Vocal Coach reacts to Emmylou Harris moved to tears by First Aid Kit at Polar Music Prize

[@bobgamble8204]

First Aid Kit are probably the most underrated artists I've ever heard. Such amazing voices and writing talent, they really are properly unique and wonderful sounding

[@VoxTone2009]

The Swedish duo Good Harvest and the Norwegian band Katzenjammer (broke up a few years ago) are way more underrated. Another level.

[@Zorg2006]

They're incredible. I've been a massive fan for 12 years now. They wrote such mature songs when still teenagers it blows my mind. Absolutely bursting with talent.

[@heathery6220]

I saw them at Glastonbury on the main stage. You could hear a pin drop. It was stunning I've seen some great sets there but this is up there

[@wwklnd]

It's always funny to think about how the guy sitting next to Emmylou who bounces a bit to the music is the actual king of Sweden.

[@marita.n6125]

😅 Yes, he do that quite often

[@superbird426]

That’s the Swedish king. Carl Gustav XVI

[@musicfromakido]

Haha he is such a dork! 😂

[@elincarlsson6388]

I was gonna say: the old man next to her, who looks like he escaped an old folks home for people with dementia is the king of Sweden. Just retire already! Let our queen Victoria REIGN!

[@alvdansen7172]

@@elincarlsson6388 Don't disrespect our king! He retire when he dies and hopefully that is not now. But yes Victoria is a pearl!

[@catherinehoffpauir6323]

This song takes me back to the young Emmy Lou and makes me a little sad.

[@Emilaria]

I think I've watched this performance a million times. They're such an amazing duo and this song is so beautiful. Their performance of Paul Simon's America at the Polar Prize is also freaking amazing.

[@Dr_Bombay]

same, and it moves me to tears every time.

[@jb7753]

Have you watched them cover Red Dirt Girl?

[@Dr_Bombay]

@@jb7753 i have not! i guess i need to change that...

[@Emilaria]

@@jb7753 I have! It's beautiful. They also did Dancing Barefoot for Patti Smith.

[@johnthorne4093]

And their Polar Music Prize performance of "Dancing Barefoot " for Patti Smith.

[@patchso]

First Aid Kit are phenomenally good and this song in particular is so emotional. Add that to the circumstances of this performance and you have something quite special.

[@rainieresguerra6519]

The Great ELH being given tribute by two amazing girls. 🎉 Been in love with ELH for over 5 decades now. An incredibly beautiful person inside and out. ❤

[@davidpowell8249]

They are so overwhelmed/emotional, performing for one of their idols, but still pulled _that_ performance, spectacular!

[@randyfergus8781]

If Emmylou doesn't inspire you, you have a problem. These two you ladies have to feel so honored to have the opportunity to express their gratitude and they did it so well

[@firedoc5]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Their voices, their harmonizing, their presentation. And seeing Emmylou being moved is so touching. Emmylou is someone I've admired since childhood along with Linda Ronstadt.

[@PsychoGallagher]

I have seen First Aid Kit live in 2012, 2017, and now in 2023. They were already fantastic at my first show but have become even better over the years. In fact, I would argue that, by now, they're one of the greatest live bands out there. Both Klara & Johanna and their backing band(s) are SUCH professionals! The music, the instrumentals are so tight, the sound is so perfect, yet it looks absolutely effortless! And the singing! If I could, I would go to every single concert they play just to enjoy these top level musicians and their utterly brilliant music! God, I love 'em! ❤

[@kanjjn]

When you know the history of Emmylou & Gram, this entire thing is equal parts beauty and heartbreak.

[@Dr_Bombay]

yes! the chorus just floors me every time: "I'll be your Emmylou, I'll be your June, if you'll be my Gram and my Johnny too." oof. so perfect, so beautiful, and so sad all at the same time.

[@thomasnowell]

​@@Dr_Bombay i don't know their story. What went down between the 4 of them?

[@Dr_Bombay]

@@thomasnowell i don't believe all four had any *direct* connection, but i've always taken the song to mean that Emmylou Harris and Gram kind of fit together (vocally) like June and Johnny Cash did -- their voices blended beautifully and there's just a tragedy to both relationships due to both Gram's and Johnny's addiction(s). I think Emmylou tried to get Gram off drugs like June Carter worked for years to do with Johnny Cash. Sadly, Gram died of an overdose before Emmylou or anyone could save him.

[@Dr_Bombay]

​@Daniel Lysohirka oh, for sure. i believe that Gram opened the Stones to a whole new direction, and gave them inspiration for most of the 1970s.

[@diegorodriguez4226]

​@@thomasnowelllisten to "Return of the Grievous Angel".

[@margett__]

I adore these two ladies! They're truly magical, and their harmonies are the warmest thing I've ever heard.

[@mjcoynejr]

One of the surprising things about this beautiful performance is that they said they wrote this song at 14 and 16 years old. Does anyone agree with me that this is remarkable?

[@barbarino2000]

There’s videos of them near that age. They were captivating even then. Find their Fleet Foxes cover their dad filmed in the woods by their home.

[@american_cosmic]

Absolutely. Those ladies have more talent in their pinkies than most current pop singers could ever hope to possess.

[@chriswhinery925]

I believe it for sure. I saw them live shortly after this album came out and they were VERY young, it wouldn't be that surprising if they wrote the song even a few years before that. There's some artists that just have great instincts for song writing even at an early age.

[@vidiot005]

That's not what they said. They were 14 and 16 when they discovered the music of Emmylou Harris (and Graham Parsons), not when they wrote this song.

[@danclaynz]

First Aid Kit are so good, can’t believe they’re not more popular. Such a great song too.

[@gpeddino]

Their performance of Patti Smith’s “Dancing Barefoot” at the Polar Prize is also masterful. By the way, in front of Patti herself (who also cries).

[@rhllnm]

Also Red Dirt Girl

[@iwanabapilot]

So glad you covered this song. There is so much music history in this song, the love story of Emmylou and Gram Parsons, June Carter and Johnny Cash. The music video that accompanies this song alludes to the death story of Gram. I can barely get through the steel guitar intro before being emotionally moved. Thanks Beth I really enjoy your analysis.

[@srudine]

Wow! What a wonderful duet. I have tears of joy welling up from this performance. Amazing talent...simply amazing! Thanks Beth for sharing this with us.

[@antivanti]

You could make an entire series of First Aid Kit making legends cry by singing their songs at the Polar Prize ceremonies 😊 Next up singing America for Paul Simon and then Dancing Barefoot for Patti Smith and finally Red Dirt Girl for Emmylou Harris to tie it up

[@ChorusAndTheRing]

So true. Their rendition of Dancing Barefoot in particular was really good.

[@joakimdjerv4488]

I love your version of wicked game.Very beatiful.Greetings from Sweden😊

[@joakimdjerv4488]

By the way sitting next to Emmy Lou is the Swedish King🫅

[@Pexas]

Yes please:)

[@alliel9970]

yes their cover of Emmylou's Red Dirt Girl is amazing, I have listened to it several times!

[@ExpatBear-58]

I discovered them by accident. I was hooked. Them I heard them cover America. Wonderful. Best thing from s Sweden since ABBA.

[@treekc]

I must admit, when l first watched this performance a few years ago l cried too. So beautiful and moving, and as you said, being sisters thier voices blend together so well ❤

[@blueckaym]

First Aid Kit have amazing sound! And so skilled and refined that all I've heard them sing sounds brilliant! And the switches in dynamics give so much power and feeling to their songs! The first song I heard of them - the Lion's Roar - blasted me away!

[@paulhagger3895]

Exquisite vocals always but a lovely piece of writing, too. "Things don't grow unless you bless them with your patience"

[@leeswhimsy]

These girls are so sooooo good!! Thank you for this reaction!!!

[@binskins]

Thank you so much for the commentary here. I've been absolutely obsessed with this video since I found it quite a while back. Their two voices together are angelic. And of course, Emmy Lou's reaction is so special.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

This brought me to their cover of her red dirt girl, which lead me to the original of red dirt girl and then to revisit boulder to Birmingham. Emmylou's old grey whistle version of pancho and lefty is sensational

[@heatherspence3848]

0:22 tears already building ❤❤❤ This video/ song gets me every time. Sending love to you and yours from Orlando, Florida.

[@ingrid_inthesky]

I've been listening to them since 2008 and have always just been so enamoured by them - they're like a warm bonfire🧡 'Just wishing them the best always and the accent comment was funny because I felt the same way about them sounding so American lol It was very cute💜

[@jude999]

Rare to have young singers have such respect for legendary artists who came before them.

[@josequintana9617]

Beth, your voice on Wicked Game is as pure as the driven snow! Playing it repeatedly on my Spotify playlist.

[@mn4169]

this was amazing and Emmylou cried. How nice was this. it brings some semblance of peace to humanity

[@kathelindell9720]

As a Swede myself I can say that we learn english early and I would say that the biggest influence is american english. So there is no wonder that's what you are picking up on listeing to them! Not to say that country music hasn't played a part as well in their slight southern touch ;) Furthermore it's pretty mindbogglig to think that they wrote this song at like the ages of 14 and 16 respectively!

[@uriahbraden4314]

I'm no linguistic expert for sure, but I do live in the south, and they don't have a southern accent. To me it very much sounds like they have a mid-western accent, I would have guessed they are from Minnesota or surrounding area. Given that this area was settled by a lot of Swedish people, it makes perfect sense.

[@lovisalindstrom7920]

For me, as a swede, it is british English all the way. So it definitely relates to what you are doing.. my brother speaks more lika an american since he is a gamer but for me who absolutely love british crime dramas and their music it is british all the way. One of my teachers in school hade herself been schooled in a british boarding school. It is way more beautiful with british english, i can actually listen to them without getting tired after on minute.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

This is a lovely channel. Just a heads up from a SOUTHERN Appalachia Smokey mountains gal. Standard American came from Nebraska, Iowa....These talented ladies are speaking that, a TV newscaster accent. Quite often someone from the deep SE , USA would protest any confusion of locality (IE don't call them Yankees). It's all good. God Bless America.

[@SneakyCheeseThief]

It’s funny, my dad’s family comes from there - they had a farm south of Newport, Tennessee for 150 years. My mom’s family comes from the same state, but from the North Central part of Tennessee. My grandparents on both sides used to tell me stories about meeting folks from the other family at my parents’ wedding, and how they were so happy their child married a southerner, and a Tennessean no less; but they wished they didn’t come from a family with such an awful accent (actually my grandad always said ‘manner of talk’, not ‘accent’). Each side of my family to this day thinks the other is a bunch of bumpkins who can’t speak properly. So I’m with you on the notion of southerners being particular about accents and locations … even within the same state and the same family.

[@FernLovebond]

@@SneakyCheeseThief As someone raised in the most bland, non-regional of accents, Salt Lake valley, and who moved to the South in my 20s, can confirm: Southerners fight amongst themselves about which of their accents is "bad" or "right" speaking. And these girls do, indeed, speak AP Standard, non-regional, broadcast US English, as @alwaysflushinpublic mentioned. Not a hint of Southern US in it.

[@Bell_the_Cat]

Love these sisters to bits. Some of the best music making anywhere, anytime.

[@michaelsteven1090]

The bridge is amazing..it brings it together..

[@tom7471]

I love this duo and this version of the song! And Emmylou is the reason I stumbled upon First Aid Kit a few years ago. She is pure grace and I think the best female country-bluegrass singer of all time. Everyone wanted to sing along side her. Loved your wonderful reaction!

[@playle2710]

I found first aid kit y loving a video where a hang glider pilot does tricks over s building site and a beach he walks along the jib of a cranoand even pullsbundono thstrapdvof a girl’s bikini top as he flies over her did anyone else see this video or even better can find a link for it???😅

[@playle2710]

Hear hear buddy !!

[@playle2710]

Yes it’s beautiful how Wmylou reacts to their wonderful tribute they are such incrydingersctogethermsybecthbest harmonising duo since Simosnd Garfunkel

[@playle2710]

I want to edit my comment but I don’t know how

[@playle2710]

0:06 since Simon& Garfunkel

[@pillmuncher67]

"I'll be you're Emmylou [...] you'll be my Gram" Gram Parsons was a short-time member of The Byrds in 1968 when they release their Country Music album Speetheart of the Rodeo. After that he founded The Flying Burrito Brothers who played a psychedelics-tinged version of Country Music heavily inspire by Buck Owen's Bakersfield sound. From 1970 on, her toured together with Emmylou Harris. Emmylou, being a folk singer originally, found her way into Country Music through him. Bram died from an alcohol and barbiturate overdose in 1973. Emmylou was deeply hurt and despondent by his death. In 1975, she released the album Pieces of the Sky, which contained her beautiful song From Boulder to Birmingham in which she dealt with the loss of her friend.

[@birthekjaersman4241]

As a Swede I think the US-accent may be not only because they (obviously!) listened to a lot of country. It can also have been the influence from the film industry and the fact that we in Sweden see a lot of television from the US. And, we do NOT have dubbed television or films, no matter what country they come from, we HEAR the words and the rythm and music of the original language. Of course those films and series that are meant for the smallest, pre-school and early school children to see are dubbed. But we can hear Italian, British, Australian and US English, Indian dialects and Japanese. And I believe we gain in understanding doing so.

[@MrSophbeau]

Sweden is a country that the world can learn from.

[@annicaesplund6613]

But we learn English in school, not the American version.

[@alexbrew22]

Took both of my daughters to hear these girls in Houston this year. They were overwhelmed with joy. I liked The Rolling Stones song personally

[@flakeyjay]

Love me some First Aid Kit, thank you for reviewing video made me cry the first couple of times as well.

[@Skall-ex]

Love First Aid Kit so much. Amazing singer-songwriters.

[@tomcat3360]

I love how you are falling in love with their singing. I’ve been a fan of the sisters since they were teens. Make sure you also check out them singing America to Paul Simon.

[@johnnewton3592]

I have been listening to them since they first posted on youtube as an unknown artistic duo when they were teenagers. Always enjoy their music.

[@rickkaylor8554]

Absolutely love this song. These sisters are so talented.

[@woodsea434]

Thank you for reacting to another lesser known but extremely talented band. Beautiful and touching video

[@sayton2241]

I was moved to tears and I'm not ashamed to say it, our King has that effect. Nice music too.

[@dscotthoward7467]

Everything about this can be summed up in one word: BEAUTIFUL!

[@JohnThomWebb]

This performance introduced me to them. It's SO good!

[@OscarScheepstra_Artemis_]

I had the pleasure of watching one of their concerts in Rotterdam almost 15 years ago with my brother. The way their voices resonated and harmonized was out of this world.

[@lynnemiller3633]

Absolutely a treat. Just beautiful.

[@Truth20237]

YES! I'm so glad they are getting the recognition they deserve.

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Gonna go subscribe to First Aid Kit as soon as I'm done watching this vid! I can tell I'm gonna love them! Thanks Bethe! (Somehow, I wasn't aware of them before! Well, I think I may have heard/seen their name, but had not heard any music/seen vids of them!)

[@dwightyoung8878]

When Linda Ronstadt was trying to make it in a club in LA, she heard Emmy Lou Harris sing there and thought she is doing exactly what I want to do, I can hate her or support her. Linda supported other women in the industry from then forward. She, Emmylou, & Dolly Parton sang folk songs as The Trio many years later.

[@gregfagan199]

Families always create the best harmonies. I love First Aid Kit. Such talented singers and writers.

[@cristocontreras445]

LOVE THIS BAND LOVE IT SO MUCH

[@lindsayheywood7195]

This is such a gorgeous performance!

[@Draco_Nex]

If you haven't been listening to these talented ladies before, then a great time of discovering them awaits you!

[@GeeBee1965]

Well, Beth... I watched you more than those 2 girls... would I be wrong in what I saw... THEY TOUCHED YOUR HEART, just like they touched Emmylous's heart... good job on your part to explain WHY that performance was REALLY GOOD. Touched YOUR HEART... like it touched mine.. and 1000's of other people.

[@josequintana9617]

Everything about this performance was stunningly beautiful. ❤

[@arnalipkind8470]

I love this version!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Yes we love our sisters 🇸🇪 FAK has been on my radars since The Lion’s Roar in 2012. And this song is on that album. Just a hint 😉 since then they’ve grown their artistry and song writing skills enormously. They are just flawless our sisters Klara and Johanna ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@carolmartin4413]

Beautiful and such talent.

[@birgerfurugard7259]

To hit a old person in the feels is just f-ing Gold

[@jimwebb9328]

As I age, I find my "feels" are closer to the surface with each passing year. It doesn't take much to get me misty anymore.

[@mellertid]

I imagine the key is they sung a lot for the joy of it, so not only do they mesh but they"re in a perfect happy and safe place - no "nerves", just presence.

[@lynnmillerhandbells]

Singing is the best, music is the best, Beth is the best. ❤

[@John-re2qw]

Klara and Johanna are sensational. It is amazing how many Scandinavian female vocalists have such crystal clear pronunciation when singing in English (Aurora, Eivor, Susanne Sundfor, Sigrid, Marie Fredrickson, Agnetha and Anni-Frid from ABBA, Sissel).

[@nataliegunnars]

Probably because we're taught English from ages 7-19, and English is everywhere in our media :)

[@Orjonast]

​@@nataliegunnarsAlso speaking English with a heavy Swedish/Norwegian accent is frowned upon, or just seen as a joke. So many of us find a middle way between American and British, not leaning too heavy on either 😊

[@Coole-ee1vg]

@@Orjonast Just "lagom" , very Swedish, not to much and not to little.

[@marylanders3989]

Thank you for introducing me to this duo.

[@user-lc5xp5xd2i]

It's hard to believe Emmylou Harris is 76 years old. If someone told me she was 30 years younger I wouldn't bat an eye. By the way, if you've never given Gram Parsons a listen you should give yourself a treat. He died so young but he an old soul, which comes through in his music. And I think his voice is perfectly imperfect.

[@davidherringgo]

You might like hearing Emmylou sing together with Gram Parsons.They my favorite duet pair. Thanks for checking out F.A.K. I am learning it recently.

[@ZzaphodD]

Swede here: FAK are so good and deserve more plays!

[@donrobbie1461]

As an aside - i fell in love with music of Emmy Lou Harris when she did an album and then tour with Mark Knopfler - listen to her sing Red Dirt Girl on videos on youtube

[@timpike1976]

Beautiful piece and great reaction. Have you done any reaction videos to any Emmylou Harris performances? There's a great old video of Emmylou, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton singing, "Bury Me Beneath The Willow" I think you'd enjoy.

[@brunodrakenas9575]

Since we’re not a native English speaking country we kind of adopt what ever dialect we want. Some learn the British English but I guess most people who cares about how they sound and who don’t want to speak “swenglish” tends to lean more to the American English.

[@Reckyj]

Gotta love the fact that the Swedish King is sitting next to Emmylou.

[@8rboy]

I saw them love this sunday. They sound increadible

[@francoisbouvier7861]

Country music still has a chance with talent like this. Harris and Parsons are wonderful mentors.

[@Highrockman]

What a great tribute..beautiful

[@lowertheshield]

Great analysis identifying some of the technical aspects of the story telling. For me and I wonder if for Emmylou also are the touching references to not only Graham Parsons, but also Johnny Cash & June Carter, 'lil Darlin'. All icons of an age long gone.

[@cmhhansen]

They also did an excellent cover of Emmylou's Red Dirt Girl which is worth checking out.

[@Steve-ng6jf]

Great video... love what yur doing Like sharing a great song with a talented friend

[@shadowsdad903]

Excellent!! No one harmonizes like family.

[@ianpercy4447]

i just love her quiet adoration in the last 30 seconds that they're singing.

[@GCKelloch]

I adore FAK. They have a unique and beautiful sound and continue to grow artistically.

[@SierraTibbetts]

I've seen them live 8 times over the last decade and obviously I am a biased fan, but somehow they sound even BETTER live. Something about them being in the moment and having fun as artists brings so much to their songs.

[@legey5862]

You should check their performance with Anna Ternheim singing her song "Summer Rain" (featuring other incredible scandinavian singers like Ane Brun and Nina Kinert) Such a masterpiece

[@niklastorshagen6365]

The king's jiving

[@gr3k3n]

First aid kit i such a good and fantastic group. I like how you explained it like a soft 'angel voice' and one more tribal straight to the point kind of voice. The "tribal voice" to me almost sounds like a kulning it is a kind of singing people in sweden did back in the day to call in cattle from gracing out on the fields. You should look it up. It is beautiful!

[@donrobbie1461]

Also watch them sing “america” in front of Psul Simon at another Polar Awards Ceremony. By the way that’s the King of Sweden sitting with Emmy Lou Harris!

[@Sagitarria]

I love this and I love your commentary. Just a note- to me they sound like they have hint of a western accent not a southern one. Maybe New Mexico/Arizona

[@dizzy4dayz]

I first heard First Aid Kit on the sound track of Tales From The Borderlands, and have enjoyed listening to their songs ever since. I would love to a reaction of Beverly Craven - Promise Me (Live at Birmingham Symphony Hall 1992)

[@Godbooteringword]

Hi Beth, glory to the lamb 😊🙏

[@Nixima81]

Not every day you get to entertain you're king. Job well done.

[@annhelensjostrom9065]

She sits next to our King 👑

[@thyslop1737]

They sound like us Yanks. This performance was amazing. The sister's harmonys are pure magic.

[@waynerobbins1310]

So lovely. I think they are from south Sweden😀

[@klaraehn2303]

Swede here! In school we had to choose between british or american prounciation

[@BooBKF]

First: The "harmonic" singing, apart from the country style, (I'm not a musician, so sorry for the bad explanation), is a nordic way of singing folk songs. It's also an earlier than viking age, kind of herding call, called "kulning". (example: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gafXhWaLrs2cmLM) Secound: (but actually first), Emmylou is sitting next to our awesome, much joked about dearly beloved king 😊

[@mickback999999]

And a thing that is totally of topic.... On Emmylou`s right side we find the King of Sweden. Btw Beth, keep up with your reactions, i really enjoy them. Greetings from Sweden!

[@johnvender]

When Emmylou teamed up with Linda and Dolly the results were simply amazing.

[@thomasroth4533]

There are several reasons why Swedes are good at English with school being one of them. Even more important, I think, is that we never dubbed movies or TV-series. Love your Wicked Game.

[@philiprowney]

LOL 1:35 Emmylou is saying a quick prayer for the performers. Such a pro.