(Watch the last 15 seconds of the video for a special message from Alex) Hope you guys enjoyed the change up! It was a lot of fun to have Berryl on! Perhaps we’ll do stuff like this more often if you guys enjoyed it, we thought about having Alex’s younger brother (11 years old I think) on for a video sometime, let us know what you think! The Trees was a great song! Cheers guys! 🔥😁
Fair & honest reaction. Hello Berryl! Nice to finally see you. Alex... I felt bad for you at end, saying "I love you..." You were not forgotten! :) Cool experiment & yes to brother. I grew up with Rush and I can only listen occasionally. Good though! Peace :)
I consider Alex Lifeson to be one of the most versatile, singular guitarists in rock history. From the fattest power chords to the lushest arpeggios, he can do it all. He even ventures into atonal, avant garde territory that you normally don't associate with rock at all. My personal favorite, without a doubt.
Now there's no more oak oppression For they passed a noble law And the trees are all kept equal **By hatchet, axe, and saw** Be careful when you demand equality. Sometimes everyone gets the chop.
Well said. Instead of trying to elevate those at the bottom, our society wants to punish those at the top to bring them down to the level of mediocrity, which is where they think everyone should reside. Great song ,too.
I think it's a little deeper than that. The Oaks aren't all good. They won't share the light and force the Maples to form a union to get light. If the Oaks were a bit less greedy and a bit less arrogant, perhaps all the trees could be happy.
This song was used as a study by a college (in Florida I think) for just this purpose. It sparks good discussion and there are lots of perspectives, rich vs poor, American vs non American, color, and so on. In my humble opinion, the idea of leveling the playing field by chopping down all the trees, doesn't benefit the maples at all, it just punishes the oaks for being taller, or punishes the rich for having money. Taking away their wealth makes the whole forest equal, but poor. I'm born and raised maple by the way : )
That's always been my favorite line of this one - - although the song overall is probably among my least favorite of Rush. However, being Rush, I still like it.
ltrenum I questioned them on Boston and they adamantly replied they’d never heard them. Some things are unbelievable. Poor people have poor ways, I guess.
He's awesome, but I think a couple of brits named Mr. Deacon and Mr. McCartney would challenge you on that one. I love Geddy, and he's Canadian, but all 3 guys are amazing with their baselines. Listen to Old Brown Shoe by the Beatles. George Harrison sings lead, but Paul steals the show with his epic baseline.
I totally agree and I will argue with anybody for hours about this topic. Not many people can sing like him and also play these intricate bass lines. He's so great 🔥🔥🔥🤙🏼
@@christhornycroft3686 I'm sorry but Paul McCartney can't play bass with Geddy Lee. Maybe songwriting and singing, but Paul can't play these bass parts.
A power trio is a rock and roll band format having a lineup of electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. All three of them are in most top five lists. I will never get tired of them, ever.
I remember when the 80s came around I was getting into Rush heavily and was buying their entire catalog and each album was blowing me away how good it was. But then Grace Under Pressure came out in 1984 and honestly I thought to myself what the hell happened to Rush, it didn't blow me away on first listen like the previous albums but it was a grower and I like nearly everything on it now
Guys....my heart bleeds every time a young person is oblivious about the Beatles. Beatles rabbithole incoming. Like modern music? Your favourite artist would not exist without the Beatles. Just sayin'. (pssst. the walrus was Paul.)
Americans tend to ignore everything about Canada as irrelevant, which is kind of ironic. It's not their fault. Look at what's on American network TV now! It's entertainment for the lowest common denominator. America, I love you, but what have you been doing since 1980?
@@christhornycroft3686 Making sure the common man is kept in their place, docile and stupid. Damn they are not going to allow the whole Viet Nam protest kind of thing to happen again, it cramped their style.
Hi! I have never ever thought of this song in a political way! Instead I amazed how brilliant the lyrics are pertaining to trees!!!!! You're taking away the magic if I may say so of the Forest and the trees ! I guess it's how you look at it in this modern mindset but brothers this came out 40 yrs ago and we just got stoned and cranked it up as loud as it would play!😊
Like their music or not, it's hard to deny their sheer musicianship. One doesn't have to like their music to at least appreciate the real talent and creativity.
For me this is not in my top Rush play lists, but I do listen now and then to this song. Rush hooked me on Fly By Night and Specifically ByTor & the Snowdog.
I had the pleasure of meeting Geddy Lee 3 weeks ago at a book signing in Brookline, MA. He's a very humble man. Rock stars I've met: Roger Daltrey (The Who), Pete Townshend (The Who), John Entwistle (The Who), Bono (U2), The Edge (U2), Mick Jones (The Clash), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Geddy Lee (Rush).
It’s against enforced equality. Some don’t interpret it that way but they’re obviously wrong if you take into account the general thrust of Neil's lyrics.
Yes. I agree. I think I've recommended "The Necromancer" 3 times to these guys. "The Fountain of Lamneth" is IMO a masterpiece, too, but maybe not to everyone's taste.
Off course I already knew this excellent song. The first minute it sounds like old Genesis with Peter Gabriel singing. After that the 'normal' Rush sound starts. I can recommend Genesis album: the lamb lies down on Broadway. Selling Engeland by the pound or Foxtrot are also classicals.
I'm old now and rarely go to live shows but Rush is definitely one I would still go to. I saw Rush many times in the 80s and we once we got seats just slightly behind and above Neal Peart's drum kit and to his left. We had the most amazing view of him playing every damn item in that kit which is quite impressive.
You guys are fun to watch, so many more Rush songs to get your first time reactions to....I'm jealous, wish I was younger to experience it all over again!
Bring all the guests you want, this old rocker is just so happy to see the younger generation discovering this great music that has stood the test of time! And hopefully it will be guys like you that will bring it back and maybe create some new classics, like Neil Young said; “hey hey my my rock n roll will never die”
I can't stress enough the complexity of the time signatures in this song utilizing 4/4, 6/4, and 5/4 timing which is almost unheard of in Rock music. Just classic
For me it is a political song also, but on a larger scale than there are different trees representing different people. For me the Oaks represent the United States and the Maples are Canada. Back in the 70’s Canada was know as the US’s little brother and the US could bully Canada with it’s might. One other thing Alex, I only bring it up because it has always bothered Neil, so it also bothers Rush fans. Peart is pronounced Pee-airt, not Pert.
You Guys do the best reviews as well as pick great suggested songs. Speaking of suggestions, a must listen is "On the loose" by the Band Saga. Thanks for another cool in -depth song review.
American made breaking out the Saga. On the Loose and Wind Him Up are amazing songs. Loved that whole album back in the day. Sadly was never able to get into the rest of their stuff.
Oh my, I think this is really one of their best songs and partly because they don't do it very often especially back in these early years, where it's incredibly focused. And this thing played on the radio constantly over and over and over and over and I personally never got tired of it. Everything about it is amazing. I love how good they are at incorporating oddball time signatures and making it just work while they rock hard. So the outer parts of the song are definitely straight but then that middle thing including the guitar solo is over a 5/8 time signature and then when they do that huge build to come back into it that just to me is mind blowing, they switch over to 9/8 time, and then finally back to straight. Love it.
Well done. Subscribed. That transition @3:31 always gets me, and the arpeggio work on the guitar during the tranquil part is the sort of playing that is uniquely Alex Lifeson.
How dare you not give any Rush song a 10? LOL I personally think this is one of my many favorites by RUSH. Yes, it is in your face, but sometimes you have to be in your face with people. They put this song out how ever many years ago and some people still have not gotten the message. Sad but true. Is it their very best? Probably not, but it's pretty damn good and you have to remember the time in which it was done. It was so far ahead of it's time! Everything they did was. That's the amazing thing about RUSH. They could release any one of their songs today for the first time and they would actually hit the charts this time because people have become so much more musically educated, but honestly I don't think they would like that. They never wanted or needed to be a commercial success. They built a fan base by word of mouth and they had millions of fans. Still do. How many people do you honestly think could do that today? Besides, they are freakin awesome in concert!
Back in the dawning age of HBO, they used to regularly show a performance video of "The Trees" between movies. It's my first recollection of seeing a quote/unquote music Video.
I think the live version of Bytor and the Snowdog from the album All the World’s a stage, would blow Andy’s mind. My user name might be a clue to how much that song means to me. The battle segment is amazing, the guitar sounds like vicious growling. I mean that literally. The live version emphasises it much more than the studio version. Btw Andy and Alex, I love watching you guys react to Rush. It takes me back to the wonder that I felt, when I first heard each song. You guys rock! 🤘
Rush fans always love The Trees. It's such an odd, quirky, whimsical song that has so many interesting things going on musically and lyrically. It's one of their fun songs. If you want to look at other Rush songs, why not try one of their more recent ones? There's a short instrumental off of "Snakes and Arrows" called "Malignant Narcissism" that's pretty awesome. It was nominated for a Grammy. They had finished recording Snakes and Arrows and most of Neal's drums were packed away. All that was left was a small warm-up set he had set up. The producer had a recording of Geddy fiddling around with a new bass one of the companies sent him for his opinion, and the bass line was so cool, the producer recorded it without Geddy knowing. He played it back and told them "make a song around this!". So they threw together an incredible jam with Neal using a simple warm-up drum kit with only a few drums. It's very awesome!
We have to remember that this song was released in 1978 and the 'obviousness' you speak of may be apparent now, but, back then it was speaking to the work arena as well as, the environment, something that was not as prevalent as today. Great review for one of the world's greatest bands!!!
It is a metaphoric alleghory showing that a cry for equality most often times ends up in equality indeed ......at the songs end , the trees are all "equally" cut down......
Wait! That hi-hat just blew my mind! Lol. Always loved the middle section of this way more than the song itself. That central part is in 5/4 time, gives it a really magical feel. The synth has much improved melodic lines and timbre on Exit Stage Left.
Of course you guys are entitled to your opinions, but The Trees is a 10 if only because it’s so damn imaginative. The musicianship is top notch as always with Rush, but seriously, this is one of Rush’s masterpieces.
The so called “guitarist” that gave it a “hard 7” has heard one rush song before and he is talking politics. What? Don’t listen to this song dude cuz you ain’t worthy
Neil said when asked later if he meant it as a political song for the times. He said no to the time he wrote it. He tended to steer from direct politics in his writing. But from a philisophical view. Yeah it is
Loved the comment about the hi hat, the tiny details, it's what Rush does. I don't think there's a single Rush song that doesn't have one of those subtle little things, maybe a second or two long, that just gets me everytime I hear it!
Rush has an immense song list and is a top band. For so many reasons. Alex is an amazing guitarist and Neil, besides writing pretty much all the lyrics) surrounds himself with a cage of percussion instruments. I agree they should be seen live. Only 3 making so much good sound. Which brings me to Geddy. Lead vocals and strong driving bass licks, but also plays the keyboard. I've seen them twice and they are spectacular. Hemispheres and Caress of Steel are my favorites of their many albums.
You guys obviously appreciate the great musicianship, singing, melodies and lyrics of bands like RUSH. So you need to check out Living Colour. One of the most underrated bands ever. Their first 3 albums are incredible (Vivid, Time's up, Stain) Every song is incredible. Start with Vivid - Open Letter (To a Landlord) or Funny Vibe!
Huh? Seriously? I initially heard a much different meaning - long, long, LONG ago - and have always believed it. It is about North America: Canada (the maples) and The U.S.A. (the oaks). It still is, lyrically, pretty much genius.
I freaking LOVE THIS SONG! It is so heavy and classically inspired. This is so before it's time. I love when Rush crosses that line into Metal, and you don't even really notice it.
Nice reaction! Welcome, Berryl! Maybe you & Andy could do a guitar piece with Alex singing... A suggestion: Resist by Rush live in Rio- it's all acoustic with Alex & Geddy on guitars; really sweet performance. Keep 'em coming! (And bring on Alex's little brother)...
Not a big fan of reaction videos but you guys seem willing to give anything a listen and you give straight up honest reactions. I get the impression you love decent music, it shows. I would like to see your reaction to the masterpiece ''the kiss'' by The Cure, it will blow you away. Enjoying your videos, keep em coming!
Birmingham NEC October 2007. Snakes and Arrows tour. There were three guys wearing T shirts boldly stating: WE ARE NOT LEAVING UNTIL WE HAVE HEARD THE TREES. Well it wasn't on the set list but they went home very happy, as did I. I really hope one of those guys reads this, really made me smile, and I'm sorry they didn't play it as well.
I think this song makes the trees come to life. I can even imagine them having expressions on their trunks like faces and waving their arms arguing. Thought that the first time I ever heard it. Back in the 70's, yes.
Geddy's bass work was what got me into playing bass years ago. I'm purely a hobbyist and not particularly good, but it's still fun and relaxing to play. There are many great bassists, but nobody's playing "speaks" to me quite like Geddy's. 👍
(Watch the last 15 seconds of the video for a special message from Alex)
Hope you guys enjoyed the change up! It was a lot of fun to have Berryl on! Perhaps we’ll do stuff like this more often if you guys enjoyed it, we thought about having Alex’s younger brother (11 years old I think) on for a video sometime, let us know what you think! The Trees was a great song! Cheers guys! 🔥😁
Yes, I wanna hear your brother's opinion on things!
Also, hi Berryl (sorry for butchering your name, dude!)
@Britney Shearer
That’s actually how you spell it I think!
@@andyandalex no fucking way! Ok, I don't even spell my own name right.
I’ve loved Rush since I was ten. This is not my favorite song, because the lyrics kill it for me.
React to Spirit of Radio!
Fair & honest reaction. Hello Berryl! Nice to finally see you. Alex... I felt bad for you at end, saying "I love you..." You were not forgotten! :) Cool experiment & yes to brother. I grew up with Rush and I can only listen occasionally. Good though! Peace :)
I consider Alex Lifeson to be one of the most versatile, singular guitarists in rock history. From the fattest power chords to the lushest arpeggios, he can do it all. He even ventures into atonal, avant garde territory that you normally don't associate with rock at all. My personal favorite, without a doubt.
Absolutely... I especially love his chorus sound. Just sublime.
To be able to play leas and rhythm at the same time is an incredible talent.
He is the most versatile, interesting guitarist ever in rock. His body of work encompasses more styles and impressive work than any other. The GOAT!
Agree, it's funny ina way though that though I've been a Rush fan since the early 80s, it's only the last 10 years I've appreciated their musicianship
I am with you 100percent. Been playing 40 years now and he is still my go to. The man is just amazing.
A classic rush track. Who else could make a song about the trees and make it sound awesome!!
Yes but the song is really about people and class wars using trees as a metaphor.
with you all the way Phil
@@gritter2112 yeah I think I figured that out about 20 years ago!!
Glenn Ritter no, it’s about trees.
It's actually about Canada being in the shadow of Great Britain and emerging as a country in it's own right (Canadian Maples, British Oaks).
A guy wearing an Avenge Sevenfold hoodie talking about the simplicity of Rush's lyrics? Did I accidentally end up on a comedy channel?
The Donald it actually wasn’t his hoodie he was just cold lol
That was funny!
I think that he probably means clarity!
Right? Simplicity of Rush's lyrics?
Ugh...
Agree- if he’s giving it a seven he has to put up a video of himself playing it
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
**By hatchet, axe, and saw**
Be careful when you demand equality. Sometimes everyone gets the chop.
Agreed. Equality of opportunity and equality of outcome are two different things.
Nailed it here. Wanna be a big tree? Work hard on education, and then work.
Or skip education, and learn while working hard. Either way will earn bucks.
They wanted EQUITY, not equality! Socialism SUCKS!!
I think Hemispheres is their best album instrumentally. They were in a zone
Admitted by Rush themselves...this was the most over the top, self absorbed, indulgent effort in their career!
2112....much more experimental...relying on the instruments as characters.
@@delphi-moochymaker62 2112 is just mental. Almost too good
Wish there were like four more songs on the album
Political or not, the last line of the song is the point. People create equality by reducing some rather than adding to or building up others.
Good point about the last line
Well said. Instead of trying to elevate those at the bottom, our society wants to punish those at the top to bring them down to the level of mediocrity, which is where they think everyone should reside. Great song ,too.
I think it's a little deeper than that. The Oaks aren't all good. They won't share the light and force the Maples to form a union to get light. If the Oaks were a bit less greedy and a bit less arrogant, perhaps all the trees could be happy.
This song was used as a study by a college (in Florida I think) for just this purpose. It sparks good discussion and there are lots of perspectives, rich vs poor, American vs non American, color, and so on.
In my humble opinion, the idea of leveling the playing field by chopping down all the trees, doesn't benefit the maples at all, it just punishes the oaks for being taller, or punishes the rich for having money. Taking away their wealth makes the whole forest equal, but poor. I'm born and raised maple by the way : )
That's always been my favorite line of this one - - although the song overall is probably among my least favorite of Rush. However, being Rush, I still like it.
These guys are musicians and they’re barely familiar with Rush? We definitely need a school of rock for today’s youth.
ltrenum I questioned them on Boston and they adamantly replied they’d never heard them. Some things are unbelievable. Poor people have poor ways, I guess.
Kids these days😝
@@HubertofLiege dude I'm 28 and unless you listen to an oldies station, you're not just going to hear boston
THEY DIDN'T SAY THEY WERE GOOD MUSICIANS
yeah, this channel is BS..i dont believe these guys have never heard these songs
Geddy Lee is one of the best bassists that ever lived.
One of?!
He's awesome, but I think a couple of brits named Mr. Deacon and Mr. McCartney would challenge you on that one. I love Geddy, and he's Canadian, but all 3 guys are amazing with their baselines. Listen to Old Brown Shoe by the Beatles. George Harrison sings lead, but Paul steals the show with his epic baseline.
I totally agree and I will argue with anybody for hours about this topic. Not many people can sing like him and also play these intricate bass lines. He's so great 🔥🔥🔥🤙🏼
@@christhornycroft3686 I'm sorry but Paul McCartney can't play bass with Geddy Lee. Maybe songwriting and singing, but Paul can't play these bass parts.
I couldn't agree more.
Also, check out "A passage to bangkok, by rush"
John Keller
Yeah, the live version from the "Exit Stage Left" album is the best.
@@Daniel-415-Ponce Totally.
My favorite song by them. Another damn good one is "Limelight".
kinkyirishman Favorite Rush song is .... Trees ?
I’ve never heard anyone say that. Too each his own
A power trio is a rock and roll band format having a lineup of electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. All three of them are in most top five lists. I will never get tired of them, ever.
I remember when the 80s came around I was getting into Rush heavily and was buying their entire catalog and each album was blowing me away how good it was. But then Grace Under Pressure came out in 1984 and honestly I thought to myself what the hell happened to Rush, it didn't blow me away on first listen like the previous albums but it was a grower and I like nearly everything on it now
yep, end of the terry brown era
That gentlemen...is how you construct a song..
a GUITAR PLAYER WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF RUSH!??!?!?!?!
Tom Graham Exactly what I thought too 😱😱
Odd to say the least!
Guys....my heart bleeds every time a young person is oblivious about the Beatles. Beatles rabbithole incoming. Like modern music? Your favourite artist would not exist without the Beatles. Just sayin'. (pssst. the walrus was Paul.)
Americans tend to ignore everything about Canada as irrelevant, which is kind of ironic. It's not their fault. Look at what's on American network TV now! It's entertainment for the lowest common denominator. America, I love you, but what have you been doing since 1980?
@@christhornycroft3686 Making sure the common man is kept in their place, docile and stupid. Damn they are not going to allow the whole Viet Nam protest kind of thing to happen again, it cramped their style.
Hi! I have never ever thought of this song in a political way! Instead I amazed how brilliant the lyrics are pertaining to trees!!!!! You're taking away the magic if I may say so of the Forest and the trees ! I guess it's how you look at it in this modern mindset but brothers this came out 40 yrs ago and we just got stoned and cranked it up as loud as it would play!😊
Like their music or not, it's hard to deny their sheer musicianship. One doesn't have to like their music to at least appreciate the real talent and creativity.
Your “guitarist” who stepped in is adorable. Classic Rush sound. Great guitars. Thanks for the reaction. Love it.
For me this is not in my top Rush play lists, but I do listen now and then to this song.
Rush hooked me on Fly By Night and Specifically ByTor & the Snowdog.
I had the pleasure of meeting Geddy Lee 3 weeks ago at a book signing in Brookline, MA. He's a very humble man. Rock stars I've met: Roger Daltrey (The Who), Pete Townshend (The Who), John Entwistle (The Who), Bono (U2), The Edge (U2), Mick Jones (The Clash), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Geddy Lee (Rush).
What was Entwistle like ?
The lyrics are all about the last line... that's where the genius is.
Mike Witty I've always taken that last line to mean authoritarianism, but don't know their intent
It’s against enforced equality. Some don’t interpret it that way but they’re obviously wrong if you take into account the general thrust of Neil's lyrics.
Another excellent RUSH song
Hi there guitarist! Rush is really good...back in the day 2112 was one of my main albums...and all the Zeppelin albums!
One of my favorite RUSH songs, especially the live version on Exit Stage Left. Such a great tune!!!
You guys win the internet today. Great reaction. Fantastic channel.
Trees is cool. :-) Next Rush Song should be The Necromancer. Actually, just the whole album Caress of steel, but The Necromancer is totally sweet.
This!
@@zorrozorro42 RIGHT!!! ;-)
Yes. I agree. I think I've recommended "The Necromancer" 3 times to these guys. "The Fountain of Lamneth" is IMO a masterpiece, too, but maybe not to everyone's taste.
@@KawaTony1964 Yea totally. I typically listen to both together, but The Necromancer is the go to for fantasy geeks and it rox.
YES!!
Exellent choice for a first time hearing Rush. ENJOY MORE RUSH!!!!
Off course I already knew this excellent song.
The first minute it sounds like old Genesis with Peter Gabriel singing. After that the 'normal' Rush sound starts.
I can recommend Genesis album: the lamb lies down on Broadway. Selling Engeland by the pound or Foxtrot are also classicals.
Made sense to me! I love watching first reactions to RUSH. You guys are great. Thanks!
I'm old now and rarely go to live shows but Rush is definitely one I would still go to. I saw Rush many times in the 80s and we once we got seats just slightly behind and above Neal Peart's drum kit and to his left. We had the most amazing view of him playing every damn item in that kit which is quite impressive.
Alex and I have this in common! One of my favorite Rush songs-top five for sure. 🤘 Rock on, guys!
sarahzentexas hard agree👌🏻👌🏻😏
You guys are fun to watch, so many more Rush songs to get your first time reactions to....I'm jealous, wish I was younger to experience it all over again!
My first Rush concert! Hemispheres!! 1978. It was great! The message in this song is so real...
One Of My Favorites That groove/ riff in the bridge is amazing!
Bring all the guests you want, this old rocker is just so happy to see the younger generation discovering this great music that has stood the test of time! And hopefully it will be guys like you that will bring it back and maybe create some new classics, like Neil Young said; “hey hey my my rock n roll will never die”
I can't stress enough the complexity of the time signatures in this song utilizing 4/4, 6/4, and 5/4 timing which is almost unheard of in Rock music. Just classic
I think the next Rush song you should listen to is By-Tor and the Snow Dog.
This and 'Working Man' are two of my favorite Rush songs. Another great concert.
The live version(s) are such a treat to witness them pulling it off as a three piece band. Berryl is cool
For me it is a political song also, but on a larger scale than there are different trees representing different people. For me the Oaks represent the United States and the Maples are Canada. Back in the 70’s Canada was know as the US’s little brother and the US could bully Canada with it’s might. One other thing Alex, I only bring it up because it has always bothered Neil, so it also bothers Rush fans. Peart is pronounced Pee-airt, not Pert.
Actually the Oaks are the UK, not the USA. and Peart is pronounce Pee-ert.
@@iltonwhite Could say it was about Quebec vs. Canada. 1976 the PQ just got elected...
@@iltonwhite disagree the oaks are def the U.S.
@@iltonwhite Actually it is political recognition from the United States. Canada is a Commonwealth country and has no issues with the UK!
We- the USA 🇺🇸 bully Canada 🇨🇦 cuz you talk funny
We - USA 🇺🇸 all use proper Queens Anglish
😙
You Guys do the best reviews as well as pick great suggested songs. Speaking of suggestions, a must listen is "On the loose" by the Band Saga. Thanks for another cool in -depth song review.
American made breaking out the Saga. On the Loose and Wind Him Up are amazing songs. Loved that whole album back in the day. Sadly was never able to get into the rest of their stuff.
American made thanks my man!
Great video guys, nice to meet the voice from across the room.
Oh my, I think this is really one of their best songs and partly because they don't do it very often especially back in these early years, where it's incredibly focused. And this thing played on the radio constantly over and over and over and over and I personally never got tired of it. Everything about it is amazing.
I love how good they are at incorporating oddball time signatures and making it just work while they rock hard. So the outer parts of the song are definitely straight but then that middle thing including the guitar solo is over a 5/8 time signature and then when they do that huge build to come back into it that just to me is mind blowing, they switch over to 9/8 time, and then finally back to straight. Love it.
This is the song that got me into Rush and always been one of my favorites!
Amazing tune, again of their best album, my favorite Hemispheres !!!! Good job guys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s a fabulous social statement lyric. Love this song and band.
You need to hear this live!
Last night I was blasting this song for the 1500th time driving to the store. I still feel that first time magic still
Great reaction as always. I’m thinking your next RUSH reaction should be Bastille Day from Caress of Steel. Fantastic song. Great message.
Love the fact that you noticed - and loved - that Neil added that hi-hat when you did. From a (kind of) drummer - thank you.
So funny I put that cd in just this morning for my ride to work! Listened to it entirely now twice today
🤘😎🤘 🎸
Working the WOOD blocks and wooden flute and wooden guitars and wood drums...fucking genius!
Well done. Subscribed. That transition @3:31 always gets me, and the arpeggio work on the guitar during the tranquil part is the sort of playing that is uniquely Alex Lifeson.
How dare you not give any Rush song a 10? LOL I personally think this is one of my many favorites by RUSH. Yes, it is in your face, but sometimes you have to be in your face with people. They put this song out how ever many years ago and some people still have not gotten the message. Sad but true. Is it their very best? Probably not, but it's pretty damn good and you have to remember the time in which it was done. It was so far ahead of it's time! Everything they did was. That's the amazing thing about RUSH. They could release any one of their songs today for the first time and they would actually hit the charts this time because people have become so much more musically educated, but honestly I don't think they would like that. They never wanted or needed to be a commercial success. They built a fan base by word of mouth and they had millions of fans. Still do. How many people do you honestly think could do that today? Besides, they are freakin awesome in concert!
where is Red Barchetta...the greatest Rush song of all...
Yes, this.
I agree, would rather these guys listen to Red Barchetta than the commercially successful Tom Sawyer,
Camera Eye.
That whole album is fantastic
Hard to argue with you all but i'm gonna ante up with Subdivisions
Back in the dawning age of HBO, they used to regularly show a performance video of "The Trees" between movies. It's my first recollection of seeing a quote/unquote music Video.
I think the live version of Bytor and the Snowdog from the album All the World’s a stage, would blow Andy’s mind.
My user name might be a clue to how much that song means to me.
The battle segment is amazing, the guitar sounds like vicious growling. I mean that literally.
The live version emphasises it much more than the studio version.
Btw Andy and Alex, I love watching you guys react to Rush. It takes me back to the wonder that I felt, when I first heard each song.
You guys rock! 🤘
Snowdog's Shorts you rock!
Love seeing you starting to geek out on the nuances of RUSH. Good stuff!
One of my favorite Rush songs!! My grandkids like it too! Also cool to meet a male Berryl! A family name in my household. More Common in England.
Classic Rush. Three of the most talented musicians on the planet.
Rush fans always love The Trees. It's such an odd, quirky, whimsical song that has so many interesting things going on musically and lyrically. It's one of their fun songs. If you want to look at other Rush songs, why not try one of their more recent ones? There's a short instrumental off of "Snakes and Arrows" called "Malignant Narcissism" that's pretty awesome. It was nominated for a Grammy. They had finished recording Snakes and Arrows and most of Neal's drums were packed away. All that was left was a small warm-up set he had set up. The producer had a recording of Geddy fiddling around with a new bass one of the companies sent him for his opinion, and the bass line was so cool, the producer recorded it without Geddy knowing. He played it back and told them "make a song around this!". So they threw together an incredible jam with Neal using a simple warm-up drum kit with only a few drums. It's very awesome!
We have to remember that this song was released in 1978 and the 'obviousness' you speak of may be apparent now, but, back then it was speaking to the work arena as well as, the environment, something that was not as prevalent as today. Great review for one of the world's greatest bands!!!
I love how the smiles overcome your faces.
It is a metaphoric alleghory showing that a cry for equality most often times ends up in equality indeed
......at the songs end , the trees are all "equally" cut down......
Perfect Majesty Flawless .......Men stood with their Sons at The 2015 Concert and wept
Just one of many of their masterpieces. Great tune !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait! That hi-hat just blew my mind! Lol.
Always loved the middle section of this way more than the song itself. That central part is in 5/4 time, gives it a really magical feel.
The synth has much improved melodic lines and timbre on Exit Stage Left.
Every time I listen to this one and its been 40 right there's some thing new and amazing. I must go back forward and back again. It is a cool track
Of course you guys are entitled to your opinions, but The Trees is a 10 if only because it’s so damn imaginative. The musicianship is top notch as always with Rush, but seriously, this is one of Rush’s masterpieces.
No shit right?😊
The so called “guitarist” that gave it a “hard 7” has heard one rush song before and he is talking politics. What? Don’t listen to this song dude cuz you ain’t worthy
@@ten4thebguy exactly what I was thinking. No more Barryl lol.
Neil said when asked later if he meant it as a political song for the times. He said no to the time he wrote it. He tended to steer from direct politics in his writing. But from a philisophical view. Yeah it is
Loved the comment about the hi hat, the tiny details, it's what Rush does. I don't think there's a single Rush song that doesn't have one of those subtle little things, maybe a second or two long, that just gets me everytime I hear it!
Rush has an immense song list and is a top band. For so many reasons. Alex is an amazing guitarist and Neil, besides writing pretty much all the lyrics) surrounds himself with a cage of percussion instruments. I agree they should be seen live. Only 3 making so much good sound. Which brings me to Geddy. Lead vocals and strong driving bass licks, but also plays the keyboard. I've seen them twice and they are spectacular. Hemispheres and Caress of Steel are my favorites of their many albums.
Peart doesn’t have a doctorate in astrophysics, That is Queen’s Brian May. Peart is an author.
@@lb969 my bad. Misremembered. Yes he is a poet and author.
this is my favorite Rush song. so great.
You guys obviously appreciate the great musicianship, singing, melodies and lyrics of bands like RUSH. So you need to check out Living Colour. One of the most underrated bands ever. Their first 3 albums are incredible (Vivid, Time's up, Stain) Every song is incredible. Start with Vivid - Open Letter (To a Landlord) or Funny Vibe!
Notice how the end of the lyrics describe how the trees achieved "equality". Did you catch the irony? I'm not sure you did.
Huh? Seriously? I initially heard a much different meaning - long, long, LONG ago - and have always believed it. It is about North America: Canada (the maples) and The U.S.A. (the oaks). It still is, lyrically, pretty much genius.
Yeah, Canada vs. US but not just that. Oppression vs. Freedom, privilege vs. poverty, and etc. The song's a metaphor.
I freaking LOVE THIS SONG! It is so heavy and classically inspired. This is so before it's time. I love when Rush crosses that line into Metal, and you don't even really notice it.
I dig this tune. Great seeing them live. Seen them 17 times live.
The instrumental section is in 5/4 with such an unassuming transition into 4/4...so smooth.
Subdivisions. You must listen to it. Greatest song about teenage alienation ever. Masterpiece. Also, Limelight. So many others. Working Man also.
RUSH are clockwork masters! I give this great song 10/10!
Nice reaction! Welcome, Berryl! Maybe you & Andy could do a guitar piece with Alex singing...
A suggestion: Resist by Rush live in Rio- it's all acoustic with Alex & Geddy on guitars; really sweet performance. Keep 'em coming! (And bring on Alex's little brother)...
RedCrabSC my little brother has been begging to come on 😂 just have to find the time
If you haven't done it yet, "By-Tor and the Snow Dog," the version on their live album, "All The World's A Stage."
I like the studio version better. Just so many nuances that live can't pull through
I agree about the nuances, but I prefer the guitar solo in the live version. Either way, it’s an awesome song.
Such a classic, one of my favorite Rush albums. The live Exit Stage Left version where it transitions into Xanadu is really great
Not a big fan of reaction videos but you guys seem willing to give anything a listen and you give straight up honest reactions. I get the impression you love decent music, it shows. I would like to see your reaction to the masterpiece ''the kiss'' by The Cure, it will blow you away.
Enjoying your videos, keep em coming!
Yay! I haven't come to TH-cam in a while I missed you guys!
I love how much of that song is in 5/4 time.
First album I ever bought by them wayyyyy back in ‘79,been a fan ever since 👍🏻
Birmingham NEC October 2007. Snakes and Arrows tour. There were three guys wearing T shirts boldly stating:
WE ARE NOT LEAVING UNTIL WE HAVE HEARD THE TREES.
Well it wasn't on the set list but they went home very happy, as did I. I really hope one of those guys reads this, really made me smile, and I'm sorry they didn't play it as well.
Perhaps the best lyrics ever written!
We love you too, Alex
❤️
They do an amazing job of building up the energy during the break in this song, something they do pretty often (Limelight)
The lyrics of this song blows me away every time.
I find them having great relevance to a lot of the "social justice" climate in society today.
I’ve seen Rush 7 times. This is my all time FAVORITES!!
The Necromancer by Rush is a must-listen 🤘🏼
Adam Ross for the hard core. Most don’t get it and when they do there is no wow like 2112
Only Rush can make a song about trees sound AWSOME. Remember when you are listing to Rush you are hearing true musicians.
The Trees is is One of My favorites from this album,. Circumstances and Prelude to Hemispheres Are Totally Awesome
Like watching a baby try a new food. Awesome guys! I LOVE RUSH!
Lads You've gotta do UFO - Rock Bottom from Strangers In The Night, There's a whole world of Michael Schenker's guitar playing you need to hear.
Maybe we'll get lucky!
YES!!
My favourite Live album.
Yes! Any song off Strangers, but especially Rock Bottom. Will blow their minds.
Anything from Rush is awesome. Enjoy.
I think this song makes the trees come to life. I can even imagine them having expressions on their trunks like faces and waving their arms arguing. Thought that the first time I ever heard it. Back in the 70's, yes.
Geddy's bass work was what got me into playing bass years ago. I'm purely a hobbyist and not particularly good, but it's still fun and relaxing to play. There are many great bassists, but nobody's playing "speaks" to me quite like Geddy's. 👍