As pre-teenagers Geddy's parents met in a ghetto in 1930's Starachowice, Poland. Their families were first imprisoned in Auschwitz before being transferred (separately) to Bergen-Belsen and Dachau. After the liberation his father would be reunited with "his Manya" at a displaced persons camp. They were married soon after and would emigrate to Canada settling in the Toronto suburbs where Gary/Geddy would be born soon after. His grandma was also a survivor and it was his Gran, in her thick Yiddish accent trying to call out "Gary!" that it came out "Geddy". It became "Gary's" nickname while he was in junior high school and he just stuck with it as his stage name adding his middle name Lee professionally. Tioraidh an-drasta 🏴
"Red Sector A" is the name of the observation area where Rush watched the launch of the space shuttle Columbia in 1981. They were so awe inspired by that event they wrote the song "Countdown" for their 1982 Signals album.
Been listening to this song since the 80’s…never made the train connection. Excellent observation! Always hearing Rush like it’s the first time. Thanks guys!
I am a huge Rush fan and have seen them MANY times in concert. I feel they play for the song, they shred when they need to, and hold back when they need to, you play for the song, not the ego. They know they are good, they don't need to over play on every song, this style fit the style of music at the time and is a snap shot of that moment in their evolution as a band. LOVE this song!
Electronic drums and synth bass. Geddy plays keys throughout live shows. Alex plays sparsely to reflect the bleak storyline including his solo. Well worth watching a live version...very powerful
Top notch analysis, guys. I appreciate someone not being lazy and mailing in their reactions with empty superlatives that we get to witness over and over. Keep it up!
Their most 80s album...the "fair weather" fans were jumping ship around this time...I never gave up on them and love this record and I believe this is their best cover art...
1984 Chicago at Rosemont Horizon. I remember it like it was yesterday. They only got better. I really appreciated that they never stagnated with their music. It was always different.
I remember buying this album and being disappointed in it at the time but to call me fair weather may be inaccurate. I just did not "get it" at the time because of where I was in my own personal life. Up to that point, I had connected with their music on so many levels. Looking back several decades later, I feel like, "what's not to get?" I was simply in a different world at the time. What I have always loved about Rush is that no matter how many times you listen to their music, there's something new to pick up; whether it be something they do instrumentally, lyrically, or in the message. It's why there has never been a point in my life where I could not sit and listen to their music for hours. One of the few consistencies in my life.
Yes my dudes, it has been a minute since we heard from RUSH! 😊Absolutely enjoyed all of your comments and analysis on this one. I was fortunate enough to experience this at a couple of RUSH concerts. There was actually a live string section playing along with the band on this one the last time I saw them! It was very powerful. BRAVO 🏆🏆🏆.
Neil interviewed Geddy's mom and then wrote the lyrics. Geddy's parents met in a Jewish Ghetto, they both were sent to different consentration campus and found each other again after the war.
The live version of this song on their "A Show of Hands" album is BANGING! Even if you don't make a reaction video I highly recommend listening to that version, but a reaction video would be greatly appreciated 🙂🙂
Neil wrote the lyrics for Geddy's parents. It's a tribute to their courage. I love all the periods of Rush, and even the synth era is amazing to me, although I prefer the harder guitars. Geddy was interviewed about this point in their career. Alex had become disillusioned because his guitar had been pushed to the back. A different interview that I can no longer find said that Alex had told Geddy to "Get rid of the synthesizer or I'm gone!" In the interview Geddy said he guessed he "took it a bridge too far." I can't remember if it was the next album, but soon after they reduced the prevalence of the synth. But in any event, these interviews show what great respect they had for each other and why Rush lasted so long. None of the members wanted anyone to be unhappy and always tried to respect everyone's feelings.
Neil and his bandmates never shied away from tackling the tough subjects, and here are a few more examples of that: Distant Early Warning, also from Grace Under Pressure, includes lyrics on Cold War tensions and environmental degradation; Manhattan Project from their subsequent album Power Windows, for which I highly recommend their performance from the A Show Of Hands video, is based on the events surrounding the development and deployment of the first atomic bomb; and Red Tide from their 1989 album Presto carries an important message on climate change. Great reaction; looking forward to more! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
Some people comment almost entirely on the lyrics on this song. You included the musical decisions that the band made on making this piece. I find your approach to be of higher value.
Saw my heroes 36x and this song was great live with the lasers and all , when they first did it live. But after seeing it about 10 times in a row I wanted to see another song. But they did what they wanted to do and they love that song obviously . The electric drums were new to Rush & geddy just playing keyboards on the song was a lot for people to digest at the time and I knew a lot of Rush fans left about that time. I stuck around and listened to the growth and the maturity. They obviously became better by experimenting. PS great job guys on your channel.
Love you guys. Not only do you love my favorite band RUSH, but you're father and son. As a single dad of 3 kids (2 sons, 1 daughter), love that you do this together.
A couple points on this song: Neil was using newly acquired Simmons electronic drums, there is no bass guitar in or on it, it’s a syncopated bass line he triggers and adjusts as the song is played. As for Alex he’s covering a lot of area in it with rhythm, lead, and texture to haunting imagery of Neil’s lyrics. It’s deep, dark, depressing AND a actual historically accurate description of what human beings went through are capable of AND other humans ALLOWED to happen.🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎹🎤one of their best, most often song played in concert from that album.
I saw Rush play this track live in 2002, I was on the floor level and yes it was a massive sound including the bass (synth bass sequencing only, no bass guitar).
Stick with me, this a bit longer than your run of the mill reactions, but this a RUSH reaction and I’d give them all the time they need, for giving us the best music year after year for our entire lives; at least mine anyway. You've got to realize that this version is either a fan choice, or one you chose at random which in truth is an ‘older’ live recording. There are not spring chickens, so now, for 35 of the past 40+ years, Geddy would sing this song much higher with no breaks or changes; the changes are there so Geddy can give us the best performance that he can, regardless of time. In the vocal is he is trying to hit all the impressive notes that he could on the album cut. You really need to listen both Permanent Waves or Moving Pictures, with came out much earlier. Just a few years ago he could hit almost anything he wrote in earlier albums. But, there’s no stopping or going back... One big challenge was, they at least tried to play songs similar to the album cut, and as the years roll by they find themselves in their sixties trying to play something you wrote over 35+ years ago. If you want to dive down that wabbit hole, (god, I hate these sayings...Rabbit What?) The album should be better than good and when it was new, back in the day; the most amazing thing was listening to the album cut and winding up at a RUSH gig and seeing them pull off the exact magic that they had displayed flawlessly on the album. Geddy is Really giving you last amount of his breath to try and match the songs of the past; problem is the human body has a time clock in that gives you at least an idea you’re going to be able to do this ‘thing’, whatever it may be. I was introduced to 2112 as my first RUSH experience and I was hooked. These men are gonna pass on sooner or later but I believe them when they say, from a very early interview where the boys are about 20 ish’. I know he was being sincere when Geddy was asked… how long can you keep this going? His reply was, “as long as were standing”. RIP Neil, yes. But is it the end, 2 of the 3 of us are ‘still standing’ so we’ll have to take them for their word. Marty
Hey guys, since you mentioned it, check Natural Science from their 1997 tour.....you've done the studio version, but this one beats it by far....the guitar is just mind blowning....I can see your son pulling his guitar and shades while listening... won't regret it. Keep it up guys, great team. A breaking bad "salute"...
This is when Peart started messing with electronic percussion on this album and a lot of his drumming went into new experimentation. And I love his hi hat work this period. This song much is Neil on his old hexagon Simmons electronic drums. If you can see it played live this song is best imo
Neil wrote the lyrics and they are relevant towards the horror of the encampments during WWII. The synths are driving and Geddy is not playing any bass guitar. It’s all driving synths. Neil is playing electronic drums which were new technology back in the early to mid 80’s. Alex plays an awesome chordal based-solo using a pitch shifter that has an elusive sound.
Grave Under Pressure is my favourite album out of the synth era. This song is very haunting and poignant. Neil had interviewed Geddy's mum for this song. Unfortunately, you barely hear Alex anymore. Even when you do get a bit of a solo it doesn't stand out, it blends in with the synth. Alex was ready to leave the band that he started because of imbalance but fortunately, the guys worked it out.
Yes! Finally moving to the era where Rush become composers and poets, not just musicians. I can guarantee you that when Alex is playing on this song and for the next few albums is almost more difficult to master the way he does, than any straightforward riff from the 70's is. His playing became very... specific. He wasn't adding notes just to fill empty space since they have keyboards now, so his playing actually served more of a storytelling purpose. This isn't something Yngvie or Eddie would even have ben capable of doing on their best days...
There is a YT vid of this song, where a person took scenes from a WWII video to follow along with the lyrics. It's a must watch it you get the chance. I'm pretty sure Neil wrote the lyrics for this song. In regards to Holocaust survivors, I believe in interviews Geddy referred to this parents as being survivors. Been awhile boys look forward to more Rush. Look forward to hearing some of your jams, Cheers.
So powerful this one, but certainly dark given the subject. You guys need to hit on another one from this record Between The Wheels but do the R-30 live video version. You won’t be disappointed. You also need to hit some tracks from their next record Power Windows which is pretty much an uplifting record. Try Grand Designs, Marathon, Middletown Dreams. By the way the drum sound. The drums used here were electronic, which in 1984 were very new and Neil was very hesitant to add them to his kit at the time.
Back in the day, I had a friend who had grand parents in Auschwitz. He found this song hard to listen to. Sooo, speaking of trains. Porcupine Tree - Trains. The live is best. This is Gavin Harrison, #1 drummer in the world. Steven Wilson a musical genius. Legendary progressive rock band of all time.
Starting in the early 80’s with Signals, Alex chose to not be constantly be ripping fast guitar solos. He is very textural and cleverly compositional instead on lots of Rush songs going forward, with occasional ripping solos.
For me the harsh, slashing rhythm Alex lays down sets an equally harsh tone that matches the harsh reality of a concentration camp. It always hit me as really heavy. It's a great, well written song both lyric wise and musically. Well done reaction to it as well.
also note during the bridge/solo Neil's drumming becomes more staccato and scattered... the hats and toms over the 4 on the floor. GIves the sensation of random bursts of gunfire and ricochets all around.
Here's the video. It has scenes from the Band of Brothers. I think this song was more about the words and meaning than the music. czcams.com/video/BZ-jHBHhOFQ/video.html
Good reaction guys but way too many Floyd references here. Rush and Pink Floyd are to me very very different let's cut back on the floyd stuff this is Rush not a Floyd wanna-be. I would give you 3 stars out of 5 just because of that ok!✌
As pre-teenagers Geddy's parents met in a ghetto in 1930's Starachowice, Poland. Their families were first imprisoned in Auschwitz before being transferred (separately) to Bergen-Belsen and Dachau. After the liberation his father would be reunited with "his Manya" at a displaced persons camp. They were married soon after and would emigrate to Canada settling in the Toronto suburbs where Gary/Geddy would be born soon after. His grandma was also a survivor and it was his Gran, in her thick Yiddish accent trying to call out "Gary!" that it came out "Geddy". It became "Gary's" nickname while he was in junior high school and he just stuck with it as his stage name adding his middle name Lee professionally.
Tioraidh an-drasta 🏴
"Red Sector A" is the name of the observation area where Rush watched the launch of the space shuttle Columbia in 1981. They were so awe inspired by that event they wrote the song "Countdown" for their 1982 Signals album.
Been listening to this song since the 80’s…never made the train connection. Excellent observation! Always hearing Rush like it’s the first time. Thanks guys!
I am a huge Rush fan and have seen them MANY times in concert. I feel they play for the song, they shred when they need to, and hold back when they need to, you play for the song, not the ego. They know they are good, they don't need to over play on every song, this style fit the style of music at the time and is a snap shot of that moment in their evolution as a band. LOVE this song!
Neil wrote it and even interviewed Geddy’s mom so it would be accurate
Electronic drums and synth bass. Geddy plays keys throughout live shows. Alex plays sparsely to reflect the bleak storyline including his solo. Well worth watching a live version...very powerful
The live version from the Grace Under Pressure tour video is really excellent! Check out the song live!
Top notch analysis, guys. I appreciate someone not being lazy and mailing in their reactions with empty superlatives that we get to witness over and over. Keep it up!
Their most 80s album...the "fair weather" fans were jumping ship around this time...I never gave up on them and love this record and I believe this is their best cover art...
1984 Chicago at Rosemont Horizon. I remember it like it was yesterday. They only got better. I really appreciated that they never stagnated with their music. It was always different.
I remember buying this album and being disappointed in it at the time but to call me fair weather may be inaccurate. I just did not "get it" at the time because of where I was in my own personal life. Up to that point, I had connected with their music on so many levels. Looking back several decades later, I feel like, "what's not to get?" I was simply in a different world at the time. What I have always loved about Rush is that no matter how many times you listen to their music, there's something new to pick up; whether it be something they do instrumentally, lyrically, or in the message. It's why there has never been a point in my life where I could not sit and listen to their music for hours. One of the few consistencies in my life.
Yes my dudes, it has been a minute since we heard from RUSH! 😊Absolutely enjoyed all of your comments and analysis on this one. I was fortunate enough to experience this at a couple of RUSH concerts. There was actually a live string section playing along with the band on this one the last time I saw them! It was very powerful. BRAVO 🏆🏆🏆.
In my book this album is my favorite, great songs and a different side to Rush talent.
Neil interviewed Geddy's mom and then wrote the lyrics. Geddy's parents met in a Jewish Ghetto, they both were sent to different consentration campus and found each other again after the war.
One of my favorite songs by RUSH, great lyrics.
The live version of this song on their "A Show of Hands" album is BANGING! Even if you don't make a reaction video I highly recommend listening to that version, but a reaction video would be greatly appreciated 🙂🙂
Neil is using the electronic portion of his drum kit for this song. Thus, you hear the different effects, echoes, etc.
Neil wrote the lyrics for Geddy's parents. It's a tribute to their courage.
I love all the periods of Rush, and even the synth era is amazing to me, although I prefer the harder guitars. Geddy was interviewed about this point in their career. Alex had become disillusioned because his guitar had been pushed to the back. A different interview that I can no longer find said that Alex had told Geddy to "Get rid of the synthesizer or I'm gone!" In the interview Geddy said he guessed he "took it a bridge too far." I can't remember if it was the next album, but soon after they reduced the prevalence of the synth.
But in any event, these interviews show what great respect they had for each other and why Rush lasted so long. None of the members wanted anyone to be unhappy and always tried to respect everyone's feelings.
One of my favorite Rush tunes, since it was first released
Also - this is the first album when Neil began using electric drums.
Neil and his bandmates never shied away from tackling the tough subjects, and here are a few more examples of that: Distant Early Warning, also from Grace Under Pressure, includes lyrics on Cold War tensions and environmental degradation; Manhattan Project from their subsequent album Power Windows, for which I highly recommend their performance from the A Show Of Hands video, is based on the events surrounding the development and deployment of the first atomic bomb; and Red Tide from their 1989 album Presto carries an important message on climate change. Great reaction; looking forward to more!
🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
Some people comment almost entirely on the lyrics on this song. You included the musical decisions that the band made on making this piece. I find your approach to be of higher value.
Saw my heroes 36x and this song was great live with the lasers and all , when they first did it live. But after seeing it about 10 times in a row I wanted to see another song. But they did what they wanted to do and they love that song obviously . The electric drums were new to Rush & geddy just playing keyboards on the song was a lot for people to digest at the time and I knew a lot of Rush fans left about that time. I stuck around and listened to the growth and the maturity. They obviously became better by experimenting. PS great job guys on your channel.
Love you guys. Not only do you love my favorite band RUSH, but you're father and son. As a single dad of 3 kids (2 sons, 1 daughter), love that you do this together.
Check out the live clip of this song from the Grace Under Pressure Tour - you'll get a great visual on the percussion work Neil is doing in this song.
A couple points on this song: Neil was using newly acquired Simmons electronic drums, there is no bass guitar in or on it, it’s a syncopated bass line he triggers and adjusts as the song is played. As for Alex he’s covering a lot of area in it with rhythm, lead, and texture to haunting imagery of Neil’s lyrics. It’s deep, dark, depressing AND a actual historically accurate description of what human beings went through are capable of AND other humans ALLOWED to happen.🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎹🎤one of their best, most often song played in concert from that album.
If you've ever seen Neil's later drum sets, there's regular acoustic set and electronic drum pads. He's playing the electronic pads in this song.
If you want "darker", check out the last song on the album, "Between the Wheels"! Rush gets dark on that song!
Monster monster song
the lyrics are so sad but heart felt and spot on Niall wrote it and there is no base atoll in this song and the drums are rototoms
This song is serious. SERIOUS 🔥
I saw Rush play this track live in 2002, I was on the floor level and yes it was a massive sound including the bass (synth bass sequencing only, no bass guitar).
Neil is playing an electronic drum kit. Geddy is playing they keys. Lyrics are by Neil.
Guess who invented the electric drum 🤔 Carl Palmer. Look it up….. most underrated drummer ever✌🏼❤️
Stick with me, this a bit longer than your run of the mill reactions, but this a RUSH reaction and I’d give them all the time they need, for giving us the best music year after year for our entire lives; at least mine anyway. You've got to realize that this version is either a fan choice, or one you chose at random which in truth is an ‘older’ live recording.
There are not spring chickens, so now, for 35 of the past 40+ years, Geddy would sing this song much higher with no breaks or changes; the changes are there so Geddy can give us the best performance that he can, regardless of time. In the vocal is he is trying to hit all the impressive notes that he could on the album cut. You really need to listen both Permanent Waves or Moving Pictures, with came out much earlier. Just a few years ago he could hit almost anything he wrote in earlier albums. But, there’s no stopping or going back...
One big challenge was, they at least tried to play songs similar to the album cut, and as the years roll by they find themselves in their sixties trying to play something you wrote over 35+ years ago. If you want to dive down that wabbit hole, (god, I hate these sayings...Rabbit What?) The album should be better than good and when it was new, back in the day; the most amazing thing was listening to the album cut and winding up at a RUSH gig and seeing them pull off the exact magic that they had displayed flawlessly on the album.
Geddy is Really giving you last amount of his breath to try and match the songs of the past; problem is the human body has a time clock in that gives you at least an idea you’re going to be able to do this ‘thing’, whatever it may be. I was introduced to 2112 as my first RUSH experience and I was hooked. These men are gonna pass on sooner or later but I believe them when they say, from a very early interview where the boys are about 20 ish’. I know he was being sincere when Geddy was asked… how long can you keep this going? His reply was, “as long as were standing”. RIP Neil, yes. But is it the end, 2 of the 3 of us are ‘still standing’ so we’ll have to take them for their word.
Marty
Hey guys, since you mentioned it, check Natural Science from their 1997 tour.....you've done the studio version, but this one beats it by far....the guitar is just mind blowning....I can see your son pulling his guitar and shades while listening... won't regret it.
Keep it up guys, great team.
A breaking bad "salute"...
This is when Peart started messing with electronic percussion on this album and a lot of his drumming went into new experimentation. And I love his hi hat work this period. This song much is Neil on his old hexagon Simmons electronic drums. If you can see it played live this song is best imo
Neil wrote the lyrics and they are relevant towards the horror of the encampments during WWII. The synths are driving and Geddy is not playing any bass guitar. It’s all driving synths. Neil is playing electronic drums which were new technology back in the early to mid 80’s. Alex plays an awesome chordal based-solo using a pitch shifter that has an elusive sound.
Killing it... as usual
Did you know that one of the drummers that he looked up to was Carl Palmer 🤔…..
Grave Under Pressure is my favourite album out of the synth era. This song is very haunting and poignant. Neil had interviewed Geddy's mum for this song. Unfortunately, you barely hear Alex anymore. Even when you do get a bit of a solo it doesn't stand out, it blends in with the synth. Alex was ready to leave the band that he started because of imbalance but fortunately, the guys worked it out.
Yes! Finally moving to the era where Rush become composers and poets, not just musicians. I can guarantee you that when Alex is playing on this song and for the next few albums is almost more difficult to master the way he does, than any straightforward riff from the 70's is. His playing became very... specific. He wasn't adding notes just to fill empty space since they have keyboards now, so his playing actually served more of a storytelling purpose. This isn't something Yngvie or Eddie would even have ben capable of doing on their best days...
There is a YT vid of this song, where a person took scenes from a WWII video to follow along with the lyrics. It's a must watch it you get the chance. I'm pretty sure Neil wrote the lyrics for this song. In regards to Holocaust survivors, I believe in interviews Geddy referred to this parents as being survivors. Been awhile boys look forward to more Rush.
Look forward to hearing some of your jams, Cheers.
So powerful this one, but certainly dark given the subject. You guys need to hit on another one from this record Between The Wheels but do the R-30 live video version. You won’t be disappointed. You also need to hit some tracks from their next record Power Windows which is pretty much an uplifting record. Try Grand Designs, Marathon, Middletown Dreams. By the way the drum sound. The drums used here were electronic, which in 1984 were very new and Neil was very hesitant to add them to his kit at the time.
Back in the day, I had a friend who had grand parents in Auschwitz. He found this song hard to listen to. Sooo, speaking of trains. Porcupine Tree - Trains. The live is best. This is Gavin Harrison, #1 drummer in the world. Steven Wilson a musical genius. Legendary progressive rock band of all time.
Emerson Lake and Palmer live Montreux jazz festival 1997 Tarkus. They came b4 Rush…..
Y’all should react to Nazz - Nazz, that was their debut album. Todd Rundgren’s first band. Fkn incredible first album. Holds up to this day
Somewhat of a tribute to Geddy and Alex' parents who spent time in concentration camps during WWII
Starting in the early 80’s with Signals, Alex chose to not be constantly be ripping fast guitar solos. He is very textural and cleverly compositional instead on lots of Rush songs going forward, with occasional ripping solos.
Great reaction and commentary!! You should check out Afterimage and The Body Electric. See what you think.
For me the harsh, slashing rhythm Alex lays down sets an equally harsh tone that matches the harsh reality of a concentration camp. It always hit me as really heavy. It's a great, well written song both lyric wise and musically. Well done reaction to it as well.
also note during the bridge/solo Neil's drumming becomes more staccato and scattered... the hats and toms over the 4 on the floor. GIves the sensation of random bursts of gunfire and ricochets all around.
Alex really started to shine as of this album. He was always a Great guitarist, but with this album, he started using it to tell the story too.
song about holocaust . Geddy Lee parents was survive to holocaust .
Having said that check out a Carl Palmer drum Solo✌🏼❤️
Neil is my favorite drummer but Carl Palmer so great also and so underrated!!
Neil's drums are never just adequate. Watch it live.
Search Band of Brothers - Red Sector A. Well worth watching.
Here's the video. It has scenes from the Band of Brothers. I think this song was more about the words and meaning than the music. czcams.com/video/BZ-jHBHhOFQ/video.html
Neil plays synthesizer drums. Amazingly Geddy doesn’t play any bass in this song. All keyboards. This is a top 10 best Rush song for me.
Geddy not playing bass on this song
I actually like how they mixed it up in the mid-80s. Geddy alternating between keys and bass. Sonically they became very samey in the 90s.
Good reaction guys but way too many Floyd references here. Rush and Pink Floyd are to me very very different let's cut back on the floyd stuff this is Rush not a Floyd wanna-be. I would give you 3 stars out of 5 just because of that ok!✌