Why did the chicken cross the road? To chase her dreams 😂 Reaction starts at 0:19

It's funny, after you got to the punch line of "the road" you spent about 10 seconds just thinking "ok, this is a joke song" - and then there's an obvious moment where you really started paying attention again. I'm glad you tuned back in again instead of emotionally disconnecting :)

The Chicken had no right to absolutely devastate me, none at all. It's a "why did the chicken cross the road? to get to the other side." joke that is treated with seriousness and actually really illustrates Bo's relationship with comedy too. sometimes the thing you want most and dream about actually has the greatest ability to hurt you.

Even though I know it's all a joke, the reveal of "40" at the end of the ICU bit still gave me chills.

The fact that the chicken was going to be in inside makes “you can pick the street I’ll meet you on the other side” from goodbye hit harder

I just realized the Chicken is Bo. The whole last half of the special, specifically "All Eyes on Me" is about Bo's desperate wish to go outside and be back in front of an audience, and his simultaneous fear of everything happening outside and anxiety of performing and releasing his special to the world for them to evaluate and consume and critique. The whole thing where he's outside of the house at the end is him realizing once he puts himself out there, he can't go back. Once he leaves the room, he's stuck outside. Bo is the chicken, and the road is the threshold of his front door. In order to get what she wants from life, the chicken has to put herself in danger. Similarly, if Bo wants the satisfaction of an audience and to achieve his creative potential, he has to put himself out there and accept the dangers of the outside world and the pitfalls of publicly performing. The Chicken is basically a song about a chicken leaving her comfort zone and the home she's been imprisoned in, in pursuit of larger dreams. Bo is seeking to do the same. And sometimes the danger is real, the chicken may have died in the process. But Bo believes we should have hope that she overcame the danger, and in doing so is expressing a metaphorical optimism for himself and his own endeavors.

When my friends and I were watching this, we all laughed at the chicken song at first, especially after the "Chicken crossed the road" joke, and then by the end we were all in tears. And when we replayed it, the lyrics in the beginning hit so much harder and we cried more. When Bo says the line "I think we ought to believe that she got to the other side", I felt that he wasn't saying we would hope the car didn't hit her, but that it did and she passed on to the "Other side" where she finally got to get away from the life that was hindering her and was now at peace. The added "So that's why she did it" hits so much harder after you think about it that way. Through tears my friend said "Fuck you Bo for making a song about a chicken that perfectly incapsulates the human condition" LOL

not only is Bo a phenomenal musician, but his lyrical writing ability is absolutely amazing. His lyrics, even though sometimes are meant to be funny, still are poetry.

I love what he does with the cursor at the very end. Lol. And I'm so glad you saw what I did - his younger self in the fire. I thought I was going crazy. I'm thinking that the rocky beach is OUTSIDE...because he indeed got there. ☺

Some food for thought as to why this song hits so hard: there’s a repeated melody that appears three times. “She stares out the window,” “The chicken must first cross,” and “So that’s why she did it” all use the same notes, and it’s a melody that doesn’t resolve, giving us a feeling of “What’s next?” The only time it leads to a continued melody is the second time. When Bo sings “The road,” it gives us a brand new melodic idea that we haven’t heard before in the song. That’s why “the road” is the line with the most dramatic emphasis in the song- it’s the one set of notes that breaks the mold of dissatisfaction we’ve been hearing through the entire song so far. This was the first song I heard by Bo Burnham, and it singlehandedly convinced me that he’s a musical genius

i personally thought the chicken was an analogy for su!cide "a sea of trees and green and moss... ...a life of brighter days" is what the chicken aspires to achieve "The road is gigantic, the chicken is little" road = life + its obstacles, bypassing cars represent obstacles "waiting just across the road... ...all of a sudden she stops in the middle, frozen in place by a pair of headlights" could symbolize the appeal of su!cide - sometimes theres no time to think about it, or its just too difficult to achieve your aspirations "most think she died... ...we ought to believe she got to the other side" instead of the "other side" being the chicken's dreams, it could be the other side as in the afterlife like the saying "see you on the other side" "so thats why she did it" the chicken crossed the road because she couldn't handle it anymore.

The most elaborate why did the chicken cross the road joke ever.. Also, this song made me emotional. Absolutely chills on the road section ... the vocal harmonizing/mixing .. 3:50 - 4:14

I didn't expect 30 seconds of silence as the immediate reaction to The Chicken, but I think it might be the most honest and appropriate response possible. Edit: I was the only person in my house who caught Young Bo in the flames and it's great to be validated here

I'd have to go back and watch both inside and the outtakes but I'm pretty sure that The Chicken is the only song where the camera slowly zooms out instead of zooming in. It's also my favorite Bo song to date. The man just keeps getting better. I really hope we don't have to wait 5 years for his next special.

for me this song relates to the struggle with coming to terms when you realize you need help, like mentally. it’s that feeling of knowing you need help but the familiar brings a sense of comfort. so taking that step, crossing the road can feel like life or death and can be soooo scary, but you know you have to do it in order to heal. i’m sure he didn’t mean it to mean that but it works for me :))

I just realized that at 9:26 of this video, as Bo says, "Thank You. Thank you for all your support." the little piano riff that plays is the tune of "Get Your Fucking Hands Up!"

I never in my life until this song realized how dark the chicken joke is. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. Think about it. Getting to the other side is her dieing either way you look at it. The other side. Wow, how did I go my entire life not realizing this was a joke about the chicken ending her life. But on a other note, how genius of Bo to turn the classic joke into a beautiful yet dark and twisted song.🙌👏

Damn only Bo could make me tear up w/ a "why did the chicken cross the road" joke. Such an amazing creative entertainer.

Hey Chris, there is still two whole song from the outtakes album you haven't reacted to. They are called "1985" and "Microwave popcorn". There is no clip for them and they can only be found in The Inside Outtakes playlist on Bo's youtube channel (or on spotify). I would love to see you react to these two. (Also you should check out the "spider" song in that playlist, it's a bit longer ^^)

This is such a beautiful song, even without the lyrics. Add in the lyrics and it is just spectacular. I would like to look at the hopeful ending as what happened rather than the chicken getting squashed along with her dreams. 4:13 makes me get really emotional with what he does with the melody. Thank you for your reaction to this one!

The chicken is such a good song. Not only the piano, but someone could literally write a book analyzing the multiple meanings through the lyrics. But its still an incredibly touching song, even if it is just about a super old joke.

I suspect The Chicken might be a metaphor for his own anxieties and the pandemic. He finally builds up the courage to get out and follow his dreams again, but then gets hit by the car/pandemic.

bo burnham is a actual genius, his musical skill is unmatched and i cannot stop hitting the replay button on all of his stuff and i don’t normally like a lot of the genres he touches on.

I was waiting excitedly for you to react to The Chicken. Love your reactions to Bo, man.

and then there’s the line in goodbye where he says “you can pick the street i’ll meet you, on the other side”

hey dude, love your content! bo published the album (inside deluxe) where there are songs not included in this bloopers video. I'd love to watch your reaction!

Normal people: “why did the chicken cross the road?” Bo: I’m gonna wreck you

The mossy rocks I interpret basically as the oceans rising, (like he gives a shit hm). Thanks for doing this, I love your videos Chris.

I too have a weird feeling like I've already heard this song. Maybe it's just because melodically it was sort of reminiscent of Bo's old songs. I wonder if he had that one in his pocket for a while before working on Inside.

Only Bo can get me crying over a chicken 😭

Don't know if you know this, but Bo has two other songs that didn't make the video. "1985" and "Microwave Popcorn" are two actual songs that he included in the Outtakes album on Spotify. Might be worth checking out.

The melody is Sad from what.

Fear will kill your mind, and steal your love as sure as anything.

Please react to 1985 and Microwave Popcorn from the Inside Deluxe album

You know, I might have a wild take here. I think that the song is about our relationship with trauma. So everyone is on the same page, I refer to trauma as "an event or circumstance that radically alters/shatters one's worldview." So it can be something "small," but seems large enough that we rethink pretty much everything we know/are. I think the road parts are more literal - trying to reach for dreams and overcome what we see as not-minor setbacks. To someone else, it may be easy - just look both ways, and cross. But to some, "the road is enormous, the chicken is little." And sometimes something comes along to completely take us off our feet, like a car hitting a chicken on a country road on a bright, sunny morning. And for a while, it can seem even to ourselves that the trauma has destroyed us. But maybe, just maybe, we can put ourselves back together and make it across to the other side, maybe not literally, but in a very mental sense of growing mentally and learning what we were looking for - self-contentment. For me, it's been disabling depression and a cycle of homelessness, and there have been many times where I've been "hit by the car" and felt, "Welp, I guess I shall surely die." But it's different for everyone. Dealing with dysphoria and the doubt of if it really IS dysphoria also feels so much like the setup to this song.

Bo’s formula: -apparently asinine/puerile/juvenile premise -turn it upside down -philosophical question(s) -deep cut He’s fucking while asking us whether or not we’re being fucked with. We laugh at that juxtaposition and unexpected turns. Then we question the nature of reality. He’s fucking brilliant.

The music and the lyrics and even the delivery of the lyrics reminds me of Ben Folds.

The Chicken is not about chasing your dreams The Chicken is a song about never being happy with your life, you can be one of the most successful internet personalities/comedian, rich, with a loving family, great friends, a giant house, everyone loves you and cares about what you have to say and yet... you will never feel right... you have everything you ever dreamed of and something's still missing you're sick from a disease called yourself, and there's no cure for it

I interpret the end snippet of the ocean and rocks being that he finally took a vacation (remember when he talked about it in ‘The Dump’ at the end when the ‘interviewer’ asked ‘the crew’ what’s next and they all said, “a vacation” and started laughing hysterically) now that all of this was over and when he finally went outside, he was able to find peace at the end of everything.

I mean, im sure we all understand it... but just in case, I feel, someone should acknowledge it... the ICU bit of the fake movies being parodies of established movies... But it still doesn't stop the ominous feeling I got from seeing the final movie in 2030.

I like Wisecrack's take on the shore and the mossy rocks. At the end Bo asks "I don't know what's happening, what the fuck is going on?" And I think you can really just answer that by going outside. Despite the endless, internal wondering that he's done, life's answers need to be done outside, hopefully with connections to other people.

Cool video, I love bo burnham. Also funny af I could feel your rage from your dogs barking, from the 1st bark and you looking until you had to stop the vid. And then right after barked 1 more time lmao.

My favorite songs are Five Years and The Chicken. Like Five Years is one of my most played songs on my KZfaq music lmao I also love The Future, I wish it was longer

All cooped up but there’s somewhere to go. Outside.

He draws you in at the beginning with the piano by the end you are crying 😢 about an introspective chicken 👏 Bo is amazing!

It's been fun rewatching this and seeing someone else's perspective. I think this was my fourth watch through, but it still hasn't gotten old. Don't forget about 1985 and Microwave Popcorn off of the Outtakes album!

i interpreted the mossy rocks as one of his many alternate endings. i feel like it might’ve been him showing that he finally made it outside. and outside is somewhat peaceful. but that’s might just be me rooting for a positive ending

Maybe he’s talking about what comedians live through. They do it. They get distracted in the middle. But hopefully, they make it across and their message gets heard. The best part is that it’s built off of the first Joke we ever learn. Why?

So there is a full version of a song he teased in the outtakes called 1985. Its been on repeat in my head all week. XD

My favorite reaction to it yet! Good job! 💓

the chicken begins with a similar melody to the song sad, from what.

The melody reminds me of “Sad” but maybe that’s just me

The chicken-song is so beautiful.

Only Bo could make me tear up with a fuckin chicken crossing the road joke, like c'mon Bo wtf

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE ENDING SONG its like the good ending of INSIDE

This for sure felt like Inside 2, now I’m wondering if he has actual plans for the other films in the ICU (even if it’s just small bits). The 40 gave me chills though.

"adult man in a baseball hat" had me dying

the familarity comes from straight white man. especially the part where he sings: everyone thinks that ive got it easy

She got to the other side. One way or the other.

It's refreshing to see that Bo's work affects someone else as deeply.

I think the piano in the beginning has a lot of similarities to his Striaght White Male song.

"the other side" huh

The melody of The Chicken sounds really similar to Sad actually

poor pupper just wants to be heard

Loved all your reactions to this 🥰 I'll be there to whatever is next!

Totally aside, if you've never seen Bojack Horseman I would love to see you react to that show. It's a brilliant look into mental health yet a silly time.

I doubt you will see this after all this time. I agree its about following our dreams. I find it Bo level layered irony that the Chicken dreams of becoming a dentist. Nevermind the obvious southern dig. But Chicken don't have teeth. So the epitome of the impossible or impractical dream.

The only thing that I think is interesting about that Final shot is that it's taken Outside. The last shot of Inside is outside

But what happened to those eggs she was sitting on?

So of course, there's also the anthropomorphism of the chicken. "She wakes up to her husbands screaming" (rooster crowing or abusive/aggressive human man?), "she likes her life as a mother and wife, but is that all there is?" So the wife chose to leave her life, kids, and husband in search of a "better" life

The Chicken slaps so hard. I wish it would’ve made it in.

Imagine how ruined inside would have been with this as the last song 😂

Now you know why the chicken crossed the road.

hey Chris, really like your videos, been here since welcome to the internet :) before the big break you used to do live streams are you planning to do those again in the future? the were really fun :D

Wow man, so amazing. Bo has told jokes for years, and now he told a joke which is seen by most to be the oldest joke in the book: "Why did the chicken cross the road" and made something beautiful yet tragic. The chicken being Bo himself, living a normal life in his bedroom, having a dream to just make people happy, but the road of life is the challenge he faces everyday, "the road is gigantic, the chicken is little". The Chicken crossed the road... to find her other side. Absolutely genius. All Eyes on Me, Can't Handle This (Kanye Rant), and now Chicken... are my favorite songs from Bo.

Is this song about suicide, where the chicken is too tired of this life and she just wanted to die and go to the other side. The road here represents life. Notice he mention the road is big and the chicken is small. So she took her life to get to the other side.

The only thing I can come up with for the beach shot is it's near exactly like the various eyecatches [adult swim] plays. 🤷

The melody reminded me of Straight White Male

Loving the dog cameo

I had the same response- it's a very similar melody to Straight White Male.

Anyone else try to click on the recommended videos at the end? Like more than once? 🤐

The melody is very similar to “straight white male” I think, I tried singing the lyrics to it whilst listening to the chicken and it sort of works

You should also react to some of the songs in the deluxe album because some of the songs didn’t make the outtakes

The melody for The Chicken is very reminiscent of the intro for Straight White Male. Maybe that's what you're hearing?

Now it's time for 1985, Microwave Popcorn, and then you can do the studio songs from what. like eff, channel 5 news, and nerds

It's very similar to the sound and pacing of straight white male. That's what you're thinking of

The melody reminds me of "straight white male"

I hope you will give Tim minchin a shot next

Did the chicken make it to the other side, or did the chicken make it to the "other side"?

I think she died.... but what do i know, i'm just a chicken. 🐤

React to Tracy Chapman.

I’m glad you like it but it’s clearly almost the exact melody from straight white male

First