This song to me is about basic human understanding, I for one applaud Neil for having the humanity to write this song and write it beautifully. The music by Alex and Geddy is top notch. A beautiful and important song.
Nothing corny with the lyrics. The girl who is mentioned in the song is Kristen French from St. Catherine's, Ontario, who was abducted and murdered in 1992. Neil Peart new the family. What is a Hero to you? Definitely not a Rock Star or Movie Star.🤦. The unknown hero is a person saving other people from a car accident or burning building and going unoticed. But that's corny I guess. 🤦🤦🤦🤦
Yep this part of the song makes me cry... the whole 'Scarborough rapist' thing and then the French and Mahaffy abductions, torture/rape/murder was a horrible thing to live through and this song makes me sad about how it happened.
The difference between the lyrics of Red Tide and Heresy is the two individuals in this song Neil focuses were people he knew or knew those close to them. The first being Ellis when he lived in the U.K. prior to joining Rush. Like you read, he died years later of AIDS. The second being Kristen French who was the daughter of people he knew in the area in which he grew up. She was tortured and murdered by a couple whose name isn't even worth mentioning. Brave, yet tragic to him, but in all likelihood nobody else's hero like the heroes he describes in the chorus. The lyric touches me more than that of Red Tide or Heresy because the latter is close to my neck of the woods making it real for me as well. I know that whole story.
As a gay Rush fan , this one is of course special to me. As for having a gay friend and changing perspective, it is tougher for someone to be homophobic or racist when you know a real person, not a general, amorphous group.
Neil had a conservative upbringing and went to London in the early 70s when he was 18 years old. It makes perfect sense. He is admitting that his eyes were opened. And that is a good thing.
This song is one of the few where the music isn’t so important, but the lyrics. The reason Rush fans are so passionate with their comments isn’t because they’re simply huge fans, but because this music is timeless, and it’s been a huge part of our lives for years, decades…. Even seeing the way the guys interact together, the way they’ve grown over the years, and even stupid things like seeing them in trailer park boys is all connected and ingrained in the people we are now. I still get emotional talking about Neil’s passing… it still feels so freaking unfair that he had to lose his life so young to brain cancer. Not just to his friends and family, but the entire world that loved him. He meant so much to so many that I couldn’t even begin to describe it. I don’t think we will truly get over losing this band. I hope Geddy and Alex live another 30+ years of happiness… if anyone deserves it, it’s them for all the lives they’ve effected in a positive way.
I just love this song!! The man died of Aids and the girl was killed by a serial killer! He just wanted to make people think about what a REAL hero is… someone who touched your life or the lives of others! The lyrics “when I heard that you were gone I felt a shadow cross my heart… deep shit! Be well and God bless… from Texas!
Man this one always gets me in the feels "As the years went by we drifted apart when I heard that you were gone I felt a shadow cross my heart." (Count down to Test for Echo 🕐 🗓 ⏳️📈)
For context, you have to remember that Neil met his friend back in the 70s and it was the context in those times that Neil formed his opinions based on his relationship with that person. So... yes, kind of dated today maybe, but it's sincere. When you are young, the directions you can take are very influenced by the people you hang around with. And who you hang out with, especially when you are alone living in a new country (U.K. in Neil's example), can largely be up to chance. While I would like to think Neil (even in his late teens) would have the wherewithal to choose to hang out with good people, he could have ended up hanging out with people who perhaps had a different view of the world. Neil is just saying that this guy being a positive person in his life helped ensure Neil's directions went the way they did and Neil, looking back, was grateful for that. Plus some great guitar solos from Alex!
First, I love this song. To me it is just a great sounding song. Lyrically it hits home for me because I grew up with a father who was a fireman for 35 years. Never heard about any of his work until the last two weeks of his life when he was fighting cancer and he shared with me the things he saw throughout his career. Rough work and I was even more proud of him when I heard those stories. Second, the quotes from Neil about having a gay friend when he lived in London....I believe he lived there before he joined Rush so we are talking the 60's/early 70's where being gay was even harder to deal with than 1993 or today. And my guess, based on the lyrics, Neil felt that knowing him, experiencing his friends (parties), allowed him to see them as people as not as "gay people". Maybe that is why he feels he can't be homophobic. Not sure but that would make sense to a point.
I don't think he said he can't be homophobic. He said that that particular person and his relationship with him prevented him from being homophobic. There's a big difference between those two statements. He never said that having a gay friend automatically makes you unable to be homophobic.
@@squaaaaak3178 Agree but that is not what I meant... I meant that his experiences with him and being a part of his life are what likely made him understand better and not fall into the trap of being homophobic.
One of my writing partners from the 80's / early 90's was Jim - primarily a bassist with a Rick 4001. He only wrote one stanza of lyrics and he said it was tongue in cheek. He was raised in a politically conservative household. We didn't discuss politics much as I wrote lots of lyrics. Jim liked a lot of Rush lyrics but cared mostly about the music. He died of a stroke 4 years ago at 52 leaving behind a wife and 3 children. Although not my hero I think of him when I hear this song and I miss him.
To answer your initial question, I contend if you have a gray friend and are homophobic, you're not really their friend. At best, you're a friendly acquaintance. This song remains special to me because it's the point where my late partner started admiring Rush, even though he had been hearing me play them for over a decade. He was more into classical music, opera, and musicals. I had just picked up "Counterparts" when it came out and was blasting in the living room so I could hear it while I made dinner in the kitchen. He happened to be coming through the living room when this song came on and he stopped to listen to the lyrics. He walked into the kitchen and said "Is this Rush's ode to gay pride?" I had to start the song over to pay attention to hear what he was referring to. He was impressed that a well-known rock band was making a positive statement. It was very uncommon at the time. He started respecting them more and paid attention to lyrics and music, even coming with me to some concerts. I miss him fiercely still and like that this reminds me of that interaction.
Long before I knew who these lyrics were about, I was struck by the indictment of society posed in the chorus. Who we choose as our heroes has great impact on how we live our lives and choose our priorities.
Yeah my experience was a roommate of mine in college died of AIDS I was the straight one and he was one of the most charming and disarming people I’ve ever met! His name was Darrell and he passed away in 94.
The lyrics get me for this one. My dad was a fire fighter for 30+ years in the city of Bradford UK. When the Bradford City fire happened he was called in on his day off. I was 8 and I had friends there. Some of the things my dads colleagues did that day were unbelievable. A lot more would have died for sure. So this song makes me think of that day. Especially as a girl in my class throughout my school years lost her dad and 2 young brothers that day. So so tragic. The professor had a great way of connecting with fans feelings with his lyrics.
This isn’t a social justice song (thankfully). It contains one of the best lines Rush ever created in my opinion that being “all their lives were shattered in a nightmare of brutality”. The perfect combination of impactful alliteration and instrumental rhythm makes it one of the most powerful lines in music. It’s a song about you, me and those around us who typically go unnoticed yet may be heroes in some regard. On a lighter note, looks like we’re 4 for 4 on Counterparts! 🎤🎸🥁🎹🎻🇨🇦
@@davidkneitel1840 Social issues yes but given when the song was written it is not connected to today’s woke social justice warrior mob mentality. It is about morality but it’s more about the unsung heroes in life.
@@SandyWhisker Unfortunately the term “woke” has been hijacked. In of itself woke is what most thinking people would agree with. The meaning is “alert to racial prejudice and discrimination”. I think most rational people can agree with that. Yes, some decided to make it more and use it in silly ways and of course some deride the whole meaning based on its bastardized use.
@@SandyWhisker OMG. Just quit while you are ahead. You don't want to be known as the typical type of person the weaponizes the word "woke" . It's nothing more than a right wing talking point/excuse to deny blatant racism/human rights abuses. We need more Americans to "wake up" to the atrocities being committed. Mainly by one big Cult.
I hear you re: the standard-issue social justice stuff - believe me. But the topic here is far broader than “tolerance,” “equality,” etc. it’s really about nameless, unseen, everyday heroes - whoever they may be. Neil addressed this topic in a great autobiographical piece in a St. Catharines paper about a year after this album was released. A fascinating read.
Justin, as your child (eventually children??) grow older, lyrics will (probably??) mean more to you. In 1993, my son was 4 and I was a stepparent to 2 more. And in the following year, I saw Rush for the second time (8th row, Alex's side). "Nobody's Hero" means a lot to me for several reasons. As a woman married to another woman, I feel the scorn and prejudice of SOME people. The world HAS changed, as well as some aspects of human nature. It is NOT in our DNA to hate. Peace and love to you all! ✌😍❤
This is a beautifully written song about how individuals touch our lives regardless of orientations, circumstances, and other outside forces. In someway they have made an impact on your life and you as a person. Perfect example Neil never knew me, but he was the reason I picked up the sticks 45 years ago. I was flying a leg when my phone blew up after the announcement of his passing. The older you get the more it hits home because more and more people move on and that is just life.
Hearing my reality affirmed by musicians that I already admired so much as a teenager coming to terms with his own sexuality in '90s is one of the reasons I am still here to enjoy the music from my favorite band.
Neil definitely shifted perspectives through the years. Going from Sci Fi laden lyrics from things he read to writing more real world, social issue lyrics as he aged. I applaud him for not being afraid to write about things important to him as I think artists should make music for themselves and not just the fans. I do think they did it right though and not just song after song of some social or political agenda. To me that was one of the downfalls of RATM. Loved the music, the groove, the feel, but the constant political lyrical content was exhausting.
I think this song could also be a message from them directly to their fans, telling us they’re not the ones we should be idolizing and looking up to (as much as we enjoy their music).
In September of 2001, we got to see the definition of Hero. In the Covid pandemic, we saw it once again and the definition broadened. We had none of that yet in 1993. Neil, like all of us, had known people different from him, friends but not necessarily close; hence ‘as the years went by, we drifted apart.’ Not close but there’s still a pain when we learn of their passing. They may or may not have been a hero as we later came to learn the term, but they were still heroes to their families and friends. That doesn’t mean they are undeserving of being honored and remembered.
As time goes on Neil gets more and more into psychology and politics and sociology and I love it more and more because the lyrics are one of the main reasons why I love Rush but it's probably the one thing that's going to really be off-putting for you :-) this is the era where Neil really takes the filter off and I love it!
I think those quotes from Neil were probably just meant to echo the idea that being around people that are different from you makes it harder to be hateful towards them
The girl tragically getting killed is from a terrible couple that terrified the St Catherine's area in Ontario. anyone from Canada will know what I'm talking about. and Neil knew her family.
Thank you for staying out of politics. And as i read the comments everyone seems to be respecting that as well. It is refreshing to be able to take in some media that has NO political narratives attached. It’s just music, you either like it or you don’t , thats the beauty of your channel, it’s ALL about the music. That’s why i will NEVER go see certain artists even if I like some of their music is because it becomes a political rally and I don’t want to hear it, even if I might agree with some of it. So, thanks again for no politics and keep being Unnecessarily Harsh.
Hate to break it to you, this subject IS political. Only one side propagating the hate that leads to stuff like mass shootings at LGBTQ night clubs that happened just a couple weeks ago. Burying your head in the sand isn't going to change that.
Love songs that have good arrangements and lyrical meanings weather social issues or everyday life struggles. A girl broke up with me and I tried to win her back ,so I told her when she left I felt a shadow cross my heart. She said that when she broke up with me, it was a cloudy day- so that didnt work!
I understand the impetus of the song and admire Pearts anaologies, but it always struck me as a Rush "pop" song. I always love the music. Alex' chord progression solo in the bridge still sets me off... so emotive... 💛
What's missed about this song is the him/her/you part. Meaning we all lose people we love. First in this song is a friend, then a family friend then YOU which could be anyone and is super close in relation. And that they are normal everyday people but hero's to you in a way because they've touched your heart
I like the song. It is heavy subject matter, but I understand where you are coming from. Inspiration for a song can come from any direction. A lot of respect for you Neil. 👍🏻
The thing that can happen with those quotes from Neil is that they can be blown out of proportion. It’s better to know the context of what he was talking about to understand the whole story. Neil wrote this song to show how we always recognize heroes as detectives, actors and others when a hero is much more than that. FYI, this isn’t a social protest or social justice song like Red Tide and Heresy. This is a song about understanding us as humans and what a hero really is. Neil knew both of the people that he mentioned in this song (he knew the family of the girl, Kristen French). I show Neil even after his passing my gravest respect for writing lyrics as personal as the one’s from this song. Not many lyricists and musicians were attempting to talk about heavy topics like this. I personally love this song especially the lyrical content. Counterparts is one of my favorite Rush releases.
I witnessed them completely fall apart performing this song once. It was in Oakland, early 90s I think so probably this tour. It's hard to remember any details..I just remember listening and thinking "U-oh...That doesn't sound right..uh o...O no..O NO!" then WHAM! Train wreck! Totals collapse and nothing for a couple of seconds...then Peart did like an extended double bass pedals roll while GED and Al kind of huddled next to the riser and Boom! Right back into it like nothing happened. So yeah..not infallible. It was pretty cool to see actually. Other then that it was a solid show.
I always wondered if this ever happened to them, like momentary brain farts that happen to everyone. Whoops! Wrong verse. Double bass drum roll please.... That's fascinating. They've played so much together that they can usually cover up mistakes. I've seen several broken-string incidents, but within 10 seconds, the roadie handed Alex a new guitar, and he just picked right back in. And I LOVE the La Villa "...still no guitar..." video. haha!
@@mikemurphymagic Happens to the best. That one was a pretty obvious meltdown but in hindsight it happened fairly quick. I wonder if half the people there even recognized it for what it was and instead thought it was just a really cool added drum part! One time I was up in front at Sea World in Sacramento GED missed a vocal line and just said "excuse" into the Mic instead...and that was a very rare 3 encore show! The one that kills me though as a bass player (and believe me, a lot of the time your notes go unnoticed in the lower frequency..untill you play the wrong one!) Is etched forever in the Time Machine video. It's during the guitar solo. It's probably the simplest part Geddy plays all night. The song modulates from G to F# but Geddy doesn't do his little 6-5 fill there. He keeps it in G. If you listen you'll hear it. It's quick but really sounds BAD. Almost kind of ruins the solo. At the end of the song Geddy points the gun finger at his head and pulls the trigger. Haha!
@@mikemurphymagic o right..I had a Geddy moment and forgot to mention the name of the song from Time Machine live lol! Its in the middle of "Presto" in case your interested. It's interesting to watch the other two right after. Also...the end of the song...Alex has a bit of an improv solo but it doesn't really fit the song...its kind of "bluesy" sounding...notes you would play over a dominant 7th chord..which is exactly the chord Geddy outlined with his brain fart earlier and Alex being such a "feeling" kind of player it makes me wonder if he subconsciously wanted to push in that direction at the end but it doesn't fit the song...just sounds a little off. Anyway, very long winded I know. Just like talkin' about this stuff. Haha! Thanks!
@@geneharland I watched the Presto video Time Machine, but didn't quite hear the Geddy mistake during the solo. I did see Geddy do the finger gun thing at the end. hahahaha
Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff.
I think you're gonna love "Between the Sun and Moon"... "The Who" pure inspiration is profoundly evident here! I love it... only to be followed by Alien Shore, my fave track on Counterparts. Alex & Ged are both killing it!
I think it's a real misnomer to say songs like Red Tide, Heresy, The Trees and Nobody's Hero are related to "social justice." They're not-- at least not intentionally. Neil was simply riffing upon those subjects and trying to reveal metaphysical truths about them as they relate to people's lives. That's it. I think he even stated in interviews that he made a deliberate effort to not come across as preachy. Other than that, good reaction by Justin. This is the best "prestige" song Rush ever did and it's overall one of their best songs, although there are a couple of songs I like a little better on Counterparts. But it's an amazingly epic song from them.
I could never figure out why folks would even get an even a subtle hint that Thee Trees was a woke song. One could draw more conclusions that it is a warning against unhinged wokeness but that might also be a stretch.
@@putinontheblitz359, yeah, "The Trees" is a metaphor that's supposed to be a cautionary tale about the evils of collectivism and statism. Being "woke" is basically a Bolshevik thing, so thinking of the song as some kind of "woke" diatribe is complete bullshit.
Woke is a word that has different meanings to different people. In my sense, it's just having good manners, showing and having genuine respect and compassion for others. It's empathy and seeing others as yourself. And sometimes it's being willing to step out and defend the undeserving victims of ignorance, prejudice and fear.
I think you’re reading the “I had a gay friend, so that prevented me from ever being homophobic” bit incorrectly. From my own experience, I was a teenager in rural Texas in the early 80s, and homophobic slurs and attitudes were the norm, not the exception. When I was 16, my stepmom took me to get my hair cut by one of her gay male friends from college who lived with his longtime partner. Getting to be around those dudes, the first out gay people that I was aware of knowing, opened my eyes that they were just normal people living their lives. By experiencing that, homophobia left me forever. I saw that there was nothing to fear or condemn. I think Neil’s statement is more along those lines than some oversimplified smug nonsense like “I had a gay friend, therefore I’m forever off the hook as homophobic regardless of how I treat anyone now or in the future.” And there’s nothing remotely political there unless you’re a left/right red/blue political tribalist constantly looking for something espouse or condemn. I know Rush fans of every political stripe and orientation, and I always had a big hug for all of them at the many shows and Rush related events where we crossed paths.
I agree with the comment below from @WeDanceWestie. I think you're misunderstanding the lyrics. I think it's really just Neil trying to get across that the real heroes in our world aren't always the ones we hear about the most or get the most fanfare. AND... as I have stated before, Rush is a band where the lyrics are nearly as important to the fans as the music (more so to some).
Isn't our beloved Subdivisions about social justice? And Grace Under Pressure is probably their most political album next to Snakes and Arrows. The trick is making a good song where the message sinks in when you least expect it.
You can’t fault someone about writing what they’ve experienced. Peart was more social caring than political. And yes, there is a difference. I refer in particular to Red Sector A. Very much about social issues, nothing political about people suffering. Keep up with the awesome videos. Take care and be 😊
You know young friend l noticed you are venturing into Prog. Rock. In 85 l seen Rush in Buffalo NY. The band that opened for them was a Scottish band called Marillion. They was famous with us Prog Rock people back then. A good place to dabble would be Script for a Jester's Tear's and Misplaced Childhood. Both are unbelievable in story telling and sound. Hope you enjoy as much as we do.
glad to hear the storie behind that song,about a friend of the professor,nice smooth song,i remember alex switching the guitar on stage,the sound is good justin,compare to the first track,side 2 is great,specialy the last 4 song,(i;ll be around)🤘🤘🤘
“… And maybe the role models that we really need are to be found all around us, right in our own neighborhoods. Not some remote model of perfection which exists only as a fantasy, but everyday people who actually show us, by example, a way to behave that we can see is good, and sometimes even people who can show us what it is to be excellent. And if we ever get the idea that people from faraway places are all thugs, villains, or lunatics, we can stop to realize that we have those all around us too - right here at home. But I have found, in all the neighborhoods of the world, that the heroes still outnumber the villains.” (June, 1994)
30 years ago when I got this album I only hated two songs, Speed of Love an this song. 30 years later and I still hate Speed of Love but I now like this song a lot.
This is more personal than just social commentary, and it does harken back to things like Limelight where Neil clearly says he doesn’t want to be a celebrity hero type image. He just wanted to be the best drummer he could manage to be. That was enough. Plus, Wikipedia doesn’t always get quotes right. Often it’s semi accurate paraphrasing.
I liked the musical parts after the lyrics the best. The lyrics didn't bother me - I'd rather be preached at by someone who actually understands humanity.
I don't tell my friends how to think or feel, that's their business. I think that's kind of an important part of being a friend. If I kicked every friend to the curb for having a 'wrong' opinion or because they might not be perfect morally, I wouldn't have any friends at all
@@andysimpson4327 If you don't want to have any personal values/morals, that's your right. Would you be friends with an all out racist? An anti-Semite? No difference here.
Lots of different opinions on this one. Some love the lyrics, some not so much. Great composition and vocal and instrumental performances, regardless. I like the lyrics, btw.
In this case maybe the lyrics should take center stage for you and for all of us. This song to me is really about all the idols we all look up to, a musician, a sports star a movie star, but what about the real heroes that go un-noticed, they are the real hero's They don't ask for prizes and say hey look at how good I am and say I have something you don't fame. Neil has always said it to be appreciated is great, but to look at him as a hero just turned him off. From what I am gathering from his interviews. Sometimes the best hero is just a normal person that everyone says I wish I had what they had, hope, love and just being a good person. Its just my thoughts on a song that the lyrics out powered the music. And yes words do move people more then the music. At times. But with all this emotion being spewed, I do agree that we are starting to here Geddy be Geddy.
Musically, I think this is a well-crafted song. It sounds cinematic, which is pretty cool for them. The song also got some AirPlay on the rock stations, which surprised me at the time. BTW I heard Red Tide is Al Gore‘s favorite song🤣
I think the state of society in recent years has probably made it a little tougher to enjoy the Rush songs with this kind of lyrical theme. I think it tends to water down the impact compared to when the song was released. It's a similar concept to the current impact of protest songs from the 60s. It's about time and place. Not that what Peart wrote here does not have value or isn't meaningful, but like you touched on, it's out there quite a bit nowadays. I agree about the music and the production is well done.
"Nobody's Hero" is a song by Canadian progressive rock band Rush, released as the third single from their 1993 album Counterparts.[1] The first verse deals with the AIDS-related death of a gay man named Ellis Booth, a friend of Neil Peart when Peart lived in London. After the chorus, the second verse speaks of a girl who was murdered in Peart's hometown, Port Dalhousie and was the daughter of a family friend, as remembered by Peart in Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me! The girl is rumoured to have been Kristen French, one of Paul Bernardo's victims. It inspired the title for the paper Nobody's Hero: On Equal Protection, Homosexuality, and National Security published in The George Washington Law Review, wishing this helps.
I agree we get Enough social justice & political stuff lately, tho I don't think that's the song's theme. It's personal in inspiration & encouraging to others, as his reflection on the lessons taught by the lives of those around him. As a Catholic (yep, the "C word") this month is dedicated to Saints & those who've passed on, but while Saints are very good to look up to, we get constantly reminded to be aware of "saints" living all around us in family, friends, those we meet. Having worked in social services & w/ multiple family suffer cancer & long term illness, the heroes Neil's words reflect to me are the parents of kids w/ serious illnesses I've seen care w/o complaint & even w/ great joy & love in Very difficult dailey circumstance. And especially family who've suffered long, painful illness (& those that care for them)with courage, as heroes. Great reaction, thanks Justin.
Roll the Bones was Geddy in a bass rut, and on this album he comes out of it (perhaps largely by becoming Mr. Jazz Bass). Counterparts is Neil in a drumming rut (it's the most in the pocket playing we get, at least this side of Feedback) and he reinvented his whole playing approach to get out of it. I might even say that Presto is Alex's guitar rut: he's back to being more prominent in the mix, but he/the band's not totally sure what the guitars need to be.
Re. Neil. Yeah he was in a bit of a rut on Counterparts. He tries some subtle things, but on the whole it's basic Neil fills etc. That's why I find video of the 1997 Molson live show so interesting. You can see Neil post Freddie Gruber sessions. Changing and trying new things. All abruptly ended by Neil's family's tragedies. He was a different drummer Vapor Trails forward. Still great, but much stiffer than when Gruber influenced. In my opinion of course.
This is a reissue? The vocal sounds more prominent than I remember it. I've been critical of Neil's lyrics over the past couple albums, but not here. This was a tough topic for the entire band to tackle and I think they did a great job with it. It was also brave to release it as a single, which shows how much the band thought of it.
When it comes down to it (IMO) it's just a song and just an "okay" song. The message is clear. Let's get over it. Let's move on. But hey...I like heavy jams so I NEVER play this song EVER...
This is the song on the record that sounds the most like what people would think when they heard Peter Collins was back - it's kind of a mashup of Marathon and Presto. It's OK, and there is some minor Geddy funk even before the fadeout, but I generally skip it playing this album. Up next, Between Sun and Moon is Neil's next attempt to recapture the Pye Dubois Tom Sawyer magic. I like it (the chorus has a very 90s scat/nonsense words thing going like Third Eye Blind's Semi-Charmed Life that Geddy sings well) but it's definitely not recapturing the magic.
I lived in New Hampshire when this album came out and the local rock radio station used to play it. My friend and I were driving somewhere and it came on. He's not a Rush fan..and he looked at me and said..thats the new Rush huh? Yeah. And to be honest, it could be anyone playing bass on this song. I can appreciate it musically, but it just does not do anything for me. I like the story behind the lyrics to the song than I do the actual song.
I agree with your take on this one 100%. Musically beautiful. I feel like this is one of those songs that lyrically Neil tried to fit way too much content into a single song, its like 20 different examples of nobody's heroes... and that's a tell that he was putting his poetic self on the back burner to "message" with a song. I get that he simply went through this personal evolution of perspective and wanted to write about it, but the way he went about it just doesn't work.
I'm sure if Neil were still alive he'd be very concerned with the lyrical analysis of someone whose RUclips channel studio is lit by the mercury vapor bulb across the street.
I dedicate this song to all the LGBTQ people who were recently slaughtered at the gay nightclub in Colorado. We need America's "heroes" to rise up and condemn the hate rhetoric coming all the way from the top. Words have consequences. You know who it is. It's one side of the political spectrum. Anybody that says it's not has their head in the sand.
Well, with all due respect, the guy that allegedly did that was "one of them." But it's still tragic regardless... allegedly. I say "allegedly" because I strongly believe that most if not all of these mass shooting events are staged or faked, and any that happen to be real are carried out by intelligence agencies using Mk-Ultra brainwashed patsies.
@@DionysusAlS This can't be a real post. You have to be trolling. You sound like an Alex Jones podcast listener. Don't even know what to say. Jones put those Sandy Hook families through hell with his lies and he finally paid to the tune of being financially ruined. Shame on you for spreading batshit conspiracies about domestic terrorists. I suppose you believe the 2020 election was stolen as well? smdh
It took having a gay friend to prevent him from being homophobic? Wow. Well, Donna Halper did say that he had some interesting ideas about people in the early days. He really evolved over the ensuing decades, thankfully. p.s. totally agree that basic human nature is no different at all. “Same as it ever was…”
I don't think he said he can't be homophobic. He said that that particular person and his relationship with him prevented him from being homophobic. There's a big difference between those two statements. He never said that having a gay friend automatically makes you unable to be homophobic.
Only the 1st verse is about his gay friend, the 2nd verse is about some horrific rapes and murders that happened in his hometown, there was even a movie made about it, Karla Homolka & Paul Bernardo ( Karla was played by Donna from That 70's show
I understand what you mean about not talking about politics, but a big reason we are in the current situation is because people stopped talking about politics and started yelling instead. :/
i guess.. politics is in every single thing nowadays. and yeah it's not talking. Part of why I don't want to get into it. I can 'see' where certain people are at on here and perhaps people can 'see' where i'm at also... but i don't want to get into it cause I don't think it'll be positive frankly.
Going from talking to yelling is the norm now because so many people "feel" victimized by those who disagree with them, it cuts both ways in the political debates since so many debates focus on identity and self, and how that relates to society as a whole.
A person's politics is kinda like their location. It's your position. Its where you are, where you're standing. It's unavoidable. You can choose to ignore it, hide or run away but wherever you go, there you are.
Also, I know you don’t focus on lyrics much, but there is an interesting aspect here regarding what constitutes a “hero.” The term gets thrown around a lot, and can lose meaning.
Strictly speaking, a hero is the protagonist of a mythological story. Those who perform the noble deeds are correctly described as being heroic, not as being heroes.
Dear Justin, disregard my last post, accidentally sent before finished. The two main characters in the song Nobody’s Hero are real people. The first was about a friend named Ellis who he had lost contact with for many years who had died of AIDS. The second person was about a girl, Kristen French who was murdered and who’s family he knew but not the girl. The meaning of the song when it comes to these two individuals has absolutely nothing to do with social justice. However, the chorus has everything to do with how some in our society look up to those who play the perfect game or actors who play a hero’s role in some movie . But Peart makes sure to say NOT the perfect player, NOT the handsome actor, NOT the glamour girl when it comes to describing what is and what is not a HERO. If anything this is the ultimate ANTI SJW song ever written.
This track talks about the everyday things and sometimes personal tragedies that people go and how everyone in their own right is a hero in dealing with these things. Neil lived in England for a while trying to get his career going when he was around 19 and that would in the early 70's. I am the same age as the guys in Rush and I know what the attitudes towards gays was back then. It was very different. Nice song but not a fav off the album.
I’m a political junkie, but I come to your channel for a break. Agree, stay out of politics 😁. I really like the guitar work on this one. The solos are different…reminds me of his solos on Grace Under Pressure…similar style.
I'm here because I'm getting burned out on all the partisan pundits I've been watching on YT and because I've been a Rush fan since 1977 and have enjoyed (most of) these reaction vids. They've been a band with a message, usually a positive one, whether it's shrouded in poetic allusion or more in-your-face like this song.
When I heard that Peart was gone, I felt a shadow cross my heart
Beautiful song from Rush
This song to me is about basic human understanding, I for one applaud Neil for having the humanity to write this song and write it beautifully. The music by Alex and Geddy is top notch.
A beautiful and important song.
agreed. can't knock it for any reason. musically and lyrically a great song.
Nothing corny with the lyrics. The girl who is mentioned in the song is Kristen French from St. Catherine's, Ontario, who was abducted and murdered in 1992. Neil Peart new the family. What is a Hero to you? Definitely not a Rock Star or Movie Star.🤦. The unknown hero is a person saving other people from a car accident or burning building and going unoticed. But that's corny I guess. 🤦🤦🤦🤦
yes, this part in the song gets me every time.
Thank you for that fact. I’ve always wanted to know the story behind the lyrics.
Yep this part of the song makes me cry... the whole 'Scarborough rapist' thing and then the French and Mahaffy abductions, torture/rape/murder was a horrible thing to live through and this song makes me sad about how it happened.
The difference between the lyrics of Red Tide and Heresy is the two individuals in this song Neil focuses were people he knew or knew those close to them. The first being Ellis when he lived in the U.K. prior to joining Rush. Like you read, he died years later of AIDS. The second being Kristen French who was the daughter of people he knew in the area in which he grew up. She was tortured and murdered by a couple whose name isn't even worth mentioning. Brave, yet tragic to him, but in all likelihood nobody else's hero like the heroes he describes in the chorus. The lyric touches me more than that of Red Tide or Heresy because the latter is close to my neck of the woods making it real for me as well. I know that whole story.
Great song...Honest lyrics from an honest man.
As a gay Rush fan , this one is of course special to me. As for having a gay friend and changing perspective, it is tougher for someone to be homophobic or racist when you know a real person, not a general, amorphous group.
Neil had a conservative upbringing and went to London in the early 70s when he was 18 years old. It makes perfect sense. He is admitting that his eyes were opened. And that is a good thing.
Too bad I can't say the same about the big Cult in America that lives in an alternate reality than the rest of us.
This song is one of the few where the music isn’t so important, but the lyrics. The reason Rush fans are so passionate with their comments isn’t because they’re simply huge fans, but because this music is timeless, and it’s been a huge part of our lives for years, decades…. Even seeing the way the guys interact together, the way they’ve grown over the years, and even stupid things like seeing them in trailer park boys is all connected and ingrained in the people we are now. I still get emotional talking about Neil’s passing… it still feels so freaking unfair that he had to lose his life so young to brain cancer. Not just to his friends and family, but the entire world that loved him. He meant so much to so many that I couldn’t even begin to describe it. I don’t think we will truly get over losing this band. I hope Geddy and Alex live another 30+ years of happiness… if anyone deserves it, it’s them for all the lives they’ve effected in a positive way.
I just love this song!! The man died of Aids and the girl was killed by a serial killer! He just wanted to make people think about what a REAL hero is… someone who touched your life or the lives of others! The lyrics “when I heard that you were gone I felt a shadow cross my heart… deep shit! Be well and God bless… from Texas!
I haven't listened to this in years, great song. I really like this Album. Still sounds great
Man this one always gets me in the feels "As the years went by we drifted apart when I heard that you were gone I felt a shadow cross my heart."
(Count down to Test for Echo 🕐 🗓 ⏳️📈)
For context, you have to remember that Neil met his friend back in the 70s and it was the context in those times that Neil formed his opinions based on his relationship with that person. So... yes, kind of dated today maybe, but it's sincere.
When you are young, the directions you can take are very influenced by the people you hang around with. And who you hang out with, especially when you are alone living in a new country (U.K. in Neil's example), can largely be up to chance. While I would like to think Neil (even in his late teens) would have the wherewithal to choose to hang out with good people, he could have ended up hanging out with people who perhaps had a different view of the world.
Neil is just saying that this guy being a positive person in his life helped ensure Neil's directions went the way they did and Neil, looking back, was grateful for that.
Plus some great guitar solos from Alex!
This song always gives me chills. Great lyrics. I also like how it is structured so that Alex really has a solo between verses. Beautiful.
First, I love this song. To me it is just a great sounding song. Lyrically it hits home for me because I grew up with a father who was a fireman for 35 years. Never heard about any of his work until the last two weeks of his life when he was fighting cancer and he shared with me the things he saw throughout his career. Rough work and I was even more proud of him when I heard those stories.
Second, the quotes from Neil about having a gay friend when he lived in London....I believe he lived there before he joined Rush so we are talking the 60's/early 70's where being gay was even harder to deal with than 1993 or today. And my guess, based on the lyrics, Neil felt that knowing him, experiencing his friends (parties), allowed him to see them as people as not as "gay people". Maybe that is why he feels he can't be homophobic. Not sure but that would make sense to a point.
I don't think he said he can't be homophobic. He said that that particular person and his relationship with him prevented him from being homophobic. There's a big difference between those two statements. He never said that having a gay friend automatically makes you unable to be homophobic.
@@squaaaaak3178 Agree but that is not what I meant... I meant that his experiences with him and being a part of his life are what likely made him understand better and not fall into the trap of being homophobic.
Homosexuality was illegal in the UK until 1967, in fact.
One of my writing partners from the 80's / early 90's was Jim - primarily a bassist with a Rick 4001. He only wrote one stanza of lyrics and he said it was tongue in cheek. He was raised in a politically conservative household. We didn't discuss politics much as I wrote lots of lyrics. Jim liked a lot of Rush lyrics but cared mostly about the music. He died of a stroke 4 years ago at 52 leaving behind a wife and 3 children. Although not my hero I think of him when I hear this song and I miss him.
To answer your initial question, I contend if you have a gray friend and are homophobic, you're not really their friend. At best, you're a friendly acquaintance. This song remains special to me because it's the point where my late partner started admiring Rush, even though he had been hearing me play them for over a decade. He was more into classical music, opera, and musicals. I had just picked up "Counterparts" when it came out and was blasting in the living room so I could hear it while I made dinner in the kitchen. He happened to be coming through the living room when this song came on and he stopped to listen to the lyrics. He walked into the kitchen and said "Is this Rush's ode to gay pride?" I had to start the song over to pay attention to hear what he was referring to. He was impressed that a well-known rock band was making a positive statement. It was very uncommon at the time. He started respecting them more and paid attention to lyrics and music, even coming with me to some concerts. I miss him fiercely still and like that this reminds me of that interaction.
Long before I knew who these lyrics were about, I was struck by the indictment of society posed in the chorus. Who we choose as our heroes has great impact on how we live our lives and choose our priorities.
“When I heard that you were gone, I felt a shadow cross my heart.” RIP PROFESSOR. AWESOME SONG!
Again.. I appreciate your honest reviews.
Yeah my experience was a roommate of mine in college died of AIDS I was the straight one and he was one of the most charming and disarming people I’ve ever met! His name was Darrell and he passed away in 94.
The lyrics get me for this one. My dad was a fire fighter for 30+ years in the city of Bradford UK. When the Bradford City fire happened he was called in on his day off. I was 8 and I had friends there. Some of the things my dads colleagues did that day were unbelievable. A lot more would have died for sure. So this song makes me think of that day. Especially as a girl in my class throughout my school years lost her dad and 2 young brothers that day. So so tragic. The professor had a great way of connecting with fans feelings with his lyrics.
This isn’t a social justice song (thankfully). It contains one of the best lines Rush ever created in my opinion that being “all their lives were shattered in a nightmare of brutality”. The perfect combination of impactful alliteration and instrumental rhythm makes it one of the most powerful lines in music. It’s a song about you, me and those around us who typically go unnoticed yet may be heroes in some regard. On a lighter note, looks like we’re 4 for 4 on Counterparts! 🎤🎸🥁🎹🎻🇨🇦
Wait, homophobia and murder are not social issues? Alrighty than.
@@davidkneitel1840 Social issues yes but given when the song was written it is not connected to today’s woke social justice warrior mob mentality. It is about morality but it’s more about the unsung heroes in life.
@@SandyWhisker Unfortunately the term “woke” has been hijacked. In of itself woke is what most thinking people would agree with. The meaning is “alert to racial prejudice and discrimination”. I think most rational people can agree with that. Yes, some decided to make it more and use it in silly ways and of course some deride the whole meaning based on its bastardized use.
@@SandyWhisker OMG. Just quit while you are ahead. You don't want to be known as the typical type of person the weaponizes the word "woke" . It's nothing more than a right wing talking point/excuse to deny blatant racism/human rights abuses. We need more Americans to "wake up" to the atrocities being committed. Mainly by one big Cult.
This song always makes me choke up a bit tbh. One of my favorites of the album.
I hear you re: the standard-issue social justice stuff - believe me. But the topic here is far broader than “tolerance,” “equality,” etc. it’s really about nameless, unseen, everyday heroes - whoever they may be. Neil addressed this topic in a great autobiographical piece in a St. Catharines paper about a year after this album was released. A fascinating read.
Justin, as your child (eventually children??) grow older, lyrics will (probably??) mean more to you. In 1993, my son was 4 and I was a stepparent to 2 more. And in the following year, I saw Rush for the second time (8th row, Alex's side).
"Nobody's Hero" means a lot to me for several reasons. As a woman married to another woman, I feel the scorn and prejudice of SOME people. The world HAS changed, as well as some aspects of human nature. It is NOT in our DNA to hate.
Peace and love to you all! ✌😍❤
Pretty sure this is the only Rush song with French horn. Michael Kamen was such a great orchestrator!
This is a beautifully written song about how individuals touch our lives regardless of orientations, circumstances, and other outside forces. In someway they have made an impact on your life and you as a person. Perfect example Neil never knew me, but he was the reason I picked up the sticks 45 years ago. I was flying a leg when my phone blew up after the announcement of his passing. The older you get the more it hits home because more and more people move on and that is just life.
Hearing my reality affirmed by musicians that I already admired so much as a teenager coming to terms with his own sexuality in '90s is one of the reasons I am still here to enjoy the music from my favorite band.
Neil definitely shifted perspectives through the years. Going from Sci Fi laden lyrics from things he read to writing more real world, social issue lyrics as he aged. I applaud him for not being afraid to write about things important to him as I think artists should make music for themselves and not just the fans. I do think they did it right though and not just song after song of some social or political agenda. To me that was one of the downfalls of RATM. Loved the music, the groove, the feel, but the constant political lyrical content was exhausting.
Almost my favorite song on the album. So deep and musically brilliant.
I think this song could also be a message from them directly to their fans, telling us they’re not the ones we should be idolizing and looking up to (as much as we enjoy their music).
In September of 2001, we got to see the definition of Hero. In the Covid pandemic, we saw it once again and the definition broadened. We had none of that yet in 1993. Neil, like all of us, had known people different from him, friends but not necessarily close; hence ‘as the years went by, we drifted apart.’ Not close but there’s still a pain when we learn of their passing. They may or may not have been a hero as we later came to learn the term, but they were still heroes to their families and friends. That doesn’t mean they are undeserving of being honored and remembered.
As time goes on Neil gets more and more into psychology and politics and sociology and I love it more and more because the lyrics are one of the main reasons why I love Rush but it's probably the one thing that's going to really be off-putting for you :-) this is the era where Neil really takes the filter off and I love it!
I think those quotes from Neil were probably just meant to echo the idea that being around people that are different from you makes it harder to be hateful towards them
The girl tragically getting killed is from a terrible couple that terrified the St Catherine's area in Ontario. anyone from Canada will know what I'm talking about. and Neil knew her family.
the bernardo crap.🔒🔒🔒
yes, along with his wife Carla who made a deal with the devil, and is out of jail. they even killed her own sister.
Thank you for staying out of politics. And as i read the comments everyone seems to be respecting that as well. It is refreshing to be able to take in some media that has NO political narratives attached. It’s just music, you either like it or you don’t , thats the beauty of your channel, it’s ALL about the music. That’s why i will NEVER go see certain artists even if I like some of their music is because it becomes a political rally and I don’t want to hear it, even if I might agree with some of it. So, thanks again for no politics and keep being Unnecessarily Harsh.
Hate to break it to you, this subject IS political. Only one side propagating the hate that leads to stuff like mass shootings at LGBTQ night clubs that happened just a couple weeks ago. Burying your head in the sand isn't going to change that.
Agree 100% on everything you said
Love songs that have good arrangements and lyrical meanings weather social issues or everyday life struggles. A girl broke up with me and I tried to win her back ,so I told her when she left I felt a shadow cross my heart. She said that when she broke up with me, it was a cloudy day- so that didnt work!
We were born into a universe that is not ours to understand... LIVE AND LET LIVE OR DIE TRYING!
Great song. Great lyrics. Masterpiece. One of my favorites on the album.
I understand the impetus of the song and admire Pearts anaologies, but it always struck me as a Rush "pop" song. I always love the music. Alex' chord progression solo in the bridge still sets me off... so emotive... 💛
What's missed about this song is the him/her/you part. Meaning we all lose people we love. First in this song is a friend, then a family friend then YOU which could be anyone and is super close in relation. And that they are normal everyday people but hero's to you in a way because they've touched your heart
I like the song. It is heavy subject matter, but I understand where you are coming from. Inspiration for a song can come from any direction. A lot of respect for you Neil. 👍🏻
The thing that can happen with those quotes from Neil is that they can be blown out of proportion. It’s better to know the context of what he was talking about to understand the whole story. Neil wrote this song to show how we always recognize heroes as detectives, actors and others when a hero is much more than that. FYI, this isn’t a social protest or social justice song like Red Tide and Heresy. This is a song about understanding us as humans and what a hero really is. Neil knew both of the people that he mentioned in this song (he knew the family of the girl, Kristen French). I show Neil even after his passing my gravest respect for writing lyrics as personal as the one’s from this song. Not many lyricists and musicians were attempting to talk about heavy topics like this. I personally love this song especially the lyrical content. Counterparts is one of my favorite Rush releases.
Definitely a radio song. Second verse, very emotional.
I witnessed them completely fall apart performing this song once. It was in Oakland, early 90s I think so probably this tour. It's hard to remember any details..I just remember listening and thinking "U-oh...That doesn't sound right..uh o...O no..O NO!" then WHAM! Train wreck! Totals collapse and nothing for a couple of seconds...then Peart did like an extended double bass pedals roll while GED and Al kind of huddled next to the riser and Boom! Right back into it like nothing happened. So yeah..not infallible. It was pretty cool to see actually. Other then that it was a solid show.
I always wondered if this ever happened to them, like momentary brain farts that happen to everyone. Whoops! Wrong verse. Double bass drum roll please.... That's fascinating. They've played so much together that they can usually cover up mistakes. I've seen several broken-string incidents, but within 10 seconds, the roadie handed Alex a new guitar, and he just picked right back in. And I LOVE the La Villa "...still no guitar..." video. haha!
@@mikemurphymagic Happens to the best. That one was a pretty obvious meltdown but in hindsight it happened fairly quick. I wonder if half the people there even recognized it for what it was and instead thought it was just a really cool added drum part! One time I was up in front at Sea World in Sacramento GED missed a vocal line and just said "excuse" into the Mic instead...and that was a very rare 3 encore show! The one that kills me though as a bass player (and believe me, a lot of the time your notes go unnoticed in the lower frequency..untill you play the wrong one!) Is etched forever in the Time Machine video. It's during the guitar solo. It's probably the simplest part Geddy plays all night. The song modulates from G to F# but Geddy doesn't do his little 6-5 fill there. He keeps it in G. If you listen you'll hear it. It's quick but really sounds BAD. Almost kind of ruins the solo. At the end of the song Geddy points the gun finger at his head and pulls the trigger. Haha!
@@mikemurphymagic o right..I had a Geddy moment and forgot to mention the name of the song from Time Machine live lol! Its in the middle of "Presto" in case your interested. It's interesting to watch the other two right after. Also...the end of the song...Alex has a bit of an improv solo but it doesn't really fit the song...its kind of "bluesy" sounding...notes you would play over a dominant 7th chord..which is exactly the chord Geddy outlined with his brain fart earlier and Alex being such a "feeling" kind of player it makes me wonder if he subconsciously wanted to push in that direction at the end but it doesn't fit the song...just sounds a little off. Anyway, very long winded I know. Just like talkin' about this stuff. Haha! Thanks!
@@geneharland I watched the Presto video Time Machine, but didn't quite hear the Geddy mistake during the solo. I did see Geddy do the finger gun thing at the end. hahahaha
Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff,
Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff,
Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff, Ok I'm not into that stuff.
I think you're gonna love "Between the Sun and Moon"... "The Who" pure inspiration is profoundly evident here! I love it... only to be followed by Alien Shore, my fave track on Counterparts. Alex & Ged are both killing it!
I think it's a real misnomer to say songs like Red Tide, Heresy, The Trees and Nobody's Hero are related to "social justice." They're not-- at least not intentionally. Neil was simply riffing upon those subjects and trying to reveal metaphysical truths about them as they relate to people's lives. That's it. I think he even stated in interviews that he made a deliberate effort to not come across as preachy. Other than that, good reaction by Justin. This is the best "prestige" song Rush ever did and it's overall one of their best songs, although there are a couple of songs I like a little better on Counterparts. But it's an amazingly epic song from them.
I could never figure out why folks would even get an even a subtle hint that Thee Trees was a woke song. One could draw more conclusions that it is a warning against unhinged wokeness but that might also be a stretch.
@@putinontheblitz359, yeah, "The Trees" is a metaphor that's supposed to be a cautionary tale about the evils of collectivism and statism. Being "woke" is basically a Bolshevik thing, so thinking of the song as some kind of "woke" diatribe is complete bullshit.
Woke is a word that has different meanings to different people.
In my sense, it's just having good manners, showing and having genuine respect and compassion for others. It's empathy and seeing others as yourself. And sometimes it's being willing to step out and defend the undeserving victims of ignorance, prejudice and fear.
I think you’re reading the “I had a gay friend, so that prevented me from ever being homophobic” bit incorrectly. From my own experience, I was a teenager in rural Texas in the early 80s, and homophobic slurs and attitudes were the norm, not the exception. When I was 16, my stepmom took me to get my hair cut by one of her gay male friends from college who lived with his longtime partner. Getting to be around those dudes, the first out gay people that I was aware of knowing, opened my eyes that they were just normal people living their lives. By experiencing that, homophobia left me forever. I saw that there was nothing to fear or condemn. I think Neil’s statement is more along those lines than some oversimplified smug nonsense like “I had a gay friend, therefore I’m forever off the hook as homophobic regardless of how I treat anyone now or in the future.” And there’s nothing remotely political there unless you’re a left/right red/blue political tribalist constantly looking for something espouse or condemn. I know Rush fans of every political stripe and orientation, and I always had a big hug for all of them at the many shows and Rush related events where we crossed paths.
Well said.
totally well-said, indeed.
I agree with the comment below from @WeDanceWestie. I think you're misunderstanding the lyrics. I think it's really just Neil trying to get across that the real heroes in our world aren't always the ones we hear about the most or get the most fanfare. AND... as I have stated before, Rush is a band where the lyrics are nearly as important to the fans as the music (more so to some).
This is especially true in the Covid era.
Isn't our beloved Subdivisions about social justice? And Grace Under Pressure is probably their most political album next to Snakes and Arrows. The trick is making a good song where the message sinks in when you least expect it.
Have always liked the song itself. There’s so much to like.
You can’t fault someone about writing what they’ve experienced. Peart was more social caring than political. And yes, there is a difference.
I refer in particular to Red Sector A. Very much about social issues, nothing political about people suffering.
Keep up with the awesome videos. Take care and be 😊
You know young friend l noticed you are venturing into Prog. Rock. In 85 l seen Rush in Buffalo NY. The band that opened for them was a Scottish band called Marillion. They was famous with us Prog Rock people back then. A good place to dabble would be Script for a Jester's Tear's and Misplaced Childhood. Both are unbelievable in story telling and sound. Hope you enjoy as much as we do.
glad to hear the storie behind that song,about a friend of the professor,nice smooth song,i remember alex switching the guitar on stage,the sound is good justin,compare to the first track,side 2 is great,specialy the last 4 song,(i;ll be around)🤘🤘🤘
“… And maybe the role models that we really need are to be found all around us, right in our own neighborhoods. Not some remote model of perfection which exists only as a fantasy, but everyday people who actually show us, by example, a way to behave that we can see is good, and sometimes even people who can show us what it is to be excellent.
And if we ever get the idea that people from faraway places are all thugs, villains, or lunatics, we can stop to realize that we have those all around us too - right here at home. But I have found, in all the neighborhoods of the world, that the heroes still outnumber the villains.”
(June, 1994)
30 years ago when I got this album I only hated two songs, Speed of Love an this song. 30 years later and I still hate Speed of Love but I now like this song a lot.
Between Sun and Moon has a chorus I still don't get. Thanks Pye Dubois!
Dear Justin, Nobody’s Hero
This is more personal than just social commentary, and it does harken back to things like Limelight where Neil clearly says he doesn’t want to be a celebrity hero type image. He just wanted to be the best drummer he could manage to be. That was enough.
Plus, Wikipedia doesn’t always get quotes right. Often it’s semi accurate paraphrasing.
Staying “A”political listening to RUSH is like trying to stay dry underwater.
I liked the musical parts after the lyrics the best. The lyrics didn't bother me - I'd rather be preached at by someone who actually understands humanity.
If you see the official video, you will understand what the song is really about.
That opening line was very very controversial in the day. Friend of mine took over 20 years to accept this song, and he still can do without
Why have "friends" that are homophobic/haters? This is right vs wrong, not "political views" or something.
I don't tell my friends how to think or feel, that's their business. I think that's kind of an important part of being a friend. If I kicked every friend to the curb for having a 'wrong' opinion or because they might not be perfect morally, I wouldn't have any friends at all
@@andysimpson4327 If you don't want to have any personal values/morals, that's your right. Would you be friends with an all out racist? An anti-Semite? No difference here.
Rush did themselves no favors in releasing this as a single for FM rock radio play. It's a great Rush song, though, like every other on this album.
Lots of different opinions on this one. Some love the lyrics, some not so much. Great composition and vocal and instrumental performances, regardless. I like the lyrics, btw.
In this case maybe the lyrics should take center stage for you and for all of us. This song to me is really about all the idols we all look up to, a musician, a sports star a movie star, but what about the real heroes that go un-noticed, they are the real hero's They don't ask for prizes and say hey look at how good I am and say I have something you don't fame. Neil has always said it to be appreciated is great, but to look at him as a hero just turned him off. From what I am gathering from his interviews. Sometimes the best hero is just a normal person that everyone says I wish I had what they had, hope, love and just being a good person. Its just my thoughts on a song that the lyrics out powered the music. And yes words do move people more then the music. At times. But with all this emotion being spewed, I do agree that we are starting to here Geddy be Geddy.
Musically, I think this is a well-crafted song. It sounds cinematic, which is pretty cool for them. The song also got some AirPlay on the rock stations, which surprised me at the time. BTW I heard Red Tide is Al Gore‘s favorite song🤣
Great song great review.
I think the state of society in recent years has probably made it a little tougher to enjoy the Rush songs with this kind of lyrical theme. I think it tends to water down the impact compared to when the song was released. It's a similar concept to the current impact of protest songs from the 60s. It's about time and place. Not that what Peart wrote here does not have value or isn't meaningful, but like you touched on, it's out there quite a bit nowadays. I agree about the music and the production is well done.
"Nobody's Hero" is a song by Canadian progressive rock band Rush, released as the third single from their 1993 album Counterparts.[1] The first verse deals with the AIDS-related death of a gay man named Ellis Booth, a friend of Neil Peart when Peart lived in London. After the chorus, the second verse speaks of a girl who was murdered in Peart's hometown, Port Dalhousie and was the daughter of a family friend, as remembered by Peart in Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me! The girl is rumoured to have been Kristen French, one of Paul Bernardo's victims.
It inspired the title for the paper Nobody's Hero: On Equal Protection, Homosexuality, and National Security published in The George Washington Law Review, wishing this helps.
I agree we get Enough social justice & political stuff lately, tho I don't think that's the song's theme. It's personal in inspiration & encouraging to others, as his reflection on the lessons taught by the lives of those around him.
As a Catholic (yep, the "C word") this month is dedicated to Saints & those who've passed on, but while Saints are very good to look up to, we get constantly reminded to be aware of "saints" living all around us in family, friends, those we meet.
Having worked in social services & w/ multiple family suffer cancer & long term illness, the heroes Neil's words reflect to me are the parents of kids w/ serious illnesses I've seen care w/o complaint & even w/ great joy & love in Very difficult dailey circumstance. And especially family who've suffered long, painful illness (& those that care for them)with courage, as heroes.
Great reaction, thanks Justin.
Best songs imho on this album is cut to the chase, between sun and moon, alien shore, cold fire, and double agent.
They are just sending a message how messed up the world is!
These are some of Neil’s best lyrics,but you have to be mature and an adult to admit that they grab you😕
Roll the Bones was Geddy in a bass rut, and on this album he comes out of it (perhaps largely by becoming Mr. Jazz Bass).
Counterparts is Neil in a drumming rut (it's the most in the pocket playing we get, at least this side of Feedback) and he reinvented his whole playing approach to get out of it.
I might even say that Presto is Alex's guitar rut: he's back to being more prominent in the mix, but he/the band's not totally sure what the guitars need to be.
Re. Neil. Yeah he was in a bit of a rut on Counterparts. He tries some subtle things, but on the whole it's basic Neil fills etc. That's why I find video of the 1997 Molson live show so interesting. You can see Neil post Freddie Gruber sessions. Changing and trying new things. All abruptly ended by Neil's family's tragedies. He was a different drummer Vapor Trails forward. Still great, but much stiffer than when Gruber influenced. In my opinion of course.
This is a reissue? The vocal sounds more prominent than I remember it. I've been critical of Neil's lyrics over the past couple albums, but not here. This was a tough topic for the entire band to tackle and I think they did a great job with it. It was also brave to release it as a single, which shows how much the band thought of it.
remaster i believe
When it comes down to it (IMO) it's just a song and just an "okay" song. The message is clear. Let's get over it. Let's move on. But hey...I like heavy jams so I NEVER play this song EVER...
Nobody's hero is Great, haters
I'm sorry it's a year later but the line 'Is the pride of purpose in the unrewarding job' kinda makes us all heroes...
This is the song on the record that sounds the most like what people would think when they heard Peter Collins was back - it's kind of a mashup of Marathon and Presto. It's OK, and there is some minor Geddy funk even before the fadeout, but I generally skip it playing this album.
Up next, Between Sun and Moon is Neil's next attempt to recapture the Pye Dubois Tom Sawyer magic. I like it (the chorus has a very 90s scat/nonsense words thing going like Third Eye Blind's Semi-Charmed Life that Geddy sings well) but it's definitely not recapturing the magic.
I lived in New Hampshire when this album came out and the local rock radio station used to play it. My friend and I were driving somewhere and it came on. He's not a Rush fan..and he looked at me and said..thats the new Rush huh?
Yeah.
And to be honest, it could be anyone playing bass on this song.
I can appreciate it musically, but it just does not do anything for me. I like the story behind the lyrics to the song than I do the actual song.
I agree with your take on this one 100%. Musically beautiful. I feel like this is one of those songs that lyrically Neil tried to fit way too much content into a single song, its like 20 different examples of nobody's heroes... and that's a tell that he was putting his poetic self on the back burner to "message" with a song. I get that he simply went through this personal evolution of perspective and wanted to write about it, but the way he went about it just doesn't work.
I'm sure if Neil were still alive he'd be very concerned with the lyrical analysis of someone whose RUclips channel studio is lit by the mercury vapor bulb across the street.
I dedicate this song to all the LGBTQ people who were recently slaughtered at the gay nightclub in Colorado. We need America's "heroes" to rise up and condemn the hate rhetoric coming all the way from the top. Words have consequences. You know who it is. It's one side of the political spectrum. Anybody that says it's not has their head in the sand.
Well, with all due respect, the guy that allegedly did that was "one of them." But it's still tragic regardless... allegedly. I say "allegedly" because I strongly believe that most if not all of these mass shooting events are staged or faked, and any that happen to be real are carried out by intelligence agencies using Mk-Ultra brainwashed patsies.
@@DionysusAlS This can't be a real post. You have to be trolling. You sound like an Alex Jones podcast listener. Don't even know what to say. Jones put those Sandy Hook families through hell with his lies and he finally paid to the tune of being financially ruined. Shame on you for spreading batshit conspiracies about domestic terrorists. I suppose you believe the 2020 election was stolen as well? smdh
I think Neil beats the listener over the head with the first verse, and makes it more about himself than the friend who passed.
It took having a gay friend to prevent him from being homophobic? Wow. Well, Donna Halper did say that he had some interesting ideas about people in the early days. He really evolved over the ensuing decades, thankfully.
p.s. totally agree that basic human nature is no different at all. “Same as it ever was…”
I don't think he said he can't be homophobic. He said that that particular person and his relationship with him prevented him from being homophobic. There's a big difference between those two statements. He never said that having a gay friend automatically makes you unable to be homophobic.
This has nothing to do with social justice. It's about what a real "hero" should be. People who make a real impact on someone else's life.
Only the 1st verse is about his gay friend, the 2nd verse is about some horrific rapes and murders that happened in his hometown, there was even a movie made about it, Karla Homolka & Paul Bernardo ( Karla was played by Donna from That 70's show
I totally understand your "Social Justice" comment, but Neil does have a way of pushing emotion through his commentary of life.
The lyrics have absolutely zero, nada, nothing, nil, null, empty set, nichts to do about politics.
I understand what you mean about not talking about politics, but a big reason we are in the current situation is because people stopped talking about politics and started yelling instead. :/
i guess.. politics is in every single thing nowadays. and yeah it's not talking. Part of why I don't want to get into it. I can 'see' where certain people are at on here and perhaps people can 'see' where i'm at also... but i don't want to get into it cause I don't think it'll be positive frankly.
@@JustinPanariello I commend you for this. Those talks usually bring out more negativity and opinions rather than positive constructive discussions.
Going from talking to yelling is the norm now because so many people "feel" victimized by those who disagree with them, it cuts both ways in the political debates since so many debates focus on identity and self, and how that relates to society as a whole.
A person's politics is kinda like their location. It's your position. Its where you are, where you're standing. It's unavoidable. You can choose to ignore it, hide or run away but wherever you go, there you are.
Also, I know you don’t focus on lyrics much, but there is an interesting aspect here regarding what constitutes a “hero.” The term gets thrown around a lot, and can lose meaning.
Strictly speaking, a hero is the protagonist of a mythological story.
Those who perform the noble deeds are correctly described as being heroic, not as being heroes.
It's not a "social justice" song.
That comment kinda irked me. Sorry.
Dear Justin, disregard my last post, accidentally sent before finished. The two main characters in the song Nobody’s Hero are real people. The first was about a friend named Ellis who he had lost contact with for many years who had died of AIDS. The second person was about a girl, Kristen French who was murdered and who’s family he knew but not the girl. The meaning of the song when it comes to these two individuals has absolutely nothing to do with social justice. However, the chorus has everything to do with how some in our society look up to those who play the perfect game or actors who play a hero’s role in some movie . But Peart makes sure to say NOT the perfect player, NOT the handsome actor, NOT the glamour girl when it comes to describing what is and what is not a HERO. If anything this is the ultimate ANTI SJW song ever written.
This track talks about the everyday things and sometimes personal tragedies that people go and how everyone in their own right is a hero in dealing with these things. Neil lived in England for a while trying to get his career going when he was around 19 and that would in the early 70's. I am the same age as the guys in Rush and I know what the attitudes towards gays was back then. It was very different. Nice song but not a fav off the album.
Amen on the politics!!!
Great power baladishish song lol
I’m a political junkie, but I come to your channel for a break. Agree, stay out of politics 😁. I really like the guitar work on this one. The solos are different…reminds me of his solos on Grace Under Pressure…similar style.
I'm here because I'm getting burned out on all the partisan pundits I've been watching on YT and because I've been a Rush fan since 1977 and have enjoyed (most of) these reaction vids. They've been a band with a message, usually a positive one, whether it's shrouded in poetic allusion or more in-your-face like this song.
For myself, this song is just ok. The subject matter is too sad and depressing for me.
Deeply personal and emotional obviously but the music is a bit languid. The Garden off the last album is miles better.