Don’t worry if you aren’t sure you’re understanding a Tool song all you have to do is ask a Tool fan about it. We don’t shut the fuck up when it comes to explaining Tool songs 🤣.
The more you look into this song, the more you see. An example: 1 Black 1 then 2 white are 3 all I see 5 in my infancy 8 Red and yellow then came to be 5 reaching out to me 3 lets me see 2 there is 1 so 1 much 2 more and 3 beckons me 5 to look through to these 8 infinite possibilities 13 As below, so above and beyond, I imagine 8 drawn outside the lines of reason 5 Push the envelope 3 Watch it bend Keep em coming, Rachael. 🙂
So cruel! 🤣Rachael is never going to figure it out from that! Google, "Fibonacci sequence", Rachael. The lyrics for Lateralus are surprisingly specific. It is a mathematical sequence of numbers where each number is the sum of the preceding two, that is what the song is constructed on, that is also a naturally occurring sequence that appears throughout the natural world, defining the shape of all sorts of things, both living and dead. It forms a spiral shape and has also been used repeatedly through musical history to construct musical composition. It is also why the band chose to use sounds recorded from inside the human body as the intro to the song.
It goes so much deeper than that. You can translate the Fibonacci sequence into a number. That being 1.618. Such as the intro length. It's 1 minute 37 seconds. Or 1.618 minutes. Even the time signatures are related to the Fibonacci sequence
The Fibonacci sequence is in just about everything with this song. The lyrics, the beats the time signature and many other parts. I think the octaves and split between each note olayed follows some more mathematic sequences that correlate with Fibonacci. If memory serves there’s also the golden ratios and pi involved as well. I’ll have to go back and look it up.
@@psych0CS2 You don't really translate the sequence into a number. The fibonacci sequence has that unique property that the ratio of two neighboring numbers in the sequence approximate the golden ratio. The golden ratio itself is an irrational number, but the higher the numbers get, the closer you approximate "Phi", the golden ratio. The golden ratio is very specific so that B/A == (A+B)/B The actual number is (1+sqrt(5))/2 and is approximately 1,61803398874989484...
With that repetition of the line I wonder if he sings "what ever will bewilder me, what ever will be willed of me" Maynard love word play and doesn't usually repeat himself without reason.
there is a documentary about Tool’s history. They have a special part dedicated to this song and how it’s related to the Fibonacci sequence. It’s funny because the chorus says, ‘Overthinking, overanalyzing, separates the body from the mind.’ It seems that Tool its making fun at the idea of overthinking the meaning of their songs and life. I love Tool, they are one of my favorite bands among all the music I know. I had the opportunity to see them in a show in Spain a few years ago, and I always remember it as one of the best moments of my life. I love your reactions, the way you feel the music, and how you create different theories about it!
"Overthinking, overanalysing" its so meta. Because you literały overthink and overanalyse this song while listening to those words. Its just unbelivable
And it's followed by birth. First Black, then White is all you can see. Then red and yellow appears once you have adjusted to the light so you can actually see. Though most lines have several meanings and interpretations. Though the best thing about the song is the use of the fibonacci sequence: 1 Black 1 then 2 white are 3 all I see 5 In my infancy 8 red and yellow then came to be // swing backwards on the spiral 5 reaching out to me 3 lets me see Later it "swings" up to the next one in the sequence which is 13 For those who don't know the sequence, it can be found in nature in many things (but not in as many as some esoteric people believe). It's a sequence that build the next element out of the two preceding. You usually start with either 0 and 1 or 1 and 1 0 + 1 = 1 1 + 1 = 2 1 + 2 = 3 2 + 3 = 5 3 + 5 = 8 5 + 8 = 13 8 + 13 = 21 13 + 21 = 34 21 + 34 = 55 ... The ratio of two neighboring numbers in the sequence slowly approach the golden ratio.
"Newborns can see contrast between black and white shapes. The first primary color they are able to distinguish is red. This happens in the first few weeks of life. Babies can start to notice differences in shades of colors, particularly between red and green, between 3 and 4 months old."
Or is it a reference to the 69 book and research work Basic Color Terms: Their Universality and Evolution, which found that cultures come up with words for hues in a particular order? Especially considering how yellow is actually "seen", it would come at the same time as many, many other hues, I think its a reference to the book myself. Maybe both, they love double meanings. ;) But also the meanings that Ray here mentioned about black and white reasoning and such. Love tool
@@jamesnewman9547 Well, that's an interesting book, although a bit outdated in its approach and methodology. But Tool aren't scholars, linguists, or anthropologists so it being outdated wouldn't be a reason to assume they weren't thinking of it. But they use the word "infancy" and not language group or tribe, so I think my proposal of their source is the most simple explanation (occam's razor principle). Yes, anything can be a metaphor for anything, but they directly reference the known order of colors that infants are thought to recognize first. Again, most simple explanation.
@@eximusic Another indication of your thought process would be the beats in the beginning that sounds as if it were under water, and could be a reference to the womb. Thanks for sharing that, because I never thought about what you described with newborns.
May also be referencing the colors relating to the alchemical process…the whole album is a soul journey through the process of self realization and turning lead to gold, metaphorically of course.
Even though many will disagree, it wasn't even one of my favorites on the album..... regardless of opinions, to me that's a real testament to how insanely great the album is, because it's an absolutely amazing song, and there's very few bands that will ever reach this level of songwriting.
The way I interpret this song is basically describing the individual evolution of a person. There's just the way everyone grows up from basically unconsciousness, through awareness in sort of an animal-like sense, to the human experience where we're sentient and aware of our own reality and mortality, and for many that's just this scary place where the evolution stops and we're trapped in this sort of uncomfortable consciousness. Then he urges us to push the envelope of that experience so that we can continue the pattern of growth instead of being stuck in existential malaise.
The only way to exceed the human experience is to cross the bridge of death, and awake on the other side. This life is but a transitory existance... the spiral has no beginning or end
For me it just means "Stop overthinking, enjoy life, grow as a person, think outside the box, and keep growing" for me is like the 2nd part of the message that starts in 46&2
Always amazing to see someone knowing Tool, and especially this song. This is a song that connects with me strongly. I'm trying to ride the spiral and not thinking, and thinking and letting anxiety stop me, limiting my life even in the smallest things. "Lateralus" is a life lesson for introverts, a beautiful and strong message.
Its not about not thinking. Its about learning to balance thought with feeling, intention and will. :) But first we usually have to start by quieting our mind. It spirals out and unfolds in stages.
Maynard has the perfect voice for every song and that is across 3 different bands....one of my favourite songs ever and i will never tire of its wonder.....spiral out...
Tool songs have different meaning and feeling depending on the listeners current state of being which is why they have endless replayability, and also why it's impossible to pick a favorite. I think I've been split between at least 10 favorite songs it sort of depends on whatever I'm currently going through or even instantaneous mood. The most amazing part of each experience is when a song suddenly hits different; you notice one of the 3000 sounds in there that you never noticed before, or one of the unlimited ways the lyrical phrases mean something completely new (infinity entendre). Spiral Out seems to visualize for me more of a controlled expansion or growth than a "spinning out" or uncontrolled snowballing. The Fibonacci sequence can be drawn as a spiral, which also means the future of the path can be predicted by calculation, a bit predetermined like destiny - but if you swing on it you add your own fun and exciting turbulence to it and can draw way outside the lines. Reminds me of Spirograph which was a art/game/toy/activity set back when I was a kid.
"Almost like that underwater kind of sound, like that warbling and then it slowly morphed into almost like, uh, like a...like a... almost like um...a percussion in a way ". Almost like a heart beating, maybe? Edit: As Above, So Below is also a term used by most Esoteric Schools of Magick to denote the correspondence between laws and phenomena of different planes of existence. For an experience unlike any other if you feel up to it, these 2 together - Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)/Rosetta Stoned - are a walk on the 'tripped on acid' side of Tool's discography. Both are from the 10,000 Days album and absolutely worth a listen/reaction.
Here's a tip... Tool songs mostly end in a crescendo, so when you stop the song with a minute or two left, you totally ruin the build up and the feeling they're trying to elicit from you. It's like pausing a movie right in the middle of the detective's solution to the murder at the end of the movie so you can go cook some more popcorn. They don't do your typical formulaic "intro>verse 1>chorus>verse 2>chorus>bridge>chorus>outro" type music, especially their newest album. I'd love to see you just talk over the song while it's still playing and then go into detail after the song's over...
This is one of my biggest pet peeves of all these “reaction” channels - they ALL do this exact thing, they pause right in the middle over and over and end up ruining the entire feeling of the song. Like, just listen to the song fully through. We’re watching your facial reactions and emotion. Then talk about it and review it *after* the song is over, and go back and replay or whatever. Just take in the song first. Let it do what it’s supposed to do and elicit those nonverbal responses and feelings. Give feedback after it’s over.
Even the start time of the vocals is a Fibonacci in seconds. The beat of this song how they switch back and forth is a Fib number. Same for lyrics... Very genius. Spiral which is everything i life.
A prevalent theory amongst evolutionary biologist is that the first animal eyes evolved from seeing only light and dark. (Black then White) Until sunlight and likely blood and blood vessels expanded around or simply directly exposed the eye to a different pallet (red and yellow) That's the basic duality with the first few lines. Others mentioned the Fibonacci sequence (a very common thing in nature) being a big part of this entire song and that would take paragraphs to explain but as a writer yourself, check out just the syllables to the lyrics to see the spiral: Remember Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13 1+1=2 1+2=3 2+3=5 3+5=8 5+8=13 Black 1 Then 1 White Are 2 All I see 3 In my in-fan-cy 5 Red and yell-ow then came to be 8 Reach-ing out to me 5 Let's me see 3 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
For me this song is all about rediscovering our primitive and child like wonder for life that we all once had as kids. To over analyze and over think is to forget our roots, neglecting a life in accordance with nature. Being stuck in trivialities while forgetting to experience our lives for what they are, taking everything for granted is what this song warns of. We must “spiral out” in life at all times, developing our character and lives naturally, cherishing the simple fact that we are Alive. And of course the Fibonacci sequence is a huge theme in this song, with its presence in the lyrics and structure of the song, symbolizing the mathematic but beautiful patterns we see in all life. It’s a bit mystical but connecting to the natural “spiral” of life is to connect with the literal universe and life itself with awe and admiration.
This IS the greatest hard rock song ever written. In my opinion, that is. Like you say, the "journey" is everything. Musically and Lyrically. The fact the band restricted themselves to following the Fibonacci sequence is just more icing on this 8 layer cake of a tune. It will probably take you two or three more listens to truly appreciate. Best song of all time... No big whoop.
I won’t fight you, but I can’t put any of their songs “far” ahead of their other top tracks. I have Decending and The Grudge as my favorites for different reasons, but theres 10 other ones right there in the conversation, Lateralus being one of them. Just comes down to personal preference I suppose. ✌️🤘👊
to me its about not asking why or looking for answers to everything but instead to just live in the now and enjoy things without needing to know why. just let yourself go. the end when he sings spiral out keep going to me means dont live in a box or in your safe little part of the world just experience everything life has to offer and keep living and learning
GREAT INTERPRETATION! You made connections that i have never thought of that tremendously add to the experience of this song. One example is in the beginning. To me, what sounds like a heartbeat getting louder, you mentioned, sounded like something underwater. The only example of an underwater(in liquid ) heartbeat would be a child in a womb. That fits perfectly with "all we see, in our infantcy." I 've been on the metaphysical aspects of this song and how I can use it to better my life struggles. Shadow work, living in the present, and conscious awareness all (in a nutshell) take an effort to unlock and understand what is going on inside you and how to use it in a positive way. Meanwhile, I still have to get through everyday life. You related "Spiral out, keep going," to anxiety at its worst and having to keep going. Having a panic attack feels like absolute world ending chaos. Although it's hard at the time to believe a panic attack will ever go away, sometimes you have to keep going in order to keep your job, Especially if you are in a high position where employees count on you. For this reason, it is sometimes impossible to get out of bed and get going because of the fear of a panic attack happening. Ride it out, keep going. You related "Spiral out" to a breakdown. "Keep going" is the reality of having to stay engaged. You can't just crawl into the fetal position and sleep it off. And trust me, I've tried, and it hasn't turned out well. There is no excuse in the history of excuses that will make people who have never had mental health issues understand what it's like. So ride it out, and whatever happens, jump back in and keep going. Embrace the random. If an employer, friends, or even family members don't understand, don't be afraid to weep like a widow,then get back up. Bathe in the fountain, getting rid of dirt, and the dead weight.Then jump back on the spiral and prepare for infinite possibilities. Don't overthink ways out of reality. I know I live with something that most people don't understand. That may not ever change. Don't live in black and white; fear, sleepwalking through life. Or red and yellow; inner turmoil and self-destruction because of a past i can't let go or waiting for a future i think i deserve. Black and white or red and yellow, separated may be the subconscious levels that keep us sleeping or daydreaming. Put together, these may be the consciousness we need to stay present and grounded and not overthinking or over analyzing. Sorry this is so long, but this just now came to me from you relating this to anxiety. It may not make sense to anyone else, but I have a whole new way of attacking certain issues.
Good job with your figurative interpretation of the "black then white" line. Most of us take this more literally in the sense of a newborn literally goes from blackness to brightness (white) and then does not see color right away. Children do see things as black/white, such as characters in movies are either good or bad. They don't know about the complexity of gray areas till they get older. Nice reaction!
I’ve always loved this song. It’s just so soothing and perfect when called for, and then so visceral at other times. As far as all the Fibonacci talk - as you continue along the Fibonacci sequence, the ratio between each number and the one before it approaches 1.618. The first word in the song is at 1:37, which is 1.618 minutes into the song. Maybe everyone knows that, but I had heard the syllable thing for years before I heard about the first-word part
Overthinking, overanalyzing, separates the body from the mind...." such a great line. If you can't let yourself go, can't stop analyzing every little thing, then how can you feel anything? Something as simple as focusing on the lyrics while listening to a song for the first time causes your brain to pay attention to one thing, which means you can't enjoy the entirety of the way the song is supposed to make you feel. Maynard is an amazing vocalist, not only for the lyrics he writes, but his timing and tone. He matches the vocals amazingly with the music.
Overanalyzing. It's good that you realize that's what you're doing... while so many fans seem to miss the message in the very song they dissect. Feel. Experience. Act. Follow motivations, dreams, intuition. Don't dwell on reason or meaning. Reach for the new. Spiral out. Keep going.
THERE you go girl! I haven’t made it through the whole video yet, but I wanted to stop real fast to comment. Tool is a very deep-thinking band. As I said from your last video, they are ALL masters of their craft. The lead singer Maynard, is also the lead singer in two other bands as well. He also owns a HUGE vineyard out in Arizona. He is the CEO his wine company, Caduceus Cellars. Tool is where mathematics, philosophy, psychology and spirituality all come together. This particular song constantly looped timing signatures from the Fibonacci sequence… from the timing, the amount of lyrics in each line, the drumbeats, the guitars and bass… EVERYTHING. So once again my love, there is an obvious rabbithole to go down with this band… and oh, of course, this band ROCKS!! Thank you for choosing this song as well. It was one of the best ones off this album. Also, you’re an awesome reviewer. I absolutely love your vibe and everything with it! Happy journeys and safe travels! Love & Light and ✌🏼 out! ❤
Ok, so now I’ve reached the end of your review. BEAUTIFUL reflection of what this song means to you. Tool is true art. You can break down the music, the lyrics, the time signatures, EVERYTHING. I appreciate you spending the time to listen to this song and give us your take. The Fibonacci sequence actually makes a spiral. You can see it throughout nature and throughout life. I am a spiritual consultant and one of my lessons is life is a spiral. We come back around to the same lessons and situations. If we pass “the test,” we ascend to the next level, but we continue on the spiral. If we fail “the test” we descend, usually to get stuck in cycles until we pass the lesson. We “DEscend.” This can lead to frustration, depression, anger and addiction. The more we learn, and we always do, the “greater” our life can be! Lots to unpack in every one of their songs. You did a good job on this one! Thanks! Again, I love your reviews. It also helps that you’re easy on the eyes, your vibe is extremely charming and your intellect is very attractive! :) Keep up the great work! I’m sure you’ve already seen, your audience will grow because you do great work and you’re picking great music. 😘 Love & Light! Spiral out! 😉
All good music, all art, requires multiple listenings/viewings. Tool is musical art. Fibonacci is primary in this song. Music incorporating math. Math incorporating the rhythm of music. “Drawn outside the lines of reason.” …Over analyzing… This song, with your interpretation, feels like a rollercoaster. The rhythm is not known until you find it. Life’s rhythm is not there till you find it. But there is a rhythm we will all find in life. It is just that nobody knows it until they live it.
this song was written with so much complexity literally being written to match that of the fibonacci sequence to the syllables in each verse.going as such 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, and so on
The lyrics for this one are fairly straight-forward (leaving the intricacies of Fibonacci to one side). I have always felt like he was being quite direct in the lyrical message, because he's telling us how we should approach the musical message. Embrace the random, witness the beauty, and fathom the power. It's about having the courage to let go of preconceptions, and conventional wisdom, in order to see reality as it truly is in all its glory.
You know, we only have a speck of time here on this Earth. I've gone around the sun 50 times now. But this song has blessed my ears for 23 of those revolutions. I hope to keep it going for at least 50 more. Spiral out. Keep going.
I never knew "As above, so below" was a movie. That phrase always brings the emerald tablet to mind. I read about it as teen, studying world religion. I still find it strange that hermes trismegistus went from such a huge name, to an unknown one, in so short a time. I am sure that Christian Europe, in the renaissance held him as one of history's biggest figures.
I think the “challenging” part of this song, is the rotation of time signatures. If you have any inner voice with a level of spirituality and psychology (especially of the self improvement deep dive) the lyrics are not difficult. But, been a Tool fan since ‘93 Undertow album. Tool is spiritually deep - or running a fantastic P T Barnum “sucker born every minute” schtick. I choose the spiritual part. “As above so below” - prayer to the heavens? New age theory - manifest in your mind, it will appear? It is a philosophy on how things are in your “heaven” you want here in the physical. But, I digress …
"That sound" from memory is Justin using a Wah pedal, or using volume control up and down on the distortion. Am sure I'll get corrected at some point. Time by Pink Floyd would be another good reaction to see from you :)
I can see you've been educated a lot on the meaning of the song. Though to everyone who has commented and their credit. Most of us have had 25 years with this song and Album for that matter. However my correction for you is this. Lateralus (Lat-ter-al-us) 😉 You should try Sober, from 1993. Or Vicarious from 2010.
Tool gives everyone musical tools to use in the way they interpret the songs instrumentality and lyrically. Timeless, and as relevant today as the day it was released!
I think the spiral is a metaphor about the mysteries of life; everytime you try to walk out one of them you only make it bigger. That´s why: Spiral out, keep going Spiral out, keep going Spiral out
When listening to Tool it's best to not worry about whether or not you are 'following along'. It's really about just listening as a whole, letting it flow over you, you'll get what you need from it I assure you!
The lyric tempo follows the Fibonacci sequence. 1,1,2,3,5,8. And you're also right. There's no good spot to pause and then you're on a 4 minute ride lol.
Your favourite Tool song is always the one you just listened to, but this is probably their defining piece of work, something like that. It’s really quite special, and not just because of the maths.
just one step short, I believe he is talking about looking to what is out beyond us, spiral refers to the sequence, (Fibonacci). where it goes, and the bewildering nature of what we don't understand yet, but being willing to reach out with interest to find out.
Pushing the envelope refers to pushing the boundaries of your mind. What you can see. Expansion is the theme of this album. Aenima was about breaking oneself down and Lateralus is about expanding to something greater. Mentally, physically, spiritually...to draw outside the lines. As with almost all Tool songs, the music tells the story, Maynard simply translates. The band is more important than the individual. Maynard couldn't do this without Adam and Adam couldn't do it without Justin and Danny is the web that holds it all together.
you should mash up "Wings For Marie (pt.1)" and "10,000 Days (Wings pt. 2)" ESPECIALLY since you did "Judith" by A Perfect Circle" All the songs tie into Maynard's mother passing and how she suffered for 10,000 days after her stroke while remaining a devout christian. such a beautiful back-to-back
The underwater sound in the opening was always a heartbeat to my ears. Embryonic but also cosmic, then suddenly we're thrown into the black and white world of sound and form, and from there it's a journey home
I love how people trying to bop to a Tool song from the head up looks like they're on a cantering horse that can't decide how fast to go.....numerous time signatures and meters a Tool song doth make.
I like that Maynard never says what the songs mean to him. That everyone is right on how they see/hear every song and note. We are all one, and we are all individual.
My view of the song is that it is saying to take chances, many lives are like a circle going round and round, they are saying spiral out and try new things.
I like that Maynard never says what the songs mean to him. That everyone is right and wrong on how they see/hear every song and note. We are all one, and we are all separate just riding out this spiral
The song is about Mercury and Jupiter and the alchemical process. Black and white represents duality (Gemini ruled by Mercury) red and yellow represents Jupiter (the planet of expansion) Hence the reference to spiraling out and expanding. Lateralus was released on Mercuralia (May 15th) and the man on the cover is a reference to Mercury/Hermes since this astrological body rules medicine / movement
All that I can picture in my mind when hearing Lateralus is Danny hitting the humongous gong behind his set on some RUclips drum clinic video I saw gazillion years ago. 😂
12:45 - Julia Galef should reference this song for 'scout mindset', that's what I get from Maynard's vocals - he's encouraging exploration and self-discovery.
In regards to youth and elders... intelligence and wisdom are 2 completely different things. Any age can be intelligent, but wisdom comes with years of living life.
just a little something you may find interesting : according to the band themselves, the name 'tool' was chosen because they believe that what their music means to the individual is entirely up to the individual. Whatever it makes you think, whatever it makes you feel, whatever you get out of it, is up to you. A tool does not create on it's own, it merely facilitates. Maynard rarely talks about what his lyrics are supposed to mean. They mean stuff to him, sure, but what everyone else takes away from them is not for him to decide.
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure you’re understanding a Tool song all you have to do is ask a Tool fan about it. We don’t shut the fuck up when it comes to explaining Tool songs 🤣.
so true
The more you look into this song, the more you see. An example:
1 Black
1 then
2 white are
3 all I see
5 in my infancy
8 Red and yellow then came to be
5 reaching out to me
3 lets me see
2 there is
1 so
1 much
2 more and
3 beckons me
5 to look through to these
8 infinite possibilities
13 As below, so above and beyond, I imagine
8 drawn outside the lines of reason
5 Push the envelope
3 Watch it bend
Keep em coming, Rachael. 🙂
So cruel! 🤣Rachael is never going to figure it out from that!
Google, "Fibonacci sequence", Rachael. The lyrics for Lateralus are surprisingly specific. It is a mathematical sequence of numbers where each number is the sum of the preceding two, that is what the song is constructed on, that is also a naturally occurring sequence that appears throughout the natural world, defining the shape of all sorts of things, both living and dead. It forms a spiral shape and has also been used repeatedly through musical history to construct musical composition. It is also why the band chose to use sounds recorded from inside the human body as the intro to the song.
Just blew my mind haha never knew this after all these years🤘
It goes so much deeper than that. You can translate the Fibonacci sequence into a number. That being 1.618. Such as the intro length. It's 1 minute 37 seconds. Or 1.618 minutes. Even the time signatures are related to the Fibonacci sequence
The Fibonacci sequence is in just about everything with this song. The lyrics, the beats the time signature and many other parts. I think the octaves and split between each note olayed follows some more mathematic sequences that correlate with Fibonacci. If memory serves there’s also the golden ratios and pi involved as well. I’ll have to go back and look it up.
@@psych0CS2 You don't really translate the sequence into a number. The fibonacci sequence has that unique property that the ratio of two neighboring numbers in the sequence approximate the golden ratio. The golden ratio itself is an irrational number, but the higher the numbers get, the closer you approximate "Phi", the golden ratio.
The golden ratio is very specific so that B/A == (A+B)/B
The actual number is (1+sqrt(5))/2 and is approximately
1,61803398874989484...
“That Sound” is Justin Chancellor making the bass guitar do things.
What Greg said...
Bass guitar whammy pedal!
Yep.
Digitech bass whammy to be exact, I have the same one
Justin is really good at making his bass do things...
"Whatever will bewilder me"
There is something oddly satisfying to the flow of those words!
Fibonacci lol
even in those "following our will and wind"
With that repetition of the line I wonder if he sings "what ever will bewilder me, what ever will be willed of me"
Maynard love word play and doesn't usually repeat himself without reason.
there is a documentary about Tool’s history. They have a special part dedicated to this song and how it’s related to the Fibonacci sequence. It’s funny because the chorus says, ‘Overthinking, overanalyzing, separates the body from the mind.’ It seems that Tool its making fun at the idea of overthinking the meaning of their songs and life. I love Tool, they are one of my favorite bands among all the music I know. I had the opportunity to see them in a show in Spain a few years ago, and I always remember it as one of the best moments of my life.
I love your reactions, the way you feel the music, and how you create different theories about it!
Tool took what Led Zeppelin had lifted above every other band, and took it to the next level. On a certain level, the two greatest bands ever.
The time signatures in the song are in sequence 9/8,8/8,7/8.. 987 is a Fibonacci number...
"Overthinking, overanalysing" its so meta. Because you literały overthink and overanalyse this song while listening to those words. Its just unbelivable
that sound in beginning is heartbeat of a child in the womb.
yes, that´s like the sound you hear in with the ultrasound machine.
Exactly
And it's followed by birth. First Black, then White is all you can see. Then red and yellow appears once you have adjusted to the light so you can actually see. Though most lines have several meanings and interpretations.
Though the best thing about the song is the use of the fibonacci sequence:
1 Black
1 then
2 white are
3 all I see
5 In my infancy
8 red and yellow then came to be
// swing backwards on the spiral
5 reaching out to me
3 lets me see
Later it "swings" up to the next one in the sequence which is 13
For those who don't know the sequence, it can be found in nature in many things (but not in as many as some esoteric people believe). It's a sequence that build the next element out of the two preceding. You usually start with either 0 and 1 or 1 and 1
0 + 1 = 1
1 + 1 = 2
1 + 2 = 3
2 + 3 = 5
3 + 5 = 8
5 + 8 = 13
8 + 13 = 21
13 + 21 = 34
21 + 34 = 55
...
The ratio of two neighboring numbers in the sequence slowly approach the golden ratio.
more like the crackling sound Terence McKenna would describe as your third eye swells and breaks during the onset and blast off of a DMT trip
"Newborns can see contrast between black and white shapes. The first primary color they are able to distinguish is red. This happens in the first few weeks of life. Babies can start to notice differences in shades of colors, particularly between red and green, between 3 and 4 months old."
Or is it a reference to the 69 book and research work Basic Color Terms: Their Universality and Evolution, which found that cultures come up with words for hues in a particular order? Especially considering how yellow is actually "seen", it would come at the same time as many, many other hues, I think its a reference to the book myself. Maybe both, they love double meanings. ;)
But also the meanings that Ray here mentioned about black and white reasoning and such.
Love tool
@@jamesnewman9547 Well, that's an interesting book, although a bit outdated in its approach and methodology. But Tool aren't scholars, linguists, or anthropologists so it being outdated wouldn't be a reason to assume they weren't thinking of it. But they use the word "infancy" and not language group or tribe, so I think my proposal of their source is the most simple explanation (occam's razor principle). Yes, anything can be a metaphor for anything, but they directly reference the known order of colors that infants are thought to recognize first. Again, most simple explanation.
@@eximusic Another indication of your thought process would be the beats in the beginning that sounds as if it were under water, and could be a reference to the womb.
Thanks for sharing that, because I never thought about what you described with newborns.
May also be referencing the colors relating to the alchemical process…the whole album is a soul journey through the process of self realization and turning lead to gold, metaphorically of course.
I hate over thinking and analyzing but the native American medicine wheel is black, white, yellow and red
Lateralus such a damn good song.
Even though many will disagree, it wasn't even one of my favorites on the album..... regardless of opinions, to me that's a real testament to how insanely great the album is, because it's an absolutely amazing song, and there's very few bands that will ever reach this level of songwriting.
11:10 that sound is the bass guitar.
The way I interpret this song is basically describing the individual evolution of a person. There's just the way everyone grows up from basically unconsciousness, through awareness in sort of an animal-like sense, to the human experience where we're sentient and aware of our own reality and mortality, and for many that's just this scary place where the evolution stops and we're trapped in this sort of uncomfortable consciousness. Then he urges us to push the envelope of that experience so that we can continue the pattern of growth instead of being stuck in existential malaise.
Well said!
Just like Parabola video 😂
The only way to exceed the human experience is to cross the bridge of death, and awake on the other side. This life is but a transitory existance... the spiral has no beginning or end
For me it just means "Stop overthinking, enjoy life, grow as a person, think outside the box, and keep growing" for me is like the 2nd part of the message that starts in 46&2
Always amazing to see someone knowing Tool, and especially this song. This is a song that connects with me strongly. I'm trying to ride the spiral and not thinking, and thinking and letting anxiety stop me, limiting my life even in the smallest things.
"Lateralus" is a life lesson for introverts, a beautiful and strong message.
Its not about not thinking. Its about learning to balance thought with feeling, intention and will. :) But first we usually have to start by quieting our mind. It spirals out and unfolds in stages.
@@Janaesp12 Exactly. Beautifully said.
that's not it
Maynard has the perfect voice for every song and that is across 3 different bands....one of my favourite songs ever and i will never tire of its wonder.....spiral out...
Keep going.....
The song is literally math.
Tool songs have different meaning and feeling depending on the listeners current state of being which is why they have endless replayability, and also why it's impossible to pick a favorite. I think I've been split between at least 10 favorite songs it sort of depends on whatever I'm currently going through or even instantaneous mood. The most amazing part of each experience is when a song suddenly hits different; you notice one of the 3000 sounds in there that you never noticed before, or one of the unlimited ways the lyrical phrases mean something completely new (infinity entendre).
Spiral Out seems to visualize for me more of a controlled expansion or growth than a "spinning out" or uncontrolled snowballing. The Fibonacci sequence can be drawn as a spiral, which also means the future of the path can be predicted by calculation, a bit predetermined like destiny - but if you swing on it you add your own fun and exciting turbulence to it and can draw way outside the lines. Reminds me of Spirograph which was a art/game/toy/activity set back when I was a kid.
it's painful to see someone not get what a masterpiece this is
9/9 8/7 7/7 time signatures . Hard to folow.
Tool. Their music is a mathematical mind F-- It’s all about the numbers. From start to finish.
Yess more tool. Plus my favourite song by them
"Almost like that underwater kind of sound, like that warbling and then it slowly morphed into almost like, uh, like a...like a... almost like um...a percussion in a way ". Almost like a heart beating, maybe? Edit: As Above, So Below is also a term used by most Esoteric Schools of Magick to denote the correspondence between laws and phenomena of different planes of existence. For an experience unlike any other if you feel up to it, these 2 together - Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)/Rosetta Stoned - are a walk on the 'tripped on acid' side of Tool's discography. Both are from the 10,000 Days album and absolutely worth a listen/reaction.
The magic in these song are the drums… in every tool song
I've listened to this song a thousand times and still once in a while get something new out of it.
Here's a tip... Tool songs mostly end in a crescendo, so when you stop the song with a minute or two left, you totally ruin the build up and the feeling they're trying to elicit from you. It's like pausing a movie right in the middle of the detective's solution to the murder at the end of the movie so you can go cook some more popcorn. They don't do your typical formulaic "intro>verse 1>chorus>verse 2>chorus>bridge>chorus>outro" type music, especially their newest album. I'd love to see you just talk over the song while it's still playing and then go into detail after the song's over...
This is one of my biggest pet peeves of all these “reaction” channels - they ALL do this exact thing, they pause right in the middle over and over and end up ruining the entire feeling of the song.
Like, just listen to the song fully through. We’re watching your facial reactions and emotion.
Then talk about it and review it *after* the song is over, and go back and replay or whatever.
Just take in the song first. Let it do what it’s supposed to do and elicit those nonverbal responses and feelings. Give feedback after it’s over.
@@ohainickify There's only a few on here that don't stop the song, but most do if their vids are monetized I think.
Adam Jones...
.....& his 1979~ Gibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst...
...... it's undeniably Iconic.
🤘😎😈
That is how you end a song. I get chills every time I hear danny smash those cymbals at the end paired with how crushing adam’s guitars are
Even the start time of the vocals is a Fibonacci in seconds. The beat of this song how they switch back and forth is a Fib number. Same for lyrics... Very genius. Spiral which is everything i life.
A prevalent theory amongst evolutionary biologist is that the first animal eyes evolved from seeing only light and dark. (Black then White)
Until sunlight and likely blood and blood vessels expanded around or simply directly exposed the eye to a different pallet (red and yellow)
That's the basic duality with the first few lines.
Others mentioned the Fibonacci sequence (a very common thing in nature) being a big part of this entire song and that would take paragraphs to explain but as a writer yourself, check out just the syllables to the lyrics to see the spiral:
Remember Fibonacci sequence:
1,1,2,3,5,8,13
1+1=2
1+2=3
2+3=5
3+5=8
5+8=13
Black 1
Then 1
White Are 2
All I see 3
In my in-fan-cy 5
Red and yell-ow then came to be 8
Reach-ing out to me 5
Let's me see 3
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
There are few things more beautiful than beauty finding beauty, listening to beauty...beautiful.
you should really listen to right in two by tool, masterpiece
For me this song is all about rediscovering our primitive and child like wonder for life that we all once had as kids. To over analyze and over think is to forget our roots, neglecting a life in accordance with nature. Being stuck in trivialities while forgetting to experience our lives for what they are, taking everything for granted is what this song warns of. We must “spiral out” in life at all times, developing our character and lives naturally, cherishing the simple fact that we are Alive.
And of course the Fibonacci sequence is a huge theme in this song, with its presence in the lyrics and structure of the song, symbolizing the mathematic but beautiful patterns we see in all life. It’s a bit mystical but connecting to the natural “spiral” of life is to connect with the literal universe and life itself with awe and admiration.
This IS the greatest hard rock song ever written. In my opinion, that is. Like you say, the "journey" is everything. Musically and Lyrically. The fact the band restricted themselves to following the Fibonacci sequence is just more icing on this 8 layer cake of a tune. It will probably take you two or three more listens to truly appreciate. Best song of all time... No big whoop.
The musical signiatures of this song are incredible. The time changes are brilliant.
Lateralus is Tool's best song by far. Fight me. Love the reaction. Good job!
I won’t fight you, but I can’t put any of their songs “far” ahead of their other top tracks. I have Decending and The Grudge as my favorites for different reasons, but theres 10 other ones right there in the conversation, Lateralus being one of them. Just comes down to personal preference I suppose. ✌️🤘👊
'Latteriss'
Goosebumps everytime off TOOL
Thanks for your words about mental health. Somehow you said just what I needed
to me its about not asking why or looking for answers to everything but instead to just live in the now and enjoy things without needing to know why. just let yourself go. the end when he sings spiral out keep going to me means dont live in a box or in your safe little part of the world just experience everything life has to offer and keep living and learning
All Tool songs are a journey. Amazing 👏🏼
That sound was the bass. Justin can be pretty creative.
GREAT INTERPRETATION! You made connections that i have never thought of that tremendously add to the experience of this song. One example is in the beginning. To me, what sounds like a heartbeat getting louder, you mentioned, sounded like something underwater. The only example of an underwater(in liquid ) heartbeat would be a child in a womb. That fits perfectly with "all we see, in our infantcy." I 've been on the metaphysical aspects of this song and how I can use it to better my life struggles. Shadow work, living in the present, and conscious awareness all (in a nutshell) take an effort to unlock and understand what is going on inside you and how to use it in a positive way. Meanwhile, I still have to get through everyday life. You related "Spiral out, keep going," to anxiety at its worst and having to keep going. Having a panic attack feels like absolute world ending chaos. Although it's hard at the time to believe a panic attack will ever go away, sometimes you have to keep going in order to keep your job, Especially if you are in a high position where employees count on you. For this reason, it is sometimes impossible to get out of bed and get going because of the fear of a panic attack happening. Ride it out, keep going. You related "Spiral out" to a breakdown. "Keep going" is the reality of having to stay engaged. You can't just crawl into the fetal position and sleep it off. And trust me, I've tried, and it hasn't turned out well. There is no excuse in the history of excuses that will make people who have never had mental health issues understand what it's like. So ride it out, and whatever happens, jump back in and keep going. Embrace the random. If an employer, friends, or even family members don't understand, don't be afraid to weep like a widow,then get back up. Bathe in the fountain, getting rid of dirt, and the dead weight.Then jump back on the spiral and prepare for infinite possibilities. Don't overthink ways out of reality. I know I live with something that most people don't understand. That may not ever change. Don't live in black and white; fear, sleepwalking through life. Or red and yellow; inner turmoil and self-destruction because of a past i can't let go or waiting for a future i think i deserve. Black and white or red and yellow, separated may be the subconscious levels that keep us sleeping or daydreaming. Put together, these may be the consciousness we need to stay present and grounded and not overthinking or over analyzing. Sorry this is so long, but this just now came to me from you relating this to anxiety. It may not make sense to anyone else, but I have a whole new way of attacking certain issues.
great song, def my top 5 of all songs. Listen. to. Pneuma.
Good job with your figurative interpretation of the "black then white" line. Most of us take this more literally in the sense of a newborn literally goes from blackness to brightness (white) and then does not see color right away. Children do see things as black/white, such as characters in movies are either good or bad. They don't know about the complexity of gray areas till they get older. Nice reaction!
Tool is always a trip, their songs have a way of making think and ponder the lyrics. Good stuff lol.
I’ve always loved this song. It’s just so soothing and perfect when called for, and then so visceral at other times.
As far as all the Fibonacci talk - as you continue along the Fibonacci sequence, the ratio between each number and the one before it approaches 1.618. The first word in the song is at 1:37, which is 1.618 minutes into the song. Maybe everyone knows that, but I had heard the syllable thing for years before I heard about the first-word part
First song from the first concert i seen of them, right after the album came out. Showed me instantly how epic they are live
Overthinking, overanalyzing, separates the body from the mind...." such a great line. If you can't let yourself go, can't stop analyzing every little thing, then how can you feel anything? Something as simple as focusing on the lyrics while listening to a song for the first time causes your brain to pay attention to one thing, which means you can't enjoy the entirety of the way the song is supposed to make you feel. Maynard is an amazing vocalist, not only for the lyrics he writes, but his timing and tone. He matches the vocals amazingly with the music.
Overanalyzing. It's good that you realize that's what you're doing... while so many fans seem to miss the message in the very song they dissect. Feel. Experience. Act. Follow motivations, dreams, intuition. Don't dwell on reason or meaning. Reach for the new. Spiral out. Keep going.
Amazing song and album
THERE you go girl! I haven’t made it through the whole video yet, but I wanted to stop real fast to comment.
Tool is a very deep-thinking band. As I said from your last video, they are ALL masters of their craft. The lead singer Maynard, is also the lead singer in two other bands as well. He also owns a HUGE vineyard out in Arizona. He is the CEO his wine company, Caduceus Cellars.
Tool is where mathematics, philosophy, psychology and spirituality all come together. This particular song constantly looped timing signatures from the Fibonacci sequence… from the timing, the amount of lyrics in each line, the drumbeats, the guitars and bass… EVERYTHING.
So once again my love, there is an obvious rabbithole to go down with this band… and oh, of course, this band ROCKS!! Thank you for choosing this song as well. It was one of the best ones off this album. Also, you’re an awesome reviewer. I absolutely love your vibe and everything with it!
Happy journeys and safe travels! Love & Light and ✌🏼 out! ❤
Ok, so now I’ve reached the end of your review. BEAUTIFUL reflection of what this song means to you. Tool is true art. You can break down the music, the lyrics, the time signatures, EVERYTHING. I appreciate you spending the time to listen to this song and give us your take.
The Fibonacci sequence actually makes a spiral. You can see it throughout nature and throughout life.
I am a spiritual consultant and one of my lessons is life is a spiral. We come back around to the same lessons and situations. If we pass “the test,” we ascend to the next level, but we continue on the spiral. If we fail “the test” we descend, usually to get stuck in cycles until we pass the lesson. We “DEscend.” This can lead to frustration, depression, anger and addiction. The more we learn, and we always do, the “greater” our life can be!
Lots to unpack in every one of their songs. You did a good job on this one! Thanks! Again, I love your reviews. It also helps that you’re easy on the eyes, your vibe is extremely charming and your intellect is very attractive! :)
Keep up the great work! I’m sure you’ve already seen, your audience will grow because you do great work and you’re picking great music. 😘
Love & Light! Spiral out! 😉
This is one of my favourite Tool songs. May your tool journey continue.
All good music, all art, requires multiple listenings/viewings. Tool is musical art. Fibonacci is primary in this song. Music incorporating math. Math incorporating the rhythm of music. “Drawn outside the lines of reason.” …Over analyzing…
This song, with your interpretation, feels like a rollercoaster. The rhythm is not known until you find it. Life’s rhythm is not there till you find it. But there is a rhythm we will all find in life. It is just that nobody knows it until they live it.
you are a vibe and i am digging it!
this song was written with so much complexity literally being written to match that of the fibonacci sequence to the syllables in each verse.going as such 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, and so on
The lyrics for this one are fairly straight-forward (leaving the intricacies of Fibonacci to one side). I have always felt like he was being quite direct in the lyrical message, because he's telling us how we should approach the musical message. Embrace the random, witness the beauty, and fathom the power. It's about having the courage to let go of preconceptions, and conventional wisdom, in order to see reality as it truly is in all its glory.
No good place to stop, indeed. Just let it play. Cheers!
Swing on the spiral, feel the mathematical rhythm of the universe.
Such a great song and a great album
You know, we only have a speck of time here on this Earth. I've gone around the sun 50 times now. But this song has blessed my ears for 23 of those revolutions. I hope to keep it going for at least 50 more. Spiral out. Keep going.
"It’s a short time on this planet, man. It’s a date, and then a hyphen, and then another date. And we’re the hyphen." - Craig Ferguson
I never knew "As above, so below" was a movie. That phrase always brings the emerald tablet to mind. I read about it as teen, studying world religion. I still find it strange that hermes trismegistus went from such a huge name, to an unknown one, in so short a time. I am sure that Christian Europe, in the renaissance held him as one of history's biggest figures.
I think the “challenging” part of this song, is the rotation of time signatures. If you have any inner voice with a level of spirituality and psychology (especially of the self improvement deep dive) the lyrics are not difficult.
But, been a Tool fan since ‘93 Undertow album. Tool is spiritually deep - or running a fantastic P T Barnum “sucker born every minute” schtick. I choose the spiritual part.
“As above so below” - prayer to the heavens? New age theory - manifest in your mind, it will appear? It is a philosophy on how things are in your “heaven” you want here in the physical. But, I digress …
Probably their most technical song
I totally agree that this song is about anxiety, and also depression or addiction or anything else a person might struggle with.
That sound is a heart beat
"That sound" from memory is Justin using a Wah pedal, or using volume control up and down on the distortion. Am sure I'll get corrected at some point. Time by Pink Floyd would be another good reaction to see from you :)
You're much more intuitive and insightful than you give yourself credit for. Keep Spiraling Out...
I can see you've been educated a lot on the meaning of the song. Though to everyone who has commented and their credit. Most of us have had 25 years with this song and Album for that matter. However my correction for you is this. Lateralus (Lat-ter-al-us) 😉 You should try Sober, from 1993. Or Vicarious from 2010.
Tool gives everyone musical tools to use in the way they interpret the songs instrumentality and lyrically. Timeless, and as relevant today as the day it was released!
I think the spiral is a metaphor about the mysteries of life; everytime you try to walk out one of them you only make it bigger. That´s why:
Spiral out, keep going
Spiral out, keep going
Spiral out
Among other things, the syllables of the lyrics count out the Fibonacci sequence - both directions. There are hidden gems throughout the song.
When listening to Tool it's best to not worry about whether or not you are 'following along'. It's really about just listening as a whole, letting it flow over you, you'll get what you need from it I assure you!
Tool is great because its so open to interpretation that if you believe the song means one thing, then thats what the song is about.
The lyric tempo follows the Fibonacci sequence. 1,1,2,3,5,8.
And you're also right. There's no good spot to pause and then you're on a 4 minute ride lol.
Fibonacci sequence. Golden Mean. That’s the time signature.
Your favourite Tool song is always the one you just listened to, but this is probably their defining piece of work, something like that. It’s really quite special, and not just because of the maths.
Yes! My husband about this. The Tool song currently in your ears is always the best one!❤
I personally would say Parabol/Parabola is their magnum opus
just one step short, I believe he is talking about looking to what is out beyond us, spiral refers to the sequence, (Fibonacci). where it goes, and the bewildering nature of what we don't understand yet, but being willing to reach out with interest to find out.
This arguably their best song. Not mine but Definately up there
This is that song with the Fettuccine sequence.
Smiley face
Pushing the envelope refers to pushing the boundaries of your mind. What you can see. Expansion is the theme of this album. Aenima was about breaking oneself down and Lateralus is about expanding to something greater. Mentally, physically, spiritually...to draw outside the lines. As with almost all Tool songs, the music tells the story, Maynard simply translates. The band is more important than the individual. Maynard couldn't do this without Adam and Adam couldn't do it without Justin and Danny is the web that holds it all together.
you should mash up "Wings For Marie (pt.1)" and "10,000 Days (Wings pt. 2)" ESPECIALLY since you did "Judith" by A Perfect Circle"
All the songs tie into Maynard's mother passing and how she suffered for 10,000 days after her stroke while remaining a devout christian. such a beautiful back-to-back
I love everything about this video and your journey listening to Tool 🤘🏼 🌀
The underwater sound in the opening was always a heartbeat to my ears. Embryonic but also cosmic, then suddenly we're thrown into the black and white world of sound and form, and from there it's a journey home
Master piece of Master Piece's!
I love how people trying to bop to a Tool song from the head up looks like they're on a cantering horse that can't decide how fast to go.....numerous time signatures and meters a Tool song doth make.
I love how this channel really turned you into a metal head!
I like that Maynard never says what the songs mean to him. That everyone is right on how they see/hear every song and note. We are all one, and we are all individual.
It's about the Fibonacci sequence and the golden spiral
My view of the song is that it is saying to take chances, many lives are like a circle going round and round, they are saying spiral out and try new things.
Tool is like the one band that makes music that perfectly resembles the random thoughts you get when you’re high
I like that Maynard never says what the songs mean to him. That everyone is right and wrong on how they see/hear every song and note. We are all one, and we are all separate just riding out this spiral
Dan Vasc my heart will go on
The song is about Mercury and Jupiter and the alchemical process. Black and white represents duality (Gemini ruled by Mercury) red and yellow represents Jupiter (the planet of expansion) Hence the reference to spiraling out and expanding.
Lateralus was released on Mercuralia (May 15th) and the man on the cover is a reference to Mercury/Hermes since this astrological body rules medicine / movement
All that I can picture in my mind when hearing Lateralus is Danny hitting the humongous gong behind his set on some RUclips drum clinic video I saw gazillion years ago. 😂
The swells you’re hearing at the end are the bass guitar with an octave pedal
12:45 - Julia Galef should reference this song for 'scout mindset', that's what I get from Maynard's vocals - he's encouraging exploration and self-discovery.
The time signatures LOL
He’s a metal singer classically trained he taught music and singing as well he is a
Phenom plus the woman love him Vasc Nation
In regards to youth and elders... intelligence and wisdom are 2 completely different things. Any age can be intelligent, but wisdom comes with years of living life.
This is one of their best songs. Best song on this album.
just a little something you may find interesting : according to the band themselves, the name 'tool' was chosen because they believe that what their music means to the individual is entirely up to the individual. Whatever it makes you think, whatever it makes you feel, whatever you get out of it, is up to you. A tool does not create on it's own, it merely facilitates.
Maynard rarely talks about what his lyrics are supposed to mean. They mean stuff to him, sure, but what everyone else takes away from them is not for him to decide.
I highly suggest The Grudge by tool. Track #1 of lateralus, underratede imo.