Rush - Working Man (REACTION!!!) 

RUSH is my all-time favorite band, stoked you guys love them too.

I've never been a Rush fan but just watching your appreciation of this song might have won me over, allowing me to listen to them with a fresh ear.

I saw them in 72 in my high school cafeteria when I was 14, when they were just another bar band, playing the bar circuit in Toronto, high schools, anything they could book. Cost me $1.25 to get in. Absolutely blew the roof off, and have been a fan ever since. Your honorary Canadian toques are in the mail!

At 58, I listened to this in high school. Seeing your heads bouncing in rhythm to the music takes me back 42 years to my rocking high school days.

Lost In Vegas, don’t know if y’all know this or not, but one of the most amazing things about Rush is that they are a trio. Many great bands are trios, but Rush just has a certain magic about them that just clicks. Geddy Lee on bass, keyboards, and vocals Neil Peart on drums Alex Lifeson on guitar These three are incredible musicians and are highly revered guys. By the way, there is a fantastic Rush documentary called Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage that shows the history of the band. Gotta have some more Rush, guys!! P.S. unrelated, but definitely gotta get back to the promised Jinjer reaction y’all said y’all’d do in your first reaction to them! “I Speak Astronomy” would be amazing for y’all!

History lesson time :) This song was from Rush's 1974 debut album. The most important thing to note here is that the drums are played by John Rutsey, who left the band before their first tour for health reasons. He was replaced by Neil Peart, who remained with the band until their recent retirement. In addition to drums, Neil took over the lyric writing. If you listen to a lot of Rush, you'll notice that the lyrics on this first album are rather juvenile compared to what came later. This song (and the rest of the album) was recorded when the boys were 18-20 years old. As a Canadian band, they were getting no attention from the major record labels, because those labels were all US-based and didn't take Canadian acts seriously (for the record, Heart was also primarily a Canadian band, and I suspect this record label prejudice was the reason they relocated to Seattle). So ... Rush recorded the album on their own dime, and released it independently. Cleveland radio DJ, Donna Halper, somehow got a copy of the album, and played Working Man on the air. It was an immediate hit in Cleveland. As I understand it, Cleveland was having significant economic problems at the time, and there was high unemployment. So this song about being a "working man" resonated with the people there. The success of this song in Cleveland resulted in the record companies taking notice, and the band got signed by Atlantic Records (I think), who re-released the album for widescale distribution. The rest is history. I have contact with Donna Halper through another site, and I'mma send her a link to this reaction video to see if she wants to add anything (and correct any errors in my Cleveland information).

Who’s here after the Villa Strangiato reaction? Our boys LIV have indeed come a long way :)

There’s a story told by Geddy Lee about how they got their start on the radio. Apparently a DJ in Cleveland (probably WMMS 100.7) had to use the restroom and be needed something long enough to cover the time he’d be gone. He saw this record on the table or something and saw the length of the song. He played this song for the very first time ever (I guess nobody had ever played it anywhere else) and when he came back from doing his duty the phone lines were exploding. Geddy has stated that if not for Cleveland Ohio, Rush would not have been heard of and loved coming to Cleveland as a result.

I had the same face as George during that solo (with my eyes closed) and when I opened my eyes and saw George sliding down the chair I laughed out loud 😆😆

Before George mentioned the similarities in the guitar tone between Black Sabbath and this Rush song I had never considered just how similar they really are. Amazing and very true! That acapella singing comment had ROFLMAO!!!

Rush is one of those bands where every one is like top 5 of all time in their own instrument. Amazing band.

This tune speaks to every blue collar, hard working person out there. RIP Neil Peart

10:35 "they're killing our facial muscles and shit." In the heavy metal world we have a term for solos that do that, we call it "face melting."

I LOVE YOU GUYS!! George getting stank-face fatigue! lol Rush, our hometown power trio, awesome. FACT: When this was released in '74 it was getting no US attention until a morning DJ in Cincinnati, a very blue collar working town, threw on a promo copy of this tune he found in the mail. Folks were calling up the station asking when the new Led Zeppelin album was coming out, requesting this tune! It was so relatable to so many ppl on so many levels. Like you George, who couldn't wipe the stank off your face! lol It rose up the charts from there and put Rush on the map. ('Rush'-Beyond the Lighted Stage' awesome documentary) Cheers from 'the 6ix'

That opening riff just sounds absolutely gigantic. Hits you like a train when you first hear it

"You're God damned right!" a few lines in. Welcome to Rush fandom.

You just gave me the best advice for solo guitar ever. Do not forget the groove behind the solo! I totally agree that it is sometimes missing.

Absolute classic tune! You had me rolling with the reaction to the solo. I've always interpreted the crazy soloing as the band putting in their work for the day. Definitely fits the theme! 🤘

Since I am a construction worker, this has always been my favorite Rush song.

Alex Lifeson the most underrated guitarist of all time

Rush - Subdivisions, engaging lyrics, incredible drums, great song overall.

Alex Lifeson is one of the most underrated guitar players EVER!

"Ya goddamn right!", has to be the best immediate reaction I've ever heard.

Suddenly it's 1974 with RUSH's first album. This was just the beginning to the living legend.

I was a Rush nerd in the 70's. This was the leading theory back then. The song has two parts: day and night. The day is the lyrics and the boring repetition of a working man. Goes to work, comes home has a beer and goes to sleep and dreams of how he is much better than he thinks he is (instrumental middle 8th). Then repeats the first lyrics as he wakes up the next day.

My favourite thing in life is watching people who havent heard Rush hear them for the first time. The greatest fringe band ever. One of the best hands down

As a 51 year old Rush fan, I appreciate your appreciation for Rush. You two are very entertaining. Well done!

After saying, "My mom listened to Rush," saying "My mom is cool as hell" is no longer necessary. We knew that. :p

Your reaction to this made me so happy. Especially as a Canadian. Rush is absolutely the best band from Canada

This is from Rush's debut album, which was very much straight-up rock 'n roll. After this album, the original drummer left and Neil Peart joined the band. That's when they really started to go into a heavy progressive rock direction, as Peart was a highly-skilled and technical drummer who introduced complex time signatures and complex musical composition to the band. He was also a gifted and well-read lyricist who added a lot of depth to the band's songs. The band's core audience in the 70's and early 80's was most definitely stoners and rockers though. I guess most of those fans grew up to be kind of nerdy, hence the whole "nerd rock" thing.

"You're God damned Right!" Absolutely hilarious reaction.

Keep these heavy ass riffs in perspective, 1973... It's still heavy. But in 1973 it was groundbreaking. Right along with Sabbath,. I love this reaction. Good choice gentleman.

The reason Geddy's voice works, is it sits above the instruments, allowing the music to shine.

*RUSH SUGGESTIONS* (sooo many, where to begin?): La Villa Strangiato (instrumental...pad the floor, because you're gonna slide right outta those chairs) Red Barchetta Limelight Vital Signs The Spirit of Radio Freewill Natural Science The Trees Subdivisions Losing It Distant Early Warning The Enemy Within Xanadu A Passage To Bangkok The Twilight Zone Anthem Fly By Night etc., etc., etc.....

I am 50 years old, grew up in 80's Michigan, listening to Rush, April Wine and Triumph. I'm also a 25 year cop. Given current events, I'm so happy music can bring us together. God bless you both.

George: "Let this not be hot!!" *first guitar chord* George: "Playlist"

Rush has been, is and always shall be my favorite band. Freewill is one of my all-time favorite songs, period. For what it's worth, check out another stand-out Canadian band from back in the day, Triumph. The song Never Surender was such an amazing piece of work.

I’m so glad you guys looked at another Rush song. YYZ is a great instrumental, but the lyrics make this band so special to me. You mentioned in your Lateralus video how Tool takes a very philosophical approach in their lyrics, and I immediately thought of Neil Peart. He communicates his world view more honestly than any lyricist I’ve ever known. Unfortunately, Working Man was before Peart's time, but I find much of his lyrical content to be even more applicable today than it was in the 70s/80s. I highly recommend Freewill, The Trees, Closer to the Heart, Witch Hunt, and Subdivisions, if you continue to listen to more Rush. You guys are the best!

Ged's voice on this album is classic and epic. John Rutsy's drum beat was perfectly groovy/funky. Alex's guitar tone, total bad ass.

Geddy's voice tone is all incorporated into the tones of all instruments, these men are Master Craftsman of the Art of Music. If it's not "all" incorporated they are not recording it! That's why it works, it's flawless, it's RUSH! #RUSH4Life

As a long time Rush fan, your reaction for a thing of beauty! love you guys! :)

Rush is/was considered a nerdy band mainly because of the sci-fi/fantasy themed lyrics in many of their songs, their technical musicianship, and because they weren't that well known early on. But now that label doesn't fit as much today because what was considered nerdy is more accepted in pop culture, many bands are technical these days (in large part because of Rush's influence on prog rock), and Rush is definitely not an obscure band anymore.

Guys, Geddy sounds like another lead instrument- and he is: lead vocalist. Man that’s maybe one reason it does work so well. Talented man this band’s that way no doubt. Bass and lead simultaneously man. They guys rock!

Opening riffs and lyrics begin....George says, 'Yer god damn right!' priceless and perfect comment! Hilarious!

Alex Lifeson's solo had George melting in his chair 😂

This was Rush's first hit single, and it jump-started their career, all thanks to a program director at a Cleveland rock radio station. Interesting bit of trivia: Neil Peart is not playing the drums; he's not in the band yet.

Alex just rips a patch in this tune. You're right, the best part is at the end when the riff theme comes back. It's just solid song writing. It's exactly what your ears want to hear for a song like this. These guys were geniuses...

“Alex, how many solos do you want? “All of em bud”

Geddy Lee’s voice works because it cuts through the heavy guitar, distortion major baselines and incredible drims. Where everything is heavy and intense and sometimes intricate Geddy's voice stands high above it with a distinct sound that some how works.

Geddy Lee is the lead singer. He said in an interview that his voice couldn't be heard above the music so he had to move to a higher octave to be heard. That's why he sings so high. You should react to Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You."

Alex Lifeson - most underrated guitarist ever... and this is 1974

Rush was a total geek's band back in the 70's and 80's and I was always one of the few chicks at their concerts. The only concert I would go to where there was absolutely no line for the ladies batheoom.

The Black Sabbath comparison is entirely appropriate, IMO. Someone once called the riff to "Working Man" the "best Sabbath riff Tony Iommi never wrote".

It's amazing to me that I always come back to these RUSH reaction videos. The way they just appreciate all the different components like the solos, the rifts, the change ups, or even just the amazing lyrics. My father (RIP) got me into them young and they became our thing. They remain my favorite band and these dudes reactions are priceless to me and I've watched a lot of their reactions to some of my favorite songs. Just in awe and appreciation for their raw views to classics!🖤

Rush is a band of GENIUSES!!!! Probably because the are Canadian lol 💜

2:10 - Ah, I know exactly what you mean, George. Been playing rock guitar since '94 (a shame I have 10 thumbs) but this guitar sound is appealing because of it's sustain (lingering) and warm, overdriven qualities. It's the sound of an overdriven tube amp, more or less. It's raw and powerful, but still preserves the character and natural tone of the instrument. There's lots of mid-range, cuts though the mix nicely, and the gain (distortion) isn't so much that it becomes abrasive or loses clarity. Yeah man, you guys know what's up with great guitar tone! \m/

Rainbow - Stargazer (!!!) Black Sabbath - Heaven And Hell (!!!) Queensrÿche - Eyes Of A Stranger (!!!) P.S. I will not stop suggesting these

you guys are GREAT....I saw Rush play this with the original drummer live in high school!....I even met some very nice girls at that concert....that I still know today!!! PEACE and ROCK from Canada!

You guys were on this Rush “reaction” thing before anyone else. People realize that they enjoy watching “unlikely” fans reacting to a band once scrutinized by all and are now trying to capitalize on it. But you guys had this whole thing down way before 90% of them out there. Kudos for staying the oath and being true music lovers, of all genres!

Hard to believe that just 3 dudes made such amazing music. Rush are legends. Great job guys we're glad you loved it as much as we do l..l, /Salute #FreeThinkers

As mentioned by others, Roundabout by Yes! I will ride and die for this song and band

ALL Rush fans (half the globe!) make damn sure you watch ALL their documentaries to see just how tight their friendship is and what it means to be in a band FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS! I have a giant framed pic of 2112 album cover under glass nailed to the front of my rock n roll museum(bedroom) and it makes me smile,more often than not, every freakin' time I enter my room! Rush's stunning musicianship, coupled with absolute heaviosity and tunefulness......takes your breath away! Saw the Moving Pictures tour-had front row seats and went in a stretch limo, all purchased by my good friends......gotta imagine Heaven must be similar to that!!! I CHERISH EVERY ALBUM, DVD, SHIRT, POSTER, BOOK, MAGAZINE ETC. THAT FEATURES THE MIGHTY RUSH!

Rush is able to get you into the music like few others. It’s amazing how good you feel within seconds of a Rush song intro and forget all your worries.

Im impressed at your observation, groove behind the solo. Its all about the groove pocket.

Amazing to note that Alex Lifeson was only 19 when this song was recorded.

Blessed to have seen them live about 6 years ago, here in OUR hometown of Toronto. They blew my mind. Played Moving Pictures in it entirety and could have been on vinyl instead of live. Note for note just smashed it! Great little vignettes they did as well throughout the show. Amazing band. So much sound and talent in just three men.

NEED something with the Free Thinkers logo behind you ! So cool ! Capt. Kirk also Canadian. Love what you guys do and how you do it, thanks for making me smile....63 years old, white hillbilly...free thinker !

Imagine our boys here reacting to 2112... lol. I'd love to see that next time

RUSH: Geddy, the singer, plays bass and keyboard too. So he will play some bass lines on a pedal board under the keyboard - with his feet - live - while he's playing the keyboard, oh... and singing. peec and donuts

I'm a female LOVES RUSH!!! I LOVE y'all's reactions to this band. You're absolutely right about Geddy's voice. They are definitely some of musicians' favorite musicians. These guys are TIGHT in how well & precise they play.

"What kind of music is Rush? It's RUSH!!!"

Thanks guys, glad that you enjoyed this track, it's one of my favorite Rush track( especially the solo) then La Villa Strangiato. Check it when you can. Excellent reaction!!!

"I could listen to this all day." Well, good, because the guitar solo is coming up.

Y'know… I like a lot of Rush but I gotta admit - I've been sleeping “Working Man”. This shit is *fierce* - I'll take this over “Tom Sawyer” even… Damn!!! 58 years old, and I'm *still* learning

I. Freaking. Love. This. Sh%$!! Good call gentlemen!!.. you both nail these reviews every time!! I really appreciate you guys' videos!!! 🙏🤜🤛🏾🤛🏾

People considered it nerd music back in the day because they came out with caress of steel and 2112 and they had long story based complex songs that weren't really marketable as singles. so if you listened to them in the mid 70s you were probably a music nerd. That being said I'm a music nerd and Rush is my favorite band!

Rush has a spot in a very privileged list of accomplishments. Rush is one of only three bands that have released 20 or more consecutive certified gold albums. The other 2 bands?? The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

This was their breakthrough song in the US, the most amazing thing about Rush was watching them live, Geddy playing the bass while playing syths with his feet, Alex's amazing guitar playing and Neal's out of this world drumming, one of the only bands that sounded even better live.

I would love to see the reaction to "The Camera Eye". It was an overlooked classic from Moving Pictures, Rush's epic '81 album.

*Rainbow (with Dio) - Stargazer* And Rush is simply amazing. If you want to do more Rush, consider Witch Hunt. The message in this song is relevant now more than ever (and I'm also fairly certain that the song will blow you guys away). Another beautiful song is The Garden, which really shows the band's evolution and to me shows everything Rush is about. If you do this, consider doing the live version from Dallas from the Clockwork Angels tour. It's on the official Rush youtube channel.

It’s all about “Subdivisions” man! That is the shit right there dude!!! You guys gotta fuckin do it! And I wish you would do another Maiden reaction to “Wasted Years” the riff in the beginning of the song just hooks you right in 🤘

Anytime Alex starts tearing up a solo, take a step back and isolate what Geddy is cranking out at the same time...ABSOLUTE GODS!!

When I saw them lead of for Zappa this was the only song they had that was played on the radio. The beginning of a journey for me. What a great journey it's been

Do Pantera - Cemetery Gates You guys have reacted to one of their songs (which is one of your most viewed videos) and you seemed to enjoy it, but they have still yet to get a second reaction when many bands you reacted to after them (some of which you disliked) have gotten second reactions

You two are a pleasure to watch. Thanks.

I've been a Rush fan since 1975... Watching you two get the Rush fever out a big smile on my face.

Around the time they did their debut in 1974, they brought the song to a radio DJ in Cleveland who loved it because it went with Cleveland, a factory town. It was something Clevelanders could connect to. The radio station received lots of calls about when is the new Led Zeppelin album coming out. They said no, its by a new Canadian band Rush. Their first albums are Zeppelin influenced to a degree

Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars! It has to come up sometimes :D Thank you for another great video!

I'm a Rush fan. My boy thinks they're terrible, but he made me a mix CD of Rush's greatest hits. It was BLANK!!! lol I had good laugh off that. Neil Peart may be the greatest drummer ever.

Hi guys! Just discovered your amazing videos about a week ago (heard Heart's "Crazy on You" on the radio, watched the RU-vid vids of same, then saw that you had a review/reaction vid of that song, thoroughly impressed of how much you appreciated the "old school rock" musicianship, so you had me hooked!). So then I noticed that you reviewed/reacted to a LOT of mid-late 70's rock (Boston, Journey, Van Halen, and of course - the best of them all - RUSH!). I just have to tell how absolutely COOL it is to see a younger generation totally grooving and appreciating the amazing ("phenomenal" to quote you!) musicianship of the ultimate "Power Trio" that is Rush! Three amazing talented Soloists just riffing off and supporting each other's pieces in each song to created timeless and ultimately enjoyable works of musical art. It's clearly evident how much you're both enjoying ALL of the Rush songs you covered, and that enjoyment is highly contagious! Geddy Lee on bass and vocals (thanks for being so eloquent about how his is not technically the greatest singing voice BUT works so well with their material, and also sung with a LOT of heart and soul!), Alex Lifeson so satisfying on (many) different kinds of guitars, and of course the amazing Neil Peart, not only for his phenomenal drumming and all manner of percussion (including gongs!), but nearly all of the lyrics that really set Rush apart - meaningful, fantastical, and thought-provoking eloquence! And yes, since you mentioned it, there was a time (late 70's-early 80's) that Rush was seen as "not cool" and "for nerds" by many, and of course embraced by those of us that were maybe a little different and therefore put into that "category", as it were. We were drawn to it, not only because it just sounded so amazing, but I think mostly because of its ability to transport us out of daily realities of not being accepted by our peers INTO amazing fantasy-laden, Sy-Fy worlds (I highly recommend you review "Red Barchetta" from Moving Pictures!). Neil Peart could have been a world-class Fantasy/SyFy author right next to Bradbury or Asimov, but thankfully put his excellent talents to great effect through Geddy Lee's peculiar (in a good way!) voice, fleshed out in those awesome arrangements that really revolutionized what was deemed (and sometimes dismissed!) as hard/stoner rock. I could go on and on about them, but just want to close with a heartfelt thank you! to Canada for producing such an amazing group of musicians called Rush! Thanks to you guys for these vids, and keep up the great work!

Shout out from Toronto, Rush boys grew up not 10 mins from my house and we always knew how good Rush was, glad to see you enjoying what i have for 30 years. :)

5:50 That moment when the grove is so heavy, you start collapsing under it's weight. 😂

RIP Neil Peart

The best part of this reaction is when the music melts the face of George....love the facial look reaction and great rock melts your face.....his cheeks hurt from the face melt...

Listen to 2112 by Rush ! It will change your life forever !

One of my favorite reaction vids ever. Thanks guys. Love it

The soloing on this song is so heavily Hendrix influenced...love it!

I took my son to his first concert in 2010 when he was 16, and I gave him the choice of Kiss or Rush. Rush came out of his mouth before I finished the question. Geddy's voice was shot, but it didn't matter.

Rush was considered a nerd band because of their technical, almost mathematically approach to making music. They understand what sounds good on a more technical level than most musicians. Like George said at the beginning, he doesn't know why he immediately likes the sound; well, rush does.

Hangar 18 - Megadeth. It's natural progression for your Megadeth journey. It has got absolutely amazing guitar work and an interesting theme.