Tool and The Fibonacci Sequence

There's so much nonsense been written about Tool's 'Lateralus' it defies belief. One of the biggest misconceptions is to do with the use of the Fibonacci sequence in the song 'Lateralus'.

Many seem to think that the words to the song mirror the numerical sequence, and that by, wait for it... by counting the syllables in each verse, a pattern of 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc is reveled. Sorry to disillusion anyone, but it's just not true. So I feel it's time to set the record straight on this issue.

First of all, yes, the lyrics are about the Fibonacci sequence. And, yes, there is correlation between the sequence and the music. The correlation is this:

The 16th step in the Fibonacci sequence is 987.

( 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89,144, 233, 377, 610 ,987 ).

The distinctive riff which is heard after the quiet introduction has a time signature of 9/8 + 8/8+ 7/8 (987). An entirely fortuitous coincidence. Drummer, Danny Carey had this to say about it:

"Originally it was called '9-8-7' because there was a bar of 9, 8 and 7 and it had such a nice hook to it...It turned out that Maynard (James Keenan, Tool's vocalist) wrote these words about spirals, which were based on the Fibonacci sequence; the 978 is one of the steps on the sequence. We were so amazed at the synchronicity of it"

From 'Rhythm' magazine, August 2002.

So you see, there was no grand design on Tool's part to incorporate the sequence into their music, as many Tool fans like to believe. BUT it's not too surprising that a band as esoteric as Tool could create the climate for such synchronicity to manifest itself.

'With my feet upon the ground, I lose myself between the sounds

and open wide to suck it in, I feel it move across my skin.

I'm reaching up and reaching out,

I'm reaching for the random or what ever will bewilder me.

What ever will bewilder me

And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been.

We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.

Spiral out. Keep going,

Spiral out. Keep going,

Spiral out. Keep going,

Spiral out. Keep going,

Spiral out. Keep going..'

Once I read something about the order to listen the album. Again, the Fibonacci sequence: You skip Mantra (4), then Parabol/Parabola (6/7), and then I don't remember. But, yes, another game with Lateralus and Fibonacci.

funny what some people consider to be awsome  

schizoid_man77 wrote: hmmm... interesting   Mr. proletariat, I really doubt tool is gods fivirote band

Yeah, it's Rush.

What? it´s all false?... oh... now I hate Tool...

Tool is the universe!!!!!!1

black   (1)
and  (1)
white are  (2)
all I see   (3)
in my infancy   (5)
red and yellow then came to be   (8)
reaching out to me   (5)
lets me see   (3)
there is   (2)
so  (1)
much   (1)
more that  (2)
beckons me  (3)
to look through to these   (5)
infinite possibilities  (8)
as below so above and beyond I imagine   (13)
drawn beyond the lines of reason  (8)
push the envelope (5)
watch it bend   (3)

don't try to tell me that's a coincidence.  The lines are broken up just that way with pauses in the song.  I'm not saying it's the most brilliant stroke of genius ever, but it's pretty cool and it's definitely there.

just you.