Songwriter Reacts: Arlo McKinley - Bag of Pills

[@ArloMcKinley]

Thank you for your understanding of the song and addiction🙏🙏

[@SongwriterReacts]

I am a massive fan and thank you so much for writing such fantastic songs! The Hurtin’s Done has been on repeat recently!

[@horror_punk_gamer9932]

ARLO is my youmger bro, i was upstairs struggljn when he wrote this & sum others, we deal with addiction and im personally in outpatient treatment, we grew up in southern baptist church, thanks for givin him a llisten LIVE FREE

[@chrisadams7774]

@@SongwriterReacts The Hurtin’s Done is my go to, as well. That whole second verse hits deep for me and, I’m sure, so many others. Arlo is the real deal and finally starting to get the recognition he deserves. Thanks for doing this video!

[@sheliagaines3697]

Mr.Arlo,is straight to the heart and soul with his amazing songs singing from deep in HIS HEART!!He is amazing.His voice is beautiful.

[@mtwz71]

Arlo and his steel guitar player are amazing.

[@SongwriterReacts]

You ain’t lying!

[@ajpekarek3762]

My heart goes out to you regarding your family member struggling with addiction, I can see the pain in your eyes when you mention it. I lost my brother fourteen years ago to heroin after he climbed up to that point from pills. There have been a few more friends since then as well, it is absolutely heartbreaking how many people are caught up in it. Wish I could give you a hug and have a beer with ya man!

[@taylordawn]

Don't think I'll ever get through this song without having a real, big cry. Reminds me of my mama.

[@bobsawin1920]

Some songs you hear for the first time and they just plow a furrow in your heart, Neil Young's Old Man and John's Sam Stone come to mind, this is that .

[@amandacarman4781]

I lost my brother to a pill/heroin addiction. The first time I heard this song it punched me in my gut. That is what Arlo is the best at. The man knows pain, from both sides of the needle so to speak. The one that watches and the one that destroys.

[@kimberlygrimm7007]

Thank you for reacting to this! I've never heard of him or this song! My brother lost his battle with pill addiction! I lost my brother in "09" from an accidental overdose. I was the one who found him. He stopped for unexpected visit on his way to Ohio from Florida to see our Dad. We told him to go rest in our youngest son's bedroom since he was gone to school. I checked on him several times throughout the morning and afternoon and he was sleeping. I checked on him one last time before I left to go pick my son up from school. I was going to ask if he'd like to ride with me. He was sleeping and I could tell he was breathing. My brother was a big guy! Tall and broad shoulders! Not heavy set but very solid and everybit of 6'2! I decided to let him sleep while I ran to pick my son up from school. While I was in the pick up line, my Mom called me. She asked if my brother was with me. I told her , "No , I had went to ask if he wanted to ride with me but he was sleeping so good and I didn't want to disturb him" She asked if I could go check on him when I got home.. As soon as we got home. I sat my purse on the counter and started up the stairs. I was on the 4th steps from the top and I could feel my legs getting heavy every step I climbed. Once I got to that 4th step from the top; I felt a blanket of doom lay over top of me and I already knew; he was gone before I went into my son's room! I had that feeling once before when my Pappaw passed away on "95"! I went in the room and couldn't bring myself to look him in his face. I put my hand on his knee and tried to wake him and couldn't. I put my hand on his belly to see if I felt him breathing. There was nothing. I slowly glazed over his body and his face and he was not breathing. I began to scream and ran back downstairs to get a phone. I didn't know I had passed my husband who had gotten off work early. He started CPR. In the meantime, I ran outside and collapsed in out yard screaming! Our son ran to our neighbors and her husband ran upstairs to help my husband perform CPR. His wife was there trying to console me. While the EMS were upstairs working on him, the cops came and brought my brother's jacket outside on the porch and dumped a bunch of pills he had inside it. He had Xanax bars and Methadone pills. We think he traded with someone for what he thought were muscle relaxers. Instead they were Methadone pills! Which the police and the EMS said that combination is what's considered a "Suicide cocktail"! In route to the hospital the EMS FINALLY got a pulse on him! He was on life support from April 7th til April 11th ! He was brain dead and our Mom and his two oldest children decided it was best to take him off life support. I have family members who are STILL addicted to any kind of pills they can get their hands on! I told everyone after my brother's funeral, if anyone could STILL take another pill after seeing my brother lay in a casket because he overdosed; I would not go to another funeral from a overdose for anyone else! I cannot believe ANYONE would or could continue to be an addict afterwards! Our baby brother is also an addict!

[@SongwriterReacts]

Wow, I am so terribly sorry to hear about your loss. I can't comprehend how difficult that had to be and still is. Thank you so much for sharing Kimberly. You are so brave.

[@oldmcdonald5320]

Arlo is so genuine. You nee d to check out more of his music.

[@johnnieepperson2953]

He is so awesome. So many songs to choose from for your next reaction. Ditto to all the previous mentioned ones.

[@weldtec1986]

This is one of my favorite Arol songs. I’ve got it on vinyl. His voice is fantastic!

[@SongwriterReacts]

Yeah his voice is so good

[@weldtec1986]

@@SongwriterReacts my wife and I danced to his song “whatever you want” at our wedding. Such a beautiful song!!!

[@SRiley77]

I don’t have the right words, because our story didn’t have a happy ending. Your videos either bring me joy or leave me in tears that so many others are walking this road. We lost my brother 10 years ago next month. I have a cousin no one has seen in two years. I have to believe he’s safe and finally found the help and strength he needs, but some days the overwhelming despair takes over and I can’t do anything but cry for the person we all know he is and could be. I guess this is all to say, I see you and I know how this feels.

[@SongwriterReacts]

I'm so sorry to hear about losing your brother Sarah. Overwhelming despair is such a great way to put it. I'm actually writing a song called Dark Cloud about that exact feeling. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@davidmcfeeters5681]

Addiction is such a desperate place to be! The depression is crippling, the anger at yourself is so caustic as you behave in ever more negative ways, knowing the whole time you are acting against your own self interest. If Arlo can sing something so personal and painful, you know he has been through the darkness, but how powerful music can be as a way to cope! Take that pain and make something out of it.....before it takes you forever!! Much love to any person dealing with addiction, and to this amazing Americana family! Thanks for giving us a home Burt!

[@josephcullipher3536]

He’s got a bunch of killer songs! Whatever you want is another great one by him. You could honestly just walk down the GEMS on VHS KZbin channel and not go wrong.

[@cdm915011]

As always, a great reaction Burt. Appreciate your viewpoint and openness to talk about personal experiences related to such a hard topic. I’d advise you check out more Arlo. Lots and lots of good song choices. This damn town, wild horses, whatever you want, suicidal Saturday night, time in bars. A plethora of great choices.

[@SongwriterReacts]

Thanks so much for being kind. It's not easy sometimes to talk about this kind of stuff but I think it's really important. Look forward to hearing more!

[@cordellselman1116]

Good to see you Mr. Burt. Loving the content sir! Even I'm discovering new artists through you.

[@SongwriterReacts]

Thanks so much for the encouragemente Cordell!

[@worldwidewells7452]

You just became one of my channels. Much respect. More love.

[@joshuamcmullen9362]

Love Arlo!

[@ArloMcKinley]

🙏🙏🙏

[@chrisprice6551]

Love the reaction Burt as well as your very own music I was finally able to sit down and check out brother. Castle of corruption is my favorite so far sir keep doing what you're doing here on the Tube and with your own musical talent and abilities man you're golden. Also Arlo is absolutely amazing all around. I actually lost my best friend of 20+ years just may of last year, and this man has a song called The Ghost of my Bestfriend that really warmed and continues to warm my heart on the daily everytime I listen to it. If you decide to check it out man make sure and listen to the acoustic live version with him performing it sitting on the bank of a river as night falls. When you're ready though Burt I'd love to share with you my absolute idol musically before someone else steals it from me lol...Wanna see you react to a song of his which is going to be absolutely impossible to or at the very least take me a min to decide which to ask you to react too first lol...so Burt my friend when you're ready pls allow me to grace you with Shawn James.

[@garybirdinground7939]

Check out Too Long, This Damn Town and Waiting for Wild Horses off of the Arlo McKinley & the Lonesome Sound album. Suicidal Saturday Night and Gone for Good off of the Die Midwestern album. Have you listen to any of Ian Noe’s music? Check out Irene (Ravin’ Bomb), Letter to Madeline, Dead on the River (Rolling Down) and Meth Head.

[@lanceparker3007]

Glad you liked it. I'll recommend some more tunes as time goes by. Enjoying your journey and keep up the good work.

[@johnfreshour2651]

Glad you did Arlo. Like sad songs by big beards Kingsnake by Adam Faucett of North Little Rock AR

[@collinmonville6544]

You've always got a great perspective on good songs. I'd love to see your take on Snakes & Waterfalls - Nick Shoulders, Blackjack County Chain - Charley Crockett, or anything at all by Mo Pitney. Keep up the great videos!

[@SongwriterReacts]

Really appreciate that Collin!

[@benjamminnw]

I'm adding Arlo to my playlist! I want to hear more of his stuff. I agree that watching him, and his body language, just makes the song more powerful. Great stuff and great reaction vid! That lyric about Jesus being busy reminds me of the Jamey Johnson song 'High Cost of Livin' where he talks about "...staring at that giant cross just reminded me that I was lost and it just never seemed to point the way." Powerful to say the least. You should give it a listen...I think you'll like it. Are there any happy songs? haha

[@SongwriterReacts]

That's a hell of a lyric by Jamey Johnson. That hits home hard.

[@dylannmiller5954]

Burt, you have to check out Arlo's cover of "If I could only fly" by the Great Blaze Foley.

[@SongwriterReacts]

Will do. Thanks Dylan!

[@Morningstar818]

I think the weight of the chords and playing comes from the fact there's nothing to lose yourself in no fast flashy licks to dazzle you just the intensity of the music and the powerful meaning of the words

[@stonewalljackson5223]

Burt I think you should check out charley Crockett, a song called blackjack county chain

[@jackhope45]

i have also a hard fight and i have lost a friend after 30 years but i was shure in the past that i would be the first. This song gives me a lot to let some feelings out. Thanks anyway for your great offer to give your phone number and maybe some positive mind changes. Thanks also for this nice reaction video. Take care

[@nicknambernhagennhad]

I’d enjoy some ray Wylie Hubbard conversation with the devil,the messenger,Mississippi flush or any of his it’s hard to go wrong with him

[@benjamminnw]

YES!!!! I LOVE RWH! Missippi Flush is one of my fav's. Mother Blues is another good one.

[@stonewalljackson5223]

Snake farms one of mune

[@benjamminnw]

@@stonewalljackson5223 just sounds nasty...pretty much is

[@SongwriterReacts]

You had me at Mississippi Flush

[@benjamminnw]

@@SongwriterReacts that’s been on my request list for a while. I really think you’ll like that song. RWH is a great storyteller

[@caliprobaby]

This was a powerful song. I have a successful personal story in regards to alcoholism. A respite is possible. I know.

[@SongwriterReacts]

Powerful and encouraging to hear Alison. Thanks for sharing!

[@mountainman8129]

Ohio boy makes good music! Arlo is the man!

[@amazingleea]

Happy MLK Day!

[@SongwriterReacts]

Same to you!

[@anthonyb3432]

Awesome work! Check out die midwestern by him next if you get the chance he’s an Ohio boy like me

[@bobsawin1920]

trust in Jeebus < educacte yourself in human psychology

[@kenseymour5152]

I believe in Jesus Christ and I have a pill addiction I’ve been on them over twenty years now I was raised Baptist I found that choices caused my addiction and Jesus Christ is with me in the addiction . What people don’t get is withdrawals are so hard to take they last so long that you just take the pill

[@benjamminnw]

God Bless John Prine!

[@SongwriterReacts]

Bless him!

[@henrychaos9954]

Since I know you love bother Colter Wall and Tyler Childers, I thoguht you'd like to check out this song that they did together, Fraulein. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6XFqXuinr-ko8k

[@kevmoful]

if you were my Spanish teacher I would have slept in class way less. I really believe that

[@SongwriterReacts]

Haha I try and make it fun for the kiddos. My Spanish classes were also incredibly boring...