A guitar, a soft cover of Guns N’ Roses, and a group of lions quietly moving in for a listen. That is what a video shows as French singer-songwriter Plumes performs “November Rain” inside an enclosure.
In the video, a small pride of lions hears Plumes singing and playing acoustic guitar. One by one, the lions approach him, then lie down and begin what the article describes as “yawn-singing” to the music while nuzzling one another. Two lions cuddle less than a yard from where Plumes sits and plays.
The lions appear relaxed, enjoying the performance alongside an afternoon nap.
People reacting to the video wrote, “Wow! That is truly an incredible interaction with them. They really enjoyed your singing to them.” Another said, “Omg, the way they cuddle.” Others wrote, “What a beautiful interaction to witness.” “Music is the universal language!” and “That was so magical! Music speaks to the soul. Human, animal, all relate to the feelings music evokes.”
It is not the first time Plumes has played for animals. His social media accounts and YouTube channel include videos of performances for humans and animals, including lions, tigers and bears at wildlife refuges, enclosures and zoos.
Plumes told AMFM Magazine he first started playing for animals at home in the French countryside while living with his grandmother and performing for a herd of cows.
“I read somewhere that cows like music, that it’s soothing to them,” Plumes shared with AMFM Magazine. “They were super receptive. They gathered around, some even rubbed against me. It was magical.”
Since then, the article says, he has used tour stops and travel to sing for animals and record their reactions.
“Animals inspire me to be kinder, more patient,” he added. “They remind us to reconnect with nature. Maybe we’ve lost touch with nature, and these videos help people feel that connection again.”
The article also points to studies suggesting music is not only enjoyed by humans. It says chimpanzees sway to music, dogs often show calmer behaviour when listening to classical music, and sea lions can synchronize their head movements to a song’s beat.
It also says some veterinarians suggest playing music for dogs when owners leave the house to help reduce separation anxiety.
“If a lion can enjoy Guns N’ Roses, the possibilities are nearly endless.”
