Rush ~ Witch Hunt ~ Time Machine - Live in Cleveland [HD 1080p] [CC] 2011
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- Опубліковано 5 бер 2021
- Click on "CC" icon for Closed Captioning (Lyrics on Screen)
"Witch Hunt" is the sixth song from Rush's eighth studio album "Moving Pictures" recorded at Le Studio, Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada in October and November 1980. The album was released on February 12, 1981. After touring to support their previous album, Permanent Waves (1980), the band started to write and record new material in August 1980 with co-producer Terry Brown. They continued to write songs with a more radio-friendly format, featuring tighter song structures and songs of shorter length compared to their early albums.
Moving Pictures received a positive reception from current and retrospective music critics & became an instant commercial success, reaching number one in Canada and number three in the United States and the United Kingdom. It remains Rush's highest-selling album in the United States after it was certified quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for over 4 million copies sold. "Limelight", "Tom Sawyer" and "Vital Signs" were released as singles across 1981.
This is part of Rush's "Fear Series," which is also made up of the songs "The Enemy Within" (Part I from Grace Under Pressure), "The Weapon" (Part II from Signals), and "Freeze (Part IV from Vapor Trails). This is part III. (Parts I - III are all played in sequence is the live Grace Under Pressure Tour video). Subtitled "Part III of Fear", this was in fact the first part of the "Fear" series to be composed. Peart decided to write the lyrics of songs after speaking to a friend who believed that - contrary to the belief of many - man's fundamental drive did not come from positive emotions such as love or reason, but from fear. Peart, interested by this idea, decided to explore different types of fear through a series of lyrics.
"Witch Hunt" deals with man's most primitive fear - the fear of "the other" - and how this can feed a mob mentality. The carefully written lyric is potently at those who would criticize anyone for what they are, rather than what they do. The entire lyric is written with sharp precision, and one of the most effective lines of the song shows the utter absurdity in limiting freedom of expression: "Those who know what's best for us/Must rise and save us from ourselves." The lyrics describe how a vigilante mob gathers under torch light, distorting the features of the "twisted and grotesque" faces. The lyrics do not explain what the mob intends to do, but in the second set of stanzas indicate that the mob feeds on xenophobia and religious zealotry: "They say there are strangers who threaten us / Our immigrants and infidels / They say there is strangeness too dangerous / In our theaters and bookstore shelves".
The dark images conjured by the lyric are accompanied by an impressively brooding musical score. The ranting of a furious mob can be heard at the beginning of the track while ominous keyboards (incidentally another guest performance by Huge Syme) gradually fade in. The doom-laden sound is completed by a trolling tubular bell.
Driven by Lifeson's stormy guitar, this song is another departure for Rush; there are no fast runs or explosive solos (on the album version; a solo is played by Alex on this live version) - the excitement of "Witch Hunt" comes from it's layers of textures and an almost perfect link between music and lyric.
While the song itself is anything but humorous, the studio technique used to produce the effect of the angry mob in the song's introduction has an amusing story behind it:
"We went outside of Le Studio and it was so cold, it was really cold; we were well into December by then, I think. We were all out there. We put a couple of mics outside. We started ranting and raving. We did a couple of tracks of that. I think we had a bottle of Scotch or something with us to keep us warm. So as the contents of the bottle became less and less, the ranting and raving took on a different flavor. We were in the control room after we had laid down about twelve tracks of mob - in hysterics. Every once in awhile you'd hear somebody say something really stupid." According to the Rush biography Visions, the mob sounds were purposely mixed so they could not be understood. The idea was to add to the feeling of fear.
Vocalist Geddy Lee told The Plain Dealer newspaper in a 2011 interview the song's message is even more relevant today than when it was first recorded: "It's one of those songs that means as much today, if not more, considering what's gone on in the world with racial profiling and all these different issues. The sentiment of that song is as appropriate as ever."
* The song was recorded the same night that John Lennon was shot in New York. The band was right in the middle of laying down the tune when they heard the tragic news.
Alex Lifeson - Guitar
Geddy Lee - Vocals, Bass, Synthesizers
Near Peart - Drums, Percussion
Hugh Syme - Synths on album version
![Rush ~ La Villa Strangiato ~ Time Machine - Live in Cleveland [HD 1080p] [CC] 2011](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3zlRdksakI/mqdefault.jpg)
![Rush ~ La Villa Strangiato ~ Time Machine - Live in Cleveland [HD 1080p] [CC] 2011](/img/tr.png)
*Lyrics* *[Click on "CC" icon for Closed Captioning] (Lyrics on Screen)*
The night is black
Without a moon
The air is thick and still
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torchlit hill
Features distorted in the flickering light
Faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night
Mob moves like demons possessed
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right
Confident their ways are best
Ooh, ahh
The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill
They say there are strangers who threaten us
In our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness, too dangerous
In our theatres and bookstore shelves
Those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves
Quick to judge
Quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear, walk hand in hand
Q
This song is more proof that Neil Peart was a philosopher and prophet, spreading his super-accurate message by way of music. Frightening how relevant this song is, 40 years later.
Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice....and fear walk hand in in hand. One of the most profound lyrics I've ever heard. I was 14 years old when I purchased Moving Pictures in 1981. In my 50s now and these lyrics still impact me.
I was hooked after hearing Moving Pictures same as you , have been a Rush fan ever since !! These guys are musical geniuses , 3 guys with so much powerful lyrics and music , just incredible, seen them once in KC , what an awesome show live , extremely clear sound . RIP Neil
True Dat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In 1981 as a 15 year old, I was introduced to Rush on my way to school while riding with my big brother’s friend who had a car. In 1982 I convinced my mom to let me go see Rush during the “Signals” tour. That’s when I really became fan after that live show. Fast forward to 2013, I took my 8 year old Son with me to see Rush on the “Clockwork Angels” tour…..on a school night 😁
agree also madmen fed on fear and lies, to beat and burn and kill. They say they are strangers too dangerous, our inmigrants and infidels! the whole song is so deep and real its scary
I noticed 1974.
This is hands down, the best band to ever perform!! The best three man band, because it's simply a truthful fact. I think Rush with Geddy, Alex, and Neil would blow just about anybody away on stage. There's not much to say here. Geddy Lee, is simply the greatest band leader. They play a timeless masterpiece here taken from the iconic album "Moving Pictures". The song "Witch Hunt", looks, and sounds amazing, live. It was a beautiful ending to the song by Alex Lifeson with his unbelievable guitar creativity, and then there's Neil Peart with the drums also. Absolutely, incredible!!
I will never understand how I let myself sleep on this song for so long, I almost ignored it entirely and (most of the time) wouldn't even bother to play it when going through Moving Pictures. Now, it's one of my favorites. So powerful.
Peart's drumming is intensely beautiful in this song. I am new to Rush and heard this song for the first time today. Peart's drumming gave me goosebumps. Litteral goosebums. I am 50 years old, and it's not often that this happens. Came here specifically to comment on this. Such a humbling and moving experience.
I've been listening to it for 40 years and I still get goosebumps.
I'm 60 years old and I first saw them in my home town of Kingston Ontario opening for Styx in the late 1970's at Queens University. They are from Toronto Ontario, about a three hour drive from Kingston. I only saw them one more time and I'm kicking myself for not seeing them more often but I guess I'll have to settle for listening to their albums. What a fantastic legacy of music they have left us. R.I.P. Neil.....
If we could only see them live again… one last time
I wish I could live it all again….
Saw them in '84 on the Grace Under pressure Tour and fell deeply in love..a life-long rabid fan of the greatest band in the Universe
Totally agree, the best band in the entire universe!!!
Rush 4 the rest of eternity..
The air drummer at 3:40 is my hero: he is living the music, without fu--ing smartphone. Rush WILL RULE FOREVER!
Saw this on The Time Machine tour. Amazing stuff. RIP, Neil. 🥁😢🥰
What I would give to have seen this concert tour! Especially with the entire "Moving Pictures" album performed at such a high level. Definitely amazing stuff...you are so lucky, Scott! R.I.P. Neil "The Professor" Peart. 🥁🤘
You have to watch this on an 70-80" 4K TV with surround sound or TruTheater sound type system or headphones, turn the lights off, volume up to 11, and get ready to go on a ride..... The music and lyrics go (hand in hand)😉It's a wicked story with some wicked music to match....
The "fear" series of songs fascinated Neil (I believe) because man is at the very core an animal and animals ,by the instinct for survival, are more interested in what could harm us than by what we enjoy.
He tapped into that and wrote very vivid and impactful illustrations of that.
@Mr. Beetleman "The enemy within" and " Freeze"
My beloved Neil Peart. Nothing more need be said.
The world is a much better place with RUSH in it. miss them so very much, thank you for all the wonderful shows over the years. The very best.
ignorance and prejudice go hand in hand. this was the first Rush song that i ever heard. i fell in love with their music.
I think this might be the most underrated Rush song. Its just brilliant and timeless. The witch hunts continue to this day. From LGBTQ to sex workers and immigrants, the witch hunters are still at work. Oppressing and punishing, for our own good of course. RIP Neil. Such a beautiful human being. We lost something special when he left.
I saw RUSH in concert three times and I was always enthralled with their abilities both on and off stage. I have trouble watching their videos these days. As a drummer, Neil was always my hero and his passing has diminished my small world. His lyrics are his legacy and they are as applicable today as when he wrote them.
@@oh8wingman So true!
underrated is a cliche', look it up.
Man I can't believe I forgot all about this song. It's just amazing all around but as a guitar player I absolutely love that riff. As a proud Canadian I'm so proud of this Canadian band. R.I.P. Neil !!
Love the way Alex finishes this track - differently to the album and any other live performance of this song. Just brilliant.
Clearly - A work of art!! This is what greatness is all about. The best three man band ever!! I always loved the song Witch Hunt. One of their
legendary songs of the album Moving Pictures. This song is so iconic and electrifying with Alex's very special ending there. Absolutely timeless!!
Neil had a vision of the future.
Was fortunate to be able to take my son to see them on this tour in Atlanta. His first Rush show, my ninth.
the sound of the very first riff, stops the hands of time, classic,,,,, i get tingles
UNTOUCHABLE LIVE ACT PERIOD!❤
Goose bumps every time. I will miss this band forever.
I love around the 3:15 mark when Alex gets mildly funky! Great treatment of a badly overlooked studio production piece. I always wondered how they would've translated 'Different Strings' live.
The same feeling as the time I got Moving Pictures and I learnt every single note and lyric 40 years ago!!!
I think one of the best song they ever wrote. it's a master piece
Just a brilliant song, inspired and inspiring. RIP Neal 🌛
Holy crap! Is this not completely indicative of where we are in US politics right now!?
Freakin’ Fine Wine with these guys. Had this in my head today, and here I am. And they just get better…
Beyond superb. 🧨🎤🎸😢🥰
Absolutely! This is an incredible version of this song. I like it better that the original album version. 🤘
@@MysticRhythmsLive I could feel the heat behind Neil. I still can’t believe he is no longer with us. 🇨🇦 🥁😢🥰
@@scottallison9659 I could DEFINITELY feel the heat behind Neil. I remember back in the day I was playing with a band and we had similar pyrotechnics as those, and I was pretty close to one that would go off every now and then and man, it's a heat wave!
RUSH IS INTELLECTUAL ROCK . ❤❤❤
the best of the best , RUSH
Geesh! Alex's guitar tone is so SICK!
Man! What a CRAZY AWESOME sound Alex is getting in this version from that LP!! Wow!!
1st time Fresno Ca.,moving pictures my first Rush concert.saw them more than any other band till the end.
This song is so intense, and represents a pinnacle of many, for Rush.
Such a great song live. I’m addicted to watching this video because it takes me back to hearing live in person. It’s an epic part of their show I always thought
My favorite band since 1980. For me they are musical genius. Eva from Gothenburg Sweden
They are musical geniuses for sure! One of my three favorite bands, the other two being Yes and Dream Theater. Hello to you in Sweden!
@@MysticRhythmsLive Have listen to Dream Theater. 👍. Like the music, voice, guitar playing and I think the drummer is awsome. Thanks for your charing. Sorry for my english 😊. All best to you. Eva in Gothenburg Sweden.
@@evafohlin4857 All the best to you, Eva in Sweden. I'm glad you like Dream Theater as they are a great band!
Love Alex's Guitar sound. Dark...angry...evil? .
Seems I saw this movie....mobs surrounded a capital...day light so no tourch.....but the rest is pretty spot on.
I thought Jon Anderson was a prophet back in the day....but Peart has some visions as well.
Uuuuoooohhh Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh... Speechless... Magnificent... Awesome... Rush are T H E B E S T 😲
What I wanted to say is I saw them live in Greensboro NC. I wept. Little girl beside me asked why does that man cry? Her Mom said I know why he does.
CLEVELAND ROCKS RUSH !!!!❤❤❤
One of my favorite songs ever.. so glad to finally see it live
This song is over 30 years old and in 2024 more relevant than ever.
So glad I got to see them on this tour.
I just went back 40 years I miss those times in Moreno Valley California
I miss MoVal back in the 80s/90s. It was a great time to grow up.
Incrívelmente perfeito!!!!
Thanks for this video, I started listening to Rush in my senior year of high school in 73 and haven't stopped.
You're welcome! I have the entire concert up on this channel if you're interested.
A masterpiece
Yes it is!!
52k VIEWS? NOT Possible.... God speed Neil, RUSH is today STILL WAY AHEAD of their time. ❤❤❤❤❤⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😍
i love this riff
And he was right!
A mysterious start.
It’s hard to explain - I always expect the track to musically go in a different direction when I hear it.
Loving these uploads Dan - great work my friend.
This is a mysterious song in some ways, but so true in all ways. I didn't particularly care for this song until I heard this version...now I love it! I've heard the song so many times but the energy Rush put into this production made the song grow on me fast!
I'm so glad you're enjoying the shares, BD. I want you to know that I appreciate your comments and support, bro. Thank you for your kind words!
@@MysticRhythmsLive
You are welcome Dan.
@@bd5933 👍!
classic Peart- Quick to judge
Quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear, walk hand in hand
Mr. Neil Ellewood Peart Rip We Miss You Guy
Ascending crescendo. Nice build up during the whole song and a safe landing. Did they catch a witch or not? Thanks for the post MR. MYSTIC RHYTHMS
It's funny, I never really cared that much for this song until I heard this version and saw the performance on video. Now I love the song! LOL! I doubt they caught a witch as the whole song is denigrating the people that went after witches in the first place. This is such a cool song and as was noted by Geddy in the video description, the song is as timely today as it was when it was written. I certainly do not mind the name Mr. Mystic Rhythms...it's catchy! It has a certain ring to it that I like...🤘
Alex's tone!
second best of all Rush songs. it's comparing perfect to great. or great to perfect.
That's more than just a Power Chord 🌈🎸
This song should be mandatory listening down in Texas and Florida!
Everywhere in the world man. Aren't you aware what's happening right now in Europe? The new wave of meta-fascists are rising. And here we are, 80 years later, getting ready to plunge the world in chaos, once more.
Agree
I think they are too dumb there to comprehend the message.
@Toni Pölkki lol, yes. It's not called the Armpit of America for no reason.
Sadly I think DeSantis has made this song his playbook...
AWESOME!
This is a great version of this song. Impressive indeed.
My ideals said perfectly
Always thought the album version should have a soaring solo by Alex!
RUSH ROSE UP AND SAVED ALL OF US .💖💖💖🌹🙏
I saw this live and cried. Little girl asked her Mom why does that man cry? Her Mom said I know why he does.
LMFAO
❤🦋 one of my fav bands growing up💌🏴☠️🇨🇦✨✨✨✨✨✨✨🥲✌️
Ya know that great feeling you get when you figure out a whole song by yourself and then watch the band live and se you were spot on? Yea i got that
Top demais
Meu primeiro álbum deles aos 11 anos!Comecei bem! é uma coletânea praticamente!Aline tu tens
Um ótimo gosto musical!Melhor banda de todas
Incrivel o som que essa banda faz e 3 componentes sem contar que tem melhor guitarra, bateria e vocal baixo
Can't tell for sure, but I think that Les Paul is a Gibson Standard Unburst or Ice Tea.
Beautiful guitar!
As with Led Zeppelin, most of Rush's live performances just outdo the studio tracks.... 👍
Audio has a lot of compression artifacts from being encoded at a low bitrate.
When was the last time they played this song live does anyone know?
Last stop of the Time Machine tour in 2011.
@@foxriverpwc4723 so they played it multiple times during that tour??
@@TheAKfellow644 They played the entirety of moving pictures at the start of set 2 for every show.
So much more poignant given the state of today’s culture mindset
James 1:19
The night is black without a moon. The air is thick and still. The vigilantes gather on the lonely torch lit hill
Moving Pictures is my all time favorite because the music and lyrics were so far ahead of its time for example look at tge world today. Just as separated, partisaned and full of religious hypocrisy 🤣
Totally agree....👍
The lyrics of Witch Hunt have never been as poignant in my lifetime as they are now. Look at Florida. Look at Texas. Look at Arizona. Look at MAGA. This is what Neil was warning about and it’s happening in our current life- not as a footnote to history.
YES!
Word Salad. I have no idea what your talking about.@@66gtfb
You are totally right , this song should be declared ANTI MAGA hymn. If Democrats (and i 'm one ) had some brains , (which i doubt) ,declare this theme of campaign , probably they're more interested on Miley Cyrus or JLo.
@@steamloco1705That's actually a wonderful idea!
Neil nailed it but the others not so much ☹️
This was a bit of an off night for them. Geddy had strep throat, but they were contractually obliged to continue recording the show and to release it anyway. Most of the DVD was really good, but this song was one of the ones that was probably better on the Snakes and Arrows version.
@@photoniccannon2117 I guess Geddy had strep throat for the last 8 to 10 years that the band were together..!
@stevewilliamson4635 yea, he pushed his voice too hard in general on that second leg of the time machine tour. By the end of its his voice was barely making it through a set. I suppose rest helped him somewhat because most dates on clockwork angels were much better, but his voice still didn't fully recover to where it was pre time machine. By r40, he had started focusing much more on range and was thinning his voice out more to make it through the set. His range recovered impressively well for R40, but his voice sounded thinner and more frail.
It's impressive that he was still hitting D5s into his 60s, but I think his voice would have been served better if they started transposing a few things down after time machine. A lot of the thin sounding voice that he had afterwards was from him switching techniques around to try to hit the notes. They got a couple more tours out of it. I suppose sometimes he did great and sometimes it was more hit or miss. Better than most rock stars his age, but his older voice was finally starting to unearth its cracks.
@@photoniccannon2117 towards the end of the band it was hard to listen to them live because of Geddys voice..The glaring vocal issues he was having overshadowed the music..I hate that I had to witness that..They always seemed to be the type that would pack it in if something was so obviously wrong..To me his voice sounded more throaty and full but had this strange portamento flux at the beginning of single words and between words in longer phrases.
@@stevewilliamson4635 Yea he started doing that heavily the last couple of tours. He seemed afraid to admit that his voice was aging. It would have probably helped a lot if they had started transposing some of their songs down a bit at the end.
Recording more shows would have probably made the live albums better too. Clockwork angels was recorded on some off nights for Geddy’s voice (his voice was much stronger about two months before the DVD taping, some of the October shows were actually pretty good). R40 was about average for the tour, but there were better nights for him.
S02e17
Rush made the best music and the worst videos.
Who are Trump's supporters?
The fearful of immigrants. Those who fear infidels and what's contained in our bookstore shelves
Get over him already, you deranged fruitcake.
pretty cool people from my experience
Christ that guitar sounds horrendous,Alex please,in the future if you ever make a comeback use the right guitar