Classical Composer Reaction/Analysis to RUSH: CLOSER TO THE HEART | The Daily Doug (Episode 764)

[@somersetcace1]

Aside from being a great song, I always thought the lyrics were incredibly witty. The comparison of the blacksmith and the artist, both `forging` their creativity. The philosophers and ploughmen both `sowing` a new mentality. The idea that we can be the captain and he'll draw the chart. That we can all do whatever it is we do, `closer to the heart.` It's a great message that I wish the `men who hold high places` would pay attention to.

[@jeffreyallen-uw9uh]

agree on the lyrics for sure:) -most of those who hold high places should be replaced imo.

[@somersetcace1]

@@jeffreyallen-uw9uh If not all

[@compnnburns8831]

The end of the first song "Farewell to Kings" last line finishes:",,, can't we find the minds to lead us closer to the heart". Love the way they mix/connect things up like this.

[@bobespirit2112]

Arguably their most important song. First song of theirs that stayed on the radio for decades. Was probably the introduction to Rush for most through the late 70’s.

[@Cheeeesseee3678]

Indeed, it was my first proper introduction to Rush. I'd known of Rush, and especially Mr Neil Peart, for a couple of decades without ever actually bothering to listen to them...and then I finally saw them accompanying the incredibly talented troubadour by the name of Bubbles. He was at the vanguard of the fantastic - if occasionally chaotic and explosive - Nova Scotia music scene. It's deeeee-e-ceeennttttt. It was terrific to see Bubbles encouraging the amateur Rush to really give their all. I mean they were never going to write anything as seminal as 'Likker and Whores' or 'Whose Got Yer Belly', but Rush gave it a damn good go and for that should be commended

[@faolanliath6687]

This was the song the first made me say, "ok, your right guys there's something going on here and I need to start listening to this band " that was on Long Island in 1978

[@revwillyg6450]

I remember my older brother blasting Tom Sawyer through the wall much more than this lol

[@dennisl5994]

'Arguably' indeed

[@AtomizedSound]

I’d say not most important by today’s standards but at the time and the era you speak of, probably. Up until Moving Pictures came along.

[@gregcormier2379]

I always love how Rush was able to marry the music to Neil’s well thought out lyrics. This song stayed mostly in their live performances til their final R40 tour.

[@steeleye2112]

Neil is arguably the greatest lyricist in music, nearly every song has something for both the heart and mind. To think this wasn't even his main job in the band is mindblowing.

[@Stephen_M.]

This is another song that made me fall in love with the sound of a 12 string. The lyrics, are "through the roof" SPOT ON! The tubular bell section was written in so that Alex could change from his 12 string, to his 6 string, during the live performances. Brilliant!! Short & Sweet!

[@hughcdavies]

Is it a 12 string? I thought it was a 6 string acoustic with Nashville tuning strings. That is what I use when I play this song, and Alex uses a 6 string on Exit Stage Left video. Never the less, it is a great song to play.

[@matthewhoag2609]

I’ve always loved the humility of the lyric “You can be the captain, and I can draw the chart.” It takes some self-awareness to understand when it’s best to support others’ lead and when it’s best to be in the driver seat.

[@pollynicklas5220]

Every time I saw Rush in the 80's the crowd always sang along to the beginning of this song!

[@micaelmelomachado]

When Rush came to Brazil for the first time, on the Vapor Trails tour (which led to the DVD "Rush In Rio"), "Closer To The Heart" was not on the set lists, but then the promoter told them that this was their most popular song in the country. So, they bring it back to the concerts only in Brazil, only on that three concerts of that tour! that's how respectful and kind Rush was to their fans! R.I.P., Neil!

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

Some other radio-friendly Rush hits* include: - Fly by Night (1975) - Limelight (1980) - New World Man (1982) - Digital Man (1982) - The Big Money (1985) - Time Stand Still, with Aimee Mann (1987) - Roll the Bones (1994) [* where the term, "hits" is to be interpreted only in a minor key, so to speak.] Honourable mentions (because they weren't hits but were simply awesome without being proggy]: - Analog Kid (1982) - Between the Wheels (1984) PS - My eight year old was in the same room when I watched this video. He actually stopped playing his geometry dash video game, came over, and said: "this man is obviously a music expert." Truer words were never spoken.

[@WillyJackson-if6zf]

Spirit of Radio.

[@johnh8292]

Tom Sawyer as well

[@cosmicjazzman4817]

Lime light is 1981

[@louisfifteen]

Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres We can walk our road together If our goals are all the same We can run alone and free If we pursue a different aim Let the truth of love be lighted Let the love of truth shine clear Sensibility, armed with sense and liberty With the heart and mind united in a single perfect sphere

[@Duncan_Idaho_Potato]

There's a fun story about this song. They had played it at every show since they released it and there came a time in the late 90s when they decided to temporarily retire it from their setlist. They even made a special music video to promote their live album Different Stages, which features the song with an extended jam at the end (which is absolutely INCREDIBLE, btw) to say goodbye to the song for a while. Then tragedy struck Neil's life and the band went on an indefinite hiatus. When the band returned several years later, they played their first show in South America (Rush in Rio, a live DVD which is ALSO incredible) because they didn't realize they had a HUGE fan base in Brazil. It was, in fact, the largest show in their career at that point (60k people, I think?) When they said they wouldn't be playing Closer to the Heart, promoters were like, "You HAVE to play that song!! It's beloved in Brazil! You MUST play that song!" And so, of course, they did. And it was amazing, as it always was. I haven't checked, but I'll bet that it never left their setlist again until the band ended.

[@squidly2112]

Yet another RUSH masterpiece that I just love!!! .. I absolutely LOVE this era of RUSH .. man, they wrote and recorded so many absolute masterpieces. It just boggles my mind how a group of 3 guys can ALL be so stinking talented, creative and just so enjoyable. They have made my life sooooo much better. I wish there were a way they could actually realize this. And I miss Neil .. God rest his soul. Such an amazing man. RIP Neil Peart ...

[@afbill4219]

The third verse of this song has always been my favorite of Neil's Lyrics, "You can be the captain and I will draw the charts", to me it shows show much humilty, he dosen't care about being the leader, he offers up leadership to someone else, he just wants to give the direction.

[@jamesbyrne5799]

I’m a huge Rush fan and I just came across your channel right when you happen to be breaking down “Closer To The Heart” from what I can tell you have a great ear and it appears you can play piano quite well. I wish we could jam!

[@philsmith2444]

2 other short songs from that period with great lyrics/messages are “Cinderella Man” (lyrics by Geddy) from A Farewell To Kings, and “Entre Nous” from Permanent Waves.

[@davidbenton8775]

Recovering from the flu. The World's Best Band sounds like good prescription.

[@bobespirit2112]

Absolutely. Have you checked out Band-Maid? “Hate?” - official live video. 🔥✌🏼

[@magicbrownie1357]

It can't hurt.

[@grant49]

Amen

[@erikd1234]

I always love your air drumming during Rush, thanks for doing this one, always been one of my favorites. There's a video of the isolated vocals to this song, I highly recommend it because it really shows off Geddy's abilities.

[@Liz.Green789]

Another short song that I loved from Rush is Madrigal. Lovely lovely music.

[@michaelmontalvo5757]

Doug, As always, I really appreciate your thoughtful and beautiful reaction vlogs. Well done!

[@bartekpiwonskiofficial]

Brilliant analysis

[@stevemunro2018]

Those four bars of Neil playing the chimes (tubular bells?) were added to give Alex time to switch guitars when they played the song live.

[@analogkid4321]

I know Alex got tired of the song at some point and decided to retire it along with Red Barchetta, if I recall correctly. But they felt compelled to bring it back when in Brazil (see Rush in Rio video). Alex would make fun of the lyrics in concert singing "closer to your house" and "a closet in your house."

[@danjmcs]

It's a great track and i love all the extended playful versions they started doing for the live shows over the years.

[@ashodgkin]

You picked a doozie with this one. My all time favourite Rush track from my all time favourite album of theirs. Excellent choice and cracking analysis.

[@stevenschembri1288]

It's about time Doug! Tons more RUSH material to go through.😊🎉

[@OfcaTheBlackSheep]

I love watching your videos because of your knowledge and the incredibly pleasant voice you have. I hope this channel makes you very happy.

[@richpeltier9519]

This song spells out the moral of the story told in Cygnus/Hemispheres. There is wisdom in moderation, finding a balance. But to achieve more than average, one should remain near the center, but closer to the heart. Remain compassionate. THAT is the only higher purpose or calling. That combined with the message of Freewill are central to the overall Rush message for me. 🤘🧙‍♂🤘

[@sararoach3602]

I always love when you analyze Rush.

[@Moonsong227]

I need more of that ending tag my dude

[@RoarOfWolverine]

This is one of those Rush songs where the timing and syncopation of the bass lines during the verses do not follow the structure of the melody of the vocal. That makes it another Rush song where it sounds impossible for someone to sing and play that bass line. , but Geddy somehow always pulls it off. In an interview many years ago Geddy said that sometimes he writes a really creative bass line and puts down the vocal track separately and it’s only when mixing it all down that he realizes “how am I going to sing that melody while the bass is playing something completely different?”. He says he accomplishes it by lots and lots of practice. I saw them live 32 times and this is the one song they always play. Geddy said that they tried to drop Closer To The Heart from their show when they toured South America. The fans weren’t having it and kept yelling to play Closer Go The Heart, so they had to as it back in.

[@Ando2k10]

Another Rush song, in a similar vein, lyrically, is "The Trees". It'd be a great one to analyze.

[@michaelsandar]

It is absolutely worth your time to check the live version from Different Stages. Fantastic.

[@FGG850]

A Farewell To Kings is an absolute epic album. You should listen to the remaining songs.

[@johnmorgan7262]

The Triumph song "Hold On" has a very similar vibe. More 80s though.

[@supernicko123]

This is a masterpiece for sure. It would be worth checking out a live version, because they tend to do some kind of extended ending that is always super fun!

[@joannecunliffe8067]

I love "Closer To The Heart" especially the video they did with "The Trailer Boys" but Rush have many fabulous short 'radio friendly' songs: Fly By Night, Limelight, Tom Sawyer, Time Stand Still, The Spirit of Radio, The Big Money, What You're Doing, Working Man - the list goes on and on. One of my favourite underplayed/underrated Rush songs is "Tears" which is fabulous.

[@The_blindpizzaguy1300]

I guess I was maybe about 11 or 12 when I first dove into rush and really took time to appreciate what their music was. I’m a 90s kid so if my parents didn’t listen to the music that they grew up with, I would not have discovered them. But they were one of the bands that showed me what my mentality is and what it has always been about music. I immediately got hooked when I heard Tom Sawyer for the first time. Because of that section where it changes to 7/8 in the middle of the song. And that day, I realize some thing about myself and that was I don’t like it because it’s just a good rock song I like it because it’s different and complex. I wanted more so I dove right in.

[@MissingMars]

short or long -it's all gold from these Canadian boys! thanks Doug

[@MBF78]

Love this song in an unconditional way. My favorite Rush song is Animate from Counterparts, an underrated classic, and a suggestion from me to try on the channel. If it hasn't been already done.

[@TheBurdenOfHope]

Absolute banger ❤

[@petervanginkel326]

I still remember where I was when I heard A Farewell to Kings for the first time. In the music store with those clumsy handheld headphones with the cords curling from two holes in the table. When they turn the pages of history .... Fumbling with the volume to get more, more , more. I was twelve. This was it.

[@gilles_h]

Very good reaction. Many thanks!

[@MrGreendayzed]

i just bought this album because of this video. thanks.

[@brucedickinson12]

The necromancer please

[@quag311]

Can’t wait to hear more RUSH

[@ElsweyrDiego]

you could hear something from the band Mystery, it does have so many inspirations from Rush it's almost his spiritual sucessor!

[@AlRichardson-vp7fl]

I like your take on this as an admonition to play a role in one’s community, the implication that the community should be classless (whether philosopher or ploughman, each must play their part). There’s a fairly obvious leaning in Rush lyrics towards a Randian, libertarian individualism and an ideological, adolescent view of the world. Nothing wrong with being responsible for oneself, but that has to be tempered with the understanding that we must also be reliant on each other if things are to turn out well. I’ll add: it is an absolute joy to see you react with enthusiasm to music I already know about. I can never hear, say, Heavy Weather (or whatever) again for the first time, but seeing someone with skill and knowledge hear it brings back some of that wonder to me. Great channel!

[@pwethman1]

When they played it live, they added a closing section(probably because fade-outs don’t work live) that punctuated it nicely and carried it over the 5” mark. I think they released the live version from Exit Stage Left in ‘81 with the crowd singing the first verse.

[@Angelicus-p5p]

One of their shorter radio-ready songs that has been played many times over the years up north. I like the heavy rock/almost metal version on the 40th anniversary Rush tribute album by Big Wreck. Ian Thornley does a great solo and man, his soaring voice at the end! They were asked to do a song for the album and rejected a more proggy one before going with this one. While Big Wreck can exhibit some prog elements, they are not prog.

[@WhatHaveIMade]

I always thought that it was "You can be the captain and life will draw the chart". Which I still prefer.

[@steeleye2112]

The extended version on Show of Hands is well up there on my favourite of all time list.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Other "Pop Hits" from Rush: "Limelight" (1981), "New World Man" (1982), "Vital Signs" (1981), "Entre Nous" (1980), "Subdivisions" (1982), "Kid Gloves" (1984), "Middletown Dreams" & "Emotion Detector" (1985), as well as several songs from the Hold Your Fire, Presto, and Roll the Bones CDs, from 1988, 1990 and 1992 respectively!

[@kathleenhorn792]

Masterpiece,3 talented musicians

[@BusinessEnglishSuccess]

The good old kimono days :-) The live versions are worth listening to, as they go off at the end on an extended jam - always fun.

[@mikedellinger872]

I'd love to hear you analyze some of their more recent work. Something off Grace Under Pressure, Counterparts, Clockwork Angels, all would be great.

[@EpictheEpicest]

Hey Doug, always enjoy when you work out part of the song out on the piano. It's what makes this channel better, having an actual skilled musician/composer work through the song as opposed to a random person, ssimilar to what Rick Beato does.

[@beadybaby]

Lyrically beautiful. Also one of Geddy Lee’s most beautiful vocal performances. WHJY Providence was my station from the early 80s until the early 90s when I moved to Kansas. The music is on page 61 of the chronicles songbook. For those of us who don’t know what the notes are unless we are told lol. ❤

[@pjm329]

Philosophers and ploughmen Each must know his part To sow a new mentality Closer to the heart

[@fredklein3829]

Boy, I admire Doug for that scully cap. I hat one much like that one and that I treasured and wore proudly for years unti la big gust of wind blew it away. I went back and searched for it but could never recover my hat. Neither can I find a suitable replacement in stores.

[@kennethmccormick3350]

Love your channel and content Doug I'm always happy to see you reacting to music I listen to whether it's anime and game soundtracks or classic rock /classic prog rock tracks, would love to see more reactions to stuff like this or stuff like the JJBA soundtracks (tracks like squadra or the different openings to the show like Bloody Stream with strong jazz influences)

[@BrendaNelson-p1y]

Closer to the Heart is a Masterpiece. There's a great video of Closer to the Heart different Stages through the decades. 🤘Thank you Doug. Brenda Nelson ❤

[@mlwsf]

Tom Sawyer and Working Man still make it onto the radio in certain places.

[@correctlyrics]

This is a great song, but I think "Limelight" would be extremely interesting to Doug

[@scottbrouse3747]

Love Doug playing the piano in this

[@cosmiccowboy7764]

And for the men who hold high places must the ones who start to mold a new reality , closer to the heart -🤠🎶🎼🎶

[@j.jennings1722]

I love this song, but when the album came out, I bought the cassette for my car stereo, and "Closer To the Heart" began at the end of side one, then, about halfway through the song it would fade out, the tape would switch directions and the song would fade in and finish. It was a bit frustrating to hear it that way, because it happened during the guitar solo. Anyone else remember that? ❤✌

[@LBart218]

That was a cassette? Sounds like an 8-track, which would always have at least one song that would do that. Interesting.

[@mhlevy]

The title song from "A Farewell to Kings" is absolutely amazing, and that's a song you really should feature! I have special ties to this album, because while I "discovered" Rush shortly after their "Caress of Steel" album was released (and that's another album you really should look into as well,) my very first rock concert was seeing Rush on their "Farewell to Kings" tour in 1977, when I was 15 years old.

[@Southbound63]

2112, A Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres was the era that I loved Rush. Ftk and Hemispheres tours were fantastic. I wasn’t so impressed when they changed in the 80’s onwards.

[@MarkRobinson-e4z]

I remember when they started out. Their first big hit was "Worrking Man."

[@concretmixer]

Lakeside Park was another song that got a lot of radio play. A shorter song that was good radio time that on the surface seems a simple message, but you dig a little deeper and find the there is more to the lyrics.

[@dtchinacat3973]

Funny, I listened to Farewell to Kings this morning: what a FANTASTIC SONG!

[@kellieelliott5198]

Iconic Rush for sure. R.I.P. Neil

[@gerryvandyk5551]

If I may pose a mission for you Doug... check out some of the other live perfomances of this song. Standouts for me are the Rush in Rio concert and the Time Machine show. In Rio they were playing to a crowd of 40K, every one of them singing along. However the granddaddy performance for me is the "A Show Of Hands" show. They closed it out with "Closer to the Heart" and after it would normally end, they just start having a lot of fun with it. My God, they boys were very young then. (I'm Canadian, I call them "The Boys", and my brother knows immediatly who we're talking about. ;^)

[@carlpeterson8182]

This always seemed to be Rush's ode to the pop song during their most progressive years. Great song and lyrics.

[@Lady.Luthien]

Wow, another of my all-time favorite bands! I just subscribed after watching your Mindcrime review. I want to recommend that you review the albums Epica, and The Black Halo by Kamelot. They are two interconnected concept albums based on Faust. You may have to split them into 2 episodes but I think you will find them worthy of your time. I look forward to watching more of your stuff.

[@tazyou11]

It should be a requirement that when you are listening to a Rush song with Neil Peart on the drums that you must air drum along with the song like Doug was doing so well in this video. Great job, Doug. I thoroughly enjoyed that and the whole rest of the analysis of this great Rush song.

[@imarushfan]

If you really want to hear this song at its best Doug, listen to the live version form the “Stages” album. It’s extended by a jam session second to none that builds to an absolute frenzy that showcases all three guys at their very best.

[@Gunmetalfox]

Awesome song always good to hear. Doug I suggest hearing out Atlas Novus by Scale the Summit. It's quite the interesting instrumental band from Texas. You'll find them intriguing. 😊

[@therealdaverice]

long live the professor

[@johnladd8421]

RUSH was the best at putting in one radio song to be on radio, just to get you to buy the album, and then you realize, every time, that’s not even close to being the best song. genius. great marketing

[@tets4316]

Enjoyed that song myself

[@tricia3114]

Love Rush😊

[@entwistlefromthewho]

I know it's chosen by your patrons, but I think "Stargazer" by Rainbow would make a good analysis video.

[@tuckerrogerd]

I like your videos. It's not the technical analysis (okay it a little bit) . I know enough music theory to sound stupid if I start talking about it. Guitar lessons as a teen ager. You pick great songs, a lot of stuff I would never listen to otherwise. I do find your knowledge of music impressive. But what I really like is your analysis of the lyrics and how the chord progression and structure convey the message. It's thoughtful and I can tell it comes from the heart (reference intended). Thank for doing this. It's a bright spot on a Friday evening after a week of work.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Doug, please do the other songs from A Farewell to Kings! Great songs!

[@glendirienzo1365]

How awesome would it be if Doug got an interview with both, Alex and Geddy.

[@FeralPatrick]

Also the name of the greatest Trailer Park Boys episode, where they kidnap Alex Lifeson. lol

[@colinbernard3542]

Should check out Rick Wakeman and Jon Lord's "It's not as big as it was", live at the Sunflower Jam 2011. Epic it is!

[@josephpisano6040]

Back in the day, WPDH radio station out of Poughkeepsie NY, started in 1976. They played whole album sides. Now that's not the case anymore. 😔😞

[@JohnBrown-no4od]

You did Xanadu, didn't you, Doug? That's on A Farewell to Kings, too.

[@debbieplato5107]

Great song! ❤❤❤

[@paulvale2985]

Tom Sawyer and The Spirit of Radio were the only songs played on mainstream radio here in the UK as I remember. Great song, Great band, thanks Doug.

[@tommack9395]

A Farewell To Kings was a great album.

[@fozziebear5624]

Great! I recommend "Marathon" from the album "Power Windows" (1985)

[@scottbrouse3747]

Geddys book is awesome

[@ZIG4ZAG20]

Top 3 song in the Rush cannon.🙌🤘🖖✌️🎹🎸🥁🎤

[@JeffJefferyUK]

Doug, I hear an extra note in the opening tune: You heard, and played: Do, Re, Ti, Do, Ti-La-Sol (A, B, G#, A, G#-F#-E) I hear it as: Do, Re, Ti, Do, Ti-La-Sol-Mi (A, B, G#, A, G#-F#-E-C#) 🤷

[@scott4482]

You need to do the title track from this album

[@rickmooneyrealtor]

React to the live version from Different Stages. Prepared to have your mind blown!!