There is a video of James actually singing this song to his father, who had stage 4 kidney disease at the time. I understand a family member came forward to donate one in a nick of time. This is an amazing song.

The official video with his father is infinitely better, and everyone who watches it does cry. It's almost impossible not to because it's so emotional. He thought he was saying goodbye to his father, but a cousin donated his kidney, and he's still alive today.

@jenniferrichardson8474

Ай бұрын

I agree! I can't watch it without bursting into tears. It makes me emotional every single time.

@Hobodeluxe960

Ай бұрын

this is me and my son. his mother passed 4 yrs ago and I'm in end stage heart/copd/diabetes and he's my caregiver. so the roles are reversed. for almost his entire life I took care of him and now he's taking care of me. that's why he says I'm not your son, you're not my father, not that it's a sign of their conflict or estrangement but the roles are reversed. and yeah I can't hear this without crying ugly. "he's giving his dad permission to go". you nailed it. the only thing I want from my son is to know he will be fine without me.

@summerof6734

Ай бұрын

@@Hobodeluxe960 The love you share will keep you close when the moment has come to go back Home, and the relationship you share will be even stronger after that, until you are together again. Share your feelings now, in words and actions, create more memories. I miss my mother, my father, my brother, but I can feel them helping me and guiding me from the other side. You will both have this bond that will keep you close❤️✨

@Atroll_man

Ай бұрын

The official video was done in one take.

Ohhhh, Brit!! Please react to the official video of this which shows James singing to his own father!! Very powerful!!

@Someonelser1

Ай бұрын

I spent a whole day watching reactions to that video and bawling

@bernardsalvatore1929

Ай бұрын

​@@Someonelser1ME TOO

@NightFogFilms

Ай бұрын

Eh, this was expected. Brit has a way of reacting to the wrong version of a song but this one is pretty close to the official video. I'm still waiting for her to react to the RIGHT version of CREEP by Haley and PMJ. She did a live stage version... yikes!

@candacemay7187

Ай бұрын

@@NightFogFilms LOL! Yes, she always picks the most obscure video to watch!

@patriciawilliams1416

Ай бұрын

Yes.

Both him & his dad were officers in the British military. When James was deployed to Kosovo & was saying goodbye to his dad, his dad said your not my son I'm not your father we're just 2 men saying goodbye. Both had that British stiff upper lip/not comfortable with emotion so it was sort of distancing themselves before his deployment. That's what's behind that line.

@carolcarol3938

Ай бұрын

His father was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease and was hoping/waiting for someone to donate an organ. I believe this to be the reason James wrote this song. Luckily someone was able to help his dad with an organ donation before it was too late.

@daz_n

Ай бұрын

@@carolcarol3938 It was a distant cousin who got in touch because of the appeal James made whilst promoting the song / video.

@carolcarol3938

Ай бұрын

@@daz_n that's right :)

@talltulip

Ай бұрын

😭

@ClausFC92

Ай бұрын

That was always my impression of it too. That they try to distant themselves a bit cause its too hard to say goodbye to your father or son. Happy to have it confirmed. Never really took the song as they were not close.. actually quite the opposite. It was just too difficult to show that kind of emotion.

I’m 61 and my daddy is 91 and the best daddy in the world! He still works 40 hrs a week!! Oh and my mom is 86 and they just celebrated their 67th anniversary! Great reaction!

James has so many great songs. Goodbye my lover, You're Beautiful, The Same Mistake, The Girl that Never was, he's king of emotional heartstrings

@amyaeschbach3581

Ай бұрын

His biggest hit was “You’re Beautiful “. His voice astounding. Please react! You’ve seen people let you know that the video was astounding where he sings it for the first time to his father after he survives stage four kidney disease at the last minute. Yes they are British and you might like to know that they both fought together in a war for UK. No estranged relationship. Just what you said later on. Just that they both made mistakes and he’s setting his father free. The role reversal is so apparent. As a child or parent puts us to bed at night usually reading us a bedtime story and assuring us that the monsters under the bed they will take care of and we can rest. As our parents get older and we practically become caretakers he treats us with such gentle and intelligent hands. Putting his father to bed reading him the story and being the one to chase the monsters away. Yes tears especially in the original video. But something about the line, I will leave the light on, gets me in the feels every time. Brave James Blunt. ❤️

Oh - you really need to watch the other video (official?) even MORE emotional and his father is in it. This is good, that one’s best.

@ravenmasters2467

Ай бұрын

You can only get one chance to hear the song for the first time, and so that boat has sailed, unfortunately. Such a shame she did this version.

@kcarr9589

Ай бұрын

@@ravenmasters2467 Very good point - I was worried about that too.

@kcarr9589

Ай бұрын

@@ravenmasters2467 but you know, come to think of it, I cry nearly every time I see it! Lol.

James and his father are actually very close, but as both were military men they would approach emotional issues very matter of fact, to help them deal with things on an emotional level.

Got to checkout the official music video for this. "The Girl That Never Was" is another emotional one from him.

@premasru

Ай бұрын

Really hope Britt does a reaction video for that!

@brittreacts

Ай бұрын

I’ll check it out!

@premasru

Ай бұрын

@@brittreacts Thank you Britt.

As many are commenting, the official video is much more visceral, I have cried watching it over 50 times, it's just a close up of James face, and you can see his pain and real tears

Iam Tongi sang this in his American Idol audition. Worth watching. And then later in the show with James Blunt.

@DDD-dt4zc

Ай бұрын

Iam did it so well James wanted to perform it with him..that was a beautiful moment in music history

"They open the wound every time they sing it." -- One of the best quotes I have heard.

James Blunt is an English singer, imo one of his best songs is "You're Beautiful"

@cammiemorgan4108

Ай бұрын

“You’re Beautiful“ and “Goodbye My Lover” ❤

@cas9065

Ай бұрын

I think it is No Bravery, at least to me.

@SnKKS

Ай бұрын

​​@@cas9065agreed. No bravery and same mistake are two of his best. 100% No Bravery is his best song.

His father was dying of kidney disease (thankfully saved at the last moment) - JB wrote this at a time when all hope was gone. I don't believe there was a rift, though James was an officer in the British army and fought in Kosovo and elsewhere, so maybe the rift was 'life' rather than any fracture. His father heard this for the first time when they filmed the video - so the 'I'll tell you a true story' has an additional meaning. Watch the official video too, it shows the honesty of James Blunt. 'Goodbye my lover' and 'No Bravery' are a couple more 'goodies' - though there's an additional pathos to Monsters because of its deep personal relevance to the singer.

Damn!! I lost my dad 14 months ago and honestly it hasn't gotten easier. I talk to him all the time. I miss him so much. Also I've been a James Blunt fan for 14 years and I can tell you his songs are VERY moving. YOU did such a GREAT meaningful reaction to this song. I appreciate what I believe is the best, most thoughtful reaction I've seen. Thank You

My grandfather finally lost his battle to cancer on my birthday may 11th 2023. He was my best friend, he was my hero, and so much more to me. This song destroys me every time I hear it, because I first heard it shortly after his passing. Thanks for the reaction.

Always deeply touched when I hear this song. My father and I had some beautiful years after talking about our "mistakes". When he passed away I was so grateful for everything. My mother is a different story. You're so right about just apologize. That would make all the difference! Or just acknowledging. Thank you for this and many more beautiful reactions!

His song Goodbye My Lover is excellent. He was in the British Army and wrote songs in his free time. He sent a copy to Elton John’s manager. The manager listened to it while driving and pulled over and immediately called him to set up a meeting. The rest is history.

This song touched me deeply and brought tears to my eyes. I've lost both my parents and two siblings. So don't get me wrong when I say this. The song got stuck in my head, but then at one point it switched to Loggins & Messina, "Watching the River Run". "We're just two grown men saying goodbye." - "And it goes on and on, watching the river run".

@SaneGrey952-yd6ex

Ай бұрын

Two completely different subjects, but the melodies do flow together. Now I can't get Loggins and Messina out of my head.

Huge James Blunt fan! Try ‘The Girl that never was”, “Goodbye my lover,” or “You’re Beautiful.”

I just re-watched this to really take in your comments, wow the feels! thanks for sharing your vulnerability, it helps others.

@brittreacts

Ай бұрын

You're so welcome!

This song touches me deeply. Flew to Chicago to see my dad in hospice. He was riddled with cancer. He was unconscious on pain meds. My half brother came too. We were with him from Friday to Sunday. On Sunday night I whispered to him it’s okay to go, we will be fine, I love you. He passed five minutes later. 😢

@UpliftedNow

Ай бұрын

The same happened to my son and I when my husband passed from cancer 4 years ago. He was having more difficulty breathing that morning and was in a coma because the cancer was in his spine and had spread to his brain. We were on each side of him and were playing gospel music. I whispered in his ear that it was okay and that I would take care of our son so he could go. I told him that we would miss him, but we would be fine. He passed minutes later too and it was so beautiful. I had my head on his chest listening and then his heart stopped.

@pamagnolia

Ай бұрын

@@UpliftedNow I am so sorry for your loss. And thank you for this lovely comment

Last year’s American Idol Winner Iam Tongi sang this as his initial audition and then again in the finale results show he sang it in a duet with James. Initial audition brought the judges to tears.

This song makes me break down every time.... i held my dads hand as he told me " i dont wont to die" i dont take this as a song about an astranged relationship. He talks about fishing with his father...about his father chasing his monster under the bed away. FOr me this is a loving relationship both value and yes both made mistakes but they had the best intentions. This is a son telling his dad that he knows he was loved.. he loves and cherished his childhood but maybe later in life they grew apart. I just wish i could have held my dads hand and told him not to be afraid as he passed. This song makes me cry every time because i believe i failed him.

You know this is real from the beginning , I miss you DAD!!

Oh my!! I was born in ‘73!! I remember listening to music in the backyard all summer and of course, this was on the radio. 70’s baby, 80’s kid, 90’s teen!! Best of the best!! Love all types of music! 70’s folk and disco, 80’s music(all), 90’s grunge/alt/rock, hip hop/R&B, dance, etc…😊 grew up dancing with my mom in the kitchen. Grew up in a family of 7 kids so we all shared music and grew together. You have to be open to all types to really enjoy life! 😮Never know what you’re missing. ❤Love all your reactions(agree on all your panty droppers)🔥 hahaha😂

Our roles change over time, from child to parent. I’ve always appreciated the love from my mother and father. But since becoming a father, I understand the importance of unconditional love. Support and respect. I now know how difficult it must have been at times raising 4 kids. A balancing act. My takeaway from your reaction? How important taking responsibility for your mistakes and actions is. How it can set people free. This is truth.

This song hits hard. My grandfather died with Alzheimer's, my dad is in his 60s and showing the same early signs. I've got 3 kids, 18 13 and 3, and now another one on the way. Can't hear this and not think about all the above people.

Britt, please watch the original music video. James and his father were both British military officers. This is how they said goodbye when they went overseas on duty. His father was ill. His sister wrote the lyrics. The music video was done in one take to capture the raw emotions. His father survived.

I love listening to him, and allowing myself to let the tears flow. Its so therapeutic and healing.

He did the orginal vid in one take , wanted it real and raw!

Nothing is as beautiful as the official video. James and father are quite close. The back story in the comments here . James is a master songwriter and storyteller. You owe it to yourself to watch the original. I’m not your son, you’re not my father always gets people to digress but if you know the backstory and watch the original video, it will affect you more. Many people though, relate to your perspective and this song hits people in different ways, depending on the nature of their relationship with their dad, or lack thereof. Still heart-wrenching no matter how many times I hear it. 💕

I agree, and I am sure you are right that when you become a parent you are more easily able to recognise your parents as human beings. I don’t have children. When I was 18 my Mother died of cancer, she was ill for 9 months. The da she died, my Dad was upstairs when her. He came down and said ‘That’s it, it’s all over!’ and he burst into tears. I had never seen him cry before and in that instant I saw him for the man and human being he was. Until that point I was a child and on,y then realised how much our parents protect us. That meant they seemed almost above human frailty.But they too, are only human! It was a shock!

I had heard of James Blunt, but never really listened to him. Until I was on a flight from the US to Shanghai. The concert "The Bedlam Sessions live at BBC" was available to watch. From that point on, I was a fan. I'd recommend Goodbye My Lover, and No Bravery from that concert. Very powerful. That said, I think my favorite song of his is 1973.

James served in the British military in the Balkans. The songs No Bravery and Carry You Home are written from those experiences. You also need to listen to Goodbye My Lover and The Girl Who Never Was. All will make you cry. His big hit is You’re Beautiful. He’s a talented song writer who writes about his real experinces..

I wish you would have reacted to the official video. It has his dad in it. I cry every time I watch it. So powerful!!!!

From what I've read, the phrase "I'm not your son, you're not my father, we're just two grown men saying goodbye" is what he and is father used to say to each other when they had to go to battle while serving in the British Army.

Hi Britt , the official video is the one to watch as its a song about his Father who had stage 4 kidney disease and wasnt expected to survive, in the video he's singing it to his actual Father

what else do you need to listen to from James? - The girl that Never Was. But be prepared for the therapy. It is also based on his life experience.

No need to over analyze this one. This song was a simple, straight-up "don't be afraid to die, I am here for you, and we've left nothing unsaid" written by him about his father, who was in the final stages of renal failure at the time.

@geauxgirl44

Ай бұрын

She can’t help but over analyze

@rasync

Ай бұрын

I've seen dozens of reactions to this song and you are the only one who didn't cry.... you should listen to the songs and stop analysing after a couple lines. You disappointed me

I discovered this song last week on another reaction channel (😱 lol). I’ve listened to it like 4 times and it hits hard every time. And your psychological analysis of the song made it even better. Wow. 🙌🏼

@brittreacts

Ай бұрын

It's so good!

The music video has his dad in it. No missteps. His dad almost died because he needed a kidney transplant and he had already donated one of his own kidneys and none of his family was a match but through this song they found a distant relative to donate a kidney. His dad was a great dad and made a great son. Obviously lol

You really really need to watch official video to truly capture the raw emotion of this song James was feeling , believing his fathers time was coming to an end , they both filmed it in one take , at the end james and the crew where crying , his father in typical british stiff upper lip style said why all the bloody tears I’m still here you know

James has some great songs. Id recomend - No Bravery

The OFFICIAL VIDEO please ❤

Well done Britt, this is to me the handing over of the generational tasks dad your job is done it's my turn to take over, you may rest in peace.

"he's giving his dad permission to go. you nailed it. the only thing I want from my son is to know he will be fine without me.

Britt, treat yourself and watch the official video. James’ pain is written all over his face, with tears welling in his eyes. James Blunt (family name is actually Blount) was an officer in the British Army, and served in the war in the Balkans in the late 1990s. Upon retiring, he started his very successful music career. His father was a colonel (or similar) in the British Army, and had donated a kidney earlier in his life. He then had Stage 4 kidney disease (terminal without a transplant) and none of his children were a tissue match. James’ sister wrote a poem about the process of watching her father die, and James adapted the lyrics, wrote the score, and released this song. Due to the video I hope you watch, a distant cousin living in Australia got in contact, was tested, and gifted Mr Blount with a kidney, which saved his life. It’s comforting to think of this fortunate outcome while watching the video.

@larrywright3132

Ай бұрын

An interesting point is that both James’ father and the distant cousin are named Charles.

This was an amazing reaction, and I can definitely see how the lyrics can be interpreted as estranged parent-child relationship. What James wrote it for was to say goodbye to his father who at the time was dying of kidney failure. After the official video released, a distant cousin of theirs saw it, tested as a match, and donated a kidney to his father. He is doing well now ❤ The official music video tears your heart out... I watched it almost daily when my dad was dying - it helped me process...

I have bad depression for so many years, my father would go to therapy with me. He said he was a bad daddy, he did the best he could. I got to say I love you to him before he passed.

Short history of James Blunt ....... Captain in the British Army, Prevented World War 3 whilst in KOSOVO , Member of the late Queens personal bodyguard. ..... and in his spare time sings a bit ....

I’m starting with a new therapist soon. I hope he or she is as insightful as you are. Love your reactions, Brit. Also, James Blunt wrote this as his father was very sick and close to death.

The. Idea with dad is something else

Listen to the "the girl that never was"....also based on his life events.

I was going to say, you should watch the music video if you really want to get hit in the feels. It's so raw, and good. Your comments about giving them permission to go also made me think of a song that P!nk came out with recently, but it's in the POV of the person who's ill. The music video is gorgerous and heart breaking.

Love this song!!! Lost my dad when I was in an Army hospital.

The actual video will make you cry 😢

I'm a huge James Blunt fan. Going to see him live for the 3rd time in September 2024. Already have my tickets. I have all his CD's and I can honestly say you can choose any song from any album and it will be good. He is one of the few artists who's CD's I can listen to from beginning to the end without skipping a song.

Hope you do more of his songs. One thing you get from James is heartfelt lyrics, singing and performance. He tends to give it his all.

One of the hardest things I ever did was tell my mom how much I loved her and how happy I was God gave me her as my mom (she was in a coma and she was dying). And that even though I loved her so much and would miss her until I saw her again, it was okay for her to go. It took me a while to do that. She's been gone 20 years now, and I miss her every day, but she ran her race and finished well.

That phrase about father and son was what his dad would tell him when he had to leave as his dad was a colonel in the royal army. They weren't estranged at all, but I'm sure they exprienced the same disappointments and petty disagreements and differences of opinion we all encounter with our parents as we grow up. That struggle for independence and to no longer be treated like a child is tough for a few years. 6:26

The most magnificent gift of Art...any Art (painting, poetry, architecture, music)...is that it is yours as well as the artist's. While this is James' story, it seamlessly became yours, Britt. His father...or Dad, now...joins him in the official video. Well worth your time and you can gift yourself with the much needed cry...

Do we have the time to hold so many wrongs in our soul? The anguish is such a dagger in out heart.

You don’t have to be a parent to understand your parents. Just have to understand that life is hard and we’re all human. Once I finally understood my parents it helped me out a lot. Beautifully flawed individuals

You MUST watch the official video with his dad in it. It is so,so emotional.

You will be in tears by the end of this

Beautifull song🙏❤️

@brittreacts

Ай бұрын

Super!

Iam Tongi sang this song for his American Idol audition. Unfortunately, Iam's Dad died two months before his audition. For the finale, James Blunt sang the song with Iam. Iam won!

His son”The girl that never was” is way to good and bring your tissues!!! James Blunt writes songs from his personal experiences and it definitely shows.

The video version he does with his father sitting next to him is so good.

the video version is very intense and worth a watch.

The line "I'm not your son, you're not my father" suggests a distancing or redefinition of roles within a relationship. It could imply a realization of independence or a desire to break free from a particular dynamic where one person may have been assuming a paternal role over the other. The following line, "We're just two men saying goodbye," further emphasizes this notion of parting ways or acknowledging the end of a relationship. Overall, these lyrics reflect themes of change, independence, and perhaps the bittersweet nature of letting go.

You should check out Iam Tongi from American Idol (he won the show) He auditions with this song by James Blunt, dedicating it to his late father who had passed only 3 months prior to him auditioning. Well, he obviously made it through and on the finale of the show he got to perform this song again, but with James Blunt himself. It was so emotional, he almost lost it in the middle of singing it. James even comforted him during the performance, and he had the entire room in tears, including the judges. It was a gut-wrenching performance. Bring the concealer catcher for sure.

Love ya girl! I feel as u do!

Very insightful reaction without seeing the original video with James and his Dad and knowing the background. Words of wisdom appreciated 💕

I have gone through what he was saying, my father had dementia and I saw the last time I went fishing together

The moment on American Idol when he is singing with Iam( who lost his Dad before the show began) in the Duet Iam breaks down and James takes over shaking physically as he sings for Iam, who composes himself and they finish together. So afyer you watch the official clip with his Dad go watch the duet❤

James Blunt released a song with the lyrics "watching you breathe, for the very last time." I came out right at the time my gran died. I was the only one in the room with her when she passed. My mum demanded that song be played at the funeral To this day I can't listen to it without crying

Wow,what an in depth beautiful reaction 😢 Thanks Britt ❤

@brittreacts

Ай бұрын

You’re welcome 😊

The music video is probably the most reacted to video on the internet. It’s actually what got me in to reactions.

Britt, You are spot on!!!

You have to react to the American Idol audition of Iam Tongi, he sings this song with guitar and it is so emotional!

Watch the official video, you’ll see the relationship in his eyes.

His father and him were never estranged... his father had limited time on earth because his kidneys were failing.. He wrote this song to his father , when his dad left to serve British military he said, "im not your father , your not my son, we're just adults saying goodbye"" his father returned from battle. And James said the same words to his father when he inlisted in British military before being tabloid oversea.... His dad got a kidney match shortly have James released this song. So his dad is alive. Praise God Watch the video of this song when his father is in the video sitting beside James and Janes sings his Dadys song, Monsters to him You hear the emotions in this song because he is saying hoodbye to his father for eternity. Loosing a parent us devastating..heartbreaking song . You hear the love and fear of James feelings of a wonderful loving father his dad really is. I love Yoour show You're the best. Pock Em Truck 1970's ice cream gearl ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

he seems to have the perfect voice for this song as well......

When his father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, his sister wrote a letter to her dad. James was so touched by it, he put it to music.

If you want another heart wrencher from the super underrated James Bllunt, he has a newer one called "The Girl That Never Was". But he has tons of really fun, absurdly catchy songs too. Definetly dive into this artist.

Can't watch this often. Get choked and depressed every time. YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL is a happier song of his.

James blunts song writings incredibly deep. I'm glad you're finally reacting to him. You should react to ... The girl that never was - James Blunt.

Even if you don't react to the official video, just watch it for your benefit. You'll really see how emotional this song is for him.

James is some man ex army I met him in Germany on exercise and yrs later he turned into a music artist, amazing

WOW I could listen to you all day.. so eloquent in using the English language, putting many of us Brits to shame. I think I'm a fan.

Official video 👍🏼 One of the reasons is cuz he did sing it to his daddy His Daddy's there in the video And one of the reasons why the video is so touching Is he recorded and videoed it all-in-one take The producers wanted him to do it again and James refused he pretty much said no that was my true feelings right there I can't present it any better nor will you capture any better so that's it one take And another little backstory that I've heard about it is when the song was over and everybody was sitting around balling their eyes out LOL The dad's response was what's wrong with everybody I'm not dead yet LOL long story short the daddy did get a transplant long live the daddy amen that's just a little bit of backstory on this song on and why he wrote it , now I'm out

I use to go to people's houses and do certain work and while we talked it was unbelievable how many sons and daughters moved on their own and never call their parents....

I have only seen the video of this song. I’m glad you chose the acoustic version.

@thomasmacdiarmid8251

Ай бұрын

Me too, but she really needs to watch the original as well.

@brittreacts

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Just seen video Eric church released song with monster in song title watched for 1st time today. Then I seen this reaction you did with monsters for song title.1st time listening to James Blunt. Wow these are different songs. James song is so deep emotional.

I had a very closed off, angry father. He was the best friend anyone could have but family owed him sonething. I always wanted his love but was scared of his harsh ways. I had my daughter and after years of seperation I realized he was only the person he was raised to be. He should have tried to change but thankfully God changed me! I made effort to spend time with his still hateful self before he passed and my daughter is told how important she is daily.

Beautiful reaction... wrong video, though!

should have done the official video !!!!

I can see this being a conversation I have with my mom. I unfortunately lost my dad when I was only 11. He was my person and haven't found anything like it yet.