When they launch into that triple solo in Freewill, it sends chills. All three are soloing in a magnificently frenetic controlled chaos that is just sublime. Great reaction!
Yeah, "back in the day" radios had knobs that you had to turn to find the station you wanted. The sound still came out when you were in between stations, so you got this mash-up of random sounds as the dial moved towards your station.
Freewill, what a masterpiece! Want to hear a bass solo? a guitar solo? a drum solo? Rush perform perfectly and simultaneously on this song, making it special. What's more, Rush have made so many special songs. Hard to say which is the best I just can't!! 🤣 your enthusiasm reminds me of mine, when I was discovering their songs for the first time. Keep it up!!
When I was kid in the mid 70's, a friend and I would take turns hanging out all weekend at each other's houses, and we would spend much of the time listening to the radio and calling in requests, things like Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper. Sometimes, they'd play them. Once, we called about 11 a.m. on a Sunday morning and asked for Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The guy said: "Isn't a little early in the day for that hard of rock?"
As a broken down old man it has been a pure joy to watch you (who is young enough to be my grand child ... please don't take that as an insult, I only mean it as a point of reference) discover this music ... and at probably about the age I was when I discovered it. Watching you thoroughly enjoy it as I did ... It gives me hope for the future. (yeah, that sounds maudlin and pathetic but it is what it is). Keep enjoying your journey ... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)
I love Rush. 3 amazing guys and 40 yrs of some of the most unique outside the box music and lyrics. Masterful musicianship and gourmet licks only found in Rush. They were a great live concert.
Yes, that is Alex in the mask. Alex is the jokester of the band although all of them have/had a great sense of humour. They took their music but not themselves seriously. You have jumped a few albums and from Fly by Night to Moving Pictures. There is some incredible music on those albums. I highly recommend Xanadu from Exit Stage Left and 2112 the comic book version. I love your enthusiasm ❤️ Cheers from Canada
The fret board on the guitar during the solo looked like an old analog radio tuner. The whole song is supposed to feel like you are changing the radio stations and getting different styles of music as you go through the dial! Spirit of the Radio was the opening song played in concert for years! the exploding boom box uses the imagery used for the different albums. The 'rock man' is an Inuit symbol that was on the album cover for 1996's Test for Echo, the nut and bolt was used on 1993's Counterparts album, the tinker toys were from the 1997 live album Different Stages, etc.
WOW!!!!!! Your Observations and Interpretations of the Music of Both songs and Especially, during the Video for "Spirit" are Spot ON!!! I've been a RUSH Fan since the 70s and have seen HUNDREDS of UA-cam Reactions to these songs..... In My Opinion, NO Reactor has Ever given such Perfect Analysis of the Meanings and Feelings of these Songs! You're a VERY Different and Special Lady!!! I just became your Newest SUB!!! I'm a SWM, that just turned 61, who has just become an Admirer, of the Young Music Fan / Woman, that YOU Are!!! Don't Ever Change! Your Reaction Style & Personality are UNIQUE and Very Endearing & Entertaining to Watch!
I'm glad you like rush. The band makes very complex music, I recommend listening to the songs several times in order to digest it, let it grow in you:)
Thanks for sharing (and reliving) these memories! I believe I just added an extra year, to my life, absorbing your LIFE energy and LOVE for Music, Drawing, Painting and your Free Spirit. It really is infectious. THaNGk Yoo
Although I have all of RUSH's CDs and listen to them all the time, hearing the Spirit of Radio did really make my day. Hope you had a great day, too! (Because it's probably evening where you are.)
When the radio explodes at 26:30, you can see different Rush paraphernalia: the fire hydrant from Signals, the Snake from Snakes and Arrows, and what appears to be a Jacob's Ladder cloud. At 30:41, a boombox explodes to reveal: the screw/nut from Counterparts, the stacked stone man (inuksuk) from Test for Echo, and the tinkertoys from Different Stages. At 30:36, when the footpedal unit explodes, you can see the owl from Fly By Night, the 2112 star, and a baseball (from Geddy Lee's obsession with the Toronto Blue Jays). Other Easter Eggs are: the Red Barchetta that Neil is Driving, the Walk Cross Here sign (and background buildings) from Permanent Waves, the Working Men at the construction site, the women getting Permanent Waves, the Starman from 2112 at 23:38 (and elsewhere), the radio face and dalmatian puppy from Feedback (25:13), the "Fat Lerxch" from one of their pre-concert sketches, the "Dinner with Rush" wine glasses on the table, the Moving Picture guys, the brain (in a jar) from Hemispheres at 23:50, the blueprints from Subdivisions during the guitar solo, the station 21.12 on the guitar neck, and the word "integrity" popping out of the Presto top hat (as an illusion). I'm sure there's more I missed.
Also, in the guitar neck during the solo, was a manual radio dial. Well, not the dial itself, but the spectrum-the AM/FM frequency. Not digital like in today's radios (if anyone even listens to radio any more).
I do lots of Rush reaction videos. Love how younger generations gravitate towards them. The lyrics are amazing but on a first listen its all about the instrumentation. You really know your stuff. Quite refreshing. Maybe you can limit your finger snaps to about 20 per song. Haha. Keep up the great work.
21:24 I believe represents Cleveland, Ohio USA DJ Donna Halper. Their first album was a very small independent release in their native Canada and Halper started playing "Working Man" on her radio program. This led to the album receiving much more attention and a major record label re-release of the album. Enjoyed listening again with you and hearing your thoughts today.
I met Donna at RushCon - wonderful person. I was thinking about what @VeniceMagic noted at the beginning of Spirit of Radio with the Canadian Flag and thought - its in the wrong place, but then thought maybe its referring to Donna in Cleveland making it for Rush with the Bullet... but no - the flag is in Iowa. LOL Help!
@@chrisivantorun5644The flag is planted in Canada, somewhere in southern Saskatchewan by the looks of it. The globe is tilted, so 49° N is actually crossing the bottom of the frame almost at the midpoint.
The Freewill performance on the "Exit...Stage Left" album brings back so much nostalgia from discovering Rush in 1988 at the ripe old age of 12. Been a die hard fan ever since.
The talking hands: welcome to the audience participation section of the program ! When playing this part live, Geddy is playing foot pedals and has his hands free . He would do various hand gestures and the audience would repeat what he was doing!
Two excellent choices! 🏆🏆These two songs are from RUSH"s 1980 album PERMANENT WAVES, which is considered by many fans to be only their 5th or 6th 'best" album! (Just let that sink in for a moment!) Really enjoying your RUSH reactions so please keep them coming. BTW, I believe what you are referring to as the thing for cassettes is called a "boom box" here in the U.S. Also, the little pieces exploding from it are images from some of their album covers. I could tell you which ones, but that would ruin the fun you'll have searching for them! 😄
Not in my book. For me, Permanent Waves is Rush putting it all together. The songs are exceptionally well constructed, the synths were nudged toward the front, and Neil’s lyrics are timeless. 1st or 2nd for me. Great reaction.
@@crazyfingers19 2nd on my list as well, with the 1st being Power Windows and the 3rd being Moving Pictures. Then followed by Signals and Counterparts...
The animation that goes between Canada and England reflects Neil Peart living in England before joining RUSH . He thought he would find fame and fortune there…little did he know that coming home to Canada and meeting Geddy and Alex would lead to that! Pirate radio represents his listening to English radio from Canada: RADIO FREE EUROPE
This band is the result of 3 musicians who are masters of their instruments there was and never will be another band like them their instrumental songs are classic
Oh and if you noticed on the boat it had Pirate Radio on the side of the boat. In the late 60's and early 70's it was illegal to play Rock and Roll on british soil. So stations bought boats and sat in international waters and broad cast rock to the shores of the UK. Bringing the Spirit Of Radio. There is actually a movie about one of these "Pirate Radio Stations" since they were privateers (The first name for naval mercanaries that later fell out with world goverments and became prirrvateers/pirattes (?))).
Geddy, uses the hand movement in concert. It represents the lyrics "Invisible Airwaves crackle with Life". See Rush play live you'll see the true master musicianship of Alex, Geddy and Neil.
I see so many reactions to Rush and as much as their music is brilliant the lyrics are deep and im hoping many of you go back and really listen to them...
Love it when I see young people and new generations learning and enjoying Rush. BEST BAND EVER! ...Your are very knowledgeable and do great reactions, very observant... You'll discover that RUSH has so many great songs. Every song is a work of art! Yes, pay attention to the lyrics. They are a TREASURE that new generations should discover, learn from them and enjoy. Neil Peart was a very observant genius. His lyrics are real poetry and much more. He read a lot, was very smart and in his lyrics have many references to literature, science, mythology, philosophy and lots of non preachy, social criticism. He was very deep and liked to travel distant places on his motorcycle. Wrote a few books. Some songs I suggest you check: Natural Science (I feel Peart is Darwin on this one), YYZ live in Rio, Xanadu from Exit Stage Left live 1987 , 2112 *with drawings and lyrics, Subdivisions, Malignant Narcissism, Hold Your Fire and 40+ more. RUSH is the best... They were always so respectful to the fans and so perfect playing live... So much detail in every song...And yes they have all kinds of Easter Eggs in albums, concerts, mini concert movies...They even had stories that start at the end of one album and continue at the start on the next one... The more you find the more interesting it gets... You definitely wont be disappointed with RUSH!
This song is in protest to how the radio industry is flooded by sponsors and money and not the music itself. The hand movements represent all the blah, blah of the salesmen
The items falling out of the opened cases (easter eggs) were representations of their album covers. The owl from "Fly by Night". The Star from "2112". The rock man from "Test for Echo". The one item looked like a few tinker toy pieces connected (they were wooden sticks and circular hubs with holes that could be used to build things). Not sure of their connection to Rush.
The part where you are talking about the DJ's and the original Rush album, is Donna Halper. She was a DJ in Cleveland Ohio and is the first DJ credited with playing that album. The song she played was Working Man. You should do a reaction to that song.
The pieces of a Boom Box breaking apart showing the inner pieces represents different Rush album covers such as Test For Echo, Counterparts, and Different Stages Live.
9"01--Watch 'em play it live on "Exit Stage Left" (1981)..When they come out of that Coda, 27,000 people are giving them the standing O..They knew they'd just witnessed perfection. It was Rush's shows that gave 'em such a long career just as much as thier music..The way they'd match thier studio sound live was uncanny. I was roughly your age when I first heard these songs, and I couldn't believe my ears!!
Most of the "Easter Eggs" were album covers or parts of their tours decor/staging art. The "rock creature" (actually a cairn), is from Test For Echo, TInkerToys are from Counterparts (hilarious opening sequence in the concert by the way, a very "2001 - A Space Odyssey" scene of a tinker toy "stick" and "socket" coming together dramatically on their huge projection screen, LOL)... etc. Most of the imagery and symbolism in that tribute video are callouts to their history/past. (The lady, Donna Halpern?, playing their first album, is actually the one who is largely responsible for them getting their first USA "radio break", she played it, tons of callers wanted to hear more (many thinking it was a new Led Zeppelin album, which Rush was largely emulating in their cover shows and original performances before finding their own way (Finding My Way being a song of theirs, LOL). Anyhow, that tribute video was very nicely done, the only other part I'd say you may have missed in the lyrics, is the later chorus is about "not selling out"... late 70's, Rush had a couple of albums going the "wrong way" basically in sales after they'd done so well on their first release, and much of their songs at that time were "high concept" in nature (not very radio/pop friendly)... so basically the studio was trying to force them to make something more radio-friendly (aka- better sales).... so Rush released the epic 2112 instead, with an entire side of the album dedicated to an extended (think opera production in rock, almost) song in 7 (I think, maybe 8? LOL) parts. So basically that refrain in The Spirit of Radio, was about them, making the choice "no, we are going to do our own thing, take it or leave it (expecting it to be probably their last album)... it went on to being one of their best selling albums, and one of the most recognizable from the era for rock in general, LOL, they stuck to their guns, and they made it. Love your enthusiasm!
RUSH is THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of the fluidity of MASTERING TIME SIGNATURES! I play drums and there are a few things that you need to know about Neil Peart’s ( pronounced PEER-T) character: First he writes the lyrics so he knows in advance what TYPE of song it’s meant to be ie ballad, driver, etc. Second he COMPOSES on the drums… like a carpenter who looks at a set of blueprints before building the object. Neil lays out a SKETCH in his mind of the VOICES of the drumset and builds the song from there. He is also a great LISTENER knowing when NOT to step over Geddy’s singing or Alex’s solos! Finally, he had perfect timing and fluidity of time changes. He said himself that it’s not about COUNTING the time signatures as much as fluid motion to change the tempo without counting: in other words it should FLOW! He hates repeating the same drum patterns in the same song meaning if he plays a fill one way the first time around he will play it differently the second time around. IE. Rolls down the toms the first time around and triplets or quads (all four limbs) the second time around. In short there will NEVER be another like him on planet earth 🌍 🌏 🌎! REST IN PEACE PROFESSOR! With heart felt admiration and sincerity! Gary
29:29 There are a couple of things going on with the neck of the guitar: As you perceived, the recording levels are represented, but I believe really what the scale on the neck represents is a radio dial - the red line indicating the frequency to which the radio is being tuned.
Great reactions I enjoy watching and listening to your perspective, welcome to the greatest band of all time lyrically and musically in my opinion seen them 39 times try 2112 visual whole first side or A Farwell to kings whole album hemispheres whole album really all all albums lol try driven, dreamline, bravado, cut to the chase where's my thing, YYZ limelight Tom Sawyer, red barchette,witch hunt vital signs big money lock and key turn the page mission marathon far cry Any Rush is good Rush lol
The hand thing is an inside joke. Its something that Geddy Lee did once or twice at that point in the song when performed live because it was one of the rare moments where he had nothing to do with his hands (since he played both bass and keyboards and was often very busy on stage).
Yes many seamless transitions in this song. It's to represent all the styles of music that radio can bring. Also the lady D.J. with the original Rush album was a D.J. out of Cleveland who thought working man would best represent the blue collar working class of Cleveland Ohio. It took off like wild fire and the rest is history.
Hmmm, I suddenly feel very old when Venetia mistakes the animation on the guitar fret for a level meter and not realising that it is a Radio tuning display, the song is called Radio after all!
This is a three member band. Geddy would be playing bass, pedals, keyboard, singing and hitting various other triggers so he rarely had 2 hands free. In concert when he wanted the audience to clap along he had to use one hand to signify clapping. As you can see from the illustrated video it was made at least after Test for Echo (when the mixer breaks apart the Test For Echo rocks are seen). Also the tribute at the end might be an add on to the original video, but as you noted Neil was promoted in January of 2020. Then, as everyone is aware, the world fell apart. Neil still rides with me every day to work and back home. Rush didn't actually create the video to go with this. It was made 2 decades after Permanent Waves was recorded. The video artist knew Geddy would do the hand puppet, but he portrays it with both hands, which is misleading because Geddy only had on hand free. This is why he made that hand motion instead of 2 hands clapping Back in the 70's when you wanted to hear a song you had to call the radio station, request it, then wait for them to play it with your tape recorder up next to the radio, waiting to press record when your song came on That scene with Rush's first album is tribute to Donna Halper who played "Working Man" on the air in Cleveland and the listeners went crazy over it. It gave them their start. No one else was playing their album. Donna launched them. She's a hero to me and millions of others. The animation actually has nothing to do with Rush.
The video is a memorial to Neil, published on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the album, not long after his death from brain cancer. The images you see are biographical, first of Neil's pre-Rush life (including time spent in the UK unsuccessfully trying to make it in London) and then of the band's career. Each of those Easter egg images pouring out of the pedal box and boom box the end are drawn from art appearing on their albums.
Your comment preceding @ 29:42, if I recall correctly, regarding the neck of the guitar, to me, it looks like the station dial of the/a radio of many radios had back in the day.
"The Spirit of Radio" was the tagline of the radio station in Canada that started playing Rush heavily and kickstarted their career in music. Think how radio stations say their letters followed by their tagline (WXOW, The Spirit of Radio!). This song is basically a love letter to what made Rush what they are today.
Hello young lady, I was lucky to make it to 20 Tours. There is nothing better in my eyes. My favorite song is Alien Shore, and album, Side 1 of Hemispheres. Watch Rush In Rio, and Anatomy of a drum solo. ENJOY!
Their continuous time changes are very addictive. I still can't believe that 3 people can create music this complex and bright. Rush definitely doesn't get enough recognition. Love the video!
Geddy's "hand clapping" is his way of getting their audience to start clapping along with the music. If you ever watch them live, he rarely ever has two hands free, so that single-handed "clap" is what he's done for years.
Structure of these songs is typical of this period for Rush. Establish a very catchy groove, move in and out of it with complex transitions seamlessly executed, middle instrumental break featuring all three GOING OFF, return to the original groove to finish. Add poetic, thought provoking lyrics and you have amazing music.
If you love rush (and you plainly do ❤) check out their big inspiration YES. The did the r n r hall of fame induction for them. Roundabout Close the edge Awaken Are perhaps 3 of their very best. Loved your reactions! Also The police Steely dan
The "puppet hands" you're seeing is how Geddy Lee would tell the audience to clap along. I think he said it was easier on his hands. Or if he only had one hand free while playing. Fans picked it right up
I placed your reaction on pause here. I like the way you observed the drum tones are tuned in with the bass. This is the first time I have heard anyone really mention the relationship between the two. Generally, my observation of the role of bass guitar in rock bands is a liaison between the drummer and the rest of the band. This, I do not believe, is as easy role as some people might think.
An amazing album...to consume in one session. Track 1 Spirit of...to warm up the ears for Track 2 Freewill...best song in the observable universe (for me). Great little number on there is 'Entre Nous' and the grand finale...'Natural Science'...get headphone tripping. Probably my favourite Rush, or any band's, album (and if I choose not to decide...I still Band-Maid a choice) ;-)
Great review. Limelight is another classic Rush song you will need to review. On a different note... For something a little heavier, you need to listen to Megadeth's 'Ashes In Your Mouth'. The song is off the 5th album, "Countdown to Extinction". The song's not as fast or heavy as their earlier material. It's a good starting song. Lots of good drumming. Great bass parts. Killer solos. Make sure you listen to a lyric video as Dave's, the singer and rhythm/leader guitarist, vocal style can be difficult to understand. I think you will really enjoy the song.
If you'd like to hear another amazing song pairing from Permanent Waves, I recommend Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
"Freewill" is aptly titled. In my opinion, your initial interpretation was on target. In general terms, Neil was stating that he believed that people have free will and that he chose to live in accordance with that belief. He was also pointing out consequences and implications of not believing that people have free will, as well as suggesting that lack of belief in free will is irrational. Neil was highly influenced by the writings of Ayn Rand.
I was struck while watching this, that it's possible that the young women reacting to this song had perhaps never listened to the radio. This was the "free" music that everyone back in the day received through the airwaves. Everyone was exposed to the same music, to some degree. (Because there were only a few stations to choose from.) But of course, syndicated radio stations were actually big, big business. Deals had to be made in order for a band to be played. Bands got airplay if the bigwigs thought there was money to be made. The music being "honestly" good was a secondary consideration. I want to think that the "talking hands" were referring to talk radio, which (in the 80s?) gradually replaced the programming on many formally all-music stations. That's just a wild guess, however. Rush likely got "discovered" after being playing on small college or independent radio stations. A bit of a "cult" band at the beginning. That independence is perhaps what Neil thought of as 'the spirit of radio', and was bemoaning its passing. Maybe!
There is a lot of history when you fill stadiums for over 4 decades. Thanks for sharing.
When they launch into that triple solo in Freewill, it sends chills. All three are soloing in a magnificently frenetic controlled chaos that is just sublime. Great reaction!
for me its the best solo ever made in music history
Just the fact they stick it in there is amazing. The song is so good without it, but then they said, "why not."
Neil and Geddy always get the accolades but, for me, Alex is every bit a genius as the other two.
The classic RUSH triple face melter.
In my lifetime I don't expect to rush in to anything like this band ever...
RUSH Army welcomes you into our ranks.
The crazy transitions in The Spirit Of Radio are meant to sound like a radio dial being flipped.
Oohhh what a cool idea thanks for explaining 😁
It is my favorite Rush song 'cos it's so different and also very uplifting.
Yeah, "back in the day" radios had knobs that you had to turn to find the station you wanted. The sound still came out when you were in between stations, so you got this mash-up of random sounds as the dial moved towards your station.
CFNY is on my radio dial.
With RUSH, the lyrics are always just as important as the music.
Freewill, what a masterpiece! Want to hear a bass solo? a guitar solo? a drum solo? Rush perform perfectly and simultaneously on this song, making it special. What's more, Rush have made so many special songs. Hard to say which is the best I just can't!! 🤣 your enthusiasm reminds me of mine, when I was discovering their songs for the first time. Keep it up!!
When I was kid in the mid 70's, a friend and I would take turns hanging out all weekend at each other's houses, and we would spend much of the time listening to the radio and calling in requests, things like Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper. Sometimes, they'd play them. Once, we called about 11 a.m. on a Sunday morning and asked for Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The guy said: "Isn't a little early in the day for that hard of rock?"
As a broken down old man it has been a pure joy to watch you (who is young enough to be my grand child ... please don't take that as an insult, I only mean it as a point of reference) discover this music ... and at probably about the age I was when I discovered it. Watching you thoroughly enjoy it as I did ... It gives me hope for the future. (yeah, that sounds maudlin and pathetic but it is what it is). Keep enjoying your journey ... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :)
I love Rush. 3 amazing guys and 40 yrs of some of the most unique outside the box music and lyrics. Masterful musicianship and gourmet licks only found in Rush. They were a great live concert.
Yes, that is Alex in the mask. Alex is the jokester of the band although all of them have/had a great sense of humour. They took their music but not themselves seriously.
You have jumped a few albums and from Fly by Night to Moving Pictures. There is some incredible music on those albums.
I highly recommend
Xanadu from Exit Stage Left and
2112 the comic book version.
I love your enthusiasm ❤️
Cheers from Canada
The mask worn by Alex in the animation, is actually a re-creation of something Alex did during an interview with the band, to be funny, What a joker.
A nickname they had for Alex was Lurch ( after the tall butler on the Addams Family show ).
The fret board on the guitar during the solo looked like an old analog radio tuner. The whole song is supposed to feel like you are changing the radio stations and getting different styles of music as you go through the dial!
Spirit of the Radio was the opening song played in concert for years!
the exploding boom box uses the imagery used for the different albums. The 'rock man' is an Inuit symbol that was on the album cover for 1996's Test for Echo, the nut and bolt was used on 1993's Counterparts album, the tinker toys were from the 1997 live album Different Stages, etc.
Absolutely! I was going to comment on this exactly.
Great React Venice! These guys are not playing any games! Check Xanadu (Exit Stage Left 1981 Live), It will blow your mind!
Shows Rado waves in a sense
I've seen RUSH 79 times live in concert. They were the Best ever
Well, I studied with RUSH in my headphones throughout high school and college. I give RUSH partial credit for helping me get good grades!
great!
more rush !
rush-2112
The comic version
Yes, I mentioned this as well.
Great choices 😎
Glad you like them!
WOW!!!!!! Your Observations and Interpretations of the Music of Both songs and Especially, during the Video for "Spirit" are Spot ON!!! I've been a RUSH Fan since the 70s and have seen HUNDREDS of UA-cam Reactions to these songs..... In My Opinion, NO Reactor has Ever given such Perfect Analysis of the Meanings and Feelings of these Songs! You're a VERY Different and Special Lady!!! I just became your Newest SUB!!! I'm a SWM, that just turned 61, who has just become an Admirer, of the Young Music Fan / Woman, that YOU Are!!! Don't Ever Change! Your Reaction Style & Personality are UNIQUE and Very Endearing & Entertaining to Watch!
I'm glad you like rush.
The band makes very complex music, I recommend listening to the songs several times in order to digest it, let it grow in you:)
I had to do that when I was younger with certain albums more than others.
Thanks for sharing (and reliving) these memories! I believe I just added an extra year, to my life, absorbing your LIFE energy and LOVE for Music, Drawing, Painting and your Free Spirit. It really is infectious. THaNGk Yoo
Although I have all of RUSH's CDs and listen to them all the time, hearing the Spirit of Radio did really make my day.
Hope you had a great day, too! (Because it's probably evening where you are.)
When the radio explodes at 26:30, you can see different Rush paraphernalia: the fire hydrant from Signals, the Snake from Snakes and Arrows, and what appears to be a Jacob's Ladder cloud.
At 30:41, a boombox explodes to reveal: the screw/nut from Counterparts, the stacked stone man (inuksuk) from Test for Echo, and the tinkertoys from Different Stages.
At 30:36, when the footpedal unit explodes, you can see the owl from Fly By Night, the 2112 star, and a baseball (from Geddy Lee's obsession with the Toronto Blue Jays).
Other Easter Eggs are: the Red Barchetta that Neil is Driving, the Walk Cross Here sign (and background buildings) from Permanent Waves, the Working Men at the construction site, the women getting Permanent Waves, the Starman from 2112 at 23:38 (and elsewhere), the radio face and dalmatian puppy from Feedback (25:13), the "Fat Lerxch" from one of their pre-concert sketches, the "Dinner with Rush" wine glasses on the table, the Moving Picture guys, the brain (in a jar) from Hemispheres at 23:50, the blueprints from Subdivisions during the guitar solo, the station 21.12 on the guitar neck, and the word "integrity" popping out of the Presto top hat (as an illusion).
I'm sure there's more I missed.
I was 16 when this came out. I had never heard of Rush I won this album at a carnival and I've been a fan ever since
Just excelent reaction
What you couldn't name in the video is a boombox, that portable AM/FM cassette player with attached speakers...very popular in the 70s and 80s.
Also, in the guitar neck during the solo, was a manual radio dial. Well, not the dial itself, but the spectrum-the AM/FM frequency. Not digital like in today's radios (if anyone even listens to radio any more).
I do lots of Rush reaction videos. Love how younger generations gravitate towards them. The lyrics are amazing but on a first listen its all about the instrumentation. You really know your stuff. Quite refreshing. Maybe you can limit your finger snaps to about 20 per song. Haha. Keep up the great work.
21:24 I believe represents Cleveland, Ohio USA DJ Donna Halper. Their first album was a very small independent release in their native Canada and Halper started playing "Working Man" on her radio program. This led to the album receiving much more attention and a major record label re-release of the album. Enjoyed listening again with you and hearing your thoughts today.
WMMS
I met Donna at RushCon - wonderful person. I was thinking about what @VeniceMagic noted at the beginning of Spirit of Radio with the Canadian Flag and thought - its in the wrong place, but then thought maybe its referring to Donna in Cleveland making it for Rush with the Bullet... but no - the flag is in Iowa. LOL Help!
@@chrisivantorun5644The flag is planted in Canada, somewhere in southern Saskatchewan by the looks of it. The globe is tilted, so 49° N is actually crossing the bottom of the frame almost at the midpoint.
That jam in the middle of Free Will is one of my favorites, they're just tearing it up !
The Freewill performance on the "Exit...Stage Left" album brings back so much nostalgia from discovering Rush in 1988 at the ripe old age of 12. Been a die hard fan ever since.
The talking hands: welcome to the audience participation section of the program ! When playing this part live, Geddy is playing foot pedals and has his hands free . He would do various hand gestures and the audience would repeat what he was doing!
What's funny is that he intends for us to clap in the audience but we all just make the same gesture back at him which is hysterical
Just for your own interest not for a reaction you should check out Aha “Take on me” it was a video with a blend of animation n live action combined. 😎
Two excellent choices! 🏆🏆These two songs are from RUSH"s 1980 album PERMANENT WAVES, which is considered by many fans to be only their 5th or 6th 'best" album! (Just let that sink in for a moment!) Really enjoying your RUSH reactions so please keep them coming. BTW, I believe what you are referring to as the thing for cassettes is called a "boom box" here in the U.S. Also, the little pieces exploding from it are images from some of their album covers. I could tell you which ones, but that would ruin the fun you'll have searching for them! 😄
oh cool i will go no the hunt for them then :)
Not in my book. For me, Permanent Waves is Rush putting it all together. The songs are exceptionally well constructed, the synths were nudged toward the front, and Neil’s lyrics are timeless. 1st or 2nd for me. Great reaction.
@@crazyfingers19 2nd on my list as well, with the 1st being Power Windows and the 3rd being Moving Pictures. Then followed by Signals and Counterparts...
The animation that goes between Canada and England reflects Neil Peart living in England before joining RUSH . He thought he would find fame and fortune there…little did he know that coming home to Canada and meeting Geddy and Alex would lead to that! Pirate radio represents his listening to English radio from Canada: RADIO FREE EUROPE
I love all of your videos
This band is the result of 3 musicians who are masters of their instruments there was and never will be another band like them their instrumental songs are classic
Oh and if you noticed on the boat it had Pirate Radio on the side of the boat. In the late 60's and early 70's it was illegal to play Rock and Roll on british soil. So stations bought boats and sat in international waters and broad cast rock to the shores of the UK. Bringing the Spirit Of Radio. There is actually a movie about one of these "Pirate Radio Stations" since they were privateers (The first name for naval mercanaries that later fell out with world goverments and became prirrvateers/pirattes (?))).
The studio images are Radio station in Toronto. They grew in Toronto listening to these stations. The power of music being sent over the radio waves.
Geddy, uses the hand movement in concert. It represents the lyrics "Invisible Airwaves crackle with Life". See Rush play live you'll see the true master musicianship of Alex, Geddy and Neil.
I see so many reactions to Rush and as much as their music is brilliant the lyrics are deep and im hoping many of you go back and really listen to them...
Love it when I see young people and new generations learning and enjoying Rush. BEST BAND EVER! ...Your are very knowledgeable and do great reactions, very observant... You'll discover that RUSH has so many great songs. Every song is a work of art! Yes, pay attention to the lyrics. They are a TREASURE that new generations should discover, learn from them and enjoy. Neil Peart was a very observant genius. His lyrics are real poetry and much more. He read a lot, was very smart and in his lyrics have many references to literature, science, mythology, philosophy and lots of non preachy, social criticism. He was very deep and liked to travel distant places on his motorcycle. Wrote a few books.
Some songs I suggest you check: Natural Science (I feel Peart is Darwin on this one), YYZ live in Rio, Xanadu from Exit Stage Left live 1987 , 2112 *with drawings and lyrics, Subdivisions, Malignant Narcissism, Hold Your Fire and 40+ more. RUSH is the best... They were always so respectful to the fans and so perfect playing live... So much detail in every song...And yes they have all kinds of Easter Eggs in albums, concerts, mini concert movies...They even had stories that start at the end of one album and continue at the start on the next one... The more you find the more interesting it gets... You definitely wont be disappointed with RUSH!
Marconi, an Italian, invented radio. John Rutsy was drummer on first album, Neil Peart was percussionist on Fly By Night and all subsequent albums.
I think the hand motion symbolizes the gesture of the next animation where the DJ is depicted. The hand gesture represents the DJ grasping a record.
This song is in protest to how the radio industry is flooded by sponsors and money and not the music itself. The hand movements represent all the blah, blah of the salesmen
You are in Love with 3 masters at work......RUSH are astonishing.....their album Hemispheres is beyond everything.....
Rush was at their peak for many years 😁
The items falling out of the opened cases (easter eggs) were representations of their album covers. The owl from "Fly by Night". The Star from "2112". The rock man from "Test for Echo". The one item looked like a few tinker toy pieces connected (they were wooden sticks and circular hubs with holes that could be used to build things). Not sure of their connection to Rush.
Rush getting loved by a pretty girl…so awesome
Sometimes there was one at the live shows.
@@avengemybreath3084 that made me laugh, thanks…yep, sometimes
Three geniuses at the peak of their creativity and masters of their art 1🤟👍🎸
The part where you are talking about the DJ's and the original Rush album, is Donna Halper. She was a DJ in Cleveland Ohio and is the first DJ credited with playing that album. The song she played was Working Man. You should do a reaction to that song.
The pieces of a Boom Box breaking apart showing the inner pieces represents different Rush album covers such as Test For Echo, Counterparts, and Different Stages Live.
9"01--Watch 'em play it live on "Exit Stage Left" (1981)..When they come out of that Coda, 27,000 people are giving them the standing O..They knew they'd just witnessed perfection. It was Rush's shows that gave 'em such a long career just as much as thier music..The way they'd match thier studio sound live was uncanny. I was roughly your age when I first heard these songs, and I couldn't believe my ears!!
Most of the "Easter Eggs" were album covers or parts of their tours decor/staging art. The "rock creature" (actually a cairn), is from Test For Echo, TInkerToys are from Counterparts (hilarious opening sequence in the concert by the way, a very "2001 - A Space Odyssey" scene of a tinker toy "stick" and "socket" coming together dramatically on their huge projection screen, LOL)... etc. Most of the imagery and symbolism in that tribute video are callouts to their history/past. (The lady, Donna Halpern?, playing their first album, is actually the one who is largely responsible for them getting their first USA "radio break", she played it, tons of callers wanted to hear more (many thinking it was a new Led Zeppelin album, which Rush was largely emulating in their cover shows and original performances before finding their own way (Finding My Way being a song of theirs, LOL).
Anyhow, that tribute video was very nicely done, the only other part I'd say you may have missed in the lyrics, is the later chorus is about "not selling out"... late 70's, Rush had a couple of albums going the "wrong way" basically in sales after they'd done so well on their first release, and much of their songs at that time were "high concept" in nature (not very radio/pop friendly)... so basically the studio was trying to force them to make something more radio-friendly (aka- better sales).... so Rush released the epic 2112 instead, with an entire side of the album dedicated to an extended (think opera production in rock, almost) song in 7 (I think, maybe 8? LOL) parts.
So basically that refrain in The Spirit of Radio, was about them, making the choice "no, we are going to do our own thing, take it or leave it (expecting it to be probably their last album)... it went on to being one of their best selling albums, and one of the most recognizable from the era for rock in general, LOL, they stuck to their guns, and they made it.
Love your enthusiasm!
RUSH is THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of the fluidity of MASTERING TIME SIGNATURES! I play drums and there are a few things that you need to know about Neil Peart’s ( pronounced PEER-T) character: First he writes the lyrics so he knows in advance what TYPE of song it’s meant to be ie ballad, driver, etc. Second he COMPOSES on the drums… like a carpenter who looks at a set of blueprints before building the object. Neil lays out a SKETCH in his mind of the VOICES of the drumset and builds the song from there. He is also a great LISTENER knowing when NOT to step over Geddy’s singing or Alex’s solos! Finally, he had perfect timing and fluidity of time changes. He said himself that it’s not about COUNTING the time signatures as much as fluid motion to change the tempo without counting: in other words it should FLOW! He hates repeating the same drum patterns in the same song meaning if he plays a fill one way the first time around he will play it differently the second time around. IE. Rolls down the toms the first time around and triplets or quads (all four limbs) the second time around. In short there will NEVER be another like him on planet earth 🌍 🌏 🌎! REST IN PEACE PROFESSOR!
With heart felt admiration and sincerity!
Gary
Rocks were from 1996 Test For Echo, and the toy pieces were a toy from the early 70's on the 3 Stages Live cd's.
The Tinker Toys and the rock figure are from different album covers. There's all sorts of hidden stuff in this clip.
29:29 There are a couple of things going on with the neck of the guitar: As you perceived, the recording levels are represented, but I believe really what the scale on the neck represents is a radio dial - the red line indicating the frequency to which the radio is being tuned.
Did you notice the 2112 dial as well?
@@francelaferriere6106 No. That's great!
Great music, MORE RUSH!
Got to listen to them 1982 live in concert. Yes I am a bit older now 😊
Great reactions I enjoy watching and listening to your perspective, welcome to the greatest band of all time lyrically and musically in my opinion seen them 39 times try 2112 visual whole first side or A Farwell to kings whole album hemispheres whole album really all all albums lol try driven, dreamline, bravado, cut to the chase where's my thing, YYZ limelight Tom Sawyer, red barchette,witch hunt vital signs big money lock and key turn the page mission marathon far cry Any Rush is good Rush lol
Great reaction and breakdown, as always ✌🏻
Aaww thank you so happy you enjoyed it😊🙏
@@venicerealm You're welcome and thank YOU 🙏🏼
The hand thing is an inside joke. Its something that Geddy Lee did once or twice at that point in the song when performed live because it was one of the rare moments where he had nothing to do with his hands (since he played both bass and keyboards and was often very busy on stage).
Rush is all about those transitions!
For 30 years, I have NEVER seen it fail to bring a smile.
Yes many seamless transitions in this song. It's to represent all the styles of music that radio can bring. Also the lady D.J. with the original Rush album was a D.J. out of Cleveland who thought working man would best represent the blue collar working class of Cleveland Ohio. It took off like wild fire and the rest is history.
Hmmm, I suddenly feel very old when Venetia mistakes the animation on the guitar fret for a level meter and not realising that it is a Radio tuning display, the song is called Radio after all!
High school in the early 1980s!!!!! Great reaction!
This is a three member band. Geddy would be playing bass, pedals, keyboard, singing and hitting various other triggers so he rarely had 2 hands free. In concert when he wanted the audience to clap along he had to use one hand to signify clapping. As you can see from the illustrated video it was made at least after Test for Echo (when the mixer breaks apart the Test For Echo rocks are seen). Also the tribute at the end might be an add on to the original video, but as you noted Neil was promoted in January of 2020. Then, as everyone is aware, the world fell apart.
Neil still rides with me every day to work and back home.
Rush didn't actually create the video to go with this. It was made 2 decades after Permanent Waves was recorded. The video artist knew Geddy would do the hand puppet, but he portrays it with both hands, which is misleading because Geddy only had on hand free. This is why he made that hand motion instead of 2 hands clapping
Back in the 70's when you wanted to hear a song you had to call the radio station, request it, then wait for them to play it with your tape recorder up next to the radio, waiting to press record when your song came on
That scene with Rush's first album is tribute to Donna Halper who played "Working Man" on the air in Cleveland and the listeners went crazy over it. It gave them their start. No one else was playing their album. Donna launched them. She's a hero to me and millions of others.
The animation actually has nothing to do with Rush.
The video is a memorial to Neil, published on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the album, not long after his death from brain cancer.
The images you see are biographical, first of Neil's pre-Rush life (including time spent in the UK unsuccessfully trying to make it in London) and then of the band's career. Each of those Easter egg images pouring out of the pedal box and boom box the end are drawn from art appearing on their albums.
The greatest middle solo section of all time in Freewill.
Other great band from Ontario Canada is Motion Device.
Already checked them out actually 😁
Your comment preceding @ 29:42, if I recall correctly, regarding the neck of the guitar, to me, it looks like the station dial of the/a radio of many radios had back in the day.
"The Spirit of Radio" was the tagline of the radio station in Canada that started playing Rush heavily and kickstarted their career in music. Think how radio stations say their letters followed by their tagline (WXOW, The Spirit of Radio!). This song is basically a love letter to what made Rush what they are today.
CFNY…102.1
@@charlesmclaughlin3578 Awesome, hadn't ever heard what the callsign was. Thanks!
@@joshuawiedenbeck6944
It’s on the car radio 😎
I’m 20 minutes from Lakeside Park!
@@charlesmclaughlin3578 I've never actually seen the video to this song. I listen to these videos on my headphones while I work.
Hello young lady, I was lucky to make it to 20 Tours. There is nothing better in my eyes. My favorite song is Alien Shore, and album, Side 1 of Hemispheres. Watch Rush In Rio, and Anatomy of a drum solo. ENJOY!
Their continuous time changes are very addictive. I still can't believe that 3 people can create music this complex and bright. Rush definitely doesn't get enough recognition. Love the video!
I'm glad you love Freewill. Lyrics are some of Neil's best.
Nice to see the youth turn on to the music I grew up to.
Le Studio was were they recorded this album.
Natural Science, Xanadu & La Villa Sraingiato are must to react to live version.
Love your reaction everytime
All the Easter eggs are from album covers mainly… the Little Rock guy is from Test for Echo. You should give it a listen. Great album!
Geddy's "hand clapping" is his way of getting their audience to start clapping along with the music. If you ever watch them live, he rarely ever has two hands free, so that single-handed "clap" is what he's done for years.
Structure of these songs is typical of this period for Rush. Establish a very catchy groove, move in and out of it with complex transitions seamlessly executed, middle instrumental break featuring all three GOING OFF, return to the original groove to finish. Add poetic, thought provoking lyrics and you have amazing music.
Thanks, love your enthusiastic reactions. Would love to see you react to "Jacobs ladder" by Rush
I played in a rush cover band in early 80s. I was the geddy.
We did both these songs and free will was the hardest.
So seeing your enthusiasm takes me back to our obsession with rush.
After I focused on them for a few years I moved on to genesis and pat metheny.
If you love rush (and you plainly do ❤) check out their big inspiration YES.
The did the r n r hall of fame induction for them.
Roundabout
Close the edge
Awaken
Are perhaps 3 of their very best.
Loved your reactions!
Also
The police
Steely dan
Another terrific reaction! I hope you will react to the live version of Xanadu - it’s one of my favs. Thanks for listening to my favorite band. 🙏🏼
Great picks . You picked their #1 song and # 3 song all time…..
The "puppet hands" you're seeing is how Geddy Lee would tell the audience to clap along. I think he said it was easier on his hands. Or if he only had one hand free while playing. Fans picked it right up
The guitar during the pre-chorus in "Free Will" gives me goosebumps every time.
I placed your reaction on pause here. I like the way you observed the drum tones are tuned in with the bass. This is the first time I have heard anyone really mention the relationship between the two. Generally, my observation of the role of bass guitar in rock bands is a liaison between the drummer and the rest of the band. This, I do not believe, is as easy role as some people might think.
An amazing album...to consume in one session. Track 1 Spirit of...to warm up the ears for Track 2 Freewill...best song in the observable universe (for me). Great little number on there is 'Entre Nous' and the grand finale...'Natural Science'...get headphone tripping. Probably my favourite Rush, or any band's, album (and if I choose not to decide...I still Band-Maid a choice) ;-)
That was Neil in the Red Barchetta and, the word you were looking for is frequency and, it was 8-tracks.
Long live RUSH
Yes you are the best
The Spirit of Radio has the best transitions.
I love your intro, super cool 👍🏻
Great review. Limelight is another classic Rush song you will need to review. On a different note... For something a little heavier, you need to listen to Megadeth's 'Ashes In Your Mouth'. The song is off the 5th album, "Countdown to Extinction". The song's not as fast or heavy as their earlier material. It's a good starting song. Lots of good drumming. Great bass parts. Killer solos. Make sure you listen to a lyric video as Dave's, the singer and rhythm/leader guitarist, vocal style can be difficult to understand. I think you will really enjoy the song.
also check out any of their live stuff way better
If you'd like to hear another amazing song pairing from Permanent Waves, I recommend Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦
🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
Portable music player you put the cassette tape into that you were struggling for the name, in English commonly called a "boom box."
"Freewill" is aptly titled. In my opinion, your initial interpretation was on target. In general terms, Neil was stating that he believed that people have free will and that he chose to live in accordance with that belief. He was also pointing out consequences and implications of not believing that people have free will, as well as suggesting that lack of belief in free will is irrational. Neil was highly influenced by the writings of Ayn Rand.
I was struck while watching this, that it's possible that the young women reacting to this song had perhaps never listened to the radio. This was the "free" music that everyone back in the day received through the airwaves. Everyone was exposed to the same music, to some degree. (Because there were only a few stations to choose from.) But of course, syndicated radio stations were actually big, big business. Deals had to be made in order for a band to be played. Bands got airplay if the bigwigs thought there was money to be made. The music being "honestly" good was a secondary consideration.
I want to think that the "talking hands" were referring to talk radio, which (in the 80s?) gradually replaced the programming on many formally all-music stations. That's just a wild guess, however.
Rush likely got "discovered" after being playing on small college or independent radio stations. A bit of a "cult" band at the beginning. That independence is perhaps what Neil thought of as 'the spirit of radio', and was bemoaning its passing. Maybe!