perhaps better understand Tori as an artist: I don't think she was expelled from the Peabody Institute as the youngest student, but in fact accepted there as the youngest at the age of five. She was a piano prodigy who started playing at 2,5 years old and was set out to be a classical concert pianist. At eleven her scholarship was cancelled because she wanted the classical Peabody Institute to embrace and teach more contemporary material such as The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, so she was unable to continue her studies there. This resulted in her continuing private piano lessons and turning pro at 13-14 playing at barrooms and hotel lounges, including a famous gay bar in DC. Tori's Methodist minister father, who was chaperoning her at the time, has been quoted saying that a gay bar was the safest place for a teen girl. Tori, who is turning 60 exactly one week from now (congrats queen!), has released 16 studio albums, wrote two books, co-written a musical, and contributed to the founding of RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, an anti-sexual violence organization). Check out any of her music from any part of her career to find a very varied body of work from piano ballads, alternative rock, and dance tracks to classical music, Americana folk and musical theater score. My personal suggestion for a possible next reaction: i i e e e - Live from Sessions At West 54th Street (1998) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6Kym3qCh8yfaNE A very different side to her as a musician and a performer compared to your first reaction. The link should take you to 8:15 of the full concert video. PS, In your video you clicked subscribe to a fan channel and not Tori's official youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@toriamos

[@seantodd8875]

I hope you enjoy more of Tori's catalog. Tori has been my absolute favorite artist. Full stop. Since 1992 when I discovered her. I've seen her live (as have many others) at least a dozen times. She's a force of nature.

[@alethiacraven4305]

Been a Tori Amos fan since about 1991. Awesome to hear a reaction to her!!! Thank you! ❤

[@nickforell1]

Of course she’s so talented

[@mm-xk5wi]

Tori Amos remains my most favorite music artist of all time!

[@SilverFlame819]

God, I fucking love her. Tori is definitely a different sound and vibe, and she seems to be a love or hate thing for most listeners. Quite a niche sound, as I'm sure you can tell by the number of views this video will get compared to some others. So many different vibes in her music though. Some heartbreakingly beautiful stuff in her collection, some weird-as-shit stuff too. XD It was just her birthday a few days ago. "Me & a Gun" is super haunting live.

[@AmandaSmith-zr8mn]

Oh mannnnn. I lived for this album in my angsty pre teen/teen years

[@lauraclark427]

I adore Tori Amos. Great song choices John! Thanks for going back and clarifying what you said when your mic cut out. Also, you got the meaning of both songs just right.

[@nickforell1]

Awesome! Thank you Laura!

[@StarStuffGal321]

She is a gem!!!! Incredible artist. Been listening to her a long, long time. Thanks for reacting

[@Ast11rea]

Her music played an important role in my adolescence and maturity. She's extremely talented, wish i could see her live in concert, and if I remember correctly she has synesthesia, which is a condition where she sees colors in music🎶 Also IMO the men who who like and respect Tori Amos' music have always been emotionally intelligent.

[@brionneeley5660]

I got to hear Tori perform Winter live last year. Such an amazing song.

[@jcqlnr464]

I feel like what you're trying to to describe when you said she's animated is that she's a wonderful story teller. And I want to say that Tori is very well known to people that grew up in the 90s. Even if maybe the numbers on KZbin don't show that, she is very well known I promise. 😊

[@AmandaSmith-zr8mn]

She sounds exactly like the recording too

[@fourcornersofbrighton]

Great reaction! I was in my twenties in the early 90's and she was a favorite for me back then. I remember her coming to San Diego in around 1992 or 1993... it remains one of my favorite concerts ever. Thanks for doing this and thanks to John for suggesting it! As someone who had issues with self esteem all through high school, Winter can still bring me to tears.

[@nickforell1]

Oh wow, this would have been incredible to see live

[@fourcornersofbrighton]

@@nickforell1 To answer your question about the meaning of Winter, this is how I've always interpreted it: Sleeping Beauty trips me with a frown- A bully on the playground When you going to love you as much as I do- When are you going to love yourself enough to stand up for yourself? All the White Horses are still in bed- Life isn't a fairytale, and you may not get that happily ever after. Time to see life the way it is. Time to grow up. There are a few fairytale type references for the last one. Hope that helps!

[@amandalucas79]

So excited to see a Tori reaction! It doesn't seem like anyone else is reacting to her, and she is a force to be reckoned with. This is from early in her career, she is still producing fantastic albums today! Please react to Precious Things next!

[@amandalucas79]

Also, her father is a southern preacher, so very traditional family. I've always listened to her music with the lens of understanding that she was probably not fulfilling the traditional role her family expected of her, and was rebellious in her behaviour and beliefs, so that is likely where her sense of being "not good enough" comes from. She is a piano prodigy, self-taught from the age of 2, and was kicked out of Peabody for wanting to do rock and pop music and refusing to read sheet music. Another great song to do would be Crucify!

[@randomsasquatchwithwifi4090]

Beautiful! Now you need to watch Tori singing "Muhammad my Friend" with Maynard from Tool.

[@roncav8]

Me and a Gun is from 1992 Montreux Jazz Festival and Winter is from Montreux Jazz Festival 1991. She sang them back to back in 1992 in the red outfit. Such wonderful songs and performances❤💗💗💗💗💗

[@cherrybomb1386]

Me and a gun especially this performance =full body goosebumps

[@alexthorpe6583]

I was a fan of hers in the 90's. Never got to see much in the way of videos or concert footage... the Internet didn't allow it in those days, not when still images took 10-20 minutes to download. By the end of the 90's, I was getting into Metal. I did hear that her father is/was a Methodist preacher. And while she's known to be a sexual assault victim, I've never known if 'Me and a Gun' was about that incident, or if she was describing a different, fictional event. Some old favorites of mine include 'Crucify', 'Precious Things', 'Little Earthquakes', 'Waitress'.

[@sidhedanu]

It's a combination of her truth & others' experiences. She was assaulted at knifepoint for hours & he forced her to sing hymns. She escaped what she thought would end her life when he left to buy more drugs. Honestly, I think "gun" simply had a more harmonious sound than "knife".

[@stevenatkinson2360]

She has the gift of a singer of storytelling. Would consider seeing her perform next time she tours. First time I found your channel . You connect with music at a deep level . It is also nice to see 2 songs from an Artist as opposed to one. Nick your doing a really good job Keep going.

[@nickforell1]

Thank you Steven!

[@amycoleman3688]

What a jarring intro into her music. Jeez!! Worth mentioning that she is was the very first spokesperson for RAINN. The entire Little Earthquakes has been on my top 5 fav albums of all time list for 30 years. Tear In Your Hand and China are also standout songs from that record.

[@trevorholden7423]

The comments you made that I was able to hear were very heartfelt and considered, kind thanks for your recognition of a beautiful wonderful soul/musician/vocalist/composer/performer.. keep it going

[@musashimiyamoto586]

Hands down one (or two) of the best performances in music history.

[@sirex02]

Amazing reaction Nick! Think you just became a real fan. Do yourswlf a favor and buy her first three albums and never look back. She has the most loyal following in a of music. She just finished 93 shows on her last tour a few weeks ago. Enjoy the ride

[@DanloRingess]

Great to see you discovering Tori. Both of these were off of her first album. Pretty much every song on that album, Little Earthquakes, is worth a listen. This concert was in 1992-93. I saw her twice on that first tour. The audience was pretty much completely silent during the performances, just appreciating her power and talent. From that first album, I'd recommend also giving the song Crucify a listen. By the time her second album came out, she had enough of a following that knew her in large part from some of the more raucous songs on her second album and she pretty much gave up performing the songs that demanded quiet listening by the end of that second tour. It was a different experience seeing her in concert after that, but still really worthwhile. I would suggest giving Cornflake Girl, from that second album, Under the Pink, a listen.

[@nickforell1]

Thank you!

[@evantesseract737]

I saw her live several times when I was young... She had a huge impact on me. And she's an amazing performer, just... Incredible. Hard to overstate her stage presence. These are two of her most heartbreaking songs. I love Winter. Me and a Gun is hard to watch, still.

[@Chick4choice]

Most sexual assault survivors can echo….. when it’s happening your brain brings you to any thought that isn’t thinking of what’s happening to your body. So many of us end up dissociating during even consensual sex long after the assault. May we all pursue and receive the healing we deserve.

[@jenica1388]

Tori Amos is absolutely magical.

[@Jordan-qu8lx]

Thank you for the reaction video, always excited to see a new tori reqction video, im going to follow you for sure.

[@nickforell1]

Awesome thank you!

[@princessmomcsg]

Man and a Gun is about her sexual assault, she was instrumental in starting RAINN-look it up, it’s a hotline for sexual abuse victims. Winter is the song I danced to with my Dad at my wedding. He’s gone now so I see it as him reaching out from the grave whenever I hear it to say “when are you going to love yourself as much as I do”, it’s a nice reminder he would want me to be good to myself. She wrote it about her father and only ever saw it as how a father and daughters connection grows and changes through life.

[@JoyAllgood]

She holds my heart.

[@LivvyMoonn]

Please do more - precious thing live with the band the west sessions is just mind blowing 😮

[@tinesess3521]

I love Tori..she is a master.. Such an emotional performance ❤ Can't wait for some more TØP as well 😉

[@nickforell1]

Yes, she's amazing!

[@DylanSterling]

Maynard has mentioned that his appearance with Tori Amos (here, if you’d like to react to it or watch it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGWvn3R_eJ6FjdE) is what gave him the confidence to explore a different voice to his music with A Perfect Circle.

[@casandrabullock9497]

Great lady. Have been a fan since 93 and she is approachable and kind to the fans. Can't imagine growing up without Tori Amos and The Cure!

[@Erichwanh]

Hey Nick! We meet again. I was just wearing my Tori 9 1/2 weeks tour shirt which is still in good condition from 99. Tori means a lot to me. You're doing great!

[@nickforell1]

That is awesome Erich!

[@stephaniec311]

I looooove Tori! I’ve seen her live twice and she is amazing! Thank you for covering her!

[@aknudsen93]

She is straight up the path. I think it's great she got kicked out. She is an authentic musician. She takes no prisoners. I came of age listening to her songs. They are real, hard to listen to sometimes. She sings raw experiences that she has experienced and if someone is uncomfortable with this, too bad. She was singing about when she was raped. If you can't say it then it's your issue. She is such an amazing musician and yet can bring you with her on her life experiences whether you want to go there or not. No one experienced what she did except Tori. Respect this.

[@kevinrombouts3027]

I really appreciate your reaction, Nick. I heard this song (winter) for the first time 3 weeks ago and she held me spellbound. A wonderful song felivered by a stunningly talented artist. As for Me and a Gun, i have no words, speechless.

[@xephrenata]

Me and a gun caused quite a stir. I seem to remember certain ppl trying to get it banned.

[@pietersbart]

I really love Tori’s live performances and generally prefer them above the CD version: less polished and more raw emotion. Me and a gun is so powerful singing a capella about her own rape. I feel the pain, anger and sadness pouring out of her and it never fails to touch me deeply. She did this so many times and revisited this awful situation. She founded and is still ambassador of the RAINN foundation. Winter is a tribute to her dad and is a sweet song about a girl growing up and finding her own way in live. The symbolism is beautiful as well with the horses standing for dreams and ambitions if I recall correctly.

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

I'm so happy you reacted to both but especially Winter. Ominous is the perfect word....beautiful but ominous. I always felt sadness listening to Winter but am nevertheless drawn to it because her performance here especially is just unforgettable. Thank you. ❤

[@rvs_musher6868]

Silent all these years is my favorite Tori Amos song!

[@nathanielhorrigan2181]

You should do a reaction to “Muhammad my friend” live with Maynard from tool. Awesome performance

[@John_in_SoDak]

This.

[@nickforell1]

Great suggestion!

[@lauraclark427]

Oh yeah, sorry for the spam but I did want to let you know, in "Me and a Gun" you were a little off. The interview I've seen with Tori when she talks about the real life incident behind the song, there was only one attacker (and he actually had a knife, not a gun). I've always taken that lyric as referring to society judging r*** survivors for what they were wearing/doing when the attack happened. I believe she's saying that because she wore something provactive doesn't mean she has to "put out" for anybody.

[@evantesseract737]

Yeah it's a fictionalized true story - I've done the same thing, turning my experiences into art. There's still a lot of truth to it, the emotional heart is real, details are different. The "you think the strangest things when you decide to survive" at the heart of the chorus is what got me the hardest. It's so real.

[@SuziQ.]

@@evantesseract737 , It’s not very fictionalized. He threatened to bring her to his friends to continue raping her. The only fictional part is the gun, when he had a knife and threatened to cut her up.

[@SaraKvammen-tx7qc]

I have loved Tori for 30 years.She is a piano godess

[@christinehonney9101]

I read that she wrote this after being assaulted leaving a venue after one of her first gigs. 100% about SA

[@marablemorgan8292]

Raw...

[@jonhatala9215]

You really need to listen to the Montreux version, it really is a more emotional performance

[@dianebrown8046]

LOVE IT !! TORI is a Goddess!! Saw 9 times ( 1st 90?91?)...backstage 7 ... on her bus twice...1st time backstage ( 2nd time I saw her) she saw me crying...told her Me & a Gun brought up memories of my rape, late 70's..16 , guy had a knife, she held& rocked me && Remembered me after !! 7 through 9... I had Abusive Ex...She saw bruises on #7 asked me if I was OK..I said I was ...8 & 9 backstage & Ex went off on me in front of her ...she had her people take him out...took me on her bus both times...Last time we talked on bus for 20 minutes...&& she set me & kids up with way to leave abusive EX...through the RAINN Charity She PERSONALLY set up a way for me & kids to leave, get housing, therapy & more...got to talk to her once after by phone & say Thank You After....The Woman is AWESOME !! over 20 yrs since I've seen her But She Holds Highest place in my Heart !!

[@John_in_SoDak]

What a great/sad story, thank you for sharing it. ❤❤❤

[@dianebrown8046]

Thanks for Liking I Always want to share shit sometimes because it Might help others going through SHIT know there are ways to rise above...I Thank TORI for helping me do that & hope I can do same...Do know 2 families doing well because I refered them to RAINN !! @@John_in_SoDak

[@ordinaryvalley]

Tori is a superstar ❤

[@mm-xk5wi]

Hey, Nick! Try listening to "Cooling" by Tori Amos from the album "To Venus and Back" disc 2, song #6. It's an experience to say the least! ❤

[@openyourchakras918]

I hope you react to more Tori, love it ❤

[@melisagutierrez761]

She describes her own rape,the reaper was a supposed fan of her

[@cherrybomb1386]

She is very well known.

[@SuziQ.]

The audio cuts off at 13:00. 😢 Back on at 14:00

[@ajcbng8289]

A'Cappella. Yes, she did. ❤

[@quecksilber457]

For me Tori Amos and Floor Jansen are the two greatest female singers of all time. You gotta listen to her cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit. It can not get more s*xy.

[@shep4life]

Her voice

[@cliveklg7739]

Tori Amos - i i e e e (Live Sessions 1998)

[@tidalboxer]

I can really appreciate me and a gun and what it means for so many people, but I never could get into it at all. She has so MUCH more that’s just phenomenal. I’m more of a layered music kind of guy though, so the acapella just doesn’t really do it for me. Winter is so much better imo.

[@fortigan2174]

Start of the vid your mic sounded very muffled. Then later at 13:07 it's completely dead. Just thought you should know.

[@nickforell1]

Yes, more technical issues

[@hotmail305]

If you ever wondered where GaGa got her brash piano playing style?....well hete she is, the Modern day Beathoven IN FEMALE FORM, TORI AMOS.....in the 90s known as the greatest decade for music....TORI AMOS WAS ALOT OF TIMES THE MAIN ATTRACTION in those great festivals full of bands..she has a fan base in the millions across the world....now she writes musicals and still tours. SHE IS MUSIC