Music Teacher Reacts: BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM - Creep

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

Thanks so much for all the support and suggestions over this last year, everyone! You all make the world a better place by being in it

[@blitzofchaosgaming6737]

You need to check out his rendition of Praying. If not for the channel, then for yourself.

[@wendystewart1867]

He is freaking amazing

[@trudyshaw5615]

Any time that a person can finish a song in an arena full of people and have absolute quiet for a few moments shows what a powerful and captivating experience happened. I was shocked and stunned the 1st time I heard this and the feeling hasn't changed with each time I have seen reactions to it. Bravo Mr. Crum!

[@eugenegrewing2587]

That silence was manufactured by the production for dramatic effect.

[@shirleyfisher8313]

And he came in second!!!!!???????

[@MsAmberAnne]

@@shirleyfisher83134th.. he was robbed!

[@sydneypeck2488]

@@eugenegrewing2587 I believe there was still a moment of silence, they just edited it to make it longer. When the song ends, the camera focuses on Howie's face, and then switches to focus on the crowd, and then the crowd erupts into applause. What I believe happened was that they basically played the footage of Howie and then repeated the footage from a different angle, the crowd. So, the length of time that they showed Howie's face was the length of the silence after the song ended which was a couple of seconds which is still really impressive and shows how captivated the audience was.

[@kathyg1660]

@@eugenegrewing2587 and you know this because you were working on the show? Pray enlighten us and thrill us with your acumen.

[@rmusic08]

I still remember seeing this when it first aired on tv and was blown away. How they didnt give him the golden buzzer this round was a travesty

[@Natasha-ty7oo]

I agree completely!!

[@rmusic08]

@@Natasha-ty7oo its still my favorite version of this song. Hes done some amazing covers since, especially his latest EP

[@Natasha-ty7oo]

@@rmusic08 this version is my favorite too!

[@JulianHernando03]

Thanks God he didn't get the golden, for that reason we hear him more

[@rmusic08]

@@JulianHernando03 no this was judges cuts round, not his original audition, and since he moved on from this round to the next which was the live shoes he wouldn't have missed out on any performances. The golden buzzer wouldve just meant he moved on automatically without having to wait for the judges to deliberate

[@gr8music535]

Brian's performance has stuck with me as one of the most powerful and heart-grabbing I've ever experienced . Why he is not on Broadway baffles me.

[@alynkuster5138]

Actually, he has been on broadway since he was 18.

[@suewashere]

@alynkuster5138 but not as the major name his voice merits. Not as an international star.

[@Rkbmomma]

​@@alynkuster5138I believe he was in Wicked

[@wlpaulins]

Wow, Brian moves me to tears with his version of this iconic classic. His passion and power are off the charts.

[@kiaradrake541]

I don’t know if you watched his pre-package but he talks about being a young queer overweight kid who was so bullied in school he had to move away and live with his aunt so he could change schools… so this song is personal to him and makes it that much more powerful… I adore him!

[@Padam91]

I love that you don't just dissect the performance into its pieces or technicalities, but also feel the music as you go. You are in the sweet spot of KZbin reactors, combining knowledge and analysis with feeling the performance and giving a REACTION.

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@debbieb.williams-elliott9631]

Ditto❤

[@jeangoodwin1856]

“Emotionally honest.” I love that coined phrase and it is so appropriate. I love Justin’s rendition of this song and I love his passion. I think you did RISE by SuperFruit with him, Mary Lambert and Jose Maria. I love his voice. He did not win BTW. Thanks for a wonderful reaction DJ and you nailed your comments with the judges. Love your honest emotional reactions! 💕

[@annmarietromblee3413]

😅

[@creationsbychancecan]

He is in perfect control and wow his voice!

[@woody9x656]

*Gives DJ a standing ovation*. Bravo! Great reaction to an amazing performance. Absolutely loved the emotion because that's what this was about, not just the vocals but the real story he was telling. Thank you!

[@SolennBreizh]

I have no idea of how many times I've watched this video, either the video itself or reactions like yours, and EACH AND EVERY TIME I'm deeply moved, as much as the first time. The silent crowd at the end (it's very rare on AGT) speaks volume. It was pure magic.

[@berlyn3014]

Same here. I still get chills and goosebumps every time.

[@shirleyfisher8313]

His and his mothers remembrances of his childhood anguish as his journey when he realized he was gay is so touching, then this...what a great triumph!

[@scottcurrie8002]

I love that you had something valuable to say about this performance and not just emote about it. Is that a real word? Well, if not, it is now. You have helped me know why BJC was able to destroy me emotionally with this song. Other reviewers could only say that he was great (I already knew that) and that they felt something, but couldn't say why. So thank you for adding something valuable to me.

[@lenymallari7239]

I love Brian! Have watched his video hundred times! Such a fantastic singer!

[@ambergarner8471]

He also did a cover of Queen's Somebody to Love on AGT as well. Just as stunning. What a pure, moving, and funny reaction. This is why I love your channel! ❤

[@kritterlu4160]

I felt like his cover of "Somebody to love" was a bit more stunning because of his beautiful high notes. Sure hope this gets reacted to!! Fun fact: This was his first ever performance on AGT.

[@freedomofchoicelover3734]

Seen this many times....Each time he lulls me into contentness then he picks me up and throws me thru the back wall.....amazing...my partner is a professional singer, songwriter musician of 30+ years and it takes a lot for her to get emotional over a song...but this one got her...

[@laureltaylor4535]

He is HUGE. So moving and honest. Superstar. Love this!

[@maryhuhnke8496]

New Subscriber..Enjoyed your reaction. You my Sir, are "Emotionally Honest" ❤

[@joanjones7245]

Rarely a song, performance, will move me to an emotional state. This was so moving that I had to hear it over and over. P.s. the older woman in the audience was his mother. Thank you again for your explanations,🎶☀️

[@davidbangtson3109]

Please explore more with Brian. I have yet to hear a performance of his that did not move me!

[@carmengibson]

You most certainly belong on KZbin!! I look so forward to your reactions! You rock this!!

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

What a kind thing to say. Thank you 😊

[@IroAppe]

"Emotionally honest" is such a good term, that I'll now start to use it.

[@Natasha-ty7oo]

Love Brian! So glad to see you reacting to him, everything he has covered it amazing! Can’t wait for more. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. His first audition with somebody to love is amazing!

[@mercedesdaye2931]

It seems I cannot stop watching this performance.💕💕

[@zannebrazeau]

his rendition goes straight to the heartstrings

[@berlyn3014]

Thanks for reacting to this one. Emotionally honest is a perfect phrase for this. I don't know how many times I've watched this on my own and watched people react to it (and I watched it live) to this day I still get chills and goosebumps watching this.

[@lindaroselevin2191]

I have heard a lot of people do creep none moved me like this version. He is amazing and incredibly talented.

[@joanneyates755]

He does a cover of Celine Dion's, It's all coming back to me now. Love Love Love his cover of that one. His voice has so much power and he really does make you "Feel" what he is singing.

[@robbiebobo2052]

Creep is one of my favorite songs. This is my favorite version besides the original. I watched this episode and was speechless.

[@bkf3857]

Amazing!!

[@TheMaxmurphy1973]

This was the best performance ever on that show, in my opinion lol

[@jpkharouf]

BJC is one of my favorite singers. You need to react to more of his stuff

[@louisadway1856]

This has to be my favorite reaction I've seen so far to this song. Great reaction!!

[@cassieragan-highley1401]

He has such control that it was sooo good

[@davidphillips4476]

The audience went dead silence...you know that's when it was powerful...

[@donnaluke9477]

Your reaction is probably one of these best fea tions I have ever seen. It was amazing. You could not hear a pin drop in the audience from Brian's 1st note until 3 seconds after he stopped singing. Incredible performance. I saw it the night it aired and don't know how many times I have seen it since. I still get tears in my eyes and goosebumps. I don't know how this mam isn't constantly topping the charts.

[@catherineharger8069]

You do realize you've heard him sing before, right? He is one of the guest singers that joined Superfruit on their version of Rise.

[@criticalthinking2092]

At long last after 7 years, a reaction video on this song by Brian has did it right. I love this version of the song and the majority of reaction videos are so steel and they're pretty much a copy and repeat of each other. You actually had something interesting to say and mimicked my feelings on it. Great video and thank you for sharing your thoughts. got a sub out of me.

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

Wow. Thank you so much!

[@sarab7391]

I haven’t even watched 30 seconds of this and I’m already bouncing in my seat. So excited to see your reaction and analysis.

[@ellenhulslander2897]

So many can belt, and some can sing softly. Few can do both with such control and emotion.

[@Blue-rl5dp]

He's great friends with Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi. He has been on a few of their extra curricular videos. See him with them and other friends singing "Rise". It's extraordinary.

[@belinda9696]

It was a lot of emotion in that, and for it to be good you have to feel that emotion in this song. He killed it!

[@johngleason7801]

Another good song that you would enjoy reviewing is Tell Him which is sung by Bryan Justin Crum and Matt Bloyd..this is an amazing song by both!

[@melbanton]

I second that choice. Amazing cover.

[@wyerenthbludragon7549]

I can't watch another person sing this. Brian does it so well.

[@rlhcat7662]

Great reaction, dude! This is just one of those where you don't realize you were holding your breath until the audience claps, and you're about to pass out. I hope you check out a different video of this. The ones I've seen before have a pretty long intro, where he talks about being gay and being bullied by other kids. The older woman they showed a few times in the audience was his Mom, who he said always stood by him and encouraged him. The other videos also show the judges' comments, which were insightful.

[@katiemcdonald5059]

Creep has always been my favorite song, and Brian Justin Crums audition has always been the best. I'm always checking out reaction videos for this audition when I come across them and I had to say I enjoyed yours the most of all the ones I've seen. Your reaction was just perfect!

[@cailin1375]

The cut to the man dancing took me out. I laughed out loud... thanks for always providing great reactions, DJ.

[@wiz7464]

"Oh you prick!" LMAOOOOOO.....

[@remyasmar418]

He is a storyteller and a masterful singer basically today's version of a male Shirley Bassey. I love this guy and cannot understand why he is not a superstar yet

[@kimberlystark3944]

Now THIS is how you perform! 💜🎶🎵💜

[@elizabethsantersero9597]

He should have won that year, definitely- thanks so much for sharing this with us!

[@luray331]

His cover of Kesha's "Praying", BJC at his best!!

[@vols4448]

The more reactions I watch (which are just as entertaining) the build up and explosion sequences are an awesome transition to witness each and every time.

[@Nonnie335]

This and PMJ with Haley are my favorite version of Creep. They are favorites for opposite reasons. BJC takes me on an emotional ride and Haley on this roller coaster sexy side. Everyone don’t forget to wish DJ a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Love ya DJ!

[@jimroth5522]

Exactly! I would love to hear his reaction to both. Maybe have a Creep marathon? Maybe like the 25 days to Christmas but in October?

[@theyoliabrahamsfoundation]

Should've gotten the golden buzzer so many times🤔 underrated 🤦‍♀️ Pray God opens double doors for BJC🙏❤

[@MrJoehettler]

I watch this video all the time. This is how you know someone has talent. The crowd doesn’t make a sound till he’s done.

[@vickiroberts7947]

LOVED the super freak insert! I almost fell off my chair laughing. Great review.

[@becomingwilkinson]

I cannot believe he didn't win that season. I cry every time I hear this. And before he performed, Brian said that he was going to pour all of the pain and everything he had to endure as a gay kid into this song. And that's what everyone is feeling... Whew.

[@PTXBluejay]

I've been subscribed for a while but I've never commented. Great reaction. Absolutely loved it. 😊🇨🇦

[@risperdude]

He should be SOOOOO much bigger than he is.

[@connorhext3440]

You should also react to his Somebody to love performance from his first audition. He's so good!

[@muziklvr1973]

I'm so glad you finally reacted to this...he is a beast! I spit out my drink when you called him a prick!!! lol Hilarious! Keep doing your thing DJ!

[@jamesdavis4598]

The version of this performance that includes the "couch time" interview explains the reason for the emotional intensity he exhibits here.

[@pfandenver]

I see a few of your videos "nerding" about music and of course there are a lot of funny moments. The song is brutal and amazing, and today it was different as you reflected that emotion that was passed to you. Keep going with this, as you are very good at it

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

Thank you Pedro. It’s so nice to see your comment and I hope you’re doing well ❤️

[@MsJimmysgirl]

Brian has a crazy good voice... The fact that he didn't win AGT or AGT Champions was a travesty

[@jbbya6040]

Great performance/reaction. Loved the bonus Devin cameo

[@suegeorge8694]

Wow! It's always great when a singer can really let the story in the song shine through. But this, this is more. Your right DJ, Brian was emotionally honest. You can hear the pain. I think that sometimes singers focus on having perfect technique, and forget to convey the emotion of a song. Another great reaction! Sorry, but I have to finish the lyric. "The kind you don't take home to motha!"

[@justinarnold7840]

Lol I immediately subscribed after you called him a prick, I totally get it and that is my kind of humor.

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

That’s going to make us best friends haha

[@lorriredmon8212]

It felt so real to me because he felt that he was that person too. We all get that!

[@romigirl5239]

Omg !!!! We. Love him. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dougdelaney3514]

I love this. Great reaction too. But what doesn't get mentioned very often is how different this version is from the original. He took something and reimagined it in that way is beyond words IMO

[@trishdarby6956]

This guy is just the best I love his rendition - just love him

[@maryrollins607]

Oh man! I’m commenting before I watch. This video gets me Every. Time. - buckle up. Doesn’t get better IMO.

[@maryrollins607]

Oh - DJ - glad to see the new intro in the video :)

[@lynn2574]

I think this may be one of my favorite reactions you’ve done. Lol @ your time out video. Check out BJC’s audition performance of Queen’s Somebody to love. I love him. Despite being robbed of a win on this show.

[@MindyKoch1]

This performance blew my mind. So glad you watched it!!!

[@jenniferferguson6659]

I enjoy your commentary -- I learned some stuff! All the way away in Zimbabwe! (In Africa, next to South Afica). Ha haaa !!!

[@Wyndigayle]

That pause at the end of his performance gets me every time. He has such an amazing voice, and the use of inflection (going from soft to belt and back again) was a very intelligent choice in the arrangement he chose. He was able to convey so much emotion through his technique and the choice of arrangement that everyone, including me, was left in awe as he finished. I know I've watched this performance at least 50 times, if not more, and I still tear up. LOVED your reaction! Unfortunately, Brian placed second that season. He has done some stuff since, but not near as much as you might think. However, his one other VERY powerful performance you've already reacted to. He performed Katy Perry's Rise with Superfruit. That one gets me every time too. He does have some other covers and some original stuff on his KZbin channel.

[@MsAmberAnne]

Wasn’t it 4th?

[@Wyndigayle]

@@MsAmberAnne You are correct. My mistake. Should have been higher! lol

[@MsAmberAnne]

@@Wyndigayle no worries! You’re right. He was robbed!

[@sydneypeck2488]

@@MsAmberAnne He really was! I barely remember the other people who placed above him. I honestly can't remember the name of the girl who placed first. I remember that she was a really good singer, but she never made me feel anything. BJC, with every performance, captivated me. The best singers are the ones who stop time, who make you forget to breathe, who give you goosebumps, and that's definitely Brian Justin Crum

[@christinamorris1594]

Boy, I do like you! I often think something and just as I start to chastise myself for my thoughts, you say out loud what I was just thinking! Just yesterday, I watched a reaction of him doing this song and they made a little comment about the pitch in a couple of places (This person loved him, by the way) and I thought then that it wasn’t that he was unaware, he was communicating. Just like in acting, if you want to touch your audience, you have to risk and lay it out there - be willing to cry ugly tears, be willing to go to the edge knowing you could experience a disastrous fall, which is what he did! You need to be willing to be vulnerable so your audience will be free to be vulnerable too! His control in this performance was astounding. This poignant song was in the hands of an artist; it was cathartic. The total silence when he was done spoke volumes. Proof to me that we all, every one of us, feel like this, some of us more than others. I am terrified, for instance to put my singing and songs out there because I’m so afraid that I will fail and fall short, and ultimately disappoint everyone. It’s ridiculous how we sabotage our own promise. Anyway, I’m always thankful for both your musical and philosophical comments. I look forward to more. You might listen to him sing “Never Enough” from the same competition. Brilliant. Again.

[@moments_audiovisuals]

The must reaction i ever seen! Great!

[@GemiJD]

Another awesome cover of creep that I really enjoy is by Mimi and Josefin from The Voice Kids Germany. Definitely recommend that one! BJC has to be my favorite cover though… just the raw and passionate way he sings is phenomenal!

[@laddwikstrom4505]

Before AGT, Brian had been in 4 Broadway shows since age 17 and toured with Wicked and a couple other shows. Check out the duet he did with Matt Boyd. They covered Tell Him by Celine Dion and Barbara Streisand. It blew me away and cry every time I listen to them sing it. I say it is the best male duet ever and I'm a 78 year old musician who still sings and plays piano.

[@michelleboussiala4470]

If you want to hear another great performance with Brian Justin Crum, you should check out the cover he does with super fruit ( Mitch Grassi & Scott Hoying from Pentatonix) and Mary Lambert and Mario Jose of Katy Perry’s song “Rise”. Absolutely stunning

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

I did! It’s on the channel as well :)

[@susanhughes1800]

Incredible singer!!!

[@jessicacole7981]

He wasn't one of the best on that season. He was the BEST. He should have won. Thanks for the great reaction 😁

[@bebelestrange84]

He also did the full song...it will make you cry

[@teresareeves7853]

Here it is 2022 and I'm still pissed. He did NOT win! It's a crying fuckin shame too

[@michellemoreland3783]

I loved your reaction. It amazed me how you could have heard a pin drop in the theater. That to me means he is truly an amazing professional.

[@Tark-qs4mu]

Three seconds. Three full, long, seconds. That's how long that compacity crowd was absolutely silent after he finished singing. There were over 7500 people in that audience that day. And, you could have heard, literally, a pin drop on the stage. That is poise. That is power. That is performance. No, BJC isn't huge. There are reasons for that. His voice isn't one of them. This song, this performance, told the story of how Brian felt while in school, being bullied for being gay. Music, and this song in particular, maybe, gave him an outlet, let him express himself in a way he otherwise couldn't. I think that's the pain you hear during the song. That he survived it, that he is a stronger person for having survived it, is the hopeful note we can also hear. At least, that's my take. Great video, as always, brudda. See you in the next one!

[@bryansmith7238]

What the actual fuck was that. Holy shit. Just...God damn.

[@gwendolynlanford9126]

I thought the total silence by the audience, at the end, was a great compliment.

[@billbowers268]

Brian is incredible!

[@lindaroselevin2191]

I have also watched it many times. It is soft at first because of what someone bullied would feel like (scared) till the pain and panic set in.

[@coffeeandtatuaje]

Oh your reaction delighted me. Thank you

[@rockets_chef]

“Oh you prick” sums up this man’s talent so beautifully haha 😂👌🏻 Incredible voice. Masterful performance.

[@piogal3384]

Love, love this performance. Appreciated your review. I would love to hear your reaction to Eva Cassidy doing Over the Rainbow.

[@michaelhaynes6244]

Sadly, he came in 4th. A lot of great songs on the show and he came back for AGT Champions. Not a career but has some other music out there. One to find and react to is "Rise" with Super fruit. Power vocals, I love him, thank you for a great reaction!

[@corelli2]

Watch his first appearance singing Somebody to Love. Unreal.

[@briankirk3469]

Nice reaction. Brian came back to AGT in 2019 and killed it with 2 more songs. You should check out Jimmie Herrod from this years AGT.

[@warningtrackpower8849]

Time to follow it up with his - Somebody to Love.

[@dishmurphy6539]

Heidi’s statement bugs me so much. BJC is one of the best singers/performers that have EVER been on AGT, not just this season. His 2 performances on AGT Champions (Your Song, Never Enough) and his very 1st audition on AGT (Somebody to Love) are incredible too. In fact he performed with Brian May on the Queen We Will Rock You musical & May tweeted this video of BJC performing Creep. Roger Taylor was on stage too. Thank you for finally getting to this one and he goes by BJC too so it’s cool to use his initials ✌️😷🎸

[@thomthom6268]

For those talking about a manufactured silence at the end... it doesn't matter. The audience was in stunned silence during the whole song. Normally when someone goes strong, the audience reacts... this time they sat on their hands not wanting to miss the next note. And DJ, I can't see this performance without tears in my eyes.

[@sydneypeck2488]

And people make it seem like there wasn't a silence at the end at all! There was a silence at the end, they just played with the multiple camera angles to make the silence a little longer!

[@cindyreich8669]

I cry every time I listen 😅