Rush in my opinion was one of the pioneers of progressive rock. Many prog rock bands were inspired by them. The time signatures are insane. I have listened to this complete track probably 1000 times. One of my favorite rock bands of all time. I subscribed to your channel because I like your commentary and I am excited to watch you go down the Rush rabbit hole. I would recommend not stopping so much to speak. Let it it play longer and pick your spots to comment. Good luck with your channel!
Syrinx was a siren of Greek mythology. Her body was transformed into the reed which was used to make Pan's flute. Pan used the flute to beguile the minds of men. In modern times, a Syrinx is a cyst or growth upon the upper spinal chord which can, (amongst other things) dull the senses.
The song is of a dystopian world after the destruction of earth, an the federation controlled everything, until the elder race returns an destroys the temples and frees them all from tyranny… The elder race was 3 musicians (Geddy, Alex and Neil) Song came out before the release of star wars and was Rush’s F U to the record label who said it would be their last album if they didn’t do 3-4 min radio friendly songs… Needless to say it cemented Rush’s standing as a band who was gonna do exactly what they wanted an create the music they wanted too 🤘🔥🤘
Rush did a number of longer songs in the 70's. This song was a finger to their record label who didn't like their prog direction and did not promote their previous album. They were told to do shorter more radio friendly pop songs Rush kept their integrity and said if this was their last album they would go out their own way. 2112 was a huge success and they assumed control. At the end the elders do come back and destroy the temples and the priests who were the bad guys. Some of Rush's other longer songs. The Fountain of Lamneth The Necromancer Cygnus X1 the voyage off A Farewell to Kings and the continuation of the story Cygnus X1 Hemispheres off of Hemispheres. Dream Theatre like a number of other bands were influenced by Rush Female Rush fan here! Cheers
GREAT reaction Sohum - and excellent & insightful analysis!! Have I listened to this before?! Through & through hundreds, if not thousands of times! I can feel every note, the rise and fall of the dynamics, and sing along (and air drum), with fervour, to every brilliant word (and beat)! And yes, I've read those liner notes plenty of times (you should too to really get the whole story! This is Rush's unapologetic 'middle finger' to the record company that wanted them to make radio friendly singles & eschew their creativity for sales & success...they said no! Who do you think the Priests are?! As a result of this rebellion, they made a prog masterpiece (tho whole album!) whose overwhelming success allowed Rush to maintain their integrity & creative independence henceforth...they stuck to their guns & it worked! Listen to this while driving...or whenever...you will grow to learn it all and LOVE it! Cheers from Canada, eh!! The land of RUSH!
The Federation were the bad guys, you had the right interpretation. This was Rush's response when they were told to make shorter and more radio friendly songs or else, they said screw it and they would go out they way they wanted to with a long middle finger to the authorities.
@td9722 I don't know what version of 2112 you have, but in my original album the Solar Federation is run by the priests and are clearly the bad guys. 🙄
@cpmf2112 The federation is comprised of the Elder race of man who left the planet long ago to learn and grow. That's why they are depicted as the members of rush on the spaceship during the final movement. Do you think they would depict themselves as the bad guys ?
Your record manager is displeased with your third album "Caress of Steel" (1975) and threatens the band to produce a BIGGER album. These three create a masterpiece with this concept album with dual meaning giving the record industry the big middle finger and the band soared into the charts. Very well analyzed!
I bought this album when it came out. Heard it literally thousands of times. Such a freaking masterpiece. Discovery and his description of the guitar is so perfect. See how it sings like a sad heart indeed.
I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times…always amazing. I know you’re trying to associate this with other artists…but most that you mention see RUSH as the masters. Without Rush you wouldn’t have those artists Rush paved the way for them. BTW…Geddy is on the bass. Just listen to each movement and then comment once the movement is complete. Best to listen without the visuals…that’s how most of us experienced 2112. Keep up your Rush exploration.
Unbeknownst to me, I was invited to join a listening party in my friends car during lunch at the High School parking lot, circa 1976. I had never smoked, or heard of weed, but everyone else in the car was smoking it, so it was a hot box situation. I guess y'all know the 8-track that was playing in the car... My introduction to Rush. I was 15 at the time, and not even the mighty Zeppelin had impressed me like this. Maybe it was the weed, or Neil Peart's God Level drumming, who knows. I had loved Zeppelin since 1970 when my older brother turned me on to them, But 2112 was on another level altogether... I still love Zeppelin, that hasn't changed😁😁😁
My 1st experience with Rush was 15 yrs old as well back in 1982. Went to a sleep over at my buddies and he got me high. Then he pulled out "A Farewell to Kings" on vinyl. I remember looking at the album cover under a black light while we jammed out to the entire album. A super fan was born that day. Probably a month or two later I heard 2112. My all time favorite song in all of Rock!! Btw, Zeppelin/Floyd/Rush and Tull are my top 4 favorite groups, lol.
Explanation of 2112. At the end, the conquerors say "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation." three times. Seven words, three times equals 21 words. Then the voice says, "We have assumed control" three times. Four words, three times equals 12. Thus the title of the song is pronounced "21 12". Also the notes at the beginning indicated that the Solar Federation has existed for some time, perhaps as long as two thousand one hundred twelve years.
Rush drummer and lyricist, Neil Peart, got the inspiration for 2112 after reading "Anthem" by Ayn Rand. It's a story of a dystopian future where individuality has been suppressed in favor of the collective. Personal achievement is abolished if not criminalized, and there is no individual identity. Then one day the protagonist of the story discovers a trove of lost inventions and a library full of old books and art; creations of the previous society that had thought to have been destroyed under the rise of the current regime. The novel ends with the protagonist discovering the word, "I". In "Anthem", one of the first things the protagonist discovers is a pencil. In "2112" the protagonist discovers a guitar. Both are "instruments" that allow individual expression and creativity. Not only does 2112 parallel the story arc of "Anthem", but it is also a personal statement for the band who had been under pressure from the record company to produce more "radio-friendly" cuts that were shorter in length and had mass appeal. The response was an album whose opening track was 20 minutes long and was a defiant statement to the record company that they were not going to conform to the collective wishes of the industry, and they were going to make the music THEY wanted to make!
In the end the Elder Race comes to save the day. Remember in the lyrics it states the Elder Race left our planet long ago. The way I understand the lyrics is that out of the ashes a dystopian society was built by the Priests. I assume the Elder Race lost the war and left the planet/solar federation. There's a movie called "Extinction" that has a similar story. There is also a play called "We Will Rock You" music by Queen, in essence is a play that mirror the 2112 story.
This song, in general, was an honest answer to their label telling them to make radio hits for this, last album on their deal or get dropped after the previous one didn't chart. They decided to stick to the creative arc they were on at the time & "make their own music" and stand or fall on those merits even if it was likely to be their last. The songs theme was to be follow an honest path in the face of opposition. The song resonated very well w/their young audience, sold millions. From then on they had no interference, from the label, who accepted what they produced & Rush rewarded them with over 40 million in album sales.
Actually, Dream Theater was approaching Rush territory. 2112 is a rock classic. Rush was always good, but were a new band and it was this album and piece that put them up in the big league. In my opinion, this is probably the most emotional piece they wrote. The graphic comic presentation was added MUCH later and implies the protagonist lived for the return of the elders. The way the music is presented, the protagonist kills himself shortly before the fall of the Federation. What replaced them is ambiguous. It could be the elder race returning, or maybe another regime.
I heard this in 6th grade 1976! It was late summer, and there was a lot of great music on the radio at that time. We heard this in full on the record in a living with with the stereo turned up along with all of the 70's mood enhancements (incense, lava lamps, black lights...) I call it the Star Wars musical warm up! It was truly mind blowing. Still in my top favorites. There was nothing like having a custom made musical soundtrack for your childhood that stands the test of time. I feel for the younger generations that don't have the visceral experience with the radio, the record etc. It was a simpler culture that was innocent and allowed a mind (Brain) to take in the information without the pressure of devices all around thinking for you and telling you what you want to hear. The music did predict the future, that is a very eerie and strange reality to see now. Maybe the Temples and the priests were the metaphor for the record companies/business and producers. Thank you for sharing, this is a monumental record and a social statement for the time :)
"A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord (syringomyelia) or brain stem (syringobulbia). Predisposing factors include craniocervical junction abnormalities, previous spinal cord trauma, and spinal cord tumors." Also: "In classical Greek mythology, Syrinx /ˈsɪrɪŋks/ (Greek Σύριγξ) was an Arcadian nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Being pursued by Pan, she fled into the river Ladon, and at her own request was metamorphosed into a reed from which Pan then made his panpipes." Food for thought. Hmm!
Haha Geddy was there at the beginning, too (playing those complicated bass lines!). :) That said, I love this song; it's probably their most epic; a middle finger to the powers-that-be in the music industry who wanted them to write shorter, more radio-friendly songs. I love how all of the movements have their own character and personality, while still tying the story together. For a future reaction, I suggest the instrumental 'The Main Monkey Business' live from the R40 tour.
This is a rush masterpiece as is most of their music. Been listening since their inception always liked them still do. I am a woman who loves rush, go figure, lol. To your earlier question of do we know each of the notes, ya pretty much. Music back in the day had no videos we had to actually use our imaginations and our interpretations. We just let go, leaned back and let the music move you.
Priests = Record Execs; Solar Federation = Music Industry; RUSH = the creatives; the average = music fans; Alex, Neil and Geddy destroy the temple and win the battle to make their own music. There are other facets and layers related to Ayn Rand, but basically this song is all about RUSH giving the middle finger to their record label that demanded a top 40 radio-friendly tune. Star Man = the individual standing against the Federation.
This album was my introduction to Rush as a kid. I loved it! 2112 is loosely based on Ayn Rand's short novel Anthem. I adore the nod to the William Tell 1812 Overture, makes a wonderful guitar riff.
🤯 Still can't believe they were in their early 20's and were coming off opening for Bands like Kiss. I saw them in NJ in JHS and 😍 never looked back. Was at R40! 🥹 RIP Professor 🥰🐰
At video time 7:07 Alex (the guitarist) plays a theme melody from (the classical masterpiece) "The 1812 Overture" (written in 1880) by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The song TITLE (2112) is inspired by the (year name) "1812" of the title "The 1812 Overture". In 1812 Napoleon (of France) failed in his invasion attempt of Russia. Tchaikovsky was commissioned to write this (his) overture. Side note: The USA had a "War of 1812" (with Great Britain). - - - For 2112's inspired storyline, search the other comments for "Ayn Rand" & (separately) "Anthem". - - - At the beginning of 2112, the "Elder race" (good guys) escape (via spaceship) the Priests (of the temples of Syrinx; Solar Federation; the bad oppressive syndicate). At the end of 2112, the "Elder race" (good guys) return to the planet and victoriously disband the Priests (the Solar Federation; bad guys). "Attention planets of the Solar Federation (Priests). We (Elder race) have assumed control" (video time 32:50). At the same video time, there is an image of three people aboard one of the attacking spaceships (the good guys of the "Elder race"). The three people resemble; Geddy, Neil & Alex (from left to right). Side note (as implied in the song's lyrics): The "Elder race" encouraged individual creativity. The Priests did not. - - - (according to the visual images) Just before he was about to die, the protagonist (the guy who learned to play the guitar) lived to see the Priests (bad guys) being taken over by the "Elder race" (good guys). Shakespeare would have PROBABLY killed off the protagonist, as the protagonist happily watched (comedic tragedy; tragicomedy). - - - I am familiar with the whole story of 2112, but other commenters covered it.
Soliloquy and the end of Presentation when Alex melts everyone's face with the solo that represents the Priests' rejection are my faves. Grand Finale is pretty awesome when the Elder race returns to crush the Federation and Priests.
Devine revelation! On side 2 of 2112 is Alex Lifeson’s song Lessons. It is his song about his parents not supporting his guitar playing. There actually is a RUclips video of his parents confronting him at a kitchen table. Amazing.
A couple additional bits... Neil did the "We have assumed control" voiceover and while the comic/video presentation ended on a happy note for the protagonist with him living on and the temples destroyed, it is pretty clear that was not was intended with the lyrics as it is ambiguous but much darker.
Soliloquy has always been my favourite section. It's probably my favourite Alex solo, albeit up against some pretty stiff competition. He captured and expressed the emotion of the moment, so perfectly.
Rush's ages: 26,25, and 23 when writing this masterpiece. They essentially told the record execs farg you concerning stifling their creativity and rode that sense of integrity for 40 or so years after, and into eternity.
At the end, the Elder Race, who left the planet a long time ago that the Oracle showed him in his dream, returned and took back over the planet and freed everyone of the Federation.
The band threw this album out there knowing that this isn't what the music federation was hoping for to keep them alive. It's as if they left the ending like a cliffhanger pending resullts of how it will be received. In the end, Rush rose victorious and they have assumed control. These guys got big balls!
The record company said make comnercial radio friendly stuff and be like Bad Company. The record label is the Federation. The priests are the record company executives trying to exert control of artists.
They way I’ve always understood this song is that the Elder Race that he dreams of, returns to liberate humanity. In the song it doesn’t say how, only that they have assumed control. This video was created decades after the song was written, and I’m not certain Neil Peart had any input on it (he was the lyricist).
Yes, it's the year Twenty-One Twelve. Think of it as a musical science fiction story. It was written, I think, during a period when Neil was kinda fascinated with the writings of Ayn Rand. He later got over that fascination.
This is one of about a dozen Peart songs inspired by Rand. Almost every one of their classic greats. He later tried to distance himself from Rand because pussies are critical of Rand and he kind of pussed out.
Look at it like a tragedy. Our protagonist had a vision of life on the planets of the elder race, but lost all hope. He couldn’t hold on long enough for the elder race to return. The Temples fell, but not before many dreams were squashed.
Most people refer to this as 21 12 and it is exactly 21 minuets 12 seconds long. There is actually a comic book type video for it which sort of explains it better.
Check out the song Hemispheres. It’s an epic tale of the gods of love and logic battling for control of humanity. It also took up an entire side of the album.
The added in comic was created years after the original album was released. I can't remember the date the comic was created! Those are the shape of B-2 bombers, not B-52's!
Overtures are a 'summery' of the whole piece (usually) so contain bits from all movements. There's foreshadowing in the bombs dropping and even the protagonist looking on the ruined Temples at the end of Overture. But... here's my standard explanation (copied and pasted frm elsewhere) Whilst most will tell you that it's an F.U from Rush to the Record label (telling them to be more commecial) it's actually a full analogy of this situation (very meta). I may not be exactly correct about absolutely everything but this is what makes sense to me: Protagonist represents Rush The Priests represent the Record Label/Music industry The guitar represents Rush's music (ideas/creations) The Elders respresent Tradtion/Wisdom/the ideals (i.e. how it should be - common sense "left the world long ago") In the song the protagonist k*lls himself but in the animation he lives - why? When in the process of writing the song... Rush were sure they were commiting professional su*cide with this and that they were ABOUT TO have a huge fight with the record label over it (Grand Finale having no lyrics until closing). The Animation,on the other hand, was done to celebrate their 40th anniversary, so of course, by then, it was known that Rush prospered and didn't d*e, so the protagonist lived on. The Elders returning to conquer the Priests was obviously their hope at that time, that the ideals would win out.
New sub here. Yes , a masterpiece. Absolutely molded my music experiences going forward. Another lesser known masterpiece is Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres. Neil is The Master of deep concept pieces.
This album was made 1975/1976 Star Wars first film was not released until the end of May 1977 so the reference to 'Federation' is coincidental my friend. More likely to be a nod to the USSR/communist Russian regime from whence Ayn Rand (Fountain Head novelette author, acknowledged as an influence by NP in the album notes) escaped to the US in the 1920's.
Unfortunately, Neil wrote these lyrics when he was a staunch Randian Objectivist. As he aged, he realized what a silly and dangerous philosophy it was. In an interview once, he said something like, "Yeah, I was young and stupid, don't hold it against me." It's the only thing wrong with this song, and I can't quite detach myself from it, even though I've heard it countless times in the past 40 years.
comment on the ending... remember that this video is mannnnny years after release of the record/audio. If you strictly listen to the audio...it is basic. The video explains/expands much of the first half....but is semi confusing towards the end. From MY perspective...yes...the end means (to me), the federation (the older realm) came back and freed the people (and 'bat wing' bombers are closer to B2s/B21s(which aren't out yet... not B52s) just FYI.... this album was new inrelease 1976/77 and my brother got it for me new for Christmas.....as a 13 y.o. kid....it F'ed up the rest of my life (truly...not that...but helped depict the real world which meant you should be you....and that maybe, just maybe, what you think is a better world... is possible ... haha... but it is what it is))))))
To answer a question you asked at the beginning, I've probably listened to this over a thousand times. There isn't one note that isn't familiar. Also, you are right to be confused. Clearly the Federation was bad but it's intentionally left ambiguous how things with work under the "new" control
The cartoons should be turned off because they weren’t there to see when the album came out. My first listen was in the back of a friend’s car around 1976 or so while high as hell. Maybe just read the lyrics and disregard whatever crap some person came up with for illustrations 40 years of more later. Sure someone put a lot of work into it but it detracts from the music and personal fantasy created in your head imho. 😊
I feel the same way, I spent 30 years with an imagined idea of what this world was. Then this video came out, as well done as it is, it doesn’t quite fit with the world I imagined… but it has started to replace it.
2 things… - the name of the album isn’t pronounced “2112” it’s “twenty one twelve”!! - it’s should be noted that Neil was heavily influenced at this time by Ayn Rand! The funny thing about about this album is that side 1 is what you listened to but then side 2 are just 4 good rock songs that have nothing to do with side 1😂 I was 12 years old when this album was released and NEVER get tired of it. There are so many Rush songs were Neil appears to predict the future🤔
Oh boy can't wait to see this reaction! Thanks William I have heard this around 100 times, but always find nuances to keep me interested. Unfortunately, you did not spend time reading / absorbing the introductory paragraphs that give you the context to where the story begins. Just an opportunity for a future listen.
![Rush - Natural Science [REACTION & ANALYSIS]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_Sx2qf5jwzY/mqdefault.jpg)
Heard it front to back hundreds if not literally a thousand times over these past 45 years, and it’s still the same masterpiece it always was!
Same here! Love this since I was 17. I'm 59 now
Also don't forget these guys were 23 at the time they wrote this. Amazing!
Rush in my opinion was one of the pioneers of progressive rock. Many prog rock bands were inspired by them. The time signatures are insane. I have listened to this complete track probably 1000 times. One of my favorite rock bands of all time. I subscribed to your channel because I like your commentary and I am excited to watch you go down the Rush rabbit hole. I would recommend not stopping so much to speak. Let it it play longer and pick your spots to comment. Good luck with your channel!
Syrinx was a siren of Greek mythology. Her body was transformed into the reed which was used to make Pan's flute. Pan used the flute to beguile the minds of men. In modern times, a Syrinx is a cyst or growth upon the upper spinal chord which can, (amongst other things) dull the senses.
"Have you listened to this multiple times,...."
Oh god, if you are my age, DON'T DO THE MATH!
The song is of a dystopian world after the destruction of earth, an the federation controlled everything, until the elder race returns an destroys the temples and frees them all from tyranny…
The elder race was 3 musicians (Geddy, Alex and Neil)
Song came out before the release of star wars and was Rush’s F U to the record label who said it would be their last album if they didn’t do 3-4 min radio friendly songs…
Needless to say it cemented Rush’s standing as a band who was gonna do exactly what they wanted an create the music they wanted too
🤘🔥🤘
Started listening to this album when i was 14 . I am now 62 and have listened to this countless times. It still moves me every time.😎
Ditto, on all counts. 👍🏽
Rush did a number of longer songs in the 70's. This song was a finger to their record label who didn't like their prog direction and did not promote their previous album. They were told to do shorter more radio friendly pop songs
Rush kept their integrity and said if this was their last album they would go out their own way.
2112 was a huge success and they assumed control.
At the end the elders do come back and destroy the temples and the priests who were the bad guys.
Some of Rush's other longer songs.
The Fountain of Lamneth
The Necromancer
Cygnus X1 the voyage off A Farewell to Kings and the continuation of the story Cygnus X1 Hemispheres off of Hemispheres.
Dream Theatre like a number of other bands were influenced by Rush
Female Rush fan here!
Cheers
GREAT reaction Sohum - and excellent & insightful analysis!!
Have I listened to this before?! Through & through hundreds, if not thousands of times! I can feel every note, the rise and fall of the dynamics, and sing along (and air drum), with fervour, to every brilliant word (and beat)! And yes, I've read those liner notes plenty of times (you should too to really get the whole story!
This is Rush's unapologetic 'middle finger' to the record company that wanted them to make radio friendly singles & eschew their creativity for sales & success...they said no! Who do you think the Priests are?! As a result of this rebellion, they made a prog masterpiece (tho whole album!) whose overwhelming success allowed Rush to maintain their integrity & creative independence henceforth...they stuck to their guns & it worked!
Listen to this while driving...or whenever...you will grow to learn it all and LOVE it!
Cheers from Canada, eh!! The land of RUSH!
The Federation were the bad guys, you had the right interpretation. This was Rush's response when they were told to make shorter and more radio friendly songs or else, they said screw it and they would go out they way they wanted to with a long middle finger to the authorities.
The federation are the good guys, the priests are the bad guys. Have you listened to this song before ?
The Federation are the good guys. As the oracle prophesized, they returned to tear down the temples.
@td9722 I don't know what version of 2112 you have, but in my original album the Solar Federation is run by the priests and are clearly the bad guys. 🙄
@@jodyirvin3156 the federation is run by the priests, haven't you heard this song before? 🙄
@cpmf2112 The federation is comprised of the Elder race of man who left the planet long ago to learn and grow. That's why they are depicted as the members of rush on the spaceship during the final movement. Do you think they would depict themselves as the bad guys ?
Your record manager is displeased with your third album "Caress of Steel" (1975) and threatens the band to produce a BIGGER album. These three create a masterpiece with this concept album with dual meaning giving the record industry the big middle finger and the band soared into the charts. Very well analyzed!
There are no time perimeters in Prog Rock! Dream Theatre and many other future rockers saw Twenty-one Twelve as a blue print to their careers!
It's a rock symphony so not really a case of choosing a favourite part you need to appreciate it as a whole piece of work
Alex lays down two of his best solos in this piece, the end of Presentation and Soliloquy .
I bought this album when it came out. Heard it literally thousands of times. Such a freaking masterpiece. Discovery and his description of the guitar is so perfect. See how it sings like a sad heart indeed.
I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times…always amazing.
I know you’re trying to associate this with other artists…but most that you mention see RUSH as the masters. Without Rush you wouldn’t have those artists Rush paved the way for them.
BTW…Geddy is on the bass.
Just listen to each movement and then comment once the movement is complete.
Best to listen without the visuals…that’s how most of us experienced 2112.
Keep up your Rush exploration.
don't read .....listen. When you hear it the first time it just takes you. Yes, i have every note and nuance memorized.
I hear that! Also the cartoons that I know did not exist in 1976, or I would have seen them when I bought the record. 😊
I agree.
Unbeknownst to me, I was invited to join a listening party in my friends car during lunch at the High School parking lot, circa 1976. I had never smoked, or heard of weed, but everyone else in the car was smoking it, so it was a hot box situation. I guess y'all know the 8-track that was playing in the car... My introduction to Rush. I was 15 at the time, and not even the mighty Zeppelin had impressed me like this. Maybe it was the weed, or Neil Peart's God Level drumming, who knows. I had loved Zeppelin since 1970 when my older brother turned me on to them, But 2112 was on another level altogether... I still love Zeppelin, that hasn't changed😁😁😁
My 1st experience with Rush was 15 yrs old as well back in 1982. Went to a sleep over at my buddies and he got me high. Then he pulled out "A Farewell to Kings" on vinyl. I remember looking at the album cover under a black light while we jammed out to the entire album. A super fan was born that day. Probably a month or two later I heard 2112. My all time favorite song in all of Rock!!
Btw, Zeppelin/Floyd/Rush and Tull are my top 4 favorite groups, lol.
😂😂 Sounds like my 1st Rush experience.
One of the Best Albums Produced, Ever. My Opinion....Heard it thousand times, still Love it
I bought this on vinyl on 1982 and replaced it about 6 months later because I wore the album out!
The crew of the spacecraft are Geddy, Alex and Neil in the comic.
Explanation of 2112. At the end, the conquerors say "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation." three times. Seven words, three times equals 21 words. Then the voice says, "We have assumed control" three times. Four words, three times equals 12. Thus the title of the song is pronounced "21 12". Also the notes at the beginning indicated that the Solar Federation has existed for some time, perhaps as long as two thousand one hundred twelve years.
'that's not what 2112 means.
Rush drummer and lyricist, Neil Peart, got the inspiration for 2112 after reading "Anthem" by Ayn Rand. It's a story of a dystopian future where individuality has been suppressed in favor of the collective. Personal achievement is abolished if not criminalized, and there is no individual identity. Then one day the protagonist of the story discovers a trove of lost inventions and a library full of old books and art; creations of the previous society that had thought to have been destroyed under the rise of the current regime. The novel ends with the protagonist discovering the word, "I".
In "Anthem", one of the first things the protagonist discovers is a pencil. In "2112" the protagonist discovers a guitar. Both are "instruments" that allow individual expression and creativity.
Not only does 2112 parallel the story arc of "Anthem", but it is also a personal statement for the band who had been under pressure from the record company to produce more "radio-friendly" cuts that were shorter in length and had mass appeal. The response was an album whose opening track was 20 minutes long and was a defiant statement to the record company that they were not going to conform to the collective wishes of the industry, and they were going to make the music THEY wanted to make!
In the end the Elder Race comes to save the day. Remember in the lyrics it states the Elder Race left our planet long ago. The way I understand the lyrics is that out of the ashes a dystopian society was built by the Priests. I assume the Elder Race lost the war and left the planet/solar federation. There's a movie called "Extinction" that has a similar story. There is also a play called "We Will Rock You" music by Queen, in essence is a play that mirror the 2112 story.
This is pretty much it
From the cave drawings to Shakespeare the artists have been the librarians of history.
This album is approaching the 50 year mark! I still remember hearing it for the first time in the spring of 1976! Blown away!
This song, in general, was an honest answer to their label telling them to make radio hits for this, last album on their deal or get dropped after the previous one didn't chart.
They decided to stick to the creative arc they were on at the time & "make their own music" and stand or fall on those merits even if it was likely to be their last.
The songs theme was to be follow an honest path in the face of opposition. The song resonated very well w/their young audience, sold millions. From then on they had no interference, from the label, who accepted what they produced & Rush rewarded them with over 40 million in album sales.
"We miss you Geddy" as Geddy is tearing it up on the bass...😅
Actually, Dream Theater was approaching Rush territory. 2112 is a rock classic. Rush was always good, but were a new band and it was this album and piece that put them up in the big league. In my opinion, this is probably the most emotional piece they wrote. The graphic comic presentation was added MUCH later and implies the protagonist lived for the return of the elders. The way the music is presented, the protagonist kills himself shortly before the fall of the Federation. What replaced them is ambiguous. It could be the elder race returning, or maybe another regime.
I heard this in 6th grade 1976! It was late summer, and there was a lot of great music on the radio at that time. We heard this in full on the record in a living with with the stereo turned up along with all of the 70's mood enhancements (incense, lava lamps, black lights...) I call it the Star Wars musical warm up! It was truly mind blowing. Still in my top favorites. There was nothing like having a custom made musical soundtrack for your childhood that stands the test of time.
I feel for the younger generations that don't have the visceral experience with the radio, the record etc. It was a simpler culture that was innocent and allowed a mind (Brain) to take in the information without the pressure of devices all around thinking for you and telling you what you want to hear. The music did predict the future, that is a very eerie and strange reality to see now. Maybe the Temples and the priests were the metaphor for the record companies/business and producers.
Thank you for sharing, this is a monumental record and a social statement for the time :)
"A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord (syringomyelia) or brain stem (syringobulbia). Predisposing factors include craniocervical junction abnormalities, previous spinal cord trauma, and spinal cord tumors."
Also:
"In classical Greek mythology, Syrinx /ˈsɪrɪŋks/ (Greek Σύριγξ) was an Arcadian nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Being pursued by Pan, she fled into the river Ladon, and at her own request was metamorphosed into a reed from which Pan then made his panpipes."
Food for thought. Hmm!
Haha Geddy was there at the beginning, too (playing those complicated bass lines!). :) That said, I love this song; it's probably their most epic; a middle finger to the powers-that-be in the music industry who wanted them to write shorter, more radio-friendly songs. I love how all of the movements have their own character and personality, while still tying the story together. For a future reaction, I suggest the instrumental 'The Main Monkey Business' live from the R40 tour.
This is a rush masterpiece as is most of their music. Been listening since their inception always liked them still do. I am a woman who loves rush, go figure, lol. To your earlier question of do we know each of the notes, ya pretty much. Music back in the day had no videos we had to actually use our imaginations and our interpretations. We just let go, leaned back and let the music move you.
Priests = Record Execs; Solar Federation = Music Industry; RUSH = the creatives; the average = music fans; Alex, Neil and Geddy destroy the temple and win the battle to make their own music.
There are other facets and layers related to Ayn Rand, but basically this song is all about RUSH giving the middle finger to their record label that demanded a top 40 radio-friendly tune.
Star Man = the individual standing against the Federation.
The song is all about Rand's theme.
This album was my introduction to Rush as a kid. I loved it! 2112 is loosely based on Ayn Rand's short novel Anthem. I adore the nod to the William Tell 1812 Overture, makes a wonderful guitar riff.
This is probably the first Rush music you should have listened to. LOL
my brain wouldve melted lmao
🤯 Still can't believe they were in their early 20's and were coming off opening for Bands like Kiss. I saw them in NJ in JHS and 😍 never looked back. Was at R40! 🥹 RIP Professor 🥰🐰
At video time 7:07 Alex (the guitarist) plays a theme melody from (the classical masterpiece) "The 1812 Overture" (written in 1880) by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The song TITLE (2112) is inspired by the (year name) "1812" of the title "The 1812 Overture". In 1812 Napoleon (of France) failed in his invasion attempt of Russia. Tchaikovsky was commissioned to write this (his) overture. Side note: The USA had a "War of 1812" (with Great Britain). - - -
For 2112's inspired storyline, search the other comments for "Ayn Rand" & (separately) "Anthem". - - -
At the beginning of 2112, the "Elder race" (good guys) escape (via spaceship) the Priests (of the temples of Syrinx; Solar Federation; the bad oppressive syndicate). At the end of 2112, the "Elder race" (good guys) return to the planet and victoriously disband the Priests (the Solar Federation; bad guys). "Attention planets of the Solar Federation (Priests). We (Elder race) have assumed control" (video time 32:50). At the same video time, there is an image of three people aboard one of the attacking spaceships (the good guys of the "Elder race"). The three people resemble; Geddy, Neil & Alex (from left to right). Side note (as implied in the song's lyrics): The "Elder race" encouraged individual creativity. The Priests did not. - - -
(according to the visual images) Just before he was about to die, the protagonist (the guy who learned to play the guitar) lived to see the Priests (bad guys) being taken over by the "Elder race" (good guys). Shakespeare would have PROBABLY killed off the protagonist, as the protagonist happily watched (comedic tragedy; tragicomedy). - - -
I am familiar with the whole story of 2112, but other commenters covered it.
Just the experience! Discovery is one of my favorite pieces of art. Geddy’s voice is so fragile and beautiful in this song.
Soliloquy and the end of Presentation when Alex melts everyone's face with the solo that represents the Priests' rejection are my faves. Grand Finale is pretty awesome when the Elder race returns to crush the Federation and Priests.
Devine revelation! On side 2 of 2112 is Alex Lifeson’s song Lessons. It is his song about his parents not supporting his guitar playing. There actually is a RUclips video of his parents confronting him at a kitchen table. Amazing.
Memorized 💯
Geddy was there the whole time with that bass 😂🤣😂
A couple additional bits... Neil did the "We have assumed control" voiceover and while the comic/video presentation ended on a happy note for the protagonist with him living on and the temples destroyed, it is pretty clear that was not was intended with the lyrics as it is ambiguous but much darker.
Heard Neil in an interview talking about this video and he was PISSED about the ending, he dies before the elder race return.
For the record, this came out before Star Wars :)
Soliloquy has always been my favourite section. It's probably my favourite Alex solo, albeit up against some pretty stiff competition. He captured and expressed the emotion of the moment, so perfectly.
twenty-one twelve came out one year prior to star wars.
I thought so.
This is one of their masterpieces 😁
Alex is shredding and you hear a “compressed kazoo”? Great, just great. GSIYH
I know this masterpiece inside out and proud of it. 😊
Rush's ages: 26,25, and 23 when writing this masterpiece. They essentially told the record execs farg you concerning stifling their creativity and rode that sense of integrity for 40 or so years after, and into eternity.
23 (Neil) and 22 (Ged and Al) in 1975 when they wrote it. Even more amazing they created this Opus at that tender age.
At the end, the Elder Race, who left the planet a long time ago that the Oracle showed him in his dream, returned and took back over the planet and freed everyone of the Federation.
I've listened to it several times over 50 yrs!!
Meditated to this in high school 40 years ago. Good pick.
This is based on a book Neil read by Ayrn Rand called the foutain
Its actually named Anthem
I think it was Anthem by Ayn Rand .... a story about a dystopian future and a man who rebelled against it
The band threw this album out there knowing that this isn't what the music federation was hoping for to keep them alive. It's as if they left the ending like a cliffhanger pending resullts of how it will be received. In the end, Rush rose victorious and they have assumed control. These guys got big balls!
I've heard it's based loosely on Ayn Rands novella Anthem. In the book, it's a light bulb. Anthem was also their record label
The record company said make comnercial radio friendly stuff and be like Bad Company.
The record label is the Federation.
The priests are the record company executives trying to exert control of artists.
21-12 is what I eased listening to the first time i smoked weed. No worries I haven't touched weed sense 2003 😂
we all have heard this a thousand time and it it by heart
"...know every single beat..." You don't know Rush fans, do you?
Since you checked out Rush 2112, you need to check out Ayreon The Day That The World Breaks Down. From the Ayreon album The Source.🤘🎸
Me? I have literally listened to this song 100's of time over the last 40+ years......
We know each note of almost every song.
Remember this album was released a year before star wars.
the elder race came back, as announced, to reclaim the world and at the end they claim that the temple has been teared down
They way I’ve always understood this song is that the Elder Race that he dreams of, returns to liberate humanity. In the song it doesn’t say how, only that they have assumed control. This video was created decades after the song was written, and I’m not certain Neil Peart had any input on it (he was the lyricist).
Yes, it's the year Twenty-One Twelve. Think of it as a musical science fiction story. It was written, I think, during a period when Neil was kinda fascinated with the writings of Ayn Rand. He later got over that fascination.
This is one of about a dozen Peart songs inspired by Rand. Almost every one of their classic greats. He later tried to distance himself from Rand because pussies are critical of Rand and he kind of pussed out.
Look at it like a tragedy. Our protagonist had a vision of life on the planets of the elder race, but lost all hope. He couldn’t hold on long enough for the elder race to return. The Temples fell, but not before many dreams were squashed.
This video was made long after the album came out. This really is their masterpiece. But Caress of Steel is my favorite.
Most people refer to this as 21 12 and it is exactly 21 minuets 12 seconds long. There is actually a comic book type video for it which sort of explains it better.
Check out the song Hemispheres. It’s an epic tale of the gods of love and logic battling for control of humanity. It also took up an entire side of the album.
The final scene has a 7 word line repeated 3 times (21), then a 4 word line repeated 3 times (12). I don’t think that was by chance. 🙏👍
That’s an insane catch wow
@ thanks, I thought so too. Someone else pointed it out to me. Keep up the great work!
thank you i will!
You know what helps with listening to something for the first time? Less talking and more listening.
The added in comic was created years after the original album was released. I can't remember the date the comic was created! Those are the shape of B-2 bombers, not B-52's!
Discovery, it’s fun to cover!
Overtures are a 'summery' of the whole piece (usually) so contain bits from all movements. There's foreshadowing in the bombs dropping and even the protagonist looking on the ruined Temples at the end of Overture.
But... here's my standard explanation (copied and pasted frm elsewhere)
Whilst most will tell you that it's an F.U from Rush to the Record label (telling them to be more commecial) it's actually a full analogy of this situation (very meta). I may not be exactly correct about absolutely everything but this is what makes sense to me:
Protagonist represents Rush
The Priests represent the Record Label/Music industry
The guitar represents Rush's music (ideas/creations)
The Elders respresent Tradtion/Wisdom/the ideals (i.e. how it should be - common sense "left the world long ago")
In the song the protagonist k*lls himself but in the animation he lives - why?
When in the process of writing the song... Rush were sure they were commiting professional su*cide with this and that they were ABOUT TO have a huge fight with the record label over it (Grand Finale having no lyrics until closing). The Animation,on the other hand, was done to celebrate their 40th anniversary, so of course, by then, it was known that Rush prospered and didn't d*e, so the protagonist lived on.
The Elders returning to conquer the Priests was obviously their hope at that time, that the ideals would win out.
2112 is a play on the 1812 overture.
I listened to this in its entirety at least 2112 times in my lifetime
At least
New sub here.
Yes , a masterpiece. Absolutely molded my music experiences going forward.
Another lesser known masterpiece is Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres.
Neil is The Master of deep concept pieces.
Rush is an experience
Dude avenged sevenfold is my favorite band and Rush is second, pretty wild to hear you mention them. Great reaction!
The text at the start of each movement was in the liner notes cf the original album, along with the lyrics.
Thank goodness for the ffw feature.
Yes, heard several hundred times. Know every nuance.
Less time analyzing, more time listening.
will do!
I know this song like it was multiplication tables....
I wouldn’t say Star Wars, watch the movie Logan’s Run.
This album was made 1975/1976 Star Wars first film was not released until the end of May 1977 so the reference to 'Federation' is coincidental my friend. More likely to be a nod to the USSR/communist Russian regime from whence Ayn Rand (Fountain Head novelette author, acknowledged as an influence by NP in the album notes) escaped to the US in the 1920's.
The theme is the creative and free individual vs. the oppressed submissive collective. It is pure Ayn Rand.
Unfortunately, Neil wrote these lyrics when he was a staunch Randian Objectivist. As he aged, he realized what a silly and dangerous philosophy it was. In an interview once, he said something like, "Yeah, I was young and stupid, don't hold it against me." It's the only thing wrong with this song, and I can't quite detach myself from it, even though I've heard it countless times in the past 40 years.
The reason the first part feels disjointed is because it is an overature, the movement which visits all of the musical themes you are about to hear.
comment on the ending... remember that this video is mannnnny years after release of the record/audio. If you strictly listen to the audio...it is basic. The video explains/expands much of the first half....but is semi confusing towards the end. From MY perspective...yes...the end means (to me), the federation (the older realm) came back and freed the people (and 'bat wing' bombers are closer to B2s/B21s(which aren't out yet... not B52s) just FYI.... this album was new inrelease 1976/77 and my brother got it for me new for Christmas.....as a 13 y.o. kid....it F'ed up the rest of my life (truly...not that...but helped depict the real world which meant you should be you....and that maybe, just maybe, what you think is a better world... is possible ... haha... but it is what it is))))))
You should find and listen to the full live version at Molson … believe it is on stick hits channel in HD . Simply sublime ❤
To answer a question you asked at the beginning, I've probably listened to this over a thousand times. There isn't one note that isn't familiar. Also, you are right to be confused. Clearly the Federation was bad but it's intentionally left ambiguous how things with work under the "new" control
Yes I do.
The cartoons should be turned off because they weren’t there to see when the album came out. My first listen was in the back of a friend’s car around 1976 or so while high as hell. Maybe just read the lyrics and disregard whatever crap some person came up with for illustrations 40 years of more later. Sure someone put a lot of work into it but it detracts from the music and personal fantasy created in your head imho. 😊
I feel the same way, I spent 30 years with an imagined idea of what this world was. Then this video came out, as well done as it is, it doesn’t quite fit with the world I imagined… but it has started to replace it.
2 things…
- the name of the album isn’t pronounced “2112” it’s “twenty one twelve”!!
- it’s should be noted that Neil was heavily influenced at this time by Ayn Rand!
The funny thing about about this album is that side 1 is what you listened to but then side 2 are just 4 good rock songs that have nothing to do with side 1😂
I was 12 years old when this album was released and NEVER get tired of it. There are so many Rush songs were Neil appears to predict the future🤔
Yes its the year 2112
Oh boy can't wait to see this reaction! Thanks William
I have heard this around 100 times, but always find nuances to keep me interested.
Unfortunately, you did not spend time reading / absorbing the introductory paragraphs that give you the context to where the story begins. Just an opportunity for a future listen.
There 70s songs were the heavier part of their catalogue -