According to lead singer Isaac Slade, the song was composed and influenced by his experience while working as a mentor at a camp for troubled teenagers: One of the youngsters I was paired up with was a musician. Here I was, a protected suburbanite, and he was just 17 and had all these problems. And no one could write a manual on how to save him. Slade claims that the song is about all of the people that tried to reach out to the boy but were unsuccessful. As Slade says in an interview, the boy's friends and family approached him by saying, "Quit taking drugs and cutting yourself or I won't talk to you again," but all he needed was some support. The boy was losing friends and going through depression. He lost his best friend and could not deal with it. The verses of the song describe an attempt by an adult to confront a troubled teen. In the chorus, the singer laments that he himself was unable to save a friend because he did not know how. While this was the original intent of the song, the band has opened the song to interpretation. They created a website where fans were welcome to submit music videos they had made for the song. This arose from the response that Slade got from the song: I got a lot of e-mails about it (...) One boy died in a car accident, and I guess it had been the last song he downloaded from his computer. They played it at his funeral, and some of his friends got Save a life tattooed on their arms. The response has been overwhelming. During an interview in Sauce, Bob Wilson asked Slade, "'How to Save a Life' was apparently inspired by an experience you had as a mentor to a boy who had a drug problem. What's the story behind that?" Slade answered: Well there's a group home here in Denver called Shelterwood, and it takes in teens who've had a tough time; their parents don't want to send them to jail, but they can't keep track of them themselves... A friend of mine was actually the president for that particular school, so he asked Joe and I to come up for one of their weekend retreats... I was paired up with one boy in particular. His story was just amazing - all the relationships that he had put at risk because of the decisions he made, and eventually losing the relationships... the cost of his lifestyle and his choices, and kind of relating them to my own life and my own stories; seeing all the relationships I've threatened for one reason or another. It was a really inspiring weekend.

@CloakedC

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting the background here

@xbeaker

6 ай бұрын

I was gonna post this, but you nailed it. Thanks. The back story for this song makes it so much more more poignant.

Everytime I hear this song (especially here lately, it makes me think of all the friends I've lost over the past few years. Mainly drug overdoses, it unfortunately turned into a plague in the town I grew up in, and it's wiped out a good chunk of the people I grew up with.

@alextjb

Жыл бұрын

I’m sorry bro, that sounds tough. at least you made it out of there.

@Thistaken2

Жыл бұрын

@@alextjb Thanks bud! You're right I was blessed to make my way from that place and not fall victim to that vile poison that's wreaking havoc to so many lives whether it be directly or indirectly.

@annewilliamson6261

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately this holds true for so many of my generation. Hometown friends, college friends, post college and beyond. Young, Old, Rich, Poor, Race, Ethnicity, Profession. Opiate addiction is a stray bullet. A car accident or surgery that requires post pain management but oversubscribed. Growing up next to the H capital of the northeast or working in the medical field with access. Or maybe introduced recreationally because it was offered. For those in pain, painkillers are appropriate under the supervision of a doctor. For those stuck in its clutches, seek help. There are medical treatments to assist and people who have won the war against opiate addiction willing to help you through. Worst case scenario? You slowly get your life back. You can get it back though. No blame or shame. I promise. ✌️❤️🙏

@irollerblade13

10 ай бұрын

I'm right there with you brotha. And it keeps happening. I lost an Ex Gf this year that I dated for 5 years to an OD this year she was only 28. Hadn't talked to her in a couple years but randomly did two weeks before she passed. I'm glad I got to talk to her but I had no idea how bad of place she was in. RIP Sydney Meyer.

This song was insanely massive for years, I remember it vividly. I don't know how you missed it for this long.

The Fray is an awesome band with some great songs. Underrated! Great reaction check out some more by them

this was played on several tv shows. one of the best ones to use it is Scrub "My Lunch." The next episode "My fallen idol" is a fantastic follow up.

I find this song so beautiful in that it can be of great comfort in a critical time of personal need or be uplifting when you’ve done the hard work of processing all that pain and are able to take joy in the memories you have. To be able to honor thy life and not mourn the man. Watch the video and allow those tears to fall and process the anger, hurt, confusion and regrets related to grief and loss. Read the words that flash across the screen and know you are never alone. Open up and talk. Go to grief support groups. It’s a difficult thing for families to mourn together. The emotions can be overwhelming. And if you’ve never experienced loss? Don’t shy away from the topic with someone who has. You will not remind them of their loss. It’s always there. Instead you are giving them an opportunity to talk about that person. To share something of them with you. And one day, they will be there for you. Do not let one tragedy create another tragedy in the making by turning to unhealthy coping methods such as drinking and drugs. The song is also inspirational and joyful. The little girl playfully jumping down from that high BLUE chair. Once you’ve come to a place of acceptance, forgiveness and light, celebrate the life of that person lost. Listen to that piano and drum beat build up. Smile and dance. Knowing that while you may never be the same, you made it through and can help others still stuck in pain reach the other side of it too. As always, thank you my brother for all you do. Much love. ❤️‍🩹💚❤️

This song hits me everytime, I've only ever seen this song from the perspective of losing someone which got worse after a friend of mine lost her life in 2017 to unnatural causes. I liked your perspective of seeing it from 3 differnt perspectives. I never saw the other two before. Glad you liked the song, it too is out of my normal genre but I still enjoy listening to it...

This song saved my life, but now I can’t listen to it without breaking down because I lost a friend to the same demons last summer, and I wasn’t there to help. Heck, we’d had a falling out a few years prior; I didn’t even know until I saw our mutual friends posting on Facebook. I was stunned. Completely devastated. I’d been having dreams about us reconnecting for months leading up to it. And then he was gone.

This song hits me hard. My older brother overdosed and all I can think of is how I should have been there for him more. He was hurting and I didnt realize how much. I miss him everyday

@annewilliamson6261

Жыл бұрын

I lost a young man I loved dearly to an overdose when he was 23 and I was 24. I will miss him for the rest of my life, but find forgiveness for yourself. We can’t save everyone. I tried everything but the reality is he had to love himself first and he loved me so much. He saw it was killing me inside and I often question whether I should have, could have, would have stayed up with him all night. I did that plenty. But it was Madness by Muse where I could find peace with how bad things got. Him dead and me devastated. All our dreams dead with him. I realized I could keep one dream 22 years later! I could dream that he lived and made it out alive. And suddenly I stopped thinking of all ugly stuff that happened. It’s an illness. He was an addict. It was the disease, not him. I remember the beautiful moments. He loved me best and taught me those that love me most. Because friends come and go, but those that love me most? It’s unconditionally. Love you! From one survivor to another. ❤️‍🩹

@dylanshandley1246

Жыл бұрын

Idk how much you care for a random guy on the internet’s opinion, especially when its a topic this personal, but I hope I can at least give you some perspective that helps you on your road to managing your grief. As someone that has contemplated taking my own life multiple times through my life and was only stopped because of the thought of how it would effect those few people I hold dear, and someone who has a chronic substance abuse problem due to me using to numb myself from all the shit I’ve had to go through, especially as a kid, I can guarantee you, whether your brother purposely overdosed to ride out of this life of pain that he knew in one final hit of the only thing that could bring him comfort, or if your brother accidentally overdosed because of someone else valuing profit at more than a human life, your brother would want nothing less from you but for you to forgive yourself for his death. Did you give him the last hit that took him from you? If not, someone else is at fault, not you. If it was a purposeful act on your brothers behalf, I simply ask for you to not take the last decision your brother made and wrongfully take responsibility for it. Most addicts have an idea of what it takes for them to overdose. If your brother decided to make that choice, then simply respect it. It was the last thing your brother felt he had the power to do, and instead of living his life through what he felt was unending pain, he decided that enough was enough and that he wasn’t going to keep going that way anymore. I’m sure everyone that sees your comment would have rather he made a different choice, but unfortunately we have no ability to change what has already come to pass. Seeing as that’s the case, all you can really do, is to respect your brothers choices, and grieve for the loved one that you remember fondly. Don’t blame yourself for it, rejoice in the fact that he chose to not be in pain anymore, and now he’s not, what more could your brother want? He now gets to rest his worn soul and watch, from whatever afterlife thing happens to exist for us, as those he loves live their lives and grow old, all without the pain and baggage that would weigh heavy on his shoulders if he still walked the earth with you.

This song is so different and 🔥 Remember hearing it when I was big time religious, this song still hits different after I woke up from being controlled by the world of religion

🤣Bro said "I started havin the Katy Perry" Got me over here spittin out my coffee. 💞

Your personality is a ray of light. Immediately subscribed. Thank you for being a ray of light in this world. Loved the reaction and one of my favorite songs!

I had to be careful not to look too much at the screen because that music video makes me cry.

Another one still on my playlist from yonder year...😍

Living with death can be one of the hardest situations a person has to endeavor through. The song is promoting the living to find acceptance and life after can be changed, but what has happened, happened. Don't turn to the anger but to the love. Let it out and reach out to someone, anyone. The lyrics hit on the excuses, obstacles and self doubt people use to avoid talking about the darkness.

You nailed it!!! This song is BEAUTIFUL 💚💚💚💚

Struggling…thank u for ur words

Somewhere along the way I forgot how to cry. I use this song to help me remember. I did not know how to save a life, but it was long ago.

Because it's a song I've heard so many times it was really beautiful to have someone hear this with fresh ears. Always love your reactions 💚💙💜

My favorite song of all time!! Thanks for sharing this one!

Pretty awesome song, i first heard it while watching Scrubs cause they used it in one of the very good and emotional Episodes (the one where they want to save 3 patients with organ Donations but something went wrong and it didnt work out as planned)

that song helped me so much when my father died ty

I first heard this song about 6 or 7 years ago in an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Where a woman tried to off her by swallowing a broken light bulb and Meredith's best friend Cristina tried to save her.

I was out of town but will b catching up with ur videos

One of my favorite songs from that time

Ayy brother, you know I like ya because I'm watching with you. This is a devastating song.

You found me by the fray. It's an amazing song. You should check it out.

I learned of this song when a rendition of it played on Greys Anatomy television show. It's a beautiful, but sad song.

I like too much the song! 🥺🤩👌💞

Appreciate you Cliff Doing ok here can't complain hope you are doing well buddy !

Glad you caught on, this song goes much deeper that simple heartbreak like you first thought.

If you want to react to more of The Fray I'd suggest their song titled Over My Head (Cable Car)

Brilliant this mass respect to you for speakin to people who dnt have any1

your a very beautiful man offering to talk many friends i lost after the wars we entered as soldiers destroyed them mentally and ive lost so many friends through suicide and mental health issues thank you for that offer however im in the uk but im healthy mentally and now looking after my family after 4 tours Kosovo, Iraq, and 2 tours of Afghanistan, ive lost so many friends and this song has a lot of meaning . Thank you for reacting you have a beautiful soul bud and i salute you as a British Soldier thank you sir.

thank you for what you do, being there for people it doesn't happen much nowadays. My gf recently broke things off and it breaks my heart she wasn't very open about how she felt she took a few weeks to think about it on her own while leaving me out of the loop which sucks, she had time to lose the feelings and attachment but i got it all at once in the morning. I wish she had told me about it maybe i could've done something different you know? every night my head hits the pillow i cry my heart out till i fall asleep, i can't help but blame myself even if she told me it wasn't my fault, i can't help but feel like it is... Had i done things differently, said things or did things i feel i could've done to improve the situation, payed even more attention deep down to her maybe things would've been different. i felt so lost, just like i was existing waking up every morning not wanting to be here, tired of pain and regret and self hate. when she showed up she saved me, she made me feel alive for once in my life, i felt a sense of purpose, i felt good about myself with all the things she would tell me, she truly made me believe in life itself again but since she broke it off i feel like ive fallen lower than before. I hate myself for not being good enough, feeling like i've failed her somehow, she will always be my baby no matter what. Miss her every second that goes by.

It may have already been mentioned but the Video released date in KZread is just when it was updated on KZread The song is actually from 2005

I'm not sure if you ever watched Gray's anatomy but this song was pretty common during the 1st season of it

"But unfortunately sometimes the hospital picks a day where it's just going to pile it on."

You should do “Lullaby” by Nickelback. It has the same kind of theme about not giving up and idk there are probably many people who really need to hear that this time of year.

I love this band and this song is powerful

This song was about a teen who the singer spent a lot of time talking to at a camp for troubled youths. After the time he spent, he found out that the kid committed suicide. Hence " Did I know how to save a life?"

Great song! Would love to see you do more types of music. Song actually came out in 2006.

Greys anatomy they used this song all the time

Every song this band made was amazing I dk why they stopped making music

Cliff please check out a song called Unkown Male 01 by a band called Biffy Clyro. The are a British (Scottish) rock group and they are so technically complicated that they shouldn't make great music, but they do. Honestly you won't regret it. I'll link below

@del8224

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/dXutrdCoqte7ntI.html ... would be stoked to see this on your channel

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving Cliff!☺️ Thankful for you🫶 & your channel

It's a somg about reaching out to someone who is struggling

It's a beautiful song about self empowerment and healthy boundaries

Ironically, he said "if it's not hip-hop I'm probably not going to be into it" then proceeds to enjoys it

God I miss my brother

#hog in the house for it let's go!!

Everytime I hear this song I think of my granda xx ❤️🐢❤️ xx

@annewilliamson6261

Жыл бұрын

Luv you, ma cunt! You’re diddies up, 3rd party ❤🐢🌴

Hey Cliff, this is by far my favorite Fray song! Thank you, Annie! Would you please react to Little Foot's "I Am The Reason" or "This Will Be The Last TIme"? I'm about to leave for Madison to go watch him play live. He's going to be in Chicago tomorrow and Tuesday.

This song was featured a lot in the early years of the TV show “Intervention”. It hits deep.

Oh, what a blast from the past! I heard this over and over on the radio when it came out. Hmm, I'd be thrilled if you would dip your toes into Linkin Park occasionally. Not even the more well-known stuff (although I'd watch them, too!) but things like "Line in the Sand" or "Wretches and Kings" or "Lies Greed and Misery" and "When they come for me".

@CliffBeatsOfficial

Жыл бұрын

That’s crazy because I just tried to do one from linkin park. KZread instantly blocked it. I’m trying to fight the block but it’s not looking good

@frizzlethecat2084

Жыл бұрын

@@CliffBeatsOfficial Ah damn - stupid restrictions. But at least you're trying, that's great in itself :-) 🙂

@TylerMartinez-jh2hy

3 ай бұрын

​@@CliffBeatsOfficialThe Fray is my favorite overall artist while I respect mega songwritters like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, The Fray doesn't get political or degrade women promote drugs, violence like 99% of rap, They don't over release music either they take years to write phenomenal music they just make music that hits the soul🤷🏿‍♂️

You should do The Frays cover of Kanye West- Heartless! It is really good xD

Love how much UK rap you've covered and the variation in artists, would be great to see Wales get some love󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🤎. I suggest anyone off the Larynx Loaded playlist. Namely Double-Barrelled, he has 3 in the series & is, in my opinion, the best. Much love, hope you're doing well Cliff.

hey man, great reaction. i lost my father last year, ever since then it's been pretty rough for me.. i am trying to get through but sometimes it's really hard man.. that song always hits me :(

Would love a reaction to The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus “Face Down” or another from the Fray “You Found Me”. Thanks much love

First of all, I love this song, and great reaction. Reminds me of a very emotional scene from the show Scrubs. Second, you asked that I drop this request in the comments section of a recent vid... so here we go. Please react to the [XG TAPE #2] GALZ XYPHER. New J/K-Pop girl group with 4 rappers. They are rapping in 3 languages and one of the girls (the best one IMO) is only 16. INSANITY.

WunTayk Timmy - Top Tier🔥🔥🔥

Heyyyyyyy❤❤❤

Reaction Request: “I’m Bad” by LL COOL J VOTE IT UP! It’s fire 🔥🔥🔥💚💚 aka AnnieDubs1026

Grey's anatomy is probably where you heard it

This song hit me so hard that I started crying, then I got an ad about raid shadow Legends😭

The message flew right over your head, the song is about watching a loved one struggle with drug addiction to the point of fatality, and trying to say the right things to save them.

Love your reactions cliff beats! Could you react to twenty one pilots- chlorine..would love to hear your break down of the song.

You should check out the song "Zero" from Hawk Nelson. It helped me get through some dark times in my life. I think you will love it.

I heard this song years ago. Such powerful lyrics. Speaking of lyrics, have you listened to Eminem's Mocking Bird? For some reason that one hits hard.

Grey's Anatomy, Derek Shepherd, Mark Sloan

"say something" by a great big world kzread.info/dash/bejne/qGStr7yvY9bOlrw.html this is the original version, not the one with christina aguilera. very powerful song

I'd recommend listening to Lukas Graham, 7 Years or Funeral are my favourite 2

If you want another awesome non hip hop song to check out, I think you’d really enjoy Don’t Lose Sight (acoustic) by Lawrence. Crazy talented brother-sister duo

Take it back by Ed sheeran

You might like Senses Fail “Death By Water”

Cliff I'm a big fan of your UK reactions 'cause I'm a South African who took years to learn the UK slang despite actually using the same English spellings, haha. But I actually want to throw some artists your way that are from your neck of the woods. Chris Webby - Apex (feat. Nems, Apathy, Anoyd, Mickey Factz & Ren Thomas) [Official Video]

Would love to see you react to Tsunomaki Watame either 'My Song' or 'Cloudy Sheep'.

Still waiting on Chloraseptic (Original) from Revival

If you like good story telling….check out some Tyler Childers. Either follow you to virgie or nose on the grindstone. Both great!

you should check out jojo fuck apologies feat wiz khalifa. also fab feat remy ma by jojo

You need to do feelin myself by superfruit. PLEASE!

Could you please do a reaction to fear by blue October x

#greysanatomy

react to CODFISH Joins My CS:GO Surf Lobby (Incredible Beatboxer) you wont regret it!

Suggestion: If you’re going to close your eyes through most of the video, maybe just do the audio. You’re missing an amazing video.

React to quadecas I don't care

You really missed so much in the song. It's a step by step instruction how to attempt an intervention.

Stop closing your eyes.🤦🏻‍♂️

Love your reactions, can you react to Chase Matthew “County Line” and “Everything He Couldn’t”.