Added: 2 years ago
From: zephyreros
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  • o 3 o woow, that was soo coool.. just awesome

  • I love this song, and I love how you interpret it!! I am in an Interpreting Program, I love to watch you perform!!! I search for your videos weekly to see if there are any new ones :)

  • I love this song as well, and I love your performance, I'm learning ASL and your signing is easier to follow, as I don't have that much experience reading it, and as part of me training myself I came to youtube, delighted to find you :)

    The ending is absolutly GENIOUS!!!

    Do you have more videos? I would love to see them!

  • BEAUTIFUL.

  • HE SO CUTE LOL

  • @omoreta1 I know right?!

    

  • The way you sign is so beautiful...

  • I love this song and Russell you are the best signer and sexy to boot! The first thing I learn in my asl class was to wear a bright shirt to sign in. Some contrasting to the background. Awesome signing. I would love to see you sign....IN CHRIST ALONE by OWL CITY.

  • lol we watched this in my asl class and everyone laughed because I thought you were adorable. I'm hard of hearing and would love to learn to sign fluently but its hard because english is my first language. I started losing my hearing at 13 and my mom still doesn't believe me and wont take me seriously, she just thinks I'm lying and I'm ignoring her. T_T

  • nd yhu r finee lyk whooo, yhu sexy nd I kno it:)

  • this is beastt !!! :)

  • I love this song; and with that cutie pie signing to it, was the cherry on top!

  • could anyone tell me what that sign with double F-handshapes (comes right before the "BELIEF/BELIEVE" sign, as in "i want to make myself believe") means? what about the sign where he tugs on his throat, also with F-handshape (used in "i would just stand and stare," seems to come right before the sign for "WATCH")?

    this has been driving me nuts >__>

  • @spoinklesprouts The F-handshape sign literally means "definitely." I think he used that sign as opposed to signing "make myself" because if you translate that phrase to ASL, it just doesn't come off very positive. He used the sign for "curious", which is also used for "wonder". Russell's interpretation of this song is phenomenal - don't you agree?

  • @spoinklesprouts Just a clarification - when I mentioned "curious" sign, I was referring to your 'tug on throat' sign you asked about. :-)

  • OMGosh...are you married...Damn Sexy! I can't stop watching you!!!!

  • How Sexy you are...love the song. You did a great job. I love it!!!!

  • this is really good by the way!!! :D

  • I'm looking for a song to sign in the talent show at the high school I go to in the spring. we had a Fall talent show on the 15 of this month and I had signed Far Away by Nickelback with my girlfriend. I heard from so many people that we did good..even though most of them dont know any sign language. if I can find a card reader I'll post the video that my friend recorded of it on youtube so yall can see it.. I havent even seen it myself cuz the camera I use and my wii cant view AVI format...

  • I Love your video. Your a blast to watch..

  • "like" this if you're signing this in ASL class [skyview high school]

  • @DragonOfRandomness00 I am in Skyview Asl also lol. do you have poston?

  • @STmonkeez1 Yep. 4th period. Thanksgiving words ftw!

  • i have to sign this for sign language class..... UUHHHHHHHGGGGGGG

  • wow I love this song. Are you Deaf? If you are hearing then this is impressive. well i guess its impressive either way. i love this song keep it up!

  • soooooooooooooooo coooool! :D awesome!

  • WOW. This was cool. I didn't know asl could be so... fun to watch.

  • Wow! Great Video! I'm currently enrolled in a College ASL class, I'm glad I saw this video. :) 

  • How fun! I loved watching!

  • Hey, Russel, Just let you know that a 5 years old boy at Jean Massieu School for the Deaf in SLC Utah LOVES your song translation. He told his mom, "I want more!!"

  • Awesome translation! :) Well done. I love the ending with the jar opening and the wink. :)

  • SO COOL

  • I loved the expression on your face. Couldn't stop smiling.

  • This is absolutely stunning. Thank you so much for sharing it. :)

  • OMG i just love this!! =D you did a great job on it!! =D!! thanks for doing it!! 

  • Oh my gosh I loved the end! :) And I thought it was fantastic. :)

  • Best interpretation so far<3

  • You. This is the best interpretation of this song in ASL that i've ever seen. <3 I love this song and am an ASL student, and was absolutely blown away by this!!!

  • cool but 1) u mouth the words and 2) u signed door wrong... ur thumbs r supposed 2 b out

  • @123456mjfan He's deaf. He can sign how he wants.

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  • @Rendosian01 You're exactly right. My ASL teacher said to NEVER correct a deaf person on their sign because it is their language and not ours; we are just learning it. Go you :)

  • @tennesseeangel12 Thank you. It's nice to see that there are true students of the language here.

  • @Rendosian01 You're quite welcome.

  • @123456mjfan actually, for door, the handshape is 'b'

  • @Rkfreak3384 i know but i wuz sayin he did it backwards

  • @123456mjfan That's not what you said, you said his handshape was wrong- and it's not.

    And he didn't. He signed it that way because he wanted to be in the room opening the door outward. It's a classifier, and can be used what ever way he wants.

  • @Rkfreak3384 ok so i wasnt clear enough in my words but that is how u sign door....the way i said it and u dont need 2 tell me nuthin..... so umm..... SHUT UP!!!

  • russell harvard is really talented... and the interpretation is great.... but with the improvements in technology, etc... would love to see this redone in a performance piece (thinking similar to somethings posted by lankylistman)...

  • such a fun video and such a talented man. His facial expressions really make it work! and he is adorable as well!

  • I have a question, definitely not trying to pick on your signing. im just learning so idk..but it kinda looked like you signed "nude" instead of "rude" Im just wondering what you did.

  • @FritchH Nude is signed on the back of the hand. I believe he signed it on his palm, which is the correct sign for rude. Easy mistake.

  • Your facial expressions and facial build in general are great. I'm in an ASL class in college now and this looks great. :]

  • WONDERFUL! I am a sign language interpreter (Spanish) and I've cried so excited to see you. You're a crack!

    Sorry...my english es very bad

    ^_^

  • that's my favourite song!!

  • I will never grow tired of watching your videos. I enjoy them so much!

  • my teacher taught russell soo i guess that means one dayy ill be as good as himm,!

  • I love this video. I am taking ASL in college right now and I love to watch you sign! Thank you for posting your videos!

  • ah. beautiful. i like how you chose to start it. and I like the background too.

  • HW! omg!!

  • Fantastic. One thing I would love to see is some Russell Harvard song-signing videos with more sophisticated production values— not that I'm one to speak! But, really, he's so talented and drop-dead gorgeous, and he has at least one major Hollywood film under his belt (he played the oil tycoon's deaf son in There Will Be Blood, which I bet most people here don't know), so it would be really nice to see his talent done justice. Filming him lying down against black was pretty cool, though. =)

  • that is too cool 

  • That was awesome, kept me with a smile the whole song =)

  • Best ASL signer I've ever seen. You have a talent. Keep it up ;)

  • from spain.... You make it perfect! Your facial expression is excellent!

    Very very good!!!!!!!! I am an interpreter of language of signs in spain and I love this! I'm sorry for my english!

    you are so cute!!!!

  • You're so attractive! I love this.

  • you're so cute! Loved you in There Will Be Blood! :)

  • is there a way I can find more songs, signed by Russell Harvard, I love the passion on his face when he signs. And I did catch the ESL and ASL :) I just loved it.

  • I love this SONG! I love the interpreters expressions. AND I absolutely LOVE how he ended the song! WONDERFUL!!!!

  • This is really COOL! I love it!!!!! :)

  • I have seen many interpritations of this song, but i have to say, you are one of my favorites.

  • Wonderful!!! Thank you!!! You did a great job!!!

  • love this song!

  • This was a great video, but i showed my daughter who is hearing and she said that the only thing wrong with it was that it was supposed to be i rather stay awake when im asleep instead of i rather stay asleep when im awake.but good job(:

  • Really love this ASL song!! Thanks for making this video- it's really beautiful interpretation. Well done! Make more please :)

  • Hi, that was really lovely!

  • excellent work, done by a handsome dude! ;)

  • Super cute! Love imaginative approach! 

  • I love this! i interpret and it was clear! everything just like a picture! more! I am going to do some songs that no one has interpreted when i get to colorado, but i like taking in other peoples perseptions to help kick start my imagination with my songs!

  • This is my Favorite Video of yours! Your signing is so good!!!

  • This is amazing. You have by far the best videos for ASL with music. Thank you so much for these.

  • @brymvt1 there is no right or wrong way -- ASL allows the signer to interpret the song the way they believe it's meant to be conveyed. Musical lyrics are open to various interpretations. This is a beautiful version of the song; I a DEAF ASL signer.

  • @brymvt1 How are you going to tell someone who lives in the deaf community, and can hear the song with aid, that he's not doing it right? I'm assuming you aren't deaf, though from the one song you have on your channel it wouldn't surprise me if you were.

  • haha i like your energy! very....out there! i like how you signed "bunny hopping" instead of "sock hop" well...i guess it is kinda of the same, eh? anyway, good job! p.s the head bang was pretty cool lol 1:25

  • ...that wink at the end...perfect !

  • Lol , You Look So Cute Rocking Out! xD

    Good Job By The Way. I Could Never Do Anything Like This.!

  • I LOVE THIS SONG!!! it's soo cool to see it being expressed so enthusiastically!! this is fun to watch and the attn to detail(backround) is cool

  • You are so cute! ;)

  • wow, that was awesome. Like others have responded before me, I like your facial expressions. thanks, you made my day!

  • your facial expressions make the ASL that much better! many times when ppl r signing they become too focused on the signs and forget all about the facial expressions! AMAZING!

    PS Excited for Hamill to come out! :)

  • I absolutely love this video! Inspirational!

  • I must say, and I beileve this song was difficult to interpret. I think you did a fantastic job. your facial expressions are a perfect companion to the beat of your signing. There alot of songs that are signed incorectly, and im pleased to say yours is far from. Great job.

  • You are the coolest like ever o_o

    I watched your video because someone posted it on tumblr and I was like LOL THIS IS AWESOME

    Now I've watched every one

    And I'm in love c: < 333

  • i thought that this video was the most beautiful ASL I have ever seen! Magical!

  • Genius! Its amazing to see someone doing something they love.

  • This video made caused me to go to the iTunes store and buy this song.

    I love ASL music videos. I an intermediate level student...and I'd love to record some of these some day.

  • Love this video! I know very little ASL but I wanted to say it's a real pleasure to watch this. You are so expressive! I've watched your other videos now too and I think this one is the best one.

  • that video is so cool!!!!

  • i have to say this is my favorite translation of this song. you just make me smile because you make this song so fun! thank you so much i am going to school to be an interp. and your video helped me alot when i was trying to learn it so thanks! i think your awsome!!!

  • I love your interpretation of this song! It's really beautiful. :)

    One question: what did you sign for "everything is never as it seems"? I'm just a beginner, so I couldn't quite catch the whole thing.

  • werd hahaha lolol :D

  • Wow this gave me chills dude. I LOVE how you do the fireflys in a jar part! I really felt the song. I'm subscribing to you, for sure.

  • Beautiful Interpretation!! this is one of the songs I'm always trying to interpret in the car when it comes on the radio.. haha .. really glad to see the "disco ball" as I couldn't make it look pretty....gorgeous!!

  • Wow.. You are absolutely AMAZING!!! I love all your videos, I've watched them like 1000 times, they always put me in a good mood :)

  • After watching this several times, I just love your classifiers. I watched a few other versions, and I really love your style. I wish I could use classifiers like you! You capture the storytelling and don't rely on signed "words".

    Your facial expressions are in total agreement with your signing. It looks so flawless.

  • Totally enjoyable! I always wonder about English phrases like, "bursting at the seams" (guess that would be considered and "idiom" ???). You add a lot of imagination/personality to an already wonderful song.

  • Awesome Expressions! :) :D <3

  • awesome job!

    i chose this song as well but it was kind of last minute so my interpretation isnt as awesome as your!

  • You are fantastic! I am an ASL student and I don't see how anyone could have done it any better! Looking forward to more videos! Smiles!!

  • this is legit. my teacher at kingwood high school showed this to us it was awesome...mr robbin!! btw

  • AMAZING- I m hard of hearing with n deaf family so i know my ASL and i have to say you did it perfect!

  • this is great! i love it! great job!

  • I love it!!! It different from everybody elses!!! <3

  • Russell this is my favorite! I absolutely love your rendition of the "Fireflies" song! Like somebody else said I could also watch you do this song over and over again! You Mr. are fantastic! Keep up the GREAT work! JACK in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

  • I agree. I am crazy about this song. And your interpretation of it was AMAZING! The choice of signs, your body language, facial expressions, background, lighting, everything was spot on! I could watch this over and over!

  • totally amazing.

  • My favorite. It always makes me smile. :]

  • Frickin AWESOME, wow!!!!!!

  • that was coooolll

  • Great video! One great thing about youtube is the exposure one can get in terms of style and music. Really enjoyed your video.

  • Wow, . .that is all I can say. It was beautiful. I found you by watching that other guy who is learning sign. Someone commented that you had the same song. . .I LOVE what you did. It inspired me to get a youtube account and become a subscriber. Brilliant. LOVE LOVE LOVE the ending. Thank you for sharing your gift.

  • Fun , artistic and expressive~! I really enjoyed your video, I will take it to my ASL class to show great facial expressions and how much fun it can be!!! Thank you

  • We watched this video in my ASL I class a couple of days ago. I was completely blown away. I'm not a big fan of this song, but I could watch this video all day! I am looking forward to the day when I am a fluent signer.

  • I saw Owl City in concert back in december thats where I live in of their home state =) good job

  • omgg

  • wow. seriously cool. definitely my favourite song at the moment. I play this vid all the time.

    One question thou, whats the sign between I and believe to the lyric 'i'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly'?

    Would be fantastic if you could post sign by sign asl interpretation for your vids as I and loads of other people are using them to help us learn as so good to watch. ASL grammer is hard when raised using spoken.

    Best of luck with Hamill, am sure you will be great!

  • markdrewjones -- Are you referring to "decide"? He interprets it as "I decide believe earth time slowly" -- hope that helps :)

  • Thanks Jillian :) I couldn't for the life of me think what the sign was! Helps a lot.

    Don't suppose I could convince you to translate directly (with sign grammer) his videos? ;) Very cheeky, but thought it worth asking lol.

    Thanks again!

  • Also, it is my translation and now thinking of it I don't know if decide/determine would be the sign/meaning of the sentence. I should've said " Me wanna-wanna (with a happy face, nodding twice) believe earth time tends slowly. I use another whole new signs for that same sentence also. "Me wanna believe people hurry no, slowly. There are two I switch back and forth.

    Anyone wanna respond to this too as well? Should I have signed wanna instead of determine/decide.

  • From a outsider perspective I think you can use decide.

    I'm more confused on the use of the signs 'time/hurry' rather than turn as is the lyric. Have I missed something lol.

    Either way its a great video.

  • @markdrewjones As my amazing interpreting teacher used to tell us, "ASL says what it's not." So the line is something like..."earth moves slowly".. which is figurative language for "time" moving slowly ie the earth's rotation has slowed so the day is longer... so ASL says what it's not - "time hurry? no, slow..." and then the sign for slow is not the literal sign for slow but a sign that means something like "at at slow pace" wow lots to unpack here.. lol sorry for the blah blah blah..

  • @zephyreros I think your translation works, there's hardly ever just one way to interpret a song...the english in that part is a little hard to get your head around.. I think the whole song is predicated on an "IF" ...(all the "would"s in english) so either "want" or "decide" works cuz the meaning is basically the same in that context.

    btw, also beautiful lighting! smile

  • @zephyreros Of all the Firefly translations on youtube, this is BY FAR my absolute favorite.

    Just an interp-in-training here, so take this for what it's worth-- but I really liked your choice of 'decide' rather than 'want.' The meaning is slightly different to me--like blindly & definitively DECIDING to have faith w/o hesitation, rather than just simply wanting it.

    In any case, would love to hear other peoples' thoughts. I'm so blown away by this & will continue to wait raptly for more videos!

  • @zephyreros I love this video...I think 'me wanna-wanna(happy face...nod nod)' would be charming and fit into your interpretation quite well...but having said that...it sounds like the guy in the song wants to believe that earth turns slowly....he wants enough time to dream all of his dreams...so he has decided!!!! Earth WILL turn slowly!!!...so --decide-- seems to fit too. Hold on....I am getting way too into this....yikes!!! Love your video.

  • i like your interpretation :)

  • this is is cool

  • If you are partial hearing, then how are you listening to this when the music is not so loud? (or at least the music is not SO loud as I'm watching this).

    But good job. (:

  • That was brilliant !

  • Wow. I love your facial expressions. Its so irritating to see ASL done with flat faces...ITs like listening to a monotone speech. :P

  • I hire and supervise interpreters and thought you did an amazing job. You have a great future in working with the Deaf if that is the path you choice.

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  • FYI ccrlee he's Deaf, so he would be a DI :)

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  • wow! that was just amazing! Your facial expressions and movement is awesome!

  • My ASL teacher showed our ASL class this video, you are SO amazing!

  • That was so cool and cute!

  • amazing!! i love this song and i love the way you sign it!!

  • dude i became addicted to this song after watching this! love it, russell! give us more! ;D

  • I love your expression..and you're really cute. hahah xD

  • I love this! good job! made me smile!

  • I enjoyed this so much i just had to show my mother. Even though she doesn't know any sign language at all, she knew exactly what you were doing when you opened the jar. :) That and she loves the sign for "dance". Congrats, you just entertained my mom. :)

  • I'm flabbergasted...ya'll are too kind and super sweet. I'll keep on posting songs on here. Trust me. I'm just working on this project, Hamill right now. Training and trying to be a fighter for this film. I want to make Matt Hamill proud. Keep rooting and songs will come in soon. I have you all for the encouragement. :)

  • Fantastic!!! Good luck at the gym. Wow, I bet you are in pain trying to live up to Matt Hamill!