If Scatman John was still around, he'd probably be the biggest electro swing artist in the world by now.

Todd, through the whole video: "Scatman says if he can do it so can I but I DEFINITELY can't scat" Video: Did he deserve better? Todd: "Yes. Abso-skibididoutely" You see? The Scatman always believed in you, Todd. The scat really was in you all along ;_;

"Scatman, fat man, black and white and brown man Tell me about the color of your soul" is a really beautiful line.

The fact that his wife helped pushed him forward past his fear and forced him to be great. They both deserve the best in life and beyond. He better be sitting next to the throne with a smile on his face.

I'm not religious but this man alone makes me hope heaven is real just because he deserves to be there

I'm gonna be real here for a bit, and I'm sure no one really cares about it, but, I just feel like getting it out. Scatman John unironically helped me through a period of depression. The cheesy, happy antics were the exact thing I needed in a time where I felt nothing would go right. My mom had a health scare where she fainted out of nowhere and bashed her head onto concrete leaving her with a concussion and bedridden in a hospital for about a week. Shortly after, we got the call that my great-grandmother passed away while mom was still recovering and that hurt a lot because the last time that I had actually gotten to see her was a year and I dismissed going to see her in favour of playing video games so... I never even got to say goodbye. I felt at fault for that. Right after we got back home, we had found the family pet bird, our best friend and the only thing we really had to give us some light, strangled by a piece of twine that had wrapped around his neck, causing him to struggle and we think he broke his neck from it. It sounds dumb now, but on top of that, I had no friends in school. No one talked to me, I didn't talk to anyone and I got pushed around daily by my sister. So, in my maybe ten, maybe eleven-year-old mind, it was all just absolutely fucked. I was genuinely depressed and even though I made jokes as my way of trying to make other people smile, I couldn't even bring myself to really speak. I don't remember how I discovered Scatman John, but his very energy and his story honestly got me through it all because the true happiness he had and his message made everything better. Maybe it was because I was ten, but even though his messages were so cheesy and "peace and love" they all really resonated with me and I actually felt some happiness. I was enamoured almost instantly. Everything about Scatman John was right to me because he seemed to genuinely want to build a better world and in "I'm the Scatman" it just seemed like it was /meant/ for me. Of course, I was ten. Still, his message meant a lot and, over time, as I listened to every single song by him, pretty much on repeat, I actually managed to get out of the dark pit I was in. So.... Yeah, I guess Scatman John is one of my heroes for that.

16:40 "Best selling foreign albums in Japan: The Beatles, Mariah Carey, Queen and, of course, _THE SCATMAN."_ That kills me every time I rewatch this.

Wow, I just came across this. As someone who knew John Larkin personally (I once managed the officially-sanctioned Scatman John website for a time - the URL was on the "Everybody Jam" album), thanks for sharing John's story with accuracy. I first heard "Scatman" while riding the Eurostar train in the north of France while on a vacation in Europe in 1995 and I was like, "WHOA! WHAT IS THIS?!" Eventually I heard it all over Europe and got a hold of the CD single. I made a website about the Scatman because I found his story fascinating, and also discovered that this guy I traveled half the world to be introduced to his music was also from my hometown of Los Angeles and lived less than a half-hour's drive from me. His management people got me in touch with him and we exchanged emails for a time. I did get to meet him once at a jazz club in Hollywood where we watched McCoy Tyner perform...good times. He also sent me from Scat-swag (I still have a Scatman logo necktie and Scatman's World t-shirt) as well as advanced copies of his CD singles (which were never sold in the US). He traveled often so I didn't get to see him after that but I did get to visit his house and pick up some materials to scan for the website from his wife. I heard about his cancer diagnosis and was crushed to learn from an email sent from a friend of his that he died on December 3, 1999. I was invited to his memorial at his house several weeks later. In December 2019, during a road trip, I blasted the "Scatman's World" album in my car as tribute to the man. If he were still around today, I'm sure he'd be proud to know that a fellow stutterer got to become President of the United States.

Scatman John had a fondness for his line "The things you called dead haven't yet had the chance to be born." And he proved it true by holding onto his love for the jazz and scat singing, a music widely considered to be dead, and breathed new life into it, making it live and thrive once again. And he believed in what he did and loved it so much that when he was diagnosed with lung cancer he refused to stop and spend the rest of his days in and out of hospitals, undergoing treatments that would ensure he could never scat again (cancer treatments have come a LONG way since the 90s and they are *still* horrendous ordeals; trust someone whose mother went through treatment of incredibly aggressive breast cancer). Instead he continued on as long as he could, until finally he no longer could. But even after his death, his work has continually been in a cycle of discovery and rediscovery; each reset of the loop a chance for the Scatman's legacy to find a place in the world once more and live once again in the popular culture. For truly "The things you called dead haven't yet had the chance to be born."

As someone with a stutter, this guy is a hero

This is definitely the most wholesome episode of Todd in the Shadows

This song literally saved my life as a kid with a really and stutter. My aunt introduced me to this song when I was 10 because I was having a tough time at school with the teasing. For the first time I heard somebody like me telling me that it's okay to be different and that you should always be comfortable with who you are. Now that I'm 36 with a 10 year old who also stutters I've become his scatman (not like that sicko's) and I'm so indebted to him and my aunt. Scatman I truly love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you done for me with just one song. Thank you and rest in peace.

TODD: "It turns out that the Scatman was absolutely huge . . . in . . ." US: (nodding rapidly) "Say it. Say it!" TODD: ". . . Japan." US: "YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!"

haha Scatman outsold queen in japan.....wow

Great video but 17:17 Scatman never collapsed on stage in 1999, some random dude just put that on wikipedia a couple years ago. John spent most of 1999 with his family and recorded a majority of his final album in his home studio. Also for anyone who hasn't heard, a biopic on this guy was announced a while ago

Wasn't expecting to end in tears over a video about the freakin scatman of all people. What a wonderful man.

"Big in Japan" plottwist of the century.

dude is legendary, getting a huge pop hit in his like fifties while he has a disability and then becoming a fucking meme god in japan before dying having done what he loved. nice. what a cool dude.

"15 minute solos and time signature changes" That is very precisely my jam.

I feel like the line "If the Scatman can do it, so can you," was misconstrued. He was saying if someone like him can find his place in the world, having a stutter and being old with very little promise of a music career, so can someone like you. Might be reaching a bit though.

the story of scatman makes me genuinely happy. he's just a guy who wanted to make happy music with unbridled optimism about the world and succeeded, even if he was seen as a fun novelty act. the fact he kept performing while having cancer makes me respect the man even more. god bless scatman, god bless

Scatman didn't die, he just returned to Scatland.

I think the reason Scatman John did so well in Japan like a meme is due to the "soramimi" effect that a lot of songs. The lyrics might appear nonsensical in English but when you convert those syllables into Japanese vocalisations, suddenly there's nonsensical or sensible but funny Japanese phrases (or however soramimi works)

The peace and love thing was a common thread through most of Europop. The early and mid nineties were at once a period of great optimism but at the same it also saw a resurgence of neo-nazism, in the east of a newly unified Germany and Scandinavia. The Berlin Wall had come down in 89 and the Cold War was over. But we also started seeing some of the early signs that would come to define the last 20 years of societal tensions. So Europop was a distraction but more importantly an admonition of all that had come to divide the continent the 4 plus decades previous. Yes, the genre is sterile and repetitive, but it is also one of the most unabashedly optimistic. The message of peace and love and togetherness are no coincidence.

“Whatever God wants is fine by me ... I've had the very best life. I have tasted beauty.” - Scatman John

This guy took a genre completely removed from what he'd spent his life doing, and probably hadn't even considered, and made a final, international career out of it. He took eurodance and he ran with it. Bless him.

Scatman unironically deserves to be remembered as a fantastic human being. All he wanted to do is spread love and he died doing what he truly wanted to do.

"Scatish is a language not quite like a leprechaun..' Oh.. that clears things right up!

I'm a little drunk right now and I cried at the end of this. What a beautiful man

Dude the scat man extended universe was amazing Scatworld Scatworld 2: Age of autotune Scatworld: Infinity syllables

10:44 15:55 And now Scatman is not a One Hit Wonder anymore... "Scatland" and "Everbody Jam" are actual hits thanks to the power of Internet and memes.

Wow. This dude got more and more wholesome and likeable as the video went along but then he became a straight up badass when he died because he refused to let cancer keep from doing what he loved. I have an entirely new respect for this artist and song. Great video, Todd.

He died doing what he loved. And despite Lung Cancer, age and stutter, a real artist

This guy is too pure for this world. He is the first cinnamon roll to get featured on this show that's for sure. Also, I'm not sure what I was expecting for the post episode cover, but I love how all anyone can really do is a really slow reggae-ish version.

I have rewatched this at least 10 times now. Growing up with a severe speech impediment, Scatman John was a big hero of mine. "If the scatman can do it, so can you!" still kind of tears me up hearing it now.

John seems like a lovely guy, it's weird he found his success through that genre when he's such a good pianist, I hope he didn't feel like he sold out. I would have done the same thing John, I would have gone to Scatworld too.

Brb. Learning scattish and moving to scatland.

"Everybody Jam" is the most delightful song I've heard in a long time and my life is instantly better for having listened to it.

The SCU (scatman cinematic universe)

This is the first One Hit Wonderland to borderline make me tear up. I love Scatman John and his dorky love for humanity and jazz ❤️

John Larkin was my grandfather's cousin. He'd be happy to know he lives on.

Yup, may have been a novelty for a time, but made a name for himself in his 50s, and he succeeded. Just hearing this story kinda made me a bit teary eyed. Scatman John, we love you, and I hope you doing a real good jazz up there with Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and so many more!

I like this song even more knowing that the guy is as legit of a musician as it gets.

I was a child when Scatman John came out and kids *loved* the Scatman. He was like your quirky fun loving uncle.

This is probably my third or fourth time watching, but every time fills me with happiness. The Scatman makes me want to be a better person.

I love how Todd just ended up genuinely loving the Scatman by the end of the review. That level of wholesome is just too pure to not love, it affected me the same way. Awesome review :D

Its crazy, but this song makes me cry. I have mild autism, depersonalisation syndrome, gender identity issues. This song, his words, tell me its okay to be imperfect.

I unironically love Scatman Jon and think he is one of my favorite musicians

WHY AM I CRYING ABOUT THE SCATMAN. Todd, what did you DO???

I hate when these have a sad ending. He seemed to have a really interesting story, very positive guy. It's one of those songs you randomly stumble across every now and then, and it's always good fun.

This is my favourite One Hit Wonderland episode, even the comments section is beautiful. Scatman John would be proud. I knew the song as Eurodance is unequivocally the soundtrack of my British teenage years - from Haddaway to Alice Deejay to (regrettably) Rednex - but I had no idea about the story behind The Scatman. Epic and inspirational 🖤

I am proud over having the Scatman's World CD album in my collection in my living room in 2020. Bought it when it came out in 1995 and played the crap out of it back then. 13 year old me loved it. And 38 year old me still like it. 😀

damn it todd you made me care and i felt that emotion rise within me at the end. rip scatman.

This was weirdly emotional

Scatman lives forever in Scatland which exists in the hearts of every scatfan.

I think I love eurodance and it’s for all the same reasons you hate it. I love how corny, campy and upbeat everything is. Even the sad songs sound happy in comparison to everything else in music. It’s like the new disco in that it’s catchy, fun, kinda dumb dance music with a lot of fun and stupid novelty hits as well as some genuinely good songs that give the genre so much character. I definitely see why people might hate super corny and campy dance songs like cotton eyed Joe or I’m blue though even if I have a soft spot for it

Alternatively titled "How Todd learned to give a shit about the Scatman"

Scatman John is truly a product of 90s and not in a bad way. It would be nice to see more people like him in these days of music, when everything seems so gloomy and uninspired.

I'm a metalhead and punk, and when me and my old punk band went on the road for some shows, Scatman was always on our road trip mix cd. Love it.

Can we just say hes the Mr. Rogers of music? Correction one of the Mr. Rogers in music?

I never even knew about his popularity in Japan. But tbh of course Japan would love a guy like him considering the novelty. Also I honestly really want to check out his previous jazz work, the guy was seriously amazing and deserves respect for what he has done.

The 90's died when he died. Literally

This man lived such an interesting life and his story is so sincere and motivational in so many ways. How has nobody picked up the idea to make a Scatman film yet?! Such a heartwarming tale of a man who took his chance and overcame so much adversity. Rest easy Scatman John, your story will not be forgotten

"And if you didn't know who Captain Jack was you didn't play a lot of DDR." Ahem. "IN THE NAAAAAVY-"

Did not expect to end this video in tears.

I thought just like Todd... thought it was a cheap novelty song... Glad I learned different. Now if ya'll don't mind, Imma go feed a dog and pet a kitten. Maybe save a small child from a burning building.

Man... I can't wait for Todd's episode about t.A.T.u....

10:53 I mean how could the follow up have failed!?? He was spitting straight FACTZ here doe!!!

As someone who stutters, Scatman overcoming his speech issues was a big inspiration to me when I discovered him as a young kid

I must now have a full history of the Captain Jack vs Scatland conflict.

When Scatman John died, God stepped down from his throne, gave it to John, and now Heaven is Scatland.

Goddammit, Todd! I came here hoping to be mildly amused by some '90s quirky music and now I am inspired by this obscure artist. Didn't sign up for this.

Fantastic achievement in music

Who else remembers those old Super Mario 64 videos with Scatman’s music in them?

God bless corny, passionate and deeply sincere weirdos, the world would be so much bleaker without them.

I'm happy that Scatman John managed to breach through to the hits even for a little bit before he passed away.

Damn he never made it to the new millennium. At least he never got to see 9/11 and how unlike Scatland our world actually became.

After all these years I still keep coming back to this episode when I’m feeling sad. If the Scatman can do it so can you 😊

His cover of Queen's "Invisible Man" is pretty damn good too.

Didn't expect to cry at the end of this video :'(

There's a LOT of trained singers who can't do scat effectively. I know, I'm one of them. Scatman John is... well, he's inspirational, and not in the BS "Inspirationally disabled" way. What he does with his lips and tongue is straight-up amazing.

Thank you for this. I always assumed he just failed after this, it sounds like he had a varied and rewarding career and was blessed with skill. This makes me feel better knowing he got to enjoy it.

"If you don't know Captain Jack you didn't play enough DDR" I didn't think this thought would be acknowledged and turned into a statement put out into the world

Every instance of Todd saying Scat in this review: 1:14 1:17 1:28 1:41 1:44 1:52 1:59 2:26 2:45 2:47 2:49 4:16 4:56 6:16 6:24 7:13 7:25 7:35 7:45 8:07 8:16 8:37 9:09 9:59 10:00 10:26 10:45 10:55 11:05 11:13 11:18 11:38 12:24 12:31 12:36 12:37 12:38 12:40 13:19 13:34 13:36 14:12 14:27 14:36 15:26 16:09 16:38 16:55 17:40 18:05

Wow, found a whole new level of respect for a guy who did a goofy, but good, song.

Never forget that the Scatman will always be immortalized as a G-Mod taunt king

Scatman was like the Mister Rogers of Euro-pop (sorry Rogers-fans, he's just so wholesome and Rogers is the definition of Mr Rogers). Edit: Mr Rogers is the definition of wholesome* - but I'll leave it there cause that's one tasty freudian slip.

Awwwww, his story actually made me really happy. He took a less than stellar hand and really made something out of it and was successful.

Your best _One Hit Wonderland_ review so far. It's so possitive and nice, the viewer can feel how much you ended loving this man. And that's no surprise, Scatman was a great man, a treasure for music. i love this video, and i'm glad you decided to finally talk about the Scatman...

A random Reddit post brought me here, on Scatman's birthday. RIP.

Weird that a Todd in the shadows video made me cry

As far as the sincerity and how something like this got popular, it was the early-to-mid 90s. There was grunge, sure, but there was also an optimism that the worst of the world's history was behind us with the end of the Cold War. It's two sides of the same coin - grunge was the self-reflection of our own lives still needing work, and songs like this were the positive future we hoped to achieve.

I'm morbidly excited for the "Has he done anything since?" part of this video

As a stutterer, This man is my inspiration to follow my dreams

That's true dedication to your passion and craft, looking cancer square in the face and continuing to perform to the very end. This kind of passion only comes around once in a lifetime, and I'm so sad I couldn't experience it personally. Scatman John is truly the man of a generation, nay, man of the century!

First episode of this show that made me tear up a little.

What do you do when your genre is dying in the US? You make cheese in Europe. What do you do when even Europe is tired of you? You make natto in Japan.

Big in Japan for sure! Everyone knows about the Ultraman remix, but I also highly recommend MiChi's "All about the Girls", a great J-pop song with liberal Scatman sampling/influence from 2010 of all years!

i can tell you how it felt the exact moment this song hit it big: i was watching viva zwei with a friend of mine, scatman made its first appearance on the eurocharts, and we just lost it. this nearly 60 year old dude scatting to a eurodance track had us in stitches.. it felt like we were losing our minds, no way is this an actual song! i’ll never forget it.

This was touching; mad respect to the man of scat.