One of their best albums. Definitely the most consistent. 5 of the 8 tracks are classics while the other 3 are very good. Only thing that keeps it from being my favorite is the lack of an epic on it.
Life is not a sprint.The long game is full of peaks and valleys…the marathon of life. Another example of Rush portraying such positive uplifting music and message… delivered with killer musicianship skills on display.
One of Neil's biggest life tenets was: Life is not a destination, it's a journey. No one gets out alive, enjoy it while you have it. Like a Marathon. You keep moving forward.
Marathon is a song about the power of endurance - The entire album was written around the theme of power … The power of money 💰 in the song “The Big Money” and the power of atomic weapons in “Manhattan Project”
No, you got it for the most part. I see it as a description of people who are driven. The light that gets in your eyes, is the one thing that sparks your passion to work hard and achieve your goals. One moment's high, is that long awaited gratification that makes all the hard work, worth it. And yes, it's not the goal itself, but what you become, through the journey.
Another great song and great reaction - you got the meaning just fine.. 😃 For me Neil laid out his personal credo in these lyrics. I don't know of anyone who was as passionate about living life to the fullest as he was. Everyday he would ask himself, "What is the most awesome thing I can do today?" (Something always fires that light that gets in your eyes). Geddy says Neil was only given months to live by the doctor but through shear will lived for 3 more years. Please check out DIGITAL MAN 🙏 You'll love the bass work!
To me, this song always meant that life isn’t perfect. You will have success and you will have failure. I always interpreted the line “One moment’s high, and glory rolls on by, like a streak of lightning, that flashes and fades in the summer sky” as how you will have a success and you will have glory and then something will come and sour its significance. I think it’s about how we should cherish life. As many have said, this song is about life’s peaks and valleys.
Hey thank you so much for playing my request ❤ Means a lot. The 2nd verse is my favorite. Too bad he does not loop it like he does on the 1st verse. This album and the previous one is when they used a lot of synths.
One of Neil’s mantras for sure. He worked hard every ‘offseason’, biking or cross country skiiing to stay in the condition needed to perform 75 3 hour plus concerts doing what he does…” another example of Neil’s wordplay. Something always fires The light that gets in your eyes can be either a distraction or a motivation, Rush on!
I’m not a bass player but I am a lifelong RUSH fan that knows a whole lot about all 3 members of Rush and Geddys favorite bass strings are Rotosound brand. At least in the later years of RUSH. This song is from the album Power Windows. This was the peak of 80’s Rush. It’s fabulous but I think every RUSH album is fabulous!!
Neil also said in on the album Hold Your Fire on the song "Prime Mover" - "The point of a journey is not to arrive." That meant a lot to me, because once you arrive the journey is over. Neil always tried to find a new journey.
I’m not a bass player but I am a lifelong RUSH fan that knows a whole lot about all 3 members of Rush and Geddys favorite bass strings are Rotosound brand. At least in the later years of RUSH.
CB, I love the song called "Between the Wheels" by Rush! It's from 1984's "Grace Under Pressure" album. It's more dark, heavy, and "industrial"-sounding but when they break into the chorus, it is magic and the song soars! Very intense, and Alex crushes on it!
Just loving watching your Rush journey! Appreciate your insights as an obviously trained musician and being curious about Rush’s music and lyricism. If I may be so bold to recommend a song, which I’ve never done on any Rush reax channel before, I think the opener of the live concert A Show of Hands is a great example of Rush’s musicianship and personality (on and off stage). The song is called ‘Big Money’. Enjoy and keep up the great Rush videos!
One thing to understand about Rush, is, the lyrics. Not just any ordinary songs, ALL Neil's lyrics have heart and meaning. Some of them really make you ponder about life itself. Some written 40 years ago, still stand true today. The lyrics are very important to the tone/melody of the song. IMHO. :-) Cheers! and thanks for your reactions. I love watching your face on Geddy's bass playing. LOL
NEIL has some PHRASES/THEMES that pop up in different songs. 'The Camera Eye' is used in a couple songs 'Camera Eye' and 'Limelight'. Not sure if 'MARATHON' is referring to the same thing, but in another song he mentions 'The point of a journey is not to arrive', meaning of course it's the Trip Itself that should be enjoyed.
The Professor was an international treasure. I am 100% a bass girl and Geddy Lee is a beast. Having said that, Alex's skill and restraint as a soloist are so satisfying!
Another great reaction. and since you play the bass, I recommend 2 RUSH songs that have a wonderful bass... More than how wonderful it always is and they are "Freewill" from the album "Permanent waves" and "Red Barchetta" from the album "Moving pictures". again great reaction.
The garden from Clockwork angels tour... their most beautiful performance you have to see it... song is dope and the message is even greater.. this song is a must
Really, really glad you dove into 'Marathon' ! It has a very distinctive groove to it. fun, fairly challenging and entertaining. Percussive, bass rifty nifty! Theme? I see it as pace yourself, enjoy, be good, make a mark, keep reaching! Don't get full of yourself.
You really don't need any help with the lyrics. Your interpretations are usually spot-on, notwithstanding your likely focus on the music. So, here's a quote for you from the Wikipedia page for this song: "In a 1986 interview, Peart said "(Marathon) is about the triumph of time and a kind of message to myself (because I think life is too short for all the things that I want to do), there's a self-admonition saying that life is long enough. You can do a lot -- just don't burn yourself out too fast trying to do everything at once. "Marathon" is a song about individual goals and trying to achieve them. And it's also about the old Chinese proverb: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." PS - I just watched a documentary in which someone who worked with Rush for years as production engineer marveled at the dact that Geddy was the only bassist he knew that regularly broke his strings when performing in concerts.
Think of it like this…”Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes”….YOU fired the light that got in that young man’s eyes. That’s what this song is saying. We are all on our journey, but we are not independent of each other. We learn, we grow, we inspire, we are inspired. But in order to do this, “First you need endurance, first you’ve got to last.”
So glad you chose this!!! Another bassist to check out is Victor Wooten. He’s widely considered the best ever. You’ve probably heard of him. His version of “Amazing Grace “ is killer.
It’s that Wal bass baby, and Rush-it’s Rush baby. That effin’ bass line on top of singing, synthesizing, foot pedaling is he making frigging breakfast for everyone during Alex’s guitar solo?😂🤘🖖✌️🎸🎹🎤🥁and the lyrics, who lets the drummer write the lyrics Rush the best band does that’s who.🙌👌👍🥇🇨🇦🎼
The song is literally about running in a marathon.. the mental / physical strength and endurance it takes to the finish line.. I met geddy Lee in the 90s at a synthesizer store called saved by technology
''More than just a dotted line''. It's not about finishing the race, it's about what motivates you to run. Even if you win the race, it's just a passing moment. Something else than glory is driving you.
For a completely different sound, I'd like you to hear a few tracks off Clockwork Angels, which were composed to accomodate how Geddy's voice changed as he grew older, producing a deeper, richer sound; Headlong Flight in particular has a killer bass line. Cheers from Toronto! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
Geddy is playing a Wal Bass and he did from this album 1985 up through 1992. Some of his best bass playing was done on this bass. He was able to do more acrobatics on this bass and the tone was completely different from the Jazz and Rick which was perfect for this time era.
You talk about Geddy having fresh strings. You're on the money there. Back when I was touring on a regular basis, I had an endorsement deal with D'addario Strings and would place orders with my rep a few weeks before we hit the road. We would be out 6 to 10 weeks sometimes twice a year, mostly overseas in Europe. I would change every other show. Our sets wouldn't be more than 50 minutes to an hour so they still had some bite by the 2nd show. Regardless, my tech changed them out even if they sounded crisp and bright. On the level Rush played, you can bet he and Alex both had fresh sets on their rigs every show; and I'm sure, multiple times a day when they were in the studio. Definitely can't beat a good endorsement deal!
Maybe my favorite RUSH song - has a lot. Actually teared-up to this song while driving across the New Mex desert at sunrise with that CHOIR sound building up.
This album introduced the Wal MkI bass and Geddy opted for lighter gauge rotosound strings. The punch can’t be denied and, if anyone ever thought Geddy was not a really precise player, this bass and these next couple of albums prove he has super chops. That being said, I can’t wait to see you get to Counterparts, where they return to a heavier sound and Geddy starts falling back in love with his Fender Jazz. Start with the first song, Animate, and you won’t be disappointed with his unique playing style. Great review! Just picked up on your channel a couple of days ago and it has been awesome to see your journey with Rush.
Thank you so much for these Rush reactions. I look forward to watching your videos every couple of days. Your perspective and excitement on their music is so entertaining. Please don't stop!! Maybe you can react to Analog Kid - I always enjoyed the bass work on that song.
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes to me has always meant that you're going to have things get in your way and derail you, but you just have to stay the course. It's not about the glory of a moment but the journey itself. I may have said this before but if you want to appreciate Geddy on the bass you really must listen to Freewill, the studio version and pay attention to how he is going off under the guitar solo. I have a feeling you won't love the lyrics, but I think you will love the musicality. Love your reactions!
Great reaction, Church!! You were correct about the song, life is a marathon Not a race!! Peaks and valleys, highs and lows! But you have to have endurance and last so you can be there at the end! I think, That verse you paused on, means a flash of light gets Iight gets in your eyes it can blind you, one moments high (I think can be literally stoned), or you have a high spot…and take your eyes off the road… glory can pass you by like a streak of lightning fading in the sky! Still waiting for “Where’s my Thing… There it Is” link in previous videos! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!
Awesome react! One could tell how emotionally impacted you got from the great music. And you know your shit. :) Greetings from Norway - across the pond. I saw Rush live twice in my life. I'm ok with that.
I just love your reactions, sir! Geddy's bass on this recording is a long-scale Wal MK1. Wal basses have an extremely unique sound, are rare and usually fairly to quite expensive. Small company in England with a fascinating history. Bright and clear recording was a big thing with producers at that time, most likely influenced by jazz fusion peaking as a genre. A key element to Geddy's sound is the strings...Rotosound Superwound Funkmasters at .030, .050, .070, .090. Really thin strings, more like piano strings in a way. Strings for live performances were changed every two shows, sprayed heavily with Finger-Ease and wiped down with a dry towel before stringing. Opening part is B-F#-B, E-B-E in ascending octaves. First verse bass riff starts on 2nd fret of D string (E), then down to B, octave up to B, then 2nd fret G string (A) twice, F#, then B. You'll get it. It's basically an augmented triplet with ghost note effects, once you get it it's fun as hell to play. Third verse bass riff adds more notes in the box with two sets of Geddy triplets. "It's more than just survival..." part is B-D-(D-E-D-E)-G-A-B, going into chorus add -G-A Chorus is B-E-F#-F#-E-G#-A#-B, (played on synth on recording) Bridge transition before guitar solo - Open string D, D-D-D-E-F#---D-D-E-D-E-F# variation D-D-D-E-F#-D-A-E-D-E-F#, then Open string A, A-A-A-B-B-A-A-A-B-A-B-A Guitar solo goes from B to E back and forth (synth), with an accent of B-B-B-A-B-A-B I've always thought that the root meaning of this song centers around: One moment's high And glory rolls on by Like a streak of lightning That flashes and fades In the summer sky For all the hard work to reach a goal, the moments of glory, the good times, the special moments, those are very short and small. Fleeting. Life isn't a constant stream of awesomeness, it's a parabola of crazy shit. I've tried to look at it from Neil's perspective and the fact that he loved playing, but hated touring. All the travel and down time and boredom and loneliness for a few moments of richly deserved applause at the end of the show for a good night's work, then back to the touring grind. The awesome little payoff moments that just seem to flash on by in life are so fulfilling, but...making it through rest of the shit? THAT'S the marathon.
As mentioned in previous reactions, this particular album, "Power Windows" has always been one of my favorite Rush albums for a variety of reasons. Triva note: In the movie X-Men Apocalypse, Quicksilver wears a Rush Power Windows T-Shirt during one of the best scenes in the movie.
"Something always fires a light that gets in your eyes..." means theirs always something that messes with you, when you are trying to achieve your goal. Some kind of distraction or difficulty comes up that sets you back and you have to refocus and break away, again, from something holding you in place when you really want to keep moving and achieving. Keep going on your marathon (of your life's purpose) despite the pain and problems.
I just subscribed to your channel cause I love your reactions. Especially to Rush. To me that song is that life is a marathon to reach your goal, don’t let your dreams pass you by just like a flash of lighting…. Camera Eye and Witch Hunt are songs to casts your ears on to…
during this tour, they had a big display with lasers going during this song...at the San Diego Sports Arena, they had a power failure while playing this song...we sat in the dark for a couple minutes...
To me the light in your eye is something that blinds you momentarily or is holding you back, keeping you from reaching your goals. Just got to push forward til you get back on track.
Good observation, he does use fresh strings daily. Geddy perfected his double finger plucking technique over the years. It turned into a flamingo technique. Next song , The Main Monkey Business, there last instrumental.
Thanks again for another Rush reaction. Time to move from the okay Rush songs to the Great Rush songs. Here are a few suggestions: - Freewill - Jacobs Ladder - Analog Kid - Digital Man - Red Barchetta - Between the Wheels - Afterimage - 2112 - Anthem - Bytor and the Snowdog - Ghost of a Chance
The live version of this (with drum solo) is amazing & worth a look - Getty goes off even more & to listen how they recreate it live & nail the transitions is mind blowing !
So many cool bass riffs. Malignant Narcissism came about when he was messing around with a frettless bass. Animate, Turn the Page, and Headlong Flight are a few more you should check out. Pretty bad a$$ riffs. Take care ✌️
Hey CB ,love to get your take on 80s hit Some Like It Hot by Power Station..basically a super group of it's time .but late ex Chic drummer Tony Thompson is just FIRE with this group..God Bless
Some nice bass licks, but this is more of an inspirational song...or even more of an *aspirational* song...either way, It's one that has always resonated with me.
I've been grooving on your Rush and Steely Dan reactions, but I was surprised when I checked on past reactions that you did not have any for Jethro Tull, whose medieval-inspired rock is musically complex, technically difficult, and one-of-a-kind. Lead singer/flautist Ian Anderson is self-taught and I would be very surprised if you were not blown away by this band. I'd like to suggest you check out the album "Songs From the Wood" (title track, or "Hunting Girl" perhaps).
I can't pick a favorite RUSh album, but this one is right up there, some of Neil's best lyrics. My take on the message is life is a journey. To paraphrase a Neil quote how could anyone possibly be bored on this planet? Alex is the most unique soloist and my favorite. BTW, great advice about college. It's not for everybody. Unfortunately, I think there are places that require a college degree for jobs that don't need one.
Love hearing your input with you playing your bass during these reviews!! Nice to hear - and see you play - Your artist's angle on these! Keep on playin!!
Hey just to let you know Geddy and Alex both play Keyboards with their feet... when your discussing the bass is different at the intro and choruses it's because Geddy's playing Bass pedals with his feet and keyboards with his hands as much of that is seen on live stage performances Playing Guitars and pedals and keyboards ........when ever the bass is not rolling along there is bass pedal playing i think you may of seen La Villa Strangiato always check out for feet movement whilst their playing guitar especially at the start here where Alex is playing guitar and pedals simlutaniously it's not unusual thats why it sounds like there are 4 or 5 musicians playing...... Hey keep up the good work RUSH rocks
I saw the rush tour where they did the entire moving pictures album and of course it was an unbelievable show but this song marathon stuck of the songs they performed outside of moving pictures. Just outstanding, geddys voice was still in awesome form then. It was just magnificent they nailed it. The whole concert hall was entranced. I hadn't even listened to the song in years but what a way to revisit it. Rip Neil. There's always gonna be debate about the greatest rock drummer of all time. But no question about most influential!!!! NEIL PEART.
Yeah at this time he was plucking near the bridge to get that like tighter jaco sound. And he was doing it on a wal bass which has extremely high output humbuckers. But this was geddys jaco kinda jazz fusion era with his bass playing. Didnt last long though. It was pretty much just this album and some of hold your fire where he was playing like this.
Thanks for reacting to one of my favorite Rush songs (something so easy to say yet almost impossible to nail down to just one) and I continue to enjoy your Rush journey. It's always great seeing a new fan be born and grow and appreciate this truly remarkable band. Grace Under Pressure and Power Windows were the peak of their synth era and while I enjoy Hold Your Fire, it got a bit too synth heavy - still some amazing songs, though. Great stuff once again, Church Boy!
The meaning of this song is pretty simple. Neil is comparing running a marathon and the strategy therein to the marathon of life. Other than that, you got the meaning pretty darn close.
Many people didn't get it but I loved the Power Windows album.
One of my top 5!!
yeah top 5 too, love it.
My #1
One of their best albums. Definitely the most consistent. 5 of the 8 tracks are classics while the other 3 are very good.
Only thing that keeps it from being my favorite is the lack of an epic on it.
Power Windows is definitely a favorite of mine!!! Love what you love 💕 and let the opinions roll off your back!! Be like a duck 🦆
I love this song and album. Some Rush fans say it's way too synthy, but I think there's still plenty of room for Alex to shine
Life is not a sprint.The long game is full of peaks and valleys…the marathon of life. Another example of Rush portraying such positive uplifting music and message… delivered with killer musicianship skills on display.
Turn The Page is a bass masterclass
And he's playing that bass line WHILE singing :)
The song is about life... life is a marathon, not a sprint. Just keep going!
And on stage playing the synth parts with foot pedals. 😊
rush-freewill
unreal solo by all 3
RUSH THE ENEMY WITHIN!!!!!!!!
Lots of good bass in The Enemy Within!
One of Neil's biggest life tenets was: Life is not a destination, it's a journey. No one gets out alive, enjoy it while you have it. Like a Marathon. You keep moving forward.
I'm a Rush fan of 47 years and I adore all they have done! Thanks Church Boy your on the Propper Wavelength fantastic 😊
44 years for me...
middletown dreams is a great one from the same album.🎸🥁🎸
Please, its enough of Power Windows already.
My favorite
Marathon is a song about the power of endurance - The entire album was written around the theme of power … The power of money 💰 in the song “The Big Money” and the power of atomic weapons in “Manhattan Project”
No, you got it for the most part. I see it as a description of people who are driven. The light that gets in your eyes, is the one thing that sparks your passion to work hard and achieve your goals. One moment's high, is that long awaited gratification that makes all the hard work, worth it. And yes, it's not the goal itself, but what you become, through the journey.
Another great song and great reaction - you got the meaning just fine.. 😃 For me Neil laid out his personal credo in these lyrics. I don't know of anyone who was as passionate about living life to the fullest as he was. Everyday he would ask himself, "What is the most awesome thing I can do today?" (Something always fires that light that gets in your eyes). Geddy says Neil was only given months to live by the doctor but through shear will lived for 3 more years. Please check out DIGITAL MAN 🙏 You'll love the bass work!
To me, this song always meant that life isn’t perfect. You will have success and you will have failure. I always interpreted the line “One moment’s high, and glory rolls on by, like a streak of lightning, that flashes and fades in the summer sky” as how you will have a success and you will have glory and then something will come and sour its significance. I think it’s about how we should cherish life. As many have said, this song is about life’s peaks and valleys.
Enjoyed the story at the end, thx. I'll keep saying it, you need to hear the bass line from Digital Man.
Hey thank you so much for playing my request ❤ Means a lot. The 2nd verse is my favorite. Too bad he does not loop it like he does on the 1st verse. This album and the previous one is when they used a lot of synths.
Power Windows = my first Rush concert. Buffalo NY. Saw them 19 more times and met Geddy and Alex. My favorite band ever.
One of Neil’s mantras for sure. He worked hard every ‘offseason’, biking or cross country skiiing to stay in the condition needed to perform 75 3 hour plus concerts doing what he does…” another example of Neil’s wordplay. Something always fires The light that gets in your eyes can be either a distraction or a motivation, Rush on!
I’m not a bass player but I am a lifelong RUSH fan that knows a whole lot about all 3 members of Rush and Geddys favorite bass strings are Rotosound brand. At least in the later years of RUSH.
This song is from the album Power Windows. This was the peak of 80’s Rush. It’s fabulous but I think every RUSH album is fabulous!!
Neil also said in on the album Hold Your Fire on the song "Prime Mover" - "The point of a journey is not to arrive." That meant a lot to me, because once you arrive the journey is over. Neil always tried to find a new journey.
Turn The Page from their Hold Your Fire album has one of Geddy's sickest bass lines.
I’m not a bass player but I am a lifelong RUSH fan that knows a whole lot about all 3 members of Rush and Geddys favorite bass strings are Rotosound brand. At least in the later years of RUSH.
CB, I love the song called "Between the Wheels" by Rush! It's from 1984's "Grace Under Pressure" album. It's more dark, heavy, and "industrial"-sounding but when they break into the chorus, it is magic and the song soars! Very intense, and Alex crushes on it!
Just loving watching your Rush journey! Appreciate your insights as an obviously trained musician and being curious about Rush’s music and lyricism. If I may be so bold to recommend a song, which I’ve never done on any Rush reax channel before, I think the opener of the live concert A Show of Hands is a great example of Rush’s musicianship and personality (on and off stage). The song is called ‘Big Money’. Enjoy and keep up the great Rush videos!
One thing to understand about Rush, is, the lyrics. Not just any ordinary songs, ALL Neil's lyrics have heart and meaning. Some of them really make you ponder about life itself. Some written 40 years ago, still stand true today. The lyrics are very important to the tone/melody of the song. IMHO. :-) Cheers! and thanks for your reactions. I love watching your face on Geddy's bass playing. LOL
NEIL has some PHRASES/THEMES that pop up in different songs. 'The Camera Eye' is used in a couple songs 'Camera Eye' and 'Limelight'. Not sure if 'MARATHON' is referring to the same thing, but in another song he mentions 'The point of a journey is not to arrive', meaning of course it's the Trip Itself that should be enjoyed.
The Professor was an international treasure. I am 100% a bass girl and Geddy Lee is a beast. Having said that, Alex's skill and restraint as a soloist are so satisfying!
Another great reaction. and since you play the bass, I recommend 2 RUSH songs that have a wonderful bass... More than how wonderful it always is and they are "Freewill" from the album "Permanent waves" and "Red Barchetta" from the album "Moving pictures".
again great reaction.
Yessss Freewill
The garden from Clockwork angels tour... their most beautiful performance you have to see it... song is dope and the message is even greater.. this song is a must
Really, really glad you dove into 'Marathon' !
It has a very distinctive groove to it. fun, fairly challenging and entertaining. Percussive, bass rifty nifty!
Theme? I see it as pace yourself, enjoy, be good, make a mark, keep reaching! Don't get full of yourself.
You really don't need any help with the lyrics. Your interpretations are usually spot-on, notwithstanding your likely focus on the music.
So, here's a quote for you from the Wikipedia page for this song:
"In a 1986 interview, Peart said "(Marathon) is about the triumph of time and a kind of message to myself (because I think life is too short for all the things that I want to do), there's a self-admonition saying that life is long enough. You can do a lot -- just don't burn yourself out too fast trying to do everything at once. "Marathon" is a song about individual goals and trying to achieve them. And it's also about the old Chinese proverb: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
PS - I just watched a documentary in which someone who worked with Rush for years as production engineer marveled at the dact that Geddy was the only bassist he knew that regularly broke his strings when performing in concerts.
Think of it like this…”Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes”….YOU fired the light that got in that young man’s eyes. That’s what this song is saying. We are all on our journey, but we are not independent of each other. We learn, we grow, we inspire, we are inspired. But in order to do this, “First you need endurance, first you’ve got to last.”
So glad you chose this!!! Another bassist to check out is Victor Wooten. He’s widely considered the best ever. You’ve probably heard of him. His version of “Amazing Grace “ is killer.
It’s that Wal bass baby, and Rush-it’s Rush baby. That effin’ bass line on top of singing, synthesizing, foot pedaling is he making frigging breakfast for everyone during Alex’s guitar solo?😂🤘🖖✌️🎸🎹🎤🥁and the lyrics, who lets the drummer write the lyrics Rush the best band does that’s who.🙌👌👍🥇🇨🇦🎼
The song is literally about running in a marathon.. the mental / physical strength and endurance it takes to the finish line.. I met geddy Lee in the 90s at a synthesizer store called saved by technology
I've been enjoying your discovery of Rush. Cheers.
Bro, in my mind, you NEVER 'butcher' it. Especially that it's your 1st time hearing and then playing it from sound. It's pretty amazing 👏 Love it!!
''More than just a dotted line''. It's not about finishing the race, it's about what motivates you to run. Even if you win the race, it's just a passing moment. Something else than glory is driving you.
Another great bassline from Geddy is on the song “Scars”.
Scars is actually a keyboard bass…
@@nickavenoso7851 , really?!! Hah!! Didn't know that. Still a great line, though.
... and a sequencer.
For a completely different sound, I'd like you to hear a few tracks off Clockwork Angels, which were composed to accomodate how Geddy's voice changed as he grew older, producing a deeper, richer sound; Headlong Flight in particular has a killer bass line. Cheers from Toronto!
🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
Geddy is playing a Wal Bass and he did from this album 1985 up through 1992. Some of his best bass playing was done on this bass. He was able to do more acrobatics on this bass and the tone was completely different from the Jazz and Rick which was perfect for this time era.
I think this song was a shot at their many detractors who'd written them off before they even got going.
You talk about Geddy having fresh strings. You're on the money there. Back when I was touring on a regular basis, I had an endorsement deal with D'addario Strings and would place orders with my rep a few weeks before we hit the road. We would be out 6 to 10 weeks sometimes twice a year, mostly overseas in Europe. I would change every other show. Our sets wouldn't be more than 50 minutes to an hour so they still had some bite by the 2nd show. Regardless, my tech changed them out even if they sounded crisp and bright. On the level Rush played, you can bet he and Alex both had fresh sets on their rigs every show; and I'm sure, multiple times a day when they were in the studio. Definitely can't beat a good endorsement deal!
Maybe my favorite RUSH song - has a lot. Actually teared-up to this song while driving across the New Mex desert at sunrise with that CHOIR sound building up.
This album introduced the Wal MkI bass and Geddy opted for lighter gauge rotosound strings. The punch can’t be denied and, if anyone ever thought Geddy was not a really precise player, this bass and these next couple of albums prove he has super chops.
That being said, I can’t wait to see you get to Counterparts, where they return to a heavier sound and Geddy starts falling back in love with his Fender Jazz. Start with the first song, Animate, and you won’t be disappointed with his unique playing style.
Great review! Just picked up on your channel a couple of days ago and it has been awesome to see your journey with Rush.
The bass work in Headlong Flight is one of Geddy’s best and craziest overall performances.🔥🙏
The live version from Show of hands has very good closeups on how he plays it.
You'll like "Time Stands Still" and "Camera Eye" too. Both for different reasons.
Actually, you'll love them. lol
That is his Wal Bass phase. It has a ton of punch to it.
He's had Rickenbacker, Fender Jazz, Steinberger, Wal bass phases.
You are correct that Lee changes his bass strings often, like for every song. I've read it in interviews.
Thank you so much for these Rush reactions. I look forward to watching your videos every couple of days. Your perspective and excitement on their music is so entertaining. Please don't stop!!
Maybe you can react to Analog Kid - I always enjoyed the bass work on that song.
A tour de force of Geddy`s talent, right here.
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes to me has always meant that you're going to have things get in your way and derail you, but you just have to stay the course. It's not about the glory of a moment but the journey itself.
I may have said this before but if you want to appreciate Geddy on the bass you really must listen to Freewill, the studio version and pay attention to how he is going off under the guitar solo. I have a feeling you won't love the lyrics, but I think you will love the musicality.
Love your reactions!
You're totally right - Geddy uses new strings all the time. He used a Wal bass on this album, i love the sound too
Awesome. Your Rush reactions are my favorite. The fact that you know music and pick up the bass. Keep em coming 😎👍
Great reaction, Church!! You were correct about the song, life is a marathon Not a race!! Peaks and valleys, highs and lows! But you have to have endurance and last so you can be there at the end! I think, That verse you paused on, means a flash of light gets Iight gets in your eyes it can blind you, one moments high (I think can be literally stoned), or you have a high spot…and take your eyes off the road… glory can pass you by like a streak of lightning fading in the sky! Still waiting for “Where’s my Thing… There it Is” link in previous videos! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!
Awesome, Thanks again 🔥...Todd from Ohio...
Awesome react! One could tell how emotionally impacted you got from the great music. And you know your shit. :)
Greetings from Norway - across the pond.
I saw Rush live twice in my life. I'm ok with that.
A couple of my favs that feature Geddy on bass are "Leave That Thing Alone" and "Malignant Narcissism" and "YYZ".
And you need to do all three of them live😊
Thanks for the RUSH reactions!! Great workout tune!
Rush are such legends
I just love your reactions, sir!
Geddy's bass on this recording is a long-scale Wal MK1. Wal basses have an extremely unique sound, are rare and usually fairly to quite expensive. Small company in England with a fascinating history. Bright and clear recording was a big thing with producers at that time, most likely influenced by jazz fusion peaking as a genre. A key element to Geddy's sound is the strings...Rotosound Superwound Funkmasters at .030, .050, .070, .090. Really thin strings, more like piano strings in a way. Strings for live performances were changed every two shows, sprayed heavily with Finger-Ease and wiped down with a dry towel before stringing.
Opening part is B-F#-B, E-B-E in ascending octaves.
First verse bass riff starts on 2nd fret of D string (E), then down to B, octave up to B, then 2nd fret G string (A) twice, F#, then B. You'll get it. It's basically an augmented triplet with ghost note effects, once you get it it's fun as hell to play. Third verse bass riff adds more notes in the box with two sets of Geddy triplets.
"It's more than just survival..." part is B-D-(D-E-D-E)-G-A-B, going into chorus add -G-A
Chorus is B-E-F#-F#-E-G#-A#-B, (played on synth on recording)
Bridge transition before guitar solo - Open string D, D-D-D-E-F#---D-D-E-D-E-F# variation D-D-D-E-F#-D-A-E-D-E-F#, then Open string A, A-A-A-B-B-A-A-A-B-A-B-A
Guitar solo goes from B to E back and forth (synth), with an accent of B-B-B-A-B-A-B
I've always thought that the root meaning of this song centers around:
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades
In the summer sky
For all the hard work to reach a goal, the moments of glory, the good times, the special moments, those are very short and small. Fleeting. Life isn't a constant stream of awesomeness, it's a parabola of crazy shit. I've tried to look at it from Neil's perspective and the fact that he loved playing, but hated touring. All the travel and down time and boredom and loneliness for a few moments of richly deserved applause at the end of the show for a good night's work, then back to the touring grind.
The awesome little payoff moments that just seem to flash on by in life are so fulfilling, but...making it through rest of the shit? THAT'S the marathon.
"Light that gets in your eyes" I believe means the obstacles that you have to overcome to achieve your goals
As mentioned in previous reactions, this particular album, "Power Windows" has always been one of my favorite Rush albums for a variety of reasons. Triva note: In the movie X-Men Apocalypse, Quicksilver wears a Rush Power Windows T-Shirt during one of the best scenes in the movie.
"Something always fires a light that gets in your eyes..." means theirs always something that messes with you, when you are trying to achieve your goal. Some kind of distraction or difficulty comes up that sets you back and you have to refocus and break away, again, from something holding you in place when you really want to keep moving and achieving. Keep going on your marathon (of your life's purpose) despite the pain and problems.
Turn the Page has awesome bass lines.
I just subscribed to your channel cause I love your reactions. Especially to Rush. To me that song is that life is a marathon to reach your goal, don’t let your dreams pass you by just like a flash of lighting…. Camera Eye and Witch Hunt are songs to casts your ears on to…
during this tour, they had a big display with lasers going during this song...at the San Diego Sports Arena, they had a power failure while playing this song...we sat in the dark for a couple minutes...
To me the light in your eye is something that blinds you momentarily or is holding you back, keeping you from reaching your goals. Just got to push forward til you get back on track.
Good observation, he does use fresh strings daily. Geddy perfected his double finger plucking technique over the years. It turned into a flamingo technique.
Next song , The Main Monkey Business, there last instrumental.
Thanks again for another Rush reaction. Time to move from the okay Rush songs to the Great Rush songs.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Freewill
- Jacobs Ladder
- Analog Kid
- Digital Man
- Red Barchetta
- Between the Wheels
- Afterimage
- 2112
- Anthem
- Bytor and the Snowdog
- Ghost of a Chance
The live version of this (with drum solo) is amazing & worth a look - Getty goes off even more & to listen how they recreate it live & nail the transitions is mind blowing !
Which version has a drum solo? I've missed that...
So many cool bass riffs. Malignant Narcissism came about when he was messing around with a frettless bass. Animate, Turn the Page, and Headlong Flight are a few more you should check out. Pretty bad a$$ riffs.
Take care ✌️
Hey CB ,love to get your take on 80s hit Some Like It Hot by Power Station..basically a super group of it's time .but late ex Chic drummer Tony Thompson is just FIRE with this group..God Bless
One moment high
Then glory rolls on by...Sic Transit Gloria
This song is a masterpiece
Malignant Narcissism/De Slagwerker best base riff more than fire and the Professor on fire but this has to be seen LIVE Snakes and Arrows tour ❤🇨🇦
My favorite band. My older sis runs marathons...
I recommend live or official version to get meaning.
Some nice bass licks, but this is more of an inspirational song...or even more of an *aspirational* song...either way, It's one that has always resonated with me.
One of my top 3 Rush songs 🥰. Thank you for reacting to this.
Loving watching your Rush journey! Strap in. The rabbit hole will get deeper!
I've been grooving on your Rush and Steely Dan reactions, but I was surprised when I checked on past reactions that you did not have any for Jethro Tull, whose medieval-inspired rock is musically complex, technically difficult, and one-of-a-kind. Lead singer/flautist Ian Anderson is self-taught and I would be very surprised if you were not blown away by this band. I'd like to suggest you check out the album "Songs From the Wood" (title track, or "Hunting Girl" perhaps).
I can't pick a favorite RUSh album, but this one is right up there, some of Neil's best lyrics. My take on the message is life is a journey. To paraphrase a Neil quote how could anyone possibly be bored on this planet? Alex is the most unique soloist and my favorite.
BTW, great advice about college. It's not for everybody. Unfortunately, I think there are places that require a college degree for jobs that don't need one.
Grateful for these rush songs , brother . I keep telling you Big Money - a show of hands live or vital signs grace under pressure live
Love hearing your input with you playing your bass during these reviews!! Nice to hear - and see you play - Your artist's angle on these! Keep on playin!!
Hey just to let you know Geddy and Alex both play Keyboards with their feet... when your discussing the bass is different at the intro and choruses it's because Geddy's playing Bass pedals with his feet and keyboards with his hands as much of that is seen on live stage performances Playing Guitars and pedals and keyboards ........when ever the bass is not rolling along there is bass pedal playing i think you may of seen La Villa Strangiato always check out for feet movement whilst their playing guitar especially at the start here where Alex is playing guitar and pedals simlutaniously it's not unusual thats why it sounds like there are 4 or 5 musicians playing...... Hey keep up the good work RUSH rocks
There are videos about RUSH Isolated Bass tracks.
2112 is a mandatory Rush reaction! Long song, but a classic!
Remember Geddy sings live and plays these bass line at the same time.
Our great moments whatever they may come and go in the blink of an eye, or like a flash of lightning.
I saw the rush tour where they did the entire moving pictures album and of course it was an unbelievable show but this song marathon stuck of the songs they performed outside of moving pictures. Just outstanding, geddys voice was still in awesome form then. It was just magnificent they nailed it. The whole concert hall was entranced. I hadn't even listened to the song in years but what a way to revisit it. Rip Neil. There's always gonna be debate about the greatest rock drummer of all time. But no question about most influential!!!! NEIL PEART.
Dude! You HAVE to get to Digital Man song. May be Ged's best song as far as basslines. From the Signals album. Same album as Subdivisions.
MORE RUSH PLEASE GREAT REASTIONS LOVE HTE MUSIC THEORY APPROACH
It just dawned on me that this song could be a prequel to The Garden.
Yeah at this time he was plucking near the bridge to get that like tighter jaco sound. And he was doing it on a wal bass which has extremely high output humbuckers. But this was geddys jaco kinda jazz fusion era with his bass playing. Didnt last long though. It was pretty much just this album and some of hold your fire where he was playing like this.
Thanks for reacting to one of my favorite Rush songs (something so easy to say yet almost impossible to nail down to just one) and I continue to enjoy your Rush journey. It's always great seeing a new fan be born and grow and appreciate this truly remarkable band. Grace Under Pressure and Power Windows were the peak of their synth era and while I enjoy Hold Your Fire, it got a bit too synth heavy - still some amazing songs, though. Great stuff once again, Church Boy!
amazing extra info mate! ENORMOUS track! ✌
I think it’s a metaphor for life. Life is a marathon. Yeah we all have our highs and lows. It’s just life.
The meaning of this song is pretty simple. Neil is comparing running a marathon and the strategy therein to the marathon of life. Other than that, you got the meaning pretty darn close.
Brilliant album...❤
It’s time for Vital Signs!!!