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Tom Sawyer is the free thinker; the misfit, the non-conformist, getting by in a society he is destined to not be a part of. This was the most popular song from their most popular album, Moving Pictures. Rush didn't write music to be comfortable; they wrote music they would never get bored performing on tour. They wrote music to challenge themselves and their listeners. They are the forefathers of prog rock, masters of their respective instruments, producing a richness of sound with only three members that larger bands struggle to attain. They have a 40+ year catalog of amazing music for you to explore should you choose to dive in.
100%….. many people miss the larger message that is in most of Rush’s songs. The lyrical content is typically heavy subject matters, introspective, or observing societal issues. Always pay attention to Rush lyrics (mostly written by the late Neal Peart the drummer AKA The Professor) This is an amazing band! 100% awesome!!!
Lyrical content about experiencing life. Almost never about boys and girls, lost love etc. Tops for me Red Sector A. Analog Kid and Witch Hunt. Then throw 50 others in the list.
Well finally back to Rush our 3 Canadian masters! Mr Neil Peart the professor drummer/lyricist. Geddy Lee vocals, bass , keys, Alex Lifeson on guitar. 46 yrs of mastery.... Let's do La Villa Strangiato next..... Goodnes the rabbit hole is an awesome ride Cheers
"Tom Sawyer was the crystallisation of this new, modern Rush: a powerful, finely crafted hard rock song with a punchy yet deeply philosophical message. But it was also a song for which Rush were indebted not only to a giant of American literature, Mark Twain, but also to a rather peculiar Canadian named Pye Dubois. A poet and lyricist, Dubois worked with the band Max Webster, who were based in Sarnia, Ontario, in the same province as Rush’s hometown of Toronto. The two bands were close, recording a song together, Battle Scar, that featured on Max Webster’s 1980 album Universal Juveniles. “Those guys were big friends of ours,” Lifeson recalls. “But Pye was a little mysterious - kind of a strange fellow! He was very quirky, a bit of a nut, but he did write great lyrics. And around 1980 he sent a poem to Neil with an idea to collaborate on a song. The original draft was called Louie The Warrior.” The poem was based on Twain’s 1876 novel The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, which all three members of Rush had studied in school. Peart in particular identified with the book’s central themes of rebellion and independence. From 2112 through to Freewill on Permanent Waves, individuality was a recurring subject in Peart’s lyrics. What Dubois created in Louie The Warrior was, in Peart’s words, “a portrait of a modern-day rebel”. Says Lifeson: “Neil took that idea and massaged it, took out some of Pye’s lines and added his thing to it.” Peart chose the simpler title of Tom Sawyer and completed the lyrics with an element of autobiography. As he put it, “Reconciling the boy and man in myself.”
Sir, I commend you for this outstanding discussion of the origins of this classic song. I am informed by it, and that makes it even more amazing to me. I've been a RUSH fan since 1980, and continue to be so, lamenting the loss of Neil, deeply. Again, thank you for this comment. Peace to us all.
Tom Sawyer is one of the only songs from Rush that the studio version is hard to beat. No matter what year or concert. The studio version for me the best and should be the first listen.
YYZ is a great jam of theirs....Thanks for actually trying to interpret the meaning of the song...Its a treat to watch you think it out. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
And, the cadence of YYZ, is the morse code pulse that the transceiver of Toronto's airport(airport code YYZ) broadcasts to pilots so they know they are tuned to the right airport. One of the members is a pilot, heard that pulse on approach, and it stuck with him.
It's a semi-autobiographical "portait of a modern day rebel" that the lyricist (& drummer) Neil Peart described as “reconciling the boy and man in myself.” It was based on a poem "Louie the Warrior" by obscure Canadian poet, Pye Dubois.
The three of them performing live is always special, but the original recorded version was so impeccably produced that it's very difficult to match in terms of quality. However it was made in the days when instead of filming music videos, bands would do promos that would just be them performing the song on a stage or in the recording studio. So definitely check out the promo music video for Tom Sawyer!
I don't understand why mrbloyd always chooses the live performances the first time hearing a group or and artist. I really wish he would listen to the original recording. Not trolling.
Dude, Rush is ABSOLUTELY the greatest band ever to exist on planet Earth. These guys changed rock and roll for ever. Neil Peart was no human. and all all this sound from THREE GUYS
My interpretation has always been that 'the real battlefield anymore is the struggle to be free, to be independent'. And those are the things Tom Sawyer struggled for. He tricked, he cajoled, he aggravated, all in a bid to be free to make his own decisions. Thus why 'his mind is not for rent, to any god or government'.
Their instrumental La Villa Strangiatta will show you their compositional strength as well as their virtuosity. Three best friends doing what they love and doing it well.
RUSH has been my favorite band for 30 years, ever since my dad would play their albums all the time growing up. I was fortunate enough to see them 4 times, including their very LAST show together in Los Angeles (Inglewood). Unfortunately Neil didn't get to enjoy too many years of retirement, he did a few short years if a rare brain cancer 😢. But I'm forever grateful for the impact the band has had on my life. Some suggestions for the next song to check out: Subdivisions La Villa Strangiato Analog Kid Afterimage Bravado Force Ten The Garden Jacob's Ladder Natural Science I could go on and on
Neil Peart is the No.1 influence for Danny Carey from Tool, and you can really see it in this song. Danny totally picked up Neil's fills and poly rythym time signatures.
Rush are masters of the time change. Other songs YYZ live in Rio Working man live in Cleveland Red Barchetta from Exit Stage Left La Villa Strangiato official music video. Cheers
I saw you were reacting to Rush, I got excited. You react to live performances. Rush is as good or better live. Odds of finding a quality recreation of the studio cut were high.
Echoing some of the other comments in here, Xanadu, Freewill, Limelight are all amazing picks but you also have songs like Roll the Bones, and The Trees that are wonderful songs by Rush. The list goes on. Rush has so many phenomenal songs that it’s hard to pick just one or even a small handful. Working Man, Fly by Night, Bastille Day, Distant Early Warning, 2112 Overture, Time Stands Still, Red Barchetta, Closer to the Heart, Spirit of Radio. So many.
Peart was an intellectual , and reader of a vast variety of philosophical books … He wrote the lyrics and music for most of Rush’s discography … Using many of the influences to get his point across , Tom Sawyer as a metaphor for todays modern contrarian outlook on society … Hence his mind not for rent ! Free thinker of modern day ,,, perhaps a warrior in the sense of not being a sheep ! Not an actual physical fighter , but a fighter for the mind of the individual
Tom Sawyer ( the book ) was a lot of people's first exposure to independent thinking as young kids. Then when I heard this song 12 years later, I was able to understand autonomous thinking. RUSH hit the nail on the head by putting certain aspects of his personality into a song. He can't be bought or sold, his thoughts are his alone, and he'll kick your ass if you get in his way. The world is his oyster, and he'll show it to you, but you still have to find your own way. He doesn't lead or follow, he just takes his own path. That was what I got from it when I first heard this song as a teen.
This song always made me think of John Gault from Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. I’m not sure why. Hope to see you do more rush. These 3 men are some of the best of their field in their chosen instruments
I mean, Tom Sawyer is the opposite of John Galt in most every way, so not sure why it makes you think of him. Tom Sawyer is a character of imagination and mischief and foolish rebellion of a younger boy. John Galt is unflinching, overly principled and incredibly selfish in his world view.
This is very timely as it came out in 1976. They also have a very popular song called "Limelight". Correction, 1981. All the World's a Stage and 2112 were albums in 1976. That's what I get for "rushing" the research.
Jessica Tom Sawyer was on Moving Pictures which came out in 1981, and this live version was on Exit Stage Left also in 1981. 2112 and All The World's A Stage were from 1976.
Glad to see you get back to some Rush. Neil Peart is as brilliant with words as he is with percussion. They really are a thinking person’s band. I would suggest the song Natural Science next. Another song where they slip seamlessly in and out of those odd time signatures. Cheers!
Nice review thank you, first timer. After you do Spirit of Radio, Red Barchetta, Limelight, going back to the early Rush is probably the best Rush. What I'm referring to is the concept album 2112. The entire side one is one long song, continued on side 2. It's amazing.
Listening to someone else trying to interpret the lyrics to this song upon first listen is always a treat. Die hard Rush fans have been trying to dissect and deconstruct the lyrics to this song for decades. The best I can do is to say the the lyrics are as impressionist and spoken-word as that weird guitar solo is.
"Best Intro Ever" is indeed awesome. But if you're someone new to Rush, it might not be the best place to start because of all the Rush catalog references in that medley overture.
Interesting reaction to a great band. Lyrics-wise, almost all of their lyrics were written by the drummer/percussionist/philosopher, Neil Peart (this song was a collaboration). As you listen to more from Rush you'll be impressed with the depth of thought, breadth of themes and sources, and the beauty and adeptness of the poetry of Peart's lyrics. Music-wise, I'm impressed that you noticed the signature change from 4/4 to 7/4 in the middle of the song with the entry of the synthesizer; signature changes and musical complexity are a hallmark of Rush's compositions, and their transitions are seamless. I hope you'll keep this band on your radar, and react to more.
You're listening to the way you're speaking about the song it tells me that you're highly educated and love to read books which is exactly like Neil Peart the one who wrote the song I have a funny feeling you're going to really love the messages in their music.
In college I was in a very successful RUSH tribute band. This is one of two songs that we never performed, out of respect (fear of screwing them up). This was the 80's and I wish it had been visually recorded when we performed. Ah, memories.
I ALWAYS love watching an intelligent listener catch the wit (song reference intentional, lol) of Neil Peart's (and in this case, I must say Pye Dubois') lyrics. I relish seeing the knowing smiles as the reviewers read along as certain deep or clever passages are sung. I'm pretty sure I caught that grin at the "his mind is not for rent to any god or government/always hopeful yet discontent" section. It's not a bad thing, MrLboyd!
Neil Peart, your favorite drummers favorite drummer and he wrote all the lyrics, go watch his drum solo from Frankfurt 2004. There's to much to cover here just keep in mind this is 3 guys and live they sound just as great and they don't use backup singers or any other musicians, not a horn section in sight. OK your next assignment is Limelight from the same album Moving Pictures the 1981 masterpiece and for many their Magnum Opus. Then you have to, HAVE TO listen to 2112 then Spirit of Radio...Then Subdivisions...Then Free Will...Closer To The Heart...Working Man...The Trees...Red Barchetta....that's just a start. For me there's The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues and then there's Rush, most definitely in the top 10 of any band that's ever existed or will ever exist.
For getting into Rush, Limelight, The Spirit of Radio, Subdivisions, Xanadu, or 2112 are absolutely too suggestions. Although, with mentions of Greek philosophy in the video, I can’t help but also mention the two part tracks of Cygnus X-1: Book I and Book II. Probably my absolute favorite songs by them, although ranging on the longer side. Fantastic content! Keep up the great reactions!!
More Rush, please! Unfortunately the video of Tom Sawyer you selected was not a great one. The studio version is MUCH better. Try the songs Limelight and Subdivisions. Great live songs are "YYZ" live in Rio, "Working Man" live in Cleveland, and "The Best Intro Ever" Welcome to the Rush rabbit hole!!!
no complaints? it is obvious you didnt care for it. One of the greatest bands of all time. This song is loved by many. Glad you didnt have a complaint.
Welcome to Progressive Rock, bud! We have to get you reacting to Progressive metal as well! If you haven't already, please react to a band called Nightwish and their song "Ghost Love Score", the Wacken 2013 live performance. Now, it's a 10 minute clip (I know, I know, but it's totally worth it, I promise you!) but I think you'd really appreciate the journey the song takes. It's been reacted to a trillion times but I'd really be interested in *your* reaction to it. The musicianship is awesome and the singer, Floor Jansen, is incredible. Pretty please!
Out of context from the rest of the album this would be difficult to understand fully, 2112 is a rock opera of sorts, the voice singing in this track is criticizing the main character, who has found a guitar, and discovers music in a society that has decided music is the root of all evil, I'm paraphrasing, but Tom, discovers this ancient instrument and tries to convince the rulers of the world, that music is not dangerous, etc,,,, I haven't listened to the full album in years, I don't think most Rush fans expect clarity, just elaborate and Interesting tunes🥰
Isn't Tom Sawyer off of Moving Pictures, not 2112? I think you might be thinking of the Discovery and Presentation sections of 2112. I'm pretty sure Tom Sawyer was released something like 5 years later in the early 80s. Both are amazing albums though.
@@paranoidrodent definitely has been probably 20 years since I listened to either album start to finish, I was obsessed with Hemispheres, It was the first vinyl I ever bought with my own money in 1985, I was about 14,
My suggestions for some amazing performances: YYZ Live In Rio Xanadu, Exit Stage Left Limelight, Exit Stage Left Spirit Of Radio, Toronto Downsview Park, 2003 2112, Toronto Molson Amphitheater, 1997 Working Man live in Cleveland, Time Machine Tour 2011 🎤 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥
You think THIS songs changes up! Try anything off of 2112, Hemispheres, even Permanent Waves. This album actually marked a notable reduction in the timing changes.
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"It's uncomfortable because I was used to one thing, and now it's something else." Welcome to prog rock, dude!
I like how he has no complaints lolol
That is LITERALLY what I said to my phone.
My college roommate explained it to me thusly: "Rush is rock music for math majors."
Tom Sawyer is the free thinker; the misfit, the non-conformist, getting by in a society he is destined to not be a part of. This was the most popular song from their most popular album, Moving Pictures.
Rush didn't write music to be comfortable; they wrote music they would never get bored performing on tour. They wrote music to challenge themselves and their listeners. They are the forefathers of prog rock, masters of their respective instruments, producing a richness of sound with only three members that larger bands struggle to attain. They have a 40+ year catalog of amazing music for you to explore should you choose to dive in.
100%….. many people miss the larger message that is in most of Rush’s songs. The lyrical content is typically heavy subject matters, introspective, or observing societal issues. Always pay attention to Rush lyrics (mostly written by the late Neal Peart the drummer AKA The Professor) This is an amazing band! 100% awesome!!!
Lyrical content about experiencing life. Almost never about boys and girls, lost love etc.
Tops for me Red Sector A. Analog Kid and Witch Hunt. Then throw 50 others in the list.
One of the greatest drummers of all time, hell one of the greatest bands of all time!!
Well finally back to Rush our 3 Canadian masters! Mr Neil Peart the professor drummer/lyricist.
Geddy Lee vocals, bass , keys, Alex Lifeson on guitar.
46 yrs of mastery....
Let's do La Villa Strangiato next.....
Goodnes the rabbit hole is an awesome ride
Cheers
I would recommend the version recorded for the music video. I think it's even better than the studio album version.
"I don't know who your favorite drummer is, but Neil Peart is your favorite drummer's favorite drummer." - Dave Grohl
"Tom Sawyer was the crystallisation of this new, modern Rush: a powerful, finely crafted hard rock song with a punchy yet deeply philosophical message. But it was also a song for which Rush were indebted not only to a giant of American literature, Mark Twain, but also to a rather peculiar Canadian named Pye Dubois.
A poet and lyricist, Dubois worked with the band Max Webster, who were based in Sarnia, Ontario, in the same province as Rush’s hometown of Toronto. The two bands were close, recording a song together, Battle Scar, that featured on Max Webster’s 1980 album Universal Juveniles. “Those guys were big friends of ours,” Lifeson recalls. “But Pye was a little mysterious - kind of a strange fellow! He was very quirky, a bit of a nut, but he did write great lyrics. And around 1980 he sent a poem to Neil with an idea to collaborate on a song. The original draft was called Louie The Warrior.”
The poem was based on Twain’s 1876 novel The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, which all three members of Rush had studied in school. Peart in particular identified with the book’s central themes of rebellion and independence. From 2112 through to Freewill on Permanent Waves, individuality was a recurring subject in Peart’s lyrics. What Dubois created in Louie The Warrior was, in Peart’s words, “a portrait of a modern-day rebel”. Says Lifeson: “Neil took that idea and massaged it, took out some of Pye’s lines and added his thing to it.” Peart chose the simpler title of Tom Sawyer and completed the lyrics with an element of autobiography. As he put it, “Reconciling the boy and man in myself.”
Sir, I commend you for this outstanding discussion of the origins of this classic song. I am informed by it, and that makes it even more amazing to me. I've been a RUSH fan since 1980, and continue to be so, lamenting the loss of Neil, deeply. Again, thank you for this comment. Peace to us all.
Limelight or Spirit of the Radio are both good 2nd exposure to Rush songs. Xanadu is another great song of theirs.
Agreed, both are great gateways into the Rush experience!
Xanadu is the most complex composition they ever wrote.
2112 album is second only to Dark Side from Pink Floyd.
Tom Sawyer is one of the only songs from Rush that the studio version is hard to beat. No matter what year or concert. The studio version for me the best and should be the first listen.
YYZ is a great jam of theirs....Thanks for actually trying to interpret the meaning of the song...Its a treat to watch you think it out. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
YYZ is great, but there is absolutely no way he enjoys it to the level of other Rush songs since he gets bored of long guitar solos
@@playlistb3795 I was going to say that though YYZ is more instrumental than guitar solos.
And, the cadence of YYZ, is the morse code pulse that the transceiver of Toronto's airport(airport code YYZ) broadcasts to pilots so they know they are tuned to the right airport.
One of the members is a pilot, heard that pulse on approach, and it stuck with him.
Changes arent permanent. But change is. Love it.
This is specifically the best 3 piece band that exists
I love when people actually listen to Rush lyrics, you can see the wheels turning in their heads!
Can't believe you've never heard this song! This song is iconic !
I say this about a lot of his videos lol
It's a semi-autobiographical "portait of a modern day rebel" that the lyricist (& drummer) Neil Peart described as “reconciling the boy and man in myself.” It was based on a poem "Louie the Warrior" by obscure Canadian poet, Pye Dubois.
IMO they are one of the best live bands ever. I have been lucky enough to see them several times.
Released in 1981... just as synth technology was coming up. Rush incorporated that into their sound...
The three of them performing live is always special, but the original recorded version was so impeccably produced that it's very difficult to match in terms of quality. However it was made in the days when instead of filming music videos, bands would do promos that would just be them performing the song on a stage or in the recording studio. So definitely check out the promo music video for Tom Sawyer!
I don't understand why mrbloyd always chooses the live performances the first time hearing a group or and artist. I really wish he would listen to the original recording. Not trolling.
Another amazing song by them is "The Trees". One of the most underrated Rush songs.
YYZ live in rio. One of the best live performances I’ve ever seen.
Great reaction! Just would be nice to see the video with you. JS
Dude, Rush is ABSOLUTELY the greatest band ever to exist on planet Earth. These guys changed rock and roll for ever. Neil Peart was no human. and all all this sound from THREE GUYS
My interpretation has always been that 'the real battlefield anymore is the struggle to be free, to be independent'. And those are the things Tom Sawyer struggled for. He tricked, he cajoled, he aggravated, all in a bid to be free to make his own decisions.
Thus why 'his mind is not for rent, to any god or government'.
well said.
And yet now 95% of Americans have sold their individuality and conscience to the Corporate Elites for mere baubles.
The song is fire awesome and he is my favorite drummer all time by far And said to say he passed away rest in peace brother🙏🏻🙏🏻
I saw them in concert in the 80s Great show biggest damn drumset I've every seen.
RUSH is one of Canadas great contributions to global culture.
LOL fun watching you respond, I watched them play this in concert decades ago, was brilliant!
Their song Xanadu live from their “Exit Stage Left” concert is utterly amazing!!!
Best drummer ever and an amazing composer IMO, RIP Neil Peart.
Check out Witch Hunt, it’s a deeper cut with incredible lyrics.
Their instrumental La Villa Strangiatta will show you their compositional strength as well as their virtuosity. Three best friends doing what they love and doing it well.
Love your reactions man! Keep em coming ❤️🩹
RUSH has been my favorite band for 30 years, ever since my dad would play their albums all the time growing up. I was fortunate enough to see them 4 times, including their very LAST show together in Los Angeles (Inglewood). Unfortunately Neil didn't get to enjoy too many years of retirement, he did a few short years if a rare brain cancer 😢. But I'm forever grateful for the impact the band has had on my life. Some suggestions for the next song to check out:
Subdivisions
La Villa Strangiato
Analog Kid
Afterimage
Bravado
Force Ten
The Garden
Jacob's Ladder
Natural Science
I could go on and on
Subdivisions definitely!
Neil Peart is the No.1 influence for Danny Carey from Tool, and you can really see it in this song. Danny totally picked up Neil's fills and poly rythym time signatures.
RIP Neil!
There’s a saying that “Neil Peart is your favorite drummer’s favorite drummer”
Solid reaction! I like your vibe! Saved to my reactions to watch playlist for other fans of Rush to find!
Rush are masters of the time change. Other songs
YYZ live in Rio
Working man live in Cleveland
Red Barchetta from Exit Stage Left
La Villa Strangiato official music video.
Cheers
I saw you were reacting to Rush, I got excited. You react to live performances. Rush is as good or better live. Odds of finding a quality recreation of the studio cut were high.
Echoing some of the other comments in here, Xanadu, Freewill, Limelight are all amazing picks but you also have songs like Roll the Bones, and The Trees that are wonderful songs by Rush. The list goes on. Rush has so many phenomenal songs that it’s hard to pick just one or even a small handful. Working Man, Fly by Night, Bastille Day, Distant Early Warning, 2112 Overture, Time Stands Still, Red Barchetta, Closer to the Heart, Spirit of Radio. So many.
Peart was an intellectual , and reader of a vast variety of philosophical books …
He wrote the lyrics and music for most of Rush’s discography …
Using many of the influences to get his point across , Tom Sawyer as a metaphor for todays modern contrarian outlook on society …
Hence his mind not for rent !
Free thinker of modern day ,,, perhaps a warrior in the sense of not being a sheep ! Not an actual physical fighter , but a fighter for the mind of the individual
Tom Sawyer ( the book ) was a lot of people's first exposure to independent thinking as young kids. Then when I heard this song 12 years later, I was able to understand autonomous thinking. RUSH hit the nail on the head by putting certain aspects of his personality into a song. He can't be bought or sold, his thoughts are his alone, and he'll kick your ass if you get in his way. The world is his oyster, and he'll show it to you, but you still have to find your own way. He doesn't lead or follow, he just takes his own path. That was what I got from it when I first heard this song as a teen.
This song always made me think of John Gault from Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. I’m not sure why. Hope to see you do more rush. These 3 men are some of the best of their field in their chosen instruments
I mean, Tom Sawyer is the opposite of John Galt in most every way, so not sure why it makes you think of him. Tom Sawyer is a character of imagination and mischief and foolish rebellion of a younger boy. John Galt is unflinching, overly principled and incredibly selfish in his world view.
@@xExplosionsofAwesome I think the line “no his mind is not for rent, to any God or government” is what ties it to John galt.
@@xExplosionsofAwesome One commonality between Tom Sawyer and John Galt is both are likely sociopaths. Huck had heart Tom was something else.
Greatest power trio, doesn't get much better than Rush.
It's about freedom of the individual and how he goes about his life. Peart was a lyrical genius.
This is very timely as it came out in 1976. They also have a very popular song called "Limelight".
Correction, 1981. All the World's a Stage and 2112 were albums in 1976. That's what I get for "rushing" the research.
Jessica Tom Sawyer was on Moving Pictures which came out in 1981, and this live version was on Exit Stage Left also in 1981. 2112 and All The World's A Stage were from 1976.
There are 3 of them...just three with all that magic.
Rush..the Kings of 80's progressive rock.
That time signature change is my favorite bit.
Glad to see you get back to some Rush. Neil Peart is as brilliant with words as he is with percussion. They really are a thinking person’s band. I would suggest the song Natural Science next. Another song where they slip seamlessly in and out of those odd time signatures. Cheers!
Spirit of radio- Rush is a must!!
Nice review thank you, first timer. After you do Spirit of Radio, Red Barchetta, Limelight, going back to the early Rush is probably the best Rush. What I'm referring to is the concept album 2112. The entire side one is one long song, continued on side 2. It's amazing.
Listening to someone else trying to interpret the lyrics to this song upon first listen is always a treat. Die hard Rush fans have been trying to dissect and deconstruct the lyrics to this song for decades. The best I can do is to say the the lyrics are as impressionist and spoken-word as that weird guitar solo is.
Toronto 🇨🇦 so of course I'm a Rush fan ...
Subdivisions is my personal faborite of theirs
Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦
I love the 4/4 to 7/8 time change in this song.
One of my favs as well. Please do Rush "The Best Intro Ever" of Spirit of Radio, and 2112 from Rush in Rio
"Best Intro Ever" is indeed awesome. But if you're someone new to Rush, it might not be the best place to start because of all the Rush catalog references in that medley overture.
Neil Peart wrote about a young man who was standing against the norm. I love this band
.
..
Interesting reaction to a great band. Lyrics-wise, almost all of their lyrics were written by the drummer/percussionist/philosopher, Neil Peart (this song was a collaboration). As you listen to more from Rush you'll be impressed with the depth of thought, breadth of themes and sources, and the beauty and adeptness of the poetry of Peart's lyrics. Music-wise, I'm impressed that you noticed the signature change from 4/4 to 7/4 in the middle of the song with the entry of the synthesizer; signature changes and musical complexity are a hallmark of Rush's compositions, and their transitions are seamless. I hope you'll keep this band on your radar, and react to more.
You're listening to the way you're speaking about the song it tells me that you're highly educated and love to read books which is exactly like Neil Peart the one who wrote the song I have a funny feeling you're going to really love the messages in their music.
Tom Sawyer is one of the very few songs that Neil Peart collaborated with someone on the lyrics. His name is Pye Dubois.
In college I was in a very successful RUSH tribute band. This is one of two songs that we never performed, out of respect (fear of screwing them up). This was the 80's and I wish it had been visually recorded when we performed. Ah, memories.
What was the other song you didn't perform?
@@Matty0923 Limelight
Thank you for your reaction.
I ALWAYS love watching an intelligent listener catch the wit (song reference intentional, lol) of Neil Peart's (and in this case, I must say Pye Dubois') lyrics. I relish seeing the knowing smiles as the reviewers read along as certain deep or clever passages are sung. I'm pretty sure I caught that grin at the "his mind is not for rent to any god or government/always hopeful yet discontent" section. It's not a bad thing, MrLboyd!
The tragically hip. Ahead by a century, fish bones and nautical disaster are great to jump into.
Also, Arkells quiting you and all roads
I like how you pick apart the lyrics that's great I think the next one for you would definitely be free will
Greatest drummer of all time
I watched this react just to see your reaction when the song changes.
Neil Peart, your favorite drummers favorite drummer and he wrote all the lyrics, go watch his drum solo from Frankfurt 2004. There's to much to cover here just keep in mind this is 3 guys and live they sound just as great and they don't use backup singers or any other musicians, not a horn section in sight. OK your next assignment is Limelight from the same album Moving Pictures the 1981 masterpiece and for many their Magnum Opus. Then you have to, HAVE TO listen to 2112 then Spirit of Radio...Then Subdivisions...Then Free Will...Closer To The Heart...Working Man...The Trees...Red Barchetta....that's just a start. For me there's The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues and then there's Rush, most definitely in the top 10 of any band that's ever existed or will ever exist.
The complement to this song is their earlier release "Cinderella Man", a lost gem.
For getting into Rush, Limelight, The Spirit of Radio, Subdivisions, Xanadu, or 2112 are absolutely too suggestions. Although, with mentions of Greek philosophy in the video, I can’t help but also mention the two part tracks of Cygnus X-1: Book I and Book II. Probably my absolute favorite songs by them, although ranging on the longer side. Fantastic content! Keep up the great reactions!!
YYZ… definitely and Live please?! ❤️🎼❤️🤘😎🔥or… A passage to Bangkok (2112) so very good
Best band ever in the world 🌎.
Love from Toronto, Canada! Love your reactions!! My personal fav Rush song is “La Villa Strangiato”. Def check it out if you haven’t already. 🤘🏼❤️
I think you would enjoy their song Witch Hunt
Spirit of radio
Great review, man. Love the Kakashi shirt!
Slappin' The Bass Mon!
(sorry, has to be done, if you know, you know)
I love you man :)
3:16 They are masters :) Good journey...Peace!
Cinderella Man and Trees are two great ones.
This seemed faster & more tinny than I recalled
The pinnacle of all things music.....RUSH
More Rush, please! Unfortunately the video of Tom Sawyer you selected was not a great one. The studio version is MUCH better. Try the songs Limelight and Subdivisions. Great live songs are "YYZ" live in Rio, "Working Man" live in Cleveland, and "The Best Intro Ever" Welcome to the Rush rabbit hole!!!
And still it's great. :)
Alex Liefson(sp?) is one of the most underrated guitarists out there
no complaints? it is obvious you didnt care for it. One of the greatest bands of all time. This song is loved by many. Glad you didnt have a complaint.
Just like the last comment. Spirit of the radio for sure
Messing with the time signatures was a Peart hallmark, my dude.
Spirit Of Radio
Best Rush song!
Welcome to Progressive Rock, bud! We have to get you reacting to Progressive metal as well! If you haven't already, please react to a band called Nightwish and their song "Ghost Love Score", the Wacken 2013 live performance. Now, it's a 10 minute clip (I know, I know, but it's totally worth it, I promise you!) but I think you'd really appreciate the journey the song takes. It's been reacted to a trillion times but I'd really be interested in *your* reaction to it. The musicianship is awesome and the singer, Floor Jansen, is incredible. Pretty please!
I would like to see your reaction to The Cowboy Junkies song 200 More Miles. Or Sweet Jane.
As Weeboo an old reaction channel guy would say Its just Rush baby
If you decide to go down this hole...you won't regret it.
RIP NEIL PEART 🙏
RUSH!!!
Out of context from the rest of the album this would be difficult to understand fully, 2112 is a rock opera of sorts, the voice singing in this track is criticizing the main character, who has found a guitar, and discovers music in a society that has decided music is the root of all evil, I'm paraphrasing, but Tom, discovers this ancient instrument and tries to convince the rulers of the world, that music is not dangerous, etc,,,, I haven't listened to the full album in years, I don't think most Rush fans expect clarity, just elaborate and Interesting tunes🥰
Isn't Tom Sawyer off of Moving Pictures, not 2112? I think you might be thinking of the Discovery and Presentation sections of 2112. I'm pretty sure Tom Sawyer was released something like 5 years later in the early 80s. Both are amazing albums though.
@@paranoidrodent definitely has been probably 20 years since I listened to either album start to finish, I was obsessed with Hemispheres, It was the first vinyl I ever bought with my own money in 1985, I was about 14,
Alex really said it best when he said "blah blah blah blah"
The drums though
My suggestions for some amazing performances:
YYZ Live In Rio
Xanadu, Exit Stage Left
Limelight, Exit Stage Left
Spirit Of Radio, Toronto Downsview Park, 2003
2112, Toronto Molson Amphitheater, 1997
Working Man live in Cleveland, Time Machine Tour 2011
🎤 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥
You heard this song before in
Water boy
Goon
Little Evil
All great movies
You think THIS songs changes up! Try anything off of 2112, Hemispheres, even Permanent Waves. This album actually marked a notable reduction in the timing changes.
Red Barchette is my favorite
*YYZ*