THE TREES: The most cleverly crafted rock song of all time, in my opinion. They use the trees as a metaphor for humanity and depict the battle between the haves and the have nots in a way that takes neither side, only tells the story. It is left to the listener to decide which side is right, if at all. True art does not pick sides, it only generates the thoughts and emotions within us in an attempt to expand our understanding.
The last line is the most important “And they were all kept equal by hatchet, axe, and saw” I see this as people that fight amongst themselves sometimes would rather see both sides destroyed than find a way to be peaceful together
@@odintillgren3212 You are correct. It's like what they want today. Everyone to be equal. But real life isn't that way. RUSH saw this coming and wrote about it.
As a Canadian who grew up listening to RUSH, I love how you actually listen to the lyrics and appreciate the underlying meaning of the words! I love your reactions!!!
You're right! This is a song about the evils of capitalism & the anarchy (not kowtowing to the status quo) that should follow to regain our (the. Maples) freedom.
@@green917 the song ended with a forest of maples of equal size enforced by cutting down any other that grow taller. I think you missed the mark. It's not a happy ending.
@@green917 Wow, you really missed the mark on that analysis. Neil Peart was into Objectivism when he wrote this song. This song is about inequality sometimes being caused by innate traits rather than oppression (the oaks are bigger than the maples not because the oaks are oppressing the maples but just because that's how they're built) and the evils of trying to enforce equality regardless (at the end they're kept equal by hatchet, axe, and saw, AKA they're cutting the oaks down to make them the same size - if your objective is equality at all costs and you can't make the maples taller, then you chop off part of the oaks instead). If anything the song would be pro laissez faire capitalism because the whole thing is about how government interference in people's lives leads to more oppression than you'd get if you just left everyone alone.
@@chriswhinery925 Yeah Neil might have been a moderate p*$$y but I love this song because the elites need to be checked with hatchet, axe, and saw. That is the only way they will treat the maples better. Boo hoo for the Oaks, so sad.
As a lifelong Rush geek these videos are so much fun to watch, seeing the raw reaction to their songs for the first time. Their live concerts were incredible to experience. There will never be another rock band quite like Rush. Neil Peart was a brilliant mind and each of them pushed the limits of their instruments to the extreme. Fittingly, each member of the band was presented an honorary PHD in music from a university in Canada several years ago. The metaphor behind The Trees is classic libertarianism although later in life Neil Peart described himself as more of a "bleeding heart libertarian" which is apparent in many of their other songs. Love the videos!
Jamal, I am thoroughly addicted to your channel. Trees by Rush was an excellent choice and I love your reaction to this video. Keep spreading all of your happy energy, it's contagious and it makes my day. Thank you!.
The trees are definitely a metaphor for what's going on in the world. Rush writes the soundtrack to Our Lives. They somehow considered every single one of us when they wrote their music....
As a Rush fan, one of the pleasures of life is sharing and interacting with others that recognize the talent of this Canadian trio. Your reactions, not just to a drum fill, a guitar riff, or a bass groove but also the lyrics, fills me with the satisfaction that people still acknowledge musicianship and craftsmanship. Thank you! If you are still on the lookout for more Rush, please let me recommend: Territories Mystic Rhythms Animate One Little Victory Malignant Narcissism (instrumental) Headlong Flight On a side note, you have mentioned in many of your videos that you were raised on Hip Hop and R&B. I have often thought that in our appreciation of you experimenting with new music, we could return the experience. Perhaps you could create a video of artists and groups (hopefully ones we have not heard of) that you grew up listening to and that you think we would enjoy. The beauty of music is sharing with others. Maybe with a little luck, we'll create reaction videos with a shout-out to you. Thanks again!
Rush is incredibly difficult to pick a favorite album but I have to say this is in the top three. The music is so progressive on Hemispheres that it has always stuck out for me as well.
@@crackedbrainOG Totally agree! It is very difficult to number your favorite albums up through Signals for me anyway. They had that on facebook once. Somebody had Geddy do his favorite nine in order. My list was almost his exactly. But it took me about three times to say...ok that's it!
You are an absolute doll. It's been decades since I heard some of these Rush songs for the first time. And now, for reasons that I can't even explain, it's been decades more since I've heard them at all. I'm totally enjoying "rediscovering" them with you. Great channel. ♡ Back in the day, we scoured every inch of album covers and record sleeves, sometimes these big, 3- section, fold out things, with lyrics, notes, and artwork, band photos and various witticisms. Do the kids still do that today? Lol. I'm old.
1978. 16 yrs. old at my first Rush concert. Hearing and seeing them do this album live I will never forget it. And when they did this song the crowd went nuts!
same! I remember getting my hands on these albums after hearing 2112 at my best friends. Wanted to see them at the Texas Jam in '78 I believe, but my parents were old school and didn't think that was a good idea. Took me several years, but caught them in San Diego first time for the Power Windows tour.
good to see someone reacting to "the trees" hardly any of the people doing reactions, and Rush songs, ever listen to trees. enjoyed it. another great one never reacted to is "by Tor and the snowdog"
paul stewart no perspective of the band. Just wow factor. I'm starting my own channel to dive in to the aspects of why these bands are freakin awesome...Too many reaction tools just sitting there having no idea of the musical talent that these people play..I'm starting my own channel...F these non musical people that have no talent.... ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻
@@warmoth68 I think it's laudable for you to start a channel dealing with the deeper aspects of these bands that most don't think about, but your last comment wasn't cool. I myself have played 4 different musical instruments, but not everyone has the talent...yet without those people, these bands wouldn't get far. You have to have the fans, musically inclined or not. It's not good to just dismiss them because they have little to no musical ability.
So do you think that the hatchet Axe and saw is referring to three different types of government so it really doesn't matter the trees are just the people that live under that government?
@GoHF22 except some socialist programs help. You just can't let anything get too extreme. It's winter...the socialist snow plowing will help on the roads.
I’m really LOVING your reactions to this, as well as many of the other songs I’ve listened to and loved for decades!!! Bless your heart for making me smile & laugh today!! I needed this!!
The masters at work. Pure artistry with amazing execution, musically and lyrically. Just mind blowing devastation. They had no peers. Best Rush track ever. I know, I say that for every Rush song... But Dude!! Thank you so much for this one
I cannot believe that I remembered every single word of this song!!! It was one of my favorite Rush songs back in the 80’s in high school!! Thanks for reacting to it man. Just wow
I absolutely LOVE your reactions to RUSH❤️❤️❤️. You have a true appreciation for their genius!! I’ve been going to see RUSH since the 70’s. I’m a somewhat rare female RUSH fanatic!
Nah. The fact is that there are different kinds of people and we all have our lives. No point in blaming everyone else. A maple is just a maple. It's a beautiful tree. Some people are just beautiful people, but they get all SJW-y, complaining that others are bigger than them. Yeah, of course they're bigger. They're different people with different lives. People need to accept who they are and realize that the whole world isn't out to get them.
This is the first band i saw in concert, 1977, on my birthday. And even though i sort grew up listening to this band from then on, i still do not think i could give a reaction like you do, if it were the first time i heard this. That kind of boggles the mind . Keep up the good work :)
Love your station. Rush is my favorite band for the past 45 years. Going on this Rush journey with you has allowed me to experience Rush like I did with my childhood friends. Thank you again
Sometimes Trees are just Trees - - but each person interprets it their own way. For me, the main point is that when you try to make all equal, you assume that the low will be lifted up, but in this instance the high were cut down ... improving no one. Even without a message, it's a great song ... love the feel of it.
At the end when they say they were kept equal, it was not just the oaks being cut the maples were cut as well. Remember even within the maples there are some maples taller than others.
Jamel you are the only reaction channel I watch, stumbled on your channel by accident when I saw that you were reacting to "Rush" Subdivision in my feed a favorite song of mine and feel you come across as the most authentic in your critiquing of music from a time you did not grow up in or know at all and is not music that in the ignorant world we live in today where people assume all black people listen to rap, R&B and hip-hop music only and that is where our music palette begins and ends. It's refreshing as a person of color who also listens to everything from classical music, opera, international music, disco, pop, rap, R&B, hip hop, Adult contemporary, alternative music, all forms of rock and hard heavy metal music, you are helping people know that there are people of color who can listen to everything as well and critique and hear and appreciate or not a specific genre of music and not have to like or hate everything in a specific genre but maybe just a song in that genre. Keep keeping it real in your critique of everything in a song from lyrics, musicianship, video and vocals and I would like to give you a list of songs that I couldn't find in your library so if you haven't done any of them then I hope you will consider a critiquing of all or some of these artist pre-2003: Amanda Marshall: Beautiful Goodbye live ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rIO9GglPqvk.html (this version is best) Korn: Falling Away From Me or Freak on a Leash (official videos only very artistic); Evanescence - Bring me to life, My Immortal or Lithium; Jann Arden: Unloved, Good Mother, Seventeen, Insensitive; Heart: Barracuda or Crazy on You live (Live is best from the 70's and 80's as the guitar riff opening is done by the lead singers sister who is a true musician and talented); Journey: Edge of the Blade, Feeling that Way or Who's Crying Now (Steve Perry is the lead singer nicknamed "The Voice" a talent of his time); No Doubt: Just a Girl; K-os: Man I Used to Be; Anita Baker: You Bring Me Joy Live (live version is best from the 80's);Police: Wrapped Around Your Finger, Every Breath You Take, Don't Stand so Close to Me or Roxanne; Sade: Pearls Live (current performances); Peter Gabriel: Biko (Live version ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hIyuzXn1Jkw.html or from Free Mandela concert 1988 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dAjv7QCQkzw.html); Simply Red: Money to Tight to Mention (liver version from the 80's or 90's); Gowan: Criminal Mind (original video as it is artistic and so 90's); Jessie J: Technoogy (no video but this live version is best ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e7iNvFeSLBA.html); Radiohead: Creep (lyric version best); Sarah McLachlan: Fallen, Path of Thorns, Fear, Do What You Have to Do (not sure if there are videos or live performances lyric version may be best these songs are super deep on the emotional level) Sorry for long list but I hope you find something in this list that you will enjoy and will also surprise you
Jamel, I just subscribed a few days ago because your playing so many classic songs that I grew up with and watching you hearing them for the first time, man, it's so awesome because that's the same feeling I got. Im from Long Beach and love my rappers, you know we're deep, but I also love my rockers who also drop lyrics! It's a good thing to free your mind!
@@murderface15g13 I believe I read that was what Neil Peart meant when he wrote it. Is that incorrect? Just checked. Apparently that was someone who assumed the song was another song based on the writings of Anne Rand. Apparently it was about a cartoon that Neil once saw about trees.
I love the way Alex starts this this guitar solo... so simple... so easy... yet so incredibly amazing sounding and instead of serving himself he serves the SONG.
Wow.. great analysis... honestly did not think of the song structure the way you described it... you have opened up Rush for a long time fan my friend.
Hey Jamal, everytime I listen to a Rush song or even better every time I play Rush Music, I have goosebumps. I'm 50 years old and listening and kicking my ass to Rush Music since my early 13. Lots of REACT people on RU-vid, but not a lot of them understand and feel it like you ! I have watched mostly all your RUSH react video, keep it up you are really great and funny over it ! Love what you do !
THANK YOU, NATE!!👌💜 GREAT song selection. LOVE THIS!! What other group can sing about trees, grab your attention, and have you rocking out...over a battle of the trees?!! Seriously great song!!🥰✌
These days we can really see this song in action on many levels. Oaks grabbing all the light, Mapels not happy in there shade. Oppresion, then equality by force.
Thanks Nate! Jamal you vibe cool and warmly. I was a drummer since 8 y/0 and always loved Neil's lyrics as well. Did an oral report on the lyrics of this song for English class @ 15. RUSH are/were outcast progressives and I felt their sincerity mixed w intricate, dynamic chord and time changes. Thank you man.
Jamel, Like all of their songs the subject is usually a metaphor for something about the human condition. In this case it's a statement about human inequality in all its forms.
Love that stanky face smile stuck on your face when experiencing each Rush song. Waiting for you fall or jump from your chair when they hit ya hard on the solos and strange sounds they incorporate into their music. Loved this Thanks. Killer song.
Been in a rabbit hole of your videos for about an hour now. So glad you've done some Rush! If you haven't heard it yet the HOLD YOUR FIRE album was incredible - Open Secrets, Mission and Lock and Key are some stand out tunes that go DEEP.
You are amazing! I love every one of your videos. I have only once before left a message on RU-vid but I cannot help from leaving one for you. You are a phenomenal critic and always give great feedback about the song you were listening to. You are the Siskel and Ebert of music; however, you always have a positive stance on everything you listen to. Please keep making more videos for I truly enjoy watching your channel.
Trees are symbiotic. Oaks are natural and don't oppress. Period. So trees would be a bad analogy for any bad inequality. No the warning is against bad laws which upset a perfectly good natural balance which some maples aren't happy with.
@@skidancin in this song the oaks are clearly oppressors. they monopolized the light. they even ponder why the maples arent happy living in shade instead of light. the maples rebelled, and cut them down to size(quite literally). now all the trees can get light. it's like making laws forbidding religious indoctrination in public schools. it's a good idea. the only ones who oppose it are those who want to indoctrinate children in public schools.
I have always thought the last line was the most telling. The rest of the song could be about any conflict in general where there is a group that is being oppressed by another, be it civil rights, income classes, or even at work. But that last line, it HAD to be planned. To me, it has always had a little "be careful what you wish for" taste to it because once you are equal, you are now judged by the same standard and will ultimately be subject to the same consequences as alluded to in the last line where all the trees got cut down. I may be WAY off here, but that's what it spoke to me about.
But the oaks are not oppressing the maples they are just living life and using the gift god gave them and the maples are jealous instead of using their own gifts to pursue their own happiness Socialism leads to communism and finally totalitarianism We haven’t learned a thing from the 20th century It’s sad
As I get older I look at this song differently. When I was in my teens, I was like mannnn they did a song bout trees *hits bong*. Now, at 40, It can go 50 different ways. Really powerful lyrics
It's the same tought I had in first but it can be interpreted in different level. National, or international too (countries of the north over countries of the South)
I just look at it as Ayn Rand would see it to determine what meaning Neil was putting into it We will never hear Neil talk about again because of controversy people put on it
If you want to truly understand Rush's music, especially this song, you have to read a Novella by Ayn Rand titled "Anthem" ( it's about 3 pages if I remember correctly ). Rush's records were produced at first by Anthem records, and one of their first popular songs was titled "anthem" so you see the reference again and again through out the bands history. The story centers around a young man who is "cursed" by being smarter, stronger, and in general more alive than those around him in a world where conformity is the law. He chooses instead to turn his back on society, to go out on his own and celebrate his individuality by not being bound to the limitations of what those in power said he should be. This idea is reflected ominously in the last line of the song. "The trees are all kept equal by hatchet, ax, and saw". This says nothing about the Maple's attempting to reach higher, instead it speaks of forming laws to limit the Oaks. Anyone who has seen a full grown Oak tree will tell you they are about three times the size of a full grown Maple. In the name of conformity the Maples want to cut away two thirds of what God gave to the Oaks so they don't have to feel inferior. You see this today in modern society where every player in the league gets a trophy so no one feels left out. The converse of this is that no one, no matter what talents they were born with or worked really hard to develop, is allowed to feel special. This ultimately leads to a cold ,dead,apathetic society where what's the point in striving for more when all around you are those who don't want to strive for more, they want you to have less? The song "Subdivisions" also warns of the dangers of conformity "Be cool or be cast out" You will find this thread of Individualism and self worth woven through out their music. After the first part of the song you said something about it being "deep". I don't think you realize how right you were.
It's a matter of survival, not laziness. I recognize your view point and it depends on those not in power, not born into wealth, to be lazy and unwilling to work to better them selves. I'm so sorry that you see others in this way, but your way of seeing others is only correct for an extremely small number of people. Most people are willing to work for what they want to own, but there are many people in situations where they work several jobs and still don't make enough to get out of poverty. It's honestly almost impossible for some to improve their lives through their own hard labor. Please try not to judge those less fortunate than you. You never know what responsibilities they have, such as taking care of their own children as well as a sick or disabled adult. Medical bills can break a hard working, well educated family and our system is designed to make it hard to break out of one's social class. The middle class has been under attack by the powerfully wealthy foe many decades and we are being wiped out.
John you missed the point. Not trying to be rude but we all go through hard times but that doesn't mean we can't be individuals and learn how to thrive without the people who haven't figured it out yet to pull us down.
Thank you for your reactions, nicely done. This song Got me one night October 2004, As always I understood and appreciated Neil's lyrics, Geddy getting it right and such a great band. R.I.P. Neil. I play in a band that started playing this song back in March-ish 2021 and was amazed at how difficult the bas part is. I love this song, Love to play it with my favorite Drummer, Brian - In the Zone Man.!! I love being locked to a great drummer! Cheers!!
You are 100% right, the three of them produce more music than bands with twice their number. The layers and layers of melodies and countermelodies and syncopated percussion is unrivaled in the rock music world.
That's a very talented woodpecker at about 3:10 in that interlude Jamel ! Love that you're covering one of the greatest band that ever was, or will be, RUSH ! Keep 'em coming
If you take a magnifying glass, and look at the album 'Caress of Steel' closely at the back side, you can make out different things in the waterfall and the tree. Check out out!
