Seven years go by like one. The whole point of the lyrics is how we get caught up trying to work and earn a living and life goes by too fast. Once all the bones are buried there's barely time to go outside and play.
Justin wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas! Great song, unfairly dismissed by Rush fans, but I love dogs. Neil was allowed to have fun. I smile everytime i listen to it.
This song wasn't Neil's proudest moment for sure. But I'm a little taken aback by how much antipathy fans have for it. Again, it's just an interlude, like Tai Shan was. I can see why Tai Shan garnered such a strong reaction-- it was a "prestige" piece and sounded so unlike what Rush had done before with its "Chinese music." But Dog Years is right in the wheelhouse of the Rush sound we all love. Yeah, the lyrics are a little silly, and the attempts at profundity fall flat. But Jesus, people need to lighten up on it. It's not a horrible song. I actually enjoy the uptempo beat and the guitar riffs.
That's funny, when its a song with a powerfull lyrics, you don't give a sh*t. But when it's a "funny" lyrics, you make a super analize on the lyrics 🤣. But the song it self it's great. And about the lyrics, I guess it maybe go harder with someone that lost a dog "the canine will be chasing cars in dog's heaven"
its more like... doing all things songs and not caring about the lyrics or catching them, people get mad about that or they bring it up a lot. You see people commenting about songs that I'm not up to yet and I'll see they mention lyrics or this song the lyrics are really important. So now I try to take note of that. Better late than never right lol. Anyways idk if I explained that the best. Merry Christmas!
@@JustinPanariello fair enough, merry Christmas to you too Justin! Watch your daily videos become a thing like a ritual to me, unfortunately this journey its coming to a end, only 3 more albuns 😥
The lyrics are really clever ! I don’t understand why people don’t get it ! It’s about how in the modern day we all rush around and don’t take time anymore to enjoy ourselves and take time to do stuff that interests us or live our lives the way we should , music is great as always !
@Kenneth Walton one man's clever is another man's ridiculous. I get the meaning but it's still something I would never listen to on purpose. The chorus alone regardless of the lyrics would keep me away. The majority of the lyrics of this era were just trying way to hard. Cheers...
The point of the song is summed up in the line “we get it backwards, and our seven years go by like one”. It’s about enjoying the moment before it’s gone, basically. And Virtuality is great, musically. And the message in the lyrics still holds up, even if the words themselves are a bit dated, like “modem” and “cyber”. Neil was a philosopher, not a futurist lol
I never understood why people think "modem" and "cyber" are dated? These days, every motherboard has a built in modem to connect to the interwebs. And "cyber" is used all the time. Cybercrime, cybersecurity, cyberbullying, etc... 🤷
The song is about how time goes by so fast. That's why he says he would rather be a tortuous from Galapagos, because they live for hundreds of years unlike dogs, which die at 14 years.
One of the best songs on the album. Geddy said in an interview “[It’s] a metaphor, though it’s also about a dog.” The band said it’s a tune just for the sake of fun. I mean, how seriously as a recording artist are you supposed treat a song that has the lyric “’I’d rather be a tortoise from Galapagos”? Too many fans pooh-pooh “Dog Years” but then will tell you how brilliant “Neurotica” is.
The lyrics have never bothered me because for many years when I first heard it, I didn't get them, so I just ignored them and thought the playing was cool (I do that a lot with Rush). The older I get I realize they're really dealing with the same theme as "Time Stand Still", which Neil described as not trying to get lost in nostalgia or get caught up in always thinking about the next thing, but learn to appreciate everything about the here-and-now moment that too many of us miss. To me, these lyrics are touching on the same theme, which makes a lot more sense as I get older with many of the people I know and love no longer around, but still many great things and people going on right this very moment. Too many folks are always pining for the past to return, and too many are so caught up in the hustle and bustle that they fail to see what is happening right in front of them. This song deals with that, but maybe in a way that's too corny for a lot of folks. Eh, whatever. The playing is cool. So, I like it.
One of my faves on the album! To me it's just a fun song for Rush but I noticed a lot of Rush fans just take them way too serious and cant let them just have a little fun. Yes the lyrics are silly but as a musician myself I mostly am listening to the instrumentation which I like for this song, it's mostly fast-paced too!
Always liked this song. It rocks. Love dogs and thought it was cool that they made a song about them. The next song Virtuality which is awesome in my view. Not trolling, lol. Really do like these two!
Think it’s about how we don’t take the time to live in the moment and the best lesson you can learn that from is your dog. I remember mine before he passed and it’s one of the most valuable lessons I learned from him. To take the time and live in the moment. How a dog can take 1 year and turn it into 7 but a person will put one year of living into seven years cause going too fast.
I guess you have to be a dog person to fully appreciate the lyrics. To me the song's message has always been that life goes too fast: "our 7 years go by like one," and about balancing work with play and prioritizing the important things in life: "by the time all the bones are buried there's barely time to go outside and play..."
I had mentioned this in a previous post, but you may not have seen it. Neil said that he wrote these lyrics after a night of partying and being hungover the next day. He didn't think he would be able to get much done but penned these lyrics. I don't think they are to be taken too seriously, given his own "buzz of low-level static" that next day! The real question would be why did they actually use these lyrics for one of their songs at all? LOL
Lol. This song is almost like "I Think I'm Going Bald". It's showing how life goes by. If they can sing about a space shuttle launch, they can sing about anything. Remember who we're dealing with here, Nerds. Merry Christmas.
Just a light humor song, don't push it too far is my thoughts. :) Some people really like dogs. Other people are kitty people. *meow* I really really liked the music and the drumming in particular.
The song is a metaphor for how much time we spend working instead of enjoying life, as well as realizing our own mortality. It's much deeper than you would think at first listen.
Against my better judgement, I watched the video and heard the song again. I owe my ears an apology and need to make it up to them. What on earth was Rush thinking?! And no, it's not just the lyrics. My ears started to protest even before Geddy started singing. In any case, now that that's over.... Merry Christmas to you and yours Justin!
yeah the intro is a no lol sounds like an amateur riff. Or something a high schooler would write and think is amazing and show his bandmate friends. It's a throwaway riff for me. The rest of the song though... i'll get to a bit in the overview. Merry Christmas Robert!
If you have a dog (and both Geddy and Neil are/were dog owners) you want to talk about your dog because for many people they are part of your family. And unlike many of the people in your life, your dog will only let you down one time.
Silly-sounding words hiding a deep message... personally, I think Neil was playing a huge joke on everyone. Basically, I think he was telling everyone to get their heads out of their asses, to live life fully and intentionally, stop accumulating/chasing after/crying for things you don't really need, appreciate what you do have, and find purpose in every moment. To be honest, this is my favourite song on the album. I love the apparent silliness of it, but also how it always grounds me in the present.
I think you nailed it, it’s just the lyrics (at least for those fans who are too “Sirius” ☺️😄). I feel for every “sad son of a bitch” who doesn’t like this song. The boys are absolutely killing it, Rush does punk, who knew, why not!? Neil does a play on words (why not!?) with a deeper message embedded that being life goes so fast for some people that they wish everything would just slow down and age more like a rock eroding over millions of years. I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned Geddy’s bass playing much on this album, having listened to it a couple of times recently I think he’s back to being himself on the bass after the resurgence on Counterparts?
yeah, hokey. I did like the music more than you seemed to...but here's the deal with so many of us Rush die hard fans...We were so desperate each passing year to hear new music that when it came out (back then) we would buy the CD, hope something got on the radio that was cool and not the worst track on the CD (seemed to happen a lot), and hope a new video and interview would pop up. Since the latter almost never happened, we listened to this stuff over and over and over again analyzing every note and sound looking for God in the details. In hindsight, much of it is not as amazing as I thought it was when much younger. Truthfully, I loved their really old stuff and some of their last stuff. There are gems in there, but not as many as I thought there was. anyway, glad you are pushing through as I am getting to re-live their entire discography through new eyes and ears and appreciate your honest feedback. Merry Christmas to all and lets get to One Little Victory and then Clockwork Angels...an album I still love.
Almost 170 original songs and 'fans' have an issue with 6 or 8. SMH 😅 The vast majority are good/great. And even this one gets mixed reviews! Reading these comments, you guys gotta lighten up. Celebrate the moment as it turns into one more. Thanks for your first listen perspective, Justin - keep it up.
I totally hear you, in a way. Definitely find the endless, frequently silly, wordplay to be a little overwrought. But it’s just whimsy and I guess it really needs to be taken in the spirit in which it was offered. I’ll tell ya, though, I can totally relate to what he’s actually saying. More and more with each passing year. I’d rather be that tortoise, too. Musically, Rush have offered far worse. Far worse. As for “Virtuality,” I can’t even remember what it sounds like, to be honest. Haven’t listened to it in years. But even if it were the worst song ever written, I would still tune in for your reaction to it. Thanks for all you do on this channel. Wishing you and Camilla a Merry Christmas and happy, healthy 2023.
There are 175 Rush songs in their catalogue. If I were to rank them, this song would be 175th. Geddy once said he has to be comfortable with a lyric to sing it. How he was comfortable with this one boggles my mind.
I think the best way to answer "Why" they wrote this song is to quote a line from Spinal Tap when David St. Hubbins is asked to write his own epitaph and he says "Here lies David St. Hubbins... and why not?"
Always loved this song. Riffy and hard...I've never been a lyrics guy. so that never bothered me. It's always been maligned by some fans, and I never got that. Good to see fellow Rush fans that like this tune!
Awesome song! I could see how some people hate it. This album seems to be a polarizing one in more recent times but seeing as to how I got it when it came out I have an attachment to it that many people may not. It’s at least as good as anything from that classic 75-82 era. Lyrically it’s supposed to be a metaphor about Dog Years. Neil often had a way of using metaphors in his lyrics that didn’t always connect. But riff wise that main opening riff and the verses leading up to the chorus are catchy and the song does have hooks.
This is more fitting to me than I thought. My Rottweiler had a slew of puppies overnight! Is it possible to post pics in these replies? I haven't taken a picture and tried yet...
That's cool, I don't think anyone would care, I just wanted to offer proof I'm not yanking your chain about the pups. And sorry, I had to throw that bad dog joke in there...
I think it's a wry look at how we perceive how we spend time. I agree about the tortoise and span of geological time - I would have found another way to say that or just drop it. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Dog days of summer: late summer (when the "Dog Star", Sirius (which is the brightest star in the sky besides the sun, and yes, that's what the Sirius part of Sirius XM alludes to) -> dog years of life, aka middle age, when people appear (and are) too serious. Combine with the same 7:1 ratio when we talk about dog ages and the fairly consistent across cultures (especially those influenced by Abrahamic religion) tendency to have a weekly day of rest and you're left with the conclusion that it takes us 7 years to get one year of life in. Put it all together: relax and have fun. Lyrically, it's an underrated song IMO. If you get the allusions, it's borderline genius. If you don't, well all you hear are shitty dog puns. Merry Christmas!
I didn't like this song when I first heard it, and the lyrics still bother me , but the music has grown on me. Once again Alex displays low key brilliance
First off I always love your reviews even when I don't agree. But Lolol.....songs that are mature and have deep meaningful lyrics you totally dismiss them. And on a fun silly song like this you dig deep into the lyrics. 🤷♂️ 😂 The lyrics actually have meaning. I mean it's no "Hot for Teacher" or "Girls, Girls, Girls"......🤣 Keep up the great work and Merry Christmas!
The deeper I get into the discography the more I've had people saying the lyrics are important so yeah I've checked them out more lately from time to time. This one I was just trying to find something, anything out of the song lol... same with the next one lol. Merry Christmas Kent!
I never liked this song from the 1st time I heard it. After decades of it randomly coming up on my main playlist I started to like it and today I think it is pretty decent.
Lyrics are silly borderline cheezy but the music is pretty solid. The only song on the album that bothered me was virtuality because of something i was going through at the time.
This song sums up Rush as a band in their whole entire career, before and since this song came out with T4E. You either love it or hate it. Personally, it took me a while to warm up to this song. It’s alright. Results and opinions may vary though. Merry Christmas!
It's pretty much the guys having a little fun, in my opinion. Goofy lyrics, done on purpose: "One sniff at the hydrant, and the answer is automatic." And: "...with his tail between his ears." (What is he doing if his tail is between his ears? LOL.)
O cara nao entendeu a letra. Ela é divertida. Compara aspectos do ser humano com o do cachorro, com humor. "A snif at a hidrant" é o cachorro do Signals.
I've always related this song to the Signals album title and cover. Lyrically it's not rocket science. Yes, Neil sometimes gets an idea and beats it to death, but in this case it's pretty lightweight, and the accompaniment sort of pays that off. But for later Rush it actually kicks butt instrumentally, IMO. Anyways, it never fails to put a smile on my face. "Virtuality" -- not so much. Let's just say that lyrically it's very much of its time. Not in a good way.
This is a sad SOB fo sho...as Rush tried to quit chasing their tales and Doggedly finish this album. It's ok, Rush is still Prog.'s best friend! Merry Christmas and this holiday, try not to step in it!
As for "Virtuality", I think the music itself is VERY cool, but today in 2022 the lyrics are certainly dated. Back in the 1990's a lot of us out in the hinterlands didn't have access to high-speed internet yet and just couldn't believe something like that existed for normal folks. Nowadays everything think is like, "Oh, let me check my phone ..."
Neil's excuse was that he wanted to try writing a song while very drunk. Everything makes sense after that. The music is fine - not great, not bad. For once Ged's description isn't bad - the riff at the start is kind of punk.
Yes, it’s the lyrics. And unfortunately, I can’t get past them. If their inspiration to do this was to parody Green Day, then I would be all for it! I wouldn’t waste my time doing Take Off. You said you don’t watch many movies or TV so you wouldn’t get it. It’s from a Canadian version of SNL called SCTV. The skit was called Great white north, with two very stereotypical Canadians. One of them being Rick Moranis. It was hugely popular, and they even made a movie.
Ha for sure I'd rather hear early Rush than most of their later stuff, but not everyone can stand still and write the same sort of music for 40 years. Well, ok, I'm sure some people have but I don't listen to it...
There is no deep meaning behind this song. Neil wrote this song as a goofy salute to his German Shepard. I remember him on a radio show after the album was released admitting as much. He apparently was having writer's block in the inspiration area and settled on writing about his dog who was sitting next to him at the time. Why Geddy decided to sing those lyrics is a question, but Rush always had a goofy side. If you put aside the lyrics the song is a decent straight-ahead rocker. Although I was always impressed with Geddy's ability to sing "I'd rather be a tortoise from Galapagos than a span of geological time."😉
I think it's the lyrics that fans find questionable. Musically it's not too bad, but I just didn't need a song with the phrase "doggie heaven" in it lol
This is a song that has always been disparaged by the No Fun Police of the Rush fan base. I remember reading a thread on a message board when the album first came out entitled "Dog Years = Dog Lyrics" and I think a lot of Rush fans just jumped onto that bandwagon. I enjoyed both Dog Years and Virtuality when the album was released and still like them today. Virtuality was in regular rotation on my local station for awhile and it has a great riff. Sure the lyrics might be a bit tech clumsy, but it doesn't hurt the song for me. For me, the only song on the album with truly cringeworthy lyrics is Test For Echo. However, I do like the music.
Neil has written so much about time passing like time stands still, losing it, dog years and the garden. He just uses different things as metaphors such as dancers and writers, watchmakers or in this song (in case you didn’t get it 😉) dogs. lol. Music is good. Lyrics are just cringe. And Neil stated that it was meant to be a fun song and not taken seriously. They message is there but it wasn’t meant to be as deep as one would make it out to be. And next song 🤮 on lyrics. It didn’t age well although the meaning behind the song seems to have gotten worse with social media exploding and people having online relationships with one another.
It's that our time here moves too fast and is too short, and poof! we're gone... I'd rather be a tortoise on Galapagos... or a span of geological time... 👍👍
With a few exceptions, you just summed up the second half of Neil's song writing career. "Where did the inspiration for these lyrics come from?" The answer is, "We don't care." It's not really interesting. If he wanted to write a song about the fleeting nature of our days on this earth, he did it already with "Losing It." From this album, Driven is interesting to me musically and Half the World is interesting from a song writing concept. So far, I'm not impressed with anything else really. Nothing from 1984 to 1996 stands up to the golden years from 1976 to 1982. To me, song writing is one of the hardest things creatively that a person can undertake. So, don't hear me wrong. Neil is one of my songwriting heroes. But somewhere in the mid 80s, he lost his mojo. And we only saw flashes of that brilliance from that point on.
A lot of apologists for this song in the comments so far. Lol! I still think it sucks. I don’t even like the music. Too much of a punk vibe, and I really loathe punk music. Just my personal tastes. However, I will defend Virtuality! It’s a great song! So tomorrow, everyone can throw shade at me as I did today 😁.
I think it kind of perplexed a lot of fans because the lyrics are both goofy and insightful and the music is relatively serious. So many just came to the conclusion that the song is bad because of the goofy lyrics.
Seven years go by like one. The whole point of the lyrics is how we get caught up trying to work and earn a living and life goes by too fast. Once all the bones are buried there's barely time to go outside and play.
Justin wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas! Great song, unfairly dismissed by Rush fans, but I love dogs. Neil was allowed to have fun. I smile everytime i listen to it.
Merry Christmas Tammie!
This song wasn't Neil's proudest moment for sure. But I'm a little taken aback by how much antipathy fans have for it. Again, it's just an interlude, like Tai Shan was. I can see why Tai Shan garnered such a strong reaction-- it was a "prestige" piece and sounded so unlike what Rush had done before with its "Chinese music." But Dog Years is right in the wheelhouse of the Rush sound we all love. Yeah, the lyrics are a little silly, and the attempts at profundity fall flat. But Jesus, people need to lighten up on it. It's not a horrible song. I actually enjoy the uptempo beat and the guitar riffs.
I agree
Nice pfp
That's funny, when its a song with a powerfull lyrics, you don't give a sh*t. But when it's a "funny" lyrics, you make a super analize on the lyrics 🤣. But the song it self it's great. And about the lyrics, I guess it maybe go harder with someone that lost a dog "the canine will be chasing cars in dog's heaven"
its more like... doing all things songs and not caring about the lyrics or catching them, people get mad about that or they bring it up a lot. You see people commenting about songs that I'm not up to yet and I'll see they mention lyrics or this song the lyrics are really important. So now I try to take note of that. Better late than never right lol. Anyways idk if I explained that the best. Merry Christmas!
@@JustinPanariello fair enough, merry Christmas to you too Justin! Watch your daily videos become a thing like a ritual to me, unfortunately this journey its coming to a end, only 3 more albuns 😥
@Justin Panariello it's all good man. You are correct and the chorus is cringe worthy also. Merry Christmas 🎅
The lyrics are really clever ! I don’t understand why people don’t get it ! It’s about how in the modern day we all rush around and don’t take time anymore to enjoy ourselves and take time to do stuff that interests us or live our lives the way we should , music is great as always !
@Kenneth Walton one man's clever is another man's ridiculous. I get the meaning but it's still something I would never listen to on purpose. The chorus alone regardless of the lyrics would keep me away. The majority of the lyrics of this era were just trying way to hard. Cheers...
The point of the song is summed up in the line “we get it backwards, and our seven years go by like one”. It’s about enjoying the moment before it’s gone, basically.
And Virtuality is great, musically. And the message in the lyrics still holds up, even if the words themselves are a bit dated, like “modem” and “cyber”. Neil was a philosopher, not a futurist lol
I never understood why people think "modem" and "cyber" are dated? These days, every motherboard has a built in modem to connect to the interwebs. And "cyber" is used all the time. Cybercrime, cybersecurity, cyberbullying, etc... 🤷
One has to try to comprehend the humor of Lerxst, Dirk and Pratt. Love these guys!
The song is about how time goes by so fast. That's why he says he would rather be a tortuous from Galapagos, because they live for hundreds of years unlike dogs, which die at 14 years.
Happy Festivus everyone!
One of the best songs on the album. Geddy said in an interview “[It’s] a metaphor, though it’s also about a dog.” The band said it’s a tune just for the sake of fun. I mean, how seriously as a recording artist are you supposed treat a song that has the lyric “’I’d rather be a tortoise from Galapagos”? Too many fans pooh-pooh “Dog Years” but then will tell you how brilliant “Neurotica” is.
The most special day of any rush reactor's career. Happy dog years!
"One sniff at the hydrant and the reactions is automatic..."
The lyrics have never bothered me because for many years when I first heard it, I didn't get them, so I just ignored them and thought the playing was cool (I do that a lot with Rush). The older I get I realize they're really dealing with the same theme as "Time Stand Still", which Neil described as not trying to get lost in nostalgia or get caught up in always thinking about the next thing, but learn to appreciate everything about the here-and-now moment that too many of us miss. To me, these lyrics are touching on the same theme, which makes a lot more sense as I get older with many of the people I know and love no longer around, but still many great things and people going on right this very moment. Too many folks are always pining for the past to return, and too many are so caught up in the hustle and bustle that they fail to see what is happening right in front of them. This song deals with that, but maybe in a way that's too corny for a lot of folks. Eh, whatever. The playing is cool. So, I like it.
One of my faves on the album! To me it's just a fun song for Rush but I noticed a lot of Rush fans just take them way too serious and cant let them just have a little fun. Yes the lyrics are silly but as a musician myself I mostly am listening to the instrumentation which I like for this song, it's mostly fast-paced too!
Yep, especially considering "I think I'm Going Bald" 🙄
Way too Sirius ☺️
@@cpmf2112 "Bald" rocks! Again, people get way too hung up on lyrics, just rock out!
Why can’t they have fun once in a while? :)
I think this was Rush being comedy. Great song with meanings are off the wall. Idk but it's great !!
I like this song 😎, merry X-mas Justin
Going on record: I like this song. Forget the haters, lol.
Similar to "Time Stand Still", it's speaking about how time goes by too fast.
Always liked this song. It rocks. Love dogs and thought it was cool that they made a song about them. The next song Virtuality which is awesome in my view.
Not trolling, lol. Really do like these two!
Think it’s about how we don’t take the time to live in the moment and the best lesson you can learn that from is your dog. I remember mine before he passed and it’s one of the most valuable lessons I learned from him. To take the time and live in the moment. How a dog can take 1 year and turn it into 7 but a person will put one year of living into seven years cause going too fast.
I guess you have to be a dog person to fully appreciate the lyrics. To me the song's message has always been that life goes too fast: "our 7 years go by like one," and about balancing work with play and prioritizing the important things in life: "by the time all the bones are buried there's barely time to go outside and play..."
yep I did catch that 7-1 bit
Exactly. See “Time Stand Still”.
He has...
I had mentioned this in a previous post, but you may not have seen it. Neil said that he wrote these lyrics after a night of partying and being hungover the next day. He didn't think he would be able to get much done but penned these lyrics. I don't think they are to be taken too seriously, given his own "buzz of low-level static" that next day! The real question would be why did they actually use these lyrics for one of their songs at all? LOL
I think it could have been an instrumental with the same name. :)
Lol. This song is almost like "I Think I'm Going Bald". It's showing how life goes by. If they can sing about a space shuttle launch, they can sing about anything. Remember who we're dealing with here, Nerds. Merry Christmas.
lol yeah I wasn't crazy about countdown either lol
Punk Rockers everywhere are going: PUNK ROCK????!!!! RIIIGGGHHHTTTT!!!
If you've ever seen a puppy bounce how can that not be Oingo Boingo?
Always been a favorite fun rush tune for me. Being a dog person, I appreciate the humor and canine puns
Justin, Merry Christmas to you and your family! Have a wonderful day!
Merry Christmas!
Just a light humor song, don't push it too far is my thoughts. :) Some people really like dogs. Other people are kitty people. *meow*
I really really liked the music and the drumming in particular.
One of my favorites off the album. Love the energy...and the lyrics are tongue in cheek fun. The true cringe comes with Virtuality.
Baring in mind virtually was written 1996 when internet was fledgling, quite amazing Neil saw the future at that point in time
You don't like net boy net girl? It has it moments. It's the first song about the internet!!!!! Lol Neil was ahead of everyone.
I like this song. “For every sad son of a bitch” resonates with me. 🤣
Soooo yes to The Great White North. I have a warm spot in my heart for Beer Hunter..
Apparently Neil was a bit drunk when he wrote the lyrics, but Geddy and Alex thought they were off the wall and hilarious, so kept them!
It's a fun song about time going too quickly. I don't mind it at all.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄🎅🎁
Merry Christmas Debbie!
The song is a metaphor for how much time we spend working instead of enjoying life, as well as realizing our own mortality. It's much deeper than you would think at first listen.
Against my better judgement, I watched the video and heard the song again. I owe my ears an apology and need to make it up to them. What on earth was Rush thinking?! And no, it's not just the lyrics. My ears started to protest even before Geddy started singing. In any case, now that that's over.... Merry Christmas to you and yours Justin!
yeah the intro is a no lol sounds like an amateur riff. Or something a high schooler would write and think is amazing and show his bandmate friends. It's a throwaway riff for me. The rest of the song though... i'll get to a bit in the overview. Merry Christmas Robert!
If you have a dog (and both Geddy and Neil are/were dog owners) you want to talk about your dog because for many people they are part of your family. And unlike many of the people in your life, your dog will only let you down one time.
Justin - Merry Christmas brother!
Merry Christmas Marky!
Silly-sounding words hiding a deep message... personally, I think Neil was playing a huge joke on everyone. Basically, I think he was telling everyone to get their heads out of their asses, to live life fully and intentionally, stop accumulating/chasing after/crying for things you don't really need, appreciate what you do have, and find purpose in every moment. To be honest, this is my favourite song on the album. I love the apparent silliness of it, but also how it always grounds me in the present.
I think you nailed it, it’s just the lyrics (at least for those fans who are too “Sirius” ☺️😄). I feel for every “sad son of a bitch” who doesn’t like this song. The boys are absolutely killing it, Rush does punk, who knew, why not!? Neil does a play on words (why not!?) with a deeper message embedded that being life goes so fast for some people that they wish everything would just slow down and age more like a rock eroding over millions of years. I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned Geddy’s bass playing much on this album, having listened to it a couple of times recently I think he’s back to being himself on the bass after the resurgence on Counterparts?
Yes for sure. Way more bass action since Roll The Bones
Merry Christmas Eve 🎁🎄🎅🏻🤶🏻🐱Justin! Hope you have a good one tonight! Where has Kitty Ho been lately? I miss seeing her in your videos! 🐈⬛
Merry Christmas Gary! yeah idk she hasn't been in the room while i'm filming lately.
@@JustinPanariello Knew the dog song was coming...
It's a song firmly tongue in cheek
yeah, hokey. I did like the music more than you seemed to...but here's the deal with so many of us Rush die hard fans...We were so desperate each passing year to hear new music that when it came out (back then) we would buy the CD, hope something got on the radio that was cool and not the worst track on the CD (seemed to happen a lot), and hope a new video and interview would pop up. Since the latter almost never happened, we listened to this stuff over and over and over again analyzing every note and sound looking for God in the details. In hindsight, much of it is not as amazing as I thought it was when much younger. Truthfully, I loved their really old stuff and some of their last stuff. There are gems in there, but not as many as I thought there was. anyway, glad you are pushing through as I am getting to re-live their entire discography through new eyes and ears and appreciate your honest feedback. Merry Christmas to all and lets get to One Little Victory and then Clockwork Angels...an album I still love.
Almost 170 original songs and 'fans' have an issue with 6 or 8. SMH 😅 The vast majority are good/great. And even this one gets mixed reviews! Reading these comments, you guys gotta lighten up. Celebrate the moment as it turns into one more. Thanks for your first listen perspective, Justin - keep it up.
Hahaha I love your sarcasm. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Enrique!
Maybe your cat can explain it 😂
I totally hear you, in a way. Definitely find the endless, frequently silly, wordplay to be a little overwrought. But it’s just whimsy and I guess it really needs to be taken in the spirit in which it was offered. I’ll tell ya, though, I can totally relate to what he’s actually saying. More and more with each passing year. I’d rather be that tortoise, too. Musically, Rush have offered far worse. Far worse. As for “Virtuality,” I can’t even remember what it sounds like, to be honest. Haven’t listened to it in years. But even if it were the worst song ever written, I would still tune in for your reaction to it. Thanks for all you do on this channel. Wishing you and Camilla a Merry Christmas and happy, healthy 2023.
Merry Christmas Seth!
There are 175 Rush songs in their catalogue. If I were to rank them, this song would be 175th. Geddy once said he has to be comfortable with a lyric to sing it. How he was comfortable with this one boggles my mind.
At the end of this video, I literally drove by the dog lodge, merry Christmas, Justin to you and yours!
Merry Christmas John!
MERRRY CHRISTMAS to you and your wife my favorite reaction guy.
Merry Christmas Mary!
I think the best way to answer "Why" they wrote this song is to quote a line from Spinal Tap when David St. Hubbins is asked to write his own epitaph and he says "Here lies David St. Hubbins... and why not?"
Always loved this song. Riffy and hard...I've never been a lyrics guy. so that never bothered me. It's always been maligned by some fans, and I never got that. Good to see fellow Rush fans that like this tune!
One thing about neil is he picks stories or topics to write about ...dogs years , anagram was a word play thing etc.
Manhattan project also...
Dude you’re too funny….and right🤣 One of the their WTF?! Moments. And I LOVE Rush. But let’s be honest…😂
You have to hand it to Geddy and Alex for not giving up by this point.
Awesome song! I could see how some people hate it. This album seems to be a polarizing one in more recent times but seeing as to how I got it when it came out I have an attachment to it that many people may not. It’s at least as good as anything from that classic 75-82 era. Lyrically it’s supposed to be a metaphor about Dog Years. Neil often had a way of using metaphors in his lyrics that didn’t always connect. But riff wise that main opening riff and the verses leading up to the chorus are catchy and the song does have hooks.
If you meet a die, hard rush fan, you’re gonna find somebody that likes words and poetry and books
true. But also not this song lol
Watch Neil play this tune on work in progress, tears it up!!
Fun and goofy. Not a song I'd jam, but it made me giggle.
This is more fitting to me than I thought. My Rottweiler had a slew of puppies overnight! Is it possible to post pics in these replies? I haven't taken a picture and tried yet...
i don't know if thats possible actually.
That's cool, I don't think anyone would care, I just wanted to offer proof I'm not yanking your chain about the pups. And sorry, I had to throw that bad dog joke in there...
Merry Christmas to you and your family Justin.
Merry Christmas!
They should have named the album after this one!
I think it's a wry look at how we perceive how we spend time. I agree about the tortoise and span of geological time - I would have found another way to say that or just drop it. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas Raymond!
It’s just wordplay fun. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Ron!
Geddy loves dogs, he has a couple of Norwich Terriers
Dog days of summer: late summer (when the "Dog Star", Sirius (which is the brightest star in the sky besides the sun, and yes, that's what the Sirius part of Sirius XM alludes to) -> dog years of life, aka middle age, when people appear (and are) too serious.
Combine with the same 7:1 ratio when we talk about dog ages and the fairly consistent across cultures (especially those influenced by Abrahamic religion) tendency to have a weekly day of rest and you're left with the conclusion that it takes us 7 years to get one year of life in.
Put it all together: relax and have fun. Lyrically, it's an underrated song IMO. If you get the allusions, it's borderline genius. If you don't, well all you hear are shitty dog puns.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Levi!
I didn't like this song when I first heard it, and the lyrics still bother me , but the music has grown on me. Once again Alex displays low key brilliance
The “punky” guitar parts sound just like Shonen Knife to me
Also realize they are not kids anymore. They are in their 40's at this point.
First off I always love your reviews even when I don't agree. But Lolol.....songs that are mature and have deep meaningful lyrics you totally dismiss them. And on a fun silly song like this you dig deep into the lyrics. 🤷♂️ 😂 The lyrics actually have meaning. I mean it's no "Hot for Teacher" or "Girls, Girls, Girls"......🤣 Keep up the great work and Merry Christmas!
The deeper I get into the discography the more I've had people saying the lyrics are important so yeah I've checked them out more lately from time to time. This one I was just trying to find something, anything out of the song lol... same with the next one lol. Merry Christmas Kent!
@@JustinPanariello thanks man. And like I said, I ALWAYS enjoy your reactions. Never miss one!
I never liked this song from the 1st time I heard it. After decades of it randomly coming up on my main playlist I started to like it and today I think it is pretty decent.
a bit hocky but - Metaphors to life. Can't over think it.
Something isnt bad just because you dont get it, no its not about time going slow, its about life being over too fast !
Please have a safe n Merry Christmas. Don't know if the cold affected u it's neg 2 with like negative 32 wind chill here
Merry Christmas! Nope, no snowflakes down here in Florida lol !! it is cold though, near freezing temps overnight.
Lyrics are silly borderline cheezy but the music is pretty solid. The only song on the album that bothered me was virtuality because of something i was going through at the time.
This song sums up Rush as a band in their whole entire career, before and since this song came out with T4E.
You either love it or hate it.
Personally, it took me a while to warm up to this song. It’s alright.
Results and opinions may vary though. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
There is no such thing as a bad rush song...roll dem bones brother.
It's pretty much the guys having a little fun, in my opinion. Goofy lyrics, done on purpose: "One sniff at the hydrant, and the answer is automatic." And: "...with his tail between his ears." (What is he doing if his tail is between his ears? LOL.)
These songs are all the thoughts of the great Neil Peart, this song is just a thought and a jam. Pretty simple.
So now? You're listening to the lyrics. When did that start?
O cara nao entendeu a letra. Ela é divertida. Compara aspectos do ser humano com o do cachorro, com humor. "A snif at a hidrant" é o cachorro do Signals.
I've always related this song to the Signals album title and cover. Lyrically it's not rocket science. Yes, Neil sometimes gets an idea and beats it to death, but in this case it's pretty lightweight, and the accompaniment sort of pays that off. But for later Rush it actually kicks butt instrumentally, IMO. Anyways, it never fails to put a smile on my face. "Virtuality" -- not so much. Let's just say that lyrically it's very much of its time. Not in a good way.
This is a sad SOB fo sho...as Rush tried to quit chasing their tales and Doggedly finish this album. It's ok, Rush is still Prog.'s best friend! Merry Christmas and this holiday, try not to step in it!
Merry Christmas Dan!
As for "Virtuality", I think the music itself is VERY cool, but today in 2022 the lyrics are certainly dated. Back in the 1990's a lot of us out in the hinterlands didn't have access to high-speed internet yet and just couldn't believe something like that existed for normal folks. Nowadays everything think is like, "Oh, let me check my phone ..."
Neil's excuse was that he wanted to try writing a song while very drunk. Everything makes sense after that. The music is fine - not great, not bad. For once Ged's description isn't bad - the riff at the start is kind of punk.
Yeah this is one of THOSE tracks. But if im being honest, I think this is the last one of THOSE tracks ever.
Yes, it’s the lyrics. And unfortunately, I can’t get past them. If their inspiration to do this was to parody Green Day, then I would be all for it! I wouldn’t waste my time doing Take Off. You said you don’t watch many movies or TV so you wouldn’t get it. It’s from a Canadian version of SNL called SCTV. The skit was called Great white north, with two very stereotypical Canadians. One of them being Rick Moranis. It was hugely popular, and they even made a movie.
I say I rather here about dogs in By-TOR and the snow dog than this tune!!! Just sayin
Ha for sure I'd rather hear early Rush than most of their later stuff, but not everyone can stand still and write the same sort of music for 40 years. Well, ok, I'm sure some people have but I don't listen to it...
There is no deep meaning behind this song. Neil wrote this song as a goofy salute to his German Shepard. I remember him on a radio show after the album was released admitting as much. He apparently was having writer's block in the inspiration area and settled on writing about his dog who was sitting next to him at the time. Why Geddy decided to sing those lyrics is a question, but Rush always had a goofy side. If you put aside the lyrics the song is a decent straight-ahead rocker. Although I was always impressed with Geddy's ability to sing "I'd rather be a tortoise from Galapagos than a span of geological time."😉
I think it's the lyrics that fans find questionable. Musically it's not too bad, but I just didn't need a song with the phrase "doggie heaven" in it lol
This is a song that has always been disparaged by the No Fun Police of the Rush fan base. I remember reading a thread on a message board when the album first came out entitled "Dog Years = Dog Lyrics" and I think a lot of Rush fans just jumped onto that bandwagon.
I enjoyed both Dog Years and Virtuality when the album was released and still like them today. Virtuality was in regular rotation on my local station for awhile and it has a great riff. Sure the lyrics might be a bit tech clumsy, but it doesn't hurt the song for me.
For me, the only song on the album with truly cringeworthy lyrics is Test For Echo. However, I do like the music.
Neil has written so much about time passing like time stands still, losing it, dog years and the garden. He just uses different things as metaphors such as dancers and writers, watchmakers or in this song (in case you didn’t get it 😉) dogs. lol.
Music is good. Lyrics are just cringe. And Neil stated that it was meant to be a fun song and not taken seriously. They message is there but it wasn’t meant to be as deep as one would make it out to be.
And next song 🤮 on lyrics. It didn’t age well although the meaning behind the song seems to have gotten worse with social media exploding and people having online relationships with one another.
It's that our time here moves too fast and is too short, and poof! we're gone... I'd rather be a tortoise on Galapagos... or a span of geological time... 👍👍
I don’t know who was telling you good things about this song, because I’ve always thought this was some filler track that should have never occurred
You didn't like it, Justin. I did...that's one.
This is a deep song Dog years I rather be a tortoise
The Trees isn’t really about trees. Dog Years isn’t really about dogs. It went over your head again 😂
yes i know its not about dogs lol
This is up there with Tai Shan in Rush's catalogue, although I actually like the musicality of Tai Shan. Dog years is just a bad track - period.
With a few exceptions, you just summed up the second half of Neil's song writing career. "Where did the inspiration for these lyrics come from?" The answer is, "We don't care." It's not really interesting. If he wanted to write a song about the fleeting nature of our days on this earth, he did it already with "Losing It." From this album, Driven is interesting to me musically and Half the World is interesting from a song writing concept. So far, I'm not impressed with anything else really. Nothing from 1984 to 1996 stands up to the golden years from 1976 to 1982. To me, song writing is one of the hardest things creatively that a person can undertake. So, don't hear me wrong. Neil is one of my songwriting heroes. But somewhere in the mid 80s, he lost his mojo. And we only saw flashes of that brilliance from that point on.
A lot of apologists for this song in the comments so far. Lol! I still think it sucks. I don’t even like the music. Too much of a punk vibe, and I really loathe punk music. Just my personal tastes. However, I will defend Virtuality! It’s a great song! So tomorrow, everyone can throw shade at me as I did today 😁.
i;m whit you man🤘🤘🤘
Music is good. And once you know what the lyrics really mean, they aren't bad either. They seem to go over some heads...
This ranks with Tai Shan and Rivendell as their worst songs. Virtuality isn't far behind. Mostly because of the lyrics.
I think it kind of perplexed a lot of fans because the lyrics are both goofy and insightful and the music is relatively serious. So many just came to the conclusion that the song is bad because of the goofy lyrics.