TEARS! 'How To Be Me' by Ren x Chinchilla - First Time Reaction

This song hit home for Sue and brought her to tears. Ren and Chinchilla are on another level.
Thanks again to HR-wt5sy for the suggestion and also analisasmith7927 for doubling down on it.
Source Video
• Ren X Chinchilla - How...
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[@kevingrant7098]

Gifts don’t have to be gold plated, I love that line❤

[@neighborsue]

Thank you

[@sammyd8860]

This song was about his friend Joe Hughes who sadly took his own life at the age of 19 (jumped off the Menai bridge at around 3.00 a.m. on 28 December 2010). Ren wrote the song Freckled Angels about Joe and also dedicated the album of the same name to him

[@secondhandreactions]

Oh wow. Tragic story. I’m learning about all this from these comments.

[@robmonroe635]

I lost a lifelong friend 2 weeks ago and this song hits home, can't believe he's gone at 39 and the lyrics in this song are haunting. I can only imagine what goes through one's head in that moment.

[@secondhandreactions]

Sorry for your loss. I lost a close friend in 2019 to suicide. He was 49 years old. There is no making sense of it and it still sits in an uncomfortable place in my gut. Good man. Gone too soon. I wish he had just called me.

[@petervaughan3875]

Everyone needs a neighbour Sue in their life ❤

[@susanellis5832]

🙂thanks

[@GneasYTC]

"Are you gonna be okay?" .. "Sure. This is how you grow." Sue summarised just about everything, right there. Nice one. 👍

[@susanellis5832]

Thanks!

[@ryankarle8626]

Absolutely phenomenal. Eerily beautiful

[@JustinDZS]

Talent is a broad scale. Never get on yourself for not being as good as someone else as there will be someone that looks at you the same way and will be inspired to try. ;)

[@secondhandreactions]

Great advice 🙏

[@maxmoore9955]

I'm British 62 years old, seen a few bands individual artists in my Time, These two are at the Top of the Tree for ME .

[@ramonacooper2283]

Great reaction! Thank you.

[@kineticthumpgaming4279]

ye. great reaction. lts so nice to watch lovely regular people react to amazing music. keep it up guys.

[@secondhandreactions]

Thanks for giving us a shot! We’ll keep the reactions coming.

[@susanellis5832]

Thank you!!!

[@JohnPaul-hm2ys]

Sue, I loved your explanation of gifts. It is something to teach kids and adults.

[@susanellis5832]

❤️

[@jukeboxdave6026]

Many thanks great reaction love and respect from the UK 👍👍👍👍👍👍🌟😀😀 amazing 👍

[@susanellis5832]

Thank you, tough topic, I wasn’t expecting to lose my game face

[@VickieMeinen]

You need to experience the genius of his Jenny and Screech trilogy. Be sure to choose the one that says "Full". There are 3 parts that need to be watched in a specific order. The "Full" selection takes care of that for you, playing all 3 consecutively.

[@secondhandreactions]

Thank you. We will be reacting to this soon. Lots of requests for this one.

[@violindylan]

“Holy crap, I am not who I used to be. Holy crap, how do I get back to who I used to be. And It seems like an insurmountable task, all the time.” It really felt like you were speaking my mind. Thank you for this reaction ❤

[@susanellis5832]

❤

[@secondhandreactions]

We’re all in this together. ❤️

[@DakotaDogProductionsAk83]

I’m feeling this today…

[@biffa1234100]

GOD BLESS YOU SUE I know what you mean and I swear down REN lives at the far end of a rabbit hole that benefits all who go down it . Hes the new wave British Busker bringing love and connection to all us lost people that are looking for a purpose and some kindness in a world where we are not considered worthy of something as basic as a little bit of care.x

[@susanellis5832]

❤

[@MissMaria1969]

Thank you loved it ❤

[@JohnPaul-hm2ys]

I have to add on. You are both worthy because you exist, and you are bearing your souls when you react. That affects many people and made me hit subscribe

[@susanellis5832]

Thank you for acknowledging, music and lyrics seep into my being

[@secondhandreactions]

Thank you. I don’t want to be an over-the-top reaction channel. I don’t want silly shocked thumbnails and we’ll never act or exaggerate. I want to capture legit reactions, good or bad, and spark real conversation. If it happens cool. If not cool. As long as it’s real. This one got us there.

[@JohnPaul-hm2ys]

@Second Hand Reactions Keep up the good work.

[@susanellis5832]

@@JohnPaul-hm2ysThank you for the positive vote!

[@neighborsue]

@@JohnPaul-hm2ys❤ ty!

[@mellanapa]

Came for the reaction, stayed for Sue. I wish you were my friend, tbh! 😸And I agree with you 100% when it comes to gifts. Like being able to see hearts where other's obviously isn't gifted with that ability... Seriously tho, your reaction is awesome. Both of you. But mostly Sue, haha! If you listen to the studiorecorded version it's filled with strings and other arrangements, and it's great, sure, but this....this is something else. This is probably one of the reasons I'm still alive. 5 months ago I was deeply suicidal, and then I found Ren. I think, in all honesty, that great art is what keeps most of us alive. Ren IS therapy! Thank you, both (but mostly Sue) of you, for letting me see you react to this. You've gotten yourself a new subscriber! A mentally unstable and somewhat disturbed one, but hey... I'm me! 🖤 xoxo From STHLM Sweden

[@secondhandreactions]

Lol. Thanks for watching. Glad you connected with Sue. She’s a good soul. 😊 Thanks for watching and subscribing! We really appreciate it 👍👍

[@susanellis5832]

Thank you so much for your comment, I struggled a lot when I was younger with depression and suicide, and it took me a long time to grasp that I had to find passions outside of my head in order to combat what was going on on the inside. Music was always one of my best friends and escape. Ren’s ability to put his experiences and emotions to music would have been a godsend for me back when I was a teenager, even now as an adult still dealing with a lot of feelings that come and go, I can truly see the appreciation his fans have for what he does. I think his biggest gift is not his musical talent, but simply to just provide people with hope and the want to not give up. I’m really glad you made it through and that you’re still here. Your comment means the world to me keep listening to his songs one after the other I continuously find new ones to relate to, my most recent is titled Dignity. We reacted to it may be about two weeks ago. I’m curious how you feel about that one. ❤️

[@maxmoore9955]

Ren is obviously brilliant but Chinchilla also carries the same sign . What a pairing, just WOW .

[@secondhandreactions]

We’re definitely gonna dig into Chinchilla too. Crazy talent

[@gcarap]

You would think they are a couple but they are not. Back on point. this is about Ren's friend Joe Hughes, who committed suicide at age 19.

[@secondhandreactions]

They’re amazing together. That makes sense. I lost a friend to suicide in 2019. The lyrics in this song have a familiar gravity. I’ll look into that story about his friend. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidperkins6752]

nope, Sue definitely hit the nail on the head. they are speaking their own language! great reaction as always guys. sincerest thanks for sharing and much love to you both.

[@secondhandreactions]

🙏

[@neighborsue]

So very intimate

[@momishka7]

During REN’s illness he put in his 10,000 hours or he’s at least very close to it it’s a hard earned gift on his part too

[@belindabarnett5646]

❤❤❤😢 me too I can so relate ❤❤❤ I enjoyed your reaction

[@susanellis5832]

Thank you

[@secondhandreactions]

Thanks for giving us a shot!

[@DakotaDogProductionsAk83]

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and authentic reaction with us.❤😢 Beautiful and so therapeutic to be here with you!😊❤

[@secondhandreactions]

Thanks for watching with us 🙏

[@QueenColeBleu]

I've had to blow my nose in a covid mask in the past.l ✌️🙂 And this tune makes me cry over and over and now I have to cover it for my own mental needs 💙🎵💙🙌

[@LeeannG]

Loving your reactions to Ren! in regards to Sue’s comments on gifts: we might not have been given Ren’s talent, but most haven’t been bedbound by undiagnosed Lyme disease, or treated with psychotropic medications that gave us psychosis, because the Lyme was misdiagnosed as bipolar and chronic fatigue syndrome. That gave Ren a lot of time to practice and write, and the experience gave him the emotional rawness that speaks to so many. Sometimes the small gifts are being able to even leave the house, or to engage in a routine that feels mundane and normal. Ren is one of those inspirational people that shows you what human beings are capable of, when faced with formidable obstacles. Will be back for more Ren, he has an absolutely incredible story if you guys want to learn more about him :)

[@declan781]

I also read that Ren's mum is a singing coach - if that really is the case then his talent has only been passed down through hours and days and weeks and years of hard work...

[@secondhandreactions]

Emotional rawness is the best description of this music. Thanks for your insight and for taking the time to comment. As a new channel we really appreciate it.

[@susanellis5832]

Thank you for your words, I agree he is proof of hope.

[@mauraleib]

“This is how you grow” yes, it is

[@neighborsue]

🫶

[@hellscornalien8286]

You can never go back to who you used to be because life experiences, both good and bad, change you-but you can become someone who you want to be. Peace and love. I subbed over this.

[@secondhandreactions]

🙏

[@neighborsue]

Well said ❤

[@sleepyskin]

“Gifts do t have to be fantastic to be gifts” Yes, Sue.. ❤

[@neighborsue]

❤

[@didierblasco8116]

worthy ... yes definitely

[@sherribrock2726]

Just found your channel and love it! Second Hand News is my favorite Fleetwood Mac song so I had to sub!!

[@secondhandreactions]

lol thanks! Not everyone can place what song that’s from. Welcome aboard!

[@neighborsue]

Hi! Thanks for joining in the fun!

[@donlynn]

Only found ren about 6 weeks ago, and like most people I’ve become obsessed, you’ve got to listen to 13 1/2 minutes of pure genius The Tales of Jenny and Screech, be sure to get the full version to include Violets Tale, story telling of Shakespeare top notch acting and cinematography, you could only regret not watching it and I love a bit of Fleetwood Mac!!!!😊

[@secondhandreactions]

Ha! Glad you got the Fleetwood Mac reference. Lots of people suggesting Jenny and Screech. I see thumbnails of others reacting to it. We'll do it for sure.

[@stephenhumphris6962]

Fucking love you 2 clay your a fucking diamond and sue your words are so wise and therapeutic not sure how true it s but read they performed this on the bridge Joe jumped from keep both being you amazing ppl ♥️

[@secondhandreactions]

Wow. Thanks for the kind words. Really appreciate that. Good info. Others commented about this too. Really sad about his friend. Having also lost a friend to suicide, this song really resonates with me. On this listen I didn’t know the back story. It wouldn’t surprise me if they recorded on the the same bridge to honor his friend.

[@stephenhumphris6962]

@@secondhandreactions yeah I totally get that I've lost as many friends from suicide due to PTSD from are time fighting for the British army I have been close we never got support when we left you have my subscription and support both fantastic ppl

[@susanellis5832]

Appreciate your words, thank you

[@susanellis5832]

Yes, he sure is!

[@stephenhumphris6962]

@@susanellis5832 no thank you very rare ppl use there wisdom for wise words and you definitely do appreciate hearing your words sue than you ♥️

[@michaelmardling3152]

Check out his song - Depression , How to be Me was filmed/performed on the very Bridge it happened at.

[@secondhandreactions]

Will definitely check this out. I’m learning that the hard part of doing these reactions is NOT listening to everything right away. I want to dig in to more of his stuff right away, but I’ll wait to get our reaction on the channel. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@sammyd8860]

Hi Michael, this is not actually true. You can Google images of Menai Bridge to see it if you want to. I am not sure that this was filmed on a bridge at all, looks more like the top of a building in a town (I don't know where for sure)

[@kineticthumpgaming4279]

try ren - genesis and ren and sam tomkins live busking. everything is amazing

[@secondhandreactions]

Thank you for the suggestions!

[@MikeyPea72]

I'm enjoying the vibe, there are many roads to go down with Ren and make sure to keep the tissues handy.

[@susanellis5832]

Seriously

[@NanaM1984]

Clay you dont go back, you start from where you are

[@MoreKellBellPlease]

Hugs to Sue ❤

[@neighborsue]

❤️ much appreciated

[@badbadleroybrown]

Love you guy's chemistry, everyone needs a neighbour like Sue 🙂

[@secondhandreactions]

Yea she’s good to have around lol

[@susanellis5832]

That was sweet

[@christineraffa-diggon]

❤

[@Dad-JanieWorld]

React to Chinchilla live version of Fingers. It’s a masterpiece live. Ren has Hi Ren. Chinchilla has Fingers. It’s so unique & unreal great. Listen once you read this lol. She is so beautiful & great.

[@secondhandreactions]

We reacted to this one already. Watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pafLeaKpgMhgeZo

[@analisasmith7927]

That is one of my favourites - so sad but so beautiful. But now you need a happy Ren song! Yes, he does them!! Bongo Bong, Wade in the Water or It's Alright - all with his band The Big Push - you'll love them!! :)

[@secondhandreactions]

Absolutely beautiful song. It’s emotional and haunting. Ok. You’re on. Next time we’ll listen to happy Ren songs. Is there anything else by chinchilla we should watch? She’s amazing too. The 2 of them are perfect together

[@analisasmith7927]

Chalk Outlines (the live version again) :) Also you need to check out songs with Sam Tompkins - just as good - try the video of them busking playing EarnedIt /Mans World/ Falling kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmnRc62onclriNE

[@secondhandreactions]

@@analisasmith7927We did chalk outlines yesterday too. :). Check our channel. We’ll definitely check that out. Thanks for suggesting.

[@analisasmith7927]

@@secondhandreactions whoops! got confused!! anyway - lots to enjoy :)

[@secondhandreactions]

@@analisasmith7927 We e been missing out on Ren. Thanks for the encouragement! Will definitely do more the next time we record.

[@ranahooke1907]

Would love you to check out one of his older songs.. Ren at his most vulnerable. Crutch feat. Bibi ❤️

[@secondhandreactions]

Oh nice. We’ll do it. Thanks for the suggestions. We really appreciate it. He’s a new artist for us, so this really helps us know where to look.

[@jessbordeaux9845]

O shit dude-he has some super fun songs. Power or Genesis. They are such fun songs. I'm with Sue, this one hits home. Ren is absolutely incredible!!

[@secondhandreactions]

We’re absolutely loving diving into Ren and his orbit. So much good music coming out of Brighton

[@neighborsue]

Power to touch a personal spot where one needs to remember that we are all human and have to work hard somedays to believe in yourself.

[@dougoneill7266]

Sue is correct in her attitude it seems to me. one of the most effective ways to undermine ourselves is to compare ourselves to others, Ren has put an enormous amount of time developing whatever talent he had to begin with. He also studied Music Performance at University. thereby learning techniques and methods to improve even further. Don't put yourself down mate. I'm sure you're a lot better than Ren at some stuff.

[@secondhandreactions]

Thanks for the insight. I didn’t mean to come off like I was putting myself down. It took me a beat to understand the point Sue was making. I thought we were talking about two different things for a moment. But I do agree we are all great at something. So, I’m more than comfortable with my mediocre guitar skills. Lol. Thanks for commenting. We appreciate you watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@adellegregory4433]

He wrote this for his friend James who took his own life.

[@secondhandreactions]

We didn’t know this at the time of this reaction. Tragic story. Amazing song.

[@elenaorujev3494]

Another incredible song! Please keep reacting to Ren, The Big Push, and his collaboration with Sam Tompkins (like Blind Eyed - MC sessions).

[@secondhandreactions]

We will for sure. He’s incredible. So is chinchilla. We’ll check out all of this and react to them. The Ren rabbit hole is deep!

[@elenaorujev3494]

@@secondhandreactions I have been in it for the past 6 weeks and still going strong!!! 😊👍

[@belindamelville2270]

Beautiful but tragic ❤❤❤

[@secondhandreactions]

Agreed

[@dehro]

not sure if it's practical for you, but usually Ren posts the lyrics to his songs in the comments to each video... might be useful to pull them up.

[@secondhandreactions]

Good to know. Thank you. I’ll look for that. I was thinking that maybe we should read the lyrics first to get a better understanding of the song, but I don’t know if that good or bad for our viewers.

[@dehro]

@@secondhandreactions really depends on the song... Some people pause more frequently and catch up, or rewind.. Others have them side by side... His rap songs are so fast paced that you will probably find them useful, as for reading them first... I'm not sure... Definitely don't do it for the tale of Jenny and screech(full), because it would spoil the heartbreaking reveal in the last lines

[@patrickquinlan3056]

I see that many don't mind that you talk over the music. My view is that if we want to understand Ren talking over his words will never help. If you really must talk stop the music first. Much of what you say is perfectly valid. If you have to, stop it and talk or wait until the end. I don't need your words to know how Ren affects you. It can be seen in your expressions. I am going to stay with the two of you and see if anything changes because I can see depth in both of you.

[@susanellis5832]

Thank you for giving us a chance, this is a brand new experience for me, room to grow!

[@patrickquinlan3056]

@@susanellis5832 ❤

[@blackknight1013]

I love their voices together, but find them difficult to watch because of Chinchilla's overly dramatic and fake movements that seem to be solely affected to show off her nails. Nothing wrong with a singer moving in lots of ways and common as they go for their big notes etc. but I just find when it looks contrived I find for some reason it grates on me. Less is more when you have a voice that doesn't need to be dressed up.

[@secondhandreactions]

First thing I noticed about her was her nails, but whatever I guess. Artists get to do and be whatever they want.

[@panchomcsporran2083]

Not so much a rabbit hole more of a warren, try reacting to his band "the big push"or anything he's involved with really.

[@susanellis5832]

Warrens are cozy and safe!!!

[@M.Blair-MeByDesign]

Ren is amazing...unfortunately Chinchilla takes him down a notch or two. She's ok, but he's better on his own for sure.

[@secondhandreactions]

We just reacted to one of her solo songs and after watching this, I don’t think I expected it. She’s got a great voice and I think their harmonies are beautiful/haunting but her solo stuff didn’t grab me at all. Maybe I just need to hear more of it.

[@lynnmoreno6878]

Disappointed in your review. Talking over the video is not great. The whole thing about gifts wasn’t even relevant. Sorry. I’m out.

[@susanellis5832]

I appreciate your perspective, be well!

[@secondhandreactions]

Yea we’re new and getting better at this. My point was that they’re gifted because they’re talented singers. Idk what Sue was talking about either. Her point seemed like a non sequitur to me. Lol, but others seemed to get what she was saying… Thanks for giving us shot anyway. Good luck

[@DakotaDogProductionsAk83]

Wow, they laid out their raw emotions and feelings, how much more of an authentic reaction can you ask for? They barely spoke over the lyrics?

[@neighborsue]

@@DakotaDogProductionsAk83 🙂

[@Codex7777]

It's a shame you missed half the lyrics...

[@secondhandreactions]

Yea, we've learned a lot since then. We were very new at this when we watched this video. We're still learning, but we've improved. Thanks for giving it a shot

[@neighborsue]

I heard plenty