Such a kick seeing people discover these guys, best version I’ve ever heard. Always respects to the late great Leonard Cohen for blessing us with this song. ✌🏻

That five people can deliver this much joy is a gift to all of us.

640 million views. Counter-tenor is Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado mezzo soprano, Avi Kaplan bass, Scott Hoying baritone, Kevin Olusola beatboxer, cellist, tenor.

Can you imagine THIS version in a Cathedral? The harmony would blow people out of their seats!

watch their live version of this song, no auto tune no tricks just 5 incredible young adults.

Fun fact, when Avi sings the second solo Scott (who did the opening solo) actually takes over the bass, when your used to hearing their voices you can hear the difference. Also at the end of the song pay special attention to the bass runs its amazing!

My favorite thing is watching the reviewer get "Mitch slapped" the first time they hear him on this song. Your reaction was delicious. And, I think that half of the 300 million views are just me. I am a total Pentaholic and this is my favorite.

when they sing, it seems like there's only good things in humanity, bad things just come out of the mind, the best group there is, a set of angelic voices. Amazing ✴️💙

We often say that Pentatonix doesn't do covers; they do upgrades. Believe it. Pentatonix has been around since 2011, when they appeared on _The Sing-Off,_ a television competition for a cappella groups which offered a grand prize of a recording contract with Sony. Pentatonix won the competition, won the recording contract (which had been the sole reason they'd traveled to California to appear), and a week later Sony dumped them, saying that they didn't know how to market an a cappella band. So the band made do. They used what they had - sang anyplace where they could find good acoustics, put their videos up on KZfaq and lived on donations from their followers on KZfaq. Perhaps most importantly, they stuck together. No one bailed out (and they could have). Eventually they got another recording contract and began winning Grammys, and RCA (a subsidiary of Sony) began bugging the company that had signed the recording cotract with them to sell it to RCA. RCA eventually won those discussions, so Sony finally retrieved what it had so thoughtlessly thrown away, but not before putting those young people through a great deal of needless suffering. (The trio, Scott - tall blonde guy, Mitch - guy with the angelic high voice, and Kirstie - the only woman, were just 19 when they won _The Sing-Off._ Kevin - the beatboxer, and Avi - with the gorgeous bass voice, were older, but not much.)

This is my first time listening to this, and I’m in tears. So beautiful

The first time I heard this song was the night a dear friend killed himself. I remember being numb and feeling sick. I'd had someone I loved dearly betray me, got made homeless, and was sidled with a child I was going to have to raise alone. It was a perfect storm of personal hardship. I wasn't able to sleep or eat, and just felt sick all the time. A friend of mine just sent me this version of the song and for the first time in years, I wept during the final harmonies of this song. I cried myself to sleep. I woke up feeling heavy, but hungry for the first time in days. Great music can, in fact, heal sometimes.

Hallelujah was the first song that I ever heard from Pentatonix and was instantly hooked. Such a range of amazing vocals and range in their voices. Incredibly talented group of individuals!

Thanks for your reaction! Your reaction to Mitch's singing is referred to as "being Mitch slapped" by we Pentaholics. They have just recently released a new one, "The Prayer" which may (hopefully) bring them their 4th Grammy award. I would recommend reacting to "Imagine" or "Bohemian Rhapsody" next but they have so many originals and "upgrades" that you won't be disappointed in any song you hear.

Lenoard Cohen said before he died that this was the best version of this song.

P.S Avi was known to *actually* blow speakers at live gigs. His bass is otherworldly. Matt is wonderful too, and I adore their incredible polish as they’ve solidified their current line up - but as an OG fan, there is something so magical about the vocal mix in the Avi years.

No autotune here. The only video they have used autotune on is their 90s Dance Medley, because the originals used autotune. You can tell easily if you listen. Autotune always has a metallic scree to my ear; it's also flat--not in pitch, but in timbre. Your reactions are epic! I always learn something from you. Hope you keep going for a long time!

Bohemian Rhapsody is mind blowing and Mary did you Know is emotional. they literally MOVE people

“Like the footsteps of a giant approaching”. Great description!

I think you got both Avi slapped and Mitch slapped in this one! Ah, I miss Avi lol. Matt is great and has his own strengths; his voice is so velvety. Avi definitely has the blow-your-hair-back thing going for him lol. Welcome to the wall of sound, at first it's hard to believe five people can make so much volume, but you get used to it. :) No auto-tune, no effects, they refuse to record anything they can't reproduce live, and Scott takes over on the bass line when the bass sings lead (he has the most incredible range and ability to change the tonal quality of his voice. Mitch is definitely flashier and no slump either, but Scott often goes unnoticed next to him).

I love seeing everyone's Mitch Slap face. They all have one and it's beautiful.

I don’t know what’s going on, why they sound as good as they do. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket! But I do know I love them. I too love them all. Great reaction! ♥️

As they always do when Avi takes the lead, Scott takes over the bass line. That is why it is so good to have a baritone in the group.

That tremendous bass you hear is Avi Kaplan, the original bass from 2011-2017. He left on good terms for personal reasons. Matt Sallee is the current bass, also excellent, but also different. Avi has been known to blow out speakers. And when the bass singer (Avi or Matt) has the lead, then Scott (the tall blond who started this video) can also cover the bass line... But he can go high also! And there is a live version from a Christmas TV special which proves that everything you hear in the official videos can be done live... They pride themselves on that!. There is also a video Beginners Guide to Pentatonix which explains a lot. They used autotune ONCE (in 90s Dance Medley) to pay homage to the original song and not because they needed correcting.

I love to see the face of anyone who listens to Mitch.

Their live version from 2016 is just as good. not to be picky but it is about 630 million views. love your enthusiasm!!

Watched this while eating cereal. Never has a midnight breakfast been so epic.

"It does not get better than this..." oh my, are you in for a surprise lol There is a main trio of a capella groups who turned the world of a capella on its head over a decade ago (PTX, Home Free, VoicePlay), all of which are magically magnificent in their own rights. Fans of each will claim their favourites, and this is to expected with such music that's a joy to listen to. Easily 10 years plus of performances for each of the three groups If you continue to dip into this genre, a whole new vista will open up to you of musical genius. Loved your reaction

Full out assault on senses we don't get to use often at all. Touches me in places and depths I don't ordinarily leave open to BE touched. Like Avee says in his solo..."from your lips he drew the hallelujah", well from my eyes for sure! Brings about confusion born of unprecedented beauty!

We have seen them several times in person. AMAZINGLY, they sound just the same, just as rich and full! You just have to keep reminding yourself that all that sound is coming from just 5 voices.

Before "The Prayer" they were one of the best groups ever. After "The Prayer" the are the best group ever!!!!!

Leonard Cohen heard this version before he died and it is said he thought this is the best version of this song he had ever heard.

An introduction to Pentatonix for you: Scott: the tall blonde guy in the middle with the first solo. He's the baritone of the group but has a range of about 4 octaves. He's just as comfortable harmonizing on the high notes as he is taking the bass line when Avi is singing. Speaking of which... Avi: the guy with the beanie and the second solo. He's an amazing opera trained bass and doesn't have many solo parts but he always kills it when he does sing. He left the group in 2017 on good terms with the rest of the members and helped find his replacement, Matt. Kirstin: the only female in the group, she had the third solo. She has the least solos of the main 3 that you'll find, but she always kills it when she does sing(examples are Say Something, Sound of Silence, Imagine, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, all of which are among their best work) Mitch: He's the man with the amazing voice and the final solo in this song. He's a tenor, and has a purely angelic voice. He also has an amazing range, I've heard 5 octaves before. Kevin: an AMAZING beatboxer, that's his main role, but he occasionally shows off his beautiful tenor voice (Imagine is a great example) and his skills with the cello, which he can play while beatboxing simultaneously. Pentatonix got their start on an old competition show called the Sing Off where acapella groups competed against each other for a $200,000 cash prize and a recording contract. Scott, Kirstin, and Mitch sang in choir together in school and have been best friends since they were teenagers. They found Avi through a friend and Kevin through one of his "cello boxing"(playing the cello and beatboxing) videos that went viral. They won the competition, you can still find the performances on KZfaq. It's amazing to watch them grow throughout the show. Unfortunately, the record label dropped them shortly after they moved out to make music, so they persevered and self produced for a while until they were picked up by another label. They are the only acapella group to ever win a Grammy, and they have won 3: for their Daft Punk medley, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jolene ft. Dolly Parton. They're an amazing group, every one of them is one of the most talented singers in the world, and they have never released a bad song imo. Yes they do sound the same live, and yes it is all acapella. They never use instruments except for the occasional use of a cello when they feel it enhances the song (like their covers of Radioactive, Say Something, and Perfect). They have a rule that if they can't do it live they can't release it. I recommend all 3 songs above, Bohemian Rhapsody, Imagine, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Sound of Silence, and anything else you want to hear! Their Grammy winners are all insanely good. Welcome to musical bliss!

Loss for words, is a very normal reaction, when trying to explain, how Pentatonix makes us feel 🧡💙💜 If you haven't yet. I would love you to react to their cover of John Lennon's Imagine, is truly is quite amazing, with a great message!!!

You can watch their live version-- it is just as amazing!! You must watch their new cover of The Prayer-- STUNNING!!

I'm going to recommend some early PTX - Somebody I used to know. With the holidays approaching, I suggest Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

No AUTOTUNE! Check out their love performance of Aha! In Singapore and prepare for your mind to be blown! (And lots of rewinding!) Thenk you for your honest, vulnerable and passionate reaction. You are now one if my favorites!

I've been listening to them since they first started, and I still get goosebumps. Everything they do is done well.

The comment about “many layers to the onion” cracked me up because a version of this song was in Shrek and Shrek famously said that “ogres are like onions because they have layers”.

It's just the perfect combination of five perfect voices...

This is hands down the best version of this song. Sound of Silence one could argue Pentatonix or Disturbed but with this one there is no argument.

GREAT REACTION!! The really fantastic thing about Pentatonix is that while you may prefer one of their songs over another, there is no such thing as a "bad" Pentatonix song! ANY song of theirs that you choose to listen/react to will probably knock your socks off! But, I would suggest that you listen to their live performance of "Hallelujah" from their televised Christmas Special a few years ago. You will be AMAZED how much it sounds like the studio recording! THEN, because I have a feeling you (like most of us with a little grey in our hair) REALLY LIKE Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", listen/react to Pentatonix' music video of their cover of it! I really enjoy your reaction videos! I look forward to seeing more!

All Pentatonix songs are awesome watch the prayer, sounds of silence etc.

You have to see Daft Punk Medley 🙂

"Mary, Did You Know?" is the song that made me fall in love with this group years ago. "You should definitely check out their versions of "Amazing Graze" and "The Prayer" which have both brought tears to my eyes. And yes, these guys sound as good live as they do here on KZfaq. I got to see them in 2018 and I can't wait till I get to see them at the end of this month in Baltimore.

One of the better reactions. We've all been there. The 1st time hearing it. Tears, emotions, amazement. I just luv ur reactions.

I get so much enjoyment sharing this group with friends. No one who hears them comes away untouched. The back story is great; the three main singers were friends in high school! Kirstin changes her hair a lot which may be why you previously thought it was a different girl than in Mary Did You Know? I feel so blest to be alive to enjoy this amazing group! (I also get a kick out of your reactions .) Keep being real!

I highly recommend watching their Christmas Special performance of this…if possible, it’s even better…they are in the MOMENT…

The human voice is my favorite musical instrument and these folks have mastered that instrument. This is simply THE best musical piece ever.

They took first place on a A cappella tv contest show and the rest was history !

This is the song that hooked me on PTX and I have yet heard a song of theirs I don't like❤ 639 million views, half are from me😉

I had never heard of them til now. I love them! I'm subbing to them and I had alot of fun watching your reaction 😂🤣 Thank you ✌️🇦🇺

Just blows your mind.im lost for words there's not enough to say or put into words that can describe this group woooow

If it's too much work you could always sit there with your mouth hanging open in awe. 🤣🤣 I've seen that a lot from reactors. I'm very much enjoying your reactions and your journey to becoming a Pentaholic. You are you know? Also..."That last note!" Yeaaaa, that's our Avi. He's a-may-zing! And by the way he just dropped a new single yesterday called "The First Place I Go" (Avi Kaplan). It'll dig a hole right to your soul and speak to it. 💚💚💚

Amazing grace and bohemian Rhapsody 🔥

We must be about the same age - I think the guy being blown away in his chair was a Maxell tape commercial ;-) Thanks for sharing your reaction. Up 'til I heard this version of Hallelujah the original Leonard Cohen version was my favorite. This one brings tears to my eyes every single time, and I must have heard it at least 100 times counting reaction videos. Oh - and it's true, there's no auto-tune and no overdubbing, but there is some incredibly masterful mixing and mastering going on. It doesn't take away from the talent of the group, but the engineers deserve a lot of credit.

This was the one that made me go out and spend my hard earned on a solid hold-in-your-hand CD. Worth every penny.

There is a live version of them singing this song for one of their Christmas shows, that is on KZfaq. It sound just as good.

PTX are true artists of disecting a song and reconstructing it perfectly.

They just celebrated 10 years this June. Welcome!!!!!!

If you like these guys then you’d love, and be equally blown away by, Voiceplay. A few of my favorites from them are My Mother Told Me, Hoist The Colours, and The Dragonborn Comes. Their harmonies are crazy and the ranges are insane from roof shattering tenors to foundation shaking bass.

I think we are witnessing the birth of a new Pentaholic! 😍. Love your PTX reactions. The sheer joy and pleasure you display in your reactions is infectious. You never fail to put a smile on my face. 😁👍

The footsteps of a giant remark was awesome!!

I hope you quickly get to some up tempo energetic Pentatonix Christmas songs. Love your genuine reaction every video

PTX is truly one of the most gifted group of people in all of musicdom!! You are right Magical! If you need to check out their live version of this song from their Christmas special...it sounds the same. They are INSANE that way! 10 years together,1 change, Avi, the bearded bass left and Matt took his spot. They are aliens..I'm pretty sure.....👽Enjoyed your reaction.

Ok, so now you have to do The Prayer. It's the best so far. I can't stop listening 🎧💙

That bass is Avi Kaplan... he does a very primal song called "Change on the rise" if you're interested in doing a reaction. Also, when you get through Christmas there is a whole season 3 of the sing off where you can see their past, how it all came together, and how they grow through the competition. They went on after to get their first Emmy "Daft Punk" which they did in an apartment kitchen and bathroom. There are so many aspects of the group and they each have their side projects as well.

steve knutson I have been down this delightful rabbit hole since the beginning of the pandemic, and must say it is a main reason i have survived. . what a joy to discover new people who find this group by chance, or by recommendation, and instantly realize they have stumbled onto something unique, and so special that it is hard to find the words to describe them. I have been thinking these last few days , listening to the prayer, how lucky it was that scott and mitch were given such different voices. what would have happened if they were both baritones. it believe it was some some unseen power that thought they would "see what happens". and the rest is history. I have listened to your reaction to all three of your pentatonix reactions at least 3 times and find them mesmerizing. you have a charisma and knowledge that can equal the quality of this fabulous group. can't wait for you to react to Imagine,, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Amazing Grace, the "warhorses , so to speak, but any will do. keep up the great work

Love your ‘blown away guy’ analogy. Perfect definition of the PTX wall of sound and Avi with his basso profundo. Love witnessing the birth of a new Pentaholic. You have, indeed, fallen down the (bottomless and proverbial) rabbit hole. Buckle up, you’re in for an amazing ride. Enjoy!

I’ve been quietly following them since they were on the competition show. It is so cool, after all this time, that people are still just discovering them… and loving it still as much as I do.

You've been added to the "Mitch face" reaction list. Lol! I love seeing everyone's reaction when his solo starts. Agreed, by far the best version of this song.

One of the reasons we tell people to use proper headsets is that is the only way to properly hear the bass line in PTX videos.

Hit the live version if you haven't. The craziest thing about this was that your eyes stayed dry. Lol. I've watched you well up to hard rock and les mis, and stayed fully dryeyed with your first watch of this. You have come a long way young Jedi :)

There's a live version of this from their Christmas Special that will blow you away.

I have watched this video and reactions to it hundreds of times. It still makes me hold my breath in places. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Such an amazing group and video everyone I watch hearing for the first time says the same thing voice of Angels!

Yes, I just went to heaven and I'm covered with goosebumps and a lump in my throat.

They've only ever used autotune on one of their songs, and that was for Cher's song 'Believe' as part of their '90s Dance Medley (as a tribute to the original, which was the first to use autotune as an artistic effect.) Apart from that... no autotune, and they sound as good live as they do on recordings.

You might not realize this, but we do. Your 6.43K subscriber list is about to explode as fellow Pentaholics flock to your channel. There's just something incredibly fun about watching reactors stuttering, slapping their foreheads, pausing, crying, getting up from their chair, screaming "I'm not ready!" etc. etc. ad infinitum.

No auto tune. In their 90's dance medley they use auto tune in Cher's song and one other. They did not hide it, they let people know it was a homage to Cher.

The voices, each one more beautiful than the other... and they still sing a cappella?!!! Amazing!!! 🙏⚘

Footsteps of a giant is exactly how it feels - welcome to the rabbit hole, my friend.

You were smiling the whole last chorus. Smiling happens to reactors with most of Pentatonix music. Feels good!

Next: Sound of Silence, Amazing Grace and The prayer. And Mary did you know…

Yeah......."The Prayer, " is Awesome !! ❤😎👌

I so wish I could like this more than once!! I’ve come back to this reaction a lot when I’m sad because the pure joy you emit is contagious! “Here comes the beat boxing” 🥰 You are such a genuine beautiful soul!

If I could like your reaction more than once I would. Have watched it several times and love it! Great reaction!

This is a *reaction* video. Fans of reaction videos like to hear the comments of the person reacting to the video. The reactor has to stop and start as well for copyright reasons. Perhaps those of you who complain about the stopping would be happier going to find the original song. Thanks for the great comments, Larry.

You've been 'Mitch-slapoed " by Mitch with the hat of course. I can see the awe in your face when Mitch was swinging!!

The one thing I have found with PTX is there live versions seem better then the official videos. Besides the obvious, they are amazing.

Ahhh! You have such a joyful face listening to this fabulous group 😊🖐🏻

You were lost in their heavenly voices. You discovered true inner peace listening to them.

It would be such a blessing to wake up every morning and hear this wondrous performance for the very first time. :)

I’m not a huge Pentatonix fan, but this version of Hallelujah is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.

You are a great lover of fine music. It is pure fun to watch you enjoy the music. Thank You!!

This is just wonderful... They manage to connect our soul to the Divine... This was one of the best versions of this song I've ever heard... Amazing!!! 🙏🙏⚘I loved your reaction, Thanks!

So glad you got to this early on. Six hundred million plus views says it all. Love them and all their music. Kevin Olusula the celloboxer has his own channel as well. He's truly a wonder all his own.

You must watch their new one “the Prayer”. Or listen to their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody!!!! Also the live version of this from their Christmas special sounds just like this, it’s on you tube. Play it for us. Trust us. Pentaholics will not steer you wrong. Lovely reaction. Thank you. They are gifted beyond, but they also work very very hard

Definitely many layers to this onion. Shrek himself said so! The best version by far. Thanks for posting.

I don't know how I missed this I absolutely love your reactions and you held it together. The Mitch-Slap was priceless ❤️. But I have to say PERFECTION 🤯 PERSONIFIED! Like you I just found them and I'm hooked. ☮️🤟😢🎶

"Footsteps of a giant approaching" - it was sneaking up on what Pentaholics call the "Wall of Sound". I loved your way of putting it! 💕 Enjoyed your reaction and am looking forward to more!