Read somewhere that either the producer or manager didn't think the piano solo was needed in this track, so what did Bruce do - he put in 2 of the best piano solos ever ❤❤❤❤❤
I totally agree. Hornsby absolutely tickles these keys. Such a great message also. Timeless..."ah but don't you believe them". Things do change. Things have changed. But things need to change more.
He co-wrote a song with Don Henley called "The End of The Innocence", where he plays piano and Henley sings. He also provides the iconic piano accompaniment to Bonnie Raitt on "I Can't Make You Love Me".
It's so great to see reactors going crazy when they listen to something for the first time which many millions of people have been listening to and loving for many years. Great reaction man. 🙋♂
Bruce Hornsby is a GREAT Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Human Being. He is a self-taught Piano Player, and he is also my personal favorite person in Rock and Roll. He has had an amazing career, you've been missing out my man. He has had a couple of his own bands, The Range being the most famous, plus he spent a couple of years with another GREAT band, the Grateful Dead. He attended William and Mary College in his hometown of Williamsburg, Va.. Seen him umpteen times live, always a tremendous experience.
Agreed. He also produced and wrote the piano part for Don Henley's song, and album of the same name; The End Of The Innocence. The piano is what gives that song its soul.
Bruce Hornsby cut his teeth as a performer playing in Charlottesville, Virginia, home to the University of Virginia, where I attended college in the mid-80s. By the time I arrived, Bruce was becoming a star, so rather than playing at a local club, he played in a sports arena that seated about 10,000 people, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them. Great show, great musician, great person.
I met him in the mid 80's at a high school football game, standing at the urinal, he was right next to me, he had a couple hits already and was on MTV a lot. i recognized him right away and asked for his autograph, he said can i finish here first, he did, and signed a paper towel for me. i still have it :)
You are so right about Tupac as being a true artist. He speaks to anyone who listens. I walked into my almost 80 year-old, white, country music loving father's place and he had a big book of Tupac lyrics on the shelf and I asked him about it and he said "Tupac is a poet, he will be remembered forever like Shakespeare. There will never be another like him." He was not wrong.
Bruce's association with the Grateful Dead goes back to 1987 when he opened for them at Laguna Seca Raceway and then a few more times through 1990. Bruce would play accordion when he joined GD on stage as well. Then, when Brent passed both Vince Welnick and Hornsby officially joined the band. Hornsby played about 100 shows before he left the keyboards/vocals up to Vince. Couldn't party as hard as they could. Kind of a miracle he hung in there as long as he did.
Hornsby has been a musical genius, since his early days in the business. When he joined the Grateful Dead for a couple of shows, in the 80s i enjoyed his playing. Then he became a temporary member of the Dead after we lost Mydland. I got to hear him on a regular, as i travelled to see the boys all over the country in the 90s. And it was awesome.
What a great reaction you had an ear to ear smile the entire time. I was fortunate enough to see this group in the 80s and live they are phenomenal❤❤❤❤
Bruce Hornsby was the piano player for the Grateful Dead from Fall 1990 to Spring 1992. He pushed Garcia to new heights on occasion. Might want to react to Shakedown Street Chicago 1991 video or Eyes of the World 1990 video. Great chemistry & interplay between Hornsby and Garcia on both.
Written by Bruce Hornsby. I heard this in smooth jazz radio 📻 then. I can play ▶️ this on piano 🎹 and sing it. Good 👍 song 🎵 Suggested videos 📹: 1 Bruce Hornsby sings The Long Valley Road 2 Huey Lewis and the News perform Jacob's Ladder.
I play a little game: watch reactions to this song and see how long it takes the reactor to recognize it as the song Tupac sampled. You weren't the fastest, but close! Great reaction! This song was a big hit, even with the messaging and the long piano solos. I wonder if it could get any play today.
I remember you reacting to some songs from other artists and people in the comments would say it was Bruce Hornsby playing keys. Love that someone suggested this song, so you can enjoy his solo work.
Bruce and Tupac's family worked on his sampled version. Bruce is one of a kind as was Tupac. The message here is powerful to go along with them badass keys.
"That's just the way it is" is the line people actually used in years past when their bigotry was pointed out to them and they tried to pass it off. "Don't blame me. That's just the way it is." Bruce Hornsby, in his time and place, would have actually heard people say that. Being an old guy, I'd only been familiar with Hornsby's song. It's on my cardio play list, so I listen to it frequently. I'm not a hip-hop fan, so I didn't even know Tupac did an homage to it (I'd say "homage" rather than "sample") until hearing young people react to it on RUclips. Another song I've always loved for its piano is Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" but I didn't know that was Hornsby on the keys until recently.
Bruce on "Changes"..."I really liked it. Lots of rappers have used “The Way It Is:” Wyclef, E-40, Snoop. I loved what [Tupac] did with it. I just said, “Go go go.”"
Enjoyed your reaction, Wilburn. You really seem to enjoy your work. Tupac treated this song with respect. Not exploiting, but rejoicing. Subbed, and good luck toward your goal.
You might want to check out Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs with "The Way It Is" in a bluegrass style. It is an incredible version done of this great song.
Okay, this song of Bruce's is a deeper cut, not one of his top hits with radio airplay, but it was featured in Ron Howard's movie "Backdraft" during the firefighter's training montage, it has some of the smoothest piano you will EVER hear, try Bruce's "The Show Goes On."
Really wish you hadn't heard Tupac's version (at least until after you heard this) because this is an incredibly good song all around beyond the special keyboard playing. Hornsby's lyrics are incredible, the arrangements, drums, singing, and the keys
@ok-qt4kr 0 seconds ago Bruce shows out on his Album "HARBOR LIGHTS" with Jazz Fusion influence . 3 Tracks are most Notable that Showcase his Piano Mastery : 1. "What A Time" . 2. "Harbour Lights", Featuring Matheny on guitar . 3. "Pastures OF Plenty" , Featuring Jerry Garcia on guitar . ...doesn't disappoint. .
For live versions, I suggest you try out the "Live at the Ritz, NYC, NY - February 1987" tracks, available on this very site. After you get to The Way It Is, I suggest you check out The Red Plains. You might want to react to that one, in fact...
Now you have to react to DeBarge - Stay With Me. Another hip hop classic sample. You will INSTANTLY get it. The original is so good! Just as big as Tupac's sample.
Tupac’s sample of this song is my favorite sample of all time. I already loved the original by Bruce. The thing that makes Tupac’s version great is that he kept the message of his song the same as the original. He just said it in a way someone with his life experiences would say it.
My roomate was cousins of Tupac. And Tupacs mother sent him an old VHS tape of Tupac when he was a kid and we watched it after his death. I don't remember the video that much because I only watched it once a quarter of a century ago. The only thing I remember is they put Tupac in a dryer, I think his cousins and neighborhood friends, and turned it on. He got bullied a lot when he was younger. Tupac is my favorite rapper, his words are profound. And, that might be bias I don't know. Tupac was dead way before I ever met my roomate. This is one of my favorite Tupac's songs. Though I got a lot of them.
You should watch the video of Bruce Hornsby playing the piano in this song
Absolutely. Bruce killed it on the piano. His two piano solos are unmatched.
Yes! The video for this song is great.
Yep!
Yes‼️❤️‼️🌹‼️❤️‼️🌹
Mandolin Rain, Every Little Kiss, and The Valley Road are just a few of Bruce's songs to check out
I would take this record on a desert island with me. I'll never get fed up of it. Bruce Hornsby can make the piano talk.
Don’t miss the OFFICIAL music video of this song. It is mesmerizing to watch Hornsby play and sing with his band!
"The show goes on". The best of Bruce for me.
Read somewhere that either the producer or manager didn't think the piano solo was needed in this track, so what did Bruce do - he put in 2 of the best piano solos ever ❤❤❤❤❤
✌️😅👍
I totally agree. Hornsby absolutely tickles these keys. Such a great message also.
Timeless..."ah but don't you believe them". Things do change. Things have changed. But
things need to change more.
The song is entirely amazing, from the message to the 'riff', but my favorites are the piano solos..... immaculate, perfection !
He co-wrote a song with Don Henley called "The End of The Innocence", where he plays piano and Henley sings. He also provides the iconic piano accompaniment to Bonnie Raitt on "I Can't Make You Love Me".
Great song from my childhood and great reaction.
That Instant recognition was everything!! Loved this ❤❤
Bruce Hornsby is a genius. Keep going with his music, you won't go wrong!
I love seeing the joy on your face.
When this tune came out it was a monster. And, yes, check out the live version.
this was a big hit when it came out in 1986
, he won a grammy award for it.
It's so great to see reactors going crazy when they listen to something for the first time which many millions of people have been listening to and loving for many years. Great reaction man. 🙋♂
Yesssss!!
You gotta watch how Bruce plays those keys! It’s amazing to watch! Video!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Got to see him live, incredible!!!
The sheer joy that you experienced on this iconic song made me subscribe to your Channel!😀
Absolutely loved your reaction to this song. You smiled ear-to-ear the whole time. Bruce is a national treasure
God bless your journey.
That was beautiful ❤
Peace & Strength
This whole album is perfection!
Smiling ear to ear with this reaction. Respect.
Great reaction, thanks! 🙂Bruce´s playing is addictive....like a drug almost!
It's a simply awesome song. Simple, musically magical, lyrically festive/ upbeat. Music Bliss
Bruce Hornsby is a GREAT Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Human Being. He is a self-taught Piano Player, and he is also my personal favorite person in Rock and Roll. He has had an amazing career, you've been missing out my man. He has had a couple of his own bands, The Range being the most famous, plus he spent a couple of years with another GREAT band, the Grateful Dead. He attended William and Mary College in his hometown of Williamsburg, Va.. Seen him umpteen times live, always a tremendous experience.
Agreed. He also produced and wrote the piano part for Don Henley's song, and album of the same name; The End Of The Innocence. The piano is what gives that song its soul.
I love his song "Mandolin Rain". Also, he plays keys on a great Bonnie Raitt song "I Can't Make You Love Me". I recommend both!
Yes…. Both songs are fantastic… and I Can’t Make You Love Me has stayed in my top 10 most emotional songs ever…
Bruce Hornsby cut his teeth as a performer playing in Charlottesville, Virginia, home to the University of Virginia, where I attended college in the mid-80s. By the time I arrived, Bruce was becoming a star, so rather than playing at a local club, he played in a sports arena that seated about 10,000 people, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them. Great show, great musician, great person.
He worked to hard that the Grateful Dead asked him to join them. Wish I could have seen him in small clubs.
One of the most beautiful piano melodies ever. Just joy.
You need to watch the video. His piano playing is effortless.
I'm glad you're still doing music reactions and reviews.
I am so happy for you watching you react to Bruce’s piano playing! It goes straight to your soul!
Mandolin Rain !!
Great to see how much you enjoyed this iconic song! Gotta be one of my all time favourites.
I met him in the mid 80's at a high school football game, standing at the urinal, he was right next to me, he had a couple hits already and was on MTV a lot. i recognized him right away and asked for his autograph, he said can i finish here first, he did, and signed a paper towel for me. i still have it :)
The genuine smile on your face says it all.
One of the greatest songs ever! Love Bruce ❤thank you for the reaction!
Bruce's original (version) song is so powerful, and beautiful.
You are so right about Tupac as being a true artist. He speaks to anyone who listens. I walked into my almost 80 year-old, white, country music loving father's place and he had a big book of Tupac lyrics on the shelf and I asked him about it and he said "Tupac is a poet, he will be remembered forever like Shakespeare. There will never be another like him." He was not wrong.
Watched Bruce live on yt and he is a really amazing piano player
Great music lives forever if it's found and listened to!
Bruce's association with the Grateful Dead goes back to 1987 when he opened for them at Laguna Seca Raceway and then a few more times through 1990. Bruce would play accordion when he joined GD on stage as well. Then, when Brent passed both Vince Welnick and Hornsby officially joined the band. Hornsby played about 100 shows before he left the keyboards/vocals up to Vince. Couldn't party as hard as they could. Kind of a miracle he hung in there as long as he did.
Watch the actual video of this.Watching him play that piano is great.he is amazing!!
Check out "Mandalin Rain" next.
I can still remember when this came out. It was on the radio all the time. I was blown away. It's so beautiful ☮️❤️🌹
Hornsby has been a musical genius, since his early days in the business. When he joined the Grateful Dead for a couple of shows, in the 80s i enjoyed his playing. Then he became a temporary member of the Dead after we lost Mydland. I got to hear him on a regular, as i travelled to see the boys all over the country in the 90s. And it was awesome.
Bruce adds the "But dont you believe them" line
Definitely watch the original video and see him on the piano. He’s incredible. Great reaction!!
What a great reaction you had an ear to ear smile the entire time. I was fortunate enough to see this group in the 80s and live they are phenomenal❤❤❤❤
Enjoyed this. I knew the piano would impress you with your background. He looks likes he relaxing while he's playing it. He's like SRV in that regard.
What a great piano piece in this song!
Bruce Hornsby was the piano player for the Grateful Dead from Fall 1990 to Spring 1992. He pushed Garcia to new heights on occasion. Might want to react to Shakedown Street Chicago 1991 video or Eyes of the World 1990 video. Great chemistry & interplay between Hornsby and Garcia on both.
Loved this song as a young man when it came out. Never wanted to play piano until I heard this.
The look of recognition on a reactors face is priceless.....
Bruce Hornsby is from my generation. His original version is around the mid-80s or so. He is a beautiful soul of a human being as well.
Amazing talent
Yes, it’s WBA’s covered by Tupac. Bruce is the originator. Glad to see you back. 👏👏👍
Written by Bruce Hornsby. I heard this in smooth jazz radio 📻 then. I can play ▶️ this on piano 🎹 and sing it. Good 👍 song 🎵
Suggested videos 📹: 1 Bruce Hornsby sings The Long Valley Road 2 Huey Lewis and the News perform Jacob's Ladder.
I play a little game: watch reactions to this song and see how long it takes the reactor to recognize it as the song Tupac sampled. You weren't the fastest, but close! Great reaction! This song was a big hit, even with the messaging and the long piano solos. I wonder if it could get any play today.
I remember you reacting to some songs from other artists and people in the comments would say it was Bruce Hornsby playing keys. Love that someone suggested this song, so you can enjoy his solo work.
The key playing is great, but don't forget his band backing him up, that funky bass and steady beat on the drums.
Eargasm on the keys!
Quality. Valley Road Next.
If you like this original you’ll absolutely love the video, worth a look see and another listen
Love this song, it’s very reflective
Great song for so many reasons! Check out his "Mandolin Rain" - it's very relaxing, great piano as well.
Bruce and Tupac's family worked on his sampled version. Bruce is one of a kind as was Tupac. The message here is powerful to go along with them badass keys.
Wild to think a song could top the Billboard Hot 100 with not one, but two piano solos. And the message… that’s what drew Tupac to it.
Mandolin rain!
In the actual music video you watch him play the piano. That’s the funnest part for me when I hear this song.
"The Valley Road" is good too. Similar style.
You should listen to Al Stewart - Year of the Cat.
"That's just the way it is" is the line people actually used in years past when their bigotry was pointed out to them and they tried to pass it off. "Don't blame me. That's just the way it is." Bruce Hornsby, in his time and place, would have actually heard people say that.
Being an old guy, I'd only been familiar with Hornsby's song. It's on my cardio play list, so I listen to it frequently. I'm not a hip-hop fan, so I didn't even know Tupac did an homage to it (I'd say "homage" rather than "sample") until hearing young people react to it on RUclips. Another song I've always loved for its piano is Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" but I didn't know that was Hornsby on the keys until recently.
I love his song "Look Out Any Window." More deep messaging with phenomenal piano!
Mandolin Rain. And "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt (Bruce accompanies her - his playing is unmistakable)
Bruce on "Changes"..."I really liked it. Lots of rappers have used “The Way It Is:” Wyclef, E-40, Snoop. I loved what [Tupac] did with it. I just said, “Go go go.”"
Enjoyed your reaction, Wilburn. You really seem to enjoy your work. Tupac treated this song with respect. Not exploiting, but rejoicing. Subbed, and good luck toward your goal.
Watch Bonnie Rait - I cant make you love me. Bruce is the pianoman in that song
Agree, great artist and song. Loved the keys.
Bruce also played piano on the Bonnie Raitt track "I Can't Make You Love Me" which you probably have reacted to (or should).
I came to the comments to see if anyone had already said this - Great suggestion!
Saying Tupac “sampled” this song is an understatement. It’s closer to an actual “cover” of it
You might want to check out Bruce Hornsby and Ricky Skaggs with "The Way It Is" in a bluegrass style. It is an incredible version done of this great song.
I think I read somewhere that after this came out, Elton John called Bruce Hornsby and told him it was nice to hear piano on the radio again.
I also read that Elton said Bruce was the best piano player he'd ever heard ☮️
This is the real shit
Great song and reaction
Okay, this song of Bruce's is a deeper cut, not one of his top hits with radio airplay, but it was featured in Ron Howard's movie "Backdraft" during the firefighter's training montage, it has some of the smoothest piano you will EVER hear, try Bruce's "The Show Goes On."
Joe Puerta from Ambrosia is lead guitarist. This entire album is top-tier.
One hell of a basketball player also. James Blair Spiders
Really wish you hadn't heard Tupac's version (at least until after you heard this) because this is an incredibly good song all around beyond the special keyboard playing. Hornsby's lyrics are incredible, the arrangements, drums, singing, and the keys
Chooon. The video is great. You see him just play....
@ok-qt4kr
0 seconds ago
Bruce shows out on his Album "HARBOR LIGHTS" with Jazz Fusion influence .
3 Tracks are most Notable that Showcase his Piano Mastery :
1. "What A Time" .
2. "Harbour Lights", Featuring Matheny on guitar .
3. "Pastures OF Plenty" , Featuring Jerry Garcia on guitar .
...doesn't disappoint. .
Is that Boz Scaggs’ Harbor lights?
For live versions, I suggest you try out the "Live at the Ritz, NYC, NY - February 1987" tracks, available on this very site. After you get to The Way It Is, I suggest you check out The Red Plains. You might want to react to that one, in fact...
Nice reaction, nice tune, great vibe! Hi Wilburn :)
PS mic levels all over on the YT upload ie first 20 secs vs rest...
Now you have to react to DeBarge - Stay With Me. Another hip hop classic sample. You will INSTANTLY get it. The original is so good! Just as big as Tupac's sample.
There’s an amazing song by Tears for Fears “ Memories Fade” that Kanye samples for “Coldest Winter”
Tupac’s sample of this song is my favorite sample of all time. I already loved the original by Bruce. The thing that makes Tupac’s version great is that he kept the message of his song the same as the original. He just said it in a way someone with his life experiences would say it.
cool beans man a pianist i prefer strings and horns but yes i had have this album
My roomate was cousins of Tupac. And Tupacs mother sent him an old VHS tape of Tupac when he was a kid and we watched it after his death. I don't remember the video that much because I only watched it once a quarter of a century ago. The only thing I remember is they put Tupac in a dryer, I think his cousins and neighborhood friends, and turned it on. He got bullied a lot when he was younger. Tupac is my favorite rapper, his words are profound. And, that might be bias I don't know. Tupac was dead way before I ever met my roomate. This is one of my favorite Tupac's songs. Though I got a lot of them.
2Pac Greatest Hits According to Robert Herman
ruclips.net/p/PLPpXqXEr01uZLBYBcZeX9HJQJ3qcEaEQI
You should react to Mandolin Rain!
Mandolin rain
MUST DO MADOLIN RAIN BY BRUCE HORNSBY !!