I'm Hooked! First time hearing Blues Traveler and their hit "Hook"

[@richard_n]

Blues Traveler may be the most underrated band of all time. They were so good in so many ways. John Popper is a great singer and one of the best harmonica players of all time.

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

Popper's work on the Spin Doctors album "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" is also unheralded but so, SO freakin' good.

[@DanielOrion74]

I don’t know if I’d go that far, as they were VERY popular in their day. That aside, I’m not really a fan per se but one of my most memorable live performance experiences, was seeing them live at Red Rocks. I wasn’t there to see them as it was a festival of sorts, but they blew me away. Popper sounded even better live and the band was so tight. I was totally impressed.

[@debras1503]

AGREED !!!

[@debras1503]

Popper plays on Gov’t Mule as well

[@gavinsheridan4680]

All time ?? Bold statement.

[@nygroover397]

John Poppers voice was the hook that brought most of us back again and again to his music and invested us in the Blues Traveler catalog in the 90's. Even still today. And those harmonica breaks were awesome. Old school blues/rock/alternate....

[@ericatkinson4477]

One of my favorite lines of all time in any song is, "No matter how much Peter loved her, what made the Pan refuse to grow, was that the Hook brings you back." so good on so many levels.

[@hulkslayer626]

Eminem would be envious!

[@ggram0551]

Love entendres in songs, verbally, and visually in music videos. Unfortunately just a lost art as they go over so many people's heads the cleverness is lost.

[@TehRusbus]

This line is so underappreciated. Such a clever song.

[@hyperbomb02]

That line is a BAAARRR

[@andrews3137]

His harmonica control is just as ridiculously controlled. His draw blow patterns are all over the place and so precise. Because you were talking about Peter Pan so much at the beginning I was waiting for you to catch the line about Peter Pan (I was slightly disappointed when you didn't mention it) Also, the bald guy after the harmonica solo who is lip syncing the section where it's just a bunch of unrelated clauses strung together ( as in "it doesn't matter what I as long as I sing with inflection") was Paul Shaffer the musical director from the David Letterman show. So it fits the flipping channels on the TV thing.

[@tildessmoo]

As a complete amateur, my favorite part of this song is the fact that first it's a bait-and-switch, because the refrain sounds like it's going to be the hook, but then the _real_ hook is the bridge instead. And it still hooks you. The other day I was talking to a coworker about Blues Traveler, and when he asked who that is, I just started in with "suckitin suckitin suckitin suckitin if you're Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn-" and he knew what I was talking about immediately.

[@jamesrawlins735]

What's funny is the "rap" breakdown in the second half reminds me so much of mumble rap - it doesn't matter what the lyrics are or whether you can understand them, but the listener (well the ones that like mumble rap) doesn't care - he's caught up in the rhythm of the "song" (I guess that's what you call it?.....) Even a song like Smells Like Teen Spirit is similar. Although the lyrics are brilliant (and so is the mv), because it's so difficult to understand what Cobain is singing, unless you actually read the lyrics you get caught up in the sound of the song. (I love Nirvana but get frustrated much of the time and love Cobain's voice - just wish he would have ENUNCIATED more.)

[@tildessmoo]

@jamesrawlins735 The concept goes back to at least musical theater and patter songs. Probably father, but I'm not exactly a music historian. In the Gilbert and Sullivan musical The Pirates of Penzance (1897, I think? Sometime around then, anyway), which makes fun of _everything_ , has multiple patter songs, of which the most famous is Model Major General, of course, but my favorite is actually from the second act, With Eyes Wide Open, which includes the lines: This particularly rapid, unintelligible patter Isn't generally heard and if it is, it doesn't matter

[@elusivelectron]

21:50 Is that Sofia Vergara during that part?

[@genefoltzer551]

As a musician who has never sing other than informal harmonies, your explanations and pointing out things that I was never aware of is blowing my mind. And firing up my desire to play even more. Thank you!

[@chrismercyer2396]

I met these dudes on a USO tour overseas when I was military. John Popper and the band showed up to karaoke at the NCO club. It was priceless seeing John Popper sing Grease's "Your the one I want" with a female airman over beers. Amazing

[@cdmobley1]

I loved when they would come out to see us overseas. They were always fun to have on base.

[@grifmang]

That’s awesome!

[@pcproffy]

Need a good quality vid of that!

[@chrismercyer2396]

I wish I had one. 😢​@@pcproffy

[@jhousekey100]

If you got nothing else out of your service it was worth it just to have witnessed this.

[@joeg1709]

"The mountains win again" is one of my all time favorite songs. May even be a cleaner representation of John's full voice. Hugely underrated band and still out there somewhere.

[@kennywilkus1632]

Awesome song!! Good call!

[@gravija666]

My fav BT song

[@ugalot2010]

Yes!!! Please do The Mountain. Easily my favorite BT song.

[@joecrafted]

Love that song! “Sweet Pain” is another great ballad by BT.

[@Immandrake]

I only got to see a few songs last summer in Red Rocks before a hail storm hit but so glad for those few songs. BT is horribly underrated

[@66bub]

'Run Around' by Blues Traveler is a must. I suggest a live version. This was a great reaction!

[@IMWeblike]

The video is good too, thumbing a nose again at the industry and the subtle(?) inference to Milli Vanilli...

[@bmo1878]

Funny enough one of the clips inside the post harmonica solo is from the music video of that song.

[@MrCBTman]

I agree, but studio version please

[@66bub]

@@IMWeblike I was thinking live so she could see more of the band, but you make a good point, so I'd be good either way.

[@nopenopenope131]

I disagree. Great song, but Hook is superior and is a better sample of Popper's talents. Fantastic range, vibrato, and nuance.

[@BiddyBiddyBiddy]

I never truly paid attention to the lyrics outside of the chorus. What a brilliant subject and wonderful way to spell it out for listeners. Great reaction.

[@eeduranti]

So many people I've talked to only think they've listened to the lyrics. Then I show them a lyrics video of the song , most gain appreciation for the song.

[@MutedGrowl]

I’ll never understand how this band isn’t bigger. They have great lyrics, super unique sound, and John is a great front man.

[@Friscorockhead]

​@MutedGrowl were you around in the 90s? Blues Traveler was everywhere. They had a huge following for their live shows, and they were all over MTV and the radio.

[@jjames6990]

Popper gets a lot of well deserved praise in these songs but if no one else picked up on it, that bass player is freaking killing it.

[@TheNationOfTexas]

Definitely. Switching into that funky slap bass is killer. They’re all really good musicians. It makes sense that Popper got the most recognition due to all his talents as a front man, but every one of them has talent for days.

[@johnmccall5576]

They are so good it doesn't look like they're even trying. Saw them a huge long time ago and the musicians I was with were totally geeking out.

[@joetelafici5843]

I honestly consider that bass line the "hook" in this song. Bobby Sheehan's body of work was amazing, and I never felt the band fully recovered from his loss.

[@Bloodsausage]

@@joetelafici5843 It's Pachelbel's Canon in D, so yeah. It's the hook.

[@blake1771]

@@Bloodsausage i'm surprised she didn't catch that or if she did surprised she didn't comment on it.

[@KeevinSanders]

I’m a metalhead and this is one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@RavenGlenn]

Same here! I love the heck out of this song.

[@vasekvi]

I go to at least 2 EDM festivals per year and this is one of my favorite songs

[@mitchellpark7157]

Preach! This song is killer!

[@bradenrichardson4269]

Same

[@chadink]

Ditto bro, I saw them in concert & they're just as good live.

[@johnlampe3258]

Fun fact. The keyboard player singing harmony during the rap breakdown part is Paul Schaffer, long time leader of David Letterman's late night band and prolific studio musician.

[@gnpj1909]

And before working with David Letterman, was bandleader for Saturday Night Live.

[@ziggystardog]

Also music director for the legendary Toronto production of Godspell which featured SNL and Second City talents: Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin

[@3DJapan]

Took me a second to remember his name. It's been a long time since Letterman.

[@JB-un2iv]

Paul Schaefer also wrote "its raining men"

[@kevinc6916]

I thought that was Paul!!!

[@jasonrose9092]

My favorite band of all time! I've seen BT 186 times in 14 different states! Last summer 7 shows in 9 days. Never gets old! Blues Traveler has incredible musicianship and Popper's voice is incredible! Rock on BT!!!

[@dtw63]

That’s amazing! I’d love to of seen them once!

[@StephenMcDowell-nd5jg]

Wow! Most I’ve ever seen any band was 40 times! I’m impressed

[@Aeroswine1776]

John Popper is a generational talent. I pray you can help spread the word

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

The irony of this song being one of their biggest hits is not lost on me. The whole song is so well thought out and executed.

[@jondhuse1549]

Note that the underlying chord progression is lifted from Pachelbel's Canon in D, which is perhaps one of the hookiest progressions ever written.

[@peytonsnead3114]

Intentionally!

[@albertmartinez2539]

Rob P. : *eye twitch*

[@matthewganong1730]

Green Day also lifted it for “Basket Case.”

[@pathunt0]

More than that, the harmonica solo and the vocal duet afterwards are lifted almost note for note from the Pachebel piece.

[@aloysiusthudthwacker2263]

If you haven't seen Rob Paravonian's "Pachelbel Rant", I recommend it to your consideration.

[@Boulderdad1248]

Holy cow! I’ve listened to this song hundreds (thousands?) of times and never heard Gilbert and Sullivan until you said it. Thank you!

[@thatsrich944]

John sings like a harmonica and also mastered the instrument. He's the definition of an iconic, unique performer.

[@lastnote]

Yep! His vocal runs mimic harmonica runs. It's why his notes are so precise, because a harmonica "flips" between notes so quickly.

[@MrJHarley17]

one of the best and greatest harmonica players ever@@lastnote

[@nopenopenope131]

Agreed. I never heard of such a thing as a harmonica virtuoso until I heard BT.

[@stanphillips7277]

I just wrote the same thing about his voice! Also in an interview John said his influences weren't harmonica players they were guitar players like Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Van Halen etc. . He's unprecedented in his singing and his playing. Recognize John Voight and Paul Schaefer? Such a cool video.

[@bodiwire]

What's always amazed me about John Popper is how he can manage to do this song live. He goes from very strong singing into an extended harmonica solo and then straight into a fast rap verse. His lungs are something else.

[@maryvallas772]

There is so much to love about this ultimate insult to the industry of a song! From the chord progression to the lyrics, it's a masterpiece! It was one of my favorite covers we did as a band, it's so much fun to sing. I can't wait to see your reaction!

[@Chito-zz2pv]

As long as I sing w inflection 😁

[@TossMySalad2]

Blues Rock, Folk Rock, Southern Rock Genre.

[@TheFixsInn]

the chord progression is Pachelbel Canon in D!

[@maryvallas772]

@TheFixsInn yes, I know, that's why it's so hilarious! That in itself is its own "hook"! 😂 I was waiting for her to catch that.

[@junietunes2148]

I also used to sing this one in a cover band, so much fun to sing!

[@JasonElise1983]

Saw them live about a month ago and still killing the vocals and harmonica solos! They did a cover of "Devil went down to Georgia" but instead of a fiddle it was the harmonica, and it was AMAZING

[@BrianHeplerSasquatch]

I saw them a couple summers ago and yeah they killed it. I'm so happy I got to see them live.

[@echoingvistas]

Oh my god, that sounds amazing!

[@justinphillips1197]

Saw em 2 times so far and I’ll drive 500 miles to see em again if they get close. I’ve seen a lot of live music, and they are as you saw one of the best I’ve seen hands down

[@threeofeight197]

Yeah she should check out a live performance next, he does such crazy wacky stuff live that doesn’t even come out here.

[@HSKellogg]

Yeah, they're still on the road

[@thundermustard]

I love what I gain from a song I have known for decades. It was just a song in my memory that I now understand I did not appreciate enough. Thanks!

[@jerryp6001]

I listened to it for 10...20 years...before I realized.... this isn't just another song. This...this is different

[@jerryp6001]

Very meta

[@squishy312]

The guy on the couch (Ken Ober) was the host for a TV show on MTV called Remote Control. I used to watch it all the time when I was young. It's a very fitting and ironic scene of him using a remote control like this in this video. Sadly, he passed away in 2009 of heart problems. John Popper is probably the best Harmonica player I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of music. He helped out Metallica on a cover of Tuesday's Gone from Lynyrd Skynyrd.

[@jacobtucker5719]

If you like harmonica, you ought to check out The J Geils Band's Whammer Jammer.

[@twallace71a]

I didn't know Ken Ober passed away. Damn

[@leeroberson1136]

Re:Harmonica; Check out also "The Waifs - Crazy Train." It's lightning in a bottle, I tell ya.

[@breazlebubs2425]

I thought the guy on the couch was Jason Clark?

[@TJWilson]

I love that he actually uses harmonica techniques in his singing, so his unique voice sounds similar to his harmonica rhythms. Such a cohesive and incredible sound.

[@numbsafari]

Popper's vocals are always amazing, but the orchestration of this song always gives me chills. It's just freaking awesome all across the whole song.

[@kellymcgillis4245]

Love that you mentioned it not being the Peter Pan type Hook in the beginning… not knowing that he does actually have a lyric about Peter Pan and Hook later in the song! Made me chuckle 😊

[@DanielLake-xz8qi]

Hahahaha yes he does

[@paulacrebbs2005]

I loved that

[@mattcarroll5603]

Same here. I was thinking. "Just wait"

[@tronner_the_awesome]

I loved it too! It almost made me think she'd watched it already but there wasn't an edit!

[@andyhudepohl6093]

First thing I thought as well

[@vandermar1979]

Another metalhead chiming in to say how much I love this song. I am in my 40s and this just brings back all the nostalgia. To this day i can still recite the fast part from memory. Also, its been a rough few weeks and this brought a huge smile to my face, so thanks as always for letting your joy radiate and sharing it with us.

[@Kallen]

I was into the hardcore punk scene and later the metal scene. I’ve seen Blues Traveler live 3 times in the last 20 years. Amazing live show. At times they just get into a groove of a song and then just jam and improv or 5 minutes before going back into the song seamlessly. If they are ever near you I strongly recommend seeing them.

[@carlosvaladez2186]

Hang in there

[@orangesilver4568]

I listen to metal mostly and love Blues Traveler and have seen them in concert they are a great band.

[@ryansmith2844]

He shreds that harmonica like a metalhead

[@AclockworkPurple]

Yeah, same. I didn't appreciate a lot of stuff back then that I do now. In my mid-fifties now and for the last decade or so I've been digging into a lot of stuff '80's me used to disregard as beneath me. It's weird how that works, huh? Good luck brother, and I hope if the rough times aren't over you at least keep smiling.

[@mattscorscer3448]

Always fantastic to see Blues Traveler get recognition. I also greatly appreciate the recognition of Popper's unique singing. His voice isn't particularly strange or out of the norm, but the way in which he uses it has always fascinated me.

[@JohnnyQuest23]

I saw him perform solo in a bar on Capitol Hill in Seattle back in the early 2000's, not sure if he was on a break from Blues Traveller or if they'd broken up by then

[@kylefellin9067]

They were on top of the world in the 90's. I'm so happy theres been a resurgence of people listening to them.

[@danielhigley8543]

I saw them live when they were touring travelers and thieves, in 92.

[@EBrenry]

I became a fan in the 90s, when I was in college, and finally saw them in concert when I was studying in London in Fall ‘94. I went alone, but the small club was jam-packed with fans, mostly Americans. Unforgettable show!

[@danielhigley8543]

​@EBrenry that's awesome. I saw them at a little club in Charlottesville va. The very same club that Dave Matthew's started in at about the same tine. The place was super packed. I saw a bunch of good shows there. Sadly I never saw Dave there though.

[@nickclapton]

I still remember the first time I heard this song, I must have gone back over it 15 times. There is so much going on and every single one of them is a beast of a musician.

[@michaeldietz4190]

When I was in high school, my dad would make fun of most of my music. The first time he heard BT, he was speechless. He literally couldn't believe how good they sounded and this song specifically blew his mind to the point that he BORROWED THE CD, which was unheard of at that time in my life.

[@scissorthief5119]

I've always loved that his voice cracks between notes almost the same way a harmonica does. It's just perfect

[@scissorthief5119]

cracks isn't the right word, I just don't know what to call it. Just little precise cut-offs that sound harmonica-like

[@doctornova3015]

Yep. His breath control is exactly the same as when he plays harmonica. His phrasing is great

[@ironagemarketing]

An incredibly skilled vocalist. Great control.

[@SimonNZ1984]

What to do with all that talent eh? What a legend. I think that harmonica explains what he's doing vocally as well right? Those trilly and glotty inflections at the end of lines, he's singing with the same vocal and tongue movements he'd use while playing the harmonica?

[@Monkeysic]

One of the most underrated bands of rhe 90's. His voice is so unique and he has so much control over it. Very unique band and a voice that is recognized in a single note. John is awesome!

[@misterkite]

"Run-Around" won a Grammy Award and broke a record for most weeks on the chart. Doesn't sound underrated to me.

[@flddoc2]

@@misterkiteGreat point. 36 years, 16 albums and 1 song won an award. Pretty much the definition of under rated.

[@matthews852]

@@misterkiteYet somehow this woman, who’s a self proclaimed music expert, who was clearly alive when this song was out, and being played repeatedly, has never heard it….Great content. Very believable.

[@jklinders]

I would not say underrated. I heard Runaround so damn much I declared an internal holy war on this band for 2 decades. I heard this one later and found it clever, but only now just saw how damn technical it was to pull off.

[@maximuslongrod6361]

@@matthews852 thats like being raised in a metal family , hanging out with metal kids... but not being able to recognize a Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky song.... is this really that hard to understand?

[@ChaosDY]

The lyrics to this song are phenomenal and SO smart. Always been my favorite from Blues Travellers

[@brivaneijm]

I so love your analysis! I appreciate your education aspect as well. Thanks for doing this.

[@bigduginc]

The chord progression of "Hook" is very similar to the basic structure of Pachelbel's Canon in D,[3][4] (D-A-Bm-F♯m-G-D-G-A, or I-V-vi-iii-IV-I-IV-V), but transposed to the key of A major. This chord progression is widely used in popular music, often as the hook, leading to other satirical takes on the use of this chord structure.

[@nickhaas2474]

Yes, this was intentional if you hear John talk about writing the song

[@Bassman6363]

I'm kind of surprised our classically-trained opera singer didn't catch the Johann Pachelbel's Canon chord progression. For fun, check out Pachelbel Rant.

[@fadeawayinwestla]

Same with Green Day's Basket Case :)

[@critic2029]

That’s part of the joke. The whole song is about how no one actually cares about the song so long as the “hook” is good. He drives this home by writing to the same cords the Canon in D; one of the most popular melody’s in history.

[@dantepisani890]

@@critic2029 The first few notes of the harmonica solo and the "suck it in, suck it in, ..." parts mimic the Pachelbel's Canon melodies too. It's pretty blatant.

[@arqoo1907]

As a reasonably adept blues harmonica player, I am continually in awe of John Popper and the insanely good licks and runs he puts together. His overblow and bending techniques are exquisite and the sheer speed of the individual notes, yet each sounding with clarity, puts him right at the top of the tree. My only regret is that we don't get to see more of Blues Traveller in the film Blues Brothers 2000 😊

[@aaronmoore54]

I know you don’t analyze lyrics, but this song has one of my favorite lines of all time, “No matter how much Peter loved her, what made The Pan refuse to grow, is that The Hook brings you back.” So great!

[@Courtj3st3r33]

Soooo...good!!!

[@this.is.a.username]

i was hoping she'd catch that double entendre

[@HandOfVecna1188]

In her defense, the song started out telling her to focus on his inflection and that the lyrics don't matter :-D

[@brianr3763]

Right after he tells us he's going to confuse the issue by referring to familiar heroes from long ago. So great.

[@MartijnVos]

So it is about Peter Pan after all! I'm so confused. Like he predicted! Not only is the music genius, but the lyrics are as meta as they can possibly get.

[@danevanzweden3424]

This song is deep.. masterfully written .. so much heart and soul..

[@markmcd731]

I had the opportunity to film an interview with Popper right before this album was released and the band broke out. The interviewer asked what Popper thought of being "the Jimi Hendrix of harmonica", Popper replied" I'd rather be known as the John Popper of harmonica". The BEST reply.

[@WhiskeyPapa42]

Jimi Hendrix, John Popper, and Ian Anderson :)

[@TheNationOfTexas]

@@WhiskeyPapa42 That would make a heck of a superband!

[@ijustwanttonap]

Ian Anderson, while being an amazing musician, never was anything close to a great flute player. The use of it in ho Is music is great but the playing is so so. As far as self trained rock musicians playing flute, Chris Wood from Traffic is much better.

[@dontmakemelaugh01]

​@@ijustwanttonapyawn....

[@ijustwanttonap]

@@dontmakemelaugh01 You must like Kpop.

[@DustinHaning]

I remember seeing John Popper back in the day come out on stage with a tactical harmonica vest. He had like 12 different sized harmonicas loaded up. I've never heard someone play it as awesome as he does.

[@AndrewJamison79]

"Tactical Harmonica vest" is the best description i have seen of his harmonica vest.

[@jeffburkholder202]

Johnny Hartsman had one that held about 30 and he`d use most all of them in his shows.

[@McTaggard1]

Please please do The Mountain Wins again. That song is such a great showcase for the entire band. It has so much emotion and nuance.

[@frankgnat8707]

Had a high school breakup when this album came out. The mountain wins again hit me hard at the time. Great band, album, and song!

[@jdiggitty]

Has she done Dave Matthews? I'd be interested in what she says for that.

[@chadink]

Thats my favorite song on the album! Such an emotional Rollercoaster. Absolutely beautiful!

[@abomw3324]

The best

[@Jfwellspdx]

Baghera would be my second choice

[@patrickbennett6017]

Blues Traveler was a big part of my teen years. Love their music. Whenever I'm having a rough day they can always turn my mood around and make me feel better.

[@pbales8951]

This song is genius! He tells you right off the bat that he is saying nothing of importance, but his delivery makes you think it is important--and will keep you coming back for more. And no one plays the harmonica like John Popper. You actually hear individual notes being played--and it's not muddled. And as you've pointed out... the vocals are perfect in this song. Obviously, it's one of my all-time favorites.

[@jamesrawlins735]

Kind of describing songs with catchy earworms - catchy but ultimately nothing there - but you can't help but smile when you hear them.

[@timtown9166]

Bingo. I heard his Howard stern interview… the song was a joke and wrote a whole song about the hook being the only importance of a song

[@SEESKIP]

SOMETHING YOU MISSED!!!! So one of my favorite things about his voice is that when he does those falloff trails of two or three notes at the end of a melodic line. That is actually mirroring and mimicking both the fall and sound of his harmonica. So both of his instruments - his voice and harmonica - are matched and share the same tone and delivery. This was one of my first favorite songs growing up and i honestly got a little emotional watching you enjoy it so much and get alot of the things i did that made me love it so. Love your channel!

[@rts3613]

Yep, his breath control while singing mimics his harmonica.

[@jameshampton1832]

I always wondered if his singing style influenced his harmonica style or was it the other way. I lean toward his harmonica playing is what made his singing style so unique.

[@colemanpj920]

@@jameshampton1832 probably developed in parallel

[@Just_a_guy06]

My mom loves blues traveler so I heard this a lot growing up. Glad I’m not the only one getting emotional watching this.

[@josephrichards7540]

What a great observation! I loved this band when I was inro'd to it by a work friend somewhere around 1991 and I never noticed that. Now I have to listen to their other stuff and that's not a bad thing.

[@sabertoothedcapybara]

Ahh yes, the 90's. Such a unique era of music - so many genres and combination of genres all thrown into the mainstream radio airplay. Singer-songwriter acoustic hits, soft rock, alternative rock, hip hop, pop, nu metal, rap rock, punk, folk, ska... great time to be a youth exposed to a lot of everything, plus the exposure to classics from my parents. Looking forward to Elizabeth exploring more of the 90's/00's! Barely scratched the surface.

[@ironagemarketing]

The real interesting thing is they managed to intermingle genres without watering them down. The basis of modern pop music feels like someone smashed together all the genres but lost what made them interesting, resulting in a bland every-sound and no-personality to the tracking. Makes me appreciate experiments like ElectroSwing even more.

[@christopherhooten4601]

Mr. Popper is one of myt favorite singers to listen to. This is my favoirite right ahead of The Mountain Wins Again

[@TheAcgtrs]

This song is such a brilliantly crafted critique of the recording industry. The lyrics are so intelligently crafted. It is so well done, it won them several awards, from the very industry they were being critical of.

[@OrbObserver]

It's because the industry has no self awareness. They'll celebrate the song making a real critique of them, act like they're in on it and cool with making fun of themselves, then just keep plugging along doing the exact same things they've supposedly acknowledged are wrong because they have fully accepted what cynical soulless money grubbers they are.

[@joshhencik1849]

@@OrbObserver It's because the industry doesn't care. You make them money, they couldn't give a shite less what you talk about, including them. It's a business. Practical. Everyone wins.

[@jamesrawlins735]

Politicians also - they can give you sound bites that sound good but really mean nothing.

[@Mcvthree3]

Popper is a triple threat beyond belief, man. Vocals, harp and lyrics. Truly gifted.

[@FTCComedy]

Quadruple! He carries a lot of guns, so I'd argue you can add "likely armed" to that list.

[@Howyodoinn]

He is a force of nature. Really talented man.

[@BrettMcHenry-y5z]

Legs just meet. Oahu club. Sunday.

[@chrisp7570]

He also has “perfect pitch”, which he has talked about in several interviews

[@boog91174]

He plays guitar very well as well.

[@gillubecke2026]

The singer / keyboardist from 17:00 to 18:00 who is part of the duet was Paul Schaffer, who led the band for "Late Night with David Letterman." He also played for SNL in the seventies and with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi when they teamed up as the "Blues Brothers" which may have been a inspiration for this group. Shaffer was an immensely influential and talented musician you ought to look into.

[@aaronbrown5252]

Paul Schaffer is immensely talented and his influence has touched so many over the decades.

[@YodatheHobbit]

You just made me realize as a young preteen discovering alternative rock on MTV in the 90s I think this was the first thing I saw Paul in. And in fact I think I mistook him for Andy Dick originally, sorry to say haha.

[@elbruces]

The earliest thing I've seen him in was playing for Bill Murray's lounge singer character.

[@brianknapp6215]

The guy channel surfing throughout the video is Ken Ober- an actor and comedian who was also the host of the MTV's first ever game show _Remote Control._

[@skj91]

"The singer / keyboardist from 17:00 to 18:00 who is part of the duet was Paul Schaffer" THANK YOU! I was like, 'I might be trippin but that dude looks a hell of a lot like the on-set musician for David Letterman'. But just wasn't quite poitive... Now you've settled it for me and I can move on with my life. So relieved!

[@DontMindManda]

Who are you and how am I just now finding you?? Excited to see more of your reactions. You have such an incredible appreciation of music and that shows through even this first reaction I've seen. A beautiful thing

[@jeremylay8810]

Yes! More Blues Traveler is needed. Please do "The mountains win again". Get a live version. They're a jam band and will turn a 4 minute radio song into a 20 minute exploration of sound.

[@AmeriMutt76]

Was at the Red Rocks 4th show, their first show back after John started playing again. They're always insane live, but that show was memorable

[@calmdownsleepytime]

Definitely one of those era songs for me that takes me back and brings a smile to my face every time I hear it. Very underrated band in my opinion.

[@Jason-cm6uh]

Being the Master harmonica player that JP is, totally translates to being a great singer. The breath control, the inflection, etc. is all mouth and breath control. Awesome!

[@w3tua]

I always thought that the harmonica was an extension of John's amazing voice. There's never been anyone like him!

[@maxrodz6639]

As I always tell my kids. music is food for your soul, and I so enjoy watching you just loving and just devouring the sounds.😂😊

[@jonathanscoggins5868]

John Popper is considered a Harmonica Virtuoso. His playing is truly amazing. His vocals are amazing also, super powerful!

[@GoingApeCostume]

He threw me a harmonica at a show! I admit, I washed it.

[@bensmith4563]

​@@GoingApeCostumewhat kind was it

[@GoingApeCostume]

@@bensmith4563 I'm not sure! I'd have to go dig it out of my attic.

[@WebWheeler]

Honestly one of the greatest songs of all time. Musically, lyrically, conceptually it still blows me away despite listening regularly for decades at this point

[@zpacleb]

💯

[@chrisbeattie5688]

Blues Traveler was one of those rare bands that gave 100% on records but 120% live. The stamina and energy in their shows was infectious, alive and unforgettable. Glad you did this video. John is one of the most underrated singers of our time.

[@derekrosecrans1361]

One of many great Blues Traveler songs. Oh how I miss real music, very hard to find anything in today's music that even comes close.

[@nadineduke1765]

I feel like every generation says this.

[@phoneyry]

I went to a Blues Traveler concert once , nearly by accident. This was 20 years ago. To this day is the show I talk about most. So good!

[@brianskelton1257]

I saw John Popper and His Troubadours about 12 years ago at a little music festival. And he did Run Around. So good. And yes John was wearing his iconic vest. And in that vest he had a lot of harmonicas. And after almost every song he used a harmonica on he would toss said harmonica into the crowd. Very cool concert.

[@Phlogiston2312]

Blues Traveler was such a great band, and this was the song that I remembered hearing first

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

I would only correct you in saying that they ARE a great band. I've seen them live just about every year for the last 4-5 years, and the whole band is just amazing. Popper's voice and harmonica playing haven't faded one bit.

[@heatherjane910]

@@Bad_Wolf_Media Red Rocks? 😊

[@woofspider330]

My first song was Crash and Burn from the 1996 Live from the Fall album. Because of this the studio version feels so slow and boring! Love when bands speed up those type of songs live. Gives them so much more life and energy.

[@jizzlemcskizzle3076]

Blues Traveler f’ing rocks man. Super underrated.

[@charliebuckett4753]

I love seeing the way you react to music and the emotional roller coaster you visually go through ❤

[@gr8fulded]

I used to frequent The Wetlands in NYC where Blues Traveler was practically the house band. Seeing them live in that intimate venue was some of the best times of my youth. They had the whole place dancing up a storm every time they played.

[@briangriffin5524]

The Spin Doctors Live album recorded at The Wetlands is a jam band classic. 🎸☮️

[@colinryan4737]

Saw these guys at Boomtown Days in Joplin, MO the year after the devastating F5 Tornado destroyed the city. They were scheduled to play the year before, but could not due to the extent of the damages. They came back the next year and played a 3 hour show, after which they donated all the money they received from booking to the Joplin tornado relief effort. John Popper is a class act, and true legend. Still my favorite live show to this day.

[@tomstessl7919]

My parents were living in Joplin at that time. Luckily their house was about a half mile or so from the path and they were both out of town when it happened. They had some damage to their roof but that was about it, thankfully.

[@justinkase1360]

So awesome of them to do that a year later, when most would have simply moved on and taken the money for their performance. Class indeed.

[@BigRaji1981]

Joplin MO you don't say Colin I'm in and from Springfield MO

[@tomstessl7919]

@farajicouncil4496 My brother lives in Springfield now. #TeamTaco

[@BigRaji1981]

@@tomstessl7919 awesome

[@davidblauyoutube]

Popper's voice surfs the soundwaves like a world champ, the lyrics are nothing short of genius, and the composition and production are exquisitely crafted and precisely tailored to the theme of the lyrics. This is one of my favorite overall songs, absolute S-tier.

[@bschwartz77]

I just saw Blues Traveler perform this past summer. They’re still amazingly entertaining. ❤

[@themikeymix7150]

Run Around as people have mentioned, The Mountains Win Again, Crystal Flame, 100 Years, Just Wait, Alone, and Price To Pay are just *some* really good highlights of John's vocal talent and harmonica expertise

[@sparky40091]

I agree with all of those and would add; Sweet Pain, Slow Change, Onslaught, & Look Around. Just amazing talent... Saw them live, 20-some odd years ago, was a great show in a small venue... The whole band was great.// Bought their first album in 1991 or '92... been hooked since... RIP Bobby...

[@EdgarLeon-tq3uj]

She is such a musical nerd and i love it!! Never change! I so enjoy watching you and your enthusiasm on full display when it comes to all things music related!! Charismatic indeed!!❤

[@AllenSJ5]

John Popper’s breath control is jaw-dropping. Classic song, and wonderful reaction as usual!

[@andrewfernsler4313]

The mountain's win again

[@stevenwilliams1805]

​@@andrewfernsler4313they always win

[@79JamesC]

It was the bassist not Popper he still alive and recording

[@SusanFerguson-l4v]

you are cool viewing my fav singer. you are adorable, might I mention you remind me so much of my daughter! Never change!

[@mountaingator7673]

That run (uninterrupted from about 18:20 to 19:08) is some of the most amazing singing and lyrical composition ever .. far too long to type out here, but I highly recommend you look up the lyrics - it is a scathing commentary of the music industry as well as MTV. Absolutely love it!

[@ninja_tony]

When I was a dorky kid that would sit around in the floor and record music videos on the vcr, I remember replaying that section HUNDREDS of times trying to figure out each word. And looking back, I don’t think I ever got close, because when I finally checked the real lyrics years later, I didn’t recognize half of it lol

[@justinkase1360]

MORE BLUES TRAVELER PLEASE! Not just their songs that made it onto the charts, either. They are SO AWESOME!

[@-DarkFox-]

Conquer Me, Optimistic Thought, Crystal Flame, Mountains Win, NYC Prophesy, Crystal Flame, Love & Greed, All In The Groove, Sweet Talking Hippie, Alone, Mountain Cry, Sweet Pain… their catalog is as good as any band who ever played

[@AndrewRobbins-d2e]

The man lost half his body weight so he could perform and live for us all

[@fishdeli6856]

save his soul is on my top5 of all time. and both with T & T deserve analysis for the lyrics. hauntingly beautiful

[@blakerh]

I recently saw Blues Traveler in concert and John still sounds awesome! His voice and harmonica playing is outstanding! I hope she does his song "Run around."

[@GoingApeCostume]

One of the best concerts I've ever been to. No hesitation, would see again.

[@jwalkermtnr]

I’m a rocker, but love to hear a great harmonica player and Popper may be the best I’ve ever heard.

[@andrewkratenstein7691]

That verse after the harmonica solo shows the entire purpose of the song. No matter what he says the hook brings you back in.

[@rev68]

Blues Traveler is amazing live.

[@craiger991gm]

Definitely one of the hardest working bands I have seen. I saw them at a tiny venue for some company party years ago. I think there were less than 1000 people there, but the band didn't care, they were there to play and did multiple sets spanning all their career. John was super engaging with the audience and was super chill after the show to chat with some of us who hung around. I still have one of the harmonicas that he threw into the audience during the show.

[@FUBAR1986]

Independently successful musicians who form a band can never be put in a box!!!!!! besides the hook, my absolute favorite part is the rap rhythm, duet singing of those words at such a speed absolutely amazing!!!!! And as always, your delight at each different phase was a pleasure to see …. Love his voice. ☮️❤️🙏🌍🌏🌎🇺🇸❤️☮️

[@livingstonesbibledevotiona2813]

This is a song I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to precisely because of the depth brought to the recording from every musician to support the amazingly clever and insightful lyrics. I appreciate how much you seem to enjoy Mr. Popper's harmonica playing and I submit that his supple and expressive vocals and harmonica playing are inextricably linked. His diaphragm control is unreal. I began to understand this, in part, when I learned to play the didgeridoo and was surprised at how sore my inner abdominal wall was after a few hours of circular breathing. This same controlled "in and out" breathing is used with the harmonica but with more subtlety, especially in Mr. Popper's case. Thanks for this video, it's fun to see someone enjoying something you've loved for so long...

[@alajononon]

I'm not into the band much at all but this whole album is one of my faves. It was my guilty pleasure in highschool when I was a death metal head lol. That's how awesome it is.

[@wilsah]

What a joy to watch a first reaction to an absolute classic. John's harmonica solo in this is one of the best solos, of any instrument, of all time.

[@alexfelts6305]

And then to immediately follow up with TWO people singing that fast and cleanly, it's magic

[@zero66616]

The reason his seemingly odd vocal choices just work is because every note is saturated with how much he loves singing them. We feel it because he feels it. He seems to me like someone who probably didn’t have actual vocal training, but instead has just been singing since he could talk. He sings what feels good to him. John Popper is one of a kind

[@geofffleming12]

I call this, "singing from your socks".

[@Hollylivengood]

He also has some insane breath control. In school band he played the tuba, so he had to practice, you know, that diaphragmatic breathing. He could belt this stuff out with real feeling.

[@jameslovrek8634]

Truly one of your best analysis videos, yet. You always give us a new appreciation for songs we have heard many times. Kind of like having children, we get to experience a song, for the first time, again, vicariously through you. Only with the knowledge that you add. What a joy! Thank you, Elizabeth, so much, for sharing that with us!

[@patrickandraska2033]

Most of the Blues Traveler catalog is awesome. I have no idea why they are not dramatically more popular. They are the kind of albums you just listen to all the way through. Thanks for all you do. I am so happy you loved that little Aguilara-esque run at the end.

[@ubergusterfan1]

Absolutely! Straight On Till Morning is in my top 5 albums of all time.

[@mikeglassburn]

@@ubergusterfan1 love that one!

[@mikeglassburn]

ABSOLUTELY agree!

[@harvenkarr]

This was one of my favorite albums when I was younger. I think the band fell into this nice gritty bluesy rock that wasn't common at the time.

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

How he can fly through that rap and still have the lungs to powerfully deliver a full HOOOOK at the end is very impressive. It drives home the passion that had been building as if the hook was saying I told you so of the rap. Just so cool.

[@coreywolfh8rt506]

And play a wind instrument as well.

[@barisax96]

it's good, but he does take a full breath. there is a pause with plenty of time to fill your lungs. a good wind player will practice being able to fully exhale and breath in completely within a very short time

[@nickwebster1297]

So, That rap bridge is pretty tricky. He has a great.lung capacity but there are also very specific points in which you can stop and take a breath. Harmonica is also interesting because it's not like a regular wood wind, you actually play by breathing out and breathing in.

[@JasonRoy21]

I forgot how good Blues Traveler was. I don't hear them on the various media outlets often. Thanks for reminding me and going in depth on his vocal stylings. :) I bought Four because of this video.

[@davidcollins897]

"Hook" and "Run Around" are the two big songs everyone remembers from the radio, but the true lyrical and vocal masterpiece from their Four album was the unreleased track "Look Around". Popper's ability to make you feel every single thing he is feeling is literally spine tingling. Soo, so good. The only other artist on the planet that I've ever seen exhibit John's level of lyrical, vocal and instrumental genius in a single package is Tim Minchin.

[@donhartfield]

Tim is SOOOO good

[@Tomapella]

I'd never thought about them in the same breath, but I can totally see how you would compare them. Definitely both great at what they do.

[@davidcollins897]

@@Tomapella I completely understand and agree. But I was sitting there marvelling anew at Popper's brilliance trying to think of who out there writes lyrics this clever, sings this well, with his mastery of an instrument and suddenly I realized it's Tim Minchin and nobody else. Everyone else I can think of is lacking a little in one area or another. Of course, they are really nothing alike at all, but each is excessively brilliant.

[@joshuakegley3524]

I have never heard of Tim Minchin before this comment. I'll go take a listen to him.

[@marksherrick]

scary thing is, of the original lineup, Four is probably their worst album, but there's quite a few gems on it, lyrically. Popper is a master.

[@jaygremillion]

The very fact that this song became a hit is a wonderful irony that should not be ignored. So many "heard" this song and not many "listened."

[@regularsizeruss3874]

It always reminded me of an Andy Kaufmann bit, a joke on so many, for a very few.

[@jaygremillion]

@@regularsizeruss3874 It helps that the song still holds up today.

[@Nick-Salv]

And that’s kinda the point they knew it would all along 😉

[@elizabethwhite1068]

It's like listening to a song in another language, it's so fast that you can't understand anything except the Hook. Like knowing a few words of French, but the rest is just a long connection of sounds. I've always really enjoyed the song, but never knew what the hell he was singing most of the time. Maybe I'll have to go finally look up the lyrics. 😂

[@contentofcharacter]

Thank you for making music something I can connect with in a whole new way. I feel like someone who’s spent years walking around a museum looking at all the pretty paintings now going back with a professor in an art appreciation class.

[@rafaellewis1263]

Every time I listen to this song it blows my mind.

[@sincerelypat]

Blues Travelers is a blues rock / Folk rock / Southern Rock / and Jam band are normally where they fall in the genres of bands. I love them I have been listening to them since they started. This just brings me back to a simpler time in my life.

[@Sinasazi]

Saw them years ago at a smallish venue and I swear Popper's voice could have filled the place without ever touching a mic. Dude is a powerhouse.

[@kylekerwin4993]

John is practically the best harmonica player to ever live. Awesome band. Great reaction.

[@krisk4513]

Used to love these guys. Saw them on the LSU parade grounds for free before they became famous. Unique sound and great voice.

[@AvoryMiller]

Blues Traveller was definitely on the soundtrack of my teenage years. Unbelievable vocal ability and unbelievable harmonica playing. They are a supremely underrated band.

[@joelronningen9930]

Sooooo happy you are taking the dive into Blues Traveler and the magic that is John Popper. Such an amazing performer, and also has had a lot of ups and downs. Got to see them live in a smaller venue a few years back, and he still gives it his all.

[@kristercarlson2635]

I don’t know how these guys didn’t make it bigger than they did. They were a band that metal heads, pop, and many other genres of music fans all seemed to like. They had a bit of something for everyone in their style.

[@dwaynepenner2788]

Simple, they are too good for most to understand and appreciate

[@darkkhalwb]

​@@dwaynepenner2788I think it was the record studios and MTV execs finally being told what this song is actually about pissing them off.

[@tsalVlog]

timing. if they'd hit after the indie-publish revolution, I suspect they'd be a lot bigger and not suppressed by the industry for being this creative.

[@jcmcgough]

They were HUGE in the 90s. HUGE

[@darkkhalwb]

@@jcmcgough on this one album, for a couple of years. After that, not a word about them.

[@glennpenguin]

I can remember the last time I saw Blues Traveler, and they played 2 2-hour sets! The last song of the first set, they played a cover of the Charlie Daniels Band, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and John played all the fiddle parts FLAWLESSLY on harmonica. I could not comprehend how the man didn't pass out on stage... Unbelievable.

[@klantic2]

I just got to see these guys in concert for the first time a few months ago. They STILL have it and knocked it out of the park. It was an amazing show.

[@ericstorm5285]

I remember buying this album. Good album. Mountains win again was underrated. 1989-1994 was the greatest era in music.

[@Firedog-ny3cq]

1965-1975 by a country mile.

[@LLGTMT]

@@Firedog-ny3cq Yea not even a close competition... Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Yardbirds, New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Cream, The Allman Brothers, The Stooges, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, The Band, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Steely Dan, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Iron Maiden and honestly I could list dozens more... I can count the number of great bands of the late 80s and early 90s on 2 hands, maybe 1.

[@madsquishy3410]

Could not agree MORE!!!! Obviously music is subjective, but I was just never into all of the "classic rock" bands. Give me all of the grunge and alternative rock and metal from the late 80s to early 90s. I remember the first time I saw R.E.M. "Losing My Religion" on MTV and I was just entranced. Started me down a rabbit hole of cool obscure music. Anyone who says there was no good bands from that time period was obviously asleep back then or is just lying to try to prove their own point lol.

[@LLGTMT]

​@@madsquishy3410 good yes, great however maybe 5-10 Great bands compared to the 65-75 era which produced like 30+ acts that are in the R&R HOF and considered to be iconic. Keep in mind the following are from the early-mid 80s: Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Pantera, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, R.E.M, Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, Poison, Radiohead, The Black Crowes, Janes Addiction, The Offspring, Pixies, Guns N Roses and Motley Crue. Yes they continued playing past that, but they are not from the late 80s - early 90s era. The era you mention is Blues Traveler, Nirvana, Garbage, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Rage Against The Machine, Sound Garden, Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Sublime, Stone Temple Pilots and that is about it... at least for "bands" that a majority of the world would consider great. Again lots of good bands for sure, but as for what have/will end up in the R&R HOF, those bands about sum it up perhaps with some exceptions.

[@madsquishy3410]

@@LLGTMT I don't base my personal opinions on music around who's going to end up in any hall of fame or whatever. Good music is music that moves me or touches my soul in some kind of way. Has nothing to do with mainstream acceptance or popularity. All those bands you just listed plus many more were the kind of music that I loved to jam out to as a teen and still to this day. It's just as I said "music is subjective". Which means there can be no right or wrong answer because its literally based on nothing but personal opinion.

[@anthonydawson8080]

John Popper surely has godlike lungs. I play some harmonica myself and can’t imagine going from a crazy solo line and start singing again. It’s crazy and amazing. I’ve also thought how the idea of what instrument you start on can influence your singing style. I think maybe all his runs are similar to the quick runs on his harmonica

[@cirrustate8674]

Yes. He very much sings like he's playing harmonica.

[@IntelFanatic]

I love watching you respond to videos. You are absolutely giddy and fully engaged.