THEY SPOKE FACTS!!! | RUSH - The Spirit Of Radio | First Reaction

[@sarastromseth-troy3323]

Thanks for reacting to this! The song is from 1980, but the video was made decades later, which is how they got the tribute to Neil at the end (Neil passed away in January 2020). The video actually does a good job of telling the story of the song (and you are right about the critique of the music industry in the middle). Also, there is a tribute to the woman who helped break Rush into the U.S. market in 1974. Donna Halper, the DJ shown holding Rush's debut album, played the song 'Working Man' from their debut album on the radio in Cleveland. She thought it would appeal to the working-class culture in Cleveland, and she was right! Thanks to her playing that song, Rush got a record deal and the rest is history. They were always grateful to her; they dedicated two of their albums to her and to this day are friends with her. Donna went on from being a music director to getting her Ph.D. at age 65 and then became a media history professor. She's an interesting woman and is beloved in the Rush fan community. Anyway, if you ever want to see a great live performance of this song, check out their medley live called 'Best Intro Ever.' It's a medley of songs from their first few albums and ends with a full performance of 'The Spirit of Radio.' It's how they opened their R30 tour in 2004 and is a great live performance!

[@RapItUp41]

Oh ok, yeah, the video definitely looked 80's lol. I figured they just added the tribute to it after he passed somehow. Glad to know I wasn't reaching with my take lol. That will definitely be something for me to react to or check out on my own at some point so thanks for letting me know.

[@lindaward5376]

The last section was an adaptation of the following lines from "The Sound Of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel: "The words on the prophets are written on the subway halls, In tenement halls, And whispered in the sound of silence..." Neil wrote this song as a tribute to local radio station CFNY, which he'd often listen to on his morning commute, and as a commentary on the growing commercialization of the radio industry. In a similar vein, after Rush's third album flopped, record execs were threatening to drop them if they didn't come up with more short, commercially viable songs; they decided that they'd rather go down fighting than compromise their integrity, so they came out with 2112, whose epic 7 part, 20 minute, side-long title track was done as a massive F.U. to those record execs, and its success gave them the freedom to chart their own musical course. My favourite live version is from their 1997 Toronto show, and there's also a comic book video that includes the lyrics and can help you to understand the storyline. Don't worry about the haters because their comments reflect mainly on them and not you; just be yourself, and you'll do all right. Have a wonderful evening! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐

[@RapItUp41]

Ok so I was kind of right about them calling out the industry lol? Thanks

[@mattbaker5757]

@@RapItUp41 They were definitely calling out the industry, and Neil being the genius word-smith he was and used Simon & Garfunkel's bar but changed it to point to the Hypocrisy of the industry. You were absolutely right in your assessment. S & G's original bars meant exactly what you were talking about with prophets of old's writing , sometimes on cave walls. Simon & Garfunkel knowing about the prophets and cave writings, were paralleling graffiti left on subway walls and tunnels to being modern prophets. But of course back in the 60's much of the graffiti were actual bars of words, words of truth (at least the writers of it thought so), and not just gang signs and other things instead far deeper than the petty, valueless stuff on modern graffiti, excepting just appreciating it as art). Neil took that deep meaning and turned it on it's head exposing the hypocrisy and greed of the music industry, including the artists themselves selling out and making changes to their lyrics/bars to suit what the record label wanted, and what was once something that came from the hearts of the artists changed into the artists taking money and accepting compromises to their art, in both musical and lyrical content, in a way that record labels felt would sell more records. And about how FM radio was once a bastion of radio freedom that was uncommercialized unlike AM radio, but soon commercialization took over FM radio too. As the commenter above talks about, Rush refused to compromised and doubled down on their conviction for the art and they were successful enough to be one of the few bands that made it without selling out, and still made profits for the salesmen.

[@RapItUp41]

@@mattbaker5757 Great so I wasn't reaching. That's very interesting about the graffiti being words from prophets as well. This stuff is very deep, I look forward to the next reaction to RUSH.

[@thatsnice99]

Yeah, it has an 80s feel to it because they actually played instruments, which is a novelty today.

[@RapItUp41]

yeah, true lol

[@mikedown3219]

Plenty of metal bands still playing real music with real musical instruments. Unfortunately not the garbage that appears in the charts.

[@thatsnice99]

@ of course.

[@debbieplato5107]

You were right about them calling out the music industry. It was the same with music critics. They hated Rush because they wouldn't conform to the music industries way of thinking. As others had mentioned the record label didn't like the direction their third album was taking and told them they had to do short pop radio songs. They kept their integrity and created 2112 a 20 minute long song that was a masterpiece. It sucessed by word of mouth. No internet back then. LOL Rush called their own shots after that. They built their following by touring constantly and word of mouth. All the changes in this song represent different radio stations. As for that green mask on Alex Lifeson. As you get to know this band you will see their comidic side. They love to joke around especially Alex. They have done all sorts of comedic skits for their shows. Hey, you are doing a great job reacting. Some of us forget you are dipping your toe into a totally new environment. If want to stop the video a couple of times, for sure. We like to hear what you have to say. Cheers

[@RapItUp41]

It's really fun to try and decipher their lyrics and figure out the meaning. I did pretty well on this one I guess lol. They are true gangsters for making a 20 min song after being told to shorten them LMAO. Thanks so much for the kind words

[@bobrush4217]

I'm pretty sure the video started with a map showing Italy because an Italian named Marconi is credited with discovering radio waves.

[@EmmaBadOne]

Note: CFNY-FM Was (is?) an actual radio station in Toronto.

[@CM-gm3kc]

It was about how the record labels and record sales, controlled the music. It is about playing what you like and the audiences wanted to hear.

[@jasonwilliams6005]

The video is all references to Rush and radio at the start and beyond. The more you know about them, the more the video makes sense

[@kentgreer1079]

This song was recored in late 1979 and released in February 1980. So barely 80's. The shifts in music genres was meant to mimic turning a radio dial between stations back in the day. The verse that you focussed on was written to sound like punk, and Neil changed his drumming style to mimic punk as well.

[@RapItUp41]

Oh ok thanks

[@bobrush4217]

You are on the right track. This song is about how radio became money oriented instead of just spreading joy. The guitar solo at the end is mimicking those fast talking salesmen you would here speaking very fast to fit in many words in a few seconds.

[@cpmf2112]

Rush was rarely on the charts but that was never their goal throughout their 40+ years together 😁

[@FlightinDarkness-eb7uh]

yeah u got it brother on meaning close enough. rush has a lot of songs to make u think as u get to them and rap also. rap came later after I was a already a rock guitarist influenced mostly by rush led zeppelin back in the 70s, I've picked out rap lyrics and know of the rap world from friends and street life at times, right nothing sugar coated the good bad the ugly the way it shouldn't be hidden like the real world can seem hidden. there are some cool rap sampling I'm wanting to incorporate with my own rock music. Christian rap when I hear it I can actually groove to, words and music and that's genuine. I'll throw out there "caravan" song from rush, from clockwork Angels lp 2012, as a more recent listen to rush. doing a real good job take care

[@FlightinDarkness-eb7uh]

👍

[@PeterMcCracken-n3g]

100% right R. Don't worry about anything that may be a potential mistake. Your doing a great job and I hope your channel prospers mightily. Cheers. From a Rush fan.

[@RapItUp41]

Thanks so much, enjoying the journey

[@MJS-ON]

The hand gesture part are a shout out to back when Geddy did that at concerts intending to get the crowd clapping. (Geddy’s hands were rarely available between his Bass and keyboard playing to do stuff like this) But, the crowds would mimic his hand gestures instead. He eventually changed to actually clapping to get the crowd to do it too.

[@RapItUp41]

@MJS-ON ok lol thanks

[@rickschlosser6793]

I was one of the ones that complained. But I know your videos can be pulled if you don’t pause. It is the timing that matters, or just back up the video when you restart it. True fans won’t mind.

[@RapItUp41]

Yeah, no problem, I typically go back to before the part I pause at but I definitely forget sometimes lol.

[@PromLesbian]

React to 'Dinner with RUSH'

[@kevinjennings238]

YES!! He'll get to KNOW the TRUE Band's Personalities!!!! Humble Geniuses!!!

[@markjohnson4217]

There is an ingenius irony in the fact that a song like this topped the charts in early 1980. A song with so many crazy complicated changes that is actually a critique of the music industry reaches #1...hilarious! I haven't met a single person who dislikes this song, even Rush haters are ok with it.. Go figure..

[@edgarpacifico3421]

Great tune!!

[@EmmaBadOne]

I'm from the era of Run DMC, Public Enemy, Intelligent Hoodlum, Special Ed, Paris, Eric B & Rakim. My last favourite rap group was Dead Prez. I'm officially out of hip hop but you know, the culture is different. My friend, the lyrics from Rush alone as far as imagination, fantasy, subliminal, metaphors, imagery, etc goes would destroy any lyrics from the above stated rappers. Then consider lyrics by Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, etc. It's not even close. The rappers likely wouldn't understand the lyrics written by Neil Peart(RIP) and delivered by Geddy Lee. Hip Hop lyrics are typically more direct and straight up, with a few metaphors, sublims, and a few great storytellers. But it doesn't take anything away from what we love. Aaaand there is room to love it all. First time seeing your channel and I enjoyed this vid. The sound mix was great btw, no changes needed.

[@RapItUp41]

Hip Hop has lots of great storytellers now and the bars are insane (double after double, triple after triple entendre). I was out of current hip hop from 06-07 to 2023 lol. I did not keep up with any current music at all in that time I thought it was all garbage. I was very wrong and I have missed out on lots of great artists that came around in those times and that are still going crazy now. I'm looking forward to hearing the deep lyrics from this type of music and right now we will just have to agree to disagree as far as lyrics, lol. I don't see anything ever equaling rap as far deep meaning but I haven't heard much either. I would say though that it is an insane talent to be able to rap and match the beats, especially when you are saying that many words, more so than any other genre because they just don't have nearly as many lyrics. Then again, they are also playing instruments when they are singing so all of it is extreme talent and luckily, we don't have to choose just one genre to appreciate lol.

[@EmmaBadOne]

@@RapItUp41 I appreciate your comments here. As I mentioned I was already out by 2006. The tone of the music changed. The algorithm of the majority of the messages became unaligned with own. The effects they have been putting on vocals, I can't even take seriously most of the time. I missed out on alot of good music, too, when I was into Hip Hop. It seems Hip Hop is jealous haha because everybody I know who was immersed in hip hop at a certain time had no time for any other genres. Hip Hop consumed me. But when I started to get out I discovered the old Funk bands that begot much of the music in the early hip hop days. I got into Metal thanks to the lyrics in bands like Rage Against The Machine (he's rapping, though) and now I'm gracefully all over with my enjoyment of music. My speakers might be playing the Country songs of my Grands, the disco songs of my parents. Dancehall. Jazz. Soul. Great thing about music is it doesn't expire. PS, I will never discount the talent required to be a great rapper or performer. I had my own rap album out in 1990 lol. Now I bass guitar, and drums. Looking forward to enjoying your journey. It's also a special talent to do what you're doing here.

[@RapItUp41]

@EmmaBadOne thanks so much, I've been checking some jazz lately myself. I will react to Rage Against the Machine at some point, I've always heard the main guy raps. BTW is any of your rap album out on any platforms?

[@EmmaBadOne]

@@RapItUp41 Unfortunately no, in 1990 there wasn't much of a platform for a couple 14 year olds rapping haha. In Toronto? hahahaha. I think you'll enjoy Rage. Don't expect today's rap flows, it was definitely 90s. My faves, Bullet In The Head, Wake Up, Ghost of Tom Joad, etc. Their concerts will be a great display of the passion Zach spits his messages with (and there's always a message).

[@RapItUp41]

@@EmmaBadOne I figured, didn't know if you maybe saved stuff over the years and then uploaded somewhere at some point lol. 90's is my fav time for rap and always will be since that's where it started for me so that will be interesting.

[@bobkitten8150]

Radio DJs used to have some say in what they played - not so much now that everything is pre-programmed. Same theme is in Tom Petty's "The Last DJ".

[@kevinjennings238]

PROPS to you for Noticing the "Prophet / PROFIT" Analogy!!! And Salesmen, Honesty, Integrity.....

[@RapItUp41]

@@kevinjennings238 thanks so much

[@johnlongdong56]

You were great in Slingblade…

[@kevinjennings238]

HA!

[@johnholland7369]

The hand gestures are a way for Disk Jockey to fill dead air time

[@achryz]

u shld react to smith & wesson by juice wrls chrislongfilms posted a video of him showcasing smith & wesson to polo g and its tough fr‼️‼️

[@timkennedy-ux8bw]

I thought your explaining hip hop better may help.

[@ChronicExcessiveManliness]

There are talented people that make music, art, sculptures, write books, poetry, paintings, movies and so on. They want to make a living off of sharing their vision...which is part of their soul. Corporations step in and rip them off, steal from them, try to grind down their creativity to go "mainstream" so the executives can make a fortune off of someone else's talent. Nothing new there, but those that fight against it (Rush, Prince, etc.) are noble in their defiance.

[@ChronicExcessiveManliness]

Best band...ever.