You need the liner notes for the complete story. There is an animated video which includes the liner notes as well as the lyrics. The priests have said that the "elder race of man" was destroyed, however in his dream he sees that the elder race was still alive, growing strong and planning a return to the solar system. He is feeling despair that he couldn't live in a world like he dreamed (the world created by the elder race) and it's implied that he kills himself. At the end of the song, we discover that the elder race has destroyed the "Solar Federation" (the priests / Temples of Syrinx) and resumed control of the solar system.
@@annecaminer2988 They released the video on their 40th Anniversary Deluxe CD. It's also here: ruclips.net/video/w5jwxrTqoEA/видео.html&ab_channel=RushVEVO
Finally.... After hearing this song at 16 years old I proceeded to see Rush live for the first time in 1978 after which I saw them 53 times including the final show at the Forum in LA. I got to meet Alex Lifeson that night and tell him of my journey.... He said I was the kind of fan they did the final tour for.... No better live band.... Epic!
Very cool and you are very fortunate to have met him. I was 13 when I first became a fan after first hearing Signals. I proceeded to see them on every tour from1984 Grace Under Pressure through the final tour. On that tour, I was was fortunate enough to see it twice. Both in Washington DC (Virginia) and Detroit. They were always amazing
ENVIOUS!!! ...and, AGREE - only got to see them ONCE - and, the ENTIRE SHOW was like putting on a GIANT PAIR OF HEADPHONES: EVERYTHING was SO PERFECTLY PLAYED....JUST....SO.....GOOD!!!
@@louofm1 I was 16 when I heard my first Rush track - Subdivisions. My favourite band at the time was Rainbow - I idolised Ritchie Blackmore. My first ever gig was Rainbow at Granby Halls, Leicester in 1981 I had albums by Maiden, Lizzy, Gillan etc and had never heard anything by Rush until my girlfriends brother left his brand- new copy of Signals lying around whilst he was at work. Sunny, warm day lying by the pool, she went inside and soon I was listening to the opening bars of Subdivisions. What's this? Quite different to my normal stuff. Keyboard opening? Hmmmm.. Guitar sounds good, drummer and bass very busy and 'those' vocals - unlike anything I'd heard before - then came the solo on Analog Kid! WOW, just WOW!. I managed to get a ticket for a Birmingham date of the tour and was blown away by their live performance and made a promise to myself to see them every time they were in England - which I kept. I was very lucky to be on holiday in Santa Monica at the time of the Vapor Trails tour. We'd driven there from Vegas - where, on our last night, I'd seen a concert advertised outside the MGM Grand. Rush! I didn't realise they were back on tour after Neil's tragedies. Alas, we were returning to California and wouldn't be around. A quick visit to an Internet Café though (remember those?) for the tour dates. Staples Centre in 2 day's time! We'll be back in Santa Monica! As we were checking in to our Motel I had a chat with the manager about the chances of obtaining a ticket. "I'll see what I can do". Not long after he interrupted my sunbathing and produced one - hand-delivered to me whilst I was lying by the pool. I gave him a tip of course! I'd have doubled it if I had realised he'd actually managed to get one on the front row! It wasn't until I took my seat that I realised this! My mate wasn't a fan so I was going on my own. I didn't care, I wasn't going to miss an opportunity like this! I managed to drive myself there and back without incident - driving into a big city on the right-hand side of the road was a bit daunting to someone who normally drives on the left! Seeing a band in another country was an amazing experience - something I repeated when I saw Def Leppard on the 'X' tour in San Antonio (where we received a complimentary ride to the gates in a golf buggy - "are you Brits? Jump aboard" Despite us being English, not 'British' we gratefully accepted.
Thanks for reacting to this masterpiece. Rather than looking at each different section as songs, I consider them to be movements, in the classical music structure. I first heard this when I was 16, the year after they released the album, and it blew me away. (I had their first four albums on 8-Track tape.) It still blows me away, 47 years later. I’m sure someone already explained the ending, but if not, know that the elder race did return, conquered the priests, and returned music to people’s lives. I really love their early science fiction songs. Bytor and the Snow Dog (on Fly By Night), Xanadu and Cygnus X-1 Book I (on Farewell to Kings) and Cygnus X-1 Book II (on Hemispheres, The Necromancer (on Caress of Steel). I would suggest reacting to any of those. And there’s so much more. Unfortunately I only got to see them once, in Chicago, on their Moving Pictures tour.
My memory is a 12 X 12 dorm room on an air force base with a towel stuffed under the door, windows open. Lots of bong loads. Hell yea good times indeed!
Ok here's my story and no bs. Two buddies of mine back in high school started getting into rush around 1978. About two years later (our sophomore year in high school and our senior year of smoking) we became friends with a goofy looking guy who was two years younger than us come to find out he's an accomplished drummer in the junior high band loved rush smoked weed had older parents who could hardly hear and religiously practiced playing in their basement. Man what a great time in my life.🤟🍺
The silent pauses between the song parts always reminds me as if we are watching a musical or a play. Lights dim, and a new scene appears. Even though I've heard 2112 a million times, I love watching people reacting to it for the first time. To see anyone really dig it is super gratifying.
What really stands out in 2112 is Alex Lifeson’s passionate guitar work. So many different tempos, guitars (acoustic and electric) and pedals. Good take an understanding of the lyrics but also remember the intro was the prelude ( that ended in explosions) to where you are now. A post apocalyptic world. Priests have taken over from the elder race Again “lifeblood spills over” is been debated for years. I always thought it as metaphorical myself. Some people took it literally. The final section was the “ elder race“ Returning to reclaim power and oust the priests. That to the delight of our protagonist.
Soliloquy might be my favorite solo of Lifeson. So much emotion was poured into that. It was like someone's soul being ripped from their body. Though, he has many great solos. (La Villa Strangiato) is up there for me also. Alex is such a great guitarist for giving the song exactly what it needs without going overboard.
I was 13yrs old and had purchased this album via Columbia House Records (vinyl) sound unheard…. Lying on my bed on a late 1976 summers day headphones on… Then that synth swoosh hit me like nothing else… I’m now 60yrs old and Rush is still my favorite band. I’ve seen them 12x and even met Neil in a coffee shop in Syracuse NY… This was my intro to Rush and still my nostalgic favorite. Thank you for your fun reaction and thoughtful review. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the mighty Rush!
Imagine being a kid in 1970's and your mom works at a radio station, bringing home Rush 2112 to you. That was my case. It was like winning a new car. Mom's radio station was my source for alot of great albums, including more Rush, Yes, The Police, and several others. But Mom bringing home a copy of 2112 was THEE COOLEST experience. I'm 58 now, and will never forget it. After all, I'm posting this, right?
That song was written specifically to stretch their individual talents to the very extreme, and I want to say it took over a week to record it. It definitely shows in the finished product. Its the first song I recommend to people who are unfamiliar with their deeper (non-radio) stuff and the awesome talent from just three dudes.
Fun fact I was 12 and my home town was one town over from where Rush lived just outside Toronto amd we were in the park and heard cool sounds from the factories and climbed on tje garbage dumpsters and peered in the window watching them record. They saw us and came out. We thought we were in trouble😂 They spent about a hslf an hour talking music and Hockey cause thats what we Canadians do😂 We asked them about everything and they wete totally cool answering all our questions. They finished their smokes and Geddy and Alex gave us guitar picks and Neil gave us drumsticks. They were so down to earth.I saw them live when i was 17 and 33 they were mesmorizing to say the least❤
Mavis or Wolfdale just south of Burnhamthorpe area ? No Rush luck for me but met Mike Levine of Triumph ! The greatest non music moment has to be Alex Lifeson being on Trailer Park Boys !! Can I tell you something ? You're a fucking mental case 🤣😂 Great that a music legend has such a great sense of humor ! But that's a Canadian thing if course !!! Play that Diane Sawyer song or something 😁!
Great reaction guys!! I HIGHLY recommend checking the semi-official video for this (I say 'semi-official' as it's a fan-made graphic novel video, which details the entire story - but it's on the Rush website - so I think they've endorsed it!) It features ALL the liner notes that aren't in the lyric video you just watched. My #1 Rush song - it's such an epic, cohesive (and heavy) track - masterpiece of progressive rock! Keep the Rush coming! Cheers!!
The album has a dedication to Ayn Rand, a great author who wrote many books about the evils of excessive control and corruption in government. Atlas Shrugged was her tour de force, but my favorite is a much shorter story "Anthem". It has been said that 2112 is loosely based on that book. She was born the Russia and like many who saw the iron fist first hand - she was hell bent on making people aware of the evils too much control could bring. She has been vilified by many because of her unapologetic beliefs and especially because she felt that people should be selfish - that if people weren't trying to get the most they could out of their lives, we would lose the ability and desire to maximize their productivity and lives. "Anthem" was a great Rush song that carries on the theme. "Free Will" also touches on the philosophy. My favorite line is "If you choose not to decide You still have made a choice You can choose from phantom fears And kindness that can kill I will choose a path that's clear I will choose free will"
Thankfully Neil and the band in general realized the error of their younger days/right wing ways later in life. Neil's quote was that in America, the Republican Party is so hypocritical and cruel that there is only one choice. Democrats. Even though Neil identified as a Libertarian. Neil saw this Trump/Republican/Christian nationalist shit show coming from a mile away. He writes about it in all his books.
@@sabbracadabra7503 What a shame the American right is now embracing a wannabe dictator. That is the OPPOSITE of liberty. Neil saw it coming from a mile away. He talks about it constantly in his books. Inform yourself!
Just stop, the song and their philosophies were big picture in nature, they were never left of right wing, clearly libertarians/personal freedoms fans@@carlgibbons5777
And remember not only was this only 3 musicians......!! But then they went on tour and performed this in its entirety LIVE!!! 2112 was my first time getting to experience Rush live. Amazing Group. Today is my birthday 61 years old and was blessed to have experienced Rush Live 6 different album tours all over the US. These guys were even better in person!! ❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉
Bear in mind that it took them nearly 20 years to perform it live. 2112 was released in 1976. They didn't play it live _in its entirety_ until the 1996 Test for Echo tour. Up to then you'd get snippets, like Overture/The Temples of Syrinx but never the entire thing.
It is on their first live album in its entirety and there are you tube videos of them doing it in 1976 live in a somewhat shorter suite. After that, you are quite right, nothing but a couple songs at a time until the 90s. I saw them when they toured on that album, 2nd time seeing them and the 2112 album was a huge step forward for them. They last of several times seeing this suite was about 20 years ago, they still had it in an almost 3 hour show.
Not true. I have a bootleg of them playing it in its entirety in Oslo on May 22, 1979 - the bootleg is called Hemispheres Performance @@UTubeHandlesSuck
If you look through some of their sets on places like Setlist FM, they played most of it, but used to leave out “Oracle-the Dream” for some reason. Maybe it’s in a different key, and was harder to change tuning to quickly? By Test for Echo, they had endless guitars and equipment- so no problem
I was fortunate to see RUSH at my high school in 74, their second last small venue performance before expanding their future, Unfortunately during the next 2 years John Rutsey the original drummer would have to quit due to personal problems, in slides Neal Peart and the rest is as we say history. I saw 2112 at the album release concert. Was not expecting the change that Rush matured too. RIP John Rutsey, RIP Neal Peart. Thank you for the journey of the last 50 years. 26 concerts and never a bad experience.
Yes, Neil wrote the lyrics (for almost all of their stuff). The album cover was a bi-fold and opened up to the song lyrics. For 2112, each verse's lyrics were preceded by a diary entry from an anonymous writer that gave context to the verse. Their previous album, Caress of Steel, was a bit muddled and didn't make sense to people, both lyrically and musically. But 2112 suddenly jumped into a whole new level. It was worth of the big league and showed they were a premier band. It was then followed by four more albums, each one even more surprising than the preceding one, and each one elevating them as a top-notch band even further. It was a five-streak run of brilliance. ... fun bit of trivia: The overture for 2112 has a piece of the 1812 Overture in it. As for the story itself... I always took it to mean that our protagonist killed himself because he was unable to face living under the rule of the Solar Federation anymore. And at some point afterward, the elder race that had left in the past had returned, assumed control, and restored their society. A more recent music video with illustrations frames it as the elder race returning just before the protagonist can commit suicide, but I think the original presentation on the album suggests a bittersweet ending.
I think that the change of the protagonist not committing suicide is that when they wrote the song they thought they were committing suicide as a band, they even called it the down the tubes tour. When the record was released it did really well and they didn't have to quit the band after all. The comic video was made later and so they changed it to show the protagonist alive and well when the elder race came back.
I never believed he actually killed himself. Just that he was at the utter point of despair. The lyrics are almost Shakespearian. Then the change came to his relief. Someone needs to ask Geddy to settle this debate.
@@ronbeck201 Maybe. I prefer the original interpretation though. Some of the greatest works are tragedies, this one included. Forcing a happy ending on it belittles the pain and despair of Soliloquy and the amazing work Alex did in expressing it all in his guitars.
Because Alex is not just a consummate musician, but he's a consummate band mate. He only steps in with what fits in the song rather than him shredding to show off (at least that's my theory as to why he's always overlooked)
From what I remember he did kill himself originally. And then the ones who took him (the elders) "Light years away" came back to reclaim control over the priest. Unfortunately originally the character had died before this happened. When Rush released an animated video on their channel, he lives to see the original rulers return and throw out the controlling priest. ."I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last." That's taken from Rush directly. So, originally our main character didn't make it.
Yes, I don't see 2112 as the basically farcical animation we have been given. I do not interpret it as they did and you don't have to either. Keep your own counsel and your own opinion and your own views. There is a sorrow in this. However, it will always be one of the greatest pieces of music ever created and I do not underestimate the talent of Rush.
I started listening to Rush with their first album, "Fly By Night", then "Carress of Steel" and "2112", each as they were released. I wore out an 8-track tape of 2112 in my '69 Javelin. Good times, great memories!!
A classmate of mine, his older brother, got me tuned into Rush. He was a drummer and that was what he especially loved about 'the professor' as well as the band. Listened to the first three albums in their parent's basement. Listened to 2112 in the summer of '76' in his Chevelle on 8 track. This guy could drive a stick while playing with the music and rolling a j. I would hold his beer for him. It was the least I could do. Those were crazy fun times. He also loved to play some Grand Funk. Another great 3 piece band. By the way, the brothers were minister's sons.😉😇🤩😋😂
"Fly By Night" is their second album, and the first with Neal Peart - their first was "Rush" (released March 18 1974) with their original drummer, John Rutsey. He was having difficulties controlling his diabetes (less-advanced medical care back then) so he could not tour with them and retired.He died May 11 2008 of a heart attack related to his diabetes. The song "Working Man" from their first album saw air play through the 1980s, and still is sometimes heard on classic rock stations' "deep cuts" type shows.
This is greatness with your back against the wall. This was Rush's last shot with their record company and they went into the studio and cane out with this as the middle finger to the record company. Rush is the major link between progressive rock and metal. They can literally play in both worlds!! Enjoyed the reaction!!
I accidentally heard a reaction to this by a couple of rappers. It immediately took me back to high school when I first listened to this in 1976 or 1977 . I have been hooked on reaction channels ever since 😂.
Imagine, it's 1976... disco is still topping the charts.. Chicago has some mellow hits in the top ten.. afternoon delight and I'd really love to see you tonight is topping the charts lol... then this comes out... blew everyone's minds... Great reaction. Thank you.
Listen to Max Webster, they weren't around for long but great Canadian Band with Top Musicianship. They Toured with Rush a couple of times in the late 70's. Also did a song with the members of Rush called Battle Scar!
I'm always curious when I hear from Americans about Canadian bands: are you at all familiar with The Tragically Hip? They're much loved up here, not necessarily for virtuosic musicianship, but for the general vibe. But they never really penetrated much into the States.
I bought this album the day it was released & then went to the concert shortly after,, BOTH were ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!..Still remember it to this day.
Do take notice - that when the ancient artefact is first discovered - he/she begins tuning-it to proper 440 tuning whilst the cascading of the audible wet in the background joins, as the song progression commences soon thereafter
I saw RUSH in 81 on their Moving Pictures tour at the Capitol Centre in Maryland and it was absolutely mind blowing. I had my 35mm camera outfit with me and all I kept saying was I can't believe I'm seeing this. Neil and Alex had cut their hair and that was a big surprise but they were flawless and absolutely perfect in every aspect with a video screen behind them and it was mesmerizing. Neil peart had a PHD in percussion and I did see his solid gold drum kit one time and I was speechless. The greatest 3 piece band of all time. 2112 is a masterpiece but Moving pictures was their breakout album and their pinnacle. RIP Neil and thanks for sharing your genius with the world.
LOVE THIS ALBUM!!! Rush was being told to PUT OUT MORE SINGLES and MAKE an ALBUM for MORE RADIO PLAY - with SHORTER SONGS....so: they MADE THIS!!! 🤣🤣🤣 LOVE THEM, SO MUCH!! One of my FAVORITE BANDS of ALL TIME!! THANKS, YA'LL for reacting to this one!! :) HUGS!
Yes! I tuned into the Sam and Phil show the other day and heard my favorite Deep Purple song, then today I hear my favorite RUSH song! This song took me on quite a journey when I first listened to it in ‘76 and throughout my life. I had just started playing drums about 2 years before and was big into Zeppelin, The Who, and a host of other heavier rock bands, but when this album came out… I was blown away. Thank you for reacting to this! Thank you to those who requested it, too! Really great reaction. Very insightful and intelligent conversation. Oh, being confused about the ending… you’re not alone. Most people are when first listening without looking into the story first. You did a great job feeling the song out.
Had this on vinyl, it got played a lot! If you ever want to do a full concept album I can in the strongest way possible recommend Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche !! It's one of my all time favorite albums, great vocals, great instrumentation, great story! Check it out!!
The background of how this song (and the album overall) came to be at this juncture in Rush's career is just crazy. From the conversations with their label and management, they were convinced this was going to be their last chance to record a "hit" album. They had had some minor success but sales were less strong on their 3rd album so they were convinced this was their final chance. Rather than change their style to garner airplay and sell records (and "sell out") they simply took all their training wheels off and made the album they always wanted to without the influence of "write us a hit song" in the creative mix. This masterpiece is the result.
To me, it's definitely meant to have a more or less positive feeling at the end. Because whether the guy lives or dies, the Elder race comes back and topples the Priests from power. I guess what's left open to interpretation is whether they got there in time to save him or not. But even if he dies and then even as he's dying, here comes the landing invasion from the Elder race, then that's Shakespearean level tragic irony. This song rocks so hard and it's so gentle and it's just perfect and while it is presented as six or seven distinct sections, each with its own title, it's a masterful overall symphony in a sense, and there is a lot of echoing and referencing going back and forth throughout the entire length of this song to other textures and motifs in different areas of the whole presentation.
They’re transitions through all their songs, so smooth going for the heavy metal to the synthesize back to just a guitar drums. They have magic in their hands and so many people don’t realize these three men are more than just musicians.
😁 Wait! I'm not ready! 🍿🥤 😊 Okay, ready now for 1 of the best songs I've ever seen performed. 🙋🏾♀️ Saw them open for KISS, and never looked back. 🙏🏿 RIP Professor 🥰🐰
for the full experience y'all have to get a copy of the vinyl album in your hand, there is a paragraph or two with the lyrics of every song that further explains the story, and the sui*cide note on the back, and what a story it is... thank you and yes, I have seen them several times and it takes a few minutes to get Neil in and out of his drum set... :)
25:58. Excellent point. During the Discovery chapter at one point Geddy signs the words “do and you” several times. Each time he emphasizes a different way to pronounce those sounds, emphasizing that creativity of each individual is important. Love your reactions!
Rush had a few previous albums that didn't really blow the label away. They were kind of given an ultimatum, 'your next album better sell or else...' so what do they do but a massive, album-side long concept piece. 2112 blew everyone away, and after that Rush pretty much had complete creative control over whatever they did with no more label dorks meddling.
They had three prior, and the one immediately preceding this one was a washout (just ahead of its time), so the label demanded they make something that would 'sell' ... Rush gave them the finger and did their own thing
Just picture hanging in someone’s basement circa 1976 or so, listening to this on the record player, nowhere to go, nothing to do, no worries, having spent a few dollars on a bag of what smelled like oregano and a 6 pack of Miller pony beers. So much fun.
Their record company wasn't thrilled with the direction the band was taking and threatened to drop them after Caress Of Steel if they didn't start producing shorter more radio friendly songs. This was Rush giving the middle finger to the record company. 😊
Exactly, the band said if they were going to be dropped from the label, they would go out doing what they wanted to do. 2112 was the result, which, in turn, propelled them into history and paved the way for their own direction on their historic run. ❤ RIP Neil Peart (The Professor)😢
The record producers were pushing them to come up with shorter songs made more for radio airplay. This was the epic Rush response. Check out Working Man Live in Cleveland.
I love everything about the song the musicianship is fantastic ,but the thing that I love most about this is Geddy Lee's voice was at its peak, I believe during the 70s just phenomenal range.
Funny story, I think. Around 1980 my local band used to open our set with 2112. One night at the Palace Saloon, a bar built on pilings over the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, we opened up for Iron Butterfly. Our bassist made these "flash pots". They went off right at the beginning of 2112. Nice flash and then smoke, smoke, and more gunpowder smoke. All the doors went open on both floors of the place. People made there exits but we had to keep on playing, " the show must go on", right? I could barely see my bass player through the stinking fog as we laughed our asses off. Now I can't help but wonder how many code violations were broken. People eventually came back as we kept playing and finished our set. Good memories!
That was an excellent reaction to this magnificent classic song. I remember seeing this song in concert when it came out in 1977. This video was like hearing it again with new ears.
Check it out: The closing words are; "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation" repeated 3 times, then; "We have assumed control" repeated three times. 21 words followed by 12 words...Neil Peart was a genius.
2112 was my introduction to Rush. First time i heard it was in 1979 at the age of 15 . I am now 59 yrs old, i have seen Rush in concert 104 times, in 7 countries and 16 states.
was lucky enough to have seen them 4 times. on the first US tour, the last and a couple of times in between. they could do this and everything else live. they were fantastic.
The lyrics were based on Ayn Rand's novella, "Anthem". Though Rush was never overtly political and certainly never espoused Rand's somewhat extreme worldview, there were elements that they really connected with, namely the importance of individuals in the progression of humanity, that no great leap forward was ever accomplished by a group of people, it was always done by an individual who usually ended up ostracized and persecuted as a heretic. They always espoused the underdog (e.g. Cinderella Man, New World Man, etc.), their protagonists usually fighting against the tide of group-think.
2112, Rush's middle finger to the record company exec's! Now onto Hemispheres!
No, Xanadu!!!
@@kennylingus4595 - ...AND the 'Exit...Stage Left' live version, yes!
😊👍
Hemispheres yes, but they need to Cygnus first.
Absolutely!@@mightyV444
Now, onto side 2.
3 dudes with way more talent than anyone should have...way, way, way ahead of their time. Best band...ever.
Best band, ever.
Agreed & Best drummer!
They are ahead of the future??
@@vicsusak6246 Why would you ask yourself a question that you made up...to ask yourself?
@@jasongode6179 Those 3 are the best at their instruments !!
You've just listened to one of the greatest accomplishments in music. A real masterpiece!
You need the liner notes for the complete story. There is an animated video which includes the liner notes as well as the lyrics. The priests have said that the "elder race of man" was destroyed, however in his dream he sees that the elder race was still alive, growing strong and planning a return to the solar system. He is feeling despair that he couldn't live in a world like he dreamed (the world created by the elder race) and it's implied that he kills himself. At the end of the song, we discover that the elder race has destroyed the "Solar Federation" (the priests / Temples of Syrinx) and resumed control of the solar system.
Thanks for the info! On a first listen that might have been a bit overwhelming 😂
One view is his sacrifice brings the Elder Race back.
Another is by dying he ascends to their dimension.
They didn't have videos in the album's line notes when it was on vinyl, plus it was 1976, how could they have a video?
@@annecaminer2988 They released the video on their 40th Anniversary Deluxe CD. It's also here: ruclips.net/video/w5jwxrTqoEA/видео.html&ab_channel=RushVEVO
There is a cool animation of this on RUclips that is very well done...done in the future of course:)@@annecaminer2988
Finally.... After hearing this song at 16 years old I proceeded to see Rush live for the first time in 1978 after which I saw them 53 times including the final show at the Forum in LA. I got to meet Alex Lifeson that night and tell him of my journey.... He said I was the kind of fan they did the final tour for.... No better live band.... Epic!
Very cool and you are very fortunate to have met him. I was 13 when I first became a fan after first hearing Signals. I proceeded to see them on every tour from1984 Grace Under Pressure through the final tour. On that tour, I was was fortunate enough to see it twice. Both in Washington DC (Virginia) and Detroit. They were always amazing
ENVIOUS!!! ...and, AGREE - only got to see them ONCE - and, the ENTIRE SHOW was like putting on a GIANT PAIR OF HEADPHONES: EVERYTHING was SO PERFECTLY PLAYED....JUST....SO.....GOOD!!!
@@louofm1 I was 16 when I heard my first Rush track - Subdivisions.
My favourite band at the time was Rainbow - I idolised Ritchie Blackmore.
My first ever gig was Rainbow at Granby Halls, Leicester in 1981
I had albums by Maiden, Lizzy, Gillan etc and had never heard anything by Rush until my girlfriends brother left his brand- new copy of Signals lying around whilst he was at work.
Sunny, warm day lying by the pool, she went inside and soon I was listening to the opening bars of Subdivisions. What's this? Quite different to my normal stuff. Keyboard opening? Hmmmm..
Guitar sounds good, drummer and bass very busy and 'those' vocals - unlike anything I'd heard before - then came the solo on Analog Kid! WOW, just WOW!.
I managed to get a ticket for a Birmingham date of the tour and was blown away by their live performance and made a promise to myself to see them every time they were in England - which I kept.
I was very lucky to be on holiday in Santa Monica at the time of the Vapor Trails tour. We'd driven there from Vegas - where, on our last night, I'd seen a concert advertised outside the MGM Grand. Rush! I didn't realise they were back on tour after Neil's tragedies. Alas, we were returning to California and wouldn't be around.
A quick visit to an Internet Café though (remember those?) for the tour dates. Staples Centre in 2 day's time! We'll be back in Santa Monica!
As we were checking in to our Motel I had a chat with the manager about the chances of obtaining a ticket. "I'll see what I can do". Not long after he interrupted my sunbathing and produced one - hand-delivered to me whilst I was lying by the pool.
I gave him a tip of course! I'd have doubled it if I had realised he'd actually managed to get one on the front row! It wasn't until I took my seat that I realised this!
My mate wasn't a fan so I was going on my own. I didn't care, I wasn't going to miss an opportunity like this!
I managed to drive myself there and back without incident - driving into a big city on the right-hand side of the road was a bit daunting to someone who normally drives on the left!
Seeing a band in another country was an amazing experience - something I repeated when I saw Def Leppard on the 'X' tour in San Antonio (where we received a complimentary ride to the gates in a golf buggy - "are you Brits? Jump aboard"
Despite us being English, not 'British' we gratefully accepted.
Thanks for reacting to this masterpiece. Rather than looking at each different section as songs, I consider them to be movements, in the classical music structure. I first heard this when I was 16, the year after they released the album, and it blew me away. (I had their first four albums on 8-Track tape.) It still blows me away, 47 years later.
I’m sure someone already explained the ending, but if not, know that the elder race did return, conquered the priests, and returned music to people’s lives. I really love their early science fiction songs. Bytor and the Snow Dog (on Fly By Night), Xanadu and Cygnus X-1 Book I (on Farewell to Kings) and Cygnus X-1 Book II (on Hemispheres, The Necromancer (on Caress of Steel). I would suggest reacting to any of those. And there’s so much more. Unfortunately I only got to see them once, in Chicago, on their Moving Pictures tour.
We had a similar trip! I loved 2112, as well as 18 other studio albums! Peace 33:33
Memories of late 70s in the basement with friends listening to 2112 hoping the elders upstairs won't yell down at us to "turn that **** down".
My memory is a 12 X 12 dorm room on an air force base with a towel stuffed under the door, windows open. Lots of bong loads. Hell yea good times indeed!
33 and 1/3 on the Zenith Allegro stereo. If my parents were home we could only turn it up halfway.
Or you could be hoping that they Would yell down. Cause that would mean you're getting it right.
2112 was the biggest and loudest 🖕🏻in the history of rock music! For those who don’t know why do some digging 👍🏼
Ok here's my story and no bs. Two buddies of mine back in high school started getting into rush around 1978. About two years later (our sophomore year in high school and our senior year of smoking) we became friends with a goofy looking guy who was two years younger than us come to find out he's an accomplished drummer in the junior high band loved rush smoked weed had older parents who could hardly hear and religiously practiced playing in their basement. Man what a great time in my life.🤟🍺
This album was my introduction to Rush. At 15 in 1976 and they blow my mind. I’ve been a fan since.
20,000 years from now, whatever life forms remain will STILL be rocking out to this.
Neil Peart passed in Jan 2020... RIP to one of the best musicians ever born ❤
Canada has a recording of this preserved as cultural and arts heritage
Forget Beethoven, we should have sent this out into the reaches of space.
This is a pure masterpiece! Never get sick of this song.
Me neither, it always excites and pulls me in
The silent pauses between the song parts always reminds me as if we are watching a musical or a play. Lights dim, and a new scene appears. Even though I've heard 2112 a million times, I love watching people reacting to it for the first time. To see anyone really dig it is super gratifying.
What really stands out in 2112 is Alex Lifeson’s passionate guitar work. So many different tempos, guitars (acoustic and electric) and pedals.
Good take an understanding of the lyrics but also remember the intro was the prelude ( that ended in explosions) to where you are now. A post apocalyptic world. Priests have taken over from the elder race
Again “lifeblood spills over” is been debated for years. I always thought it as metaphorical myself. Some people took it literally. The final section was the “ elder race“
Returning to reclaim power and oust the priests. That to the delight of our protagonist.
Soliloquy might be my favorite solo of Lifeson. So much emotion was poured into that. It was like someone's soul being ripped from their body. Though, he has many great solos. (La Villa Strangiato) is up there for me also. Alex is such a great guitarist for giving the song exactly what it needs without going overboard.
Write a damn book already, geez
@@TylerLL2112 Spot on. They are my two favorites as well. Love to know what kind of pedal he used in Soliloquy
Perhaps Lifeson's best work, solos aside
I always took it as his lifeblood being music and now that he’s had a taste of it it is spilling over 🤷🏼♂️
One of the greatest songs ever made.
I was 13yrs old and had purchased this album via Columbia House Records (vinyl) sound unheard…. Lying on my bed on a late 1976 summers day headphones on… Then that synth swoosh hit me like nothing else… I’m now 60yrs old and Rush is still my favorite band. I’ve seen them 12x and even met Neil in a coffee shop in Syracuse NY… This was my intro to Rush and still my nostalgic favorite. Thank you for your fun reaction and thoughtful review. R.I.P. Neil Peart and long live the mighty Rush!
wow, awesome, what was "The Professor" like?
love how Alex makes that guittar cry..
Imagine being a kid in 1970's and your mom works at a radio station, bringing home Rush 2112 to you. That was my case. It was like winning a new car. Mom's radio station was my source for alot of great albums, including more Rush, Yes, The Police, and several others. But Mom bringing home a copy of 2112 was THEE COOLEST experience. I'm 58 now, and will never forget it. After all, I'm posting this, right?
The album that got me into Rush.
Classic Masterpiece.
Me too, 2222 is my favorite
2112
I So Remember lying on my bed listening to this on vinyl 😝
Ja, das war geil! Lange her, aber wie gestern, oder heute morgen!
Should have seen them live! They were amazing and really, really LOUD!
@@walterlegere1403 saw Signals , Power Window & SARS Fest shows in Toronto ... they were the show
You need to listen to the song
La Via Strangiato"...there are no lyrics, but it displays the musical talent
live at pink pop
That song was written specifically to stretch their individual talents to the very extreme, and I want to say it took over a week to record it. It definitely shows in the finished product. Its the first song I recommend to people who are unfamiliar with their deeper (non-radio) stuff and the awesome talent from just three dudes.
Fun fact I was 12 and my home town was one town over from where Rush lived just outside Toronto amd we were in the park and heard cool sounds from the factories and climbed on tje garbage dumpsters and peered in the window watching them record. They saw us and came out. We thought we were in trouble😂 They spent about a hslf an hour talking music and Hockey cause thats what we Canadians do😂 We asked them about everything and they wete totally cool answering all our questions. They finished their smokes and Geddy and Alex gave us guitar picks and Neil gave us drumsticks. They were so down to earth.I saw them live when i was 17 and 33 they were mesmorizing to say the least❤
Cool Story... Very Cool... Rush was my 1st concert. Rock on🤘🎸.
The guys in Rush have always been so cool and willing to chat with fans. It wasn’t Lakeside Park by any chance?
@@donjackson5522 Henderson park there was a grade school there too
🤘
Mavis or Wolfdale just south of Burnhamthorpe area ? No Rush luck for me but met Mike Levine of Triumph ! The greatest non music moment has to be Alex Lifeson being on Trailer Park Boys !!
Can I tell you something ? You're a fucking mental case 🤣😂 Great that a music legend has such a great sense of humor ! But that's a Canadian thing if course !!! Play that Diane Sawyer song or something 😁!
They were 23 yrs old when they created this album. Absolutely mind blowing to me.
Great reaction guys!! I HIGHLY recommend checking the semi-official video for this (I say 'semi-official' as it's a fan-made graphic novel video, which details the entire story - but it's on the Rush website - so I think they've endorsed it!) It features ALL the liner notes that aren't in the lyric video you just watched.
My #1 Rush song - it's such an epic, cohesive (and heavy) track - masterpiece of progressive rock! Keep the Rush coming! Cheers!!
It's on Rush's channel, which makes it official for me.
Do you have a link for this? Thx!
The album has a dedication to Ayn Rand, a great author who wrote many books about the evils of excessive control and corruption in government. Atlas Shrugged was her tour de force, but my favorite is a much shorter story "Anthem". It has been said that 2112 is loosely based on that book. She was born the Russia and like many who saw the iron fist first hand - she was hell bent on making people aware of the evils too much control could bring. She has been vilified by many because of her unapologetic beliefs and especially because she felt that people should be selfish - that if people weren't trying to get the most they could out of their lives, we would lose the ability and desire to maximize their productivity and lives. "Anthem" was a great Rush song that carries on the theme. "Free Will" also touches on the philosophy. My favorite line is
"If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will"
Thankfully Neil and the band in general realized the error of their younger days/right wing ways later in life. Neil's quote was that in America, the Republican Party is so hypocritical and cruel that there is only one choice. Democrats. Even though Neil identified as a Libertarian. Neil saw this Trump/Republican/Christian nationalist shit show coming from a mile away. He writes about it in all his books.
Exactly. This song is an anti-communist, anti-collectivist, and pro-liberty classic.
@@sabbracadabra7503 What a shame the American right is now embracing a wannabe dictator. That is the OPPOSITE of liberty. Neil saw it coming from a mile away. He talks about it constantly in his books. Inform yourself!
Just stop, the song and their philosophies were big picture in nature, they were never left of right wing, clearly libertarians/personal freedoms fans@@carlgibbons5777
@@carlgibbons5777 You don't get out much, do you?
And remember not only was this only 3 musicians......!! But then they went on tour and performed this in its entirety LIVE!!! 2112 was my first time getting to experience Rush live. Amazing Group. Today is my birthday 61 years old and was blessed to have experienced Rush Live 6 different album tours all over the US. These guys were even better in person!!
❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉
Bear in mind that it took them nearly 20 years to perform it live. 2112 was released in 1976. They didn't play it live _in its entirety_ until the 1996 Test for Echo tour. Up to then you'd get snippets, like Overture/The Temples of Syrinx but never the entire thing.
It is on their first live album in its entirety and there are you tube videos of them doing it in 1976 live in a somewhat shorter suite. After that, you are quite right, nothing but a couple songs at a time until the 90s. I saw them when they toured on that album, 2nd time seeing them and the 2112 album was a huge step forward for them. They last of several times seeing this suite was about 20 years ago, they still had it in an almost 3 hour show.
Not true. I have a bootleg of them playing it in its entirety in Oslo on May 22, 1979 - the bootleg is called Hemispheres Performance @@UTubeHandlesSuck
If you look through some of their sets on places like Setlist FM, they played most of it, but used to leave out “Oracle-the Dream” for some reason. Maybe it’s in a different key, and was harder to change tuning to quickly? By Test for Echo, they had endless guitars and equipment- so no problem
I was fortunate to see RUSH at my high school in 74, their second last small venue performance before expanding their future, Unfortunately during the next 2 years John Rutsey the original drummer would have to quit due to personal problems, in slides Neal Peart and the rest is as we say history. I saw 2112 at the album release concert. Was not expecting the change that Rush matured too. RIP John Rutsey, RIP Neal Peart. Thank you for the journey of the last 50 years. 26 concerts and never a bad experience.
John Rutsey had diabetes and could not have toured for very long that’s why he left the band
Well worth my last 20 minutes witnessing two young Canadians experiencing Rush 2112 for the first time. Precious! ❤😊
Yes, Neil wrote the lyrics (for almost all of their stuff). The album cover was a bi-fold and opened up to the song lyrics. For 2112, each verse's lyrics were preceded by a diary entry from an anonymous writer that gave context to the verse. Their previous album, Caress of Steel, was a bit muddled and didn't make sense to people, both lyrically and musically. But 2112 suddenly jumped into a whole new level. It was worth of the big league and showed they were a premier band. It was then followed by four more albums, each one even more surprising than the preceding one, and each one elevating them as a top-notch band even further. It was a five-streak run of brilliance. ... fun bit of trivia: The overture for 2112 has a piece of the 1812 Overture in it. As for the story itself... I always took it to mean that our protagonist killed himself because he was unable to face living under the rule of the Solar Federation anymore. And at some point afterward, the elder race that had left in the past had returned, assumed control, and restored their society. A more recent music video with illustrations frames it as the elder race returning just before the protagonist can commit suicide, but I think the original presentation on the album suggests a bittersweet ending.
I think that the change of the protagonist not committing suicide is that when they wrote the song they thought they were committing suicide as a band, they even called it the down the tubes tour. When the record was released it did really well and they didn't have to quit the band after all. The comic video was made later and so they changed it to show the protagonist alive and well when the elder race came back.
I never believed he actually killed himself. Just that he was at the utter point of despair. The lyrics are almost Shakespearian. Then the change came to his relief. Someone needs to ask Geddy to settle this debate.
@@ronbeck201 Maybe. I prefer the original interpretation though. Some of the greatest works are tragedies, this one included. Forcing a happy ending on it belittles the pain and despair of Soliloquy and the amazing work Alex did in expressing it all in his guitars.
I loved this song when I heard it late seventies, but the shorter songs on the other side of the album did not impress me much.
Great reaction, Sam and Phil! Loved the comment 'less of a groove and more of an experience'. A perfect description of the progressive rock greats.
Alex Lifeson is so underrated and oftentimes overlooked with Geddy & Neil in the band
I finally have Alex in my top 5 ever. Always so perfect with his solos. I didn't recognize Alex because I was always focused on Neil and Geddy.
Because Alex is not just a consummate musician, but he's a consummate band mate. He only steps in with what fits in the song rather than him shredding to show off (at least that's my theory as to why he's always overlooked)
From what I remember he did kill himself originally. And then the ones who took him (the elders) "Light years away" came back to reclaim control over the priest. Unfortunately originally the character had died before this happened. When Rush released an animated video on their channel, he lives to see the original rulers return and throw out the controlling priest.
."I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last." That's taken from Rush directly. So, originally our main character didn't make it.
Yeah the animated video is poppycock
Yes, I don't see 2112 as the basically farcical animation we have been given. I do not interpret it as they did and you don't have to either. Keep your own counsel and your own opinion and your own views. There is a sorrow in this. However, it will always be one of the greatest pieces of music ever created and I do not underestimate the talent of Rush.
I started listening to Rush with their first album, "Fly By Night", then "Carress of Steel" and "2112", each as they were released.
I wore out an 8-track tape of 2112 in my '69 Javelin. Good times, great memories!!
A classmate of mine, his older brother, got me tuned into Rush. He was a drummer and that was what he especially loved about 'the professor' as well as the band. Listened to the first three albums in their parent's basement. Listened to 2112 in the summer of '76' in his Chevelle on 8 track. This guy could drive a stick while playing with the music and rolling a j. I would hold his beer for him. It was the least I could do. Those were crazy fun times. He also loved to play some Grand Funk. Another great 3 piece band. By the way, the brothers were minister's sons.😉😇🤩😋😂
"Fly By Night" is their second album, and the first with Neal Peart - their first was "Rush" (released March 18 1974) with their original drummer, John Rutsey. He was having difficulties controlling his diabetes (less-advanced medical care back then) so he could not tour with them and retired.He died May 11 2008 of a heart attack related to his diabetes.
The song "Working Man" from their first album saw air play through the 1980s, and still is sometimes heard on classic rock stations' "deep cuts" type shows.
This is greatness with your back against the wall. This was Rush's last shot with their record company and they went into the studio and cane out with this as the middle finger to the record company. Rush is the major link between progressive rock and metal. They can literally play in both worlds!! Enjoyed the reaction!!
Every time that I listen to this, it feels like the first time. What a monumental masterpiece this album is. RIP NP.
I accidentally heard a reaction to this by a couple of rappers. It immediately took me back to high school when I first listened to this in 1976 or 1977 . I have been hooked on reaction channels ever since 😂.
Imagine, it's 1976... disco is still topping the charts.. Chicago has some mellow hits in the top ten.. afternoon delight and I'd really love to see you tonight is topping the charts lol... then this comes out... blew everyone's minds... Great reaction. Thank you.
Disco always sucked. This was welcome. Headphone material 😊
“Attention all planets of the solar federation” x 3
“We have assumed control” x3
=21/12
Amazing!
Vocals by Neil Peart!
Love it!
👀
Have the members of Rush ever confirmed this was intentional? I'm skeptical.
As an American, I love the musicianship by Canadian bands. Such as, "April Wine," "Loverboy," and "Triumph!"
Music knows no borders...if it's good, they will come!
Listen to Max Webster, they weren't around for long but great Canadian Band with Top Musicianship. They Toured with Rush a couple of times in the late 70's. Also did a song with the members of Rush called Battle Scar!
Triumph. Criminally underrated!
I'm always curious when I hear from Americans about Canadian bands: are you at all familiar with The Tragically Hip? They're much loved up here, not necessarily for virtuosic musicianship, but for the general vibe. But they never really penetrated much into the States.
I bought this album the day it was released & then went to the concert shortly after,, BOTH were ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!..Still remember it to this day.
Alex is such a legend…an absolutely amazing player.
I had the honor of attending a concert back in 1977, still to this day will never forget the experience to witness the BEST BAND EVER!!!!
My favorite Rush album I first heard this album about a year after graduating high school, great band, one of my favorite bands of all time 😀
So many people start off saying “20 minutes! It’s so long” at the end…”aww it’s over”.
Best concept story album side ever! This was my first experience hearing Rush in the late 70's.
Do take notice - that when the ancient artefact is first discovered - he/she begins tuning-it to proper 440 tuning whilst the cascading of the audible wet in the background joins, as the song progression commences soon thereafter
Their also is a story board video of 2112, that is pretty cool, that helps explain the story line.
I saw RUSH in 81 on their Moving Pictures tour at the Capitol Centre in Maryland and it was absolutely mind blowing. I had my 35mm camera outfit with me and all I kept saying was I can't believe I'm seeing this. Neil and Alex had cut their hair and that was a big surprise but they
were flawless and absolutely perfect in every aspect with a video screen behind them and it was mesmerizing. Neil peart had a PHD in percussion and I did see his solid gold drum kit one time and I was speechless. The greatest 3 piece band of all time. 2112 is a masterpiece but Moving pictures was their breakout album and their pinnacle. RIP Neil and thanks for sharing your genius with the world.
LOVE THIS ALBUM!!! Rush was being told to PUT OUT MORE SINGLES and MAKE an ALBUM for MORE RADIO PLAY - with SHORTER SONGS....so: they MADE THIS!!! 🤣🤣🤣 LOVE THEM, SO MUCH!! One of my FAVORITE BANDS of ALL TIME!! THANKS, YA'LL for reacting to this one!! :) HUGS!
Not only correct, but the person I heard tell that story was Gene Simmons
Yes! I tuned into the Sam and Phil show the other day and heard my favorite Deep Purple song, then today I hear my favorite RUSH song! This song took me on quite a journey when I first listened to it in ‘76 and throughout my life. I had just started playing drums about 2 years before and was big into Zeppelin, The Who, and a host of other heavier rock bands, but when this album came out… I was blown away.
Thank you for reacting to this! Thank you to those who requested it, too! Really great reaction. Very insightful and intelligent conversation.
Oh, being confused about the ending… you’re not alone. Most people are when first listening without looking into the story first. You did a great job feeling the song out.
Had this on vinyl, it got played a lot! If you ever want to do a full concept album I can in the strongest way possible recommend Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche !! It's one of my all time favorite albums, great vocals, great instrumentation, great story! Check it out!!
This LP came out when I was a senior in high school. It was the only Rush album I ever owned. I played it so much that I wore it out.
Simply put this is just a terrific masterpiece.
Three dudes from another planet
More talent in tjis band than most other bands combined
To see this live is amazing
The background of how this song (and the album overall) came to be at this juncture in Rush's career is just crazy. From the conversations with their label and management, they were convinced this was going to be their last chance to record a "hit" album. They had had some minor success but sales were less strong on their 3rd album so they were convinced this was their final chance. Rather than change their style to garner airplay and sell records (and "sell out") they simply took all their training wheels off and made the album they always wanted to without the influence of "write us a hit song" in the creative mix. This masterpiece is the result.
All 3 Musicians are Masters of their craft! Perfection was just natural for them. One of my all time favorite bands.
Great react!
Masterpiece by the Best band ever!
The Three Guys Orchestra
Back in the day,
they had their Mozarts and their Beethovens.
We have RUSH!!
This drum track sounds SO solid ...
.and rich. Actually everything sounds great
Excellent that was, you have to watch the live version, its amazing, three cheers to you two ooo thanks
Me and my friends wore this album out when it was released 🤘
Great review I love that song you both do a great job of breaking down the song thanks.
To me, it's definitely meant to have a more or less positive feeling at the end. Because whether the guy lives or dies, the Elder race comes back and topples the Priests from power.
I guess what's left open to interpretation is whether they got there in time to save him or not. But even if he dies and then even as he's dying, here comes the landing invasion from the Elder race, then that's Shakespearean level tragic irony.
This song rocks so hard and it's so gentle and it's just perfect and while it is presented as six or seven distinct sections, each with its own title, it's a masterful overall symphony in a sense, and there is a lot of echoing and referencing going back and forth throughout the entire length of this song to other textures and motifs in different areas of the whole presentation.
They’re transitions through all their songs, so smooth going for the heavy metal to the synthesize back to just a guitar drums. They have magic in their hands and so many people don’t realize these three men are more than just musicians.
😁 Wait! I'm not ready! 🍿🥤 😊 Okay, ready now for 1 of the best songs I've ever seen performed. 🙋🏾♀️ Saw them open for KISS, and never looked back. 🙏🏿 RIP Professor 🥰🐰
They were 3 outstanding musicians plain and simple!
for the full experience y'all have to get a copy of the vinyl album in your hand, there is a paragraph or two with the lyrics of every song that further explains the story, and the sui*cide note on the back, and what a story it is... thank you and yes, I have seen them several times and it takes a few minutes to get Neil in and out of his drum set... :)
You have one of the BEST reaction videos I have seen so far...! ( I have seen hundreds now)
The album had some paragraphs of exposition that kind of clarified the story.
25:58. Excellent point. During the Discovery chapter at one point Geddy signs the words “do and you” several times. Each time he emphasizes a different way to pronounce those sounds, emphasizing that creativity of each individual is important. Love your reactions!
Rush had a few previous albums that didn't really blow the label away. They were kind of given an ultimatum, 'your next album better sell or else...' so what do they do but a massive, album-side long concept piece. 2112 blew everyone away, and after that Rush pretty much had complete creative control over whatever they did with no more label dorks meddling.
Record company: “That’s not what we asked for!!” One year later…”Yes! That’s exactly what we asked for!”
They had three prior, and the one immediately preceding this one was a washout (just ahead of its time), so the label demanded they make something that would 'sell' ... Rush gave them the finger and did their own thing
Neil was a true story teller with his lyrics. They weren't just songs. They took you on a mental adventure!
Just picture hanging in someone’s basement circa 1976 or so, listening to this on the record player, nowhere to go, nothing to do, no worries, having spent a few dollars on a bag of what smelled like oregano and a 6 pack of Miller pony beers. So much fun.
The pony miller came in 8 packs
@@cathybrown6474 no wonder why we liked them! If 6 is good, 8 must be better.
A masterpiece. One of my favorite albums growing up
Their record company wasn't thrilled with the direction the band was taking and threatened to drop them after Caress Of Steel if they didn't start producing shorter more radio friendly songs. This was Rush giving the middle finger to the record company. 😊
From what I've read, is, why can't you sound like Bad Company
Exactly, the band said if they were going to be dropped from the label, they would go out doing what they wanted to do. 2112 was the result, which, in turn, propelled them into history and paved the way for their own direction on their historic run. ❤
RIP
Neil Peart
(The Professor)😢
Saw RUSH live in the mid 70’s in Dallas TX on a revolving stage and they rocked.
Alex's guitar in the Soliloquy , you feel it in your soul.
Yes!
I love how you react to the song with objectivity. Which is refreshing
3rd part where he finds the guitar and the joy he feels makes me want to cry everytime, same for when he goes to off himself
20:33 OF PURE MUSICAL PROG ROCK BLISS!!! 😊
My first RUSH concert was in 1975 here in Cleveland, Ohio. I was hooked. Seen them over 30 times
I really find it hard to believe they've never heard this before.
I first heard this over 40 years ago , I was 9 or 10 , , , yes , it still jams today , , and always will !
The record producers were pushing them to come up with shorter songs made more for radio airplay. This was the epic Rush response. Check out Working Man Live in Cleveland.
I love everything about the song the musicianship is fantastic ,but the thing that I love most about this is Geddy Lee's voice was at its peak, I believe during the 70s just phenomenal range.
Rush's masterpiece and in 1976 🙌🏻
Watching them hear it for the first time makes me jealous. How cool for them to experience a masterpiece like this.
Top 5. To be fair, once you get to this level it's more a matter of taste
Funny story, I think. Around 1980 my local band used to open our set with 2112. One night at the Palace Saloon, a bar built on pilings over the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, we opened up for Iron Butterfly. Our bassist made these "flash pots". They went off right at the beginning of 2112. Nice flash and then smoke, smoke, and more gunpowder smoke. All the doors went open on both floors of the place. People made there exits but we had to keep on playing, " the show must go on", right? I could barely see my bass player through the stinking fog as we laughed our asses off. Now I can't help but wonder how many code violations were broken. People eventually came back as we kept playing and finished our set. Good memories!
Around 1979/1980 there was a Shreveport-Bossier band by the name ZADEN that did incredible RUSH covers. Was that you? I was there in the USAF.
@@j.d.leslie8458 Negative, the band I was in was Savage White. I barely remember ZADEN though. We were from Metairie.
@@j.d.leslie8458 Also our singer was Johnny Vines who moved on to Lillian Axe with guitarist Stevie Blaze.
Please do "La Villa Strangiato" next
That was an excellent reaction to this magnificent classic song. I remember seeing this song in concert when it came out in 1977. This video was like hearing it again with new ears.
It's impossible to overstate how revolutionary this album was at the time
You guys nailed it pretty well.
Thanks for acknowledging the greatest band in the world.
Well done
Nice point about taking the time to let the story unfold, Rush respected the intelligence of her audience.
Rush is outta this world: "Villa Strangiato".. "Xanadu".."Best I Can".. "YYZ".. "Trees".. "Entres Nous".. therer is so much!!
Though the song is 20:34 in length, it is split into 7 sections. For me The Temples of Syrinx is my favorite section.
Check it out: The closing words are; "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation" repeated 3 times, then; "We have assumed control" repeated three times. 21 words followed by 12 words...Neil Peart was a genius.
Saw this live 1-26-76 in Abilene, Texas........never the same again.
2112 was my introduction to Rush. First time i heard it was in 1979 at the age of 15 . I am now 59 yrs old, i have seen Rush in concert 104 times, in 7 countries and 16 states.
was lucky enough to have seen them 4 times. on the first US tour, the last and a couple of times in between. they could do this and everything else live. they were fantastic.
The liner notes on the album really help understand what's going on.
The lyrics were based on Ayn Rand's novella, "Anthem". Though Rush was never overtly political and certainly never espoused Rand's somewhat extreme worldview, there were elements that they really connected with, namely the importance of individuals in the progression of humanity, that no great leap forward was ever accomplished by a group of people, it was always done by an individual who usually ended up ostracized and persecuted as a heretic. They always espoused the underdog (e.g. Cinderella Man, New World Man, etc.), their protagonists usually fighting against the tide of group-think.
Bingo
Crazy to think that our grandchildren will get to listen to this in the year 2112.