The whole song is about building the atomic bombs used against Japan ("Shot down the rising sun", see Japan's flag). Also, "to build the best big stick" refers to Theodore Roosevelt's famous line, "Speak softly but carry a big stick." The Manhattan Project was the codename for the work to build atomic bombs.
When this album "Power Windows" came out, I was in the Navy boot camp. It helped me get through. I always appreciated Neil's lyrics because in high school, I learned new vocabulary words ahead of the class. The "rising sun" phrase is a double entendre. The hydrogen bomb with the intensity of the sun dropped on the country known as "land of the rising sun". Neil always used multiple meanings when possible.
Pope The Enola Gay was the aircraft that we used to drop the atomic bombs on Japan, aka The Rising Sun, to end World War 2. So true, we all learn something new by listening to Rush and Neil's lyrics.
The title refers to the group of scientists (Oppenheimer, the lead man) who developed the atomic bomb and it was called the Manhattan Project with the result of changing our existence in this world to what it is now. Neil’s lyrics provide insight to the historic moment by looking at it from pilot Tibet’s experience of it. Learn something new every day as the saying goes! Love you brother and keep on doing what you’re doing Thanks
The Manhattan project was the code name for the development of the Atom bomb. The Line "To work in the secrecy of the desert sand" refers to Los Alamos where the research took place.
Except Los Alamos is up in the mountains outside of Santa Fe. There's no sand up there. White Sands in quite a ways away from Los Alamos. However the part of White Sands where the test took place is nowhere near the sands themselves. It is barren scrub desert. Once a year they open up the Trinity Site and you can go see it. You used to be able to come in the North gate off of NM152 near Socorro I Don't know if that is still an option. Otherwise you join a caravan that starts in Alamogordo and drive up to Trinity. I'll admit these are minor in the context of the song, I was in college in Socorro when this album was released, so they grate a bit.
One of my very favorite songs on the album. Especially if you grew up during the Cold War, it's *so damn easy* to see how easy mistakes can be, and how badly we need some kind of high level communications with all nuclear powers. Doesn't mean we have to like them. Doesn't mean we can't oppose them when necessary. But the power to annihilate all of civilization demands insane levels of responsibility.
There’s a college degree, or at minimum a HS diploma in every Rush album or song. Either the facts he drops, or the many interpretations of the subject matter always inspired me to research the topics to become more educated about them.❤#RIP NEP😢🥇🥁🤘🖖✌️
And it's another gem from the best 3 piece rock band ever. And another great reaction from our man Pope. I was watching a couple of your older reactions over the weekend. Could you have imagined the journey you were about to take? From pop to prog, quite a leap! So glad to have you remind me of the joy I felt when I first heard all these songs.
What I have always liked about Rush's music is how the expressiveness in Geddy's vocals and their instrumental arrangements really bring Neil's lyrics to life, and here they come together amazingly well, building up to the point when the bomb is dropped, and then crashing down. When you're done with PW, I recommend Red Tide from their 1989 album Presto, which also carries another timely message for humanity. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥
Thanks to Democrats, first climate legislation just got passed here in America. ZERO Republicans voted for it. They are a threat to America in too many ways to count. How ironic their "leader" will likely end up in prison for stealing our own nuclear secrets. No doubt he shopped them around to all our enemies.
Xanadu, the mission and this one are a but a few of my favourite Rush tracks. Like Yes they are some of my all time favourite bands. - a three piece that could sound like an orchestra in concert and with amazing musical and lyrical skills. Rip Chris Squire and of course - Neal Peart. both greatly missed by any who cares for this kind of music. PS. any band confidently wielding not one, but two, twin necks whilst using effects pedals, & keyboards galore on a stage covered with dry ice & backed by a tryly amazing peerless drummer with tubular bells and two drumkits, back to back, are ok by me 😉 and like Yes, their catalogue of sheer musical genius is almost never ending. Unlike Yes, Rush quit when a key band member passed away. (Yes should've done the same I feel).
Hey Pope, indeed, man these guys are quick. Well, you already know about the Enola Gay, however, I suggest your going back to the Lyrics and comprehend from the very beginning.....the way Neil put that plot there to take you on a trip to teach you....I've known these song since it came out......that's is also since I know about that prophetic airplane and admire how he kind of hide things in his quotes "shut down the Rising Sun".... I do recommend your checking them out again. From this album, check, to me, one if their best hidden songs, that's "Grand Designs".…….man, lyrically and musically so good. Hope you do it.
Hey Nyco !!! Maybe you should do albums since you like most of what you hear from Rush. There is way more good than bad songs in that jar you know ! :P
Hey, Pope: I hope you would react to a number of these 1970s songs by The Carpenters: Ticket to Ride; Help; And When He Smiles; Masquerade; A Song For You; California Dreamin'; A Rainbow Connection; Breaking Up is Hard to do; I can't Smile Without You; I just Keep Falling In Love Again; Make Believe It's Your First Time; For All We Know; Only Yesterday; Yesterday Once More; I'll Never Fall In Love Again; A Place to Hideaway; Mr. Postman; All You Get from Love is a Love Song; I Need Some Time; Sing a Song; All of My Life; Bless the Beasts and Children; Calling Your Name Again; Goodbye to Love; Hurting Each Other; I Believe You; I Have You; I Need to Be in Love; I Won't Last a Day Without You; Jambalaya (On the Bayou); Sweet, Sweet Smile; There's a Kind of Hush; Those Good Old Dreams; Where Do I Go from Here; You. These are all good songs; plus, there are more :)
The really historical wild part is that the USoA did not do their worst, could have pushed a lot harder for actual world peace and had the means to get that done. Nope. Will go down in the future as a huge missed opportunity for advancing the entire world instead of the mire we're in now. The song? Yes! Thought it was a great one. Will listen to a bunch of more times in my life I'm hoping. :)
Neil Peart could write a song about vanilla custard and leave you thinking about it's meaning for hours.
The whole song is about building the atomic bombs used against Japan ("Shot down the rising sun", see Japan's flag). Also, "to build the best big stick" refers to Theodore Roosevelt's famous line, "Speak softly but carry a big stick." The Manhattan Project was the codename for the work to build atomic bombs.
When this album "Power Windows" came out, I was in the Navy boot camp. It helped me get through. I always appreciated Neil's lyrics because in high school, I learned new vocabulary words ahead of the class. The "rising sun" phrase is a double entendre. The hydrogen bomb with the intensity of the sun dropped on the country known as "land of the rising sun". Neil always used multiple meanings when possible.
Pope The Enola Gay was the aircraft that we used to drop the atomic bombs on Japan, aka The Rising Sun, to end World War 2. So true, we all learn something new by listening to Rush and Neil's lyrics.
Only the first one on Hiroshima.
The title refers to the group of scientists (Oppenheimer, the lead man) who developed the atomic bomb and it was called the Manhattan Project with the result of changing our existence in this world to what it is now. Neil’s lyrics provide insight to the historic moment by looking at it from pilot Tibet’s experience of it. Learn something new every day as the saying goes! Love you brother and keep on doing what you’re doing Thanks
The Manhattan project was the code name for the development of the Atom bomb. The Line
"To work in the secrecy of the desert sand" refers to Los Alamos where the research took place.
Except Los Alamos is up in the mountains outside of Santa Fe. There's no sand up there.
White Sands in quite a ways away from Los Alamos. However the part of White Sands where the test took place is nowhere near the sands themselves. It is barren scrub desert.
Once a year they open up the Trinity Site and you can go see it.
You used to be able to come in the North gate off of NM152 near Socorro I Don't know if that is still an option. Otherwise you join a caravan that starts in Alamogordo and drive up to Trinity.
I'll admit these are minor in the context of the song, I was in college in Socorro when this album was released, so they grate a bit.
Japan is called the land of the rising Sun, hence “shot down the rising sun.” Powerful song. Thanks, Pope!
This album is great from front to back....do em all!
One of my very favorite songs on the album. Especially if you grew up during the Cold War, it's *so damn easy* to see how easy mistakes can be, and how badly we need some kind of high level communications with all nuclear powers. Doesn't mean we have to like them. Doesn't mean we can't oppose them when necessary. But the power to annihilate all of civilization demands insane levels of responsibility.
This was about dropping the bomb on Japan. Very emotional song.
There’s a college degree, or at minimum a HS diploma in every Rush album or song. Either the facts he drops, or the many interpretations of the subject matter always inspired me to research the topics to become more educated about them.❤#RIP NEP😢🥇🥁🤘🖖✌️
“Mystic Rhythms” will blow your mind
And it's another gem from the best 3 piece rock band ever. And another great reaction from our man Pope. I was watching a couple of your older reactions over the weekend. Could you have imagined the journey you were about to take? From pop to prog, quite a leap! So glad to have you remind me of the joy I felt when I first heard all these songs.
So many good songs on this album!
This album came out when I had just graduated high school. I wore this vinyl out. One of the first cd’s I bought also! Yes, I’m old lol!
What I have always liked about Rush's music is how the expressiveness in Geddy's vocals and their instrumental arrangements really bring Neil's lyrics to life, and here they come together amazingly well, building up to the point when the bomb is dropped, and then crashing down. When you're done with PW, I recommend Red Tide from their 1989 album Presto, which also carries another timely message for humanity. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦
🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥
Thanks to Democrats, first climate legislation just got passed here in America. ZERO Republicans voted for it. They are a threat to America in too many ways to count. How ironic their "leader" will likely end up in prison for stealing our own nuclear secrets. No doubt he shopped them around to all our enemies.
Same album, check out Middletown dreams and Marathon if you haven't gotten around to them yet ! Great songs and amazing lyrics !
Red Sector A. Another powerful song.
Love ya Pope.
First time hearing this good stuff
This is a great song, check out Mystic Rhythms and Marathon from Power Windows
Xanadu, the mission and this one are a but a few of my favourite Rush tracks. Like Yes they are some of my all time favourite bands. - a three piece that could sound like an orchestra in concert and with amazing musical and lyrical skills. Rip Chris Squire and of course - Neal Peart. both greatly missed by any who cares for this kind of music. PS. any band confidently wielding not one, but two, twin necks whilst using effects pedals, & keyboards galore on a stage covered with dry ice & backed by a tryly amazing peerless drummer with tubular bells and two drumkits, back to back, are ok by me 😉 and like Yes, their catalogue of sheer musical genius is almost never ending. Unlike Yes, Rush quit when a key band member passed away. (Yes should've done the same I feel).
Hermosa camiseta 🥰
'Grave of the Fireflies' is praising! 😭😭😭
Every song brings that HEAT...
Try: Half the World. By RUSH Another profound statement and Alex plays a mandolin solo which is unprecedented...
That shirt looks great on you!! Always enjoyed watching your enthusiasm- keep it up!
Cool reaction man.
I saw this tour in Cincinnati. It was beautifully loud and deep.
2 words to googl: Manhattan Project!
Hey Pope, indeed, man these guys are quick. Well, you already know about the Enola Gay, however, I suggest your going back to the Lyrics and comprehend from the very beginning.....the way Neil put that plot there to take you on a trip to teach you....I've known these song since it came out......that's is also since I know about that prophetic airplane and admire how he kind of hide things in his quotes "shut down the Rising Sun".... I do recommend your checking them out again. From this album, check, to me, one if their best hidden songs, that's "Grand Designs".…….man, lyrically and musically so good.
Hope you do it.
Nice reaction :) You should check out the video for this song, just for your own entertainment. It's really good and explains a bit about the lyrics
Hey Nyco !!! Maybe you should do albums since you like most of what you hear from Rush. There is way more good than bad songs in that jar you know ! :P
Hey, Pope: I hope you would react to a number of these 1970s songs by The Carpenters: Ticket to Ride; Help; And When He Smiles; Masquerade; A Song For You; California Dreamin'; A Rainbow Connection; Breaking Up is Hard to do; I can't Smile Without You; I just Keep Falling In Love Again; Make Believe It's Your First Time; For All We Know; Only Yesterday; Yesterday Once More; I'll Never Fall In Love Again; A Place to Hideaway; Mr. Postman; All You Get from Love is a Love Song; I Need Some Time; Sing a Song; All of My Life; Bless the Beasts and Children; Calling Your Name Again; Goodbye to Love; Hurting Each Other; I Believe You; I Have You; I Need to Be in Love; I Won't Last a Day Without You; Jambalaya (On the Bayou); Sweet, Sweet Smile; There's a Kind of Hush; Those Good Old Dreams; Where Do I Go from Here; You. These are all good songs; plus, there are more :)
checkout the live version, the video is awesome.
Cake - friend is a four letter word. Hope you like it bro. !
Like a child thumbing through a.physics book
Just as relevant today as when it was written :/
Especially with America's all time traitor Trump stealing our nuclear secrets. How many of our enemies did he shop them around to?
The really historical wild part is that the USoA did not do their worst, could have pushed a lot harder for actual world peace and had the means to get that done. Nope. Will go down in the future as a huge missed opportunity for advancing the entire world instead of the mire we're in now.
The song? Yes! Thought it was a great one. Will listen to a bunch of more times in my life I'm hoping. :)
This is what Oppenheimer was about, sorry Barbie, much more meaningful.