Understanding 2112

Today I wanna talk about one of Rush's most essential albums: 2112

#rush #geddylee #alexlifeson #neilpeart #rock #progressiverock #2112 #reaction #review #limelight #tomsawyer #yyz

[DavidLongo]

That was the most amazing, efficient, and EFFECTIVE short summary that I've ever heard for this masterpiece. I've played this song hundreds or maybe thousands of times since the mid 70s, and never could have presented anything nearly as succinct as you've done here. My hat is off to you, sir, and you have at least one new subscriber. I'll be sharing this big-time too. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I too chose to believe that the elder race returned. I had to make a choice on that so many decades ago, and I opted for the positive result.

[marktaylor]

2112 made me go from liking Rush to loving them. Musical/lyric genius.

[michaelprince]

This was my first Rush album. It completely changed my view about music. At the age 14 going on 15 it definitely provoked me to question authority. I felt like my mind was opening, growing, learning about life. I will forever love the fellas and their music. 😃🎶✌️

[fulvio]

Attention all planets of the solar federation - 7 words repeated 3 times ( once for each band member) = 21
We have assumed control - 4 words repeated 3 times = 12
2112

[DoreenVinas-rjpp]

Hello everyone, my name is David Mark, I am from the Philippines.

I can honestly say, that I am truly an enormous and highly appreciative fan of Rush.

I first listened to Rush at the age of 15, I am 20 years old now.

My father introduced me to this album 2112 by Rush, released in 1976 on the 1st of April.

The album 2112 was actually the first Rush album I listened to, I've had many times as a 15 year old boy trying to enjoy this album, there were many times where I didn't like this album at all.
But I kept giving this album chances and understanding, and later it finally came to me.
I became in love with this album, and I listened to it more than 10 times every day.
And after that, I went seeking for more Rush albums, and now I've found all their studio albums, they made 19 studio albums, and an extra studio album called Feedback, but that's an album by Rush playing the music they enjoyed listening to in their childhood in the early 60s, so in the album Feedback, Rush made a remake of songs from the 1960s that they enjoyed listening to in their childhood, and which also inspired them to become a band.

So anyway, I've listened to every song from every studio album Rush made, and I truly love every song and album they have made. There is literally no song I dislike from Rush, every song from Rush is absolutely great, filled with beautiful music and meaningful lyrics.
I have memorized all the lyrics from every song Rush made.

The band Rush is my one and only favorite band that always stays in my mind and heart.

I apologize for this long message.

[kennethbryant]

Just to add to what everyone said what is significant about 2112. 2112 is 9:12 PM in military time. Neil Peart's birthday was Sept. 12. Hence 2112.

[petercollin]

The best way to experience listening to "Discovery" for the first time is completely without context. You listen quizzically, wondering what is going on or where it is going. When you finally figure the song out, it blows your mind. You get to do that only once!

[DermyOP]

i never even connected the dots that the album could be a metaphor for how the music industry executives stifle creativity in favor of current music norms. glad that Rush assumed control of their music

[scott]

Neil is quoted on film saying that the " good guys " came back. When I listen to it it seems pretty clear to me that the Elder Race returned to restore the world to freedom and liberty.

[stevenscott]

Fito, the connection to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture blows my mind. Not only the borrowed riff (cool graphic you made for that btw) but that the riff is placed in the 2112 Overture. There are no coincidences with Neil. Aha! That's where the "12" in 2112 comes from.

Oh, and another connection - Tchaikovsky was from Rushia 🤪

[AnthonyKellett]

With regard to the end of the 2112 story, I always considered two possible endings (notwithstanding Neil's clarification, later).

First, at the end of 'Oracle', it says, "Their power grows with purpose strong, to claim the home where they belong. Home to tear the Temples down, home to change." Clearly, this was a dream world.

Then, in the sleeve notes on the original vinyl, under 'Soliloquy', it says, "My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last."

To me this offered the possibility that either the elder race actually did return, and eliminated the priests, or our protagonist did "pass into the world of his dream", instead. Either way, I'm not sure what difference it made to him!

Just a thought.

[poppanolan]

So nice to see young people sharing and discussing this wonderful written timeless story

[Rodolfo]

Great video! This song is a masterpiece .

[bobcarn]

I had watched them perform that in concert since '77 when I first saw them. It's still one of my favorite pieces from them, and one of my favorite musical passages of all time. It's brilliant. It's hard and soft and emotional and grand and dramatic... it's an amazing piece and engaging journey. As for the ending.... I tend to think it's the elder race returning, but sadly too late for our protagonist to witness.

[wizardsuth]

6:16 "Although no radio could have played side A" -- Except they did, because a 20-minute song gave the DJ a chance to take a break. People would call into the station to ask the title of the new Led Zeppelin song.

[thebeber]

You should have included the influence of Ayn Rand in this song and album. 2112 covers the range of The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, and finally, Anthem. The dystopian rule of conformity, the heavy-handed Elites who think they know best, and the finding of individuality. Science fiction sprinkled in there to take the music to the high reaches that we love in Rush.

[davin]

The end is left to interpretation. I must admit as a teen, with the Grand Finale following our protagonist's suicide, I thought it was due to crushing of his artistic resistance by the Priests, and it was they who were assuming control.
But "We have assumed control" suggests that they had significantly lost control on a greater scale then one rebel and had to reinstate it.
After hearing Peart himself say in an interview in reference to the Grand Finale, "that's the good guys coming to the rescue". I would say it makes more sense that way. This actually makes the dream of the Oracle a premonition as well.
Either way it ends up as a classic tragedy.
Like Romeo and Juliet each killing themselves in despair over the perceived death of their beloved, our hero taking his own life because he cannot imagine returning to a soulless existence after his eyes have been opened and his emotions and creativity let loose. This is a classic tragic situation.
This is tragic as the life he so desires is likely to become a reality after the Elder race assume control.
Simple, effective story telling in the classical tradition.
And one hell of a rockin' journey for the listener!

[ebrahimalasmi]

Great video man. I think that someone should talk about how the instruments represented the characters of the story. Drums raging when the priests are preaching, and guitars when the protagonist is expressing any emotions.

[j.d.harvis]

One of my favorites. I admire the interpretation of this epic. You can't deny the potential of this band in its infancy, regardless of radio play, to know they became the GOAT!

[synalbarcel]

Very quality video, Im starting my channel (other than this profile) with Rush (and other fav rock bands) lyrics interpretation. I love how youtube algorithm shows me others on that journey.

Keep up with good work