Appreciate your acknowledging probably the greatest rock percussionist/lyric writer of our time, who just happened to end up with 2 other virtuoso's in the same band. The lyrics to "Subdivisions" are as pertinent in today's world, as they were when Neil wrote them back in 1982. As always, RIP to "The Professor". 😢
You NEED to watch their live version of Xanadu ( pronounced Zanadu) from 1981 I believe. It will BLOW YOUR MIND. I promise. Keep up the great reactions bud.
You're on the usual trajectory for exposure to Rush. It's time for understanding how 3 guys can make this come to life on stage. Xanadu from Exit Stage Left is the required next track.
YYZ live in Rio is an awesome song and amazing live performance, no lyrics, but it's them showcasing their instrumental genius, if you want to go down the rabbit hole 🤣
This song is a masterpiece, even without lyrics it would be a masterpiece. The lyrics are genius, with many different layers. RUSH songs bring back so many good memories and I know ppl from my time, growing up in the 70s, appreciate these bands and understand them more than the younger generation ever will. Just how it is. Peace.
Rush Xanadu live exit stage left 1981 Natural Science live 97' Molson amphitheater, Neil Peart drum solo in Frankfurt. Some of the best live performances you'll ever see. Thanks for your reactions to RUSH. We're all really enjoying your journey.
That is tied with that msg version of Moby Dick for greatest drum solo of all time. Never seen someone NOT have their jaw drop and be absolutely riveted.
There's no bad answer here as to which tracks to tackle next... everyone has their favourites and nobody is wrong! :) My picks for some tracks where I think you'll appreciate both the music and the lyrics: THE TREES, FREEWILL, LIMELIGHT, RED BARCHETTA, XANADU
Watching Geddy live was mesmerizing. So much talent in that skinny man!!! Sometimes singing, playing bass and foot pedals all at the same time. A pro beyond professional.
He’s an unbelievable musician. They all are. Three master musicians in one band and you get absolute greatness. Musicians music. I Fkn love them. Three kids from Canada , makes me super proud to be from the great white north.
If you've got this album, I think it's impossible to hear the final strains of this song without immediately moving in to Analog Kid. Those two songs bookend beautifully.
Back in the day,after discovering this incredible band and discovering their discography,Signals was the album I bought when it released,it holds a special place for me,my favorite……
Every album Rush composed was completely different. They never compromised on their art and creativity. Neil wrote the lyrics, and put a lot of thought into how he wrote his drum and percussion charts. Alex and Geddy were responsible for all the music.
"Knowing how you like helping people, you honestly MUST react to The PASS with the lyrics. (ALWAYS have lyrics with Rush,) Cheers! TY" (a song that has literally saved life's and helped those suffering from depression and suicide . Really think it may be helpful to those you connect with. Take care!
All three members not only played their respective instruments but they would each hit triggers set up on stage to play parts they couldn’t play with their hands at the moment. Alex, the guitarist, would play bass pedals while Geddy, the bassist/singer/keyboardist, played keys. Neil, the drummer, would also hit triggers while playing his drum parts either with his feet or on pads placed between drums. Neil’s drum solo is always a good one and if you want to see what the band was summarized check out their last song on their last album called The Garden and watch the live version.
Neil was a very well read and smart individual, spent many hours reading books and even wrote books. Ghost rider is one of his best written after loosing his daughter and wife within Couple years of each other. Smiles 😃 from Canada 🇨🇦
Eventually, you'll listen to "YYZ" off "Moving Pictures". There's a live recording from Rio that's great but many reaction channels do that version. There's a live version from the "Exit Stage Left" tour in the 1980's when they were in their prime. I usually recommend listening to studio versions for a first listen because live versions aren't as clear and may miss some detail. Rush's goal in the early years was to reproduce their songs live as close to the studio recording as possible and the "Exit Stage Left" videos demonstrate that. "Stick Hits" remastered that material so they look and sound very good for that time. There's a special treat in that song as well...
Since the lyrics are one of the things you like the most, I think "The Trees" would be a great next one. (Although I will always like the comment request for YYZ in Rio for the musicianship.)
Rush is one of the best Trinity bands out there, in my opinion. Drums, Guitar and Bass with Geddy Lee's vocals. For a song of their's about memory and the past, I'd recommend "Red Barchetta."
Same here, except now I am nostalgic for the safety and accessibility of suburbs. We went everywhere, and got into all kinds of things, and never once worried about getting killed for our sneakers, or picked up by a rapist or murderer, attacked by a gang or homeless druggie etc. Kids today would be so lucky to experience that.
When you think you're ready, the 7-movement rock opera "2112" will give you all the lyrics you can handle! But you can't go wrong with "The Trees" or "Red Barchetta" (one of my all time favorites), either.
I'm all for a review of Xanadu, Live 1981. It's a soundscape, you HAVE to see how good they are in concert. Read the poem "Kublai Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge if you want to be prepared beforehand.
Rush had a whole career of striving to constant change along with constant improvement. Neil wrote (co-wrote on two songs) pretty much all but the first album.
Rush puts everything they have into every song. Their respect among musicians is unmatched. Yes, Neil does all the lyrics. An especially good lyric effort is a song called Territories from the album Power Windows (1985 I think).
4:29 thats Bass. Geddy Lee plays bass keyboards & sings. 6:03 Blond hair is Alex Lifeson...lead guitars. That's a deep song. (Rush - Limelight) I promis you'll like that one too...
The Pass - with it's anti-suicide message is a must for a lyricist/songwriter such as yourself. Freewill (preferably the Time Machine edition) is great musically and lyrically. Red Sector A The Analog Kid Marathon Time Stand Still Dreamline Driven Xanadu The Trees Maybe most of them? So many great songs over 19 albums. All (97%?) of Rush's songs were Lyrics by Peart, Music by Lee & Lifeson.
Glad you enjoy RUSH. They are incredible musicians individually, but collectively, they are iconic. A couple of great instrumental songs: La Villa Strangiato (live 1978) YYZ (live in Rio) The Garden (Clockwork Angels tour) is the last song from their final album. This is a song that has a great message.
So many Rush songs have already been suggested. Here's something a little different, Neil Peart did a drum solo as part of their Frankfurt concert. The musicianship will astound!
Closer To The Heart, Exit Stage Left - a timeless message that no matter what our station in life is, we can all play a part in making our world a better place, but it must start with those in charge. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥
When you see them playing live, you’ll be even more impressed with their virtuoso musicianship. As for the fact that the three songs you’ve heard have sounded so different from each other, the best part is that they were all written within a few years of each other, appearing on three of Rush’s 19 total studio albums.
Rush's first album is turning 50 next year. Over their amazing career they have 19 studio albums spanning from 1974- 2012 plus many live albums and compilations. They have had such staying power because they have not only evolved with the times but also stayed true to the music and to the fans that are some of the most loyal you'll ever find. As a wordsmith, you will be unavoidably drawn to Rush's lyrics so you may want to have a second screen or your phone on the side with the lyrics pulled up as you watch. Just a suggestion. Sitting at the feet of Professor Peart is a masters class in song writing. I'm sure you'll get requests for all of their hits and they are that for good reason but I'm more likely to suggest a deep cut or something that other reactors haven't done. Here's a few: The Big Money, Red Sector A, Manhattan Project, Scars, and the instrumental Leave That Thing Alone (Time Machine 2011 DVD) just to start. Enjoy your journey. ✌
Neil Peart's lyrics are just a masterpiece. Geddy Lee is the vocalist, bassist, and he plays the keys/synth. He doesn't play guitar normally, that's Alex Lifeson. Geddy literally did play bass, sing and play keyboard pedals to hit synth chords all at the same time in concert. I would highly recommend Rush's songs: Test For Echo, Driven, and Roll the Bones.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw you reacting to RUSH. I found you because of Tom Macdonald. Rush has been the soundtrack of my life. Thank you so much for going down the rabbit hole with 40 years of music you have so much to choose from. They are the greatest band I've ever seen live. You should check out Working Man live, La Villa Strangiato live, Xanadu live. Pretty much anything they have done is Gold. RIP to the GOAT The Professor. 🙏🥁
Man I love this whole band, but there's a special place in my heart for Neil, aka, The Professor, not just because he's probably one of the greatest percussionists/rock drummers ever to walk the face of the earth, which he is, but he was such a kind, unique soul, he truly was. He was a survivor too, I think you'd really dig him Cliff, especially with you being an advocate for mental health. In Aug. of 1997, Neil's (then) only daughter, 19, died in a motor vehicle accident up in Ontario, then 10months later his wife of 23yrs died, medical examiner had trouble ruling the cause of death, Neil said it was from a broken heart, plain and simple. He told Geddy and Alex he was done and couldn't be a musician any more. He spent the next couple years crisscrossing just about every bit of nowhere in North and Central America with nothing but a backpack and his Motorcycle, logging just over 55,000miles!!! When he finally returned home he wrote a book about his travels and journey towards healing, and luckily for us fans, was ready to get back to his passion. The book is amazing, it's called... Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road I'll leave the link at the bottom in case you're interested, he's an amazing author too, he's written like 6-7 other non-fiction biographical books, and I think a couple fiction sci-fi type books. Another great reaction, thanks Cliff!! www.amazon.com/Ghost-Rider-Travels-Healing-Road/dp/1550225480
Rush was my adolescence. They made beautiful music right to the end. The last album, Clockwork Angels, was a masterpiece. The Garden brings me to tears every time..they are madly missed.
Neil Peart - your favorite drummers drummer! The professor, his words have their own web pages. I am a Bass player so Geddy is amazing. And Alex on guitar, just keeping up with the two best musicians makes him amazing
I've heard this song hundreds of times. But for some reason, watching with you was the first time I've noticed how similar Alex's guitar tone is to that synth. You almost don't hear the handoff when Geddy starts playing bass and the synth dissapears. These guys are next level.
When I was in school I had an English teacher who gave us the assignment of her giving us the lyrics to a current song and we had to break it down and explain what the lyrics were saying. I was given the song Limelight by Rush to break down and in doing that my English teacher gave me a new band to listen to and I've not stopped listening to them yet. 56 year old Rush fanatic here and I'm loving your reactions to their music. I consider Neil Peart, the drummer, to be an absolute genius with his lyrics and needless to say I would love to see your reaction to their song Limelight Cliff, take me back to my youth please!
All the three guys from Rush grew up in the suburbs and all of them felt like they didn't fit in. There is a segment of a Canadian documentary called Come On ye Children where at 17 Alex Lifeson the guitarist is discussing with his parents about leaving school early to pursue music. His parents are concerned about him leaving school as he had a son with his then girlfriend Charlene. They got married later when they were in their early 20's and are still married today. Geddy plays bass, keyboards and sings Alex plays guitar. mandola and later on keyboards. Geddy can play guitar as well but on rare occasions and this song wasn't one of them. He started out playing guitar but in the very early days of Rush they had a bass player but he wasn't that reliable in showing up for some gigs so Geddy learned how to play bass and became the bassist in the band. I would highly recommend Xanadu from Exit Stage Left. It is one of their masterpieces and this performance is outstanding! Cheers
Rush is on a whole other level. Glad to see young folks enjoy these killer old tunes. Rock music seems dead so hopefully it will make a comeback with your generations twist.
When this song came out I was a teen & budding musician. Living in the suburbs of Boston. My favorite RUSH song I think. I really connected to it. RUSH made me a great musician (yep bragging!). I had to learn from the best. Eventually I was in a few RUSH tribute bands where I played bass & keys (tried singing also...nope!). Now I'm 55 and winding down musically. This song brings me back to my teen years every time!
On a recent video you commented about being dismayed by some people not believing what happened in Germany in the WW2. Geddy Lee's mother was a survivor of that horror. Rush wrote a song about that subject titled "Red Sector A" back in 1984. It is a song that still get to me every time I hear it. I don't know if they ever made an official video for it but there are a few from live shows which are good. The music is haunting and the lyrics won't leave you indifferent. I hope you get to watch it someday.
If you had any doubt those pictures weren’t an accurate reflection of HS life in 1982, please rest assured. 100% accurate. That’s why this song captured our Gen and is something y’all are able to understand as well. We needed this song so badly.
It's hard to go wrong with Rush. For additional songs: Limelight, Red Barchetta, Freewill, Working Man (their first big hit if I recall correctly), Roll The Bones, Nobody's Hero, Fly By Night,
Signals was my first Rush album. I was 14 when it came out. It felt like Subdivisions was both written for and to me, growing up in a distant Toronto suburb. I’m reminded of the observation made about Rush’s hyper-devoted fan base in the Beyond the Lighted Stage documentary about ten years ago, that the misfits and outsiders to whom Neil’s lyrics spoke so well eventually grew up and took leadership positions in society. Their most constant devotion to the holy trio ensured that Rush would eventually outlive the dismissive barbs of too-cool-for-school music critics.
Oh, and Geddy Lee plays the bass, keyboards, and vocals.....Alex Lifeson was on the 6 string. Neil wrote most all the lyrics, Alex & Geddy put most of it to music.
Loving your dive down RUSH’s rabbit hole!!! Neil Peart was a one of a kind artist. He tucked away so many metaphors in his lyrics. There’s so many awesome tracks but a couple that I think would be awesome for you to peep next would be: Free Will The Pass Red Barchetta Cheers!
This is my favourite Rush song, and everything in this video is so familiar to me, from the light orange lockers, Willowdale, the bridge over the DVP, going to Yonge St. on the weekend with my friends and always going to Sam's and A&A Records.
A cool Rush song. It really describes the fragmentation of society. Check out Limelight, La Villa Strangiato(epic 9:36 min song ), 2112 (another epic song), A Passage To Bangkok, A Farewell to Kings, Closer To The Heart, The Trees, Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Red Barchetta, Vital Signs, Working Man, Red Sector A.
So glad you are checking out rush! Neil, was an amazing lyricist. He also happens to be one of the greatest rock drummers of all time (check out any top 10 list). Geddy is also considered one of the top 10 greatest rock bass players of all time (again, check out any top 10 list) Who also happens to sing and play keyboards with either his hands or his feet. Alex is an amazing guitarist, that many people feel is underrated. Geddy and Alex would write the music. Lyrically, I wiould check out Red sector A, limelight, The pass, and Freewill.
"YYZ" live in Rio is the one you need to see. Originally an instrumental, but the Brazilian crowd isn't willing to accept that.... Realize that in concert, Geddy will sometimes play the keyboard part with his feet while continuing to play the bass part. Rush gives you a top-10 bassist, one of the best technical guitarists ever, and the reason that god created drums.
I love how blown away you are by The Boys! (Nothing makes old Rush fans happier than new additions to the family. 😁) Since most of the 'hit' songs have been suggested I'm going with a couple of deeper cuts I think you'll like, Afterimage and Available Light. (Lyric versions would be best).
If you’re a car guy at all, listen to “Red Barchetta”. Lyrics are fantastic. Rush puts you in a vintage car driving through the countryside with the wind in your hair…
I dont comment much, but welcome to the RUSH family Cliff! We life long fans started this rabbit hole journey long ago and realized that there is no bottom to the hole. Im a drummer and Neil Peart is "your favorite drummers drummer!". I can recommend to you "Malignant Narsicism with the drum solo". Love your channel and keep up the good work!
What you're seeing is Toronto and the Toronto east 'burbs, back in the day. BTW: That drummer is widely known as one of the greatest drummers of all time.
🤗 I can't wait for you to dive in to their longer pieces (La Villa Strangiato, Natural Order) and their all out full story compositions (2112, By-tor & The Snow Dog) plus their make your mouth water Epics (The Rush 'Fear' Series: Witch Hunt, The Weapon, The Enemy Within, Freeze) or what is essentially a 2 part book/movie (Cygnus Book 1 & Hemispheres Book 2). 🤯 They literally sent the rocket ship Rocinante in to a freaking black hole........... 😦 Then made us wait until the next Album to come out to see if he made it thru ok. 🤓 Freaking weirdos.... 😂 But apparently so are Rush fans! We wear that moniker proudly! 🥰🐰
While youre going down the rabbit hole don't forget to check out Styx "Come sail away" To have even more fun with the song do the Eric Cartman from Southpark version too! Bring Dad in for these bands! That would be such a blast for the 2 of you and for us obsessed fans of yours. Don't forget to bring the sticky icky!
Too many comments to read through them all, but in case no one mentioned there's a great overhead video of Neil Pert on the drums for the duration of the song - absolutely amazing. Neil said it was the most technically difficult song he performed.
Neil wrote about 95% of the lyrics after joining the band after their first album. Sometimes he would collaborate with Pye Dubois (who wrote for the band Max Webster), and even Geddy and Alex would dabble with lyric writing. During the 1970s, most of Neil's lyrics dealt with fantasy themes and topics (with a healthy dose of individualism). Around the time of Permanent Waves (where "The Spirit of Radio" is from), he became more introspective and concerned with social commentary--but he would never entirely leave fantasy, culminating in their final studio album, Clockwork Angels. For the music video, though you see Alex say, "Subdivisions," it's actually Neil's voice.
I've been a Rush fan since "Fly by Night" (dating myself, I know!). Anyway, I'd love to see you do a reaction to the man who= Rush supported on their first tour and who turned around and supported Rush on tour after they broke through, the legendary guitar great Rory Gallagher. Rory is easily in the same league as Page and Clapton, but chose to avoid the stadiums and limelight, staying true to his music and his followers. He even walked away from becoming a member of the Rolling Stones when he was offered the spot after Mick Taylor left. Try taking a listen to "Do You Read Me?" from the 1979 Rock Goes to College video for a sample of what Rory could do with his Strat. He was also a blues master extreme-a great example is "I Wonder Who" from 1984 Belfast-9 minutes of blues perfection. Thanks!
Best Live Performance RUSH - Xanadu - Live In Montreal 1981 (2021 HD Remaster 60fps) Alex Lifeson - 6 string guitar, 12 string guitar, pedal synthesizer, volume pedal; Geddy Lee - Vocals, bass guitar, 6 string guitar, foot pedal synthesizer, electric piano/synthesizer; Neil Peart - Lyrics, Drums, orchestra bells, tubular bells, wind chimes, crotales, timbales, timpani, gong, temple blocks, bell tree, triangle, and melodic cowbells. Based on Kubla Khan (Xanadu) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Coleridge composed his poem, ‘Kubla Khan’, in a state of semi-conscious trance either in the autumn of 1797 or the spring of 1798 and published in 1816. The whole poem is pervaded by an atmosphere of dream and remains in the form of a vision. The vision embodied in Kubla Khan was inspired by the perusal of the travel book, Purchas His Pilgrimage. Coleridge had taken a dose of opium as an anodyne, and his eyes closed upon the line in the book, “At Zanadu Kubla Khan built a pleasure palace.” But this opened his creative vision, and the poem of about 200 lines was composed in this state of waking dream. On being fully awake, he wrote the poem down. The theme of the poem is unimportant. It describes the palace built by Kubla Khan, the grandson of Chengis Khan, the great rule of central Asia. th-cam.com/video/2byjJkN_nVY/w-d-xo.html
Loving seeing a new Rush fan created. It only took one song to hook a lot of us in. If you want to continue your journey down the Rush rabbit hole, YYZ and the live version of Working Man (in Cleveland) are fun little excursions.
One of the reasons I love this band so much is how nerdy they are. This song has a hidden double entendre. This song has a lot of syncopation, meaning they are sub-dividing the time signatures. A song about subdivisions is played mostly in sub-divisions. Similarly, the song YYZ contains a hidden Morse code message. The rhythm of part of the song is the letters YYZ played in Morse code.
Great reaction and commentary!! This album is my sentimental favorite. I could totally relate to this song, these lyrics, when I was teenager...even now, as an adult. The next song to check out, is The Analog Kid. It's an absolute banger!! Please give it a listen...see what you think.
I really like seeing you get into Rush. My kids are big, big fans of the band. They are musical - I am not. My daughter gets upset if you don't know the difference between Neil Peart and John Rutsey on drums, so I think I'm doing alright. (The arcade game at the end is Tempest by Atari. It's an intense game, if you can ever play a real cabinet I would highly recommend it with a very, very intense soundtrack in your headphones.)
Brilliant reaction!! Love your appreciation and insights!! For a songwriter such as yourself I think you’d enjoy Rush’s “Limelight” and “Witch Hunt”. Cheers!!
The chief editor of rolling stone magazine once wrote an article to put together the greatest band ever by cherry picking the best singer, guitarist, drummer, bass player, lyricist, engineers, etc to create a super band. In the second paragraph ( I’m not making this up, I have the article clipped) he said “ I have to disqualify any member of Rush as it’s not fair to the other artists.” THAT is respect!
The more I listen to Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The Who, the more I appreciate the genius of RUSH.
Appreciate your acknowledging probably the greatest rock percussionist/lyric writer of our time, who just happened to end up with 2 other virtuoso's in the same band. The lyrics to "Subdivisions" are as pertinent in today's world, as they were when Neil wrote them back in 1982. As always, RIP to "The Professor". 😢
You NEED to watch their live version of Xanadu ( pronounced Zanadu) from 1981 I believe. It will BLOW YOUR MIND. I promise.
Keep up the great reactions bud.
You're on the usual trajectory for exposure to Rush. It's time for understanding how 3 guys can make this come to life on stage. Xanadu from Exit Stage Left is the required next track.
YYZ live in Rio is an awesome song and amazing live performance, no lyrics, but it's them showcasing their instrumental genius, if you want to go down the rabbit hole 🤣
This song is a masterpiece, even without lyrics it would be a masterpiece. The lyrics are genius, with many different layers. RUSH songs bring back so many good memories and I know ppl from my time, growing up in the 70s, appreciate these bands and understand them more than the younger generation ever will. Just how it is. Peace.
Rush Xanadu live exit stage left 1981
Natural Science live 97' Molson amphitheater, Neil Peart drum solo in Frankfurt.
Some of the best live performances you'll ever see. Thanks for your reactions to RUSH. We're all really enjoying your journey.
That is tied with that msg version of Moby Dick for greatest drum solo of all time. Never seen someone NOT have their jaw drop and be absolutely riveted.
Rush is top level greatness. If you likes lyrics, the song, by Rush, "Time stands still" haunting lyrics about life
That song makes my eyes tear every time I hear it.
@@jpace4608 especially the last verse for me
“Old friends, growing older”
Especially the US Army band's version, wow, hits you in the feels.
"Xanadu" Live, Exit Stage Left, 1981.
Ridiculous talent on full display.
Have a great day!
There's no bad answer here as to which tracks to tackle next... everyone has their favourites and nobody is wrong! :) My picks for some tracks where I think you'll appreciate both the music and the lyrics: THE TREES, FREEWILL, LIMELIGHT, RED BARCHETTA, XANADU
I've come across very few people that like the trees, one of my favorites, great suggestions
Really? That's too bad, it's one of my favourites too!
Solid list. Lyrically I think Red Sector A has some of the most poetic imagery. Also a big fan of Analog Kid hits me as a mirror of myself every time.
Watching Geddy live was mesmerizing. So much talent in that skinny man!!! Sometimes singing, playing bass and foot pedals all at the same time. A pro beyond professional.
I love that Geddy is singing, playing the Keyboard, and playing the bass line on another foot board at the same time. That's talent.
He’s an unbelievable musician. They all are. Three master musicians in one band and you get absolute greatness. Musicians music. I Fkn love them. Three kids from Canada , makes me super proud to be from the great white north.
If you've got this album, I think it's impossible to hear the final strains of this song without immediately moving in to Analog Kid. Those two songs bookend beautifully.
hard to not listen to the whole album :D I was lucky enough to find an original vinyl of it a few months ago...
This whole album is gold . Signals is my favorite
Definitely true 👍
Back in the day,after discovering this incredible band and discovering their discography,Signals was the album I bought when it released,it holds a special place for me,my favorite……
Every album Rush composed was completely different. They
never compromised on their
art and creativity. Neil wrote
the lyrics, and put a lot of thought into how he wrote
his drum and percussion charts. Alex and Geddy were
responsible for all the music.
Closer to the Heart is one of their best and most currently relevant lyrically
I was a sophomore in high school in the suburbs of Chicago when this song came out and I felt like it was written specifically about me.👍🔥🎧
Yes, more Rush! Freewill, 2112, Red Barchetta, Closer to the Heart, you cant go wrong with any of their stuff. It's all great.
The more you go down the Rush road the more you will enjoy !! " Freewill " is another lyrically great choice !! 😎🎸
"Knowing how you like helping people, you honestly MUST react to The PASS with the lyrics. (ALWAYS have lyrics with Rush,) Cheers! TY" (a song that has literally saved life's and helped those suffering from depression and suicide . Really think it may be helpful to those you connect with. Take care!
All three members not only played their respective instruments but they would each hit triggers set up on stage to play parts they couldn’t play with their hands at the moment. Alex, the guitarist, would play bass pedals while Geddy, the bassist/singer/keyboardist, played keys. Neil, the drummer, would also hit triggers while playing his drum parts either with his feet or on pads placed between drums. Neil’s drum solo is always a good one and if you want to see what the band was summarized check out their last song on their last album called The Garden and watch the live version.
Rush, "Natural Science" from the album Permanent Waves. My all time favorite bass line.
Neil was a very well read and smart individual, spent many hours reading books and even wrote books. Ghost rider is one of his best written after loosing his daughter and wife within Couple years of each other. Smiles 😃 from Canada 🇨🇦
Eventually, you'll listen to "YYZ" off "Moving Pictures". There's a live recording from Rio that's great but many reaction channels do that version. There's a live version from the "Exit Stage Left" tour in the 1980's when they were in their prime. I usually recommend listening to studio versions for a first listen because live versions aren't as clear and may miss some detail. Rush's goal in the early years was to reproduce their songs live as close to the studio recording as possible and the "Exit Stage Left" videos demonstrate that. "Stick Hits" remastered that material so they look and sound very good for that time. There's a special treat in that song as well...
Since the lyrics are one of the things you like the most, I think "The Trees" would be a great next one. (Although I will always like the comment request for YYZ in Rio for the musicianship.)
Rush is one of the best Trinity bands out there, in my opinion. Drums, Guitar and Bass with Geddy Lee's vocals. For a song of their's about memory and the past, I'd recommend "Red Barchetta."
Had the pleasure of seeing them in 83. One of the greatest live performances I've ever seen and the light show was spectacular! 🇨🇦
This brings up nice memories of my older brother introducing Rush songs to me.
Trees by Rush is a masterpiece of music and lyrics. It’s an absolute must.
Living in a suburb outside a city in the early 80’s, this song was always relatable.
Same here, except now I am nostalgic for the safety and accessibility of suburbs. We went everywhere, and got into all kinds of things, and never once worried about getting killed for our sneakers, or picked up by a rapist or murderer, attacked by a gang or homeless druggie etc.
Kids today would be so lucky to experience that.
All their songs are deep. Marathon, Limelight and Spirit of Radio is a good start to scratch the surface.
When you think you're ready, the 7-movement rock opera "2112" will give you all the lyrics you can handle! But you can't go wrong with "The Trees" or "Red Barchetta" (one of my all time favorites), either.
I'm all for a review of Xanadu, Live 1981. It's a soundscape, you HAVE to see how good they are in concert. Read the poem "Kublai Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge if you want to be prepared beforehand.
YYZ,. Especially with Neil Perart’s drum solo. Mad crazy.
“The Trees” great lyrics and story and easy listen. “Freewill” great lyrics and insane musicianship.
One of my favorite alltime lyrics is from this song.
Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Rush had a whole career of striving to constant change along with constant improvement. Neil wrote (co-wrote on two songs) pretty much all but the first album.
Rush puts everything they have into every song. Their respect among musicians is unmatched. Yes, Neil does all the lyrics. An especially good lyric effort is a song called Territories from the album Power Windows (1985 I think).
4:29 thats Bass. Geddy Lee plays bass keyboards & sings. 6:03 Blond hair is Alex Lifeson...lead guitars.
That's a deep song. (Rush - Limelight) I promis you'll like that one too...
The Pass - with it's anti-suicide message is a must for a lyricist/songwriter such as yourself.
Freewill (preferably the Time Machine edition) is great musically and lyrically.
Red Sector A
The Analog Kid
Marathon
Time Stand Still
Dreamline
Driven
Xanadu
The Trees
Maybe most of them? So many great songs over 19 albums.
All (97%?) of Rush's songs were Lyrics by Peart, Music by Lee & Lifeson.
One of the most influential bands of my life.
Glad you enjoy RUSH.
They are incredible musicians individually, but collectively, they are iconic.
A couple of great instrumental songs:
La Villa Strangiato (live 1978)
YYZ (live in Rio)
The Garden (Clockwork Angels tour) is the last song from their final album. This is a song that has a great message.
So many Rush songs have already been suggested. Here's something a little different, Neil Peart did a drum solo as part of their Frankfurt concert. The musicianship will astound!
Closer To The Heart, Exit Stage Left - a timeless message that no matter what our station in life is, we can all play a part in making our world a better place, but it must start with those in charge. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦
🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥
When you see them playing live, you’ll be even more impressed with their virtuoso musicianship.
As for the fact that the three songs you’ve heard have sounded so different from each other, the best part is that they were all written within a few years of each other, appearing on three of Rush’s 19 total studio albums.
Rush's first album is turning 50 next year. Over their amazing career they have 19 studio albums spanning from 1974- 2012 plus many live albums and compilations. They have had such staying power because they have not only evolved with the times but also stayed true to the music and to the fans that are some of the most loyal you'll ever find. As a wordsmith, you will be unavoidably drawn to Rush's lyrics so you may want to have a second screen or your phone on the side with the lyrics pulled up as you watch. Just a suggestion. Sitting at the feet of Professor Peart is a masters class in song writing. I'm sure you'll get requests for all of their hits and they are that for good reason but I'm more likely to suggest a deep cut or something that other reactors haven't done. Here's a few: The Big Money, Red Sector A, Manhattan Project, Scars, and the instrumental Leave That Thing Alone (Time Machine 2011 DVD) just to start. Enjoy your journey. ✌
Neil Peart's lyrics are just a masterpiece.
Geddy Lee is the vocalist, bassist, and he plays the keys/synth. He doesn't play guitar normally, that's Alex Lifeson.
Geddy literally did play bass, sing and play keyboard pedals to hit synth chords all at the same time in concert.
I would highly recommend Rush's songs: Test For Echo, Driven, and Roll the Bones.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw you reacting to RUSH. I found you because of Tom Macdonald. Rush has been the soundtrack of my life. Thank you so much for going down the rabbit hole with 40 years of music you have so much to choose from. They are the greatest band I've ever seen live. You should check out Working Man live, La Villa Strangiato live, Xanadu live. Pretty much anything they have done is Gold. RIP to the GOAT The Professor. 🙏🥁
Man I love this whole band, but there's a special place in my heart for Neil, aka, The Professor, not just because he's probably one of the greatest percussionists/rock drummers ever to walk the face of the earth, which he is, but he was such a kind, unique soul, he truly was. He was a survivor too, I think you'd really dig him Cliff, especially with you being an advocate for mental health.
In Aug. of 1997, Neil's (then) only daughter, 19, died in a motor vehicle accident up in Ontario, then 10months later his wife of 23yrs died, medical examiner had trouble ruling the cause of death, Neil said it was from a broken heart, plain and simple. He told Geddy and Alex he was done and couldn't be a musician any more. He spent the next couple years crisscrossing just about every bit of nowhere in North and Central America with nothing but a backpack and his Motorcycle, logging just over 55,000miles!!! When he finally returned home he wrote a book about his travels and journey towards healing, and luckily for us fans, was ready to get back to his passion.
The book is amazing, it's called... Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road
I'll leave the link at the bottom in case you're interested, he's an amazing author too, he's written like 6-7 other non-fiction biographical books, and I think a couple fiction sci-fi type books. Another great reaction, thanks Cliff!!
www.amazon.com/Ghost-Rider-Travels-Healing-Road/dp/1550225480
Rush was my adolescence. They made beautiful music right to the end. The last album, Clockwork Angels, was a masterpiece. The Garden brings me to tears every time..they are madly missed.
Neil Peart - your favorite drummers drummer!
The professor, his words have their own web pages.
I am a Bass player so Geddy is amazing. And Alex on guitar, just keeping up with the two best musicians makes him amazing
I've heard this song hundreds of times. But for some reason, watching with you was the first time I've noticed how similar Alex's guitar tone is to that synth. You almost don't hear the handoff when Geddy starts playing bass and the synth dissapears. These guys are next level.
When I was in school I had an English teacher who gave us the assignment of her giving us the lyrics to a current song and we had to break it down and explain what the lyrics were saying. I was given the song Limelight by Rush to break down and in doing that my English teacher gave me a new band to listen to and I've not stopped listening to them yet. 56 year old Rush fanatic here and I'm loving your reactions to their music. I consider Neil Peart, the drummer, to be an absolute genius with his lyrics and needless to say I would love to see your reaction to their song Limelight Cliff, take me back to my youth please!
All the three guys from Rush grew up in the suburbs and all of them felt like they didn't fit in. There is a segment of a Canadian documentary called Come On ye Children where at 17 Alex Lifeson the guitarist is discussing with his parents about leaving school early to pursue music. His parents are concerned about him leaving school as he had a son with his then girlfriend Charlene. They got married later when they were in their early 20's and are still married today. Geddy plays bass, keyboards and sings
Alex plays guitar. mandola and later on keyboards. Geddy can play guitar as well but on rare occasions and this song wasn't one of them.
He started out playing guitar but in the very early days of Rush they had a bass player but he wasn't that reliable in showing up for some gigs so Geddy learned how to play bass and became the bassist in the band.
I would highly recommend Xanadu from Exit Stage Left. It is one of their masterpieces and this performance is outstanding!
Cheers
Rush is on a whole other level. Glad to see young folks enjoy these killer old tunes. Rock music seems dead so hopefully it will make a comeback with your generations twist.
Thanks for a great reaction. These are amazing musicians. The rabbit hole is deep and a fantastic journey.
Check out Working Man live in Cleveland.
When this song came out I was a teen & budding musician. Living in the suburbs of Boston. My favorite RUSH song I think. I really connected to it. RUSH made me a great musician (yep bragging!). I had to learn from the best. Eventually I was in a few RUSH tribute bands where I played bass & keys (tried singing also...nope!). Now I'm 55 and winding down musically. This song brings me back to my teen years every time!
On a recent video you commented about being dismayed by some people not believing what happened in Germany in the WW2. Geddy Lee's mother was a survivor of that horror. Rush wrote a song about that subject titled "Red Sector A" back in 1984. It is a song that still get to me every time I hear it. I don't know if they ever made an official video for it but there are a few from live shows which are good. The music is haunting and the lyrics won't leave you indifferent. I hope you get to watch it someday.
If you had any doubt those pictures weren’t an accurate reflection of HS life in 1982, please rest assured. 100% accurate. That’s why this song captured our Gen and is something y’all are able to understand as well. We needed this song so badly.
Dude, I'm SO glad you finally discovered Rush!! You gotta checkout their song Limelight on here sometime soon
Keep doing RUSH, and I'll definitely keep LIKING your videos....guaranteed! Thanks and keep smiling👍🙂🇨🇦
Basically, Alex (guitar) and Geddy (bass, keyboards, vocals) write the music and Neil (drums & percussion) was the lyricist.
Rush “Freewill”-stellar lyrics and music🇺🇸
It's hard to go wrong with Rush. For additional songs:
Limelight, Red Barchetta, Freewill, Working Man (their first big hit if I recall correctly), Roll The Bones, Nobody's Hero, Fly By Night,
Signals was my first Rush album. I was 14 when it came out. It felt like Subdivisions was both written for and to me, growing up in a distant Toronto suburb.
I’m reminded of the observation made about Rush’s hyper-devoted fan base in the Beyond the Lighted Stage documentary about ten years ago, that the misfits and outsiders to whom Neil’s lyrics spoke so well eventually grew up and took leadership positions in society. Their most constant devotion to the holy trio ensured that Rush would eventually outlive the dismissive barbs of too-cool-for-school music critics.
My first concert as an adult was Rush's Hold Your Fire tour. Every concert I went to after it was judged to to that, to their detriment.
Oh, and Geddy Lee plays the bass, keyboards, and vocals.....Alex Lifeson was on the 6 string. Neil wrote most all the lyrics, Alex & Geddy put most of it to music.
Loving your dive down RUSH’s rabbit hole!!! Neil Peart was a one of a kind artist. He tucked away so many metaphors in his lyrics.
There’s so many awesome tracks but a couple that I think would be awesome for you to peep next would be:
Free Will
The Pass
Red Barchetta
Cheers!
Being open minded and broadening your horizons is a good thing
RIP Neil now he’s finely with his wife and daughter. Greatest song writer great song great reaction to the greatest rock band of all time
This is my favourite Rush song, and everything in this video is so familiar to me, from the light orange lockers, Willowdale, the bridge over the DVP, going to Yonge St. on the weekend with my friends and always going to Sam's and A&A Records.
A cool Rush song. It really describes the fragmentation of society. Check out Limelight, La Villa Strangiato(epic 9:36 min song ), 2112 (another epic song), A Passage To Bangkok, A Farewell to Kings, Closer To The Heart, The Trees, Freewill, Jacob's Ladder, Red Barchetta, Vital Signs, Working Man, Red Sector A.
So glad you are checking out rush! Neil, was an amazing lyricist. He also happens to be one of the greatest rock drummers of all time (check out any top 10 list). Geddy is also considered one of the top 10 greatest rock bass players of all time (again, check out any top 10 list) Who also happens to sing and play keyboards with either his hands or his feet. Alex is an amazing guitarist, that many people feel is underrated. Geddy and Alex would write the music. Lyrically, I wiould check out Red sector A, limelight, The pass, and Freewill.
"YYZ" live in Rio is the one you need to see. Originally an instrumental, but the Brazilian crowd isn't willing to accept that....
Realize that in concert, Geddy will sometimes play the keyboard part with his feet while continuing to play the bass part. Rush gives you a top-10 bassist, one of the best technical guitarists ever, and the reason that god created drums.
I love how blown away you are by The Boys! (Nothing makes old Rush fans happier than new additions to the family. 😁)
Since most of the 'hit' songs have been suggested I'm going with a couple of deeper cuts I think you'll like,
Afterimage and Available Light. (Lyric versions would be best).
If you’re a car guy at all, listen to “Red Barchetta”. Lyrics are fantastic. Rush puts you in a vintage car driving through the countryside with the wind in your hair…
I'm glad you've entered this rabbit hole!! I saw Rush 8 times, and I'm a huge fan of theirs. Geddy is one of the reasons I play bass and sing!
“YYZ” live in Rio is an awesome performance! Check it out !
I dont comment much, but welcome to the RUSH family Cliff! We life long fans started this rabbit hole journey long ago and realized that there is no bottom to the hole. Im a drummer and Neil Peart is "your favorite drummers drummer!". I can recommend to you "Malignant Narsicism with the drum solo". Love your channel and keep up the good work!
What you're seeing is Toronto and the Toronto east 'burbs, back in the day. BTW: That drummer is widely known as one of the greatest drummers of all time.
🤗 I can't wait for you to dive in to their longer pieces (La Villa Strangiato, Natural Order) and their all out full story compositions (2112, By-tor & The Snow Dog) plus their make your mouth water Epics (The Rush 'Fear' Series: Witch Hunt, The Weapon, The Enemy Within, Freeze) or what is essentially a 2 part book/movie (Cygnus Book 1 & Hemispheres Book 2). 🤯 They literally sent the rocket ship Rocinante in to a freaking black hole........... 😦 Then made us wait until the next Album to come out to see if he made it thru ok. 🤓 Freaking weirdos.... 😂 But apparently so are Rush fans! We wear that moniker proudly! 🥰🐰
Rush: Limelight. One of their best. Maybe the best guitar solo ever recorded. Folks will flock
While youre going down the rabbit hole don't forget to check out Styx "Come sail away"
To have even more fun with the song do the Eric Cartman from Southpark version too!
Bring Dad in for these bands! That would be such a blast for the 2 of you and for us obsessed fans of yours. Don't forget to bring the sticky icky!
Too many comments to read through them all, but in case no one mentioned there's a great overhead video of Neil Pert on the drums for the duration of the song - absolutely amazing. Neil said it was the most technically difficult song he performed.
Noice! Just came from my favourite Rush tune to my second-favourite Rush tune. You're a Real One, Cliff. 👍✌❤
"Witch Hunt", "Bravado", "The Pass", "One Little Victory", "The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)"...
The list could be almost endless.
Neil wrote about 95% of the lyrics after joining the band after their first album. Sometimes he would collaborate with Pye Dubois (who wrote for the band Max Webster), and even Geddy and Alex would dabble with lyric writing. During the 1970s, most of Neil's lyrics dealt with fantasy themes and topics (with a healthy dose of individualism). Around the time of Permanent Waves (where "The Spirit of Radio" is from), he became more introspective and concerned with social commentary--but he would never entirely leave fantasy, culminating in their final studio album, Clockwork Angels.
For the music video, though you see Alex say, "Subdivisions," it's actually Neil's voice.
I've been a Rush fan since "Fly by Night" (dating myself, I know!). Anyway, I'd love to see you do a reaction to the man who= Rush supported on their first tour and who turned around and supported Rush on tour after they broke through, the legendary guitar great Rory Gallagher. Rory is easily in the same league as Page and Clapton, but chose to avoid the stadiums and limelight, staying true to his music and his followers. He even walked away from becoming a member of the Rolling Stones when he was offered the spot after Mick Taylor left. Try taking a listen to "Do You Read Me?" from the 1979 Rock Goes to College video for a sample of what Rory could do with his Strat. He was also a blues master extreme-a great example is "I Wonder Who" from 1984 Belfast-9 minutes of blues perfection. Thanks!
Best Live Performance
RUSH - Xanadu - Live In Montreal 1981 (2021 HD Remaster 60fps)
Alex Lifeson - 6 string guitar, 12 string guitar, pedal synthesizer, volume pedal; Geddy Lee - Vocals, bass guitar, 6 string guitar, foot pedal synthesizer, electric piano/synthesizer; Neil Peart - Lyrics, Drums, orchestra bells, tubular bells, wind chimes, crotales, timbales, timpani, gong, temple blocks, bell tree, triangle, and melodic cowbells.
Based on Kubla Khan (Xanadu) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Coleridge composed his poem, ‘Kubla Khan’, in a state of semi-conscious trance either in the autumn of 1797 or the spring of 1798 and published in 1816. The whole poem is pervaded by an atmosphere of dream and remains in the form of a vision. The vision embodied in Kubla Khan was inspired by the perusal of the travel book, Purchas His Pilgrimage. Coleridge had taken a dose of opium as an anodyne, and his eyes closed upon the line in the book, “At Zanadu Kubla Khan built a pleasure palace.” But this opened his creative vision, and the poem of about 200 lines was composed in this state of waking dream. On being fully awake, he wrote the poem down. The theme of the poem is unimportant. It describes the palace built by Kubla Khan, the grandson of Chengis Khan, the great rule of central Asia.
th-cam.com/video/2byjJkN_nVY/w-d-xo.html
Loving seeing a new Rush fan created. It only took one song to hook a lot of us in. If you want to continue your journey down the Rush rabbit hole, YYZ and the live version of Working Man (in Cleveland) are fun little excursions.
The suburbs in the video were Toronto , A Spread out metro area now nearly 7 million people
One of the reasons I love this band so much is how nerdy they are. This song has a hidden double entendre. This song has a lot of syncopation, meaning they are sub-dividing the time signatures. A song about subdivisions is played mostly in sub-divisions. Similarly, the song YYZ contains a hidden Morse code message. The rhythm of part of the song is the letters YYZ played in Morse code.
Great reaction and commentary!! This album is my sentimental favorite. I could totally relate to this song, these lyrics, when I was teenager...even now, as an adult. The next song to check out, is The Analog Kid. It's an absolute banger!! Please give it a listen...see what you think.
One of the songs that I really like from Rush and hat doesn't get much attention is "Cold Fire"... one of the best conversation songs I've ever heard.
Thanks Cliff. You have a great open mind when it comes to music. That is mad appreciated.
Thanks Cliff.. so glad to hear these legends be heard…♥️
Rush - Working Man Live in Cleveland.
I really like seeing you get into Rush. My kids are big, big fans of the band. They are musical - I am not. My daughter gets upset if you don't know the difference between Neil Peart and John Rutsey on drums, so I think I'm doing alright. (The arcade game at the end is Tempest by Atari. It's an intense game, if you can ever play a real cabinet I would highly recommend it with a very, very intense soundtrack in your headphones.)
Brilliant reaction!! Love your appreciation and insights!! For a songwriter such as yourself I think you’d enjoy Rush’s “Limelight” and “Witch Hunt”. Cheers!!
The school scenes are from my high school in Scarborough, Ontario..and my locker was in the yellow section lol
The chief editor of rolling stone magazine once wrote an article to put together the greatest band ever by cherry picking the best singer, guitarist, drummer, bass player, lyricist, engineers, etc to create a super band. In the second paragraph ( I’m not making this up, I have the article clipped) he said “ I have to disqualify any member of Rush as it’s not fair to the other artists.”
THAT is respect!