As a person who, to be delicately vague....kina lived the life in this video in my mid 20s....this shit hits me like a freight train. People keep talking about how disconnected the lyrics are from the video, i' here to tell you there is NO disconnect. This song PERFECTLY captures that mournful, out of control, spiraling, self destructive self loathing and depression you are overwhelmed with when you are DEEP in addiction, drug abuse, living in some nasty trap house with a bunch of fellow wasters and users, watching your life and who you are as a person implode in slow motion, tormented by the memory of the real, normal, loving relationships, and normal life you use to have. I am 2 years clean and sober right now, and, when I watched this shit, I ugly cried like a baby for like 20 min. This is the realest fucking thing i have ever seen an artist create. Sometimes, as an ex-addict, you need to be reminded what those times felt like....Nothing kills the temptation to use again like feeling that feeling again, even in memory.

From what I gathered listening the "glimpse of us" is him moving onto another relationship too soon, he's passing time with someone else thinking of his previous relationship

6:54 ugh the fact that you pointed out that it doesn't resolve makes this song even more of a masterpiece and how it's juxtaposes the music video.

the video is a direct representation of self loathing pain and heartbreak. the song pulls it all together and really tells a story.

For me, Glimpse of us is not only about the end of a romantic relationship. It represents the relation that I had with my mother. She was abusive, physically and emotionally. But still, at the end of the day when I looked at her, I could see me in her. A reflection of myself. I hated that. I promised myself that when I grow up, if my child looks at me and sees them in me, they should be happy about it.

I believe the song's about losing a girl he was truly deeply in love with in a way he had never felt about anyone else. I think that regardless of how much time has passed since he's lost her, and despite the fact that he has the perfect girlfriend, who he couldn't ask more of, he still didn't feel the same about her as he did about his ex. Him and his current girl never fought, they had fun together, but when she smiled a certain way or they did a specific thing together he would get glimpses of his ex, and feel that euphoria for a fleeting moment. Rather than leaving the relationship, he stays, convincing himself there's no good reason to leave and chasing those glimpses indefinitely, connecting to the unresolved chord at the end.

A few days ago I was shocked to find out that the video was actually professionally produced! There's some bts footage out there, but fucking hell it seems so extremely authentic it's unbelivable

Structurally if we listen to the song, it doesnt have pauses. I feel like it suits the music video, because the things that are happening in the mv is as if they are looking for distractions to the pain, like they're actively looking for distractions in order to not get hurt by processing their emotions, somewhat a common thing in the contemporary idea of love that we may have. sonically and video wise, it expresses the intention to not let oneself rationalize emotions or let it catch up.

Just realized it's so hard to focus on the song with the video playing on purpose, so sad and beautiful

i'm so glad you pointed out that it ends without resolving on a major. its little details like that, that make me love music so much. A feeling can be inspired by not playing what you think is coming at the end.

This plays 2 parts in my mind. The lyrics themselves are about a girl you never got over, but the video is of the times you used to have with your friends. Both were toxic but nostalgic and although you don't wanna go back, you miss it

In a metaphorical sense, he's trying to love his new life, but can't forget his past. He can't move on from it. Now he's finding the glimpse of his past to his present self. But the lyrics are straightforward though.

The video & song are like a drug/adrenaline addict who needs to have this synthetic feeling in order to get that original feeling of being in love... With catastrophic effects. Love & addiction can be like a bulldozer - esp. for those of certain classes of society with no support systems

It's so cool seeing you tackle Glimpse Of Us! I love your musical analysis because it comes from a very emotional and feeling place.

When I listen to the song and watch the video, and im stealing this from a comment on the main video, but I also feel like it has a lot to do with missing your old self in ways. And trying to find a glimpse of your old self in present day. I miss riding around with friends smoking weed and breaking bottles or whatever we did back then, you know what I mean. And the video definitely reminds me of those times and really things that I miss because ive gotten older now and people normally change their ways a bit in terms of partying etc. at least the rebellious style of it all. Now we may still party but its more calculated, but the risk of doing it like a fool was exhilarating in many ways.

My take on the video and how it correlates to the song is: This is Joji's explanation on why he stopped with Filthy Frank content. The videos in the MV are eerily similar to his FF content and it shows how destructive it was. I'm sure that he had his reasons for making the videos, but you can see how that could take a toll on someone's life.

YES! I've been waiting for your take on this! ❤️🎹❤️

I think some of the most beautiful pieces of art (this song and video) are ones that can carry different meanings through whoever is consuming it, no right or wrong interpretation. I would suggest looking into Joji’s other stuff! Either on the channel or just personal time. His growth as an artist has been amazing to see. Maybe even dive deeper into his background and you’ll find that he was making videos just like you, on this same platform, interesting stuff all around. Eagerly waiting his next project.

Dance Gavin Dance's new album is out. I would love for you to review some of the songs. There are 17 songs so it's pretty big but I think they did an amazing job with it.

Joji is so great! I'm glad you did this song.

Review Jackpot Juicer! Album of the year for sure

Ah man, I am still surprised you haven't made a video on Kamelot yet, I came across your channel today and I am genuinely impressed by a lot of your video's and your knowledge on overall music! Keep it up I enjoy watching these.

Living life frantically to numb the pain of loss. Ive been there

You were so giving me Mr. Roger’s Neighbourhood vibes at the end of your intro song!! It sounds soooo nostalgic as a music lover!!! Thanks

This song and video reminds me a lot of how I felt the first couple months after getting clean. You weirdly feel a lot of grief, it's the ultimate toxic ex. There's a lot of pain in growing.

If you like joji, I would recommend checking out his song Slow Dancing In the Dark. Oldie but a goodie. Even older, he did some rap stuff under the name Pink Guy which I think is top tier.

Great video, thanks for the reaction!

now that note you played at 04:16 on your piano was just perfect...🙌🔥😍

this song and bbno$'s help herself are my top breakup songs of the 2020s. just getting out of a long term relationship myself these songs hit hard. love the reactions though keep up the great work

I feel like the video was about a representation of how some male adults struggle with depression and bad feelings, the lack of something. By the social stigma they just discount in every way hoping to feel something as filler as love was? maybe… This thought correlation with the music may become more easy if you have suffered a traumatic relationship end, the kind that made you doubt about being happy with just yourself, go through this process can put you in a situation as awful as the one in the video. It just become even more sad when i heard your comment about the end and that note that don’t end, don’t resolve.

So actually some people think this song is really about Joji’s old group of friends, he used to do crazy stuff with them and record, he was popular for it before he made music. After he left that lifestyle and started doing other things some people think he misses them and that’s what this song is lowkey about. But it could also be about being in a relationship and they’re perfect for you but you want your old thing back. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The fact the song doesnt resolve at the end was haunting me for so long, i tought i was goin insane trying to explain it to my friends. Glad to hear someone else point it out

Nothing better than acoustic piano

I feel that if that this song goes from a good thing ending (like a relationship) into a troubling life. That troubling life is the “her” that Joji mentions. “Her Arms” is the clutch of death and pain. So as he is “passing time in her arms,” he is really looking for a glimpse of the good that he lost to try and return. Glimpse of Us isn’t a song just about relationships, it’s a song about grief and denial. It’s interpretation can be taken many ways, but the glimpse of us could be a glimpse of family member, friend, pet, or anything that causes pain.

You’re the only person aside from me that I’ve heard comment about the song not resolving at the end. Love it. Perfectly matches the unrelieved relationship/feelings.

I relate to this the video and lyrics in the fact that I was in a relationship that was supposed to be ride or die for 6 years and lost all of it and didn’t know how to cope or deal with my feelings and I was 17 at the time and and moved to New York with “friends” and was basically homeless for 2 years and this video Sums up my life in that time frame and most of it I don’t remember because of that I just wanted a way to be distracted from what I felt and just didn’t care about what happened I just wanted to forget, but things change so never give up y’all I promise.

The song is beautiful the video like life and love is kaos which is what’s left of your heart after it’s been broken lol

I really think you’d like “Give You the World” by steve lacy. your music taste is so diverse! I love watching you react to new things

Whoa "it doesn't get resolved" that's something I would have never thought of ...

The song was not written by Joji - it was written an Alexis Kesselman, CastleConnor McDonough, and Riley McDonough

To me, the video embodies one's struggle with intense grief and loss. You try to push the pain away and distract yourself (often resorting to destructive behavior). So, we are seeing the pain and destruction, and the inevitable spiral one may go down. I love how you pointed out the lack of a resolve at the end which sounds like the grief isn't over. The spiraling continues.

This video is really difficult for me.. for the people that don’t understand the video with the song, I’m kinda glad. It’s better off not knowing the pain you’ve gotta be going through to make it make sense that way

No resolve. Wow, I hadn't noticed that before. thank you for pointing that out

JOJI is one ofva kind

MORE JOJI PLEASE

The song “Glimpse of of us” By Joji has two ways of looking at it (at least From the music video). so the 1st of 2 the way is the song and lyrics itself, the song is about him not able to get over a past relationship with someone when he’s in relationship somebody. Probably like he remembers all the memories that he had with his ex and the relationship that he’s in is bringing at the memories causing glimpses of the past relationship. Now the lyrics is perfect same for the instrument which is the piano. It show that this was a heartbreaking song. Now 2nd way of looking at this song is the music video itself, now from what I can see or heard from other is that, this video was joji’s past and that he got into trouble after the relationship he had (ex that he broke up with) and so he had he’s current relationship and he ended up having glimpses of the relationship that he had. So the relationship ended which led him to do dumb things and getting into loads of trouble for it. The two ways of looking at this song make sense in a way when you think about and put them together. This was beautifully sounded by joji

Do more Joji please. I have never seen someone break his songs down as well as you do.

i think its about a relationship where he was truly happy but when he lost her he got into a destructive lifestyle, or another girl in which he thought he would get that feeling back but he doesnt.

I feel a glimpse of us refers to a look into his old self and who he was with his past lover. The song is a look into the past when he was happy and the video is his current state after they broke up

David, you had mentioned in another reaction you like live videos. Going to recommend a live cover of “ Glimpse of Us “ that’s titled Amazing Moment ! It’s amazing because Glimpse of Us song writers Riley McDonough and Connor McDonough join Allie Sherlock on Grafton Street Dublin to perform their song ! You will find the video on Allie Sherlock’s KZfaq channel from 3 months ago ! A special moment for Riley and Connor !

would love to see your reaction to A Day To Remember - Miracle

I feel like this song has 2 meanings. I feel like the video has its own story that matches the music and the solo music has its own story. The music solo is much more straightforward with him trying to fill a void from a past relationship with someone else. But the video is about him trying to commit to someone while also being in this crazy life, and when he looks in her eyes he sees the happiness that the time him and his friends have, although it’s a different kind of happiness

If you haven’t heard it already, listen to Slow Dancing in the Dark by Joji. Probably his most popular song, for good reason, it’s amazing.

You should do the song “die for you” from his new album, it includes a official video too!!

Joji (Filthy Frank) embodies the duality of man like no one has 🤣🤙🤙

The song is about someone who tries to move on from one relationship into another, but all they see in their new partner is a "glimpse of us" - that they can't get over their ex and is only with someone else to pass time. Very beautiful writing and listen to "Die for You" which is like a follow on from Glimpse of us.

This song unironically reminds me of the final scene of Superbad

I don't know ethier WTF happent in the video but the song touches my soul

MORE JOJI

i would suggest checking out the song upgrade from joji! it has an intense and beautiful piano line. kinda bossa-ish

You should check out NIKI - Every Summer Time: A Love Story. It's from 88Rising, the company Joji is part of.

read the lyrics, theyre great

I'm really hoping that you get to react to slow dancing in the dark, if I'm correct, the main chord progression replaces one of its chords with the minor counterpart, giving you an oddly sad feeling, also the piano arpeggio in the chorus is really good and goes unnoticed. Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have the knowledge and really want to understand that song better

I know this was posted a while so I am not sure if you have reached a conclusion on how the song and video go contrast. Basically people usually need a distraction to keep them from reality because they don't want to believe that the relationship is over. The song is saying how even tho he found someone who seems perfect and better than the previous person, but they still have not moved on so now he's either subconsciously or intentionally using his new partner as a way to cope and look for similarities with the ex(rebound). A glimpse of him and the ex. The video portrays the mental state of trying to escape or distract themselves from the truth because they're reality with their partner abruptly ended and now they don't want to feel anymore. It's more of an artistic take contrasting the video with the song. like what the other comment says "Juxtaposes"

You should check out the track machine gun by the band badflower

Please react to "slow dancing in the dark" and "yeah right" by him

would u please do a piano overlay on it please.

humming noise in the background

Please react to Ew by Joji!!! It’s one of his best songs both lyrically and musically!

Glimpse of us what I think is this video is grief and coming with grief is running away from it so you do drugs,etc etc. But at the end of the day you are still hurt

The video is showcasing how young man deal with emotional stress.

For me the message is simple, he lost his love and lost his will to live, it should be noted that he isolates himself in certain parts of the video... he is lost because life is always losing.

Please react to Summer Soft by Stevie Wonder!!!

His name george but he called himself joji because his a Japanese and joji is actually being pronounced in Japanese

my theory: they arent broken up. he is talkin about both of their past selves to his and her present and future selves. and then talks to his and her past selves when they were happier from his unhappy present and future self they are still together. but they both want to be the way they were when first in love. the things they do in the video is cuz they arent happy anymore. she is in the vid yelling at him the whole time. hes romanticizing the past in the song while the video shows a glimpse of the reality. he obvi wouldnt miss whats happening in the video, hes clearly miserable. they both are. they are both destroying each other. listen to the way she talks to him. in return he acts out and continues the abusive cycle. he wishes for a time with her he can no longer see (out of sight) cuz its too far in the past and is now lost (out of his mind). their life together is flashing before our eyes while he is missing something he cant seem to find scanning thru the memories for the girl he loves, the one hes singin to but she no longer exists and neither does the guy he was that loved her. hes searching for someting he cant find cuz it no longer exists, and the video shows it possibly never existed...

My man where is Rotoscope at

Have you heard of lucky daye?

To me this video captures how self destructive a man can be or woman for that matter after a really traumatic even like a bad break up.

This song is Joji reminiscing on FilthyfrankTV lol

The lyrics make it seem like it’s about a girl. And the video makes it seem like maybe it’s about himself. Maybe the song is him trying to find a glimpse of what he use to be. Rather then the glimpse of someone he misses but that someone is actually himself.

After having acted up myself, for woman to notice me and even thrashing about once I got in a relationship I see the video as parallel to the stuff I'd do to cope with loss and to strike for more love. The "us" changes faces for me, it's usually my ex tho

react to my chemical romance "welcome to the black parade" next?

react to beyonces new album please !

to understand joji you must first understand filthy frank

E

C'mon, you're musician! How is possible you focused more on the video than the lyrics?? If you listen, not only the song but also the video is clear. The text is a poetry for his past-lover, easy to guess BUT matching it with that crude video showing a devastating, self disruptive lifestyle IS pure genius. Because when you lose the most important person, nothing else matter: not your actual perfect loving new fiancè, not your safety, not your future not your health. You put a strong facade, dumb your pain with drugs, crazy-high emotions juts not to think of how miserable you are. But it's not enough, a glimpse of her hits you hard when you slow down for a second. So you higher the limit more and more till hurting you physically.

Please just listen to the audio! Video is so weird, and distracting

Bro you pause it at the worst moments, smh right when it’s getting good you pause it

The video is staged

now that note you played at 04:16 on your piano was just perfect...🙌🔥😍