Theatre Kid Reacts to Rush: Xanadu

[@gregsteele806]

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea. So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girdled round; And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree; And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery." Kubla Khan ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

[@fretless05]

This is one of the things I've always loved and respected about Rush as musicians. Their third album "Caress of Steel" was not a big commercial hit and the the label dragged them down to the US for a meeting. In the meeting, they threatened them, telling the band they needed shorter, radio ready songs. They went back to Canada and decided they had to be true to their vision; their next album, 2112 was built around the title song, which took up the entire first side. As they said in Spirit of the Radio, "All this machinery making modern music, Can still be open-hearted, Not so coldly charted, it's really just a question Of your honesty, yeah, your honesty! One likes to believe in the freedom of music, But glittering prizes and endless compromises, Shatter the illusion of integrity, yeah" They would NOT be bowed, they refused to bend to the pressure of the "salesmen" in the studio, they held tight to their integrity. Rush, for a long time, was all about epic tales, and they had a number of really good ones! With that in mind, the guys went to the studio and, after being asked for 2-3 minute songs, they wrote songs like thius one, which has really 2 intros which are each 2-3 minutes long. This particular song really shows their mastery as musicians. Alex plays 6- and 12- string guitars as well as some pedals, and his playing is dwarfed by Neal's percussion set ranging from wind chimes, wood blocks, tubular bells, and drums of all sort. Geddy plays bass as well as 12-string guitar in this song while singing and playing keyboards, often doing 2 or 3 at once... mind-boggling.

[@mark-be9mq]

The song's a Cautionary Tale, based on the Coleridge poem, Kubla Khan. A man seaks the mythical paradise of Xanadau & finding it enters & finds every pleasure he could want incl immortality. However, after a time the pleasures loose don't satisfy & he finds himself a prisoner alone w/only a weary monotony, that will never end...careful what you wish for, you just might ..

[@Wolfsblood1138]

Seeing the look of pure joy on your face through that last section after Geddy hit that last high note honestly brought tears to my eyes. It made me remember the wonder that I had in the early 80's when friends of mine introduced me to the wonders of Rush. Seeing people discover the music of my youth, and enjoy it so completely makes my heart happy. ❤ I always love your reactions, and yes I stick around for your delightful outtakes. Keep that wonder in your heart, and cherish it. 😊

[@crabuki1273]

Kimono Era Rush! "Very space." Truueeee. I think these musicians got together in a very, um, herbally smoky room, to write this one. I think more than a few Rush fans listened to it over and over in similarly herbally smoky rooms, for that matter. All hail the DuckQueen! That Adam Pascal comment was certainly high Rent.

[@gregsteele806]

Fitting, because the person who wrote the original poem this was based on was high as a kite at the time. He was so out of it, that, when he got interrupted by someone at the door, he could never get back into the visions he'd been having. Thus, the poem remains unfinished.

[@edgarpacifico3421]

You should try the Exit stage lef version!

[@MrSinnerBOFH]

Yes, 100 times yes! Exit Stage Left version has so much energy! And the boys have so much fun performing it! 🎉

[@donhimmelman1736]

you mentioned about how happy they look playing their music, and that is one thing about their music....it makes us so happy too

[@jimobrien8806]

One of the best written and orchestrated rock songs ever

[@Lifeson1980]

Hands down the greatest song ever written and performed by a band

[@madjock-ig5bv]

One of the things about Geddy's vocals, especially in earlier days is that with the drummer writing the words who is of course rhythmically based and the singer being the bassist who works rhythmically results in him kind of singing to time structures. So he uses words like he plays his bass. He hits syllables like he hits the beat! That makes his delivery quite unusual. The fact that these 3 guys could play all this onstage with no one helping (any triggers for extra sounds were always triggered by the 3 of them). I have seen hundreds of bands and artists (including folks like Stevie Wonder and James Brown along with massive metal and prog acts) and I still think this is the best band I have ever seen live. Seen them 48 times and they were amazing every damn night! I truly miss these guys!

[@dallassukerkin6878]

Back in the Before Times, when there was no MTV, no Internet, no real music shows on television. There was a magical thing called Radio, a little box from which *rock* music could be coaxed if you knew the right Incantations of the Dial. One such Incantation, if cast at ten o'clock on a Friday night, would bring to you the Sage, Tommy Vance and he would play for you many wonders :) In other words, in the 70's here in the UK, we had the Friday Night Rock Show - required listening for all rockers, as was the John Peel show for the rest of the evenings of the week. In the autumn of '77 I tuned in to TFNRS at a little after ten and, for a moment, I thought I had set the dial wrong or my radio was broken because there was silence ... and then I started to hear what sounded like splashing water and birdsong! I had switched on at just the moment after Tommy had finished talking about the song and before the song got started :D That song was, of course, Xanadu and was the first time I had ever heard Rush. The next day I was down the town, straight into the record shop asking for the album A Farewell to Kings by Rush ... they didn't have it but what they did have on the shelves was another record by Rush - it had a weird cover and an even weirder title ... 2112. I asked to hear some of it and within a few bars of Alex's guitar I was handing over my couple of Quid to buy it :chuckles: I have been a lifelong fan ever since, altho' I confess I am one of those who 'fell away' when they changed direction on me with Power Windows. Late Edit: By the way, I recommend digging out Dixie Dregs "Take It Off The Top", from the album "What If" - that was the theme tune for FNRS :D That album is a bit of stealth tell tale for a rocker - if you have it in your vinyl collection then you are in the club :chuckles:

[@mhlevy]

Rob Morgenstern and Andy West were one hell of a rhythm section! Though I had discovered Rush between "Caress of Steel" and "2112" came out, my very first Rock concert I attended was Rush's "A Farewell to Kings" tour, when I was 15 years old. Over the years I saw them perform live between 20 and 25 times... I've lost count.

[@number9434]

Speaking of rock operas, Rush's 2112 Overture is the ultimate rock opera. Its a must....

[@jayachi9154]

Charis i so love seeing you watch Rush, keep on diving deeper in the RUSH pool, much love young lady.

[@markmcd731]

I have been a Rush fan since the late 80's. This became my current favorite in the last 2 years. It's simply amazing.

[@Heathcoatman]

Love Rush, hard for me to pick a favorite but La Villa Strangiato is at the top of my list. Have you heard it? It's instrumental and many think it's Alex's opus. The guitar solo (around 3:35 in the studio version) is (imho) the greatest solo ever. Very Jeff Beck-like, if that means anything to you. Do yourself a huge favor and check it out (if you havent already)

[@ExUSSailor]

Now, a regular, single neck Rickenbacker is a heavy instrument. I can only imagine what that double neck of Geddy's must weigh!

[@MARSHOMEWORLD]

There is a reason that those guitars were retired for the years that Xanadu was out of the setlist, Critters must weigh a ton

[@MARSHOMEWORLD]

I think it's quite remarkable that Russians getting such a new fan base from reaction videos and their popularity within that movement. I mean quality it does endure and Rush have always been a quality band who operated just to the left of mainstream culture while still being able to deliver deeply musically satisfying intricate work there was still catchy enough to keep the average Joe on board and satisfy the nerd musician purest as well. Not an easy balancing act.

[@jtorch1]

My Ric is much lighter than my Jazz, without a doubt. The 4080-12 might weigh a bit more, but he can be thankful Fender never made a doubleneck!

[@TheTemplesofSyrinx1]

Rics are light AF my man.

[@NileK-q2z]

My fave Riks are 4001's, the Geddy and Chris Squire (Yes) models, stereo output, with Rotosound strings. Amp choice: Hi Watt, Vox, or Ampegs. Throw in a Fuzz Face pedal for more bottom end aggression.😅

[@MarcusStephenson1970]

First time on your channel, enjoyed your reaction. This was the 1st rush tour I saw. I've never forgotten this song from that show, I was 14 and blown away

[@ricksmallwood5760]

It was also my first Rush tour. I saw them in October 1977 in Little Rock with UFO and Max Webster opening.

[@tomkelly1442]

When I would hear this on the Vegas rock station back in the 70s and 80s I literally got chills. The live version 1981 Exit Stage Left tour is sort of their video Mona Lisa.. but my goodness their body of work is just unbelievable.

[@alonzocoyethea6148]

17:53...Guitarist Lifeson said in an interview for the live DVD "Exit Stage Left", "We like to create stuff that excites us to play..If it does, we know we can transfer that to our audience. And it's a formula that's worked well for us." I highly suggest a 5 star performance of "Freewill" from the same DVD, available on utube..Loved the reactions!

[@Christopher-Baltimore]

Rush on rollerskates would have been amazing.

[@mhlevy]

Well, Ice Skates worked remarkably well for Rick Wakeman's "King Arthur on Ice!" There's a terrific video of it on YT if you look up 1975, Live at Empire Pool.

[@Gary-zq9dr]

This video is live footage but the studio version of the song aligned to it. There's an even better video with them truly playing this live. See the Exit Stage Left version from 1981.

[@mightyV444]

Or rather, they were miming extremely well to the studio version. An experience Neil in particular had disliked. Which most likely is one of the reasons why later, similar-looking videos had actually been done live ('The Trees', 'La Villa Strangiato') 🙂

[@ffjsb]

@@mightyV444 Most bands will do rehearsals for concert tours so they can work out transitions and blocking, etc. That;s probably what they're doing here, and they just video taped it. This was before the age of music videos so that's the most likely reason they did this.

[@mightyV444]

​@@ffjsb - The audio is the studio version from the 'A Farewell To Kings' album, just like in the 'Closer To The Heart' video clip! If this really _was_ live, it should sound more like the version on the 'Different Stages' album, which was recorded not long after.

[@dannychase1787]

Goddam Masterpiece! 200 years from now this song will drop jaws. 3 virtuosos who now are undeniable the best musicians who ever did it. RIP Neil

[@TheMoosebreath24]

You're so darn cute! I love the sheer excitement and "thrill of discovery" in each of these reactions! Don't stop and I hope, no, I KNOW you will enjoy the Rush rabbit hole you are about to find yourself in. See you again soon. BTW, I'm loving the outakes at the end. 😉

[@darrellc.symonds9339]

Great reaction, you are down the Rush rabbit hole and “Dinner with Rush” is a treat you will enjoy, promise.

[@Tarkus_]

Love this, but not gonna lie, I'd rather see you react to the Exit Stage Left version than another Rush song (except for 2112). The Exit Stage Left version is one of my favorite videos on KZbin.

[@mightyV444]

Mine, too! 😀 Especially the ones on the Snowdog and StickHits channels that also have 'The Trees' preceeding and seguing into 'Xanadu' 😊👍

[@josh2112]

You missed an opportunity to make this video 21:12 long

[@callistis8733]

Thank you for doing this, Charis! I'm glad you're pickin up what Rush is puttin down! ;)

[@philstone3859]

This live, as in you going to the concert live, is a very strong highlight. I can’t remember exactly how many times I’ve seen them play this, but it is incredible when Alex is just a few away from you. It really is something I wish more people got to experience.

[@elarsh24]

The intro has a "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" sound. Both came out in the same year.

[@Agg1E91]

The wonderful thing about these videos, and heck, just recordings in general, is that Geddy, Neil, Alex, Elvis, Lennon, Jagger, Miller, Dorsey, Joplin (Janis & Scott), etc. need never grow old. They can be repeatedly introduced to the newest generation. At their peak. And for the more long-lived acts (Stone, Rush, etc.) we even get to see them through the course of their career. All at once. Not having to wait 20 or 30 years to see how it will all play out.

[@charlesknutzen5405]

Your reaction to one or the greatest songs ever written is fantastic. Thank you for sharing your views, Charis. Keep doing this! Take care.

[@Gary-zq9dr]

At 8:24, Geddy is playing the foot pedals for that synth sound, playing the bass, and singing all at the same time.

[@craigevans4694]

Yep, the mighty Moog Taurus pedal.

[@ericdee391]

Luv your thoughts on this excellent performance. I grew up in the Toronto area and my teen years were spent listening to Rush in the late 70’s and 80’s. They were rock gods to my friends and I. Still are for me. Saw them twice at Maple Leaf Gardens. My youth consisted of playing hockey and often partying hard to Rush.

[@markgettemeyer1145]

Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales. The studio is a compound of small buildings with kind of a courtyard in the middle. The echo on the wood blocks at the beginning of the song is the natural echo of that outdoor space. The birds were also captured outside of Rockfield. If anyone asks me what progressive song from Rush they should listen to first, I point them to this one. Great reaction ✌🏻

[@kimberlyroets9334]

Excellent reaction!! I've been a Rush fan since 1976, 2112 is what got me. Then this song on Farewell to Kings came out and I was hooked. I'm really glad you are enjoying your Rush journey.

[@lindaward5376]

La Villa Strangiato, Time Machine Tour - you're welcome! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐

[@chrisschmitz597]

Oh man, here we go, one of my favs!!! I can't imagine that you'd love it after one listen as it's kinda complex and something you grow to love, but I'm excited to see!

[@MauriceCalis]

I love your reactions. Thanks for doing one I suggested, though I am sure many more did first. This is the studio version and great for hearing every detail. But nothing compares to their live version from the 1981 Exit Stage Left tour. You get an even better sense of their stage presence and command of multitasking. So impressive and emotional. Please, just watch it for yourself. You will be so glad you did. Would love to hear what you thought too - maybe a short.

[@VeryVocalPro]

Absolutely true…now that she’s heard the studio version, the virtuoso performance that is Exit Stage Left in 1981 is a Masterwork!

[@batman1169]

Its wild to be blown away from the song. Did pay attention to the story, how he found it and living forever , in hell it seems, life never stops. Great story too!

[@davidbubbins5348]

Hi Charis, I have very much enjoyed your Rush journey. This has been the longest song you’ve heard so far. I love all of the pieces you’ve reviewed so far. But, as a ‘Theatre Kid,’ I think you will appreciate Rush’s 2112. It doesn’t have a lot of the pop elements found in Limelight, the Spirit of Radio, or even Tom Sawyer. But it is Rush though and though. 2112 is an epic story that, as a theater kid, I think you will appreciate. Please, Please, Please, do a reaction of 2112. There is an animated video of it that I think would be helpful in understanding the story. Please make this your next reaction.

[@MrSinnerBOFH]

I second this! A Theater Kid that had so much fun with Rush’s Space Opera with Kimonos (Xanadu), will certainly enjoy 2112 epic artist’s journey

[@supernicko123]

Bravado, The Pass, Dreamline, Armor & Sword, The Garden, there are just so many songs to choose for Rushmas!!!!

[@stephenpublicover8818]

Hey, my young friend, I saw RUSH in concert at (The Metro Centre) in Halifax, Nova Scotia,Canada (1988) Best live rock band ever!! RIP Neal Peart!

[@PeterMcCracken-n3g]

Hi Charis. I just wanted to say thank you for the video of Xanadu. The is actually Live, not the studio dubbed over the video. This is what Rush can do and what they are all about. Enjoy.

[@bramcurtis6900]

I saw Rush 3 times in Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Their home town. And every concert I would have moments where I would just kinda stop...and realize again this fucking wall of sound was coming from 3 guys. I would be looking through the binoculars and matching the sight with sound. It was frankly an astounding thing to witness.

[@gregyaklin5980]

Neil demonstrates, not only major drum chops, but that he is a well rounded musician when he adds chimes and bells to the composition. Oh...and he wrote the lyrics too! 🙂

[@tenchmagic]

Fabulous to watch your reaction to Xanadu . Love Rushmass 😊😊 Geddy wears a cape , because he is actually a Superhero 🙌🙌

[@classified70]

I am 52 yrs old now, I never gave Xanadu a chance when listening to my brother's Rush records when I was growing up. Fast forward today and it's taken me all these years to realize that the best song ever written and played by any band was right in front of me all this time.

[@artsilva]

I love that you are appreciating Rush. They are three of the most gifted talents ever put on one stage. I have a live recommendation from one of their later tours, a beautiful song in the same realm about life and the interpretation of it in the form of tending to our garden; it's called The Garden (live) Clockwork Angels Tour 2012

[@NoneYaBidness762]

All of them are / were geniuses. RIP Professor.

[@jord001]

This is probably my favourite Rush track, Used to listen to it on repeat as loud as I could when the album came out and for many years after. Glad you enjoyed it, truly a class band.

[@romankoltun5935]

Heh Charis. Thanks for Rushmas and for your great reactions so far. Rush has so so many great songs. Thats why you have such a large selection of suggestions on what song to react to next among us devoted fans. I myself would suggest Jacobs Ladder as one of my favourite prog rock songs. As for Rush,'s heavy Rock collection I would recommend Headlong Flight or of course Working Man.

[@yyz4761]

This needs to be played WAY WAY louder, we’re not in a library here. This epic song was made to be played loud

[@TommyLMason]

I’ve watched you react numerous times to all sorts of different songs, but your reaction to this one hits me right in the feels. You hear everything from Neil’s tubular bells,(not some piece of metal he just found😂), to the squeal in Geddy’s voice when he screams PARADISE 😂. I don’t know why I haven’t subscribed before now but you have a new sub. My favorite Xanadu analysis by far. You should check out the live version… 1981 Exit Stage Left Tour. Guaranteed to blow your mind.

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

Honestly, with 19 studio albums' worth of music (all gold and platinum with nary a top ten single), you could easily be doing a Rushmas '30 without breaking a sweat (assuming you keep doing this after you've become a star on both Broadway and the West End). And that's not even mentioning their 12 hit live albums (except that I just did). As for this year's Rushmas, I'm going to assume that we have room for 4-6 more reactions. If so, I'd highly recommend the following: 1. Time Stand Still (official video) 2. Natural Science (live in Toronto 1997) 3. Working Man (live in Cleveland 2010) 4. 2112 (official video [40th anniversary ed.]) -> This one counts for two slots!!! 5. The Garden (Live in Dallas, 2012)

[@athanatic]

Please continuing with Rushmas, but I would accept Zappa-mas!

[@KennethSavage-nn2vv]

In my opinion the epitome of Rush and progressive rock. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the mighty Rush!

[@KevinHudson-q7i]

Worlds greatest 3 piece ORCHESTRA😊🥁🎸🎙🎼🎵🎶

[@VIDSTORAGE]

He has a posh English accent when he sings and then goes back to his North American Regional Canadian accent when he talks .. It was totally opposite for the British Bands that went American when they would sing and then go back to their native dialect when they talked ..

[@philstone3859]

First rule of RUSH Club: Never complain about song length. Second rule of RUSH Club: Go loud! Canada is trying to get you to listen! 😁🍁🇨🇦 This song is about as Classic RUSH as you can get. Early on in their career and an instant classic. It’s a very strong song. Stoned in high school, mind blown music. This is RUSH!!

[@imacmanx8562]

Watching you react to three absolute virtuoso's, who created what is considered to be the greatest prog-rock song of all time, is priceless to someone who grew up with Rush. Listening to this, and "2112" (which you should do next) just blew our minds back then. As always, RIP to "The Professor"....his fills on this song are just masterful.

[@kevindohn6776]

This was around the first time I saw them, at this age , the tour for this album. I was so impressed I became a lifelong fan, bought all the albums, tapes, CD's, and went to one show for every tour since then. That's 19 times between 1978 and 2015. I wish you did the live version from exit stage left, that was recorded in Montreal, I was there" The other Xanadu song you were talking about was a big hit back around the same time as this, maybe a couple of years after , was Olivia Newton John & ELO

[@vytallicaq.6881]

There was a great old TV movie that referenced this famous Coleridge poem. "Sweet Hostage". Martin Sheen portrayed a misunderstood mental patient who abducts Linda Blair, to teach her his love of poetry, and virtue. Made a couple of years after she did "The Exorcist". They were both FANTASTIC in that. Linda admitted to falling in love with Martin while filming it. But he was twice her age and married, so nothing came of it.

[@64bdchaney]

You need to see the live video performance filmed in 1981 on their Moving Pictures tour of this song . Epic live show!

[@graymouser6599]

The winner and still champ. The greatest Prog Rock song ever written.

[@chrisspringer2744]

Damn, if this video had only been 1 second longer you would have assumed control! (You’ll need to listen to 2112 so you get that reference!) Love your reactions!!

[@MrRezRising]

The 'squeal' you heard Geddy make, well, that was the Banshee making an appearance.

[@nflr92]

I went and saw them in the 90's for their Roll the Bones tour. They did songs from their most recent album and some classics mixed in to start. When we heard te first few notes of Xanadu, my buddy punched my arm and yelled, "XANADU! They're doing XANADU!!". It was a nice unexpected treat thrown in. Crowd was pumped when they realized what was starting, too. I was watching Geddy play the bass, play the pedals with his feet, play the keys....... and sing. And I'm thinking, "how?" You watch any interview of him and he's quite modest. To him, it's just "what he did".

[@mightyV444]

Yeah... My own only opportunity to see Rush live in concert would've been on that same tour, in Germany - and I was stoopid enough not to take it! 😭 I'd sworn to myself there was absolutely no way I'd miss their next show - by which time I'd already moved to NZ, and they'd never ever toured here and have always been nearly completely unknown, too! 😭 I'm happy for you having had the great pleasure of being to their show(s), though 😉👍

[@t0dd000]

Xanadu was sung by ONJ, but written by Electric Light Orchestra (i.e. Jeff Lynn).

[@t0dd000]

Tubular Bells ... is that instrument he is "banging on."

[@victorjohnson7512]

This song was on the "Farewell to Kings" album in 1977. (I had it on 8-track tape back in the day). Neil Pert based the lyrics on the poem Kubla Khan, written in 1797.

[@RememberEddieYork]

Another Canadian trio you should check out is Triumph. I'd recommend 'Lay It On The Line' or 'Fight The Good Fight'.

[@mightyV444]

... or 'Magic Power'! 😊👍

[@Steve_Blackwood]

We’re just gonna have to get the Exit Stage Left version labeled as “Official” so folks will react to the correct performance. 😂 This one is “OK”, but the other is *perfect* !

[@mightyV444]

Great idea! 😄👍 To be fair, though: There actually _are_ those who prefer this studio version! Which I've never been able to relate to, though 😅

[@anthonydawson8080]

@@mightyV444opinions change. I could definitely see someone growing up with studio for a long time before seeing the live version and preferring studio. That’s the case with some songs for me. Or just like them in different ways

[@mightyV444]

@@anthonydawson8080 - Yes, good point! Myself, I'd heard the 'Exit...' version first (in '89) and was underwhelmed when I heard the studio version a couple of years later (Same goes for 'The Trees'). It does have its own charme, though 🙂

[@lerxst7050]

Great reaction. Keep doing Rush I'll keep watching. Every time. Tip...another Canadian band to check out is The Tragically Hip. Not big world wide but they were absolutely HUGE in Canada.

[@2112666123]

SOOOO MUCH MORE RUSH RUSH AND MORE RUSH !!!

[@Ferretbomber]

Thanks for the great reaction, you are coming to understand why Rush means so much to so many people. I mentioned this in a previous reaction, but someone you really need to see in Jethro Tull and their central member, Ian Anderson. You would flip your lid. He was a big influence on Rush, Geddy saw them as a key influence on their drive to make complex music but to not take themselves too seriously, and to give the audience their money's worth. Neil Peart also considered Ian to be a great lyricist and drew inspiration from him on that front, which is saying something given the level of writing Neil did in Rush. Check out Jethro Tull's 'Thick as a Brick' performance from the Capital Theater in 1977, it is a BBC broadcast and slightly more intimate than the arena shows they were doing on their tours at the time. Thanks again!

[@katskillz]

Gwen Stefani in the early 90s was the only other one I heard doing that same supersonic vibrato squeal that you hear Geddy doing in the late 70s ; )

[@rusmazza]

Im an OG, a fan since 76, seen them 21 times. Rock Opera with attitude!

[@mightyV444]

Yes, there are at least four 'Xanadu' songs, and the Olivia Newton-John & ELO one is among those 😊 And I'm not meaning to be negative, but I believe you would've liked the 'Exit...Stage Left' live version even better! It's the ultimate one for many, and myself included 😊 They are pretty good at miming to the studio version here, though 😄

[@EatinPaste]

I guess an ELO Xanadu without Olivia Newton-John is amongst one of those? Because I've heard an ELO Xanadu but I don't recall her being on it.

[@mark-be9mq]

True Exit Stage Left performance has even more energy @ dynamics

[@mightyV444]

@@EatinPaste - Maybe I remember it wrong, and I've never heard the whole song again since the time of its release, but weren't ELO the backing band on that 'Xanadu' song sung by Olivia Newton-John?! And the other two songs are: 'Welcome To The Pleasuredome' - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (80's), 'The Legend Of Xanadu' - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (60's) 🙂

[@mightyV444]

@@mark-be9mq - Yes, exactly! 🙂👍

[@EatinPaste]

@@mightyV444 I don't know about that. But it was bugging me more than I thought it would so I looked into it, apparently there are two ELO versions

[@lenstgelais7376]

One of my favorite songs ever for me ❤just love their crafts

[@Safe-Cracker]

You should look at The garden from the Clockwork angel tour... it's the last song of their last album and it is just so beautifull. a great reflexion on the time passing by and our personnal life like a garden the we take care of..

[@leddygee1896]

The doubleneck that Alex is playing was destroyed not long after this was filmed. A lighting rig fell on it when Rush was on tour with Blue Oyster Cult... It was on a stand onstage. That could have been a real bad situation, had anyone been underneath it.

[@mightyV444]

And his beloved Gibson 335 was on a stand right next to it, so he decided to not take it on tour again, after that incident 🙂

[@bucpar]

If you watch the end, while Alex is into the solo, Geddy is playing rythym guitar on the bottom neck

[@terminallumbago6465]

If you want one of their later songs, I definitely recommend “The Garden”. It’s the last song on their last album.

[@Frozenghost2112]

What a Rush! Nice reaction!

[@Viking-Right]

They are called tubular bells and they are an intricate part of an orchestra

[@nigelsixx8126]

welcome to the Rush club, kid! ;0 lots more to hear soon... to suggest the usuals... next, try... 1) la villa strangiato, and 2) natural science, just to cover some of the early extremely-beautiful stuff... also, (i like the longer tracks)... 3) the camera eye extra-cred, watch the 'live in rio' version of 'yyz', just to see how hyped-up a soccer-stadiumfull of people can get. ;0 love that halfway-thru that you just get sooo lost in the music!! ;) it's what it's meant to do! p.s. think you're ending-summation was maybe the best i've heard from Rush-firsts! lovely... btw, if you like asian stuff a bit, for RAWK, try out band-maid!

[@darkjedi447]

I'm so, so happy you're doing RUSH reactions all month! I'm a huge RUSH fan from Toronto, Canada. Got all their albums, seen them multiple times in concert and geeked out over them like most RUSH fans do lol. Thank you so much, cause this is a blast! I know you're probably gonna react to their most popular songs, but if you're interested in some songs that are awesome, but don't get as much attention, here's a few under-rated songs to check out: - LOSING IT - BY TOR and the SNOW DOG - DREAMLINE Thanks and keep smiling! 🙂👍🇨🇦

[@debbieplato5107]

One of my very favourite Rush songs! I would suggest watching the live performance of this from Exit Stage Left It is an amazing performance! If you want to see why these stayed together so long please react to Dinner with Rush. These guys had/have a great brotherhood. La Villa Strangiato official music video is another one I would suggest.

[@scott4482]

Soon you'll be ready for the really big guns, 2112 and the Cygnus saga book1 and book2.

[@markgrvr1]

I saw them 32 times live through all their eras starting in 75. After this song was released in 77 every time the audience would see them strapping into their double necks, the arenas would explode with cheers.

[@tomkelly1442]

Time has passed me boy Great catch theater kid😎

[@sumonjamal1653]

This was from 1977 after the success of the 4th Rush album '2112' and the subsequent double live record "All the world's a stage"... Rush opted to record this 5th album 'A farewell to kings' in Wales... the music was becoming more complex and challenging, and 'Xanadu' was one of those epic fantasy tracks that followed in the direction of epic songs like - '2112'... 'By-Tor and the Snow Dog'... 'The Fountain of Lamneth' The album also had another epic track 'Cygnus X-1 Book 1: The Voyage'... However, Rush scored an unexpected hit single that year - 'Closer to the heart'... and the album 'A farewell to kings' sold platinum in the US as Rush were playing huge venues on tour after years of struggle. When Rush recorded the next album 'Hemispheres' in 1978, the music had gotten so complicated that the band was obsessed w/ getting it right... Geddy Lee basically said that Rush was 'fried'... and their personal lives were suffering. Lee confessed recently that drug use was also becoming an issue around that time. Rush decided that this would be the last album they would make w/ epic fantasy songs and demanding musical arrangements ... When they went in to record their 1980 album 'Permanent waves'... Rush took a modern approach w/ keyboards and electronics - they wanted to make a fun album that was not 'Hemispheres' or 'A farewell to kings'... It took Rush in a new, more successful direction for a while.

[@johntrickey7182]

I'm 58, been in awe of this composition since I first got A farewell to Kings when I was 14. Still my favorite Rush album. Rip NP.

[@hughjass4838]

"Decreed by kublau khan" (bass) DOOOOO, doo doobity, doobity, dooo

[@2112666123]

U need to see the live version of Xanadu U will see and drink milk of paradise

[@marslennon1]

Enjoyed your reaction very much! 😃

[@rddrum2003]

These Rush reactions are SOOO entertaining! Would be cool, methinks, if you could take a listen to 2 versions of "Time Stand Still." There is the studio version and there's a very cool, different arrangement done by the US Army band that I think you'll really dig👍🏽

[@kevinmcfarlane2752]

Neil started on piano before taking up drums. Probably explains a lot about his drumming.

[@allwaizeright9705]

The song is based on the poem Kubla Khan written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

[@heyskipj]

Charis! 11 minutes is a nice little warm up to the 2112 20-min masterpiece. Look for the graphic novel version. The song is pure theater. warm up some tea, or cocoa w/Kahlua. let's go, go, go!

[@renecuellar3078]

You gotta do the song Anthem. It's an early video clip. Neil has just joined the band. It was their second album and Neil's first. That will surely make you smile over Geddy's vocal delivery. Incidentally, do you know how Geddy got his name?