What Does "Unshaken" Really Mean?

[@RealPixels]

Any interpretations that you disagree with? Anything you think I missed? 👀 I had to cut up the song a little to satisfy fair use, but the song is linked in the description if you want to hear D'Angelo's beautiful vocals in full (and there's an uncut version of this video on Patreon)

[@ButterfieldEric]

Great job again RP.

[@Heisen_burger-dude]

"what guided me this way" Arthur asking himself, why does he care. Hes a bad person who killed so many. He needs reason why he could ever be the hero in this story. Also big message from the game

[@hillbillyhipster84]

4:38 so the line about pines could easily be a reference to cemeteries. During the Civil War, most soldiers were buried in pine caskets that were simple pine boxes. This was because so much of the Southeastern U.S. was (and still is) covered in “turpentine pines”, a tall and fast growing tree that was cheap and mostly used to build ships. But these pines were easily suited for the desperation to quickly transport and bury the dead of the Civil War. And there were so many deaths, that trains would unload big stacks of pine coffins at every town. Even though historically, pine trees symbolize strength and resilience, due to their durability in fire and storms, pines in the U.S. became associated with the dead. Popular music and literature over the past century uses the term pine box as a euphemism for death. And many cemeteries are named Pine Groves, largely in reference to the high use of pine caskets. So “the pines, they often whisper, they whisper what no tongue can tell”, can mean: the trail of bodies the gang leaves behind them, the dead, fully speak the truth that the gang refuses to accept. And as you said, Arthur is beginning to hear that “whisper” and finally know the truth.

[@MichaelTheRunner-i9g]

​@@hillbillyhipster84 wow such a grim yet beautifully written metaphore you got there, great job maan

[@hillbillyhipster84]

@@MichaelTheRunner-i9g thanks! I love lore from the Southeastern U.S. and I’m from here too🤠

[@coreyyoung6052]

Shout out D'Angelo for doing this song. This man hadnt released music in 10 years

[@loadingyourdata2131]

Rockstar somehow finds the most obscure/forgotten musicians and brings them in for some absolute bangers. Hats off to everyone involved.

[@thaevildoer]

@@loadingyourdata2131d’angelo is a legend in the black music space he’s only got 3 albums under his belt but they’re all great especially voodoo

[@Artificial_Elysium]

This song and Compass (Red Dead On Arrival version) by Jamie Lidell for John Marston in RDR1 when he returns home to his family are some of the best ever character theme songs of all time. So emotionally captivating and memorable. Makes me choke up whenever I listen to them.

[@omglol8425]

@@Artificial_Elysiumme personally I like deadman’s gun and compass. I really love rdr1s soundtrack

[@troypowers750]

@@thaevildoer We do! What we do! It's West Coast! It's Voodoo! Or you! Crips, Bloods, Eses, Nikkuhs in da hood... i'sall good.

[@ButterfieldEric]

That ride, from Van Horn to Shady Belle, is my favorite moment in the game. What’s crazy is it’s not a cut scene, you could miss it.

[@WretchedRedoran]

On my first and second playthroughs, the game made me so paranoid about honor that I'm pretty sure I just walked. I know FOR SURE that I walked on my second playthrough. Never got to hear the song in-game while it was still fresh.

[@schizophrenia1]

​@@WretchedRedoranman it takes a while to get there on horse, h o w did you walk ALL THE WAY there without genuinly tweaking or at least thinking you missed something lmao

[@WretchedRedoran]

@@schizophrenia1 I had ample free time. And also, again, I wasn't risking losing my hard-earned honor points. On my first playthrough though, I'm pretty sure I walked until my horse was in whistle range, then I rode.

[@jackreacher2095]

@@WretchedRedoranwhy would riding your horse risk your honor ?

[@WretchedRedoran]

@@jackreacher2095 Not my horse, but the horse that the game wants you to take and ride back to Shady Belle on that's in Van Horn. Again, in my first playthrough I walked until my horse was in whistling range, while in my second playthrough I walked just about the whole way there and I can't remember why.

[@thirdhandlv4231]

What makes the music hit harder is how low key its usage is, the game isn't forcing you to go through a cutscene where the song plays, it just fades in during regular gameplay. The way music is applied in this game has always been great, it barely ever plays during cutscenes of characters talking, there is barely any nod from the writers and developers telling you what to feel, the music never tells you what to feel, it is only there to enhance what you are already seeing, that being action or helping build suspense. Edit: Probably excepting Thats The Way It Is, that song is definetely there to make you sob.

[@ashroskell]

And that is what, in my view, makes the game great art. The way they handle the emotional impact of all events, but especially in that scene. I fear, with the way the markets have lead game design, and the way Take Two forced Rockstar to abandon all further development of Red Dead, in favour of the GTA money printing machine, that we will never see the like again. I honestly think we have seen the highest artistic, narrative, creative achievement in gaming for a long, long time in RDR2. I hope I’m wrong.

[@thirdhandlv4231]

@@ashroskell Its still the same pretty much, most of the old guard were already getting helped or replaced by new faces, seeing the VI trailer, it all looked amazing and there were tiny graphical glitches confirming that its probably the actual game, although they do dress up their scenes in the trailers, Valentine was way more populated and dense with people in the first RDR 2 trailer than it is in the game. I believe VI will be a remarkable game, Rockstar wouldn't make shitty remasters if it was all they were doing. Those were just to fill the void, terrible decision on their part.

[@ashroskell]

@@thirdhandlv4231 : Oh, I’m certain GTA VI will be everything we’re expecting it to be. But the GTA games, being satires, never had the depth or grittiness of the RDR games. It may just be a question of taste for me, but I always thought GTA IV had a better story than V since it was more grounded and plausible, even if the graphics, open world and performances got a lot better with V resulting in my spending more time in V’s world, exploring. I liked, respected and wanted to spend time with Arthur Morgan and John Marston, which is not something I can say about the three characters in GTA V. They all entertained me in their different ways, but I wouldn’t want to hang out with any of them. But I do acknowledge that I am not the main demographic that Rockstar is aiming for, approaching 60 and never playing online. I like the world of RDR2 just to hang out in and try out new goals and tactics, without ever going online to do it.

[@Nilon241]

My favourite part is that when you get the hidden 100% completion cutscene with John in the epilogue. Looking at Arthur's grave, you get one last reprise of Unshaken - after not hearing it for so long I genuinely got emotional!

[@ashroskell]

And, just in case the gamer doesn’t get it, John tells Arthur’s grave words to the effect, “Well, that’s the whole story.”

[@LarryTheTugaGamer1511]

​@@ashroskellHe tells him "You and I are done, old friend."

[@ashroskell]

@@LarryTheTugaGamer1511 : Thanks, that’s it. John talking to Arthur; the game talking to us.

[@LarryTheTugaGamer1511]

@@ashroskell I love how Rockstar does all these double meanings with the character's dialogues

[@ashroskell]

@@LarryTheTugaGamer1511 : Yeah, not just the subtle ones. Like when you put cheats on and go on a rampage, Arthur will say stuff like, “Not again!?” And, “Whaah did I do that!?” Or John will say, “I’m tired of this,” or, “It’s amazing you got this far!” My favourite probably remains Arthur at the poker table; “Ain’t this a glorious taahm? . . . The past.” About as meta-fourth-wall breaking as Red Dead gets.

[@kingDowahs]

It’s great that D’angelo Bronte made this masterpiece

[@warpdarkmatter]

te adoro

[@haaxeu6501]

I find it interesting that in the end, one of the most pivotal moments for Arthur's journey to redemption, was when he could not stand unshaken anymore. When Arthur tells sister Calderon that he's afraid, he fails to appear stoic and instead is vulnerable. And it's in that moment that he discovers his true purpose and his way to redemption "Take a gamble that love exists, and do a loving act.". I've probably spend hundreds of hours thinking about this story, and I still regularly find new insights and interpretations that I didn't think of before.

[@hotsauce4169]

Yeah except the fact that Arthur never existed in RDR1. And we still don't know what took place during the ferry robbery. Rockstar slapped us in the face and you are thanking them for it

[@graceraimo777]

Thank you for your beautiful analysis of this song. The lyrics “May I stand unshaken” are tattooed on my arm. Not only as an ode to a game that means so much to me, but also as a reminder to myself.

[@Systox25]

Awesome

[@jackierioseco4127]

I do too! Along with a drawing of a deer from Arthur's journal. People ask me what it means, and it's hard to sum up in just a casual conversation.

[@Snippyyy]

may i stand unshaken is a banger tattoo, stands on its own as a tattoo even without it being about red dead

[@Donker_Dank]

It means it doesn't shake. There. Easy

[@RealPixels]

Damn, you nailed it. Wrap it up folks, we're done here.

[@jimmymurphy898]

10/10 comment. Absolute masterpiece. Wow, how you put it so simply is beautiful.

[@Stargun-vj1uh]

I never knew such a profound meaning for the word, thank you. You truly did put it in the most clear, concise way, that anyone can understand. Thank you for your comment

[@bjarkiengelsson]

It shakes here in California!

[@4Pidxce]

Genius! The amount of effort in this comment. Thank you for your service! Idk where I got the service part lol, but lets pretend this man is a WW2 veteran.

[@vladyhax290]

may i ...stand on chicken

[@skeletonbuyingpealts7134]

How much is depression worth?

[@dadassery8506]

True chaos

[@UltimatelyPwned]

Admist…admist a land of herbs…

[@ashroskell]

May I stand on bacon?

[@scootersickles6389]

🔥🗣️

[@pasta-and-heroin]

bookmarking this video as i do *not* have the strength to hear that first note, that first hook, that first chorus... red dead 2 came out shortly before the peak of my heroin addiction - and ironically, also during the peak of my chef career: receiving one of the highest culinary awards in Aus. i was living with my girlfriend of 5 yrs & we had moved across australia to be closer to her fam. she had no idea i was an addict, nobody did. was in the middle of another 120hr work week when she called to say we're done. it broke me completely & i just gave in to smack. id knock off work anywhere from 10pm onwards, get home & shoot some heroin in the bath just crying. RDR2 came out and gave me something to do in my empty home. i have such bittersweet memories of it.... obviously, i was 'happy' (aka high) and can almost *see* myself marvelling at a beautiful sunset. or a smile on my face after an interaction Arthur had. when my dopey self finally made it to the end - i was broken... again. i bawled my eyes out throughout that final scene on the mountain, but they were selfish tears. arthur knew his time was up a long time ago - and holding on any longer would be wrong. i feel the same way about that break-up (: im sorry for the rambling, its been a tough day with work etc & i was feeling down

[@idkwhattoputheref]

I hope you're doing good now, and that you beat your addiction. Addiction sucks like hell, so if you aren't free yet, KEEP TRYING! You're loved, internet stranger.

[@pasta-and-heroin]

@@idkwhattoputheref gday mate, what a beautiful thing you've said to me - thank you (: ive been off heroin for like 4 and a half years at this point; but for me personally i never really feel like i 'beat' it - just am always in the process of beating it :P thank you again for being a kind & empathetic person. i hope you are also doing well mentally etc? (:

[@idkwhattoputheref]

@@pasta-and-heroin im doing great myself, and im glad your good. oh, and btw are you aussie/kiwi? (cuz of the gday mate)

[@orphicophelia]

Hope you're doing good Pasta! Just checking in to see how your day has been. Stay strong stranger :)

[@parenthesisss]

You made me take the time to reflect on the lyrics "the pines, they often whisper, they whisper what no tongue can tell". I study philosophy and some of my research interests are in non-propositional knowledge and particularly, while on the journey to decolonize knowledge, I took more time to research indigenous epistemologies and worldviews and it lead me to land-based knowledge. There is a lot there to explore about the wisdom of the pine trees (and the land in general, the Buffalos too re: the mission with Charles)! And what nature teaches us without necessarily teaching us verbally. Anyway, just wanted to share that because I think we would all benefit from expanding our perception of knowledge and nature's wisdom (not just in a poetic way but an actual epistemically valid way).

[@PalaceDude]

Mfs will pick any word about anything and make an essay about it, and I'm here for it.

[@The3LetterAgency]

This generation's just about lucky to even be literate at this point. I'm all for these essays.

[@jeffersonclippership2588]

​@@The3LetterAgency What are you talking about? People literally used to think reading was gay.

[@hillbillyhipster84]

@@jeffersonclippership2588literally gay?

[@jeffersonclippership2588]

@@hillbillyhipster84 Kind of. The 90s were wild.

[@hillbillyhipster84]

@@jeffersonclippership2588 I grew up in the 90’s. I know loads of gay folk who don’t like reading.

[@thunderwolf2576]

"You're gonna carry that weight..." - Cowboy Bebop

[@ArienDH11]

Are they referencing The Beatles

[@Arck171_Br]

Unshaken in the dictionary has some meanings: firm, steady, strong, tight, steadfast, solid... In my interpretation this means that Arthur is questioning whether he should act this way. Let me explain: At the beginning of the game, Arthur appears to be a very cold man. Not having the slightest concern for people who are not part of his family (Gang). He often offends the people around him (Like Pearson in chapter 1 for example). He is skeptical, unscrupulous, and didn't believe in anything other than loyalty. For example, when he and Charles meet that German family, Arthur at first doesn't want to help them. Charles even protests by saying "You're not like that" to which Arthur responds "Maybe you don't know me as much as you think you do". But during the game (If we as a player choose to have high honor) Arthur has the opportunity to change his behavior and the way he acts. Acting more responsibly and treating people more kindly. "May I, Stand Unshaken?" it is simply a representation of this change in behavior. Proof of this is how the endings portray Arthur. At the end of Back for the Money, (Which would normally be done with low honor) the type of music that portrays Arthur changes completely. "I Rise To The Top" "I Cannot Be Stopped" "I Stand Unshaken" This ending represents that, even after so much questioning, Arthur has sunk once and for all into his cold part, he remains unscrupulous, he stands unshaken.

[@ghostburgers4284]

I've been under my moms leadership for 28 years, we never went up in the world despite all making plans to help each other get there, when I met my girlfriend my mom kicked me out even though I am disabled, I'm currently living in a hotel with my girlfriends family in a coffin sized closet and before that I was homeless for six months and before that I was a security guard and I almost got eaten alive by dogs and before that I was living with my best friend who I knew for over 8 year's and before that I was living In a hotel surrounded by crime. I went from living comfortably my entire life to fighting for 4 year's straight. This song resonates with me so much, I definitely need to listen to it more.

[@saber1885]

Wake babe new realpixels upload

[@idkwhattoputheref]

"wake, babe" you summoning a fucking demon?

[@saber1885]

@@idkwhattoputheref what if I'm into thT

[@idkwhattoputheref]

@@saber1885 cant argue, succubus are sumn else

[@marcel4002]

I recently played and finished rdr2 for the first time. I was shocked to hear one of my all-time fav artists, D'angelo, in the game. Great game, great song, and great video breaking down the meaning and message 👍🏾

[@pakfurious8212]

Unreal stuff bro, your channel is getting better with videos

[@abumusa2833]

Man this is something else, got goosebumps while watching.

[@weisskadmon9560]

This is outright just my favorite track from the game, it's so powerful for such a low key song. And yes, R.I.P. Arthur...

[@CooldonkeyB]

This game has so many bangers

[@ruiqiumai323]

I’ve been thinking about this song a lot lately. This was just what I needed. Thanks!!

[@lordeddy05]

i assume unfazed, literally nothing can stop him psychically and mentally

[@LarryTheTugaGamer1511]

Psychically is the same as mentally. Do you mean physically?

[@lordeddy05]

@@LarryTheTugaGamer1511 yeah, sorry for the typo

[@LarryTheTugaGamer1511]

@@lordeddy05 No problem, friend.

[@idkwhattoputheref]

@@lordeddy05 you can edit it by clicking the three dots on the side of the sentence! :)

[@fellownerd1138]

I was thinking like nothing can shake your good character staying true to your morals

[@themoike_prod]

Great job on the video man, keep it up.

[@hillbillyhipster84]

You did a fantastic job analyzing this song! I would love to see you do this for the other songs as well.

[@dgfjdfgjfdgjfdgjfdgjfdgj]

as much as I enjoy watching these rdr2 videos I hope you enjoy making them and you're not just doing them for the fans.

[@DLibera]

My grandmother had a saying: "Nadie sabe lo que tiene la olla más que la cuchara que la revuelve" which translates to "Only the ladle really knows what's inside the pot". The saying had two applications. The first was a warning to be cautious when passing judgement cause no one can really know what someone else is going through or what they might suffered. The second application was to remind yourself that you know best what's inside your heart, what your intentions and virtues have been, and that u know how you deserve to be judged when the time comes. I think my grandma's saying is the same as the phrase of the well and both approaches apply to Arthur.

[@lilypaigeham]

An amazing analysis of one of my favorite songs from the game, great job! Im replaying the game again so I really enjoyed having this song explained properly

[@warpdarkmatter]

lol ur a gurl, u aint supposed to play games designed for strong males

[@dadassery8506]

I really love how you approach your videos. So much worth talking about, so much more context and intriguing thought on what might be my favorite media ever

[@kronical5099]

People are still making videos on this game, and it’s a testament to the craftsmanship and care that went into it. It is purely a work of art. One of the greatest games ever made. Great analysis man. I really enjoyed your interpretations.

[@cain666]

This was downright moving. Good job again, mr. Pixels!

[@mr.noscope4916]

for some reason this song triggers me to cry so i watched this whole video with eyes so watery that i could barely see. beautiful interpretation and cited reasoning, its crazy how even years later this game is so intricate in design and detail

[@wisetown2382]

I always assumed the 'Depths of the well' part was a reference to the Old Norse myth where Odin sacrificed his eye in exchange for drinking from the Well of Wisdom. This parallels what is happening to Arthur, as his health is unwillingly sacrificed in exchange for the truth of his position and situation.

[@KINGCURTIS_YT]

I really appreciate you and your dedication to your craft... I continually watch and re-watch your Red dead series and believe its the best content created on the subject on this platform

[@RossG99]

Fantastic moment. One of my favourite in the series. Nothing can ever top “Far Away” riding in to Mexico as John though. God that game was so special in 2010

[@ashroskell]

I really enjoyed your take on these lyrics, and the fact that you include the pacing and tones of the music to reinforce your themes. I learned a thing or two there too. I didn’t know about those quotes or the inspiration for that song. Rains Falls was the living embodiment of that sentiment and his influence on Arthur, as his diary shows, was profound. Assuming you choose the path in which you get involved with the Wapiti Tribe, you learn that Rains is the only person Arthur opens up to about his past, other than Sister Calderón. The one problem with any single interpretation of a lyric is that it removes the possibility for said lyrics to have any ambiguity or to mean more than one thing at once. When I take that horse ride back from Van Horn after Guarma, (which I’ve done many times now) I am always thinking that this is the first moment Arthur has had in which the process the loss of a parent in Hosea and a son in Lenny. I imagine it as the point at which Arthur resolves that he will save John and his family, and Dutch if he can, though he has no plan for either. And I suspect he realises, deep down, that he must get Dutch away from his gang and isolated in order help him. This is something that he never achieves, since he remains passive, waiting to see what does happen, rather than trying to make anything happen. Had he lived long enough, he would have reflected that this was his big mistake. We see hints of this in the way he expresses his final resolution to save John as his final act. I thank you for these insights, since my thoughts on these characters are always evolving, and I keep finding out more and more crucial information that alters them. No doubt the origins of these lyrics will influence me yet further.

[@zaraczpospolity2455]

Thats a really good video man. You are in the top 3 of rdr content creators for sure, i think you might even be top 1. The insane references you catch and how you present them is worthy of getting a new patreon member. Also 90% of your videos are ABSOLUTE HITS man

[@-narratornorht--1512]

My love for this channel stands unshaken

[@mrojas8022]

This is such a great analysis! Beautifully made and very poignant, right on, dude!❤

[@bulgarianreaper6587]

I wanna use the opportunity to give a shout out to Christian Larsson for making an AMAZING cover of this song. He's not a friend of mine, I just think his cover of the song. And I think it might be better than the original

[@SandyCheeks1896]

I always thought it was “amidst the crash of worlds” meaning the world of life and death crashing together as a soul departs from life.

[@Puffyorange]

I always thought the line, “guided me this way” was instead, “guided me to swing” implying that fact that Arthur truly sees this as the end

[@EldritchAugur]

It's setting up Arthur's story in Chapter 6. With Dutch no longer a reliable leader and the gang falling apart, Arthur takes it on himself to become the strength and the true protector of the gang. I find Arthur's particular brand of heroism really inspiring. The only people he tells he's dying is Charles, and Sadie. He rejects pity at every occasion ("Dont you oh Arthur me"), he accepts his situation and fights to literally his last breath to make sure his people get out of the gang alive. That's what Unshaken is about.

[@Den3zo]

Ohh, great video series idea. If you're going to do more videos about lyrics from music in RDR2 I hope you'll cover That's The Way It Is. My interpretation is that the singer/Daniel Lanois wishes Arthur saving the gang or more likely John himself, it's a pretty powerful moment in the game already, and it's only strengthened by the beautiful music

[@sk8legendz]

Arthurs fortitude and resilience was and is so inspirational. One of the best characters written

[@RubyXIII]

cutting the music to immediately say the line caught me off guard i thought i was tripping

[@crwlee530]

I think personally, the word "unshaken" when associated with Arthur, I think John puts it best when describing Charles as a "Pillar of Strength". Arthur is as well in a similar way but just everything but him is breaking down around him. love interpreting this game

[@sans_bear]

You're the best gaming creator aeound mate good shit

[@eduardovernizi8450]

a brilliant interpretation, congratulations on the content.

[@jasperzanovich2504]

For me it always was the feeling of knowing you are about to die but still not hesitating to step up because what you are fighting for is worth it.

[@takitonamase5683]

Song gives me chills everytime. . .

[@Venom272X]

in this video at 9:45, you showed the clip of dutch and arthur riding the antenor out to sea, i just so happened to google it because i was mildly curious if there was something hidden in that, and Antenor was a trojan war figure in ancient mythology who was described as two faced, from wikipedia: "Antenor was described by the chronicler Malalas in his account of the Chronography as "tall, thin, white, blond, small-eyed, hook-nosed, crafty, cowardly, secure, a story-teller, eloquent"." , "Meanwhile, in the account of Dares the Phrygian, he was illustrated as "... tall, graceful, swift, crafty, and cautious."" illustrating the nature with which dutch manipulates each and every member of the gang differently, always leading them on and having an ulterior motive, secretly hinting that at this point in the game is where the schism between dutch and arthur is going to begin, this game is so unbelievably well crafted by a team of people who truly loved what they were doing it's generational

[@michuXYZ]

Throughout the entire game, it seems to us that the main antagonists are the O'Driscolls and the Pinkertons. Then our focus shifts to Micah, only to realize some time after beating the game that the biggest enemy and antagonist was Dutch himself...

[@easythen]

i have been waiting for this video for so long, considered making it myself but couldn’t quite do it right. please do more maybe? ❤ also, it’s crash of worlds, not crashing. i see this error sung everywhere they even did it at an official awards show which just drove me mad 😭

[@Poke-ladd]

I assumed it meant like an unbreakable will, to keep moving forward until the you reach your end

[@heyyou9472]

D'Angelo really came back solely to feature on this game after 10 years. Also, according to some interviews and articles apparently he was brought in to their studio and played the game for HOURS.

[@majorlagg9321]

I love your videos and your insight in this game.

[@kiadimundi8348]

5:45 is basically, F around and find out

[@hillbillyhipster84]

7:24 Crossroads are also a reference to Robert Johnson, a famous American Blues artist and figure of U.S. mythology, who supposedly gained his skill and fame by selling his soul to the Devil at a crossroads in Mississippi. One of his most famous songs “Crossroads Blues” laments his fears of his impending death because he finally understood that his soul was forfeited. It feels appropriate to “Unshaken”, since it’s a Blues song, but also because it takes Arthur’s TB to clearly understand he willingly “sold his soul” (choose to be bad) so he could be part of the famed Van der Linde Gang.

[@Milty2001]

What i like about the mission dear uncle tacitus is the dreaded feeling you get after escaping from guarma, at the beginning of the game the gang was at it's peak because nobody knew who they were therefore it gave them the advantage of robbing whoever they pleased, but up until the saint denis bank robbery leading up to guarma, the gang began to fumble really hard thanks to dutch, arthur by that point starts to question himself, did dutch really caused all of this or the world that we fought so hard against is quickly changing and backing us against the wall.

[@UNDERGROUND_RADIO]

I interpreted that stand unshaken from clash of worlds was him finally not being afraid of death

[@OrigiNope]

Is there any chance you'll be covering the history in red dead online's missions?

[@ethanhernandez9889]

Insane you posted this when you did, I’ve been listening to this song a lot lately, trying to embody the messages of this song. Red Dead means everything to me, both games came in a time when I needed them most, two deaths of two very important and loved people, around that time, one by his own hand, the other by sickness, like Dutch and Arthur. I stand unshaken amid these things, I broke up with my girlfriend around that time, and years later I got my new girlfriend’s whole family playing this modern classic. I am a testament to the fact that this game makes you a better person. In the darkest times of my life, nothing else has matched that desolation, that beauty, that pain, of meeting life on its terms. As people that love and appreciate this game, we too can shine a light on the darkness of this world, Just like Hosea, Just like Arthur. “Be loyal to what matters”

[@mjtwardy]

Haven't watched the video yet, just wanted to say how I understood that. May I stand unshaken, it just means when the time comes, I hope I wont feel fear, just peace. I wont be afraid to make the right choice. I think that was the intent behind Arthurs journey. He was afraid, as he admitted himself in that conversation with the nun. Afraid of dying, but also afraid he wasted his life. Did nothing he could be proud of. After the whole gang debacle, his path was clear to him, he knew he wasn't heading for a happy end, but at least he could do some good. He wasn't afraid anymore, because his life meant something now. Like he said "I tried. In the end, I did." He died in peace, watching the sunrise.

[@veronicatorres87376]

Loved the thumbnail made me laugh thinking bout him doing a lil interview Its not even his song its just whats playing when he dies

[@DaveFelsbourg]

Awesome video man. If you’re into really dissecting the deeper meaning behind lyrics, I’d recommend music by the Tragically Hip, one of Canada’s national treasures. Their lyrics are some of the most unique and interesting poetry I’ve ever heard. I’d recommend listening to a song called Scared to get started. Keep up the good work!

[@zaraczpospolity2455]

English isnt my 1st language so i dont really catch most o fthe meaning behind the lyrics but this music still ROCKS! Thank you for putting me onto that!

[@DaveFelsbourg]

@@zaraczpospolity2455 glad to hear you’re enjoying it!

[@username26664]

You see, this song actually truly represents Arthur's redemption. In the beginning of the game, Arthur was a man who never asked people if he could stand on their chickens, causing unnecessary violence anywhere he went, leaving carcasses of various chickens on his leave. But when Arthur gyatts TB, he changes. He considers how wrong he was, and he feels regret for all the chickens he stood on without even thinking if that was alright. And in the end, this song delivers Arthur's last question to the people, which will go completely unheard: "May I stand on chicken?" Truly a peak Rockstar moment ✍✍✍✍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rogydante]

After playing the game with high honor, I interpret standing unshaken as Arthur choosing to do the right thing when push came to shove and he was forced to decide between helping people vs blind loyalty to Dutch/money. At the end of the day, high honor Arthur chose to put the needs of others before his own. Dutch is an example of someone who did the opposite. He is initially presented as a leader that wants to keep his people warm and fed in Colter before robbing a train/attacking the enemy gang. In chapter 6 however, when worlds collide and Dutch faces a binary choice, we see him sacrifice the gang and the people he was supposed to protect in order to chase money with Micah. The events leading up to chapter 6 had shaken Dutch's character, turning him into (or revealing him as) the very representation of human greed and blind appetite that he was so strongly criticizing before he was forced to commit to a single path. Rains Fall is another character i view as unshaken, and somewhat of a polar opposite to Dutch. He is very present in chapter 6 and is a person that does not choose war or violence even when provoked. After losing his son, he stands firmly behind his choice of diplomacy vs violence, and ends up protecting what is left of his tribe (they move up to Canada if I remember correctly?). The death of his son does not shake him from what he believes (diplomacy over violence). I think this is an amazing game, and like many others have said I strive to be a better person because of it. High honor Arthur is a strong, masculine man that acts out of love and with the intention of bringing people together. He is a mediator that stands by his principles even when faced with certain loss, which cannot be said about Micah, who instigates conflict and tries to pin people against each other in order to make his position stronger. Sorry about the rant, but this really is one of the best games I have ever played!

[@ETibbs11]

I could listen to you describe the menu and its selections in the horse stables of Red Dead Redemption 2, your videos are so good. 😅❤

[@William-Mile]

Never knew a horse was there in my 4 playthroughs of the game

[@lancevancedance22]

D'Angelo my goat

[@lukeklop]

i love love love love d'angelo

[@Blinkptx]

I could listen to you talk about Red Dead all day.

[@hunterwarren5349]

The "depths of the well" line made me think about the bible analogy about "life giving water". Funny enough this has the same meaning as your interpretation but reverse, if Arthur drinks from a well of love, integrity and self sacrifice he will see the depths of his actions when his kindness is reflected back at him. This is exactly what Arthur achieves when he makes his last ride and realizes his small acts of kindness truly is enough to make his world a better place and uses it to bring victory over Dutch.

[@Systox25]

I had good headphones for RDR2. That ride was Mind Blowing. The music got extra loud. The bass was deep and rich. 🤤 I got sad because I knew I couldn’t share this experience with anyone I knew. Better than the ending.

[@ahmadbani1452]

Personally, I like the unverified thumbnail best

[@valdonixplayz6298]

this game IS a masterpiece, in fact, this is one of the best games I have ever played. IMO best western franchise ever created.

[@Hezigrimm]

I'm going to be honest and I think Arthur did more self reflection than reflection about the gang. How did I get here? By letting Dutch guide him and others more than folks like Hosea. Although, Hosea also had a hand in molding Arthur into a murdering criminal too. I think that line basically asking how did I get here is more about Arthur and his self reflection than anything. I think he started to think about what he has done and everything in between on Guarma. It wasn't when he was diagnosed with TB but that single experience opened his eyes some. Then being diagnosed with TB fully opened them. Lastly, the saddest thing is the fact that Dutch didn't trust Arthur enough for him to be Hosea for him. Arthur was arguably molded more by Hosea due to having far more in common with him than Dutch. If Dutch held the same respect and trust Arthur may just have been able to pull him back more than what he was capable of. However, not fully considering Dutch stopped listening to Hosea and disregarded many of his warnings.

[@mcw-lg2dm]

Rdr2 is the best game of all time, there's no other game with this deep of a story, this detailed of a world, or this level of characters. So naturally the soundtrack is phenomenal as well.

[@George.effingham.the.fourth]

Songs a banger

[@aurimasm]

Real pixels keep it real

[@Heisen_burger-dude]

Unshaken means standing between it all. Arthur accepted his time was over, yet did good. Dutch didn't

[@reddead1899]

Lover you Videos mate

[@theamericancristero7390]

Idk but I stand it.

[@PeterGriffin-kb2hf]

This is a nitpick, but those “low register” lead vocals are actually higher up. Im a vocalist, and those notes are high enough that singers with low voices would struggle with it. Its not super high but it is not low by any stretch. The song has low vocals within it, but only in the background and for a couple verses.

[@theoldworldwarrior451]

Great video

[@roub9390]

Great video rockstar fanboy!! Have you considered doing the real history on The Simpsons: Hit and Run (2003)??

[@Tabby3456]

May I Stand on Chicken!?

[@JurassicLion2049]

Wait D’Angelo the mysterious dude on Atlanta D’Angelo sung Unshaken?

[@lancevancedance22]

nah D'Angelo the R&B singer

[@blksheep176]

@@lancevancedance22yea same guy

[@blksheep176]

D’Angelo is a legend

[@Experiment53.]

It means Artie was locked in

[@adityasharma6579]

Im really sorry but at first I thought the song said: “Meoww, stand and shakin”.

[@BobThe500]

Red Dead 2 is actually a FNaF referance

[@Heisen_burger-dude]

"what guided me this way" meaning is that Arthur has killed lots of innocents, now he wants to find reason to stop all the murder. As people like micah keep reminding him of what a bad person he used to be. Something that Arthur also thinks about allot.

[@XexiPwnageGaming702]

To have not been shook

[@NameSurname-j1b]

triage at dawn lore be like

[@tales-frontier]

He just like me for real

[@bbb462cid]

"I stand unshaken" means "I stand firm". The context means that through all trials and hardships I am still resolved to accomplish my goals, whatever the cost. It's not rocket surgery.

[@jeffersonclippership2588]

Have y'all ever thought that maybe basic media literacy can just make things more interesting?

[@bbb462cid]

@@jeffersonclippership2588 No idea what that's supposed to mean. I rely on just "literacy" and I end up all good.

[@jeffersonclippership2588]

@@bbb462cid it means you're stupid and mentally lazy

[@eatbutter]

may i post unshaken, first comment, in this fragile site

[@highplainsdrifter9197]

GREATEST GAME EVER!!!