Yeah, this is one of my favorite RUSH songs. Great melody and flow. I love the drumming too. As others have mentioned, this song is about the atomic bomb program during WWII. "Enola Gay" is the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Japan. Don't they teach you kids history in schools anymore? :-/
Nope, for some reason any time there was any sort of conflict it's just totally ignored (the Crusades, Napoleonic Wars, ACW, WWI & II never happened). I found out about these myself as a child, all school wanted me to know was Henry VIII and Elizabethan times !
@@brandydynamite5877 I'm not surprised. There is an agenda at work here, to dumb-down the masses. We have to seek-out truth and knowledge, and educate ourselves.
I do believe german history lessons are more focused on our big failure in that specific war... it's something that's still in MY generation (&that's good!) almost a monthly talk worth...
@@TheCyberMantis I do think it's important to talk about this over and over again. Never again, we fucked up the world so big, there need to be reminders everywhere.
It’s a history lesson on the atomic bomb. I like it because it doesn’t really take a side. It’s just descriptive and lets the listener decide for himself. Great music too! You’ll come around on this album Dean…I believe in you! 😎
I used this for a reading assignment years ago. The writing is precise and clear, with enough context clues to guide the reader and objective enough to make point of view elusive. The kids, who normally don't listen to rock music, loved it.
@@Azabaxe80 You must have been a teacher. I was too, a few years ago. I used Dr. Strangelove on that topic, but should have chosen this song. I might have been too much “on the nose.” Lol! Great to see you being much more subtle. 😁
@@brettking1014 I am, and sometimes I wish I taught older students (I'm very happy where I am), because one song I've always wished I could introduce the kids to is "Between the Wheels". A close friend who teaches high school AP Lit uses Dylan and even Sabbath. He gets to have all the fun.
Another great Rush review. It is great live in Dallas with a band. This is atypical Rush song musically but very solid song. Great lyrics, great music, this album is just under appreciated. Thanks,
Regarding: Who is Enola Gay? The “Enola Gay” was the name of the plane (B-29 Superfortress) that dropped “Little Boy” (the atomic bomb) on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during WWII. The plane was named after the pilot’s (Paul Warfield Tibbet) Mother. “The big bang, took and shook the world. Shot down the rising sun.” Cheers!
This is one of my favorite songs, mostly because of the story it tells. During WWII there was a rush (!!) to be the first to develop nuclear weapons because both sides were near to having the technology. Brilliant physicists who created a powerful and, at the same time, horrible weapon. Definitely in my top 20 because of the science geek factor.
The title of the song (Manhattan Project) was the code name for the Allied Forces project, under Oppenheimer, to build the first atomic bomb. As the previous comment says, the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the second, a few days later, on Nagasaki.
This one Little Boy was a uranium 235 isotope bomb, Nagasaki's was called Fat Man it was plutonium bomb, they didn't have enough weapons grade uranium 235 to make 2 bombs in1945
Great reaction! The song is about the development of the atomic bomb, which was the Manhattan Project, and the dropping of the atomic bomb. Enola Gay was the name of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb, the first one I believe.
The atomic bomb song. A bit of history and since we just passed Dec 7th Pearl harbor day is quite appropriate. My father in law was a tech sergeant working on aircraft stationed on the island of Guam near the Marianna island chain in the Pacific. He worked on the Enola Gay a B29 Super fortress bomber as it travelled across the Pacific ocean to drop a uranium 235 atomic bomb called little boy on Hiroshima Japan on Aug 6 1945.
One of my favorites of all time. Saw the Powerwindows tour when they first played it, and played it on the next two tours Hold Your Fire and Presto-retired it till 2012-2013 Clockwork Angels when they alternately played it with Dreamline with the LIVE strings and the one show I caught they played Dreamline.🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎹🎤🎻🎻🎻
the big bang was not about the creation theory but a description of an atomic explosion I just wanted to be amongst this long list of listeners who wanted to correct you :D :P
There is no "big bang". The "big bang" he's singing about is the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan in WWII. It's a song about the development of nuclear weapons, code named "Manhattan project."
So, I decided not to comment, as I am late to the game and I just gave thumbs up to others who explained this. I imagine this song will take on an entirely different place in your mind now. It's a very dark song, poetic explanation of historic facts. This album has a lot of more serious subjects in the song themes. Many favorites on this album for me.
Neil did a ton of research about this because he wanted to get it factually right. But as a "reality researcher" myself, I can attest that he was deceived. I absolve him of wrongdoing, though. But I still love this song.
Actually, I believe the “Manhattan Project” was a research project undertaken by the U.S. government to develop nuclear weapons during WWII.
Makes much more sense now!
Not only "nuclear weapons", but the first atom bomb, see the recent film "Oppenheimer" for more details!🙂
Yeah, this is one of my favorite RUSH songs. Great melody and flow. I love the drumming too. As others have mentioned, this song is about the atomic bomb program during WWII. "Enola Gay" is the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Japan. Don't they teach you kids history in schools anymore? :-/
Nope, for some reason any time there was any sort of conflict it's just totally ignored (the Crusades, Napoleonic Wars, ACW, WWI & II never happened). I found out about these myself as a child, all school wanted me to know was Henry VIII and Elizabethan times !
@@brandydynamite5877 I'm not surprised. There is an agenda at work here, to dumb-down the masses. We have to seek-out truth and knowledge, and educate ourselves.
I do believe german history lessons are more focused on our big failure in that specific war... it's something that's still in MY generation (&that's good!) almost a monthly talk worth...
@@Geddy92 That is certainly a topic that would take a very long time to discuss and debate. Many sides to that one.
@@TheCyberMantis I do think it's important to talk about this over and over again. Never again, we fucked up the world so big, there need to be reminders everywhere.
It’s a history lesson on the atomic bomb. I like it because it doesn’t really take a side. It’s just descriptive and lets the listener decide for himself. Great music too! You’ll come around on this album Dean…I believe in you! 😎
I do believe that too, Brett! Take care. :)
I used this for a reading assignment years ago. The writing is precise and clear, with enough context clues to guide the reader and objective enough to make point of view elusive. The kids, who normally don't listen to rock music, loved it.
@@Azabaxe80 You must have been a teacher. I was too, a few years ago. I used Dr. Strangelove on that topic, but should have chosen this song. I might have been too much “on the nose.” Lol! Great to see you being much more subtle. 😁
@@brettking1014 I am, and sometimes I wish I taught older students (I'm very happy where I am), because one song I've always wished I could introduce the kids to is "Between the Wheels".
A close friend who teaches high school AP Lit uses Dylan and even Sabbath. He gets to have all the fun.
Another great Rush review. It is great live in Dallas with a band. This is atypical Rush song musically but very solid song. Great lyrics, great music, this album is just under appreciated. Thanks,
Thanks for the comment, Carl. It's been a while, eh!? ;)
Yes it has been, eh! You had to add that! Lol.
Regarding: Who is Enola Gay?
The “Enola Gay” was the name of the plane (B-29 Superfortress) that dropped “Little Boy” (the atomic bomb) on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during WWII. The plane was named after the pilot’s (Paul Warfield Tibbet) Mother.
“The big bang, took and shook the world. Shot down the rising sun.”
Cheers!
Thank you for clarifying! :)
This is one of my favorite songs, mostly because of the story it tells. During WWII there was a rush (!!) to be the first to develop nuclear weapons because both sides were near to having the technology. Brilliant physicists who created a powerful and, at the same time, horrible weapon. Definitely in my top 20 because of the science geek factor.
Fuck war. But I do think nobody likes war, right? Except War-Lords...
@@Geddy92 and the asshats who profit from it.
The title of the song (Manhattan Project) was the code name for the Allied Forces project, under Oppenheimer, to build the first atomic bomb. As the previous comment says, the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the second, a few days later, on Nagasaki.
This one Little Boy was a uranium 235 isotope bomb, Nagasaki's was called Fat Man it was plutonium bomb, they didn't have enough weapons grade uranium 235 to make 2 bombs in1945
They didn't taught us that in school... sadly.
This is definitely in my top 20! I absolutely love this song! I love when I get a history lesson and tap my feet at the same time :-)
Turns out, I was soooo wrong what the song was about. haha. :D
Great reaction! The song is about the development of the atomic bomb, which was the Manhattan Project, and the dropping of the atomic bomb. Enola Gay was the name of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb, the first one I believe.
Thank you for the info, Steve. :)
This is the story of the first atomic bomb. I love this song.
I see! Man,... where was I in school when history was the subject!?
The 'Big Bang' in this song relates to the detonation of the Little Boy and Fat Man atomic bombs in WWII. Never again 🙏🙏
Hopefully never again....
The atomic bomb song. A bit of history and since we just passed Dec 7th Pearl harbor day is quite appropriate. My father in law was a tech sergeant working on aircraft stationed on the island of Guam near the Marianna island chain in the Pacific. He worked on the Enola Gay a B29 Super fortress bomber as it travelled across the Pacific ocean to drop a uranium 235 atomic bomb called little boy on Hiroshima Japan on Aug 6 1945.
Allegedly.
@@DionysusAlS No Factual
Thanks for the info, Patrick! :) I appreciate it.
One of my favorites of all time. Saw the Powerwindows tour when they first played it, and played it on the next two tours Hold Your Fire and Presto-retired it till 2012-2013 Clockwork Angels when they alternately played it with Dreamline with the LIVE strings and the one show I caught they played Dreamline.🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎹🎤🎻🎻🎻
Nice! :)
Top 20 for me! They did this live with the strings on the Clockwork Angels tour :)
I do believe I've heard that specific version before..
The are superb story tellers.
Red Barchetta is another unique song.
RED BARCHETTA... I don't know if we've covered this one already...
the big bang was not about the creation theory but a description of an atomic explosion
I just wanted to be amongst this long list of listeners who wanted to correct you :D :P
It did usher in a new era of sorts, an interesting take by Neil.
Yeah... apparantly I was the only guy here who was thinking of something completely different :D
@@Geddy92 that is ok , we forgive you :)
Watch the live version from the Hold Your Fire concert, that’s and Marathon are awesome.
Thanks for the info, Terry! :)
Quick fact when rush refers to shot down the rising sun they are referring to Japan
makes sense...
This song is about the nuclear bomb.
My bad, Apex! :D
There is no "big bang". The "big bang" he's singing about is the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan in WWII. It's a song about the development of nuclear weapons, code named "Manhattan project."
I do know it now! :)
So, I decided not to comment, as I am late to the game and I just gave thumbs up to others who explained this. I imagine this song will take on an entirely different place in your mind now. It's a very dark song, poetic explanation of historic facts. This album has a lot of more serious subjects in the song themes. Many favorites on this album for me.
I'm wiser now! :)
The whole song is about the Manhattan project.
That makes sense.... if I'd have known what that Project was about...
Really works well with Oppenheimer - he gathered them in the secrecy of the desert.
Enola Gay was the name of the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb. He named it after his mother.
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦😎
yes!!!!
Neil did a ton of research about this because he wanted to get it factually right. But as a "reality researcher" myself, I can attest that he was deceived. I absolve him of wrongdoing, though. But I still love this song.
Explain. How was he deceived, as you say.
How was he deceived ?
Please elaborate?
Deceived in what way?
At least Neil won't be here when Trump destroys the world. Only half joking....
atomic bomb
I thought with a comment like that my video would get blocked! :D
A catchy chorus but other than that I say this in my bottom 10 Rush songs. The whole Power Windows album nope.....right at the bottom.
I agree! :)
“ all the brightest boy’s playing withe the biggest toys.”
I don't whine about DOG YEARS that much these days, Billy ;)