How Tool Used Math to Create 'Lateralus'

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00:00 Intro
00:43 Title Card
00:50 The Fibonacci sequence
01:15 Syllabic Breakdown
01:59 Drums
02:27 Spiral/Golden Ratio
03:13 Vocal Structure
03:50 Lyrics
05:14 Spirituality
06:53 Conclusion

[johnrogers]

At a Tool concert in NH about 15 years ago Maynard started chanting, "Think for yourself, question authority" repeatedly. He kept going until the whole crowd (myself included) was saying it with him. He'd say it, then the crowd would repeat it. This went on for what felt like forever, and kind of seemed ridiculous after a while. Finally he finished with these words:


"Think for
"Question
"And don't ever repeat something just because someone else said it."


I laughed as hard as I ever had in my life as they closed with Opiate. Message received. Tool is the greatest band in the universe.

[jhhwild]

Tool was like, "don't overthink or over-analyze", and Tool fans were like "hold my beer".

[Danny-wvec]

Maynard pooped 5 times during the recording of Lateralus, 5 in itself is a Fibonacci number.
When he flushed, the poops spiraled down in a perfect Fibonacci spiral. And it was awesome.

[antimaterialismism]

Tool: "Overthinking, overanalyzing, separate the body from the mind."
*Tool fans have entered the chat*

[youngsuit]

When you zoom out on the lyrics, it's actually a commentary on this very thing: to not overanalyze, to embrace random, to embrace that not everything has to be perfectly placed.

[vincecoughlan]

and here I am playing power chords in 4/4

[zacster]

I was 21 and in college when Lateralus came out. I remember my friends saying TOOL had mellowed out and one guy said they "forgot how to rock." I on the other hand, loved this album and is arguably my favorite of theirs. TOOL is a creative force and are so intelligent as well, as evidenced by this song.

[MattCrawley_Music]

Funny how the lyrics warn against overthinking and overanalysing

[jasonmarckx]

No matter how many times I hear it, the final verse and chorus of this song makes the blood in my veins chill.

[quinnrollen]

The brilliance of Tool is beyond genius.

[BecksDad]

I feel like we’re doing exactly what Maynard told us not to do. Overthinking and over analyzing. 😂

[StormyBrandon]

People see this and grasp the complexity of just 1 song and wonder why new albums take so long lol

[word]

When the song is longer than the video explaining it 😂

[JambaJew]

Thank you for including Danny Carey footage with the fake mustache

[christopherdaly]

Overthinking and Overanalysing this song is the true genius of this song. Your doing exactly what the song is about.

[greywestbrook]

Maynard: accidentally drops acid once.
Maynard after the fact: lateralus

[newworldempire]

I’ve never watched a video that I found so informative and interesting and completely and utterly hilarious at the same time. Your enthusiasm is much appreciated.

[kylemotty]

The irony of creating such a complex, layered arrangement and write a chorus about overthinking. #maynardsatroll

[leanmeangreenbeanmachine]

My dad has always told me about Tool using stuff like the Fibonacci sequence in their music but I never understood how that could be translated into music, this video does the perfect job of explaining.

[hollow]

Tool really deserves a place in the rock n roll hall of fame


Update: To be honest fuck those shit awards, that is way under them