Classical Composer Reacts to 2112 (Rush) (Reaction and Analysis | The Daily Doug (Episode 111)
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- Опубліковано 14 кві 2021
- #Reaction #HelveringReaction #Rush #RushReaction #2112 #2112Reaction #Rush2112
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to 2112 by Rush. This is the entire first side to their 1976 album of the same name. I have long heard of this song but have never heard it before today. I was completely overwhelmed by its engrossing narrative and musical complexity.
Reference Video: • Rush - 2112 [HD FULL S...
It's mindblowing to think that Geddy and Alex were 22 and Neil 23 at the time of the recording.
That's how old lots of the founding fathers of the US were too. Good years.
Attention all planets of the Solar Federation: 7 words repeated 3 times = 21
We have assumed control: 4 words repeated 3 time = 12
2112 - absolute masterpiece
😲😲😲😲
I never noticed that. Thank You. 👍🇨🇦👍
I use it for my ring tone. Never fails to get a wtf in public.
@@dieselbourbon3728 I used it as my email signature at work for years and people were totally lost.
@@dieselbourbon3728Good one. I have been using Fanfare For A Common Man from ELP for my ring tone for years. Have yet to come across someone who knows what it is. Most are like WTF is that?
I was usually too engrossed in the music to ever count, and I've been listening to 2112 for over 30 years. Never too old to learn. Thanks!
3 of the most talented musicians you'll EVER hear. Period.
ElectraGlide In Blue? Like the movie
100%
No doubt.
4 SURE!
There will never be a lyricist like The Professor and Alex and Geddy were the perfect accompaniment to his words. The fact that they pulled this off in the 70s and were just 3 men was nothing short of phenomenal. Rest in Peace Mr. Peart.
Tomas Haake (the drummer for Meshuggah) also has some amazing lyrics. Tomas even credits Neil as one of his biggest inspirations.
The record label told them to make more radio friendly songs. So they made this in response. They figured they were not going to compromise their musical integrity and may as well go out doing what they want. But it was such a huge hit, from that point on, their label never tried to tell them what to do again.
Rush did not become a legend with time, they already started being legends.
Was just watchin Straight Out Of Compton. Just realized the similarities between these two bands, completely diff genre’s the establiment told NWA that gangsta rap wouldn’t sell. Both these HOF bands did it they’re way ultimately
Specifically, they were told to sound "more like Bad Company".
@@SylviusTheMad Wow. They ignored the hell out of that!
B side is pretty radio friendly though. And aside from the length, the tittle track has some catchy sections that could have been turned into a single for airplay purposes. 2112 is much more commercially viable than Caress of Steel I think.
As a student of 2112 since 1977, IMHO the grand finale is the "good guys" coming back to kick out the priests.
Correct. Peart said later it was the Elder Race (of men) that came back to challenge the Priests and they battled and the Elder Race won.
The Priests of the Temple of Syrinx are Jack Dorsey, Mark Zuckerberg . . . etc.
@@t00by00zer I'd say the red star is communism i.e. collectivism. Collectivism vs individuality.
And let's hope that happens .
No the elder race was on another planet and time that the oracle took him to. In the end his life blood spills over because he's stuck in that world of enslavement, socialism
After 20 years of listening to me playing this song, and many other Rush songs on my bass, my wife would tune them out because she is not into Rush at all and didn't get why I love their music so much. Last year, she confessed to having listened to 2112 all the way through while reading the lyrics, and said she finally understands why I love them. :)
I was a classically-trained youth musician from an early age (viola, Bb clarinet and then ended with Bb bass clarinet in a youth Mozart quartet), but dropped out of playing music for three years until I heard Rush in 1981 and, for a whole year, I'd go to sleep with my headphones on with a Rush cassette of their live album "Exit... Stage Left" set to loop continuously from Side A to Side B and I'd play air bass to it as I fell asleep (I played viola for a number of years, which is also bass cleff, so I knew the basic finger poisitions needed to play the sequences of notes properly, and just enlarged them to fit a bass guitar neck). Then I bought a $50 pawnshop bass guitar, and maniacally dove back into music. I still play to this day, 40-years later, every day, but now I'm on a six-string bass (Ibanez with EMG 45JX pickups & active electronics, played through a Tech 21-NYC VT Bass Deluxe and a Boss GT-10B fx pedalboard, for any gearheads out there who might read this) and at least two good Rush songs a day, and "The Fountain of Lamneth" and "2112" are two of my favorite long ones to play. :)
As a poor kid in the early 80's I used the water fall section to tune my guitar. It will forever retain a special place in my heart.
Can you imagine 2112 being your response to the record company saying "Can you try to sound a little bit more like Bad company? Holy shit
Perfect
I think the story goes that Neil was too wrapped up in his books to be able to write a Bad Company kind of song. He wrote what he knew at the time, and that was the books he read while on your.
I bought this album as soon as it came out, it blew me away. They basically told the label to go pack sand, and did what they wanted. Big balls, real men, class act. This guy said it's been 45 years...holy sht...seems like yesterday.
'is this radio friendly enough for you?'
One of probably 2,112 reasons why they're the best band ever
From a Rolling Stone article with Neil in 2012:
This is somewhat random, but you were interested in the writings of Ayn Rand decades ago. Do her words still speak to you?
Oh, no. That was 40 years ago. But it was important to me at the time in a transition of finding myself and having faith that what I believed was worthwhile. I had come up with that moral attitude about music, and then in my late teens I moved to England to seek fame and fortune and all that, and I was kind of stunned by the cynicism and the factory-like atmosphere of the music world over there, and it shook me. I’m thinking, “Am I wrong? Am I stupid and naïve? This is the way that everybody does everything and, had I better get with the program?”
For me, it was an affirmation that it’s all right to totally believe in something and live for it and not compromise. It was a simple as that. On that 2112 album, again, I was in my early twenties. I was a kid. Now I call myself a bleeding heart libertarian. Because I do believe in the principles of Libertarianism as an ideal - because I’m an idealist. Paul Theroux’s definition of a cynic is a disappointed idealist. So as you go through past your twenties, your idealism is going to be disappointed many many times. And so, I’ve brought my view and also - I’ve just realized this - Libertarianism as I understood it was very good and pure and we’re all going to be successful and generous to the less fortunate and it was, to me, not dark or cynical. But then I soon saw, of course, the way that it gets twisted by the flaws of humanity. And that’s when I evolve now into . . . a bleeding heart Libertarian. That’ll do.
Somehow I can even hear his voice when reading it. He had such a clear and soothing voice in interviews, and the articulacy (if that's a word) of his lyrics comes through in his spoken words. RIP Neil.
yeah. he was basically using the label to mean the opposite of what most people who use that label mean.
at least it's good to know that when he reached adulthood he escaped the rand mentality.
@@sabin97 if by Rand mentality you mean her definition of the virtue of selfishness, then yeah I agree with you. Her philosophy of Objectivism is a very static conception to me that seemed to need a lot more work to be taken seriously.
@@stantheman9072
i mean EVERYTHING that people who label themselves "libertarian" stand for.
EVERY
SINGLE
THING.
they are a fringe minority for a reason.
their ideas are too dumb for even the dumb masses.
when you press them for specifics of what they believe it ALWAYS ends up in(and i'm paraphrasing because they lack the testicular fortitude to tell you straight like they think about it):
"the poor should just fuck off and die, because maaaah properteeeeehhhh"
@@sabin97 so good to know you have such fortitude and insight to know what libertarians “really” mean when they dare say what they think. What I hear of libertarians is more like leave me alone to mind my business and I’ll leave you alone to mind yours. It’s hard to build any sort of civic activity on that basis, so they always sound squishy on practical matters like how you would accomplish some social goal. They don’t really have any because their idea of society is built from the individual out, not defined from the top down. Your interpretation of their guiding philosophy is hackneyed and puerile, and you sound like a typical “progressive” bully...the kind of ideologically-driven zealot that radicalism grows. Personally I like public policy that is built on consent rather than grand schemes of great societies to build. Human beings have always failed at that and America will too as we try it.
@17:19 Such a beautiful moment of music. I spent so many nights as a young lad listening to this from a cassette, lying in bed before sleep, headphones wrapped around my head, and being taken to a different world. Who would've thought the lyrics of this album would be more relevant know than they were back in '76?
I was 13 years old when my older cousin showed up with this new album by a band called Rush. I think I wore that album out on him. When I found out about the Ayn Rand book Anthem I went to my school library and signed it out. Only thing is I didn't sign it out in my own name. I signed it out as Neil Peart! Once a week Neil was called to come to the main office when they called everyone else who had overdue books. Oh to be young again.
When I saw Rush perform this when I was a teen, I couldn't comprehend how this song could be performed by just three people.
To be fair, there are some overdubs. Nevertheless, as you state, they pull 2112 off quite well live. I've been listening to Rush In Rio over the past couple of days. While the audio quality is a bit dodgy, the performances are stellar!
The crowd jumping up and down and singing all the songs with such mad energy makes the concert interplanetary. Limelight, they sing the melody. It’s E P I C!!!
@@vvrroomm68 - Ha! So, I'm not the only one who "sings" the instruments as well as the words! I generally stick to the lower register these days and weave between the bass and guitar parts. For the record, I generally do a very simplified version of many bass lines. People like Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Greg Lake, etc are impossible to follow note-for-note vocally.
Very well said. The better players are very hard to voice their lines. If you watch Limelight in Rush Live in Rio you will see what I mean. Cheers.
I felt the same way!! Such an unreal band to see live
Doug, the artist were the winners. Rush gained complete control of their music after this album. The record labels left them alone to do what they wanted. True story
We the listeners were also winners! By record sales, the company was also a winner! Everyone wins!
_We are the priests of the Temples of Syrinx._
It was more than 45 years before I found out that a syrinx is a songbird's voice box, like our larynx.
True Story.
{:-:-:}
Rush created their own subsidary within the label, called Anthem Records, to have absolute control on their output from 1976 onwards. No executive in the record company could tell them what to do, so they just did what they wanted, and were brilliant at that.
Similar to Eli's response, they always "assumed control" (hehehe). They created on their own terms, to the dismay of the priests of the record company. If the record didn't work, their lifeblood (with the record company) would have spilled over.
@@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095 I remember when I learned this. Now. It was now that I learned this.
I have been a Rush fan since 1980 (7th grade for me). I never knew until just recently that the last two phrases of the song were each repeated 3 times for a reason: 7 words "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation" times 3 = 21 words; and 4 words "We have assumed control" times 3 = 12 words. 21 and 12, 2112! Masterful. RIP Professor!
I never thought of that. Bravo, Stuart.
Never hit me til now
I thought is was simply the year of a time in the future where this story takes place, but I like your explanation too.
@@MrYatesj1 it’s both
👏
I think what Neil got out of Ayn Rand's novels is the "F*** you, I won't do what you tell me; I'll do it my way or not at all..." attitude of some of the characters... in addition to 2112, the following Rush songs reflect some Ayn Rand influence: Anthem, The Trees, Freewill, Tom Sawyer, maybe a few others...
The Grand Finale:
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation 7 words 3x = 21
We have assumed control 4 words 3x - 12
That is how you end an epic opus!!
Came here looking for this comment. How genius was Neil frikkin Peart?
I've been a fan of this band since the late 90's when a good friend of mine enlightened me with this band. I am forever grateful to him for opening my eyes and my mind. I never realized this previously! This is amazing! I hope my fan card will not be revoked for being so late to the party!
Never made that connection before. Brilliant.
Okay, so if that is not a coincidence, then an excellent observation, and yes, Neil Peart was a genius.
@@RJrod34 love for Rush is always gladly shared...never revoked. I’ve been a fan since All the Worlds a Stage hit the streets. Always room for more!
The record company hated it, and hated where Rush were going.
This was accepted purely by the fans, and was such a success that the record company never tried to interfere with them ever again.
Probably a large part of how this resonated with people was growing up with parents who saw rock music as a frivolous pastime that wouldn’t support them as a career, or other people feeling like having their dreams crushed by systems that preferred conformity to individuality. It’s a pretty common feeling and the song was crafted well to tap into it.
"2112" was basically Rush reacting to the cold reception to their previous album which had TWO epic length tracks. "We do this and it's our last album ever, or people love it and we get more freedom".
Dream Theater had the same thing going for them with "Scenes from a Memory". The record label spent too much time intervening on "Falling into Infinity" and even forced an outside songwriter on one track... and their next album was kind of just "we're gonna pour our passions into a concept album and if it breaks us, at least we went out on OUR terms", and it turned out to be one of their most successful albums, due to the PASSION that went into it.
"2112" is much the same story. They poured their passion into it, and it paid off.
The record company hated Caress of Steel. This was their response to "fix it or else"
@@jsmctch Yeah, they went with ‘or else’.
@@sean---the-other-one well said
I saw Rush do this song live in 1976. It was incredible.
This song is the most important piece of music iv ever heard, personally in my life. It compelled me to play music from a young age. I had never heard anything like it before. To me its not just music...its a masterful painting of music that has inspired millions just like me. This song belongs up there with Stairway to Heaven, Rapsody, and satisfaction as the greatest of all time. Its just as important in my view... this song changed my life. I can never repay Rush for that.
What is your song about?
Most bands: Sex
Rush: A guy in a future society discovers an ancient musical relic, is shot down, dreams of a world so beautiful and when he realizes it will never be real he kills himself
I am pretty sure the guy was about to kill himself, until the people the Oracle showed him to (the Elder Race) came back and bombed the Solar Federation. Still, it is a ripper song.
@@robertziel2294 no, he killed himself after the Oracle showed him the elder race's society.
@@gojifan54gaming15 eh whatever. People can interpret it how they want.
On one interview with Geddy, he was talking about Rush not getting radio play because of their esoteric and fantastical lyrics. " I mean, 'By-Tor and the Snow Dog', what the hell is THAT??" Ha ha ha ha!!!
@@robertziel2294 "...my life blood spills over." The young protagonist most definitely takes his own life.
The "holy shit" at the end is a genuine and perfect reaction to hearing that for the first time.
brill!!! ;0
Exactly! I've no idea how many times I've heard it and I still get chills up my spine at the end. Holy shit indeed!
I kinda think that it was my first reaction too
Said same when I first heard and read lyrics in 1976. 46years ago… 😜
I love how the Overture is comprised of all the primary elements of the successive sections of 2112... Brilliant. The album changed my teenage life. Still moves me to this day on every listen.
this is generally the case with overtures
@@DrWhom I love how Doug hears the 1812 overture in there towards the finale of the 2112 overture. For 44 years, I have played air guitar to that and never placed it.
Tommy- so true. This was the album of my youth and still one of favorites more than 40 yrs later
Well that's what an overture is.
Cause IS AN OVERTURE?!
Absolutely love the sound of Alex’s guitar in the 70’s. The best band to ever to walk the earth!!
“I’ve read ahead.. the priests aren’t gonna like it” 😂
Right up there with his dumbfounded "Holy Shit" at the end.
Nearly 50 years later and this song still gets me emotional.
Blew my mind as a child...still does today. Note. Songs on side 2 are awesome too.
This song Completely directed my musical listening since third grade
Especially now that we've last Neil.
I never cry. Or? OK, Elwood - gone? OMjove. On my knees. Thank you my X Minnesotan one for her saving my sore sorry.
IMHO, God needed The Professor home. Safe.
@@stephendedalus4566 well, Neil would disagree, but I understand the sentiment.
The staying power of this album is incredible. It's older than you are, yet it still resonates with you. That's the mark of great music.
I think in light of the way the world has been headed in the last decade it's more relevant than ever... the "priests" have amused control. When it comes to the music still being resonant... that's just a mark of it's brilliance... Beethoven is still popular!
Fun fact. As a RUSH fan and bird lover, Syrinx is a birds vocal box and it allows them(covids and parrots) to mimic and make amazing sounds. RIP Verde bird(31 years) I love you and will forever miss you. Same as Neil, RIP. There is a reason I named my first born son Neil.
Corvids, not covids.
Neil definitely deserves a lot of credit on this song, but the part where Alex is doing the 'learning to play' bit is some sheer genius guitar-smithery...
Alex has said in interviews that he didn't know what to do, so he just started tuning his guitar.
There's so much pure magic in that sequence. Then it gets into the next movement and goes SO dark...
@@ConceptJunkie He did one heluva good job at " tuning" .
The world is truly not a better place with the absence of RUSH. RIP PROFESSOR🙏🙏🙏
For sure. First time i heard it, i thought, oh, yeah. I'll just do THAT and learn to play...🙄😤😅
Rush foreshadowing:
We’ve taken care of everything
The words you read
The songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure
To your eye
so deep
Democratic Socialists. Scares the hell out of me.
The merging of the agendas of our corporate elites with our government officials. Computers fill the hallowed halls of our new big tech overlords. How prophetic.
Foreshadowing? This was happening long before Rush made 2112.
@@timz9862 and now made manifest before our very eyes.
Saw Rush in 1976 for the first time. Incredible experience for a 17 yr old. General admission where we ran to the front and stood the whole concert. Ringing in my ears for 2 days. It was mesmerizing to see this live. Alex, Geddy & Neil tearing it up. Saw them another 5 times (twice with my sons) 2112 is a masterpiece
The only time I saw them live they played this entire piece. That was the first time that they played it since the release of the album. They were amazing to see live. They did everything perfectly just like on each album.
The Priests are the executives at the label. The protagonists are the artists. The label is trying to keep the artists in line and stifle their creativity.
Jack Dorsey, Mark Zuckerborg . . .
@@t00by00zer based on Ayn Rand's "Anthem". Nuff said.
@@sillygirl3284 In the book, they were the ones in charge of deciding each person's career in life. When the hero discovers a light bulb, he goes to them hoping he will be allowed a change of occupation so he can study it. He is denied because they already knew about it, but wouldn't allow it to become common knowledge because it would destroy the careers of the candle makers. In Anthem, the hero was neither rich nor powerful.
The Elder Race are the Rush fans.
@@t00by00zer YES!! Sad ,ugly and ironic truth. Lots more than those also. So relevant is 2112 to 2022. IMO. Good call! "
They left our planets long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home to tear the Temples down...
Home to change!
Rush was considered and called "Intellectual Rock" because of the time changes, key changes, and story telling. RIP N.Peart. a true master of the Arts.
Precursors to prog
@@MrDeactivator2 Rush were precursors to prog metal but they actually came after the peak years of prog rock, which were roughly 1971-1975.
@@elimalinsky7069 Exactly, they often aren't progressive, compared to all the Prog bands before them, they sound like a more thoughtful version of 70s hard rock, its good music, just not that progressive
@@sapiensfromterra5103 Some people claim Rush is hard rock with prog rock elements, rather than a true prog band. Their prog era was quite brief in comparison to the band's 50 years of operation (1968-2018), starting with Caress of Steel in 1975 and ending in Moving Pictures in 1981. From Signals onwards it's mostly hard rock/alt rock with prog elements and some new wave elemenets in the 80s.
Rush was the pinnacle of prog rock. Even though they came a bit early, no one has ever really topped them in complexity. Just like you said, no one else really had as many time changes, key changes, real story-telling and put it together in a cohesive way. That’s why even their very long songs never get boring, like many others.
With Neil, there was no ambiguous lyrics that can be interpreted a thousand ways. At least not in the early years. It was straight out, old fashion story-telling. There has never been anything like them. Like Gene Simmons says, “what is Rush? Rush is Rush”. They created their own genre and morphed it over the years to keep things fresh.
I dare anyone to name a group like Rush. Some have tried, but no one really captured the essence of what makes Rush great and a legend.
I watched a reaction from two guys in Las Vegas react to La Villa Strangiato. They said that their fans had requested a lot of other prog rock prior to hear La Villa and they just couldn’t get it with the other music.
They said they could now see what the others were trying to do, but just missed the target. They said every other prog rock stuff requested was complicated, with lots of changes in time signature, key and everything else, but just wasn’t coherent.
After hearing La Villa Strangiato, they said they finally got what all the other were trying to do, but failed. They finally understood why Rush fans were so fanatical about the group.
They said only Rush was able to make a song with so many changes and keep their attention the entire 9 minutes. According to them, only Rush really captured what was prog rock, fusing elements of jazz, classical, R&B and metal together to create an instrumental that tells the story of Alex’s dream.
They saw what all Rush fans know. There is no other prog rock group like Rush, if you want to call their music prog rock? I think they’re right. All of the other prog rock bands go overboard trying to make a song complex, but forget the first rule, it has to be a song. It can’t get so bogged down in quick time signature changes and crazy key changes and forget that it has to meld together to create a musical story, a coherent song.
Rush never lost sight of the music and that making a good song was first. That was why they fought the record executives on that fact and thankfully for all,of us, they won. Had 2112 failed, there’d be no Rush.
It’s funny how we can do our best work when our ass is against the wrecking machine and that’s what Rush did. They took all that angst and frustration out in the music and boy did it work. We all got a masterpiece.
2112 is nothing short of a masterpiece because it never forgets to be a song first. It tells a great story of individuality and how the creativity of the artist or artisan cannot be stifled by society.
This just popped in my feed and I was genuinely interested in a classically trained composer's take on it.
In my mind, it is simply the pinnacle of rock. Truth be told, it transcends the genre - to which you allude. Considering that was your first listen, you picked up on some neat things - like the 1812 Overture. However, there is sooooo much more going on.
Think on when the protagonist finds the guitar. A few string plucks, tuning (as he begins to learn), harmonic tuning (a more advanced skill) and beginning on a simple theme. And then building on that theme. Remind you of Moonlight Sonata? And Für Elise for that matter?
When you have the time, give it another listen - without having to be distracted by recording a video for YT. It will be time well spent.
Oh, and the last movement - it's the other portion of humanity that fled when society fell apart (this previous society was referenced as 'the elder race of man' by the priests.) They return and destroy the priests / their tyrannical rule. Unfortunately, too late for our protagonist, who committed suicide. The frenetic music of the last movement represents the battle between the priests and humanity's other sect.
And no, NP wasn't a Rand devotee. Just very well read and drew lyrical inspirations from a myriad of sources.
Funny that you would say that this is The Pinnacle of rock. I actually think that The Pinnacle, by Kansas is the pinnacle of rock.
I thought they had admitted to being fond of Ayn Rand in their youths, and then falling away from her (rightfully so, in my mind, as someone who enjoyed Ayn Rand in high school and then very much came to hate her). I could be wrong, but I thought I read this in an interview they did.
(I know this was only a small piece of your comment, and I have no real reason to say this at all, because you're probably right, but I would like to know if what I read online was incorrect, as it often ends up being so.)
@@wallyboyd I hope people don't hate her. Pity her (some people may think that is worse) and learn from her mistake. Margret Lawrence wrote The Stone Angel which explores this type of vanity, it is a classic, many Russian writers too). She forced herself to hold to this singular convictions instead of experiencing and expanding the human existence. Those who exalted her writing ended up abandoning her, ironically by forming their societal clique, abandoning the concept of only the self in a tribal world. She died alone and in poverty.
After the previous album, caress of steel, they were facing getting the boot by their record label. They were told to go in a different direction musically. Rush decided if they were going to get the boot they’d go out their way so this was their “swan song”. Thank god they chose to “go out” their way some 45 odd years later. They were the greatest. RIP Neil
I am so bummed that we will never hear Neil and ultimate wisdom and foresight and beauty of his writing the world has truly lost a genius. If the heads of state in this world ever listen to this music things would be different I truly believe. This is divine intervention being brought to the world through music and I believe everybody on the planet should listen to what Neil has to say
This was written and played live by three guys in their early twenties. And they played it live perfectly with no added effects . Amazing .
But it wasn't played in its entirety until they were in their 40s on the Test For Echo tour. That's my favorite live performance of it.
@@DamienDrake Look around some more . It was played it it's entirety decades ago many times.
@@randyfurness5588If you can prove it, do so. The Test For Echo tour was an event because it was the first tour where they played without an opening act and the first time they played all of 2112 live.
Do you mean “no added tracks?” There are plenty of effects.
Amazing indeed
How lucky is the world that Geddy, Alex and Neil found each other. Their music not only rocks, but sparks so much emotion. And most of the time I have no idea what Neil is talking about......
Neil was a true poet.
"The priests have very high voices."
I love it.
"When Alex Lifeson gives you a shirt, you wear it"
-Ricky
Bubbles
@@siddokis2945 You are correct, been a while since I've seen it.
Ricky was a fan of Helix, not Rush.
@@theinsaneshecklador6598 R-O-C-K, and the crowd yells rock! Now that’s a fucking show! Lol
@@joshzickus8394 I'm not givin' anyone a fuckin' R.
Also worth having in the back of your mind, they were all less than 25 years old when they wrote and recorded this.
Yeah, Geddy and Alex were 22 and Neil was 23. Crazy
Been playing bass 30 years I still can’t touch this
@@chrisbassartist4344 I hear you. 40 years for me this year and it’s well beyond me.
Blows my mind that they were even younger when writing Caress Of Steel!
@@manmoth_1990 they were even younger before then, too!
Fantastic hearing you break that down! And after 45plus years it's still a fantastic song to listen to.
From my early years as a teen to an older (58) matured male,,, I STILL LOVE IT and I love everyone discovering RUSH this many years later...SUCH A WIDE VARIATION of music through their whole library, it's easy for people to find something they like by these 3 AMAZING MUSICIANS! R.I.P Neil.🙏
Hi Doug. At the end, you were congratulating Rush for their musicianship and skills. I want to congratulate you for continually presenting such top shelf content. You listen without prejudice, and your efforts are massively appreciated! Thank you.
after the release of "caress of steel" rush's previously released, dismally received, album in 1975, the record company pretty much told RUSH, "we need a hit album" which RUSH wasn't going to succumb to the tyrannical music industry. this was their "F*CK YOU" and "out the door, in flames" record. of "well, at least we went out with a bang" record.
magically, it resonated like no other album has for them. i cried hearing this watching your reaction to this record. it changed the course of history for so many bands.
and the voice at the end is neil's.
Nicely put, young man.
Truth be told, "Caress of Steel" was my very first complete album RUSH experience and in my opinion is very underrated and one of my favorite RUSH albums.
so funny, their FU to the record company ended up being a huge record for them. poetic
It was their final album under the band's original contract. I had the feeling they thought this may be their last time with access to a major recording studio so they decided to check off everything they wanted to try, then pour it into one album.
I heard this album at a friend's house when I was in middle school. It was brand new and his older brother was jamming the album really loud. The second I heard the intro drum fill for Temples of Syrinx I instantly knew I wanted to play drums. Now, all these years later, I'm still playing. And still devoted to Neil's influence.
Neil, was an introvert, a voracious reader, highly intelligent. His nickname was "the professor ".
In the few interviews he gave, (a very private person who hated the "Limelight ") his answers to questions were always very analytical.
A perfectionist that showed in his performance every time he sat down on his throne. Arguably the best drummer ever.
I don't think it is even arguable. Neil was the best drummer - period. In fact, I would say all three of them are in the top five of their respective talents. Alex was overshadowed a lot by Neil and Geddy, but he is a master guitarist!
Absolutely the Best Drummer Ever. No argument!
Neil had a PHD is why they called him the professor
Arguably. I can think of two I think are better.
@@coachhannah2403 name them
Neil does the voice over at the end. One of the few times you hear his voice. 2112 was the first Rush album I owned (A Farewell to Kings the first I heard). The album blew me away then and it still does today.
Jack... relax... get busy with the facts.
@@eccehomer8182 -- I read that the Roll the Bones rap was Geddy's voice slowed down... although I would have guessed it was Neil.
I made the entire trip with you. This was great! Rush absolutely rules. RIP beloved Neil.
I'll be checking more of your content. Thank you.
The ending words are spoken by Neil. Also at the end it's the calvalry coming in to overthrow the priests!! The amazing thing about this, is that this is Rush's fourth album in two years. They were around 22 years old for Alex & Geddy & I think Niel was 23!! That is an amazing piece of music for such young musicians!!!
We could use that to overthrow the Democrats and the BS they are pulling. We need to ASSUME CONTROL again!
@@michaelt3308 Well said.
@@michaelt3308 Just get off the internet and live your life. Nothing has been taken from you.
@@tomwisniewski8988 Yeah I'll prolly not take your advice. Don't think anything been taken from us..? 🤣😂😭 Wait and see. Where do I start? 🤔
@@michaelt3308 Name a freedom taken from you.
2112 was outstanding but Hemispheres is their masterwork. It's far more consistent and the thematic development is so good and it's very harmonically rich. That said, OUTSTANDING reaction as always. Cheers! Oh yeah, Kansas - Miracles Out of Nowhere :)
I agree, so much more mature. I always felt their early material was somewhat messy and unrefined.
If he is going to listen to Hemispheres, he has to listen to Cygnus X-1 first.
@@Rendclaw crossing my fingers for books I and II!!🤞
True!
You did already La Villa Strangiato from that album
Im 61 years old ..this album will always be one of the greatest albums ever...Ever .END ..i love you all ❤❤❤
I have often been moved to tears by 2112 - the struggle against ignorance and stubborn adherence to tradition. Being told there was nothing left to try in treating my son's cancer; that we had to give up and let go. Things may change in the future, but it's futile to hope for change in our lifetime.
And also, 2112 is my absolute favorite music to wash dishes to!
Thank you so much for your astute analysis. It truly blows my mind when someone discovers the music of Rush, and it truly warms my heart to see someone accepting the challenge of Neil's provocative lyrics.
Keep up the good work!
Side A of 2112 is one of the top 5 musical achievements of mankind.
Side B is pretty damned good as well. 😊
YES!!! 2112 is a masterpiece!
What 4 are behind
The whole album is!
The whole album is a masterpiece.
This album made me a Rush fan for life . Then I saw them live and was completely astonished that they were even better live . Amazing. Lesser bands are a disappointment live. Which is just about all the rest of them . RIP Professor . You set the bar so high it will never be touched by anyone else .
Neil was my hero from a very young age. His death was a very sad time for me.
After seeing Rush live 10 times I have somewhat given up on seeing other acts I like live because they don't usually come anywhere close to sounding as good or better than the albums like Rush did. RIP Neil
I got this from a friend's brother. I asked him for his Fleetwood Mac album, Tusk, to make a copy for myself. He gave me that and then handed me 2112 and told me that was the album I needed to hear. No one has ever been so right in suggesting music for me.
So true Randy, even better live...how the hell it was possible defies all expectations
@@Ram-2112 It helped me living in Canada and them being Canadian ! Touring Canada once a year in the 70's was mandatory, LOL !!
Great breakdown, Doug. My friend Terry produced this and many of their other records. It was a great time for the band!
Broon!!
I love this channel, thank you for existing sir.
If you want another 20 1/2 minute adventure from Rush at some point, The Fountain of Lamneth is another one you should check out!
lol. he's not ready for that
@Julian Slavin A good trip
Beginning with The Necromancer.
@UCuDm-G3nVBEDPZOeWwnf6Ww Of 2112? Man that’s tough for me. I’m gonna have to go with 3 though. I mean, gosh those guitar chords sound beautiful. And it’s incredibly genius that it’s actually part of the story, of him discovering the guitar after so long and learning to play. It’s captured musically so well and captures the image of the cave just as well. But honestly, every movement in this song is executed so well I can’t even be sure which is my favorite to be honest.
@@navydad1475 well, technically if you do the Necromancer, you have to start with By-Tor and the Snow Dog. Im down for all 3 songs, so doesn't matter to me lol
You seem like a hell of a great person doug and you appreciate great music doesn't matter what genre. You're open minded and definitely not a musical snob.
"I can totally see it" Yes I get that. I saw all of it in images the first time I heard this, back in 1976 when I was in 10th grade. I was at Tom Reilly's house in the basement, and Tom had bought the new RUSH album 2112. Everyone had gone somewhere and I was alone with the new 2112, a dish of weed, and a bong. I employed all 3, and played the album while reading the lyrics. I saw each scene in each movement, my imagination fired like never before, the weed intensifying every second of it. I played both sides and then played side 1 again. I left that basement with a new window on the world, a RUSH fan forever, for LIFE. It is deeply personal to the point of leaving me speechless. To this day, as I listen to 2112, I see that same movie that formed in my mind 45 years ago - FORTY FIVE YEARS AGO. Thank You Neil, Geddy, Alex.
Dude. You are just getting started with Rush and I can see your excitement building. You have no idea what you are in for! It's a near endless stream of greatness!
To think these guys were 23-24 years old when they did this is mindblowing.
I was JUST thinking that ...
What's also impressive to me is that they released Eight studio albums and 2 live albums while they were still in their twenties
The lyrics were inspired by an Ayn Rand novel but the story in the song is an original concept by Neil, it's not based on or referencing a specific novel by Rand. Later in his life Neil distanced himself from her and called himself a "Bleeding Heart Libertarian". Neil is the voice at the end, he's playing the role of the good guys coming back to overthrow the priests.
If you've ever read "Anthem" by Ayn Rand, it's very nearly the same story as 2112, only in Rand's telling, it was (literally) a lightbulb rather than a guitar. Neil gave a tip of the hat to Ayn when someone handed him a copy of Anthem and he realized how incredibly similar the two stories were. He didn't "swipe it", as some have said, but after reading Anthem , he recognized how close to identical they are, and so we have the liner note "With acknowledgement to the genius of Ayn Rand".
@@manmoth_1990 that's interesting to note. I always thought the voices at the end were the Elder Race of man coming to liberate humanity from the priests. Obviously, given their capacity to grow culturally, they would easily outstrip the technological and organizational capabilities of the priests.
For me, the tragedy came because the starman protagonist had given up hope, and committed suicide right before the liberation. He had betrayed his ideals and was not saved with the rest of humanity from the tyranny of syrinx. Which also felt like an allegory for the band.
@@manmoth_1990 I always read it as the protagonist commits suicide after his appeal to the Priests is met with absolute condemnation, only to do so just before The Elder Race of Man returns to liberate. He tragically gives up hope on the eve of the change he pleads for. That is, its message has always been don't surrender. In fact, during countless discussions of the story over 40 years, that's been the majority consensus. Interesting.
Gosh you guys, I had remembered it all wrong! It's the good guys at the end all along. I think I actually might have confused some old fan theory with Neil's comments. Here is Neil explaining it: ua-cam.com/video/iBGxDjF7VXI/v-deo.html
I always saw it as the bad guys taking control at the end - I guess the futile nihilistic reading appealed to me!
Live they used to sometimes sing: "We are the plumbers who've come to fix your sink" as the first line of the chorus in The Temples of Syrinx section.
The finale to this piece of music is astonishing. One of the most moving endings to a rock suite. The Elder Race return home to restore harmony.
This album side was actually the very FIRST thing I ever heard from Rush....and I was immediately blown away.
The greatest testament to this progressive rock masterpiece was the shared reaction you, as a classically trained composer and I, as a pimply-faced stoner in the 70’s, both had..... “Holy Shit!”.... well-done my good man
I recall my "Holy Shit" moment too: a powerful recommendation lead to that moment in my bedroom in 1982, my brother's hand-me-down stereo and 2112 on 8 track. Made my heart race and brought tears to my eyes. Played that 8 track through many repairs. Thank you Ritchie B., for your insistence and the glimmer in your eyes.
Everyone has been waiting for this 2112 is a masterpiece of progressive rock.
I'm so glad I found you and I have subscribed....
Rush was the 1st band I ever truly loved and I discovered them in about 1979 as a kid.
In regards to the lyrics at the end of the grand finale, it's my belief that the elder race of man have returned to take back the planet
That was so awesome to watch you enjoy that! Glad to see you’re in the club now!
According to Terry Brown, Rush producer Alex played the enterity of Discovery as a single take, from tuning to Presentation. You're correct, I think he must be a savant.
On a borrowed guitar, no less. And a Strat, which isn't Alex's thing.
No not a savant…A professional.
Many years ago, I was in a band with a singer who had the annoying tendency of tuning her acoustic guitar between songs without muting. Eventually, the bass player started singing "It has wires that vibrate, and give music" and I about died. We did it every time after that until she quit the band.
That your bass player did that is so appropriate.
That is hilarious!
Lmao 🤣
That is a good bit. She didn’t think it was amusing?
"The priests have very high voices". LMAO, almost fell out of my chair.
Best channel on YT! Love your work, Doug!
One thing about 2112 that seems to get overlooked a lot is the production. Holy cow if it isn’t some of the best mixed music I’ve heard. It’s incredible how you can clearly focus in on any individual instrument without losing any clarity on the others. It’s incredible.
Absolute truth!
Right on @Xander Daniels! Check out the remastered versions. The production is indeed awesome. Listen for the acoustic guitar throughout the first couple movements.
Yeah that’s what I noticed as well, for the mid 70s this is top tier sounding production.
The voice at the end was Neil's. It is distorted with a very similar way to the spoken word part of The Necromancer of their prior album, Caress of Steel, which was also performed by Neil.
As for your other questions, the story ends in tragedy, as the protagonist kills himself in Soliloquy (probably misspelled that, however implicated by the line "My lifeblood spills over") over what he saw in the dream was seemingly unattainable.
For the remainder of humanity it does end better though, as those who left the Solar Federation return in the Grand Finale as described in the dream earlier (Home to tear the temples down, home to change) and assume control. The tragedy being that the protagonist does not live to see his dream become reality.
What 2112 stands for is up to interpretation, it is however referenced in the final part. "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation" consists of seven words and is repeated three times, which makes 21. "We have assumed control" is four words, also repeated three times, which makes 12.
The sound effect at the beginning was a stock sound, they chose it since it reminded them of sci-fi movies of the 60s (Source: A documentary about Rush, though I fail to recall which one exactly.). The waterfall sound was also stock, although I don't think it is supposed to be a waterfall. It does sound more like heavy rain on an open field.
Thanks! Great info.
Arrived too late. But frankly, I couldn't do better. Well done, sir!
Sounds like a babbling brook to me, not a waterfall or heavy rain.
It is a waterfall as he is in a cave behind.....a waterfall.
@@OriginalMergatroid Yes, but I have my doubts that the sound is actually a waterfall, even though it is indeed supposed to represent one.
I've decided that I greatly enjoy and appreciate your reaction videos primarily (among other reasons) because you give each selection your full, unadulterated attention.
You don't just casually listen and toss out an initial impression.
You put in the time and effort required to explore each work so as to truly understand what it's actually about, what it represents, why it's iconic or so meaningful for the performers and their fans.
Really great! Thank you.
Thanks Eric
Please read: Ballad of the Whiskey Robber , amazing!@@Doug.Helvering
I've always loved Geddy's double tracked vocal in "Temples of Syrinx". It sounds absolutely kick ass!
Don't be confused.. this is a song about tyranny and mob rule. It lays out, explicitly, the hellscape we live in now.
Exactly. Individualism and individual liberty (same thing really) are being destroyed by real-world Priests of Syrinx. Such is the way of human history.
Say what you want about Ayn Rand, but her motif in her philosophy was grounded in the importance of the individual’s struggle against the “machine” of group think. Very relevant to today’s culture...in my humble opinion....
Love rand for that very thing..the system hates her therefore demonises her
There is little more sacred then having the freedom of rugged individualism.
Exactly. Groupthink can be a dangerous thing. Digging deep and using your own discernment is always a good thing. (And yes I see the irony in agreeing with everyone in this thread. 😆)
@@LBart218 Haha!! I love that point you made about the irony. We’re all saying that groupthink is bad, but to dissent would be to say groupthink is good. I find myself in a strange position from my original post. Lol! Does anyone remember that scene from the Life of Brian (Monty Python) where the whole crowd is chanting “we are individuals!,” but this guy stands up in the back and says “I’m not.” 😂
@@brettking1014 Yes! We are all individuals!
your narration,knowledge, presentation skills and universal love of music is top notch mate
Neil does almost all of the spoken phrasing in their repertoire including this. They absolutely have done this live. In fact, I attended a concert on the 2112 album tour in Toronto at Massey Hall, and the All The World's Stage tour at the Century Theater in Buffalo NY, and also The Dome Arena in Rochester NY. In the beginning they were like a local band here in Western NY, and Southern Ontario. They even played a High School dance locally in the Early 1970's. Unfortunately I wasn't in attendance. I have seen Rush 24 times, but tragically missed their farewell tour. As a drummer and percussionist, I learned a great deal from Neil.
Wow that is awesome and when was the Massey Hall concert? That is a lot of times to have been blessed to see them for sure!! The final concerts, Wed. and Friday in Toronto, I will never forget, saw the Friday concert, and that is the one they used on the Blu Ray, it was so on fire, and Geddy's singing, and all of it, they went out on the highest of high notes!! Hope you got the Blu Ray, it was so well produced and captures that amazing moment!!
@@gregemerson7648 Massey hall was in 1976, I don't remember the date but it was early in the year, and it was cold outside. But I would trade a few of those concerts to see the farewell tour. I have a few videos from friends that were there, but certainly limited, and in no way the same. Yes the Blu Ray is a great keepsake, and the best we will ever have now.
@@earthrise3672 1976 incredible! My first concert was Presto I went to both of them in a row you opening group was Mega Heavy Metal ish LOL. I did manage to see them in Buffalo outdoor concert and fireworks are going off at was July 4th that was really cool and eventually I saw them in Cincinnati as well really cool outdoor venue called Riverbend! It's great that they did time stand still documentary, and be very interesting to see that entire concert! I guess one way of looking at it is imagine how many people are becoming fans and never saw them at all🎯
The fact that they thought they were committing musical suicide by giving THIS album to the label really gives the rebirth at the end poignancy.
2112 was inspired by Rand's "Anthem". Peart was a voracious reader and a Rand fan in his early years, but grew away from it as he aged (evidenced by his lyrical catalog after 2112), and considered himself a "bleeding-heart Libertarian".
Agreed. Peary clarified that it was Rand’s concept of artistic liberty that appealed to him and that he and the band were not “Rand disciples” as some in the rock press labeled them.
I'm amazed that the one-size-fits-all crowd deifies Rand's writings. They adolescently fail to distinguish liberty from freedom.
I’ve seen Rush 17 times over the years, each and every concert they raise their own bar of greatness. Their songs touch the listeners soul, as it’s always done for me. Never will hear such utter GENUIS in lyrics from Peart…I’m in my late 50’s and Rush is as big to me now as it was when I was in my gullible teenage years…FOREVER RUSH!…thanks Doug for the critique from your views of your background, I very much enjoyed hearing your thoughts….
I've listened to this many times and you do not say nearly enough about Geddy's voice... Always puts the same emotion into the words as if he wrote them himself. Awesome drums, guitar, bass, production, but it's Geds unique voice and vocal range that brings this song home.
Sara, have you heard of the Charismatic Voice? She is an Opera vocal coach/singer, and she recently broke down this album, there you find what you wanted to hear in that regard! She is fantastic!! They are all so gifted, and I really enjoyed his different insights, and the fact that that was a first time hearing it, no wonder he was sweating at the end, that is a lot to take in, just like a sophisticated classical piece!
I just found your channel a few days ago and I love it! So glad you did 2112. Rush is is 1 of my top 3 bands. As a comic book creator, I always go back this album for inspiration. I shared this link with my boss who is a musician. I keep saying “y’all” because of you, btw😝
It's crazy how as a grown ass man Discovery still makes me tear up at how beautiful it is
My favorite part of the song. The whole song is incredible, but Discovery is my favorite part
Exactly
Yes.
In "Anthem," it's the electric lightbulb that is re-discovered and presented to the priests. Peart changed it to an electric guitar to better fit a rock concept album.
It was our wedding’s song! Which was nothing more than appropriate on the 21st of december!
My tennis coach back in the day, Piet, introduced me to Rush. Immediately after hearing 2112 I was completely hooked. I grew fond of the attacking bass-playing of Geddy and decided (MUCH) later to pick up the bass myself. Nowadays, nothing satisfies me more than playing Geddy’s riffs. Not nearly as good as him, but I’m okay with that. Just playing along is greatly rewarding. It’s almost biblical…. You reviewed this very well, I thank you for it!
Great review, that was Neil's voice at the end. It made me realized that the song is about the opposition of Rush to the record company that wanted them to be more studio sounded. I grew up as a Rush fan, became a pro sax player, but that review opened my eyes a little more about my favourite childhood band! Thanks!
I actually have heard this on the radio. Usually a 6 minute excerpt, but occasionally the whole thing comes on. We love our Rush up in Canada!
My dad heard it in its entirety on the radio during a midnight radio show where they played album sides. He went out to buy it the next day and got the last copy. Everybody and their brother had grabbed it after that broadcast!
You should as it's all you've got. Neil Young left in 1966. Wonder why?
Typically on the radio you will hear the Temples of Syrinx, not the whole song unfortunately.
97.7 used to play it through on the nightshift, the DJ would say it was time for bathroom/ smoke break time .
@@apollomemories7399 Get over yourself.
I was 9 when this was released and remember my 18 year old sister and her friends basically wearing the record out.
We were driving around not long ago and a car next to us had 2112 blaring. She said she hadn’t heard it since the 70’s. We downloaded it immediately and sat in the parking lot of the mall and listened to all of side A full blast. She’s 63.
Ah, a Sister-Lover! There's an album in there somewhere...
My sister gave me Fly by Night, she's also 63 now. At the time, my dad emptied our swimming pool so we could skateboard in it... I'd have a speaker in my window with Fly by Night playing ALL DAY LONG! lol! Every now and then I'd go in and flip sides. We put a lot of miles on that empty pool!
I'm 58 and drive my wife nuts when they come on.
@@grumpyoldbastard0563 my wife knows not to interrupt when Rush is on the radio
@@MartyDick Marty, she only goes nuts because I crank it to 11//// scratch that 12... lol
really enjoy your analysis, thank you.
Solid choices, Doug! Great album and a great pour.
Delve into "Hemispheres" my friend.
The story actually starts at the end of "A Farewell to Kings" and is a Masterpiece in my opinion.
Underrated 🎸
Indeed a masterpc!
Agreed!
There is unrest in the forest..there is trouble with the trees for the maples want more sunlight but the oaks ignore their pleas.
Would be interesting to see Doug react to "Cygnus X-1" and "Cygnus X-1 Book II - Hemispheres" back to back. Discuss how they connect to and contrast from one another.
That duology of A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres is their greatest work for me.
Ayn Rand was wrong about some things, but her defense of the individual against an oppressive state that demands conformity is an important contribution. The bigger and more comprehensive the state, the more conformity is always demanded... She has been unfairly characterized as a far right Nazi by just the kind of people she skewered.
This is not a retelling of Anthem, it was inspired by Rand's work though.
welcome to the great Reset, remarkable that this happens in 2021, 90 years to go to full World Control by the Globalists. Neil was foreseeing things, at more levels and in more songs.
@@user-cn6gz2yp2z
I think you've dropped your tin-foil hat. mate.
@@arudegesture de wat?
@@user-cn6gz2yp2z
The thing that you're convinced keeps the "Globalist Thought Ray" from reaching your brain, but which in reality just keeps you from rational thinking. :-)
@@arudegesture they don't need to develop a globalist thought ray. They already have Facebook, Instagram, et al. Humans are easy to manipulate.
Brexit and 2016 US Election proved that.
Globalization of manufacturing and the concentration of wealth and media control in fewer and fewer hands.
Think I'm not thinking rationally? How many media companies has Facebook taken over the last few years? Or how about Microsoft (something like 27 game studios now?), Apple, Google/Alphabet, Electronic Arts, Activision/Blizzard?
You might want to look around before you accuse someone of being irrational. Mate.
First time hearing a classical composer do reaction videos. Metal Monday’s…. You’ve got my subscription brother. 👍👍👍
Doug- you have created one of my favorite reactions to one of my all-time favorite songs. I agree that every member of Rush is a virtuoso! I’ll be watching this video again soon!
"our great computers fill the hallowed Halls". Like the giant basements full of computer servers that now run the entire world. The vision of this song was truly decades ahead of its time!
Yep, and those who operate the computers want conformity and not individuality, and the ones who control those computers are the 'priests'...we're there already, except we're 91 years early
@@thewildgoose7467 No, we're on track. The song takes place in a future where the computers and the new breed of technology-based priests are fully in control and have crushed the human spirit, not unlike the rebellion in the song Red Barchetta from the Moving Pictures album. We're not all the way there just yet, but that's where we are currently headed.
@@p3x1967 Well the 'technology-based priests' have essentially locked down practically the entire planet for over a year so we may be closer than you think? All major decisions are now being based on computer modelling which has been shown to be totally inaccurate on previous occasions (the term GI-GO or "garbage in - garbage out springs to mind) yet is being regarded as "science" so it must be infallible, right?
Red Barchetta - Essentially a version of agenda 2030 where people are moved off the land and confined to big cities ("he said it used to be a farm, before the motor laws")
Natural Science - Modern 'science' has sold out and is being used as a manipulation tool. ("Science like nature, must also be tamed, with a view towards it's preservation")
Also all the lies being told by media, politicians, scientists, health 'experts'...("The most endangered species, the honest man")
Freewill - ("A planet of playthings, we dance on the strings, of powers we cannot perceive")
Digital Man - Essentially this whole song ("His world is under observation, we monitor his station") or....
("His world is under anesthetic, subdivided and synthetic, his reliance on the giants, in the science of the day")
You should read "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison.
@@thewildgoose7467 AI is supposedly running the usa, all the capitals are deserted.
Protagonist killed himself right before the elder race returned to "claim the home where they belong" and "assumed control" Neil is the voice of the elders
@David Ferrer I was summing up
I thought that was the case but then I read that Alex and Geddy provided the voice(s). Is there a definitive answer?
He didn't kill himself but rather woke up from his dream where he only thought of killing himself. He was awoken from sleep by the elder race returning to claim the home where they belong, home to tear the temples down, home to change! YUP!
That was the same exact thing I thought for decades before seeing the video I posted link to changed my perspective... Rock on Dude!@David Ferrer
@@tomr6090 "After the priests of the temple destroy the guitar and send him packing, he envisions a world where music and creativity flourish. Knowing he’ll never see that world, he gives in to despair. The ending is left ambiguous: the singer may have committed suicide, but his struggle may have led to a toppling of the empire. After an instrumental finale with a vicious Lifeson solo, the listener is left with an ominous announcement, “We have assumed control.” A new beginning or a totalitarian clampdown? You decide."
And that is one of the great things about Neil's writing. He often left small parts open to the listeners interpretation. His words.
First time watching your video Doug. I’m not sure if I’m gonna be able to put this in the right words, but with your qualifications in music I feel that you certified what us Rush fans felt all along. These 3 guys are the best at what they do! I look forward to any more reviews you do on Rush. You spoke of pressure from record companies. It’s my understanding that there was pressure from the beginning. And after the success of 2112 they became free from the grips of the establishment and sealed it with the LP Farewell to kings. Thanks so much for this review! When a man of your caliber calls these guys geniuses, it brought tears to my eyes!
I was 16 when this came out. I was learning how to play the guitar for about a year by then. I heard this for the first time all alone at home. Just me 'n my guitar.
I heard Rush had a new album out and got it within days of it's release.
Imagine being a 16 yo guitarist when this came out. I was forever changed.
Eventually, I performed this live with a band. It was a labor of love.
I love Rush! 🌟
Think the first album, any aspiring guitarist learns to play , best is .....I know it most unusual to come before you so...
Same for me... on bass!