HE WON A GRAMMY FOR THIS?! | Rapper Reacts to Bo Burnham - All Eyes On Me (First Reaction)

[@KnoxHill]

What else should we react to? 🤔 Comment below! Also if you like the song in the intro listen to ‘Help Me’ now - a song that, ironically, will hopefully help some people out there 🙏🖤 kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4malqingK6dnas

[@aidenspringfpvfiller9670]

Don't tell me I posted a comment right after you leave the comments😭

[@scurble]

You should react to "Siesta" by DisMissedFit. It is an absolutely fire song with a rap style that is very unique.

[@WolfJax]

Shadow of myself by JT music Resident Evil 7 rap One shot by Dan Bull

[@aidenspringfpvfiller9670]

@Scurble yooooo I love that song I just checked it out lol. Like Gorillas mixed with NF great recommendation!!❤️🔥

[@MultiKenny18]

Linkin park reactions or perhaps 80's to now reactions. I mean if u truly listen to those songs u pretty much know where taylor swift comes from..

[@Herman_U_Ettix]

On second listen, after you have heard the line "You say the ocean's rising like i give a shit," then take it back to the lyric "come on in the water's fine". Then i also noticed he started using a water drip sound with the snare toward the end. Add the blue water hue of the lights and he's pretty much telling you he already feels like he's drowning why would the ocean level matter.... yeesh

[@Mourning2295]

Holy shit, thanks for pointing out the water droplets!

[@GeirGunnarss]

I always tear up at "You say the oceans rising like I give a shit. You say the whole world's ending, honey it already did" I have always felt that his use of the laugh track here is a jab at his audience who, no matter how heartfelt or serious his message was/is, would just laugh and not get it.

[@Imbalanxd]

I see the "like I give a shit" as a moment of honesty, that even though he believes in climate change and what its doing to the earth, he doesn't truly give a shit. Similarly we are his audience, and maybe we should have a moment of honesty and admit that we don't get it.

[@ivankawnartist]

​@Imbalanxd I find that if that is an honest statement, that it's a defeated Bo who has given up on life and the world and the people around him. It's sad and a bad thing no matter how you spin it.

[@ivankawnartist]

It's similar to "Can't handle this." A lot of people laugh at burritos, but it's a metaphor for life, and how we can try to pack so much into it when it simply may not fit.

[@SolDizZo]

It's a catch 22, because he can't help himself in making it funny, even ironic funny. Here's my problem: seeing the funny is exactly how you transcend a hard situation. His problem is he was the only one stuck in his head, unable to laugh with the audience. This song is a reflection of his inner state of mind during a panic attack.

[@iesika7387]

That use of the laugh track is too spot on, too. The thing that has hit me hardest in any of his performances was the moment in Can't Handle This when he said he should disregard his own mental health to just shut up and do his job, and everybody cheered because the lights and music came up. And that he knew the crowd would do that and clearly built it into the show.

[@thefrozensnow]

I watched this high at the height of depression during the pandemic and was in a dark room playing this on my projector. It felt like I was there with him the whole special. When he screamed "i said get the f**k up!!" I took that personally and got up and danced the rest of the song and the next day put my foot forward to change my life. He literally spoke to me through his own battle and man I hope it did thos for others. I'm in a much better place now. Thank you Bo. ❤

[@Henoik]

It takes one to know one... Mental illness sucks

[@The1nvisibleJeevas]

Watching this on drugs during a negative episode ON A PROJECTOR is definitely not how I would chose to experience this piece of media but hell I’m glad you got something good out of it. I watched this when I felt sort of ok-ish on my little computer screen and was like “welp, idk if I’m ever watching that again.” I did, but it was hard the first time.

[@jessm229]

thats amazing ❤

[@Lo0serx3]

@@The1nvisibleJeevas it's become weirdly comforting to me. i haven't watched the special itself very much, but this was the first year since it came out where Bo Burham wasn't at the top of my spotify wrapped. the first time i heard it, it was like "wow this artist that i liked when i was younger is speaking to the struggle I've had and is speaking words about society that i've been feeling" as an above comment says, it takes one to know one I suppose. it was nice to come back to him with this, I was a fan from his early days but caught vibes that something was off during the 'what' run of his career, heard "I can't Handle this" in a one off instance was like "oh he just like me" but i think Inside is a true testament to his art, and how art can heal.

[@danieltaom]

Beautiful. I vibe with this. I can imagine watching the whole special in that place and time and mindset being transformative. And this song being a breakthrough moment. There's something about this song.... It's the anthem of our pain and loss. It gives voice to the grief that we have to go through in order to go beyond somehow.

[@j_odinsson]

Bo: "Don't overthink this" Knox: "And I took that personally."

[@blooderose]

I'm a year late, but I heard this in my head and it made me laugh

[@BillGD]

The amazing thing about this is how well it stands alone, and how much harder it can hit in the context of his full special. It's right at the moment of hitting "rock bottom" and it's like he's pulling you under water to the 'depths' of his depression. Gives me chills every time. Also when he picks up the camera it's basically the first time the camera is really moving in the whole special, so it's especially jarring.

[@OGfisk]

got the same feeling

[@katiekawaii]

It's really a masterpiece.

[@AChickandaDuck]

So powerful. I was in the fetal position for days the first time I saw it:

[@omnivice14]

I think the sad part about that is that when I first watched his "Kanye Rant", the moment he said "thank you, I hope your happy", it actually hit me just how depressed and low he actually was. But then it also hit me that everyone was cheering, and it shocked me that no one else was actually hearing how broken he actually sounded. I think this isn't so much him dragging us in, but welcoming us into the place he's already been in. With COVID happening, quarentine, and so many people suddenly getting cut off from the outside world; all people have is the internet (that place where everyone knows everybody), but without that real human connection, depression is still a very real thing that takes place. So he it sounds more like he's telling us it's not so bad once you learn to accept that it's happening, and you move from there. Worry about what's important (namely yourself and those you immediately effect) and don't worry about the rest.

[@SongwritingDeconstructed]

it's also quite literal in that it's about experiencing panic attacks on stage - the water (stage) inviting you in saying it's fine and an instant you're drowning. All eyes are quite literally on him while he feels like he's dying. Are you feeling nervous, it's just begun - if you're someone that experiences panic attacks it hits so hard

[@papasmurph131]

That "It's almost over, it's just begun" line hits a lot harder after the monolog as well. The entire inside special is kind of him fighting the defeat he must have felt at that point by working. If you haven't already, I think you would like Hell of a Ride.

[@DJKuroh]

For sure. This chapter of struggle in his life is almost over. He's ready to emerge reborn and better. All the while, not knowing the struggles with himself are only just beginning as lockdown looms.

[@ebreshea1337]

I don't think it's about any one thing, though. Also remember he didn't quit working, he just quit performing live comedy. He directed a movie and was doing interviews without too much trouble. Bo in "Inside" is a character, based on himself.

[@dannywareham2293]

I am convinced this is not him singing; it's his anxiety. The blue (depression) light, the "notice me, notice me" lyrics, the despair that nothing matters (rising oceans), the ending that feels like a panic attack. "Inside" is not about Covid (which he never mentions) - it's about being in his own head, listening to his inside voices...

[@mistahj6597]

So.... it's him, got it

[@elrojogrande744]

​@mistahj6597 bo often uses color to differentiate different parts of his personality to make a point or focus on a specific part of himself. see left brain/right brain or the bit about making a sandwich drunk vs. high. its a specific part of his personality, not the whole. so not ""him"" thats the distinction the person youre responding to was trying to make.

[@TTolland]

Inside also plays on the metaphor of being "locked in" that room. He leaves the room at the end which represents him breaking through the anxiety

[@tuckerreyeltsgng]

This is one of my favorite comments ever

[@spicychichentaco9961]

Late I know, but while Inside isn't *about* covid in the slightest, it *does* mention it when he says he was ready to perform again but then "the funniest thing happened" in regards to 2020 lol

[@michellewest4796]

This is the climax of the special. The build up came to this song, and it's an experiance to watch the whole thing. It also mirrors a manic episode, with the last part, where he brings you to him and gives you a vertigo-inducing close up. That's another layer to "It's almost over, it's just begun" because there's only one song after this one. I see the "The ocean's rising, like I give a shit" and "The whole world's ending, honey, it already did" as compassion burnout. You can't do anything by yourself, and you can't get the world to help, so you're just drowning in the negativity of the world until you just CAN'T care anymore, there's no more energy to care about the world when you can't care about yourself. I'm glad to see you react to this, you get more out of the first watch than some people get out of their tenth rewatch. I'd like to see you do a full reaction of the entire special like you did for Hamilton, even if it's only available via patreon.

[@TuxKamen]

I sort of viewed the climax of this song, with him swinging the camera around like he did, as well as the lights going wild at the climax of "Can't Handle This" as reflecting his mental state, his way of showing what's going on in his head at those times, the chaos. I don't see a lot of people mentioning that, though, so I could be reading too much

[@frankingy2008]

Love Bo Burnham! Please do more of him! I think you'd love Art is Dead

[@eloerch7]

Cosign

[@TryPuttingItInRice]

Ong

[@sadie6219]

YES!!!!

[@lukakockar]

Knox will be so surprised by Art is Dead, the fact that song is from 2009? It will baffle him

[@frankingy2008]

@@lukakockar facts he'll definitely eat it up and it'll make him appreciate Bo even more.

[@frankingy2008]

Thank you for mentioning the "come on get your fucking hands up!" That part always kills me because I agree it is a really mainstream rapper parody flow and is a perfect example of how Bo is able to make fun of genres while also making them dope in his own unique way.

[@sunnythekitkat2651]

I wouldn't call it making fun...

[@frankingy2008]

@@sunnythekitkat2651 that's how I took it but I could be wrong. Maybe parody is the better term. Kinda of like Microwave Popcorn and Pandering.

[@meloneo]

@@sunnythekitkat2651 in all eyes on me it really isnt making fun of, but repeat stuff, panderin', microwave popcorn and five years definitely are making fun of how some people make music in that genre

[@RikFTK]

I cried so hard when this song came up at the end of Inside when I first watched it. Loose from the special it's a very powerful and meaningful song, but in context of Inside, it's devestating, escpecially in combination with the scene that comes right after it.

[@Call_Em_Yall]

Same and I still do. Same with Can't Handle This. I swear only Bo can make you laugh and cry in the same special.

[@Ragamuffin89]

I love that you reacted to this. It's an explanation/sequel to the Can't Handle This performance that led to him quitting for 5 years. He'd worked so hard on his mental health to get to the point where he was confident to start perform live again and then boom, covid happened and everyone was stuck Inside, hence the title of the Netflix special. ❤

[@SongwritingDeconstructed]

i just commented with similar sentiments. It's great that so many people are able to relate to this song through the lens of it being about depression, but it's actually incredibly specific and extremely literal lyricism. Having gone through a similar journey myself with agoraphobia and had big plans for 2020 being the year i got back out there...yeah, i relate to Inside on a level I don't think a lot of people do (and I'm honestly happy for that on their behalf because it's a nightmare living this way)

[@beatty1229]

Correct

[@Mahathemime89]

"then the funniest thing happened" also has a dark undertone when given this is nearly the last song of the special. He was ready to reenter society then he got stuck inside and made this special which is a descension into madness. So, he cant reenter because hes back to where he was 5 years ago because of the limited contact with people. Its like he gets out of the hole just to be pushed back into the hole.

[@TomJones-wx5on]

In the context of the special this song kind of serves as depressions beckoning song asking Bo to jump deeper into hopelessness/nihilism. If you watch the whole special this song hits super hard based on what comes before it

[@SuzakuX]

It's also the first time in the special that the camera isn't stationary so it becomes a massive moment of catharsis when he picks it (you) up and moves you around the room.

[@SubterrelProspector]

The song is essentially from Depression's point of view.

[@flameaddicted]

Two things to mention: 1. Take a look on the battery indicator which is showed by projector in the background. In first part it's full what can be interpreted as Bo's returning to his previous self - full of energy, inspiration and will to perform. In the second part though You can see that it's blinking as empty. Thoughts come by itself - the COVID killed the spirit and ruined his attitude to final come-back. 2. The chaotic dance with camera is - at least in my opinion - nothing less as showing us how the panic attack on stage can look like. It spins Your world around, it's very uncomfortable... To say at least beacuse everybody who have/had PA can truly relate to that. It's amazing how much it can be read between the lines in terms of words, sounds and visuals in Bo's performances. Incredible talent. Also - in case You didn't know - while working on the "Inside", Bo made whole material by himself - recording, script, editing. All of this show is made by his hand which makes it even more astonishing.

[@lampei]

In my opinion one of your best reactions, loved every second of it. Love Bo, he's a genius.

[@KnoxHill]

Appreciate that. Much love!

[@satoristeve]

This is my favorite Bo song right now. There's objectively not very many lyrics at all, but yet it's got an incredible amount of depth that we all intuitively understand to some degree if we have the relevant context and subtext. This came out right at the height of the lockdowns, when the only place we *could* go was "where everybody knows everybody"-our own house. And we were all super-depressed and lacking that social connection like telling stories and jokes to a group of people you’re hanging out with, even if we didn’t have a laugh track to use as an artificial replacement. Also this is in some ways the intellectual sequel to Can't Handle This (Kanye Rant). The laugh track is part of that. Humans cross-culturally sometimes laugh in response to being psychologically distressed/uncomfortable. It's an instinct. At a comedy show with a live audience, the crowd is already mentally primed to react with laughter. So even though he writes all of these deeply vulnerable and personal things as jokes and he expects the laughter, I'd imagine sometimes it might still get in your head that people are laughing at your emotional distress. Maybe especially if you're prone to anxiety. It's so common a tool used in comedy that sometimes we don't even notice when we're in the audience and in the moment that we're laughing at things that aren't really things to laugh about. But it's a hell of a lot more obvious if it's just you sitting in your living room alone. Especially if there's a laugh track highlighting it for you.

[@henrydyer303]

The line “got it good now get inside” could also be taken to mean get Inside, which is the title of this comedy special. The layering on this one line is crazy.

[@beatty1229]

It’s like when you’re expressing something and releasing anxiety and then it’s like, “no, get back in your mind and suffer” Inside is being stuck inside your own head or in this world that others have manipulated

[@erinw4935]

Yeah, I always like names that have more than one meaning, and you go into Inside thinking it's about the pandemic and being, y'know, inside. Which Bo sort of originally intended. But, Inside also refers to, I think, getting Inside Bo's mental state, which far too many fans had been trying to pry into, and Inside a general sort of idea of nihilism and depression beyond Bo's own mind.

[@donaldpaulson3920]

Also the laugh track in a serious moment was because it would happen all the time during his shows, he'd be profound and people would just keep laughing throughout everything

[@ebreshea1337]

I mean, Bo put the punchline there, though. He said "not the best place to have them", which is severe understatement. I feel like a person with anxiety would laugh even harder than someone who doesn't understand that.

[@romulusthirio2874]

I will never forget watching this in theater, everyone was on their feet the whole song and ended the special with a standing ovation. Hands down the most memorable moment I have ever had watching anything in theaters.

[@jentzensprincz6197]

When he picks up the camera and shows the whole room to show he's alone.. makes me cry everytime..

[@beatty1229]

He’s literally showing a representation of the on stage panic attacks that cause him to quit in the first place. The shadow of himself that he feels and normally only he sees

[@tonyenkiducx]

"Where everybody knows everybody knows" - I always missed that the "knows" on the end is not just him repeating himself, it completely changes the meaning. It's not where all the people know all the other people, it's where all the people know what everyone else knows.

[@SongwritingDeconstructed]

The song is about the beginning of his journey with agoraphobia after the first times he had panic attacks on stage (and I believe in Make Happy you can see he's having one at the end of the Kanye Rant. That deer in the headlights look and the way he RUNS offstage) - examine the lyrics through that lens. It's *incredibly* literal lyricism. 'You say the ocean's rising like i give a shit, you say the whole world's ending honey it already did'. If you're a regular with panic attacks you will FEEL that. You cannot care about anything beyond that moment and that moment stretches into infinity (and yes before anyone gets mad it DOES have that double meaning about wider depression and paralysis in the face of the awful inevitable but what is Bo if not a fucking master lyricist)

[@Tyndaal604]

The song does seem like somewhat of a surrender. In "Can't handle this" He tells the audience the metaphor of the burrito, making them laugh when he told them his struggle, In this song he's making an example of them with the laugh track because the audience would have laughed anyway even if he wasn't trying to be funny with a metaphor. Almost like both his woes and his jokes would land on deaf ears.

[@GatfordGames]

The moment when Bo grabs the camera was genuinely jarring on first watch. Especially when as the audience we spent so long static. Genuis.

[@thejerg]

Wait. Wait. WAAAAIIIIT! I cannot count how many people I've watched react to this. How many times I've watched the special... And here you are, once again making a connection I haven't seen someone else pick up on... Inverting the chorus' meaning after the last verse. Both Bo and you are geniuses at what you do!

[@kei-te-pai]

I interpret this as, "I've been inside these past few years and now everybody else has to go inside too", and he's kind of saying, "come on in. Welcome to the misery of lockdown. Loneliness and isolation. Now we're all in it together."

[@joelcarver8932]

As other people have stated, you'd get so much more out of this special if you watched it as a whole. It's so good and you can really only gain small bits of what is going on from individual songs. Bo is the type of person with a lot to say, and limiting him to small bits is a failure to understand his messaging. Yeah there's some angsty feeling of giving up here, but it is not what he actually does...it's an acknowledgement of his headspace. As good as pieces of this special are, it's a masterpiece as a whole.

[@alicegoode1599]

I've just been binge watching your Ren reactions and now this, and I've just delved into your music also, loving it! Love your music too, you work really fucking hard and you deserve more subs and likes!

[@PaladinNasicom]

All Eyes On Me always bothered me in a way I couldn't articulate, and after your analysis I finally feel like I can understand the emotions and put words to them. I didn't expect that from a react channel, so thank you sincerely for the help.

[@FpowTheDeadFool]

Please watch the entire Inside special! All of the videos are intensified with the flow of the entire special in a way that these individual breakdowns just can't capture on their own. Watching them all separately is like looking at a puzzle piece by piece, the greater picture cuts deeeeeeeeep.

[@mastod0n1]

Inside is a masterpiece that I watched once around when it came out and I'm still not sure if I'm ready to watch it again. That's how much it impacted me. It really does cut deep.

[@ellyraeken]

it literally just hit me what i think “it’s almost over, it’s just begun” means. i think the “it’s almost over” can allude to his mental journey from 2015-2020 and ‘it’s just begun” alludes to the beginning of covid, where a lot of people’s mental health declined. so maybe, he built himself back up and finally almost healed, but then when covid hit, he felt like he was back at the beginning of his mental health journey.

[@stevent7932]

The meaning I got from the lyrics changed drastically after his speech like "We're going to go where everybody, knows everybody" that's inside at home. "You say the ocean's rising like I give a shit, you say the whole world's ending? Honey it already did" like he's saying "You're telling me to care about climate change when my world already crashed around me after getting better I'm back at square one" And drives it home with the "Got it? Good, now get inside" like the world going 'Oh you got better enough to go out? Great! Go back in 🙂" The "are you feeling nervous? Are you having fun?" Anxiety reminding you it's there while trying to perform. "It's almost over, it's just begun" again your time inside was almost over and starts again. Finally, him rushing the camera and shouting, literally simulating how quick and scary it feels having a panic attack

[@kingcookoo]

The biggest praise for a song from an American must be "it sounds European." It is basically saying that this sounds different from the highly repetitive tropes in American media

[@JamesGanley-c9p]

76 yr old guy here. Have never come across anyone like Bo. Maybe Mozart & Shakespeare. I find your reactions my favorite. Is it impolite to say you are up there with Bo?

[@Fima03x]

Have a nice day Knox..your music is incredible

[@KnoxHill]

Serious love man thank you! Hope you have a good day too 🤟

[@grimtrix]

I took "We are going to go where everybody knows everybody" to mean that we are going into quarantine... alone... because when you are alone, that is the only time you know everybody.

[@zachoxley]

I always read "We're going to go where everybody knows" as we are all being led to our eventual grave (everyone knows we are all going to end up there). At this point of the special, it was getting toward the end of the mandated quarantine (unbeknownst to Bo) and that line is a clear indicator of the state of his mental decline during the quarantine. A heartbreaker of a song, but another Bo classic.

[@melindamuller4466]

The 'oceans rising' line hits so hard for me, because when someone that doesn't deny climate change for some stupid reason *still* doesn't care, because he can't even care anymore, so deep in depression and hopelessness....

[@soccerwizard975]

I highly suggest simply watching his latest special on a LIve one day. Sequence matters here. I would also say catching up on his previous stuff to kinda get familiar with how he sees comedy. He doesn't see it like a stand-up artist once he starts his netflix stuff. He sees it like a theater performance and it only adds to his overall message.

[@sharonaumani8827]

This is the first I am hearing he won a grammy for this. I am so glad he did!!! He f---- deserves that, and more. He's so incredible, I would probably miss half of his points if I didn't listen to all of you other You-Tube reactors/commentators, thanks! Also, so metaphorical, whether he intended all of it to be, or not.

[@devilsadvocate3364]

Damn you, man. Even though I've listened to this literally hundreds of times, you still bring new light to this! I will say, I thought you'd notice the dripping effect when he was talking about not caring about climate change, but thank you for showing me a new perspective on this song!

[@mellanapa]

⚠️TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ This song saved my life. I've got severe depressions and get suicidal. When this came out on Netflix I was thinking about my options (rather how to off myself in a somewhat clean and comfortable way), and at that perticular time I wasn't just deeply depressed, I was fucking furious at the world and all the dumbfuckery people do to each other. I almost felt like leaving my kid and husband out of spite against the world forcing itself on me, getting smeared all over me. There was nowhere for ME to fit in. It was all white men hating, police brutality, environmental disasters-denials from the only ones who can do anything about it, systematic racism and hate. No time or place for anyone to heal. Put your hands up, right? Everything about this song is fucking brilliant from a mental health point of view, and it resonates in me. I've never been helped by group therapy or "connecting" with another person because of pain and trauma. Quite the opposite actually. Knowing, thinking about the fact other humans suffer too, makes me wanna just fucking end it even faster. Since I discovered Ren (a couple of years ago, before "Hi Ren") and as long as I have Bo Burnham I'll probably stay around. Thank you for this, probably THE best, reaction to All Eyes On Me I've found on KZbin. You're a extremely smart and sensitive person with all your fingers on the pulse of the music you react to and/or break down. You'll prolly be my forever go to-guy when I need help reaching down in every pocket there is in a song. Kudos, good sir! Hat off and all that! 🖤 Much love From STHLM, Sweden

[@earthscorcher]

Would love for you to do "That Funny Feeling" by Bo. Very poignant.

[@christophermoore9436]

One of the most underrated Bo songs from his last 3 specials

[@slapology3277]

I don’t know if anyone else mentioned this but this is also a very good representation of how depression and anxiety works. « Come on in, the water’s fine » - it’s easy and comforting as you know the feeling and why change? I don’t give a shit the ocean is rising and the world is ending, I’m inside my own head.

[@hopsonkim4952]

My favorite line is on “look who’s inside again” when he says “well, well, look who’s inside again; went out to look for a reason to hide again; well, now, buddy, you found it.” Just reminds me of the way even when you’ve got your depression mostly in check it’s SO easy to find an excuse.

[@ramiroj.2381]

To me "go where everybody knows everybody" sounds like heaven. The way he speaks about the end of the world is consistent with another song in the special, and the get inside is a call to get with the programme, as if getting more people to agree with the defeatist idea would be a confirmation of his own notion, which comes from a depressed, nihilistic place. The song is a chant calling for adepts and/or a desperate last cry for attention.

[@freyamoonwater]

I know it would probably never be monetized, but I would absolutely lose my mind if you reacted to the full Inside special. Or, if you want a suggestion for an individual song, Left Brain, Right Brain has always been one of my favorites! It starts out very light hearted and a little silly but it really hits home once you put it in perspective. Alternatively, That Funny Feeling from the Inside special is a great song for your reaction style - lots of little references to connect the dots with! Bo Burnham is a creative genius all around

[@elijahmonture3180]

So an interpretation I have for the 'everybody knows' line is that it's a question and answer. "We're going to go. Where? Everybody knows where, everybody knows." Like talking about how everyone eventually dies.

[@kinexkid]

Holy shit, ive only just discovered your channel, but you have such an in depth analysis of everything you hear and see. Ive listened to reactions on your channel of songs i thought i knew, but i guews i only really scratched the surface of. Id love to see a full length anaylsis of Bo's full special. Its really something else and i think you of all people could really do it justice

[@amandalower8783]

Holy hell 😮 you gave me a whole new appreciation for Bo's work with that new perspective that I've not heard any other reactor express ❤ thank you for your amazing, knowledgeable, fun, and insightful breakdowns! I almost always come to your channel first when listening to new content to see if you have a reaction because your explanations actually make sense to a novice hip hop music listener! Loving your original music as well! 🎉 thank you and keep up the great work!

[@blooderose]

This song helped me during a hella dark time. It's one of those songs where it's like yeah we're all going through some scary and dark ass shit, but hey, at least we're among friends. Everyone here knows what you're dealing with, because so are they. As sad as that sounds it's comforting, kind of like a lighthouse at sea, because you're not alone. Everybody knows everybody and everybody knows.

[@MrDragon013]

Its interesting to me on how you interpreted this song. The song to me is about anxiety. All eyes on me, the pressure of worries of how you look to other people. Are you nervous or having fun, cant interpret the feeling and enjoy the moment? Its almost over its just begun, self talk trying to get through an anxiety attack. Dont be scared dont be shy the waters fine, just let go of the anxiety and jump into the situations youre trying to avoid. Thinking everyone knows whats behind the mask you try and put on. Oceans rising like i give a shit, ive go my own problems dealing with anxiety. The whole worlds ending honey it already did, my world feels like its already ending every time i have an anxiety attack. Get inside away from everyone and the social anxiety. Just my interpretation, i love this song, so helpful to people who cope through music.

[@sirqrow881]

The More I hear this song, the more I understand how much he deserved the award behind the song

[@TimZoet]

I also think the 'the funniest thing happened' comment had another level to it, as his performance is always comedy. So he started doing comedy again, hence the funniest thing happened: him and his performance

[@tonosama516]

I hate calling you a reactor. You always provide an analysis that gives me a greater appreciation for the art. No other reactor has gone deeper on this and other videos. You’re an analyzer (which is a hilarious word!). 😂 Thanks for the education! ❤️ ✌️

[@RoxxyFly]

Analyst isnt any better either 😅

[@jayroui]

Just watched your "Hi Ren" reaction and now I see Bo Burnham in my feed? I'm subscribing right now xd

[@SavannahSteel]

What I’ve learned from Bo is that he’s wonderful at disarming the audience before dropping an emotional time bomb on them. You see it time and time again with all of these specials. There’s always one song that’s overwhelmingly beautiful but also incredibly disarming.

[@SicMvndvsCreatvsEst8]

You truly are one of the best reactors out there man! I can only remember seeing one other reactor thinking this hard about this song! Great job man!

[@bulletdancestorm554]

I cant hear this song without the goosebumps. His voice is just so powerful. Get your hands up can also be a hostage/robber situation ie: pandemic lockdown or the internet taking over you.

[@peterlewis2178]

Something that hit me after several watches was the "we're going to go where everybody knows everybody" line. At first, it sounds like you're going out to a place where everyone's close with each other. But if you really think about it, where's the most common place where everybody really knows everyone else? At home, alone. If it's only you, you know everyone else.

[@KnoxHill]

Yea I take it as that’s the face value meaning for lockdown & Covid, but then he takes it a step further to the internet where everybody knows everyone’s business. What did we all do during lockdown? Go on our phones and computers while at home

[@NoKingsNoGodsOnlyMan]

yeah, isolation is a key way to mess people up... which was the point.

[@ebreshea1337]

@@KnoxHill The internet is also the place where everybody knows better/more than everyone else. Or so they claim. For the first interpretation, I think there's also a reference to the "cheers" theme song, "Sometimes you wanna go / Where everybody knows your name" etc. Maybe a desire for a return to normalcy. Bars were one of the places most affected by the lockdown. Nearly every line can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, which means it can resonate with pretty much anyone. Even just the panic disorder interpretations can be approached from multiple angles.

[@PurplemonkeyDdub]

I just realized he is singing this to himself! WOW

[@karajgil]

This comedy special really needs to be watched in its entirety. I feel like when it’s watched piece by piece you miss the over arching theme of Bo’s mental health declining throughout the creation of this special. Which at the time was particularly relatable bc we were all going crazy from lockdown and the general feeling of instability in the world. My favorite part of this song is when he screams at the camera to get up. The frustration of performing to an empty room, the frustration of feeling helpless in such a difficult period of time. I felt that lol

[@Totagoge]

4:50 I interpret the line “We’re going to go where everybody knows. Everybody knows.” As going where everyone knows but nobody goes. Like everyone knows an issue but no one is trying to fix it.

[@WoodlandT]

I love all the double meanings Bo puts in his work. “Put your f-ing hands up” can mean so many things, including being held up in a robbery. The man is most definitely a genius

[@elijahknesel3344]

This song is when I KNEW for a fact that this man was an unrecognized genius, and mostly by his own fans. I've been watching Bo perform alone in his room for as long as I can remember

[@LoganG12321]

It’s funny at about 14:15 I burst into tears hearing you talk about being a zombie on your screen inside because you can’t fix the world. Lately I’ve been feeling so defeated and then more and more horrible things are happening in the world, I feel like it’s impossible to become happy again. So I fix it with temporary happiness such as watching your reactions. I love watching people react to the things I enjoy and also bring a new light or perspective to it I may not have seen before. You are probably the best in my opinion at this because you really have a deep understanding of most things. Where this all ties back is, while this is temporary happiness on screens stuck inside. It’s also has been the little boost of happiness I need to keep moving forward and trying to make something of myself in the world surrounded by so much negativity. It’s ironic cause it’s saved me yet also chains me and keeps me inside and hinders my abilities to grow. Deep stuff. Appreciate you a lot Knox.

[@karaclaire412]

His struggle with panic attacks on stage while having all eyes on him - I can't imagine the discomfort he feels in that moment. In this video he makes sure to stare directly at us so we get a small taste of that discomfort through intense eye contact. With other reactions I've watched- people can just look away and nervously laugh- he can't escape it on stage :(

[@mebpfish3]

"Get your fucking hands up" also suggests surrender and giving up. Put your hands up and surrender to the defeat of all things, give up and live your life inside on your screens. Such a sad and impactful massage, gotta love Bo for telling it like it is as always.

[@onlykindablack2777]

The sheer amount of change from when I started watching this channel and heard your songs like woah who is this its pretty food and now im like HOLY SHIT THIS OS FIRE

[@mcflyjp]

Knox you're one of the only people who understood that maniacal laugh as him hitting his breaking point. So many other people laughed at that point not understanding the context.

[@Jessicaddy]

I have watched Inside in its entirety more times than I can count, and I can honestly say I love it more each time I watch it, and an emotional rollercoaster every time. It’s like an album that stays on repeat. If you haven’t watched it, stop what you’re doing, and go watch THE WHOLE THING now!

[@elbowguynn]

gotta say, you're the one reactor that i've felt understands Bo and comedians more than anyone else. so much respect for that

[@brianmarsiglia2979]

You really get this/him. I’ve watched these videos so many times, and you keep pointing out details I’ve missed

[@lizl2432]

I took “where gonna go where everybody knows everybody knows” like the anxiety … “all eyes on me” like everyone is looking at him and everyone knows his anxiety. When you have panic attacks it feels like when you’re in public everyone knows what’s in your head when they really don’t.

[@lynztheswiftiereads]

The “got it good now get inside” just hiiits. This song always makes me think more in terms of the pandemic with the inside lines. Cause they told everyone to get inside, since that’s the only thing they thought we could do

[@g.j.9515]

get inside=internet im so flad he got it. it means defeat, it means youre nullified, youre calmed, youre stopped, you go where everybody knows. burnham man. a man after my own heart

[@LODodod]

When he grabbed the camera.. Resembled the Joker from The Dark Knight scene where he films himself with the camera, laugh too. Love Bo, & your reactions to him. The breakdowns are top. Peace, from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Fynnigan]

The line "It's almost over, it's just begun" and "Don't be shy, come on in, the waters fine" remind me of what it feels like to try so hard to get happier, make it almost end, and then fall back into a negative feeling, and then you have to begin again, and the and having to try and see if the "water" its truly fine.

[@unclefoot]

Awesome breakdown as always Knox!!! I loves me some Bo Burnham and there’s so many other tracks of his that you would have an absolute blast with. First off, you nailed it. Yes, All Eyes on Me is a meditation on his connection with entertaining and being a part millions of parasocial relationships…but it’s also a meditation on passive nihilism in the age of the internet. You could play this song with nothing but that meme of the dog saying “this is fine” while everything burns around it and it would fit perfectly. You really gotta watch INSIDE in its entirety. Even if you don’t react to it in full or at all, it’s a fucking masterpiece. The few tracks you’ve reacted to off of it make so much more sense and hit so much harder within the context of the special. But until then, here’s some older Bo tracks that I think you’d have a ball with: Art is Dead Hell of a Ride Rant. (Not the Kanye rant, just rant.) Left Brain, Right Brain #deep From Gods Perspective Keep ‘em comin!!! Cheers

[@apersonmeecklund6802]

"Man's a genius".. that sums it up. I hope we get more Bo. Loved your analysis and reaction.

[@Time_Is_Left]

“It’s almost over, it’s just begun” Our species has been around for 300k years*, which is a blink of an eye, not even a blink of an eye, in the grand scheme of things. We’ve just begun. And now, at least in terms of how we see ourselves, how we see our place in relationship to the planet and time and the future, is in jeopardy. It’s almost over. I don’t think there’s just one right interpretation, but it’s the one that resonates with me *Disclaimer - all details debatable lol

[@KnoxHill]

That’s the beautiful thing about this track - I think there are many interpretations to it, and none of them are wrong. Great lyricism

[@furbie7918]

Bo Burnham is such a great choice to react to! Great reaction Knox ✨ looking forward to more of your content

[@Koda0_o]

This song is supposed to be about depression. That’s the reason he has his voice an octave lower and only uses calm notes. Also he doesn’t say ”hands down”, he says “Heads down”. He made this song while he was depressed and his whole playlist is about him getting more and more depressed and going crazy.

[@lumbahrye]

Awesome breakdown. FIRST time I've heard this song right along with you. I see the "Get your hands up" as a surrender the second time around. Like "You tried to fight it, but you lost. Put your hands up."

[@kalen1702]

I love your thought process and vibe, man. Glad you're enjoying some Bo stuff. You really should watch the entire special because someone like you would deeply appreciate the art, messaging, and feeling it will give you.

[@tmc8733]

If you haven’t seen it yet, please consider reacting to ‘The Chicken’ by Bo. It was one of the songs left off of this special (which I wholeheartedly agree you should watch in it’s entirety!). Love your breakdowns, especially with how every element of this special (camera work, lighting etc.) has a deeper meaning.

[@nobbisjunior]

bo bo bo bo bo. More bo pls ty. Legit everything from Bo is perfect for your reactions. Its either fun wordplay or deep lyrics that have 3 meanings etc.

[@sophie3382]

absolutely diabolical profile pic

[@devinmoore3828]

This might be the very best reaction to this simply becsuse you relate so well to the message trying to be related through this song. Your evolution of understanding going through this is so accurate, and i feel true to the message trying to be subliminaly portrayed.... perfect

[@MrZorx75]

I really like how much you pause, a lot of people just make silly reaction faces and don’t pause at all. You really take time to talk about stuff and it’s awesome.

[@itsbombervr8611]

I'm super excited to see Knox react to Goodbye by Bo, it's EASILY the most emotional song Bo has ever put out

[@CinJyxxe]

I think this song takes on a whole new meaning if you think of it as him singing about anxiety and depression, and the back and forth between motivation to fully participate in life, and the fear of what it means to be in the public eye again. With that context, of course he doesn't give a shit about climate change or the world ending - he's got his hands full with his own stuff already. The awkward laugh tracks during his story calls back to his Kanye rant, where he mentioned that you can tell people anything as long as you make it funny, but acknowledging that people aren't internalising the actual message when you do that.

[@star.surfer9446]

“it’s almost over, it’s just begun” is exactly how i feel about my life

[@feasible]

Great reaction as always. One thing I'll add: you were so hung up on the double meaning of Bo's words that I think you missed some of the more literal bits. The second verse that follows the first being repeated after the monologue recontextualizes how the song started: the "don't be scared, don't be shy, come on in the water's fine" bit is obviously metaphorical, but the second time you hear it it's immediately followed by "you say the ocean's rising" and it becomes, while still metaphorical, a bit more tangible as well. It's referencing the frightening reality that as oceans rise, eventually we'll all be underwater. And then the "you say the whole world's ending; honey, it already did" is talking both about how we've far surpassed critical mass with climate change, while also referencing the "end of the world" that was COVID shutdowns etc. It's a masterpiece. And even beyond the deeper meanings, it's also just an incredibly hypnotic song. It draws you in and still gets the listener hyped despite the somber message.

[@maynarddrivesfast804]

I disagree with the "oceans rising/it already ended" part of your analysis. I feel like he's speaking to the obvious cultural decline we're seeing not just here in the States, but globally, and how we've become so self absorbed that we could care less about the rest of the world as a whole. This whole special was not just a commentary on Bo's personal state of mental health, but of our collective consciousness as a global population. When I first watched this special back when it was released I was stunned. It stuck in my brain, and forced me to really think about my place in this world. Can't say any other comedy special has ever done that .

[@ebreshea1337]

@@maynarddrivesfast804 This song is quite vague and almost invites you to come up with your own interpretations of every line. The critical mass interpretation isn't wrong. The line immediately after is "You're not gonna slow it, heaven knows you tried". This could just be sarcasm, of course. I shared a post on social media about an oil spill, therefore I've already done everything I can. But you could even bring it back to mental health again. He's hit rock-bottom and feels like his life/career, and therefore his "whole world" is over. That getting his own ish together is so difficult that he is incapable of assisting anyone else or even caring about it.

[@lisa89966]

So this song has meant so much to me since the special came out for a plethora of reasons. This special cane out after I had gone through agruably the hardest part in my life. My husband and I experienced a miscarriage, we lost our home, walked in on my brother in law overdosed in his home, I had to lose my college tuition in order to get approved for a loan we still ended up losing, and then my husband got diagnosed with cancer all within about a 3 month span of time. All while still dealing with the repercussions of COVID. So when this song came on during the end of the special I felt like Bo was literally speaking to my soul because I had finally felt heard. Someone else agreed that the world had already ended and we might as well just enjoy what we can. My husband had passed out on the couch while we were watching this and he woke up at the credits and I was literally just sobbing on the couch. I will forever love Bo for this special, it came at a moment in my life when I desperately needed it.

[@Speedy-gq8wm]

Love your Bo reactions as always, Knox. Keep it up 👍

[@montyferguson4657]

Not going to slow it, heaven knows we tried reminds me of covid-19 2 weeks to slow the curve then he says got it good now get inside meaning you caught covid now get inside and quarantine.

[@Swordsapphic]

Just felt like saying that I really like your videos, you do really good at analysing things and actually have interesting things to say

[@researchert3513]

You’re missing out on not watching Inside. The placement of the songs and extra bits add so much to all of his songs.

[@victoriac4317]

It is so satisfying to watch you react to him. Because you analyze, you understand. Case and point; the reference to Can’t Handle This👌🏻