If you haven't yet, i recommend listening to the original version. It has Dax's own lyrics which are equally as powerful.

A lot of people, women in general, tend to think the not sharing / not letting it out, is something guys do because of toxic masculinity/etc. But it's not something so simple, it's multifaceted, in the sense that the reasons guys do it are very varied. From wanting to protect their children from seeing burdens, to not wanting to add stress to his partner, to not wanting to add another weight to someone else. A lot of the time you're needed to be an emotional rock, an anchor. Men have a lot of experience when it comes to "sharing" their vulnerabilities. Most guys do not start off just holding their emotions back - they learn through different relationships that showing it usually doesn't result in anything good, and often results in the complete opposite, in that their vulnerabilities will be used against them in an argument down the road, in other words, it's more damaging than helpful. This song, and especially the original one that Dax did, hit just about every guy right in the feels, because it touches on several things that almost every single guy can relate to.

We are taught from an early age to at the very least never be a burden to anyone. Sharing how we feel is a burden.

As a man. Some of us have been hurt hard enough and enough times we've shut down our emotions as a form of protectionism. To the point, we no longer feel the pain that even comes with the grief of loosing their child to death itself. We're also, the ones who would take the life of someone who hurts a loved ones, without losing a second of sleep, and that's a dangerous place to be. It's been over 50 plus years now, and as a father of six daughters, with one who has died. I am finally, as the sunset of my life is nearing. I'm finally, starting to feel love, even though I've been married for 30 years. It took the hug and a sincere "I love you" from my 7 year old granddaughter to break me, to my core. Me a 6ft, 300lb Steelworker, and military veteran. That hug and those words, had me leave and cry for the first time like a baby...later that afternoon this song by Dax hit my youtube feeds. It's been an awakening of sorts. I'm finally starting to feel free.

And this is coming from a male trauma nurse as well. So hard for us men to see, find, or hear a genuine compliment from a true loving woman, Thank you from all of us hard working men out here trying to give you women and kids we love such a better life even at the cost of ours. Thats how much we love!

The origonal video has a scene where the kiddo runs up to her dad. Men tend to have simple needs. When we walk through the door after work we will never ask for it but kiddos runing up to dad for a hug is a number 1 desire. "I missed you" is one of the most powerful 3 word sentences to a man.

That large gulp not even 10 seconds in is just a testament to how powerful this chorus is

A simple word of encouragement from those closest to us is all that most men need in our darkest times.

I definitely vibe with both versions, unfortunately mainstream will never let this blow up like it shouldve

As I said elsewhere: Women are never alone; always another to talk to, work things out and whatever. Men don't do that, we get our burdens, pains and regrets and we handle our own buisness. Thanks for your reaction and honesty. Women would know men better if the next time a big problem is eating at them, unplug yourself from every other woman for a month. Smile and act like its nothing, then carry it alone until you just put it in that big closet in your head with everything else. A man provides comfort but rarely asks for it; it makes you emotionally strong as you grow up. We have to deal with comforting and guiding our wives, children or just girlfriends out of their traumas. Somebody has to be the rock for others, and true men need to be there.

Honestly. I feel this song and every verse so much. Im honesty at one of the lowest points ive ever been. Fighting to try and see my daughter and it kills me every day i go without her. But i keep going for her. Ill have my baby girl back one day. My cousin came to work the other day bc one of the guys saw i was having a bad day she asked if i wanted a hug and broke down when she asked. I needed it so much.

People Don't understand how powerful a hug can really be for a man. I'm not saying it's not powerful for a women as well. Because I'm not a women. But for a man like myself. That hug helps me to release a lot of stress and pain in my heart and head.

The last verse from the last guy "just remember I tried to be a man when you lose me y'all and I'm gone" hits close to home. I been there, blade in my hand, blood dripping down my arm, its such an easy way out of the mental pain but it will just cause the ones you love to hurt, so we just barely miss that artery. The pain somehow makes you feel better, especially if your in a place where you hate yourself and feel you deserve every bit of that pain. I'm now, years later, doing much better and no longer have those feelings at that degree. This song is amazing, thank you for your reaction. ❤

1 she is beautiful in and out 2 she chose an artist with great message 3 the remix is so so soul searching 4 thank you for a great reaction ❣️ From Nigeria 🇳🇬

Lol thanks for reacting to this and I don't spend my every weekend chilling with my demons but they be here sweetheart. Much love tho

Is it just me.... or is Matty not just beautiful in appearance but her soul, we look for that every day!

I have battled depression and anxiety my entire life. Sometimes I’ll make a mistake and I dwell on it and it puts me in a funk for awhile. Sometimes I get depressed for no reason whatsoever. It gets bad. I feel like I want to be somebody else. Someone bigger, stronger, better looking, smarter, more athletic, better personality, doesn’t care what people think. I’ve given him a name and everything. But then reality hits and I remember that I’m me. I remember when I was early in my first marriage to my kids mother I got depressed and didn’t know why. Instead of hugging me and telling me that it’ll be okay and she’ll help me through it she yelled at me saying “I need you to be strong. If you can’t do that then we aren’t going to work.” Ever since then I’ve just pushed it all down and learned to fake being happy when I’m around people. My current wife is completely different. She will hug me and comfort me. But I’m still afraid to tell her every time I’m depressed. I don’t want her to think that she’s doing something wrong. I just hate being me.

Amazing reaction, thank you for sharing your thoughts and understanding.

Men, we need to foster a culture in which we teach our sons & brothers to develop the kind of relationships with other men with which we can share our frustrations, emotions and trials, so that we can be the rock our wife and family need when we are home. Only men can truly understand the struggles of being a man. Women can offer sympathy but only men can offer true empathy. Seek Wisdom.

I love this video it makes me emotional and it’s great to bring awareness to mental health

Last fella is awesome, because he hit the Twista flow with the speed. Really cool !!!!!

Ben (long blond hair) is personally my favourite , his voice like you said is so angelic and his emotions gets me right in the 'feels' every single time ! , .. & you saying '' men often suffer of heart conditions and in my unmedical perspective it's probably by letting theirs emotions in '' it's so sad yet so true .. , love your reactions x

Honestly, the best and most authentic reaction I’ve ever seen. Men’s mental health is real and thank you for carrying that torch, Maddy! 💚

NEVER CRY IN FRONT OF YOUR WOMEN !!! NEVER !!! ASK TO YOUR BUDDY FOR THAT !!!

Men: Don't avoid the struggle, push into it. There is purpose in the pain. There is value in the struggle. There is no GLORY and HONOR without Suffering. BE BRAVE.

After a 20yr marriage ending in divorce, I listened to this song only ONCE and could not do it again. This effen song rings sooo effen true that it hurt me to my core. I wish I could watch, but I can't do it again. It brought back all the feeling I had in my marriage that hasn't been resolved "Because I'm A Man"🙁

Try every relationship until my latest left not long after letting my emotions show and when I did they were either downplayed or told to man up and don’t be a punk, every guy in close to comes to me to talk to because their spouses don’t listen, you can say to talk about it and show emotion but because I have and others I know have they now see their kids on the weekends

It's so important to talk with friends or cry if need be. Fighting and drinking only leads to perpetuating pain...death, and disability. I'm currently disabled and never expected this. Oh yeah, I "chill", with my daughter s bunny throughout the day....she keeps me company, to strategize. Life is good

Wholesome reaction 💙 it's truly mind blowing too see your even prettier inside then you are on the out 🥇

We don't know cause we don't get told Or treated as such we carry our weight and the weight of all those we love. And just suck it up and keep driving on. If we cracke under the pressure yall pack your shit, take our kids and leave so we don't have a choice but to hide the cracks as long as we can. You should watch the original with all of Dax's original lyrics.

Awesome job on this reaction, you were made for this 🎉, I Absolutely love this song, this is what the world needs more of this!

Tea or juice Matty......that's why we got beer, whiskey n video games lol

One of the best reactions I’ve seen. As a man I appreciate your view and words. That means a lot to me and I’m sure many other men who struggle on the daily. You have a new subscriber. Keep on with the positive message. God bless.

"dont strugle alone" like we have a choice lol

This song is very heavy and important to listen and I am grateful to Dax for writing this song because this is about men mental health issues and it is great messages and ladies who have husband, brother and father could understand this issue will be open mind and support their families Thank you for your reaction ❤

I am a older veteran guy. i raised a family when I was young and doing it again now. I can see a difference in how younger people feel about this topic where as older people this is mostly how we were raised and live. Protect, Provide, Press on was my lessons growing up. I often wonder how people who tell each other everything how the wife views her husband. Its such a great song that hits pretty hard to those of that that stand alone and carry this every day. Thank you for views and comments. God Bless.

You should look up Norah Vincent, author of Self-Made Man. She went undercover as a man for over a year. On the inside, she saw what men went through and detailed it in her book. Afterward, she developed major depression and in 2014 tried to kill herself. In 2022 she died in Switzerland by assisted suicide.

I am 1:18 into this and had to pause because this kid seems so sweet that my heart hurts that she is going to be introduced to our world.

I am unsure of your outside life away from the screen, but you speak as one of us nurses and to that and so much more- I thank you as well. So many of the reaction individuals on this platform fail to understand or grasp just how much of a needed distraction or better yet, line of support music means for us. Individuals that are special as yourself allow us to know we are not the only ones in the boat alone. It is true, I don't know you, but I hold a special place in my heart for you simply because you proved that you truly care and that's a love and respect that remains solid.

So much truth, it doesn’t matter how you feel it’s what you provide as a man it’s extremely hard to be a lover and provider in todays world, as a veteran and first responder who was always taught to hold it in and has always gravitated to alchohol to subdue my thoughts and feelings in order to provide for my family. My feelings don’t matter as long as my family is taken care of. Who do the helpers turn to when the help needs help???

Dax's words literally saved me from suicide

This one broke this old divorced vet. No words just no words. I fight the battle within every day. I wake up every day and think shit, I'm still here, I walk outside and smile at my neighbors as I walk alone. They all look at me as the old white vet with head issues, that is not afraid of anything. Dying I stopped worrying about a long time ago. Living like I have for another ten years. That's too scary to think of. It just is what it is.

Awesome reaction! Thanks for your authenticity

Great Song, Dax is a wonderful soul! I just discovered him a couple weeks ago. Been listening to a lot of his music since. So many deep, insightful messages! Mandy, you’re a wonderful soul also! Take Care, God Bless! ❤️

We don’t tend to share with the women in our lives because it will be used against us, and we get diminished in her eyes for showing we are human. The line , “unconditional love is for women, children, and dogs” is so true. Women love to tell us we need to share emotions more, but yet they are the ones that have taught us that it’s dangerous to show any emotions. In short, we don’t share because nobody cares. Love is always conditional for men.

Loved the reaction! 🤟 Thanks for the reaction!

Thank you for your heartfelt and warm reaction and understanding. I'm hoping Dax and his music will be the catalyst for the change that needs to happen in society. Men need to be treated as equal in the justice system when it comes to custody, divorce, etc... So a man is struggling financially to no fault of his own and because of that, his wife divorces him and takes the kid. Now the man on top of the financial struggle already is now forced to pay child support and alimony. How the hell does that help the man out in anyway? Half the time he's lucky if he even gets to the see the kids he's spending thousands of dollars a year to support. The justice system needs changed and its the first thing that needs changed. The 2nd thing that needs changed, is organizations need to step up and have men's mental health support group. You have support groups for women in boundless numbers but you don't have organizations out there supporting men's mental health, We need an organization to support men like women have for victims of abuse, etc... If the justice system were fair, men would be able to leave disrespectful women and not have their entire life destroyed by it. It's easy to say "just reconsider removing that person from your life" but do you realize the consequences of doing so can be far worse because of how the justice system is? I went through a divorce with my ex wife (who's now a man but that's a different story) and literally I got stuck with 16K in credit card debt that she racked up, she took every penny out of the savings account and left me with nothing. Thankfully I didn't have children and we weren't married long enough for alimony but the justice system is completely against men. Hopefully Dax's music pushes enough people to be the catalyst to make the changes that society desperately needs. Society needs massive change and I believe Dax might just be the man to do it!

It’s just crazy how something as simple as a hug can be all someone may need to just feel that little bit better and not feel so alone. But it’s also crazy how it’s sometimes so hard to ask for that little thing.

I literally give my own life to save others, but there is never anyone here to save me. I just want a shoulder to lay own and actually feel like im understood.

It's the 4th of July. I feel like I'm fighting at home. The fireworks are terrifying. I'm trying to maintain. I don't have anyone to talk to but this song makes sense

I'm a father. I have 7 kids, I lost one a couple years back. I work 100+ hours a week. I have nothing to complain about. Ever! I made my choices in life. I can't hide myself. I was made for this.

Fellas, never, and I mean never ever marry a woman who you think is *only* there for what you can provide. It will never last and only get worse and it starts your relationship as one that is transactional instead of one built from genuine desire.

I have already been here with this reaction, but here I am again, one of the biggest problems is that as older men as an example group, I am from 1971, we cannot find people willing to listen, for many reasons, for a start we do no not know how to find them, and the closest people we love, we do not want to burden them with what we feel are not allowed to acknowledge in ourselves, this goes well beyond national borders, but, we do not want to create a repeat circle and see our sons repeating what we have done because they deserve better. I do tell my son it is okay to be emotional, I not tell him or his sisters to hold it in. When Dax sings "they don't care about how you feel" I have learned that this is not always a conscious thing they do not mean to be so cold, but it happens.

A channel on youtube called default lyrics compiled 2 videos of contestants, there's some really great talent that didn't get picked. Thanks for your reaction.

Great reaction here ❤❤

Damn! where do I find a real one like you? gorgeous and understanding! Amazing reaction! New subscriber😍

"I just want to cry, to be given a hug, and be told everything will be okay." A hug can be so powerful when it comes from someone who actually cares about you. You can feel that deep inside you and I swear it can help heal whatever pain you're feeling. But you have to find those people who can provide that for you. I hope everyone has at least one person who can be that for them. ❤‍🩹 Just stumbled on your channel today so I might be watching/responding to a bunch. Sorry in advance if I flood your notifications. 😆

What an Amazing collaboration ❤🎉

As the song says “I don’t expect you to understand”, but you will never know a man is struggling until its to late, they could be battling the devil himself and they will be smiling, from a very early age we’ve learned how to stop showing emotion, its easier to be hated while showing no emotion than to be hated for showing your emotions

Just touching on your point that you mentioned people around you will feel it.... They don't, I was at rock bottom and ready to end it all but nobody knew it had gotten to that point. It was over a year and a half after my worst point that someone found out and it was only because I shared it with them. We are unfortunately wired to act like everything is fine at least in my experience. Was always told there's no point in crying about it if something's wrong you have to fix it and that was that. Not a human on earth knew where I was at mentally in my situation. Thankfully I had my dog with me and the thought of him relying on me to take care of him and knowing that even though every day was immensely hard to go through I would get home and see him and it would make me a little bit less sad. My dog is the only reason I made it through that time in my life It's unfortunate but it's the reality of it just because you're close with someone and doesn't mean that they have any idea you're going through something or at least to the level that you're going through it.

I was almost a part of that statistic seconds away if my nephew wouldn't of called I wouldn't be here he never calls I don't think I'll ever find my true happy ending cause it will always end with me being alone but I accept it

YOU are a real woman. She builds you up with TRUTH in the softest way it could be given, from a woman's heart.

Thank you so much

Thank you 1st hug in 10 years.

Really liked this reaction keep er goin lol

Thank for reacting to this and getting it to your subs. Just a tip in order to pause KZfaq use the space bar 😊 it's pause/play

Depression keeps us warm at night.

"Have a nice herbal tea" lol, great reaction appreciate you taking the time to make the video. RLTW

8:05 that's my favorite verse. I've said that for years "most men are halfway dead inside" myself included

Loved the reaction

Dax's pain paints paintings album helped me through so much, this one does more for me though, he is saying exactly what all of us think at one point in our lives

Men are not supposed to be weak have feelings or talk about it, but u know what i cry alone in my room sometimes

Thank you sweetheart, you im living this nightmare right now and it breaks my heart. I told her I was depressed and I was trying. She said I was stupid for being depressed and to man up.

Almost every relationship ive had that wanted me to be "vulnerable" backfired. They used all of it as ammunition against me when they got angry. Dont get me wrong, i have had a couple of relationships with amazing women who truly did care, who truly DID let me cry on THEIR shoulder, who tried their best to understand what i went through for myself, and for them. But these days... its really hard to find relationships like that. After a while, we give up and just decide its easier to be alone.

Love your positivity Maddy. New subscriber here :) this song is so powerful!

You are a REAL woman! Thank you for being so understanding!

I don't have anyone. No family. No friends. Thank u for ur words. Nobody is there to care.

Being a Dad may take its toll, but the benefits outweight the stress, My kids are the only thing on this planet that provides me an overwhelming rush of pride just by breathing, for that i will be eternally grateful and will grind the rest of my life to make them proud in return, If i have to do it alone, So be it! Im 41 its not about me anymore, my kid's future is my focus, I'll fight these Demon's to the end alone, for the smiles on my kids faces.

I absolutely love your reaction, thank you!

I believe you. We could sing this song on earth the moon or even in space where we aint even got to yet.

Your reaction had me in tears Ty for this your such a beautiful soul loved it so much you get it and most don’t love your message Sincerly Chuck

Can't remember the last time someone gave me a hug.

Love your reaction

I walk alone😂

I agree with the energy shift. If you listen to the original it makes more sense. Its explaining that even if we try to explain we can't do it adequately. Unfortunately not all men have outlets and culture tells us to toughen up and provide because our family is more important than our feelings. Just like men can't truly feel what its like to be a mom or woman, women can only hear but not truly understand.

i keep on typing this this song being open verse should become the longest song ever written with the most contributing artists .. and i think if we crown our king this is where elvis's should be passed because he demonstrates the example of a fair leader each of his subjects gets to lead through the openness of his example.. and it comes to us at a time when we have the least support and have to join together and rise up to bring a change to a world that must pull together or were lost .. and were at the biggest disadvantage we've ever had .. but this is the time and that's what we have to do.. so we will. and i'll throw in what makes this song special it's not just speaking on one element.. relationships, addiction, social pressure, emotional obligation, and the desire to persevere.. as long as enough care it can happen.

I'm 53 now, and I haven't cried since I was 16.

thank you, it is so true what you say since the loss of me girl 4 years ago, I miss that shoulder to cry on, yes I am not ashamed, a real man also cries

Hi ItsMattyMay, Ben Becker's dad here -- Yes, the "daddy [who] taught [him] how to put a fire out" -- Enjoyed your reaction video. Blessings!

As a man, and a father of 4 struggling to survive and teach them right, I just want to say thank you. Your tears said more than your words ever could!

I've shut down tired of this life😂

Honestly, we are so desperate for compassion and unsupported, just your reaction touched my heart. As you called us out for bottling up. Just realize we were taught to do that from birth, and do it mistakenly for all of you. But thank you, even proxy compassion touched my heart.

That 2nd guy makes me want to cry every time I hear his verse. So honest.

Your voice is amazing also I heard that potential in that little bit of words you sang

I know you mean well but all that about "men should/have to/must" talk about it and get things off our chest but the thing is that for so many of us men, we CAN'T, we have nothing, not a single person we trust to that degree. And it's not for lack of trying, it's just that life have tought us that we only seem to be a burden to other people, therefor, we bottle everything up 😕 Edit; I only wanted to say thank you for reacting to this song

Hey! Maddy, I heard that! I heard you sing! Woooow! I want to hear more of you singing!

Beautiful song, beautiful woman, solid reaction. Video rating: 9/10

There has never been a truer word spoken pressure to provide giving your family the best life all self care ceases

The sad thing is most of us don’t have anyone to confide in 😢

I opened up to a woman once and told her my feelings her reply "Too damn bad" . I never opened up to her ever again.