Dear lady, you have just stumbled upon one of the largest and most gratifying rabbit holes there is. Each band member is a virtuoso musician recognized as some of the best of their craft. One of the best three piece bands ever assembled...😎🎏
A lot of times during the guitar solo, the bass and drums will drop back in the mix and let it stand. Not with Rush. The solo is time for all three to shine.
Neil Peart was your favourite drummer's favourite drummer. They asked Eddie Van Halen what it was like to be considered the best rock guitar player. He responded: " Don't ask me, ask Alex Lifeson. "
Strange to say this because I did not know or meet him personally, but the death of Neil Peart was also a deep personal loss for me, both because I am a drummer and held his work in high esteem AND because I was a philosophy major and Peart was a profound thinker and incessant reader who wrote deep and inspiring lyrics on a diversity of topics. If you listen to his interviews, what comes through is not a beast who happened to beat on drums for a living, but his gentle and compassionate nature, his keen and voracious intellect, and his curiosity about the human condition.
@@JohnnyMegabyteCanadaPlus he can twist time so effortlessly, shifting between the different time signatures to the point that he will use 3 time signatures within 5 bars.They way he does it is almost subconsciously, where a lot of bands have a bar of silence to switch signatures. He literally gained recognition for his timing, time signatures progressions, and ability to play and add in fills seamlessly.
Most epiphanies are indelible learning experiences and all Rush fans definitely became smarter by listening to them. One belongs to a rarified collection of discerning individuals who, by virtue of accepting Rush, are awarded acceptance in a more cerebral idiom of complex musical awareness. Feeling that she just became smarter is incredibly astute!
@@TonySchoppI love 2112 the movement Discovery. When I first heard that I cried and cried and cried. I determined that was how I wanted to live my life, in the movement of Discovery ! ! ! A thinking person’s band.
True but Ive played Rush to a number of girlfriends growing up in the late 70 and 80's etc and I never saw the face that Rosalie gave us, as she got it and loved it all in the first 30 secs. I cant wait till she hears the top 20 of Rush line up as we in the Rush army get to relive those early days of experiencing Rush with someone who gets it. TY...Cheers. 😎
Neil Peart (GOAT percussionist & lyricist) "Your favorite drummer's favorite drummer." He used this song to express his discomfort to being famous and being recognized. I believe that he hoped that we (as fans) would understand his introversion and need to maintain his "space." He was not intending to be rude, or aloof, he just couldn't stand to be fawned over. Geddy Lee (GOAT bassist, vocals, pedals & keyboards) is instantly recognizable with his unique timbre which he chose because "our instruments are playing everywhere else." He's probably the biggest multi-tasker of the group. Alex Lifeson (GOAT guitars, pedals) is highly underrated. His solos are not just an expression of skill, they're melodic. He can make the guitar speak to the soul and express limitless emotion. HUGE DEEP rabbit hole here ... over 40 years of material. These guys could simultaneously solo and not step on each other ... really. Huge psychological and social commentary in almost every song. Prepare to be inundated with suggestions, but don't worry, you can't go wrong.
A more cynical interpretation might be: "Ok, fans, you know all that music we did in the '70s? We were pandering to you the whole time. We're not doing that anymore. Get out of your Mother's basement and 'fake it til you make it' like we've had to do for the last decade!" I can't hear Rush and not appreciate them, but I also hear strong political manifesto vibes from the lyrics of this era. It just occurred to me that it might be fun to hear someone recite these lyrics as slam poetry.
What an incredibly accurate description of RUSH you nailed it! one other point I would mention. they set out to form a rock band as 3 humble Canadian boys and after finding incredible fame and fortune they remained 3 humble Canadian boys
"That drummer is nuts" - understatement of the century. I'm always happy when people can discover Rush for the first time as it truly can be life changing
"I think this just made me smarter". What a great analysis of Rush! Every Rush song needs to be listened to 5 times to truly appreciate the talent. An overall listen, a lyric listen, and a listen focusing on each of the 3 musicians.
@@BrendaNelson-p1y Natural Science has to be an all time favorite of mine. As great as the song is it's probably more that it takes me back to one special time and place listening to it with my best friend. It wasn't the first time hearing it but just hanging with my friend that day as it blared out the stereo driving down a back road. (Here's to you Bri , miss ya Bro)
Neil was a self taught intellectual giant and true renaissance man, defying the rock drummer stereotype. You could hear it instantly in any interview he did. One of the best read people you can imagine. A true role model and inspiration. I miss him dearly.
I miss him too, my friend. I cried that horrible day in January of 2020. My hero was gone, and my heroes were not going to make amazing music ever again. R.I.P Neil.
2020 was a double cry year for me, and I never cry. But the started with Neil’s passing, then my favorite Rock guitarist Edward Van Halen went In October.
This band was my brothers favorite band. He could talk for hours about Rush. He took me to 5 Rush concerts. He passed from cancer months before Rush was inducted into the Hall of Fame. And I’m pretty sure he’s talking Neil Pearts ear off in heaven. I always feel close to my bro when I hear Rush and if I close my eyes I can see him rocking out.
The Drummer Neil Peart was and is considered to beone of the greatest Rock Drummers in history. With that said, Neil was extremely shy as a person. So he had this internal battle going on in his life.
Yup, he said in an interview that he often had fans approach him, professed to know all about him, had read all kinds of things and were talking to him as if they were friends. And from his perspective, he knows nothing about these people and just wanted to be left alone. The line "I can't pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend" says it all.
Pretty much every RUSH song can be described like this: put three of the greatest multi-instrumental musicians of all time in the same room. Have them all play virtuouso-level "solo" parts simultaneously, in perfect unison. Make the drummer an acclaimed philisopher-poet. Give them 40 years together, as best friends, to practice every part to absolute perfection, in tens of thousands of performances. They're top three, in any genre, of all time--and it's amazing to see people only now discovering them. The best musicians in the world revere this band, for a reason. Their once-upon-a-time cult following is growing exponentially. Some people don't get the lyrics, or they don't like Geddy's voice, or the compositions are too complex for their tastes, but nobody denies their talent. If you don't know this band, you're late to the party, but you're lucky--I would absolutely love to discover this band again for the first time. But that feeling of having your mind blown won't go away. 37 years in, I'm still amazed every time I hear them. If you're not already playing and recording another reaction, no matter what else you're doing, you're missing out.
They were ALL huge fans of the Who. Three virtuoso instrumentalists and one virtuoso singer, every one of them playing solos at the same time. Makes sense, right?
Limelight is basically Neil Peart's letter to FANS that while he enjoys the fame - he doesn't enjoy what fame means in terms of trying to have a private life. He is basically a SHY GUY. The more successful RUSH became - the more your freedom grows smaller..
Neil was similar to Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, who stated that he enjoyed the success but not necessarily the fame - and they are not the same. One of my favorite quotes of Neil Peart was, "I didn't want to be famous, I just wanted to be GOOD."
I first heard this song over 40 years ago and its still stuns me how briliant it is - you could do a whole channel on jst listening to and analysing Rush songs .... your comment 'I feel like I just got smarter' is probably one of the best comments ever, welcome to Rush !!!
In 1982, I heard "Subdivisions" on the radio. It was the first time I really felt a song, like it really got me, like someone out there understood my angsty teenage existance. I ran over to a friend's house to tell him about this new group (to me). He walked over to his dad's albums and put side A of 2112 on the turntable. And thus my 40+ year fascination began.
@@MacTopherI came into the comments section just to request it. So glad @scottrule480 said it, I’ll do a separate spiel on it, as hopefully multiple comments might increase the likelihood of it being noticed and maybe considered.
Rock is like a many tentacled octopus with each one having its own uniqueness and appeal.. Rush had their own but they were just equal to the others as there is no right or wrong opinion about music. Its just what appeals to each person. I am a fan though.
"I feel like I just got smarter." That's the best description I've heard to a first time listen to Rush. They are my all-time favorite band, and in many ways I am who I am because of them, and especially the drummer Neil Peart. I play drums because of him, and I too am smareter because of him. You'll be inundated with details about this amazing group of musicians by the Rush Army, so I'll leave it there....welcome to RUSH!!!! PLEASE DO MORE!!!!
I caught every San Antonio or Austin concert from 2002 onward ... and introduced all 3 of my sons to my favorite band (and brought the oldest and youngest to concerts) ... Sharing them with the next generation is a pure joy
@lauriivey7801 22 times, I was fortunate enough to see Rush. My first Rush concert Was November 10th. ''78, 9:24 Hemispheres tour. I remember it as though it were yesterday.
One quick note, The Drummer, Neil Peart, wrote 99% of the lyrics. He was a prolific reader and wrote at a very high level for a rock band. In fact, they have been described as the thinking mans band. In this song you get the line... All the world's a stage, we are merely players, performers and portrayers. Each another's audience, beyindc the gilded cage. This was in reference to Shakespeare's writing. The famous line is taken from the “seven ages of man” speech. As the melancholic Jacques laments the impermanence of life, he notes that “All the world’s a stage/And all the men and women merely players” This monologue compares the world with a stage in a theatre. Men and women are the actors or players on this stage. Actors playing roles have entrances and exits during a performance. He then connects that with the Guilded Cage, The Gilded Cage, derived from the phrase "a bird in a gilded cage" meaning living in a luxurious prison, may refer to: The Gilded Cage (1916 film). While everyone wants to be in the limelight, once you get there, you discover everyone is acting in a role, the artist though, who is the subject of being in the Limelight, is actually trapped and can't get out.
The drummer is called the professor. He writes all lyrics. Geddy sings, plays bass and keys, Alex the guitarist holds rhythm and lead parts together and creates chord voicings with melodies that fit perfectly.
3 men that sound like 9!!! That is what Rush was! The drummer, Neil Peart, was considered the GOAT of Rock. With his Jazz influences, listen to his drum solo from Frankfurt!!!!!!! There are a number of people that don't know them, or don't like them... because many of their songs were unconventional, more-than-4-minute songs that didn't make it to main stream radio... shame. Well, we Canadians are proud of Rush's accomplishments!
I've seen them live several times. Neil Peart is the GOAT on drums. Geddy Lee plays keyboards, bass pedals and sings at the same time, Alex Lifeson is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. They were truly something to see live!
Alex has musical notes named after him. I don't call that underrated. Eddie Van Halen said in an interview that " Alex Lifeson is the best guitar player he had ever seen or heard." Underrated?
The way the time signatures shift to obey the rhythm of the lyrics is so satisfying and effortless. I’ve loved Rush since first hearing them back in 6th grade (now a frighteningly long time ago)!
Welcome to the Rush family! This is one rabbit hole you’re going to love. Trust your audience to guide you on their songs. Plenty of great music and lyrics to react to. Can’t wait for the next one!
I played bass in several garage bands while in middle school and high school and I remember going to the band director at my school and asking him what "syncopation" was in music because I was in a new band and the drummer was talking about bring more syncopation into our original songs. The band director at first tried to explain it to me and then he just said, "Go listen to a band called Rush and you will understand what syncopation is." This was 1978, I went to my local record store and bought their album called "Hemispheres" and not only did I understand what "syncopation" was, I became a lifetime fan of this band.
These three men, although I've never met them, are like family to me. They rode with me through years and phases of my life, and they worked through changes in their lives as I was learning to do the same. Neil Peart taught me to play drums by proxy. Just by making the attempt to play like him, I learned quite a lot. It's rare to see a band stay together for so long and remain such good friends. It certainly shows in the music they have created over the years. Rest in peace, Neil....... You are missed by many.....
Eddie Van Halen was once ask by a rolling stone writer : how it felt to be the best guitare player out there , he answered " i dont know , ask Alex Lifeson from rush "
"All the world is a stage" is straight from Shakespeare's "As You Like It": "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players...". It even reflects on Shakespeare's "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" from Macbeth: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more."
One of the reasons Rush was never mainstream popular (beyond college/prog-rock circles) was that they were SMART. They dropped references like this that most people just don't pick up on. This song alone quotes (and riffs on) Shakespeare, the Bible and some Eastern traditions, and Rush's unique lived experience being in the limelight...
I always smile when I hear that line from “As You Like It” in “Linelight.” I used to do a lot of live theatre, and often I would put “Limelight” on the sound system before the house opened to the public - it got us all in the mood. Then, later, when I performed onstage in the actual play, “As You Like It,” I always had Rush’s music in my head when Jacques spoke that line. (No, I didn’t have that role, but a good friend did.)
I'm an introvert as Neil was, and to me, the line "One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact" refers to how because our mental energy is more quickly drained than that of an extrovert, we need to set boundaries to protect it; the line "I can't pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend" speaks to how we prefer to spend our limited energy on meaningful, genuine relationships with a select group of close friends, colleagues and loved ones, rather than on superficial relationships with a bunch of strangers; and the chorus speaks to how extroverts mainly crave the spotlight and think they need to assume a different personna to attract a large group of followers and acquaintances, while we mainly prefer to work in the background, to follow our own internal motivators, and to seek authenticity in ourselves and others. Another Rush song that you may like is Mission from Hold Your Fire, which was performed live on their A Show Of Hands concert video, whose lyrics speak of the importance of having a passion and keeping it alive as Rush did for over 40 years. Cheers from Toronto! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
Here is what I find most interesting. As hesitant as Neil was to meet fans., I knew more about Neil and his life because he wrote so much . Both online and in his books. He chose the written word as his tool to communicate with the world and he was prolific . While I did have the chance to meet Neil once I made sure to be very low key and ask him about his writings and motorcycles and his travels rather than the band. He was very pleasant but rather shy. which is what I thought the encounter would be like. It doesnt change the enourmous respect and admiration I have for Neil, and this is my most favorite band , which I have seen in concert 90 times. They are the music of the soundtrack of my life.
Neil Peart is on everyone’s Mount Rushmore of drummers. Congratulations on picking up on it so quickly. Rewatch it, his first pass through the drums and you are “Ohhh that rhythmic switch there was dope” That’s why we love him.
At 64 I have been blessed to see Rush live from the beginning and many, many times. They have never disappointed and all three are musical geniuses in their own right. I raised my children listening to all types of music but it was Rush that inspired my son to become a drummer. Long, long periods of him practicing YYZ with head phones on, me not really knowing what song he was playing until one day I threw the door open and yelled YYZ! Rush has been a huge part of my life and I miss them greatly. Until now. Time to pull out the LP's.
Their drummer was truly a one of a kind genius...he also wrote most of their lyrics, which were just as complex and introspective as his drumming. RIP, Mr.Peart.
A gilded cage... 'gilded' meaning very luxurious or clad in gold. Fame is like being held in a golden prison. On the one hand, it's very nice and comfortably appointed, but it's still a prison.
The drummer, Neil Peart, RIP, wrote the lyrics to 95% of their music. He was a somewhat introverted, well read, self educated, drummer of extreme capabilities! He wrote this in dealing with random fans he would meet!
NEIL PEART’S NARRATION ON EXIT STAGE LEFT DVD: There’s a tremendous ambiance about a concert hall…to even before a band starts playing…from the time the doors open..this place feels electric you know! That’s one of the things I like most about the road that feeling of standing in the hall when the doors open feel the excitement bursting into the hall. I must admit I feel very comfortable playing live a lot! A very modern urban setting for that Tom Sawyer mentality and a very carefree stride and a very self-possessed kind of air. Xanadu: The question we tend to ask the most often is WHAT IF? I think of you had to simplify a motivation or simplify a moving force in our music that would probably…suffice! Red Barchetta: Well it seems to me a car is one of those handy metaphors and volumes have been written about the sociological and cultural impact of the car and what it represents but it also has a very fundamental sensual feel and it’s a metaphor for sexuality and freedom. We’ve certainly tried to guide everything by the principles that were interested in and the freedom of choice and the material we’ve been playing and expression of music that we found to be exciting would excite other people as well. If the songwriting is important and playing really well on stage is important it’s gonna make the difference between feeling good or not feeling good when I walk off stage feeling that I played as well as I can or as close to well as I can then I feel very satisfied and good for what you have done. YYZED: I think there is a very strong relation maybe not generally recognized between drums and between words as the rhythmic structure and phrasing and the rhythm of verse especially is very strongly rooted in the same syncopation as drums the same patterns of thinking overall work for me with words as much as they do with drum beats.
One can never go wrong with RUSH!!! Been listening to them for over 40 years now!! My big brother turned me on to rush. One of the best 3 piece bands if not the best!
Rush has been my favorite band since I was in high school, early 80s. I had the pleasure of cooking dinner for Geddy Lee, lead singer/bass, while I cooked in the reasturants. I got to meet him after he ate and he was the kindest, nicest and humble person you could imagine. He had no problem taking a few minutes to talk with me and autograph a menu which I still cherish. Truly a kind gentleman
I've heard this a hundred times. And I've heard reactors talk about their goosebumps a hundred times. But when that final fill extended onto the low toms, my God. Chills.
Just having you spend some time with this song, just this one, out of the dozens of this caliber in their catalog, brought me to tears. Rush has been such a powerful, personal and private part of my life. Anyone who knows me, knows how i feel about Rush. But very precious few make the effort to have a dialogue about it. Especially such a rich and insightful dialogue. So thank you for your time and attention to this work which means so much to so many of us. But best of all was to watch your emotions as the song developed, how engaged you were and delighted by it. The Underlying Theme is the rich satisfaction and visibility of our emotional lives Alex, Geddy and Neil gave us all. I came to another interpretation of the real relation. Not just to each other in our social circles, but to the mystery of our lives and the experience of our universe. That sense of the unknown and unknowable that is somehow a refeshing source of comfort and energy. The music is a mystery. Why does it engage us so? What is going on there? Do we have to know to engage with it, to create it? Hell no. It is accessible to us all. Its an absolutely delightful mystery, a place to rest from the tyranny of certainty. We can lighten up. Thank goodness.
Do I like Rush? Been my favourite band on the planet since 1983. They never toured my country one single time in almost half a century of existence, so I flew from Australia to North America three times just to see them. That's the kind of dedication and commitment this band inspired in its fans.....
Yes in deed. A different world. Today, machines has taken the place of humanity. Music is a mess because of this stupid race toward AI… but we have still Rush music to rock our minds ans souls.
You must see a live performance or two to see the greatness of this band. They always had fun. YYZ live in Rio is a must. It has no lyrics, yet you will see a zillion fans singing to the rhythm. 👍🎼 Nice reaction
You listened to the WHOLE song before you interrupted. That is the right way to do it IMHO. I saw Rush live, 2 times in my life, and YES, you are now smarter. Good reaction vid. 😄
If anyone wanted to know how much this band meant to they're fans, I'll share a story with you. I was lucky enough to see them 3 times. Once was at the Amphitheater in San Bernadino CA. The layout has half of the bowl is above ground, the other is below ground level. So from the upper (cheap seats) you can see the crowd leaving. That night they were above and beyond better than they're usual perfection would be an understatement. It was the first tour back from Neil's hiatus after the deaths of wife and daughter in the same year. After three encores, the house lights came up. half the crowd was in the other out. All of the sudden everyone stopped walking and spontaneously gave a five minute round of applause that didn't die down, it crescendoed to an unbelievable volume. I think it was as much for the show, as it was to acknowledge how much we all appreciate him sharing his music, especially if you knew how much he had no interest in being a celebrity.
Neil said that particular line was related to the interviews the band had to do at radio stations. Geddy and Alex were down for it, but the hosts kept trying to get Neil involved, and that made him incredibly uncomfortable - he never wanted to be famous, he just wanted to be good.
I grew up listening to Rush because of my parents. I've loved them for years and years. They were my very first concert (Vapor Trails, will never forget). Ive been to almost every concert since, listened to almost every single song. Know most of the lyrics by heart. I've learned so much from the masterful lyrics. The 3 of them worked so so well together and have made some of the most complicated and beautiful music I've ever heard in my life. This song came on the radio in the surgery room the moment my child was pulled from my body and will always hold a special place in my heart forever because of that. Welcome to the Rush fan club, even if you don't keep doing videos, I hope you keep exploring this wonderful band and their music. I also highly recommend watching the Rush in Rio video if you can.
Great reaction Rosalie!! Glad you chose Limelight, if for any reason that it's one of my favourites! Rush is one of the finest collection of 3 musicians EVER! Not even a dose of hyperbole. Each are an absolute master of their respective instruments. The drummer/percussionist, Neil Peart (RIP) is also the principle lyricist - who always pens very poignant, introspective, thought provoking verse...and this song is a perfect example of that! Neil was never comfortable with the 'limelight', disliked the adulation & pedestal he was put on by fans. He'd much rather read a book in solitude. This is a truthful view of his success. Geddy Lee is a multi-tasking master of bass, keyboards and vocals, and Alex Lifeson, guitarist extraordinaire - master of atmospherics & shredding. There is a deep well to discover of their music, should you wish to dive! Subdivisions, Spirit Of Radio, 2112, The Enemy Within, Witch Hunt, Vital Signs, Natural Science, Red Sector A, Mystic Rhythms...all are essential...and are just a start! Seen them 9 times live. They are in my top 5 all time! Cheers from Canada, eh!
Glad you experienced the best rock drummer of all time in my opinion. Nobody has come before him and nobody is even close to him today. RIP Mr. Neal Peart. So glad you have a positive view on this timeless music. I was 14yrs old in 1981 when I saw them in concert. Never heard them before that and I have been a devoted follower of Rush ever since. Glad you gave them a listen
Love watching RUSH and TOOL fans being born. Grew up listening to RUSH and is still my #1......TOOL is a very close second and another band I think would make an impression on her.
RUSH is known for their creative use of time signatures with frequent changes and absolute connection between the members of the band. They maintained the same members for their entire career. When Neil Peart passed their was no question of replacing him. The band was a team of 3 that was uncompromising. When one member needed a break the band took a break. They were a cohesive unit that lived loyalty to the greater whole. "All the world is indeed a stage, we are merely players, performers and portrayers, each another's audience outside the gilded cage". Absolutely brilliant.
I mean, in the earliest days they had the typical rotations - for a little while after Alex brought Geddy in, they had five members - and their first album was with drummer John Rutsey, but once Rutsey had to leave (between his addiction issues and the fact that type 1 diabetes made international touring *very* difficult back then) and Neil joined, it was the three of them forever. Three of the best artists in their chosen media, all working together toward a common goal, the production of absolutely incredible music.
They actually started with a different drummer, and when they replaced him, Alex Lifeson didn't want to have Neil join right away! LOL. You can see that interview with Alex and Geddy somewhere on the Internet
EVERYTHING that Rush did in studio, they did live. EVERYTHING. Rush is a deep, deep rabbit hole, this is... the tip of an iceberg of incredible OMG amazement! No exaggeration.
The drummer is Neil peart who unfortunately passed away in 2020 he was known as the professor and a lot of people say he was the best rock drummer ever if he wasn’t he is definitely in the top five
From a Gary to Geddy your one of the most talented musician of all time! No one touches your talent on bass, keyboards, and singing! You are the definition of Unique and RUSH is not RUSH without your playing and vocals! To quote the movie: I LOVE YOU MAN! Alex and Neil as well!! This is my essay to people who may not know RUSH or who Neil was professionally and his contributions to the art of drumming and lyrical writing! Enjoy! 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 Geddy Lee - Bass guitars, Oberheim polyphonic; OB-X; Mini-Moog; and Taurus pedal Synthesizers, vocals Alex Lifeson - Six and twelve string electric and acoustic guitars, Taurus Pedals Neil Peart - Drums kit, timbales, gong bass drums, orchestra bells, glockenspiel, wind chimes, bell tree, tubular bells, crotales, cowbells, plywood, wood blocks, triangles, tympani, and Gong! Alex Lifeson: RUSH guitarist and Guru Extraordinaire! The HEART ❤️ AND SOUL OF RUSH! THE FUNNIEST MAN ON THE PLANET AND GREATEST SPEECH GIVER OF ALL TIME!!! ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: BLAH…BLAH…BLAH! HATS 🎩 OFF TO ALEX LIFESON 😎😎😎👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎸🎸🎸 We lost Neil Peart on January 7th 2020 to brain cancer! Geddy Lee called him: THE PROFESSOR because he had a verbal and musical vocabulary that I would put against anyone including Beethoven and Albert Einstein all this from a guy who didn’t graduate high school! Not only was he the drummer-percussionist of RUSH but he also wrote the Lyrics! RIP PROFESSOR
OK, so having watched your final track review (Vital Signs) the algo took me back to your first impression 'Limelight'. An excellent choice. Your facial expressions mirror my own...it's like you are in the room with me, sharing some weird and wonderful secret that no-one else knows about. Your review of the lyrics is spot on, as usual...however, the most incisive and concise thing you said that resonated so well with me was: 'I feel like I just got smarter'. That is Rush in a nutshell!
Neil, the drummer, writes all the lyrics, and they are deep. He was a voracious reader and a true man of the world. He traveled thousands of miles by bicycle and 10's of thousands on motorcycle. His tragic story of losing is only child at the time died on her first car trip to college, and then 10 months later his wife died of cancer. He was lost and he got on his motorcycle and rode all over north and central America. He wrote a book Ghostrider about his travel from the darkest dark back through to the light and life. Where a famous shy introvert was totally honest about the darkest thought a person could have.
Yes!!! Rush is awesome! Neil Peart one of the best drummers of all time!More Rush songs: Tom Sawyer, Subdivisions, Spirit Of Radio, Freewill, YYZ, 2112, Red Barchetta, Working Man, Fly By Night, La Villa Strangiato, Closer To The Heart
I just have to tell you that watching you react to Rush video was extremely gratifying to my soul. Rush is one of my absolute all time favorite bands... I'm 56 years old and grew up listening to them in the 70s. And 80s , And watching you react to it for the first time Really touched my heart. Keep making these wonderful videos with awesome content!!!
"Do you hear what is happening there?" Yeah, many of us have been hearing that for 40 years now. Neil Peart -- your favorite drummer's favorite drummer.
It is refreshing to hear your perspective as a first time listener to Rush, a band I grew up with since the mid 1970s and was privevalaged to see in concert in 1980. I envy your journey of discovery with Rush as a new fan. Enjoy, I wish you the best.
Didn't expect that deep of a psychological analysis away from the song but, appreciated it. Glad Rush moved you. Neil moved me years ago to play/learn the drums. Had interesting experiences because of it. Mental and emotional motivations can be life changing.
I have watched a lot of reaction videos, and yours is one of the most refreshing takes on this awesome band. Loved your insight on the 'call and response' aspect of the song, and good job catching the time changes. From a psychological aspect, this was a great choice to analyze the lyrics! Witch Hunt would be another one with a strong message...
Yay! Rush! Some really awesome tracks to hear. I'll assume "Tom Sawyer" has already been blasted your way. Neil's super fast wrist work on drums is unparalleled. Neil also really had a way with lyrics. Hope to see more Rush ere! Cheers, Rosilee!
One of the best moments in my life was when I discovered Rush. It was 1983 I was on lunch smoking weed with a coworker when he played Tom Sawyer. In all of my life I've NEVER been blown away by a song like that! He proceeded to look at me strangely and ask" Youve never heard of Rush? As a black teenager I had not. He proceeded to play the entire album and I could feel myself being hooked more with every song. I was 19 then 60 now and no band has come close to influencing my life like Rush.
Holy mole, your perspective on the lyrics and life itself, particularly how you described the facets of intimacy, were profound. I'm glad I discovered your channel
Dear lady, you have just stumbled upon one of the largest and most gratifying rabbit holes there is. Each band member is a virtuoso musician recognized as some of the best of their craft. One of the best three piece bands ever assembled...😎🎏
A lot of times during the guitar solo, the bass and drums will drop back in the mix and let it stand. Not with Rush. The solo is time for all three to shine.
Agreed. My comment was similar!
(You beat me to it 😅)
Yes, each of them can go solo yet they’re stil sonically tied together. Try Xanadu
No, they are the best!
Yup, what he said.
That’s probably the greatest drummer ever to sit behind a kit….. RIP Professor
Don't leave out he was the lyricist for the band. To bring depth like that in both word and music, few could compare.
Neil Peart was your favourite drummer's favourite drummer. They asked Eddie Van Halen what it was like to be considered the best rock guitar player. He responded: " Don't ask me, ask Alex Lifeson. "
YEP, THE GREAT NEIL PEART..
As great of a person as drummer. Very grounded and humble.
"Probably"? ... DEFINITELY!
Us Rush fans truly miss Neil very much ....R.I.P. :(
It still hurts. He was a genius that brought so much fun to my teenage life.
Afterimage still tears me up.
Strange to say this because I did not know or meet him personally, but the death of Neil Peart was also a deep personal loss for me, both because I am a drummer and held his work in high esteem AND because I was a philosophy major and Peart was a profound thinker and incessant reader who wrote deep and inspiring lyrics on a diversity of topics. If you listen to his interviews, what comes through is not a beast who happened to beat on drums for a living, but his gentle and compassionate nature, his keen and voracious intellect, and his curiosity about the human condition.
Every. Single. Day. I never met him, but man I miss the him so much and the world hasn't been the same since he left us.
even though he caused me to be tear gassed the man was a genius
“I feel like I just got smarter.” Rush has that effect on you. This is the ultimate band for musicians.
I used to listen to Rush the day before (or the day of) exams when I was in college: I swear they were the secret to my college success!! 😅😁
Three virtuoso, and when they are together, the sum is still greater than the parts.
"That drummer is nuts." Ma'am, respectfully, that drummer is "The Professor" Neil Peart, and he was the greatest drummer of all time. R.I.P.
And a brilliant lyric writer.
Was nuts ..he's dead now.
@@lloyd6017oh thank you for that
The Professor nickname was based on Neil's appearance, as per, The Professor from Gilligan's Island.
@@JohnnyMegabyteCanadaPlus he can twist time so effortlessly, shifting between the different time signatures to the point that he will use 3 time signatures within 5 bars.They way he does it is almost subconsciously, where a lot of bands have a bar of silence to switch signatures. He literally gained recognition for his timing, time signatures progressions, and ability to play and add in fills seamlessly.
"I feel like I just got smarter." Best response to Rush ever.
Most epiphanies are indelible learning experiences and all Rush fans definitely became smarter by listening to them. One belongs to a rarified collection of discerning individuals who, by virtue of accepting Rush, are awarded acceptance in a more cerebral idiom of complex musical awareness. Feeling that she just became smarter is incredibly astute!
Yes, loved this first reaction comment. Those who have the capacity will get it, those who don't, really will never get it.
I caught that too and smiled brightly. Made me think of South Park’s Matt in the documentary.
Agreed.. and true
@@TonySchoppI love 2112 the movement Discovery. When I first heard that I cried and cried and cried. I determined that was how I wanted to live my life, in the movement of Discovery ! ! ! A thinking person’s band.
"Are you hearing what's happening here?" yea that's a typical first reaction to Rush!
True but Ive played Rush to a number of girlfriends growing up in the late 70 and 80's etc and I never saw the face that Rosalie gave us, as she got it and loved it all in the first 30 secs. I cant wait till she hears the top 20 of Rush line up as we in the Rush army get to relive those early days of experiencing Rush with someone who gets it. TY...Cheers. 😎
My reaction to her question was more like, "Yes, dear. We've heard what's going on for 47 years. Welcome to the Rush fanbase."😉
The other typical first reaction to Rush is "It's only three guys making this music? How can that be?"
@@chavt66 Ah, you said what I was going to say 🤣
Love how she comments on the bass during the guitar solo. That's Rush. Always something going on behind the scenes.
Neil Peart (GOAT percussionist & lyricist) "Your favorite drummer's favorite drummer." He used this song to express his discomfort to being famous and being recognized. I believe that he hoped that we (as fans) would understand his introversion and need to maintain his "space." He was not intending to be rude, or aloof, he just couldn't stand to be fawned over.
Geddy Lee (GOAT bassist, vocals, pedals & keyboards) is instantly recognizable with his unique timbre which he chose because "our instruments are playing everywhere else." He's probably the biggest multi-tasker of the group.
Alex Lifeson (GOAT guitars, pedals) is highly underrated. His solos are not just an expression of skill, they're melodic. He can make the guitar speak to the soul and express limitless emotion.
HUGE DEEP rabbit hole here ... over 40 years of material. These guys could simultaneously solo and not step on each other ... really. Huge psychological and social commentary in almost every song. Prepare to be inundated with suggestions, but don't worry, you can't go wrong.
Neil is the G.O.A.T.!!!
have you read his books?
A more cynical interpretation might be: "Ok, fans, you know all that music we did in the '70s? We were pandering to you the whole time. We're not doing that anymore. Get out of your Mother's basement and 'fake it til you make it' like we've had to do for the last decade!"
I can't hear Rush and not appreciate them, but I also hear strong political manifesto vibes from the lyrics of this era. It just occurred to me that it might be fun to hear someone recite these lyrics as slam poetry.
@spencerbookman2523 some of Neal's lyrics were influenced by Ayn Rand
What an incredibly accurate description of RUSH you nailed it! one other point I would mention. they set out to form a rock band as 3 humble Canadian boys and after finding incredible fame and fortune they remained 3 humble Canadian boys
"That drummer is nuts" - understatement of the century. I'm always happy when people can discover Rush for the first time as it truly can be life changing
I chuckled when she spit that out...gave her instant credibility though
Came here to same the same....understatement of the century.
Right! That is Neil F'ing Peart! and not even his best drum track
"I can't pretend a stranger is a long-awaited friend." What a lyric!
Neil referring to the endless, worshipping fans.
"I think this just made me smarter". What a great analysis of Rush! Every Rush song needs to be listened to 5 times to truly appreciate the talent. An overall listen, a lyric listen, and a listen focusing on each of the 3 musicians.
right? LIstening to Rush raises my IQ.
Every single Rush lyric is thoughtful and insightful.... Love her first take.... Can't wait for more of these reactions!
My wife and I were just saying this exact same sentiments on how to properly listen to RUSH.
Rush fan for 46 years. More mine blowing songs. Natural Science. instrumental La Villa Strangiato. Jacob's Ladder.
@@BrendaNelson-p1y Natural Science has to be an all time favorite of mine. As great as the song is it's probably more that it takes me back to one special time and place listening to it with my best friend. It wasn't the first time hearing it but just hanging with my friend that day as it blared out the stereo driving down a back road. (Here's to you Bri , miss ya Bro)
Neil was a self taught intellectual giant and true renaissance man, defying the rock drummer stereotype. You could hear it instantly in any interview he did. One of the best read people you can imagine. A true role model and inspiration. I miss him dearly.
I miss him too, my friend. I cried that horrible day in January of 2020. My hero was gone, and my heroes were not going to make amazing music ever again. R.I.P Neil.
2020 was a double cry year for me, and I never cry. But the started with Neil’s passing, then my favorite Rock guitarist Edward Van Halen went In October.
@@michaelwilson9449I was at work when I got the news. I’m a custodian, I had to find an empty classroom to hide in and cry for a while.
He's also the author of 15 books
Well said.
This band was my brothers favorite band. He could talk for hours about Rush. He took me to 5 Rush concerts. He passed from cancer months before Rush was inducted into the Hall of Fame. And I’m pretty sure he’s talking Neil Pearts ear off in heaven. I always feel close to my bro when I hear Rush and if I close my eyes I can see him rocking out.
❤
Sorry for your loss, but I love the image of your bro chatting with Neil.
RIP Brother! Rush is forever!
Condonences.
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Everybody gets an upgrade when they listen to Rush for the first time.
Firmware update, rebooting...
"That drummer..." 😂
Just the greatest of all time.
That's why the drummer was honored by the US Army Concert band in their cover of Time Stand Sill.
I grew up listening to Rush
There was a time when long and complex songs were Appreciated
Perhaps what goes around comes around is true
We love and appreciate Ren and his songs are not short
Never gets old watching the youth be blown away by... good music.
The drummer isn't nuts. He's the GOAT.
😉
Totally. Neil Peart is a legend. Canadas national treasure.
@@seanfraser9162 RIP ! GOAT
The Professor…
Tbh Bonzo is GOAT, the Professor is NO 2
@@stephencoleclough7988 Valid.
"I feel like I just got smarter!"
The best, and most fitting comment I've ever heard someone say after listening to Rush for the first time.
All these years of being a rush fan, this song STILL gives me chills. It’s utter perfection.
The Drummer Neil Peart was and is considered to beone of the greatest Rock Drummers in history. With that said, Neil was extremely shy as a person. So he had this internal battle going on in his life.
Yup, he said in an interview that he often had fans approach him, professed to know all about him, had read all kinds of things and were talking to him as if they were friends. And from his perspective, he knows nothing about these people and just wanted to be left alone. The line "I can't pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend" says it all.
There are many great drummers. But they didn't called him the Professor for no reason.
Neil said he never wanted to be famous, he just wanted to be good
Pretty much every RUSH song can be described like this: put three of the greatest multi-instrumental musicians of all time in the same room. Have them all play virtuouso-level "solo" parts simultaneously, in perfect unison. Make the drummer an acclaimed philisopher-poet. Give them 40 years together, as best friends, to practice every part to absolute perfection, in tens of thousands of performances. They're top three, in any genre, of all time--and it's amazing to see people only now discovering them. The best musicians in the world revere this band, for a reason. Their once-upon-a-time cult following is growing exponentially. Some people don't get the lyrics, or they don't like Geddy's voice, or the compositions are too complex for their tastes, but nobody denies their talent. If you don't know this band, you're late to the party, but you're lucky--I would absolutely love to discover this band again for the first time. But that feeling of having your mind blown won't go away. 37 years in, I'm still amazed every time I hear them. If you're not already playing and recording another reaction, no matter what else you're doing, you're missing out.
They were ALL huge fans of the Who. Three virtuoso instrumentalists and one virtuoso singer, every one of them playing solos at the same time. Makes sense, right?
Neil Peart has been described as your favorite drummer's favorite drummer.
You left out being the most wonderful lifetime friends.
Yes . When they did 2112 they were 23 and 24 years old . Just let that sink in . lol . RUSH ON
Limelight is basically Neil Peart's letter to FANS that while he enjoys the fame - he doesn't enjoy what fame means in terms of trying to have a private life. He is basically a SHY GUY. The more successful RUSH became - the more your freedom grows smaller..
Neil was similar to Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, who stated that he enjoyed the success but not necessarily the fame - and they are not the same.
One of my favorite quotes of Neil Peart was, "I didn't want to be famous, I just wanted to be GOOD."
I first heard this song over 40 years ago and its still stuns me how briliant it is - you could do a whole channel on jst listening to and analysing Rush songs .... your comment 'I feel like I just got smarter' is probably one of the best comments ever, welcome to Rush !!!
"The BASS!" Yes! So fun to watch you listen for the first time, it made it new for me all over again! Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you!!
In 1982, I heard "Subdivisions" on the radio. It was the first time I really felt a song, like it really got me, like someone out there understood my angsty teenage existance. I ran over to a friend's house to tell him about this new group (to me). He walked over to his dad's albums and put side A of 2112 on the turntable. And thus my 40+ year fascination began.
Yeah, if you're going to do an analysis, this is the one.
@@MacTopherI came into the comments section just to request it.
So glad @scottrule480 said it, I’ll do a separate spiel on it, as hopefully multiple comments might increase the likelihood of it being noticed and maybe considered.
Subdivisions is as prevalent today, as it was in ‘82. Definitely a song that will always be timeless
“I feel like I just got smarter somehow”. You did. That’s why composers write challenging music. It’s a plot to make humans smarter.
Just an automatic reflex. It cant be helped.
Unfortunately, too much "music" is designed to do the exact opposite. And succeeds all too well.
Rush - singlehandedly - manifested the potential that Rock always had and so rarely approached....
Rush truly stood alone, for over 40 years.
I can't agree that they stood alone, as there were several amazing bands during the Rush era, but Rush was definitely one of the best!
No Question…
Perseverance. Never give up. Follow your dreams. Wasn't easy in the early years.
Rock is like a many tentacled octopus with each one having its own uniqueness and appeal.. Rush had their own but they were just equal to the others as there is no right or wrong opinion about music. Its just what appeals to each person. I am a fan though.
@@lesheath6216 " The Rush Era " 1968- 2015.
Ya, there were a lot of great bands. But Rush was unique.
When you see a girl hearing RUSH for the first time... and she IMMEDIATELY gets it.
I'm in love.
Only very intelligent women get Rush. And even then, something goes over their heads, like Cignus X-1 Book 2 / Hemispheres.
Wow. Misogynistic much?
Hope that didn’t go over your head.
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice" another great lyric from Rush and Neil Peart! Fell in love with Rush in the 80s.
"I feel like I just got smarter." That's the best description I've heard to a first time listen to Rush. They are my all-time favorite band, and in many ways I am who I am because of them, and especially the drummer Neil Peart. I play drums because of him, and I too am smareter because of him. You'll be inundated with details about this amazing group of musicians by the Rush Army, so I'll leave it there....welcome to RUSH!!!! PLEASE DO MORE!!!!
One of if not the best drummer in Rock. Got to see them five times and even got to take my son the last time I saw them.❤❤❤❤ R.I.P. Neil Peart❣️
I caught every San Antonio or Austin concert from 2002 onward ... and introduced all 3 of my sons to my favorite band (and brought the oldest and youngest to concerts) ... Sharing them with the next generation is a pure joy
@lauriivey7801 22 times, I was fortunate enough to see Rush. My first Rush concert Was November 10th. ''78, 9:24 Hemispheres tour. I remember it as though it were yesterday.
One quick note, The Drummer, Neil Peart, wrote 99% of the lyrics. He was a prolific reader and wrote at a very high level for a rock band. In fact, they have been described as the thinking mans band.
In this song you get the line... All the world's a stage, we are merely players, performers and portrayers. Each another's audience, beyindc the gilded cage.
This was in reference to Shakespeare's writing.
The famous line is taken from the “seven ages of man” speech. As the melancholic Jacques laments the impermanence of life, he notes that “All the world’s a stage/And all the men and women merely players”
This monologue compares the world with a stage in a theatre. Men and women are the actors or players on this stage. Actors playing roles have entrances and exits during a performance.
He then connects that with the Guilded Cage,
The Gilded Cage, derived from the phrase "a bird in a gilded cage" meaning living in a luxurious prison, may refer to: The Gilded Cage (1916 film).
While everyone wants to be in the limelight, once you get there, you discover everyone is acting in a role, the artist though, who is the subject of being in the Limelight, is actually trapped and can't get out.
The drummer is called the professor. He writes all lyrics. Geddy sings, plays bass and keys, Alex the guitarist holds rhythm and lead parts together and creates chord voicings with melodies that fit perfectly.
They also do some amazing work with these foot pedals
The rhythm you’re hearing are the time changes that was an innovation at the time. The time signatures 3/4, 4/4, 6/4, and 7/4.
3 men that sound like 9!!! That is what Rush was! The drummer, Neil Peart, was considered the GOAT of Rock. With his Jazz influences, listen to his drum solo from Frankfurt!!!!!!! There are a number of people that don't know them, or don't like them... because many of their songs were unconventional, more-than-4-minute songs that didn't make it to main stream radio... shame. Well, we Canadians are proud of Rush's accomplishments!
I've seen them live several times. Neil Peart is the GOAT on drums. Geddy Lee plays keyboards, bass pedals and sings at the same time, Alex Lifeson is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. They were truly something to see live!
Alex has musical notes named after him. I don't call that underrated. Eddie Van Halen said in an interview that " Alex Lifeson is the best guitar player he had ever seen or heard."
Underrated?
When you hear top 3; he doesn't come up often; Even top 5..... But he should
@@dentonatteberry6083 Perhaps "underappreciated" would be closer to the mark!
I wish we’d stop saying Alex is underrated. I just take joy, that I was fortunate enough to know how great he is.
@@milipro828Well said !
Do Freewill as well. «If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice!»
💯%
I have "I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose Freewill" tattooed on my right forearm with the starman logo.
"I feel like I just got smarter but I can't put it into words exactly". That pretty much sums up Rush!
The way the time signatures shift to obey the rhythm of the lyrics is so satisfying and effortless. I’ve loved Rush since first hearing them back in 6th grade (now a frighteningly long time ago)!
Same.
Welcome to the Rush family! This is one rabbit hole you’re going to love. Trust your audience to guide you on their songs. Plenty of great music and lyrics to react to. Can’t wait for the next one!
«I feel I just got smarter» - Exactly! The replay value of Rush is just off the charts!
I played bass in several garage bands while in middle school and high school and I remember going to the band director at my school and asking him what "syncopation" was in music because I was in a new band and the drummer was talking about bring more syncopation into our original songs. The band director at first tried to explain it to me and then he just said, "Go listen to a band called Rush and you will understand what syncopation is." This was 1978, I went to my local record store and bought their album called "Hemispheres" and not only did I understand what "syncopation" was, I became a lifetime fan of this band.
These three men, although I've never met them, are like family to me. They rode with me through years and phases of my life, and they worked through changes in their lives as I was learning to do the same. Neil Peart taught me to play drums by proxy. Just by making the attempt to play like him, I learned quite a lot.
It's rare to see a band stay together for so long and remain such good friends. It certainly shows in the music they have created over the years.
Rest in peace, Neil.......
You are missed by many.....
Alex, Geddy and Neil! In my life I’ve spent countless hours Listening to the music and lyrics by Rush!
Eddie Van Halen was once ask by a rolling stone writer : how it felt to be the best guitare player out there , he answered " i dont know , ask Alex Lifeson from rush "
I think I’ve heard this EVH quote attributed to about a dozen guitarists.
@@jessasdadyes, this misquote has different guitarist swapped names for reactions . Both much different styles.
No one matches EVH's technical and innovative standards. Nothing sounded the same after him. Only Hendrix had a similar impact in the rock era.
Urban legend that has been said about every combination of guitarists. That said, Alex is certainly one of the top rock guitarists ever.
@@JClaus1221 Many matched and exceeded his technical standard. But yeah, his innovation and importance in rock history is unquestioned
"All the world is a stage" is straight from Shakespeare's "As You Like It":
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players...".
It even reflects on Shakespeare's "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" from Macbeth:
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more."
One of the reasons Rush was never mainstream popular (beyond college/prog-rock circles) was that they were SMART. They dropped references like this that most people just don't pick up on. This song alone quotes (and riffs on) Shakespeare, the Bible and some Eastern traditions, and Rush's unique lived experience being in the limelight...
I always smile when I hear that line from “As You Like It” in “Linelight.” I used to do a lot of live theatre, and often I would put “Limelight” on the sound system before the house opened to the public - it got us all in the mood.
Then, later, when I performed onstage in the actual play, “As You Like It,” I always had Rush’s music in my head when Jacques spoke that line. (No, I didn’t have that role, but a good friend did.)
I'm an introvert as Neil was, and to me, the line "One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact" refers to how because our mental energy is more quickly drained than that of an extrovert, we need to set boundaries to protect it; the line "I can't pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend" speaks to how we prefer to spend our limited energy on meaningful, genuine relationships with a select group of close friends, colleagues and loved ones, rather than on superficial relationships with a bunch of strangers; and the chorus speaks to how extroverts mainly crave the spotlight and think they need to assume a different personna to attract a large group of followers and acquaintances, while we mainly prefer to work in the background, to follow our own internal motivators, and to seek authenticity in ourselves and others. Another Rush song that you may like is Mission from Hold Your Fire, which was performed live on their A Show Of Hands concert video, whose lyrics speak of the importance of having a passion and keeping it alive as Rush did for over 40 years. Cheers from Toronto!
🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
Neil also once said something like: I didn’t set out to be famous, I set out to be good.
Here is what I find most interesting. As hesitant as Neil was to meet fans., I knew more about Neil and his life because he wrote so much . Both online and in his books. He chose the written word as his tool to communicate with the world and he was prolific . While I did have the chance to meet Neil once I made sure to be very low key and ask him about his writings and motorcycles and his travels rather than the band. He was very pleasant but rather shy. which is what I thought the encounter would be like. It doesnt change the enourmous respect and admiration I have for Neil, and this is my most favorite band , which I have seen in concert 90 times. They are the music of the soundtrack of my life.
This affected Neil even more when he lost his wife and daughter, a year apart. It put Rush in a hiatus for a few years. RIP Neil.
Neil Peart is on everyone’s Mount Rushmore of drummers. Congratulations on picking up on it so quickly. Rewatch it, his first pass through the drums and you are “Ohhh that rhythmic switch there was dope” That’s why we love him.
At 64 I have been blessed to see Rush live from the beginning and many, many times. They have never disappointed and all three are musical geniuses in their own right. I raised my children listening to all types of music but it was Rush that inspired my son to become a drummer. Long, long periods of him practicing YYZ with head phones on, me not really knowing what song he was playing until one day I threw the door open and yelled YYZ! Rush has been a huge part of my life and I miss them greatly. Until now. Time to pull out the LP's.
Their drummer was truly a one of a kind genius...he also wrote most of their lyrics, which were just as complex and introspective as his drumming. RIP, Mr.Peart.
A gilded cage... 'gilded' meaning very luxurious or clad in gold. Fame is like being held in a golden prison. On the one hand, it's very nice and comfortably appointed, but it's still a prison.
The drummer, Neil Peart, RIP, wrote the lyrics to 95% of their music. He was a somewhat introverted, well read, self educated, drummer of extreme capabilities! He wrote this in dealing with random fans he would meet!
Neil, aside from being one of the greatest drummers in history, did so many amazing things lyrically, that he made a legendary song about trees.
NEIL PEART’S NARRATION ON EXIT STAGE LEFT DVD:
There’s a tremendous ambiance about a concert hall…to even before a band starts playing…from the time the doors open..this place feels electric you know!
That’s one of the things I like most about the road that feeling of standing in the hall when the doors open feel the excitement bursting into the hall.
I must admit I feel very comfortable playing live a lot!
A very modern urban setting for that Tom Sawyer mentality and a very carefree stride and a very self-possessed kind of air.
Xanadu: The question we tend to ask the most often is WHAT IF? I think of you had to simplify a motivation or simplify a moving force in our music that would probably…suffice!
Red Barchetta: Well it seems to me a car is one of those handy metaphors and volumes have been written about the sociological and cultural impact of the car and what it represents but it also has a very fundamental sensual feel and it’s a metaphor for sexuality and freedom.
We’ve certainly tried to guide everything by the principles that were interested in and the freedom of choice and the material we’ve been playing and expression of music that we found to be exciting would excite other people as well.
If the songwriting is important and playing really well on stage is important it’s gonna make the difference between feeling good or not feeling good when I walk off stage feeling that I played as well as I can or as close to well as I can then I feel very satisfied and good for what you have done.
YYZED:
I think there is a very strong relation maybe not generally recognized between drums and between words as the rhythmic structure and phrasing and the rhythm of verse especially is very strongly rooted in the same syncopation as drums the same patterns of thinking overall work for me with words as much as they do with drum beats.
One can never go wrong with RUSH!!! Been listening to them for over 40 years now!! My big brother turned me on to rush. One of the best 3 piece bands if not the best!
Ditto, 40+ years
Rush has been my favorite band since I was in high school, early 80s. I had the pleasure of cooking dinner for Geddy Lee, lead singer/bass, while I cooked in the reasturants. I got to meet him after he ate and he was the kindest, nicest and humble person you could imagine. He had no problem taking a few minutes to talk with me and autograph a menu which I still cherish. Truly a kind gentleman
Rush is 3 masters of their craft, plaing together for over 40 years. Making amazing music and thought-provoking lyrics.
This is such a deep rabbit hole you're at the entrance to... I hope you take the plunge! All three of them; absolute masters of their craft.
I've heard this a hundred times. And I've heard reactors talk about their goosebumps a hundred times. But when that final fill extended onto the low toms, my God. Chills.
Just having you spend some time with this song, just this one, out of the dozens of this caliber in their catalog, brought me to tears. Rush has been such a powerful, personal and private part of my life. Anyone who knows me, knows how i feel about Rush. But very precious few make the effort to have a dialogue about it. Especially such a rich and insightful dialogue. So thank you for your time and attention to this work which means so much to so many of us.
But best of all was to watch your emotions as the song developed, how engaged you were and delighted by it. The Underlying Theme is the rich satisfaction and visibility of our emotional lives Alex, Geddy and Neil gave us all.
I came to another interpretation of the real relation. Not just to each other in our social circles, but to the mystery of our lives and the experience of our universe. That sense of the unknown and unknowable that is somehow a refeshing source of comfort and energy. The music is a mystery. Why does it engage us so? What is going on there? Do we have to know to engage with it, to create it? Hell no. It is accessible to us all. Its an absolutely delightful mystery, a place to rest from the tyranny of certainty. We can lighten up. Thank goodness.
Do I like Rush? Been my favourite band on the planet since 1983. They never toured my country one single time in almost half a century of existence, so I flew from Australia to North America three times just to see them. That's the kind of dedication and commitment this band inspired in its fans.....
Class of '83 alum here as well. Two guys I met in college introduced me to them in the fall of '83, and I was all in from the get-go. 🤘
I'm from their hometown of Toronto. I saw them 5 times they never disappointed
That's what I miss the most, music with meaningful poetry. This came out when I was 14. It was a different world.
Yes in deed. A different world. Today, machines has taken the place of humanity. Music is a mess because of this stupid race toward AI… but we have still Rush music to rock our minds ans souls.
You must see a live performance or two to see the greatness of this band. They always had fun. YYZ live in Rio is a must. It has no lyrics, yet you will see a zillion fans singing to the rhythm. 👍🎼 Nice reaction
You listened to the WHOLE song before you interrupted. That is the right way to do it IMHO. I saw Rush live, 2 times in my life, and YES, you are now smarter. Good reaction vid. 😄
If anyone wanted to know how much this band meant to they're fans, I'll share a story with you. I was lucky enough to see them 3 times. Once was at the Amphitheater in San Bernadino CA. The layout has half of the bowl is above ground, the other is below ground level. So from the upper (cheap seats) you can see the crowd leaving. That night they were above and beyond better than they're usual perfection would be an understatement. It was the first tour back from Neil's hiatus after the deaths of wife and daughter in the same year. After three encores, the house lights came up. half the crowd was in the other out. All of the sudden everyone stopped walking and spontaneously gave a five minute round of applause that didn't die down, it crescendoed to an unbelievable volume. I think it was as much for the show, as it was to acknowledge how much we all appreciate him sharing his music, especially if you knew how much he had no interest in being a celebrity.
I think listening to Rush can actually make you smarter!
XXX
It does! 😊
You just opened a door to a Rush journey that you will remember forever!
“I can’t pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend.” Poetry.
Neil said that particular line was related to the interviews the band had to do at radio stations. Geddy and Alex were down for it, but the hosts kept trying to get Neil involved, and that made him incredibly uncomfortable - he never wanted to be famous, he just wanted to be good.
This is the line.
I grew up listening to Rush because of my parents. I've loved them for years and years. They were my very first concert (Vapor Trails, will never forget). Ive been to almost every concert since, listened to almost every single song. Know most of the lyrics by heart. I've learned so much from the masterful lyrics. The 3 of them worked so so well together and have made some of the most complicated and beautiful music I've ever heard in my life. This song came on the radio in the surgery room the moment my child was pulled from my body and will always hold a special place in my heart forever because of that. Welcome to the Rush fan club, even if you don't keep doing videos, I hope you keep exploring this wonderful band and their music.
I also highly recommend watching the Rush in Rio video if you can.
"This is fun!"
Every minute of every Rush concert was very fun. That's why we go to see them.
Great reaction Rosalie!! Glad you chose Limelight, if for any reason that it's one of my favourites! Rush is one of the finest collection of 3 musicians EVER! Not even a dose of hyperbole. Each are an absolute master of their respective instruments. The drummer/percussionist, Neil Peart (RIP) is also the principle lyricist - who always pens very poignant, introspective, thought provoking verse...and this song is a perfect example of that!
Neil was never comfortable with the 'limelight', disliked the adulation & pedestal he was put on by fans. He'd much rather read a book in solitude. This is a truthful view of his success.
Geddy Lee is a multi-tasking master of bass, keyboards and vocals, and Alex Lifeson, guitarist extraordinaire - master of atmospherics & shredding.
There is a deep well to discover of their music, should you wish to dive!
Subdivisions, Spirit Of Radio, 2112, The Enemy Within, Witch Hunt, Vital Signs, Natural Science, Red Sector A, Mystic Rhythms...all are essential...and are just a start!
Seen them 9 times live. They are in my top 5 all time! Cheers from Canada, eh!
if you wnat to get your mind blown watch Rush Xanadu live 1981 Exir stage left
And make sure you have the epic lyrics displayed for the full experience.
This is the greatest live band performance on UA-cam!
Three incredibly talented musicians that work perfectly together. For 40 years...
Glad you experienced the best rock drummer of all time in my opinion. Nobody has come before him and nobody is even close to him today. RIP Mr. Neal Peart. So glad you have a positive view on this timeless music. I was 14yrs old in 1981 when I saw them in concert. Never heard them before that and I have been a devoted follower of Rush ever since. Glad you gave them a listen
Love watching RUSH and TOOL fans being born. Grew up listening to RUSH and is still my #1......TOOL is a very close second and another band I think would make an impression on her.
These 3 guys created some of the most incredible soundscapes in rock history. Welcome to the Rush rabbit-hole.
Please go down the Rush rabbit hole. You won't be disappointed!!!
RUSH is known for their creative use of time signatures with frequent changes and absolute connection between the members of the band. They maintained the same members for their entire career. When Neil Peart passed their was no question of replacing him. The band was a team of 3 that was uncompromising. When one member needed a break the band took a break. They were a cohesive unit that lived loyalty to the greater whole. "All the world is indeed a stage, we are merely players, performers and portrayers, each another's audience outside the gilded cage". Absolutely brilliant.
I mean, in the earliest days they had the typical rotations - for a little while after Alex brought Geddy in, they had five members - and their first album was with drummer John Rutsey, but once Rutsey had to leave (between his addiction issues and the fact that type 1 diabetes made international touring *very* difficult back then) and Neil joined, it was the three of them forever. Three of the best artists in their chosen media, all working together toward a common goal, the production of absolutely incredible music.
They actually started with a different drummer, and when they replaced him, Alex Lifeson didn't want to have Neil join right away! LOL. You can see that interview with Alex and Geddy somewhere on the Internet
Such a great breakdown of this song that I have heard thousands of times.
EVERYTHING that Rush did in studio, they did live. EVERYTHING. Rush is a deep, deep rabbit hole, this is... the tip of an iceberg of incredible OMG amazement! No exaggeration.
"The drums, the guitar, and bass are blowing my mind." Welcome to Rush!
The drummer is Neil peart who unfortunately passed away in 2020 he was known as the professor and a lot of people say he was the best rock drummer ever if he wasn’t he is definitely in the top five
This is the tip of the iceberg there is so much more Rush you need to listen to they are 3 of the most talented musicians ever
From a Gary to Geddy your one of the most talented musician of all time! No one touches your talent on bass, keyboards, and singing! You are the definition of Unique and RUSH is not RUSH without your playing and vocals! To quote the movie: I LOVE YOU MAN! Alex and Neil as well!!
This is my essay to people who may not know RUSH or who Neil was professionally and his contributions to the art of drumming and lyrical writing! Enjoy!
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
Geddy Lee - Bass guitars, Oberheim polyphonic; OB-X; Mini-Moog; and Taurus pedal Synthesizers, vocals
Alex Lifeson - Six and twelve string electric and acoustic guitars, Taurus Pedals
Neil Peart - Drums kit, timbales, gong bass drums, orchestra bells, glockenspiel, wind chimes, bell tree, tubular bells, crotales, cowbells, plywood, wood blocks, triangles, tympani, and Gong!
Alex Lifeson: RUSH guitarist and Guru Extraordinaire! The HEART ❤️ AND SOUL OF RUSH! THE FUNNIEST MAN ON THE PLANET AND GREATEST SPEECH GIVER OF ALL TIME!!! ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: BLAH…BLAH…BLAH! HATS 🎩 OFF TO ALEX LIFESON 😎😎😎👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎸🎸🎸
We lost Neil Peart on January 7th 2020 to brain cancer! Geddy Lee called him: THE PROFESSOR because he had a verbal and musical vocabulary that I would put against anyone including Beethoven and Albert Einstein all this from a guy who didn’t graduate high school! Not only was he the drummer-percussionist of RUSH but he also wrote the Lyrics! RIP PROFESSOR
OK, so having watched your final track review (Vital Signs) the algo took me back to your first impression 'Limelight'. An excellent choice. Your facial expressions mirror my own...it's like you are in the room with me, sharing some weird and wonderful secret that no-one else knows about. Your review of the lyrics is spot on, as usual...however, the most incisive and concise thing you said that resonated so well with me was: 'I feel like I just got smarter'. That is Rush in a nutshell!
Neil, the drummer, writes all the lyrics, and they are deep. He was a voracious reader and a true man of the world. He traveled thousands of miles by bicycle and 10's of thousands on motorcycle. His tragic story of losing is only child at the time died on her first car trip to college, and then 10 months later his wife died of cancer. He was lost and he got on his motorcycle and rode all over north and central America. He wrote a book Ghostrider about his travel from the darkest dark back through to the light and life. Where a famous shy introvert was totally honest about the darkest thought a person could have.
Yes!!! Rush is awesome! Neil Peart one of the best drummers of all time!More Rush songs: Tom Sawyer, Subdivisions, Spirit Of Radio, Freewill, YYZ, 2112, Red Barchetta, Working Man, Fly By Night, La Villa Strangiato, Closer To The Heart
@19:43 - you nailed the meaning of Limelight. THANK YOU!
" I feel like I just got smarter " lol....brilliant reaction to Rush! Odd time signatures galore!!! all while keeping it grooving and kicking ass...
I just have to tell you that watching you react to Rush video was extremely gratifying to my soul. Rush is one of my absolute all time favorite bands... I'm 56 years old and grew up listening to them in the 70s. And 80s , And watching you react to it for the first time Really touched my heart. Keep making these wonderful videos with awesome content!!!
Damn, what I'd give to listen to RUSH for the first time, again...
Grew up on Rush, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Styx, The Cars...greatest era ever. I didn't even name half of them.
I grew up in the same era, it all started for me in the 60's; and I loved it all!
I know you!! 😅✌️
"Do you hear what is happening there?" Yeah, many of us have been hearing that for 40 years now.
Neil Peart -- your favorite drummer's favorite drummer.
It is refreshing to hear your perspective as a first time listener to Rush, a band I grew up with since the mid 1970s and was privevalaged to see in concert in 1980. I envy your journey of discovery with Rush as a new fan. Enjoy, I wish you the best.
Didn't expect that deep of a psychological analysis away from the song but, appreciated it. Glad Rush moved you. Neil moved me years ago to play/learn the drums. Had interesting experiences because of it. Mental and emotional motivations can be life changing.
I have watched a lot of reaction videos, and yours is one of the most refreshing takes on this awesome band.
Loved your insight on the 'call and response' aspect of the song, and good job catching the time changes.
From a psychological aspect, this was a great choice to analyze the lyrics!
Witch Hunt would be another one with a strong message...
One of my all times favorite bands. Their lyrics are very well thought out
Yay! Rush! Some really awesome tracks to hear. I'll assume "Tom Sawyer" has already been blasted your way. Neil's super fast wrist work on drums is unparalleled. Neil also really had a way with lyrics. Hope to see more Rush ere! Cheers, Rosilee!
One of the best moments in my life was when I discovered Rush. It was 1983 I was on lunch smoking weed with a coworker when he played Tom Sawyer. In all of my life I've NEVER been blown away by a song like that! He proceeded to look at me strangely and ask" Youve never heard of Rush? As a black teenager I had not. He proceeded to play the entire album and I could feel myself being hooked more with every song. I was 19 then 60 now and no band has come close to influencing my life like Rush.
Holy mole, your perspective on the lyrics and life itself, particularly how you described the facets of intimacy, were profound. I'm glad I discovered your channel