Backstory of this song. Lindsey Buckingham wrote it cuz Stevie was cheating on him with Mick Fleetwood. Tusk was Mick Fleetwoods nickname for his privates. It wasn’t intended to be released but Mick loved it shade and all and they recorded it! I love this song! The band you hear in backing music is the USC Trojans Marching band. They recorded it with the college band and college band still plays it all the time. The actual video shows them recording it with the college. It’s cool! Here it is. ua-cam.com/video/ATMR5ettHz8/v-deo.html
@@Pathfinder197 Hmm. Mick's wife at the time, Jenny Boyd, said Stevie and Lindsey had just broken up. When horned animals get together, they usually bang horns with each other to establish dominance. By the way, Jenny was Beatle George Harrison's sister.
I seen Fleetwood Mac at the forum in LA, many moons ago. And when they played this song. It was all dark with just a little bit of light on the stage. Just showing the members of Fleetwood Mac at the beginning. Then all of a sudden, once the song started jamming. All the lights came on and the USC marching band was in all the seats behind the stage. And both bands just started jamming. It was way cool.
@@mrkelso right after the quick drum solo, after they shout "tusk" the first time. If you're listening for it you'll hear it 😁 And I had no idea it was a reference to that all these years either, thanks for letting me know that!
Great song from a great album. There are two great videos; The official from 1979, Dodger Stadium, USC Marching Band and then from The Dance, 1997, the USC Marching Band joins FM on stage, both are killer.
Yessssss! So happy to see this! Haven’t even watched it yet- I’ve been begging for this one!!! Let’s get it!! The version with the marching band is from their reunion/ concert called THE DANCE- EPIC concert! There was so much emotional on that stage,especially during certain songs. 👀 In my past requests for this song,I described it as a chant with killer bass and drums- My late Daddy always had change ready to give me, in every place where there was a jukebox! He knew it was coming- lol Loved this since 7-8 years old- always will!! ✌️
Thanks for this reaction. I remember, as a kid, back in the late 70's/early 80's, seeing tv footage of them performing this song with the USC marching band and being totally blown away!! I didn't really understand what the heck was going on. All I knew was that it was totally cool. Lol
Outstanding. You guys are going a little deeper with some of these epic artists that hold the records for being the best. Now . . . . I've said it a dozen times . . . stay in the groove and do Fleetwood Mac's " *_World Turning_* . The band has 3 singers that are ALL writers and have ALL had songs chart to the top. Their writing talent is deep and diverse.
You guys should react to more Fleetwood Mac… "I'm So Afraid", "Say You Love Me", "Over My Head", "Second Hand News", "Don't Stop", "Songbird", "You Make Loving Fun", "I Don't Want to Know", "Oh Daddy", "Sara", "Sisters of the Moon", "Big Love", "Seven Wonders", "Everywhere", "Family Man" 🎸🤘
So back in the late seventies I worked at USC and I was lucky enough to be walking across campus when I spotted Fleetwood Mac practicing this song with the USC marching band, it was a day l'll never forget 🤟😉fight on USC✌
Fleetwood Mac's answer to We Will Rock You. Definitely not under played in stadiums during its heyday. Nice reaction and good catch, both of you .Brad for the relationship and Lex for the "marching". ✌️
The TV series “The Americans” opened its pilot episode with this song playing over the first scene. The show takes place during the mid 80’s and had a killer soundtrack, you always knew that, when any Fleetwood Mac came on, shit was getting real! Y’all ought to check it out.
Wife here...Love the USC Marching Band in this song ...making the instrumentals AMAZING...Hands down one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs..As a small child I would jam out hard to this!!
Great and interesting choice. I remember being a kid hearing this the first time on AM radio. I never heard anything like it before it was so different
Story goes that "tusk" was a code word the guys in the band had for an erection. Lindsey Buckingham was really focused on experimenting with different sounds and approaches since this was the follow-up to Rumors and he didn't want the band to repeat themselves. So this song was more about attitude than anything in particular.
I was about to say that I've always wondered why this song was called tusk, and what that word has to do with anything else in the song. Now I know! Thanks.
Hey guys... I can give you a little hint on that 80's drum sound you were referring to. The 80's drums have that sound because of a 'gated reverb' effects being added on them. That what gives the 80's drums that big spacial resounding sound. If I am not mistaken, it was discovered by accident, then used on almost EVERY 80's drum mix. lol. Another hint: this one is about 70's sound. One thing about most 70's songs and albums is that they were mixed on an SSL (Solid State Logic) type of mixing console. These were fairly large and heavy analog mixing consoles known for having very clear and warm sounding mixes. This was fairly prevalent on hearing the drums. It makes them sound like the recording is being played right next to you. When you start the recognize these types of things, you will be able to hear their effect on songs.
Those ain't 80s drums, those ain't island drums, but they're certainly vibe drums because they are Mick Fleetwood drums! Unique and unmistakable, Mr Fleetwood drives everything they do.
The USC Marching Band plays this song all the time at sporting events, especially football games. During the lead up to where "Tusk!" is usually said in the song, USC fans in the crowd will instead say "U-C-L-A Sucks!"
OH no! wish you guys used the official video, it's super fun and has the USC marching band, as well as Stevie Nicks twirling a baton and marching. It's an awesome song nonetheless.
i saw them on the tusk tour in long beach ca., and they brought out the usc marching band to play "tusk" like they did on the album. it was an amazing sight.
Way to wrap it up Lex -- "Love in the Ice Age" -- kind of like Maxwells silver hammer right? BANG _ BANG The drums always gave me the feeling of preparing for war or going into battle. And I guess that fits being that the song is about a couple ready to fight. I think.
I was waiting for you to get to this one. It's my favorite Fleetwood Mac, and the instrument behind them are the USC Trijans marching band, who still use the song s kind of an unofficial trademark song.
USC does not lack for songs. They do "Fight On", "Tribute to Troy" and this one. Fortunately, when they're playing well, they score enough to work through the catalog. Of course the defense…sigh. :(
Watch the music video! Cool song. My brothers, friends, and I when we were kids would call this the caveman song when video shown on MTV in the mid '80s. It has that heavy tribal beat drum, chants, horns, big band feel. It's because it is. Marching band song. USC Trojans band plays this. Also Lex is right about sounding like a circus. USC football is like a circus, they stink! Lol 😜
It was the opening song at the show I saw. The music started before the band members were on stage and built as each member came on. It was good showmanship.
Finally! I have been waiting for this reaction from y'all. I never thought of the circus vibe, but I can hear what you're saying. Now watch the official video for your own enjoyment. It's a little bit like a circus. There's a lot going on!
I believe the words you were searching for were "tribal drums", Lex. At least that's what the drumming reminds me of. Also, I think theres a live version of this where they performed this live with a college band......super cool.
Have you ever watch the Movie "Caveman"? It's a comedy from the 80's . There is a scene where the caveman are making music. This song reminds me of it. You 2 should do a reaction video of the movie, it's comedy gold.
I'd love to see you guys listen to some older Fleetwood Mac, pre-Buckingham/Nicks. Their earlier albums like "Bare Trees", "Mystery to Me" and "Heroes are Hard to Find" had some amazing songs on them, and quite a few were hits on the radio. A couple of favorite songs of mine off those albums are "Hypnotized" and "Bermuda Triangle".
that bridge in this video cover is the 'Oberbaumbruecke' in Berlin which is the most famous connection between the districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain ...
Watching the official video won't help you figure this out. The USC Trojans Marching Band played a part in the creation of this song AND the video is basically the behind the scenes of how the collaboration came to be with the band members practicing on the football field, with the band there (Stevie Nicks twirls a mean baton, lol), then the band in full uniform playing and marching the field while the band looks on.
Backstory of this song. Lindsey Buckingham wrote it cuz Stevie was cheating on him with Mick Fleetwood. Tusk was Mick Fleetwoods nickname for his privates.
It wasn’t intended to be released but Mick loved it shade and all and they recorded it! I love this song! The band you hear in backing music is the USC Trojans Marching band. They recorded it with the college band and college band still plays it all the time. The actual video shows them recording it with the college. It’s cool! Here it is.
ua-cam.com/video/ATMR5ettHz8/v-deo.html
So that’s why they used the TROJANS. ? ( slapping my forehead .)
But Stevie and Lindsey had long since broken up when she and Mick got together.
@@Pathfinder197 Maybe so but I heard her actually tell this story once some years ago.
@@Pathfinder197 Hmm. Mick's wife at the time, Jenny Boyd, said Stevie and Lindsey had just broken up. When horned animals get together, they usually bang horns with each other to establish dominance. By the way, Jenny was Beatle George Harrison's sister.
@@debjorgo Jenny was George's sister-in-law, sister of Pattie Boyd (George's wife.)
One of my very favorite FM songs. Along with the USC marching band and a unique sound this song is a banger. This was a great choice today!
I seen Fleetwood Mac at the forum in LA, many moons ago.
And when they played this song. It was all dark with just a little bit of light on the stage. Just showing the members of Fleetwood Mac at the beginning.
Then all of a sudden, once the song started jamming.
All the lights came on and the USC marching band was in all the seats behind the stage.
And both bands just started jamming.
It was way cool.
A lot of high schools bands used to play that at Friday night football games.
Fleetwood Mac did not want to make a Rumours clone with their next album. Thus the Tusk album challenged their fans with some new sounds.
It's called the USC Tojans Marching Band and the video is literally the making of this song video.
this is with the famous USC marching band… the video is great
It's the Life of Fleetwood Mac 😂😂
Mick lives in Hawaii. Still active playing drums.
One of my favorite parts of this song is the line "Real savage like" tucked into the background noises.
A Clockwork Orange reference! Where in the song?
@@mrkelso right after the quick drum solo, after they shout "tusk" the first time. If you're listening for it you'll hear it 😁 And I had no idea it was a reference to that all these years either, thanks for letting me know that!
Great song from a great album. There are two great videos; The official from 1979, Dodger Stadium, USC Marching Band and then from The Dance, 1997, the USC Marching Band joins FM on stage, both are killer.
I just wanted to be Stevie so bad when I was a kid. Everyone was obsessed with her! And those are marching band drums!! 🥁
Yessssss! So happy to see this! Haven’t even watched it yet- I’ve been begging for this one!!! Let’s get it!! The version with the marching band is from their reunion/ concert called THE DANCE- EPIC concert! There was so much emotional on that stage,especially during certain songs. 👀 In my past requests for this song,I described it as a chant with killer bass and drums- My late Daddy always had change ready to give me, in every place where there was a jukebox! He knew it was coming- lol Loved this since 7-8 years old- always will!! ✌️
Thanks for this reaction. I remember, as a kid, back in the late 70's/early 80's, seeing tv footage of them performing this song with the USC marching band and being totally blown away!! I didn't really understand what the heck was going on. All I knew was that it was totally cool. Lol
Brad & Lex, I'd recommend their "Silver Spring" from the 1997 concert 'The Dance' and "You Make Loving Fun".!!!
Silver Springs is my absolute favourite FM song.
I’ve been recommending THE DANCE period! Phenomenal concert/ reunion.
Silver Spring is a beautiful song
@@wichitadisciple9874 Is it? Is it really? The sound of it sure is. The lyrics, not so much.
Yes, the famous USC Marching Band. There is a live version with the band.
I love this Fleetwood Mac song. It always strikes me as a tribal feel. This and Chains are my FWM go to's. Great choice!
All I can ever think of is Stevie twirling that baton in that sundress. Man oh man. Too much.
The video is fun but it won't tell a great deal, it is quite fun seeing them spending the day with the USC marching band tho
Wouldn't have expected you guys to do this one... great tune.
Outstanding. You guys are going a little deeper with some of these epic artists that hold the records for being the best. Now . . . . I've said it a dozen times . . . stay in the groove and do Fleetwood Mac's " *_World Turning_* . The band has 3 singers that are ALL writers and have ALL had songs chart to the top.
Their writing talent is deep and diverse.
World Turning is FABULOUS!!
And "So Afraid" as well. My two faves from the white album.
Love this song.
The drumming was just as killer then as it is now.
You guys should react to more Fleetwood Mac…
"I'm So Afraid", "Say You Love Me", "Over My Head", "Second Hand News", "Don't Stop", "Songbird", "You Make Loving Fun", "I Don't Want to Know", "Oh Daddy", "Sara", "Sisters of the Moon", "Big Love", "Seven Wonders", "Everywhere", "Family Man"
🎸🤘
I'm so Afraid, live in Boston, is one of my FM favs.
They have so many
I'm So Afraid - The Dance - 1997
So back in the late seventies I worked at USC and I was lucky enough to be walking across campus when I spotted Fleetwood Mac practicing this song with the USC marching band, it was a day l'll never forget 🤟😉fight on USC✌
Fleetwood Mac's answer to We Will Rock You. Definitely not under played in stadiums during its heyday. Nice reaction and good catch, both of you .Brad for the relationship and Lex for the "marching". ✌️
Yes, but the Original is the baseline, and should therefor be seen first, no offense ;-)
The TV series “The Americans” opened its pilot episode with this song playing over the first scene. The show takes place during the mid 80’s and had a killer soundtrack, you always knew that, when any Fleetwood Mac came on, shit was getting real! Y’all ought to check it out.
Loved that show!! Are there any new seasons?
Wife here...Love the USC Marching Band in this song ...making the instrumentals AMAZING...Hands down one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs..As a small child I would jam out hard to this!!
'TUSK!!' Oh Yeah!!
Great and interesting choice. I remember being a kid hearing this the first time on AM radio. I never heard anything like it before it was so different
Story goes that "tusk" was a code word the guys in the band had for an erection.
Lindsey Buckingham was really focused on experimenting with different sounds and approaches since this was the follow-up to Rumors and he didn't want the band to repeat themselves. So this song was more about attitude than anything in particular.
I was about to say that I've always wondered why this song was called tusk, and what that word has to do with anything else in the song. Now I know! Thanks.
The high school bands use to love playing this at half time.
Hey guys... I can give you a little hint on that 80's drum sound you were referring to. The 80's drums have that sound because of a 'gated reverb' effects being added on them. That what gives the 80's drums that big spacial resounding sound. If I am not mistaken, it was discovered by accident, then used on almost EVERY 80's drum mix. lol.
Another hint: this one is about 70's sound. One thing about most 70's songs and albums is that they were mixed on an SSL (Solid State Logic) type of mixing console. These were fairly large and heavy analog mixing consoles known for having very clear and warm sounding mixes. This was fairly prevalent on hearing the drums. It makes them sound like the recording is being played right next to you. When you start the recognize these types of things, you will be able to hear their effect on songs.
If you're going to watch the video, it needs to be the one with them and the USC marching band.
Biggest band to perform on an album.
This was recorded at the old 49,ers stadium. The old Candlestick Park.
should have viewed the usc marching band video
USC marching band guys, was hoping you'd pick it up toward the end when Brad said "big band" sound!! 👍🏽
Live is pretty cool!! 🥳
This has been my favorite Fleetwood Mac song since it was released. I can't resist a marching band.
Those ain't 80s drums, those ain't island drums, but they're certainly vibe drums because they are Mick Fleetwood drums! Unique and unmistakable, Mr Fleetwood drives everything they do.
"Real Savage Like." 👍😊
The USC Marching Band plays this song all the time at sporting events, especially football games. During the lead up to where "Tusk!" is usually said in the song, USC fans in the crowd will instead say "U-C-L-A Sucks!"
Very much USC Marching bands original, Alabama also like playing it pregame ...
She gets it.
Love this song I remember the football game back in the 70’s when Fleetwood Mac and the uSC marching band did this at halftime.. it was awesome!!
Football Games at high school!
Such a uniquely composed song
hard and funky
I love when the USC Trojan Marching Band breaks loose.
The "vibe" is "Ultimate Marching Band"
OH no! wish you guys used the official video, it's super fun and has the USC marching band, as well as Stevie Nicks twirling a baton and marching. It's an awesome song nonetheless.
The official video for this is amazing.
'What do you think the song was about? TUSK! Nailed it!
Like others here, highly recommend the USC marching band video -- very strong Southern Cali 70s vibes
Primal drum flex and those horns were raging with energy!
i saw them on the tusk tour in long beach ca., and they brought out the usc marching band to play "tusk" like they did on the album. it was an amazing sight.
My favorite Fleetwood Mac album.
The drum playing and the beat of this song is so cool
You are thinking of the Song being Tiable, Caveman Style.
They had a Minnisoda Highschool or the Uni Minnisoda Marching Band help play it.
Way to wrap it up Lex -- "Love in the Ice Age" -- kind of like Maxwells silver hammer right? BANG _ BANG The drums always gave me the feeling of preparing for war or going into battle. And I guess that fits being that the song is about a couple ready to fight. I think.
I agree with Brad, this song always gave me renaissance fair vibes, but I can see how you would get circus vibes too…
I was waiting for you to get to this one. It's my favorite Fleetwood Mac, and the instrument behind them are the USC Trijans marching band, who still use the song s kind of an unofficial trademark song.
USC does not lack for songs. They do "Fight On", "Tribute to Troy" and this one. Fortunately, when they're playing well, they score enough to work through the catalog.
Of course the defense…sigh. :(
For some unk reason this is my favorite song from Mac
It's literally a marching band. They based the music around that.
You don't hear too many marching bands in rock songs, pretty unique sound.
Watch the music video! Cool song. My brothers, friends, and I when we were kids would call this the caveman song when video shown on MTV in the mid '80s. It has that heavy tribal beat drum, chants, horns, big band feel. It's because it is. Marching band song. USC Trojans band plays this. Also Lex is right about sounding like a circus. USC football is like a circus, they stink! Lol 😜
It was the opening song at the show I saw. The music started before the band members were on stage and built as each member came on. It was good showmanship.
The MTV video shows them and the marching band, going through the motions of performing it.
Fleetwood Mac- I’m so Afraid - Live at The Dance
So weird! I heard this on the radio today and thought that it would be a good one for Brad and Lex to do and here it is!! I made this happen 🤣
I think Tusk was actually played at the Superbowl halftime show one year. Complete with the USC Trojan Marching Band heard in this recording.
The live version with the USC Trojan marching band is absolutely awesome!
Yes!Yes!Yes! Saturday house cleaning playlist!
When the show "The Americans" (2013-2018) used this song in the opening minutes of their pilot episode, it was badass how they did it.
Fantastic show by the way "the Americans"
funny you mentioned the drums...if i remember right this was the most expensive drum track ever laid down at the time
Not a circus Lex, just Fleetwood Mac doing a project with the USC marching band.
Lindsey Buckingham used to play this on guitar for his soundcheck, and eventually wrote this song around it.
Its a drum line sound, USC Marching Band played a role in this song. Different for sure.
Finally! I have been waiting for this reaction from y'all. I never thought of the circus vibe, but I can hear what you're saying. Now watch the official video for your own enjoyment. It's a little bit like a circus. There's a lot going on!
Lex the word you're looking for on the sound of the Drums is "Tribal"
I could see a couple of elephants and lions making a circus entrance with the band coming into the cring under the big top.
This is a superb track but widely overlooked by people only partially familiar with the band...and it is soooo different, as Lex says...
I believe the words you were searching for were "tribal drums", Lex. At least that's what the drumming reminds me of. Also, I think theres a live version of this where they performed this live with a college band......super cool.
The song videos (there's two) are a must watch. Just adds so much to an already great song. Love the reactions of you both.
A lot of college bands played this song...:)
That’s true
I'm going with what Lex said. Wooly Mammoth hunting. :D
Have you ever watch the Movie "Caveman"? It's a comedy from the 80's . There is a scene where the caveman are making music. This song reminds me of it. You 2 should do a reaction video of the movie, it's comedy gold.
I'd love to see you guys listen to some older Fleetwood Mac, pre-Buckingham/Nicks. Their earlier albums like "Bare Trees", "Mystery to Me" and "Heroes are Hard to Find" had some amazing songs on them, and quite a few were hits on the radio. A couple of favorite songs of mine off those albums are "Hypnotized" and "Bermuda Triangle".
My daughter when she was about 5 used to beg me to play this song for her. She always called it the drum song. She's 24 now and still listens to it
that bridge in this video cover is the 'Oberbaumbruecke' in Berlin which is the most famous connection between the districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain ...
Love the guy who says 'real savage like' after the middle drum bit
USC makes this song epic and they play it to this day:)
It always sounded like a marching band at a football stadium to me.
Sounds tribal.
You simply MUST watch the video, the marching band and Stevie with her batons...so cute! You'll love it!
"Tell me lies", "Another brick in the wall" and this song are my favourite RM songs.
also cool how Lex picked up on the marching visual without watching the video.
It was The USC Marching Band in So Cal
The song gives the sounds of elephants marching
Fleetwood Mac's history is written in their songs. 😉♥
Loving the streams :)
Watching the official video won't help you figure this out. The USC Trojans Marching Band played a part in the creation of this song AND the video is basically the behind the scenes of how the collaboration came to be with the band members practicing on the football field, with the band there (Stevie Nicks twirls a mean baton, lol), then the band in full uniform playing and marching the field while the band looks on.
I always thought of this as being like a dream sequence in a movie.
Crazy. But interesting. Love it.