I'm 75 this year and I never thought anyone could do this song better than Tennessee Ernie Ford. It took 5 decades but you definately did this song proud. Absolutely love your voice!
@@curvball12 Respectfully it isn't anywhere near as good as the original which has such charm and swag, Ernie Ford sells the character far more, has a better tone, and a far better accompaniment made up of talented musicians. Geoff's voice is indeed cool but there is also lot of production going on here including a staggering amount of pitch correction software and sub bass.
@@Scotmendwas about to say the exact same about the post processing of pitch etc, you can just hear it straight away. I prefer the original version but still like this as well.
My grandfather was a miner for 35 years until his lungs just couldn't take it anymore and he had to retire. He would sing this song to me over and over until he died at the age of 93.
@@emiknapheide1817 they are speakers that pick up the really low frequencies/bass. You know when you're at a stop light and the car next to you has so much bass, your mirrors are shaking??? That's a (really powerful) subwoofer.
I agree. He is a brilliant arranger. He does all his own stuff and half of Voiceplay stuff. He even did home Free's arrangement for Elvira. It is a crucial part of the excellence in these songs.
@@andread6050 nah, all voices are good. But only if you embrace your voice like she is and don't try to be another one.. I'm an alto, but I would prefer to be a mezzo soprano, and therefore used to sing songs which are too high for my voice. Actually, through voiceplay and Geoff this changed. I start to sing more in my lower range. 😂I mean, it's still like 3 octaves away from Geoff, but he was still the reason I started to appreciate low notes more.
@@redlophix5670 its not that i cant sing in a high register, highest i can hit is f5 with some strain and lowest is a c#1 (subharmonic), but i am most comfortable with my lows. once i start singing in that upper register, riffs and runs start becoming more difficult to pull off.
@Aidan Todd i watched all of them but, including Geoff's, just relax your voice and find a confortable note for you practice with (i chose b2) and it took me a couple of hours to find that sweet spot where you apply the vocal fry to the note. it kind of feels like your vocal chords are rattling. drink lots of water and keep at it and don't over do it, try for 10-15 mins and take a break and try again, you will get it.
My four-year old son can't stop listening to Geoff in the car. He is 100% sure that this is THE WHALE singing, and it makes him incredibly happy and joyful 😃
As a member of the older generation, I didn't believe that anyone could do, "Sixteen Tons", as well as Tennessee Ernie Ford, but Geoff Castellucci has! I really appreciate, not only Castellucci's rendition of this classic song, but his creative videography and his percussing use of tools is genius!
Fun fact- after labor laws were introduced coal companies would pay there employees scrips(credits which could be used for rent in company housing or companies stores.The average coal miner wouldn't have enough for rent and food so they would end up going into debt with the company and would continue to be in debt until they died and they couldnt afford to stop working until they were fired or dead.Thats were the saying "I owe my soul to the company store" came from and why he brings up 16 tons because that was usually the daily quota per miner.
And we are getting compAny towns again. Nevada’s governor just sold us out to box stores for the same premise of the company owning 78 square miles of land and building their own town with their governing body and law enforcement. No local taxes
Yup. They did that in eastern and western Kentucky. The mining company came in and bought the mineral rights to the farms where I grew up in central Kentucky. The corrupt banker in our small town did it. The company man came out to tell the families they would have to move, just for a while, because they were going to strip mine the area. (Of course there wouldn’t be any trees, soil, animals and homes left after) The man was met with silence and a lot of guns at the small central store. They didn’t come back. My dad was at the meeting. He said he was seriously scared for the guy. He needed to just stop talking and go.
Christian M ... I remember my dad telling me about that! 16 Tons was his favorite song, and he grew up during the depression, and lived in Tennessee for a while (1962-63) when our largest factory in town (his job) closed down. There were NO jobs available in Terre Haute since abt 2000 men were out of a job on the same day. Dad also love deep bass/baritone singers, which he was pretty good at himself....but this guy is incredible! He would have enjoyed this!!
@@jogo-md8jq Check out Voiceplay's cover of Oogie Boogie's Song. The low note he hits at the end is an E1 and with a decent sound setup you will *feel* that note
Showed my mom some base singings and remembered Geoff's cover of Jack's lament - and so we of course spent ages going through his catalog and she adores that he does "oldies". And this became one of my favorites he does.
Sixteen Tons" is a song written by Merle Travis about a coal miner, based on life in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.[2] Travis first recorded the song at the Radio Recorders Studio B in Hollywood, California, on August 8, 1946. Cliffie Stone played bass on the recording. It was first released in July 1947 by Capitol on Travis's album Folk Songs of the Hills.[3] The song became a gold record.
It took me a minute to place Ernie Ford...I kept picturing Ernie Kovacs!! Mr Ford was always referred to as 'Tennessee Ernie Ford'.. A fixture of 1950s & 1960s entertainment Kovacs & Ford were both born in 1919, huge 1950s stars, 1st wives were named Betty, later both remarried, they each had a child die young & both men had dark hair & trademark mustaches
This was one of my favorites back in the day, so I looked forward to a cover. Wow! This is beyond great for what started out as a deep-voice guy singing acapella...but then, he was joined by three backup singers, all him! I had to go back and listen several more times, and I saved it to "watch later," as I'm sure I'll want to listen ...well, later.
My uncle used to sing this in the shower everyday. Drove my aunt crazy. He taught it to us and his kids just to aggravate her lol. Thank you for bringing back good memories on a very bad day
I am 80 years old and was around for the originals of Sixteen Tons, The Monster Mash, Big Bad John and Ghost Riders in the Sky. You add to each one with your own talents while remaining faithful to the originals! I don't remember enjoying their music more than your renditions, Thank you! 🤩🎶🎵🎼🎹
Yeah I think the originals are awesome, but with all the new production techniques it really is hard to not like this version better. Ernie Ford was so good live on the recording I watched, he really had amazing control of his voice.
Thank you! I am old enough (73) to have been very familiar with Tennessee Ernie Ford singing the same song. I was entranced and mesmerized listening to his beautiful bass tones. Yours was wonderful as well. LOVED listening to you. Intriguing to watch with the camera duplication or split screen, whatever it is called. THANKS AGAIN!
@@alexandergrishchenko4280Александр, вы задаёте этот вопрос, находясь на канале этого исполнителя. Прочитайте его имя в названии канала! (Geoff Castellucci)
I grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford because of my dad. 16 tons is the first song I taught my son. He just turned 18 on the 20th and still sings it. What a wonderful rendition you did. Thank you.
I'm a tenor, but I can't help but love this guy's voice. Silky smooth and so rich. Basses are still horrendously underrated outside of classical music circles and it drives me nuts. Mad respect to you, my dude.
Pretty dangerous to strike two hardened surfaces together. Shatters can be almost explosive. Be a shame to punture those vocal cords with self inflicted shrapnel.
As a bass singer, this was the first performance I'd ever done in front of my GCSE music class, thanks Geoff! Couldn't have done it without you! (don't worry, I credited you)
@@Gr1mR3aper118 he's a bass the original isn't a bass singer he used this as a reference because it better fit him as a bass singer as opposed to the original
❤LYRICS: Some people say a man is made out of mud A poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones You've got a mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go Saint Peter, don't you call me, but to the company store Saint Peter, but don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store, c'mon Well, I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine I loaded 16 tons of number nine coal And the straw boss said, "Well-a bless my soul!" You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store, yeah I was born one morning, in the drizzlin' rain The fightin' and trouble have been my middle name I was raised in the cane brake by an old mama lion Can't no high-toned woman make me walk the line Yeah, 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store I owe my soul If you see me comin' better step aside A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died One fist of iron and the other of steel If the left one don't getcha then the right one will You load 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go Saint Peter, don't you call me, but to the company store Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul To the company store Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
You know its going to be good when Geoff labels it "LOW bass singer cover" and not just "Bass singer cover" Im so hyped for this! Edit: just watched the premiere... and my word, its so GOOD! That ending note was in chest voice!! Geoff you did absolutley amazing on this song
I have had goosebumps all over & shivers down my spine since i got to hear this the first time & everytime after😊❤️🤣 this is SO so Good!! Now a permanent fixture on my playlist. Amazing!!
WOW!!!!! I was blown away from the start and then at 1:34 he sang, "walk the LINE'" and my jaw dropped when he sang LINE. I've never heard such a low voice. And I believe you sang each piece so.... what a range you have too! AMAZING VOICE!!
Yeah his voice is really awesome. If you like bass voices, look up Hoist the colours by wellermen And "thatbassvoice" His part in there is also abysally low
Born in '97, I was lead bass in highschool to sing this in my junior, I still tune in to it here and there to listen, I love older music too. This stuff is awesome!
Geoff clones from left to right: There's super extra and kinda done with the world sledge-hammer-percussionist Geoff, then very chill and shovel-holding Geoff, next to him lead-singer Geoff of course, who's kinda intimidating with that huge pickaxe and "better step aside", and last but not least "just-vibin'-with-the-music"-Geoff, who doesn't quite seem to know how he's landed there, but is fully enjoying himself and happily participating in the song! I love how every one of your clones seems to have their own personality of some kind... I don't know if that was intentional, but I have to say it's genius and so fun! xD This was an amazing arrangent in every way and I literally can't believe it's all full voice... wow. Thanks for again and again introducing me to awesome music!
I mistakenly had my volume turned up a little too high when I started this but chose to leave it there. Thank you Mr. Castellucci for rearranging my living room furniture! ;-)
Sixteen Tons was my Mom's all-time favorite song. We sang it at her Memorial Service (she was 91 when she passed away in 2018). Thanks...you've helped me remember so many good times with Mom, when she put the 45rpm on the little portable player that we had when I was a kid (back in the 1950s), and we'd sing the song together.
I'm tone deaf, can't carry a tune in a sack but that didn't stop me from singing along, or at least I think it was singing. The neighbors may have thought I was being slaughtered with a dull shovel. You not only did it justice, you owned it.
A fun fact: I'm not sure if you know this, but the surname Castellucci has a special meaning in Italian. It's derived out of two words: Castello and Lucci. If we put the correct articles in front, it would be 'il castello' which you can guess, it means 'castle.' 'Le lucci' means 'lights' (plural of 'light', like the object that shines') so etimologically speaking, this man was predestined to be as mighty as a castle and to shine as bright like not just one light, but many more! Stay true to yourself, Geoff, and keep shining like the treasure you are!
@@TMD-2147official I thought about this for a long time. I respect the sentiment that each has his or her burden to bear. Still... Adding up the brutally hard work, the multiple, omnipresent threats to life and limb, and the utter hopelessness that were the hallmarks of the coal miner's lot prior to the advent of the United Mine Workers of America, I would say this: No other work compares to shoveling 16 tons of coal in a five-foot vein in an eight-hour shift. I did it as a UMWA member, in a safe, modern mine, for good pay and benefits, and it was hard work. No other job I ever had was near as hard. By the way: My personal best record was 27 tons (three, nine-ton wagons) in one, eight-hour shift. I admit I had to work through lunch to do it.
Absolutely incredible. You did Ford really proud I have no doubt. Your video was great, truly great, and your voice is chilling great. You truly did an amazing job with this old classic tune that really marked the music business. Congratz!
I couldn't count how many times I've watched it as well. It's been quite awhile since I've found myself having one song in my head almost daily. Oh and once is not enough either. 🎼🎶🎵🎶😊
When I was a kid I inherited my parent's taste in rock & roll music. As a teen I found may way heavily into gangster rap and UK Garage. In my 20's I was into the rave scene, raving to jungle, drum & bass, and dubstep. Never in my life did I expect to spend my 30's vibing out to a one man quartet singing old coal mining songs, but here I am....
Dude I'm 23 and find myself (jealously) listening to this on repeat. I even have a Spotify playlist dedicated to a capella and songs that "chant" now. And all I've ever listened to was alternative rock and rap. Maybe I'm already old. Anyway if you know any other songs like this I can add to the playlist hit me up!
@@danielprior8445 yeah I found that genre some years ago and took a strange liking to it 😂 I think my favourite musical rabbit hole so far was discovering Postmodern Jukebox, especially the colabs with Haley Reinhart - check them the fuck out if you haven't already!
@@vpnt I don't know many others yet I'm afraid other than Geoff's music and then Tim Foust / Home Free who I'd imagine you might have already come across?
Шикарный бас! Это нечто невероятное! От его голоса мурашки совершают свой бег вдоль позвоночника, а потом начинают носиться по всему телу. Старая песня звучит по-новому. Браво, Джефф! ❤❤❤
Unless you're talking about a singing note scale (of which I have no knowledge), the only notes that are not on the scale would be notes we can't hear, and obviously we were able to hear that note, and actually as I'm writing this, I realise that no that's wrong, because even notes we can't hear would be on the scale, I also just remembered that the world record holder for the lowest voice, can hit a so low that only elephants can hear the note. If you turn on captions, he says (dramatic bend to a low f#) edit:not to undermine the comment or be rude, (sorry if it came across that way), I just wanted to clear this up, and also pose a question if there is a singing scale you know about that I don't. and of course hes still an amazing singer, I do agree with you on that part.
Honestly, those notes can be hit by many bass singers (I can hit every low note in this with ease). It's Geoff's vocal agility and arrangement that sets him apart from most singers. I even have a similar high range to Geoff, but his ability to access that range at-will is insane!
This song has a lot of meaning to my history. My paternal grandfather (and his father before him) were coal miners in the Bolden Collery coal mines of north east England. It was very hard and dangerous work, but paid better than the other jobs available to them at the time and place. After WWI and just discharged from the British Army, my Grandfather, his brother and several other young families members made the move to escape the Royals, who owned ALL the land and everyone on the land. You started working in the coal mines the Monday after you gradated from the eight grade. Coal miners worked twelve hour days six days a week. In the winter they only saw the sun on Sunday. You had to rent a simple two room brick flat from the company and the only stores you could shop at within walking distance were the company stores. The Royals were "generous" enough to pay the Lads one Penny per ton for the coal they dough out by hand from 38 inch high coal seams deep under ground, sometimes going out hundreds of feet under the North Sea. They would have moved to America sooner, but before WWI without having traveled outside of England, they would not have believed that you could stand up to mine coal and make enough money to own your own home. Yes, this song resonates in my bones. I am glad to see you are giving new life to this song.
it's not just how deep his voice is but the range of it is so freaking impressive. and how effortlessly and smoothly he jumps between high and low notes. I'm in awe. I had chills while listening to this :)
Geoff!! My Daddy was born into a West Virginia coal miner family. I've always loved this song! My Grandpa had one arm due to a mining accident when he was a young teen [& again when he was a young father - same arm!]. Everyone said that Papa could out-work anyone in the mine with just one arm! This was an incredible version of 16 Tons! Tennessee Ernie Ford is looking down from Heaven and smiling at you for sure!! Now for Big John!!!! [please!!]
@@julieutley2073 I love "North to Alaska"!! Just introduced my 92 y/o Daddy to it a few months ago! He was stationed in Alaska during the Korean Conflict.
Geoff has expressed that one of his favourite basses is Barry Carl. I hadn’t heard of him until I looked him up and the first song that came up is 16 tons so I feel like this will be inspired by that.
I am a bass, and can sing down to a low c... but this guy's voice is so insanely deep my brain can't comprehend it. Just kinda scratches an itch I never knew was there listening to this...
@@Mr.CheeseCow C2, his subharmonics go down to at least F1, although octave naming conventions are messed up. Suffice it to say, the lowest C on a piano is a C1 by what I'm saying
Actually the song was written by Merle Travis. He recorded it in August 1946 and Capitol released it in July 1947. “The line ‘You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt’ came from a letter written by Travis's brother John. Another line came from their father, a coal miner, who would say: ‘I can't afford to die. I owe my soul to the company store.’” It was Tennessee Ernie Ford’s 1955 version that quickly became a million seller and was No. 1 on the Billboard country music chart for 10 weeks. It then moved over to their pop music chart for 8 weeks. (for more see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixteen_Tons)
it's unbelievable how many individual people can carry so many parts in a thick song. Danny Fong is one of the oldest ones on youtube to do parts. He has some amazing work, like hit road Jack. Go the distance and many others, If you like Geoff, you check out Danny.
I've watched this video a bunch of times already and I only just now noticed that he almost dropped the shovel around the 1:34 mark. 😂 He played it off so casually.
Imagine going close to this man bragging about how good low registers you have... Up until he opens his mouth and he shows you how it is done. The guy is amazing
He honors the original message of the song while using it to showcase his vocal range, a true masterpiece, now excuse me while I try and hit those low notes for the next 2 months
Ditto lol I mean I can kinda hit those notes in a throat growl, but getting a similar volume, rapid transition, and smoothness - that's a whole different story.
Wow! Perfection to the 7th degree in the stunning resonant voice, the extensive range, the smooth-as-soft butter delivery, the visuals, the timing, the editing, plus you're easy on the eyes!
When I was a very small girl back in the 50's Tennessee Ernie had a daytime TV show that I used to watch with my mother while she was ironing. I loved his voice; and I think he would've liked this version of this song very much.
I love Geoff's videos because it's not just about low singing. It's also really unique arrangements with these soulful harmonies and jazzy beats, the thoughtful sets and props, and edits that quite literally dance.
I got in trouble for playing this through an unsecured Bluetooth speaker at a gypsum mine a mate works at ... Apparently, I hacked a speaker with an admin account where the a/c name was the mine's name and the password was non-existent! The cops had fun at end of shift on that Friday, blasting KRS-One's Sound of da police as they nicked miners for DUI!
I can't believe how many times they've been able to capture four wild "geoff"s congregating to sing. It's truly amazing how it all combines into such a great song every time
Absolutely the best cover of 16 Tons I have ever heard. Brilliant use of mining tools and shaking the screen, and the dings on the hammer were perfection. I second the request for Big John, because you could do my favorite cover of that too. Oh, and you are gorgeous too, seriously.
@@RLC302 I fear he may have trouble getting dates! 🤔🙄 If EVER there was a man for whom THAT is not or ever will be a problem, it is our boy Dimash. He sings like an angel, looks like a Greek God and is as handsome as is legally allowed and, he has a kind and loving heart of gold full of love. Lucky the woman he marries.
Amazing harmony, what a range this guy has. I don't think I've ever heard anyone get that low. How can anyone give this guy a thumbs down? 🤨🙄 You who have just can't appreciate talent. Amazing talent. 🤗💖🌴
I kid you not, I was thinking about this song this morning and the original singer who had a deep voice. My dad used to love listening to it back in the 60's (I think about then). I also thought how cool it would be to hear Geoff sing this. Then here it is. 🥰🌴
I love to hear a real bass, and you're one of the best I've ever heard. Since I was in high school I've sung in choral groups and church choirs, where I'm usually put with the basses because I can reach all the low notes. But I'm really a tenor/baritone, and my low notes don't have that real bass character. This song needs that depth, and your arrangement is magnificent. Thanks.
@@peterk7428 without sliding we’ve only been able to hear Geoff go to an F#1 during the twenty one pilots mashup and superstitous that they released recently in 2020, but yeah we’ve seen him doing a slide down to an E1 on 2 occasions in chest, 1 being cheerleader by OMI and villains in Aca top 10 of voiceplay, but in mr blue sky he slid to a D1, but him sliding can’t really determine his actual lowest note but officially outta their videos, F#1 is the lowest so far
I was listening to this thing in earphones and the depth of this guy's voice gave me tingles. With all the respect to the original version, this one can compare with it in terms of awesomeness 🔥
I happened upon this by chance and my jaw dropped. I had my daughter listen and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her eyebrows raised so high in amazement before. It is amazingly beautiful.
Yes Geoff, I'm pretty sure Tennessee Ernie Ford himself would say you definitely did his classic song justice! I grew up with Mr. Ford's classic song as it was a massive favorite of my Grampa's. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up and was extremely close with my grandfather so I've already listened to this many times since the pre-release. I really love your arrangement of the song and the way you did the interaction amongst the four Geoff's and the use of the tools in the video was just fantastic. Thank you so much for working so hard to bring such wonderful songs & videos to your fans. 😊
Geoff: I'm not a *true* bass Also Geoff: I used only chest voice in this song (no subharmonics) Us: ... Us: Geoff, maybe we need to re-evaluate what you think being a true bass entails
Curiously enough I might agree with him. He sounds like a baritone and a high one at that. He obviously has an incredible range and he know how to manage his low notes. Timbre and range are different things.
@@idraote What makes someone a *true* bass, then? I'm asking seriously, because I simply don't know. I thought that these categories were based on range, not timbre, and Geoff is capable of hitting low notes that are well outside the typical range for baritone.
@@henrybrice86 first, one must say that voice fachs (I think they are called that way in English) are just a convenient shorthand. There are six main fachs (Bass, baritone, tenor, alto, mezzo, soprano) but you will hear many more subdivisions because voices are unique just like our faces or our fingerprints. I trained as a classical baritone and through the years I have developed an ear for the singing voice(s). To my ear, Geoff is particularly difficult to classify. I should hear him in person without a microphone and even then I am not sure I could give an answer. Within these limits, he sounds like a very agile and light baritone. He has a light, smooth voice and he can sing very high without apparent effort. Very young basses can have a developed high range, but that goes away with age and Geoff, handsome though he is, must be over 40. The elephant in the room is that he can sing very low with no apparent effort. This is why it would be essential to hear him unamplified. I would need to know how his low notes resonate in a large room. A true bass would be able to make them resonate in a large space without pushing and straining himself. If he is a baritone as I suspect, his low notes wouldn't be heard without a microphone. The real fach of a voice does not depend on the range - which can be big or small - but on the range the singer is really comfortable singing in. And by comfortable I mean able to sing all day long without strain.
@@henrybrice86 Simplified version of what the other guy said is a true bass can protect lower notes easily without warming up. Their comfortable singing range includes the really low stuff and they don't have to sing for a bit before singing those notes. They have it anytime
Geoff is a national treasure. Don't get me wrong, I love Avi, Tim, and Matt, but if I could only listen to one bass for the rest of my life, it would be Geoff!
His voice is deep and manly. However, more impressive is his apparent range. If he is singing all the parts, then his voice must be several octaves long.
A great song that demonstrates his range is Oogie Boogie.... he can go from deep in the basement all the way up to belting in the clouds :) I highly recommend you check it out with good headphones! th-cam.com/video/EbxkOntz2SA/w-d-xo.html
I'm 70 and use to listen to his radio show while my mom ironed when I was young. It brings good memories when life was good. Brought teas to me. I'm also glad the younger generation can shear the ledgen.
My dad sang this to my siblings and I when we were little, as a lullaby. My brother sang it to his kids when they were little. My son unfortunately doesn't have a dad, but we live with my parents, sister, uncle, and my brother with his wife and 2 kids as one big family unit, so both my brother and dad sing it to him. My dad has 3 brothers, and when he was growing up they would sing barbershop with my grandpa for fun, so we're a pretty musical family. We stumbled upon this video, and my son (he's almost 2 years) stops everything he's doing when he hears Geoff's voice and it's like he's in a trance. I try to sing this song (in a higher octave obviously) but he doesn't care for it. He likes the low bass notes. My purpose for this post is to express my desire for you to create a lullaby playlist for my son to listen to, with some basic lullabies. I doubt you'll read this, but can't blame a girl for trying 🤷♀️👶
Out of the 4 guys singing, the one in the white tank top was the best!
Agreed
nah the one with long hair is better
no the one in jeans😐
Lies, the one wearing the necklace is clearly superior.
I totally agree! All of them.
His voice is so deep, I can hear Adele rolling in it
Underrated
Best comment so far.
Only with the help of a 100K dollar electronic voice enhancement machine.
Only with the help of a 100K dollar electronic voice enhancement machine.
Listen to The Platters version if you want original deep voice on this ;)
I'm 75 this year and I never thought anyone could do this song better than Tennessee Ernie Ford.
It took 5 decades but you definately did this song proud. Absolutely love your voice!
I have to agree with you. Geoff’s voice is amazing.
71 this year... I also remember Tennessee Ernie Ford. He was good. This is better.
@@curvball12 Respectfully it isn't anywhere near as good as the original which has such charm and swag, Ernie Ford sells the character far more, has a better tone, and a far better accompaniment made up of talented musicians. Geoff's voice is indeed cool but there is also lot of production going on here including a staggering amount of pitch correction software and sub bass.
I'll be 73 this summer. I loved Ernie but you are just as good and that shirt doesn't hurt either!
@@Scotmendwas about to say the exact same about the post processing of pitch etc, you can just hear it straight away. I prefer the original version but still like this as well.
My grandfather was a miner for 35 years until his lungs just couldn't take it anymore and he had to retire. He would sing this song to me over and over until he died at the age of 93.
I'm so sorry for your loss pal. Wish him a happy life
Sou do Brasil e escutava essa música quando era criança na décadade 70, do disco que meu pai colocava na vitrola
@@axell15thewispmaster79 Thanks. Loved him a lot. He was a gentle giant and he loved spoiling his grand kids.
@@bigdog3628 I know that he will be a happy man seeing you now
A miner who lived to 93? That's impressive. May he rest in peace.
I'm a Deaf guy that uses subwoofer to listen to music and I'm absolutely amazed! The bonus is also the close caption! Thank you so much. Subscribed!
I am curious. What is subwoofer?
@@emiknapheide1817 they are speakers that pick up the really low frequencies/bass. You know when you're at a stop light and the car next to you has so much bass, your mirrors are shaking??? That's a (really powerful) subwoofer.
@@telejas cool
Listening to him on a subwoofer i would fear to get a bleeding nose
Oh, man. His voice is perfect for a subwoofer! :)
This mans voice is measured in the Richter scale
Underrated comment
@@i_critique_your_vanity7216 very
so lame, copying a comment from another video...
@@bramVE239 and so did you :)
@@SuchALizard sorry to disappoint but I’m 100% original 😌
Everyone talks about his deep voice but I'm admiring this arrangement. This version has such a catchy jazzy vibe it's astounding.
The bits using the tools as percussion, hammer on hammer tings. Also the screen wobble when they hit the ground with their tools.
Not to mention his good looks
I agree. He is a brilliant arranger. He does all his own stuff and half of Voiceplay stuff. He even did home Free's arrangement for Elvira. It is a crucial part of the excellence in these songs.
Some people say Mayonnaise's made out of muscle and blood
I misread Astounding As Arousing..
I used to be a miner back in the 70s I enjoy this song thank you for remastering the song
no you weren't? was that sarcastic, cause I'm pretty sure it wasn't.
@@Fictitiousflapjacks What if he was really a miner?
@@SawberBeenet no like look at his channel, the first video on there is Roblox gameplay voiced by what sounds like a literal child
@@Fictitiousflapjacks That is goofy
@@SawberBeenet indeed
Dude went so deep he found a new mine for the company.
comment of the year? 😆
his voice is so deep it became the mariana trench
Most underrated comment
@@Settings208 that's just too much
thanks for the humor
this man deserves to have millions of subs.
he is the reason i embraced my low voice and stopped trying to sing high tenor.
Imo low voices are wayyyyy better than higher pitched ones
@@andread6050 nah, all voices are good. But only if you embrace your voice like she is and don't try to be another one..
I'm an alto, but I would prefer to be a mezzo soprano, and therefore used to sing songs which are too high for my voice.
Actually, through voiceplay and Geoff this changed. I start to sing more in my lower range. 😂I mean, it's still like 3 octaves away from Geoff, but he was still the reason I started to appreciate low notes more.
Same bro
@@redlophix5670 its not that i cant sing in a high register, highest i can hit is f5 with some strain and lowest is a c#1 (subharmonic), but i am most comfortable with my lows.
once i start singing in that upper register, riffs and runs start becoming more difficult to pull off.
@Aidan Todd i watched all of them but, including Geoff's, just relax your voice and find a confortable note for you practice with (i chose b2) and it took me a couple of hours to find that sweet spot where you apply the vocal fry to the note.
it kind of feels like your vocal chords are rattling.
drink lots of water and keep at it and don't over do it, try for 10-15 mins and take a break and try again, you will get it.
16 tons
The weight of this man's voice
That is the weight of his nards
low
@@frankboogaard88 f has entered the chat when you said that
My four-year old son can't stop listening to Geoff in the car. He is 100% sure that this is THE WHALE singing, and it makes him incredibly happy and joyful 😃
😂❤❤❤
Love that! I'm a 62 year old lady and it makes me just as happy!
amazing voice this is
jess v
Hellejuhahalala leean
The first bass Whale
As a member of the older generation, I didn't believe that anyone could do, "Sixteen Tons", as well as Tennessee Ernie Ford, but Geoff Castellucci has! I really appreciate, not only Castellucci's rendition of this classic song, but his creative videography and his percussing use of tools is genius!
Yes
I was thinking the same thing. I grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford and I think he's be REALLY impressed by and proud of this.
His version of House of the Rising Sun blew my mind!!!
Это невероятно!!!
This song is one of the few songs Cash covered that I think he made worse.
Fun fact- after labor laws were introduced coal companies would pay there employees scrips(credits which could be used for rent in company housing or companies stores.The average coal miner wouldn't have enough for rent and food so they would end up going into debt with the company and would continue to be in debt until they died and they couldnt afford to stop working until they were fired or dead.Thats were the saying "I owe my soul to the company store" came from and why he brings up 16 tons because that was usually the daily quota per miner.
And we are getting compAny towns again. Nevada’s governor just sold us out to box stores for the same premise of the company owning 78 square miles of land and building their own town with their governing body and law enforcement. No local taxes
Yup. They did that in eastern and western Kentucky.
The mining company came in and bought the mineral rights to the farms where I grew up in central Kentucky. The corrupt banker in our small town did it. The company man came out to tell the families they would have to move, just for a while, because they were going to strip mine the area. (Of course there wouldn’t be any trees, soil, animals and homes left after) The man was met with silence and a lot of guns at the small central store. They didn’t come back. My dad was at the meeting. He said he was seriously scared for the guy. He needed to just stop talking and go.
The fact might be fun, but the work sure wasn't.
Christian M ... I remember my dad telling me about that! 16 Tons was his favorite song, and he grew up during the depression, and lived in Tennessee for a while (1962-63) when our largest factory in town (his job) closed down. There were NO jobs available in Terre Haute since abt 2000 men were out of a job on the same day. Dad also love deep bass/baritone singers, which he was pretty good at himself....but this guy is incredible! He would have enjoyed this!!
I suppose they were enjoying "white privilege"
"How deep can you sing?"
Geoff: "Yes."
Correct answer is "th-cam.com/video/zJVhVFRknTU/w-d-xo.html 3:14"
That's .....ALL THE WAY DOWN THERE🤪
@@jogo-md8jq Check out Voiceplay's cover of Oogie Boogie's Song. The low note he hits at the end is an E1 and with a decent sound setup you will *feel* that note
@@LPMinifridge BUHAHAHAHA bold of you to assume I haven't heard ALL of voiceplay's and Geoff's songs and covers
@@jogo-md8jq haha, a fair point. All his work is incredible
Showed my mom some base singings and remembered Geoff's cover of Jack's lament - and so we of course spent ages going through his catalog and she adores that he does "oldies". And this became one of my favorites he does.
i can’t stop listening
same
Same my Grandpa showed me this song all the time and this version is just so great
Me either
You should go for bass
Me too
His voice is so deep, the man described in the song went to the mine just to dig it up
😄👍
Actual lol 😆
For sure. You can feel it as well as hear it...
😂😂😂
Sixteen Tons" is a song written by Merle Travis about a coal miner, based on life in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.[2] Travis first recorded the song at the Radio Recorders Studio B in Hollywood, California, on August 8, 1946. Cliffie Stone played bass on the recording. It was first released in July 1947 by Capitol on Travis's album Folk Songs of the Hills.[3] The song became a gold record.
Thank you for the information!!
didn't bother to remove the wikipedia references?
Спасибо❤
lmao@@lonelymelon6623
звучит в фильме Последний дюйм👍только медленнее
I'm 77 and I never thought anyone could do this song better than Tenessee Ernie Ford but Lord bless me you did but it did take five of you to do it
Is the fifth one operating the camera?
@@pricklypear7516 his wife is
Back in the 50’s this song came out with Ernie Ford singing it and I loved it. This is great, love that deep bass!
Thank you I couldn’t remember who sang this back in the day
I loved listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford when I was growing up ❤❤
It took me a minute to place Ernie Ford...I kept picturing Ernie Kovacs!!
Mr Ford was always referred to as
'Tennessee Ernie Ford'..
A fixture of 1950s & 1960s entertainment
Kovacs & Ford were both born in 1919, huge 1950s stars, 1st wives were named Betty, later both remarried, they each had a child die young & both men had dark hair & trademark mustaches
This was one of my favorites back in the day, so I looked forward to a cover. Wow! This is beyond great for what started out as a deep-voice guy singing acapella...but then, he was joined by three backup singers, all him! I had to go back and listen several more times, and I saved it to "watch later," as I'm sure I'll want to listen ...well, later.
So refreshing to hear ballads come back this man is a joy to listen to
My uncle used to sing this in the shower everyday. Drove my aunt crazy. He taught it to us and his kids just to aggravate her lol. Thank you for bringing back good memories on a very bad day
Me too
Wow that's so cool
Why didn’t you move back to your parents?
My Daddy sang this song too
Hope today is better than before. Life is good.
You don't even know where to start praising, the voice the arrangement, the editing, it's a total work of art, absolutely great. I bow respectfully
❤👏👏👏👍🙏❤️🌸🌸🌸👏👏
Indeed!! I agree with you!!!
I 100% percent agree.
I'm 70 years old and having worked in the coal mines of southern WV, I approve. I'm also sure Ernie Ford would too. Great job.
Geoff's voice is like melted hot chocolate poured straight into the soul.
that is scarily accurate
Such an under-rated comment!
i was looking for how to describe the feeling this is so good.
That sounds terrible like getting hot chocolate in your eye only worse. Not that I don't get your point or that I'm not a hot chocolate fan.
You could say it would be like getting SIXTEEN TONS of hot chocolate poured into your soul....ok i will leave.
Geoff, I think you'd do an absolutely epic version of "The sound of silence". Your vocals are awesome!
Yes! I wanna hear it (based on Disturbed’s version)
Yeah, that'd be the one to base it on.
He'd sing it so low it WOULD sound silent!
oh yeah that would be epic
Yes He must Do It!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am 80 years old and was around for the originals of Sixteen Tons, The Monster Mash, Big Bad John and Ghost Riders in the Sky. You add to each one with your own talents while remaining faithful to the originals! I don't remember enjoying their music more than your renditions, Thank you! 🤩🎶🎵🎼🎹
I grew up listening to these songs I'm 66 I loved them then and I love them even more now you are a fantastic singer ❤️❤️
Yeah I think the originals are awesome, but with all the new production techniques it really is hard to not like this version better. Ernie Ford was so good live on the recording I watched, he really had amazing control of his voice.
❤❤
you are not 80 with that pfp
Another oldie who remembers the original version.
Thank you! I am old enough (73) to have been very familiar with Tennessee Ernie Ford singing the same song. I was entranced and mesmerized listening to his beautiful bass tones. Yours was wonderful as well. LOVED listening to you. Intriguing to watch with the camera duplication or split screen, whatever it is called. THANKS AGAIN!
Didn't even finish listening before I hit the like button. Now. Sit down kids. This Grandma's enjoying this.
Same here!
I'm absolutely blown away that anybody at all hit a dislike button. It must have been an accident
My Grandpa showed this to me all the time when I was little and I love this song and I’m from “Gen Z”
Same here , the same !
Didn't even finish listening before I hit the subscribe button.
skip to 1:33 if you wanna see Geoff almost dropping the shovel...totally played it off 😎
Thank you for that, it made my whole day better.
Thanks. Love that stuff.
Dude I've watched this video so many times and I've never noticed that until now. Dang
I thought it was part of the transition! Lol!
I can see if I can find more little things...I'm a very observant person lol
Дар речи потеряла, услышав.... Вот это владение своим голосом!!!! Шикарно!!!! Браво!!!
А кто поёт-то?
@@alexandergrishchenko4280 в титрах первым Себастьян единорог. в комментах кое-кто назвал его Джеффом.
Джефф Кастеллуччи@@alexandergrishchenko4280
@@alexandergrishchenko4280 Читайте описание под роликом
@@alexandergrishchenko4280Александр, вы задаёте этот вопрос, находясь на канале этого исполнителя. Прочитайте его имя в названии канала! (Geoff Castellucci)
I grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford because of my dad. 16 tons is the first song I taught my son. He just turned 18 on the 20th and still sings it. What a wonderful rendition you did. Thank you.
I'm a tenor, but I can't help but love this guy's voice. Silky smooth and so rich. Basses are still horrendously underrated outside of classical music circles and it drives me nuts. Mad respect to you, my dude.
I might be tenur or countertenur
Back in the 60's and 70's basses were very popular in Southern Gospel Quartets, but yes, they are pretty much ignored now.
I love singing bass
POV: every other pitch sings louder than you
@@harpintn Absolutely!
I love when he produced the sound of the hammer by hammering the hammer using the hammer
It would've slipped right by me if I hadn't seen your comment, nice catch catch.
Who would have thought that hammering a hammer would make a hammering sound! =D
Nailed it!
Pretty dangerous to strike two hardened surfaces together. Shatters can be almost explosive. Be a shame to punture those vocal cords with self inflicted shrapnel.
I've saw here no saw except the saw I saw. Oops, with the "hammer" t'will be less happiness...
Easy, dude, I just got these speakers a week and a half ago.
Be gentle.
😂
RIP your speakers.
@@dorisdonnell8791 you joke but this busted my speakers apart the other day...
I tried to listen to this and my speakers caught fire
I can't stop listening to this song. He just hypnotized me.
I love how clear his words are while singing so low. It’s also great to see his range.
Anyone else want to see him and Tim Foust and Avi Kaplan cover a song. Just to see if the earth cracks in half.
Just have them do this song with 4 basses (with Matt).
You'll know it's being recorded when your plates start rattling in the cupboard.
REALLY FUNNY! AND YEEESSSSS!
YES
Absolutely awesome, I bet they could make it happen
@@Igneusflama throw in Jules Cruz the bass from The Filharmonic and Richard Sturbin from Oak Ridge Boys too and make it 6 just to see what happens lol
As a bass singer, this was the first performance I'd ever done in front of my GCSE music class, thanks Geoff! Couldn't have done it without you! (don't worry, I credited you)
You do realize this is a cover?
@@Gr1mR3aper118 yes but this cover is especially bass
@@Gr1mR3aper118 he's a bass the original isn't a bass singer he used this as a reference because it better fit him as a bass singer as opposed to the original
It does sound like an amazing song to showcase a bass range.
Great! I hope you passed that test?
My GOD!!! What a VOICE!!! WHAT A BASS!!! Magnificient vocal.
❤LYRICS:
Some people say a man is made out of mud
A poor man's made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
You've got a mind that's weak and a back that's strong
You load 16 tons and what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
Saint Peter, don't you call me, but to the company store
Saint Peter, but don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store, c'mon
Well, I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded 16 tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said, "Well-a bless my soul!"
You load 16 tons and what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store, yeah
I was born one morning, in the drizzlin' rain
The fightin' and trouble have been my middle name
I was raised in the cane brake by an old mama lion
Can't no high-toned woman make me walk the line
Yeah, 16 tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
I owe my soul
If you see me comin' better step aside
A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died
One fist of iron and the other of steel
If the left one don't getcha then the right one will
You load
16 tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
Saint Peter, don't you call me, but to the company store
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul
To the company store
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
You are an angel
@@KNIDLZ Aw deary, so cute. Thank you❤
Sorry to say this but if you listen to the original that's not the lyrics
@@teenadavisson3235 who cares, it's this version I'm listening to
@@teenadavisson3235 who cares, it's this version I'm listening to
I can't keep from thinking that Tennessee Ernie Ford would believe that you are carrying the mantle with honor...
Absolutely!!!
Exactly what I was thinking!
Agree!
Roger that
I remember this as a child. I think he is better than original.
You know its going to be good when Geoff labels it "LOW bass singer cover" and not just "Bass singer cover" Im so hyped for this!
Edit: just watched the premiere... and my word, its so GOOD! That ending note was in chest voice!! Geoff you did absolutley amazing on this song
Oh my god I am too. I didn't recognize that, thank you for pointing out!!
I was literally coming into the comments to say that😂
It was absolutely insane, he was incredible!
Thanks!
I have had goosebumps all over & shivers down my spine since i got to hear this the first time & everytime after😊❤️🤣 this is SO so Good!! Now a permanent fixture on my playlist. Amazing!!
WOW!!!!! I was blown away from the start and then at 1:34 he sang, "walk the LINE'" and my jaw dropped when he sang LINE. I've never heard such a low voice. And I believe you sang each piece so.... what a range you have too! AMAZING VOICE!!
Give a listen to Geoff doing Oogie Boogie. He hits a lower note in that.
Yeah his voice is really awesome.
If you like bass voices, look up Hoist the colours by wellermen
And "thatbassvoice"
His part in there is also abysally low
I’m so glad my generation hasn’t forgotten this song.
Так что, это шахтерская песня (шучу)? ... Напомнила мне про папиросы "Шахтерские", которые курил мой дед (опять шучу).
It's one of my favorites classics! So classy
😎 Best. Cover. EVAH.
And a real ear worm!
@@BigMamaDaveX YES! What you said🤗
Born in '97, I was lead bass in highschool to sing this in my junior, I still tune in to it here and there to listen, I love older music too. This stuff is awesome!
Geoff clones from left to right:
There's super extra and kinda done with the world sledge-hammer-percussionist Geoff, then very chill and shovel-holding Geoff, next to him lead-singer Geoff of course, who's kinda intimidating with that huge pickaxe and "better step aside", and last but not least "just-vibin'-with-the-music"-Geoff, who doesn't quite seem to know how he's landed there, but is fully enjoying himself and happily participating in the song!
I love how every one of your clones seems to have their own personality of some kind... I don't know if that was intentional, but I have to say it's genius and so fun! xD This was an amazing arrangent in every way and I literally can't believe it's all full voice... wow. Thanks for again and again introducing me to awesome music!
We have Jeff, Jeoff, Geoff, and *_Frank_*
It bothers me that I can't tell what Vibe-Geoff is holding.
@@littlesounder1932 But not to forget about Geoph and Goeff, they surely helped behind the scenes! 🤣
@@peterk7428 Same, but I figured it must be the upside-down turned version of the pickaxe! There weren't enough tools for all the Geoffs...
Your descriptions are spot on.
I mistakenly had my volume turned up a little too high when I started this but chose to leave it there. Thank you Mr. Castellucci for rearranging my living room furniture! ;-)
And for tuning up my woofer.
Lmao!
Literally lol’d
One of the best comments on this video.
Sixteen Tons was my Mom's all-time favorite song. We sang it at her Memorial Service (she was 91 when she passed away in 2018). Thanks...you've helped me remember so many good times with Mom, when she put the 45rpm on the little portable player that we had when I was a kid (back in the 1950s), and we'd sing the song together.
I'm tone deaf, can't carry a tune in a sack but that didn't stop me from singing along, or at least I think it was singing. The neighbors may have thought I was being slaughtered with a dull shovel. You not only did it justice, you owned it.
Well you had fun and forgot about life’s hardships. That’s the essence of music, and I’m happy for you
You have other talents. Like a great sense of humor.
Singing is a gift but we need an audience-great comments 👵🏽👋🏾🦅☀️🦅💚
If God gave you a good voice singing is the way to thank him. If God gave you a bad voice singing is the way to get even.
You have made me laugh and smile with this comment. Thank you!
A fun fact: I'm not sure if you know this, but the surname Castellucci has a special meaning in Italian. It's derived out of two words: Castello and Lucci. If we put the correct articles in front, it would be 'il castello' which you can guess, it means 'castle.' 'Le lucci' means 'lights' (plural of 'light', like the object that shines') so etimologically speaking, this man was predestined to be as mighty as a castle and to shine as bright like not just one light, but many more! Stay true to yourself, Geoff, and keep shining like the treasure you are!
Thank you. I love etymology.
@@dawynn9362 You are very welcome.
Let me hazard a guess: he belongs to a House with the Pike (fish) as its sigil.
@@stanley95300 If it looks badass, why not :)
Wow! That's damn cool! I hope Geoff reads this. The name is from Kath originally isn't it?
As a retired Coal Miner, I say, "Thank You!" and BRAVO!😎🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Glad you made it back topside
How do you think this compares to the original?
@@Peagaporto I think it compares quite well. Each has its own merits. Both are outstanding.
@@TMD-2147official I thought about this for a long time. I respect the sentiment that each has his or her burden to bear. Still...
Adding up the brutally hard work, the multiple, omnipresent threats to life and limb, and the utter hopelessness that were the hallmarks of the coal miner's lot prior to the advent of the United Mine Workers of America, I would say this:
No other work compares to shoveling 16 tons of coal in a five-foot vein in an eight-hour shift.
I did it as a UMWA member, in a safe, modern mine, for good pay and benefits, and it was hard work.
No other job I ever had was near as hard.
By the way: My personal best record was 27 tons (three, nine-ton wagons) in one, eight-hour shift. I admit I had to work through lunch to do it.
Absolutely incredible. You did Ford really proud I have no doubt. Your video was great, truly great, and your voice is chilling great. You truly did an amazing job with this old classic tune that really marked the music business. Congratz!
Oh man. This man singing Big Bad John would be perfect.
Edit: he did it!
Good idea
Great idea ... just the best!!
I thought the same thing!!
Great idea! Two songs my grandpa would play for me
Absolutely! I can't wait.
YES!! TAKE MY MONEY NOW!!!
I’ve now lost count of how many times I’ve watched this. I just can’t seem to get enough. Such tremendous talent and quite easy on the eyes. 😊
I agree!
I couldn't count how many times I've watched it as well.
It's been quite awhile since I've found myself having one song in my head almost daily. Oh and once is not enough either.
🎼🎶🎵🎶😊
I'LL SECOND THAT!!!🤩
I just leave it on repeat it is to good
Cant agree enough, and the bass voice just sets your ovaries rumbling honestly!
When I was a kid I inherited my parent's taste in rock & roll music. As a teen I found may way heavily into gangster rap and UK Garage. In my 20's I was into the rave scene, raving to jungle, drum & bass, and dubstep. Never in my life did I expect to spend my 30's vibing out to a one man quartet singing old coal mining songs, but here I am....
Dude I'm 23 and find myself (jealously) listening to this on repeat. I even have a Spotify playlist dedicated to a capella and songs that "chant" now. And all I've ever listened to was alternative rock and rap. Maybe I'm already old. Anyway if you know any other songs like this I can add to the playlist hit me up!
Sounds familiar. If you’re anything like me, wait until you discover electro swing. Serious rabbit hole.
@@danielprior8445 yeah I found that genre some years ago and took a strange liking to it 😂 I think my favourite musical rabbit hole so far was discovering Postmodern Jukebox, especially the colabs with Haley Reinhart - check them the fuck out if you haven't already!
@@vpnt I don't know many others yet I'm afraid other than Geoff's music and then Tim Foust / Home Free who I'd imagine you might have already come across?
@@vpnt you're not old just a classic at a young age.
Шикарный бас! Это нечто невероятное! От его голоса мурашки совершают свой бег вдоль позвоночника, а потом начинают носиться по всему телу. Старая песня звучит по-новому. Браво, Джефф! ❤❤❤
He hit a bass note that I don't think is even on the scale, plus able to hit higher notes. Totally great.
yeah for real its amazing how many notes he can hit
Unless you're talking about a singing note scale (of which I have no knowledge), the only notes that are not on the scale would be notes we can't hear, and obviously we were able to hear that note, and actually as I'm writing this, I realise that no that's wrong, because even notes we can't hear would be on the scale, I also just remembered that the world record holder for the lowest voice, can hit a so low that only elephants can hear the note.
If you turn on captions, he says (dramatic bend to a low f#)
edit:not to undermine the comment or be rude, (sorry if it came across that way), I just wanted to clear this up, and also pose a question if there is a singing scale you know about that I don't.
and of course hes still an amazing singer, I do agree with you on that part.
Honestly, those notes can be hit by many bass singers (I can hit every low note in this with ease). It's Geoff's vocal agility and arrangement that sets him apart from most singers. I even have a similar high range to Geoff, but his ability to access that range at-will is insane!
@@saplingdatree4111 And to top it off, after the low F#... he followed it with even lower notes... ones I can only achieve when I have the flu...
@@johndeeregreen4592 can you hit A4 chest?
Nobody is allowed to be this good looking and this good at singing, its illegal. THIS IS NOT OK lmaoooooo
I cannot contain myself around men like this I go primal
@@resultofboredomowo950 SAME
**laughs in bi**
*pan
@@Piflle ah yes same.
I know right, another man who sings swell AND is hot is Jim Morrison
This song has a lot of meaning to my history. My paternal grandfather (and his father before him) were coal miners in the Bolden Collery coal mines of north east England. It was very hard and dangerous work, but paid better than the other jobs available to them at the time and place. After WWI and just discharged from the British Army, my Grandfather, his brother and several other young families members made the move to escape the Royals, who owned ALL the land and everyone on the land. You started working in the coal mines the Monday after you gradated from the eight grade. Coal miners worked twelve hour days six days a week. In the winter they only saw the sun on Sunday. You had to rent a simple two room brick flat from the company and the only stores you could shop at within walking distance were the company stores. The Royals were "generous" enough to pay the Lads one Penny per ton for the coal they dough out by hand from 38 inch high coal seams deep under ground, sometimes going out hundreds of feet under the North Sea. They would have moved to America sooner, but before WWI without having traveled outside of England, they would not have believed that you could stand up to mine coal and make enough money to own your own home. Yes, this song resonates in my bones. I am glad to see you are giving new life to this song.
Coulson, weird that it sounds like coal!
I had learned about a lot of that but I did not know the penny a ton or the Monday after 8th grade graduation! Thank you!
Now I know why Sunday is called sun-day. Thank you.
Thank you!!!!!
Wow. What a story.
Literally uncontrollable goosebumps completelt covering my head and neck everytime you hit that low low my dude. Got dayum
it's not just how deep his voice is but the range of it is so freaking impressive. and how effortlessly and smoothly he jumps between high and low notes. I'm in awe. I had chills while listening to this :)
He makes going to the high notes and low ones look so easy.
He really does make it look so much easier
He really is the most amazing singer I've ever heard and seen.
I was impressed too, this being the second video I've watched. Only one critique - the bass aspects aren't clear/smooth, they are rather nasally.
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I missed Geoff, Jeff, Jiff and Jöff, I must say.
I wonder why Jøff wasnt in this one?
@@levipabst776 Heard he's planning something big behind the scenes.
@Alexandria Hauser Geoff responded to a question I asked him by saying that Joff got eaten by a horse... he's no more.
Jiff was actually supposed to be in this, he was too busy eating in the back.
Someone please explain {:(
Geoff!! My Daddy was born into a West Virginia coal miner family. I've always loved this song! My Grandpa had one arm due to a mining accident when he was a young teen [& again when he was a young father - same arm!]. Everyone said that Papa could out-work anyone in the mine with just one arm! This was an incredible version of 16 Tons! Tennessee Ernie Ford is looking down from Heaven and smiling at you for sure!! Now for Big John!!!! [please!!]
Oh yeah! Big John. And North to Alaska.
Merle Travis, who wrote the song and sang it too, lookin' down with approval as well.
@@julieutley2073 I love "North to Alaska"!! Just introduced my 92 y/o Daddy to it a few months ago! He was stationed in Alaska during the Korean Conflict.
You’re in luck he’s gonna be releasing a version soon!
Deep respect
One of my favorite songs for 71 years. Thanks going to see what else you have to share with your smooth voice 😊
Ok but imagine Geoff doing a sea shanty though
^ This man is asking the real questions!
Oh yes please
Drunken Sailor!
Or Wellerman
And now this is something I want to hear! I am adding it to list of songs I would love to hear him cover. Maybe one day...
I love this 💓 Can you imagine him covering Jimmy Dean's "Big John"?!?! He would crush it ❤️❤️❤️
Please - "Big John" would be amazing!!
Yeeessssss!!!
Absolutely!!!!
Yes!!!
Absulutly YESSSSSS !
Geoff has expressed that one of his favourite basses is Barry Carl. I hadn’t heard of him until I looked him up and the first song that came up is 16 tons so I feel like this will be inspired by that.
Think there was a g1 in there. Mark that down haha
Rockappella, the start of modern a cappella. Granted, Geoff and the gang have taken it up 3-4 levels.
th-cam.com/video/pxCzfybdI_c/w-d-xo.html
@@pennygod6413 F#1 and G1 yay
It was incredible, I always love his singing.
I am a bass, and can sing down to a low c... but this guy's voice is so insanely deep my brain can't comprehend it. Just kinda scratches an itch I never knew was there listening to this...
Which C?
@@Mr.CheeseCow C2, his subharmonics go down to at least F1, although octave naming conventions are messed up. Suffice it to say, the lowest C on a piano is a C1 by what I'm saying
Actually the song was written by Merle Travis. He recorded it in August 1946 and Capitol released it in July 1947.
“The line ‘You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt’ came from a letter written by Travis's brother John. Another line came from their father, a coal miner, who would say: ‘I can't afford to die. I owe my soul to the company store.’”
It was Tennessee Ernie Ford’s 1955 version that quickly became a million seller and was No. 1 on the Billboard country music chart for 10 weeks. It then moved over to their pop music chart for 8 weeks.
(for more see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixteen_Tons)
You're wrong
@@artv4nd3l4yah yes, the simple "you're wrong" defeats any argument no matter how much proof, or how convincing it is
@@ArsenalTheProtogen I'm glad we're on the same page brother!!
Damn cool thanks for this information, this is genuinely fascinating
🤓
I heard this first on Spotify, and could've never imagined that a single man did all the voices. 😳
Hey same here!
And I agree, the other voices sounded so different and high 😳
Wait.. what? Only 1 guy?
@@tauniafemrite2963 I mean, I think if it was quadruplets they'd have been Oprah by now 😜
it's unbelievable how many individual people can carry so many parts in a thick song. Danny Fong is one of the oldest ones on youtube to do parts. He has some amazing work, like hit road Jack. Go the distance and many others, If you like Geoff, you check out Danny.
That. Isnt a standing bass. That is a Geoff. That is both brain breaking and absolutely delightful.
You’re right he’s not a standing bass he’s a sitting bass
Actually?
There's definitely an upright bass in the track. this isn't 100% vocals
@@bramVE239 well yeah his own compositions aren't solely acapella (for the most part anyway)
I've watched this video a bunch of times already and I only just now noticed that he almost dropped the shovel around the 1:34 mark. 😂 He played it off so casually.
Imagine going close to this man bragging about how good low registers you have... Up until he opens his mouth and he shows you how it is done. The guy is amazing
He honors the original message of the song while using it to showcase his vocal range, a true masterpiece, now excuse me while I try and hit those low notes for the next 2 months
Ditto lol
I mean I can kinda hit those notes in a throat growl, but getting a similar volume, rapid transition, and smoothness - that's a whole different story.
TH-cam says its been 2 months. Did you do it?
I can comfortably sing about 90% of the song, with another 5% that I have to try to hit, and the last 5 that is completely beyond my current range
@@cruss4612 not yet lol
Wow! Perfection to the 7th degree in the stunning resonant voice, the extensive range, the smooth-as-soft butter delivery, the visuals, the timing, the editing, plus you're easy on the eyes!
Easy on the ears, too!
Very easy on the eyes!
I agree.
He is very nice all round ❤
😊The whole package...perfect!❤️
When I was a very small girl back in the 50's Tennessee Ernie had a daytime TV show that I used to watch with my mother while she was ironing. I loved his voice; and I think he would've liked this version of this song very much.
I love Geoff's videos because it's not just about low singing. It's also really unique arrangements with these soulful harmonies and jazzy beats, the thoughtful sets and props, and edits that quite literally dance.
we know you enjoy the song because of the way the man looks
@@dinoslayer1353 well... Can't argue with that
How do you confuse a miner? Show him a line of shovels and tell him to take his pick
🤣🤣🤣
Lol good one
The old uns are the best 😃
Brilliant
That one goes to the top of dad jokes. Thanks
My work got mad cause we played this over the loud speaker in the Warehouse during mandatory overtime !!! Love this song great job on this classic
King behavior 👏👏👏
It's on the playlist that plays in the store I work at. I hear it literally every day.
legit best thing ever
I got in trouble for playing this through an unsecured Bluetooth speaker at a gypsum mine a mate works at ...
Apparently, I hacked a speaker with an admin account where the a/c name was the mine's name and the password was non-existent!
The cops had fun at end of shift on that Friday, blasting KRS-One's Sound of da police as they nicked miners for DUI!
I can't believe how many times they've been able to capture four wild "geoff"s congregating to sing. It's truly amazing how it all combines into such a great song every time
Anyone else wanna hear Geoff singin' 'Misty Mountain' from The Hobbit?
YES YES YES PLEASE!
Omg that would be amazing!
oh hell yeah. was the first thing that came to my mind hearing this
Y E S
Yes yes did I mention YES
Absolutely the best cover of 16 Tons I have ever heard.
Brilliant use of mining tools and shaking the screen, and the dings on the hammer were perfection.
I second the request for Big John, because you could do my favorite cover of that too.
Oh, and you are gorgeous too, seriously.
AMEN!
It is true. He's not very ugly!
@@erik1836 Back off! I saw him 1st! Lol! 😊
@@RLC302 I fear he may have trouble getting dates! 🤔🙄
If EVER there was a man for whom THAT is not or ever will be a problem, it is our boy Dimash.
He sings like an angel, looks like a Greek God and is as handsome as is legally allowed and, he has a kind and loving heart of gold full of love.
Lucky the woman he marries.
Wenn ein deutscher dir Kommentarsektion betritt und nicht weiss was löffel (spoon) auf englisch ist, hab mich schlappgelacht, nicht böse gemeint😂
Amazing harmony, what a range this guy has. I don't think I've ever heard anyone get that low. How can anyone give this guy a thumbs down? 🤨🙄 You who have just can't appreciate talent.
Amazing talent. 🤗💖🌴
The guy with the Oakridge boys is on the same range as him
Tim Foust and Avi Kaplan are that low and lower still
check out russian oktavists
@michael smith J.D. Sumner was in the Guinness Book of World Records for the lowest bass voice. Tim Storms holds the record now.
@@mymacintyre Pretty sure Avi doesn't get as low as the others but Tim and Geoff are pretty equal. Check out any of the Bass Battle videos.
I kid you not, I was thinking about this song this morning and the original singer who had a deep voice. My dad used to love listening to it back in the 60's (I think about then). I also thought how cool it would be to hear Geoff sing this. Then here it is. 🥰🌴
I love to hear a real bass, and you're one of the best I've ever heard. Since I was in high school I've sung in choral groups and church choirs, where I'm usually put with the basses because I can reach all the low notes. But I'm really a tenor/baritone, and my low notes don't have that real bass character. This song needs that depth, and your arrangement is magnificent. Thanks.
Similar to me. I think there are a lot of us out there.
@@IsaacAsimov1992yes we are and I’d like to have that deep bass
the irony is he says he's a Baritone with a bass range
You hear the bass version of Hoist The Sails on the Bobby Bass channel? Third solo so deep you feel it in the soles of your feet.
@@dawnmccarthy1 Eric Hollaway is another being entirely
Geoff release a new video
His vocal range videos:PANIC
I can’t tell how low he got but I bet his lowest chest note in them is just going 📉
Oogie boogie song
I think it was at least an E if not lower.
@@chrisk3097 not his lowest anymore
@@peterk7428 without sliding we’ve only been able to hear Geoff go to an F#1 during the twenty one pilots mashup and superstitous that they released recently in 2020, but yeah we’ve seen him doing a slide down to an E1 on 2 occasions in chest, 1 being cheerleader by OMI and villains in Aca top 10 of voiceplay, but in mr blue sky he slid to a D1, but him sliding can’t really determine his actual lowest note but officially outta their videos, F#1 is the lowest so far
My cat listened to this, now he's a lion
@Ibuprofen: Hahaha! Thanks, I needed that comment more than I thought I did
HAHAHAHAHA
BRILLIANT!!!!! thanx!
Wow! You're sharp! What a great comment! Just had a good giggle!!!!
Bet
I was listening to this thing in earphones and the depth of this guy's voice gave me tingles. With all the respect to the original version, this one can compare with it in terms of awesomeness 🔥
I happened upon this by chance and my jaw dropped. I had my daughter listen and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her eyebrows raised so high in amazement before. It is amazingly beautiful.
Yes Geoff, I'm pretty sure Tennessee Ernie Ford himself would say you definitely did his classic song justice! I grew up with Mr. Ford's classic song as it was a massive favorite of my Grampa's. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up and was extremely close with my grandfather so I've already listened to this many times since the pre-release. I really love your arrangement of the song and the way you did the interaction amongst the four Geoff's and the use of the tools in the video was just fantastic. Thank you so much for working so hard to bring such wonderful songs & videos to your fans. 😊
Geoff: I'm not a *true* bass
Also Geoff: I used only chest voice in this song (no subharmonics)
Us: ...
Us: Geoff, maybe we need to re-evaluate what you think being a true bass entails
Curiously enough I might agree with him. He sounds like a baritone and a high one at that.
He obviously has an incredible range and he know how to manage his low notes.
Timbre and range are different things.
@@idraote What makes someone a *true* bass, then? I'm asking seriously, because I simply don't know. I thought that these categories were based on range, not timbre, and Geoff is capable of hitting low notes that are well outside the typical range for baritone.
@@henrybrice86 first, one must say that voice fachs (I think they are called that way in English) are just a convenient shorthand. There are six main fachs (Bass, baritone, tenor, alto, mezzo, soprano) but you will hear many more subdivisions because voices are unique just like our faces or our fingerprints.
I trained as a classical baritone and through the years I have developed an ear for the singing voice(s).
To my ear, Geoff is particularly difficult to classify. I should hear him in person without a microphone and even then I am not sure I could give an answer.
Within these limits, he sounds like a very agile and light baritone. He has a light, smooth voice and he can sing very high without apparent effort. Very young basses can have a developed high range, but that goes away with age and Geoff, handsome though he is, must be over 40.
The elephant in the room is that he can sing very low with no apparent effort. This is why it would be essential to hear him unamplified. I would need to know how his low notes resonate in a large room. A true bass would be able to make them resonate in a large space without pushing and straining himself.
If he is a baritone as I suspect, his low notes wouldn't be heard without a microphone.
The real fach of a voice does not depend on the range - which can be big or small - but on the range the singer is really comfortable singing in. And by comfortable I mean able to sing all day long without strain.
@@idraote Thank you! Always happy to learn more about this.
@@henrybrice86 Simplified version of what the other guy said is a true bass can protect lower notes easily without warming up. Their comfortable singing range includes the really low stuff and they don't have to sing for a bit before singing those notes. They have it anytime
I just got a Astro A10 headset and tested out its bass quality on this AND MY GOD IS IT BUMPIN
“Girls talk in a higher pitch when they’re around guys they are interested in!”
My crush talking to me:
Hhahahhaa
LMAOOO😂😂
what does that have to do with this song?
IKR DUDE
i feel u :(
Geoff is a national treasure. Don't get me wrong, I love Avi, Tim, and Matt, but if I could only listen to one bass for the rest of my life, it would be Geoff!
Right?? Good comparism with the listening for the rest of your life
His voice has a more inviting quality than the other big Acapella basses, so I get that
Why not both? Or all. I wouldn't mind a collab. ;)
@Sarah Kay There is not a speaker in the world that would survive such a collab, but it would indeed be the height of epicness!
@@lzz9376 That collaboration would register on the Richter scale.
His voice is deep and manly. However, more impressive is his apparent range. If he is singing all the parts, then his voice must be several octaves long.
5
A great song that demonstrates his range is Oogie Boogie.... he can go from deep in the basement all the way up to belting in the clouds :) I highly recommend you check it out with good headphones! th-cam.com/video/EbxkOntz2SA/w-d-xo.html
Thank you
@pacificcoastpiper3949 thank you
It could be his falsetto, but i might be wrong. Other than that, it COULD ALSO be quadruplets, which would be hilarious, but unlikely.
Eine absolute Hammerversion eines Titels den ich aus meiner Kindheit kenne!
Einfach SUUUUUPER !!!
I'm 70 and use to listen to his radio show while my mom ironed when I was young. It brings good memories when life was good. Brought teas to me. I'm also glad the younger generation can shear the ledgen.
Whose radio show?
@@dzy4u Tennessee Ernie Ford and more of the oldies.
My dad sang this to my siblings and I when we were little, as a lullaby. My brother sang it to his kids when they were little. My son unfortunately doesn't have a dad, but we live with my parents, sister, uncle, and my brother with his wife and 2 kids as one big family unit, so both my brother and dad sing it to him. My dad has 3 brothers, and when he was growing up they would sing barbershop with my grandpa for fun, so we're a pretty musical family. We stumbled upon this video, and my son (he's almost 2 years) stops everything he's doing when he hears Geoff's voice and it's like he's in a trance. I try to sing this song (in a higher octave obviously) but he doesn't care for it. He likes the low bass notes.
My purpose for this post is to express my desire for you to create a lullaby playlist for my son to listen to, with some basic lullabies. I doubt you'll read this, but can't blame a girl for trying 🤷♀️👶
Thats nice
That's sweet, but id bet you got coal tolled.
Hope Geoff reads that
Maybe he'd like to create one for me, whilst he's about it! 😜😍💓
are you the dad
The powerful voice with such a range would be impressive enough by itself, but the arranging skill evidenced by Geoff is equally impressive.
76 here and did not want the piece to end. The original was a favorite.