barney_rebel Posted December 15, 2004 Share Posted December 15, 2004 Discuss. So you have a song that's got a pretty sad ending, but yet the music itself is very uplifting? What gives? We've had this discussion before - the lyrics in the song state Rush isn't taking any sides to the invention of the bombs, but are recalling the events during that time. What an ending of the song to eh? Imagine a man when it all began The pilot of "Enola Gay" Flying out of the shockwave on that August day All the powers that be, and the course of history, Would be changed forevermore... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furie Posted December 15, 2004 Share Posted December 15, 2004 i agree that the best part is that is doesn't pass judgement on the invention or it's use. it simple is. It's just like the Enola Gay in the smithsonian. The plaque just gives the name, and date. noting else. it's simple and understated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostGirl Posted December 15, 2004 Share Posted December 15, 2004 QUOTE (barney_rebel @ Dec 15 2004, 03:36 PM) Imagine a man when it all began The pilot of "Enola Gay" Flying out of the shockwave on that August day All the powers that be, and the course of history, Would be changed forevermore... I absolutely love those lyrics...esp. the "flying out of the shockwave" part. There's so much power in Ged's voice there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barney_rebel Posted December 15, 2004 Author Share Posted December 15, 2004 You can almost see the impact from the blast the way he just forces those words in the verse. Powerful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaine mac Roth Posted December 15, 2004 Share Posted December 15, 2004 Manhattan Project is, for me, one of the best of Neil's 'documentary' style lyrics. As has been said, there is no overt coming down on one side of the other with his words yet I get a sense of sadness that such drastic action was thought to be necessary during the second World War. Its almost as if the lyrics are mourning the loss of innocence as the nuclear age began. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afansince74 Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 QUOTE (Slaine mac Roth @ Dec 15 2004, 05:27 PM)Its almost as if the lyrics are mourning the loss of innocence as the nuclear age began. Excellent description Slain! That's Exactly what it's saying. IMO, I think it works BECAUSE it's told from that "casual observer" point of view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Presto45 Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Neils lyrics are amazing on this track, it feels like your really feeling the song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveyt Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 i love the driving bass line during the chorus and its tone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esmeralda Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 This song has always been one of my favourites. The lyrics, the voice, really a great song about a sad event..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirit of radio Posted December 16, 2004 Share Posted December 16, 2004 Great live tune...I wish they would bring it back next tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 To my mind, there IS an element of dismay evident in the lyrics, especially in Whoever found it first Would be sure to do their worst They always had before.. .. and the reference to the "brightest boys" playing with the "biggest toys". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsounds75 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I think it's one of Neil's better moments. Much better on "Show" than on "Power". Power has great material...but it was recorded so weak and chilly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Presto45 Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 I love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Lyrically, its a song that definatly provokes deeper thoughts then almost any other song I've listened to. Musically, it falls just shorter of it, but I think that was more because they were trying to dive deeper into the synth sound of the era. Personally, its not my favorite track off Power Windows, but it is still enjoyable. I went to the NASM that opened near Dulles Airport in VA last winter, and was able to see the Enola Gay as it is on display there. I couldnt get the song out of my head during the entire trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ES-335 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 I love this song, musically and lyrically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 I don't want to put a dampner on things, but I never really got into this song. I think, at heart, it's quite a small song, but it has this incredibly overblown production, with big synth sounds, massive echo, sweeping strings and the like. for me, on this track producion drowns the song. It really works on Territoires and Middletwon dreams though... Disco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaine mac Roth Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 its all a matter of taste I suppose. Personally, despite my hot/cold reactions to Power Windows, Manhattan has always remained a favourite. It certainly was one of my brother's favourite Rush tracks - especially the 'Flying out of the shockwave' section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pags Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 I'm a big fan of this tune, but yet I just don't listen to it anymore like I used to. If it comes on during my all Rush on random episodes then great!! One thing I always went crazy over is Neil's drum part during the second verse. I think it's fantastic and it always stands out to me. Oh and it's a song I've never seen them perform live. That's something I was hoping they would have played for R30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilPeartFan2112 Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 We're learning about this right now in history, I might take in the CD and ask if I can play the song sometime in class. http://www.therushforum.net/html/emoticons/1022.gif http://www.therushforum.net/html/emoticons/2.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-13 Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 This song reminds me of "The Fountain Head" by Ayn Rand....I dunno why Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolinda Bonz Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 QUOTE (D-13 @ Dec 18 2004, 07:06 PM) This song reminds me of "The Fountain Head" by Ayn Rand....I dunno why The Weapon reminds me of The Fountain Head. http://www.therushforum.net/html/emoticons/yes.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthbound2112 Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 I think we all agree It's a great song from start to finish. http://www.therushforum.net/html/emoticons/trink39.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 Loved the song, the play with words to tell the story yet rhyme. chilling. Plus Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay was from my hometown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-13 Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 QUOTE (Rolinda Bonz @ Dec 18 2004, 05:24 PM) QUOTE (D-13 @ Dec 18 2004, 07:06 PM) This song reminds me of "The Fountain Head" by Ayn Rand....I dunno why The Weapon reminds me of The Fountain Head. OOOOOO yes! that one too for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumnut Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 QUOTE (NeilPeartFan2112 @ Dec 18 2004, 02:58 PM) We're learning about this right now in history, I might take in the CD and ask if I can play the song sometime in class. If you can't play it could ask if the lyrics can be discussed. Just a suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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