Understanding Carry On Wayward Son

Carry On Wayward Son is one of those songs that's both totally unique and perfectly emblematic of a larger musical movement. There's nothing quite like it, but it still captures the sound of rock music in the mid '70s, and that blend of the unconventional and the iconic singlehandedly changed the fortunes of a struggling rock band. Kansas had built a following, but Carry On put them on the map, and almost 50 years later, it still stands as one of the greatest classic rock anthems ever recorded.
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Last: • You're Playing Bach Wrong
Script: tinyurl.com/n9...
Huge thanks to our Elephant of the Month Club members:
Susan Jones
Jill Jones
Duck
Howard Levine
Brian Etheredge
Khristofor Saraga
Len Lanphar
Ken Arnold
Elaine Pratt
William (Bill) Boston
Chris Prentice
Jack Carlson
Christopher Lucas
Andrew Beals
Dov Zazkis
Hendrik Payer
Thomas Morley
Jacob Helwig
Davis Sprague
Alex Knauth
Braum Meakes
Hendrik Stüwe
Dan Bonelli
Kevin Boyce
Kelly Christoffersen
Scott Howarth
Luke
Warren Huart
Donal Botkin
Kevin Wilamowski
Symmetry
Grant Aldonas
Stephen Cook
Dhruv Monga
Ken Jones
Obadiah Wright
Kobalent
David Bartz
Jason Nebergall
Carlos Rendon
Aleksandar Milojković
Kylie McInnes
Daniel Reaman
Tom
And thanks as well to Henry Reich, Gabi Ghita, Gene Lushtak, Owen Campbell-Moore, Eugene Bulkin, Logan Jones, Oliver, Anna Work, Adam Neely, Rick Lees, Dave Mayer, CodenaCrow, Nikolay Semyonov, Arnas, Caroline Simpson, Michael Alan Dorman, Michael McCormick, Blake Boyd, Luke Rihn, Charles Gaskell, Ian Seymour, Trevor Sullivan, Tom Evans, Elliot Jay O'Neill, Lamadesbois, JH, David Conrad, Chris Borland, Chris Chapin, Alex Atanasyan, Elliot Burke, Tim S., Elias Simon, Todd Davidson, Jake Lizzio, Jerry D. Brown, Ohad Lutzky, Peter Leventis, James A. Thornton, Brian Dinger, Aaron Epstein, Blake White, Chris Connett, Stefan Strohmaier, Shadow Kat, Adam Wurstmann, Kelsey Freese, Kenneth Kousen, James, h2g2guy, W. Dennis Sorrell, Angela Flierman, Richard T. Anderson, Professor Elliot, Kevin Johnson, Ryan, Rodrigo "rrc2soft" Roman, Jeremy Zolner, Patrick Callier, Danny, Francois LaPlante, Volker Wegert, Joshua Gleitze, Britt Ratliff, Darzzr, Joshua La Macchia, Roming 22, Charles Hill, Alexey Fedotov, Alex Keeny, Valentin Lupachev, John Bejarano, Andrew Engel, Gary Butterfield, Peter Brinkmann, Steve Brand, Rene Miklas, Red Uncle, Doug Nottingham, Nicholas Wolf, naomio, Alex Mole, Kaisai Morihito, Robert Beach, ZagOnEm, Betsy, Tonya Custis, Dave Shapiro, Jacopo Cascioli, Mathew Wolak, S, Lincoln Mendell, CoryC, Rafael Martinez Salas, Walther, Doug Lantz, Sam Rezek, Destros, Beth Martyn, Lucas Augusto, Graeme Lewis, Jake Sand, Evan Satinsky, James Little, RaptorCat, Jigglypuffer, leftaroundabout ., Jens Schäfer, Mikely Whiplash, Austin Amberg, Aditya Baradwaj, Yuval Filmus, Francisco Rodrigues, Elizabeth, Michael Tsuk, Juan Madrigal, Jim Hayes, ThoraSTooth, Brandon Legawiec, Scott Albertine, Evgeni Kunev, Hikaru Katayamma, Alon Kellner, Rob Hardy, רועי סיני, Conor Stuart Roe, Patrick Chieppe, Eric Stark, David Haughn, Gordon Dell, Byron DeLaBarre, Matty Crocker, anemamata, Brian Miller, Lee-orr Orbach, Eric Plume, Kevin Pierce, Jon Hancock, Dragix PL, Gary Evesson, Kottolett, Dylan Vidas, Jason Peterson, Peggy Youell, EJ Hambleton, Jos Mulder, Daryl Banttari, J.T. Vandenbree, Carlos Silva, David Taylor, John Castle, Lyan Porto, Wayne Robinson, Gabriel Totusek, Brian Davis, Eric Daugherty, SecretKittehs, Mnemosyne Music, AkselA, Pamela O'Neill, Philip Miller, Sam Plotkin, David MacDonald, Nellie Speirs Baron, Charles R., Josh, Thomas Morgan, Ludwick Kennedy, The Gig Farmer, Sam, DialMForManning, Wayne Weil, Michael Wehling, darkmage, Brandon Peckham, Ridley Kemp, Mark James, James, David Peterson, Bryan C. Mills, Adam Ziegenhals, Mark Meckes, Amelia Lewis, sonicolasj, PatSandmann, Bean, A Devoted Servant of the Holy Water Bottle, Milan Brezovsky, Edmund Horner, Daria Gibbons, TJ FUNCTION, NinoDoko, XCompWiz, Michael Blaby, Kristofer Hill, William Merryman, Ryan Mayle, J Denton, M. Bock, Daniel Joseph Moynihan, William Robert Tabb, Niles Loughlin, Josh Witkowski, Clever Patreon names are a waste of perfectly good cleverness, Graham Orndorff, Michael Sacksteder, Mark Lacey, Justin St John-Brooks, Jaren Tilford, Catherine Berry, Watch Harder, Will Derr, Jason McPherson, Chris Robson, A.J. Yates, Mitch McConeghey, and Matt Moulder! Your support helps make 12tone even better!
Also, thanks to Jareth Arnold for proofreading the script to make sure this all makes sense hopefully!

[@12tone]

Some additional thoughts/corrections: 1) I hope I don't have to clarify this, but knowing the dad rock crowd, I probably do, so just to be clear, the "six guitar riffs in a trenchcoat" thing was a joke. Carry On Wayward Son is a real song. Please don't yell at me, I made a whole 20 minute video for you about a thing you like. 2) On the F# in the main riff, it's tempting to call the whole thing Dorian, and sure, I could see that, but the intro vocals feature a prominent F natural so I don't think the song as a whole feels Dorian. If you want to read the riff itself that way though, I won't stop you. 3) Similarly, you could read the Bb chord in the verse as indicating Phrygian, but considering all the B naturals we hear in both the harmony and melody that seems like a stretch. 4) In the chorus progression, they don't play the F chord the second time, instead hanging on G for a bar. I didn't have anything to say about that and the video was long enough already so I skipped it, but wanted to at least acknowledge in somewhere. 5) On the second bridge riff, there's this really interesting microrhythmic adjustment where Livgren rushes the last note before the 16th-note one pretty significantly, spreading out the anticipation effect across a couple notes. You can actually hear that in the quantized version I presented, 'cause I removed that as well. 6) On the C# thing, yes, you could just call it the major 3rd, which would make that riff in A major, although there's a G too so I guess it's A mixolydian, but that doesn't sound right to my ears. It's kinda like the Bb in the verse progression: It's just doing the same thing but adjusted by a perfect 4th. (In this case down, but same idea.) 6) Another thing I didn't really have room for but wanted to at least mention is that all the vocal melodies throughout the song start on beat 2. To my ears that makes everything feel more like a continuation than its own definitive statement but I didn't feel like that thought was developed enough to be worth putting in the video itself.

[@MyButtsBeenWiped]

05:31 Bowties Are Cool !

[@lucianodebenedictis6014]

thanks for the additions, I wanted to talk about that C#. major? minor? mixolidian? why not just for for blues pentatonic? feels appropriate to me

[@HeimburgerMusic]

There's another purposely rushed part in that ending riff that plays under the final 2 guitar solos, at the end/beginning of the 1st/2nd measure in that riff that adds a ton of momentum and energy to those last 2 solos. You can especially hear it in most of the live recordings of the song where the 2 sixteenth snare hits that Ehart does at the start of the second measure in the phrase are quite early. Wonderful video of a fantastic song! I also got a kick near the beginning when you were talking about the unusual things happening in the song and how weird is good when this is arguably Kansas' most normal, non-weird song.

[@Richard_Jones]

How dare you....blah blah blah....young man, in my day....blah blah...we didn't even have riffs, had to make do with a lick and a couple of figures!

[@nugboy420]

I’d love to see Nowhere Man taken apart

[@HopeRunsDeep22]

Ill never forget the night I was singing this song while walking to the bathroom at one of my Highschool football games I was at, and as I walked through the doors I sang "Lay your weary head to rest !" and the entire bathroom with like 20 dudes in it ages like 16-50, yelled "DONT YOU CRY NO MORE!" and we all busted out laughing. Legendary song.

[@mrz80]

That just made my day :D

[@Redbatcave]

BRO YOU HAD YOUR OWN HALO BATHROOM MONENT! LUCKY BOY

[@SpongeMagic]

Damn that must've been a huge bathroom

[@ja60123]

Legendary

[@DebbieTomkoSUNSHINE]

Thank you...:-)

[@bryede]

The coolest thing about this song is that it changes so abruptly that it almost feels like you're flipping through radio stations.

[@epicgeek9147]

That's what I'm gonna say, we played it in a battle of the bands but its an old song that why many millennials don't know the song and we messed up. We became champions because of how beautiful the song is.

[@Iamthesuperest]

@@epicgeek9147 bullshit anyone and everyone should know this song

[@epicgeek9147]

Only the OGs know it here in the Philippines@@Iamthesuperest . The youngsters mostly doesn't.

[@bickleyjonas6145]

It's pretty dramatic and artistic. I believe it's supposed to represent conflicting emotions, in the form of guitar riffs. Kind of gives you the chills in a good way.

[@bickleyjonas6145]

@Heinous Anus Yeah, the two intro riffs dueling it out makes me imagine the classic image of the angel and devil on your shoulders both trying to persuade you.

[@realShadowKat]

The best thing about acapella intros of songs from the 70s.... DJ's would ordinarily talk over the instrumental opens (I don't listen to much commercial music today, admittedly so I don't know if this practice is still done). They would know how long the instrumental was and blather on until the lyrical mark. Can't do that when the lyrics start at the zero.

[@austinhernandez2716]

That's a smart move

[@stevenmorgan5954]

Excellent point!

[@theoxne3166]

yes they still do that and its FUCKING ANNOYING

[@torunsmok5890]

@@theoxne3166 I've heard so many great instrumental intros ruined like that.... Down with the Sickness and In the End commonly get that treatment :/ and one of my favorite bands, Starset, had a radio hit with Monster on their second album which had a lovely instrumental intro that always gets talked over. DJs who do that are just bad at the job frankly. To the DJs out there: YOUR JOB IS TO PUT ON MUSIC. NOT DROWN OUT THE MUSIC WITH YOUR BLABBER.

[@mrz80]

I forget which station it was, but one rock station when I was back in college used to make a big deal about not doing voiceovers. Their commercial tagline was "WE don't talk while the music's playing!" :D

[@motomike71]

"Kansas was in a rough state." SMH

[@bmac4]

Thats dumb and hilarious lol

[@motomike71]

@@bmac4 Wait until he does a story on Chicago and says, "Chicago had to build some bridges."

[@queenannsrevenge100]

That’s nothing - did you see 16:33 where he used a picture of a tent for “intense”? 😃👍👌

[@TheSuzberry]

@@queenannsrevenge100 - yes. It was the illustration I didn’t have to think about.

[@femthingevelyn]

I literally don't know anything about music other than "sometimes sounds are good when they go into my earholes", but by god this channel always makes me feel like a medieval peasant listening to someone who actually knows how to read explain to me a story I thought I knew. In some ways, when you're talking about the feel of a song and some of the way you talk about the purpose a section serves, I kinda understand it, but it's coated in a language I barely understand. You have this way of talking about music that actually kind of makes a kind of sense even though I don't understand the technicals of the subject at all.

[@emilyrln]

I often have that experience when I watch Mathologer…

[@austinhernandez2716]

I'm getting my BA in music, 5 year in college, and sometimes he throws me off a bit. We didn't study modern music that much.

[@Matuterocks]

I didn't study music formally, but I've learned a lot out of sheer curiosity and pleasure. A lot of what he talks about has to do with "tension". See, when you put two notes together they have some level of affinity together, they could either basically be dissonant or consonant, if you use dissonance you are adding tension, and when you go to a less dissonant sound you are resolving it. So for example, when someone plays a note outside the scale they add dissonance and tension, and when they go back to the root of the scale they go back "home" and it feels good to the listener. Not ending in the root usually implies that there is still more to come. There are more technical aspects but I think if you understand this you will get a better grasp of this and his other videos.

[@Matuterocks]

@@austinhernandez2716 Is it because of the vocabulary or he just straight brings concepts foreign to you?

[@femthingevelyn]

@@Matuterocks I really appreciate the effort you're putting forth, and odds are it's probably at least decent information, but it is like you are speaking a foreign language to me, most of what you said means nothing in my musically untrained brain

[@amandastevens1117]

Supernatural has conditioned me into having an emotional reaction the second I hear this song

[@seashorerumble1380]

It's you and me both

[@yunamchill9169]

It's you and me too.

[@JariSatta]

Winchester

[@SlavoidUkr]

Exactly

[@Azaghal1988]

It's not tears, it's eyesweat!

[@thegreatgambeeno]

The new girl at work just heard this on my speaker and says, "Oh, the Supernatural song" and started singing it, and now I'm in love with the new girl from work.

[@zachlewis9751]

She only knows the song from Supernatural. It’s not worth it.

[@guyincognito5663]

Meh, I didn’t even know some show used it.

[@whitedogblues09]

So you fell in love with her because you also like "Supernatural"?

[@thegreatgambeeno]

@@whitedogblues09 yes, and I am okay with her not knowing all about it. Not every person younger than me is going to know the music I grew up with, and that's okay. It's about finding a spark to start the fire. We can nerd out about Supernatural. It's a start.

[@mihneazoican2479]

Let us know when you hit, king

[@rruhland]

We went from making the emo kids cry to making the Supernatural fans cry. I wonder who’s next!

[@p.g.v.3765]

emo supernatural fans:

[@dudeman5303]

I was waiting for a supernatural mention, I didn't think it'd be the 3rd comment I read though lmao

[@dudeman5303]

I guess it was the 2nd if you exclude 12tone's own comment.

[@moonglaive]

My s/o out this on very loud while I was in the other room to see what I'd do. Apparently, barreling into the room while yelling, "did it win?! Is there a SPN reference?!" was the correct thing to do.

[@chair547]

pretty sure the last 10 seasons of Supernatural made Supernatural fans cry

[@emmbeesea]

Ah, a cappella intros, you know how intrigue us. Another go-to example for me is "Renegade" - Styx. Another fantastic analysis of a classic song!

[@WhatSmada]

good example i added this to my compilation

[@ConnorR.mp3]

i love the intro of renegade, it's probably one of my favorite intros of all time

[@TheMister123]

Yep. And yet another one that starts on the second beat of the measure rather than the first. :-)

[@gregoryhenry8464]

I love this song!

[@InfiniteAnvil]

Also Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads

[@doctorsteveb4906]

Between you, Polyphonic and Rick Beato, I've never been so entertained, while being taught so much, maybe ever. Please keep doing what you do. We REALLY appreciate it.

[@NowhereMan7]

How many people are behind this account? First you said "I" and then you said "we". Whats going on here.... ❓🤔🔎

[@doctorsteveb4906]

@@NowhereMan7 I was speaking for the masses. 18 thumbs up votes agree.

[@doctorsteveb4906]

Any Major Dude would understand 😉

[@coachcro7722]

Neely is also really fun

[@doctorsteveb4906]

@@coachcro7722 Love Neely

[@happycamperds9917]

4:36 If I had a nickel for every hard rock song that that was about Icarus, I'd have 2 nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.

[@dhrevrogers]

You need three nickels: Icarus: Borne on Wings of Steel, Carry on Wayward Son, and Icarus II, all by KANSAS.

[@kristofkubina4105]

Not classic rock but there’s also Daedalus from post hardcore band Thrice (at that point they were more of an indie act though) and Icarus lives from modern metal / djent band Periphery. I am sure there’s more I just really love these 2 😊

[@Hambone3773]

Did you just leave out Iron Maiden?

[@amdraglover]

Would you like your nickleback?

[@opaljk4835]

I don’t know if I feel worse for Icarus or for Sisyphus

[@sjdanthem]

Really, really good stuff. The "Icarus" reference is a good one. I'm a lifelong Kansas fan and I am embarrassed that I never really put that motif together with "...Borne On Wings of Steel."

[@paulvillarreal1588]

Shame on you! Turn in your Kansas card! Kidding. That's the true mark of how deep the music is, there's no end to the nuance and discovery. I hear a few different chromaticisms in the isolated riffs that I never picked up on before too. I arranged an acoustic guitar version of this, just because it's a great song, but honestly I'm not a great guitarist, so I look forward to tweaking that and making the way I play it more accurate. Back to Icarus, though. Some my favorite Kansas music!! Both parts 1 and 2! Also, great irony here...for the uninitiated... the song not named for Icarus (Carry On...), is more about an Icarus-like figure, and makes the literary allusion directly....but the songs actually CALLED Icarus, are completely metaphorical and are about WWII pilots. Haha

[@teemusid]

If this is the last song written for the album, then Kerry reused the "moving emotion" line from "Opus Insert," which I always thought was making a callback to "Carry On Wayward Son," not vice-versa. This way , it's more of a redundancy.

[@sjdanthem]

@@paulvillarreal1588 Oh hey, that's cool and makes sense -"wings of steel." If you haven't seen Rick Beato's "What Makes This Song Great" episode on "Carry On," it's definitley a must-see. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJCtoqdved6dg9U

[@sjdanthem]

@@teemusid Hey, nice catch there.

[@wyattstevens8574]

Someone else pointed out "Icarus 2" as well!

[@joshuacervenkamusic327]

I just want to say for guitar players out there, this is a great song to learn. Its not too challenging but because of all the different sections it makes it a really fun tune to play. Plus, it work on a bunch of different techniques. Highly recommend for intermediate players

[@Bone1996]

It's also great for intermediate bass players too. Hope mostly follows along with the guitars, so it's a very fun collection of bass melodies. I'm also just a giant sucker for bassists like Hope/Chris Squire/Geddy Lee who just cranked up their treble and amp gain.

[@gergoretvari6373]

While my favorite genre is modern metal, this song is has a very special place in my heart. I'm a Supernatural fan too.

[@bonecanoe86]

When I was a kid in the 90s, the Classic Rock stations my dad listened to talked about this as the ultimate classic rock song. It was routinely at the head of the annual countdown they used to do on WMGK in Philly. It's still one of my favorite dad rock songs of all time, and Kansas in general is a great band that blends American heartland rock and prog rock in a fairly unique way. Also, it's worth checking out the GWAR cover of this song they did on ADVClub a few years ago, it's an interesting take on the song!

[@yamomwasthebomb7159]

This might honestly be the worst recommendation I've ever received.

[@orionssfl9491]

@@yamomwasthebomb7159 if you listened to gwar's version, just go ahead and listen to NEONI's version to bring you back to earth lol

[@TheEndKing]

@@yamomwasthebomb7159 GWAR is always the best recommendation.

[@ThatFanBoyGuy]

I loved listening to WMGK's Top 500 countdown every year when I was a teen!

[@paxhumana2015]

@@TheEndKing , on this song, no, because if you had a version of the song to choose other than the original one, I would recommend First to Eleven and their cover of the song. One of the news stations was mentioning that group and had an interview with them a few days ago, Fox 9 in the Twin Cities, if I do recall correctly.

[@MightyMinecraft]

My favorite part is when he said, “weird stuff is cool” and drew a bow tie. I see you 👀

[@phoenixfritzinger9185]

I spent years trying to figure out where the Sherlock reference was But I guess me spending years trying to figure out a mystery that is the Sherlock reference

[@jennylovesjoe1224]

*I studied Music Theory for 4 years and THIS video and your execution of literally every single moment of the song, was by far...better, more informative and riveting than anything I learned in those 4 years. The way you presented this was like a performance of a piece of music in itself! So freaking well done!!! (This was my first of your vids and I subbed about 45 seconds in!)* 🎶🎼🎵

[@slushpuppie19]

I think studying Music Theory for 4 days would melt my brain haha

[@jennylovesjoe1224]

@@slushpuppie19 🤣😆😂

[@louishewett2633]

@@jennylovesjoe1224 Please thank a music teacher (even if the theory was a bit dull) for making sure you could understand and enjoy this :D

[@dscarmo]

I doubt you would have the same perception before your 4 year music theory course

[@jennylovesjoe1224]

@@louishewett2633 Oh I did! I loved all of my music teachers! Some of the biggest influences in my life! 🎶

[@tennispromf]

I could've sworn 12tone was gonna hit us with "to keep moving, rise above the noise and confusion and above all, to keep on rocking" *cut to black*

[@p.g.v.3765]

SAME

[@Rubrickety]

Me too, PBS Spacetime style. (I wonder how many crossover viewers we have.)

[@wyattstevens8574]

Or "and above all... carry on." Edit: Never mind- that's almost *exactly* what he did! He did that right before, but I expected him to stop there!

[@heathurban9217]

This song is definitely stuck in my head again.

[@zacharyclemens6313]

Another harmonized Acapella intro is 7 bridges road by The Eagles, such a great song!

[@thegreatgambeeno]

And the "mountain music" song. Many bands who come through the club I worked at used that to check their vocals.

[@benjaminbrockway5998]

@@thegreatgambeeno "Mountain Music" by Alabama?

[@thegreatgambeeno]

@@benjaminbrockway5998 sure

[@WhatSmada]

@@thegreatgambeeno opens with an instrumental - so i assume no

[@thegreatgambeeno]

@@WhatSmada I don't think I've ever heard the recorded version, I just hear it a bit as many cover bands through here with multiple vocals do it at some point, and it sounds great. And now I know the name, and who sings it.

[@lp-xl9ld]

Someone asked me once "If you had to pick one song, and only one, that you'd want playing if you were tearing down a highway at high speed with very little traffic, what would it be?" I only had to think for five seconds before saying "CARRY ON (MY) WAYWARD SON" by Kansas. Now I know why.

[@nihilvox]

It's a strong contender, but I think I might have to go with "The Kid's American" by Matthew Wilder.

[@killerbug05]

"Ghost division" by sabaton for me.

[@pretendthisnameisfunny2197]

Maybe “Danger Zone” or “I’m free” by Kenny Loggins.

[@Genjokoan]

Owner of a Lonely Heart. Do not listen to this while driving unless you want a speeding ticket.

[@lihzzahrdspeed6631]

@@Genjokoan getting a speeding ticket would still be much better than a broken heart

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

6 Riffs in a Trenchcoat is my new prog metal band

[@BassManDan1018]

‘six riffs in a trench coat’ is my favourite genre

[@seashorerumble1380]

How strange. I feel the sudden urge to drive around in an Impala

[@CriticalAfricanThinkers]

🤣🤣

[@yunamchill9169]

And gather up my ghost hunting stuff and save some people.

[@wyattstevens8574]

​@@yunamchill9169Ghostbusters?

[@yunamchill9169]

@@wyattstevens8574 Supernatural

[@yetanother9127]

The transition of the instrumental into the first verse is one of my favorite parts of the song. The loud, dynamic, in-your-face guitar riffs that seem to be almost shouting over each other suddenly dropping away into the clean, steady piano really gives the impression of, as the lyrics put it, rising above the noise and confusion. It feels like flying above a thunderstorm and into a clear blue sky--where before you were surrounded by change and turbulence, suddenly all is still. Or at least, that's how my ear reads it.

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

I love this song! On the subject of complex rhythms in classic rock, I'd love to see you cover some of Rush's music at some point

[@Bubdiddly]

La villa strangiato PLEASE

[@mrz80]

@@Bubdiddly Alex LIfeson said in an interview once that that song took FOREVER to record because they were bound and determined to get it all in one take, no overdubs, no punch-ins, no edits.

[@ospero7681]

5:39 "And that may seem counterintuitive" *draws the Monty Hall problem* I, indeed, see what you did there. Carry on, wayward son.

[@alacnaythegreat1054]

6:53 Alfur being your short hand for "being harder to see" is excellent

[@ltraina3353]

?

[@alacnaythegreat1054]

@@ltraina3353 the elf he draws is from Hilda, a cartoon where he's invisible until you sign a contract with him.

[@TheMister123]

1:12 - Representing The Yes Album by the chair that no one was sitting in on the cover is a nice touch. :-)

[@Armakk]

"To rise above the noise and confusion… and above all…" obv KEEP ON ROCKING

[@Steveofthejungle8]

Another incredible a capella harmonized intro: Shadows of the Night by Pat Benatar

[@WhatSmada]

good example i added this to my compilation

[@BrFAB]

I once saw a strong man in the circus bend a car

[@wingracer1614]

Great song. And a great video featuring a young Bill Paxton and Judge Reinhold.

[@baylinkdashyt]

Ok, now I gotta make an entire album of these...

[@taylorbee4010]

YESS

[@jakelawson1]

Love this. I'm going to go listen to Talking Heads' "Road To Nowhere" now.

[@juanclusellas2566]

This song is my alarm. I've heard it every day for for about 3 years now. Still don't get tired of it

[@emilyrln]

But… but the third line says, "Lay your weary head to rest…" YOU'RE DISOBEYING THE SONG!!!😱

[@yunamchill9169]

I even think I remember having that one too as an alarm. And Heat of the Moment from the SPN Groundhog episode, but that was mostly because of the dialogue.

[@juanclusellas2566]

@@emilyrln not if i turn it off and go to sleep again

[@emilyrln]

@@juanclusellas2566 true. Well-played, Sir. Well-played.

[@awookieandagerman]

Spot on everywhere. I loved your points about rock's interesting relationship with a capella intros (and your examples). I tend to view the last "riff" (the slow rising triplets that end on F major) as a theme, a motif of sorts. Given that Kansas in the 70s was a progressive rock band, prone to writing long, winding compositions with more story based lyrics, I think Kerry Livgren had a natural instinct for including themes and motifs in their music.

[@billribas]

great analysis. this was a pretty big deal when it came out in the 70's. I was never crazy about it, but appreciate it the way you take it apart. I was kind of wishing you drew an elephant skeleton for " carry on (carrion)" but that's me. keep these vids coming, great stuff.

[@thetimebinder]

"That note isn't in the scale." Did 12Tone just discover accidentals and it blew his mind?

[@gregoryhenry8464]

If I knew someone who had never heard of classic rock and I had to pick 10 songs to get them into it, this would make the cut

[@loveloss8590]

I wonder if they didn’t use a ghost piano or guitar for tone reference when tracking this stuff. Have the key board player comp the chords in their headsets and then obviously don’t include that in the final mix. It’s how I would do it.

[@room34]

Yeah, I don't see how there's any way they didn't have reference pitches in their headphones. I wouldn't even be *entirely* surprised if they just spliced the vocal tracks from later in the song onto the beginning. (Yes, I realize how much harder that would be to do in the tape era, but… uh… "In a Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew" have looped/reused sections, and "I'm Not in Love" has some *crazy* tape manipulations for those wordless vocals, so there was a lot that could be done with tape.)

[@bryanirvine6169]

This was back in the 70s, when musicians were truly musicians. Walsh did not need a reference tone, he was just that good. So was Robbie. I like to use Highway to Hell by AC/DC as an example. Play the track from the original release and try to play along with it. You will be off tonally. It is not a tuning down, either. Angus stated they did not tune up or down, it was supposed to be played in standard tuning. The best he could figure is that one person was off, unkowingly, and everyone else tuned off them. True musicians pushing the envelope?

[@space_men_8675]

You just have to have decent pitch memory and then it’s honestly not that difficult. If you practice something enough times, you should be able to recall the pitch no problem

[@romancultist6089]

@@room34 There weren't tuners lying around everywhere in those days. It's more likely each part was counted in with the starting note played on piano... Ya know, the way it was done before pitch correction software.

[@room34]

@@romancultist6089 Why do you think this is not exactly what I meant?

[@ruffnerd]

i like that you end videos with "keep on rockin" because it implies that we've already been rockin and sometimes it feels like i'm rollin instead but i hear you say it and im like "yeah, you're right i have been rockin" thanks 12tone keep on rockin to you too

[@skullys]

I saw Kansas on August 2nd 1978, tickets were $8.00, what a awesome show! I guess that makes me part of the "dad rock crowd", okay, carry on wayward son, oh and nice job on the video!

[@maglen69]

All this analysis and the artist is just like "I was high as f*ck and it simply sounded awesome, nothing more"

[@Drogon7102]

Yeah, this just explaining why it sounds awesome

[@jonpage4029]

Yes you can overthink things. What if we were to do this with an Emerson Lake and Palmer album or Close to the Edge by Yes? We would never be done with it

[@ramfish11]

Carry on 12tone!

[@Alextafur1]

At 20:10 when you started talking about ornamentation around the central note, I actually yelled out loud "like wings!" Really brought the Icarus thing full circle, a wonderful video.

[@mxadema]

I love the way this song can change depending on the situation. From sad to total badass

[@533hornet]

This is one of those songs i wish i could experience for thw first time again

[@TsunamiBeefPies]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It really is a loving dissection of a very inventive and unforgettable song. I felt that while you were talking about the guitar riffs in the "fun part," you concentrated entirely on the notes and how they stand alone. But just as important in making this part of the song so much fun is the interplay of those notes against the bass and drums while the keyboards dance around underneath. It's killer ensemble work, and one of the key ingredients that makes the song so compelling. Thanks for doing this. Though I've never been a huge Kansas fan, it's hard not to like this song. And now I know why!

[@typicalfurry2747]

"Weird is cool" Ah Radiohead, the coolest band

[@Rated314]

I can't hear this song without expecting to see the most lit Supernatural Season recap leading into a season finale

[@1972LittleC]

My wife learned this song from Supernatural and loves it now. Problem is we don't call it Supernatural, but Pudding! (S05E11)

[@MyButtsBeenWiped]

What are you boys doing in here ?

[@MattWinkler1]

This is the song that finally made me pick up the guitar. Every part is just so damn good.

[@bickleyjonas6145]

Yo smack them crispy notes

[@morethen9000]

I'm so thrilled by this video! I wanted twelvetone to create a video explaining the theory behind guitar riffs and I got this, It will definitely help me composing guitar riffs.

[@gabe_s_videos]

I know I'm not a patron, but I'd love to suggest a video about "Fat Lip" by Sum 41. I just listened to it recently and it blew my mind how many different parts that song has despite being fairly "economic" with the amount of notes. I'd say more, but that's your job. :P

[@moonblaze2713]

Guitar Hero famously included songs specifically to introduce people to them. This was that song for me, one I'd never heard before that game. And it was almost magical, experiencing it for the first time by "playing" it. It's been some time since I revisited it. But listening to you explain so much about how it works, even if I don't know music well enough to follow everything. ... Its like reliving that magic with a deeper appreciation.

[@Greg-om2hb]

Maybe your best video yet. I first heard Carry On in 1976, and countless times since then. Heard with 21st century ears, it still takes the listener on an exciting journey. But for someone who might know this song only as an “oldie”, it might be hard to grasp what a revelation to hear it’s debut on the radio: the acapella opening, the huge riffs, the crushing guitar tone, the soaring vocals and guitar solo, and the perfect ending. It was quite unlike anything that had come before, and far heavier than typical charts toppers. Thank you for breaking down the elements that make the song distinctive, and explaining how the interplay between the rhythms and melodies create their emotional impact.

[@masoncamera273]

This is in my opinion one of the most well composed songs ever created; and being from Kansas, it gives me something to be proud of!

[@sopasopasson5563]

I really like these nerdy analys of great songs. You do it so well. Thanks !! It’s a mix of technical structure and how that connects to emotional content.

[@deongeiss12]

It's crazy to think my favorite song was an after thought to the album. I've loved the song my whole life and never knew they hadn't even practiced it before recording. Almost like the crazy learning curve made them kill it in the studio

[@markhalm9889]

This has been in my watch later pile forever but The Elite using this as their new theme song made kick it to the top of the list.

[@bickleyjonas6145]

And did Kerry Livgren think this all out before writing it? No and he didn't need to. In his words: "I just sat down with a guitar and out it came, and one note lead to the next note" ...The inspiration inside musicians just comes out and theory seems to follow after, in the best songs.

[@bwhammm]

That's definitely an interesting point to think about. I feel like it's partly the years of immersion in the craft, mastery of the instrument(s), and musical giftedness coming together to form brilliant songs which sometimes come to be with little apparent effort. And partly it's things being read into it...

[@bickleyjonas6145]

@@bwhammm Yes, and I partly believe there's things artists don't tell us about the songs they write. Because it would spoil the subjective meaning each listener gets from it.

[@Rapidashisaunicorn]

I love this song! Totally not my era, but I think it’s one of the greatest rock songs of all time

[@xyphoidprocess]

Love this song, because of Supernatural. I watched Labyrinth last week and the worm drawing made me smile.

[@michaelrinaldi1911]

I dont even know music theory a little but these videos make me happy well done

[@nathlech919]

After watching a few videos now, I’ve realized that I’ve had to listen to the song first and then immediately watch your video about it

[@jerimow8400]

The musical scientist strikes again! Amazing, insightful and way beyond the abilities of the vast majority of mere humans… musicians or not! Most of us just know we love a good riff! Thank you for sharing your mind blowing perceptions!

[@dannyhood4007]

The riff at 18:22 is duel guitar part harmony, probably quick overdub in studio. I’m sure you already know this.

[@nacoran]

My old band used to do a cover of Molly's Lips with an a cappella intro (and then I played harmonica mostly following the vocal on the verse and as harmony on the chorus). Worked really well. Sounded sort of folk-punkish.

[@giantpinkcat]

Hear me out: "Understanding Two Trucks"

[@connorshea9085]

+

[@wingracer1614]

Understanding Derek Trucks?

[@josiahebersole740]

Name drop for Songs from the Wood made me happy lol. Hopefully you put out another Jethro Tull song analysis, as the Aqualung analysis is one of my favorites from you!

[@Pakanahymni]

I'm not even sure I've ever heard the original, but I've heard the Guitar Hero 2 version countless times.

[@michanowak7060]

Legendary vocal intro? Let the bodies hit the floor Let the bodies hit the floor Let the bodies hit the floor Let the bodies hit the... (tss tss) FLOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!

[@jeffreydebuck1224]

This man reminds me why I got out of music class in middle school

[@DumblyDorr]

Growing up (90s) I never knew"Carry on"... but Kansas *were* still known for "Dust in the Wind", which was seemed to be the most popular before retro-rock came back in style.

[@sudantarescosmonautics9422]

I love this song so much. Carry On also appears on DT's The Big Medley song together with Pink Floyd, Queen and Genesis as well.

[@douglasklekar4015]

You should do hawaii part 2, I think it is a good album that tells a nice story with some interesting music choices

[@michaeltaylor6118]

There is so much I love about your analysis of my favorite songs, I could never express it all. To pick out just one thing: I love that you are left-handed, like me.

[@miameramusic]

I saw the video for "Fight Fire With Fire" when I was a kid. That was the first Kansas song I ever heard, I had no idea they were around before the 80's.

[@lev7509]

Great analysis! Perhaps one of your best that I've seen! I'd actually peep in that the tempo speeding up could've been 100% intentional, not as a byproduct of lacking rehearsal time, but to enhance the raw emotionality of the first verse. Impatience may very well be part of it.

[@ollikiel1997]

Very well made video as always (and also good job on your sudoku puzzles)

[@lindsaygroves9188]

Im a classical musician, not compositionally creative, and this is fascinating & incredible! Thanks!!!

[@iamSkiidd]

The production and mix is so tight (especially the drums and keys) I would have never guessed this was all done as a last minute effort. As much as I'd love to credit the engineers, I'd like to think that's a testament to the musicianship

[@BonaparteBardithion]

I know this song is guitar riffs heavy and the video can only be so long, but I kept waiting for you to mention the organ. It's a near-constant presence acting as a response to every riff and punching energy into every space between and finishing phrases. It even gets its own counter riffs later in the song.

[@jeannod5534]

Exactly !!

[@DrummerTF1]

Kansas is one of my favorite bands, easily one of the best ever. Don’t really listen to this song much just because I’ve heard it so much, but still an awesome video nonetheless!

[@christophergarmon3655]

Dude...Getting ready to teach my AP Music Theory class this morning and I finally clicked on this mammoth (21 min!) video, thinking I could grade papers as it goes along. And now, I have no papers graded and have to scramble to get ready for class because I was mesmerized! Great job, even if this one does not end up doing well. It'll be one of my favorites. I'd show it to my class, but I'm afraid these babies would not know the song...

[@p.g.v.3765]

21:00 i was so convinced you were going to drop the "keep on rocking" right there

[@DaedalusYoung]

Instead, he carried on.

[@chilecayenne]

Another WONDERFUL presentation. I don't know music theory, but I learn a little every time I watch your content. One thing interesting you said that COWS was their #1 hit. I loved the song, grew up with it...however, I always thought their biggest hit was "Dust In The Wind"....? At least when you mention Kansas the band, that's where my first thought of one of their songs go... (Hint, I'd bet that would be interesting for you to analyze)...haha. Thank you again for a great video!! Have a great day. CC

[@stevencolborne6845]

I am an engineer. I love your videos. It makes me feel like there is science to music. I realize you have studied this for years, but I wish there was someplace to start learning.

[@michaeltaylor6118]

I have never heard (nor SEEN) music theory explained so well. THANK YOU!!!

[@R-Tech]

kudos for the last airbender reference, made my day!

[@baconpancakes5353]

I keep coming back to watch these videos, and still I have no idea what he's saying. Keep up the good work

[@jakobdiehn6596]

2:28 wise words! i think that goes for life in general

[@weldin]

Also wanna shout out to the drumming in this song. Considering how last minute this piece was, it perfectly complements the syncopation and changing rhythms of the song.

[@chrisegg7936]

I'm only (only...) in my 30s but this has been one of my favorite songs since I was little. It wasn't until a few years ago, when I set it out to fully learn it on guitar, that I even noticed that outro riff because I was always focusing on the solos! I just assumed it was gonna be powerchords or something simple and now it's one of my favorite riffs of all time. I give them a lot of credit for coming up with this and having the restraint to keep it til the end of the song and not play it 400 times.

[@felixsmittick9128]

I absolutely adore Kansas and love this song.

[@keithpage4139]

Weird how this works but Kansas is my all time favorite band and Thank You 💕 for doing this.

[@joesalkeld3472]

Love the little Sideways cameo!!

[@alejandroalvarez5755]

Finally, hace been waiting for someone to talk about this song

[@treyebillups8602]

Fuck why does this song hit me right in the feelings. Especially the chorus

[@neekerbreeker]

I've been listening to rock music for several decades and had no idea until now what I was missing! This was my first listen to your channel and I've subscribed. Great info presented in a fun way (love the art!) Thanks ❤️🎶

[@LJBevensII]

Great explanation and as a musician for many years, inspiring for me to learn more. This is yet another example of the true genius of Kerry Livgren.

[@augmentedfourth]

I did this song as part of a marching band halftime show in high school (about 25 years ago). It was really awesome to march to all these interesting phrase lengths.