🎵 Tonic - If You Could Only See REACTION

[@mage1439]

I love Tonic. It's good to see bands that aren't as widely remembered getting their chance to shine, because they're worth knowing about.

[@christianhansen3292]

great 90's vibe.

[@rickbrousseau5372]

There's a lot of bands like Tonic that are underrated and need to be heard again... great song!

[@dathorndike4908]

This song, especially in the verses, is so dang heavy, it always really stood out in the context of a supposed love song

[@benshafer5198]

Took my now wife to see these guys with Dishwalla for one of our first dates in late 1996 and this became kind of a significant song for us. Still is pretty much to this day

[@brianc1972620]

Same here. My wife and I started dating in early 1996 and this song is still special to us. I remember telling my friends and Parents I wanted to marry her. They couldn't understand how in love I was. Funny 24 years and 2 kids later I still feel the same.

[@mysonandme8424]

yeah, i saw them and dishwalla, too. i loved it...these two bands are heavily underrated, imo.

[@DavidMichaelCommer]

It's a romantic song. The writer said: "When I was 21 or 22, I was in love with somebody who my mom did not feel was a good fit. So my family disowned me for about three years. And the last conversation I had with my mother when I was home I’d said, 'if you could only see the way she loves me, maybe you would understand.' I just wrote that song, after that phone call, literally in a matter of minutes."

[@mage1439]

That's very sad, and I love that he didn't back down. I don't know why people who supposedly love each other will throw that away over stupid disagreements. If you don't approve of your child's partner, that's their life. Unless they're an incredibly awful person you have no right to try to wreck it.

[@ChrisCo0066]

Seems like all the good one were “written in a matter of minutes” just through shear emotions.

[@mage1439]

@@ChrisCo0066 That's something that's always bothered me about songwriters. I've written songs myself, and I understand the work it takes sometimes to get a song just right. But there's a reason songs written in 4 minutes often hit and these hard-won epics don't. It's because the songwriter was in the right place at the right time for the inspiration to flow through them. Billy Corgan hated how popular Today was when he'd worked so hard on other songs. But if you have to keep working on a song to get it to come, it's liable to feel forced. These songs written off the cuff often have real, true emotion running through them like an electric current.

[@DavidMichaelCommer]

@@ChrisCo0066 Tori Amos's album Boys for Pele is her most confounding and strangest. Some of the songs on the album were recorded while they were being improvised, and others were written very quickly in frantic flashes of inspiration. Critics were mixed when it came out; many absolutely hated it and said it was impressive musically but self-indulgent nonsense. Over time, it's become pretty universally regarded as her most inspired work. It's pure, raw emotional expression, like it came right out of her psyche, and there is nothing at all like it in the world of art to this day. It's not full of radio-ready singles, but it was a work of genius made in sudden flashes of inspiration during a short period. Tori began playing piano as a toddler and is the youngest person ever admitted to the Peabody Conservatory of Music-at age five. Her maternal grandparents were Eastern Cherokee and she has a worldview very different than the standard American one. She has always said that she believes her songs are living entities. She sees them as "filaments of light" and translates them into music through keyboards, and she sees that as her mission in life. There's a lot to be said for following inspiration. A lot of pop music is written by committees of writers over long periods of time according to formulas, and that sells very well, but the songs rarely move people. They're just background music.

[@tylerannand3777]

In other interviews he has said the woman was significantly older than he was, which was why his mother objected

[@NathanThurberMusic]

Lemon parade and sugar are both great albums from start to finish. Great band!

[@kellyhouse4263]

I still love to hear this song..brings memories flooding back!🔥

[@roberthughes2402]

There are a lot of good bands that came out around the same time as Tonic. such as, Sister Hazel, The Goo Goo Dolls, Better Than Ezra, Vertical Horizon, Matchbox 20, Duncan Sheik and many more.

[@TheCosmicStarmen]

Don’t forget Edwin McCains I’ll Be!

[@johnmrog]

You guys in combination absolutely nailed it! The song *IS* a love song, but the song it written in the form of the song-writer singing to someone else about his love for a certain woman. And that "someone else" is, in fact, the song-writer's MOTHER whom the song-writer had a toxic relationship with. So you *both* were right...it's a love song (between the song-writer and the woman he loves) and a toxic song (between the song-writer and his mother who doesn't approve of the relationship). Well done to you both!

[@dathorndike4908]

Tonic played a recent concert in Everett, WA and Emerson explained that very backstory behind the song. They sounded amazing by the way. His voice was unchanged since the 90's and they sounded exactly like they did from back in the day.

[@MikeHorror67]

I was a DJ at a bar from 1994-1997 and this song was big 1996-1997 era. They also had a well known song from the first American Pie soundtrack.

[@genesishep]

I always saw this song as a battle between the heart and the mind. The heart is deeply in love going on and on about "If you could only see the way she loves me..." while the mind tries to convince himself to run from the abuse, manipulations and lies. Also, the "take a little dirt" lyric I always thought was "and you've got to eat a little dirt to keep what you love." Something we've all had to do at one point in our lives or another. Whether that dirt was fed to us by loved ones who did wrong by us or by those in power who controlled our livelihoods (Example: tolerating a horrible boss who pays the salary you need to put food on the table and keep a roof over head). Great 90's tune and band. Thanks

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Oh yeah, this came out when I was in my late 30s and it really resonated with me. There are a couple other hits off this album and I remember going out and buying the CD and it was solid. But for some reason I always loved this one. It sounded just appropriately modern enough for when it came out and I could describe that in musical terms but it definitely moved me. I loved singing it,. Very emotional and definitely a love song. A very powerful love song and just hearing it now after all these years, oh my god. What a fantastic song. I never got to see them live but I heard that they were a really good live show as well.

[@brandi6087]

So nostalgic. I think I was a freshman in high school when this was popular. You guys are killing it! 💙💙

[@maluorno]

the vibe of this song reminds me of Better Than Ezra - Desperately Wanting

[@michaelvasquez7656]

A classic 90s hit. Love the reactions!

[@WizardOfOss]

Haven't heard this song in years, maybe even decades. Still sounds great!

[@PiazzaGurl]

Definitely took me Back. One of the 90’s best!!!!! Lex when you smile as you hear that Rock sound kick in 👏👏👏👏.

[@richard_n]

LOVE this song

[@christikirk7265]

I love this song...takes me back to a magical, wonderful time in my life!

[@healeychantel]

Omgggggg. I love Tonic. I still have this CD. I wrote them a letter when I was a tween and they sent me a signed photo in response. I wish more people would listen to them. Great band.

[@DavidMichaelCommer]

I love this song. It's a one-hit wonder but somehow it sounds like all of the late 90s/early 00s rolled into one single. It sounds a little grunge, a little pop, a little Gin Blossoms, a little Hootie, a little metal.

[@TidePride]

They actually had another hit from the same album, "Open Up Your Eyes"...its a good vibe, check it out

[@DavidMichaelCommer]

@@TidePride This is the only one I remember. Interesting. I just played some of it. Even more interesting...it doesn't sound familiar to me at all and yet it also sounds like everything from the 90s swirled together in a blender.

[@pricey6177]

@@TidePride also “You Wanted More” as well 👌

[@TidePride]

@@DavidMichaelCommer exactly! All those songs are completely interchangeable...memorable, yet equally forgettable.

[@DavidMichaelCommer]

@@TidePride Yep...like I said, Gin Blossoms and Hootie. 😬

[@d-2793]

I’ve been waiting for this reaction!!! Awesome !! Also, ‘Cracker - Low’ is a must reaction. Is a cross between creep & this song. Cracker -low!!

[@scottyg3406]

One of the best song's of the 90's period!

[@jimmymac4559]

There’s some classic 90’s pop

[@TheCosmicStarmen]

Please now do Edwin McCains I’ll Be.. Tonics “If You Could Only See”came out in 96 and “I’ll Be” came out right after in 97. These two songs went head to head on the charts/airwaves back in the 90’s and both were hits!. Plus the song I’ll be has one of the sexiest saxophone sounds you’ll ever hear!. So PLEASE react to it🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@ajmmusic3961]

One of my favorite bands from the 90's.

[@TwoRavens222]

This has always been one of my favorite songs. 😍

[@jonfazzone5125]

The 90’s had some of the most amazing Love Songs ever written. Great Song Similar “Love” Song is “Shame” by Stabbing Westward

[@caley1995]

I remember this song coming on the radio all the time when I was little in my car seat and I’d sing along before I even knew how to speak sentences 🎶

[@tasha7094]

Fantastic album. Came out about 1996. My favorite song was Mountain. But all of the songs were great.

[@jek4837]

I was a huge concert goer for almost a 10 year stretch from 97 to 2007 (I've probably seen over 100 acts that have been on the radio), but I never saw Tonic until maybe 2011 or so. I wasn't a huge fan of the band, so I can't remember why I wanted to go. I was absolutely blown away by their performance (and I ended up going seeing them again the next year). For "Mountain", they would do this extended intro that was just really nice. I highly recommend catching them if they tour close to you. They would close the show with a version of "Wicked Soldier" that was awesome (and I was NEVER a fan of that song until I saw it done live). Here's a halfway decent live version of Mountain since that's your favorite (and it's probably top 3 for me). kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXRqKp_eNqskKs

[@terpreynolds]

"Say It Ain't So" was released in '94, this song in '96

[@Brockleheezy]

I saw the title and watched Lex’s eyes looking at you. She nailed the emotion and you got the gist.

[@Brockleheezy]

My man - watch the video. This song gives me feels for my woman and also lost love. Lex looks at you like I look at my wife 15 years ago (and still). I’m not an extroverted guy but you need to keep that free-spirited woman. Don’t assume she knows she’s a keeper.

[@dalehudson3351]

Tonic is a band from Ireland a 3 man band.....all their albums are great seen them.....can't go wrong....songs are always READ BETWEEN THE LINES......please play more!!!!

[@mage1439]

Them being from Ireland goes a long way toward explaining why the mom disowned him over a girl. Irish parents are hard as old beef sometimes.

[@ericwilliams1031]

Tonic is an American rock band, formed in 1993 by Emerson Hart and Jeff Russo. Later members have included Dan Lavery, Kevin Shepard, and Dan Rothchild. Signed to a recording contract in 1995, the band released its debut album Lemon Parade in 1996.

[@poiballs425]

got to see emerson hart (lead singer) solo and doing a wine tasting on a music cruise...what a cool dude.... i really think i enjoy him more solo doing acoustic now then with tonic...great song btw

[@nathandavidson6465]

Same here. He used to come do solo shows at The Nick in Birmingham AL when he was close by. I was there one night and there were like 6 other people. Got to sit 4’ in front of him and request Mr. Golden Deal.

[@maureenlyons-brennan1146]

This is one of my top ten favorite songs.

[@brettpenning]

One of my favorite songs of all time!!

[@Trifler500]

This song was played multiple times a day on the radio every day throughout the 90's. :)

[@cmiles97x38]

This is a great song. If you like this give 7mary3 a try, Cumbersome is great one. So many great 90s bands that were very talented.

[@theOGnokk]

I think they did Cumbersome.

[@raymo6795]

I think they did Cumbersome, it is a great tune, this was a great time in music...I think the late / mid 90s?..."The stones that you throw are building up a wall"..what a great lyric!

[@mikeferris408]

great freakin album! great song writing.. great everything. this is a really really great band with a writing skill of the great song writers of the 70s. i cant say enough about TONIC, not to mention they sound live as recorded on their albums/Cd's. 100%

[@audracrawford8836]

👏🏼👏🏼thanks.. tonic is a favorite of mine♥️

[@zmarko]

This was one of the first songs I played as a DJ at my first radio gig after college. It's actually directed toward his mom, who didn't want him to get married, and was trying to talk him out of it. He was angry, rightfully so, and wrote down the song. He and his GF ended up not getting married, however.

[@brianlys]

Makes total sense now. Thanks.

[@summoner1451]

It wasn't just his GF though that his mom didn't like. It's that she was like 30 years older than him or something. He was dating a MUCH older woman and his mom was saying things like she doesn't actually love you, how could she. She's twice your age etc. He said in an interview later on that his mom was right about the entire thing and he should have listen to her, but then he wouldn't have got a great song out of it.

[@silverain3553]

I loved this band and then met them in a Dallas airport shuttle when I was 16. (1998). They were very nice guys. And Lemon Parade is still one of my favorite albums!

[@connieleighton4375]

Love Tonic ! One of my favorite 90s band, soooo underrated ...♡

[@coreyz.2800]

My first impression of this song (once I was old enough to actually pay attention to the lyrics) was that this was a break-up song, speaking to his soon to be ex; i.e. the criticisms in the verses being directed at the ex and the chorus being sort of the explanation for the breakup and why he's just not taking her crap any more. Like "you're manipulating me emotionally, you're putting me down, saying I'm such a horrible person for even looking at someone else and all the while you've treated me like crap, like a complete afterthought, running me down all the time. You don't even look at me like I'm a human being. But if you saw how she looks at me, if you saw that you'd get why I'm done with you and your BS and why I'm ending this here and now before it gets any more complicated." Wasn't until, well, literally just now looking through the other comments that I learned the song was based on a conversation with the singer's mother who ended up disowning him for years over a girl he liked that she didn't approve of. And in a way that made the song even more relatable to me because even though I've never been "disowned" by my parents I've had five relationships so far in my lifetime and not a single one of them met my mother's approval despite a range of personalities. Only girl she ever approved of was the one who told me flat out we could never date because my fussiness about food would drive her insane. I mean, plus she was also into a bunch of occultic stuff and all that just wasn't going to mesh well with me being a Christian. When there are obvious compatibility issues while still in the friendship stage it's best to just leave things there. But every single girl I had an interest in I was so sure would be "the one." So far it turns out my mom was right about just about all of them. Still one I'm not entirely sure of, since we never actually reached the point of dating and there was a really messy blow-up over some things that had made that really complicated and just...yea. Never knowing what could have been, what might have been, what I feel SHOULD have been if things had just gone right for once in my life. We were virtually inseparable (but for the 3,000+ miles between us which was kinda the primary issue), use to stay up for hours and hours every night to talk about everything and nothing and all that's in between. And now we rarely even speak at all.

[@jamiegriffin9866]

Thank you guys for doing this song I absolutely used to love this song and still do keep up the good work guys you are great!!

[@jek4837]

For anybody who are fans of Tonic are even just casual fans, then I HIGHLY recommend going to one of their shows. I was more or less just a casual fan when I first saw them a little over 10 years ago (or whenever it was). Their live performances are fantastic and typically a cheaper priced ticket.

[@connieleighton4375]

Totally agree saw them at the state fair in 2000, they opened for goo goo dolls and they absolutely killed it...♡

[@troyv8302]

Oh yeah, song came out around the time I was in one of those relationships. Everyone tried to warn me and I was stubborn and stayed with one of the most hateful and untrustworthy woman I ever met. She looked good though but the hate eventually made her ugly to me. Best thing I did was pack up the car and flip her off as she was pulling into the drive and I was driving away. Haven't seen her since. BTW, my friends all took me back and didn't do the "I told ya so" thing so there was that.

[@tammiec4937]

This was their debut album it was incredible and their second album was incredible too. I never seen them live. I’ve seen a live concert on tv they sound like this.

[@unintelligentlifeform7180]

this band has some great songs. Worth checking out more

[@trudydavidson528]

One of my many favorites!!!

[@CharlesAPrice]

Great Band .. When I played in bands we would always opened up our 3 set with Tonic “Open up your eyes”. That long opening note in the beginning of the song got people to listen up. Lol

[@auralfixxation6702]

Dam, I remember how popular this song got. Then a couple years later, you never heard from them again.

[@DerEchteBold]

I never heard about the band at all!

[@typorter-pp6lh]

Tonic is tragically underrated as a band. Their guitarist now scores many hit TV shows.

[@shawnannul]

"You Wanted More" by Tonic is another amazing song

[@SunShine-qk4rb]

So good.I love this band so much

[@joesmith8725]

A good '90s, early '00s post-grunge, alt rock band. Wished yall had seen the music video. Anyhow, see videos for "Open Up Your Eyes", "You Wanted More", "Take Me As I Am" Their songs came on lots of movies and TV shows. A little weird how they just kind of disappeared after 2003 ish and broke up.

[@McShaganpronouncedShaegen]

Open Up Your Eyes is my fave.

[@rhodus333]

"You Wanted More" is another great song by them

[@ugaais]

Was 26 in 1996 was going out with an amazing blue eyed girl at the time I think of her when I hear this because of the line…

[@MrJeddYoung]

Loved your reaction - great analysis. I liked the way you tried to break it down and understand it. Brad - I have to be honest - i've heard this song for 25 years - and i don't know what the lyrics mean either. I understand your confusion. This might qualify as a one hit wonder - because i can't think of another song by Tonic that received any attention. Maybe i'm missing one. Anyway - thanks for your reaction.

[@peterthomas5878]

"Casual Affair" and "Open Up Your Eyes" are the band's best tracks along with this song from their FIRST album. So, If you enjoyed this tune, you will appreciate these other two songs.

[@UMfan21]

Lemon Parade was such an amazing album of the 90s, and I feel like nobody remembers Tonic. "Casual Affair" was another song that got radio play from this album.

[@spjunkies]

So glad this one was a winner for y'all. Tonic is a really good band.

[@nitro_001newman2]

So awesome you reacted to Tonic. I’ve been making noise for reactors to react to this band. Next react to Gin Blossom’s “Jealousy” or “Found Out About You” which is their biggest songs.

[@JasonSum1979]

I remember when this band broke i didn’t fully understand how good they were at the time…. Over the last 15yrs i’ve grown to appreciate this Band (Really overlooked 90’s band) from 93-99 there was so much amazing varied music genres on radio & tv (Once Grunge started to decay it opened the door for so much varied music acts to get mainstream attention

[@pretzelprints]

This whole album is great...hope you listen to more!

[@mokumboi19]

The song is basically like he's talking to a friend or friends who are all saying oh my God what are you doing with this toxic person, and he's trying to explain like oh if you could only see it, but as he's explaining he's realizing that she's bad for him and to him.

[@timothycook2917]

It's a rhetorical song to the singer's mother about him wanting to marry at a young age

[@stevedahlberg8680]

For contrast, check out this slightly heavier band called Collective soul. They had a number of hits but this by far was my favorite. But I would listen to them back to back with tonic constantly. It would put you in the shoes of what it was like to like this kind of music at the time. And as a musician, I've got to point out that this is also a fantastic riff and not only that, all of the wonderful wah pedal solos from all the years and decades prior notwithstanding, this has got to be one of the most triumphant. This is so fun to dance to and head bang to. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKCvYa1smdNlp5o

[@snowdog03]

Collective Soul wasn't heavy.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

@@snowdog03 I think on average compared to Tonic they were slightly heavier. I really did like everything on that dosage album though. They had some really sweet ones too. But this one is just fantastic.

[@jocamd3941]

Underrated band. Very underrated song.

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

Still one of my favorites to this day.

[@harryprater9014]

Tonic is a great band with a lot of great songs !!!!

[@bjorn3947]

Love this band😊

[@dr4782]

"If You Could Only See" came after "Say It Ain't So." "Say It Ain't So" was a hit in the summer of 1995. "If You Could Only See" was a hit in the summer of 1997.

[@BKLYN_TZU]

Tonic is definitely one of the most '90s sounding bands that you can still listen too today without saying this music sounds dated because the songs still hold up.

[@daniellesedore2359]

It came out in 1996

[@evhleppard]

This band has a lot of good songs

[@tylerannand3777]

You guys should react to some of the 90s swing revival stuff... Squirrel Nut Zipper, Big Bad Voodoo Daddies, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, etc... Great music

[@runyunhyde4373]

Brian Seltzer orchestra also

[@tomlaw17]

Casual Affair is also a good one by Tonic.

[@davidsafford1423]

I love how you guys can figure out what decade most songs are made

[@EarthWalker2023]

Great song 🎵

[@locustkllr]

If you guys have not yet hit up Jimmy Eat World, start with Sweetness, Bleed American, and The Middle

[@nethrelm]

Awesome song from an awesome album. 👍 The manipulative person in the first verse isn't the woman he loves, it's someone who doesn't approve of their relationship (his mother, specifically). "Well you've got your reasons, and you've got your lies, and you've got your manipulations, they cut me down to size" is directly addressing his mom and her stance on the relationship he has with this woman.

[@rossdownes4240]

Didn't know the band but recognised the song.

[@willfromyadkinville]

loved the 90s! they almost made a decade the end of 1997 to 1999 was a drop off in my opinion!

[@zedcar7326]

Check out "Thick", "Casual affair" which are also from the same album Lemon Parade.

[@AngelDawn1982]

You have to check out “open up your eyes” by tonic also a great rocking song!!

[@tonkatoy3636]

Maestro Fresh Wes - Let Your Backbone Slide

[@jimjones-mg1zm]

I always took it as her eyes being sad (blue) when she says she loves him

[@SIXX2772]

HUGE song in the 90's post grunge.

[@auralfixxation6702]

Oh and another song that got popular from this 1996 release is OPEN UP YOUR EYES.

[@gaijin5]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@christianhansen3292]

this song reminds me of becoming an adult in my teens growing up.

[@teddibiase5332]

Holy Hell time traveling back to my teenage years

[@jimflores9098]

great song...

[@jaquettajones]

I knew Emerson (lead singer) and his then wife (the person he wrote the song about) she was my friend, co-worker. She would car pool with me so Emerson could take the car to work at Guitar Center. The comment below about their relationship is correct. His mother disapproved of the marriage. I was there for the whole thing. Saw him performn this song many times with before it became a hit. Such a great song! #LAinthe90s

[@alexzarvis6949]

Epic band! There is not a bad song on Lemon Parade or Sugar. Been a huge fan since i first heard their amazing song writing.

[@ImmortalBroken]

Lex was right on! The manipulations and lies part, he was singing to his parents ("you") who didn't approve of his relationship with the woman ("she") he loved. Try "You Wanted More" by Tonic!

[@johnnewell7878]

Not a big Tonic fan, BUT this song... Is so good! Composition, Lyrics....

[@jerryarcher1923]

I believe his friend is telling him how he gets treated, but he only looks at how she expresses her love to him by the look in her eyes.

[@denisea.9441]

I love this song!!!!

[@kurre7]

Cool song

[@vinman5432]

A similar situation with Deep Blue Something's "Breakfast At Tiffany's"

[@elizabethmassengale2033]

Lex nailed it