Payola

[@TheGreenguy85]

i mean holy shit.. this kid.. the lyricism is nothing less than spectacular

[@BrendanWoolwine]

I look forward to these songs

[@d0nn13m0n0]

Check out his last band

[@interestingest]

Where? ​@@d0nn13m0n0

[@tommynocash2419]

Same brother

[@flipthebuzzard]

Ditto

[@PandaJackk]

​@@interestingestwelles

[@hatethetube46]

Payola, in the music industry, is the illegal practice of paying a commercial radio station to play a song without the station disclosing the payment

[@streetstunt73]

Thanks bro

[@souphonky]

It’s thicker than that. I heard a story about a record label that asked all of DJs at a Nashville radio station what they wanted and they showed up with clothes, shoes, booze, etc. my favorite line in this song is “from The cowboy cosplay in music city.”

[@greg1685]

Don't even need to exchange payment when they are one in the same like it is today.

[@Dylanhya]

Our generations Pete Seeger/Woody Guthrie. Amazing lyrics, truly a reflection of our modern culture

[@timgrogan1086]

This is what I imagine it was like to hear Bob Dylan in the 60s, uniquely powerful! Like out of nowhere this dude shows up and drops truth in a way we didn't realize we needed.

[@krispykreme5125]

fr, i was shocked he has no known musical history before now, the world’s been needing an artist speaking real messages like this

[@elysian5028]

He did have more history beyond his folk protest music here. His band Welles has its own channel and was signed to Warner Bros if I'm not mistaken.

[@snjspring]

Except this one's not jewish.

[@viggogonsowski3651]

Dropping Wu bangers like his name is Bob and it's '67

[@bruceallen6377]

The truth is horrible yet when he sings it, it makes me smile!

[@falsegarden]

the folk mixed with modern social media themes is so killer

[@mikeshoults4155]

These lyrics! Dude is accessing the spirits of poets from all history and singing it with a guitar. What a wordsmith.......

[@deborahchesser7375]

That is some slick writing and his delivery is damn good.

[@aubreyleonae4108]

Imagine music that doesn't Scream Look at ME ! LOOK at all my stuff. It's about damn time we returned to the roots that matter. Thought I was back in high school 1969, for just a bit. .

[@Skinned_Knees]

Most intelligent lyrics and songwriting I’ve heard in a long, long, long, long, long while! Excellent, poignant music for the present with a tip of the hat to the past. Fantastic!

[@steverempel2728]

Well described. 👍

[@dboone7670]

I can't fully explain just how happy I am to have stumbled upon this man and his music.

[@dogsaremedicine5364]

Love when you stumble across a video and find someone just putting their pure unadulertated talent on display and they're killing it. Instant fan

[@insomniavisions]

More than a singer, more than a poet. A storyteller of truth, and a multi-talented man..Does be even know how meaningful his work is? Shining a light in the corners of every room used for evil done in secret. So appropriate for these days where we are living out the Biblical days of revelation.

[@biggsipp]

An actual voice of a generation. I'm very lucky to have stumbled on you.

[@Maria-n6t2d]

@biggsipp Look him up. Very talented man.

[@biggsipp]

@@Maria-n6t2d I have. I've been delving into his music for almost a month now.

[@Judah-vf5et]

This is real music for real people. God bless you Jesse Welles!

[@Uncle_Mark2600]

World is so tattered Jesse will never run out of things to sing about

[@Priestofbenism]

Takin scraps off our dress trying make us see ourselfes nacked in the mirror

[@mohitrahaman]

Sad but true

[@luisgrijalva7631]

When it comes to “war isn’t murder” it got me hooked to this guy. I’m currently an 18 year old Canadian humanitarian volunteer in Ukraine. Life’s insane, complicated and very very gray (not black & white). This man’s music hits so close to home nearly every tim, I’m thankful to the algorithm for literally putting me on.

[@jordanscott8307]

Payola: the reason most radio stations play a single mixtape on repeat with a 1:1 ratio of car commercials and ads for their sponsored shows

[@AstroDecay]

I love how he isn't trying to "blow up" or "get famous" from his songs. He's just a normal guy who wants to share his thoughts and convey his message through hard hitting, relatable lyrics. He doesn't want a studio, he just wants the world to hear.

[@seinarukishi9228]

He was already decently famous. He is signed to warner bros.

[@eligah1843]

I enjoy the music, but I have a feeling it’s a Kurt Cobain situation in which the artist pretends to not be interested in fame as a persona to attract more people. That’s just my cynicism speaking, I’m loving the music either way

[@MellyWilliams]

From what i gathered, he was in a band that was relatively well-known and they had a contract. Jesse might have gone indie now, seeing as he sings about topics no label would want him to touch

[@AstroDecay]

@@seinarukishi9228 thank you for the info, I think it’s really awesome that he’s singing about really important topics that not a lot of people talk about or honestly want to hear about!

[@AstroDecay]

@@eligah1843 hey man, keep vibing to the music and only time will tell! From what everyone else has said he’s already had his share of fame, so for all we know, what he’s putting out now is just him doing his own thing :)

[@WadeBall-ro4hb]

This dude is an absolute breath of fresh air in 2024 man.

[@John-iy7xo]

Amen. And he also shits on Israel so subtly they can't cancel him. What a legend

[@KwyattCreations]

I’m here cause I got hooked on fentanyl. Fortunately it was the song, and I didn’t end up like half of my graduating class. Dead before 25.

[@RogueBoyScout]

My condolences... That Purdue Family opened up a floodgate of Hell that did what I thought I would never do again, and actually become sympathetic towards my American Cousins. Whatever beef I have with your country, no one deserves the absolute heartbreak of a narcotic epidemic. Soo many lost, broken souls. I am in recovery, I lucked out and never got into the dreaded elephant sized pain-killer-from-a-lab that is Fentanyl... Honour their memories, and just keep your eyes to the future, with hope and purpose. Even if that purpose is to survive another day and get to go to sleep in that same bed. That is more than a win these days.

[@insight_activist]

"Payola for thee is the vending machine of the music... industry." Absolutely on point.

[@joshhaynie3735]

This is the most honest music I have heard in a while. Too bad people don't like to listen to honest music anymore!!!

[@MrYowen88]

Everybody here does… it’s the system they doesn’t want to promote it… they’ll use this to engage people who’ve largely checked out of the contemporary scene anyway & get some clicks but they won’t try to take it to the mainstream because that would require challenging individuals and the industry. Or something like that.

[@IndigenerMitReichlichChromosom]

I love the grinning. It reflects the sarcasm, that makes life enjoyable.

[@inmymanstance]

True music in our time. A man and his guitar and his thoughts on our system of living.

[@Dwuudz]

It’s crazy how good this sounds for you just standing in the woods

[@musicalhaco]

I came for the music, I stayed for the authentic reflections on life in the modern world. Keep 'em coming!

[@Justauri-asdfghjkl]

I LOVE music, collect vinyls, spend all my money on local concerts, made a few eps (never worth releasing), driven hours for concerts, saved for months for concerts, play songs on repeat for weeks before moving on.... please believe me when I say this... I have never been so struck by talent before. Genius is an understatement

[@Martselina]

"I have never been viral but I've had the flu, it was hard to monetize but I made it through" 😂 Thank you for the music Jesse! You never disappoint.

[@devilishminion5605]

wow dude. every tune i hear from you is golden dont stop voicing the new American depression. and don't let the hype sway you

[@rubyenmccormack7691]

The modern Guthrie/Dylan that we need - this is pure Americana at it's core. I hope you continue and leave an impact for decades to come. Thank you for taking the time to perform and upload these.

[@survivalsilk2101]

agreed

[@spacedaddybezos4413]

I've been scrolling through the comments and even though this is arguably the least controversial he's put out, I still see comments where people are accusing him of copying songs. Everything from Dillon to Lime in the coconut. There's only so many chord progressions...

[@elizabethcanterbury1507]

AGREE WITH YOU 100%!

[@RavenBlack-d6f]

Jessie says it like it is, with all his songs. How refreshing - now if only the people with power would literally HEAR him. Thank you for your wisdom Jessie!

[@davidmccollum447]

The people with power pay to keep him quiet

[@tristanmike]

Dude...seriously, everything I see from you tops the previous things I've seen from you. You're already a legend in my eyes. Where the hell did you come from ? What raw and true talent.

[@curtisd2842]

As if the lyrics weren’t crazy good enough, that guitar solo is top notch.

[@timaha83]

This tune has an "I'm laughing at these clowns" feel. Clean music, complete freedom.

[@KindWanderer94]

I discovered your channel yesterday and listened to all of your songs. Your music is like a glimpse of the past with lyrics that are topical today its really refreshing.

[@forsimack3993]

Wow I’ve never been so blown away first time every time I hear each song this guy is a pure legend

[@krispykreme5125]

Every song this guy writes is right on the nail

[@RhombusOfTheJ]

Always a good day when Jesse Wells releases a song!

[@TheGnomeChomskii]

I’m loving all this music. Thank you for sharing with the world, brother.

[@Lizalittle]

Thrilled with the playlist, ALL your songs are fantastic, the writing, the composition, the humor, and your finger picking!!! The whole package. Bless you forever, a national treasure.

[@Konin300]

He always looks around as if he's being hunted by a group of hitmen. It's my headcanon that this guy is just fleeing through various woods while spitting facts about the modern world as hitmen try to stop him.

[@pleasurewasmine3173]

like the soggy bottom boys on the run lol

[@interestingest]

He's smart to be careful. Yes.

[@Dylan-ii7io]

Witnessing a legend right here. Proud to be a fan

[@vrai1268]

My man figured out the real roots of country music

[@paigemckinney2024]

He's everything and anything... Dylan, Mellencamp... In his rock stuff I heard Ozzie. The man is Fricking talented.

[@226iamacake]

I heard Ozzie too ✌️

[@misanthrophex]

I actually seem quite some Kurt Cobain in him as well. It's more obvious in other songs like "fear is the mind killer"

[@mohitrahaman]

You have a gifted brain, witty and observant sense, and the voice of a legend and a timeless ageless look

[@John-iy7xo]

Huge John prine fan and it's no coincidence I am now a huge Jesse Welles fan. So original and yet so creative. You are appreciated Jesse

[@eddieheimstreet4480]

Listed to the entire catalog of this channel, and now on repeat. This level of songwriting prowess is generational and speaks to all.

[@breadmoneyarchival]

This guy sings like he's lived through the Dust Bowl.

[@freewheelin173]

"Payola for thee is the wizard of oz and the curtain's the do-re-mi mi mi." Damn dude you're tapped into something special. Keep pumping that spring.

[@goodoleboy2525]

Can you explain the lyric to me?

[@taylorrenee4880]

Crazy how this guy toured with Greta Van Fleet and Highly Suspect, and now he’s playing some Dylan sounding stuff. Love it!

[@72marshflower15]

Wow, cool ✨

[@josephlittle8340]

This man is really the definition of soul. Thank you for putting your all into this.

[@NEXTLOOKING]

This is the best song I've heard in years. It's the absolute truth and a proper reflection of the current state of the music industry.

[@Seven-Seas-of-Baba-O-Riley]

Yeah, this is another great one. When I find myself rewatching it over and over again, it's perfection.

[@kashmooney2922]

Depression and why dont you love me🙏 if you havent listened to them already👍 love this mans music, such a great lyricist

[@whimzybywardene]

I get so excited to see a new post. Just saw your older videos. I’m hooked. Being a child of the seventies this musical politic/protest hits me right in the heart. Love your talent.

[@ericd1396]

He takes all my thoughts and turns them it music. Good therapy. Don’t stop Jesse!

[@randygulak9432]

Discovered your older work from these new videos, it is all great! Thanks for sharing this.

[@streetstunt73]

You're the greatest folk singer of my time.. eat your heart out Dylan

[@dharmabum1975]

Great songwriting, storytelling, playing and performing. Real talent. Aged beyond your biological years. Old souls know old souls.

[@babydavey341]

you occupy so much time in my mind. your vibe is the realist and I'm obsessed

[@lukekline9513]

These are truly some of the best, most important, well written songs ive heard in a long time

[@peachyTO]

Whistle Boeing in a reel led me to my new obsession. Im excited about music again.

[@Heisenbrick]

I am blown away with not only your writing but your playing as well, speechless because I believe you already said it all.

[@clutchfan540ful]

As 350lbs and 6'4" tall dude this song touches my heart. My Mom is a diabetic and all that stuff runs in my family. I saw my Mom about lose her mind trying to lose weight and keep it off her whole life. Have you ever seen what the average diet for Americans in the 1940's was? It'll make you scream in a rage if your trying to lose weight. People used to eat pounds of sugar and fats at a time and not gain weight. Something has definitely happened to the food supply. There's no way to deny that once you start looking at the diet of our great grandparents

[@whateverman1010]

Think you commented on the wrong video, Brother. "Fat" is what you're looking for ;)

[@susanpetropoulos1039]

They also hung their clothes to dry on the line, washed dishes by hand, walked just about everywhere or took a bus, shoveled coal into the furnace to warm up the house in the morning, etc etc etc. Not to dispute cream in their coffee, cream on hot cereal, butter on every serving of vegetables, pies swimming in sugared fruit and home made desserts after every meal. But the servings were smaller, much smaller. Look at bowls and cups from that era.

[@StarDreamMemories]

Haven't heard this word for decades! Grandpa Stanley born in Northern Appalachia used this word. Great lyrics! ❤

[@AftermathInsights]

the soul this man possesses is something I truly don't think AI will ever replicate, you just can't do it better than this.

[@WyldeChef]

This is the real American music, The Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, wake up and smell the coffee pot burning in your soul kind of music.

[@Jimbodawg]

I've listened to this at least half a dozen times already and I don't see myself slowing down anytime soon

[@ExperienceOverZero]

3 weeks. 6 songs. All good. Keep up the awesome music.

[@aaronbb505]

Folk music going strong in 2024

[@JohnMacdonald-kf4cn]

I’m happy I stumbled across Jesse. Good allround artist. I need more of this intelligent song writing. Best thing since jim Morrison

[@glitchbeard4046]

I thought I lost my taste for country music back in the late 80s/early 90s. Apparently it was country music that had lost its taste, bc I'm fuggin here for this!❤

[@Masterkeaf]

True statement

[@SeRialRedHeaD]

This is folk baby, pure and simple truth telling. ❤

[@glitchbeard4046]

@@SeRialRedHeaD I respectfully disagree on a semantic technicality. "Folk" is what the people who co-opted country music call country music.

[@nomms]

​@@glitchbeard4046Your history is a bit off. Folk and country both descend from old time, but they're distinct. Modern folk music comes from the folk revival movement. Many artists were heavily influenced by some of the oldest recorded American music, e.g. Lead Belly. Old time kinda morphed into country as that mountain sound traveled westward through the south and as guitars overtook banjo as the most popular instrument in America. Hell the term folk music used to just refer to what music poor folks liked to play, didn't even mean anything specific until the folk revival movement took off. The old time/country distinction is pretty fuzzy when it comes to old old country though.

[@sylverlight]

This guy looks like Eddie Van Halen who cares more about the world's problems than shredding

[@darthmoop]

So glad this one popped up in my reels a few weeks ago. This dude rules!

[@mainecarver]

When Woody Guthrie was dying, Bob Dylan visited him in the hospital and played for him. Woody told him "Go forth and be the voice of your generation! I think you will be the voice of yours. Great song writing!

[@MrSomethingElse]

one of my guitar heros, mr Paul ubana Jones describes the first time he saw Dylan in London as a fresh faced teenager. this feels like one of those moments, when you find something so amazing, unique, authentic and honest. i adore this . thanks man, you sure do got chops cuz and the voice of a 50 year everclear habit, two packs a day train riding hobo sir, i truly tip my hat.

[@portlandjetaime]

Perfectly said!! Seems so rare these days!

[@tormentes0ulx]

This is a jam. Keep putting out the real music from the heart.

[@RejectDaleri]

Dude knows more than we think.

[@claytonbigsby]

This guy's brain waves travel at the speed of light.

[@Soundsaboutright42]

Legit one of the best things I have found 2024

[@selenan4140]

I’m glad I get to be here for this music, it’s like this little corner of the internet that’s quite and peaceful. The songs are beautiful, the vibes are good.

[@ChristianLoftusMusic]

This is the one I find myself coming back to most. Love it!

[@ryanalopez3078]

I have been playing your music everyday since I heard War isn't murder. Then I went back into your old band. A life like mine is a great song!

[@bensmith4563]

What's his old band

[@ryanalopez3078]

@@bensmith4563 KZbin Welles. Pretty interesting 🎶. I dig it.

[@oliviacperez8982]

Probably one of the best artists/musicians I have ever found in the entirety of my life- dang! You are such a meaningful creator, I love your work!!

[@Saltbearer]

This is your best song IMO! Great can't stop listening lol.

[@Phuskooz]

Classic example of how you can be more country than those who cosplay cowboys, excessively listen to country-pop and drive giant trucks without doing so yourself 😂 Love it!

[@dalesnyder4831]

Thanks for this song. You couldn’t be more right! Please keep bringing real lyrics, playing real guitar, and singing real melodies.

[@TechnoSWAT]

You're here because War isn't Murder got you hooked to this guy.

[@shortgiraffves]

Correct! And i listen to it every day

[@elliotreynolds7505]

Waitin for depression 👐

[@Captain_Clark_CDoryAdventures]

Nope Cancer was the one that I subbed to.... But it doesn't matter really.... We are all here now and this guy is amazing! Best wishes to you all and have a great weekend. 👍

[@RogueBoyScout]

Actually it was Fentanyl that got me hooked to this guy. Then I heard his music, and was blown away.

[@jeremymaez5311]

​@bobbagshawedeorlinc4884 you got hooked on fentanyl? I wish you a speedy recovery 🙏🙏🙏

[@tomericas5357]

As a songwriter, i reallly appreciate you man. preach on brother.

[@StarPlatinum7912]

Every time I listen to this guy i literally can’t think of any other words than “fucking awesome…”

[@All_Smiles_For_Now]

his lyrics are actual genius I love his work

[@thefumexxl]

You're one of my favorite singer songwriters of recent times.

[@TheWizard6669]

This song is absolute gold! Cant stop listening!

[@claymcclendon]

I have been listening 3 weeks straight

[@phongvoung2794]

Not gonna lie that guitar solo , simple yet beautiful . You make me want to pick up my guitar again

[@joshuafriesen4436]

Sweet baby Jesus you’re such a beautiful brother of music Jesse buddy thanks so much man!! 🇨🇦

[@anitraholley1081]

LOVING your tunes, Jesse! Primo songwriting, melodies, finger picking, and the raspy voice with hints of Prine and Dylan. You've got a bright future ahead! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@paulvanduivenbode7592]

Greetz from Holland! Love your songs! 💪😎👍

[@ta985]

Well I guess since I found your music, I started liking country. You're something else. keep doing whatever it is you're doing

[@jasonhaworth3753]

It’s not country it’s folk.

[@ta985]

Cool

[@ChestersonJack]

This was the first song I heard of yours, hooked instantly. So, so happy to listen to this in full.

[@mikeshoults4155]

Welcome to the Welles train. It's all good. Banger after banger, so many good songs, enjoy!