This man never got the credit he deserved, he was a musical genius and his influence on R&B is legendary. Stevie Wonder once called him a singers singer, meaning this is the guy singers listen to. His voice and vocal range was amazing and his piano playing is just beautiful. May he rest in peace one of the greatest singers that ever lived. His daughter has the same gift is one of the top vocalist today.
I have been recommending Leon's version to multiple reaction channels. A song this personal deserves to be heard in the original version by the songwriter.
I'm 67....this was our music back then....pop that 8 track in, and ride ...😊 I can see y'all's emotions....... Donny invoked that in EVERY one that was Blessed to hear his voice.... One of a kind..... THE IMPRESSION WILL BE IMBEDDED IN YOUR SOUL FOREVER...... R.I.P.....Donny....🙏💖
This one is a tear jerker.The man is a legend.Did so much in such a short time.So tragic.R.I.P Donny.You left us some soulful gems to remember you by. Gone but never forgotten.
Donny Hathaway had such a soulful voice. He had a lot of great songs. "The Ghetto", "Someday We'll All Be Free", "Little Ghetto Boy", "A Song For You", "For All We Know" & "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know". I really like the songs he did with Roberta Flack especially "Where Is The Love" & "The Closer I Get To You". He struggled with mental health issues during his life. Sadly he died in 1979 at only 33 years of age.
It’s a shame that very few know off his music. Although Donny Hathaway is a staple in the black community, he never crossed over as much. He is arguably one of the greatest male vocalist of all time… hands down 🕊❤️
Yes, I agree this song is sung with so much heartfelt emotion, and soul. Makes me cry, thinking about some of hard times in my life. Such a beautiful song.
His rendition of “This Christmas” stays in my music rotation - and it doesn’t have to be around the holidays for me to play it. If anyone remembers the TV show Maude (back in the 70’s) he sung the intro for that show.
He sings the song the way the only way it should be sung! Oh Donnie why’d you leave us so young! This guy makes me cry! So so good! Top three vocalists!!!💪❤️💪❤️
If you know the story, this is heartbreaking. Donny's soul was CRYING here. He had many demons and he wound up taking his life, at 33yrs old. Just a terrible tragedy of an amazing talent.
Beautiful cover! Carpenters also did a beautiful cover. I always get a lump in my throat at the point where Donny, who died at age 33 and Karen, who died at age 32 sing the line, "And when my life is over, remember when we were together". So much more amazing music those two beautiful souls could have made. 😔❤
Another rabbit hole to go down, this man has some very nice music, check him out with Roberta Flack and check out his daughter Laila Hathaway and his song This Christmas.
I LOVE Donny Hathaway. For some reason this song has always struck a sensitive spot for me. Shawn was chocking back some serious tears. It's ok Shawn, he just sang the words of your heart for your beautiful wife. Check out more of Donny Hathaway!! I LOVE his music. "I love you more than you'll ever know", "For all we know", etc.
Every time one of Donnie’s songs comes on somewhere, my eyes start to well up. I can’t help it. One of the most beautiful voices to ever grace us and with everything he gave, but didn’t get what he needed back.
I don't blame you for the tears. I have no one to love but Donny's rendition of this song brings me to tears everytime I hear it because he makes you feel the love he sings about. I
Donny and Stevie Wonder had the highest respect for each other's talent. You should check out Donny's live performance of "Superwoman.". When introducing the song Donny says "From the black pool of genius...", giving props to Stevie.
Stick a fork in me!!! This song is one of the most powerful songs ever! Thank you, Donnie and Leon. I'm balling right along with you. Donnie was one of the most powerful artists EVER!!! Gone too soon......
No one has a soulful once in a lifetime voice like DH! My brother played his records in our house when I was a kid. And later years if there was a Donny song in the jukebox in the bar we’d play it and my brother who was a singer would sing with the record! Great times! Very few voices can bring me to tears and DH surely does!❤
Donny Hathaway was a treasure! Lost him too soon. His daughter Lalah Hathaway has a tremendously beautiful and powerful voice as well. Now you need to do this song Twice more. You need to do the version by Leon Russell who wrote the song and you also need to do Ray Charles' version. They are all beautiful and distinct.
Donny breaks my heart when he sings this. It's so rich, raw, and real that it hurts. I've known this love and it leaves your heart sore. I don't ever want to love like this anymore unless it's with the Lord.
Sung by the one and only, the late, the great... Donnie Hathaway! Come on with it people! Not a dry eye in the house! When Leon Russell writes a song... he writes it. His pen wasn't in his hand when he wrote this song... it was in his heart.
as i watch you react to the very beginning of this song i can see your hearts cracking open. this is beauty and heartbreak at the same time. Leon Russell songwriter. i still remember where i was when the news announced Donny Hathaway had jumped out a window to his death. Every time, and I do mean every time I hear this song my stomach cramps.
This man has the voice of an angel, for real. Donnie Hathaway could make any woman’s heart just melt, even at the very first note that he belts out 🥰♥️
#1, You two are so sweet!🥰 You guys are goals for sure!😉🫶🏽...2nd, Donny is AMAZING! I've loved him from way back when I was a little kid in 70's, so it was fun to see a 1st time reaction to an amazing artist! ☺️
So talented and yet so troubled in mind, his suicide broke my heart to pieces, to think we would never get to her new songs from again. Wow, he did leave a great legacy
Particularly moving knowing just how personal this song was to him. I don't think I ever noticed how similar Donny's register was to Stevie Wonder's. Both true greats.
This is one of the reasons WE say the last few decades MUSIC has been trash. There was no auto-tune, computer. Straight up singing. Musicians straight up playing every note. All the Artists could SING and sounded the same way IN PERSON.
Shawn you responded to this song the same way I did the first time I listened to it. It still grabs my heart whenever I hear it. The way Donny performs this song pure musical genius! A big THANK YOU to your friend for requesting it!
If y’all loved this, wait till you hear “For All We Know”. Get them tissues out. I was a kid and remember vividly when he died by suicide by jumping from a building in NY. Gone too soon.
@Shawn, your reaction was so classic. I knew it was coming and to see his magical voice wash all over you and hit you right in the feels like everyone else... what a joy
I loved loved loved this song. Once I first heard it, back in the day - I always knew/remembered Donny Hathaways name. What a golden voice he had. Such feeling. Talent like his is exceptionally rare. Typically great reaction guys. BTW, his daughter did a remake of his song also. She sang it beautifully as well. Her Father would have been proud of her version.😊👍
This is for sure a beautiful song! One of my favorites! It was written by Leon Russell. You should react to some of Leons music starting with this one! Then "Tightrope" would be a good choice. Also Delta Lady. Hes a wonderful singer/songwriter! You'll love him. ❤
I first heard ti's song a few years ago on "America's Got Talent" A young blind Autistic man, of about 20 years old came on and sung this song note for note & played the piano too. His name is Cody Lee. He was amazing. This is beautiful too, and Cody did him proud. ❤ It's really nice to see a man showing his emotions. And showing the world just how much you love your wife. Don't ever change. Y'all are perfect. 🎼🎤❤🎶🎹
No doubt one of the greatest emotive vocalists of all time. You've got to listen to his live version of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" it's incredible. He was also an amazing pianist. There's a rare live footage video on youtube: "The Ghetto, 1970" that displays his masterful skills. He was something else.
This is just beautiful, really hits you in the heart...... big time. ❤. What a voice. Karen Carpenter also does a wonderful version of this, different but also very beautiful.
YEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!! One of the most beautiful voices of all time. Tragically gone too soon. Love love love love love. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
His voice is incomparable and his lyrics!!! This song is so sad. He died from suicide, it makes it even sadder. He had great duets with Roberta Flack. “The closer I get to you”. “You are my love”. He also was the first to do “this Christmas “
Donny suffered from schizophrenia and as mental health RN I understand how distressing hallucinations can be to my patients. I loved Donny and listened to his music as child growing up in JA and his death was the reason I chose a career in Mental health. RIP Donny Hathaway even in death you inspired me.
This is so beautiful and romantic. Karen Carpenters rendition is longing and laced with melancholy, but this performance is so powerful. Gorgeous voice.
A great take on a perfect Leon Russell tune. This song is almost impossible to mess up. It’s a perfect song and a lot of people have been moved to try their hand at it.
I've seen a lot of reaction videos, but you two are always top on my list. I can FEEL your love for each other come through every time. It's such a lovely thing to see. Thanks for all the feels.
The Temptations did an excellent rendition of this song back around the mid 1970 ‘s . Dennis Edwards ( RIP ) on lead vocals ,took this to church & hit it out the park .
Masterclass, vocal performance by Donny Hathaway and songwriting by Leon Russell, both RIP
Leon had some stank in his writing. He had the soul of a black man. RIP Leon.
Donny was a great musician, he received a music scholarship to attend college. Brilliant piano player and arranger
He is the greatest pop/soul singer of all time....also check out "for all we know"
This man never got the credit he deserved, he was a musical genius and his influence on R&B is legendary. Stevie Wonder once called him a singers singer, meaning this is the guy singers listen to. His voice and vocal range was amazing and his piano playing is just beautiful. May he rest in peace one of the greatest singers that ever lived. His daughter has the same gift is one of the top vocalist today.
Unfortunately mental health also had a hold on donny...rip king
It’ll get you every time. If you love Donnie, listen to his daughter Layla Hathaway. You’ll be surprised I promise!
Donny said " I love you in a place where there's no space @ time". That's deep!!
This was a song written by Leon Russell. One of the great songwriters.
In my opinion Leon sings it better.
I have been recommending Leon's version to multiple reaction channels.
A song this personal deserves to be heard in the original version by the songwriter.
Sorry no way
I meant no way better than Donny
@@marierosemary3768 Leon has the emotion and is raw Donny just has better vocals.
Donny Hathaway will always bring you to tears!
I'm 67....this was our music back then....pop that 8 track in, and ride ...😊
I can see y'all's emotions.......
Donny invoked that in EVERY one that was Blessed to hear his voice....
One of a kind.....
THE IMPRESSION WILL BE IMBEDDED IN YOUR SOUL FOREVER......
R.I.P.....Donny....🙏💖
AMEN!!!
This one is a tear jerker.The man is a legend.Did so much in such a short time.So tragic.R.I.P Donny.You left us some soulful gems to remember you by.
Gone but never forgotten.
Donnie has hit me like that for 50 years.
Donny Hathaway had such a soulful voice. He had a lot of great songs. "The Ghetto", "Someday We'll All Be Free", "Little Ghetto Boy", "A Song For You", "For All We Know" & "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know". I really like the songs he did with Roberta Flack especially "Where Is The Love" & "The Closer I Get To You". He struggled with mental health issues during his life. Sadly he died in 1979 at only 33 years of age.
It’s a shame that very few know off his music. Although Donny Hathaway is a staple in the black community, he never crossed over as much. He is arguably one of the greatest male vocalist of all time… hands down 🕊❤️
You know your Donny Hathaway! I grew up with Donny H, and have had a blessed life. I miss Donny Hathaway!
Another one of my favorite songs by him is giving up, mental illness is real.
@@michaelmarlonbestbae6078 he will always be the greatest vocalist in my book. Totally agree
I love that song...I'm going live tonight just to sing this song.
Hell Yeah Bro 💯
💕💞💞
Yes, I agree this song is sung with so much heartfelt emotion, and soul. Makes me cry, thinking about some of hard times in my life. Such a beautiful song.
Written by the late great singer /songwriter Leon Russell in [1970]. And perform beautifully by Donny Hathaway. Brilliant!
what does it matter who wrote it?
@@mauriceprice693 because i asked
@@mauriceprice693 that matter always 🎉
@@mauriceprice693 It wouldn't exist if he hadn't.
I love Donny, his voice is Angelic. Rest In Soul Heaven.🙏🏾❤️💐🌈🕊
Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder are my favourite artists of all time❤
His rendition of “This Christmas” stays in my music rotation - and it doesn’t have to be around the holidays for me to play it. If anyone remembers the TV show Maude (back in the 70’s) he sung the intro for that show.
Didnt know that thanks for the info!!
He sang a duet with the talented Roberta Flack called the closer I get to you such a beautiful song it’s worth a listen!💯
Donny Hathaway was a living Legend. Simply Amazing.
We played this at my mom's funeral. One of the most beautiful songs ever written and Donny owns it. No disrespect to Leon.
My favorite song by Donny is , Someday We'll all be Free, his vocals are amazing!❤
He sings the song the way the only way it should be sung! Oh Donnie why’d you leave us so young! This guy makes me cry! So so good! Top three vocalists!!!💪❤️💪❤️
What a talent
If you know the story, this is heartbreaking. Donny's soul was CRYING here. He had many demons and he wound up taking his life, at 33yrs old. Just a terrible tragedy of an amazing talent.
Beautiful cover! Carpenters also did a beautiful cover. I always get a lump in my throat at the point where Donny, who died at age 33 and Karen, who died at age 32 sing the line, "And when my life is over, remember when we were together". So much more amazing music those two beautiful souls could have made. 😔❤
@@cathyhudnall6742 Agree. Karen had a natural soulful perfect voice.
Another rabbit hole to go down, this man has some very nice music, check him out with Roberta Flack and check out his daughter Laila Hathaway and his song This Christmas.
Donny’s daughter Lalah Hathaway is a successful jazz singer .
I LOVE Donny Hathaway. For some reason this song has always struck a sensitive spot for me. Shawn was chocking back some serious tears. It's ok Shawn, he just sang the words of your heart for your beautiful wife. Check out more of Donny Hathaway!! I LOVE his music. "I love you more than you'll ever know", "For all we know", etc.
Every time one of Donnie’s songs comes on somewhere, my eyes start to well up. I can’t help it. One of the most beautiful voices to ever grace us and with everything he gave, but didn’t get what he needed back.
I don't blame you for the tears. I have no one to love but Donny's rendition of this song brings me to tears everytime I hear it because he makes you feel the love he sings about. I
Donny and Stevie Wonder had the highest respect for each other's talent. You should check out Donny's live performance of "Superwoman.". When introducing the song Donny says "From the black pool of genius...", giving props to Stevie.
His song “Love, Love, Love” is a banger as well!!! You’ve heard him before because he sings “This Christmas”!
Love this song remember my parents playing this song when they had basement parties in the 70's R.I.P. MAMA AND DADDY I'M A 60'S BABY
Beautiful! I just love this version of this song by Donny... RIP Donny. Blessings from the UK guys. Thanks for sharing. ❤
3:59 Kills me. What a masterpiece
Donny sung straight from his heart and soul and you feel 🙂👍
Stick a fork in me!!! This song is one of the most powerful songs ever! Thank you, Donnie and Leon. I'm balling right along with you. Donnie was one of the most powerful artists EVER!!! Gone too soon......
It's crazy how her ringtone comes in at the exact time to fit the piano of the song 4:57, that's crazy. It's in the same key and everything
Beautiful reaction.
Two words: *DONNY HATHAWAY.*
Flawless. Brings tears to my eyes every time.
No one has a soulful once in a lifetime voice like DH! My brother played his records in our house when I was a kid. And later years if there was a Donny song in the jukebox in the bar we’d play it and my brother who was a singer would sing with the record! Great times! Very few voices can bring me to tears and DH surely does!❤
If you don't cry listening to this song, you have no heart ❤️
Donny Hathaway was a treasure! Lost him too soon. His daughter Lalah Hathaway has a tremendously beautiful and powerful voice as well.
Now you need to do this song Twice more. You need to do the version by Leon Russell who wrote the song and you also need to do Ray Charles' version. They are all beautiful and distinct.
Donny breaks my heart when he sings this. It's so rich, raw, and real that it hurts. I've known this love and it leaves your heart sore. I don't ever want to love like this anymore unless it's with the Lord.
Awe, it’s so sweet how much your hubby shows his love for you, Mel, Shawn’s tear’s were only for his bride! 👏👏💙😪♥️
The soul and the voice of a poet. What a song, what a man. Moves me to tears. Pure beauty in the form of song. Lovely moment between you both also.
Sung by the one and only, the late, the great... Donnie Hathaway! Come on with it people! Not a dry eye in the house! When Leon Russell writes a song... he writes it. His pen wasn't in his hand when he wrote this song... it was in his heart.
He’s one of my favorites. I feel the vibration of his voice in my sternum.
as i watch you react to the very beginning of this song i can see your hearts cracking open. this is beauty and heartbreak at the same time. Leon Russell songwriter. i still remember where i was when the news announced Donny Hathaway had jumped out a window to his death. Every time, and I do mean every time I hear this song my stomach cramps.
#ShawnandMel ... Donny Hathaway ... What a Emotional Power Voice! He sang like ever Word was His Last Chance to tell you he LOVED YOU!!! AMAZING!
This man has the voice of an angel, for real. Donnie Hathaway could make any woman’s heart just melt, even at the very first note that he belts out 🥰♥️
THANK YOU SHAWN and MEL for reaction!!!! I just KNEW you'd love it!!
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
I loved it too. Good choice and Shawn made me cry. Just so sweet.👏❤️🥰
Another great cover of the great Leon Russell's songs is "This Masquerade" by George Benson, a fantastic singer & guitarist.
#1, You two are so sweet!🥰 You guys are goals for sure!😉🫶🏽...2nd, Donny is AMAZING! I've loved him from way back when I was a little kid in 70's, so it was fun
to see a 1st time reaction to an amazing artist! ☺️
So talented and yet so troubled in mind, his suicide broke my heart to pieces, to think we would never get to her new songs from again. Wow, he did leave a great legacy
Particularly moving knowing just how personal this song was to him. I don't think I ever noticed how similar Donny's register was to Stevie Wonder's. Both true greats.
I have heard a few singers sing this but no one sings it like Donny .
This is one of the reasons WE say the last few decades MUSIC has been trash. There was no auto-tune, computer. Straight up singing. Musicians straight up playing every note. All the Artists could SING and sounded the same way IN PERSON.
sheer perfection. And it was Donny playing the piano.
Here’s another one by Donnie “You Were Meant for Me.” Can’t understand why everyone forgets this one it’s amazing, and of course he’s amazing.
Baby whoever he wrote this song about HE LOVED HER!!!!
Oh Hell!! This man right here can make butter melt! Good Lord. I wonder how many babies were conceived to this Song? It doesn’t get much better ❤️❤️
He’s singing the most beautiful song just Beautifully! ❤️🌟⭐️✨
Respect to Leon Russell for writing such a moving song and Donny Hathaway for singing it so impeccably. Simply beautiful.
Thank you Shawn & Mel. ❤️
Words can't describe how much I love this song. An absolute classic.
Shawn you responded to this song the same way I did the first time I listened to it.
It still grabs my heart whenever I hear it. The way Donny performs this song pure musical genius!
A big THANK YOU to your friend for requesting it!
This brought me to tears. The words and delivery were perfection. 🇨🇦🥇😊
If y’all loved this, wait till you hear “For All We Know”. Get them tissues out. I was a kid and remember vividly when he died by suicide by jumping from a building in NY. Gone too soon.
I still cry listening to him....RIP Donny...you are so missed😔❤️❤️❤️
@Shawn, your reaction was so classic. I knew it was coming and to see his magical voice wash all over you and hit you right in the feels like everyone else... what a joy
I loved loved loved this song. Once I first heard it, back in the day - I always knew/remembered Donny Hathaways name. What a golden voice he had. Such feeling. Talent like his is exceptionally rare. Typically great reaction guys. BTW, his daughter did a remake of his song also. She sang it beautifully as well. Her Father would have been proud of her version.😊👍
This is for sure a beautiful song! One of my favorites! It was written by Leon Russell. You should react to some of Leons music starting with this one! Then "Tightrope" would be a good choice. Also Delta Lady. Hes a wonderful singer/songwriter! You'll love him. ❤
Leon's death hit me so hard. I still cry. He was a soulful talent.
My favorite male voice ever! Donny was the best! Such a sad story 😔😔😔
I love your reactions, you both were speechless, This is a masterpiece, written by Leon Russell but no one sang is better than Donny
One of the most jaw dropping vocals ever recorded.
I first heard ti's song a few years ago on "America's Got Talent" A young blind Autistic man, of about 20 years old came on and sung this song note for note & played the piano too. His name is Cody Lee. He was amazing. This is beautiful too, and Cody did him proud. ❤
It's really nice to see a man showing his emotions. And showing the world just how much you love your wife. Don't ever change. Y'all are perfect. 🎼🎤❤🎶🎹
Donny was the GOAT soul singer
A very nice reaction to one of my all time favorite voices. Thanks guys.
Powerful song y’all was tearing up. I know it does it to me also, Donny was brilliant ❤️
Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack "The Closer I get to you."
Listen to Donny singing I love you more than you will ever know.
I miss Donny Hathaway!! The one and only. Have a listen to "A song for Donny" by the Whispers. A great tribute.
I have Donny & Roberta album.❤❤❤❤❤❤
Shawn the funny thing is I grew up hearing this song and when they played this in the movie
“Roll Bounce” there was not a dry eye in the theater.
No doubt one of the greatest emotive vocalists of all time. You've got to listen to his live version of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" it's incredible. He was also an amazing pianist. There's a rare live footage video on youtube: "The Ghetto, 1970" that displays his masterful skills. He was something else.
Beautiful!! And y'all made me cry
This is just beautiful, really hits you in the heart...... big time. ❤. What a voice. Karen Carpenter also does a wonderful version of this, different but also very beautiful.
YEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!! One of the most beautiful voices of all time. Tragically gone too soon. Love love love love love. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
His voice is incomparable and his lyrics!!! This song is so sad. He died from suicide, it makes it even sadder. He had great duets with Roberta Flack. “The closer I get to you”. “You are my love”. He also was the first to do “this Christmas “
Donny suffered from schizophrenia and as mental health RN I understand how distressing hallucinations can be to my patients. I loved Donny and listened to his music as child growing up in JA and his death was the reason I chose a career in Mental health. RIP Donny Hathaway even in death you inspired me.
People should be introduced to Donny Hathaway's music EARLY on in their lives ❤️
This is so beautiful and romantic. Karen Carpenters rendition is longing and laced with melancholy, but this performance is so powerful. Gorgeous voice.
This music right here will stop all Wars all over the world. Period!
A great take on a perfect Leon Russell tune. This song is almost impossible to mess up. It’s a perfect song and a lot of people have been moved to try their hand at it.
Also, let's not forget Donny's beautiful piano playing. And Leon Russell's beautiful piano playing too. (Leon wrote the song.)
I've seen a lot of reaction videos, but you two are always top on my list. I can FEEL your love for each other come through every time. It's such a lovely thing to see. Thanks for all the feels.
❤❤❤❤❤ I Miss his live performances on Record or video don't Matter He had an Anointing Rest in God
a wedding renewal song if I ever heard one
It got me too! I've been listening to this song by other artist for years but this one,,,, ❤💓🌹 Got me!
That was awesome
The Temptations did an excellent rendition of this song back around the mid 1970 ‘s . Dennis Edwards ( RIP ) on lead vocals ,took this to church & hit it out the park .
The most beautiful love song ever written, RIP D Hathaway ...
Excellent pick by Sylvia. Thank yall for playing it.