The Newfangled Four • The Bare Necessities Parody •arr. Patrick McAlexander •2023 Quartet Semifinals

[@TheNewfangledFour]

Fun Fact: we reached out to Patrick McAlexander to arrange this for us a few months before contest, and he asked us to send him a google doc with all of our real life insecurities, and he was able to construct this masterpiece for us based on that, the wonderful word-smith that he is.

[@Lozza1991]

Genius

[@Yes-yv9zs]

THANK YOU! Replaying this every 2 minutes since it was uploaded like, ‘how did the arranger do this so perfectly and personally without just sitting with them for hours?’ by the way this is my new favourite song you guys have done by far. Love your work so much all four of you!! - Your #1 fan

[@oliverdelica2289]

The virtuosity of a virtuoso 🔥🔥

[@JMalaby89]

That is excellent! Just curious, because I'm only surface-level familiar with barbershop - is there much back and forth with regards to you guys putting your own personally brand of comedy on lyrics vs. what the songwriter writes?

[@johnnybradsher7021]

that is the scariest thing i’ve ever heard.

[@audigex]

Win or lose, they've probably bought more attention to barbershop than any other group - many of us wouldn't be watching without them

[@rapid13]

Funny. I wouldn’t know who they are without discovering FRED and Main Street.

[@strongbongus]

my dad sings bass for a quartet and these boys have really given us something to talk about! love the newfangled four just for that.. hope they still keep being the incredible, talented goofballs they are.

[@ljj8120]

Agreed 110%

[@rejoicegreatly]

Totally agree. They are great to watch and listen to!

[@ninty900]

Not just watching, but singing too! They were my introduction to barbershop and I eventually wound up joining a local barbershop chorus.

[@melissadana7829]

I love how Jake's insecurities are being short and prematurely grey, while simultaneously being the best-looking, second-best looking (on a bad day), and fourth best-looking (on a REALLY bad day) member of the group.

[@emilyjajaiajs9]

What’s the rank?

[@melissadana7829]

@@emilyjajaiajs9 Jack-SAN Nintendoburger spells out the ranking at 4:18, but the reason for the ranking is made evident at 4:04 ...though the entire arc of Joey's bit starts at 3:54.

[@DTux5249]

​​@@melissadana7829 you spelt nincompoopy wrong

[@gordonandtamarakirkham543]

I think they’re splendiculous!!!!

[@localidiotnumber792]

I mean, imagine not being in the top four most attractive in a four person group...

[@strongbongus]

“if you’re anything like us, and i know we are…” is such a perfect line.

[@Gashahn24]

As a non native speaker I have to ask: Is that an intended paradox or is there some actual meaning behind that?

[@Godasdogas]

Intended paradox ​@@Gashahn24

[@izzikora6751]

Actually it's more like an intended tautology

[@RillianThacker]

I was laughing my butt off the first time I heard him say that. Perfect delivery. I have met Joey Buss in person and he is very funny.

[@blindvision4703]

That crazy little laugh right before they started

[@TubaMaverick]

I ushered them backstage for this set. They're just as much fun off stage as they are on.

[@Just_Sara]

These guys are just what this world needs right now.

[@MisterManTheBestMan]

That "trumpet boy won't let me" is masterful.

[@Lozza1991]

Fabulous piece of writing, sung and performed to perfection

[@GrowWildOutdoors]

We all needed to mourn the loss of Ryan. It will always be bittersweet, but it's a testament to the success of this group in connecting with their audience. Thank you to Marcus for stepping in and saving this quartet from the archives of KZbin yesteryear.

[@musicality1_]

What happened to him? Why did he leave?

[@fieryvale]

@@musicality1_ No one knows...

[@Selichan42_SA]

​@musicality1245 he's teaching now! I think they said something about the stresses of constant touring were really getting to him

[@alistairwall5470]

@@Selichan42_SA He's also a full singing judge now. In Spoonful of Sugar i.e. 2019, he was only a candidate judge

[@rainbowwarrior6452]

His mental health was not where he wanted it to be, so he hung it up on good terms with the other three.@@musicality1_

[@IsaacBenevides]

This is the best instance of Jack-son missing the joke and saying 'Dang it!' to date

[@TankR]

When they started the run of each putting something in I was waiting for Jack-son's line.....And not only was it perfect, IT WAS A CALL BACK!!! I get not going where you want to in life, but freaking A.....The boys got talent out the wazoo!

[@michaelfuchs3334]

I think I have a new favorite Newfangled Four song

[@zapo5284]

That makes two of us

[@journeymancurmudgeon3113]

I'm still partial to the spoonful of sugar parody

[@joeldiehl2242]

Me too

[@izzikora6751]

Same

[@Turnpike_]

I nearly choked laughing so hard at the out of left field Bananaphone call back. Caught me so off guard.

[@pabloflores8296]

My God, I know its a running gag but that banana reference caught me off guard lmao. Nice to see you again!

[@abydosianchulac2]

I cackled, and i almost never cackle

[@robertglogowski777]

Same, it was so unexpected

[@asterythm]

Right?? Even after having read this comment while the video was loading, that had me in HYSTERICS

[@TheNewfangledFour]

You never know if Jacko has a banana in his pocket :O

[@sanders22158]

@@TheNewfangledFour He could just be happy to see you

[@4partharmony208]

Their sound was so dialed in. That ring was SCREAMING! Love it!

[@xseros7954]

Joeys "Wheeee!" at 6:54 is my absolute favourite part of this song, and it saddens me that noone laughed. Cause I did. A lot.

[@HeftyDan]

He sounds like the sound that plays when you get a check point in a Mario game

[@evankeller3663]

can we take a second and appreciate this tag?! my word

[@helenl3193]

Sorry to slow my ignorance, but could you explain what a tag is? Google isn't being very helpful and I keep seeing the term.. Is it the vocal/barbershop version if a guitar riff? Or is it specific to a particular part of the song? Thanks so much!

[@evankeller3663]

@@helenl3193 Oh no this is a great question! In barbershop music, the tag is the last part of the song, sort of like a coda, that ends in an ending chord (often a big one like this song but sometimes a soft pretty one). They're typically a few measures long and often can be sung by themselves in an informal setting with people who just want to learn that small part of the song right on the spot and then sing it together. There's apps with oodles of sheet music of thousands of tags. hope that helps!

[@helenl3193]

@@evankeller3663 thank you! 😊

[@bigboland6160]

@@helenl3193 on top of that, one of the most impressive part of tags, not every one but a lot of them(this one included) will have the lead holding one note the whole time, while everyone else changes chords and resolves with the lead still holding that note

[@tomkingsley9128]

@@bigboland6160exactly. It’s called a “hanger” or sometimes “posting a note”

[@saraalhashimi2650]

Insecurities or not, we love you all the same! Thank you NF4 for sharing your authentic selves with us! ❤

[@notyouraveragenat]

1:41 is so funny for no reason, just the zero hesitation when they turn back around is PERFECT

[@Armstrong330]

I agree.

[@LadyFrostbite]

6:29 is the cutest bit. Marcus is so effing cute, i can't.

[@ZTMachine1]

Adorable man

[@helenl3193]

He's borderline animated character he's so cute!

[@vera_6779]

Adorably cute

[@Pikachu0071000CS]

Jake's cough when his "low bass notes e-ch" and then continuing the song on beat is impressive as hell lol

[@MovableNu]

That’s probably my favorite part 😂

[@aloysiuskurnia7643]

"Although we're youtube celebrities" sounds oddly sweet to me. It feels like they give a shoutout to their friends at youtube.

[@billborrowed3939]

Bringing back the "phone with a peal" made me laugh so hard

[@ossumpossum5490]

Good to know they've aged as much as I have. Kidding! Love the authenticity, it's all so relatable and makes us all feel a little less alone, something we all need in this post-Panda Express world.

[@mahoganyflagpole6877]

This had me cackling when I watched it live! Each one of them have such amazing delivery and timing! The Newfangled Four commands the stage like no other quartet! They are KZbin celebrities for a reason!

[@rapid13]

I miss Ryan, but I dig Marcus. So glad these guys kept going!

[@fieryvale]

So true!

[@teresavandal4973]

I would love it if they could go on FOREVER; that is how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE these guys!! I just shared on Facebook, and with my husband.. I HOPE it brings a few extra fans into their fold!!

[@Z3DT]

There's a recent upload on this channel of a big choir performance with all five of the Newfangled Four singing right next to each other. It's great to see.

[@mermaidcirianneaqua]

@@Z3DTwhat video is it??

[@loftus8660]

I'm one of the (many) people that discovered modern barbershop and this channel via the NF4, they're my favourite quartet and led me to find and enjoy so many other performances from the last decade or so from various quartets. I love their unique style of humour and they always put a smile on my face! I was gutted that Ryan left and to be honest watching a couple of the new performances over the last day or two felt a bit odd, like seeing a relative with a new partner. That said, this is the performance to really set the stage for the new lineup for me. Having the acknowledgement of Ryan being gone and Marcus having his own style and input for the group really clicked in this one and the song was fantastically performed. The comedy was absolutely on point too, it felt like something familiar and yet something totally new at the same time. I'm so glad all of these get uploaded, i don't think i'll ever get bored of them! Heres to the new newfangled four 👏

[@itamarbar9580]

Indeed. Here's to the newfangled four, and newfangled success!

[@abydosianchulac2]

This was really the best way they could have lampshaded the baritone switch: first clearly mourning the old, telling the new he won't measure up, then embracing and supporting him. It welcomed Marcus while still showing how much they value Ryan.

[@smallpseudonym2844]

I highly, _highly_ recommend looking at a group from the 80's/90's called FRED. It's the comedy group that set a new standard and the one on which all later comedy styled groups were modeled. They consistently were a top5 group before finally winning, and their jokes are _still_ funny 30 years later.

[@loftus8660]

@@smallpseudonym2844 thank you for the recommendation, i most certainly will!

[@TheBigManCann]

Probably my favorite Newfangled Four song.

[@Lozza1991]

I agree

[@BarbershopHarmony]

It is sooo hard to choose just ONE!

[@izzikora6751]

Same

[@ardendelspain]

Okay, but the smiles and absolute audience applause after Joey's part @ 6:03 🎉 Everybody was expecting a bit and the bit was actually NAILING IT

[@PCFDD]

I thought it was a reference to Vern Reed's tenor part in the Buffalo Bills 'Sincere'?

[@ardendelspain]

@PCFDD I'm sure you're right! Im just so used to watching these guys not take it too serious and "do it wrong" so to speak for the laugh , so I couldn't have been the only person surprised by the fact they did the gesture comedy but actually belted out some great harmony

[@b_matthew1850]

I think the reaction is from Joey being awesome and the reference to Vern

[@Lozza1991]

Definitely NOT "the part that doesn't matter"

[@katiebarker4029]

Jaxcssissippi Nacho Bell Grande is sounding so clear here! Funny and phenomenal as usual ❤

[@pinkcupcake4717]

Jackson held that last note for a solid 15 seconds, man has lungs for DAYS.

[@Z3DT]

Don't forget his parents could afford quuuAlity VooOOICE leEESSOOOoooonnnnsssss

[@oliverdelica2289]

@@Z3DT you got to check out Give Up from this year's competition. It's probably the most Tim Waurick-esque post that Jackson has done

[@helenl3193]

​@Z3DT really? Then why didn't they get them for him? 😂

[@oliverdelica2289]

@@helenl3193 he doesn't need it 😎✊

[@TheThirdPrice]

Wow. Probably one of my favorite of their 'meta' performances.

[@JadeSokoll]

"It's so hard to see the good in life!" 😂We are so glad you guys are back!! We've all missed you, it was like seeing old friends again. And you genuinely sound better than ever! The balance of all your vocals is spot on. Don't stop, we all need the NF4 in our lives!

[@Audileee]

I love how clean Jackson’s post is for real, BANGING TAG

[@jakeharvey3582]

DANG Jackson sounded so good this year. DIdn't know until this year that he could post so well!

[@jaocinza]

I LOVE THIS ONE THE LYRICS IS SO REAL

[@spades_gameing]

IT'S THE PHONE WITH A-PEEL...!

[@patrickwaters4619]

DANG IT!!!

[@hoopoloatucd]

NF4, You gone done it again! Another parody masterpiece.

[@abydosianchulac2]

Okay, between this and "Joe Re Mi" it's clear Joey's voice is reaching its full maturity. Dang, he sounds amazing this year. Seriously, this is the best they've sounded (0:59 good god). They've always been good, but they achieved a new level this year without losing their characteristic sound. Really fantastic work, guys!

[@ColeWoodruffMusic]

His part in the end was incredible

[@robertglogowski777]

All of the Newfangled Four's songs this year have just become instant classics (pun heavily intended), they're all so much fun to listen to, and their performances in general are astounding!

[@j-sun3821]

THE PHONE WITH APPEAL, I LOVE IT. Never gets old and you boys still have it :) super enjoyable.

[@tichu7]

Welcome to the group, Marcus! Maybe one day, your insecurity will be laid to rest when your videos stop having a "where's Ryan" question in the comments!

[@Lozza1991]

I would predict that day is fast approaching, he fits like a hand in a glove

[@Dhyatt61]

the way Jackson can hold a note always gives me goosebumps

[@drakestallworth3621]

Im not even a barbershop fan but this is the most open a group with a replacement has been. And in a funny and musical way, too. Props

[@The2econd3vil3xes]

That got real. And that makes it hilarious.

[@LiinaTarvis]

hi I'm just leaving this list here as a little marker of all the little joys this video brought me 0:51 the fact that they didn't say "pandemic" but were accurate in the end anyway. pandemonium indeed 1:04 "no, he left, he didn't die!" 1:39 the immediate return 1:54 "if you're anything like us, and I know _we_ are" 2:17 i wonder if the judges feel a primal fear whenever NF4 makes eye contact with them, addresses them, even 3:27 -Blake- -Jason- Jake's verse sounds so lovely! Despite the joke at the end, hearing him drop lower and lower and lower gives me the tingles 3:55 it's been highlighted under several videos, but Joey is in peak form this year! he sounds so smooth. the delivery of "trumpet boy", in particular, is _so_ crisp! 4:19 Jake, Jake on a bad day, Marcus (ft Joey's sad "really?"), Jake on a REALLY bad day... 5:00 "I have MORE INSECURITIES" 5:17 the good old "im dead inside but i'll keep on trucking (:" 5:50 VERY POINTED, sheesh 6:04 once again, Joey is INCREDIBLE 6:55 Joey's perfect WEEE?! call him a courier the way he just keeps delivering 7:18 those dang tall Northern Europeans... 7:22 the prodigal son(ana) returns :') 7:50 the way that final chord rings!!!!!

[@abydosianchulac2]

Agree with all, and I'd have to add 4:00 when they give the 'non-trained' guy the atonal section

[@roberternest7289]

Actually, it's Marcus' WEEEE

[@tiagomarques9822]

@@roberternest7289I also thought so, but watch it again and look at Joey: it’s definitely his WEEEE!!

[@abydosianchulac2]

@iiiiiiiv ...I'd thought that was one guy, two at the most. Holy shit

[@melissadana7829]

I am totally stealing that "call him a courier..." line. Love it!

[@WilliamAiken]

6:07 Good Ole' Barbershop!

[@j00nha]

The jokes get better each year, but so does the singing! They've come a long way from ten years ago

[@jmt417]

1) Marcus should've acted like he didn't get the "Banana Phone" joke 2) I really wish NFF and Lunchbreak would do a colab. That would be priceless.

[@sketchyAnalogies]

These are both good points. Man I'd kill for a NFF Lunch Break Collab that sounds amazing

[@eyyy773]

These guys mean so much to me. I've been listening to their songs songs for years now and they keep coming back being as funny and as touching as ever. NF4 You guys are wonderful ❤

[@ladycaruso]

This was the first song I ever watched from the Newfangled Four (about 6 months ago) so it was interesting to be on the “other side” and not have a history of watching Ryan first. Watching it again, it’s still one of my all time favorites. It really moved me. Impostor syndrome, not living the life you dreamed of, but still trying to live your best life… It’s performed with so much humor, but it’s really so deep and relatable. Absolutely fantastic and made a fan out of me. ❤️

[@Moccason]

This was absolutely brilliant, I’m cackling 😭 Believe me - your comedy is not getting old, I’m 18 and loving every second of it 😂😭

[@idkwhattocallmyself5579]

I was blessed to remember and come back to NF4 at the perfect time

[@justadam3186]

7:56 Joey: "YEAHHH!" after NAILING that final note

[@roerathomas380]

Love these guys can watch this over and over. Oops i have been watching this over and over. Love to you all ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@peterragni3350]

Holy crap Joey’s isolated line on “doesn’t matter” is so hilarious hahahaha

[@Dztbrawler]

I really missed watching the NF4. They're my favorite group and always cheers me up! I don't think you're past your primes and I hope y'all get gold one day!

[@Avboden]

Feels like this should have been their finals song, so good!

[@CByers-lh3zq]

Marcus has a great mellow voice- really solid Bari.

[@pinkcupcake4717]

His voice is BUTTER.

[@nathanchaytor]

so glad they're back!

[@jaredprovost2002]

I ran into half of these guys at my work a few months ago. I knew from their tik tok that they lived generally in my area, but its still quite funny running into your high school idols 5+ years later! they were very friendly as well!

[@actingfunnyonsunday]

I have absolutely nothing but gratitude for these guys. Their arrangements have touched me and made me feel all the things that good music can make you feel. From the start, they've been unapologetically themselves, and they've helped more people to be comfortable with themselves than they will ever know. Thanks fellas

[@wendybrown500]

When they get in the top 5 (because they absolutely will) the barbershop community is going to lose its mind in the best way. I can’t wait!!

[@LiinaTarvis]

Oh boy, this upload is TIMELY for me. I'm fully built of insecurities right now and this is such a crutch to lean on. a lovely message and a silky smooth performance. full cake, icing and all! I'm glad I watched this on my own, though. it would've been an experience, to say the least, to answer the question "why are you crying?" with "Jackson did the banana joke again :') " thank you for the catharsis, boys ❤

[@CymruEmergencyResponder]

Yessss! They are back!

[@petervolmert2112]

New favorite NF4 song! Wow did they sound good! And the self deprecating hunor was so clever!

[@EnochRhiza]

That was a lot to happily unpack...if this song had footnotes it would be quite good reading! Such talent and joy, thank you!

[@duskmallow]

The Internet is gonna eat this one up

[@harleypitihira]

Jacksons post is literal god level 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jaydearly7367]

So I was listening to this for the nth time both because it's great and the line 'I want to sing the lead but Trumpet Boy Won't Let Me' lives rent free in my head since the first time I heard it. As I was listening I thought it would be hilariously funny and probably totally doable for this group to do a version of the camp song 'hello, my name is Joe, I have a wife and a dog and a family and I work in a button factory' (no idea what that song might actually be called).

[@Horrison1]

4 years past your peak... maybe... maybe.. but here we are and still amazing

[@CatholicQuartet]

I love every Newfangled Four song.

[@EnochRhiza]

woot! Life is good again!

[@justinr4718]

I'm devestated I didn't realize this was in Louisville until basically now

[@LarissaDawn]

I get it's just a bit- but I've got a huge crush on Jacks7ississippi. Also, can we just talk about how much Marcus has just become... one of them? Phenomenal

[@Vivi-Mage]

I’ve never really explored or liked barbershop, but after watching George Collier’s transcription of one of the NF4’s performances I’ve been totally hooked! I’ve never seen the mix of comedy and barbershop and I can definitely see why a lot of people love it! These guys are brilliant!! Also the line, “the music industry will only break my heart” really hit hard as someone wanting to pursue a career in music

[@allbabs4799]

I smiled the whole time through that song, thanks so much for the performance!

[@Kyriose]

That was amazing. I was smiling the whole time. I'm so glad they're back!

[@Lozza1991]

Best ever bass part, or best ever bass. Most likely both.

[@drumbum3.142]

Care to Explain How This Bass is "Obviously" Superior to Throwback ,?.. ... Actually Come to think of it O.C. Times 2.. (?) 😐😐😐😐😐🤔😐😐

[@grahamice8027]

I like Jake as much as the rest and I won't discount his tone quality and range. I disagree that he is the best ever bass though. That is a very lofty statement. In my opinion that would go more to the likes of Terry Clarke, Rick Staab, Jeff Oxley, or Brett Littlefield. There are many others who could be put on that list that I'm sure I am forgetting. That is also just in the realm of barbershop, there are many other incredible bass singers outside of this hobby that are up there too. Though I agree that his performance was fantastic here, I believe there are better basses.

[@hisbassness]

​@@grahamice8027personally, I like someone right in the middle between Jake and Jeff Oxley. Oxley is *too* round and covered in his tone for my liking (as far as barbershop goes, at least), while the first couple minutes of this song Jake is overly forward and bright with his vowels. I'd take a Jim Henry as the GOAT, myself.

[@jaredt.murphy8257]

Genuinely A euphoric experience every time I listen to the music of the Newfangled four. Thank you all so much

[@geoflyer15]

Absolutely BRILLIANT!!! Love this for so many reasons. Great job guys.

[@danielbraniff8517]

2:32 that laugh 😂

[@chops1689]

Listening to their songs this year, Marcus's voice is just buttery smooth

[@rainbowwarrior6452]

Best tag I've seen in a while.

[@captainnihilo]

What a lovely and uniquely talented song from the NF4 - love them as always :D

[@shanefrantz]

2:13 thats me lol

[@sketchyAnalogies]

"... Is authenticity" "YAY" lmao amazing!

[@rookalarm]

Lmao nice

[@bobbijoepps5297]

These guys are AMAZING!!!!!!

[@QuartetLead]

AwEsOmE first song back! SO CLEAN! GreatJokes!

[@RedHeadAlive09]

God, there's nothing I don't love about this! I was grinning the whole time ❤

[@yoshless]

Aaaaabsolutely awesome!!

[@rebeccapaul4410]

No words. Except fabulous.

[@jettisonius]

YEAHHHHH I MISSED THESE GUYS

[@berglettemom6045]

Bravo! What an absolute delight to see you in a new performance. Love the new guy, too.

[@M3E000]

I love this song and this group. ❤

[@PCFDD]

Amazing amazing amazing

[@the.pokey.little.pineapple4546]

So good to hear you boys singing again 😊

[@amystarcher4943]

I am so glad you guys are back!! I love the song!! Now go set the world on fire 🔥😊❤

[@xenodrone3367]

let them get that gold

[@Anethlis]

Going through rough stuff and seeing you back really helped me ❤❤ So happy to see you back

[@mmachad1]

I love Marcus

[@justblamedave]

I love watching Pirates of Penzance and THIS reminds me of just that. Great singing mixed with comedy. Great job!!!

[@Lozza1991]

Agree.

[@Armstrong330]

Honestly I don’t care how long ago this was. These guys always give me a smile. These guys are the peoples champs. 2025 is their year.

[@Armstrong330]

Forgot to mention Jackson on Thankmas was incredible.

[@hunterleebrown]

I need to know who the Marcuses are!

[@saraalhashimi2650]

They are mostly referencing to Marcus Kang who left Clutch this year and therefore were not competing that convention.

[@hunterleebrown]

Wish I were on the inside to get the jokes. I missed that train. lol. @@saraalhashimi2650