An “In The Air Tonight” reaction video is going viral and sparking a renewed wave of Phil Collins appreciation.
Tim and Fred Williams, two teenagers from Gary, IN, have made names for themselves on their TwinsthenewTrend YouTube channel with their reactions to hearing various classic songs for the first time. While their videos have racked up millions of views and garnered them just under 200,000 subscribers, it is their recent reaction video for Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” that has their names ringing out across social media.
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While the song was released nearly 40 years ago, long before the twins were born, it has maintained a level of cult appreciation to this day for its quotable lyrics and karaoke exploits, its dreamy story and sonics and, of course, its iconic Collins drum fill two-thirds of the way through.
The open-minded young music scholars’ reaction to that particular drum breakdown is a big part of what’s made this clip go viral. While they calmly vibed with the song up until that point, both brothers totally lost it when the drums finally kicked in. They even paused the playback to give themselves time to let it sink in.
“He said, ‘I feel like y’all sleepin on me, let’s wake em up!” the first brother exclaimed. “I gotta download this to my phone, man,” added the second. “I ain’t never seen nobody drop a beat three minutes in the song.”
That proves it: No matter when or where you may have been born, Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” is universal. Watch the teen brothers react to hearing it for the first time below:
First Time Hearing Phil Collins “In The Air Tonight” Reaction
With the clip making its rounds on the internet, many have chimed in to confirm their own love and appreciation for the song. You can check out a few reactions to these kids’ reaction below. You can also head to the TwinsthenewTrend YouTube channel to see their first-time reactions to songs like Prince‘s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” guitar solo, Dolly Parton‘s “Jolene”, and more.
“I ain’t never seen somebody drop a beat three minutes into a song.”
Zoomer twins listening to “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins for the first time. 😂 pic.twitter.com/BNMGOKUGDT
— Travis Akers (@travisakers) August 7, 2020
OMG. I literally cried when I heard Phil Collins perform, “In The Air Tonight”, live, in concert. The lead up to the drum solo, then the payoff…perfection. One of the most memorable moments of my life.💗 https://t.co/v26RIP58cb
— Bonnie North (@BonnieNorthGP) August 7, 2020
These reaction videos are funny.
The drum break from In the Air Tonight brings everyone together. https://t.co/VHXKlpfKVs
— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) August 7, 2020
i get it’s cool to see those kids hearing the drums come in on “in the air tonight,” but…just wait til the guitar throw. https://t.co/lkQHAXOLmf
— bomani (@bomani_jones) August 7, 2020
If you get too down and cynical today, and I’m guilty I do it far too much, just realize that Phil Collins is trending because two teenagers filmed themselves discovering the drum break on “In the Air Tonight” for the first time and there is plenty of good in the world. Carry on pic.twitter.com/CAokLRKD3U
— Andrew Donaldson (@four4thefire) August 7, 2020