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My Gen X Playlist: Monsters – James Blunt

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A few years ago I discovered YouTube videos of people listening to new (to them) music. It was interesting watching people reacting to music I grew up with. I don’t know why, but for awhile it was easy to go down rabbit holes. It was a little addicting.

It started out with The Bee Gees. People were surprised by their falsetto voices. I think I watched a ton of reaction videos of Too Much Heaven and How Deep is Your Love.

I watched a lot of reaction videos by Brad and Lex. Brad typically looked at the music literally through the lyrics. Lex felt the song. It was a good balance. One of my favorite videos from them is their first time listening to Rock Lobster by the B52’s. Lex’s reaction is priceless.

Lex’s unbridled joy at this song is fantastic! And Brad’s expression of mild confusion mixed with amusement is equally amazing! This was great.

YouTube comment by TheRealDCF

Later, I discovered Monsters by James Blunt. I didn’t know much about Blunt or music. Apparently he wrote this song for his father who was diagnosed with stage four chronic kidney disease.

“Really that has been an amazing moment. Because when you realise your father’s mortality it’s a great opportunity to say the things I’d like to say to him. So I have written a song called Monsters for him.”

James Blunt

I have to admit. Watching this broke me. I had lost my father a year earlier and the emotions were still raw. But as I went down the Monsters reaction video rabbit hole, I found I definitely wasn’t the only one. There are countless videos of grown men breaking down reacting to this song. Somehow I didn’t feel quite as alone. I will say, I’m a glutton for punishment, though. I occasionally come back and watch one from time to time. Don’t ask me why. I honestly really couldn’t tell you.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Oh, before they turn off all the lights
I won't read you your wrongs or your rights
The time has gone

I'll tell you goodnight, close the door
Tell you I love you once more
The time has gone
So here it is

I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, Daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away

Oh, well I'll read a story to you
Only difference is this one is true
The time has gone

I folded your clothes on the chair
I hope you sleep well, don't be scared
The time has gone
So here it is

I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, Daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away

Sleep a lifetime
Yes, and breathe a last word
You can feel my hand on your arm
I will be the last one
So I'll leave a light on
Let there be no darkness in your heart

But I'm not your son, you're not my father
We're just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
So, Daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
Don't be afraid, it's my turn
To chase the monsters away

17 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Monsters – James Blunt”

  1. I read this post while I was waiting for my PT appointment this morning. Just reading the lyrics made me tear up. I chose to wait until I got home to play the video of the song. Wow! I don’t know how anyone could watch that and not break down.
    After my Dad passed away, I found the song “How Do I Say Goodbye” by Dean Lewis. It’s another tear-jerker. I finally had to delete it from my Spotify playlist, because it would pop up at the most inopportune moments. Sometimes, it’s good to remember and grieve, though.

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  2. Losing someone dear is not easy! I lost my dad too, and I still remember watching him suffer from cancer, and that was not easy either. Especially when doctors said that they couldn’t do anything anymore.
    I like James Blunt’s songs. Thank you for sharing!
    I’m here to talk if you need to.

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    1. It definitely was gut wrenching. I read somewhere he did it in one take. Probably too difficult to do it in any more.

      The reaction videos are interesting. I watched a lot of young people discover older music. It’s fun to see their reaction.

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  4. This is truly painful to listen to. I lost my dad in 2018. I immediately got a “Daddy’s Girl” tattoo, because that’s what I was. Growing up, I was the “son” he never had and I’m proud of that. I never knew about this song…now I do and it is an emotional Niagara Falls.

    I understand going back every now and then to listen to painful songs. For me, it’s the entire “Blackstar” album. I’ve listened to the complete album only once. But once in a while I’ll pick out a song like “Lazarus” and listen to it, for the same reason I decided to start getting tattoos after Bowie’s death in 2016–to revisit the pain to ensure I am still feeling. I now have one full sleeve and most of another. That’s a lot of emotional verification. But it works.

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    1. Thank you for sharing. Yeah, it is a little gut wrenching to watch. I appreciate your words how you relate to revisiting painful songs. Your meaningful ink is reminder that these sentiments are always with you. I love that.

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  5. That’s a very powerful song and video. It’s been 24 years since my dad died, and I still wish he was around to see how life turned out for me and the great-grandkids he never met. He was very sick but then had a sudden and catastrophic new problem that took his life. It was hard, but more merciful than suffering a slow death. Years before that I wrote and framed for him a poem that in anticipation of the parting we would do someday.

    Really beautiful song choice.

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    1. Father and son relationships can be very meaningful and close. I’m sorry to hear about your father’s passing. It’s incredibly touching hearing that you wrote a heartfelt poem for him. I can only imagine the deep appreciation and love he must have felt. I’m sure he is always with you, watching how you live your life, sees the man you’ve become and is beaming with pride. I’m sure if you look for signs, you’ll find them.

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      1. Thank you, yes, they can be close and certainly lasting with the memories that come at any time.

        The closeness is something I’ve tried to nurture myself, and maybe that’s a sign, too.

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  7. I’ve never heard the song Monster before. I couldn’t watch the whole video, but I can see how emotional it would be. I’m also a bit of a glutton for punishment, friend—I listen to songs that remind me of my dad and let myself cry. I think that’s very healing.

    There are TikTok accounts where younger generations listen to older songs and share their reactions—kind of like what you’ve seen on YouTube. It’s so entertaining to see their reactions!

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    1. It is healing, I agree. It’s cathartic to release these emotions. I revisit it less and less as time goes by. Maybe that acceptance.

      Those TikToks sound similar to the YouTube reaction videos! I’m going to have to check them out.

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