This was their Bat signal for us Dreamers and Misfits. It called to me like a moth to a flame. This song was to let us know we weren't alone, we weren't going to let the "cool kids" keep us down. Love Rush and love the fact you read and try to understand the depth of Neil's masterful lyrics. Well done Jamel!
And this is why Rush’s fan base is so predominantly made up of us old nerds who were once young nerds just trying to survive the minefields of junior high and high school. The guys in Rush understood what we were going thru.💪🏻🤘🏻
@@bigbrutalbassbeer410 Asteroids, space invaders and defender got more than a couple coins from me also. I probably coulda bought my first car with the money.
The song Freewill helped guide me through all my friends turning into Jesus Freaks...I was like WTF? That song spoke to me and I figured out it was ok to believe what you believe and not follow these people down a road I didnt want to travel. Rush was and still is very important to my way of thinking.
This came out when I was in high school in a small, nowhere farm town... struggling to find myself and where to fit in life... So... Yeah... It spoke to me to say the least
'Conform or be Cast Out' truly resonates. I now embrace my uniqueness, complexity, resourcefulness, bravery, creativity and individualism. Was picked on for it but I have persevered.
@@clab5864 Isn't it awesome when you can do that with confidence? Would not go back to school years to save my life. Now, at age 67, I'm close to many former classmates, some of whom I barely knew then. I found who I fit in with and it's amazing when we get together in person.
I couldn't agree more. I was in high school when this album was released and it describes being a teenager and high school kid more than any I know. My second favorite rush song.
Wife: "Honey, we're going to be late picking up the kids!" Me: "Hang on, Jamel just discovered Rush, and Neil Peart's lyrics." Wife: "The kids will wait."
@@cliffcampbell8827 I would say it's about the people who don't fit into any group "nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone". Or the people that are different than the norm.
@@rickhaddad7261 Yeah, about how society has all these cliques and if you don't belong, you're looked at with suspicion, fear and ignorance, which results in torment and harassment instead of celebrated as an individual and unique. "One of us, one of us, one of us." It's is easy to become "one of them" because it's welcoming and protective and easy (although, some groups do have a physical initiation that some would consider to be abuse or even a felony assult).
One of my favourite ever songs. The mad time signature, the flow of the verses, and the melody of the chords all click perfectly together, it's such a perfectly written song in every aspect, from the music to the lyrics to the instrumentation, just amazing.
One aspect of their music that constantly gets overlooked is the syncopation. Everything is so precise that it just amazes me every time. Consummate professionals in every aspect.
I still get chills EVERY TIME I hear that opening synth drone... This tune was as true in 1982 as it is now in 2019. The pressures to conform to societal 'norms' and to 'fit in' (be part of, and succeed in the rat race) seems to be a universal truth, and an unfortunate constant! This was and continues to be an 'anthem' for teenagers, especially in high school. Anyone who has had an awkward time during this period can completely feel and understand this song. Rush was always 'nerd' rock - it's intellectual lyrical subject matter, and complex progressive music always spoke to us free-thinkers, the non-conformists, the nerds, the misfits. This is why we love our Holy Trinity from Toronto so much!! Great reaction - thanks for this one!
Roger Waters wrote about the same themes in a dark yet musically brilliant way on Pink Floyd's "Animals" album. It's more a reflection on society and greed in a grander scope than about high school, but if you broke the songs and lyrics on the"Animals" album down into many small parts, the period of life described in Rush"s "Subdivisions" would fit right in. He definitely carries those themes on in "The Wall". The young child having to conform etc. Love how so many bands great music ties in together in a sometimes remote way with some other band and it makes you think of them.Cheers from canada
Yes Darren, the sentiments here are indeed universal and truthful. Many see Rush as a uniquely Canadian band but their art and meaning are for all of us and for all times. Someone once wrote that great artists have no country. As a teenager growing up on the edge of a British town in the late 80s, this was just as powerful for me. You just HAVE to love Rush!
As a dreamer and misfit from a suburban high school, I so appreciate this song. This song was so different, with is heavy use of keyboards for the main sound texture of the verses, from earlier Rush albums.
Rush provided me with over 40 years worth of deep lyrics and awesome sound ... thanks Alex, Geddy, and Neil. Jamel, I suggest you install a seat belt on your chair, 'cause there's oh so much more Rush out there. I envy you getting to discover it all for the first time.
Saw Rush twice in the 80’s. Watched Geddy fret bass notes with his left hand while playing keyboards with his right all the while playing bass pedals with his feet. Oh yeah forgot to mention he also sings complex vocals.......Amazing! Disregard anyone who criticizes his singing as a looser
If Rush wanted to do a tribute tour/final tour, they’d have no problem finding a drummer who would want to do it. Their unique problem is finding a drummer who COULD do it. RIP Neil, a true legend.
Rush could absolutely not go on without Neil. Other bands have replaced drummers we know. I seen them a few times and I had fun watching them have fun while they are creating that music together and then performing it. It's friendship after more than 30 years at its best.
This song came out in 1982. Rush was my band in junior high and high school. This song resonated with me so much, since I was one of those dreamers and misfits. If you get a chance to watch the actual music video, it takes you right back...
Loved watching your reaction to one of my favorite songs from arguably my favorite band. It's a shame Rush isn't more well known than they already are, but in a way that makes it more of a treat watching when someone's mind is blown by their artistic and lyrical mastery.
My favorite Rush song there. It debuted at the perfect time for me. And I heard every word then. Still haven't forgotten it. Those of us who felt like outsiders and weirdos heard with our own ears that someone, Rush, knew what we were feeling, meaning we were not alone.
Aside from neil being the greatest rock drummer of all time, there is such a genius to 2 small lines in this one rush song, "lose the race to rats, get caught in ticking traps." Something all of us regular people can relate to. Shit goes wrong in our lives sometimes, but for him to find the perfect usage of r's and t's, race to rats, and ticking traps, to make such a powerful statement in such an elegant way, it was soooo neil. Such a way with words and unmatched lyrical craftmanship in rock music.
Then you grow up and long for those days of quiet and peace that you wanted nothing to do with in your youth. Everything eventually comes around full circle.
rush - the thinking man's rock. Saw them live twice , once for the "moving pictures" tour and again for the "signals" tour back in the early 80's. Still have my ticket stubs, concert tee and some fond memories of a certain little blond honey that accompanied me, lol. Do "working man" my fave rush tune. The guitar work is out of this world.
Those were awesome Rush concerts in those days. I've been to 5 Rush concerts with my brother over the years. The first one was The Grace Over Pressure tour on May 24, 1984 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. 2nd one was the Hold Your Fire tour on February 25, 1988 in Los Angeles. 3rd was the Presto tour on March 30, 1990. 4th was Roll The Bones tour on January 20, 1992 in San Diego. We enjoyed that one so much we bought tickets for another Roll The Bones concert in Reno on June 1, 1992.
I agree. I have listened to Rush (favorite band) since 1983. THIS ALBUM started it. It was released at the end of 1982 (high school for me) and the school was flooded with these t-shirts after these sold out shows. In any case, watching THIS reaction to the lyrics of this song in particular was amazing. Brought me to tears. These lyrics for every suburban kid in high school were iconic. To see the same lyrics strike someone new...almost 40 years later... no words.
All I can say to you buddy, is watch one of their many concert DVD’s to see them perform these great songs and see their amazing musical talents because it honestly does them no justice, these men were and still are ICONS 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Dude I love watching you "discover" Rush... I was too young to really appreciate what I was blessed to be listening to when each new album came out, but I envy you for being able to hear Rush for the first time with each new video you post
"These are some deep lyrics" Why yes, they are. Thanks for checking out the various songs of Rush! It has been entertaining watching you experience their music for the first time. You have good taste in music.
I remember as a teenager hearing this and though I did not not live in a subdivision, I totally related to these lyrics. They still resonate today in many ways unsettling ways.
Signals was one of the first albums I ever had. Brings back great memories. "The suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth". Indeed.
The anthem of misfits and nerds both old and young( I'm 58, and still relate to it). That synth just adds to the feeling of the lyrics. Rush, intelligent music, as usual
...can't name any other song which impressed me more and touched me deeper in the year 1982 (at the age of 21) than THIS SONG...... maybe my all-time favorite of Rush!
I've had Rush's music with me for almost 40 years. Thank you for the chance to experience it anew through your eyes. Welcome to Club Rush, my good sir!
I'm very happy you came back to Rush and this song. It's a timeless classic, probably my favorite from them. Couple of others to listen to at some point, Limelight and Working Man.
Those two are so different-the most popular radio friendly song of theirs and a Pre-Peart straight ahead hard rock song. By-Tor would be a mind trip too, or 2112
@@godbluffvdgg Well I've been listening to Rush for so long I even laughed out loud when everyone complained that Vapor Trails needed remixing....and a little irked when Rush actually did it, but hey - there's still the original!
I GOTTA listen to every one of your Rush reviews that pop up on my youtube. Respect bruh... you fucking get it, I think more than me sometimes... it's a feel thing, Respect!
This has always been my favorite by Rush, I know they have so many good tunes but this one speaks to me in ways the others don't. I've never been part of the crowd, never had bunches of friends, and this song makes me feel less alone. I am that misfit, but this made me aware that there are others who feel the same. I honestly get choked up every time I hear it, and yes that means I'm crying as I write this. Good tears tho ✌
Saw them in 1978 when the Hemispheres album came out. What a trip I got to go on that night!!! Love the deep meanings in the lyrics. The intelligence you hear in the lyrics and the music is like no other
Love how one can see, by the end of the second verse, your face changing a little from grooving out to hearing more in the lyrics. Then the stunned realization of how deep the lyrics are at the first time of "In the high school halls, in the shopping malls. Be cool or be cast out." Hits like a ton of bricks. I had the same reaction when I first heard Subdivisions and it instantly became one of my favourites.
Essa música é perfeita. Tudo, desde o riff de teclados, a voz, a letra, os harmônicos, solos, progressão, dinâmica. Quem disse que música pop não pode ser obra de arte?
A great song about growing up in the suburbs. The official video for this song illustrates that too. The drummer (one of the best in the business) is the one who writes almost all of the lyrics for this band. I really like your reactions!
I heard of RUSH in Cuba when I was living there in the eighties. I was blown away. Even more excitement when I saw them in concert in West Palm Beach, FL for the first time. Amazing lyrics and masters of instruments.
Geddy's voice is probably the most unique of the rock groups out there period. As a male who sang in concert choir and men's chorus I can't say that Geddy would have ever been in that setting with his voice, but when I was in I school listening to the radio, there was never a doubt in my head that I was listening to a RUSH song when I heard Geddy singing. I always wondered what he looked like. I imagined a short, skinny teenager produced those sounds. Imagine years later when I actually saw one of their videos. A very bizarre reaction I had. He looks like he should have a lower voice. Either way, the three of them are/were an awesome band. RIP Neil.
One of the best drummers ever, jus passed... Man, The Dan, Boston and Rush could have take n over the world back then.... glad I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s
It's amazing to watch teenagers and parents afraid to let kids fail through the lens of this song. "He's got to make his own mistakes and learn to mend the mess he makes. He's old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it." Brilliant.
I started listening to Rush in the 80s. To this day if you ask me what my all time fav band is I will tell you hands down, RUSH!! Their music will never get old for me. it will still give me all the feels I crave from music!! Thank you for doing this vids man!!
I think the lyrics of subdivisions are very complex, yet meaningful and beautiful. Still have a powerful connection to many listeners. Rush rocks period. ☮️
Jamal, this is my favorite song from Rush. I love that you picked a video that had lyrics. I am a musician and pay little to no attention to lyrics because most of time they are hard to understand in the first place. I was chilled up reading the lyrics which I missed all these years, but are brilliant. Neil knew how to not only play drums, but rolled out amazing lyrics that I now know thanks to this video. R.I.P Neil. A terrible loss to all of us.
This was the next record after Moving Pictures album. Sometimes with Rush it helps to know what order a record came in to understand how they were changing over time. A lot d great songs on this record. I really like Analog Kid and Digital Man songs. Digital Man has some really cool drum and bass grooves.
Yes, good comment about knowing the order of the songs, it would have been cool if started off with songs from the first LP and worked his way through to see the way they changed over the course of their career. But someone knew to Rush probably wouldn't realize or think of doing it that way. But it is nice to see how much our man here enjoys the band. I figured he would given he enjoys some great lyrics, Rush has plenty of those! I always thought their "stages" are quite well defined in a way if you look at their first 12 studio LPs, broken into quarters with a live LP ending an era. Era 1: Rush, FBN, CoS, 2112 are the formative years. Rock and Roll with the influences of prog rock/sci-fi/fantasy seeping in and being perfected with 2112. Then we get live LP AtWaS. Era 2: AFTK, HEMI, PeW, MP continues with more prog and sci-fi transitioning thru the era from the epic length songs to a more compact and more refined sound. Then we get the live LP, E:SL. Era 3: SIG, GuP, PoW, HYF. More synth similar to a lot of the pop bands of the early 80s (but Rush did it better!) begins this era, then with the next two LPs, they toned back on the synth a bit and really shifted focus that would lead them into the 90s and beyond with the release of the live LP ASoH, ending the 80s for the band.
@@norwegianblue2017 My last Rush show was 2006. Imagine my joy when they opened with "Limelight" and went straight into "Analog Kid." I didn't think I would ever get to hear that one live. And "The Weapon" does not get nearly enough enough love in the Rush canon.
I may have commented before, but it brought tears to my eyes to hear these lyrics and experience these musical notes once again, and to watch the expressions of shock and joy and awe and the understanding of the deep true thoughts that are expressed in these lyrics that cross your face brother. Music is universal and I believe the music of RUSH even more so. Hugs and Peace and Love to all my fellow RUSH fans!
The Trees is pretty advanced Rush content. Now I gotta see how he got to Subdivisions, if he took the long path he is ready for more sunlight, if not, the oaks will ignore his plea.
One of my favorite Rush songs. The lyrics, music and percussion are superb. I'm a drummer and Neil has been my idol since forever. I love the way they also push this song like a steamroller, building and building to the climax. Mindblowing stuff!
that was the song of MY youth...it came out just as i was starting high school...in a catholic suburb where every kid's parent had a "basement bar" and that's where we partied...the peer pressure to "be cool or be cast out" was very real...and the professor, neil peart, captured that maxim perfectly in this song...and his drums were SMOKIN' even more than his lyrics...which is why he will always and forever be my favorite drummer of all-time!
Nice stunned reaction!!!! Lyrics are just great.....as they have substance & truth to them. And the music is sooo silky smooth. Alex Lifeson sings the "SUBDIVISIONS" backup vocal part. This is a killer song to experience performed live!!
Enjoy your show so very much I grew up in the neighbourhood were Rush lived in all those lyrics ring true even today and I 58 years old...these songs will live for years from now. Deep and true.
A really solid album, and my first Rush album that I owned. I had a cassette copy of the live album Exit... stage left before, but this one was my first which I outright owned. An still own to this day (on vinyl of course) ❤
When I was a teenager in the 80's RUSH "spoke" to me just like they're speaking to you now. It's been amazing watching you take this journey and allowing me to relive so many good memories vicariously through you. Thank you. Much appreciated.
The song isn't just about what it's like to be a nerd in high school. But how the circle of life goes. at the end, that nerdy kid, grew up got tired of life in the big city moved out to The burbs, which resulted in his own kid being a lonely video game nerd.
Some of the best lyrics in rock by one of the best drummers to have walked the earth. I still can't believe Neil is gone. He has been my mentor on the drums for 32 years and I still play with the same determination he had. Thanks for pointing out the lyrics.
traumaturgist SBI yes, it’s a bit irritating. Anyone who goes to the bother of putting out these lyric videos should at least get crucial parts of the lyrics right! Grrr... Still, reactors generally get the gist. There are worse things!
@@kevinmcfarlane2752 Yeah, I watch a lot of reviewers and many lyric videos even have incorrect spelling of words! Like the Animals songs by PF. "It's too late to LOOSE control..." That one always sticks out in my mind. Seriously, if going through the trouble to make a lyric video, at least learn how to spell! Or refer to the actual lyrics as I am sure they are easily found with a simple Google search!
Thank you my favorite Rush song, for both incredible lyrics and amazing musicianship. The time changes in this song add to the interest going from 7/4 at the start to 4/4 with the main part of the song mixing between the two and the chorus at a 6/4 time. This song is genius on so many levels. If you get a chance look up the official video though it was good that you watched a lyrics video first as some words are hard to pick up especially in the original video with 1982 sound quality.
This is probably my favorite Rush song. Sure, they have their epics, which are stellar, but this song, with it's lyrics and the keyboards, just seethe into my brain, and I get chills every time I hear it.
Neil Peart is not only one of the greatest drummers ever, but also one of the greatest lyricists ever.
True. Three gifted musicians and they gelled so well to form this perfect group.
Calm down, sir. His Ayn Rand stuff is pure shit. Even he doesn't like that anymore.
@@gutemberg7946 And therefore making mistakes and/or outgrowing your old stuff means you're not that great...
@@gutemberg7946 "His mind is not for rent, to any god or government". Ayn Rand pure gold.
yessir!
This was their Bat signal for us Dreamers and Misfits. It called to me like a moth to a flame. This song was to let us know we weren't alone, we weren't going to let the "cool kids" keep us down. Love Rush and love the fact you read and try to understand the depth of Neil's masterful lyrics. Well done Jamel!
And this is why Rush’s fan base is so predominantly made up of us old nerds who were once young nerds just trying to survive the minefields of junior high and high school. The guys in Rush understood what we were going thru.💪🏻🤘🏻
The guys in Rush lived the same experience.
Especially the part of the music video in the Video Arcade... ;)
Greg Karris
Holy shit, I spent sooo much money on Donkey Kong and Gallaga!
@@bigbrutalbassbeer410 Asteroids, space invaders and defender got more than a couple coins from me also. I probably coulda bought my first car with the money.
The song Freewill helped guide me through all my friends turning into Jesus Freaks...I was like WTF? That song spoke to me and I figured out it was ok to believe what you believe and not follow these people down a road I didnt want to travel. Rush was and still is very important to my way of thinking.
It still hits me hard that Neil is gone. I’ve never grieved over the death of someone I never met till now.
Me too. It's on going everytime I hear a Rush song. Subdivisions is my favorite. Chills when I hear it.
Same
My fave drummer. 2020 sucked and took my fave guitarist Eddie Van Halen.
I balled for two days, freaked me out!
the lyrics alone alone give me goosebumps.
...and gives me tears in my eyes.....
Same here dude!!
This came out when I was in high school in a small, nowhere farm town... struggling to find myself and where to fit in life... So... Yeah... It spoke to me to say the least
'Conform or be Cast Out' truly resonates. I now embrace my uniqueness, complexity, resourcefulness, bravery, creativity and individualism. Was picked on for it but I have persevered.
@@clab5864 Isn't it awesome when you can do that with confidence? Would not go back to school years to save my life. Now, at age 67, I'm close to many former classmates, some of whom I barely knew then. I found who I fit in with and it's amazing when we get together in person.
As a former high school misfit, the chorus punches me in the gut EVERY time. It’s very effective
I’m warning you, once you get hooked on RUSH, you’re going to be listening to them A LOT!
My favorite song by them is The Manhattan Project.
Prime Mover or Grand Designs...... no Marathon....... oh I can’t decide!
Word. It just might be be a genetic thing. You either get it, or you never will.
'tis a most healthy addiction
True
the charm of geddy's voice is that he sounds like a child
an innocent sincere and brilliant genius child
and he speaks to our inner child
Very insightful
a child with an old soul...
He is singing philosophy in a poetic way. I never heard his voice explained like you just did and I totally agree.
This song more than any other I ever seen was embraced by teenagers who felt a connection to this song and what was going on in their lives.
and the video tied it all together
If you lived in Scarborough you lived this song. I lived west end, it all made sence. Listen to The Tragically Hip next. RUSH RULES
this song and lakeside park sums up my teen years.
I couldn't agree more. I was in high school when this album was released and it describes being a teenager and high school kid more than any I know. My second favorite rush song.
I always felt connected to this song. It is so powerful.
Wife: "Honey, we're going to be late picking up the kids!"
Me: "Hang on, Jamel just discovered Rush, and Neil Peart's lyrics."
Wife: "The kids will wait."
Lol
Yes! The anthem for all the square pegs! These lyrics are amazing!
Is this song about how we all congregate in these like minded groups?
@@cliffcampbell8827
I would say it's about the people who don't fit into any group "nowhere is the dreamer or the misfit so alone". Or the people that are different than the norm.
@@rickhaddad7261 Yeah, about how society has all these cliques and if you don't belong, you're looked at with suspicion, fear and ignorance, which results in torment and harassment instead of celebrated as an individual and unique. "One of us, one of us, one of us." It's is easy to become "one of them" because it's welcoming and protective and easy (although, some groups do have a physical initiation that some would consider to be abuse or even a felony assult).
Square pegs,I likey 😎
One of my favourite ever songs. The mad time signature, the flow of the verses, and the melody of the chords all click perfectly together, it's such a perfectly written song in every aspect, from the music to the lyrics to the instrumentation, just amazing.
One aspect of their music that constantly gets overlooked is the syncopation. Everything is so precise that it just amazes me every time. Consummate professionals in every aspect.
I still get chills EVERY TIME I hear that opening synth drone...
This tune was as true in 1982 as it is now in 2019. The pressures to conform to societal 'norms' and to 'fit in' (be part of, and succeed in the rat race) seems to be a universal truth, and an unfortunate constant! This was and continues to be an 'anthem' for teenagers, especially in high school. Anyone who has had an awkward time during this period can completely feel and understand this song. Rush was always 'nerd' rock - it's intellectual lyrical subject matter, and complex progressive music always spoke to us free-thinkers, the non-conformists, the nerds, the misfits. This is why we love our Holy Trinity from Toronto so much!! Great reaction - thanks for this one!
You win the internet for the day with that comment my man!! AAA+++++
Absolutely!
@@HendrixJHE thanks! Nice to win something now and again!!
Roger Waters wrote about the same themes in a dark yet musically brilliant way on Pink Floyd's "Animals" album. It's more a reflection on society and greed in a grander scope than about high school, but if you broke the songs and lyrics on the"Animals" album down into many small parts, the period of life described in Rush"s "Subdivisions" would fit right in. He definitely carries those themes on in "The Wall". The young child having to conform etc. Love how so many bands great music ties in together in a sometimes remote way with some other band and it makes you think of them.Cheers from canada
Yes Darren, the sentiments here are indeed universal and truthful. Many see Rush as a uniquely Canadian band but their art and meaning are for all of us and for all times. Someone once wrote that great artists have no country. As a teenager growing up on the edge of a British town in the late 80s, this was just as powerful for me. You just HAVE to love Rush!
This is my favorite song from Rush. The lyrics are so amazing and true.
Jamel, I’m old enough to remember when Rush used to play local high schools in and around my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario just outside of Toronto...
Additionally, Neil Peary the drummer of whom writes all the music and lyrics was born in Hamilton...
ruclips.net/video/Drouhbjp_9c/видео.html
St. Kitts.
Im jealous! What awesome memories you must be able to enjoy!
They played at my High School when my parents went there in the 70's.
As a dreamer and misfit from a suburban high school, I so appreciate this song.
This song was so different, with is heavy use of keyboards for the main sound texture of the verses, from earlier Rush albums.
Musically and lyrically, one of Rush's top 5 songs. One of their very best. Neil's lyric writing was sharp as a razor here.
A controversial filmmaker (and Rush fan) once noted "I'm convinced this song has saved lives."
Rush provided me with over 40 years worth of deep lyrics and awesome sound ... thanks Alex, Geddy, and Neil. Jamel, I suggest you install a seat belt on your chair, 'cause there's oh so much more Rush out there. I envy you getting to discover it all for the first time.
When it comes to songwriting, absolutely no one has raised the combined level of intellect, emotion, and musicianship farther than Rush.
Rush has always been crazy for 3 people lol but then again Geddy Lee is 3 people in 1
Don't forget Alex is also doing keyboards with his feet.
Saw Rush twice in the 80’s. Watched Geddy fret bass notes with his left hand while playing keyboards with his right all the while playing bass pedals with his feet. Oh yeah forgot to mention he also sings complex vocals.......Amazing! Disregard anyone who criticizes his singing as a looser
If Rush wanted to do a tribute tour/final tour, they’d have no problem finding a drummer who would want to do it. Their unique problem is finding a drummer who COULD do it. RIP Neil, a true legend.
Rush could absolutely not go on without Neil.
Other bands have replaced drummers we know.
I seen them a few times and I had fun watching them have fun while they are creating that music together and then performing it.
It's friendship after more than 30 years at its best.
This song came out in 1982. Rush was my band in junior high and high school. This song resonated with me so much, since I was one of those dreamers and misfits. If you get a chance to watch the actual music video, it takes you right back...
Loved watching your reaction to one of my favorite songs from arguably my favorite band. It's a shame Rush isn't more well known than they already are, but in a way that makes it more of a treat watching when someone's mind is blown by their artistic and lyrical mastery.
My favorite Rush song there. It debuted at the perfect time for me. And I heard every word then. Still haven't forgotten it.
Those of us who felt like outsiders and weirdos heard with our own ears that someone, Rush, knew what we were feeling, meaning we were not alone.
Aside from neil being the greatest rock drummer of all time, there is such a genius to 2 small lines in this one rush song, "lose the race to rats, get caught in ticking traps." Something all of us regular people can relate to. Shit goes wrong in our lives sometimes, but for him to find the perfect usage of r's and t's, race to rats, and ticking traps, to make such a powerful statement in such an elegant way, it was soooo neil. Such a way with words and unmatched lyrical craftmanship in rock music.
Perfect song to capture the loneliness of restless suburban youth in a cookie-cutter world of sameness.
Then you grow up and long for those days of quiet and peace that you wanted nothing to do with in your youth. Everything eventually comes around full circle.
@@thegreenman2030 The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
This song gets me in the feels every time.
rush - the thinking man's rock. Saw them live twice , once for the "moving pictures" tour and again for the "signals" tour back in the early 80's. Still have my ticket stubs, concert tee and some fond memories of a certain little blond honey that accompanied me, lol.
Do "working man" my fave rush tune. The guitar work is out of this world.
Those were awesome Rush concerts in those days. I've been to 5 Rush concerts with my brother over the years. The first one was The Grace Over Pressure tour on May 24, 1984 at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. 2nd one was the Hold Your Fire tour on February 25, 1988 in Los Angeles. 3rd was the Presto tour on March 30, 1990. 4th was Roll The Bones tour on January 20, 1992 in San Diego. We enjoyed that one so much we bought tickets for another Roll The Bones concert in Reno on June 1, 1992.
Someone else said it, but seeing a man become enraptured in Rush is so cool to watch.
NGL - I started air drumming.
I agree. I have listened to Rush (favorite band) since 1983. THIS ALBUM started it. It was released at the end of 1982 (high school for me) and the school was flooded with these t-shirts after these sold out shows.
In any case, watching THIS reaction to the lyrics of this song in particular was amazing. Brought me to tears. These lyrics for every suburban kid in high school were iconic. To see the same lyrics strike someone new...almost 40 years later... no words.
Ain't it man.
I felt this one deep as a teenager. This and Distant Early Warning will always be my favorite Rush songs.
"Nowhere is the dreamer and misfit so alone" Resonates with me still since 1982 right in the middle of high school
All I can say to you buddy, is watch one of their many concert DVD’s to see them perform these great songs and see their amazing musical talents because it honestly does them no justice, these men were and still are ICONS 🤘🏻🤘🏻
I love your reactions especially Rush. I watch them over and over
Their lyrics transcends time itself, race, and experience all at the same time! 🕰⏳
Subdivisions was inducted into Canada's Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010 that's how important those lyrics are ❤🇨🇦
Dude I love watching you "discover" Rush... I was too young to really appreciate what I was blessed to be listening to when each new album came out, but I envy you for being able to hear Rush for the first time with each new video you post
"These are some deep lyrics"
Why yes, they are.
Thanks for checking out the various songs of Rush! It has been entertaining watching you experience their music for the first time.
You have good taste in music.
I remember as a teenager hearing this and though I did not not live in a subdivision, I totally related to these lyrics. They still resonate today in many ways unsettling ways.
Signals was one of the first albums I ever had. Brings back great memories. "The suburbs have no charms to soothe the restless dreams of youth". Indeed.
Can you do Distant Early Warning. Another great Rush song with an incredible message. Holds up to this day.
The anthem of misfits and nerds both old and young( I'm 58, and still relate to it). That synth just adds to the feeling of the lyrics. Rush, intelligent music, as usual
Lol...dudes face at around 3 minutes when they drop their first “subdivisions”...
I love these reaction vids...
Get em up against the wall....
...can't name any other song which impressed me more and touched me deeper in the year 1982 (at the age of 21) than THIS SONG...... maybe my all-time favorite of Rush!
I've had Rush's music with me for almost 40 years. Thank you for the chance to experience it anew through your eyes. Welcome to Club Rush, my good sir!
It's amazing how their songs grow more relevant as the decades pass. True masters of prediction through their music.
I'm very happy you came back to Rush and this song. It's a timeless classic, probably my favorite from them. Couple of others to listen to at some point, Limelight and Working Man.
Those two are so different-the most popular radio friendly song of theirs and a Pre-Peart straight ahead hard rock song. By-Tor would be a mind trip too, or 2112
Can’t say I have 1 fav from Rush. They have to many good ones to say one is best It’s like they all my favs
BrianK 70 Working Man is one of their absolute BEST!! An ode to blue collar workers. Love it!!
Neil's a prophet lyricist as a lot of songs he wrote has true meanings today
Every Rush song has deep lyrics 😁
ehhh, Maybe not; "I think I'm going Bald"..:)..ruclips.net/video/CoFJiDO1ml4/видео.html But; exceptions don't disprove the rule...
@@godbluffvdgg LOL this was EXACTLY what my response was gonna be!
@@traumaturgist They say; Great minds think alike...What the hell's our story?...:)
@@godbluffvdgg Well I've been listening to Rush for so long I even laughed out loud when everyone complained that Vapor Trails needed remixing....and a little irked when Rush actually did it, but hey - there's still the original!
Dog Years and Virtuality...
I GOTTA listen to every one of your Rush reviews that pop up on my youtube. Respect bruh... you fucking get it, I think more than me sometimes... it's a feel thing, Respect!
This has always been my favorite by Rush, I know they have so many good tunes but this one speaks to me in ways the others don't. I've never been part of the crowd, never had bunches of friends, and this song makes me feel less alone. I am that misfit, but this made me aware that there are others who feel the same. I honestly get choked up every time I hear it, and yes that means I'm crying as I write this. Good tears tho ✌
Another one of my all time favs. Rush's drummer is the reason I started to play the drums. I love playing this track. Cheers
Saw them in 1978 when the Hemispheres album came out. What a trip I got to go on that night!!! Love the deep meanings in the lyrics. The intelligence you hear in the lyrics and the music is like no other
I lived about 30 miles from the Welsh farm where Hemispheres was recorded. Of course I had no idea at the time, but Hemispheres is my favorite album.
Love how one can see, by the end of the second verse, your face changing a little from grooving out to hearing more in the lyrics. Then the stunned realization of how deep the lyrics are at the first time of "In the high school halls, in the shopping malls. Be cool or be cast out."
Hits like a ton of bricks. I had the same reaction when I first heard Subdivisions and it instantly became one of my favourites.
Probably one of my favorite RUSH songs ever.
Essa música é perfeita. Tudo, desde o riff de teclados, a voz, a letra, os harmônicos, solos, progressão, dinâmica. Quem disse que música pop não pode ser obra de arte?
A great song about growing up in the suburbs. The official video for this song illustrates that too. The drummer (one of the best in the business) is the one who writes almost all of the lyrics for this band. I really like your reactions!
I heard of RUSH in Cuba when I was living there in the eighties. I was blown away. Even more excitement when I saw them in concert in West Palm Beach, FL for the first time. Amazing lyrics and masters of instruments.
One of my favs along with 'The Trees' and 'Red Barchetta'
And both songs are relevant and prophetic today. Not to mention, damn fine songs, too
Geddy's voice is probably the most unique of the rock groups out there period. As a male who sang in concert choir and men's chorus I can't say that Geddy would have ever been in that setting with his voice, but when I was in I school listening to the radio, there was never a doubt in my head that I was listening to a RUSH song when I heard Geddy singing. I always wondered what he looked like. I imagined a short, skinny teenager produced those sounds. Imagine years later when I actually saw one of their videos. A very bizarre reaction I had. He looks like he should have a lower voice. Either way, the three of them are/were an awesome band. RIP Neil.
Time Stand Still is an absolute masterpiece, it resonate's with every human over the age of 30. Easily one of the 5 greatest songs of all time.
YourGodsIcon some fans don’t rate it but I do. 😊
This would be great of comparison of Rush at a later date in time, Big Money too.
It was our during my senior year of high school. It made life perfect.
Agreed
YourGodsIcon YES!!!
One of the best drummers ever, jus passed... Man, The Dan, Boston and Rush could have take n over the world back then.... glad I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s
"New World Man" has amazing lyrics as well
It's amazing to watch teenagers and parents afraid to let kids fail through the lens of this song. "He's got to make his own mistakes and learn to mend the mess he makes. He's old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it." Brilliant.
You are becoming my favorite reactor. You covered, "The Trees", your the only one. Keep it up.
RUSH takes you on a journey... they paint pictures with their sound!
And Journey gives you a rush!
Rush has always been my favorite band. Subdivisions, was one of my favorite songs. Saw them live many times. Talent beyond! RIP Neal Peart 🎶🥁
The members of Rush all seem to be playing completely different songs that fit together perfectly.
Thank you for covering this. Rush wass beyond their time. I thank GOD I got see them in concert before Neil Pert passed
Red Barchetta has to be done my friend.
The more you listen to Rush, the deeper the lyrics get! They were one of the greatest bands of all time! This is one of my all time favorites!
Heartbroken now...Our drumming lyricist genius is gone ...GOD BLESS his talented soul.May he drum for Heaven now!
May the professor rest in peace
God needed a drummer.
My favorite Rush song. Love your videos man. Just subscribed.
Watching the mindblow on the first chorus, bruh. That's how I feel when I listen to this song every damn time.
I started listening to Rush in the 80s. To this day if you ask me what my all time fav band is I will tell you hands down, RUSH!! Their music will never get old for me. it will still give me all the feels I crave from music!! Thank you for doing this vids man!!
This was one of my brothers favorite songs.. i miss my brother when i hear certain songs but they are happy memories.
I remember standing in the Philadelphia Spectrum in the 1980s hearing this live - just wow. What amazing talent these 3 men have.
I think the lyrics of subdivisions are very complex, yet meaningful and beautiful. Still have a powerful connection to many listeners. Rush rocks period. ☮️
Jamal, this is my favorite song from Rush. I love that you picked a video that had lyrics. I am a musician and pay little to no attention to lyrics because most of time they are hard to understand in the first place. I was chilled up reading the lyrics which I missed all these years, but are brilliant. Neil knew how to not only play drums, but rolled out amazing lyrics that I now know thanks to this video. R.I.P Neil. A terrible loss to all of us.
This was the next record after Moving Pictures album. Sometimes with Rush it helps to know what order a record came in to understand how they were changing over time. A lot d great songs on this record. I really like Analog Kid and Digital Man songs. Digital Man has some really cool drum and bass grooves.
Those are great, Losing it is great too.
Yes, good comment about knowing the order of the songs, it would have been cool if started off with songs from the first LP and worked his way through to see the way they changed over the course of their career. But someone knew to Rush probably wouldn't realize or think of doing it that way. But it is nice to see how much our man here enjoys the band. I figured he would given he enjoys some great lyrics, Rush has plenty of those!
I always thought their "stages" are quite well defined in a way if you look at their first 12 studio LPs, broken into quarters with a live LP ending an era. Era 1: Rush, FBN, CoS, 2112 are the formative years. Rock and Roll with the influences of prog rock/sci-fi/fantasy seeping in and being perfected with 2112. Then we get live LP AtWaS. Era 2: AFTK, HEMI, PeW, MP continues with more prog and sci-fi transitioning thru the era from the epic length songs to a more compact and more refined sound. Then we get the live LP, E:SL. Era 3: SIG, GuP, PoW, HYF. More synth similar to a lot of the pop bands of the early 80s (but Rush did it better!) begins this era, then with the next two LPs, they toned back on the synth a bit and really shifted focus that would lead them into the 90s and beyond with the release of the live LP ASoH, ending the 80s for the band.
I always say that Analog Kid is Rush's most underrated song. I put it in their top ten or very close to that.
@@norwegianblue2017 My last Rush show was 2006. Imagine my joy when they opened with "Limelight" and went straight into "Analog Kid." I didn't think I would ever get to hear that one live.
And "The Weapon" does not get nearly enough enough love in the Rush canon.
I may have commented before, but it brought tears to my eyes to hear these lyrics and experience these musical notes once again, and to watch the expressions of shock and joy and awe and the understanding of the deep true thoughts that are expressed in these lyrics that cross your face brother.
Music is universal and I believe the music of RUSH even more so.
Hugs and Peace and Love to all my fellow RUSH fans!
Now you have gotten this far .at I suggest the song called "the trees"
Or The Red Barchetta.
The Trees is pretty advanced Rush content. Now I gotta see how he got to Subdivisions, if he took the long path he is ready for more sunlight, if not, the oaks will ignore his plea.
He did "The Trees". He liked it
The trees were all kept equal by hatchet axe and saw.
Yes please
One of my favorite Rush songs. The lyrics, music and percussion are superb. I'm a drummer and Neil has been my idol since forever. I love the way they also push this song like a steamroller, building and building to the climax. Mindblowing stuff!
Love the synth, but when those bass lick hit, they hit home !!!
that was the song of MY youth...it came out just as i was starting high school...in a catholic suburb where every kid's parent had a "basement bar" and that's where we partied...the peer pressure to "be cool or be cast out" was very real...and the professor, neil peart, captured that maxim perfectly in this song...and his drums were SMOKIN' even more than his lyrics...which is why he will always and forever be my favorite drummer of all-time!
All of Rush's lyrics are always deep as hell. You should dive into them for all of their songs that you do.
Nice stunned reaction!!!! Lyrics are just great.....as they have substance & truth to them. And the music is sooo silky smooth. Alex Lifeson sings the "SUBDIVISIONS" backup vocal part. This is a killer song to experience performed live!!
It sounds enveloping and echoey. I haven’t heard anything like that before with deep lyrical context in vocals sung like that. Mind blowing.
I have always been a drum lover. Neil in this song......omg!
Enjoy your show so very much I grew up in the neighbourhood were Rush lived in all those lyrics ring true even today and I 58 years old...these songs will live for years from now. Deep and true.
Lyrics by drummer Neal Peart 🥁
Neil.
So lucky to have seen them live....one of the best bands of the past 30 years!
A really solid album, and my first Rush album that I owned. I had a cassette copy of the live album Exit... stage left before, but this one was my first which I outright owned. An still own to this day (on vinyl of course) ❤
Been listening to RUSH for over 40 years and I am still amazed by the depth / meaning of Peart's lyrics.
Welcome to the genius of RUSH. The only band I'll pay to see.
When I was a teenager in the 80's RUSH "spoke" to me just like they're speaking to you now. It's been amazing watching you take this journey and allowing me to relive so many good memories vicariously through you. Thank you. Much appreciated.
The song isn't just about what it's like to be a nerd in high school. But how the circle of life goes. at the end, that nerdy kid, grew up got tired of life in the big city moved out to The burbs, which resulted in his own kid being a lonely video game nerd.
Some of the best lyrics in rock by one of the best drummers to have walked the earth. I still can't believe Neil is gone. He has been my mentor on the drums for 32 years and I still play with the same determination he had. Thanks for pointing out the lyrics.
It's "any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth" - not "disprove." Just a public service announcement from your friendly lyrics nerd. :)
traumaturgist SBI yes, it’s a bit irritating. Anyone who goes to the bother of putting out these lyric videos should at least get crucial parts of the lyrics right! Grrr...
Still, reactors generally get the gist. There are worse things!
Thank you! That bothered me!
@@kevinmcfarlane2752 Yeah, I watch a lot of reviewers and many lyric videos even have incorrect spelling of words! Like the Animals songs by PF. "It's too late to LOOSE control..." That one always sticks out in my mind. Seriously, if going through the trouble to make a lyric video, at least learn how to spell! Or refer to the actual lyrics as I am sure they are easily found with a simple Google search!
I always thought it was "might help to soothe," which at least has the same general gist as "smooth"
@@HollowGolem So did I! It was educational going back to the original liner lyrics, which I haven't done in a dog's age...
Thank you my favorite Rush song, for both incredible lyrics and amazing musicianship. The time changes in this song add to the interest going from 7/4 at the start to 4/4 with the main part of the song mixing between the two and the chorus at a 6/4 time. This song is genius on so many levels. If you get a chance look up the official video though it was good that you watched a lyrics video first as some words are hard to pick up especially in the original video with 1982 sound quality.
This song was my youth, growing up in Toronto
This is probably my favorite Rush song. Sure, they have their epics, which are stellar, but this song, with it's lyrics and the keyboards, just seethe into my brain, and I get chills every time I hear it.