Pentatonix Hallelujah - First Time EVER hearing them REACTION

[@SilverFlame819]

In the bajillions of reactions to this that I've watched, I have NEVER heard someone mention the skyline during Mitch's part. People are usually just stunned silent. I was like -- what do you mean, the sky? There's sky in that scene?? XD

[@victoriaburch1367]

Pentatonix is THE a cappella group. They are the gold standard of a cappella.

[@SolaScriptura777.4me2]

Welcome to Pentatonix. They are an a cappella group. They have 19.5 million subscribers, 5.5+billion views, 3 Grammys and over 200+ music videos including covers and original music to enjoy. They are very popular. I hope you give another a try. Thanks.

[@specialk9019]

And now a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

[@jenniferyoung8551]

What many people don't know is Leonard Cohen was an atheist and had nothing to do with God or religion, it's about love relationships. I've always found it interesting how the majority of people perceive it as a religious song. Great reaction!

[@chanawekser3883]

I remember when he was still alive,he said this song was about the breakup of his relationship. He did bring in some references to some biblical stories from his youth...David and Bathseba, Samson , etc. When he sang it then, itl had another stanza or 2 that were references to his relationship...I think it was his wife. The amended version was to "clean it up a little" when churches started using it.

[@justinperry13]

Probably because of the whole “Hallelujah” title.

[@petebradley8613]

I had an argument once with a friend who often sang it in church. He was convinced that I had a dirty mind.

[@gingerjohnson1095]

@@chanawekser3883 Not another stanza or two.... it had over 80 verses.

[@rowanmayfair9249]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@df5199]

Actually, it’s all voice. When they do use an instrument, usually the beatboxer’s (Kevin) cello, it will be shown in the video. Great catch on the symbolism. For something completely different, react to their Daft Punk (medley).

[@klayers1555]

This video was shot in the Coyote Dry Lake Bed in the Mojave desert just outside of Bakersfield, CA, a starkly beautiful setting. The crazy thiing is that they sound as good live as they do in their production videos - ccheck out the live version of this same song done for their 2016 Christmas special.

[@annagraham7083]

Thanks! I always wondered that

[@ellieg8963]

@@annagraham7083 Actually Coyote Dry Lake bed is North East of Barstow. There is a BIG mountain between Bakersfield and (west of) Barstow

[@perfectkismet]

Pentatonix is an a capella group. No instruments in this, just voices, beatboxing and body percussion. They are primarily known for covers, but they do have almost 40 original songs as well. You mentioned you mostly do rap reactions so people are going to come out of the woodwork to tell you they also rap. Covers, though... Mackelmore (Can't Hold Us, Thrift Shop), very censored Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea in Ariana Grande's Problem. Nothing too deep. If you're more interested in breaking down lyrics I'd suggest the originals. At least one member wrote on every original song but one (they got that one from Coldplay). Unfortunately, most of the best lyrically don't have videos. I'll leave the actual recommendations to someone else.

[@noelpauley5381]

Definitely check out their Daft Punk medley! It showcases the amazing beatboxing that Kevin can do and is a totally different vibe than this song. It also won a Grammy! 😁

[@theresarigio5627]

An a capella group, no instruments, just voices. Thanks for your reaction. Please do more. They have over 200 pieces in their catalogue. All of them great!

[@MaxWindshear]

I saw Pentatonix and I had to click! An amazing group. I give them an A+ in all categories.

[@BloodTithingsGaming]

Hey Brother, I'm glad you took the jump to listen to these guys. They have so much material it still blows my mind. They have over 200 songs, both covers and originals. Even if you don't do any more reactions to them, I highly recommend taking a deep dive into their music. You'll be blown away by their arrangements. Converting regular songs to a capella is an artform that they have mastered. They pretty much inspired a whole new subcategory of a capella with percussion and bass driving it. But their originals are also pretty dope. Thanks for the great reaction. Hope to see more from Pentatonix!

[@shirleymoffat3338]

Pentatonix also do originals, not just covers. Leonard Cohen wrote this song about a relationship breakup so it wasn’t intended as a religious song. He said before he died that this was the best cover of his song. Check out the Pentatonix version of Bohemian Rhapsody, their Daft Punk medley (their first of three Grammy winners) and many many others. The members are Scott Hoying (first singer, blonde, baritone), Mitch Grassi (counter tenor, wearing hat in this video) Kirsty Maldonado and Kevin Olusola, the beat boxer (who also sings and plays cello). The guy with the beard and beanie is Avi Kaplan, (you thought he looked like Jesus) who is an opera trained basso profoundo who left the group in 2017 and is now forging a successful but very different career. You might like to check out his solo work. He was replaced by Matt Sallee. The followers of Pentatonix call themselves Pentaholics and are very loyal and will follow and subscribe to anyone who reacts to the large body of work this group has created since they won the Sing Off season 3 back in 2011.

[@DeriBear]

There is no documentation of Leonard Cohen ever saying that this version is his favorite

[@donny1960]

@@DeriBear So you have documentation of EVERYTHING Leonard Cohen ever said? That is the only way you can contest what he may have or may have not said. Other wise you are just being contrarian. You can not know if he ever said this. But you feel compelled to cast doubt. Why? ..........Again you can not know for sure. But you act as if you do. To what end?

[@TomLloyd-18]

@@donny1960 got no dog in this fight . . . but I think the burden of proof is on the one who claims he DID say this and without any documentation . . . or witness statement . . . well, then I'd have to agree with Deri Bear

[@donny1960]

@@TomLloyd-18 Ok. Sounds reasonable. Who said it first? So we can get to the bottom of it. Any clue as to where to start? Do you or Deri have a clue as to what member of the 7 billion + human race, first made this claim? The person that Deri was commenting to was one of many that have repeated this. No? Well isn't that convenient to the crux of this "argument". Making an unsubstantiated claim that another undocumented claim is false is just shady at best . Agenda driven at worst. So agree all you like. I personally do not know if Cohen ever said this. But I don't know that he didn't either.

[@TomLloyd-18]

@@donny1960 Well I guess if we go all the way back to the first comment here. Ms Shirley M stated that Mr Cohen 'WROTE' this comment . . . so . . . I guess that would imply that there is documented 'written' evidence somewhere if anyone cares to go for a deep dive . . . . anyone? ? ?

[@ksl-diy7243]

Great comments on the visual symbolism. More Pentatonix please!

[@danielcarter837]

They are acapella but they have no genre. The can sing any style or genre, sometimes they sing multiple genres in the same song. They do covers and originals. Most of their covers improve the originals in most Pentaholics' opinions and are now called upgrades. They are very meticulous with their vocal sound and videos.

[@PMJonte]

They also have originals. All they do is a capella. Occasionally they will mix in a cello or a violin or a piano. But it's all a capella including a beatboxer.

[@briandaniels8945]

Song just hits deeper today as an adult as a parent, the energy in undeniable

[@annagraham7083]

Dang! I’ve seen this video so many times. You bring up things that I’ve obviously saw but didn’t ‘see’. Like the crack in the earth and walking towards it. The videographer deserves so much. The crew who found this place too, so many things

[@LindaB651]

I remember when acappella was a pretty-much ignored musical genre- thankfully, Pentatonix, and other very talented folks, have shown us how wrong we were to ignore/not notice them! What a wonderful way to sing the songs of the life and the world!

[@sdmcdaniel2255]

Pentatonix is an A Capella band. In fact, they are the group that put A Capella back on the map. They very rarely ever use instruments, and the few times that do, you see the instruments in the video. But this is what they do.

[@reneeg9406]

Fair warning. PTX as a lot of issues with copyright blocks. Pausing a lot and/or putting something over the video helps with those

[@zack_reacts]

I'm not here for money... Just good music. 🙂. Thanks for the heads up!

[@reneeg9406]

@@zack_reacts just hate when people spend the time to upload the video just to have KZbin take it down or block it

[@Katybug335]

I’ve subscribed because your perspective is different. I also like your appreciation of the video components. Hope to see more reactions to Pentatonix.

[@newgrl]

Leonard Cohen, the man who wrote "Hallelujah" was a self-avowed athiest of Jewish descent. Regarding the meaning of the song, Leonard Cohen said: “This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can… reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that’s what I mean by ‘Hallelujah’. The song explains that many kinds of hallelujahs do exist, and all the perfect and broken hallelujahs have equal value. It’s a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way but with enthusiasm, with emotion.”

[@jerrybaker2857]

OK rapper dude. Check out Can't Stop Us Now by Pentatonix.

[@zack_reacts]

Challenge accepted

[@elizabethsantersero9597]

Yeah! Did you mean "Can't Hold Us" or have I missed one of their videos? Very possible, I was late to the party 🥳 Either way, would love to see that :-)

[@megan722]

Yes, it’s “Can’t Hold Us” (a Macklemore cover)

[@zack_reacts]

@@megan722 oh I know that song. K it's on the list- though I'm having issues with KZbin blocking everything a do PTX

[@tasia2174]

@@zack_reacts Definitely try a filter. :) Personally, I'd watch even if you had to remove the video entirely as I've seen their videos dozens (or more) times.

[@corvus1374]

This was filmed in the Mojave Desert in Southern California, in the mid-summer, when temperatures were 90 degrees. It was for their Christmas album, so they were all wearing heavy coats and hating the heat.

[@jlelliotton]

Intro: Scott Hoying (baritone), Avi Kaplan (bass, left in 2017 replaced by Matt Sallee), Kirstin (Kirstie) Maldonado (alto), Mitch Grassi (counter tenor), and Kevin Olusola (tenor, vocal percussion)

[@monicacruz8847]

This is Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. I live near here. You should see it in a lightning storm! I love them all, but she is usually underplayed.. such a gorgeous voice.

[@shawnaseverinski3219]

Zero instrument pure voice only

[@derrickcox7761]

There's some rap in a few of their songs. Butter x Dynamite is one. All of them can rap. Their original music and cover upgrades tend to be positive and energetic. My recent favorite original...which speaks of the dark side of the music industry is Never Gonna Cry Again with Mitch on lead and techno by Matt. Just lyrics...no vid...darn it. The original...Love Again has a great Video. White Winter Hymnal gives you an idea of their multi-tasking abilities.

[@myopicseer]

Rap is talking. If you can sing like these ppl, of course you can rap. Why do you think every person in the world and his aunt Betty raps: because it is only talking in time with a beat. Singing requires a musical ear for tone, tune, and greater voice dynamics and control.

[@jwhite17]

Definitely check out Can’t Hold Us. Mitch and Scott both rap.

[@katiemcteague]

The idol contestant that I think you were trying to come up with was Jason Castro. He did a beautiful version of Hallelujah.

[@minaolenella869]

For their less than year old originals with good lyrics I suggest for listening Anchor, A little Space, Never Gonna Cry Again. For older originals: Take me home, Run to you. And Christmas originals: Evergreen and That's Christmas to me. Their lyrics in band go more to happy and sweet, even when some have quite a backstory or are really timeless. Their lyrically sad songs are more in their solo works. Though it may be too early to mention THAT rabbit hole.

[@revkaelenelord]

I love it when reviewers say that this is their first time to watch Pentatonix, saying before they even watch, that this isn't their thing and then get chills all over their body when they hear them. I'm writing this before you even started bc it's always the same reaction. Lol. Soon you will be a Pentaholic. If you want to hear them sing that will knock your socks off, listen to their rendition of John Lennon's, " The Sounds of Silence ". Some reviewers ( tap reviewers too )that get up and dance to the song by them.

[@cindyweinstein2489]

Pentatonix is amazing!! And Iman old lady that was born with hair bands and metal! Love Pentatonix

[@vincetwoeagles6026]

Incredible music making. Excellent!

[@goodgirl8117]

The live version of this is a great way to see how they sound exactly like the video's.

[@steveeverett1736]

all the aerial photo work almost didn't happen, they were waiting all day for the drones to arrive, which is why all the shots look closer to dusk ie check how their shadows are so long. A good follow up to this is their version of Amazing Grace from Xmas of 2020, just to hear how their voices have developed. This video is several years old, as they have a new Bass guy, Matt Sallee

[@gingers.5933]

Bohemian Rhapsody, 90's Dance Medley and Daft Punk (they won their first grammy for this)

[@scrappingirl318]

Definitely watch Daft Punk, also Can't Hold Us, and their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody is amazing!!

[@zack_reacts]

I did Daft Punk and KZbin blocked it

[@tasia2174]

@@zack_reacts Could you add a filter to it? Or partially block it with your logo and screencap from the video? Assuming of course it was blocked due to the visuals which seems to be the common thing for other PTX reactors.

[@pamscarr8696]

"Homey that looks like Jesus" Same tribe actually. Now has a solo career. Classically trained, but mostly writes and sings Folk, country and western sounds. Fabulous bass.

[@pattiemartin9253]

Bohemian Rhapsody and Daft Punk

[@steveeverett1736]

totally agree

[@jeanneplace6871]

YAY PENTATONIX! Please play Problem, Cheerleader or Come Along.

[@bfly5990]

I subbed , More PTX please This is a Capella. All voices . They are so amazing. If you are a Bohemian Rhapsody fan. ( who isn’t ). Check out PTXs cover of it or their Daft Punk medley

[@stormy081464]

More PTX. More stories. Completely entertained. Watched to the end. And subbed

[@megan722]

You might like one of their originals that’s a bit more upbeat and shows off Kevin’s insane beatboxing. Try “Coffee in Bed” by Pentatonix

[@catherinerobbins3887]

I'd recommend their cover of "can't hold us". They definitely can do many genres.

[@zack_reacts]

Noted, I'll look that up

[@zack_reacts]

Unfortunately YT blocks everything PTX

[@wewerebornsick8590]

@@zack_reacts Try blurring out the video it usually helps

[@lauriemccomas1578]

Filmed in Dry Coyote River, Mojave Desert in California.

[@cynthiahaun9269]

Their version of bohemian rhapsody took them 5 yrs to perfect

[@shilohauraable]

I just subbed in hopes of more Pentatonix reactions! 💖

[@jonasbrofan136]

Also lol we’re fine and use to the pauses

[@tammyhill3798]

Greetings from Southern California. New subscriber here. Pentaholic, of course. Good reaction…I liked that you noticed things that others miss…lighting and camera angles. I’ve watched one other who’s done that, a photographer. I’ve watched a billion voice analysis and have learned so much from them. It’s nice to learn something new. So I wrote this first part before you started your story. Strange but interesting. I look forward to more of them as I follow you down the rabbit hole. I do hope the stories get a little better though. 🤭

[@annmc3878]

Some of my favor PTX, are Imagine, Bohemian Rhapsody, and the Evolution of Michael Jackson. Or their original music “Sing”, “Can’t Sleep Love” and “A Little Space”. If you like rap, you might like “Hip Hop goes Broadway” by Superfruit ( 2 members of PTX).

[@dukewalker9144]

subbed for more PTX and another acapella genius group, HOME FREE.

[@joosyjulie]

Kevin the beat boxer has a beautiful light tenor, but his beat boxing is his forte. He is a very talented man. To hear him sing listen to their version of Imagine, the official video gives the best imagery.

[@Miobambino]

Jump into the PTX rabbit hole! They’re amazing! IMO best A Cappella group out there! Your subs will go through the roof! A lot of Pentaholics out there. Their catalogue is immense. I did stay till the end and agree, stay safe. 6 members of my family have gone down with the omicron variant in the last 2 weeks including my children who were 23 last Saturday 8th and I couldn’t see them cos they were isolating! 😢😷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@martajajackson1836]

I LOVED your reaction. New SUBSCRIBER.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@BigJackRolls]

now, to see the other side of the group .. try their cover of Can't Hold Us (Maclemore and Ryan)

[@im2yz4u17]

Please react to more PTX videos, I think you will be amazed with their breadth of talent. There is a live version of this when they performed on national television. It is basically the same as this production version, signifying the beauty of their voices. Of course, Kevin Olusola (beatboxer) is amazing too and he does use clapping, slapping and foot stomping to achieve percussive effects; but mostly it is his mouth and flexibility in various effects. Kevin plays the cello in a few songs of theirs. He is also a fabulous saxophonist.

[@scottperil905]

They have originals too

[@linda6987]

Bonneville salts flats. It is beautiful! Well make you a pentaholic yet! ♥️

[@davidhuett3579]

I've watched countless reactions to this music video, but this has been hilarious in that this has been the first to react to more on the scenery than on the music. From the bright background light to halo's (vapour trails) in the sky and cracks in the ground .. but it was entertaining. You wouldn't be a 'conspiracy theorist' by any chance? I do agree that it is filmed in a biblical setting and your comment about Avi looking like Jesus .. which might be correct .. if he was black.

[@shawnobrien7930]

And it was The Sing Off that they won

[@deborahhoffman1203]

daft punk cover is outstanding. won a grammy for it

[@every249]

You just opened a very big rabbit hole xD Great reaction!! hope you do more of them an pleasecheck out the Acapella Band "Home Free"

[@pjschmid2251]

I have to wonder if the echo isn’t because of the room but because you somehow have two microphone sources running. Like something coming from your headphones and your main mic or maybe from the laptop and your main mic. Anyway I really did enjoy your reaction and I hope you listen to more Pentatonix there’s a lot there there’s both covers and original music covering all different types of genres. So you should be able to find something you like in there.

[@diannecardenas9866]

If you continue reacting to them, Welcome to the Rabbit Hole. There's almost 11yrs worth of Albums. Covers and originals.

[@johnrodrigues5974]

Please react to Pentatonix singing “The Prayer”

[@zack_reacts]

Will do

[@marykleeberg7162]

The Prayer, Imagine the original video, Sound of Silence, any of their evolution videos, Daft Punk medley.

[@dianejustice5232]

You should check out their version of Bohemian Rhapsody from Queen-super impressive!

[@barrydanish6008]

More PTX, please. Bohemian rhapsody is a stupendous way to start down the rabbit hole. Just think about it…Bohemian Rhapsody without instruments….hold my beer….

[@Joodster]

The cinematography in this video is incredible. Notice the use of lens flare, backlighting, and atmosphere.

[@davidbangtson3109]

OH, and you have barely touched the surface of what they can and have done!

[@jonasbrofan136]

More PTX please:) just be careful, a BB lot of their newer stuff gets copyrighted. Siri pauses and effects help:)

[@cindymartin2820]

You should go back and watch their performances on the sing off season3

[@jamesashby4334]

Now do Mad World

[@samanthabowers6935]

Ptx the prayer

[@yadiragonzalez9002]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@danawinslett7505]

This is NOT a religious song. It does use Biblical imagery to describe someone who'd been betrayed by love before (she took your throne and she cut your hair), but the song is about breaking through the pain of the lover's past to allow love to happen again. "I heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord" refers to the perfection of love that does exist, but acknowledging that the lover doesn't believe in it (but you don't really care for music, do ya?"). Other lyrics refer to the lover's treatment of love like a war (flag on the marble arch, love is not a victory march), something to hold as a conqueror, and the reference "how to shoot somebody who outdrew you" indicates that attitude that says the lover wants to win at all costs. Try listening to it without thinking it's a religious song. The location of the shoot was a brilliant choice, a landscape that is barren and open, where there are no places to hide, and the fear that nothing will flourish in the wasteland. Don't think there were any intentional halos, and while Avi does resemble Jesus, well that's just Avi being Avi. Enjoyed you viewing this group for the first time. Would love to see you watch some of their other songs.

[@zack_reacts]

I appreciate your comment. I definitely plan to do more of theirs

[@debbierhodes4479]

I won't tell you how great Pentatonix is because I'm sure the comments above already said that. But I wanted to throw in that this is not a religious song. It does reference things that happened in the bible but the song has a dark meaning. Look up Jeff Buckley and read about it...of course it's all centered around a woman.

[@baladune9097]

Shedding tears is not unmanly.

[@reginairvine3919]

"Homie looks like Jesus"....well he is Jewish...meet Avi...the most incredibly smooth true bass out there!

[@McCloud52]

Do more pentatonix.

[@8088-f8b]

David Archuleta & BYU Vocal Point - What a Beautiful Name

[@samanthaconn3895]

It is zero musical backing. The beats come from Kevin and the rest is purely their voices. Loved the reaction ❤

[@KarenBoyd-q5g]

You will be shocked

[@jcs1025]

No instrumentals. All voice and body/vocal percussion.

[@marablemorgan8292]

You just got "Mitch slapped"!

[@kathrynphelps9771]

No covers, just upgrades. All Acapella, no instruments.

[@mjbartholomew5317]

Please react to their mashup of Daftpunk songs.

[@zack_reacts]

I did that! - KZbin blocked it for now

[@madenabyss6981]

It was filmed in the afternoon has the sun was going down and they almost didn't get there they got lost trying to get to the location

[@pughead2]

Enjoyed your reaction and your stories!

[@xbubblehead]

So many reactors say Avi looks like Jesus, which is pretty funny since nobody knows what Jesus looked like.

[@zack_reacts]

They portrayal of Jesus that we've been fed our whole lives

[@sersastark]

this isn't a biblical song. its a love song written by Leonard Cohen about experiencing the ends of a deep relationship. Just because it has Hallelujah as the title doesn't make it biblical. And they're in the desert, in July, in 100 degree temps dressed like this because they recorded and shot this song to be on their Christmas album at that time, A Pentatonix Christmas.

[@cynthiahaun9269]

It is called a capella...meaning NO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS...that being said you should check our their bohemian rhapsody

[@tinanichols203]

React to 'The Prayer' by Pentatonix

[@AnjeannetteMarie-Swifie4Ever]

New sub here for more Pentatonix 🤯

[@PurpleCinnamon-Land-Of-Misfits]

There is 0 instruments Pentatonix is acapella everything you hear is their own voices making every single sound❕❗NO INSTRUMENTS AT ALl❕❗

[@guinkoo]

Check out Mary Did You Know

[@GothamsHer0]

Just fyi regarding the echo.... It doesn't sound like your mic is picking up an echo. It sounds like maybe there are two channels with your voice audio and they aren't perfectly in sync. If you mute one of them and test you can probably narrow down where it's coming from. Hope it helps!

[@shawnaseverinski3219]

The mic echo is probably the fx or eft button

[@zack_reacts]

Yeah I think if you watch something I've done recently, it's a little more sorted out. Thanks! 🙂

[@ellinikolaou8290]

They are an Acapella group

[@jonasbrofan136]

There’s a rule… if you don’t see an instrument… there isn’t one lol also, men are allowed to have emotions. The “I am a man” thing is very outdated.