I interpreted the song as a kind of an anthem about shedding the inhibitions that keep you stagnant in life. Overthinking things, rationalizations, getting stuck in analysis paralysis, as in nothing will change unless you show up and subject yourself to the randomness of the universe, ride the spiral, etc.
It's also about spirituality......"Swing on the spiral of our divinity, and still be a Human". It's recognising that we are spiritual beings having a Human/physical experience. He goes deeper into that idea in Parabola.
It's a 9/8 8/8 7/8 progressive time signature because 987 is one of the fibonacci numbers. Just incredible the amount of detail and layers that are in this song and most Tool songs for that matter. Spiral out, keep going!
I don't believe it's because it is one of the Fibonacci numbers; since lyrics were written afterward, I don't think the band would have had that concept in mind while writing. At least, I have never seen it confirmed. That's just extra overthinking by some Tool fans 😂
@@ChaseVonnegut to illustrate your point “The time signatures of the chorus of the song change from 9/8 to 8/8 to 7/8; as drummer Danny Carey says, "It was originally titled 9-8-7. For the time signatures. Then it turned out that 987 was the 16th number of the Fibonacci sequence. So that was cool." From the wiki about the song.
Sound the dread alarm! Through the primal body! Set the revellie to be or not to be! RISE! Stay the grand finale! Stay the reading of our swan song and epilogue! ONE! DRIVE! TO! STAY, ALIVE! Elementary! Muster every fiber! Mobilize! STAY ALIVE! No better war cry ever written.
"Swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human." The song is about being present to this life while also trusting your intuition to guide you into a higher spiritual plane.
Tool are masters of their craft for sure. I have been a fan since I saw the Sober video on MTV. I get to discover them all over vicariously through these reactions 😊. Also, I have learned so much from reading the comments. The Tool Army is awsome.
7/8,8/8,9/8 swing time signature. You should check out the video Danny does with Paiste cymbal company. He plays this song on a kit made of brass. Pay extra attention for the gong!
I view this song as a story of one's life. The beginning sounds similar to a heart beat - feels like an ultrasound on a mother. Then birth happens and we're thrust into the body of the song. Lyrically, this is where they use the Fibonacci sequence (count the syllables) to establish the idea of a spiral - but hidden. At this part of the song, we are stuck in youth - dominated by our left brains, out of touch with the flow of life. At some point there is spiritual awakening, and that's when the song get's chaotic. We learn to incorporate this divinity and "swing on the spiral" - that is, we begin to flow with life instead of analyzing it constantly. And honestly - we don't know where this spiral will go or where it will end. It pulls us daily into the unknown, into the adventure. This song is (in my opinion) Tools Magnum Opus. Their album artwork changes as well with Lateralus, they start using Alex Grey's work which has a much more psychedelic / spiritual flair to it. If you're looking for more tool, I think Invincible (off their most recent album) is a good next visit.
Tool are a band I think any musician can appreciate, like Yes, King Crimson, Weather Report, don't have to become a huge fan of any of those bands to truly appreciate the musicianship, songwriting and rhythmic mastery.
Are you a musician? I've been going to see Umphreys McGee and King Gizzard lately bc I think they're the tightest bands playing rn. Umphreys is a band full of incredible musicians but their name (I think) makes people push away 🤷♂️ They do some straight rock, jazz, a couple bluegrass-y tunes, super progressive songs, etc. They even did a record of mashups that was cool, if for only to do something totally different. I love bands that can do every genre.
🌀 out…. Keep going…. They started with the idea to make a song that sounded like it was collapsing in on itself…. Check out Right in two… the middle part of it will be the history of war from sticks and stones to nuclear interpreted into music 😂
Ah, you did Lateralus. This Fibonacci in his vocals is astounding, spiral out. If this is all your daughters band choices I like her style. I'm quite eclectic myself. I wonder if you have both listened to Olsen Olsen by Sigur Ros and there is The Polyphonic Spree for something different. Zappa was always an old favourite for me
From that album, Schism was a single. Parabol is the intro to Parabola. They have to be listened one after the other. The grudge is the opening song. You're also missing The Patient. And for me, near the end of the Album, there are three songs that must be listened in order. Disposition, Reflection and Triad. The total is way over 20 mins, but it's outer space music. This album is Tool's Dark Side of the Moon
I’m really enjoying your reactions. I’m waiting for you to get to my favorites from them. Here’s my list. Right In Two, Tempest, Descending, Pneuma and Chocolate Chip Trip. Chocolate Chip trip is all Danny Carey doing an instrumental, but it’s my go to on my surround sound system cranked up.
Not only do they use odd time signatures, but in the quieter middle Danny is opening and closing his hi-hat on the triplets, whilst playing 4/4 with snare and bass. Then the guitar and bass guitar come in and play WITH the hi-hat triplets while Danny carries on with his bass and snare 4/4. As a drummer I've no idea how he does that. He does something similar towards the end of Eulogy.
@@jrgdrumsandwatches ahh yes, you're right it's in 5. Still mind blowing how they all don't get lost, they must be tuning the other instruments out. Or the interaction between all the time signatures creates a distinctive polyrthymic pattern that keeps them on track. But I can't hear that.
@@Markhypnosis1 absolutely, I'm a drummer and listen to Tool for over 20 years and I guess it took me several years to understand what's going on there. The song is a masterpiece on several levels.
@Markhypnosis1 I saw an interview with Adam and the host asked him about just standing almost completely still on stage while they're playing and what that's about. Adam said something along the lines of "I'm having to concentrate really hard and count non-stop so I know where I'm at in the song." Lol I always thought that was great because I'm sure it would be easy to drift off for a second and the rest of the band has just left him doing whatever.
Justin uses a Digitech Bass Whammy pedal in this song to achieve that low pitch pulse that starts at around 8:15 of this video. That pedal is also featured in several of their songs. The intro and outro of Right In Two, Schism, Third Eye and Eulogy. Possibly on Disposition??
How many people have mentioned the fibonacci sequence and the way this song was written yet? 😂😂😂 But anyway ye Watching you smile through this whole video made my day. You can listen to this song for 10 years and hear new things every time. Amazing and great reactions. Can't wait for more.
Some songs should be listened to as one piece - Parabol/Parabola, Intenson/Right in Two, Lost Keys/Rosetta Stoned, Wings for Marie 1 and 2. I also recommend the studio and live versions of Pushit. Really enjoying your journey.
Very cool channel! You seem like a person with wisdom(also other than just musical), and just generally enjoying different styles :) edit: aand most importantly, genuinely enjoying and doing videos! I see bright future for your reactions :)
I heard Maynard say on Joe Rohan that this song came together by accident without the Fibonacci sequence in mind. I think he’s bull shittin but he can get that.
Tool fans & army are listeners on a whole other level. We are thinkers; critical thinkers & deep thinkers. If you don’t get the vibrational messages in their songs, you simply haven’t reached the Tool level yet
@@ErolReacts The fact that the song is written within the boundaries of the sequence while not sacrificing the message is what makes it special. Verse 1: Black (1) And (1) White are (2) All I see (3) In my infancy (5) Red and yellow then came to be (8) Reaching out to me (5) Lets me see (3) Just a little explanation of what’s occurring. If you look up the lyrics you’ll be able to realize the pattern. Great video btw
I think you would really dig Slow by Black Midi, they debuted in 2019 and are one of the most exciting bands of this decade so far, inspired by the likes of King Crimson and Frank Zappa
Yup, the syllable count is using the fibber-nacho sequence. That's a fun fact. Maynard had the idea while his anus was itchy. He started scratching in the fiber-richly sequence, and magic was born. True story. I'm kidding. Let me be silly! Seriously though, I assume others have seen the Danny Carey interview on Beato's channel? That dude. Geesh. Maynard's a force. Right In Two and Jambi and Vicarious from 10,000 days are some choices for you, Erol. I'm glad you're enjoying Tool, 'cause I do too.
I see that I’m a bit later to mention the Fibonacci sequence but I think it’s a fascinating way to look at songwriting, I’ve used it myself for some of the Instrumental ideas I’ve had and must say the results can be stunning compared with what I’ve done before! I think for Tool it was an interesting step for them to take, it’s a great song!
