Little Boxes - Walk off the Earth

[@kjcalhoun]

"Little Boxes" is a song written by Malvina Reynolds in 1962, which became a hit for her friend Pete Seeger in 1963. The song is a political satire about the development of suburbia and associated conformist middle-class attitudes. It refers to suburban tract housing as "little boxes" of different colors "all made out of ticky-tacky", and which "all look just the same." "Ticky-tacky" is a reference to the shoddy material used in the construction of housing of that time.

[@treanaharris2724]

Thanks for that nugget of knowledge 👍

[@newvocabulary]

@The Other Point Of View , I don't mind a house made out of ticky-tacky.

[@chadretrofilms7824]

@The Other Point Of View lmao yeah right

[@weldee]

yup this song is older than hipsters and even older than socks and shoes

[@emeraldkat2167]

Unfortunately, it's pretty true. And to make things worse, they now make houses so expensive that there aren't the classic starter homes so younger generations are having a more difficult time (read:impossible in some areas) buying their first home. I find it so sad.

[@glauberromaens9361]

My old brother showed this song for me in 2012... He passed away in 2022. Today i listened this song in a commercial and a loot of good memories come to me. Thank you Walk Off The Earth, to proporcionate this to me. My brother, miss you to mutch, all days. Love u.

[@jacquiemanning7234]

This song was written by the late, great Malvina Reynolds. A musician and political activist born in 1900, she wrote the song at 62 years old in response to the striking visual of the little boxes of Daly City (outside of San Francisco). These days there is too much else around to get that same impact. I think that Walk Off the Earth is a wonderfully original band, but the site should give credit to Malvina Reynolds -- great song, great back-story.

[@JamesDavidWalley]

Agreed. Reynolds was also famous for “Turn Around” and “What Have They Done To The Rain?"

[@flylooper]

Yup. I watched those things going up from my house farther up "the hillside" in the late 40's and 50's. The development was called Westlake. Clever version of Reynold's song.

[@kjmlucero]

I visited San Francisco for the first time yesterday. And I noticed all the little box-like houses that were neatly lined up in the distance. I guess those were Daly City? This song popped up in my head, but I never knew I was looking at the exact houses that inspired it! I was humming this tune as I drove by all those colorful little houses on my way in and out of San Fransisco.

[@tamar-cita2540]

I grew up not far away and still drive by the "little boxes" every day on my way to work. I always sing that song in my head as I drive by those sting of houses. I love this rendition, but of course, I love everything WOTE does!

[@CorduroyTheBoy]

Born and raised in Daly City I knew about this song and it’s meaning never knew it was original about my home town

[@bevoss7573]

First song I ever heard by them. R.I.P 'Beard Guy'

[@seiroutez1122]

@@BzZzbzzZz Yep. He passed peacefully from natural causes in his sleep on Dec. 29.

[@richieamey4860]

Same..Rip Beard Guy

[@salfaridz]

oh my God really??? RIP Beard Guy. from a long time Malaysian fan

[@VixenFirefluster35754]

That dude deserves better

[@eddmhonangelobbalunsay8711]

why didn't i know earlier?😭😭😭 my bias passed away already.... Rest in peace beard guy💞😭😭😭

[@melissacelestin1219]

This song popped in my head for some reason and I can't believe it came out so long ago. I was in college figuring out my own box. Made me teary eyed too. RIP Beard Guy we miss you. 💓

[@sallycrozier3825]

They really thought about how everyone could play or come out of a box. Superb🎉😂😂😂

[@bryansantiago5244]

Yeah I miss the beard guy. Im a fan since I was 13 yrs old

[@Oddi0]

This is both one of the most uplifting and depressing songs I've ever heard at the same time.

[@lordmonty9421]

Why? It's just a song about cardboard boxes! Cardboard boxes that look the same! :P

[@matthays716]

+James Ash no it was a protest over conformity and suburban sprawl

[@lordmonty9421]

Matt Hays No, it's about corrugated cardboard boxes. Look at them all.

[@miraidepalmer7738]

+James Ash it is about the stereotypes and "rules" society put into place. You are told to go to school to get educated, then get a job, then married and raise a family. That is the stereotypical life that follows the rules society has put in place. I know that song just sounds like they are talking about cardboard boxes, but to find the real message you really need to dig deep into the song.

[@lordmonty9421]

Miraide Palmer That's an interesting interpretation, but...I'm pretty sure it's about cardboard boxes. Made of "ticky tacky" (whatever that is). And these boxes? They all look remarkably similar. "Just the same," even.

[@Shady36]

My sister was singing this at breakfast, she sang "there's pink one, a green one, and a gay one, and a yellow one" I swear I choked on my juice.

[@missdipika4203]

Lol

[@jlastre]

Well old Pete Seagrams songs will do that.

[@liamgreen253]

I'm wheezing lmao

[@colindasilva2442]

I always say a gay one too

[@ThuNguyen-xu1yy]

@@jlastre ò

[@DragonSoulRising2745]

Great job! My Dad used to sing this song to us every time we drove into Toronto to visit my grandparents. And yes he would start singing right when the suburbs started to show up near the 401.

[@MJ-dq8ik]

Rest In Peace Mike "Beard Guy" - so sad to hear today you passed. You were part of a great band that I always enjoyed

[@MANNERSMUSICOFFICIAL]

Well...this is a throwback and a half!! This is the reason I got into WOTE and what a journey it has been since!

[@richbpark]

I fell in love with this revolt against conformity when Malvina Reynolds wrote and performed it. This version is such a perfect fit and repeats the message so well.

[@elagace03]

The depth of meaning that can be derived from just a few lines in this song is immense, it’s truly incredible if you sit back and just listen and think about it for like your whole entire life….

[@Raveena1494]

The fact that people can dislike music this good is beyond me.

[@anilauy6261]

***** Boxtrolls...?

[@zacheriah6231]

Raveena Vishwanath the fact that people have different music tastes than me offends me

[@karmanwilmot1648]

Raveena Vishwanath I know right! and guess what!? It's reached 999 dislikes...666 upside-down? XD

[@TiihoPlays]

+Raveena Vishwanath I know! How dare people have opinions that differ from yours!?

[@thomas_nl_]

Probably capitalists

[@TheLadyfromthewoods]

Genius. Pure genius. Kudos to whomever came up with the set concept. And to the one that chose this song to cover. There aren't enough words of praise to cover this.

[@fredmichaels418]

Rest in Peace Mike Taylor. Sincerest condolences to your family and WOTE mates. Your loss is understood but beyond fathoming by fans such as I .

[@MrKjDrake]

This is proof that we are all entwined. Was randomly singing this song yesterday for first time in a decade and then wake up to WOTE playing it.

[@fireball111121]

I've been on a WOTE marathon lately. I'm just discovering them now really. I saw the somebody I used to know, but I'm really enjoying these songs a lot better. So far one thing I REALLY love about them is that while they will sometimes do covers of popular songs in their own fashion, they do even better covers of obscure french songs or folk like this! I love it!

[@Icibigmama]

So true. Except the part with the french song because "Les Champs-Elysées" is a really (but I mean really) famous song in France and Belgium (where half of the country speaks French) and I thinks it's also famous in Switzerland. ;) But it's obscure for the majority of the world though Sorry fo my English, I'm from Belgium ^^

[@michaelcrawford2870]

sorry to seem like a idiot but whats WOTE mean

[@fireball111121]

Walk Off The Eart

[@justkickitsfaceoff]

An absolute classic. One of the first I ever watched and one still come back to. So pure. Go well all of you. x

[@meri_teri_82]

You guys did an amazing job. Made an old woman smile. I came asking You Tube for a song from my childhood... you did it justice. Thanks.

[@gaelmacgregor]

I was privileged to attend a music educator’s conference in Portland, Oregon in the ‘70s where Malvina Reynolds, the songwriter, was speaking. She wrote this about the houses outside Daly City in Northern California. It was a hit for the late, great Pete Seeger.

[@bluplaysgames]

went back to this. i still remember u guys from when i was a kid!

[@chrismoffitt5493]

I love how this is observational without being accusatory.

[@SculptedPaint]

OMG! What incredible video camera planning! What incredible cardboard artistry! What an amazing message! How do you all do it? I am astounded. What thought that was put behind it and coordination! How did you all find each other to harmonize so well? It is just unfathomable!

[@tamar-cita2540]

I grew up not far away and still drive by the "little boxes" every day on my way to work. I always sing that song in my head as I drive by those sting of houses. I love this rendition, but of course, I love everything WOTE does!

[@DestinyDevereaux]

My childhood friend sang this the last time that I saw him. Because of his family issues, I didn't get to say goodbye to that friend and I haven't seen him in at least five years. Losing someone so close has been hard to bear for so long...and now I've found the final tie.

[@corylusbluefox9482]

1:38 Beard guy is like: "Step away from my dollhouse."

[@marydiamond5221]

Lmao yes 😂😂😂

[@ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣΒΟΥΚΑΝΤΖΗΣ]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@eranu8156]

This song is how I found you all those years ago. ❤

[@GeoffTaylor56]

You guys are arguably the most wonderful group of performing musicians ever. So fun and clever and sophisticated musically. If you have a DVD I'm going to send it to family as a present. Thank you so much!

[@dalebesaw9699]

I just loved running across your version of this song. I started singing a portion to wife yesterday and she wasn't familiar with it. That's when I found you. Great job!

[@bbyng7316]

Did your wife give you a big kiss? I hope so!

[@toddtanner95]

As if the musical talent wasn't enough, someone cut and folded and put together all that cardboard. Very impressive!

[@oishirley]

I love the very beginning, the guy singing by himself.

[@Kate-f1n]

Weird side line: fabulous musicians aside, I nearly fell over seeing the antique lamp that I have a sibling of, floating in foreground a couple times. Set dresser was cool. With everything!

[@cindykatchur5754]

This song is mind blowing brilliance… and all the cardboard in the video… truly so clever. Love love love it!

[@stellsbelle]

"Theres a pink one, and a green one, and blue one, and a yellow one..." Look at their shirts. Just realized this lol

[@OrigamiMarie]

Three years later, I just noticed this before seeing your comment. And then I realized that the one who isn't wearing a house-colored shirt is the now departed Beard Guy.

[@elizabethwelch985]

noticed it the first time i saw it.

[@johnnysizemore5797]

Yup.It's refered as "Visual Irony" in Theater work,especially Musicals.A rather nice touch on the producer's part....

[@ItsAmohz]

going back to old videos make me understand why I became a fan ❤ Canadian studs

[@Jitterbuggn]

It’s always a thrill to find a WOTE song that I missed! How did this one slip under my radar for so long?!?

[@Rovingfoodies]

I grew up with Pete Seeger's cover of this song and found this when I was looking for it. Great job!

[@alligatorcowboys]

i have always loved this song . anyone with an actual brain relates . diverse versions encourage me that there are others that see the world for what it is .

[@DustinPrinz]

This is awesome!! I was told by one of my fans that I look like Beard Guy from WOTE, so I decided to come look for myself. Now I'm hooked on the music. lol

[@mocktheturtle5910]

XD that's a cool dude to look like.

[@rodweston3787]

I've always loved this song - well, since I became aware of it. Even I'm not old enough to have heard it when it was released in 1962. But this is my favorite rendition ever! Great video - great music.

[@manufrotey9421]

ce groupe mérite d'être partagé régal des yeux, régal des oreilles et régal dans originalité. J’adhère

[@hereonly2comment]

Finally a good song that we heard in APUSH!Considering getting me and some of the choir students in my class to perform this for extra credit :D

[@JohnGoldenPhotographyZA]

BRIL-LI-ANT!!! Thanks so much for your amazing performances.

[@giancarlozarlengo1096]

Walk Off The Earth ... always raise my spirits and bring smiles and inner happiness to any day!

[@trishpulley110]

I think of this song whenever I drive through little cookie-cutter neighborhoods and it reminds me to raise my children to be bold and different and awesome. This is the seminal protest song of the '60s, to me, at least. Well done.

[@anewsirus8531]

such GREAT IDEAS with all your music videos.. U guys are so creative. From the way you all play your instruments, to the choice of songs to cover (love your songs even more), to the videos, to every last lil thing you guys do.. You guys F*CKIN ROCK!!

[@briannahess4337]

I am so proud of this band it's hard to believe that there are people out their who have never even heard of them... they are so much better than the crap most pop stars are coming out with

[@DemeRossLiss]

My 14-year-old daughter introduced me to WOTE's Gang of Rhythm. So pleased I found their cover of Little Boxes, reminds me of my childhood. It's great my children can see this version instead of listening to me (trying to) sing it.

[@DemeRossLiss]

Loved it when WOTE sang this in Birmingham on Saturday 5th April.

[@blarghhboy]

Wow. The amount of effort they must have put into designing this set is breathtaking.

[@RussellNelson]

Wow. This video was an insane amount of work. Amazing. And I love the song, too. Malvina Reynolds FTW!

[@sheilaking9936]

Walk off the Earth is amazing. I love everything that I've heard from them. I would love, love love for them to do a cover of the Traveling Wilburys. I just know that they would be amazing. Love you all. ♡♡♡♡♡

[@brennanpaige566]

This is the first song I ever heard from W.O.T.E. And it’s still my favorite. It makes me feel so many emotions, and that’s why I love it. You all are so inspiring to everyone that has the pleasure of hearing your music. Thank you. A million times over. Thank you.

[@zootedcm]

it’s been 8 years and this song plays though my head often.

[@farihahlee2903]

I love Marshall's voice !

[@badnano93]

I never saw it coming, but now that I see it, I feel like this cover was inevitable. Good job, guys.

[@Lounacube]

Excellente version de Little boxes!!! J'adore :)Super déco; mise en scène et musique good job!

[@annbailey2642]

this song is actually pretty sad this is such a great music video! wow, what talented and creative people i love you, w.o.t.e :)

[@SamDCote]

I love this song because it is sooo simple yet the lyrics are so powerful! Love it!

[@박지우-q6h]

There is a red box with Korean written on it at 0:10! 속풀이 황태라면! oh, I'm just saying because I'm a Korean person and I watch WOTE's videos carefully.

[@EMBOAR2001]

Jeewoo Park Wait a second... 1 box times the time I am reading this which is three weeks so 3x10= 30 3 sides of a triangle and it's nearly unknown about what they do......Illuminati confirmed!

[@박지우-q6h]

EMBOAR2001 I don't get what you are saying... I have no idea with illuminati things... but I know Gianni Laminati

[@IlaughedIcried]

I will never, ever get tired of this video -- the art design is stunning, and I notice new things every single watch-through.

[@RogaineForEwoks]

I know! My one complaint is that they didn't line up in color order at the end.

[@BastDG]

I am so happy to see the next generation carrying on the songs I grew up with. This one is special because my mother loved it - both by Malvina Reynolds and Pete Seeger.

[@Heyoheyo174]

Don't get rid of the big scary dude with the beard and ski cap. He's my favorite.

[@ProjectFraz]

+Ryan Peterson beard guy

[@cano]

+Ryan Peterson I like how he comes out of nowhere in almost every song xD

[@kwest7459]

+Ryan Peterson Tony I think is his name

[@bigtea3320]

+K West His name is Mike Taylor

[@Heyoheyo174]

He's my favorite.

[@SwaneetMand1]

This was at the end of the Box Trolls and I gasped when I heard it!

[@MarCesar]

Is there any other group in the world so creativity as these People? I don't think so!

[@TobiOG]

This song hits my nostalgia bone.

[@TheWizardofCabal]

i love the bearded guy. he shows a lot of excitement :D

[@Abstormal]

I've had this song stuck on my mind ever since I first heard it, so catchy!

[@astertempleton1266]

ikr

[@Abstormal]

@@astertempleton1266 It's been 4 years, I STILL get this tune on my brain ever so often! ;)

[@astertempleton1266]

@@Abstormal LOL

[@Niamhy1314]

Just here because I was thinking about Beard Guy today. Thought I'd stop by and appreciate the good times.

[@genmama1955]

Very awesome version! I love the set and the guitars! I think Malvina would have been delighted with your cover!

[@janetwebster5099]

i am almost 50 and can remember my mother singing this in the 70's....NOTHING HAS CHANGED.....the world is just as it always was......shitty & dominated by the rich SAD

[@basilbea]

:(

[@tlwagener9245]

This is actually from the 60's and is about conformity. It's not about rich people at all. More about suburbia, housing developments, and everyone being alike -- which has changed GREATLY. Hint: there were no LGBTs allowed in the 60's. And everyone in suburbia was white. We HAVE made progress. We have.

[@dhrubotridib2294]

Its not just a cover song, its a piece of art

[@DnBMy]

You're a kind of lovely, awesome, happy genius! I do love you! Thanks for the beauty and eargasms you bring to this place

[@kayleeyoung5622]

Love this song!! I've listened to it a bunch on Spotify but I only just discovered the music video and, impossibly, it has made it even better!

[@gammasmash1924]

I loved when this show was on the air.

[@maudtimix2352]

Yah i think same like you

[@timothyholley2546]

Just a happy sounding song for such a depressing topic.

[@Negentropy.]

I friggin love this version

[@bbyng7316]

Love the beige background 😀. My mum would sing this in the car coming home from Brighton beach as we drove past samey housing near Sussex uni where she knew an academic who stopped by later and played the guitar. 😉. It was hopeful and sad simultaneously, like us, coming from a "broken" home,as it was called back then. Big stimas against.

[@Crunchy3229]

Love this song :) my 10 year old loves you, you are her favourite band. Hope u do a uk tour at some point

[@soCanadianEH27]

Throwback to season 1 of Weeds.

[@natasja7106]

Haha i just startet talking about it😂

[@natasja7106]

+humanistheart in every way😆

[@Frugal12]

+humanistheart This song was the theme song for the show Weeds.

[@craigsteffenson5513]

haha it hit me just before I read your post where i'd heard this song before

[@jrlxzz]

we should thaks this show for presenting this song for us hsaush

[@Wilsonspen]

This song was written by Malvina Reynolds.....she did this song decades ago (1961). She was a political activist. It was a commentary on society.

[@lordmonty9421]

While Malvina Reynolds did indeed write this song, it's actually about cardboard boxes that are similar in nature, as most cardboard boxes are. The song has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years due to Amazon Prime deliveries.

[@spiritualsarver2125]

Good grief.....y’all are so cool and fun to watch and listen too. Thanks for smile 😊

[@hannahaskey8331]

SO. GOOD.

[@mummygiraffepresentsclassi8722]

R.I.P Beard guy 😢 and thank you Xxxx

[@EartheChild]

I was reading yesterday where someone commented about the strain in Gianni's voice... While I think he's just as amazing as ever, I have to confess, I do notice the wear between 2010 and now. Take it easy, dude! We don't want to lose your brilliance to vocal burn out!!

[@leepongtaki5367]

listening to you guys since 2013, now it's not just audio but your visuals too are great, and when camera starts moving woooh! it's hypnotic. Hoping to see Walk off the earth in India. Please do one from reggae genre (Turn your lights down low).

[@ProjectFraz]

anyone notice beard guy singing at the end?

[@falljeff111]

You know a music video is well-made and produced when you can't even tell if they're lip syncing or not..

[@nynthes8488]

I was almost convinced that they were really making the sounds there and then until the end when you hear the maracas.

[@TwoSlenderMen]

The key to good lip syncing is actually singing it in the video, just not using that audio obviously.

[@willbarnett9497]

Kelvin Deng walk off the earth never lip sync

[@moemina1169]

Kelvin Deng

[@boru1982]

Um...yes they do. In practically all of their videos. Sorry to disappoint.

[@juliaoborna9959]

very catchy!

[@ben_arno4306]

Vraiment un beau vidéo clip , bien fait et original! On se voie le 13 février au Mtelus à Montréal!! xx

[@curtishewins2230]

I love this cover even in 2019

[@fortniteisstupid884]

This song was like three questions on the AP US test rip my entire existence

[@ellamartens8706]

THE SHAYTARDS SENT ME HEAR

[@aucheezyclips]

*here*

[@ellamartens8706]

yes why

[@loserkendall]

Me to

[@luciaburgueno8505]

HIGH FIVE!✋

[@chinthakaabeysekera6204]

music with sense.. a rarity nowadays... wish them all the best!!!!

[@LisaDawnn]

Barefooted musicians are the best!!!

[@shyanne8470]

ikr lol

[@falljeff111]

+LisaDawnn Jack Johnson can concur!

[@anthonyginger4065]

Ahh something explaining part of my existential crisis in song.

[@ozanalpaslan6695]

Little boxes on the hillside Little boxes made of ticky tacky Little boxes on the hillside Little boxes all the same There’s a pink one and a green one And a blue one and a yellow one And they’re all made out of ticky tacky And they all look just the same And the people in the houses All went to the university Where they were put in boxes And they came out all the same And there’s doctors and lawyers And business executives And they’re all made out of ticky tacky And they all look just the same And they all play on the golf course And drink their martinis dry And they all have pretty children And the children go to school And the children go to summer camp And then to the university Where they are put in boxes And they come out all the same And the boys go into business And marry and raise a family In boxes made of ticky tacky And they all look just the same There’s a pink one and a green one And a blue one and a yellow one And they’re all made out of ticky tacky And they all look just the same

[@kelvanabbey6017]

Ozan Alpaslan White Boxes

[@Gaswac]

Hong Kong boxes

[@soniaserra4951]

Thank you

[@dennisnolan5095]

This is one of my top 5 WOTE videos. You all looked so young! (and tragically, for Mike and the rest of the planet, who we will all see as forever young. To be fair, I've not aged as well since I became a WOTLING.

[@oliviabullock2810]

I'm usssaly in alternate and rock music but I love this

[@maxbowen6482]

Check out rise against's cover you might like it

[@oliviabullock2810]

+Max Bowen ahhh I already love that album but thanks XD

[@quasicroissant]

Hi usssaly, nice to meet you

[@PAROXYSM]

I don't know if anyone noticed this, but the fire falls over around 1:12 mins in. Haha.

[@emilyreid4778]

AP U.S. History has entered the chat

[@Ralster]

Emily Reid yuh

[@brennanpaige566]

This song makes me feel so normal, as a creative person College “boxes” can be so overwhelming. It’s so superficial, why do we have to be in thousands of dollars in debt. When with a passion in your heart, a library card, or access to a computer you can educate yourself better than anyone else. Only you know what you’re passionate about, only you can achieve those goals. Thank you for this song.