upworthy
Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button
Pop Culture

Bach wrote a whole song about a woman obsessed with coffee. It's delightfully relatable.

Bach's "Coffee Cantata" lyrics are a hilarious argument between a highly caffeinated young woman and her father trying to get her to quit her coffee habit.

Johann Sebastian Bach and a young woman drinking coffee
Public Domain (left) Photo by Hunter Newton on Unsplash (right)

Bach's 300-year-old Coffee Cantata feels surprisingly modern.

When you think of Johann Sebastian Bach, you might picture a bewigged man in tailcoats composing classical symphonies and concertos frequently associated with high-falutin' society. At the very least, you probably don't picture a comedian.

But "the father of classical music" had a silly side, and it came out in full force in his nearly 300-year-old "Coffee Cantata" (aka "Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht," or "Keep quiet, don’t chatter."). In the "Coffee Cantata," the voices we hear are a narrator who opens and closes the scene, a father (Herr Schlendrian) who has an issue with coffee-drinking women and Liesgen, his highly caffeinated daughter who is willing to give up anything for a cup o' Joe.

For context, coffee was extremely popular in 18th-century Europe, with some people sanctimoniously thinking it was a bad habit that needed to be broken (hence the dispute between this father and his coffee-obsessed daughter). But anyone who loves coffee will appreciate Liesgen's dedication to—and subversive deception to get—her three cups of java a day.

Witness and enjoy how the lyrics of Bach's "Coffee Cantata" translate to English:

Narrator:

Keep quiet, don’t chatter
and hear what’s going on now:
Here comes Herr Schlendrian
with his daughter Liesgen.
He’s growling like a honey-bear -
hear for yourselves what she has done to him.

Herr Schlendrian:

Don’t we have with our children
a hundred thousand muddles!
What always every day I
say to my daughter Liesgen
goes in one ear and out the other.

You bad child, you wild girl!
Oh! If only I could have my way:
Get rid of coffee!

Liesgen:

Father, don’t be so hard!
If three times a day I can’t
drink my little cup of coffee,
then I would become so upset
that I would be like a dried up piece of roast goat.

Ah! how sweet coffee tastes!
Lovelier than a thousand kisses,
smoother than muscatel wine.
Coffee, I must have coffee,
and if anyone wants to give me a treat,
ah!, just give me some coffee!

Herr Schlendrian:

If you don’t give up coffee,
you won’t be going to any wedding
and you won’t go out walking either.

Liesgen:

Alright then!
Just leave me my coffee!

Herr Schlendrian:

(I’ll get the little minx now!)
I shan’t get you the latest fashion in just your size.

Liesgen:

I can easily do without that.

Herr Schlendrian:

You’re not to stand at the window
and you won’t see anyone going by!

Liesgen:

I don’t mind that either; but please, I beg you,
just let me keep my coffee!

Herr Schlendrian:

What’s more you won’t get from me
a silver or gold ribbon
to put on your bonnet!

Liesgen:

That’s fine! Just leave me my pleasure!

Herr Schlendrian:

You’re impossible Liesgen, you are,
you would give up everything I say?

(Girls with obstinate minds
are not easily won over.
But if you hit the right spot,
oh then you’re in luck.)

Now follow what your father says!

Liesgen:

In everything else, but not coffee.

Herr Schlendrian:

Well then! You must get used to the idea
that you won’t have a husband either.

Liesgen:

Oh yes! Father, a husband!

Herr Schlendrian:

I swear, that won’t happen.

Liesgen:

Until I can give up coffee?
Right! Coffee, remain forever untouched.
Father, listen, I won’t drink any at all.

Herr Schlendrian:

Then you’ll have a husband!

Liesgen:

This very day,
dear father, do it now!
Ah, a husband!
That’s just right for me!
If only it could happen at once,
so that at last instead of coffee
before I go to bed
I could get a lusty lover!

Narrator:

Now old Schlendrian goes off and looks out
for his daughter Liesgen
to see if he can get her a husband soon.

But Liesgen lets it be secretly known:
'No suitor of mine should come to the house
unless he himself has promised
and it is written also in the marriage contract
that I shall be permitted
to make coffee whenever I want.'

The cat does not leave the mouse,
young ladies remain coffee addicts.
The mother loves her cup of coffee,
the grandmother drank it also.
Who can blame the daughters!

First of all, how fabulous is this? I think we coffee-loving women have a new theme song. Might even be worth learning some German so we can sing it in unison. Also, we need t-shirts that say, "In everything else, but not coffee." Let's make it happen. Send one to Grandma.

If you want to see how the "Coffee Cantata" sounds, here's a charming performance of it by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir:

Bach as comic relief. Who knew?

From Your Site Articles
humor
Pop CultureMusic
Badge
All In
Craveable snacks. Quality organic ingredients. Positive community impact.
partnerships

5 ways people are going "all in" this week

From the silliest to the most sentimental, there are so many ways people are going “all in” on the internet this week. Here are our five favorites.

True

There's something truly special about watching someone go "all in." This could mean throwing an elaborately themed birthday party for a Chihuahua (see below) or something a little simpler, like surprising someone with a long-anticipated birthday present. Whatever it is, going "all in" means total commitment—no holding back, no second-guessing, just passion and full-throttle enthusiasm. It means being fully present in the moment and creating something truly special as a result.

In this roundup, we’ve scoured the internet for the best examples of people going all in—those moments where passion, creativity, and total commitment take center stage. Some are silly, some are sentimental, but all of them are a reminder that giving 100% is the only way to truly leave a mark on this world. Buckle up—these folks didn’t just show up, they went all in.

1. The guy who learned Mandarin to propose

@yinrun_hello He secretly learned Chinese to Propose 😭😭😭 #fiance #proposal #engagement #love ♬ pluto projector - ☆

Talk about commitment. Getting married is the ultimate example of being "all in," but this guy takes it to a whole other level. Shared to social media by content creator Yinrun Huang, the emotional video captures a marriage proposal that's completely in Mandarin from a non-native speaker. That's right—this guy learned a whole language (and executed it pretty well) to win his girlfriend's hand in marriage. Not only are the words beautiful, his dedication is, too.

2. Kid-approved snacks that help local communities  

It’s scientifically proven that kids are brutally honest, unfiltered, and don’t hold back—which is why our friends at All In couldn’t resist sitting down with this group and getting their honest opinion. Are these snack bars really that good?

The Bite Size Board has spoken—and they’re all in. Not only are these snack bars delicious, they’re also an easy way to help people in need: Every time you buy a bar, 2% goes to a community to help them get fresh food.

Want to try these Board-approved treats? Snag a free box by signing up with your phone number on Aisle. Then grab two boxes of All In bars at Sprouts, snap a picture of your receipt, and text it through Aisle. They’ll Venmo or PayPal you back for the cost of one box. Easy and delicious.

3. This Chihuahua’s extravagant birthday bash

@phoebeparsons__ Tell me you’re a DINK family without telling me #chihuahua #dink #mexican ♬ EVERLASTING LOVE - GROWS

Do you love your dog? Would you throw a birthday party for them? How about a full-out celebration in a Mexican restaurant that includes banners, party hats, and the entire restaurant serenading him? Yeah, we thought not. These pet owners are absolutely "all in" on this dog's birthday, and we love to see it. Not only is this celebration extravagant and clearly well thought-out, people in the comments section are jokingly pointing out that taking a Chihuahua to a Mexican restaurant is a nod to the dog's cultural heritage. If that was intentional, this might be the best dog birthday party we've ever seen.

4. Truly unhinged (and maybe true?) Taylor Swift theories

@grindcitymedia did taylor swift drop super bowl hints? 😲 #swifties #nfl #taylorswift ♬ original sound - grindcitymedia

OK, whether you love Taylor Swift or not, you have to admit that her fans (known as “Swifties”) have an incredible commitment to the fandom (and an eye for detail). Case in point: Last week on her boyfriend’s podcast, Taylor announced the upcoming release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl. The news was responsible for breaking the internet, and also for spurring a ton of fan theories about the future album and her future performances. In case you didn’t know, Swift is famous for dropping “Easter eggs” that hint at things she’ll be doing in the future, such as when she kept flashing peace signs and dropping the number 2 in her instagram posts in the weeks leading up to her double album “The Tortured Poets Department” in April 2024. This time, Swifties have taken to social media to discuss potential Easter eggs that were hidden throughout her podcast appearance. The latest theory? Her constant references to sourdough bread were actually Easter eggs hinting at a 2027 Super Bowl Halftime performance. Only time will tell if that's accurate, but the enthusiasm, the attention to detail, and the hours of research that must have gone into all these fan theories is truly something to behold.

5. This dirt bike birthday surprise 

@dmndboys_

This is why I look forward to fatherhood 🔥

♬ original sound - dmndboys_

These parents didn't give their kid a birthday present—they gave him the best birthday present of all time. Not only did the setup require a lot of thought and planning, but check out this kid's reaction. You can tell this was something he'd been wanting for a long time. Going "all out" and getting such a great response in return—it's something amazing to see.


Snag your free (!!) snack bars here while this deal lasts.

Science

Couple plants real-life 'money tree' and its first seeds are worth over $6,700

The species is at least 200 million years old.

via Daderot/Wikimedia Commons and C T Johansson/Wikimedia Commons

A Wollemi pine and one of its cones.

As the old adage goes, money doesn’t grow on trees. However, what if you had a tree that was so rare that people would spend good money for its seeds? Then you could honestly say that you have a money tree growing in your yard. Such is the case for a retired couple in England, Pamela and Alistair Thompson, both 75, who in 2010 paid £70 ($98) for a 46cm-tall Wollemi pine sapling that a friend bought on the Shopping Channel. It’s believed that it was the first ever endangered tree species to be protected by making it available to the general public.

What is the Wollemi pine?

The Wollemi pine is valuable because it appears in the fossil record as far back as 200 million years ago and was thought to have gone extinct about 70 to 90 million years back. However, in 1994, a bushwalker in Australia came across a Wollemi pine in a secluded gorge. Biologically, it was a discovery as significant as coming across a living dinosaur in a hidden part of Australia in the ‘90s.

Wollemi is an Australian Aboriginal word that means "watch out—look around you."

wollemi pine, endangered trees, australian trees, seattle, washington, rare trees A Wollemi pine in Seattle, Washington. via Brewbooks/Wikimedia Commons


The tree may have made its way to Eurpoe, but the wild trees are under threat from wildfires and climate change. It’s believed that only about 90 exist in the wild today. In 2006, it made its European debut when Sir David Attenborough planted one at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. “How exciting we should discover this rare survivor from such an ancient past,” Attenborough said.

After 15 years of special care, the Thompson’s tree began to bear fruit for the first time in August 2025. “This year has been so ­unusually dry, it happened earlier,” she said, according to The Times. The couple now plans to package the valuable seeds from the tree and give the money to the National Garden Scheme. The National Garden Scheme is a government program where people open their gardens up to the general public, and the money that is generated is donated to the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

How much does a Wollemi pine cost?

“I saw a small tree for sale for more than £1,000 ($1352), which shows how rare they are. We’re planning to package the seeds five or six at a time and sell the bundles online for £5 ($6.76). We’ve seen some retailers sell them for much more, but we want to make them accessible for people, as well as raise money for charity. We don’t yet know how many will be healthy and produce trees. Only time will tell.”

"We have around five large cones, which have produced about a hundred or so large seeds each. It would be lovely to see just how many seeds we can produce, but I have been very surprised by the numbers so far this year,” she said, according to Unilad. So, if you do the math, 100 seed packs at $6.76 each would go for $676. Not bad for just collecting seeds.

But they could make a lot more money off the seeds if they chose to do so. It’s believed that one seed can go for as much as £10 ($13.52). If they sold all 500 seeds produced by the five cones, they'd make $6,760.

This tree could net them thousands of dollars a year in perpetuity. “It really does prove that money can grow on trees,” Mr. Thompson said, according to The Times.

wollemi pine, endangered trees wollemi pine cone, australia trees, money tree, dinosaur tree A female Wollemi pine cone.via Adrian198cm/Wikimedia Commons

Preserving the Wollemi pine for the future

In 2023, over 170 young Wollemi pines grown by the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, in Australia, were shipped to be planted in 28 botanic gardens with climates that could support the pines, across the UK and Europe. One Wollemi was sent to Atlanta, Georgia, in the U.S.

“Discovering the lost Wollemi pines in the wild was a truly astounding moment for international tree conservation, and to be a leading partner nearly thirty years later in launching this important new metacollection on UK soil is an exciting moment for Forestry England,” Mike Seddon, Forestry England Chief Executive, said in a press release. “As we care for the Wollemi pines we plant today, we’ll be able to study the way they grow, learning with the other botanic gardens how they flourish outside Australia. The climate crisis means that across all continents, many trees like Wollemi pines are facing urgent threats to their survival. We know that 34 per cent of conifers are now endangered, and our ongoing work to research, propagate, and save tree species is more vital than ever.”

trees
ScienceNature
Culture

'Guys with alpaca hair' and 14 other Gen Z fashion trends people hope disappear ASAP

Why does every teenage boy has a mullet and a mustache?

via The White House/Wikimedia Commons and The Earthy Jay / Pexels
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a woman with a nose ring.

Online culture has had an incredible effect on fashion trends. It used to take a trend about 20 years to complete a cycle: introduction, rise, peak, decline, and obsolescence. However, in 2025, this cycle has been sped up incredibly due to several factors. Trends can be quickly introduced and adopted due to social media, online shopping and quick turnaround through fast-fashion distribution. The speed of adaptation also means they can fizzle out just as fast.

This means a fashion trends we’d usually see stick around for years can come and go in months. It’s an expensive pill to swallow for anyone trying to keep up with the latest (Gen Z, we’re looking at you), but it’s a blessing for those of us who have a problem with some of today’s polarizing looks.

The bad news is you may not like broccoli cuts. The good news is that they will be gone and forgotten before you know it.

A great conversation recently broke out on Reddit, where commenters weighed in on all the fashion trends they couldn’t wait to go away.

It seems that some of the most controversial styles are the work of Gen Z. Whether it’s the nose ring that looks like it belongs on a bell cow or big pillowy eyelashes, Gen Z has championed some looks that will probably look a little silly in a few years.

Here are 15 fashion trends currently “in” that people are already over.

1. Suits with shorts

"Took my cousin to prom and saw at least 30 dudes wearing a suit with shorts."

This one is extremely hard for millennials and Gen Xers to wrap their heads around, but it is oh-too-real. It seems to be a natural evolution of the "suit with sneakers" look.

2. Anti-aging tweens

"Children (I’ve mostly seen around ages 9-13) going to Sephora for anti-aging serums and makeup. You all can hardly go to the park by yourselves, yet you’re plastered in expensive creams and makeup like you’re 20+."

"This one really bothers me. It’s pretty dark, honestly, and the parents who allow this are weird as hell."

The New Yorker says tweens are imitating influencers and popular "get ready with me" videos on social media.

3. Limp Biz-kids

"I'm a high school teacher and a surprising number of the boys dress like it's 2000 and they've got Limp Bizkit's 'Nookie' on repeat. There's one kid that looks like he's from 1977. Puka shells, feathered hair, big, open collars. I like that kid."


fashion trends, alpaca hair, nose rings, gen z, gen z fashion, gen alpha, generation differences, culture, fashion, trends Dressing like Fred Durst is in, for now. Giphy

4. Botox

"Excessive Botox in young people. I’m so tired of everyone having a frozen face. It’s not pretty. It’s just weird."

"I swear there was a coordinated effort by some industry to convince girls in their 20s that they need to start Botox now because it’s preventative. That’s the reason given when I ask these early 20s girls why they use it. “It prevents future wrinkles” like there was a peer-reviewed study showing it does or something."

Patricia Wexler, MD, of Wexler Dermatology in Manhattan, told Vogue that getting preventative Botox injections at a young age can lead to more wrinkles. “If you do too much Botox on your forehead for many, many years, the muscles will get weaker and flatter,” Wexler says. This means that surrounding muscles do more work when you make facial expressions. “If one stops using their forehead muscles, they may start squinting using their nose and have wrinkles along the side of their nose," she continued.

5. Teen boys with alpaca hair


fashion trends, alpaca hair, nose rings, gen z, gen z fashion, gen alpha, generation differences, culture, fashion, trends Famous men like Patrick Mahomes have popularized broccoli hair. Giphy

"I used to work reception at a salon and it was always fricken hilarious when these kids would come in to get a perm. They'd come sulking in behind their mommies, sit for 2 hours with curlers and stinky perm solution in their hair looking like cats being forced to take a bath, then prance out thinking they were the shit with their new poodle cuts lol."

"Some of them are definitely embracing their natural curls, which is awesome! But a good chunk of them, especially the preppy ones with rich parents, are getting straight up 80s style perms. It's great."

We can blame Patrick Mahomes for popularizing this one, but he shares the responsibility with other famous men like Jake Paul (unfortunately).

6. Laminated brows

"Eyebrows that are brushed upwards. That's the only way I can think to describe it. I can't see anything else when looking at someone who has that style brows. I just don't know why people like it."

"Almost every eyebrow trend ends up looking kinda silly. Let's just all work with the eyebrows we have. Sure, clean it up a lil bit if you feel like it."

In the 2000s, we had spiky hair. Now, we have spiky eyebrows. But don't worry, it won't last.

7. Over-the-top fake eyelashes

"The ridiculous false eyelashes. I get it. I've got no problem with the ones that at least have a semblance of being natural. But the uber thick ones that look more like fur are just...pointless.Someone I deal with at work wears them. And it's so weird, because most of the time she dresses down in sweatshirts, jeans, sneakers, etc. And doesn't pay much attention to her hair. But she's got those stupid wooly caterpillar eyelashes in. They just call attention to how un put together the rest of her is. I know that everyone should just dress for themselves, but it's just weird."


fashion trends, alpaca hair, nose rings, gen z, gen z fashion, gen alpha, generation differences, culture, fashion, trends Can we just not with the fake eyelashes? Giphy

8. Barrell jeans

"The barrel jeans have got to go. They’re the ugliest effing things I’ve ever seen. And people keep lying to these women about how they’re flattering and I’m like no! You look bowlegged!"

For years jeans got tighter and lower until they reached an inevitable breaking point. High-waisted jeans were a sign of the pendulum swinging back in the other direction, and now young peoples' jeans look like inflated balloons.

9. '80s moustaches

"Weird '80s moustaches, I've seen good looking guys made to look like Ned Flanders. Ages them instantly, which I guess is the plan, but ages them past 20s to married with kids approaching teenage years."


fashion trends, alpaca hair, nose rings, gen z, gen z fashion, gen alpha, generation differences, culture, fashion, trends Benson Boone is the ultimate epitome of 2025 Gen Z style. Giphy

The number of young men with mullets and moustaches is absolutely staggering these days.

10. Crocs

"I thought they were hideous when they first came out almost twenty years ago, and they’ve never gone away."

"We always made fun of them and then suddenly everyone was wearing them. I don’t get it!"

How did Crocs go from the bargain bins to becoming one of the top footwear brands in the U.S.? The big reason is that comfort became more important during the pandemic than aesthetics. They were also quite a statement for people who wanted to rebel against traditional beauty standards. Add celebrity endorsements from Justin Bieber and Post Malone and Crocs came back in a big way.

fashion trends, alpaca hair, nose rings, gen z, gen z fashion, gen alpha, generation differences, culture, fashion, trends No one quite knows how Crocs have managed to stay relevant for so long. Giphy

11. Long nails

"Super long acrylic nails, they seem really impractical."

"Especially the pointed ones that all the Hollywood people wear like claws. You look trashy and high maintenance."

12. Grunt style

"Patriot clothing and beards. Grunt style, nine line... all these fools dressing like they're special forces, their entire identity tied to 1776. It's embarrassing."

If I never see a t-shirt of an American flag with an assault rifle superimposed on top, it will be too soon.

13. Hair parted in the middle

"Middle parts. You need an almost symmetrical face to be able to pull it off, which is pretty rare. Side parts all the way."

"Middle parts look so harsh and unflattering on everyone. Side parts are a million times better."

It was cool when Shawn Hunter and Jonathan Taylor Thomas did it. Let's leave this one in the '90s.

14. Nose rings

"That nose ring in the middle. Just doesn't look good to me. You do you. But just think it doesn't look good very often."

"They always make me think of cattle."


fashion trends, alpaca hair, nose rings, gen z, gen z fashion, gen alpha, generation differences, culture, fashion, trends The good thing about piercings is that they can close up once they're out of style. Giphy

15. Political clothes

"Political attire as someone's entire main wardrobe, no matter the side of the spectrum. You got more personality than that!"

"I have a bro-in-law who wears American flag t-shirts almost exclusively. He must have hundreds of them. And not the tasteful kind with like a little flag on the sleeve or chest. I’m talking about the most garish kind. The kind with a gigantic waving US flag along with a menacing bald eagle flying dramatically over snow-capped peaks. We like America too, Dan, but can you try to wear at least a polo to Grandma's funeral?"

This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

From Your Site Articles
fashion
CultureJoy
Motherhood

Mom shows 9-year-old how to leave uncomfortable conversations and it's advice everyone should hear

You don't need to let someone make you uncomfortable.

via Canva/Photos

A young girl with her hand over her mouth.

Few things are more uncomfortable than sitting like a deer in the headlights while someone pushes you into an incredibly awkward conversation. Whether it’s a TMI (too much information) conversation or they want to talk about politics or religion, it’s hard to tell someone that a subject is off-limits.

However, in a viral Instagram post, Charisse Sims makes an essential point about these awkward situations: it will be uncomfortable whether you tell them to change the subject or if you have to sit through the conversation. So, it’s better to take the option that’s less hurtful to you. Sims is a mother of six and the host of the Parenting for the Culture podcast. She is also an awarded Educator by PBS and PBS Kids and founder of The Sims Library of Poetry.

How do you leave uncomfortable conversations?

She shared the advice while talking to her nine-year-old daughter, who she could tell felt very awkward about a recent conversation. “Immediately, when she started having that conversation, I could see on your face that you felt uncomfortable,” Sims told her daughter in an Instagram Reel. “When you have that feeling, your response to them should be, ‘I feel uncomfortable in this conversation. Let's talk about something else.”

Sims then asked her daughter to repeat the phrase a few times to burn it into her brain for when she needed it. Her daughter then admitted that telling someone to change the conversation would be difficult. Most people probably agree that telling people you’d like to change the subject is uncomfortable.

However, Sims makes a great point: you will be uncomfortable both ways, so choose the one that best suits you.

“Which one is a longer discomfort, taking 10 seconds to say, ‘I feel uncomfortable in this conversation. Can we talk about something else?” Sims asked. “Or, sitting in a 20- to 30-minute conversation that you feel uncomfortable in?”

stop, woman, woman says stop, talk to hand, hand out, stop hand, conversation, awkward A woman holding her hand out saying "stop." via Canva/Photos

“It is uncomfortable telling people stop. It is uncomfortable being like, ‘I don't really like what you're doing,’ because you're worried you're going to hurt their feelings, and you want them to like you,” Sims continued. “But it's also uncomfortable to sit there and be uncomfortable for a long time. So choose your discomfort, and choose the one that's going to help you, not hurt you.”

Candace Smith, an etiquette expert, says it’s also helpful if you have another topic on deck that the person may be interested in to make the transition smoother for both parties. “When you think it’s time to let the other person know you will change the subject, be positive, and smile. Keep your eye contact warm and direct,” she says, before giving an example: “I’m going to change our subject here. Let’s talk about something cool like the Marvel movie!”

shhh, shush, finger over mouth, girl saying quiet, end of conversation, finger over mouth A young girl making a "quiet" motion. via Canva/Photos

Sims' advice is important because it’s something that all of us, adults included, could use next time they are forced into an uncomfortable situation. Her advice is a great tool for making sound decisions when we feel awkward and unable to think on our feet. “I wish when I was growing up, I was taught more how to navigate tricky situations rather than just being told to stay out of them,” Sims wrote in her post. “As simple as that is, It’s not always that easy. Our children need more support and actual practice navigating these awkward situations.”

This article originally appeared in April.

From Your Site Articles
MotherhoodFamily

Jude York's mom joins him for ABBA's 'Slipping Through My Fingers' and now we're all a mess

The lyrics hit different when you sing them with an aging parent.

Courtesy of Jude York/Instagram

Jude York's mom, Liza Beamish, had been a professional singer.

If you're in the mood for a good, cleansing cry session, you're in luck. We've got something that just might do it, so grab a tissue and settle in for this sweet little musical moment between a mother and son.

It began in February of 2025 when 26-year-old Australian music artist Jude York casually recorded himself singing ABBA's "Slipping Through My Fingers" in his family's home. For those who are unfamiliar with the song, "Slipping Through My Fingers" is about a mother's feelings about the speed at which her little girl is growing up. With lyrics like Sometimes, I wish that I could freeze the picture / And save it from the funny tricks of time / Slipping through my fingers it's easy to see how touching it is.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Then there's the chorus:

I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind?
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Oof. You get the picture. As York was singing the song, his mother joined in to harmonize with him. "Getting older is realizing these lyrics work both ways," York wrote, and seeing him sing the words with his aging mom…welp, it got people right in the heartstrings.

@itsjudeyork

when mum starts harmonizing 🥺 #coversforlovers


The video went incredibly viral, with over 46 million views and thousands of comments, most of which were some version of "Someone should have held my hands for this," and "Great, now I'm sobbing. I was not prepared."

But that was just their little ditty in the dining room. There was more to come. York's mother, Liza Beamish, had actually had a successful career as an opera singer, and the two had performed together many times starting when York was only 9. Beamish is retired now, but at a live performance on Aug 16, 2025, York brought her on stage to sing "Slipping Through My Fingers" with him. As her voice rang out, the crowd cheered.

"Mum had no idea people still wanted to hear her sing," York wrote. The video again wrecked millions, partly because Beamish herself got so emotional. It was the first time they've sung the song for a live audience together. So beautiful.

Just like the first time around, tens of thousands gushed over the gorgeous duet and praised York for honoring his mother's voice this way. Beamish had been nervous about people hearing her "older" voice and about her hands shaking when they recorded the song together in February of 2025, but clearly people are thrilled by the performance.

"We're both so blown away by the response, we can't believe it," York tells Upworthy. "Mum has always been 100% herself, whether she's nervous, excited, sad or joyous and that authenticity just immediately makes people want to root for her. In that moment on stage, Mum was just overwhelmed and deeply surprised by the love the audience was showing her. I also think our relationship somehow reminds people of their own mothers or children and the music enhances that."

@itsjudeyork

Replying to @Ana Kohler pt 2 the end was so sweet 🥺 thank you for being an audience of 15 million cheering my mum on. now it’s your turn to sing 🫶

It's true, and people who have experienced the physical and/or cognitive decline of an aging parent are feeling it particularly keenly. Beamish has developed some kind of condition that's causing her hands to shake, and it's a visible reminder for those watching that at some point our relationship with our parents flips. They cared for us as we grew up; we care for them as they grow old. The roles are so similar in so many ways, which is why the song feels so poignant through the lens of seeing our parents age.

The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl

Phew. No wonder these two go viral every time they sing this song together. Look for the single, "Slipping Through My Fingers All the Time" by Jude York on Spotify or wherever you stream music. And you can follow Jude York on Instagram and TikTok.


From Your Site Articles
music
Pets

Veterinarians explain the mystery over why makes cats literally flip out over aluminum foil

It's like water.

Photo credit: Canva

Vets explain what makes cats literally flip out over aluminum foil

Cats really are strange creatures sometimes. We joke about them being liquid because they attempt to find a way to sit in the smallest, most awkward spaces for seemingly no reason. They can also be menaces to society, knocking things off of shelves, dipping their paws into whatever you're eating, or pouncing on your head while you're trying to sleep. There seems to be no end to their categorically weird behavior; they're even scared of strategically placed inanimate objects.

There are tons of videos showing cats practically leaving their body when they come face to face with a stray cucumber or orange. This is something that seems to have been repeated with aluminum foil. For some reason, a lot of cats simply can't stand the shiny stuff if it's not in the form of a ball with a bell inside. So what is it about the food wrap that causes felines to flip out if they encounter it? According to Forever Vets, the answer is simple–sensory overload.

cats; aluminum foil; cats scared of foil; foil on counters; cat deterrent Cooking up charm: kitchen cuddles and culinary creativity.Photo credit: Canva

Aluminum foil is shiny and smooth so when a cat's paw touches it the texture is foreign to them and may seem dangerous. But the real challenge comes when they put weight on the paw touching the foil. The noise foil makes when manipulated in any way can be uncomfortable or overwhelming to a cat's sensitive ears.

"Cats are highly particular about the surfaces they walk on, and many prefer soft, stable footing. Aluminum foil is the opposite — it's crinkly, slippery, and unpredictable. Cats rely on their paw pads to gauge texture and stability, and aluminum foil creates an unsettling sensation that they are not used to. The instability beneath their feet makes them feel unsafe, prompting them to jump away," Forever Vets writes in a blog post.

@paws.of.tiktok Cats discovering aluminum foil for the first time are some of the most hilarious moments lol #cat #catsoftiktok #catlover #foryou #funnycat ♬ original sound - .

One school of thought is that aluminum foil resembles water due to its reflective surface. Purrfect Fence says, "If a cat had not been exposed to foil before, and suddenly there was a large 'puddle' of it on the floor or countertop, it’s possible that it could be mistaken for water at first glance. In general, it’s safe to say that cats prefer to stay dry. So if the foil is initially perceived to be water, then most cats would likely be hesitant to walk right onto it."

Whether cats believe foil is a slippery sheet of ice or a suddenly appearing pond, it can be used as a short-term deterrent. Short-term, because while it may work great to keep cats from jumping onto counters or stop them from scratching furniture, it won't change their instinct to do so. That means as soon as you remove the foil deterrent, the unwanted behavior will surely return just as fast as it stopped. It also doesn't work for the long term because some cats are braver than others. Eventually, a brave kitty will figure out the foil isn't scary and test it out until they've become used to the sensations the aluminum foil brings.

@phanthavongrisugl Cat vs Aluminum foil #cat #catsoftiktok #funny #pets #funnycats #funnyvideo #foryou ♬ original sound - Cat Tales

This doesn't mean it doesn't have its place in deterring felines from unwanted behaviors. If you're attempting to keep cats out of a Christmas tree until presents are snuggly fitted beneath the branches, foil is a cheap and easy solution. The same goes for when you're preparing for a birthday party or holiday meal. Placing foil on the counters and table for a few days before the event will likely deter the furry roommates from adding their hair as seasoning to whatever dish you're preparing.

Cats are smart, determined little creatures, so the majority of deterrents used will have a shelf life of effectiveness. According to the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, the use of positive reinforcement is the best way to train animals...yes, even cats.

From Your Site Articles
cat deterrent
PetsJoy
Trending Stories