Amanda Palmer - Strength Through Music [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

[@tomemyscoobies]

One of the saddest songs out there. The prologue fits so incredibly well with the idea of a teenage shooting. A person who is misinformed, attempting to understand something, going over it again and again in his head, trying to make sense of the world; no-one listens; no-one helps; it's a fruitless endeavour. In an attempt to be heard, to be understood and to be acknowledged, the teenager commits an atrocity. A brilliantly moving and tragic look on people that are branded savages in the media.

[@delicateghoul]

watching this on a phone with a cracked screen feels like the right way to see it

[@CybulDot]

It really is.

[@Mintzik]

To all the comments speculating about this: It was written shortly after the Columbine shootings, and the day Palmer went to officially record the song turned out to be the day of Virginia Tech shootings. First time I saw this performed, the violinist read out the list of the dead and wounded from Columbine in place of the Strindberg quote.

[@LoliLust]

Same

[@Danica_K.H.H.]

I like the impression of the light here. Like... being on the light which can kill or burn eyes, but not being hurt. At all. This gives nice and comforting feeling. Also I like how she creates a feeling of an empty space, using a piano. She makes us to listen to silence in between the sounds, to sounds fading. And, to sounds. Amanda is a pure genious.

[@neowaifu]

The best way to end the decade; listening to the one song that moved me when I was thirteen.

[@poundlandvodka]

For those complaining that F isn't the symbol for iron, you're quite right. F and S aren't Greek letters either. And it's not exactly a motivation to make gold. The whole point is that the narrator of the monologue doesn't properly understand what he sees, and acts in a strange way. In much the same way, the boy described later on "sees the world", but it's perverted by misery, hate and objectification, which leads to him acting without respect for the real consequences of his actions.

[@SaccharineHearts]

wonderful explanation

[@tomemyscoobies]

+James Walker Exactly. I've always seen interpretated it also as a very perceptive insight into severe, damaging mental illness. To see something, misinterpret it, and be SURE that not only is your idea of it correct, but it points towards something which objectively has to be done. The narrator has "been working all day over these hellish flames," symbolising the repetition of attempting to make gold, of attempting to understand the way the world works, but with incorrect ingredients and a skewed sense of direction. As you worded so perfectly, the boy sees the perversion and misery of the world through the internet, locked in his room, failing to understand the reality and beauty of life.. and in his mind the only solution is to act how he does, by killing. I'll just finish by saying that the reason as to why this song is perfect, is because it doesn't give any answers. It hints to blaming the government for not doing more to assist people with these types of mental illness, it questions why his family weren't able to detect this behaviour, and it severely points a finger at the internet for being a breeding ground of this mindset. Most importantly though, the song (and the video) ultimately rejects this compassion for the boy, and brings the audience right back to the horrific reality of students, innocent children who are no longer living because of this boy, who are the absolute victims of this rollercoster of a disaster.

[@girlspooptoo8567]

James Walker A sign that only they can see

[@FieldsofTrenzalore]

OH MY GOD I GET IT NOW THANK YOU

[@Local_commentor]

Its Fe stands for ferro, And Roman

[@propertyofranger]

This is just the most amazing song. I love that this was filmed at her old high school, and that she actually walks past her old locker. AFP is love

[@RavenAmongDoves]

This song makes me cry, for some reason. So simple, but so heartbreaking.

[@Jiffykittie]

So I'm a painter and i have had "painters block" as my friends call it, for the past two months. I listened to this song and was inspired. Thanks Amanda Palmer for helping out with more than one art

[@landondaniels4085]

she has a way of moving ya doesnt she? AFP and Poe are my 2 go to muses

[@MamaGator]

Listening to this for two days now down here in South Florida. My heart is breaking.

[@canaanclb]

Just discovered this song after the Florida shooting. This made me cry. It's just so tragic. Kids shouldn't have to die in the safety of their own school.

[@einzelwolf3437]

They deserved it

[@VTRAddict]

It's a reference/tribute to the Columbine shootings, and was apparently filmed at Amanda's own High School. Amazingly powerful. She is incredible!

[@sunchilde68]

I am so incredibly moved in a very strange way . .I Love this beyond any rational explanation ..It is now and FOREVER a part of my life on this 3rd stone from the sun in the lonely space we occupy in the universe..

[@Athanatizein]

I... hate it when serendipity shows me myself in ways like this. I really... really hate it. Tears and thumbs, Amanda. Damn you.

[@puddlecluck]

if you watch all the who killed amanda palmer videos in order (theres a playlist somewhere) it tells a story and it makes more sense.

[@PatjeBree]

Seeing this live almost made me cry...so much emotion in this song...I love Amanda ! :) in everythong she does ...

[@bronlokis]

wow.... tick tick tick tick tick tick boom how powerful was that?!?!?!?

[@FieldsofTrenzalore]

holy fuck this is so powerful. music is so important. empathy should have no bounds.

[@dddelayne]

The only thing I can think of through this video is how much I NEED her boots..

[@aprilsmith113]

Then you aren't thinking very much.

[@dddelayne]

Fuck off. How's that?

[@livingdeaddollsjunky9543]

+Lanerr Michelle you can't see the meaning behind the lyrics and are only thinking about her boots

[@dddelayne]

+Eric Garza I've heard this song a million and one times. God forbid I compliment something in the video. FORGIVE me for liking a pair of shoes that are in about 10 or more close up shots. Considering the likes on the comment, I must not be the only one who thinks the same. Have a blessed life.

[@modernmoonlight7350]

I actually bought similar ones just because they remind me of this song.

[@VictorKholod]

RIP to the victims in Newtown. I think of this song after every shooting. I hate how relevant it was and continues to be.

[@Lusifelia]

I'm listening to it this week with the Uvalde shooting in mind, and agree wholeheartedly.

[@98lulus]

I wanna cry! This makes me look at the shooting in a whole other way.

[@jadabee4008]

for those complaining about her use of F as the symbol for Iron ...she isn't actually the one who used it. she took a clip from this cartoon series and they used it kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6m3XqmmYpudrLs Also the Dialogue contains lines from "Inferno" by August Strindberg so again she isn't responsible for any science error watch the video you see where it comes from.

[@sefine0628]

true. Strindberg is and he was a complete madman. I should know I used to work in the Strindbergmuseum - his old apartment. The entire place gives you the chills....

[@StanMarshVEVO]

its not about teenage suicide. its about school shootings.

[@felipetronquini5098]

This Introduction is amazing!

[@MelegantMe]

Well said, Amanda Palmer. Very well said.

[@mariev.g.palladino6655]

That’s not only my High school but my old locker is also randomly in this hallway. And these kids in the video are actual students at this school and are a year or so younger than me. Makes it SO much eerier.

[@zedata57]

I love this song.

[@LilithProductions]

@infocus I think that he was referencing Digamma, and ancient Greek letter that resembles and F. I suppose that Digamma may have been used in Alchemy to denote Iron. And, of course, the purpose of Alchemy was to make gold out of other elements.

[@pigeon3264]

i listened to this all the time when i was fourteen and only a few days ago, four years later do i know its about columbine powerful message

[@Titanstower]

This song gives me a sort of... thoughtful moment. It's really enticing

[@AvaDisarm]

@louass36 If you'd seen the video that clip is from you'd know that he translates the greek letters to English to read them out, it does show the greek letters on the screen as he says F and S

[@baldielou8504]

why is this bringing me so close to tears? she barely says anything but she just explained the root and development rape and violence in under 4 minutes. at least that's what i think its about, i could be wrong

[@Ginger_Sweet]

it has made me cry a few times

[@suicidesucks08]

Rape... Signs of a victim...

[@Jcolinsol]

+louise ashbel It's pretty clearly about school shootings, though it sure seems like she's assuming that the phenomenon is motivated by the usual erroneous feminist ideas about toxic masculinity. So you're probably not far wrong.

[@mcar-oy8xe]

+Beef Chavez Really? I definitely read those lines as saying that he was so disconnected from the real world that most of the women he sees are porn. Not that the porn is what made him do this.

[@Jcolinsol]

mcar 7491 That seems to be the implication.

[@efernalgumby]

@infocus HOLY CRAP. I finally get why that is in the song. Thank you!

[@bridgetbennett02]

WHY CANT THESE SONGS BE HOURS LONG I CANT KEEP REPLAYING

[@JustAliceGaming]

Okay powerful lyrics for sure!

[@CharmyTanguera10]

This is a fantastic song.. and amazing video!!!

[@infocus]

@spectraljew It's actually from a Strindberg piece, and it goes well with the song. First, the guy observes things that he completely misunderstands and misinterprets. The symbol for iron is Fe, and there is no Greek letter F, just Ph. In any case, hard to imagine finding sticks in the shape of phi and sigma, hehe. Second, he then decides to do something completely incongruous to what he has found (making gold out of iron and sulfur). Now, think about the kid in the song!

[@PotassiumAcetate]

The "F and S Helium, F... and... S" is from Strindberg and Helium... An amazing series of videos.

[@hds3]

Damn... I see Columbine.

[@icara57]

Ah! I haven't thought about Strindberg and Helium in a while One of my favorite things

[@rawr95678550]

It's alchemy. The transmutation of a lesser metal, Iron, into Gold via putrefaction (i.e. death/rebirth) symbolized by sulfur.

[@charlieaic2052]

Musical art is still being created...

[@gedwolfe]

THUMBS UP IF YOU CRIED!

[@morskapjena]

I LOVE her videos!

[@mrGovnoff]

Tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick Boom

[@Chels1836]

beautiful

[@Satankitteh]

Its sad how some can only think about a pair of boots while listening to a song about massacre. Its not difficult to see how those with sense could lose themselves to insanity... We are, after all, children at of a new age.

[@HeckinTired]

Anyone else have a massive urge to buy flat lace up boots now?

[@Dadagnos]

@Mintzik I was just thinking, after reading your comment and realizing the song was adressing a highschool shooting: the classical alchemists where trying to turn lead into gold...

[@itsKAMbell]

@CassieSingz Originally it was about Columbine, but I don't think it's meant to be specific. It's really more about the tragedy of the situation rather than fine details, so it can be taken to be about the Virginia Tech massacre as well.

[@noodlegirl55]

Check out "Strindberg and Helium with Sulfur and Iron". that's the intro for you right there.

[@chinashopjada]

@spectraljew she didn't write the intro part it is from a Strindberg and Helium cartoon. So Amanda isn't a scientist, but she also isn't an idiot.

[@LozzyTheOracle]

Oh, how I've missed her.

[@anon9110]

...I want to get boots like that. Does anyone know what they are called? Is there a certain name for them? Thanks.

[@dandylion8572]

+Mary Rose Roche I've been looking for similar ones in shops for over 3 years, didn't find them..I don't like the idea of getting them online.. but if you write knee high lace up boots to ebay or amazon, you'll find something..

[@caitleenoconnell4824]

I read somewhere that she has six pairs of the same Fluevog boots that she's been cycling out for the past twelve years.

[@angel-gu8co]

goth boots, there r a lot of stores that specialize in different styles of them

[@whoevenami-hn8is]

this year alone, my school had three (thankfully false) bomb threats. they were the first times i felt actual, true fear. on top of that, a senior was arrested for writing a manifesto on how he would shoot up a school. the day after he was arrested was the day he had planned to shoot ours. it was a strange way to spend our friday, thinking about what could’ve happened that same afternoon.

[@TheCarrieeKellyy]

she is wonderful. (:

[@ezracampbell9974]

Hello from 2018. I was thinking about this song the other day and how it took a few listens to realize it was about a school shooter/shooting. And then I thought about "Pumped up Kicks" and how it's a song that sounds deceptively fun and bouncy but is about a school shooter as well. And then I thought, "Oh my god, does the U.S. have an entire genre of songs about school shootings?" ...

[@BryceKatz]

8 months and at least 8 more mass shootings later: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGSseGd4i8mnaKc Everybody Knows Somebody.

[@AvaDisarm]

@spectraljew It's a sample from Strindberg and Helium, so while it is wrong, it's not her mistake :P

[@FoolishTheMortal]

It's from a video series called Strindberg and Helium

[@Gordoniron]

Watching you pick up the I-pod and my first thought was. "Is it meta?" quickly followed by "It's Meta!"

[@spunkalicous96]

This video is a fucking masterpiece.

[@dusty668]

@spectraljew It's a quote. And the song is lovely.

[@FoolishTheMortal]

IT's from Strindberg and Helium. He was a playwrite, not a scientist.

[@icyflowblue]

i keep trying to get over the fact that the symbol for iron is Fe not F which is Fluorine.... the knowledge still lingers

[@karethap8827]

icyflowblue thank you soooo much for this. it needs to be said.

[@HOULWOOD]

icyflowblue well, Iron and Sulfur doesnt create even gold, it can, however, create Pyrite, also known as fools gold. That sort of creates a whole new narrative, i think

[@modernmoonlight7350]

Why F then? I don't get it.

[@HOULWOOD]

Delta Deltowski probably a mistake

[@tiabusenitz7810]

+HOULWOOD She did this on purpose to demonstrate that a person can be completely convinced that they are correct despite the fact that all of the information they were given is incorrect. All the first lines are incorrect information construed into meaning something it couldn't possibly mean.

[@Ravenousyouth]

listening to this after chch :(

[@livingdeaddollsjunky9543]

Wear that beging from I heard it In that short film " teens like phill " it was pretty good

[@misserinyes]

look up 'strindberg and helium'

[@DarkShadowMegadeth]

I get this.

[@MyCommentsRMaturelol]

@spectraljew How did I not catch that the first thousand times I listened to this song? I've WORKED with flourine for god's sake.

[@bmxshitt]

This is legit.

[@AGrayPhantom]

"The content owner has not made this video available on on mobile." Ironic, seeing as Ms. Palmer herself has the video available on her channel :-P

[@TwisterCabaret]

i was trying to work out where I recognised that from. Do you know which Strindberg play it was?

[@VMLslayer]

what is the man saying in the introduction? can someone give me the "lyrics" of the part, please?

[@SirrBrave]

I love this "ding.....dong"

[@JoshuaJinxed]

@NeverEverFaceTheDark The thing about iron and sulfer is about the creation of guns.

[@Thewisedaz]

@TheLOLfish Yeah, the guitar hero video follows on from this

[@nikkirbee]

@spectraljew I really see it as a reference as to the history of Alchemy that happened from the 1400's (the practice of alchemy was recorded in ancient China as well) all the way into the Renaissance, where people were trying to create gold and silver from basic elements for medical and wealth reasons. This practice was not only idealistic, but also never fruitful...a simple metaphor for anyone trying to make something out of nothing.

[@jordanhatesyou1512]

Rip voDKa and reb

[@NeaeraNeaeraNeaera]

Heeeeeeeeelium!

[@marlsmellow]

this is so sad..

[@JulieFernz]

Such a clever little song about teenage suicide. Never stop being amazing, Amanda.

[@jordanhatesyou1512]

Dude its about school shootingd

[@bialagaspar7852]

Wow, she's amazing at making these dadaistic video stories! Glad the internet lead me to this woman :)

[@spectraljew]

yes i clearly missed the point of the metaphor by making a joke about the incorrect chemical symbols

[@jesusff10]

@HowPutDownWeAre I think its talking about gunpowder (explosives i think)

[@grizzwaldo]

I am in love. :-( :-)

[@davidmead9569]

Who is narrating in the beginning?

[@VoltasP]

HELIUM!!!!

[@JenniferSunryder]

what are the lyrics? i can barely hear her

[@ThePriceis979]

What is this song about?

[@playlistismo]

@ ▷ Amanda Palmer 🎶▷ Strength Through Music 💿▷ Who Killed Amanda Palmer 📅▷ 2008 🎬︎▷ Michael Pope

[@unbornserenity]

tel me what do you think the meaning is

[@ivanmont]

@catvamp13mishka would you explain me too, pleasE?

[@agardenmom]

eff and ess

[@xmisogyny]

The intro is too fuckin epic

[@multimonoprint]

8 people couldn't make gold from Iron and Sulphur

[@VMLslayer]

can we have lyrics?:$

[@MamaGator]

💔

[@JulieFernz]

I know

[@LilithProductions]

@spectraljew GREEK letter F.

[@rubius0]

@blackholenebula1 From someone who has actually spent time with Neil and has read and seen Amanda's work for years, you are sincerely wrong in your opinion of Neil and Amanda. Both of them have done high profile pro-gay supporting projects I cannot comment on their personal beliefs but it is usually easy to see people's beliefs by what they do and neither Neil or Amanda have ever done anything publicly promoting anti-gay or anti-freedom. Do some research.

[@garbagemanwithgarbagehands7370]

Tbh, the girl rocking back and forth in the background kinda took away from the atmosphere. The final "scene" is just Amanda and the shooter, locked in time and there's a conversation happening there. They're communicating and it's intense and atmospheric and then I just realize the girl is still there, STILL ROCKING and it just ruins everything.

[@what_not4319]

I don't think you are supposed to feel comfortable watching this... I'm assuming you've never been in a mental hospital 😏 Rocking is a real thing that real people do in response to stress or trauma...it triggers the release of endorphins... I think it was actually a smart way to show how traumatic an event school shootings are, while also visually describing how someone might react when faced with such a situation, considering our options are, "fight, flight, or freeze"...

[@potterheadxp]

WHERE THE HELL CAN I GET THOSE BOOTS. someone? anyone? pleeeeeeaaaase x.x