Therapist Reacts To: Sun Bleached Flies by Ethel Cain

[@matthewm_.b3]

You should react to the album in chronological order it will be easier to understand some context of the song, also i love all your reactions

[@chargingyellow]

i second this completely

[@pspspsps4256]

agreedd

[@alexmcmunn9390]

Yessss I really want her to react to it without knowing the narrative I think it would be super interesting

[@cecildibiasi5728]

this 100 percent, it’s a whole storyline.

[@Pakstoka_608]

100% agree. This song would be super confusing without any context to the story

[@POSSIBLYDYL]

Yeah this is definitely a weird song to react to just based on lyrics not knowing the context within the album. She’s singing from heaven after being murdered, and in this song she’s making peace with her death and reflecting on her family and her first love. The “house in Nebraska” section calls back to an earlier song on the album where her and her first love spent a lot of time in an abandoned house in Nebraska that felt like home to them before he left her.

[@teamflarecelosia344]

Tô clarify, willoughby and Ethel never left Alabama, the house in Nebraska was a fantasy they had together about somewhere they could be free together from all the things in their background

[@MiladySK]

​@@teamflarecelosia344THIS

[@estebandelaserna4905]

Why not letting her listen to the songs in the album and find by herself the meaning of it instead of spoiling it all??

[@alexmcmunn9390]

@@estebandelaserna4905thats what im saying its so so so much more interesting to react to it and analyze it without knowing the narrative

[@wortflorist]

👍@@estebandelaserna4905

[@haydenswords]

As a trans man I relate to the “god loves you but not enough to save you”. I always felt as if being trans is really a “sin” than it would be a choice like so many people think it is. But it’s not, and I wish it could be celebrated instead of hated.

[@alexandrareuter327]

Yeah, the first time I listened to it I also immediately thought of Christian anti-queer rhetoric. Similar to the 'love the sinner hate the sin' BS. I'm sorry you used to feel that way. Glad to hear you don't anymore! :) Also, obviously I agree that it's not a choice! But even if it was, why would that make it sinful? My LGBTQ+ community is absolutely amazing and I'm really glad to be part of it! I'd choose queer if it was a choice. 😂 If people can't see the beauty of it then that is their loss. 💚

[@ticopv284]

There’s no such thing as trans people. You’re a woman, and you’ll always be a woman.

[@ticopv284]

@@alexandrareuter327 Try telling them something they don't like so you can see their true “beauty”.

[@mrovvka6882]

In the end Ethel mentions a House in Nebraska which is the other song on this album, very beautiful, heartbreaking ballad. I recommend checking it out too

[@_yeyooo]

i cant believe how on point her thoughts on 14:04 was, her analysis is on point even without knowing the concept of the album it came from ❤

[@y.6803]

house in nebraska would be such a great song for you to react to, the topics aren’t too heavy compared to some of her other songs but they can be really relatable and heartbreaking without making you feel like you’re listening to an overly sad song, it’s so great and if you want to react to a song with heavy topics but not on the emotionally draining level of inbred then hard times is definitely that song, it’s subtle yet so powerful and you can instantly understand what she’s going through without her saying it directly.

[@laragonc]

this song would make so much more sense in the context of the album! it's a conceptual album that tells a story about a girl that runs away from home (and church) to find some horrifying things. it's worth checking out if you ever got time!

[@s19aa294d]

this is a conceptual album, each song progresses the story, if you listen to it in the entirety you’ll understand more, but it also haves a big lore, so even when you fully listen it there will still be a couple of things your wont get unless you do research, i would love to see you listen to american teenager next is a bit more “hopeful” and upbeat, love your channel ♡ (always feels like a safe space for me)

[@HappyNBoy]

upbeat, yeah, kinda... hopeful? that's quite a stretch. It's manageably dark...

[@s19aa294d]

@@HappyNBoy im trying to sell something here okey?!?! hahahaahha jk, i don’t know i personally get hopefulness from lines like “is just not my year, but i’m all good out here” and “i’m doing what i want and i’m doing it well for me” i relate them to my own life and i see it as a moment where you know life is not good but you know it will get better, but that’s my personal take

[@OliviaNasstrom-ll1ks]

If you are interested Ethel said in an interwiew that she has alot of good memories of the church that she grew up in but that like most things it had bad sides too, but that she also felt very at home and enjoyed the community and singing in the choir there. I think that line about singing in the church is kinda about that. I love that she can talk and sing about her religious trauma as she does in lots of her songs but at the same time not bash the religion as a whole, she is truly one of the greatest artist there is and also just the sweetest soul. i'm so happy and thankful that you are reacting to her 💕

[@cl4irv0yanc3]

The way we need a whole Preacher's Daughter album reaction/analysis because it has a story! I RECOMMEND TO READ THESE WHILE LISTENING TO THE SONGS! Family Tree (Intro) This song sets the mood of the album. Set in 1991, Ethel, finds herself facing hardships, before her eventual kidnapping and murder. American Teenager Ethel expresses her frustration with all the things the "American Teenager" is supposed to be, but never really can be. A House In Nebraska Ethel sings about her ex - lover, who left before the events of the album. She travels to the house they used to spend time in, imagining it was their own. Western Nights Ethel sings about her and her new man, Logan, who she is hopelessly in love with despite him often being violent. Family Tree Logan dies during a shootout with the cops, Ethel finds herself on the run. Hard Times Ethel reflects on the sexual abuse she endured from her father when she was very young, and the complicated feelings she has for him. Thoroughfare While on the run, Ethel meets charming Isaiah, who offers her a ride. She gets in his car, and they drive from Texas to California. They find themselves attracted to each other during the trip. Gibson Girl While in California, Isaiah begins to pimp Ethel out in the back of strip clubs. She begins to lose sense of reality from the drugs she is fed regularly. Ptolemaea Ethel begins to hallucinate. She confronts the darkness. August Underground Ethel desperately tries to escape Isaiah, who chases her into the woods. Isaiah eventually catches up, and murders her. Televangelism Ethel ascends to heaven. Sun Bleached Flies In Heaven, Ethel reflects on her life. Strangers Murdered and cannibalized, Ethel says her final goodbyes to her mother beyond the grave.

[@FrenchRedHawk2011]

This is a very beautiful song. I will have to listen to the full album now because this one caught my attention more than "Imbred," which bothered me immensely. Great message at the end of this video from you, too. Peace and good vibes.

[@LanaDelReySupremacy]

albums great. it’s more polished than inbred / inbred ep is

[@kate7152]

inbred is very hard to listen to. even if it was the intention (which i’m sure it was) it’s still painful to hear so i get what you’re saying. but preachers daughter is an incredible album and i’m sure you’ll like it. “hard times” can be triggering, at least for me. other than that i love the songs.

[@FrenchRedHawk2011]

I just got done listening to the album in full. I LOVE IT. Next up, giving the Inbred EP a listen.@@LanaDelReySupremacy

[@thetherionsway]

god, i love ethel cain, she's my meemaw

[@arcanaandtheimaginarians]

Would totally recommend listening to the album in chronological order!

[@cassieingenesis]

The album in chronological order makes this song so much deeper especially after house in Nebraska and the events after family tree. Loved your interpretation of her work so much hopefully more ethel soon :) ❤

[@tonielia9050]

House in Nebraska breaks my heart. Beautifully haunting in only the way Ethel can sing it.

[@Iann-]

This is my favorite Ethel Cain song is so amazing 😭❤️ (listening to any song from this album without the context of the other songs and other info tho is pretty confusing but you always come through with amazing interpretations and reactions ❤️😅)

[@imaginist96]

You MUST react to House in Nebraska next! Especially after listening to Sun Bleached Flies

[@jamesswift580]

Yessss I *love* this record, every song is so good, especially the closer “strangers”, but even the poppiest song on the album “American teenager” fucking slaps

[@karlyjones8257]

please listen to house in nebraska next , it’s so good

[@blackstarr_____]

try listening to "Hard Times" or "Strangers", for me these songs were much more impactful in all of the songs in Preacher's Daughter.

[@perpetualMess.]

Getting “If it’s meant to be then it will be” and “I forgive it all as it comes back to me” tattooed on my arms

[@DanielIredalee]

This song hits my soul

[@julianpenguin5320]

Love this song! It would be much easier to see the whole picture while listening to this album in the order. It is so phenomenal in a tragic way, sonically and lyrically. Always love your reactions 🤗

[@angelprat6080]

I think that the best thing to do reacting to this album is a Full Album reaction, I hope you do a 40min -1hr videos

[@thytuz]

Hi Mer! Loving your reactions. May I ask again for "LA who am I to love you" reaction? 🥺🥺

[@apeekofomar]

So glad you reacted to ethel! I love her. And your reactions.

[@alexandrareuter327]

I love that you've reacted to another Ethel Cain song! This one was the first one of her's I've listened to. Someone posted it on a Reddit forum about religious trauma, they said it really resonated with them as a queer person. And lots of other queers in the comments clearly felt the same. When I googled the song I found an interview were Ethel was explaining the 'God loves you but not enough to save you' part. "Growing up, I heard the words "God loves you" all the time. Somebody would say the most rancid, evil shit to you and then they're like, "God loves you." So I loved to put it in the music - it's like, is that a threat?" I don't know if Ethel was specifically talking about her queerness but that's how I relate to it.

[@Ulkavyn]

I think people really skip over the ‘I forgive it all as it comes back to me’ To me I think Ethel is accepting her abuse and her choices, her life and how she lived it, and forgiving it, forgiving her abuser, like she knows it’s the only way she can let go and move on. understanding that she gets what she gives, it all comes back to her, the good and the bad. It’s a beautiful end to a tragic story that ended in the worst way. This song even sonically sounds like acceptance, and maybe even hope. Maybe I’m optimistic but it’s the truth I choose to believe.

[@mattgreg0307]

YESSS omg 😭 this song ❤️

[@littlelamb9709]

i love your videos about Ethel's music, i wish you could do more🙏🏻 i have been so obsessed with her for months🥲 and you seem just a very good person, i love hearing you speak😭

[@OliviaNasstrom-ll1ks]

And also i don't know if someone has told you already but her album preachers daugher (which this song is on) is a concept album with a made up story, a very grusome one, it's basically about a girl growing up in a abusive home, getting sexually abused by her father before leaving home and meeting a guy who ends up pimping her out abusing her then murdering her and eating, having sex with her corpse. It is super dark but i think pretty important to have in mind while listening to the songs to understand them better, i would recomend starting from the first song and do it in that order. That's also maybe why this song felt a little confusing, i'm pretty sure (please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong) that she is dead in this song. Also keep in mind that even though Ethel cain is a fictional character, Hayden (Ethel) has still said that the character is her and that the songs are still about her. I'm so sorry if this was confusing

[@jkdw]

Would love to see you look at more Ethel! any of her songs 😊

[@birdbaking7671]

oh girl i got so excited when i saw this notification

[@skiddlydip]

never caught the open/broken window metaphor continued from the start of the song wow, thanks for that :) powerful

[@mattbxnta]

I loved the video. Your content is always brilliant. My recommendation is to listen to the album in order and in full because it basically tells a story, it's like reading a book and reading it in order makes it much easier to understand. Maybe the comments on Genius that explains the story behind the circles of violence can help you. The album is wonderful, but you are more wonderful.💗💗💗

[@luvindustry]

if you'd ever consider doing an album reaction this one would be a good one to start with, it tells a story from the first song to the last

[@wonhopichu]

PLEASE react to the whole album in order, it reallt helps with understanding each song, it's a gorgeous work and you're gonna love it 🥹

[@guilmma]

Yes! Love this song, love this artist, love this entire album and loved your interpretation! ❤

[@bimbokhoi]

MY FAV SONGG THANK YOU MERE FOR REACTING ❤️❤️❤️

[@brandondavis5669]

Ethel's album, Preachers Daughter is a very emotional album that's divided into three acts and it tells a whole story around the fictional character from when she was a young girl to where she currently is in the album and some songs from her EP's are cannon in the album, but inbred is not because her mother's dead in that song while her mothers alive in Preachers Daughter. The album is very theatrical and I believe she's currently working on a book for the album. I don't want to spoil the story just in case you decide to check the album out, but it's a tough one. I had to watch some lure videos based on the character to fully understand the album and her next album will focus on Ethel's mother. This song is near the end of the album after something mortifying happens to Ethel. You should defiantly react to Ptolemaea. That song to me is like female rage and so emotional.

[@antoinette2947]

My fav song by Ethel is called 'Family Tree (Intro)', It has some of my alltime fav lines by her. That or 'Hard Times', that one always makes me cry haha. Check it out if you get a chance ❤😊😊 Loved your reactions, I hope you explore more of Ethel's discography.

[@oxefylol7607]

this actually made me cope a little with the fact i relate to this song 😭😭 i’d like to see you analyze hard times by her again, but i just immediately sob listening to it

[@cadencrews6000]

Not Strong Enough by boygenius would be such a good song to react to!! Please check it out 🫶🏼

[@TracyGannon-cw4dn]

It would be incredible to get your thoughts on Preachers Daughter in chronological order for the story....it is quite dark. Inbred was the first thing I ever heard by Ethel and I was entranced.

[@Chlocovers]

I honestly think you need to react to the whole Preachers Daughter album start to finish and it’ll floor you it’s hauntingly beautiful 😭 and you’ll then get a jist of the full story behind the album and it’ll a lot more sense to you 🙏🏻

[@awareinthevoid]

i would LOVE to see your reaction to the album chronologically, with the context (there's little descriptions on genius for each song), but it's definitely A Lot emotionally so it might be something that would need preparation for cause i know me personally it hits just as hard each time i listen but it's SO good

[@celinekalen8924]

please react to the album in chronological order!!!!

[@mikezro5875]

YES ABSOLUTELY MORE ETHEL

[@PhoenixDad14]

I heard this song for the first time on Monday & I don’t think i’m gonna be listening to anything else for a while. Thank you for reacting to this

[@jonathanlee187]

We def need a full album reaction the song ties into the whole album to better understand it.

[@wonderchu]

Can't wait for your reaction to the rest of the album. Its so well written

[@littlelamb9709]

if you liked this song and the whole thinking about life thing, you should listen to Golden Age by Ethel!💗

[@daisonend]

So happy to see the Ethel Cain reviews from you!

[@thee.angelgabriel]

cannot wait to pre-order your book on amazon! the anticipation is almost too much! 💞

[@etherealibra1642]

PTOLEMAEA NEXT PLSSS!!

[@nathaniel9526]

HELP I think we’ve traumatized her enough with inbred 😭

[@etherealibra1642]

@@nathaniel9526 Ik but I live for Ethel.😭

[@digitallguy5]

Please listen to house in Nebraska it’s a beautiful ballad by her

[@chargingyellow]

also love the singing bowl at the beginning of the vids lol

[@evandersolis5528]

OMG yo should absolutely do the album in chronological order, it's an amazing and tragic story, I'm sure you'll love it

[@SuzanneDeniseB]

Yep. The church thing .. We were really poor and my mother..Lets just say she was not a good mother. We were judged...It is so hard when you your family situation is so toxic. 💔 I have never gone back home.. I don't really have a home. Childhood trauma will mess you up. Stay safe everyone ❤

[@kimallistonseekeroftruth]

Hi Meredith, have just subscribed, watched Attorney Melanie's podcast. Meredith I am a born again Christian in the UK. When I first became a committed believer in Christ, thought everyone at Church would be sincere in their faith. God taught me, never to put anyone else on that pedestal. I was also let down by the Priest. Although as we journey with the Lord, he teaches us to move on. God always opens another door. The main thing is that we are told always to look up to the Lord, follow him, the Lord loves us completely. The Lord never leaves us or forsakes us. He brings healing in his wings. I came from a dysfunctional family and agree with you your thoughts completely. Healing comes from listening to music, Healing comes from following Jesus wholeheartedly. I am so pleased to have met you on Attorney Melanie Little's podcast. God bless. Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏 I will definitely order your book!

[@missbvlogs7553]

I love that Therapists like you also wanted to react this song which is heavy and powerful i hope you’ll give time to react the Full Album in chronological order.. Would love to see your reaction ❤❤❤

[@etherealibra1642]

Coming back to second my last comment, I’d love to see you react to more Ethel soon, especially ptolmeaea!

[@paulieee3037]

Yas Miss Ethel again

[@chayenn.m4881]

You should react to Ptolomea🙏🏼 by Ethel. Actually you should just listen to the whole album ”Preacher’s daughter” to understand the context more. But Ptolomea is definitely a song that left a mark on me.

[@karmaiswatching]

You should more of Ethel she’s iconic!!!

[@headinthewall]

I’d just like to add to the chorus of voices who would love more ethel cain reactions!! I think some of the most interesting to react to next would be Two Headed Mother or Ptolemaea!❤❤❤

[@GwenisImmune]

Do you ever plan on revisiting the Ethel reactions? There's so many good ones on Preachers Daughter that I think you'll love

[@ahrensmith2764]

I love these videos! and I love hearing your perspective and interpretations :)

[@gabrielporto6571]

as someone who loves ethel’s writing, i can say i really love your interpretation of this song! there’s something beautiful in watching different people having their own insights from her songs, i would only recommend you react to the whole album! since it’s a concept album and every song in it mixed together in order creates a whole story, it would be very interesting if you did so! 💓

[@hf18455]

You should react to the entire album from start to finish it will make more sense

[@ericamorg722]

listen to the album in chronological order!! it’s a fictional story and the songs make more sense with more context!!

[@emersonsavini9508]

please more of ethel cain

[@frootslust]

subscribed immediately!! i hope you can listen to preachers daughter in chronological order, it’ll make a lot of sense. it’s a beautiful work of art❤

[@donnybuoy]

this is definitely an album you should listen to chronologically to get the proper context! this song is much more devastating with said context…

[@selenacarpenter6550]

It’s about the character Ethel Cain coming to peace with her death and reflecting back on her life

[@rutadarulaaaa]

you are so real for this😭

[@Glitchh101]

Luv ur reactions! Such a queen ❤️

[@aliunplugged91]

not me at my most schizophrenic using my vape as a harmonica and my remote as my microphone

[@ghostieboi8992]

two must listens off this album is a house in nebraska and strangers!!!!

[@nicholasrissone7084]

Honestly for having no context on the album’s lore/ background, your analysis was pretty spot on.

[@AmyAberrant]

Ethel is trans, and “god loves you but not enough to save you, so baby girl good luck taking care of yourself” is a very meaningful statement for lgbt people. A lot of us have been told all our lives that god will never accept us, so we have to accept ourselves. For some people, it feels so much more freeing to feel real acceptance from yourself, than fake or conditional “acceptance” from god/ the church.

[@finalgirlstella]

for not being fully aware of the context of the album and just taking a look at this song this is a pretty spot on analysis! Connecting this to the other songs on the album, namely house in Nebraska and family tree, as well as strangers which follows after it adds another layer of intensity to the acceptance of tragedy here. I would love to hear your thoughts on the other songs of this album, whether that be the full tracklist or just individual songs. If you need help deciding I'll add some topic / trigger warnings for each below, : [SPOILER WARNING] Family Tree (Intro) - Family + Religious Trauma (this song is just the intro, its got a few good lines but Family Tree (track 5) covers the same topics) American Teenager - Americana, Coming of Age, Faith/Church (you'll like this one as a Taylor Fan) A House in Nebraska - Teenage love and loss, Depression/Feeling alone Western Nights - Toxic relationship and attachment issues Family Tree - Family + Religious Trama Hard Times - Child Sexual Abuse Thoroughfare - Running Away, new lover (Country Western Epic) Gibson Girl - Toxic sexual relationship, drugs, prostitution Ptolemaea - Violence, Domestic abuse, Death August Underground - Instrumental (canonically, this follows immediately after the death in the previous song, the quiet, rage, and acceptance) Televangelism - Another Instrumental, fully improvised piano (ascension to heaven) Sun Bleached Flies - Reflecting on ones life after death, the comfort and security of church contrasted with its negative impacts, generational cycles Strangers - Cannibalism, Forgiveness, Regrets & Family (one of the most powerful and heartbreaking endings IMO)

[@dawnnn444]

love this reaction and ur interpretation ❤

[@jonatas5212]

Descobri essa música há alguns dias e estou viciado😭

[@yoogoop4767]

11:23, by the way the saying telling him I believe is meeting god because the character of this album died bc her ex bf killed her and ate (cannibalized) her. This whole album is whiplash but good & sad in a way

[@yoogoop4767]

13:19 also yes! She remembers everything that happened so she’s okay with forgiving herself and everyone in her life who did her wrong

[@yoogoop4767]

Also the window breaking part I would say is also correct because it’s a metaphor of her life and how she bottled things in, the whole album (and her future albums) is about generational curses and never breaking them

[@thetherionsway]

OMG YAY

[@hellopeople6138]

I would be so greatful if you could react to Ethel Cain's song Hard Times, I would love to see your reaction

[@jewxls4308]

You need to listen to this album in order or you will be very confused! 😭

[@emile5598]

Yes!!!!❤️

[@mback13]

Mere, I know everyone is recommending that you do the whole album. It’s a hell of an experience. It’s mostly a fictional alternate reality, telling a story through the album. If you the whole album, do it live so we can guide you and provide context and answer questions. But a warning: there is so much trauma, violence, and horror. And just…heart-mangling grief.

[@eighttrigramzz]

ngl, im stoned af and 1:26 took me to a different dimension

[@ciao.alison]

This a concept album and the next to last song. So its hard to speak about meaning without the pretext. That being said, you did a decent job at it. 😊

[@tylerf.145]

you need to react to the whole album, this song will make much more sense with context

[@charliealdridge8079]

Do Strangers by Ethel Cain!! That’ll be interesting if you know the story

[@neonicole111]

You must react to the whole album, with the story on the side so you’ll understand it ❤❤❤

[@James-pn7os]

Love this song…. Would love you to react to some Tori Amos …. Not winter tho …. Everyone does winter maybe Jackie’s Strength or Spark ⚡️

[@SSM2808]

Love your Taylor reactions and all reactions! Have you listened to Shawn Mendes? Perfectly Wrong and Roses are absolute gem of songs. They may break you though. 😢. Keep it up!!!

[@timon9193]

Pleaseee do hard times by her its so good

[@Hey_Jamie]

Ahhh out of context this song seems weird lol

[@xerxesxerxes3793]

Can you also do a react to Ethel Cain's album Preacher's Daughter?