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{{Short description|Rush song from the album of the same name}}
{{Infobox song <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Songs -->
{{Infobox song
| Name = 2112
| Cover = | name = 2112
| SorA = album | cover =
| alt =
| Artist = ]
| type =
| Album = ]
| artist = ]
| B-side = Making Memories
| album = ]
| Released = March 1976
| released = March 1976<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Lee | first1 = Geddy | author-link1 = Geddy Lee | title = My Effin' Life | edition = 1st | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2023 | pages = 225 | isbn = 978-0-06-315941-9}}</ref>
| track_no = 1
| format =
| Recorded = Toronto Sound Studios in ], 1975
| recorded = Toronto Sound Studios in ], February 1976
| Genre = ], ], ]
| studio =
| Length = 20:34<ref>Length of actual song, as noted on the CD.</ref>
| Writer = | venue =
| Composer = | genre = {{flatlist|
* ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/141547-best-25-rock-songs-of-all-time/P3/|title=The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time|last=Murphy|first=Sean|date=22 May 2011|website=]|access-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
| Label = ] (Canada)<br /> ]
* ]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Freedman|first1=Robert|title=Rush: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Excellence|date=1 August 2014|publisher=Algora Publishing|page=50|isbn=9781628940848|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UPlKBAAAQBAJ&q=rush+2112+progressive+metal&pg=PA50|access-date=16 August 2016|ref=Freedman}}</ref>
| Producer = ] & ]
}}
| Chart position = <nowiki/>
| length = 20:33<ref>Length of actual song, as noted on the CD.</ref>
* #1 <small>(])</small>
| label = ] (Canada)<br /> ]
| prev =
| lyricist = ]
| prev_no =
| next = "]" | composer = * ]
* ]
| next_no = 2
| producer = * Rush
* ]
| misc =
{{External music video
| {{YouTube|w5jwxrTqoEA|"2112"}}
| type = song
}}
}}
{{Infobox song
| name = The Temples of Syrinx
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = ]
| album = ]
| B-side = Making Memories
| released = February 1977 (US)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/708/mode/2up|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995 |isbn=9780862415419 }}</ref>
| format =
| recorded = Toronto Sound Studios in ], February 1976
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = ]
| length = 2:19
| label = Mercury
| writer = * Neil Peart
* Geddy Lee
* Alex Lifeson
| producer =
| prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 1976
| next_title = ]
| next_year = 1977
| misc =
{{External music video
| {{YouTube|m_6dkzL4VS4|"2112: The Temples of Syrinx"}}
}} }}
{{Infobox single |
| Name = 2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx
| Cover =
| Artist = ]
| from Album =<br /> ]
| Released = 1976
| Format =
| Recorded = Toronto Sound Studios in ], 1975
| Genre = ], ]
| Length = 6:45
| Label =
| Producer =
| Last single = "]"<br /> (1976)
| This single = "2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx"<br /> (1976)
| Next single = "]"<br /> (1977)
}} }}


"'''2112'''" (pronounced twenty-one twelve) is a song by the Canadian ] band ]. It was released as a 20-minute song on their 1976 ] and is the longest single song by the band. The overture and the first section, "The Temples of Syrinx", were released as a single.
'''''2112''''' is the sidelong title track of an ] released in 1976 by ] ] band ]. The overture and the first section, ''Temples of Syrinx'', were released as a single and are still popular among Rush's setlists today. The "sci-fi" sounds in the beginning of the song were created using an ] synthesizer<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/musicology/grads/bowman/PDFS/DBowman_dissertation.pdf|first=Durrell|last=Bowman|title=Permanent Change:Rush, Musicians&lsquo; Rock, and the Progressive Post-Counterculture|page=110|year=2003|publisher=University of California Los Angeles|accessdate=2010-12-30}}</ref> and an Echoplex tape delay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jerryfielden.net/essays/electromusic.htm|title=The influence of Electronic Music in Rock Music, 1967-76|author=Fielden, Jerry|year=2000|accessdate=2010-12-30}}</ref> On the "2112 / Moving Pictures" episode of the documentary series '']'', producer Terry Brown states the synth intro is composed of various parts played by Hugh Syme that were put together in a collage. Today, when any parts of the song are performed live, they are transposed down one full step,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.t-n-m-s.com/index.php?topic=26888.15;wap2 |title=2112: Overture/Temples of Syrinx from new DVD |publisher=T-n-m-s.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-13| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110725205027/http://www.t-n-m-s.com/index.php?topic=26888.15;wap2| archivedate= 25 July 2011 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> as heard on every live album and DVD from '']'' forward.
The song was adapted into a comic booklet, which used the lyrics of the song as lines for the characters and the narrations from the cover as intros.


== Parts == == Parts ==

{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
Line 51: Line 71:
|- |-
| I | I
| ] | "]"
| 0:00 | 0:00
| 4:33 | 4:33
|- |-
| II | II
| The Temples of Syrinx | "The Temples of Syrinx"
| 4:33 | 4:33
| 2:12 | 2:12
|- |-
| III | III
| Discovery | "Discovery"
| 6:45 | 6:45
| 3:29 | 3:29
|- |-
| IV | IV
| Presentation | "Presentation"
| 10:14 | 10:14
| 3:42 | 3:42
|- |-
| V | V
| Oracle: The Dream | "Oracle: The Dream"
| 13:56 | 13:56
| 2:00 | 2:00
|- |-
| VI | VI
| Soliloquy | "Soliloquy"
| 15:56 | 15:56
| 2:21 | 2:21
|- |-
| VII | VII
| ] | "]"
| 18:17 | 18:17
| 2:14 | 2:14
|- |-
| |
| |
| '''''Total Running time''''' | '''''Total Running time'''''
| 20:33 | 20:33
|} |}
* (*) Starting times and lengths approximate.


==Composition==
*(*) Starting times and lengths approximate.

==Musical analysis<ref name="Liner Notes">Liner notes of CD of ]</ref>==

This song is described in the liner notes of the album—its interior and back cover—in two ways: This song is described in the liner notes of the album—its interior and back cover—in two ways:
#by the actually-sung ''lyrics'', and # by the actually-sung ''lyrics'', and
#by the ''narrative'' of the song's Protagonist—identified as "Anonymous, 2112"—quoted and italicized like entries from a personal journal—on the back cover and before the lyrics of all songs except "Overture" and "Grand Finale". # by the ''narrative'' of the song's Protagonist—identified as "Anonymous, 2112"—quoted and italicized like entries from a personal journal—on the back cover and before the lyrics of all songs except "Overture" and "Grand Finale".


Lyricist/drummer ] is credited in the liner notes as acknowledging "the genius of ]" (though the 1997 remaster acknowledges "genus" rather than genius). Neil Peart explained the influence that she had on his music,<ref name="Anthem parallel 1">See blog reviews on ''''</ref> saying in a 1991 "]" interview:
Both serve as the source, except where otherwise noted, of all that follows.


{{cquote|The inspiration behind it was . . . It's difficult always to trace those lines because so many things tend to coalesce, and in fact it ended up being quite similar to a book called ''Anthem'' by the writer Ayn Rand. But I didn't realize that while I was working on it, and then eventually as the story came together, the parallels became obvious to me and I thought, 'Oh gee, I don't want to be a plagiarist here.' So I did give credit to her writings in the liner notes.<ref name="Anthem parallel 2">''''</ref>}}
Lyricist/drummer ] is credited in the liner notes as acknowledging "the genius of ]."
Some listeners believe that "2112" is based on Ayn Rand's book, '']'', but Neil Peart maintains that the resemblance is coincidental,<ref name="Anthem parallel 1">See blog reviews on ''''</ref> saying in a 1991 "Rockline" interview:


===I: "Overture"===
{{cquote|The inspiration behind it was ... It's difficult always to trace those lines because so many things tend to coalesce, and in fact it ended up being quite similar to a book called ''Anthem'' by the writer Ayn Rand. But I didn't realize that while I was working on it, and then eventually as the story came together, the parallels became obvious to me and I thought, 'Oh gee, I don't want to be a plagiarist here.' So I did give credit to her writings in the liner notes.<ref name="Anthem parallel 2">''''</ref>}}
The "sci-fi" sounds in the beginning of the song were created using an ] synthesizer<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/musicology/grads/bowman/PDFS/DBowman_dissertation.pdf|first=Durrell|last=Bowman|title=Permanent Change:Rush, Musicians' Rock, and the Progressive Post-Counterculture|page=110|year=2003|publisher=University of California Los Angeles|access-date=2010-12-30}}</ref> and an Echoplex tape delay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jerryfielden.net/essays/electromusic.htm|title=The influence of Electronic Music in Rock Music, 1967-76|author=Fielden, Jerry|year=2000|access-date=2010-12-30}}</ref> On the "2112 / Moving Pictures" episode of the documentary series '']'', producer ] states the synth intro is composed of various parts played by ] that were put together in a collage. ] musically foreshadows the rest of the song—incorporating movements from "The Temples of Syrinx", "Presentation", "Oracle: The Dream", and "Soliloquy"—as well as a guitar adaptation of ]'s ]. Its sole lyric, at the end, "And the meek shall inherit the Earth", is a reference to the ] of the ] and ] 37:11.


===II: "The Temples of Syrinx"===
===I '']''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>===
The song introduces life within the "Solar Federation" under control of the "Priests of the Temples of Syrinx". The computerized nature of The Priests' system was a concept envisioned by Neil Peart in the 1970s.<ref name="Telleria">Telleria, Robert: Rush Tribute Mereley (sic) Players, page 149. Quarry Press, Inc. 2002</ref>
This part musically foreshadows the rest of the song—incorporating movements from "The Temples Of Syrinx", "Presentation", "Oracle: The Dream", and "Soliloquy"—as well as a guitar adaptation of a familiar part of ]'s ]. Its sole lyric, at the end, "And the meek shall inherit the Earth", is a reference to the ] of the ] and ] 37:11.


It was released as a single, and '']'' said that Rush's "brand of hard, heavy metal, as put forth in this rocker, should soon find a place on the pop airwaves."<ref name=rw>{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=May 7, 1977|accessdate=2023-02-16|title=Single Picks|page=22|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/77/Record-World-1977-05-07.pdf}}</ref>
The meaning of this part is not explained; some listeners regard this part (and this lyric) as signifying the rise of the Solar Federation,<ref name="Overture meaning 1">''''</ref> an event described on the back cover as follows:


===III: "Discovery"===
The Protagonist lives in "the bleakness of Megadon", reflecting on how "we have had peace since 2062, when the surviving planets were banded together under the ] of the Solar Federation."<ref name="Liner Notes"/> The Protagonist initially believes what he's been told, ''thinking'' he is happy, until he finds, as will soon be seen, "something that changed it all"—an old ] from the time before the Federation.<ref>See also "III ''Discovery''".</ref>
The Protagonist finds a guitar in a cave by a waterfall. He figures out how to tune and play it, enabling him to make his own music. He states "How different it could be from the music of the Temples." He decides to perform it before the Priests, believing they will "praise my name" for letting " make their own music". In this song, guitarist ] builds up from simple open string guitar playing into increasingly complex patterns and chords, showing the man's progress as he teaches himself to play the guitar. Printed on the album were the lyrics "''Chords'' that build high like a mountain" and Geddy sang it this way for the 1996 live album, but the original recorded lyrics were "sounds" instead of "chords" ("''sounds'' that build...").<ref name="Telleria"/>


===IV: "Presentation"===
===II ''The Temples Of Syrinx''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>===
The Protagonist performs before the Priests, but they tell him that "we have no need for ancient ways", and dismiss the instrument as a "silly whim" that "doesn't fit the plan". The Protagonist tries to explain, "our world could use this beauty; just think what we might do". However, the Priests tell him, "Don't annoy us further." Vocalist/bassist ] and guitarist ] alternately represent the Protagonist with gentle, low-pitched vocals and clean guitar, and the Priests with high-pitched vocals and distorted, ] guitar. The song ends with a guitar solo, which represents the Priests destroying the guitar.
Everything he's been "told" comes from "The Priests of the Temples of ]". The Priests—relying on an elaborate set of "great computers"—micromanage ''every'' aspect of Federation life: They proclaim, "We've taken care of everything—the words you read and the songs you sing. ... Never need to wonder how or why",<ref>''"And"'' does not appear in the liner text before "the songs you sing"; nevertheless, ] sings it on the album.</ref> asserting a "Brotherhood of Man". But their "equality" is illusory: They control all available information, and, as will soon become clear, have little tolerance for individuality or creativity that doesn't conform to their plan.<ref>See also "IV ''Presentation''".</ref>


===V: "Oracle: The Dream"===
The song is ], except for a gentle acoustic guitar tag at the end—foreshadowing the next part, "Discovery".
The Protagonist "wanders home" and has a vision of the past and future. An ] shows him the way it was before the Federation rose, a society where creativity and individuality flourished, with great "sculptured" works of beauty driven by "the pure spirit of man." He now sees that without these things, life has become "meaningless." He also sees "the hand of man arise with hungry mind and open eyes". The "elder race" was ''not'' destroyed, but "left our planets long ago", plotting to ultimately return "home to tear the Temples down."


===VI: "Soliloquy"===
'''Note:''' In Greek mythology, a ''syrinx'' is a water nymph. ''Temples'' are ascension symbols and are regarded to be closer to the gods with their height. The computerized nature of The Priests' system was a concept envisioned by Neil Peart in the 1970s.<ref name="Telleria">Telleria, Robert: Rush Tribute Mereley (sic) Players, page 149. Quarry Press, Inc. 2002</ref>
The protagonist returns to the cave and broods for "days". He imagines "what my life might be in a world like I have seen", and now considers life under the Federation "cold and empty", with his spirits "low in the depths of despair". He resolves that, in order to "pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last", he must take his own life, his narrative ending as "my life blood spills over."


===VII: "]"===
===III ''Discovery''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>===
The song concludes with a ] instrumental part. ''Pingree's Music Reviews'' says, "'2112' ends with the oppressive government being attacked by another entity, left entirely up to the listener's interpretation."<ref name="Grand Finale meaning 1">'''', January 26, 2011</ref> On the '']'' episode on ''2112'' and '']'', Lee comments on the ambiguity of the ending, but Peart states that his intent was that the Elder Race successfully deposed the Solar Federation. As the ''Grand Finale'' ends, the lines "Attention, all planets of the Solar Federation" followed by "We have assumed control" are spoken three times each. It has been pointed out that the closing lines of seven words said three times and four words said three times results in two groups of 21 and 12 words respectively, thus 2112, but Alex Lifeson said that this was unintentional.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bienstock |first1=Richard |title=Big Time Rush |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20130400guitarworld.htm |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=] |date=April 2013}}</ref>
The Protagonist finds the guitar—the life-changing thing<ref>See also back cover of liner notes.</ref>—in a cave by a waterfall. He figures out how to tune and play it—enabling him to make his own music: "How different it could be from the music of the Temples!" He decides to perform it before the Priests, believing they will "praise my name" for letting "the people ... all make their own music."


==Popular culture==
In this song, guitarist ] builds up from simple open string guitar playing into increasingly complex patterns and chords, showing the man's progress as he teaches himself to play the guitar.
This song is on '']'' where it is used within the game's storyline (four band warriors find Demigod's Battle Axe Guitar and must play all parts of "2112" on basic controllers). The level is narrated by Rush.


The song was made ] on December 31, 2011 as both 3 pieces and as the complete 20-minute track, for play in '']''. Along with the basic gameplay offered with similar games in its series, the song also allowed players to utilize the Rock Band 3 exclusive Pro mode, which made use of MIDI guitars and a MIDI compatible electronic drum-kit to simulate playing the real song. It is the longest song available for the Rock Band series.
'''Note:''' Printed on the album were the lyrics "''Chords'' that build high like a mountain" and Geddy sang it this way for the 1996 live album, but the original lyrics were the same way as recorded, with the word "sounds" instead of "chords" ("''sounds'' that build...").<ref name="Telleria"/>


The song and its universe feature in the novel '']'' by ] as fundamental plot elements, and also got a visual reference in ].
===IV ''Presentation''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>===
The Protagonist performs before the Priests, but they—particularly Father Brown—express not "grateful joy" but "quiet rejection": They tell him that "we have no need for ancient ways", and dismiss the instrument as a "silly whim" that "doesn't fit the plan"—in fact, "another toy that helped destroy the elder race of man." Not believing "these things", the Protagonist tries to explain, "our world could use this beauty; just think what we might do"—to no avail. Father Brown stomps on the guitar and destroys it, and the Priests tell him, "Don't annoy us further."


In June 2021, a major Canadian ''2112'' TV series was proposed to Rush, which met with internal content approval via ] and ]. However, the strain a massive project of its kind would place upon Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson was cited for its ultimate dismissal.<ref>{{citation |url=https://archive.org/details/2112-serial-and-film-treatment
Vocalist/bassist ] and guitarist ] alternately represent the Protagonist—with gentle, low-pitched vocals and clean, ] guitar—and the Priests—with harsh, high-pitched vocals and distorted, ] guitar. The song ends with a guitar solo outro similar instrumentally to the chorus of "The Temples of Syrinx".
|title=Lit 07a: 2112 Serial and Film Treatment|publisher=Internet Archive|date=17 January 2024|access-date=29 June 2024}}</ref>


==See also==
===V ''Oracle: The Dream''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>===
* ]
The Protagonist "wanders home" and has a vision of the past and future—he "guesses" it was a dream, but it seems "so vivid" to him: An ] shows him the way it was before the Federation rose—a society where creativity and individuality flourished, with great "sculptured" works of beauty driven by "the pure spirit of man." He now sees that without these things, life has become "meaningless."


==Notes==
But he also sees "the hand of man arise with hungry mind and open eyes": The "elder race" was ''not'' destroyed, but "left our planets long ago", plotting to ultimately return "home to tear the Temples down."
{{reflist|group=N}}


==References==
===VI '']''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>===
{{reflist|30em}}

The protagonist returns to the cave and broods for "days". He imagines "what my life might be in a world like I have seen", and now considers life under the Federation "cold and empty", with his spirits "low in the depths of despair". He resolves that, in order to "pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last", he must take his own life—his narrative ending as "my life blood spills over."

===VII '']''<ref name="Liner Notes"/>===
The song concludes with an upbeat ] instrumental part. Like "Overture", the meaning here is ambiguous. ''Pingree's Music Reviews'' says, "‘2112’ ends with the oppressive government being attacked by another entity, left entirely up to the listener’s interpretation."<ref name="Grand Finale meaning 1">'''', January 26, 2011</ref> On the '']'' episode of ''2112'' and '']'', Lee comments on the ambiguity of the ending, but Peart states that his intent was to have the Elder Race successfully overthrow the Solar Federation.

As the Grand Finale ends, the message "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation" is spoken three times, followed by three repetitions of "We have assumed control."

==Music games==
This song is on '']'' where it is used within the game's storyline (four band warriors find Demigod's Battle Axe Guitar and must play all parts of "2112" on basic controllers). The level is narrated by Rush.

It was made ] on December 31, 2011 as both 3 pieces and as the complete 20-minute track, for play in '']'' Basic, and PRO mode which utilizes real guitar / bass guitar, and MIDI compatible electronic drum kits in addition to vocals.

==See also==
*]

== References ==
{{reflist}}


{{Rush}} {{Rush}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:2112 (song)}}
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Latest revision as of 21:22, 26 November 2024

Rush song from the album of the same name
"2112"
Song by Rush
from the album 2112
ReleasedMarch 1976
RecordedToronto Sound Studios in Toronto, February 1976
Genre
Length20:33
LabelAnthem (Canada)
Mercury
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Neil Peart
Producer(s)
Music video
"2112" on YouTube
"The Temples of Syrinx"
Single by Rush
from the album 2112
B-side"Making Memories"
ReleasedFebruary 1977 (US)
RecordedToronto Sound Studios in Toronto, February 1976
GenreProgressive rock
Length2:19
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)
  • Neil Peart
  • Geddy Lee
  • Alex Lifeson
Rush singles chronology
"The Twilight Zone"
(1976) 		"The Temples of Syrinx"
(1977) 		"Closer to the Heart"
(1977)
Music video
"2112: The Temples of Syrinx" on YouTube

"2112" (pronounced twenty-one twelve) is a song by the Canadian rock band Rush. It was released as a 20-minute song on their 1976 album of the same name and is the longest single song by the band. The overture and the first section, "The Temples of Syrinx", were released as a single. The song was adapted into a comic booklet, which used the lyrics of the song as lines for the characters and the narrations from the cover as intros.

Parts

Part Title Starting time (*) Length (*)
I "Overture" 0:00 4:33
II "The Temples of Syrinx" 4:33 2:12
III "Discovery" 6:45 3:29
IV "Presentation" 10:14 3:42
V "Oracle: The Dream" 13:56 2:00
VI "Soliloquy" 15:56 2:21
VII "Grand Finale" 18:17 2:14
Total Running time 20:33
  • (*) Starting times and lengths approximate.

Composition

This song is described in the liner notes of the album—its interior and back cover—in two ways:

  1. by the actually-sung lyrics, and
  2. by the narrative of the song's Protagonist—identified as "Anonymous, 2112"—quoted and italicized like entries from a personal journal—on the back cover and before the lyrics of all songs except "Overture" and "Grand Finale".

Lyricist/drummer Neil Peart is credited in the liner notes as acknowledging "the genius of Ayn Rand" (though the 1997 remaster acknowledges "genus" rather than genius). Neil Peart explained the influence that she had on his music, saying in a 1991 "Rockline" interview:

The inspiration behind it was . . . It's difficult always to trace those lines because so many things tend to coalesce, and in fact it ended up being quite similar to a book called Anthem by the writer Ayn Rand. But I didn't realize that while I was working on it, and then eventually as the story came together, the parallels became obvious to me and I thought, 'Oh gee, I don't want to be a plagiarist here.' So I did give credit to her writings in the liner notes.

I: "Overture"

The "sci-fi" sounds in the beginning of the song were created using an ARP Odyssey synthesizer and an Echoplex tape delay. On the "2112 / Moving Pictures" episode of the documentary series Classic Albums, producer Terry Brown states the synth intro is composed of various parts played by Hugh Syme that were put together in a collage. This part musically foreshadows the rest of the song—incorporating movements from "The Temples of Syrinx", "Presentation", "Oracle: The Dream", and "Soliloquy"—as well as a guitar adaptation of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Its sole lyric, at the end, "And the meek shall inherit the Earth", is a reference to the Beatitudes of the New Testament and Psalm 37:11.

II: "The Temples of Syrinx"

The song introduces life within the "Solar Federation" under control of the "Priests of the Temples of Syrinx". The computerized nature of The Priests' system was a concept envisioned by Neil Peart in the 1970s.

It was released as a single, and Record World said that Rush's "brand of hard, heavy metal, as put forth in this rocker, should soon find a place on the pop airwaves."

III: "Discovery"

The Protagonist finds a guitar in a cave by a waterfall. He figures out how to tune and play it, enabling him to make his own music. He states "How different it could be from the music of the Temples." He decides to perform it before the Priests, believing they will "praise my name" for letting " make their own music". In this song, guitarist Alex Lifeson builds up from simple open string guitar playing into increasingly complex patterns and chords, showing the man's progress as he teaches himself to play the guitar. Printed on the album were the lyrics "Chords that build high like a mountain" and Geddy sang it this way for the 1996 live album, but the original recorded lyrics were "sounds" instead of "chords" ("sounds that build...").

IV: "Presentation"

The Protagonist performs before the Priests, but they tell him that "we have no need for ancient ways", and dismiss the instrument as a "silly whim" that "doesn't fit the plan". The Protagonist tries to explain, "our world could use this beauty; just think what we might do". However, the Priests tell him, "Don't annoy us further." Vocalist/bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson alternately represent the Protagonist with gentle, low-pitched vocals and clean guitar, and the Priests with high-pitched vocals and distorted, hard rock guitar. The song ends with a guitar solo, which represents the Priests destroying the guitar.

V: "Oracle: The Dream"

The Protagonist "wanders home" and has a vision of the past and future. An oracle shows him the way it was before the Federation rose, a society where creativity and individuality flourished, with great "sculptured" works of beauty driven by "the pure spirit of man." He now sees that without these things, life has become "meaningless." He also sees "the hand of man arise with hungry mind and open eyes". The "elder race" was not destroyed, but "left our planets long ago", plotting to ultimately return "home to tear the Temples down."

VI: "Soliloquy"

The protagonist returns to the cave and broods for "days". He imagines "what my life might be in a world like I have seen", and now considers life under the Federation "cold and empty", with his spirits "low in the depths of despair". He resolves that, in order to "pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last", he must take his own life, his narrative ending as "my life blood spills over."

VII: "Grand Finale"

The song concludes with a hard rock instrumental part. Pingree's Music Reviews says, "'2112' ends with the oppressive government being attacked by another entity, left entirely up to the listener's interpretation." On the Classic Albums episode on 2112 and Moving Pictures, Lee comments on the ambiguity of the ending, but Peart states that his intent was that the Elder Race successfully deposed the Solar Federation. As the Grand Finale ends, the lines "Attention, all planets of the Solar Federation" followed by "We have assumed control" are spoken three times each. It has been pointed out that the closing lines of seven words said three times and four words said three times results in two groups of 21 and 12 words respectively, thus 2112, but Alex Lifeson said that this was unintentional.

Popular culture

This song is on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock where it is used within the game's storyline (four band warriors find Demigod's Battle Axe Guitar and must play all parts of "2112" on basic controllers). The level is narrated by Rush.

The song was made available to download on December 31, 2011 as both 3 pieces and as the complete 20-minute track, for play in Rock Band 3. Along with the basic gameplay offered with similar games in its series, the song also allowed players to utilize the Rock Band 3 exclusive Pro mode, which made use of MIDI guitars and a MIDI compatible electronic drum-kit to simulate playing the real song. It is the longest song available for the Rock Band series.

The song and its universe feature in the novel Ready Player One by Ernest Cline as fundamental plot elements, and also got a visual reference in its film adaptation.

In June 2021, a major Canadian 2112 TV series was proposed to Rush, which met with internal content approval via Anthem and Dentons. However, the strain a massive project of its kind would place upon Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson was cited for its ultimate dismissal.

See also

Notes

References

  1. Lee, Geddy (2023). My Effin' Life (1st ed.). HarperCollins. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-06-315941-9.
  2. Murphy, Sean (22 May 2011). "The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time". PopMatters. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  3. Freedman, Robert (1 August 2014). Rush: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Excellence. Algora Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 9781628940848. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  4. Length of actual song, as noted on the CD.
  5. The Great Rock Discography. 1995. ISBN 9780862415419.
  6. See blog reviews on SongMeanings | Lyrics | Rush – 2112
  7. Rush Album Info
  8. Bowman, Durrell (2003), Permanent Change:Rush, Musicians' Rock, and the Progressive Post-Counterculture (PDF), University of California Los Angeles, p. 110, retrieved 2010-12-30
  9. Fielden, Jerry (2000). "The influence of Electronic Music in Rock Music, 1967-76". Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  10. ^ Telleria, Robert: Rush Tribute Mereley (sic) Players, page 149. Quarry Press, Inc. 2002
  11. "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. May 7, 1977. p. 22. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  12. Pingree's Music Reviews, Tag Archive: Geddy Lee, Rush – 2112, January 26, 2011
  13. Bienstock, Richard (April 2013). "Big Time Rush". Guitar World. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  14. Lit 07a: 2112 Serial and Film Treatment, Internet Archive, 17 January 2024, retrieved 29 June 2024
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