Song Reaction - Tool - The Patient

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Today we've listened to Eon Blue Apocalypse and The Patient from the Lateralus (2001) album.
We have reacted to The Grudge in the past already, you can watch it here: • Song reaction - Tool -...
We hope you will enjoy watching as much as we enjoyed making the video :)

[@oneoverprime1608]

Disposition Reflection and Triad all need to be done together as well

[@gringrin3979]

Agreed

[@seanritchie91]

Absolutely.

[@alpo6668]

Yes

[@Soundtracks92]

Hell yessss!

[@phokas260]

The Patient is one of Tool's most underrated songs imo.

[@deadohiosky1701]

Has always been one of my faves, both for the lyrical theme and the musicality. Perfect example of Tool's classic build-up to epic crescendo formula.

[@donkeydarko77]

@@deadohiosky1701 And that harmonized verse towards the end is perfection.

[@jagrulez885]

Nice way to say Reflection.

[@sama2965]

Yep. For years, this song was easy to sleep on until one of the times that I saw them live and they played it. They crushed it and it became one of my favorites, it gets no recognition though.

[@billnorman8995]

Agreed

[@shawnaitchison7046]

This album is such a massive evolutionary leap from the previous albums. Every song just flows together, the progressions, the use of different techniques, sounds and instruments as well as just the more polished nature of Lateralus is almost like a whole different band but yet still Tool. This is by far my favorite album of theirs and am happy you are finally to this piece of the journey. When you finish with this, sit down and listen to it continuous and all the way through, it's a different experience when not broken up. As always, great video.

[@donkeydarko77]

Agreed. While I know that Tool strives to produce true "concept" albums, Lateralus is the one that truly hits that mark. This one, above all others in their catalogue, feels like a unified whole. It was such a strange listen when I first heard it after spending a few years with Aenima, but it has become my absolute favorite record by them. It is their masterpiece.

[@EKDupre]

I agree. I'd like to add that Maynard's penmanship on this album is his most literary, imo.

[@shawnaitchison7046]

@@donkeydarko77 I fully agree. It took me about a year of listening to Lateralus to fully begin to appreciate it for the masterpiece that it is. But has become my favorite album of theirs hands down.

[@david_lawrence_h2703]

Great description Shawn

[@rafanj824]

Their evolution to Lateralus was TREMENDOUS!!!

[@rafanj824]

This song has one of the very best performances by Maynard. The impeccable flow of his melodies with the instrumentation, his dynamics, the emotion he evokes with his voice it's something else. So incredibly beautiful.

[@joshs8685]

Knowing the story of Maynard's mom, it has always been difficult for me to think of The Patient separately from that. Maynard is one of the most intelligent lyricists around, and there are clever double meanings happening here for sure. His mom is "the patient" because of her health condition. And her paralysis drags on and on for years, requiring incredible "patience" from both of them. But I have never heard a clear consensus on the meaning of this song, so I think a lot of interpretations can fit. Such a beautiful piece of work. Let me share one interesting observation I've been thinking about as I go through this Tool journey with you. In the song Judith, Maynard expresses a deeply painful personal grudge he's held onto for years: his anger at the hypocrisy that he feels is present in his mother's church. After Maynard finally gives voice to these feelings, the very first song when Lateralus is released a year later is The Grudge. And in that song, Maynard talks about how important it is to let go of our grudges before they become a weight that drags us down. Absolutely brilliant. Maynard is clearly growing and healing through his music during this whole period of songwriting and I find it so inspiring to listen to. And the band's music is growing and evolving as a whole at the same time. Fantastic :)

[@initum1599]

Thank you so much for your observations. It's so nice to hear that the journey we are having also provokes to reflect and perhaps sheds some 'new light' :) She

[@joshs8685]

@@initum1599 Yes! Its been extremely cool to "relive" the experience a bit and gain some new insights along the way.

[@Swifty-yc9fh]

I never realized that! I need to listen to that song again lmao, thanks!

[@benkyle76]

Anybody else light up and smile when she foreshadowed and said “remind myself of this” before even hearing the song?

[@jakecameron2976]

Same man. Same

[@theawakener4360]

Same

[@cranboogie]

I did :)

[@manicaimless]

I got goosebumps when she said it!

[@gringrin3979]

One of my favorites among my list of favorites.

[@jameswayne2422]

Schism will give a great insight into the meaning of this song. Also, no one ever comments on the secondary vocals Maynard uses to enhance the emotional level of their music. Anyway, another great reaction. You guys rock. Thank you for letting us relive our love of Tool vicariously.

[@initum1599]

Yes I've noticed it during listening, and it sounds really beautiful - I thought its Maynard's second voice added during studio mastering - am I right? Thank you (She)

[@jameswayne2422]

@@initum1599 Yes, you are. It really makes a difference. Maynard does the same with A Perfect Circle and the results are amazing. With Puscifer he has the benefit of having Carina Round to enhance the vocals. The blending of and the differences makes the music into a seamless quality that are breathtaking to experience. Thanks again for taking me on your journey. It's priceless.

[@garrettgearhart6123]

Schism is another song with deep occult meaning. Marriage of the internal sun and moon. If your not picking up the Danny Carey influences of Masonic ideas your missing a big dimension of tools music

[@ChaseVonnegut]

Internet says "Eon" was Adam Jones (guitar) Great Dane that died of bone cancer.

[@jackospade0418]

I've been patiently waiting for this album

[@googleisevil1041]

😏

[@deadohiosky1701]

I have been waiting for this one...it's a special song for me, and I knew you'd love it. I can't count the number of times I've fought frustration in my life, and this song was there to help me through it. I've even shared the lyrics with others to try to help them through similar situations. I feel like this album was largely influenced by their legal battles with the record label, themes that carry over into the next album, 10,000 Days. The Grudge, I think, is similarly inspired. I'm so excited for the rest of this album and the rest of the catalog. You are so going to love this journey even more than you can imagine even though you've already come so far.

[@pwph8361]

Sounds like a good plan guys,! I love seeing the light in your eyes as soon as you open the video :) :) You really do look excited! You're really rockin out with this one :) Enjoy the Album, looking forward to the next installment :) Greetings from Sydney !

[@Allen-wv1tw]

Tool!! Time!! Is always a fun time!!

[@Waltergoodboy]

Great discussion....interesting to see your interpretation of the “meaning “ to you evolve.

[@theawakener4360]

My way of seeing... its his view of being with his mother at the hospital giving blood and being patient...then can be from her side of going through everything inside her head...so this song serves as a mirror in a way between both of them.Its so amazing how his lyrics can have so many roads to the same energy its projecting

[@antdujar]

That’s how I always thought about the song.

[@anthonypallen7919]

Another great reaction. You make an effort when you listen if that makes any sense. You and the voice behind lol are a treat.

[@garrettgearhart6123]

“Tedious path I’ve chosen here” aka The Great Work

[@Qliphirot]

Indeed. If he didn't take the spiritual path he could have reached suicide, interesting though he recalls that still can reach it.

[@frankgoggin1496]

Lyrics that are truly unable to be felt unless sung.

[@weiland21]

My favorite Tool song

[@psychonaut1829]

Super under rated, my favorite tool song.

[@Soljarag5]

Great reaction and discussion at the end!

[@luiscypher1307]

The patient is not about his mother its about Maynards song writing process its self & how Maynard has learnt to deal with the tedium of the creative process in regards to his fellow bandmates taking forever.

[@jasoncummings4994]

I love seeing new TOOL FANS! Beautiful ones at that! Just hang on and enjoy the ride! U will never get off!

[@johnblanchard1428]

Love your videos.

[@nubbinthemonkey]

I thought the story can apply to anyone who is on a path in life they aren't passionate about. Maybe you're in a job, studying a degree, staying in a relationship for the benefit of others. You think, I just need to make my parents proud, pay off my mortgage, when the kids turn 18 I'll go and live the life I wanted - just wait your life out

[@jesseturnip]

I've mentioned this before and earlier comments but in particular this album is a must to be played consecutively through. I would even say on an album without breaks between the songs. But who has those anymore.

[@spacejesus4976]

The lyrics are written about his process with the band in writing. It was well known at this time that certain band members were not happy at first with Maynard's a perfect circle project, and it was increasingly frustrating for Maynard to be waiting for tool to write new music as the band was nortourously slower workers than Maynard. If you look at the lyrics this was they make perfect sense.

[@DanielRodriguez-eh1qd]

My favorite Tool song next to Right in Two.

[@LanceThompsonKssooner]

"This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little old" & "No loving embrace to see me through"...the song is about his mother. It's kinda the forgotten part of the saga. Everyone always leaves it out.

[@Qliphirot]

I don't agree with that. In fact I would even say Lateralus has no song about his mother.

[@LanceThompsonKssooner]

@@Qliphirot we are all entitled to our opinions no matter how wrong we may be.

[@Qliphirot]

@@LanceThompsonKssooner right on

[@justinfontenot8001]

Disposition Reflection Triad!!!!

[@ReignSurvives]

I certainly think it’s about maynards feelings around his moms condition. He’s sitting waiting for something to change. For her to get better or to pass on. To release him. It’s a shameful feeling wishing for it to just be done. A groan of tedium escapes me - exasperated Startling the fearful - those around him hear that release and think the worse that Judiths passed. Then he’s saying the only way he could hold on was to hold hope for her to improve. “If there were no reward to reap. No loving embrace to get me through, I certainly would have walked away” so he’s arguing with himself that he’s still being with her because of hope...but in actuality I think he’s coming to terms with the fact that she will not improve and that it’s a testimony to his love from her that he continues even as he feels shame for wanting to walk away.

[@jakecameron2976]

My favorite. I don’t believe this song has any relation to his mother.

[@Qliphirot]

That's right, the whole Lateralus album has no song about his mother.

[@manicaimless]

I think you’re right. 10,000 days, as an album, is maynard’s conscious effort to close that chapter, I believe. I agree and believe that lateralus is an exploration for the band; opening their collective third eye as a group. 10,000 days feels like Maynard is coming back after that exploration to finally bury the past and battle his final demons about his mother, and the lingering “grudges”

[@thanospat6400]

The underrated song of the album in my minuet opinion 🤙

[@elcotera8042]

Personally I don't think this song has anything to do with his mother, the vampire and giving blood analogy are just an impersonation of this burden he is dealing with, sucking up his patience and will. The song has not to be on any particular subject, and that's what makes it even better, everyone has their own burdens to deal with.

[@alpo6668]

I’ve always related the song to addiction.

[@fitterhappier2666]

and I'm still right heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEreeeeee

[@damianwolf3360]

She didn't react to part of me salival version

[@Qliphirot]

No biggy

[@tidewell]

"Eon Blue" was the name of Adam's pet Great Dane at the time of the recording. PS - Dear Tool Army: 'The Patient' was NOT written about Maynard's mother. It's an interesting theory, but false.

[@joshs8685]

Curious - where did you read about the meaning of The Patient? I'd like to read more myself.

[@tidewell]

@@joshs8685 I worked for the band from the Aenima through Lateralus albums.

[@joshs8685]

@@tidewell That's awesome! What did you do for them?

[@tidewell]

@@joshs8685 I was a college intern that initially worked for their management company right after Justin joined the band in '95. This involved many different tasks of handling their 'fan club', toolband website and Adam was nice enough to let me help out on a few of their music videos.

[@joshs8685]

@@tidewell That is legit the coolest :)

[@justinbenson3516]

I've always imagined this is what would be going through Jesus head throughout. Or what an average religious person feels when they have crisis of faith.

[@garrettgearhart6123]

The” holy gift” order of the album

[@antdujar]

You have reacted to jimmy, and APC’s Judith. Now you’ve done the patient. All that’s left of the Maynard/Judith Saga is wings for Marie pt1/pt2.