Oh yeah, good for him. I do that very same concert by myself in my p.j.'s in the middle of the street and I'm carted off and introduced to Baker Act. Ha freaking ha.
To me the songs about deception. "Jesus wont you fkn whistle" Is like him asking for jesus's truth and not the shit we got fed by those who stood to gain.
If I had to pick a Tool song I didn’t like it would probably be Flood. The intro is obnoxiously long and the payoff isn’t that great. Still dig the song. Just saying if I HAD to choose.
@@Henrydingus01123 I can't disagree. In my mind the 4-minute intro should have been a separate track, but given that the entire song was an Easter egg to begin with, I can't complain too much. I thoroughly enjoy covering it on drums, though, because 13:8 is a fantastic time signature.
He is performing the words, not just the song. You can feel the addiction, the grip, the pain. He connects you to where he is. You know what a destructive addict can do.
No doubt, same age as you Joe, I remember discovering Opiate a year or so before Undertow came out and ordered a Tool shirt straight away, it was the one with TOOL on the front and a very phallic-looking wrench on the back...everyone thought it was a joke shirt...then 18 months later I would see someone wearing a Tool shirt most days, when Sober came out as a single they just blew up in my part of the world! (NZ)
He's actually kinda mimicking the movements of the character in the original music video, which was a stop motion/claymation like thing and was very bizarre at the time it came out. As for the censoring of his lyrics, I believe this was being recorded live for MTV or something at the time.
It was the strangest and most captivating video at the time. By far and bar none. Dude is an artist in the mist genuine sense. I just hope he eventually finds the light because he is simultaneously a tortured and blessed soul.
he's hunched over a lot in his performances from the time period. the song isn't really relevant. i've seen him do it for everything i've seen them perform from that era. it was just one of the things for the schtick at the time. the video m ay have been something of a reference to this, or vice versa, but he did it a lot, for tons of stuff during concerts. there's one of apc's performances of judith on i think conan that he did it for as well. not sure anyone ever asked him wtf.
Fantastic Dimensions while I'm sure it is a sort of mimickry of the video, I saw them before the undertow album was released & he mimicked this style before said video. It leads me to wonder if the video was more of a recreation of HIS actions instead of the other way.
i feel later albums were more about soul. like 10,000 days and Lateralus. ya fucking punk ok... but my head cannot remember old shit before Undertow. proves my point. just got mind wiped.. run kids.
I've heard it was a bit more than just stage fright, like he gets full on panic attacks, or he did back then. I think now he isn't over it but he is more able to handle it.. I mean he used jui jitsu on a fan that tried to touch him and kept singing.
I've seen them 2x as well, 1st time he was front stage pretty much the whole concert i was in shock. 2nd time he was next to the drummer kinda off to the side in the shadows so to say.
Vertigo perhaps, but stage fright I'm not so sure. I don't know why people keep stating his fear of crowds and the stage. If you watch a review by a performance critic, if you watch his eyes, they focus on the people in a communicative way. If he was experiencing stage fright, he wouldn't be comfortable enough to do that because that's the height of stressors - eye contact. He would be staring above and not directly at anyone for fear of connection that would cause one to lose their focus and be self conscious. He was very comfortable in his own skin, his actions, his expressions were intended to convey sincerity in lethal and toxic intent of an addict and the addiction. My interpretation of this part of the song - "-I am just a worthless liar. -I am just an imbecile. -I will only complicate you. -Trust in me and fall as well. -I will find a center in you. -I will chew it up and leave, -Trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me" -The addict lies to hide the addiction, -I am just an imbecile: at times drunks act the imbecile as well as a person allowing themselves to be overcome by the addictions are foolish or imbeciles. Also, maybe an angered expression at addiction itself, calling it stupid as if it has a persona and deserves an insult -I will only complicate you - is straightforward i think -Trust in me and fall as well - again fairly obvious. Except the addiction being so bold that it can even get away with stating its plan so clearly. - I will find a center in you: When you first start getting high or drunk it feels like you've found your center and everything is great, -but that center is false and the addiction chews it up so that feeling is never found again but in the chewed up remains of the addiction, and then the addiction can leave because it no longer needs to work to destroy you. -All the while telling you to trust it, again and again, false soothing, and hypnotic, taking you away from yourself, and the addiction lulling you to trust in its comforting ways. I think it leans more towards alcoholism, but all addictions share one single , hard to admit fact. Selfishness - "I want what I want, I want what I want..." We want to feel good regardless of the consequences to ourselves or others, admittedly so or not, realized or not. I have been this person, and can be this person. Every day is a silent battle, to not be this person.
I saw them at Lallapalooza in '97 and he was painted from head to toe, black on one side and white on the other, and wearing a large pointy bra. Sometimes it's better to not ask questions and just enjoy the show.
Saw them in Kansas City as well that yr at Lollapalooza. He came out on a bodybuilders shoulders with a bra on and his face painted the same. Opened with stinkfist. Was the weirdest greatest performance I've ever seen!
Dude i'm so glad u caught that "I will work to elevate u, just enough to bring u down" line. I've always thought that was very powerful, yet often missed, line. I hope to see many more Tool reactions from you.
I'm reposting this from a bit further up. I agree its a great line, one of many. Just to see what your thoughts are on my interpretation of a different set of lyrics: I don't know why people keep stating his fear of crowds and the stage. If you watch a review by a performance critic, if you watch his eyes, they focus on the people in a communicative way. If he was experiencing stage fright, he wouldn't be comfortable enough to do that because that's the height of stressors - eye contact. He would be staring above and not directly at anyone for fear of connection that would cause one to lose their focus and be self conscious. He was very comfortable in his own skin, his actions, his expressions were intended to convey sincerity in lethal and toxic intent of an addict and the addiction. My interpretation of this part of the song - "-I am just a worthless liar. -I am just an imbecile. -I will only complicate you. -Trust in me and fall as well. -I will find a center in you. -I will chew it up and leave, -Trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me" -The addict lies to hide the addiction, -I am just an imbecile: at times drunks act the imbecile as well as a person allowing themselves to be overcome by the addictions are foolish or imbeciles. Also, maybe an angered expression at addiction itself, calling it stupid as if it has a persona and deserves an insult -I will only complicate you - is straightforward i think -Trust in me and fall as well - again fairly obvious. Except the addiction being so bold that it can even get away with stating its plan so clearly. - I will find a center in you: When you first start getting high or drunk it feels like you've found your center and everything is great, -but that center is false and the addiction chews it up so that feeling is never found again but in the chewed up remains of the addiction, and then the addiction can leave because it no longer needs to work to destroy you. -All the while telling you to trust it, again and again, false soothing, and hypnotic, taking you away from yourself, and the addiction lulling you to trust in its comforting ways. I think it leans more towards alcoholism, but all addictions share one single , hard to admit fact. Selfishness - "I want what I want, I want what I want..." We want to feel good regardless of the consequences to ourselves or others, admittedly so or not, realized or not. I have been this person, and can be this person. Every day is a silent battle, to not be this person. - Just my thoughts, which are really only of value to myself, and anyone with similar interpretations. All views are valid for any perspective if it helps that person.
Maynard is a Genius. Took him like 14 years to do a new album but he does not put out anything less than his best. New Album is great. Everything they do is great.
Professional singers are amazed that he can sing the way he can cuz he constantly contorts his body while he’s singing for a stage presence. He’s a true legend.
You should do O Keefe Music Foundation cover of Tool 46 and 2. Then after you enjoy that do their Sober cover. Same girl singing 2 years later. Best to do them in that order
He is very esoteric. His other works/bands/a perfect circle& pusifer are amazing as well thanks reactions brings us back to the time we 1st heard the songs [enjoyable]🤘☺🎧(.blessing$)🕊
Alicia Encaderada I was lucky enough to see them support Fishbone in a club in the uk around this time, he reminded me of Riff Raff too. A very intense performer
2nd time around, I'm 62 this is one of my favorite bands, it really connects me to my reality lol :) hunched over to get into his mind of what he wants to say, like a prime to the pump
Maynard isn't only an AMAZINGLY powerful and versatile vocalist but an EXTREMELY talented performance artist, too. The kicker is that he can belt em out even when he's in the most "anti-singing" body positions. It simply shouldn't be possible yet he pulls it off with grace and vocal mastery.
@@joeleustice have you seen those kids cover these crazy rock songs? Its been a long time since I've watched it so I cant recall the name... I wish I went to that school as a kid ! I had to learn by ear
Hey you trying to break a record today for most new subscribers. Tool, Megadeth and Sabbath all at same time. You might actually cause the internet to go down.
Escalera al Cielo Tool is not the same! Sabbath is legendary, but Tool is in a class of their own!! Still making number one albums. After all the changes in rock music since they came out. 5 year and 13 year gaps, SMH. Tool is the real deal since Led Zeppelin!
@@jamelakajamal Sorry to be so late, but he is just hunching as a profromance to the song, I see people say stuff like, it`s just how he is, or "He is hunched over because there is a fine line between genius and insanity." he is not, he is a down to earth guy of stage. ruclips.net/video/J68gH5PiSZg/видео.html&t
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your channel and all of the topics you discuss, your non biased opinion, your humor, and your love and admiration for the fellow man.
He is acting like a drug addict to portray what the song is trying to say...it is very theatrical and makes perfect sense with the song and truly brings the music and song together with its meaning
@@psycheded4272 this is actually written about friends of his in the music scene who succumbed to addiction in the late 80's, when their bands were just starting out, and his perception of watching them fall apart and lose themselves to their addictions
This live version of the song is amazing. I usually don't like the live versions on youtube or reaction videos but this one is the exception. It's like the studio version was recorded from this live performance. They all sound amazing.
I’ve seen TOOL live 3 times, and #4 is coming up in 3 weeks. Can’t wait! Anyhow, Maynard rarely stands out front ‘in the spotlight’, because... (copy/pasted from wiki) “In live performances with Tool, Keenan has often been situated on a platform towards the rear of the stage,[86] without a spotlight,[87] facing the backdrop rather than the audience.[88][89] Breckinridge Haggerty, the band's live video director, says that the dark spaces on stage "are mostly for Maynard". He explains, "a lot of the songs are a personal journey for him and he has a hard time with the glare of the lights when he's trying to reproduce these emotions for the audience. He needs a bit of personal space, and he feels more comfortable in the shadows."
My favorite live song of theirs is the Salival version of "Pushit". But I would strongly recommend you do a two song reaction and listen to the studio version first and then the Salival version. Salival was their limited edition live album, also contains their cover of the classic Led Zeppelin song "No Quarter". This is the album version ruclips.net/video/GGm72iNBF8E/видео.html and this is the live version ruclips.net/video/EgDwkSlCwHw/видео.html .
agreed! the differences are pretty crazy, and I prefer live too. I love live pushit because it starts so mellow but by the end is completely intense, and you cant really pinpoint the moment where the intensity changes. its such a natural progression. the crescendo in the live version is beyond reproach.
I don't like one version over the other. I feel strongly about versions. I revel in the differences and find such power in how Tool was able convey those differences to us in the "same" song. Genius.
The original Pushit will always be part of my Tool top 3 (you know how it is.. there’s like 10 songs in my Tool top 3). But Pushit is legit on top the other 9😂 And both versions of Pushit are ridiculously masterful. 🖤🔧
When listening to Tool for the first time I would certainly recommend lyric videos; it may give you a better understanding of the song but there's something to be said about the live version.
I saw Tool at Hammerjacks in Baltimore 1994. They were intense. A smaller, indoor venue allows them to shine (if that is the proper word). A show that is stuck in my memory!
He’s a Genius!! His other band Perfect Circle is just as amazing!! Anything with him on vocals rocks this song gives me gooses bumps no matter how many times I listen to it!
dude. He's hunched because he's also an actor. He's portraying a character. He's in theater at the moment. He knows what he's doing and he does it on purpose. His art is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable, one might say.
Maynard is the lead of a few other bands, and the song of his that always hits home for me is Gravity by Perfect Circle. The entire album is based on different aspects of addiction, and Gravity is the culmination of it all.
Maynard takes on personas when he performs live. Think of it he lives the song on stage. He has a significant amount of stage fright, what he does seems to help. In the more modern performances you see him wearing dark glasses and he is not under spot lights. Rumor has it he has developed severe light sensitivity that gives him vertigo.
When I was in highschool I played a birthday concert for Ashley damour, Paul d'amour's daughter. Paul d'amour is the bassist of tool as shown here at this concert. At the time, I didnt realize who he was. I became a big tool fan a few years later. I'm sure he would still remember the concert.
Omg the drums are amazing ,wow never heard tool always thought they were hard screaming rock. I was wrong unbelievable band and his voice, he can actually sing, tool fan now ! Love love aenema I feel the same about California especially LA
Maynard has always suffered from severe stage fright. That sized crowd with nowhere to hide at an outdoor arena in the daytime was probably terrifying for him. He still fucking killed it though. MASTER of his craft.
Tool's lyrics are always deep... Maynard is embodying the song literally. Some people will tell you he is tripping on acid, but no, he is just completely emotionally and physically embodied the lyrics. Maynard is a strange one on stage, with tool he does not even like to be seen much these days. I know that for his other bands Puscifer and A Perfect Circle he is more present. But with Puscifer he's almost always a character of some sort. I think he actually has stage fright (not sure but I think he might have mentioned that at some point) Tool has many great songs, you're in for a treat doing more of them
The Tool show I saw he could have been a cutout towards the back of the stage for most of the show, but friends saw them a couple of years before that and he was more like this, lots of body movement, in front of the stage, interacting with the audience.
I have an EXTREME agreement with the comment on "genius and insanity" . . . that combination has been responsible for so many songs, ideas, extreme collective pain, and the reality we live in today, for better, way too often for worse! Peace, love, and prosperity to all of you!
Maynard has had a tough time facing crowds. Could be part as to why hes hunched over. Like a cat whos scared to see something bigger and more threatening than it
I have listened to this song since it came out - but not in a few years.... and it never hit me so hard until today. I lost my father two years ago this December - he was a lifelong alcoholic. Its funny how you see things differently after a tragedy... but I can literally hear the Alcohol talking to my dad: "I am just a worthless liar I am just an imbecile I will only complicate you Trust in me and fall as well I will find a center in you I will chew it up and leave I will work to elevate you Just enough to bring you down" He promised us so many times he would stop... and then we would find the cases of empty beer cans when we would visit. He died of congestive heart failure. My father lived this song in every way. He thought the drink would drown his problems - but it only complicated them... After he died I found many of his notes - and he was a sad man with many demons.. If anyone is struggling with drugs or alcohol - I beg you - get help.. its a horrible wasting way to die.
They are so talented musically that’s it’s insane. But privately you have to wonder not just on this band but most in generally have deep rooted ideologies and some can keep it under wraps and others not so much. Just Like Addiction But you can’t deny just how truly talented musically they truly are !!!
Any rehab I've ever been to has had these lyrics either carved into some type of wood work written on a piece of paper as if it was some type of epiphany or multiple people will bring them up in meetings. It's sad how I have to keep explaining to the residents or the inmates that the song literally is the story of someone who is frustrated and upset with the cycle of being addicted and realizing and explaining to themselves how the cycle keeps happening even though they want to get out even though it didn't start that way now that is where they're at. A lot of people won't argue about what the drug of choice is that the song references but heroin and opiates typically would be what Maynard was talking about until later in his career in any case it's it's one of those things that's how you know talk about it if you want to I'm here but anyways.
One of the times I saw tool Maynard was dressed as the Gimp and standing behind the band. I’ve been to 100’s if not into the 1,000’s of shoes and Tool is still the best show I’ve ever seen
I feel like he was getting into character. The song is about someone who is a parasite to someone else. The person is clinging on to this other person and dragging them down. He's a pathetic character, so he has a pathetic stature.
Nothing like addiction. That’s what’s this song is about. Trying to wrestle free from addiction to drugs, alcohol, etc…Finding that you keep falling off of the wagon due to fear, need, and want continually…I wouldn’t wish these feelings and this emotion to Anyone.
If there was ever s song that literally crawled under your skin and messed around with your soul it's this one. I LOVE dancing to this one at the clubs.
The FAA closes airspace over Maynard's outdoor concerts. Powerful over-pressure sound waves distort the air-stream, potential aircraft hazard. Static electricity bouncing off the ionosphere back down into the crowd. The military is looking into that.
@@rondohunter8966 Honestly, UFOs shouldn't be considered unidentified anymore. They're all obviously just leftover soundwaves from TOOL concerts that have developed intelligence.
@@meghanmonroe One of the most expensive amp systems in the world. All wiring and electronics are from the Large Hadron Collider. NASA is running the board with Cray Supercomputers. Overall a great show. For a test they put a Tesla coil over the amps and a few satellites in orbit experienced technical issues. Though there was a noticeable decrease in Sun spots. Astronauts on the ISS tried to take photos but just got a magnetic blur from that area of interest.
And the angel of the lord came unto me, Snatching me up from my place of slumber, And took me on high and higher still, Until we moved to the spaces betwixt the air itself 🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕
You should check out Pneuma from Tool's new album It would be neat to compare the old and new. They are really good at provoking thought and providing a nice sound to chill too
Tool’s “Sober” Lyrics Meaning BY SMF · AUGUST 6, 2019 Knowing the premise Tool’s “Sober” is based on will make understanding the heavy-handed metaphors used throughout a simpler task. The song is about a friend of the band who, simply put, was a substance addict. Or more specifically he could only operate “at his artistic best” when he was highly intoxicated. And we can see via the analogies used within this track that this was something which had his homeys concerned. First Verse During the first verse, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan sings from the perspective of the aforementioned friend. And the symbolism he uses alludes to the idea of his addiction actually stalking him. And in that regard it is not only ever-present but also has the effect of preventing said individual from fulfilling his dreams as well as lowering his self-esteem, as in having an inner, self-accusatory relationship with him. Second Verse In the second verse, Maynard takes on the role of the intoxicant itself, as in if the drug were to speak. And basically, what he is saying is that he himself is no good and will destroy the person whom is the subject of the first verse, i.e. the aforementioned addict. Chorus This brings us to the choruses, which at first allude to the idea that this individual is someone who is not enjoyable to be around. The reason being that due to his insobriety he has a tendency to monotonously babble. And the chorus concludes by introducing the idea, via a question, that sobriety may actually be the better option, even insinuating that partaking of such would be tantamount to him beginning a new life. Outro of “Sober” But ultimately, via its outro, “Sober” ends on an alarming note if you will. The phrase “I want what I want” is repeated throughout. Within the overall context of the song this would insinuate that its addressee, the person whom Tool feels needs drug intervention, will instead shun such an idea, instead opting to fulfill his cravings. So this song basically deals with the toxic effects of becoming dependent on hard drugs while simultaneously acknowledging that an individual who is subject to such is faced with a challenge, albeit internally, in trying to overcome it. Hope this helps. Read more at: www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/tools-sober-lyrics-meaning/albeit internally, in tr
The hunch is to represent his addiction with heroin. Bradley called it his brand new dance. When I saw my brother doing it, I called it the poopy dance.
I saw Tool in concert and Maynard was never in the spotlight... only saw him onstage as a shadow. My son (who took me to the concert) said that Maynard stayed in the shadows with no spotlight on him because "the other band members do all the work".
He is hunched over because there is a fine line between genius and insanity.
and sometimes you need to have a foot on both sides of the line :P
Sorry he's diff insane , but what a damn excellent singer.
👆🤘👐
Dont forget all the drugs he did. He is open about it.
@@juanblanco3187 he seems pretty rational in interviews.. definitely not insane in anyway. Even back then.
One of the best live performances in pajamas ever
One of the best? THE best, :)
Thinking about it... Who else has rocked a pink onesie and was still the baddest guy around.
@@musicmademejester lol, after I wrote it I was like, it's the "only one" lol...TOOL, no one compares, teaching my kids to enjoy as well..
I know a couple sisters who put on quite a live performance in their pajamas. But they weren't playing music, but it was sounded sweet to me
Oh yeah, good for him. I do that very same concert by myself in my p.j.'s in the middle of the street and I'm carted off and introduced to Baker Act. Ha freaking ha.
Ifish4pleasure that’s funny😂but very true , I was thinking Richard Simmons dancing to the oldies at first
"I will work to elevate you, just enough to bring you down." That is the nature of addiction.
Or people
Like chocolate
Sad but true
And abuse
To me the songs about deception. "Jesus wont you fkn whistle"
Is like him asking for jesus's truth and not the shit we got fed by those who stood to gain.
The hunch is to show the power and monstrosity of addiction.
Most definitely
Don't we already know it?
Like a marionette, addiction being the strings. Echoes of the music video
a little tension and despair anyone?
Also his crippling fear of being on stage, but yes true af
It's just Maynard being Maynard, lol.
Yannick G You must be from Boston lol
He rocks that pink onesie.
@@Nepsture rrrrrrRRRRREAL fuckin high.
Nikhil Kafle No, he doesn’t do drugs, only drinks. Primarily wine.
Nikhil Kafle While performing? That would be a trick super high on opium.
Here are a few tool songs that are great: 'All of them'
Amen!
🤣
This is not hyperbole.
If I had to pick a Tool song I didn’t like it would probably be Flood. The intro is obnoxiously long and the payoff isn’t that great. Still dig the song. Just saying if I HAD to choose.
@@Henrydingus01123 I can't disagree. In my mind the 4-minute intro should have been a separate track, but given that the entire song was an Easter egg to begin with, I can't complain too much. I thoroughly enjoy covering it on drums, though, because 13:8 is a fantastic time signature.
He is performing the words, not just the song. You can feel the addiction, the grip, the pain. He connects you to where he is. You know what a destructive addict can do.
I was in the crowd, right at the front that day. It still gives me goosebumps when I see it.
Method singing, bro. Maynard wants the audience to see, hear and feel the purpose
Right on brother. If you can't feel this song and crank it somethings wrong.
Imagine, this is a live performance, no production no auto tune. He's voice is beautiful.
His voice is such an amazing instrument!
Why would we have to imagine that, that's what it is
The album, "Undertow", came out when I was 14, and, it blew me away. I'm about to turn 41, and, it stills blows me away every time I listen to it.
Time fucking flys don't it seems like just yesterday
No doubt, same age as you Joe, I remember discovering Opiate a year or so before Undertow came out and ordered a Tool shirt straight away, it was the one with TOOL on the front and a very phallic-looking wrench on the back...everyone thought it was a joke shirt...then 18 months later I would see someone wearing a Tool shirt most days, when Sober came out as a single they just blew up in my part of the world! (NZ)
Still my favourite Tool album
Anon Nymous same!
I was about 14 when Pink Floyd The Wall came out. Same problem still blows me away. Tool is cut from the same cloth. Songs that makes you think.
He is in the moment of the music. He's always been that way
drug helps a lot though
He’s completely sober sorry to disappoint the trolls
That's called LSD
He's actually kinda mimicking the movements of the character in the original music video, which was a stop motion/claymation like thing and was very bizarre at the time it came out. As for the censoring of his lyrics, I believe this was being recorded live for MTV or something at the time.
Fantastic Dimensions love all of their videos! Always having me ask myself “what the fuck is happening”
It was the strangest and most captivating video at the time. By far and bar none. Dude is an artist in the mist genuine sense. I just hope he eventually finds the light because he is simultaneously a tortured and blessed soul.
he's hunched over a lot in his performances from the time period. the song isn't really relevant. i've seen him do it for everything i've seen them perform from that era. it was just one of the things for the schtick at the time. the video m ay have been something of a reference to this, or vice versa, but he did it a lot, for tons of stuff during concerts. there's one of apc's performances of judith on i think conan that he did it for as well.
not sure anyone ever asked him wtf.
you are about to be relieved. from all publications.
Fantastic Dimensions while I'm sure it is a sort of mimickry of the video, I saw them before the undertow album was released & he mimicked this style before said video. It leads me to wonder if the video was more of a recreation of HIS actions instead of the other way.
He is expressing the twisted mind and body of an addicted person, which what the song is about. About addiction controlling your mind and body.
i feel later albums were more about soul. like 10,000 days and Lateralus. ya fucking punk ok... but my head cannot remember old shit before Undertow. proves my point. just got mind wiped.. run kids.
yep
He’s 100% into this song. It’s like he’s trying to crawl out of skin. Pure passion!
He actually suffers from vertigo and stage fright. That’s why he hides in the shadows. Seen them twice. Audio and visually sonic. Best concerts ever!
I've heard it was a bit more than just stage fright, like he gets full on panic attacks, or he did back then. I think now he isn't over it but he is more able to handle it.. I mean he used jui jitsu on a fan that tried to touch him and kept singing.
That might explain his Jay Leno appearance. Great version of 3 Libras though.
I've seen them 2x as well, 1st time he was front stage pretty much the whole concert i was in shock. 2nd time he was next to the drummer kinda off to the side in the shadows so to say.
I think Buckethead wore the bucket same way
Vertigo perhaps, but stage fright I'm not so sure. I don't know why people keep stating his fear of crowds and the stage. If you watch a review by a performance critic, if you watch his eyes, they focus on the people in a communicative way. If he was experiencing stage fright, he wouldn't be comfortable enough to do that because that's the height of stressors - eye contact. He would be staring above and not directly at anyone for fear of connection that would cause one to lose their focus and be self conscious. He was very comfortable in his own skin, his actions, his expressions were intended to convey sincerity in lethal and toxic intent of an addict and the addiction. My interpretation of this part of the song -
"-I am just a worthless liar.
-I am just an imbecile.
-I will only complicate you.
-Trust in me and fall as well.
-I will find a center in you.
-I will chew it up and leave,
-Trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me"
-The addict lies to hide the addiction,
-I am just an imbecile: at times drunks act the imbecile as well as a person allowing themselves to be overcome by the addictions are foolish or imbeciles. Also, maybe an angered expression at addiction itself, calling it stupid as if it has a persona and deserves an insult
-I will only complicate you - is straightforward i think
-Trust in me and fall as well - again fairly obvious. Except the addiction being so bold that it can even get away with stating its plan so clearly.
- I will find a center in you: When you first start getting high or drunk it feels like you've found your center and everything is great,
-but that center is false and the addiction chews it up so that feeling is never found again but in the chewed up remains of the addiction, and then the addiction can leave because it no longer needs to work to destroy you.
-All the while telling you to trust it, again and again, false soothing, and hypnotic, taking you away from yourself, and the addiction lulling you to trust in its comforting ways.
I think it leans more towards alcoholism, but all addictions share one single , hard to admit fact. Selfishness - "I want what I want, I want what I want..." We want to feel good regardless of the consequences to ourselves or others, admittedly so or not, realized or not. I have been this person, and can be this person. Every day is a silent battle, to not be this person.
I saw them at Lallapalooza in '97 and he was painted from head to toe, black on one side and white on the other, and wearing a large pointy bra. Sometimes it's better to not ask questions and just enjoy the show.
Illuminati symbolism
Saw them in Kansas City as well that yr at Lollapalooza. He came out on a bodybuilders shoulders with a bra on and his face painted the same. Opened with stinkfist. Was the weirdest greatest performance I've ever seen!
I've seen him in a leather miniskirt studded with mini LED lights. God, I love him...
Hey yall, it seems I'm late for the 97 KC Lollapalooza reunion... my bad.... but, yeah... just Maynard doing Maynard things.
I saw them on that ‘97 tour also, with The Prodigy and Snoop
Dogg. Awesome show!
Dude i'm so glad u caught that "I will work to elevate u, just enough to bring u down" line. I've always thought that was very powerful, yet often missed, line. I hope to see many more Tool reactions from you.
👍🏾
It's the perfect description of how drugs treat you!
I'm reposting this from a bit further up. I agree its a great line, one of many. Just to see what your thoughts are on my interpretation of a different set of lyrics:
I don't know why people keep stating his fear of crowds and the stage. If you watch a review by a performance critic, if you watch his eyes, they focus on the people in a communicative way. If he was experiencing stage fright, he wouldn't be comfortable enough to do that because that's the height of stressors - eye contact. He would be staring above and not directly at anyone for fear of connection that would cause one to lose their focus and be self conscious. He was very comfortable in his own skin, his actions, his expressions were intended to convey sincerity in lethal and toxic intent of an addict and the addiction. My interpretation of this part of the song -
"-I am just a worthless liar.
-I am just an imbecile.
-I will only complicate you.
-Trust in me and fall as well.
-I will find a center in you.
-I will chew it up and leave,
-Trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me, trust me"
-The addict lies to hide the addiction,
-I am just an imbecile: at times drunks act the imbecile as well as a person allowing themselves to be overcome by the addictions are foolish or imbeciles. Also, maybe an angered expression at addiction itself, calling it stupid as if it has a persona and deserves an insult
-I will only complicate you - is straightforward i think
-Trust in me and fall as well - again fairly obvious. Except the addiction being so bold that it can even get away with stating its plan so clearly.
- I will find a center in you: When you first start getting high or drunk it feels like you've found your center and everything is great,
-but that center is false and the addiction chews it up so that feeling is never found again but in the chewed up remains of the addiction, and then the addiction can leave because it no longer needs to work to destroy you.
-All the while telling you to trust it, again and again, false soothing, and hypnotic, taking you away from yourself, and the addiction lulling you to trust in its comforting ways.
I think it leans more towards alcoholism, but all addictions share one single , hard to admit fact. Selfishness - "I want what I want, I want what I want..." We want to feel good regardless of the consequences to ourselves or others, admittedly so or not, realized or not. I have been this person, and can be this person. Every day is a silent battle, to not be this person. - Just my thoughts, which are really only of value to myself, and anyone with similar interpretations. All views are valid for any perspective if it helps that person.
Sorry for the long ass comment btw.
Never go full Maynard
Bahaha
Only Maynard can do that.
always go full Maynard!
If you go full Maynard you risk slipping into Mike Patton, but that's not a bad thing either.
Tropic thunder?
Maynard is a Genius. Took him like 14 years to do a new album but he does not put out anything less than his best. New Album is great. Everything they do is great.
Anything by Tool will satisfy me! It’s like nothing else! 💕💕
The fact that he can hit those notes hunched in that position tells you everything about his talent. He’s a god.
Professional singers are amazed that he can sing the way he can cuz he constantly contorts his body while he’s singing for a stage presence. He’s a true legend.
You should do O Keefe Music Foundation cover of Tool 46 and 2. Then after you enjoy that do their Sober cover. Same girl singing 2 years later. Best to do them in that order
Listen closely to Wings for Marie (pt1) & 10,000 days (Wings pt2). You'll love it.
As someone who seems to appreciate music in general, I also suggest Wings for Marie pt 1 and 2, it shows his growth
I'd go back to Judith from A Perfect Circle to see where he started emotionally before these.
A three part series titled “Your mom,” Starting with Judith, Wings for Marie, and 10,000 Days.
You gotta start with Judith... they're all about his mother and his struggle with faith because of what was going on with her
Those are such beautiful songs.
He was terrified of performing on stage and being a damn legend at the same time.
Uh oh. Rabbit hole time.
Looks like we've picked up another one.
Every time! It gets me EVERY TIME!
He is very esoteric. His other works/bands/a perfect circle& pusifer are amazing as well thanks reactions brings us back to the time we 1st heard the songs [enjoyable]🤘☺🎧(.blessing$)🕊
I love how great he sounds live. He sings.. And isn't a screamer. His voice is solid.
He seems to be channeling his inner Riff Raff from Rocky Horror Picture Show
Alicia Encaderada I was lucky enough to see them support Fishbone in a club in the uk around this time, he reminded me of Riff Raff too. A very intense performer
It's just a jump to the left.
2nd time around, I'm 62 this is one of my favorite bands, it really connects me to my reality lol :) hunched over to get into his mind of what he wants to say, like a prime to the pump
Maynard isn't only an AMAZINGLY powerful and versatile vocalist but an EXTREMELY talented performance artist, too. The kicker is that he can belt em out even when he's in the most "anti-singing" body positions. It simply shouldn't be possible yet he pulls it off with grace and vocal mastery.
Tool - The Grudge
You are one of the only people on reaction videos that pays attention to the actual lyrics and comments on them.. thats a cool thing.
Tool is one of those bands that you just can't get enough of.....
To think that video is almost 30 years old and it still packs a punch to the jawline. Maynard and the boys for ALL TIME!
Tool 46&2 should be your next song.... Its sweeeet
Headbutt-a-cactus damn right!
That's probably my favorite. Or Ænema. (Learn to swim.) Maybe react to the kids playing it? That's really good too.
Watch those kids cover this!
@@ep8470 That still gives me chills. That's not the school I went to. :)
@@joeleustice have you seen those kids cover these crazy rock songs? Its been a long time since I've watched it so I cant recall the name... I wish I went to that school as a kid ! I had to learn by ear
Great fucking song...
I thoroughly enjoy seeing your reactions to music that holds significance in my life.
Keep up the great work
It hurts to watch but I can’t turn away. He has the eyes of someone who’s seen too much to be able to sleep at night. Great reaction as always.
That fu..in' voice,that strength,that presence....what a complex being & tortured soul🖤
Thank you for this video!
River of Deceit by Mad Season would be a song you'd get into if you like Layne Staley from AIC.
damn....
YES!!!!!
Hey you trying to break a record today for most new subscribers. Tool, Megadeth and Sabbath all at same time. You might actually cause the internet to go down.
Lol tryna get to these request 👍🏾
Escalera al Cielo Tool is not the same! Sabbath is legendary, but Tool is in a class of their own!! Still making number one albums. After all the changes in rock music since they came out. 5 year and 13 year gaps, SMH. Tool is the real deal since Led Zeppelin!
Lol @ led zeppelin being real haha they jacked all of their songs wtf are you talking about
@@jamelakajamal Sorry to be so late, but he is just hunching as a profromance to the song, I see people say stuff like, it`s just how he is, or "He is hunched over because there is a fine line between genius and insanity." he is not, he is a down to earth guy of stage. ruclips.net/video/J68gH5PiSZg/видео.html&t
If you don’t get chills from that performance.....
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your channel and all of the topics you discuss, your non biased opinion, your humor, and your love and admiration for the fellow man.
He's embodying the persona of the lyrics.
He is acting like a drug addict to portray what the song is trying to say...it is very theatrical and makes perfect sense with the song and truly brings the music and song together with its meaning
Is he?
@@psycheded4272 this is actually written about friends of his in the music scene who succumbed to addiction in the late 80's, when their bands were just starting out, and his perception of watching them fall apart and lose themselves to their addictions
@@rongoldman7520 shut the fuck up he is acting like a junky cos he is high on drugs on stage
@@psycheded4272 you are not a tool fan are you?
he sings like this about 90% of the time
This live version of the song is amazing. I usually don't like the live versions on youtube or reaction videos but this one is the exception. It's like the studio version was recorded from this live performance. They all sound amazing.
I’ve seen TOOL live 3 times, and #4 is coming up in 3 weeks. Can’t wait! Anyhow, Maynard rarely stands out front ‘in the spotlight’, because... (copy/pasted from wiki) “In live performances with Tool, Keenan has often been situated on a platform towards the rear of the stage,[86] without a spotlight,[87] facing the backdrop rather than the audience.[88][89] Breckinridge Haggerty, the band's live video director, says that the dark spaces on stage "are mostly for Maynard". He explains, "a lot of the songs are a personal journey for him and he has a hard time with the glare of the lights when he's trying to reproduce these emotions for the audience. He needs a bit of personal space, and he feels more comfortable in the shadows."
My favorite live song of theirs is the Salival version of "Pushit". But I would strongly recommend you do a two song reaction and listen to the studio version first and then the Salival version. Salival was their limited edition live album, also contains their cover of the classic Led Zeppelin song "No Quarter". This is the album version ruclips.net/video/GGm72iNBF8E/видео.html and this is the live version ruclips.net/video/EgDwkSlCwHw/видео.html .
agreed! the differences are pretty crazy, and I prefer live too.
I love live pushit because it starts so mellow but by the end is completely intense, and you cant really pinpoint the moment where the intensity changes. its such a natural progression. the crescendo in the live version is beyond reproach.
I don't like one version over the other. I feel strongly about versions. I revel in the differences and find such power in how Tool was able convey those differences to us in the "same" song. Genius.
Eulogy was great on Salival as well.
Eulogy was not on Salival
The original Pushit will always be part of my Tool top 3 (you know how it is.. there’s like 10 songs in my Tool top 3). But Pushit is legit on top the other 9😂
And both versions of Pushit are ridiculously masterful. 🖤🔧
When listening to Tool for the first time I would certainly recommend lyric videos; it may give you a better understanding of the song but there's something to be said about the live version.
I saw Tool at Hammerjacks in Baltimore 1994. They were intense. A smaller, indoor venue allows them to shine (if that is the proper word). A show that is stuck in my memory!
Yet another one that you ABSOLUTELY NEED TO SEE the actual music video! All of their music videos and AMAZING!
Maynard the 🐐💙
More tool I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!
I remember the first time I heard this live performance I was just floored with Maynard's voice...the pain and passion ...I freaking love tool
All of Tools lyrics are deep and really make you think. They are my favorite band ever.
He’s hunched over because he’s an artist telling a story.
True story bro. It's Maynard's style, nuff said.
Persona. Maynard, takes on different personas for performances now, and then.
Tormented
give me a fucking break
My man, repping my alumni Cal Poly Pomona, class of 2009! You know damn well Tool was blasting from my truck on Kellogg drive
My wife went there👍🏾 she got me the sweater
He’s a Genius!! His other band Perfect Circle is just as amazing!! Anything with him on vocals rocks this song gives me gooses bumps no matter how many times I listen to it!
Maynard was in character as an addict. Amazing he can sing so well from such difficult postures.
He likes to single a person out in the crowd and sing directly to them
I would say he sings "AT" them...lol
He's just weird on stage. It's like a character
.he plays part
Lol he's pretty weird in person, too.
He does not play any part,... never.
I'd be very surprised if he wasn't influenced by Peter Gabriel's Genesis live performances.
No....he's just odd in real life. It's not a persona
He also deals with stage fright. On top of that, he was in-front, which he stopped doing.
dude. He's hunched because he's also an actor. He's portraying a character. He's in theater at the moment. He knows what he's doing and he does it on purpose. His art is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable, one might say.
Maynard is the lead of a few other bands, and the song of his that always hits home for me is Gravity by Perfect Circle. The entire album is based on different aspects of addiction, and Gravity is the culmination of it all.
Maynard takes on personas when he performs live. Think of it he lives the song on stage.
He has a significant amount of stage fright, what he does seems to help.
In the more modern performances you see him wearing dark glasses and he is not under spot lights. Rumor has it he has developed severe light sensitivity that gives him vertigo.
Maynard loves to get in character almost to fit with the song. Like Yannick G said its Maynard being Maynard. Devildriver - Head On To Heartache
When I was in highschool I played a birthday concert for Ashley damour, Paul d'amour's daughter. Paul d'amour is the bassist of tool as shown here at this concert.
At the time, I didnt realize who he was. I became a big tool fan a few years later. I'm sure he would still remember the concert.
The first TOOL I ever head, was 10,000 Days. Blew me away. Been a fan ever since. A Perfect Circle is fantastic too!
in my Top 3 tunes by Tool is one called "Lateralus"...the lyrics are awesome and the music is better. you need to check that one out.
This was that song, that hooked me on Tool
Omg the drums are amazing ,wow never heard tool always thought they were hard screaming rock. I was wrong unbelievable band and his voice, he can actually sing, tool fan now ! Love love aenema I feel the same about California especially LA
Maynard has always suffered from severe stage fright. That sized crowd with nowhere to hide at an outdoor arena in the daytime was probably terrifying for him. He still fucking killed it though. MASTER of his craft.
Tool's lyrics are always deep... Maynard is embodying the song literally. Some people will tell you he is tripping on acid, but no, he is just completely emotionally and physically embodied the lyrics. Maynard is a strange one on stage, with tool he does not even like to be seen much these days. I know that for his other bands Puscifer and A Perfect Circle he is more present. But with Puscifer he's almost always a character of some sort. I think he actually has stage fright (not sure but I think he might have mentioned that at some point)
Tool has many great songs, you're in for a treat doing more of them
My little sister saw A Perfect Circle in concert, and she verified that Maynard was backed away from the spotlight and in the shadows.
I've seen Tool and APC, both times Maynard was in the shadows
The Tool show I saw he could have been a cutout towards the back of the stage for most of the show, but friends saw them a couple of years before that and he was more like this, lots of body movement, in front of the stage, interacting with the audience.
definitely need lyrics on tool reactions
How M.J.K was singing leaves most Vocal coaches speechless! His vocal strength is amazing
I have an EXTREME agreement with the comment on "genius and insanity" . . . that combination has been responsible for so many songs, ideas, extreme collective pain, and the reality we live in today, for better, way too often for worse! Peace, love, and prosperity to all of you!
Maynard has had a tough time facing crowds. Could be part as to why hes hunched over. Like a cat whos scared to see something bigger and more threatening than it
He just into the songs it's a part of it. He literally tells a story with his body
Eh, could be anything
When I saw them live, he had his own little stage behind the drum set that faced the back.
He had major stage freight and anxiety that many people think caused his crouching over and even turning his back to the crowd.
Tbh I'm more surprised more people don't get that way in front of such large crowds 😂
1994.. the world was not ready for this sound. It's like a unexpected Alien landing. ^^
I have listened to this song since it came out - but not in a few years.... and it never hit me so hard until today. I lost my father two years ago this December - he was a lifelong alcoholic.
Its funny how you see things differently after a tragedy... but I can literally hear the Alcohol talking to my dad:
"I am just a worthless liar
I am just an imbecile
I will only complicate you
Trust in me and fall as well
I will find a center in you
I will chew it up and leave
I will work to elevate you
Just enough to bring you down"
He promised us so many times he would stop... and then we would find the cases of empty beer cans when we would visit. He died of congestive heart failure. My father lived this song in every way. He thought the drink would drown his problems - but it only complicated them... After he died I found many of his notes - and he was a sad man with many demons..
If anyone is struggling with drugs or alcohol - I beg you - get help.. its a horrible wasting way to die.
the song is about addiction and Maynard tends to "preform his lyrics"
These guys were 17-21 when they composed this song and not much older when they perdormed this
The intensity of that groove and lyric especially with Dan Carey pulverizing the canvas
They are so talented musically that’s it’s insane. But privately you have to wonder not just on this band but most in generally have deep rooted ideologies and some can keep it under wraps and others not so much. Just Like Addiction
But you can’t deny just how truly talented musically they truly are !!!
Any rehab I've ever been to has had these lyrics either carved into some type of wood work written on a piece of paper as if it was some type of epiphany or multiple people will bring them up in meetings.
It's sad how I have to keep explaining to the residents or the inmates that the song literally is the story of someone who is frustrated and upset with the cycle of being addicted and realizing and explaining to themselves how the cycle keeps happening even though they want to get out even though it didn't start that way now that is where they're at. A lot of people won't argue about what the drug of choice is that the song references but heroin and opiates typically would be what Maynard was talking about until later in his career in any case it's it's one of those things that's how you know talk about it if you want to I'm here but anyways.
Yeah Maynard is just weird and artistic. The band in general is beast
Agreed...
One of the times I saw tool Maynard was dressed as the Gimp and standing behind the band. I’ve been to 100’s if not into the 1,000’s of shoes and Tool is still the best show I’ve ever seen
He's hunched to keep his voice at a level for mortal ears.
I feel like he was getting into character. The song is about someone who is a parasite to someone else. The person is clinging on to this other person and dragging them down. He's a pathetic character, so he has a pathetic stature.
Jason VanAuken the song id about addiction and what it does to the people around the addicts
That said parasite is substance addiction... It's quite clear especially if you've been around or been an addict before
He's playing a role as a junkie. Sober!
Nothing like addiction. That’s what’s this song is about. Trying to wrestle free from addiction to drugs, alcohol, etc…Finding that you keep falling off of the wagon due to fear, need, and want continually…I wouldn’t wish these feelings and this emotion to Anyone.
If there was ever s song that literally crawled under your skin and messed around with your soul it's this one.
I LOVE dancing to this one at the clubs.
The man hes staring at died 2hrs later, and the woman behind him, woke up 8 months pregnant ....true story 😉
The FAA closes airspace over Maynard's outdoor concerts. Powerful over-pressure sound waves distort the air-stream, potential aircraft hazard. Static electricity bouncing off the ionosphere back down into the crowd. The military is looking into that.
@@rondohunter8966 Honestly, UFOs shouldn't be considered unidentified anymore. They're all obviously just leftover soundwaves from TOOL concerts that have developed intelligence.
@@meghanmonroe One of the most expensive amp systems in the world. All wiring and electronics are from the Large Hadron Collider. NASA is running the board with Cray Supercomputers. Overall a great show. For a test they put a Tesla coil over the amps and a few satellites in orbit experienced technical issues. Though there was a noticeable decrease in Sun spots. Astronauts on the ISS tried to take photos but just got a magnetic blur from that area of interest.
And the angel of the lord came unto me, Snatching me up from my place of slumber, And took me on high and higher still,
Until we moved to the spaces betwixt the air itself
🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕
Damn it let the rabbits wear glasses!🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕
You should check out Pneuma from Tool's new album It would be neat to compare the old and new. They are really good at provoking thought and providing a nice sound to chill too
ruclips.net/video/F3vKXaEfUlA/видео.html
👍🏾
Tool’s “Sober” Lyrics Meaning
BY SMF · AUGUST 6, 2019
Knowing the premise Tool’s “Sober” is based on will make understanding the heavy-handed metaphors used throughout a simpler task. The song is about a friend of the band who, simply put, was a substance addict. Or more specifically he could only operate “at his artistic best” when he was highly intoxicated. And we can see via the analogies used within this track that this was something which had his homeys concerned.
First Verse
During the first verse, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan sings from the perspective of the aforementioned friend. And the symbolism he uses alludes to the idea of his addiction actually stalking him. And in that regard it is not only ever-present but also has the effect of preventing said individual from fulfilling his dreams as well as lowering his self-esteem, as in having an inner, self-accusatory relationship with him.
Second Verse
In the second verse, Maynard takes on the role of the intoxicant itself, as in if the drug were to speak. And basically, what he is saying is that he himself is no good and will destroy the person whom is the subject of the first verse, i.e. the aforementioned addict.
Chorus
This brings us to the choruses, which at first allude to the idea that this individual is someone who is not enjoyable to be around. The reason being that due to his insobriety he has a tendency to monotonously babble. And the chorus concludes by introducing the idea, via a question, that sobriety may actually be the better option, even insinuating that partaking of such would be tantamount to him beginning a new life.
Outro of “Sober”
But ultimately, via its outro, “Sober” ends on an alarming note if you will. The phrase “I want what I want” is repeated throughout. Within the overall context of the song this would insinuate that its addressee, the person whom Tool feels needs drug intervention, will instead shun such an idea, instead opting to fulfill his cravings.
So this song basically deals with the toxic effects of becoming dependent on hard drugs while simultaneously acknowledging that an individual who is subject to such is faced with a challenge, albeit internally, in trying to overcome it.
Hope this helps.
Read more at: www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/tools-sober-lyrics-meaning/albeit internally, in tr
This is actually the first song I heard by Tool that made me a fan. As others have said, he was acting out the song about addiction.
"that's some deep lyrics"
Well, yeah, it's tool
The hunch is to represent his addiction with heroin. Bradley called it his brand new dance. When I saw my brother doing it, I called it the poopy dance.
His friend's addiction*
I saw Tool in concert and Maynard was never in the spotlight... only saw him onstage as a shadow. My son (who took me to the concert) said that Maynard stayed in the shadows with no spotlight on him because "the other band members do all the work".
I saw him at red rocks in Colorado, he stayed in back in dark there too
I listen to Tool every Sunday. Some go to church. I love it.