First time hearing TOOL "Ænema" Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@nucl3arboNg]

This was based on a Comedy skit called "Arizona Bay" by the late Bill Hicks. Basically about how he doesn't like the superficialness of LA/California, and if it was washed away what you'd be left with is Arizona Bay. The song is more aimed towards a global look on the subject.

[@eriksnider9055]

A

[@pedromarques2077]

Indeed. The skit itself is called "You Lizard Scum".

[@thomastaylor9579]

WELL, SAID MY FRIEND, I HAD TO SEARCH THE COMMENTS BEFORE I POSTED I POSTE THE SAME COMMENT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE TOOL ARMY IS OUT THERE AND THEY'RE WELL EDUCATED ON THE THEORY'S OF MAYNARD JAMES KEENANA....SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS I CAN'T GET IT TO TURN OFF, BUT GREAT COMMENT.

[@albertsmith99]

@@thomastaylor9579 easy on the prozac friend.

[@thomastaylor9579]

@@albertsmith99 I'm not your friend.

[@TheChick24]

This was the song that got me into Tool! Such a great one! He's literally talking about mother nature/earth flushing LA/California away into the ocean

[@carlhurley6115]

He's using that as a metaphor for getting rid of the stupid/silly crap that people consider important.

[@Spurlano420]

Same for me.. this was the first track that made say whoa. Here I am 25 yrs later

[@lassemadsen607]

It's a Bill Hicks reference

[@k_salter]

See you down in Arizona Bay!

[@russelljoslinjr4387]

Yep🤣😂

[@jackgilchrist]

It's a combination of "anima" (Latin for spirit, soul) and enema (you know what that is, right? Flush it all away...). The æ character can be pronounced differently depending on the language, but the words anima and enema are both from Latin, and in Latin æ is generally pronounced eh as in "bet." So Ænema would be pronounced the same as enema. Oddly, the name of the song is Ænema with an e, but the album is Ænima with an i (and the i would be pronounced "ee" in Latin). I could try to guess why, but who really knows? 🤔 All the stuff he was referring to is very associated with Los Angeles. L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology), gangsters, retro, smiley glad hands with hidden agendas, insecure actresses, etc. He's saying fuck them all, flush it all away. I don't think it only applies to LA, but maybe you shouldn't look too deeply. Try and read between the lines, as he says, but don't necessarily look for deep Jungian meanings. The superficiality, pretentiousness, etc. that is represented by LA "culture" is bullshit and needs to go, and that about sums it up.

[@2Quietus]

Was about to type out nearly this exact explanation. Yep, that's it. Not too deep, very direct. Can confirm, LA culture was bullshit back then and has only amplified to present day (I lived there, twice, in my life).

[@jacksmith4460]

its also a play on the Jungian Animus which has the same etymological root, the Animus being the shadow or darker self we all deny in ourselves and push on others, the Animus is a sub conscious phenomena/experience. Jungian stuff is all about metaphorical rebirth so it all ties in with the theme of Aenima. In fact to wash away problem and not actually deal with the is very Animus(Anima = female, Animus = male) in Jungian stuffeveryone is a composite of both and represses both LA culture was influenced by Jung but with not many actually grasping the concepts, there is an Irony in that (similar to many westerners and Buddhism, many miss the point by a log way)

[@neilpatrickhairless]

@@2Quietus LA Culture is faking the rest of every other culture. Its not any more bullshit than any other place or that place couldn't exist and operate. All the same dipshits and cultists and cars and houses exist everywhere

[@FuckYoutubeAndGoogle]

I agree with your assessment that it should be pronounced like "enema", but Maynard said that it's supposed to be like "anima", although with him you never know, he may have been BS'ing

[@marcodallolio9746]

30 years later and the lyrics are still relevant

[@endocry]

More than ever

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

All too true

[@chriswhinery925]

Even more so than ever, I lived in SoCal until about 6 months ago and LA has only gotten worse.

[@sleigh4019]

Maybe more!!

[@LokiTricksterG]

Yep. L.A. still sucks.

[@DMKali]

Maynard’s anti Los Angeles & it’s lifestyle track. (One big festering neon distraction). This song did win TOOL it’s first Grammy. 😎

[@Robert1211995]

I believe this and 46 and 2 are tools best songs

[@troymash8109]

@@Robert1211995 For some reason I have to listen to Lateralus every damn day. Drives my wife nuts.

[@Nickel138]

Y’all pretty much got it. He was specifically talking about L.A. “I’ll see you down in Arizona bay.” He’s waiting for L.A. to fall into the ocean. Mother Nature to flush the whole city down the proverbial toilet. “Mom please flush it all away.” All the things he mentioned “L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Actress. Lattes, Hairpieces, Pilots, etc.

[@jonib5881]

When I saw Tool in 2001, Los Angeles, MJK announced that he was dedicating the song to all the record company executives who were at the concert…Maynard has made it clear many times that he hates lawyers and the big corporate music industry. The line about ‘fault lines that never stay still’ refers to the San Andreas fault. People in Arizona joke about it and say if an earthquake ever hits LA along the SA fault and it drops everything and everyone into the ocean, that Arizona will have waterfront property. I may be wrong but I think Maynard (for once) is being pretty straightforward in the meaning of the song…contemptuous of posers in LA, the lawyers, and corporate greed in the music industry. Just my interpretation! Great reaction!👍👍🥰

[@KillerChickn]

There is a theory that Red Hot Chili Pepper's song Californication has a line directly referencing Tool/Maynard and this song, as the song and album released after Ænima. The line is "and tidal waves couldn't save the world from Californiacation", implying that even if Mayndard (originally Bill Hick's) idea of LA being flushed away happened, the idea of Californication that this song talks about would live on. Anyway great reaction, love your channel!

[@janemba42]

Wow I never knew this! Seems a bit too on the nose for it to be accidental. Or maybe he just wrote the song subconsciously. Either way it just goes to show that Tool had a far bigger influence of music than people ever realize. Me included lol.

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

Oooooooh I never put the 2 together, that was very clever.

[@GeorgeTropicana]

Bunch of junkie idiots

[@LN-Lifer]

BJ feeling the song. Great reaction

[@mrreddington777]

I like you two. Y’all don’t be stopping the song every second to talk. I subbed and liked.

[@Mymloch]

For me, TOOL was like Pink Floyd a few generations later. I loved them both for similar reasons... I'm so happy this made its way onto your list. I must recommend Tool's "46 & 2" though.

[@JennRighter]

To this day, my favorite Tool song. And I’ve been a fan since the early days, because my mom saw them in concert many times in the early 90’s.

[@JennRighter]

I still have somehow never seen them, but I did see A Perfect Circle at least. Which was, of course, amazing.

[@notimportant3686]

same... without the mom part

[@rayromero815]

TOOL IS FOREVER 🤘🔥😎🔥🤘

[@Levi_Amongst_the_Watchers]

Right on BJ! Very insightful on this one man. You caught just about all of the messages Tool was going for, deffenatly agree that you gotta give it a few more listens to catch all of it but you did very well on your first listen. In reality bands like Tool and Pink Floyd have a unique quality where you can listen to a song a million times and have it all figured out then years later listen to it again and find a whole new meaning, because you are now different. You've grown and have more insight and a different view of the world which can completely change the meaning of a song for you.

[@nauseantrock532]

Toolarmy ..turn it up just enjoy thier mastery🔨🔥🔥🔥

[@neshobanakni]

AE is an Old English vowel from (probably) just before Shakespeare smashed his big foot onto the language.

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

"SEE YOU IN ARIZONA BAY". There is no such place... until California/LA slides into the ocean. LEARN TO SWIM! LEARN TO SWIM!

[@manna6618]

I feel like this was the album that really brought bass to TOOL...yes they had bass on other albums but it really stepped forward on this release and became an essential part of the experience. Best lyrics in this song too, Maynard has a gift for speaking what people are thinking. Thanks for the TOOL guys, more please!!! :)

[@sheldoncooper9223]

Y’all should check this song out with the lyrics. It’s really straight forward if you catch all the lyrics.

[@97warlock]

when he said Moms gonna fix it all soon, it brought tears to my eyes.

[@mikeferris408]

1 of my favorites from TOOL. Maynard James Keenan is a real artist and writes true intelligence, actually has something to say while questioning us with answers. This man actually has something interesting to say while solving it all in 1. Thats why his 3 bands are all above all the rest of the catchy riffs and cool chorus lines to jump up n donw to. Real music for real people. Tool, Pussifer and A perfect circle are absolutely great and ive got all their albums!

[@Motorhands]

As a young drummer, this song (album) blew my mind open to different time signatures and song structures. I literally couldn't listen to any other music for almost an entire year when this came out.

[@modulator7861]

Tool's Best Song.

[@thebabayaga8492]

I get so much joy watching today’s generation loving what I listened to at their age! God I miss the 90’s, good times .

[@jamesburns8827]

If I could ever recommend anything to you on the highest level it is to go see this band live if they roll through your town. You will not regret it it doesn't matter how much money it cost you will be blown away it is an experience like no other

[@risenfromthepyre]

noun: anima; plural noun: animas the part of the psyche that is directed inward, in touch with the subconscious.

[@rintrah40]

I'm so happy you related the meaning of the song to flushing away or getting rid of ego. Ego truly is the root of human madness. Madness is not rooted in the soul of one's heart but in the ego of one's mind.

[@42Mrgreenman]

That's my conclusion as well. It makes me laugh at times...and at others it makes me cry...from what we know of the universe, causality rules...It's this idea of "I" seems to be the root of all our problems...we are forever blaming other "I's" or exalting the self as a locus of agency when we have no proof that such is the case. We are inexorably linked with nature and physics to the point where there seems no room for this egotistical idea we call "Choice". It is almost by definition supernatural. A breaking of causality to make our particular systems of atoms an molecules somehow special...Some see it as bleak and nihilistic to imagine such is the case... But, to paraphrase the words of Neuroscientist/Philosopher Sam Harris, "When you let go of free-will, it opens you to a whole world of understanding the myriad circumstances that lead us to be who we are in this very moment. You don't lose the empathy or any of the other emotions as we are still human, but you learn to not erroneously place blame on or exalt others for the outcomes of whole generations of interactions, genetics, and experiences that lead to the now. We would prevent hurricanes and animal attacks if we could, and often do in the latter case without harm to the animal. But we don't hate the hurricane that destroys the home or the bear that mauls us, for they are just doing what bears and hurricanes do. But we place this desire for vindication and vengeance on members of our own species, so we are forever prevented from truly understanding each other's circumstances, experiences, and motivations..."

[@rintrah40]

@@42Mrgreenman yes, when we personalize "I" into "me" we create an ego. We forget there is only one "I am", not billions. One "I am" being expressed in infinite ways, including animals, plants, planets, everything/nothing etc...

[@jeradswaggard3449]

Glad I asked yall to do this one

[@robdaniel3211]

Read the lyrics. And the Learn to Swim lines are about the big earthquake to hit the San Andreas fault line that will rock parts of California into the ocean…..leaving Arizona as ocean front.

[@Nb123022]

"This world needs an enema!" This is my favorite FAVORITE song from Tool🖤I saw them a few weeks ago an they are beyond words!!! This is actually one of there more straightforward songs. It's time for mother nature to wash it all away and start over 100%!!

[@gregoryrobb2604]

Saw them this tour as well. What an experience!

[@Nb123022]

@@gregoryrobb2604 I can't believe it took me 20+ years to finally see them and I would give anything to see them again but I'm pretty sure this may be their last tour which sucks so bad🥺At least I got to see them once, I can die happy now.

[@D0N0CIDE]

Lyrics!! Its a dis song against superficial people in California (where theyre from)

[@thomastaylor9579]

tidal waves wash L.A away, which would leave you with Arizona bay, hence "learn to swim"

[@ricksurratt9034]

The look on your face Asia made my day….tool is a trip..

[@vodkarage8227]

This song definitely gets better with age.

[@mikemason128]

My favorite thing about this song is that it's one of the few times Maynard isn't being metaphorical. He literally is saying the world would be better off without these false idols that distract us from the fact we better "learn to swim"

[@randyman1331]

I still have the original cd, the album art was made to be seen through the special cd case.

[@jasonlebeau1288]

The Æ makes the same sound as the "a" in "cat" so the pronunciation is anema (an-em-ah). Edit: Ænima is a spiritual term meaning an Atlantis type cataclysm, meaning land sinking underneath water.

[@KyleBurnsMusic]

Im somewhat new here but same singer different band. A perfect circle talk talk talk.

[@velvetjoyvanderslice9213]

Please Google this albums name. Explains everything that this brilliant music team is saying. God Bless! 🌹

[@K3nVV]

...one of my favorite bands growing up. Tool has a big selection of awesome music to listen to. Now they're just a part of my lifting mix. Enjoyed the reaction!

[@pikey13]

Just saw them in Boston, what a show!

[@justinwilder3514]

Going from this album where he kinda calls out a lot of people, and an entire state/state of people, to his enlightened side the very next album was wild, this and 46&2 are my favorites

[@jon-pauldupont5746]

Personal favorite song. The lyrics are classic. “Learn to swim!” “I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t welcome any kind if change my friend”

[@lisemzarate4029]

He is actually speaking litterly in this one, he finds L.A one great big festering neon distraction , Ma, please flush it all away. Learn to swim!

[@LN-Lifer]

Actually I don't think he is. The try to read between the lines part suggest to me that he doesn't really want it to happen. He's saying wake up people

[@lisemzarate4029]

@@LN-Lifer the Anemia, humans deprived of meaning, will allow the Enima to become necessary for the survival of Mother Earth. Nonone wants it, but we all see it coming. Long story short I agree 😏🤣💜

[@lifeisatrip8993]

Reverend Maynard preaching off that mountain top!

[@capt.smackdown]

It's about the San Andreas fault, and how part of California falls into the ocean. (Like an enema for the planet) On the back of the album has a transition prospective of this. 🐸🍿

[@windog551]

This song is about LA or California falling into the ocean. Bill Hicks the Comedian had a Comedy skit about how he wished LA would just fall in the ocean. The band especially Maynard was good friends with Bill Hicks. Anyway for decades ppl have been saying cali will fall in the Ocean because of San Andreas fault.

[@maverickloomis5127]

So aenima is from bill hicks who was a stand up comedian that thought California should have sank into the ocean and tool adopted that Theory with the album aenima

[@maverickloomis5127]

And washed all the holly woof filth

[@MemphisStreetOutlawsPAWPAW]

Watch the video with lyrics is the only way you'll ever appreciate the greatness of this song and tool.

[@jd35711]

"Aenema" is a combination of "enema" and "anima", an archetype from Jungian psychology - the anima is the inner feminine side of a man

[@scottdolby]

BJ feeling it. Asia - deciphering it. Perfect.

[@tkelly830]

Love the reaction....this came out in 96!!

[@stevecorwin6438]

Seen them in Concert... played for 3 hrs...

[@Avtotar]

According to Adam, it's pronounced ah-nih-mah. Great album, Great Song.

[@NetProphet76]

The Salival version of Pushit.

[@MacAnAirchinnighJM]

My favorite song of theirs, not the best song they’ve made but this album was my first Tool experience at 14 years old. 25 years ago. And will always be my favorite album of theirs. But I love them all dearly. Saw them finally fit the first time in January. It was amazing.

[@scottmatzeder9162]

Tool is best listened to with Lyrics handy! Their Lyrics are wildly thought provoking!

[@thedrumfreak97]

Gotta have the lyrics handy...

[@jeffhoskins9794]

Brilliant artists specially Maynard

[@davehansen7213]

Seeing them on Sunday and again on Tuesday cant wait

[@BrianR.]

God, I love Tool, what a great band! Loved your reaction to this, thanks.

[@rayzerbone4197]

Drummer Danny Carry from Kansas “Rock Chalk Jayhawk”

[@jamescoleman8954]

Yeah I think it’s funny when they say see you down in Arizona bay because people have talked for years about California falling into the ocean nowadays I think it would be a good thing

[@3ccdmike]

My girl ! A enema like he said. Superficiality in people.

[@Mother.BruceX]

I love love love your video reactions and now you are dabbling in my favorite band! Wooo!❤

[@jeover8039]

Tool! Hellya!

[@russelljoslinjr4387]

Oh my! A favorite from the good old days!

[@stephengiannone5449]

Reflection is an amazing song.

[@vitoandrade783]

the song was written about los angeles

[@tattoodude8946]

I started watching this and then noticed he's wearing a "LA" hat! 🤣🤣🤣

[@yancey2904]

I really love how you guys try to think it out. It's why they call themselves TOOL, they are a tool to help expand your thinking. That being said this song is pretty straightforward. This world needs an enema and it starts with LA. It's actually based on a comedy bit done by the late great Bill Hicks, called Arizona bay. You guys are great

[@avestuart]

I remember when Jim (Maynard) was running around Grand Rapids after he was discharged from the Army. He played in a band called TexANS. Bit of a sarcastic nut-job, likeable for a while and then you wanted to slap him. It's really weird to see all of this hero-worship around him today, LOL.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Thats exactly why people like him. He's a smart ass and being a professional smart ass will even get you elected in this country

[@AndICanTalk2]

You are on point with the 8dea that Tool thinks the world is preoccupied with bullshit. Great reaction.

[@LinasBlinass]

I recommend an artist “ Samson “. If an old Eminem had a baby with Tom Macdonald this is who Samson is. 46=13 , “ birthday bash” , “sixth sense” , “ opinion on covid “and keep the newest one “ quick word “ for the desert. A sarcasm genius at his best and he is hilarious

[@vindigregorio6697]

"MOM" is Mother Earth in this song.. She is going to flush it all away and put it back the way it ought to be.. "Rain, Titlewaves, and Faultlines that cannot sit still." *Learn to swim!

[@vickielewis2336]

Love Maynard's voice! You must do The Doomed that he does with his other group A Perfect Circle! It has a very strong message!!!!

[@D0N0CIDE]

The Doomed grew on me. If they do it here I hope they pull up the lyrics for it

[@MandyZor-El]

Mom’s (Mother Nature) coming round to put it back the way it outta be! Better learn how to swim!!

[@markspooner4883]

Song is pronounced (on-i-ma) it's about Maynards hatred of LA/California and he wants mother nature to sink it into the ocean. That's why he says learn to swim and see you down in Arizona bay. There is no Arizona bay unless Cali is gone.

[@rik6696]

"AEnema" is a combination of words. "Anima" is the female archetype hypothesized by philosopher/psychologist Carl Jung to exist within the male. "Enema" is the purification of one's rectum through flushing water. The combination would mean something along the lines of flushing out the superficial crap within us.

[@LN-Lifer]

Now you must do Opiate!

[@riyintocco]

He’s talking about superficiality being pointless when LA/California falls into the ocean. Learn to swim to stay alive when the world falls apart. 🌊

[@marwasgaming]

the song is about Los Angeles, read the lyrics. Hes talking about the only way to fix LA is to flush it all way, so see you down in Arizona bay

[@deelawson4551]

Oh yes! This has always been my favorite Tool song! I always have to crank this one up to 10 😄 Keep On Rockin'

[@truther4life]

The CLEANSING is happening as we SPEAK!!! NCSWIC!!!!!!!

[@Mertztillithurts]

Maynard is looking around today going: "Sometimes I really HATE it when I'm right..."

[@Beluga_Too]

Bill Hicks "let em swim" :)

[@albers17]

respect for the attention given...

[@jacksmith4460]

Others have written some good descriptions of what it is about. I would like too add, its a play on 2 different concepts, and the word/act of an Enema Summary Lot of people saying "Its not that deep", well, it is and it isn't. On the face of it yeh its an angry song about what is shit about LA Enema is a Metaphor (point 3 below), but it is also a Homage too Bill Hicks(point 1 below), and it is also a play on the Jungian concept (point 2 below). If you want more detail on these read the below points in reference too each part of the meaning *********************** 1) Bill Hicks Arizona Bay- This was actually a reference too Arizona Bay by Bill Hicks (comedian who put his comedy to his own music) Bill was in a Bill Burr kind of mold...but way more intense and believe it or not even more extra/wild and also on point with truth. He did a comedy skit/section talking about Arizona bay and LA falling off into the ocean , and he jokingly made out it would be a good thing. It was an Ironic skit basically highlighting a lot of shit wrong with LA, Bill Hicks was quoted on the Tool AEnima album in the sleeve art (with a Portrait of Bill Hicks) and sampled on the Album specifically in the track "Third Eye". Hicks died in 94 (2 years before this albums release) so being fans of his they had a few references in. Arizona Bay and this track are a reference too Bill Hicks (as was "Eulogy" and he is sampled in "Third Eye") 2) Carl Jung/Jungian stuff/Anima/Animus- Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst . He developed many things in these fields and along with Sigmund Freud are considered modern day pioneers in Psychiatry/Psychoanalysts. Jung had a very intuitive understanding coupled with vast intellect. One of his Ideas, which is referenced by Tool in the track "46 & 2" on the same album (AEnima), is known as the Shadow. This is basically all the bad/dark sides of a person that we all have that we deny the existence of. If these aspects are not understood and shown light by ourselves they can morph and become terrible things. The notion being that dysfunctional behaviour come from the suppression of our internal "Shadow". The subconscious/ego was seen with 2 components by Jung . The Animus (male) , and the Anima (female). The track and album are called AEnima (album) / AEnema (track), this is not an accident, Tool are deliberately playing with concepts. 3) Enema, Metaphor Enema- to flush ones guts ,too put it bluntly but politely. Enema being a metaphor for flushing bullshit away and a Nod to Bill Hicks Arizona Bay as in point 1 The play on words meaning Arizona Bay being an Enema to the Anima/Animus of LA, its all part of the overarching meaning. I also think it was a wider than LA more general meaning but that is tied too in many ways to what LA is seen to represent

[@GeorgeTropicana]

Tool pseudointellectuals are the cringiest fucking people on the planet my god

[@Carnei]

Wow...I saw your reaction to one of Tom MacDonald's videos, and you nailed it. By accident came over this, and was surprised to see you reacting to Tool. They are my all time favorite band. Been in my ears since 1993. Maynard (vocals) is a genius in terms of lyricism. He's hit me straight in the feels many times, not to mention opening my consciousness to new and exciting concepts. I'm exited to hear this reaction, so I'll either come back and edit this one or just make a standalone comment to your reaction. Thanks guys 🙂

[@monkeyminer892]

Yeah, and he is Flushing LA and California into the Ocean and saying "See you down in Arizona Bay" which is not a thing no ocean in Arizona.

[@308lonegunman]

He's saying EFF 90s LA specifically but you guys got the 10k view right on

[@bigdaddypiggy]

This was the song that made me realize without a doubt that Tool is the best band doing it….& this was in 97…..they re still without equals 🖤🥶

[@danielcontino8755]

Carl Jung called the soul Anima, and Enima, everybody what an enima is.

[@danielcontino8755]

And their talking about LA

[@cadleo]

Maynard, the driving force behind Tool, has several projects. His project called 'Puscifer' is excellent and any of their stuff would be great for a react. 'Queen B', 'Indigo Children", 'Humbling River', 'The Mission' are all good choices. Tool is also great and I saw him perform this song at Red Rocks.

[@sleigh4019]

Plus the whole bill hicks thing with Arizona bay

[@alienlifeform7490]

Great reaction!! I don't think I've seen either of you so "transfixed" on a song before. This really is a trip for one's own mind. Love you both!! Thank you. 💖💖

[@EverendeverGroup]

Tool shitting on L.A., what a wonderful carnival ride.

[@nightsspell368]

~* Loveeee you 2.. how you listen so intently and try and digest his lyrics.. hes a poet and...kinda of a opens the book of this f'ed up society and political world we live in...I love Tool...they are amazing...want too see em in concert sooooo bad....but no concertz near Seattle it says *boo* Seattle used to be the hub of concerts... now grundge is dead guess not hahah...*~

[@erikweis6527]

They played Seattle a month ago.

[@ushuturface]

This is a really good reaction video, thanks.

[@capt.smackdown]

I love how TooL takes you on a journey. Fun to watch! 🐸🍿