The Presidents- Jonathan Coulton

An illustrated music video for a project in AP US History class. Music belongs to Jonathan Coulton.
NOTE: Accidentally misspelled Mr. Coulton's name... sorry...

[@teheyepatch]

Every US history class should include this song. Taught me way more than textbooks ever did.

[@KyahPalmisano]

I agree. It’s so sad.

[@tejaswoman]

"Carter lusted in his heart for peanuts" combines two facts. One , Carter was a peanut farmer before becoming president -- well, and governor of Georgia -- and two, he gave a famous interview with Playboy which he acknowledged he had, at times, "lusted in [his] heart" for women despite being a devout Christian.

[@oldblackobama]

I thought it said penis

[@bkaneshiro14]

To be honest, I feel like the biggest problem people have with presidents is that we expect them to be perfect and bend to our every whim. No one is perfect. On the other hand, the presidents themselves shouldn't try to sell themselves AS perfect.

[@RedRocky54]

George Washington just set the bar too high it would seem.

[@eliburry-schnepp6012]

No kidding, dude was tall.

[@Enderdragonfighter]

Eli Burry-Schnepp I'll like this comment, but grudgingly

[@Nikolapoleon]

Do I smell smoke? ....Oh, it's just the flamewar in the comment section.

[@yarrun]

I find it amusing that the first thing that made me really raise my eyebrows was when you drew Coolidge smiling

[@fluffybaconmuffin]

I consider this video my last bit of studying before APUSH exams in the morning.

[@TheHeartlessHeretic]

I demand a continuation of this song.

[@TIcalcul8rsrule]

You did a great job animating this :) I hope your APUSH class loved it!

[@asheep7797]

Oldest comment on this video

[@mariahfleming1120]

I am sooooooo getting my America History teacher to play this in class~!

[@jacobwingers5206]

How did it go?

[@mariahfleming1120]

​@Jacob Wingers I don't remember lol probably didn't ask, thank fuck

[@NathanTAK]

After the election, JoCo really has to update this song.

[@NathanTAK]

I came here to say this, then realized I already did. Anybody have his email? :P

[@KaptenKetchup]

Naþan Ø What lyrics would you add about the current president, now that we're in the future?

[@ComicSams48]

After two presidents

[@neferkiti]

@@ComicSams48 three presidents!

[@northstarpokeshipper2148]

@@neferkiti4 presidents come January!

[@dretdrel8130]

Yes. A "cigar".

[@YourXboxClown]

Well, he did. Story has it that she played with herself using a cigar while Clinton watched. But yes, he also gave her a "cigar".

[@scotthall7307]

YourXboxClown That seems horribly unsanitary.

[@YourXboxClown]

Scott Hall What? Sleeping with Bill Clinton? I know right?

[@Marxfan58]

Scott Hall Cigars come wrapped in plastic before they're well...unwrapped.

[@scotthall7307]

Pendrell Vale I totally forgot, I only buy em by the pack now so forgot that individuals were sealed.

[@tentacles1853]

man, I love Jonathan culton's songs! :D

[@eunaekim9216]

Is no one going to talk about the fact that in all of the interludes they put Hail to the Chief?

[@teheyepatch]

The John Tyler animation is my favorite XD

[@dionysus6892]

"I don't like to make politcal statements...." And doesn't, great on you Coulton.

[@chainsawgood123]

This is the best American history lesson ever.

[@kurtkaletka6207]

James Garfield was shot in 1881, not 1882. I guess 1882 just fit the rhyme scheme better. I did not realize Tyler annexed Texas. Arguably he didn't, but he sure got the ball rolling on it. This song made me look that up. It was fascinating.

[@jomanom8651]

A+ on including Santa Anna in Taylor and Polk's slide

[@jushthemeister]

You have no idea how much I love the image of FDR shootin' down nazzies from his wheelchair!

[@stephenandersen4625]

next year we will need an up date

[@WillyTheComposerOfficial]

The lyric should be “Wilson got us into World War I”

[@vincegiffen]

His isolationist policy made ww1 much worse than it could have been because if America had helped from the start the trenches would not have been fully established by the time that they got there

[@WillyTheComposerOfficial]

balefiregolemsworld Should’ve remained isolationist. You mean to tell me these thousand year old European nations need America to come in and sort their stuff out for them? If Europeans want to kill each other by the millions, why is that our problem?

[@anonpony1693]

I'm gonna go buy some of this Mann's albums now!

[@mturynP]

Fair enough…but Lincoln definitely didn't think anything like 'Swoosh!', more like 'Phew! that was close, and horrible…next a play, then back to work.'.

[@Horizon_Flyer]

Harding says: "Let's Lazzie faire with Buinuss". So my great, great (I'm not so good at counting generations) grandfather did something of great importance. Even my family had some dignity.

[@fishcutter395]

"I don't like to make political statements..." *doesn't make a political statement*

[@moyayaille2609]

But he does though. A lot.

[@Undertakerlover1306]

That part made me 😅

[@captainl-ron4068]

I love the way he gets the outcome of the 1812 war totally backwards.

[@Guitarboredguy]

Well, even though it was a stalemate, both sides claimed victory. Since the song's from an American perspective, he's not completely wrong in saying that people thought they won.

[@happymarkijohn195]

To Madison's credit, he can at least be distinguished as the only commander in chief who actually fought in a war during his presidency.

[@OmenGaming69]

I love how this isn't an angry debate over this. His fans are great!

[@ravenshrike]

Captain L-Ron Go kick someone approx your height/weight in the pants as hard as you can. Did you win the ensuing fight? Of course, to fully flesh out the analogy the guy's older brother would have had to have been forcing you to do his homework.

[@captainl-ron4068]

I'm not here for analogy but rather statements of fact, the Royal Navy sailed up the Potomac River and burned down most of the Government buildings in Washington DC including the Presidential Mansion the stone work remained standing but was so badly smoke damaged the whole lot had to be whitewashed which is why it's now called The White House. America sued for peace, , which in this case was surender in all but name. In overall terms it went something like.... The US aggressed against The Crown's territory in Canada and Britain's response was to invade in the north, harry your Atlantic coast and burn down your capitol and crucially once you sued for peace, leave you to your business without trying to take territory, or fuck with you further. You'd learn't your lesson. We had bigger problems, namely the bloody French.

[@MxRelli]

The US did not annex Texas from Mexico. Texas was a free, recognized and independent nation, that joined the US of its own will (mostly due to the Red Back becoming worthless and ensuing poverty). When Texas joined the US, they did have fight Mexico to keep it. But not on nearly the scale of the Texas Revolution.

[@3seven5seven1nine9]

When a smaller nation becomes a portion of a larger nation, it's annexed.

[@SynchronizorVideos]

@@3seven5seven1nine9 Annexation refers specifically to a forcible acquisition.

[@TyMan210]

"Reagan Smash!"

[@jacobwingers5206]

Lol

[@Clockwork-XIII]

I would like an updated version of this song given the events of the last few years.....

[@joshneilson9231]

So catchy... I love it..

[@PokeyPie248]

Very Very Well Done!!

[@CaptainGoodall55]

No, the UK and US signed a peace treaty that restored all borders existing before the war. During the war, the British took some US land including the capitol, and the US took some British-owned land in Canada. Britain wanted to call it off because they were losing too many resources, and not winning anything substantial.

[@clickityclak6111]

CapAll55 Relax, it's tongue in cheek. Both sides claimed victory and this is from the American perspective.

[@AUniqueHandleName444]

I can't wait to hear Trump's verse.

[@NeuPanda]

Obamas: Obama Created not so affordable health care Trumps: Trump won and cause a political war

[@bloodypika]

I'm going with: Trump nuked half the Middle East.

[@flinko99]

Obama: Obama was filibustered for many months Trump: Trump bought his way to the oval office

[@limegreenelevator]

I know it's one line per prez but for (stretching a) rhyme's sake I'm giving them two each. Obama's two campaigns were hope-and-change-y, Got the people shouting "YES WE CAN!" Donald Trump had skin that was o-range-y, And grabbed the White House with his tiny hands.

[@zerombr]

well done

[@MegaAstroFan18]

*Wilson did nothing in World War 1

[@michaellyga4726]

The visual style is just perfect

[@Gmackematix]

Great illustrations. In my head I have changed it to Garfield was assassinated BY 1882, just to correct the slight inaccuracy.

[@Harshuaz1214]

kinda makes it sound like 1882 assasinated Garfield, but good for you.

[@insaninater]

i dont like to make political statements........... that part got me

[@Kanakotka]

Lovely song, but one glaring mistake, Roosevelt's US barely even fought the Nazis. US was 10 times more involved in China and pacific at the time.

[@michaeledmunds1767]

+Kanakotka So what? It's not like there was NO involvement.

[@calebmon]

+Kanakotka he was only there from the beginning of the US's involvement in WW2 until the very end in 1945 you know, ALL of the major battles that the US fought during WW2 although it is true, The US wasn't as involved they were still part of kicking the Nazi's ass's

[@lordilluvondy8494]

Well, the US was in the Invasion Of Normandy.

[@HamboneHugen]

Also, Garfield was actually assassinated in 1881.

[@levishu991]

this is how i memorized the presidents

[@Cody238]

There are updated versions that fix that but they are all low quality live shows. Still good though I love the updated BushJr. part.

[@Revanskia]

I like this as much as the animaniacs one...XD

[@geniusenigma]

1812 james madison kicked the british in the pants. But if you ask any canadian, according to them THEY were a part of this war and THEY beat America. It's kind of cute, like a kid playing grown up.

[@kennethpalmer6876]

I thought that Garfield was assassinated in 1881?

[@Drakelx55]

***** That and 1881 doesn't sound nearly as catchy as 1882 :P

[@julianlutz1221]

This needs more views!

[@Flanagax]

There are a few music videos for this song on KZbin, but yours is by far the best.

[@TatewakiKunoAge17]

FDR having More Dakka from his wheelchair really made me laugh.

[@magnalunatic]

nothing else can be said besides Teddy Rosevelt monster hunter!

[@redpearlprincess4259]

its basically an anime series about the countries personified.

[@theatomicbomb6215]

I wonder if Jonathan coulton knew Theodore Roosevelt was crippled

[@garrison.s.9639]

Theodore Roosevelt was not crippled or handicap Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in a wheelchair due to polio. Theater Roosevelt was handy with a gun. They are family members by being like fifth cousins to each other

[@EK-rw9sw]

JoCo please finish the song thanks

[@Thrifty032781]

Did Franklin Pierce actually repeal the Missouri Compromise? I thought that the Supreme Court overturned it in Sanford Vs Scott.

[@CrushedIdealism]

9/10. Needs more Dakka.

[@prussiapokesbadgers]

Okay, I just want to point out that while Nixon did have the Watergate scandal, he also had GREAT foreign policy and actually got to go visit Communist China and Chairman Mao.

[@notablegoat]

But saying "Obama hasn't done so much so far" is a political statement! How about "Obama's the first black president so far". Then you get one of the big thing's he'll be remembered for, just like all the other presidents in the song.

[@c-secofficer123]

Oh cmon Grant did way more than drink haha poor guy

[@snorv01]

According 2006 census, we're actually mostly German, Irish, and African American.

[@clockworkNate]

Somewhere, surely freedoms on the march. I don't like to make political statements but I'll be there to see it when it starts.

[@CuteSmokes]

Some of these pictures are hilarious. I love John Tyler running away with Texas over his head, hahahaa

[@nightgirlpuppy]

Bests of the other versions with pictures

[@shmood3000]

"I don't like to make political statements..." And the lyrics end there. LOL

[@victorionious]

How would that happen... is there a Hetalia "The Presidents" AMV? ...if so - please direct me to it...

[@Schmorgus]

American history, short and imported :)

[@fish5935]

Jonathan Coulton for president!

[@ricardorr25]

reply if you're watching in 2015

[@willschannel_]

iMario Sorry this is 202147098327 KZbin sucks now enjoy what you have while you have it.

[@ricardorr25]

What happens

[@willschannel_]

iMario Well we discover the secret to immortality, go to mars etc.

[@corndog1990]

StanleyZeManly 2016 is soooooooooo last year

[@woopsadaisy10]

*rocks out*

[@296577]

I am using this to Study for APUSH, thank you for putting this up

[@Qwerp55]

The treaty of Ghent was ratified by the United States Senate on February 16, 1815. The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815. So how exactly was the war over? Even if the war was over, how does that diminish the accomplishment? If Jackson had lost, New Orleans would have still been sacked and occupied. The English viewed the Louisiana Purchase as fraudulent because they didn't recognize Napoleon as Emperor of France. If they had captured New Orleans it would have been very bad.

[@DraxonTehWarrior]

well said, not a lot of people remember this properly.

[@bloodyangel3153]

The didn't teach about the trail of tears in school

[@benitodee3274]

I'd end the song with "politics today are such a farce".

[@romulusnuma116]

Nothings changed.

[@MrGearox]

i cant belive by 2005 he hadnt put in the part about how Bush started a war for oil......

[@kulasatkasuy3635]

That is the 43 president song

[@Kukitea]

....AMERICA ANNEXED TEXAS! *dies laughing* it's so funny from a Hetalia standpoint.

[@jeffsworldvlogs6088]

My favorite President is Lyndon B Johnson who's your favorite President

[@argella1300]

@watchoutitbites thought that was the canadians?

[@rowdyroughman]

Reagan: lost his mind" Biden: Hold my beer

[@Kwikfix747]

Unfair on Hoover, not his fault!

[@gmoney66]

True, it was more the fault of the invention of credit, and people not truly understanding that you have to pay things back eventually.

[@lindsay4410]

I really wish this was around when I was a kid. I could have memorized this for the president's test in school. lol!

[@EaliFey]

Coulton... i lvoe you so D:

[@Snakebite105]

America's glasses? When was Texas mentioned in Hetalia?

[@MrKalgra]

No, which would explain why I don't understand.

[@listtwist]

I like the rhythm of this one. It's pretty catchy. Check the web site called list-twist for memorizing the American presidents and thousands of other facts. Just type in the word list-twist and the name of the site will apear on page one of your search engine. This is a simple audio system for rapid learning.

[@MattNovosad]

well, parts of Canada that is. Of course those parts didn't really want to leave and we did kinda behave aggressively. We wanted land, they didn't want to give sort of situation. It's just convenient that Impression was happening at the same time.

[@IizJessieify]

*Woot woot* Love dis.

[@Draconiator]

The last line would have to be "But the ones that come after are all farts".

[@redpearlprincess4259]

have you ever seen the anime Hetalia?

[@EatMeGoogleStopChangingShit]

why do both top comments say THE EXACT SAME THING?!?!?

[@tedsenft]

Why can't History class be like this?! This is fun, and I learned more this way than "blahblahblah" in several years of High School...

[@yomanimus]

Not bad!

[@jojogape]

Oh, Coulton. :D You just can't help being awesome. Can you?

[@Babylily84]

@YouWithTheFace11 YAY!!! MORE PEOPLE WHO GOT THAT!!!!

[@matilyn_rf]

What grade did you get on this?

[@osat]

kennedy was killed by a magic bullet? where did it come from, the guard without the safety thing stopping the gun from firing, or some guy on the top of a building with a gun?

[@Taco74C0]

is Roosevelt's DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA a 40k reference?

[@MarzTheAwesome]

Actually, I got here from a Hetalia AMV titled, "Gay Or European?" XD It had a link so I clicked it and here I am. I don't think there's an AMV for this song... yet...

[@mikenelappana6357]

this is f-ing awesome thank u for uploading this deviantedspear

[@pxnxd68]

I have the same birthday as Lincoln~

[@TheLarryBiscuit]

Holy shit this is Rufus'? HOLY SHIT.

[@cheezit1x1]

I leand this song! :3

[@Schmorgus]

How did that have to do with anything that i wrote? :P American history is still short and imported, directly from Europe.

[@jensibowable]

that and saying that if you could you wish you could survive it toopffhaha