Art is Dead: Bo Burnham Live from Northwestern University

[ComradeJeff]

People are most likely laughing for one of two reasons. First, they're listening and enjoying the song at face value, and are responding to just how ridiculous/silly the lyrics are laid out to get their message spread. Or they appreciate dark humor/black comedy, and are responding to just how ridiculous/silly the situation laid out in the song actually is. Or they're just at a comedy show and are laughing because they're not paying attention and are just doing with what they paid to do. Meh.

[AshmoreVid]

why do people laugh?

[AdmiralAnon]

@AshmoreVid Because people find it funny?

[ImagineMarvelous]

I almost love this song as much as one of Tim Minchins. 

[runninglyrics]

Lets up the anti to 1 out of every 1000.

[pbjellybeanful]

one of my favorite songs by him. <3 BO

[scotlandsbeauty]

1 person disliked this because they didnt enjoy it

[Themarty80]

wow a song with meaning.bo is a genius intellectually and musicaly

[TMPolimeno]

This song is so true its hard not to be awed by it.

[Roragon]

i looked up a live video cuz i wanna see his comments before and after the song, which this doesnt show

[danposmaytee]

@Roragon pointless comment. This song is amazing, it needs NO introduction ;)

[MrPumpkinss]

@ericplayzbass2

words, words, words is probably the third most recognizable Shakespeare quote. right behind "to be or not to be" and "all the world's a stage".

in my humble opinion

[kajtus226]

i love it



[bukklee79]

There is humor in the subject matter of the song and there are obvious points that are meant to be humorous.

But yes the message as a whole is a serious one.

He is a comedian people don't think so much of yourself just because you like Bo Burnham and you think you get all his jokes & NO ONE els does... blah, blah, blah.

P.S. Just saw Bo in Chicago on 11/12 he was insanely funny. His TV specials and shitty quality Y/T videos don't do him justice.

More to come from Bo for sure.

[MegaZacheus]

ok. Is this supposed to be funny or whats it about cause i can hardly understand what hes saying

[MrSancer]

@MegaZacheus it's a serious song.

[MegaZacheus]

@MrSancer now i know :D

[padf00t1]

Does it matter who laughs or not?

Really.

I understand it's a confession and apology from Bo himself but he is a comedian and maybe people just didn't know what to do. Maybe they thought he was being sarcastic or something.

Not many people know what to do in situations like that. You know?

Either way, he's a genius and people need to lighten up.

[iConnorG]

i think the humor in the asshole thing is cause he's referring to a young kid at a party not just to say asshole

[kkingg15]

@iConnorG he is talking about himself the whole song you fuck

[iConnorG]

@kkingg15 ahahah why are you so angry about it?

are you like the kid who wont shut up at the party?

i think so

[bigjosh523]

@mandi14356 Oboma said jackass....

[padf00t1]

@pro0glenn Because they're allowed to and they found something he said funny.

[LOLMcAdams]

11k views on the dot :U

[Ashbudph]

I can't wait to see him in December!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ghettograntastic]

Honestly! Its possible to find dark undertones in comedy (this is clearly satire) On one level you can laugh at it, but then realise the true depth the meaning underneath. I don't know why people are having such a go at others for seeing humour in the song -_- It's just in bad taste to call people retarded/stupid.

[handsockpuppet]

I like how nobody on youtube realizes that this is not, in fact, supposed to be a serious song. Maybe not as many jokes as the other ones, but funny nonetheless, and one of his better songs because of it. The people complaining about people laughing at the 'asshole' part (which, I believe, is more in surprise than childish butt jokes) don't understand that this song is much like Weird Al's "Don't Download this Song" - A joking mock of the music industry. Of course art is not dead, he's a comic.

[RafaellaKilana]

@handsockpuppet Do me a favor, go look at the actual recording of this song where Bo specifically states "this is something different. i hope you guys like it. this song is a confession and an apology. honest, not sarcastic.", then decide whether or not it's a joking mockery or actually serious. Of course, you'll decide to take that as satire and this will be for naught but at least I tried -_-

[corjtallan1991]

@RafaellaKilana You know you can be earnest and dark and serious and still be funny right? I don't see where people get off saying 'you can't laugh at this' or 'you can't find humor here, you're not allowed because I think it's super serious and I speak on behalf of everyones perceptions. You're all so immature blah blah' I don't think any of you really understand comedy.

[pro0glenn]

@handsockpuppet Just because it's funny doesn't mean it's not serious.

[corjtallan1991]

@pro0glenn just because it's serious doesn't mean it's not funny.

[handsockpuppet]

@pro0glenn

I realize this. All I was doing was responding to people who thought that because it was somewhat serious it could not be funny.

[mrazchica]

@bigjosh523 I am clearly not one of the ones laughing or it would have been louder. I understand the meaning of the song and that it's different than his other material. Also, I'm a girl, not a "dude."

[TheGzeus]

@mrazchica To be fair, that term is becoming less gendered in some areas.

[xZpsychox]

@bigjosh523

Retard.

[keat36]

@bigjosh523 actually I think most people would find Obama saying 'asshole' pretty funny. Depending on the context, of course.

[arrow27arrow27]

@bigjosh523 He calls a child a selfish asshole. That's funny. Fuck you for thinking you're better than everyone that laughs at a comedian. This is obviously a departure from his usual material, if people haven't seen it before of course they will laugh. You need to lighten the fuck up and realize that how people react to things will differ from how you react. Dick.

[scottyxdoesnntxknow]

@arrow27arrow27 I agree with you when you say that bigjosh needs to realize that people react differently to certain things. (especially when it comes to whether or not they should laugh at this since Bo tends to be very hilarious) But Bo himself has said that this song isn't really meant to be funny and that it just helps him sleep at night.

[bukklee79]

@arrow27arrow27

Little harsher then I would go but............. well said

[hattacious]

@bigjosh523 actually, and let's be honest.., if "Oboma" (Obama?) said asshole, I'm pretty sure everyone that has ever laughed at anything would laugh a hell of a lot more than when bo says it here. the president cursing? hilarious. you're just too big to have a sense of humor, josh.

[weetabixharry]

@bigjosh523 I cannot begin to imagine a world in which I found the word "asshole" offensive. Also, since the context here is introspective and self-critical, I'm totally baffled as to how any choice of words could have caused offence. What I mean is, the content just isn't offensive. Try listening to "The Perfect Woman"; no naughty words, but I would have thought immeasurably more provocative.

[BatmansFavoriteGirl]

This makes you think, about what fame, and pride really is.

[Patrickdrums6732]

This is actually a really good song, it just makes me think again how fucking stupid the music industry has gotten. It's all a fake voice behind a pretty face and every artist is so self absorbed, it's sicking..

[nomolos619619]

people hear a curse words and think "oh that was funny, lets all laugh at a clearly non funny song" society is fucked up. People dont seem to understand the seriousness of this song. I love this song for its truth. Bo is a genius and knows how to handle himself. IMO He is the smartest comedian since Carlin.

[sambowallace]

It does really piss me off that people are laughing at a clearly not funny song. This is so much more than you stupid people make it out to be. Maybe if you people weren't so fucking retarded you would understand that this song unlike EVERY other song actually has a meaning. I recommend that you listen again and listen more closely this time to cure yourselves from your stupidity.

[corjtallan1991]

@sambowallace it pisses me off when some condescending ass judges people for not sharing in the shallow sense of humor to think that something needs to be light hearted and jokey and overdone to be funny and can't appreciate subtly. It is serious and it's honest. But it's still funny. If you don't find it funny, that's fine, but don't have to start trying to insult people for having a different fucking opinion than you do you selfish asshole.

[r0naldinh010]

such truthful lyrics have never made me actually want to cry :S

[TheCloudTalk]

@r0naldinh010 btw i love soccer too, but you should listen to Bright Eyes. its a band, this song reminds me of them.

[alexstrk93]

kind of annoys me that people are laughing.

[runninglyrics]

@alexstrk93 I think people are only laughing at the one part of the song that IS funny. For a moment, his comedic attitude comes up, but it quickly fades back into the song immediately after.

[BelgiumToast]

@alexstrk93 In the words of Bo Burnham "There's other people you selfish ass hole!"

They enjoy the song so they laugh suck it up.

[xhile420]

im a lazy unemployed 19 year old and i gotta blame noone but myself for my shortcomings maybe we should all do the same the education system didnt fail me i failed myself

[carlos1234567898765]

@xhile420 you didnt fail anything. You live in a world where the system is so corrupt that it rewards those who perpetuate the greed contribute to the growing disparity between rich and poor. find out what really matters to you in this life before you say you fail.

[kamikrazi123]

You women are geting all sulky over this due to your endorphines of your infatuation for bo. Bo would be saying "why the fuck are people crying to this song". Just dont cry when Bo tells you to stfu at his concerts cuz you get all irrational and throw your bra at him.

[FatManDan156]

bo im an artist and this is your next hit

[HannahHollywood101]

@lanse5 well if you want the chords its F, A, Dm, Bb. But another key is C, E, Am, F, if you're interested in learning how to play it.

[hbknutjack]

@HannahHollywood101 thanks so much I've been looking every where for the chords.

[CameronClarkeFilms]

This is such a brilliant song.

Bo seems like a really, really down-to-earth and intelligent individual.

[lanse5]

HOW DO YOU PLAY THIS SONG?? Truly, I am frustrated by the glorious notes of his music.

[dylanlochhead]

This song is honestly so so good. I think Bo Burnham is one of the best comedians out there.

[cadavrexx]

... By admitting to not being deserving. Ironic.

[cadavrexx]

Even when I was first introduced to Bo Burnham, I knew he was intelligent and I respected him for his wit. But, before this song, all I heard was jokes and word-play. This song is so self-reflective, and cynical-- it's tormenting how beautiful it is. I thought he was joking when he said "this isn't funny at all, but it helps me sleep at night." He is a true artist to me now.

[loganmarks89]

@cadavrexx amen you have the perfect discription.

[hollium]

Does anyone have any footage of what happens after he finishes the song? I mean, does he revert to his comedy persona or leave the audience feeling a bit like their ideals had just had an axe taken to them...?

[blackhelmetman]

The fact that he can take a break from his normal routine to write a song this introspective and brilliant is truly remarkable. This, this right here, is what separates him from being "just a kid".

[Ihatethisalready17]

I fuckin love this song! its definitely more than just humor, its a really good song with catchy melodies

[diamondgal29]

this song pretty much proves bo's true intellect.

[PASTAandMUSE]

this is the most beutiful bo song ive ever heard! great message aswell

[LanguorAndHunger]

Faith, Intellect of his sort still occupies the hemisphere of our youth. Unfortunately the vast majority of this budding generation of utility and pop culture is far to saturated with apathy and near-sightedness to keep up. I'd say perhaps 1 individual for every 35 is as intellectually gifted or moreso than Bo. Dont lose any sleep over it.

[LesterDragon]

@LanguorAndHunger I still can't shake the Bo that would sing about vaginas and such

[spatulaman007]

@LanguorAndHunger What makes you think it's 1 for every 35 adolescents?

[PopeKurt]

@LanguorAndHunger I'd put that number closer to 1 in 4000.

[ChuckFinleytube]

@LanguorAndHunger OY! Screw you mate! Attitude reflects leadership. Who raised this generation?

Now, to answer that question im going to drop my absurd cockney accent and tell you that i don't mean that the previous generation raised my generation poorly. I believe that people are raised as much by public schools where collectivist morals are taught instead of family values. Art reflects culture Miley Cyrus isn't making kids brains mush. A failing educational system is.

[jrdudedj]

@ChuckFinleytube Thanks, i was about to say something like this but i see you already pointed that out.

[j2jpop]

@ChuckFinleytube I love you.

[nickers2]

@LanguorAndHunger Unfortunately, you are exactly correct, even in this very video you can hear the people in the background laughing.

[Yunghunt79]

@LanguorAndHunger dear god your words manifest themselves in my medulla oblongata and forevermore will they stay there with bo's.

[AlwaysRi]

@LanguorAndHunger Well put. I think to have that intelligence combined with his skill and the passion he has found via the vessel of entertainment is really rare, and has been necessary for him to grow and become who he is.

On a side note I would love to see a serious album of his..

[Giveaways4Runescape]

@LanguorAndHunger I'd have to agree with out on that one. Considering the youth of this generator [my generation :( ] Is addicted to crap music, texting, facebook, and interacting with friends, instead of using there talents to their full ability.

[limosince2007]

@Giveaways4Runescape You can't say something is "crap music". Music is subjective. Also, texting, facebook and interacting with friends are in no way holding back the youth from discovering their potential. In fact, I think there is more creativity out there than there has ever been, just that it's the least creative that get famous. I wouldn't expect you to understand much of this though with a username like that.

[oceanborn05]

@LanguorAndHunger Ah, labeled by the year I was born.

This guy is insanly talented, though I found it so sad he posted this song on his channel and then a plug in at the end,adding a note *Ironic Plug in..*facepalm*".

Guess he didnt know what he was getting into while signing a contract.

I respect him alot for writing it and cant fully judge him since I do not know him, but I do know actions speak louder than words so instead of screaming about what troubles you he should fix it.

[ericplayzbass2]

@LanguorAndHunger let me grab a monocle real quick for a conversation like this.

Other than the obvious grandiloquence of your statement I completely agree. I feel privileged that I am able to listen to Bo and actually get everything he is saying, even the subtle Shakespeare references (words, words, words). He has a vast knowledge of literature and is obviously well read. Very talented young man, and I can also connect with him, since we were born only 2 years apart (he is older).

[cptmuska]

@LanguorAndHunger your fucking retarded, and are saying bullshit out of your ass, you know it.

[Twidgett02]

@cptmuska You're an idiot.

[runninglyrics]

@Twidgett02 Nah, not entirely, I think he's half right. The one fact I know that has actually been proven is little by little the education system run by the government(including a lot of community collages) are slowly dumbing down the material, from pace of learning the subject to tests. There are of course exceptions, and most intellectual peoples drive to keep going that makes it ineffective, but even I was told to dumb down my paper on concept albums my senior year in highschool. I said no.

[cptmuska]

@LanguorAndHunger o shut the fuck up, its been proven that every generation is smarter than the previous, because of the easy access of information. You sound just like people did in the 60's about the beetles. Im 30 lol

[HealeysFable]

@cptmuska I am 18, and no generation is smarter than any previous generation... Languoandhunger is right about the apathy, an saturation of pop into our culture :P If anything, each generation is a smart as the next - accept today with the viral spread of media, people know more about the clever kids; TV, internet, blogs, whatever. Moreover, tests are easier these days, especially here in the UK. So, it's not people are smarter, or more stupid..just more media assessability, any ways, b04lyf

[cptmuska]

@HealeysFable lol yes, even if you look at it from an evolutionary stand point every Next generation is smarter.

[TheHangoverer]

@LanguorAndHunger id say 1 individual for every 250 there are A LOT of dumb stubborn selfish people

[bagamer13]

@LanguorAndHunger cool story bro

[loganmarks89]

It gives me chllls this dude i wu kiss his feet

[Ambushcrysis]

@loganmarks89

Did you not listen to a single word in this song?

[loganmarks89]

@Ambushcrysis Ya, and what I know is that art IS dead to some extent. Because people like BO, telling it Carlin style, proves that the realists are gonna save the human race. In my opinion.

[Ambushcrysis]

@loganmarks89

Now I know that you COMPLETELY missed the message in this song. 

[loganmarks89]

@Ambushcrysis go fuck yourself. can u not let people think what they want as long as its gud. ur a shitty person an need to get off ur high horse and quit judging cuz im SOOOOO fucking sure u where there and helped him put those words together.

[IllusioneArts]

Is this song in the key of E. What is the chord progression?

[whatshisname200]

@IllusioneArts ask bo

[IllusioneArts]

@whatshisname200 HAHA! I did. He seems to be the kind of person to reply and interact with his fans. From what I have heard him say. But you know there is only so much time in a life and I am sure he does not bother with every message.

[MorganFranchina]

This makes me want to cry.

[flooflad]

@MorganFranchina i just wonder if hell ever find anyone his own age as intellectualy gifted as he is

[wordweaverrr]

@flooflad I wonder the same thing. He really is amazingly brilliant. This song makes me really sad.

[gaymanrights]

I think this is his best sing

[sheepdog2c7]

awesome i never remembered this song until i heard it just now thanks mate :)