Heartwarming Video of a Man Dancing All Over the World Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity
- Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:01pm by
Erica Ritz
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A video titled “Where the Hell is Matt? 2012,” uploaded onto YouTube on June 20, already has more than 1.6 million hits thanks both to the man’s previous videos, and the fact that they are so infectious.
In under five minutes, the video shows the man dancing with people from all over the world — from Vienna to Detroit, Iraq to Russia. He can be seen imitating cheerleaders in the United States, and shaking his backside in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Watch the video, below:
According to the website, he became “micro-famous“ in 2005 after someone else uploaded the videos to YouTube and started marketing Matt as ”dancing guy” — the uploader even going so far as to collect donations for himself. Matt simply says, “Good for him,” because not long after, the gum company Stride approached him for their own set of videos.
His website reads:
He mostly just danced in front of iconic landmarks, but along the way he went to a country called Rwanda, and since there aren‘t any landmarks in Rwanda that you’d want to dance in front of, instead he just went to a small village and danced with a bunch of kids. The kids joined him immediately and without hesitation. That ended up being the best thing that happened to him on the trip. The kids taught him that people are a whole lot more interesting than old landmarks and monuments.
Matt went back to Stride and told them he did it all wrong and they needed to send him around the planet again. They said, “Okay,” and in 2008 he put out another video that showed thousands of people laughing, smiling, and goofing around together. It took him five years and three tries, but he finally got it right that time.
This is his fourth such video, and if numbers are any indication, people like it just as much as the others.
Check out Matt’s previous YouTube sensations:
“Where the Hell is Matt? 2008″ (which currently has 43,153,212 views on YouTube) –
“Where the Hell is Matt? 2006″ (currently with 17,691,683 views on YouTube):
And the inaugural video that started the phenomenon — “Where the Hell is Matt? 2005″ (currently with 2,823,802 views on YouTube):
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Comments (120)
Leevamark2
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:50amAn absolutely true statement! However, God calls us to love one another, and puts within us a natural longing to connect with our fellow human beings. There was nothing false in what you said that I could see, however, the intent of that truth should be to help people not to try to become fulfilled ONLY by relationships – and to realize that they cannot replace God with human relationships. It is not to communicate that any kind of fulfillment received from human relationships is a bad thing. You weren’t trying to communicate that, by attaching your comment to this story, were you?
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:37amWhat a GREAT START for my day. I never even knew about this guy. Somebody at The Blaze owes me for a box of tissues! :) :) ) :)
Report Post »TeeLee
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 9:15pmMe too – I cried because it just made me feel so good! And sad too, that the world can’t be like this all the time.
Report Post »KyleD
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:00amI remember watching these a few years ago and they really do restore a little faith in humanity. It‘s easy to become jaded with everything that’s happening in the world and currently in our country but to know that something as simple as dancing, something that I admit I abhor, can have such a unifying force with so many different countries and cultures. I didn’t catch all of the names on the list but the man went to such hostile places as North Korea and Rwanda…quite a feat.
His statement “people are a whole lot more interesting than old landmarks and monuments” rings so true in my head – even though I’m such a lover of architecture and history – because it reminds me of my own experience in Portugal. Sure the country has marvelous architecture that I took pictures of but the pictures of the people I cherish the most because it reminds me of how different and new they were to me…it‘s really our differences that makes the world interesting and it’s such a shame that we have to constantly be at war (both literally and figuratively) because of those same differences.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 3:49amI have tried to get into some of these Muslim countries to preach the Gospel. I have tried to get into North Korea. This BOZO can dance while they all go to hell because they havent heard the Gospel…and the BLAZE thinks that is heartwarming?
Without Christ they die and dance their way to hell….How uplifting…God you people are suckers for a libeaal feel good, do nothing video.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:02amWOW. His dancing did more to communicate with them in Peace than your rants, dude. God draws people to Himself. The Creator of the Universe truly loves each of us (even you) and this man going to dance with them, especially in a country were they behead people for wearing a cross; for carrying a Bible; for even thinking of speaking the Gospel..his Dancing was exactly what GOD had him do. It is a beautiful way to communicate. Jesus comes to people in their dreams, dude, if He wants to. YOU need some more instruction, obviously. I loved his Dancing!!!! Carry On, Godly Dancer!!!
Report Post »Leevamark2
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:31am“BadDoggy”- Hm. Dear Brother. I think I understand your deep frustration, however, I know of people who are preaching the Gospel in many of these countries. They risk their lives every minute of every day. The Gospel IS being preached. You’d probably be extremely surprised to know that the way it is getting done looks a lot more like what Matt is doing, than what you probably want to do. It might be your vision that needs to change, rather than this guy. This is not an either/or situation, friend (i.e. either Matt or the Gospel). The Gospel cannot be chained, and the fact that YOU are not the one preaching it in a certain area of the world, does not mean it isn’t being preached. Maybe you should talk to the Lord about WHY it’s not you(yet?). Blessings to you. HE is able.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 8:01amI have smuggled Bibles in some of these countries, been arrested a couple of times. The sad FACT is they prohibit it…and the sad FACT is you think that dancing is an expression that pleases God…Wow, thats rich. Dance straight to hell is OK by you? Not me….I stand by what i say…It does nothing but make people feel good about dancing. They are not free, they are doomed for hell unless someone preaches the Gpspel to them…Fun times!!!
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 8:26amIn the meantime, you tried and failed to get into those countries. Matt did it because he is bringing a message of peace and harmony. They even ASKED him to some of those places that Christians find it so hard to go to.
Report Post »rodneywolfe
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 11:35amAgreed.
Report Post »Another screwy example of our pop culture world.
We seem to just blithely follow along…
Tawny
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 1:04pmWhy be so jaded over a video? Does this video promote something evil I am simply not seeing? Brother, actions speak louder than words. You can’t simply walk into a place and say, ‘you are all going to hell without Jesus, repent!’, well you can, but how many people do you save that way? Loving actions do more than pointed words ever will, and how can you claim to judge this man, do you know him, his family, the people on the trip? Maybe someone was saved, or maybe simply fed, tell me what ill there is I beseech you.
Report Post »trinklefinder
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 1:17pm@ baddog, david danced with all his mite in just his underware for The Lord!!!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 3:48pmThe dancing guy made you feel good…Does seeing them go to hell without a chance make you feel just as good? I have no mercy on those who have turned their backs on Christ (Muslims). But there are some places like N Korea that only a fool cam get into…He did evidentley….And made you feel so good…wow God should be proud of you.
Report Post »TeeLee
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 9:16pmand you are a hypocrite that must belittle and demean others for not letting you do something. You need to re-read the scripture – your humility is not showing.
Report Post »TeeLee
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 9:26pmOh, and you deemed that people are doomed to hell because they enjoyed some dancing? You seem pretty prideful about your Bible smuggling. You even boast about your attempts. You really, really should re-read your own Bible and gain some humilitry. You really, really should. Who are you to judge whether or not any of these people HAVE heard the good word? Just because some nations as a whole aren‘t Christian doesn’t mean that none of these people have heard the good Word. You just ASS-ume they haven’t. Because they danced. In a video. You sir, are the one who’s speech is rich. And why do you call yourself Badddoggy anyway? That doesn’t speak Christian to me. That says to me that you‘re actually not as righteous as you’d like to believe you are. Please, don’t tell others how they SHOULD be. It’s not your right or your place.
Report Post »Jase
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 11:59pmBaddoggy – I’m with ya! This video is pointless. All I see is some dork that gets to travel around the world courtesy of a gum company to dance for a few seconds in order to make a video to make himself famous.
Call me crazy but that seems a little self-serving. But someone who risks his life so that others may know Christ is anything BUT self-serving.
Report Post »weblooker
Posted on June 25, 2012 at 12:53am@BADDOGGY
Report Post »You are one sad brainwashed individual
bigeasycurt
Posted on July 17, 2012 at 7:44pmIt’s obvious why he had more success than you. His videos make you smile. You turn people off cold.
Report Post »The-Real-Enrico
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 3:45am@PROSECUTE You nail this one right on the head. I’m with you 100% Keep up the good work buddy.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 2:57amI have one called “WTF is Obama doing?” that shows him lying all over the world in under 5 minutes.
Report Post »Leevamark2
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:34amPossibly the best comment ever. LOL
Report Post »Jase
Posted on June 25, 2012 at 12:01amI think he has already apologized to nearly every country on Earth on our behalf. Someone should compile that footage.
Report Post »RougeFastFingers
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 2:49amQuite uplifting.
Report Post »AmericanPatriot
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 2:23amGod’s love and grace is reflected in the goodness of the heart and souls of many people. These videos show that.
Report Post »AmericanPatriot
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 2:18amWhat a fun life!!!
Report Post »LAWDOGG
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 1:46amI personally know many, many high moral people with tons of class and character. Don’t believe everything you read or see on TV. Look to your neighbor. People, while seemingly confused, are still basically good. Just a little confused thats all.
Personally I love these videos, they make me feel good in the cockles of my heart. Thanks, dancing guy.
Report Post »LAWDOGG
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 1:43am@PROSECUTE
Report Post »Funny how every single comment you make no matter the topic, you seem to be thumping your bible. Why don’t you comment for the sake of comment about said topics and keep your religious rhetoric to yourself? Thanks.
BlazeGlory
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 1:23amThey cut me down and I leapt up high, I am the life that-ll never, never die; I‘ll live in you if you’ll live in me; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he, And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on June 25, 2012 at 5:13pmI love that song!
Report Post »JBaer
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:52amI have always loved watching Matt’s “dancing” videos. They always make me smile. :-)
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:11amWonderful.
Report Post »PistosEnAgape
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:06amI cried each of the seven times I watched this back in 2008-2011. And will next time I pull it out again.
Funny thing about this video. Most people who see this the first time get it… no explanation ever needed. Others can not and will never understand. It’s a “heart” thing.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:01amLook out, you may spoil someone’s evening with such truth.
In 100 percent agreement with you PROSECUTE.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:00am“Faith in Humanity…” What a sad, trite, and untrue headline. It’s so Deepak Chopra. People need to wise up and accept Christ; and realize the pure darkness of humanity without Him. A little dance ain’t gonna do the job.
Report Post »The-Real-Enrico
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 2:53amI don’t of this guy and his videos but there is a truth in in your small statement. So what about the fact of community and communicating (that Christ taught) through art or dance to bring us together and to Christ.
How can we teach or show our lord without communicating? Show Christ through your actions and love. Remember that if God = (is) Love and God = (is) good and is supposedly in us (you) then must communicate and live it.
Your seemingly judgmental or self righteous attitude doesn’t seem inviting.
Report Post »Leevamark2
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:43amTron- I do not think this phrase “Faith in Humanity” means what you think it means. ;-) Lighten up a bit. sharing a little fun with people all over the world – doing something purely positive, just ’cause…doesn’t do a thing to shame or detract from our Christ, and it doesn’t harm the Gospel at all. My mean spirited Christian brothers and sisters often do, though.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 8:30amIF you are a Christian, then you should know that you are to respect ALL of God’s creatures. Including Matt. Including the atheists and Muslims depicted in this video. Spending time cutting them all down because they do not subscribe to your exact interpretation of life is not good, but evil, and is exactly what this video preaches against (even though Matt is an atheist, his message is one from God).
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:37pm…
Report Post »If the whole World would just put down their weapons and dance together.
blackyb
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 1:29pmHow silly.
Report Post »TeeLee
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 9:20pm@BlackyB – how jaded.
Report Post »Bryancpe
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:31pmI remember seeing this guy dancing at landmarks years ago. It was pretty amazing… but this time like he said, he did it right. This was truly touching. I fear going to some of the places he went… he is a braver man than I.
Report Post »Z
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:30pmAwesome!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:29pmKids are always Cute… Adults, not so much!
Report Post »Dale
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 12:31amLol!
Report Post »Leevamark2
Posted on June 24, 2012 at 4:58amLOL my 4 yr. old is DEFINITELY cuter than I am when we dance.
Report Post »juslqqk136
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:24pmI, for one, did enjoy it.. Actually made me tear up a bit, how geeky am I.
Report Post »bobbyjoe
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:24pmMade my evening.
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:20pmYour right blaze, nothing like a little dancing to solve all the worlds problems.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on June 23, 2012 at 11:19pmHumanity is fine.
There is no need to “restore” our “faith” in it.
It is pretty predictable.
Why worry?
Report Post »