Rush - Manhattan project | Reaction

[@kentgreer1079]

I gotta say - your awareness of the historical context is very encouraging to us old farts. Always enjoy your Rush reactions.

[@Matty0923]

There was an episode of 60 minutes where they showed a teacher teaching their students about World War 2 and having the students read the lyrics of this song. Neil was not only the GOAT of drumming but so smart and well read and an incredible lyricist.

[@dannyandropoli1744]

You are open minded and appreciate good music

[@ginamarandino6451]

My brother is a history teacher and I keep telling him that he needs to use this in his class.

[@Matty0923]

@@ginamarandino6451 I agree that would be great

[@winstonhewett6679]

Neil was a very underrated poet & just as good a prose writer! RIP the GOAT!

[@Gary-zq9dr]

"To build the best big stick" is a double entendre, with a play on Teddy Roosevelt's qoute, "speak softly but carry a big stick" as well as the shape of a rocket.

[@Gary-zq9dr]

Oh, and the album cover for "Moving Pictures" is a triple entendre, where (1) movers are carrying the pictures, (2) the onlookers are crying (they are moved by the pictures), and (3) on the back of the album cover is a film set recording the scene as a "moving picture" (movie)

[@alexhicks5889]

Neil spoke softly and carried big sticks, for sure!

[@GeorgeJohnson-nw7dn]

A lot of people don't realize that when Geddy says "shot down the rising sun" he is talking about Japan who's country is known as " The Land Of The Rising Sun'.

[@chiefbrody75]

Even to this day, after listening to them for 40 years, it still floors me how this group made so much great and MEANINGFUL music!! All of their songs regarding historical events.... (This, Countdown, Red Sector A, Heresy), it's amazing how the music fits the song so well, captures the exact right mood. These guys were such a different breed and such a gift to us for over 40 years. And on top of that, they were the best of friends, not letting any differences get in the way of that. Unless you're a fan and really know them, it's tough to try and explain why we think they're so great. I'm so lucky I was alive to experience them for 40 years, as we all are

[@drummerdaveRush7777]

You see why this band could be regarded as the greatest band of all time lyrically and musically, their music takes you on a journey, inspirational thought provoking relatable

[@ector6187]

For a history buff, I would definitely recommend Red Sector A. Geddy's parents survived the Holocaust during World War II, and Neil wrote something incredible.

[@davidmonk4814]

I always tear up when the "pilotfliesoutoftheshockwave".

[@niged]

Neil Peart wrote the lyrics in 1984/5. Way ahead of his time. This track should have been used on the Opehiemer film soundtrack

[@JeromeDukes]

Rush has written song on so many topics from environmental, war, political, life etc. Lyrically I can't think of a band that had so much to say about the world we live in, as Rush did. NASA invited Rush to watch the first shuttle launch, the boys were so moved by the event, they wrote "Countdown". Another favorite of mine is the Fear series by Rush. The songs Witch Hunt, The Weapon and The Enemy Within are stellar songs and must listen. Rush later added the fourth installment to the series called Freeze, but imo Freeze was more of an afterthought and not really planned. The series was meant to be a trilogy. Then there's the Signals albums which is basically a concept album. Digital Man's bass line is just killer and Analog Kid is a straight up banger. I've enjoyed watching your Rush videos, Enjoy the rabbit hole of imo the Greatest band there ever was or will be.

[@toddmadden9777]

Dame...You are killing it..awesome reaction, thanks again, Todd from Ohio...Between the wheels is kinda sick, check it out...

[@KimDuty-i8e]

I love that you love history. It’s so important not to forget.

[@dgator3599]

Spot on.

[@revdmcspumcsb]

I love the line... To build the best big stick To turn the winning trick... I was recently doing a study on how Muslim nations took over Spain and moved into Europe under the Umayyad Caliphate. The reason they were able to overcome the Europeans so easily was because the Muslims had invented stirrups, which allowed their calvary better control over the horses. They could also rise up in the stirrups to fire bows and in close up combat, they could stand up in the stirrups giving them a tactical advantage (similar to being on a hill in ground combat). Every nation is looking for the next big stick To give them an advantage over their enemies.

[@chadbennett7873]

Just listen to the lyrics, my friend. That's exactly what it is about. An absolutely brilliant telling of that historical event. So glad you listened to it. I had also suggested "Countdown" to you. It's about the first flight of the Space Shuttle.

[@BarryOrtaleza]

I see you dropped The Garden last night, too… I can’t wait to see it. I love that you’ve figured it out about them. What is the best part of the guys? The music… or the fact that the music makes you think? It makes me roll my eyes how many people write Neil’s lyrics off as cheesy.

[@progvinyl9021]

😄Powerwindows and Hold yourfire are different but masterfull in many ways.Unike songs on both albums.

[@lindaward5376]

I have always appreciated how well and how accurately Geddy's vocals could express the moods that Neil was trying to express in his lyrics, and in the third verse here, I think he really knocked it out of the park. The song Territories also has a WW2 connection, as the second verse was inspired by their time in Europe during the Hemispheres Tour in 1979, which had them driving over many former battlefields, seeing numerous memorials to those who had fallen; IMO, it's well worth a listen. Cheers from Toronto! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@daviddelollis245]

He also wrote about joy for the future.... React to the video Countdown.

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Neil giving a little history lesson and a warning. If you liked this you will probably like Countdown. 😊

[@matthewhoag2609]

Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. Those of us who do study history are doomed to watch everyone else repeat it, lol. Glad you enjoyed this one. Cheers!

[@michaelkeller6223]

Chain reaction of events and as well as of atoms….Neil, always with the wordplay…

[@funkmeisterB-5000]

The pilots of the Enola Gay had a hard time with what they had to do that day..One resigned, another wound up in a mental institution. It's sad we had to resort to that, But we knew we couldn't put boots on the ground...even the women were military training with sword and rifle..they would have never given up....sigh.

[@JohnCrimmins]

You should see the Rush video of this song. Great visual of what their saying 😮

[@jimtatro6550]

This, territories, and marathon are definitely my three favorite tracks off of power windows. All three are incredible.

[@dannyandropoli1744]

More rush

[@johntschuta5370]

The Manhattan Project was a research and development program undertaken during World War II to produce the first nuclear weapons. It was led by the United States in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Canada.

[@jewel_laughs]

Such a powerful reaction! Thank you 🙏 There are a couple songs off the Snakes and Arrows album that are very thought provoking concerning world events that I think you would really like. If you are intrigued, check out "The Way the Wind Blows" and "Far Cry." IMO, they are both bangers.

[@timshelton8535]

My grandfather was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He was on the army boxing team. His unit was on maneuvers so he wasn’t on Honolulu at the time! They saw the Zeros fly in and could do nothing about it!

[@tricia3114]

Great, great album…. But aren’t they all.. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@toddmadden9777]

Dame ,can't lie...watching this the 3rd time in an hour...Todd from Ohio...

[@dannyandropoli1744]

Love your sight

[@konradkanuckle5920]

Dont forget the states entered in late '41...they did supplies before...but England and all commonwealth countries ( canada, Australia and new zealand ) were fighting in '39.

[@markjohnson4217]

It was weird growing up during the Cold War. It felt as though the world could end at any moment at tbe push of a button. Tbe nukes have not gone away, it is just not discussed except as a security council issue, but we seem to have forgotten that we are STILL on the brink.

[@ginamarandino6451]

I always thought that this song should be playing over their credits at the end of Oppenheimer. Major missed opportunity there.

[@KimDuty-i8e]

I believe Neil could see the future.

[@fozziebear5624]

There is a better song on the same album - "Marathon". I recommend.

[@Lemmingadventures]

These songs are great but I hate that it's way too techy. Alex was pushed aside and his solos became weakened. I think this era also hurt Alex's standing as one of the greatest guitar players ever. Still love it though.

[@debbieplato5107]

For me this an ok song. Lyrics are great but musically not so much. Power Windows is one one of my least favourite Rush albums.

[@Roddrummer]

You are both deluding and depriving yourself.

[@debbieplato5107]

@@Roddrummer There are three songs I really like on Power Windows Big Money, Territories and Mystic Rhythms but there are other albums that I like much better.

[@Roddrummer]

@@debbieplato5107 Poor you.

[@marks5263]

my absolute favorite rush album. So much depth and a leap in their growth. They were writing outside of the box on Power Windows. I think Neil's best lyrics and the absolutley best sounding Rush album in my opinion.

[@debbieplato5107]

@@Roddrummer LOL, I knew I would be in deep dodo for that comment but music is subjective and I like their cleaner heavier sound better. it is not just Rush a lot of the music from that era is so cluttered. That is the only way I can explain it.