we like watching birds

there are so many types of birds and we enjoy looking at all of them
join my patreon: / briandavidgilbert
featuring karen han: / karenyhan
this is where brian david gilbert is:
/ briandavidgilbert
/ briamgilbert
/ briamgilbert

[@ArkayeCh]

"Why are you so afraid of the neighbors? Just say hi." The neighbors:

[@electromika]

"No, ma, they keep spying on us with binoculars! I'm serious!"

[@Rampageopolis]

Yeah, this shit is going to give me some nightmares

[@macaronandcheese18113]

also the neighbors: THE GARBAGE IS WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, NOT TUESDAY NIGHTS

[@MegaPagliacci]

This finally explains the deep lore behind why he was googling bird photos when Karen couldn’t find her laptop.

[@Ristro44]

Heck! Good point!

[@chinmayaramesh9521]

bruh

[@iamthetwowolvesinsideyou9357]

We love a channel with continuity

[@DirtPerson]

Good eye.

[@BoredInNW6]

You'll have to remind me what a laptop is

[@celticcountrylover]

I am unironically glad that leaving Polygon has allowed Brian to get significantly more unhinged while dragging Karen down with him.

[@Rampageopolis]

Brian said he specifically left Polygon because he hated the women that worked there. It's seriously fucking sad

[@celticcountrylover]

@@Rampageopolis Cool! Do you have a source on that, because that definitely sounds like something taken wildly out of context.

[@Rampageopolis]

I don't think it's "cool!" whatsoever. You should really do your research before making such a thoughtless and disrespectful comment like that

[@theonewhorandomlypopsupeve1995]

@@Rampageopolis Rather than saying cool because it was wild, I think it's in the context of "Oh, something to learn about today that I didn't know" but hey that's my take.

[@Rampageopolis]

@@theonewhorandomlypopsupeve1995 you're right, that's just your take. lmao

[@thebadpoet]

My sister informed me that a group of philosophers who specialize in aesthetics and music have been discussing in great depth and detail why this song is so humorously unsettling, and I just need to share that.

[@nemnyoom]

i want to know where this discussion is happening

[@user-mq2dy5ov6s]

Tell us if they publish a paper, I'd read that like the Bible

[@supercamborg4218]

Where can I find this

[@tylerdapkus1023]

I'd love to get a transcript or a recording of these discussions if at all possible.

[@matthewcron8842]

I want to know more. Will they publish a paper on it?

[@marynorthenscold3041]

Sorry if this has already been done, but here's the small text by all the birds: House Sparrow (passer domesticus) - Originally introduced to Brooklyn in 1851 - Enjoys eating seeds Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) - This one is immature - When movies need a bald eagle noise, they usually use a red-tailed hawk's cry! American Robin (turdus migratorius) - The oldest robin lived to 13 years and 11 months - They can become intoxicated if they exclusively eat honeysuckle berries Green Heron (butorides virescens) - Can use "bait," where it attracts fish by dropping a twig or feather onto the water surface Wood Duck (Aix Sponsa) - Feeds by dipping headfirst into the water. This action is called "dabbling" Greckman's Eagle (Aquila greckmensis) (bunny pictured) - Can fly faster than two miles and hour! - Extremely agressive Iowan Short Egret (Ardea parvulus) (turtle pictured) - Found in shallow bodies of water - Hates the game of horshoes Crow (Crow) - Crow Greatest Horned Owl (Bubo bubobubo) (pig statue pictured) - Eats whatever they want - Thinks they're better than you and is probably right about that Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) - Saw some cool worms this morning - Feels really pretty in this tree, but isn't going to make a big deal about it Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) - Likes to mimic hawk calls - Is currently the main witness in a high-profile embezzlement case American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) - Molts twice a year - Let me use their truck to move one time Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Honestly, they get more hate than they deserve. - Except for Sebastian. He deserves it. Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - Usually mate for life - Went off the grid in 2014 and says it was the best decision of their life

[@MissPoplarLeaf]

Thank you!! Was going to go back and pause at each one to read, but this makes it a lot easier

[@wormcrimetime2890]

Thank you you’re so kind💛

[@lunemagnolia]

Thank you!

[@cj_17]

thank you!!

[@nikos8599]

I see you like watching birds too

[@neverendingtoasterbath956]

So when BDG said he left polygon to make “stranger, less referential projects” he was really not kidding huh

[@Feralsquirrel]

Does the man look like a liar to you!?!?!?!

[@OsKarMike1306]

I don't know what I expected, but I didn't expect this

[@triunnbjorn3610]

I expected pure gold and this is even better

[@duffman18]

He left polygon!? Fuck, that's awful. His best videos were the polygon ones. I hope he continues to make them. I like his other videos too but it's not the same

[@dylangergutierrez]

@@duffman18 It's fine to like what you like, and they were good videos, but I think the whole gimmick of the show was wearing thin by the end.

[@oliviamcgill3761]

this is very soothing :) edit: nevermind it became a cult again

[@thevillagequeer]

Why can't it be both

[@olympiareid1494]

That seems to be how a lot of these songs go

[@kotakotik22]

This is concerning out of context

[@gylfie24linole]

This is legitimately my favorite comment on this video

[@cartkart1]

Not again!

[@Altraice]

I feel like Brian just has really bad fever dreams just aggressively scribbles shit when he wakes up and tries to make sense of it later.

[@jackattack8472]

I think he just sits bolt upright in bed, covered in sweat and screams entire pitches for Karen to carve into the walls for review the next morning.

[@Dude27th]

that's exactly how I get my ideas

[@vampirelibrarian777]

isn’t that how Lovecraft came up with ideas? cause that makes sense actually

[@ryuuteimaru5858]

Isn't this common to have ideas in the weirdest time? Like, waking up in midnight or while in bath?

[@SoshJam]

I mean that's what Ray Bradbury did so I'd say it's a good idea.

[@Sam-on5jf]

somehow even though they look 15 they have that retiree energy

[@PlanetComputer]

ok

[@chantolove]

It’s the hats with the flap things

[@panickednoodle]

It‘s the beige

[@kae41]

They do look like they're children though-

[@art3me]

It's all the bird watching

[@tonimartinez320]

i love how Brian left Polygon and was just immediately like "finally i can revert to my home frequency"

[@CygnusTheSilly]

Polygon was holding him back

[@DapperestDave]

@@CygnusTheSilly but were they doing it for our safety?

[@cornpiranha7233]

I’m pretty sure he didn’t stop working for them, he just stopped Unraveled

[@averynerdybookworm972]

@@cornpiranha7233 he left the company

[@random_is_not_a_studios]

@@averynerdybookworm972 y porque la dejo (soy un poco nuevo)

[@jamesmchammond6054]

House Sparrow 🐤 0:09 Passer domesticus -Originally introduced to Brooklyn in 1851 -Enjoys eating seeds Red-Tailed Hawk 🦅 0:10 Buteo jamaicensis -This one is immature -When movies need a bald eagle noise, they usually use a red-tailed hawk's cry! American Robin 🐤 0:11 -The oldest robin lived to 13 years and 11 months -They can become intoxicated if they exclusively eat honeysuckle berries Green Heron 🦆 0:12 Butorides virescens -Can use "bait" where it attracts fish by dropping a twig or feather onto the water surface Wood Duck 🦆 0:13 Aix sponsa -Feeds by dipping headfirst into the water. This action is called "dabbling" Greckman's Eagle 🦅 0:27 Aquila greckmensis -Can fly faster than two miles an hour! -Extremely agressive Iowan Short Egret 🐥 0:28 Ardea parvulus -Found in shallow bodies of watet -Hates the game of horseshoes Crow 🦅 0:28 Crow -Crow Greatest Horned Owl 🦉 0:29 Bubo bubobubo -Eats whatever they want -Thinks they're better than you and is probably right about that Common Grackle 🕊 0:45 Quiscalus quiscula -Saw some cool worms this morning -Feels really pretty in this tree but isn't going to make a big deal about it Blue Jay 🐦 0:48 Cyanocitta cristata -Likes to mimic hawk calls -Is currently the main witness to a high profile embezzlement case American Goldfinch 🐥 1:27 Spinus tristis -Molts twice a year -Let me use their truck to move one time Canada Goose 🦆 1:28 Branta canadensis -Honestly, they get a lot more hate than they deserve. -Except for Sebastian. He deserves it. Mute Swan 🦢 1:29 Cygnus olor -Usually mate for life -Went off the grid in 2014 and says it was the happiest decision of their life Thank you Sequoia for correcting me!

[@katherinedobbs52]

You are a lifesaver

[@JulesJuno737]

You go Mute Swan!! Good for them!

[@TBSPlayer1]

You're doing God's work mate

[@justwannapost69]

How this isn't the top comment is insane

[@burieddagger8064]

I agree about geese, geese are great and don't deserve the shit they get. They are so loyal to their mates and have these really interesting social dynamics. Plus they have a "fake it til you make it" strategy in terms of defending their territory that is actually fairly successful considering they are a 11 pound bird. Fuck Sebastian tho.

[@Omahdon]

So, am I. Am I in a cult now. Is this what happened?

[@Natalie-101]

Mhm! Welcome😊

[@wippok42]

Frick theyre starting to realise

[@ursapolargalactica]

We like watching birds :D

[@autumin6843]

Yes.

[@Yetiii23]

We steal chicken bones from the garbage behind the Applebys :D

[@Devedrus]

As a professional ornithologist I declare this our new anthem.

[@isshunova]

As an amateur ornithologist, I second this decision

[@RachaelLongLastName]

@@isshunova as a novice ornithologist, I third this decision

[@patfitch6660]

@@RachaelLongLastName as not-an-ornithologist-but-i-still-think-birds-are-cool, I add a fourth endorsement.

[@okashi10]

As a pforessaniol orthironoligost I fourth this decision

[@ImpendingRiot83]

As an amateur photographer who focuses mostly on birds as subjects, I stand in resolute solidarity with this ornithologist’s decree.

[@TimeBucks]

i am so worried about brian and karens mental state

[@shitlordflytrap1078]

The birds like watching you too.

[@melonsaway3929]

Good

[@EKimatH]

Nothing to worry about This is fine

[@leifhelland6313]

I'm not

[@ochiai3]

shh, the birds are watching

[@Whitedolphinstar]

The normal part of me: Oh, this is really sweet and charming. The ornithologist of me, seeing a cowbird labelled as a house sparrow: HOW COULD YOUUU

[@boboONyoutube]

Thank you

[@wildwolf8505]

Meanwhile, Eagles, Egrets, and Owls...

[@mrs.stefonmeyers7156]

I live in Europe and have no idea what a cowbird is but I have seen thousands upon thousands of house Sparrows in my life and I was like "that ain't it" thank you for pointing it out

[@harshmello]

Crow -crow

[@CrazyRabbitLover]

shhh his parents are house sparrows and he doesn't know he's "adopted"

[@ChazzzyF]

As someone who sings in like choirs and stuff like that, Brian's harmony underneath Karen's melody in this song sounds tricky as fuck to sing, it goes so all over the place. Props to you for writing a part like that for yourself.

[@emilysmith2965]

It’s a slight chromatic variation on the regular major scale. Fun to sing, though. Definitely requires some practice.

[@MCLooyverse]

*laughs in Barbershop Baritone* Nah, but seriously, it's pretty sick.

[@protoconofsorrow]

@@emilysmith2965 comments like this make me wish I understood theory better. Just being able to hear what's going on is cool to me.

[@st1220]

geEse

[@chadscarborough7517]

​@@emilysmith2965 I mean, depending on how loose you are with terminology, everything is a chromatic variation of a major scale

[@annylulu605]

Ah, yes, the classic BDG formula of writing a catchy tune and suddenly shifting it into a minor key to introduce some unsettling psychological horror before switching back to the original key and acting like the key change never happened

[@alessandropereira4976]

I’d like this. But the number is perfect for the context

[@FromDuskTilDom]

@@alessandropereira4976 This comment saved me from shattering the chain

[@LostSoulSilver]

DHMIS vibes

[@memerman9268]

@@alessandropereira4976 wait what we’re the likes as when you replied this

[@Rampageopolis]

why does Brian hate Palestinian refugees so much?

[@quartzintherough]

"Alright, Karen, what's the general tone of the next video?" "Let's see. Tails is horror, heads is comedy, and edge is a lighthearted song." *flips a coin* *coin shatters on the ceiling in 3 pieces, one lands on heads, one on tails, one on the edge* "Uh oh. Let me take another-" "Wait! I've got an idea ..."

[@davidjosiahberryann6535]

Only with Brian David Gilbert would something like this happen

[@rootbeer_666]

“Uh oh. Let me take another-“ “No! You do nothing! We do as we were fated to do!”

[@Ultimus31]

This comment implies Karen's thumb alone is powerful enough to shatter an average metal coin into three distinct pieces.

[@Jessie_Helms]

A Brian David Gilbert video is really just a game of “ok, when is _it_ going to happen”?

[@ReddCrystal]

And there's always an it. A scary bit (sometimes the whole video), a REALLY good, well-placed joke, a twist, something. But it's always there. From Dorian Smiles to dying in space in a tragic twist of fate, there's always *it*

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Always nice to have a bird lookin out for ya

[@vutterfiy2251]

Yep! i've always had one.... (:

[@kiko6969]

yes, it brings so much joy! everybody should join in collecting chicken bones together

[@Zarmdthecoolest]

Can confirm from personal experience that birds do indeed watch us too

[@FuckTheYoutubeUsernameChange]

You could say, it's nice to have somebirdy looking out for us :)

[@RTGame]

This is going to be stuck in my head all week now thanks Brian

[@NegaRenGenX2gay2lift]

i like to watch the flying rats in NYC

[@DuckPondXtras]

I know, he always makes bops

[@wildwolf8505]

Obviously you have no choice but to play a Bird Game

[@thegreendragon9628]

watching birds for 10 hours stream when?

[@cryoflip5841]

Bird watching stream when?

[@zarkflappysheep]

we like watching birds, as well as recording and editing a music video dedicated to that fact while spreading the gospel of our god and leader by recording separate clips on a green screen

[@PlanetComputer]

hgjk

[@Nice_Name]

Sheeeeesh

[@avalancherelapse]

(pssst... it's spelled "gospel", just so you know)

[@larsnyman2455]

ghospel

[@chimpsimp9879]

yes

[@lettuce674]

fun fact! in the final shot of this video, which lasts approximately 25 seconds, brian blinks exactly 4 times. this means he blinked once every 6.25 seconds on average. the average human blinks about every 3.43 seconds. therefore, brian slowed his blinking rate to almost half of the norm, just to give us a more unsettling viewing experience. thank you, brian!

[@flowersandeverythingelse2369]

FASCINATING, thank you for sharing!!

[@sev1011]

I transcribed both the main verse and haunting chorus on GarageBand and there's a lot of juicy music theory stuff. Here's a few that I was able to recognize. -Karen has the melody and Brian harmonizes in the verses, then they switch roles in the bridge chant, then back to normal when it's over -Brian's harmonization with Karen consists of a lot of thirds and chromaticism(half step motion) -Rhythmically they sing on the offbeat whenever they start. -The third "We Like Watching Birds" of every verse is only time Karen and Brian cross-voice(when the melody lines over lap each other) -When they modulate keys, they go from C Major to F# Major, which isn't diatonic to the original key(I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii0) and therefore a chromatic key change(This is because the first chord in the key change is a B Major, which in F# is a IV)

[@Kain128]

Rule #1 of life: No matter how inconspicuous the subject, Brian David Gilbert _can_ and _will_ turn it into an unholy nightmare.

[@nathanmcgill7249]

and/or a medieval choir hymn

[@domm2428]

What are you talking about this is a VERY holy nightmare

[@sandrarivera1262]

That's a damn fine comment

[@toasterenthusiast8023]

This comment is drastically improved by your profile picture for reasons I can't entirely pin down

[@Phoenix7351]

Well, now that you have him pegged, he’s going to flip styles! BDG’s true art form is the unexpected!

[@icymoons]

when you hear about a couple named Brian and Karen, these two are not immediately what come to mind

[@annalisasteinnes]

Nope. Not at all.

[@AP-uj2fg]

That's a very good point lmao

[@natstewgirl]

They're what happens when you roll a d20 but don't know how to describe what happens. Like the best possible option but not necessarily the best description

[@thatsnailboi1598]

wait are they dating?

[@insertlaughter4436]

@@thatsnailboi1598 yeah

[@Jota299]

they now can watch birds while being ENGAGED WOOOO LETS GO BDG AND KAREN SO HAPPY FOR YALL

[@FocusSight]

Oh, they were dating?? I wasn’t even aware of that but hey it seems like they really fit each other, happy for them both!!

[@gormauslander]

since when

[@InterrogatingTheCat]

@@gormauslander Dude, they moved cross-country together. What did you think they were? Roommates? Also, the engagement has been since like... 5th of December 2022.

[@AshtrayGirlFarewell]

@@InterrogatingTheCat “oh my god they were roommates”

[@AshtrayGirlFarewell]

Also I love how we went and flipped the stereotype of visibly queer couples being classified as “roommates” and applied it to a straight-passing relationship

[@live4him4eva]

My weird brain in trying to remember how the song goes keeps saying "we like watching birds which is weird cause they have no feet." I began singing it cause it was funny and it's driving my partner absolutely mad. All I'm saying is if you somehow added that line in, perhaps to an extended version, I would become all powerful and my chaos would know no bounds. Thanks in advance.

[@wellspokenrambler]

"we like watching birds which is weird cause they have no feet." - Carl Linneus, upon seeing the skin of a Greater Bird of Paradise for the first time

[@forgor4410]

They have feet tho

[@live4him4eva]

Forgor I assure you as surely as sharks are smooth in both directions, birds have no feet. I read it in a book.

[@zock_zock9147]

@@live4him4eva and books dont lie

[@alexp6013]

@@forgor4410 Only if you believe the lies told to us since ancient lies by those who would see reality tarnished (/s)

[@caramelcandy6343]

The way brian stands completely still makes it astoundingly clear that he was the tree in his elementary school play

[@Em-kz4yv]

Why’d you have to do him like that?

[@Vessel767]

@Ruel Aere the fact that the tree is completely unnecessary is wrong

[@malitedraggo]

Imagine having an elementary school plu

[@Rampageopolis]

omg i love brian david gilbert so much yes (edited) I love bdg

[@revui834]

he gives the vibes of someone who would try to audition for the part of "tree" and then when he's on stage he gradually shifts a few centimeters to the left the moment no one's looking

[@ArkayeCh]

It's a like two alien siblings trying to blend in after watching 100 hours of children's programs.

[@fossilfighters101]

yes wait, siblings-?

[@peterparker4571]

They are dating I think. But yes it has that energy lmao.

[@roseevans4101]

@@fossilfighters101 s-s-sibling... *D A N C E*

[@ArkayeCh]

@@peterparker4571 UH OH

[@safetymeasures167]

The fact that I wasn't remotely surprised when it turned into a cult really says something about Brian's content

[@flaetsbnort]

Fridge brilliance moment: they need to steal chicken bones from the garbage because they need bird bones to contact their god, but they're not allowed to eat or harm birds

[@cz4chu]

You know what’s gonna be really scary? If BDG makes a 100% normal video. No strings attached, no devilish music breaks, just casual video

[@georgia9736]

Pepcorn isn't that weird.

[@watermalan7407]

@@AliceFlynn h a i r t u b e

[@urzaz]

The relief I felt when it went from a sweet song about birdwatching (???) and finally got weird.

[@linzmusic554]

If BDG did that we'd end up scouring that video for the slightest clue of a darker meaning right up until the internet finally becomes sentient and deletes itself in a last ditch attempt to save its creators

[@BookWyrmOnAString]

So, RGSS?

[@FatalBurnz]

Karen has such a cute and pleasant voice. I've never heard "This one saw a white collar crime" sound so good.

[@loethefox6938]

This comment hurdled through my screen and winded me.

[@JacobPDeIiNoNi]

Poor blue jay, I'd never want to see somebody witness that, must be sad... that's probably why they're blue...

[@tobysinbad]

@@JacobPDeIiNoNi dude, don’t be a bootlicker. steal the office supplies (up to and including the laminator) and unionise. bluejays are their beautiful colours because they love seeing crime

[@JacobPDeIiNoNi]

@@tobysinbad What are we unionising against? The government? The bird god? The neighbors? I need to know, because it's time for a revolution... I just don't know against what

[@fosterthemusic6375]

@@loethefox6938 hurtled*

[@paishoons]

"Ah yes, the indefatigable Brian David Gilbert and his mate, Karen. The hope of humanity rests upon their tiny, shrill voices soaring to heights only the Great Winged can perceive. We watch them echo our song; a bastard child on the wind. Spiraling, reaching, praying. If they succeed in their strange harmony, humanity might be yet be for safe another season." ~some bird probably

[@lugergre]

I know the last line is supposed to be all ominous, but all I can think is “I hope they enjoy watching me :)”

[@pennyw2226]

This feels like a school project that got way too out of hand and honestly I admire that

[@kae41]

I strive to put this sort of chaotic energy into all of my assignments, but I fail more often than not

[@jaimebeeep9586]

That is a perfect description

[@francescafrancesca3554]

@@kae41 Practice makes perfect! Or at least, slightly better ;)

[@kae41]

@@francescafrancesca3554 very true,

[@johnroch.a]

I think that could be said about most of David's videos lol

[@lakanbsilo]

as soon as “as they watch us back from in the sky” knew this one was gonna be wonky. in a good way

[@PlanetComputer]

ok

[@LotorOnline]

as soon as i saw it was a bdg video, i knew it was gonna be wonky in a good way

[@keep7smiling]

@@LotorOnline damn, I was gonna write almost the exact same reply hahaha

[@infestedlie561]

@@keep7smiling damn i was gonna post the reply you posted

[@pippincovington1348]

It was the stealing bones from the garbage part that tipped me off

[@AhmedTSN]

Blue Jay "Is currently the main witness in high-profile embezzlement case"

[@Boilio2]

My second favorite joke in the song behind the owl

[@AbbyBubbls]

I love how throughout the song, the facts underneath the birds' names slowly become opinions, backstories, and godly observations... *House Sparrow* - Originally introduced in Brooklyn in 1851 - Enjoys eating seeds *Red-tailed Hawk* - This one is immature - When movies need a bald eagle noise, they usually use a red-tailed hawk's cry! *American Robin* - The oldest robin lived to 13 years and 11 months - They can become intoxicated if they exclusively eat honeysuckle berries *Green Heron* - Can use "bait", where it attracts fish by dropping a twig or feather onto the water surface *Wood Duck* - Feeds by dipping headfirst into the water. This action is called "dabbling" *Greckman's Eagle* (which strangely looks a lot like a rabbit...) - Can fly faster than two miles an hour! - Extremely aggressive *Iowan Short Egret* (that's a turtle, but okay) - Found in shallow bodies of water - Hates the game of horseshoes *Crow* - Crow *Greatest Horned Owl* (pig statue) - Eats whatever they want - Thinks they're better than you and is probably right about that *Common Grackle* - Saw some cool worms this morning - Feels really pretty in this tree, but isn't going to make a big deal about it *Blue Jay* - Likes to mimic hawk calls - Is currently the main witness in a high-profile embezzlement case *American Goldfinch* - Molts twice a year - Let me use their truck to move one time *Canada Goose* - Honestly, they get more hate than they deserve... - Except for Sebastian. He deserves it. *Mute Swan* - Usually mate for life - Went off the grid in 2014 and says it was the best decision of their life

[@lillicris-bc4wo]

Crow

[@flowersandeverythingelse2369]

Thank you for transcribing this!

[@TheBeastBandit]

Their voices really just...mesh. This is how we should find mates; do karaoke and find the person whose voice naturally harmonizes with yours. Wait, that’s what birds-

[@targetbuddy5]

Wait I'm confused. Nobody said Candlejack, why is everyone disapp

[@tobysinbad]

my bf cannot harmonise, doesn’t he deserve love? he has other talents

[@loserchips1112]

Oh god. I have to warn everyone I gotta st

[@TheBeastBandit]

@@tobysinbad The rules of nature dictate that your boyfriend is weak and undeserving of a loving lark. But as he is a human and not a bird, he must do other things to prove his worthiness.

[@guestGoob]

@@tobysinbad no (:

[@keijy6524]

Me after 20 seconds: Okay, when does this turn into an existential nightmare? Me, a minute later: Ah, there it is.

[@CringelordJen]

ah yes, that BDG charm 👍

[@imnotdream2154]

@@CringelordJen indeed

[@maxcasteel2141]

This video ruined my life. I've watched it at least 30 times, it plays on loop constantly in my brain. I can't rest until I understand every strange note and know every word of this mantra. It never ends. Please bird god just take me home.

[@suzysquidink]

I've watched this a lot and the thing that haunts me most is how it's supposed to be a bird god of the sky but they make offerings to it by putting bones by a drain in an underground basement. Chills me to my bones. (from the garbage behind applebee's)

[@rocknrobin123143]

I love how with the exception of "soar majestically through the breeze" "stealing chicken bones from the garbage behind Applebees" the lines in this song aggressively don't ever rhyme

[@clutterbot7279]

i think because of those two lines i somehow just didn't notice the rest of the song didn't rhyme til i read this, wow.

[@thomaspetrucka9173]

Not entirely true! The song doesn’t feature an AABB rhyme scheme, but there’s some continuity. For example, the consistent ending on “oo” for the first, third, and last sections; it gives the final line an anticipated finish (also emphasized through the musical phrasing). There’s also a lot of delayed rhyming and assonance: time/crime, street/seen, even “joy/choice” and “hawk/god”. Not to mention the choral bridge that returns to that diphthong “I” sound, and the use of “we like watching birds” as a grounding phrase that helps us not minds so much about the lack of rhyme-because there’s still a strong pattern and repetition to the song. So...yeah! Very good stuff! 😆

[@amadea4890]

@@thomaspetrucka9173 nerd /s

[@stephenchallener9824]

"Swan" and "god" are a strong assonance, which is probably just as good as a true rhyme in lyrics anyway.

[@thomaspetrucka9173]

@@amadea4890 😂 You’re not wrong. Poetry is my jam.

[@marynorthenscold3041]

I think BDG and Karen heard about the "birds aren't real" conspiracy and just said, "hold my pepcorn"

[@Jayyemi]

Broke: birds aren't real Woke: birds are the only thing that's real

[@marrowbrown]

Only darts and birds exist. Everything else is obsolete.

[@benniferthepotato8499]

that is exactly what this is

[@tatltails3923]

@@marrowbrown and jorts

[@katz86]

Popcorn. I see what you did there 😏

[@Immalovinthesingin]

Trying to figure out the harmony line they use and slowed it down to .5 to make them out better - significantly more horrifying, thank you Brian and Karen! (Also it's such an intricate harmony for how fast the song is - it's very cool how musically clever these two are).

[@gabrielsandstrom1899]

Thank you for this tip :) 0.5x speed was wonderfully horrifying

[@xXAcidBathXx]

0.5 is creepy ngl

[@delaneygallegos8503]

tired: the birds work for the bourgeoisie wired: the bourgeoisie work for the birds

[@kanchanchaudhary1973]

can confirm: I have acute bourgeosis and I work for the birds

[@AsdfAsdf-mi6ks]

I like how he’s holding the book like evangelists hold their bibles. It’s a nice detailed touch.

[@kanchanchaudhary1973]

may I interest you in birds my friend?

[@ufofighter16]

Me: "Is it a funny musical video or an existential horror video this time?" BDG: "Yes"

[@nimsay9690]

karen's voice is so pretty she could sing the treaty of versailles and i would listen

[@mauvemagnolia]

I just listened to this on loop for like 20 minutes while working on a biology lab report about birds. I hope our Bird God finds this to be an acceptable offering.

[@Ouihaugh]

oh boy, will it be a psychological horror or a cute song? let’s spin the wheel

[@AlephSharp]

Sorry, the wheel seems to have been caught on an eldritch abominations lunch, and so it will be both.

[@pjuster2]

the answer is yes

[@vanish2884]

Why not both!

[@dumbass9049]

the wheel wont stop spinning oh god its getting faster everybody run

[@Goraan2012]

Bit of both

[@joosderuiter5913]

BDG facts: - likes watching birds - hates horses (greatest fear)

[@ryanscott4489]

We're slowly building up a compendium of his thoughts on every animal

[@theodoreheard4008]

@@ryanscott4489 we also know he supports bees

[@DisDew]

- sells beds if he has circumstances (of course, nothing bad ever happened on them)

[@Tlizerz]

- jort enthusiast

[@CrazyMattLine]

own boss

[@mrroboto8653]

big fan of how at the end you're expecting them to say, "and the birds like watching us,too" but instead it's "and the birds like watching YOU, too" just that little creepy touch is *chef's kiss*

[@elliothudman6951]

You know I REALLY wasn't expecting the stealing chicken bones from Applebees to come back later in the song.

[@XCIX9]

The fact that there is no rest between the lines really help pushed this song over into the uncanny valley

[@Feralsquirrel]

Had to explain to my bf that them not being exactly in sync was exactly how they meant it to be. He just doesn't understand. Will this destroy our relationship?

[@devlynwavis5480]

this has push, push to the limit kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5qwpGyvfd6YbqM

[@darkskyinwinter]

We need to push harder on the AI front. Humans still far-exceed an AI's ability to be creepy.

[@Jed_Rock]

.....Is this why when Karen came looking for her laptop Bryan was looking at a bunch of bird pics

[@paultaylor6873]

Bryan I'm so proud of zem

[@ellaj.thompson4437]

@@paultaylor6873 Oh nooo! Ze mystery is solved! You’ve solved my final riddle, you are ze riddle master…

[@worm.7767]

L o r e

[@axolotlking1072]

BDGCU (Brian David Gilbert Cinematic Universe)???

[@hades_head_empty]

i swear, if he's creating a connected universe arg kind of thing i will cry, i love him. also maybe the cult like messages refer to his own cult-like following. being one of said following, i can imagine it was probably a lot of pressure being the one whose videos got the highest views out of all of polygon's videos. let alone the huge stress he underwent to do each video. his videos could even be seen as satire of certain other channels that overanalyze videogames. but i'm definitely reading into this too much. my passions are psychology and literature (also i have tons of anxiety) so i sorta just imagine meaning in things that weren't intended to be interpreted that way. and i mean, that's the beautiful thing about art, the different interpretations everyone can get from it. but as someone who writes and is making a videogame, i can imagine some interpretations could make the author uncomfortable. yknow what, i'm just gonna stop this trainwreck of a comment here, lol.

[@thekyrianne]

I shared this with my friend in her 60s who is an avid birder, and she and her other birder friends love it. One of their testimonials: “That is really cute. Sign me up for the cult right away!”

[@samflynn4707]

the culty level of his videos has gone up by 600% after him leaving Pollygon

[@doctorkatmdvods188]

I'm just glad Brian found someone as weird and unique as he is to make content with, really warms the heart.

[@jazwhoaskedforthis]

Wait is that not his sister

[@jazwhoaskedforthis]

Dead ass thought she was an adoptive sister oop

[@morgansearle3912]

@@jazwhoaskedforthis As though Laura isn't her own chaos creature. Karen is not related to him that I know of, though they were(/are?) roomies.

[@Jukajobs]

yeah, i'm pretty sure he's dating Karen. His sister Laura is in some of his videos, though. like in "buy my bed", "shingle jingle" and the sibling dance. she seems pretty chaotic as well, in a very good way

[@hades_head_empty]

@@Jukajobs i don't think it's good to assume people are dating.

[@BradenHolmes]

Brian's harmonic line is so subtly bizarre that it makes the whole video work. Love it

[@ozonefreak2]

you made me go back to listen to it. that weird chromatic line down is really unnerving

[@PeppoMusic]

Yeah, currently working on transcribing the song it is so catchy and interesting!

[@plisuu]

I literally cannot stop listening to his harmony. Why does it work? Why is is it so disconcerting?

[@kilo3989]

Up til the cult segment, it sounds pretty normal to me? Okay, maybe for the first few listens I thought he just couldn't hold his note for those slight chromatic bits (I am not used to hearing singers as on point as he is), but like it doesn't conflict with the perception of the chord so it's fine I think? This would sound really good on kalimba actually, though capturing those little chromatic embellishes would be tricky...

[@PeppoMusic]

@@plisuu short answer: passing dissonance that quickly gets resolved before it becomes too disconcerting and bad sounding. Longer answer: check out 'chromatic passing tone'. Think the mix might also help a little, just tried the first verse on my guitar (actually kinda works), but there is less separation on the upper melody (as you have with separate voices) so the dissonance is more apparent.

[@galalxien]

You have to watch this three times. First to enjoy the bird god quality music, then to pause and read all of the information about the birds, and another to turn on the captions and listen to the cult chants!

[@squidulu]

anatidaephobia: the fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you

[@annalisasteinnes]

These are your next door neighbors who you see getting taken away by the FBI and think "They seemed like such nice people, but they *were* a little too into bird-watching."

[@sarahsant6248]

Fun fact: I actually had a neighbor who seemed nice but then one day his wife came over and said he had been running from the police for years (for doing some truly despicable things), and that he was moving out. I never saw him again. But yeah, he seemed nice but definitely gave me some w e i r d vibes.

[@nonotthatkindofsasquatch]

“We like watching birds, and our neighbor across the street.” w h a t

[@PlanetComputer]

ok

[@nathanmcgill7249]

Watch til the end, it gets worse

[@eMoney542]

"this one saw a white collar crime"

[@DeathnoteBB]

@@nathanmcgill7249 *better

[@Cieln0va]

they gotta make sure they're watching the birds too

[@sharksuperiority9736]

I paused the video to read the bird facts. And all of them are hilarious and educational But my favourite bit was the scientific names they changed Such as Crow, which is simultaneously the common name,genus, and species of the crow. And also Bubo Bubobobobo, which I barely noticed the first time

[@kanchanchaudhary1973]

YES I LOST IT AT BUBO BUBOBUBO

[@capitalistraven]

Brian David Gilbert is my hero. I've never seen horror and comedy blended so seamlessly that I'm simultaneously laughing my ass off and scared shitless

[@schroederreitzel9496]

Brian's post polygon career his just him buying stuff he wants and making a video with it so he can write it off.

[@angee9996]

He hasn't bought a keytar yet though...

[@Tardisntimbits]

@@angee9996 He did get a Hurdygurdy though....

[@peterthefish97]

@@angee9996 it’s like a keyboard and guitar

[@esWhistler]

lmao

[@avantikashaha7959]

That is basically every youtuber tbf

[@VanessaVersus]

"Karen I ordered two sets of birdwatching gear" "Why" "It came to me in a dream"

[@birdgod2694]

A dream that I sent.

[@sophiethee]

1:26 "All the Finches Geese and Swans, are just messengers of our god" Something about this particular line gives me legit flashbacks to bible worship time as a kid in a Christian preschool

[@Peregrineeagle]

As an avid birdwatcher I can confirm this is exactly what it's like.

[@SariaMarie]

As a pagan bird owner this is both delightful and terrifying. 11/10 stay away from my house

[@zoetv2170]

You must be the neighbor across the street xD

[@ima4248]

You cannot hold them away for long

[@benniferthepotato8499]

i am also pagan but i own no birds sadly :(

[@SariaMarie]

@@ima4248 they will always find you

[@Anilikedifranco]

i am so tempted to show this to my high school biology teacher who has nearly been charged with trespassing multiple times because he takes his lawn chair into peoples backyard/ (allegedly) to birdwatch

[@user-mq2dy5ov6s]

*D O I T*

[@poke-talia268]

Tell us how it goes

[@Jeshka]

Please do

[@dogabc6296]

Pls do it, it would be amazing

[@preternatural3231]

dont give him more ideas omg

[@benlohr4446]

Their voices are so equally-mixed it's so hard to figure out which one is the harmony, and which one is the melody...

[@mawiebawar]

Never have I thought I could be so concerned for people yet so in awe of their harmonies.

[@wellspokenrambler]

Brian played a demo of this during a stream for his patrons, and I said something like: "brian i s2g if i end up with this song stuck in my head...". The face he made upon reading this... I can only describe as pure, malevolent glee. This is all to say - I am glad that, now the song has been released, we will not be the only ones to suffer. EDIT: addendum to the hawk facts - the reason they use this hawk’s cry for bald eagles is that bald eagles actually sound a lot more like a seagull than a majestic bird of prey in real life! red tailed hawks are the ones who make that proper “KEEAAAARRHHHHH” noise. I highly recommend searching both birds on KZbin after this video!

[@PlanetComputer]

ok

[@Royal_Fortune]

What does s2g mean?

[@connors5543]

@@Royal_Fortune Swear to god

[@genuineinterest]

i'm not gonna link my name on here to my twitch handle because privacy and whatnot, but hi isi nice job in monhun today. :)

[@wellspokenrambler]

@@genuineinterest hello thank you i had an enjoyable time. who knows, maybe i will even reach HR3!

[@amyroderson9413]

"What's your favorite genre of youtube?" "uuuhh light hearted song about birds that have personalities and also are part of a cult?"

[@phoenixsoren]

So Hatoful Boyfriend?

[@missseaweed2462]

And suddenly I'm reminded about Kekeflipnote.

[@gageschlueter2949]

There's more than one?!?

[@catattackmakesmusicsometimes]

not a cult, it's the truth

[@birdgod2694]

you're all my servents.

[@_golden_sign_]

As a man who likes watching birds i can confirm that free will is a myth

[@anyaklum8757]

It took me way too long to realize the bones they offer up to the bird god are the same ones they stole from the garbage behind Applebees

[@JaybugJabbers]

The excessive number of words that are shoved into the lyric about the Applebees is just really satisfying.

[@tylerphillips503]

I felt it had a level of zjierbness to it

[@jeremytewari3346]

Especially because it all fits without feeling too long

[@cj_17]

it has the same feel as the line in Have You Seen My Laptop?: "You must trade me a treasure thats of commensurate or greater value than the suggested retail price of this mystical, ancient antique” and i love it

[@MrSignman65]

@@cj_17 no because that ruined the flow while the Applebees line went right along with the rest of the song

[@cj_17]

@@MrSignman65 fair yeah i see what u mean

[@isidoooora]

I like how karen smiles and moves naturally, but Brian stays completely still, like he's being held hostage

[@marcrow9114]

She had wind blowing in her face and more light on it but I don't think she's moving naturally at the end there. And Brian is just naturally good at being like a tree I guess

[@isidoooora]

@@marcrow9114 I mean throughout the whole song she raises her eyebrows, tilts her head or moves her arms... but Brian doesn't...

[@marcrow9114]

@@isidoooora 😳 I will watch it again straight away!

[@marcrow9114]

Watched it again. I still think it's just the natural way he carries his face

[@marcrow9114]

I don't know, I'm stoned, have a nice day 😀☺️

[@bagel8379]

I like how this song goes from a happy tune to t̸̼̅h̷̠͋ĕ̷͈ ̵̧̔r̴͇̿i̴̅ͅt̷̋͜ù̴̝á̸̜l̷̘̾ and then back to the happy tune

[@eos_aurora]

Karen and Brian are so in sync the whole time that the bahind/behind dissonance really stands out, 10/10

[@GameTornado01]

I'm gonna base a religion in my DnD setting on this.

[@birdgod2694]

I'm proud.

[@burntrosechick]

Seriously if you have any pointers I'd love it because I dead serious was hoping to add this to my fairytale end campaign. Lotsa magical birds and cursed peeps into animals and bird god who always watches people? Fantastic.

[@glassphoenix9095]

im just picturing a cleric whos really, REALLY into birdwatching. i cant decide if its funnier if theyre dressed like the most generic dnd cleric ever or fully committed to the birdwatcher outfit

[@user-nw3ol7fk1i]

@@glassphoenix9095 birdwatcher outfit but only if everyone else is in generic fantasy clothing

[@jackattack8472]

Was just considering adding a pair of creepy birdwatchers that speak in unison to my game

[@herohalv4543]

it's interesting how in the beginning karen is the high part and brian is the low part, but at 0:45 their pitches start to shift and by the beginning of the choir part brian is the high part and karen is the lower part where they remain for the rest of the video, so even though they're back to a happy tone of voice it's still unsettling

[@brackzaff]

I think they go back to BDG being on the bottom (heh) after the bridge.

[@fushiijo]

@@brackzaff WHY DID YOU PHRASE IT LIKE THAT

[@Immalovinthesingin]

@@fushiijo You know why.

[@ReddCrystal]

@@brackzaff 'Oh, she totally pegs you, doesn't she?' - Blitzø, Helluva Boss episode 3

[@jamesrockybullin5250]

There's a momentary voice crossing of 4 notes which makes sense because of the voice leading, ( Brian's leading note rises to the tonic), but on the whole, I think Brian is lower than Karen all the way through. I don't think it's supposed to add to the unsettling athmosphere.

[@speckofdignity2487]

1:28 Brian’s “Ge-ese” will never not throw me off

[@BridgerM]

I am contractually obligated to stop everything and watch this whenever it pops up in my recommendations.

[@abyssGazerTV]

I like how the bird god accepts offerings exclusively in the form of chicken bones stolen from Applebee’s.

[@andreykabakremix]

It's the corpses of the bird god's fallen subjects 🐔

[@abyssGazerTV]

@@andreykabakremix True. We gotta pay our respects.

[@DanielKlein23]

same

[@GideonGleeful95]

Wait... your profile... OH NO IT'S THE BIRD GOD!

[@emilysmith2965]

I mean… otherwise you’d have to kill a bird… only the heathens kill birds

[@ignaciogmartinho]

As good as Karen is at being the "normal" one, it's fun seeing her be weird too for once.

[@ThatoneFelicia]

But she's not being weird because she wants to she's being forced to by the bird god 🥴

[@frickinfrick8488]

This harmony is genuinely impressive

[@alanm7838]

Karen and Brian in this video feel like people you'd see four blocks down on the street, blink, and then they'd suddenly be half that distance away, still just standing in the same pose (insert weeping angels reference here).

[@Oli.V]

No one gonna talk about Brian’s mad harmonic line that I’m obsessed with? No one?? Okay.

[@sarahp6512]

Right? It feels slightly off but it still sounds good.

[@chickenskink1]

Literally please tell me they recorded Brian's line and then Karen's over it afterwards, not at the same time. That would make them too talented and I would not be able to cope with my envy.

[@kilo3989]

I hear Brian's line as melodic in the legato, cult-y part--anyone else?

[@netriosilver]

It sounds like a Mika harmony

[@RDR911]

@@chickenskink1 yes that is how most things are recorded. Good job.

[@tessereq]

We need a BDG cameo in the next Wingspan expansion

[@scoopsmcgoops]

That would be exquisite 👌🐦

[@mrballerpants3813]

yes

[@AlanStryman]

ahhhhhh yes!!

[@swankidelic]

just little Brian and Karen figures that sit on the birdfeeder and watch you play

[@user-ef7hl4tu7k]

LOL

[@knightonsmith7978]

I love the harmony here as my ears are either unwilling or unable to figure out which part is the melody. Thus the song gets stuck in my head but I could never hope to sing it as I cannot separate one part from the other. Its either sung together, or doesn't exist.

[@ilikebirds7748]

I'm glad that birdwatchers are finally getting the representation they deserve

[@ollivyr]

the polygon era was iconic but i am immensely enjoying the bdg renaissance

[@Merudinnn]

Wait did he leave polygon??

[@szlanty]

@@Merudinnn yeah

[@VikSun14618]

@@Merudinnn yes, he’s making KZbin and patreon his source of income

[@alexandermactaylor5796]

Whenever BDG posts a song I: - Listen to it like 5 times immediately - Show it to literally everyone I know - Get mad when it stays stuck in my head for a month and stops me from sleeping

[@SirRender2K]

*seconds away from drifting off...* and now we got every daaaay without daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@AkashWShah]

A month! exactly the right time for the next BDG song to come out and fill your dreams!

[@cierraleonard1816]

Honestly same

[@ThatOneIrishFurry]

@@SirRender2K this is actually my life i am cursed me: ok brain time to go to sleep now brain: ok sounds good me: *about to fall asleep* brain: WHEN WE STARTED THIS BAND OUR MOM INSTISTED THAT WE INCLUDE DALE SO NOW WERE STUCK WITH SOMEONE WHO BRAGS ABOUT SUITS HE GOT ON SALE AND ITS LIKE DALE JUST BUY AT FULL PRICE (acctually our budget isnt that good this year)

[@SirRender2K]

​@@ThatOneIrishFurry AND HE'S ALWAYS ON MY CASE ABOUT THE TWEED THINGS I BUY

[@tommygarson8592]

someone else mentioned that none of the lyrics in this song rhyme, and whether or not that is intentional I think its a testament to how good they are at writing. the song is so fun that you forget how little it connects

[@shadowknightproductions5275]

Okay, I can't tell if its more impressive that the managed to make an entire song from a bird statue, or managed to find a bird statue after they started writing the song.