Reaction YouTubes and other hits for the pandemic afflicted in Daydreaming on the Porch

Yes, I watch a lot of YouTube videos. I would not say I’m addicted, but if all the multiple universes of places on the Internet, YouTube is probably right at the top or near it for go-to information, enlightenment, entertainment or pure, non-stop mindless distraction and comic relief. And we sure need it during this time of the pandemic. The Internet is what’s keeping us sane and connected so that we can try to live some semblance of normal lives in these crazy-scary times.

I include these: video clips from favorite shows from the 60s and 70s such as Carol Burnett Show sketches with Tim Conway and Harvey Kerman, or a 12-minute compilation of Seinfeld’s George Costanza in his wildest and looniest moments.

Growing in popularity now are people doing Trump impersonations, such as this which are actually as good as and more realistic than Alec Baldwin’s SNL sketches and Stephen Colbert’s masterful takeoff on A Late Show.

Here is J-L Cauvin:

https://www.youtube.com/user/JLCauvin

Also growing in popularity are video renditions of popular songs that repurpose the lyrics to fight Covid 19.

This is a fantastic one based on Petula Clark’s great hit from the 60’s “Downtown”:

And this one, an uncanny rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody:

Then there are the endless cute animal and pet videos, how to do anything videos, educational videos, TMI health information, excellent sites for probing the depths of psychology and parapsychology (Jeffrey Mishlove’s “New Thinking Allowed”) and on and on. It’s overwhelming. It’s truly mind-boggling. A feast.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk448YbGITLnzplK7jwNcw

But recently I’ve found another genre on YouTube that is utterly fascinating and, yes, addictive. People have been rushing to add their reactions to famous and popular songs they’ve never heard before. There are Web sites and videos that show you how to do this. What I like best are when young people listen and react to some of the classic and mortal songs of the 60s and 70s.

Three of my all-time favorite artists who are considered to have arguably the finest voices and range in popular music recording history are Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, and Jay Black of Jay and the Americans.

Black singing “Cara Mia” in 1965 at age 25 and again at age 72 with the same pitch and quality is thrilling to watch.

Hatfield singing “Unchained Melody” live on the Andy Williams Show in 1965 has 50 million views. It’s one of my top 5 favorite songs. The reaction video featuring TooSushi is priceless. I’ve watched it I don’t know how many times.

There have been thousands of comments on this video, including these, and they really are no exaggeration:

“Bobby Hatfield could sing a song that would cut through a heart of stone.”

“One of the greatest vocal performances the world has ever witnessed or heard. Perfect.”

I agree.

Finally, I’ve always loved Linda Ronstadt’s “Blue Bayou.” What a soaring, majestic voice she had. Here is JayveeTV’s reaction. I love it when people hear such great songs for the first time and share their experiences through their thoughts and emotions while watching. I love it.

Last updated May 23, 2020