Reaction to Bo Burnham - Nerds

[@loner844]

the pause/applause line I think is referring to the bell, like the sound is similar to applause and it marks the end of the school day, so the nerds get to finally escape, thus applause for yay let’s get out of here.

[@tersommers]

Agree with what you're saying.

[@archeyriddle672]

I feel like it's more literal. He is saying the sound of the bell sounds like a crowd going crazy.

[@rimwell]

Was gonna do another commit Applause you finnaly escaped for a day I didn’t think of that line til today

[@Beardsandbars]

Yep, exactly right.

[@josephdeprizio6710]

It's obvious

[@temshopping]

His last "I got your back, kid" felt so real that it actually made me emotional.

[@aimeecohen1827]

Gets me every time I hear it.

[@Math.Bandit]

It hits even harder on live performances since the chorus is recorded with the music throughout the song until he does the last one live.

[@D0nut42]

I'm glad you made it to this one. Some people think this song is problematic and that is just 100% proof positive that those people aren't actually listening to the message, just the words. When I was in high school, a song like this could have helped me out soooo much.

[@SuperNovaKat64]

Well, I mean he does use some pretty problematic words.. In the context of the song I get why, but it's still problematic.

[@mikkj1]

@@GretchZ Why is it cringe? He's stating things that are/were leveled at Nerds. He's verbalizing the truth of what these types of kids face on a daily basis. "John Stuart Mill, who delivered an 1867 inaugural address at the University of St. Andrews and stated: “Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.” It IS NOT better that no one talk about abuses because some people might cringe.

[@D0nut42]

You are all of you but one so far missing the point. He uses those words for a reason. This song is for the people who were treated like this and instead of getting all weird about groupings of letters, recognized that it was the asshole people flinging the words at us that were the problem. I was repeatedly and mercilessly called a faggot, a nerd, a spastic, a loner, The fat kid, and if someone has played me this song I would have broken down in tears thinking, "Finally! Someone who understands has my back." He himself may disagree with me now -- possibly as a result of peer pressure -- but this song could have legitimately saved lives for millennials and older.

[@mikkj1]

@@D0nut42 So, when talking about an insult, he should use another word so that YOU aren't offended? Except that that waters down the meaning and the effect. If simply hearing it in a song offends you, then how bad do you think it made those called that feel? THAT is the ENTIRE point of this song. You need to watch George Carlin on "soft language".

[@mikkj1]

@@GretchZ To You: I'm sorry that happened to you, but you can't address a serious issue by softening it. He was addressing things that HE was called. Why should he need to use another word, when it's that precise word that he's addressing. I can understand your reluctance to hear this word, but that reluctance doesn't negate the necessity for addressing it DIRECTLY and forcefully, not softly and indirectly. I, for instance, don't like talking about child sexual abuse, but it's necessary. You can't truly address the issue by skirting it and only talking around the edges of the problem. The fact that it makes me uncomfortable has NOTHING to do with it. Yes, there are other words that can be used, but they aren't the word he's talking about, and it's unhelpful to insist that he not use THE word he's addressing. Adding that there are a number of comments here stating that this song helped, or would have helped, them tremendously.

[@unclefoot]

This is such a great song. It was a bonus track off of What. That came out in 2013 so he would have been 20-22 when he made it. But, he could have written it at a much earlier age. The “3 pm I pause, that shit sounds like applause” is about making it through another day. Bo had a lot of health issues (stomach problems) when he was in high school and has said in interviews that hiding in bathroom stalls was something he did just to get through the day. It wasn’t until he was in his 20’s that they figured out that his stomach issues were caused by anxiety. So he was constantly having anxiety attacks and his body’s reaction to them naturally led to hiding in the bathroom. High school was hell for a lot of people (myself included) and you’re spot on, it’s like he’s saying all the things you wished you had the courage to say at the time. Another awesome reaction dude! I’m sure you’ve got a laundry list of tracks to get through but I’m super stoked for you to see “left brain, right brain”. It’s one of the most impressive performances I’ve ever seen Keep ‘em comin!!! Cheers

[@majamanadotexe744]

I get the same reading of the bell and applause, I had a lot of the same problems as bo in HS. Hella stomach issues from anxiety and it was just hard to get through the school day without being physically ill during school as I was truly the embodiment of a “spastic fat chick” being fucked with all the time by my peers despite my efforts to fit in. End of the school day is the end of the exhausting performance

[@bayonettakertok2363]

This song and a lot of Bo songs helped me out during jr high and high school. Love your reactions as always, "Eff it" or "Hell of a ride" are my next recommendations, have a great day! ❤️

[@JWBLegend]

"At 3pm I pause.. *school bell rings* ..That shit sounds like applause" He was working, on the grind, bettering himself while the other people were 'peeking' in highschool

[@KagatoAsuka]

"At 3pm, I pause. That shit sounds like applause" he is equating the sound of the bell going off when he was a kid to the same relief and satisfaction he gets from applause with his comedy.

[@daviddavid1093]

In my opinion this is one of bos best songs that helped me go through so stuff in 2019. I'm pretty sure the line about the bell talking how it sounded like applause is just getting through another day. That's how I always took it at least, it helped me get through middle school when I didn't think my friends would expect me because my parents really didn't. Now that I'm a bit older I can really appreciate the lyrics more than when I was 12-13 (I'm 17 now). There is only a few things that keep me going music, my best friend and the fear of death. Great videos btw, I'm a newer sub I found your channel a few days ago.

[@PilatesWithPaula]

Great reaction! This song always tears me up. Bo is a master at making people feel seen.

[@nerdywordyprincess8499]

I love this song. I don't think it gets enough recognition. As far as the pause/applause line, I interpreted it as the bell sounding like applause. He's talking about sitting and scrawling on the bathroom stall wall (so a kind of secret performance) and then the bell rings which signals the end of the day/performance. Applause is usually saved for the end of a performance. So the end of his day/performance is signaled by the sound of the bell.

[@brendaausman2554]

The applause line is referring to the line before that up to then. He's talking about hiding in the bathroom scrawling (writing\drawing) "...at the stall walls." Then stopping to listen for the bell. When it goes off, like the end of a good show or concert, it's like applause to signal the end. Then he can get up and go home. I know this from personal experience of being one of the spastic fat chicks that tried out for cheerleading and got cut and couldn't even make it into art because the subject got cut...for cheerleading uniforms ironically 😢 so bathroom stalls become your murals\soap box.

[@mu4990]

The Applause Line: He's talking about hiding in the bathroom stall until the bell rings and the bell sounds like the end of the show *applause* and he can finally leave, stop putting on an act for those around him, go home and be himself.

[@chrisklema9992]

The 3pm I pause line, he waits for the dismissal bell and says that that bell sounds like applause. Basically yes, because you made it through another day of hell. Otherwise you usually have a good grasp of his message.

[@TheDaringPastry1313]

"Nerds" have love and live for school, so the 3PM bell is an applause as a congratulations on another day completed since they absolutely love to be there and worked during the day on becoming smarter. Other people would hear the bell and it symbolizes freedom from school to get the f*ck out of dodge as they just did whatever to get through the day. Minimal effort type of deal. Stood in line and got cut (kids cut in line and it happened all the time to me) for water fountains, lunch, whatever .... tried out and got cut refers to cheer-leading, sports and other stuff like that since "nerds" usually don't have the best hand-eye coordination or back in the day were considered the uglier dorky kids. The term nerd used to be derogatory and hateful back when I was in high school, but now being smart when it comes to technology and tons of stuff is actually very attractive now which is funny.

[@brosyphious183]

When you’re bullied in school a lot that bell sounds like applause because you finished your day and don’t have to deal with being bullied at school anymore until you go back the next day. Dealing with bullying is never easy. From a first hand experience when I was in school

[@bryvapes6698]

Pause and applause could also mean, while they we're perfecting their craft, studying hard, trying to be the best in academics, as soon as the school day ends, the bell sounds like an applause and appreciation for their hard work for the day.

[@QuikVidGuy]

I love it when someone pauses a split-second later than they meant to and the next line catches them off guard like this did at the beginning for you. I watched MrLboyd experience Repeat Stuff and he stopped it as Bo was saying "But you'll still love it and let me finger-" And he has this great moment of "You know, the interes- _what?_ "

[@Syntherus]

The bell ringing marks the end of the day. It sounds like an applause for you. You survived another day of this hell. Good job.

[@quintinpeixoto139]

Your kinda right with the applause cause he's been working so hard in school and did well so the bell is like the end of a show

[@tomj120787]

The bell sound is what he's referring to as sounding "like applause." The lyrics seem to be from the perspective of an outcast who is thoughtful but not popular. Schooldays typically end around 3ish. For a person that struggles with the social aspect of school that bell would be the sweetest sound in the world

[@arinaynay585]

Glad you got to NERDS, this is one of my favorite songs Bo wrote, specifically because it resonated with me so deeply. Some will say his use of the f slur is not done in good taste, but I find that with Bo it is his revenge word, if that makes sense? So like, that is how people bullied him his enitre childhood I guess, even though he both didn't find it offensive and he isn't actually queer. I think he then chooses to use it with no fear in his material to get back at them for trying to use it against him, like yeah so they called you a word who cares just show them you aren't affected anymore and take your power back. That is how I interpret the song anyways, which is why I love it so much. But it is completely understandable that others would find the song super offensive because of his use of the word, and that is also valid. I loved your take on it. You pick up on his use of sounds and words so quickly, I am jealous! Still takes me a few listens to pay attention to everything

[@marcbailey8954]

I take the applause line to signify them actually achieving both academically and surviving the school day by trying to be smart and not worrying about being popular.

[@thomas-stilinski8149]

I feel like it could work both aways

[@xhorton]

Love you found Bo s older works and enjoying them.

[@MrKaelas]

I was going to comment and say basically what you said at the end of the video. I've always felt like the "3pm I pause, that s... sounds like applause" is just...you struggle to put on the show to get through the day and at 3 pm the day's over so it's the "end" of the show so take your bow and your applause for getting through another day. Maybe that's just me though, feeling it from my own high school experiences where it felt like I had to put on a mask every day to make it through school.

[@jasonlengyel1104]

Your doing your work and you're sweating hard working. The bell rings, you're brain reboots, and you can breathe.

[@autumnoleary584]

At 3 pm I pause. *school bell* That shit sounds like applause. I take that as the moment of freedom at the end of the school day when you know you're done with all the bullying bullshit and get to go home is as good and fulfilling as a crowd of people cheering for you. The young performer's deepest desire.

[@drakedasnakeroberts3165]

The pause is for claps like at a show and the bell is applause for his bit’s

[@jaceeaster2246]

bro, u gotta react to Bo Burham "Eff" it's in a similar style to this one, you'll love it as well. thanks man!

[@DParkerNunya]

There's also an animation for this that I can't recommend enough. Legit it makes me sob when I watch it.

[@craftyarts7431]

When he pauses a bell rings, he’s saying THAT sounds like applause

[@ell3beam]

This song always makes me at least teary eyed when i hear it

[@mikelee8937]

The school bell is his applause for surviving another hellish day in the American educational system.

[@PilatesWithPaula]

The bell sounding like applause is simply that if you actually worked at school you were considered a nerd, but that is how you better yourself. The bell is congratulating you for a job well done, and you then move on to a productive life instead of peaking in high school by focusing only on the social factors.

[@angelas1187]

IMO this is one of Bo's most underrated songs.

[@zeallust8542]

Nah bruh, the whole "at 3pm I pause, that shit sounds like applause" is basically just the school bell

[@whatitdodave]

I mean yeah, but why does it sound like applause. That’s the question.

[@zeallust8542]

Nothin much deeper than that. Unless youve been a saved by the bell kid like me. If school was nice it wont, but for those of us that had hell in school it was like a freedom bell

[@D0nut42]

That's a solid point about Gen Z; maybe they don't get it *because* they are coming up in a more aware generation. They have real and serious problems, but some of the ones we had they don't anymore. Don't get me wrong: that is a very good thing overall.

[@enriquepx1698]

As an early genZ that is now close to done with his 3rd year of university I can assure you that, as much as I'd love it for what you said to be the case, there are still a lot of cases of bullying and forced isolations in highschools and middle schools all over the world (I talk from experience, I was bullied and made fun of ages 4 to 17) The only thing is that the ones bullied are simultaneously aware of how bad they are feeling and how bad the global "serious" problems are, all at once Sorry to be such a Debby downer but yeah, it hasn't changed as much as it should have given the time passed. Sure, it might be slightly better or different now but you have to also factor in all the potential harm of digital and social media bullying on top of the in person kind. The situation is at the very least different

[@D0nut42]

@@enriquepx1698 Daaanng, I'm sorry my dood. Don't apologize for offering a countering perspective; I'd rather the truth than a feel good lie. I'm glad you made it through, and I have to hope that it can get better.

[@SicMvndvsCreatvsEst8]

It's December 2013. Bo was born in 1990 and graduated in 2008 (as the honour roll, apparently)

[@jamisonhirsh]

Given the context of Bo’s career (I know this was earlier in his career), the line about the bell sounding like applause could refer to his relationship with performance. The high school nerd Bo maybe saw his school day as a performance, hence the bell (which marks the end of the performance) being parallel to the applause he would receive at the end of a show. This goes with the theme later established in Make Happy and Inside of fusion between performance and life and feeling like you are always performing.

[@majinsole8554]

Think you got it. ~_~

[@DetroitNickel]

Yay. Made it first thing! Glad to catch another What It Do Dave Bo Burnham reaction! You the man Dave!

[@DetroitNickel]

Great reaction btw. I think you got it. The applause bar and the rest of the meaning. Per usual with your Bo content! 🔥🙏

[@AP-gb3eh]

No good students they’re great at school so at the end of the day- Applause

[@RemedialRob]

According to the internet Bo started performing "Nerds" around 2012-2013 which means he most likely was around 21-22 years old when he wrote the song. Just educated guessing but from what I saw and his age it's probably about right unless he wrote the song when he was younger and just didn't record it perform it until his early 20's.

[@fred._.9138]

Asked for this one day ago! Fast on it Dave ty

[@christinedebessehoch]

Thank you for doing this one!!

[@johnekare8376]

I think you're on to something with the "made it through the school day"-comment. The previous line speaks of being huddled up in the bathroom stalls, and then it goes into the "3pm and applauds"-line. I'm picturing a kid who is hiding away in the bathroom from the bullying, and finally at 3 they breath a sigh of relief that they can go home.

[@MTG_Scribe]

Have you done "We Think We Know You" by Bo yet? I feel like you specifically will really appreciate it.

[@raisnaix]

AT 3pm the school day is over and all the kids at school who hate school because they get bullied from start to finish hear that ending bell and it's like a celebration that it's finally over for the day. Also, sports get more funding because winning championships, trophies, and awards means more funding from the school board. There aren't really many trophies for the arts.

[@genostellar]

The word is solace ("Saw-Less").

[@DParkerNunya]

I, as someone who identifies as queer, really don't like or like using the F word, but I honestly don't mind it in this song. A lot of people are uncomfortable with it, and that's fair, but he's using it not in a good way but for a good reason. It's an insult, and he's using as one, but he's using that to reach to the people who have been called that insult.

[@sampsell123]

Bro, I can't stress enough how much you're missing out by not doing Hell of a Ride and Efff It yet.

[@whatitdodave]

They will all get done eventually. One day at a time.

[@joshuapilger8430]

I had the apathy to say a lot of this. And got in a lot of fights because of it.

[@thomas-stilinski8149]

this song helped me when I was in school I was a socially awkward nerd and after I graduated i came to figure out I was bisexual so I relate in more ways than one

[@zeroreyortsed3624]

One problem with this country is that a large portion of our society has spent the better part of a century ridiculing intelligence. Hell, even Revenge of the Nerds made fun of nerds.

[@druzillakay945]

schools out bell

[@limz5093]

Even today with all the focus on mental health self harm still isn't being taken as serious as it should. You can end up addicted and insecure about your body, terrible

[@quintinpeixoto139]

Please check out New Math, and Fictional Rehab

[@gwakenjoyer9391]

Am I tripping? Or deja vu? Or is this a re-upload?

[@fury_saves_world]

"They" are frying our brains remotely

[@whatitdodave]

Nope. I’ve never reacted to this before. Maybe you saw it on another reactors channel recently?

[@gwakenjoyer9391]

@@whatitdodave well, I won't deny that I watch almost everything related to Bo but, your comments on it were just so similar to what I supposedly remember. Oh well.