Rush’s album 2112 represented a maturing of the band’s music as they incorporated sci fi and fantasy themes along with philosophical ponderings, and it set them on the path to becoming a worldwide success.
What Is It?
This is the fourth album from the rock/prog band Rush, and it contains the titular song that spans half the record and tells a dystopian science-fiction story. It is set in the year 2112, where humanity is ruled by the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx, an authoritarian group that controls all knowledge, creativity, and technology. Individuality is suppressed in favor of uniformity, and the Priests decide what people are allowed to hear, see, and think. The story’s protagonist discovers an ancient guitar hidden behind a waterfall, and having never encountered music created by an individual, he teaches himself to play and realizes the instrument’s power to express emotion and creativity. Excited, he brings the guitar to the Priests, believing it could improve society.
Instead, the Priests reject and destroy the guitar, condemning the idea of personal expression and ordering the protagonist to forget what he has learned. Crushed by despair and convinced that freedom has no place in this world, he takes his own life. In the final section, the narrative shifts tone as a new voice declares the coming overthrow of the Priests, promising the return of individuality, freedom, and the human spirit.
Artist: Rush (Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee)
Original Release: 1976
Track Listing:
Side 1
1. “2112”
I. “Overture” 4:31
II. “The Temples of Syrinx” 2:16
III. “Discovery” 3:25
IV. “Presentation” 3:41
V. “Oracle: The Dream” 2:00
VI. “Soliloquy” 2:19
VII. “Grand Finale” 2:16
Side 2
1. “A Passage to Bangkok” 3:32
2. “The Twilight Zone” 3:16
3. “Lessons” 3:51
4. “Tears” 3:30
5. “Something for Nothing” 3:59
Legacy:
The album 2112—and particularly the title track—represented a major departure for Rush as they moved further into progressive rock with an extended suite that incorporated sci fi, fantasy, and dystopian elements. This proved to be a breakout record for the band, and they would explore further sci fi and fantasy themes on subsequent releases.
A Closer Look:
The Canadian rock band Rush originally hit the music scene in 1974, and they were often compared to Led Zeppelin due to their heavy guitar sound and the histrionic vocals from Geddy Lee. Like that British band, Rush introduced fantasy elements into their early songs, influenced by The Lord of the Rings and other sources, and they also experimented with extended tracks. They found some success early on—especially in their home country—and 2112 helped launch them into the next stage of their career.
“2112” carried forward some of the fantasy elements the band had already worked into their songs while also adding sci fi and dystopian themes. Neil Peart was also dabbling with Objectivism at that time, and he worked some of those ideas into the lyrics as well. It appears that he focused more on the individual-versus-society aspects of that philosophy—similar to what Steve Ditko did with his comic book work—as opposed to the elitism favored these days by corporatists and the far right wing. That said, depending on how one interprets the later Rush song “The Trees,” traces of that elite sentimentality may still be found (Peart would later distance himself from Objectivism, though).
The song retains the hard edge Rush was already known for, mixing heavy metal with martial hymns and progressive rock elements. While Geddy Lee’s vocals are still at the screeching level that made early Rush a bit inaccessible to some listeners, the album also incorporates softer melodies. At times—when Lee tones things down—his vocals sound more agreeable, hinting at the direction the band would later take. This song helps bridge the harder sound Rush was initially known for with the more radio-friendly material they would later produce, and it set them firmly on the path to superstardom.
The rest of the songs on the album veer more toward Rush’s hard rock roots and are not directly linked to the “2112” storyline, though several still incorporate sci fi and fantasy themes, most notably “The Twilight Zone,” which draws inspiration from two episodes of the classic Rod Serling TV series. Overall, 2112 is an enjoyable album that clearly points toward a new direction for the band and offers plenty to interest genre fans.
The Story Continues:
A graphic novel adaptation of “2112” was produced, though I believe it is only available online (at this link). It was assembled as a video presentation synced to the music from the song, which you can watch above.
Rush did not produce a direct sequel to “2112,” but they did create another musical sci fi saga with the two-part piece “Cygnus X-1,” which follows a space explorer drawn into a black hole near the Cygnus constellation. “Book I” appeared on the band’s follow-up to 2112, A Farewell to Kings, while “Book II” was featured on their next album, Hemispheres. Interestingly, the name of the spaceship—Rocinante—may have later been borrowed by James S.A. Corey for The Expanse novels. After “Cygnus X-1: Book II,” Rush moved away from extended suites in favor of shorter, more radio-friendly songs, though they would continue to weave sci fi and fantasy themes into their work from time to time.
Interesting Facts:
Before 2112, Rush was under pressure from their record label to produce more accessible music after Caress of Steel underperformed in the charts. Instead, the band doubled down on their creative instincts, delivering the ambitious, side-long suite “2112.” Had it failed, the band has said Rush likely would have been dropped from their label.
The title track was influenced by Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem, particularly its themes of individualism versus collectivism. While Neil Peart admired those ideas at the time, the story told in “2112” is not a direct adaptation, and in later years Peart distanced himself from Rand’s philosophy.
Where Can You Listen To It?
Rush’s 2112 is still widely available in vinyl, CD, and MP3 format, and you can listen to the full song “2112” with the video included above.
