What Makes This Song Great? "Carry on Wayward Son" KANSAS

In this episode of "What Makes This Song Great? Ep.80" we explore the music of Kansas.
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[@toddhamby]

I love that Rick is one of the most talented humans on the planet and he still has the enthusiasm of a 15 year old first discovering music.

[@paddyOdaddyO65]

I agree with that!! He's my kind of Total Music Geek!!!

[@billcompeau4835]

Yes!!

[@scottgray493]

Right on...the only way to be!!

[@texasrox65]

So much fun watching Rick do this!

[@arminhess1512]

He looks like a child under the christmas tree - so much fun and joy - awesome!

[@STSGuitar16]

Jesus man, I have heard this song a million times now and just take it for granted. When you sit and pick apart all of the stuff that is going on you can totally see how much of a masterpiece this song is. There could be absolutely nothing done to this song that would make it better. Perfection.

[@STSGuitar16]

@@jackhaskins6855 For sure. Studying song composition and music production is always an informative and humbling experience.

[@missingsock18]

You summed it up perfectly. I couldn't find the right words; thank you!

[@andreasstam7411]

"Needs more cowbell"

[@deepfryerhouse6885]

@@andreasstam7411 😂😂😂

[@BarryWarne]

having access to the stems would have made this much easier to learn in my 70s garage band 🌝 but then again it was fantastic ear training to pick out keyboard parts in this or Yes tunes or ELP, Boston songs etc. Fun times, fun bands. Fun era but then current era also fun.

[@TheLordLeviticus]

Real instruments, no autotune, real bass, real drums, real harmony....real cool!

[@LewisBuckles]

And real voices without autotune.

[@babagandu]

Just a master piece ... all the separate parts expertly crafted ... astounding

[@my42clips]

Real KANSAS!!!!

[@crusheverything4449]

@@babagandu- Written and recorded within 24 hours!! How's THAT for talent!!!

[@471Gaston]

I graduated from high school in 1976. Kansas,Boston, Frampton comes alive! Raced in the 125 Elsinore class. 😂 blessed

[@Redshift313]

It’s not false nostalgia… it’s simply better music and musicianship!!! Rock On Rick

[@matheusgoulart1618]

One of the greatest intros of all time.

[@gmcjetpilot]

Rick beato is an adult man who's been around music all his life, and to see him look so happy with child like joy when he hears a certain rhythm and groove is just so cool. Never stop finding joy in life.

[@scottydog62]

Great comment, I love it,I couldn't agree more with you, that's what good music should do to us all!!!

[@PowderMill]

And he’s actually only a mere white male… No Trans necessary to smile in life. 😷🤣

[@westrokker]

Steve Walsh was known for his vocals but was sorely underrated as a keyboard player! He was a beast !

[@clemclemson9259]

no he wasnt under rated at all sorry

[@tragikomik]

Yeah I saw em in the nineties and he had so much energy it was CONTAGIOUS!!

[@krisscanlon4051]

Like having Wakeman and Tony Banks but they can sing like Robert Plant!

[@gearguitarguy]

I think Steve Walsh was underrated for his vocals too. Rarely hear his name mentioned when discussions of great rocks vocalists are put forward. But as Rick highlighted, great vocal track, no autotune. Amazing.

[@1badsteed]

Definitely under-rated, but so is Kerry Livgren!!! Kerry played a mini-moog, as well as multiple electric pianos, synths...

[@DrChopz]

My wife and I took our 3 young sons to see Kanas and Yes in concert. They experienced real master musicians playing real instrument. They absolutely went crazy when Kansas performed Wayward Son. That concert opened up their musical vocabulary.

[@LewisBuckles]

Kansas and Yes? Wow, that must've been one of the best concerts ever.

[@mikestevens5512]

Wow what a show. Two of my favorite bands Of all time. How did Kansas sound? I never Saw them in later years only at 1977 Spectrum in Philadelphia. Unbelievable show!

[@kindofsimplereally]

@@LewisBuckles not likely they were the same concert, but it would have been quite a show

[@lloydbraden8451]

@@kindofsimplereally Yes and Kansas have intermittently toured together since 2005

[@rogerpbsmusic]

Awesome parents! Props 🤟

[@dberdes]

"And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." One of the best verses in any song ever.

[@paulnye6025]

David Berdes Socrates is the wisest man in Athens for he knows that he knows nothing

[@barryshea1657]

"The more I learn, the less I know". (George Harrison)

[@Lengsel7]

@@barryshea1657 Barry Shea the boom operator?

[@barryshea1657]

@@Lengsel7 Yes! Have our paths crossed?

[@Lengsel7]

@@barryshea1657 Dana K and The 3rd Nail, and maybe some other things. Hey bro! Good to see you!

[@shorerocks]

One of those songs I've heard too often. Then, you see Rick, with all his enthusiasm for the music, and you hear all the parts, and then you get goose bumps all over and think "thats one hell of a song".

[@jimeiden2360]

Sven Horlemann The drum work is epic on this song

[@SmashedBottleMan]

My thoughts exactly. I grew up in the 70s listening to Kansas and this album was obviously huge; but this song was overplayed and grew tiresome. But then Rick does this video and you gain a whole new respect for the song after all these years. Amazing.

[@samgquinlan]

I wasn't born until the late 80s, so I feel kind of lucky that I never got radio burnout with this one. It never got old for me. Don't get me wrong, Rick still brought it to life :D

[@alansmith7626]

when he broke down the parts, I was thinking, hell, that could be a song in itself! ...then he did it again and I was thinking, That could be a song, all on it's own! so cool

[@mrz80]

It's a great one for playing the old game of "Who played that bit, Kerry or Rich?" :D

[@ShiroiTengu]

Oh my god, that acoustic guitar and piano verse is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard!

[@artkyger3425]

Kerry Livegren; criminally underated obscure lead guitarist, composer, band leader, producer. This is one of my top 10 greatest rock songs of all time. Just listen to his lead guitar.... unbelieveable the way it blends in.

[@mkii1964]

I remember Carry On Wayward Son and More Than A Feeling constantly being played on the radio. We are so fortunate to have lived through that era of music!

[@muskokamike127]

When Boston came out it was like every 10 minutes it was on. The debut album was a monster in every sense of the word. ALL played by ONE guy.

[@larrystrick1862]

Kerry Livgren and bandmates were in majestic unison.

[@guillermo3564]

mkii1964 damned straight, skippy!

[@marionwiehl3853]

Muskokwww

[@JuanPerez-co9nd]

And are still on the radio, I always listen Mix FM 93.1 in Cancun and they plays both songs all days. The same with BIG 105.9 in Miami!. Good music never dies!

[@gcflower99]

10:30 "You don't get to have interludes, 'cause people are so in a hurry, they never let the songs develop and have these natural parts to them." Spoken by a true Master Musician.

[@sseltrek1a2b]

no truer words here- today is more, "rushed music for a rushed culture..."...absorbing an album used to be an "event"...

[@ProgRockNerd]

@@sseltrek1a2b OTOH, people were complaining about "a rushed culture" back when this song was made. I think it's an adulthood thing. But now, with punk in everything, musicians are caught up in it, too. "Don't bore us, get to the chorus." Funny how it all ties together...

[@mistercrankypants]

Blame RUSH. Ba-dum. Sorry- and seriously.. young musicians.. take note of this.

[@JimzAuto]

@Mario Castillo can you provide an example of an interlude that’s been popular in the last 7 years?

[@ematsjca]

Tears come to my eyes that humans can compose music like this and appreciate it so thoroughly.

[@katesjanice]

Gotta love Kerry Livgren!

[@philpaule472]

Blasting this in the high school parking, in the late 1970's, at lunch break. is still a high light of my life.

[@book3100]

Yea, this song just never quits in any part.

[@creedolala6918]

It's nuts, they coulda put half the work into the song and it'd still be a massive memorable hit, but they kept polishing and adding all these extra touches.

[@blahdeblah6207]

to say nothing of the lyrics... and the great memories.

[@benskurbe]

So true literally every part of this song is immaculate and memorable

[@brianparkman8183]

@@creedolala6918 The details and intricacies especially in the guitar parts are almost unbelievable. Great musical minds.

[@RCAvhstape]

Lots of memories attached to this song, involving cassette tapes, hair spray, and a Chevy Camaro.

[@ericfournier6154]

Am I the only one here who catches themselves having this huge grin on their face while watching Rick breaking one of these down for us?

[@shaundriscoll1906]

No, no you are not :)

[@Unibabble]

I make the same faces he does!

[@simon758ful]

I’m constantly grinning when watching Rick - his enthusiasm is so catching!!

[@shibolinemress8913]

Definitely not! I'm grinning and doing the air guitar right along! 😁🎶

[@leopoldojavier5125]

It's a grimace of ecstasy of pleasure... I think...

[@congaman100]

I'm 63 years old. I play percussion. Mostly Latin. I graduated high-school in '77.Kansas is one of my favorite bands & "Wayward Son" is absolutely one of my all time favorites. The song has a great driving beat but also some sweet breaks and fabulous harmony. It' s just special to me.

[@carminone]

I think the lyrics are wonderful as well

[@sueparras6028]

Carry on my Wayward Son is one of my favorite tunes of all time! But it's gotta be LOUD! ❤❤❤

[@robertgarrison5478]

That whole album is a masterpiece

[@prism8289]

True. Non-musician here. Does Rick receive special tracks that has the instruments isolated, or is he using software that isolates them?

[@rogerpbsmusic]

Kansas is phenomenal!

[@Hipnosis65]

1. They don’t write music like this anymore. 2. Watching Rick get a thrill out of this music is such a big part of this video.

[@jerrywendel5981]

good music is still being written; it's just harder to find. do a KZbin search on The Lone Bellow, I'm With Her, Lukas Nelson and/or Corin Ashley. I think you'll find some good song writing and recording with any of these artists.

[@FreeSociety1]

Kansas should be in the Rock-N-Roll Hall-of-Fame. They blew away just about any Band that ever lived with their musicianship, energy, and their brilliant and complex Compositions.

[@FreeSociety1]

@Angelspawn The R&R HOF is a massive hypocritical and contradictory "political" entity, that has become meaningless by its own shallowness and incompetence. There is no clear cut music criteria, or influence metrics, or talent measurements, or even music genre impact applied that is involved with them. It is just simply all about "trendiness", and a kind of "peer pressure"-based, superficial popularity. In the beginning it was easier to bring attention to the original Rock founders (Berry, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Bill Haley, Holly, Richard, Gene Vincent, etc.), but since there are so many thousands and thousands of bands since then, and so many styles of music within the space of "Rock", it has become an impossible task to really create a true Hall-of-Fame. It inevitably just degenerates into a lowest common denominator thing .. where no talent bands that did nothing 'special' or unique at all but somehow were "trendy" with largely unknown self-appointed selectors - are chosen to be rewarded, while amazing music talents that stretched the boundaries of popular music and blew peoples minds away (like Kansas) are ignored. And it is not about "breaking the mold" or being controversial either - as you have very "play it safe", uncontroversial, purely commercial -pop-rock Bands like Tom Petty in there (due to "popularity"), while Bands that were unique and stretched Rock music in new directions (Jethro Tull, Kansas) are not even considered. And why are Rap and Hip-Hop people in a Rock Music Hall anyway? (when that is not even close to "Rock music" to be begin with). It is all politics, and like a lot of other cultural things that we see today - defies basic logic and common sense -- in order to superimpose some sort of political agenda. .

[@timothyarnold9350]

I ran into Steve Walsh's mother one day as she lived close by. I told her how much I enjoyed Kansas and she said yeah those seven years of piano lessons paid off. Yes ma'am! 😊

[@clemclemson9259]

did his mom think he was "under rated"? lmao

[@j.reveille6815]

@@clemclemson9259 not sure but you definitely are not……

[@rusty9129]

Saw them in concert in 1976 supporting this new album. The live version is incredibly close to the studio version...Walsh's voice was as perfect on stage as the record!!...oh, and he did it while playing all these intricate keyboard parts and jumping around like an athlete!!! Everybody on stage was ridiculously professional, top notch musicians.

[@FreeSociety1]

Kerry Livgren actually played (and composed) the main Acoustic Piano part that defines the versus. Steve Walsh did the Organ work Kerry Livgren also does the amazing Grand Piano work on Cheyenne Anthem too (from the same album). Livgren is a genuis!

[@katesjanice]

Absolutely! That's why he's known as "The Maestro!"

[@user-yv3xr1qc6t]

Other than maybe EVH or Page. What other guitar “god” had two iconic guitar riffs in the same song. Kerry Livgren!

[@chrisabel1833]

i never realized how "orchestrated" a rock song could be... until Rick broke it down for me. Wow. Just. Wow.

[@TheOlesarge]

They are recording ARTISTS, you know. It really is a craft.

[@talastra]

It isn't just that it's orchestrated. Technically, orchestration is deciding what instruments will play a bit. The most interesting part of Kansas compositionally is how "contrapuntal" their music is; that is, everyone is playing different little bits and pieces. It's not like Yes, where everyone seems to be soloing simultaneously (not exactly a fair statement), but all the parts of the song aren't just "vertically" set up, where the bass and drums "hold down the fort" while an instrument solos or plays a melody with the singer. When Rick says "it's actually a double lead" that's a nice case in point. Both guitarists are playing the same line, but one of them is harmonized. It's sort of like as the band is playing, they don't even know (individually) how it will sound coming out, but we in the audience get to hear all the parts coming together. queen also built up a wall of orchestration, but they almost never had the degree fo compositional "counterpoint" that Knasas has. This is why you can often listen to an entire song and just pay attention to a single instrument and not get bored. Meanwhile, the bassist (Dave Hope) and teh drummer (Phil Ehart) are two of the most consistently entertaining sections of the band. Both are playing some really scrumptious stuff, even without being showy too often.

[@daviddew1945]

Chris, I hope this opened your eyes to Kansas. As cool as this song is, it's the commercial stuff. Treat yourself to the deep cuts of Kansas! They have ALBUMS of mind blowing music magic! ...

[@bigal7505]

Kerry stated in his bio that some of his first music exposures was to classical music and that this played a big role in his music style development. Agree with David (below) that yes, you must check out some of the "deep cuts" of Kansas...other songs on this album (Leftoverture) and Point of Know Return.

[@badbotchdown9845]

You would say they are real musicians not those of todays

[@jetydosa1]

I've loved this song for 30 years. I've heard it hundreds of times. Then I listen to Rick break it down like this and now I love it 100X more

[@helenek5678]

ya know, you re right. i was so sick of this piece but because of Rick i now have a new found admiration for this. can you imagine what else we ve been missing from the past 50+ years!?

[@gospeltruthtv]

When you hear it on the radio, all of the parts get muddled. With Ricks equipment & insight, the genius shines through.

[@user-dy1ei8cl4t]

Kansas was probably one of the most underrated bands of all time.

[@charliebrownie4158]

I think of them on par with Rush and Queen but that's me

[@byronlemay2166]

Oh yeah...the whole album is fantastic. Phil Ehart (the drummer) said they were done with the album, had actually packed all their equipment when Livgren came in with yet another song. They recorded Carry On with such precision mainly because they'd already honed the playing with all those other songs...everything worked out perfect. Great players! American Prog.

[@1PUTTZ]

Real instruments, real musicians and an epic rock piece. You feel like you're being taken on a journey when you hear that opening line. Great choice!

[@Soldano999]

JOURNEY ^^

[@micheleparker8123]

This song has always had a special place in my heart, as it reminds me of my son who suffers from Bipolar disorder with paranoid tendencies. "Carry on my wayward son, there be peace when you are done, Lay your weary head to rest, Don't cha cry no more.

[@jmagda41]

You're like me; I took lyrics to actually mean something back then. Not just "Oh, that word rhymes with this one, so let's use it."

[@algothus]

I use to think about it too... God Bless U

[@crusheverything4449]

Michele Parker - That’s the cherry on top of great music like Kansas made: it has the power to comfort and heal. I wish you and your son the best. Take care.

[@micheleparker8123]

@@crusheverything4449 Thanks, much love to you and Happy New Year!!!😍😍

[@crusheverything4449]

Michele Parker - Happy new year!! ❤️

[@michaelbarrasso6089]

An onslaught of awesome parts with guitars, bass, drums, piano and organ before an actual verse. No one does that anymore.

[@roberttaylor6571]

Actually I saw this tour and found one band that can do it of all bands its panic at the disco live at some festival. The also do a great version of BeeGees lonely days at a tribute to them. They're great musicians when doing class

[@Sheppard2030]

Absolutely amazing. “They just don’t make bands like that anymore. “

[@RC32Smiths01]

I knew this was going to be the one for Kansas! Quite possibly one of the most iconic rock songs in history

[@rat4spd]

This song is musical perfection.

[@mkii1964]

rat4spd indeed!!

[@Axess-sv8nq]

Absolutely!

[@robertmounsey4682]

Such great band of musicians. Steve Walsh's voice is truly one of the best male voices in rock

[@darylhayes5961]

I..... studied...Steve Walsh's!!!!... vocal close...so much ...Soul...deptness....Ammmmzzing feeling... smoothness...plus I.... studied... the drums... close..toooo...Phil E hart!!!!...😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@duaneburcham8445]

Seriously, who the heck are the 208 people who gave this a thumbs down? This episode was flawless!

[@gumundurbenediktsson8379]

fake accounts and bots mostly

[@antwha5526]

woke cancel culture gave it a a thumbs down... Beato's review of this song is amazing.

[@rjonboy7608]

Trolls and other vegetable life forms. Digital phone zombies.

[@frommatorav1]

the good old days when you could Thumbs Down. BTW, I gave it thumbs up. I'd give it two thumbs up if I could.

[@richboshart1201]

Taylor Swift fans.

[@thesquigglespin]

I nominate Rick's WMTSG for the KZbin series of the decade!!! Who's with me???

[@purplebondsaiyan2987]

I Agree The Best Series of Music Breakdowns Ever!!!!

[@dskywalker3397]

Me

[@angrylittlespider4593]

I have learned far more about music appreciation from these KZbin videos than I did from a semester of Music Appreciation in college. Rick's enthusiasm and genuine love for it is infectious. Admittedly I'm not a musician myself, but now I'm finding I'm hearing things in older (and some newer) songs I hadn't even noticed before. It's like hearing them again for the first time. Highly recommend this channel for EVERYONE! I thank that man from the bottom of my heart.

[@gabrielpaiva9070]

Me!

[@jasonmaceyko1902]

No question about it !

[@billroux6824]

We were so spoiled. The 70s were an amazing time for hard/prog rock. And no autotune! Rick, your enthusiasm for music is so infectious. Carry on.

[@arbogash1852]

We weren't spoiled. The music industry decided to shut down rock music, after 15 years, and replace it with rap which has been running strong since 1985. Look at the people and the politics involved. Rock music had wandered from the socialist/civil rights protest and had become an exercise in what critics of the time derided as 'gratuitous' music.

[@nikflagstar]

I air-play every instrument in this song every time! Organs jabs are awesome. The bassist for Kansas lives in my town and has helped some of my bands book some shows over the years and still plays in local bands himself.

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

This has been in my top 10 favorite songs in life, thank you for breaking it down. I just found out a few minutes ago that Robbie Steinhardt died Saturday, but only announced this morning. No one ever made a violin sound so cool! RIP Robbie! Thank you Rick Beato! Love your energy and smiling face!

[@franzmovi]

The way you analyse and "dissect" a song is absolutely mindblowing. It makes you realise how hardworking music should be...

[@marklowther3228]

My younger brother, a bass player, passed away a few years ago. Every time I visit his grave this is the song that plays in my head.

[@artisaprimus6306]

A bad ass song by Kansas. I lived in Kansas as a teenager. I saw Kanas at a rock and roll bar for a three dollar cover. Obviously, they hadn't made it big yet. They were so much better than the other cover bands that toured around. Incredible music even then.

[@MrRhoadsRules25]

I love how this episode is just Rick going "I mean just listen to it!"

[@teenixon]

I used to sit in my bedroom and just listen for hours ! Sometimes air drumming or singing along, my sisters used to bust me all the time, I didn't care. So much great music in the mid 70s, Alice Cooper, Kansas, ELO, Pink Floyd, Grand Funk, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, the music that made me become a musician, such a great period for rock music

[@davidchambliss5909]

Yea, I'm with Rick ;)

[@sunlion8866]

He knows a great song when he hears one. Carry on...is a killer song and never gets changed on the radio dial when it comes on! Just one of those songs that always gets listened to all the way through. If I'm in my car..will wait until song finishes. Always no exceptions lol! F'in weird like that ;)

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

Contextual analysis = "Wooohhh!"

[@challism]

Methinks Rick is a Kansas fan. :)

[@adjentb]

When other music and guitar channels are fighting who is faster ....who is legit.. My man Beato is killing it with real music related contents. Best channel. ❤❤❤

[@tlniec]

1. The piano + acoustic guitar part really does have a medieval feel to it - wouldn't sound at all out of place at a Renaissance faire. 2. I never realized how long the final vocal note/phrase carried on - for some reason, my brain always clipped it off when the instruments come back in, but it just keeps going!

[@megadethmofo2001]

Hearing the pieces separated is my favorite aspect of this series.

[@markjohnson7572]

I love how Rick is so joyful as he listens to this song. My friends and I used to play records and point out all the great parts. "Listen to the guitar solo at the bridge..." Listen to this great drum fill..." etc. I love this stuff. Sadly we're all too busy with our families and work to sit around and analyze songs like this. Keep it up Rick Beato.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

I've said this in the comments on some of his previous videos, but part of what keeps me coming back is Rick's enthusiasm.

[@JohnAlbertRigali]

In my humble opinion, this is one of the most epic songs in rock music history. Thank you for the video. You actually got me to notice a few elements in it that I hadn’t noticed before!

[@Mr5thWave]

This, and "Dust In the Wind" maybe?

[@marcelolima1666]

The best Rock intro of all at least

[@andrewkeats8247]

Except for the radio edit where they shorten the intro.

[@daviddew1945]

Please dive much deeper into Kansas! (not just the titles you've heard of) They have albums of PURE MAGIC! They became my favorite band in 1975...

[@andrewkeats8247]

@@daviddew1945 Beginning with Audio Visions, Livgren & Hope's born-again philosophy began pervading their music. They lost me with AV, Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures. "Power" was a welcome return and they came back mightily with "In the Spirit of Things". The greatest American Prog Rock band without a doubt.

[@TomG315]

And it's great that all these bands from those years didn't play to a click track, no autotune, as you have pointed out. They let the tempo breathe and they used the studio to masterful effect. THEN they mounted massive live tours to support these albums and NAILED IT LIVE. Night after night. Not many bands have that ability now. They are out there if you look. Thank you Rick!

[@KeithPage]

Dude you have the best job like ever... Kansas never got the credit they deserved Imo ...well done sir 🙏

[@BD-xn2dp]

Rick was like a kid in Candy store on this one. Love his passion for good music.

[@floydcooley1]

Thanks Rick. I've always felt that Kansas was so musically under appreciated.

[@robertwheatley8809]

Stolen from journey of course.

[@nostro1001]

@ floydcooley....lol good point and I think that's for a reason. Don't think this band really speaks to many outside the USA. Bland & boring!!!

[@crusheverything4449]

Robert Wheatley - What was stolen from Journey? Put down the crack pipe, dude!

[@chrishatton2642]

Love how he breaks down and explains all the individual parts. The songwriting and arranging by Kerry Livgren is a masterpiece. Their harmonies are awesome and the band overall is just tight AF. Look up the excellent rockumentary Kansas, Miracles Out of Nowhere, definitely worth watching.

[@rustydent777]

I was lucky enough to see them in concert in the 70s, the most amazing live band ever. I swear to you, Steve Walsh would literally stand on his hands upside down while playing the keyboard! It was beyond words! On top of this incredible music! I was sitting right behind and above him, he did high kicks over his head through the whole show. Unbelievable show, they sounded live exactly like the recordings, and they had much more complicated songs than "Carry on wayward son". I saw many great bands back in that time, but Kansas was the best, hands down.

[@mariposagoldenboy1]

They were the Best!

[@andrewbolt460]

Yep, yep, and yep. Rob, I saw them at Cobo Arena in Detroit in '80 maybe? Same seats as you, from above and behind Steve and saw him like a maniac athlete doing (probably coke-fueled) jump-up hand stands on his organ all night. Also marimbas and congas and perfect rock vocals over all. His vocals are WAY underrated and were what inspired my teenage self to want to be a rock & roll vocal frontman.

[@c64wood23]

You can tell how great a song is by how many times Rick goes, "Woooooo!".

[@kensurrency2564]

And “smokin’!”

[@falsenames]

And how often he starts playing air guitar in spite of having like 20 guitars right behind him.

[@ginopini8503]

Rick is the best his passion for every note of every song is great it would be funny if someone did a video montage of his facial expressions for each instrument

[@RogerBarraud]

@@falsenames Difference is, his fingers are in the right place "in the air" :-)

[@falsenames]

@@RogerBarraud Oh, I agree. Rick is clearly correct with his fingering from muscle memory. I enjoy hearing him play along with the songs or isolating his playing to show how good a riff or melody is, but I enjoy his appreciation for fine details and pointing them out to plebs like me even more. For some of the songs he's going over, he seems (quite reasonably) swept away and doesn't pause a song long enough to grab a guitar because it's always at "the good part".

[@tommanseau6277]

I was given this album for Christmas 1977, it was my 1st album @ age 10, & I still have it. People wonder why the music business is hurting. Then you hear an incredibly well written, performed, and recorded album like this. I was ruined for life. The 1st things that ever caught my ear were Kansas' albums Point of Know Return & Leftoverture, Roundabout by Yes, Your Song & Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, the entirety of the 1st Boston album, Harry Chapin's Cat's Cradle, & Emerson Lake & Palmer's Karn Evil 9 1st Impression, Part 2. Throw in Edgar Winter Group's Frankenstein, the whole of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and I'm sorry but most pop just didn't cut it after that.

[@mv235]

I’’m amazed that we had music like this and then DISCO became popular.

[@MrMottestyles]

Don't get me started on the 80's and 90's....bloody hell.

[@jimgsewell]

I would add Styx Grand Illusion to that list. Cheers.

[@LewisBuckles]

Rap is crap and pops a flop. Disco, well I can't say it here but basically it sucks.

[@rafasessa95]

I love how rick ABSOLUTELY NAILS the tones with his own equipment when he plays the parts himself. A true master of his craft and it’s so inspiring to see his enthusiasm as he explains. One of (if not THE) best channels on KZbin

[@michaelcooper1079]

So cool to see someone who understands how all the various parts come together to create this masterpiece, explaining the intricacies of this song.

[@Hangry_Dave]

Phenomenal breakdown of one of the greatest songs ever made.

[@helenek5678]

the same mastery exists in all KANSAS compositions; and this piece is not the best etc...

[@edwardprete]

“People are now in such a hurry, they never let the songs develop”.... the single most important point that can be made in life today, not just music. We’ve rushed everything to a point where now almost nothing matters to many.

[@helenek5678]

sadly, thats what technology does.

[@christinepellicane6689]

I feel like classic rock is fading into the background the way classical music has, though it's just too good to fully disappear. Classical music itself hasn't been forgotten, either, and rock will endure as well. I hope!

[@markellison]

Ratel.H Badger you're probably right. do you know where it's possible to see those demographics?

[@smalanningen2531]

Edward Prete And yet it takes years to make a record these days. Some paradox.

[@wompa70]

Know what I like about this series so much? Episode 79 was The Foo Fighters. The era doesn't matter. There is good music if you look for it.

[@3top5]

❤❤❤ Those dudes could sing! And, they could play. Such talent. Thank you Rick.

[@sgramling771]

They deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! I think Dave Hope's P bass always sounds great, and maybe he doesn't get enough recognition.

[@Jreb1865]

Dear God... They're not? I guess that just proves you don't need talent to get in, it's all rigged...

[@struedel25]

The HOF is a complete and utter joke! Dolly Parton was nominated for crying out loud. Why do people keep saying "so and so belongs there". No they don't! No decent rock artist belongs there.

[@sdime9858]

They're not but Run DMC , LL Cool J , Jay Z are , just goes to show you Jann Wenner and the RRHOF don't have a fucking clue

[@drifterman319]

They'll never get in. They're too Christian leaning for the Lefty run hall of shame. Depeche Mode? 80s pop gets in. Rap and Hip Hop crap; No George Thorogood either. Kerry Livgren is a staunch Christian. Ex bass player Dave Hope is a preacher in Florida. Again, NO WAY Carry On Wayward Son will see the Hall.

[@wayneshirley9536]

Dave Hope was/is a GREAT bass player! All you have to do is listen. He's been a church leader for many years now. I was a big fan after seeing their debut on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert as a teenager. They were immediately and refreshingly different. I wrote a fan letter to them - the only time I ever did that to anyone in my life. I received a handwritten reply written by Dave Hope. I will cherish it forever.

[@panaruss]

I was in Bengaluru India at a very nice hotel and since I was the first guy to show up at the restaurant in the morning, the chef came out to talk to me. He asked what I liked and I admitted I was pretty clueless about the food of India. He walked me through the massive buffet and explained the various dishes, what regions they came from, how they were seasoned and how to properly combine them and so on. His passion and excitement took my ability to appreciate and enjoy Indian food up ten levels in ten minutes. I was there a week and each morning he would insist I avoid the buffet and let him prepare my breakfast, and I swear each day was better than the previous. This reminds me of that experience in a way. Someone so well-versed and passionate about music that it spills off the screen and right into you. I go back to the songs and just bask in the new knowledge and sense of wonder as I listen, and these songs that blew me away as a teenager are infused once again with the power to make listening an out of body "in the moment" experience. Don't forget to take the time to listen to the music after watching these. And thanks Mr. Beato.

[@dddd9586]

Sounds like a oberoi hotel

[@rexwave4624]

That’s a really cool story. For me, the implicit lesson is that people are real, not cartoons, in every part of the world, despite the efforts of the haters to degrade their humanity. I find that people who have spent time in foreign parts have a different worldview than those who only stay home and consume media. Thanks for saying your reality.

[@samwanjere2039]

You just made my tummy rumble ☺ The childlike passion never gets old. Massive 🥂

[@bobwhite137]

Leela Palace by any chance?

[@LewisBuckles]

I love the picture you you just painted. Thank you for your story.

[@Skoora]

You have to love how much musical devastation is laid down and then finally Rick says..”Ok, so we’re into the first verse”. Lol

[@larboozle]

Even if you've heard this song hundreds of times, you really haven't heard everything it has to offer unless you've listened to it through a good set of headphones (not earbuds). The sound engineers on the 70's hard rock and prog. rock albums had a lot of fun doing things like shifting a guitar part (or theremin as in Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love) from one channel to another and then back and forth, splitting the vocals from centered to each channel with a miniscule delay added (Rush, Hemispheres), etc. These sorts of techniques added more depth to songs that were already masterpieces before the sound engineering and final mixing began.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

There was some really sophisticated music in those days. I was in Junior High School. There was ELP, Yes, Kansas, Rush, and the Queen emerged. It’s no wonder people are still listening to this music. They have stood the test of time. It’ll be interesting to see if people are listening 100 years from now.

[@bj.bruner]

The artists you mentioned and more will be the Beethovens, Mozarts, Bachs, and Handels of their time. They'll be played and replayed for centuries to come

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

@@bj.bruner Those classical heroes have already stood the test of time. They’ll continue.

[@neugey]

I've always loved how Ehart's drums frame the song so perfectly. Wonderful time-keeping and not trying to overpower all the other awesomeness going on.

[@georgew.morrowiii118]

It cannot be said enough how interesting and excellent this series has become...

[@Frank88Workz]

Honnestly it's top notch from the start

[@LUckybones25]

I never liked this song much, but seeing your analysis of it makes me appreciate how much of a masterpiece it really is. Great job Rick!

[@Jims_Camera_at_dawn]

Watch your channel often. Was a huge Kansas fan before. Even more so now. Local radio station was giving away this album prerelease. Ten or so over a few days. The last day, 3 am. finally made it into the station. Got the question right and scored the album. That's how much I wanted this album. It was totally worth it. Your breakdown of this song gives me even more of an appreciation for their talent.

[@adamrees7066]

Rick, your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@Yesica1993]

He's so happy, like a kid getting into the music!

[@Ando2k10]

I haven' seen Rick this animated about a song in quite a while. It's a great selection for WMTSG.

[@nostro1001]

@ Adam.....indeed!!!!!

[@brianoconnor7796]

YESSSSSSS

[@jimcunningham2045]

You could have chosen almost any song from this, one of the greatest prog rock bands ever. Nice job!

[@Cardthulhu]

The very next song on the album. "The Wall"

[@celticbastardson2599]

I love watching Rick play the parts. He's like a forensic detective meets young kid, building a first model car.

[@Dave-wm9do]

Every musician needs Rick's Music Appreciation 101. He dives deep into the music and breaks it down into easy to understand parts ... you really don't have to be a musician to appreciate his work at all in conveying the sum of a song's parts. His high energy enthusiasm will keep you captivated throughout the lesson... Making you crave more of his insight to music. Thank you Mr Beato, you are a music professor for sure!

[@ScottParksGoogleProfile]

There's a reason we continue to hear this classic for going on 50 years. Rick just points out why it is so damn great!

[@StevenVore]

"medieval" sound -> acoustic guitar picked so cleanly that it sounds like a harpsichord

[@MobiusBandwidth]

he was also referring to the chord progression and harmonies within it at that point, moreso I'd argue.

[@kingizdeadable]

Yaaass I picked that up as well.

[@fundymentalism]

well. Harpsichords began in the late middle ages, a medieval instrument would be a lute, lyre, or harp for the sound you're referencing :)

[@johnhwang339]

That was my thought as well. That harpsichord sound reminds me of Rick Wakeman of Yes on Siberian Khatru.

[@doreenjodhan9160]

You help me understand these songs that I have loved, at a deeper level and you just gotta have renewed admiration and appreciation for these bands. Love this song. One of my dad's favourite songs was Dust in the Wind. He always told me to sing it for his funeral but that was asking too much- I couldn't but I played it.

[@davidrogers3825]

Kerry played the piano parts when I saw them numerous times in concert. Steve played organ.

[@lluewhyn]

I had to post that when I heard this comment. Although Steve is often credited with playing piano on their early albums, it's usually a much smaller amount compared to him playing organ and synthesizers. Kerry usually did most of the piano work for whatever reason, even though you'd think piano would align better with the singer. My guess is that Steve wanted to be able to detach from the keyboards and be a front-man a good portion of the time while singing and mostly stuck to the keyboards for the instrumental parts, which makes more sense for the instruments chosen over piano. Either that, or Kerry was bringing in the songs with himself already covering the piano so Steve picked other instruments.

[@FlyingsCool]

This song is a CLASSIC example of every instrument playing in their own spaces, which is incredible given how many instruments there are playing at once

[@helenek5678]

once upon a time, long long ago, in an age far far away, 200+ years on, their was mainstream talent such as this......

[@fredresz7773]

@@helenek5678 - Perhaps some day some person will find a relic from the distant past when the priests from the Temples of Syrinx had outlawed creativity... or at least from a time before auto-tune.

[@igmusicandflying]

@@fredresz7773 Don't annoy us further! We have our work to do!

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

@@helenek5678 "mainstream talent" - back in the day when bands got popular because they were good bands. Seems like eons ago.

[@rctommy3200]

Steve Walsh is one of the most underrated singers in rock

[@atlantaguitar9689]

I assure you that he was and is very highly rated although in the current climate his name doesn't come up that much but that is, unfortunately, true of a lot of musicians from this era.

[@giovannigiannetta4926]

@@TheUtuber999 Which one? Carry on Wayward Son wasn't even their top hit.

[@darrenramey437]

@@TheUtuber999 Yeah, other than All Night Long, Rocky Mountain Way, Funk #49, all the Eagles stuff, and all the others I'm forgetting, just the one.

[@ronbo11]

@@darrenramey437 I must have missed something. You guys are talking about Joe Walsh (James Gang, Barnstorm, solo, The Eagles) instead of Steve Walsh (Kansas). Both are great artists but Steve's a far better singer/keyboardist, but Joe's a guitar god and has a very amusing personality.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Along with that, Kerry Livgren is often overlooked as a guitarist.

[@Christodoulos-J]

Kansas was the first band I ever saw live (in 1983) and I didn’t appreciate them back then. Thank you Rick for showing what a collection of master musicians is capable of. And truly Steve Walsh is one of the most underrated vocalists ever in classic rock. The old saying is true - they don’t make em like they used to. Today’s music sucks and classic rock lives on because of great bands like Kansas.

[@SteveKercherMusic]

This and The Wall are absolutely amazing! Both written in days. I always get emotional at the end of The Wall knowing Kerry's spiritual journey. I had the pleasure of meeting him after an AD show. Such a humble man.

[@billnalder1017]

Dang, Rick is branching out to a masterful air organ now!!!

[@lkwalden7]

I thought I was a great air musician until I saw that.

[@seaturtledog]

That is the classic air organ song.. Steve in his short shorts, stabbing at the organ and doing hand stands is what made their live shows great.

[@hughjarrse]

@@seaturtledog I love his "air" drums, pure unashamed enthusiasm, so real and endearing 😊

[@steelframe]

I think he has enough air instruments now to do a multi-screen video. All the parts, all the Beato!

[@rcjward]

The verse piano arpegiation is pretty.

[@alastairtilley3585]

My new favorite sound is Rick saying "Whooo!"

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

He should add a "Whooo!" counter in the corner of his videos.

[@DriveBetter]

Whoo! Drum face! Kick drum sounds huge! Without a grid! We need a Rick song really.

[@TokyoBlue587]

As he does air drumming

[@sabben-jd5wx]

"Hey everyone im Rick Beato" is the best part

[@eltieum]

Man!!! Gimme a break! No Quantizition! No autotune!

[@7775Kevin]

I have never realized how much they put into this song. I would spend hours in the late seventies struggling to learn Kansas and Boston. Thanks for a great analysis Rick. Love it.

[@Peter_Schiavo]

Back in the '80s Kansas was a second tier band on FM radio. Listening to them now, I have a greater appreciation not only how good they were/are, but how good just about everything was that rock stations played back then.

[@bryanrichards5088]

The musicianship of Kansas is highly underrated. Great performances on every instrument.

[@brianoconnor7796]

Absolutely

[@larrydunn4626]

@@brianoconnor7796 The Dead, Eagles, and Kansas were known for great live playing.

[@timothycharlesellis5940]

The entire album is a fricken masterpiece, as is Point of Know Return!

[@004Black]

Timothy Charles Ellis, I ended up appreciating the Album’s B side more than the A side with the epic ballads and the instrumentals with tight rhythms.

[@timothycharlesellis5940]

My mom bought the album in 1977 after seeing the movie Heroes, and it soon after found a new home in my bedroom. I was instantly a fan of this band and went back and acquired all of their previous releases and everything until Steve Walsh left. Always Never the Same was awesome when it came out years later.

[@framusburns-hagstromiii808]

Iconic tune from one of the absolute best bands ever ..so much talent in that group....never fail to be in awe of the vocals....and orchestration..they just fricken rock!

[@TheSimonScowl]

@@timothycharlesellis5940 My first Kansas was actually 'Play The Game Tonight'. (w/ John Elephante (sp?)) Terribly commercial in hindsight... but it was the one that whet my appetite for the real Kansas. But when I heard 'The Wall', I was blown away.

[@timothycharlesellis5940]

I fell in love with The Wall when l first heard it. Beautiful chord progression! Definitely on my "To do" list as far as songs l want to learn on acoustic guitar.

[@Cormac2023]

Rick, you're the best music appreciation teacher I've ever seen.

[@directive-4]

Definitely a contender for one of the best songs ever written. It has it all. It really does!

[@porcelainthunder2213]

People can't sing like that even WITH autotune. Steve was amazing, as was the whole band, as they could pull this and other complex songs live. One of the best prog bands ever. I like to think of them as the American Yes. Even have ton of member changes! Some of the deeper tracks are even more incredible. Full on masterpieces.

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Agreed. Even their "simple" stuff is amazing. I still consistently get goosebumps when I listen to "Dust in the Wind" from "Two for the Show".

[@pyroman6000]

I'm a huge fan of The Wall and The Pinnacle.

[@chucksiegfried7440]

“The American Yes.” I have thought that for years.

[@mrz80]

And they are still absolutely incredible when you get them up on a concert stage. Soon as the virus kerfluffle tones down, GO. SEE. KANSAS. LIVE. You WILL NOT regret it. With their current lineup they have the number of musicians and the caliber of musicians to reproduce any song in their catalog. And given how long their shows are these days, they're a great value for the concert dollar! :D

[@porcelainthunder2213]

@@mrz80 not sure. Last time I saw them live was when Steve's voice was still in pretty decent shape and Robbie was on violin. As good as the new lineup is, it cant live up to that. Same thing with Yes...saw the last tour when Anderson and Rick Wakeman were there, and Squire was still alive. Rather hang on to the memory of epic shows with mostly original lineuos than an okay show with one or two guys and essentially a cover band.

[@antwha5526]

I remember when this first came out in 1976. But now I have an even greater appreciation for what made this song sooo good.

[@dustinflock1972]

I come back and watch this occasionally just to remind myself how good of a complete arrangement this song is. Everything is just perfect

[@Nan-59]

I’ve loved this amazing song since the day it hit my radio!! Such a great time to be a teenager! 🤟

[@chrismoody1342]

The whole album was one of Kansas’ best. When I listen to it, it is mandatory to listen to the whole thing beginning to end.

[@GarrB3ar]

I forgot how insane this song is. Super underrated. Up there with some of the most epic rock songs of all time.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Kansas was an incredible group of musicians. I have seen them 8 times. Their music is very emotional and diverse. Great video.

[@chasmaniacal]

Man, that song just makes me smile and want to get in the car and DRIVE somewhere!

[@Nan-59]

chasmaniacal YES!! On a hot summer, in a convertible!!!

[@svenfigueroa312]

When i take out my vintage ferrari california spyder for it’s monthly wind-up, this is the song i play. And then...i woke up...

[@BriBeast8566]

Yeah... drive off into the sunset

[@TokyoBlue587]

Makes me wanna get into a 67 Chevy Impala and go hunt some demons

[@svenfigueroa312]

Brian O'Banion ok, but NEVER like that movie thelma & louise! Hahaaaaa

[@ronspradlin2802]

Kansas has been my favorite band since "Song for America" album. Check out the "Kansas: Miracles Out of Nowhere" documentary and you will appreciate this group even more. Music that was also on a spiritual level that delved deep into your soul and never let go. No group compares, ever.

[@daviddew1945]

YES,YES,YES, my fav. since 1975. Nobody touches Kansas!!!

[@frlong1]

I think I remember in the documentary that Kerry came up with this in one night. They were short on time to get one more song written for the record and this was that last minute addition ..

[@overcomer4226]

Fantastic documentary. Very well crafted and produced. I could have watched it again and again

[@RogerBarraud]

Thanks for the docco ref - following it up now! :-)