Medusa Song | Plaything of the Gods | Whitney Avalon

✨ Secret stuff here: whitneyavalon.com/secrets
▶ Apple Music: / plaything-of-the-gods-...
▶ Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/0lHhvG...
I wrote and performed an original song about Medusa, who in my version isn’t quite as much of a monster as you’ve been told. Orchestrated by the amazing Ryan O’Connell and animated by the incredible Leigh Lahav + her team! I am truly awed by their gorgeous work.
#Medusa #Song #Animation
** CREDITS **
Producer, Director, Writer, Performer: Whitney Avalon ( / whitneyavalon , / whitneyavalon , imdb.me/whitneyavalon)
Orchestrator, Music Producer, Music Mix, Master: Ryan O’Connell
Animation Director: Leigh Lahav / onlyleigh
Character Design & Rigging: Lian Brosh, Natalie Latinsky, Nekori Ben Dor
Backgrounds: Inbal Ochyon
Additional Art & Animation: Larisa Kerzhner, Yoav Lev Ari
Executive Assistant: Caroline Sharp
Get your name in the next video too by joining the club at / whitneyavalon
Press/licensing/business: [e-mail]
** LYRICS **
I used to be a redhead but now I'm probably the world's only natural greenhead
When I was young I was told I was pretty
I suppose it was true since I caught Poseidon's eye
No choice of my own, what a pity
So Athena changed my hair and now I stupefy
An unexpected boost I‘ll never quite get used to...
It's weird when your peripheral vision always has something moving in it, you know?
Now I'm a plaything of the gods
No one applauds when I arrive
That I'm alive
I mean, my sisters are immortal
I'm not that sort, I'll die for sure
There is no cure
If I had to guess, I’m prob’ly still pretty
But no one can check or they'll turn into stone
A cute guy showed up once, super witty
Then he peeked so I'm back to being alone
No one to schmooze with - they're all statues now...
I don't think I'm a monster, but a lot of people do scream that when they attack me
So I'm a plaything of the gods
One of the broads caught in their game
Ain't that a shame
One day they'll use my head but cleave
And leave the rest of me behind
Which seems unkind
Still...
It's not as bad as you might think
The serpents sleep whenever I do
They never bite me, they're real sweet
And I don't ever need shampoo!
The power courses through my veins
I know they'll take it from me soon
But in the meanwhile, I will make
The most of every passing moon
Yes, I'm a plaything of the gods
I know the odds but even so
Come at me bro
I'm small but I am not afraid
Though I'm betrayed
Before I fade
It's my crusade to make history
So look at me!
** THANKS FOR WATCHING! :) **
If you made it all the way to here, comment “Making history!” below.

[@WhitneyAvalon]

✨ COME AT ME BRO ✨

[@ronnisatterwhite8272]

Ok.😎

[@blissx5674]

Lol

[@blissx5674]

How are they only two people

[@8serims]

Ok. Ok. Ok. Ok. Ok. Ok. Ok. Ok. Ok Ok. No.

[@GB3Says]

Nah, I'm good.

[@hunterkea203]

Musical idea: a blind person wanders into Medusa's lair and the two fall in love, but the end of medusa's story must come to fruition. A story of tragic love and circumstance.

[@6Nem6]

All right, Satan, who let you out of Hell?!

[@hunterkea203]

@Leah Cruz omg but like imagine its a blind girl and medusa tries teaching her how to braid hair but medusa's snakes keep coming out of the braid so medusa plays it off and is like "ur a natural babe"

[@OnyxAgainstTheWorld]

Im sad just thinking about it

[@Anon-pq6jd]

Write a Fanfic .

[@velvety2006]

actually, there is a drawn short on youtube where medusa takes revenge on some people but when she wanders through a house she comes across a blind infant. She does try to turn it into stone but when she realizes the child is blind and the child smiles at her she decides to take it with her to raise it as her own.

[@fernandotavares4104]

Poor medusa. She was a vitctim, indeed. "Oh, but she attacked on people." She was a priestess with a vow of chastity. Not only she was abused, but she lost her job, her abuser was not punished and for her "crime" (of unwillingly breaking her chastity vow, apparently) she was turned into a monster. I don't know about u guys, but I'd be really pissed off at the world in her place.

[@andrewrawlings5220]

Only once Ovid rewrote her myth as part of his 'All Gods are Jerks' phase. No Greek would have portrayed Athena as a jerk.

[@fernandotavares4104]

@@andrewrawlings5220 actually athena was a strong woman. She even wore a shield decorated with the skin of giant who tried to r@pe her. She was a badass woman. Kinda strange she'd punish a mortal for suffering a fate she avoided herself.

[@andrewrawlings5220]

@@fernandotavares4104 Exactly. And if it were not for Ovid using her as part of his stealth attacks on Emperor Augustus, as retaliation for banishing him, she never would have.

[@juliameyer10313]

@@fernandotavares4104 well, she was still one of the few strong women in a field full of men. It happened in her temple so she was expected to act. She couldn't punish Poseidon. But she gave Medusa a way of defending herself. Of course it had to look like a punishment and curse but it was the best way of Athena making sure this won't happen again to her and still keep the expectation placed upon her.

[@monilip]

@@fernandotavares4104 but Athena didn't give Medusa snakes to punish her. She gave her snakes so noone will every hurt her again. It was not pubishment, It was seff protection. At least, it was on version of this myth I know.

[@revanius2213]

You know despite being a 'monster' Medusa never actually sought victims out, she just hung out on an empty temple on an island. People could have just left her alone but they just kept on coming, it's really their own fault for being turned to stone, they knew the risks yet still went charging after her.

[@user-nl8xo2xq4w]

Yeah makes no sense to call her evil or a monster. People came into her home with the intention of killing her. What else was she supposed to do? Just let them?

[@ZacharyJones-xs1un]

They were just like hello I’m a warrior lay down and let me cut off your head please what was she supposed to do? Let them cut off her head oh hell naw I don’t know how medusa didn’t go into town and turn people to stone for fun or revenge Because I know I would’ve done that so I guess that saying medusa has more restraint than I do @@user-nl8xo2xq4w

[@tash1248]

She did seek out victims. She and her sisters would listen in the night for the screams of women in need of help. She was labeled a villain because she was a woman no man could control

[@DreamaCorbyn1]

Exactly medusa is a victim

[@DreamaCorbyn1]

@@tash1248 she's a victim because of Athena and her jealous

[@OnlyLeigh]

From now on i'm only interested in animating cute snakes!!! Thank you Whitney for the opportunity to be part of this animation journey. ❤️

[@WhitneyAvalon]

You and your team are extraordinary, Leigh! At animating super-cute snakes and everything else! 💖

[@weasleylove2987]

When I saw this I was so confused. Wait why am I seeing OnlyLeighs art with Whitney's voice. And than I realised you did this together and I love it.

[@OnlyLeigh]

@@weasleylove2987 i'm pretty shocked myself!

[@jenjenroxmysox]

I was confused too. I love this collab.

[@RijackiTorment]

Perfect collab!

[@aisadal2521]

This could honestly be an actual musical

[@maybalicious]

See you in like 40 years after I've written Medusa the Musical

[@rowanbun3162]

I thought the same thing. I bet Whitney could do an amazing musical about Medusa.

[@KilamajaroKen]

If they can make a musical about The Wicked Witch of the West, anything is possible.

[@KneelB4SodsLaw]

Or maybe even a Disney film, from like the same people behind Frozen

[@gryffindorkc5720]

I bet it would be like wicked

[@aisadal2521]

I love Medusa, and I'm glad you're shedding light on how tragic her life really was

[@Redeyedragonblade]

If she wanted a mate, couldn't she just find a nice blind person? Might be kind tricky in a time before tinder but not impossible.

[@Redeyedragonblade]

@@callumfootitt5366 Regardless of her birth, if she only turned people to stone if they looked at her, wouldn't blind people be immune?

[@andrewrawlings5220]

How tragic it was once Ovid got ahold of it and decided to use it to portray the gods as jerks as a stealth attack on the Emperor who had banished him, you mean (All gods are jerks, The Emperor is a god, therefore The Emperor is a jerk. Get it?)

[@melvinfernandez7174]

If only Persues discussed his plan to Medusa (mid-fight or something) instead of just brandishing swords at her she might even had the chance to get even with Poseidon..

[@ladykoiwolfe]

@@callumfootitt5366 um, no. She was the beautiful mortal sister out of the three Gorgons; and sister to the Graeae, the three sisters we see in that appalling Disney Hercules movie with one eye between them; also sister to Echidna, who is often called the mother of all monsters; and Ladon....who evades me for the moment.

[@GuilhermeAnalisa]

Mythology, would you look at that!

[@Lovely6591]

Voce por aqui!!!

[@jm7781]

Meu deus, cara!

[@jm7781]

Me responde uma coisa, pegasos não nasceu da medusa quando Perseus cortou a cabeça dela? Se não me engano foram duas criaturas e uma delas era o pegasos.

[@guii_r2d2]

Eis que vc está vendo um vídeo aleatório e encontra um KZbinr q vc assiste kkk, tô chocado, na última vez eu encontrei a Malena num vídeo da Disk Duny kk

[@asdeespadas5405]

Guilherme, você por aqui!

[@johnbainivanua2566]

Medusa is portrayed like a terrifying monster in most of pop culture, but her story really is so sad

[@flexprime2010]

like nearly all female persons/creatures who interacted with gods lamia, arachne, echo, callisto...

[@DogsandPennies]

flex prime arachne screwed herself over honestly I don't know what that dumbass was expecting. Also echo wasn't punished that badly. Yeah Hera gave her an echo, but she didn't kill her like she had right to.

[@cordeliajackson8615]

That’s Ovid’s version specifically. In the original mythology, Medusa was always a gorgon and had little to no connection to Athena. And for Arachne. The most popular version was written by Ovid. Arachne wove essentially wove..... porn in the contest and Athena was all like “what were you thinking” and told her off, Arachne took her own life out and Athena pitied her so she turned her into a spider (presumably so she could keep weaving whatever she desired) You know who never get brought up in y’all about how it’s shorty to interact with the gods at all? IO. Home girl got turned into a fucking cow for a while after simply saying no to Zeus. And she had to be Hera’s pet. Wtf? Now _thats_ a much better example of gods mistreating humans.

[@vladoportos]

@@cordeliajackson8615 and there was something about Fly harassing here all the time, IO got fucked up...

[@nicholasjohnston1970]

No it’s not her actual story is she was just born that way. Her getting cursed was made up by this one guy who hated the gods so he made story’s of them being ducks like Athena and the spider girl

[@Sirenhound]

Who else watched the whole video and didn't turn to stone? We are invincible!

[@funwithremasfanoffrozen2722]

Me.

[@ladykoiwolfe]

But did you meet her gaze? It's the eyes that do the trick.

[@daniellakafouris4988]

TrueDepth same hahahha

[@marcusdowning]

Sadly, Whitney lost 1.2 million subscribers with this video.

[@lisaa4446]

People said that she would turn any man that looked at her to stone I'm female so that's my reason

[@foamandfog3112]

Medusa turned her kid to stone!. (Just in case anyone doesn’t know Medusa gave birth to the Pegasus after Perseus chopped her head off. It came out of her neck)

[@grantdunn2544]

Don't forget chysoar, pegasus's bro who's just some dude with a golden sword.

[@poison_raine5219]

@@grantdunn2544 yep.

[@nandinisahu1716]

Ahh! Greek mythology

[@ladykoiwolfe]

And Chrysaor, who seems to be a warrior. Seems like the two should have teamed up, but he just sort of disappears into obscurity.

[@foamandfog3112]

Grant Dunn I’ve been studying Greek myth for like 7 years and somehow I never heard of that. That is so cool! Did he also come out of her neck or was he born like a normal person?

[@asentientpen3711]

Wasn’t it said that Medusa’s gaze would turn any *MAN* into stone Women who like women: *i’m about to do what’s called a pro gamer move*

[@mag-narwhal]

It means mortal like she can't turn a god to stone, as she is a mortal gorgan she could turn herself to stone

[@asentientpen3711]

Mag -narwhal *It was a joke*

[@mag-narwhal]

@@asentientpen3711 I know I got that

[@avablobbity4757]

There was a female warrior shown in the vid that was turned to stone.

[@asentientpen3711]

Ava Blobbity *IT WAS A JOKE*

[@DonnieHanby]

ROCK ON! Get it. Since she turns people into... You know what? I'll just see myself out.....

[@c_zorel88]

No.please stay😁😁

[@velvety2006]

you have great pebbles of humor 😂

[@Truffle85]

The Greek myth nerd in me is so happy and gleeful right now. I like all the little references, including the stone Pegasus, the Minotaur and the namedropping of Athena and Poseidon. Every detail's right and the song's a real bop.

[@rileytubegaming9065]

medusa was born a gorgon

[@artichokethejoke1563]

@@rileytubegaming9065 myths have multiple versions and stories change. They're all just as important and legit.

[@rileytubegaming9065]

@@artichokethejoke1563 ehh

[@shadowlitten547]

Pegasus being there makes no sense since he was born when Medusa's head was cut off

[@aspenmavera9904]

It's kinda funny she's sitting on Pegasus as that's one of her sons..

[@nickynin6380]

I WAS LITERALLY JUST THINKING OF THAT

[@markshaw5038]

There was more than one winged horse in greek mythology.

[@aspenmavera9904]

@@markshaw5038 All winged horses are descended from Pegasus in Greek Mythology. So unless you're referring to a different mythos, you're incorrect my dude.

[@markshaw5038]

I didn't know that! Thanks for correcting me in such an upbeat, respectful way. You're a mench.

[@karolinakuc4783]

Or her son's offspring

[@AtheistPirate]

The statue of Medusa holding Perseus's head aloft is one of my all-time favorite art pieces. This song really exemplifies that spirit of defiant resilience. Well done!

[@melg1605]

A bit sad (basically the king fulfilled his mission to send him to certain death to marry his mother) I guess whoever wins would be tragic

[@northcoaster]

Your voice, music and lyrics are brilliant as always.

[@psachickennugget8617]

Such a brave camera man risking his life to get this footage. Mad respect.

[@samanthakelly718]

“Look at me!” “Yaaaas Queen! I’ll look at you for su-“ *turns to stone*

[@nickynin6380]

HAAHA

[@ilovefunnyamv2nd]

I turn to stone, when you comin' home

[@Domon0310]

Video: Pegasus turned into stone Me: Ummm, that's your son ma'am

[@jiayitan1767]

right

[@hermioneenchanted6564]

there IS more than one pegasus.... Her pegasus son was born after her head was cut off so how and i repeat HOW has she turned her not yet born son to stone when she still very clearly still has her head attached to her body and is alive....

[@Domon0310]

@@hermioneenchanted6564 There literally weren't any other Pegasuses because Pegasus was the name of a horse, not the species. And there was only one more myth with Pegasus, where he was Bellerophon's stallion. That's the mistake in the video, Pegasus shouldn't be there in the first place because he wasn't even born.

[@mag-narwhal]

Oh no I've avoided watching this cause I dident want to become mad at the inaccuracy pls tell me will it drive me insane???

[@liseegeskov8769]

@@mag-narwhal it wont! It’s just a different flying horse! It’s greek mythology and whether or not pegasus is medusas son depends on the version ( in fact medusas tragic was added later)

[@emazurovcova960]

I was somehow expecting Perseus jumping from nowhere and cutting her head off, but I am just too dark :D Pretty song.

[@komomn]

me too

[@angelartamesia2]

Me too like at the end or smthing?

[@autumnrose9655]

I was waiting for it😂

[@jackr2287]

I was really hoping for it.

[@aideng-0.033]

I also thought that would happen

[@decusq]

I honestly thought this was a pitch for a new animated film! This was so good! Medusa to me was always such a tragic figure, so any chance she has at happiness i'd love to see her tale told.

[@WhitneyAvalon]

If a producer wants to finance a full film, I'd be simply delighted to write and perform it! :)

[@SonofMrPeanut]

I'm going to pretend I'm in the universe where Lauren Faust got to make her Medusa movie and this is Whitney Avalon's cover of one of the songs.

[@jezikerr3720]

Nah. This would be the original song and others would come cover Whitney's voice .

[@Icarus11000]

I have been kind of thinking recently that the whole Medusa story was primarily told from a...well, male perspective. I'm actually interested as to why you decided to make this particular song

[@pedrosso0]

I don't get what you mean

[@geekacelol8982]

Interestingly, the Roman poet Ovid was the first to tell the story with Medusa as a victim of Poseidon and Athena. Before Ovid, the myth really was Medusa born as a monster, lived as a monster, died as a monster. But Ovid gave Medusa a lot more character by rewriting the story in a very popular retelling (I mean, his version is the one most commonly known today).

[@Albumancer]

Making history! Also, that peripheral vision thing makes me sympathize with her even more. That's got to be an absolute pain.

[@massimoforesti4274]

First time I think Medusa is cute! Thanks Whitney.

[@GoodNeutralEvilChaos]

Well technically she never lost her beauty. People just always depict her as a monster because, you know, gorgon.

[@massimoforesti4274]

Are you Prof Cionfoli, my old prof of gymnasium? You still alive! 🤔 I was tring to say hat I feel empaty for medusa, usually I empatize for Perseo. But not mother language 😉

[@GoodNeutralEvilChaos]

@@massimoforesti4274 and I was trying to say that people (for some reason) like to think evil=ugly. People put too much faith in beauty.

[@massimoforesti4274]

And you are right, of course.

[@rileytubegaming9065]

@@GoodNeutralEvilChaos she was born a gorgon

[@ScottKrissPittardMcAree]

That was awesome :) I've always felt bad for Medusa so it's really nice to see someone show that sympathetic side to her :) I've always wanted a film about Medusa from her perspective and what she went through, she's a very interesting character, this was really, really good. :)

[@xanthe_4113]

This could be a musical! Btw are you still doing princess rap battles if so I think you should do Mulan vs Merida p.s I love you content!!

[@xanthe3106]

Yasss!

[@samanthabutler3751]

YESSSSSSS

[@jorgeperez3227]

Now that would be jnteresting

[@GB3Says]

I get the feeling that we're ALL playthings of God. Or maybe not.

[@heheitsE]

Looking at your account picture after reading this was worth it

[@ryzaelishaadriano3240]

We're creations of the Titan Prometheus. Zeus the God of the Heavens despised us. But to be honest he also needs us- you see gods are useless once they have been encaptured by monsters or enemies. they can only escape with the help of demi-gods which are half humans. and they need people since they need someone to believe in them and sacrifice things to them and stuff.

[@belladonna3.056]

@@ryzaelishaadriano3240 so your're saying if we all gang up on the gods, they cant do anything? interesting....

[@ryzaelishaadriano3240]

@@belladonna3.056 To my understanding yes... In the Heroes of Olympus series, Juno ( aka Hera ) Got captured by Geae ( aka Mother Earth )... In order to save her she needed DemiGods. Its kind of confusing really but if a Demi God and their Parent God they basically need to stick team up together to defeat Giants and Cyclops. I havent finished the series yet so its still confusing for me

[@Dragonlover553]

@@belladonna3.056 Of course, there's also the small issue of them getting pissed off enough to *not* do anything in response, which would quickly result in the end of the world. Imagine it. No more sunrises. No more forging. No more *agriculture*. Yeah, sounds lovely...

[@Natalie-101]

This is FANTASTIC! Hope this turns into a whole musical like hadestown! You'll kill it on broadway one day! And great animation, leigh!

[@geralenngevertasdisney3160]

A

[@georgelister4866]

I really hope this is a peak at the power ballad of the musical you’re in the process of writing about Medusa.

[@beekidsart1176]

I like to think that athena just,, made medusa into the ”monster” to protect her from ever unwillingly being touched :( Edit: yall gotta stop telling me what it was actually like. Im fully aware, but i said i **like** to think, not that i think

[@mag-narwhal]

In some areas that's what was believed but in places that dud not like Athena they said she cursed her

[@Topboxicle]

Nah legit Athena straight up did it because she was jealous that Medusa was seen as more pretty then her, it was simply Athena that decided to make sure nobody else would see Medusa's beauty. It was Medusa who then used that power to protect herself and tried her best to make sure that she was left alone, unfortunately though all her efforts ended in vain.

[@mag-narwhal]

@@Topboxicle in some versions athena did it to protect her from men and same thing for arachne they say Zeus cursed arachne to never weave again and athena made her a spider so she could secretly weave

[@beekidsart1176]

@@Topboxicle oh yeah i know, i just like to think its what happened. It gives me comfort

[@ianimatebadly3715]

@@Topboxicle Athena is a virgin goddess. It really doesn't fit with her portrayal of she's jealous of someone else's beauty. In some versions Athena is a protector and in one, which was written WAY AFTER THE ORIGINAL TALE, Athena is jealous and Medusa is r@p3d. That is the only occasion. Ever. That that is mentioned in classical literature.

[@dc8rdecoded]

As a fan of old mythology, this was excellent. Another successsssssful piece by Whitney!

[@korisx]

This is how I've always thought of Medusa. She's just a victim making the best of a shitty situation.

[@rileytubegaming9065]

she was born a gorgon

[@korisx]

@@rileytubegaming9065 in one version, another she was transformed by Athena.

[@gneissisnice100]

I honestly think this would make an awesome opening song for a Broadway musical about Medusa, and Whitney would be fabulous on Broadway with her amazing voice and acting chops.

[@august1837]

That “so look at me” at the end gave me chills. Why is this not a musical yet? Madusa is hands down one of the most tragic and interesting characters of all time

[@humanbean626]

My god this is amazing- your voice is beautiful

[@Retrofire-47]

Extraordinarily impressive production, this does remind me why multi-men [or multi-woman] productions exists in the first place; it would be very hard to accomplish something like this independently. But it is obviously a feat of the artistic medium - and only possible with a higher production value.

[@doggyeli7419]

Next I would like to see Moana vs. Pocahontas for princess rap battles

[@junchiu2348]

Medusa

[@padraig548]

On a different note. A recent theory of the gorgons, is that they where black women with dread lock style traditional hair. Thise that saw them would have likely explained it as looking like snakes to others who had not seen for themselves. This turned into a game of ancient telephone, ending in what they wrote down as the gorgons. This drift, and others like it, is the source of a vast portion of mythology, my favorite being the celts drifting from the early, indian subcontinent roots of their religion, to what we know of from their recorded histkry today. (And the majority of christian traditions. Because steal the culture and the people will follow. Whohoo! Seriously that history gets super dark super quick.) So. I dunno. Fun bit of cultural stuff that has shaped tbe world to today. Have fun with that!

[@velvety2006]

Sounds plausible I think a lot of myths can be deprived of people mistaken people who look different for some kind of fantasy creature.

[@nivedkoladimootheri278]

Can u please explain and enumerate the part of celts and their religious roots in India. I have never heard of that, genuinely curious

[@rebeccanechama2085]

Imagine being those women though. Like finding out the greek guy who met you thought you had snakes in your hair.

[@kevincrady2831]

@@rebeccanechama2085 "You Greeks really are like children!"

[@gm54213]

Can I know where you got this theory? And what findings is this based upon? I’m just curious to read about do you possibly know the sources?

[@lennyfais5040]

Disney renaissance vibe and level of quality, well done!

[@dootboi4120]

I love how you turned one of greek mythology's saddest stories and turned it into a Disney princess song.

[@NathaniaDemecillo]

"I used to be a redhead but now I'm probably the world's only natural greenhead."

[@bunderlemu7802]

1:27 Now I feel bad for her. Damn it, Perseus. Can't you bring the rest of her with you?

[@sheanentheong]

This is so GOOD! Especially for a Greek geek like me 😂

[@cryofpaine]

She was one of my favorite monsters before I knew her whole story. Now she's one of my favorite heroines. Such a great song (I'll echo those wanting a whole musical about her - Wicked2.0?). And love the art - cute snakes ftw.

[@shurale123]

This is what will happen if Disney try to make a movie about Medusa By the way, I'm impressed by Medusa's positiveness. She knows she is condamned, but she doesn't look depressed. She is so powerful she even makes jokes about her condition and tries to live the brightest life she can It's so sad to realize it😭😭😭😭

[@myataylorburzynski9556]

This isnt the original story. Roman mythology changed the original greek version. In the original version, she was always a monster.

[@razziast-james103]

Damn, it's worth not being able the look directly at medusa if she sings with that voice.

[@marcelopendragon1690]

Medusa was not raped by Poseidon in the original story, this version appeared much later, inspired by Trojan princess Cassandra rape inside a temple

[@KTIsANoob]

Yup, it's Metamorphoses by Ovid, Roman poet, which gave her some back story.

[@adammcfall5133]

Since the Greek mythos changes with the storyteller, I'm not suprised the story changed with time, like every story of the god(s) before and after.

[@mrstarnation4171]

By all technicality there isnt any canon to greek mythos seeing as it was passed on by oral tradition for so dawm long

[@KTIsANoob]

@@mrstarnation4171 True. Aphrodite even is a war goddess at one point.

[@mrstarnation4171]

@@KTIsANoob Hell. Dionysus HAD A FUCKING REVOLUTION CULT FULL OF BOOS

[@joshuahaastrup6432]

Medusa: I’m a play thing of the gods Me: girl aren’t we all

[@ladykoiwolfe]

I love almost everything about this. The song is fantastic. And I do love the nod to Pegasus....but Pegasus is her son by Posidon, and she never got to see him. Not even as a colt.

[@jacksonconley5117]

Beautiful animation, beautiful singing. We need more of these.❤️👍🎶🌹

[@avaandthecookies1003]

I LOVE WHEN SHE SAID “COME AT ME BRO”

[@jeanriverton6965]

Next Princess Rap Battle: Wednesday Addams Vs. Azula (from Avatar the last Airbender)

[@cheekbonetombstone4712]

I would love this

[@emazurovcova960]

Now that would be awesome

[@jeric_synergy8581]

GENIUS!!!!!

[@utubrGaming]

Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna have to beat Ovid over the head with Hesiod's Theogony... Again. For context, this version of the myth was written by the Latin poet Ovid who wrote the myths as gods being vindictive and cruel to ordinary, innocent people... Because he himself was on the receiving end of a person of (arguably divine in his own time) authority, namely, one princeps Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, also known as the Caesar Augustus (Julius Caesar's nephew and adopted son), most likely for... Messing around and inside Augustus's daughter while he was a tutor for her. If Minerva was the same Athena as the one who supported the Greeks/Achaeans of the Trojan war, we're talking about the same goddess who cried in pain and anguish as Ajax the Lesser violently raped the prophetess Cassandra, daughter of King Priam, when she was inside Athena's temple hugging a statue of her for protection. An injustice she personally returned the favour with by kicking up a storm for the Achaeans on the return home and using one of Zeus's lightning bolts (if the oresteia is to be believed, Athena was the only other God who could access the Zeus's lightning bolt vault, which scared the Furies to no end) And personal guess? The reason this version of the story was so popular was because Ovid's poetry was well known, so when the Catholic church taught Latin, they taught Ovid, and it also happened to paint the pagan gods in a negative light, so if only helped their own cause too.

[@terawinter3076]

In several versions I've seen, the snakes aren't a punishment but Athena giving Medusa a way to protect herself. Medusa actually means 'protection' (probably that's more about the Aegis, but it still works) so I think that fits FAR better with Athena's character in the other myths.

[@russergee49]

Tera Winter I think that’s more or less a reimagining of Ovid’s story. From what I’ve read, Ovid is pretty much the singular origin of any story that has Medusa depicted as a former priestess who was cursed with snake hair. Originally, she was born that way as one of three gorgon sisters.

[@foamandfog3112]

utubrGaming that’s not specifically Christianity’s fault. While they did like to portray pagan gods and spirits in the negate life, the reek religion itself was set up to illustrate the negative parts of immortality. While they loved their gods and respected their religion, what made humans human was death itself, and it’s life that proved to be more divine. The gods would stay young and fair, but without death they could not age mentally, which was illustrated in their myths. They were the one religion that didn’t romanticize immortality, and rather focused on the importance of life, not what happens after. Because in the end, they would all walk the cold fields of the underworld until they were born again

[@russergee49]

Foam And fog That May not be quite the case though... Any gods related to the afterlife (Thanatos, Hades, etc.) or of aging (Geras) we’re not exactly depicted in favourable or comforting ways, or very much venerated or worshipped in the time of this religion. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the ancient Greeks having such a view of mortality and divinity before.

[@foamandfog3112]

Russer Gee you just proved my point. While other religions, such as Christianity, painted the afterlife with a bright brush and gave promises of hope and love and eternal goodness, Greek religion was cold. Death was not something one should look forward too, as the immortality there is gray and lonely. Through this it is life itself, and the knowledge that there is an end, that makes it better than the things gods have. This is a kind of abstract thing that I’m trying to say so ours probably hard to understand but I think you get what I’m saying

[@jezlassiter9374]

You have an amazing singing voice, and doing Medusa was really well done! 👏👏👏👏

[@adeliscolon62]

Omg!! This is amazing!! I love medusa and this is just perfect!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@frankheathersu9790]

YESSSS Whitney AND Greek mythology?! My two favorite things ever!! You rock brits

[@carrotcakecat]

Brittany?

[@user-gl7qk1um8n]

My friend said you're voice was ba . . . . . . . . sically the best voice in the world❤❤❤❤❤

[@JP.calamity]

I’d put on a blindfold and stumble my way through her home just to give her a hug and tell her that people love her.

[@1Ledith]

it's so beautiful that I cannot recover myself... It's as mesmerizing as Medusa

[@kulveersingh7347]

I have read about Medusa on Google. Sometimes it breaks heart to see the victim getting punished... She has always been my favourite.... And this song is just perfect in fact it's like stuck in my head so when my mom gives me boring chores, I'm always like "Now I am a plaything of the gooooddddsss.... Nobody applauds when I arriveeeeee...." Ooo I hope I could sing like you. I am 13 and I love your voice. It could seriously show the feelings even though you weren't in the video....... This song is an earworm... You are a GREAATTTT SINGER. And yes to all those who say a Disney movie should be made. Yup I agree with you... Oh God when I started writing I told myself that I will write short😂 Oh God. U know it's like this , you just can't stop writing!!! Oh God MYSELF!!!!! STOP WRITING!!!!... PS : Last Thing. Promise.. Could u make a rap battle for GOLDILOCKS & RED RIDING HOOD?. I know they aren't Princesses but I think it'll be a nice one Nothing else I'm gonna stop writing... Thnx😊😊😊😊 U ARE THE BEST SINGER WHITLEY AVALON!!!!!🤩🤩

[@ianhimmelstein5915]

Whitney needs to write a musical based on her back story like they did with wicked

[@branadain]

This was EPIC! 😆 Making history!

[@goddessgirl9681]

Omg this is amazing!!!

[@umaru-chan9530]

I am obsessed with Medusa’s power

[@stryke-jn3kv]

Epic.

[@malachistillettoe8434]

Making History once again, I see. That was epically awesome.

[@reallyWyrd]

Hey, this was good. Ty for making a song from Medusa's perspective. Tbh, that never would have occurred to me. And that's kind of part of the problem--not looking at things from others' point of view. I'll buy this song at some point.

[@MarysArtOnWheels]

This is maybe the 5th time, probably higher than that, that I've watched this masterpiece and it has me in TEARS AGAIN, even more so! Might be because of the fever and recovering after a surgery and these things always bring me to grapple with the unlikeliness (is that a word? Is now!) of my continued survival - as well as the question of how long into the future I can keep on. But at almost 40, I'm kinda in the same mindset as this amazing Medousa: Does it really matter how long? I guess its more important to shine until the very last possible moment. And to vanquish everything that seeks to shorten my time to do so... This fever first... Shine on, everyone!

[@Maya-ix9zi]

Wait, this got published 2 minutes ago. why are they comments from hourse ago.

[@WhitneyAvalon]

Patrons (patreon.com/whitneyavalon) see my videos first because they make them possible! :)

[@Maya-ix9zi]

Ohhhh, I get it, also I love your music, it's so well sung and written.

[@moviemistakeswithshadow6142]

Whitney Avalon pls do defying gravity but as Ursula

[@dougmore526]

You’re so amazing Mrs.Whitney. Love you so much for your incredible talents. Keep safe ma’am. 🙏✨❤️❤️

[@brennanbussell2035]

Spirit of medusa is probably watching this just stanning

[@genotivashantirishelp.3470]

OMG! I'm seeing Medusa as a Disney Princess!!!!

[@henricoshawty85]

Ok...can we talk about how homegirl held that note for 13 seconds tho!!😱 Yaasss ma'am!!👏👏👏👏

[@100mythfreak]

I imagined someone should write a new version of this story, where instead of chopping her head off, Perseus approaches Medusa and asks her to lend her petrification services against Poseidon's pet sea monster.

[@alexachipman]

Exactly - just wear a blindfold and walk in to politely ask if she'll help you. Considering all her visitors seem to want to kill her, I think she'd find it refreshing and might say yes! Maybe bring her flowers and some mice for her snakes to eat.

[@JPMDNA]

Hello @Whitney Avalon! First of all: I am a huge fan! Your original songs are amazing (I keep them in my spotify playlist). But I'm also a History teacher, and when I heard this song, I just thought: I have to show it to my students. I am Portuguese, and some students are not yet understand English, so I asked, if possible, for a subtitle in Portuguese, to be able to show it in a class. I would really appreciate it! Keep doing a great and incredible work! THANKS

[@WhitneyAvalon]

Thanks for enjoying my work and wanting to share it. :) Unfortunately, KZbin no longer offers community captioning, and I don't speak Portuguese, so your best bet here may be to translate the lyrics yourself and give your students a separate lyric sheet. (If you do make a translation, you can email it to me at [e-mail] and I'll see if I can get it up here too.)

[@JPMDNA]

@@WhitneyAvalon THANKS!! 🙏🏼 But this song os awesome! 😉

[@radicalpasta7040]

Wholesome snake hair is something I never new I needed.

[@Camber126]

Ive always liked medusa. Even more so now

[@piethecreator1003]

Definitely sounds like it is from a musical about Medusa and that was the reprise of a song earlier in the show

[@gyrrakavian]

I don't recall the source, but years ago I came across a story where Perseus helped Medusa fake her death and the two eloped.

[@temporaryyname8368]

Thank you making this, I’ve always been a medusa fan 💕🐍

[@victorianmelodrama]

Madeline Miller: I turn figures from Greek mythology into tragic heroes Whitney Avalon: Allow me to introduce myself

[@patriciabass9502]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@klarisemendi1411]

Omggg yesss I can't ever get enough of your voice Whitney ❤❤❤

[@amazingbollweevil]

I recognized the animation right away! Awesome stuff!

[@Abby925]

The snakes on her hair just vibing to her singing like: mhm! Yea, this is my jam. Medusa, you go girl keep it up

[@hunneylipps]

Omg I loved the video 😆 keep up the good work 😄

[@burningxnecro]

After Medusa dies... Hades: Hello there, I just want to say, I'm sorry for my brother's actions, I'm going to try and make it up to you. Persephone: We both will.

[@ryzaelishaadriano3240]

and how is that?

[@lazilybusy]

Was playing this on Spotify all day yesterday and I couldn't wait too see the video! Great job as always.

[@ericsweetman9973]

Making History! This is perfect! I’m just over the halfway point in my World Mythology class and this was just the thing I needed, a new Whitney Avalon song!

[@Jay-fw6jo]

Disney news to make a movie about Medusa

[@samanthaweber2195]

How about a GODDESS rap battle?!

[@TheSamkrox]

Leigh and Whitney was the collab I didn’t know I needed

[@christopherreeves7972]

Whitney Avalon forever

[@TheGhostoftheCosmos]

The myth of meduse is really weird to with originally her just being a monster and the idea of her being a human is kinda like an ancient fanfict which people like and decide it was the original myth. I like the song tho.

[@moviemaker1986]

Me after watching this the first time: "Wow, so amazing!" Me after watching this the Nth time: "Wow, so amazing!...But why did her sword turn to stone also?"

[@caitlinbanks3338]

Anything touching them I believe also turns to stone, so because they're holding it?

[@jailcatjones3250]

3 of my favorite subjects 1: a woman with a beautiful voice 2: Greek mythology 3: animation

[@MythopoeicNavid]

One of the things about Medusa (other than her Laughter, as documented by Cixous) is how she kinda sorta adds to the Hellenic imagery of statues and artistry. Like, okay so her gaze turns people to statues, doesn't that also work as deeply symbolic of artistic vision? Perseus called her a monster, but Hippolyta keeps her on her island. Mayhaps ol' Medha has a thing or two about insisting the idea of sculpture stemming back to its oldest forms.