Any of my friends can tell you I’m always telling them to “look up this song” or “check this one out,” and that’s only because I want to share what I’m interested in. Lately, I’ve spent countless hours watching YouTube videos that do just that—exploring music from decades past.
Many people my age don’t know much music from the 20th century, but YouTube stars like Jamel, also known as Jamal, and Black Pegasus are diving into the past century of sound. I discovered these reaction videos during the COVID-19 pandemic around the same time they began gaining popularity. Typically, the host—often a millennial or early Gen Z adult—listens to a song, pausing occasionally to express feelings or note things they find meaningful in the music.
One song that frequently appears on these channels is “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot. Written about a true story, the song recounts the sinking of a Great Lakes iron ore ship on Lake Superior in 1975 which claimed the lives of all 29 crew members. Black Pegasus, a rap artist and YouTube reactor, begins his videos by noting that he did not grow up with country or rock music. In his reaction to “Edmund Fitzgerald,” he sways and occasionally pauses to discuss how Lightfoot’s lyrics and music capture the ship’s journey. Throughout the video, he repeatedly said, “I like this, man, I like it!” Released Sept. 17, 2024, the reaction video has about 143,000 views. The original song’s video has over 10 million views and more than 92 million streams on Spotify. Recently, the song has reentered pop culture with modern performers like Billy Strings including it in live shows. I credit this renewed attention in part to reaction videos.
Another frequently featured song is “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” written by Charlie Daniels. The 1970s country-rock hit tells the story of a man who defeats the Devil in a fiddle contest, betting his soul on a golden fiddle. In Jamel’s reaction video, he frequently expressed surprise, having expected a more folky sound, even comparing it to some rap songs. His mannerisms included swaying, smiling, and frequent exclamations of “Oh!” The reaction video has 1.4 million views, while the original has 26 million, and the song has more than 300 million streams on Spotify. It has returned to pop culture as one of the most iconic country-rock songs of all time.
Do I attribute all this success to reaction videos? Absolutely. You can find these reactors across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Their highly viewed reactions help cement the legacy of artists, especially those who have passed away, such as Charlie Daniels in 2020 and Gordon Lightfoot in 2023. Since their deaths, their fan bases have grown even larger.
I’ve noticed that seeing peers enjoy music not typically celebrated makes people more likely to give it a chance. So go for it. Check out some of these reaction videos, explore new playlists, and discover what else is out there. I highly recommend the pages I mentioned, including Andy & Alex, Ashley Reacts, and the Cartier Family.
