Zeppelin Fan REACTS to Greta Van Fleet - Heat Above

In this episode we will be listening to 'Heat Above' by Greta Van Fleet. Opening track to their third album. The Battle at Garden's Gate. Or TBAGG as some have come to call it... Heh heh...
*It has just come to my attention that today is D-Day. The day that my grandfather, (and many of yours as well...) on his BIRTHDAY, stormed the beaches of Normandy. A pivotal battle in WWII. No coincidence, NO surprise, that I 'just so happened' to get to start reacting to this particular album.*
Musically, I really enjoyed this song, but I feel even the music takes the back seat to the overwhelming importance of their lyrical message. Which is essentially the epitome of our calling here in this life of humans being. To enlighten those arounds us who tend to get caught up in lesser important things that results in taking away the positive experience that this life is truly meant to be!
Please comment below your thoughts on my reaction/analysis of the beautiful concept of the lyrics in the 'Heat Above'.

[@shotgunndunn]

kzbin.info

[@TheRobe-]

Here we go!!!!!

[@Badmmajmma]

No matter how many times I listen to this song, I still get goosebumps. Josh’s vocals are just awesome. I am excited to go back on the TBAGG journey with you.

[@MsZepfreak]

This is what i love about GVF. Their message is alway Love, Peace and Unity and its exsctly what this world needs. This particular song is a fave of mine, i love the message it sends. Thanks for your reaction, its always informative and honest.

[@robertoamodei1919]

For me, one of the Best song of last 20 Years,

[@danni.tx87]

YES!!! We are on to TBAGG!

[@davidgena2667]

As epic and cinematic an album imaginable. A true masterpiece of sound. And to think this is only their second full length album. A stunning musical achievement. Welcome to the Peaceful Army.

[@thehighcouncil662]

One of the best albums of the last 20 years. Couple absoute beauties on this album

[@janzawislak7728]

I am so glad you started with the the first album and are working your way through the entire story. Most people dont take the time to unerstand their message, they randomly pick a song. Thank you shotgun!

[@PriestessOfNothing]

I nearly cried when I heard him sing about The Peaceful Army for the first time lol This is still my go-to song, when I've had a total shite day and just need the love and positivity that is pouring out of this song. The band is giving us this gift, of finding the beauty in the world, in each other, and in ourselves. And we must pay it forward. Some of us forget, or never got the memo at all somehow. But where there is love, we must live on...where there is not love, we must provide it. 🫶🏼

[@user-ej1ls6ub5y]

I am 68 yrs old and I grew up listening to all the great bands. My daughter turned me on to GVF an it transported me back to my childhood. I found you on first reactions and let me tell you that I really enjoy your videos.

[@shotgunndunn]

I feel the same. I’m a second generation 60’s-70’s music fan. But it was still the soundtrack of my childhood. I know exactly what you mean. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you for your support! Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!

[@jordanyoung170]

Amazing song and it gets better with every listen. This entire album is incredible

[@dylancole1910]

This a whole album blows me away, just.. you can hear the vocal and musical shift, and also just improvement over all in everything they do. It’s amazing. I can listen to any of these songs and just close my eyes and forget I’m on earth. It’s definitely not a grounding experience. I love this song because the instrumental parts mostly, Josh’s voice will never disappoint, but the way this song was arranged is just beautiful. Every time it comes on my playlist I end up re- playing it more than once. 😄

[@benbarrett6163]

Finally! You’re really going to enjoy this album.

[@rebeccathomason5004]

Oh, there are lots of videos to accompany this album due to the fact it was done right at the beginning of the pandemic and they couldn’t tour. They spent their time doing videos for the fans so you may want to check them out. Heat above, Age of machine, and the candlelight sessions are a must!!!

[@mariahkaminsky4247]

I saw this live at the first "Dreams in Gold" show last year in Kalamazoo...they opened with it and Josh's mic went out...the crowd took over and it was during the "peaceful army joining the band" line...it was so very perfect to hear the peaceful army singing Josh's lyrics to him/for him. I will never forget it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/opyac4mhZa2Igck

[@gayle8153]

It made me so proud of the Army, it brought tears to my eyes, seriously!

[@sandifulmor8327]

When I saw the video that it happened I felt so bad for them, but then saw everyone singing and how they guys handled it and it made my heart happy!

[@NukeTheBunny]

That must have been just amazing to be part of. 😃 I’m 65 have just saw them live in Ireland. There is something magical about this band. I don’t remember a band ever making me feel as elevated and happy as this band does.

[@kptlt.phillipthomsen5973]

The music video takes this from a 10/10 to an 11/10

[@jsloan024]

Not a bad song on this whole album. Epic!

[@dazeebean2064]

I'm so excited that you're taking the time to actually LISTEN to their albums, they've definitely grown and have defined their sound throughout the years. So many great tracks on TBAGG I can't wait for the other reactions 🙌

[@shotgunndunn]

Their music is worth taking the time! Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!

[@dazeebean2064]

Oh I definitely have!!

[@susanyoung6632]

Morning Shotgunn! Excited for this album 👍🏻

[@billzimmerman5464]

You are definitely a member of the Peaceful Army!

[@Hannahk00]

The songs of TBAGG are all connected to tell a story (surprisingly) about a battle and the loss following the war. The lyrics are all beautifully written

[@rebeccathomason5004]

Josh is brilliant as a lyricist! Love love love this album.

[@tracyroberson72]

I am so excited that you are finally here!! TBAGG is one of the best albums ever! It is a masterpiece. I can't wait for you to see them live! They are amazing! I can't wait for you to experience The Weight of Dreams live! Fingers crossed they never stop playing this! I am 59 years old and have seen a ton of shows (fortunate enough to see some of the greats!) and these guys will not disappoint. Their talent & energy is unbelievable! Thanks so much for starting at the beginning. After you've listened to the studio versions, you'll have to check out some live versions. The entire Red Rocks concert is really good and their candlelight sessions is a must. Especially Heat Above & Broken Bells.

[@jikim8238]

Yes, finally the album of all albums ❤

[@maryjennings2297]

So excited you are reviewing The Battle at Gardens Gate now!😆 Go back and listen to Josh belt out La-la-la, la-la-la, la La-la-la, la-la-la, la!!! Soooo Awesome 👏🏽 🙌🏽😄

[@sandifulmor8327]

Saw them in Allentown last October and they opened with this as the curtain came down,thought I went to another realm! This is one song I could here over and over and never get tired of hearing. Josh is a genuine poet, it’s amazing.That’s the beauty of how he writes, you come to your own interpretations and they are never wrong.

[@matthewfleming1000]

Transcendent song! So well constructed and performed. Incredible. Def heavy rush vibes along with most of the album. And while I like zep so much more than rush, this album does not fall off but builds off of their previous efforts.

[@katerinahulkova4382]

As you mentioned how they've grown as songwriters, here's a fun fact - Heat Above is actually a much older song. Pre-From the Fires. You can find early live versions of the song from 2016 and 2017 on KZbin, with different lyrics and with Josh struggling a bit. He's definitely mastered his vocal technique since then.

[@katerinahulkova4382]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH6mYWSgrZKEZq8&ab_channel=GRETAVANFLEETLIVE

[@shotgunndunn]

Be that as it may, I guarantee all of the nuances of their parts that they play evolved quite a bit since the song’s initial conception. Thanks!!

[@katerinahulkova4382]

​@@shotgunndunn Definitely. The studio version is much more mature. My point is, it seems they started developing "their own sound" much sooner than many people think. Broken Bells is another song that has its origins in 2016.

[@graceallen6304]

I love your interpretation of and commentary on the meaning of this song, which is my favorite GVF tune. That is their message - peace, love, and unity. I am eagerly awaiting your reactions to the rest of Garden’s Gate!

[@gayle8153]

I love that you seem to be hitting squarely on their intended meanings in their songs. It’s validating to hear positive reactions to Greta’s music and talent as opposed to so many people on social media who just for whatever reason seem to want to keep the negativity going. I don’t know, maybe those people just aren’t on the same wavelength?

[@josephpagano7612]

"I dont even own a shotgun.... yet" hahaha. Love this album it only gets better

[@canuckereh9202]

Brilliant song.

[@shotgunndunn]

Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!

[@robertoamodei1919]

Etereal song, totally....

[@j9andphoenix]

All who embrace GVF are part of the Peaceful Army. I love this song. Beautiful. Do you watch the clips of the songs? The clips of theirs are all gorgeous. I am into visuals with songs and if you have not watched it - please do - not sure if you know this about them but when they started out they met Elton John who suggested instead of doing the shirts and jeans thing they do something that is uniquely theirs. I am so glad you are getting started on this album. Looking so much to you doing the other songs. Light My Love is beautiful. Would like to know what other bands you like. It is lovely to close your eyes and let GVF's music wash over you. And I know why the caged bird sings.

[@Ohio45545]

This whole album is Stellar!❤All 4 of these young write lyrics,music and each contributes to the beauty and power of each song.

[@toddneeley9587]

Well done

[@michelleparenti854]

This album is so different than AOTPA that I wasn’t sure how you would react. You are in for quite a ride with TBAGG. When I first listened to this album I could only describe the sound as more “full” than previous ones. 😂. Thanks for the education. What is your musical background?

[@shotgunndunn]

I was the first musician in my family. I’ve never met two people who LOVED music SO much but didn’t play any instruments. That was both of my parents. I grew up on ALL of the great 60’s and 70’s music. Mostly rock. But not exclusively rock. I was born in 1981. It wasn’t until around 1992 that I heard MetallicA’s ‘Sad But True’. I heard the sound of the guitar and I knew that I needed to be able to make that sound. Shortly thereafter, my parents got me guitar lessons. But only for 6 months. My dad said if you want it bad enough that’ll be enough and you’ll never quit. And I never did. Not long after that I became fascinated with audio engineering. My dad and I were always into car audio so I knew sound very well. I did many science fair projects in school on sound. Water too. So I then began to learn how to engineer the recording of music. I got my first 4 track recorder. The Fostex XR-7. Changed my life forever! Not long after that I got into live sound engineering. I’ve taken a Critical Listening class at Berklee College of Music Online. Not long after my first child was born. Ended up dropping out. Too much on my plate at the time. I’m mostly self taught. I’ve just always had a great ‘feel’ for music. I don’t believe it can be taught. It can be caught though. My parents always REALLY felt music. I guess I caught that. I’ve always analyzed what makes music that I love so great. I tend to err on the less ‘pop’, and more complicated side of things. That’s not to say that music ‘has’ to be complicated. Tom Petty, anyone? Mostly just LOTS of listening and juxtaposing. Thank you for your comment!!

[@mlehook4859]

Wow, shotgun going deep with this one! Love your analysis of the lyrics as well as the musicianship! ❤

[@shotgunndunn]

Thanks! Technically, GVF went deep 😉 and I just told it how I hear it. It was a great song to analyze. I absolutely LOVE the message!!

[@klee8960]

Some of my favorite song's of theirs is, Thunderstomp, Down To the River, Motown Funk, and more, of the first song's they wrote

[@jikim8238]

If you going to listen to broken bells then try the candle light session. It has studio quality but is live and so full of emotion. I know that you prefer the album versions first but this one is the real deal. Promise!

[@LadyOneko]

There's a music video with this one and Age of Machine. You should definitely watch them.

[@shotgunndunn]

Doh! Wish I thought to look for that. I will definitely watch later. Thank you for your comment!!

[@katerinahulkova4382]

My Way, Soon as well.

[@LadyOneko]

@@katerinahulkova4382 Oh yeah, I forget that one!

[@taylorcarroll5608]

God I can’t wait for broken bells 😭

[@nateo2131]

That is not just an organ. It is a Hammond B3 with a Leslie speaker (Doppler effect). I have learned so far that if I hear a music performance including someone who knows how to light up a Hammond/Leslie combination I will like the performance.

[@user-ze1rs3kb4c]

I gotta tell ya, SG, I not only agree with your analysis of the tune, and the observations about the groups songwriting maturity, I really enjoy finding a reaction video that gives an honest opinion about the tune in question. Most of the reactions you find on the toobs now are made by mindless dweebs that bounce up and down screaming 'that's amazing!" or "this group will change my life!" in an insincere effort to please their viewers enough to get a scrip. I'm 63, and like almost everybody, a huge Zep fan. I find Greta's music to be as honest and fresh as anybody I've ever heard. It rocks, it's well written and produced, and totally original. I can't help but feel that the haters calling them 'imitators' have simply become too enamored of their own opinions and memories, and somehow, feel threatened by this upstart group of tweeners from Detroit. This stuff is DOPE, baby! Keep up the good work!

[@shotgunndunn]

Thanks SO much for the kind words! It REALLY means a LOT. Yeah, I can’t even help myself. I like what I like. I don’t like what I don’t like. I tell it how I hear it. For better or worse. I’m glad that you’re liking my channel so far. Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already! Thanks again!!!

[@toniwanserski9257]

This song was actually written years ago. They just had it on a back burner waiting for the right time to refine & record it.

[@adrianarosadacostaoliveira7179]

Essa banda é incrível, Josh é incrível ❤❤❤❤❤

[@shotgunndunn]

Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!

[@dianestmarie3366]

Great review video! I agree that Sam was great on keys. After suffering through the painful overuse of keys in the 80s, Sam brings back the more natural sound keys gave us in early rock and roll years. Such a great beginning to this epic album.

[@gunnelalmge7543]

I am completly in love with this song ❤

[@shotgunndunn]

I really love it as well. The Candlelight Sessions REALLY brought it to a new level!Thank you for your comment! Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!!

[@michaelsmith5021]

Very good Song. These guys are very enjoyable.

[@shotgunndunn]

Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!

[@Raven187FPV]

Great reaction mate. Cheers.

[@shotgunndunn]

Thanks man! Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, Share, and hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!!

[@gayle8153]

My favorite live version of Heat Above is the one where they are all dressed in white but on a stage with lights that look like portholes all around it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmazmoWFfMaDjsk

[@emilianogranados8938]

I would be super curious to hear what you have to say about Stardust Chords by Greta Van Fleet. It is among my favorite songs ever. Its another TBAGG song haha.

[@anitarollins156]

The beginning reminds me of the Moody Blues.

[@Electro_Sabotage]

Oh here we go. So much for notifications. 5 days late

[@shotgunndunn]

Did you hit the notification’s bell?

[@Electro_Sabotage]

@@shotgunndunn yes I did but KZbin hates me

[@michaelsmith5021]

So far their best Panty Drop Song if you will. Solid song for all though. I like it.

[@thomcarey1971]

Can’t get over how much the keyboards sound like Brent Mydland’s progressions.

[@emilianogranados8938]

I would be super curious to hear what you have to say about Stardust Chords by Greta Van Fleet. It is among my favorite songs ever. Its another TBAGG song haha.