This is one song that took up the entire side one of the album. The song is divided into movements, because this song is like a rock opera. It tells a story about the year 2112 on a distant planet. The first movement introduces the priests who are the antagonists of the story. In the second movement, the hero finds a guitar in a cave behind a waterfall and learns to play the guitar. He realizes that their society has been missing so much creativity and artistic endeavor without music and decides to share it with the priests in the third movement. The priests are not happy with him because in their words the guitar is "Another toy that helped destroy the elder race of man." The priests have been controlling the people by preventing their access to expressionism. I won't go through the entire song, but to sum up the end the priests are not interested and will not share music with the people. The hero has a dream that shows what their future would be like as a society with art and creativity. He can't live without his music, and in an ironic twist, he kills himself just before the elder race returns to destroy the priests and take back the planet.

@cadleo

Жыл бұрын

The priests are the antagonists, not protagonists, but otherwise a good summation.

@MrAitraining

Жыл бұрын

There are no "songs" here. It's a piece

@kevins9120

Жыл бұрын

@@MrAitraining A master piece

@freddiejupiter442

Жыл бұрын

They don't have guitars on distant planets, but ok.

@DeaconBlues117

Жыл бұрын

It's not a "distant planet= - it's Earth, capitol world of the Solar Federation, in 2112 AD.

The biggest middle finger ever given to a record company in rock and roll history! When this came out, it changed my musical world...

@garysiggelkowsiggelkow5079

Жыл бұрын

Yup

@FUBAR1986

19 күн бұрын

Spirited radio was the big middle finger to the music executives

TWENTY ONE TWELVE

@mikemicrael5749

Жыл бұрын

hahahaha The album experience in the 70's was entirely different from what young people must experience today. Waiting for an album to "drop" was a ritualistic experience for those of us who kept up with music magazines like Creem and Circus here in the US. My friends and I couldn't wait to get to the record store after school when new albums came out each week, and we listened intently and examined every aspect of the album, from the songs and virtuoso playing to the wonderful artwork and lyrics, which we all memorized quite easily. (I still find the occasional seed inside vinyl record covers, from college days, of course.) Music listening was probably more social then because often only one of us would have a copy of an album, so we listened at various friends' houses on a pretty regular rotation. I imagine young people today have a much more autonomous relationship with music and artists. Love your channel, guys, but could you please spell your names? :) Cheers

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

@@mikemicrael5749 La and Che

@mikemicrael5749

Жыл бұрын

@@AirplayBeats Thanks. I think I spelled you names Lon and Chi before. :)

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

@@mikemicrael5749 thanks for rocking with us!! Have a great weekend!!

@2869may

Жыл бұрын

Each "song" is a different part of the story.... They DO coincide. (I told you to read up om it a bit... lol)

They almost got dropped from the label before this album came out because the label felt they were not writing marketable, pop music for radio play. The label basically gave them one more chance with this album. So, Rush had to decide whether they were going to give the label what they wanted and write something more suited to pop fans. In what would become typical Rush attitude, they did the opposite. They wrote the most complex, long themed, futuristic, nerdy, prog album they possibly could, to please no one but themselves and go out with bang their way. But it backfired on everyone, became a huge hit, and put Rush on the map as a headlining band.

@Fred-vy1hm

Жыл бұрын

And they never had to listen to the record company again.

@joescott8877

Жыл бұрын

Definitely one of the more inspiring "Be true to your self" stories ever!

@FUBAR1986

Жыл бұрын

This is the album that sold me and then afterwords I heard an earlier album of theirs fly by night, and I was hooked… and of course, right after this was farewell to Kings, and then everybody was hooked….. and the real FU to the recording industry was Spirit of radio

@Mottleydude1

Жыл бұрын

Not only that their label gave them no promo budget. It also got absolutely no airtime on the radio. The band covered promo costs by T-shirt sales. They then toured this album relentlessly across the U.S. but largely in the Industrial Midwest. That is until the money came pouring in from album sales. So 2112 became hugely popular mainly by word of mouth. Think about it. No 2112 no Rush. We wouldn’t know who they were.

@KennyCamaro2364

5 ай бұрын

“Be true thine own self! And they did…

RusH was composed of 3 compulsive perfectionist, and genuine good people that do not have any ego trips that have lead to the demise of many successful bands. Truly GREAT musicians that are also truly great friends.... Resulting in some of the cleanest, tightest most amazing music ever made.

@FUBAR1986

Жыл бұрын

Perfectly said

@ffjsb

Жыл бұрын

It's EXTREMELY RARE to have three virtuoso's that can work together for so long, let along be genuinely nice people. I think most people with their skill and creativity have so much of it that takes up so much of their brain's power, that it leaves little for social skills. (not necessarily those people's fault, it's how they're wired).

@2869may

Жыл бұрын

@@ffjsb Absolutely...

@mack1305

10 ай бұрын

On top of it all they were constantly learning new ways to add to and expand their music.

@user-zt2wc3uh1l

9 ай бұрын

Furthermore, they had a wicked sense of humor, which was evident in certain songs and the video clips they would play in concert. Alex is one of the funniest people in the world.

Neil Peart is such a lyrical drummer he's definitely your favorite drummer's drummer... long live professor peart no RIP for me he lives on

@Childofbhaal

Жыл бұрын

Considering your profile picture you know a thing or two about great drummers. Jon Theodore is the man 🤘

@melvinwomack3717

Жыл бұрын

@@Childofbhaal JT is a great drummer to be honest I dig all three TMV drummers .if I had a top 25 TJ would probably be #24

I got to see this performed live in 1976 in a small-ish venue in Houston. Totally blew us away! It was a religious experience. I became a lifelong Rush fan from that moment on.

@modmary3527

Жыл бұрын

I was at that show, in Houston. My brother bought the Album, when it came out, and took me to the concert.

@batman1169

Жыл бұрын

So cool. Must have been epic! The dude on the left watching thinks he can her the cuts and its multiple songs. lol They probably need to watch the lyrical version and react to the actually story too haha, clueless but fun watch them get through song blind. They are clueless about what is keyboard or guitar sounds. I request a rewatch and understand the song too. hahaha

@RVWeekendsRC1

Жыл бұрын

WOW! I saw it during the signals tour. They didn't play it for the Exit..stage left tour,..I was disappointed.

@chrisspringer2744

Жыл бұрын

Nice. I would kill to have seen them back then, but I was 8. I didn’t join the party until the early 80s

What you listened to is one song and the title is 2112. It is one cohesive story and yes 2112 was the entire first side of the album. The song was written like classical music is written with different movements. The song starts out with the Overture which introduces the musical themes of the song. The different parts that you were calling songs are different movements within the same song. Great reaction and I am looking forward to more Rush reactions.

When you listen this masterpiece and realize this is THREE PEOPLE that created this, makes that wow factor even higher. Talent!

@Ballme60

11 ай бұрын

The only other 3 piece band that I think comes close to RUSH would have to be ELP.

And here are some more Easter eggs: 2112 is 9:12 PM in 24 hour format, and 9-12 (September 12) was Neil's birthday; at the end of Part 1: Overture, they play a section from the 1812 Overture. If youd like to hear another amazing piece of work from this era, I'd like to recommend Cygnus X-1, a masterpiece so epic, that they had to do it in two pieces, starting as the closing track on A Farewell To Kings, and continuing as the opening track on their subsequent album Hemispheres, adding up to about 30 minutes that will completely blow your minds. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥

@edbarto1099

Жыл бұрын

Couldn’t have said it better. I listen to a farewell to kings and hemispheres along with 2112 most frequently. Top 3 Rush albums for sure. You’ll hear how they evolved into progressive rock listening to those albums chronologically. Lovin your reaction picks!

@whostheblackprivatestick8565

Жыл бұрын

This album was my introduction to Rush. I never had a reason to make the 24 hr. clock association to Peart's birthday. Actually, I never knew his birthday...until now. But, I'm not suprised to find this level of intricacy in the production of the music. After all: were talkin' about Rush.

@daveheesen9174

Жыл бұрын

attention all planets of the solar federation...7 words x 3 -21 we have assumed control...4 words x 3...12...coincedence ?

@timnorris6041

Жыл бұрын

Don't forget YYZ is the airport code for the Toronto International Airport!

@lisasmithline1386

Жыл бұрын

Blah blah blah...please don't spread this speculation around; in every comment section about 2112, somebody tries to make a connection about the numbers, when there has never been a confirmation about ANY of it from Neil.

This song is soooo important. A people ruled by a government that bans books and music. Then it's culture and race. Music is gone. You discover a guitar, years after the ban took place. You play it, enjoy the creativity it releases for you, and wish it for everybody. The Government finds out you have it and try to take it away. You find friends who share this love for music and try to spread it. But the Government then bans it. It always beats the common people in the end, so violence starts and people die. The government, says,"We have assumed control! " when a powerful group who wants to ban books, women's rights, gay rights, ect could possibly get into control as further divide a country . Remember, half of our country thinks this way. I hope the people come out on top. Vote 2024.

@KennyCamaro2364

5 ай бұрын

Very insightful to today’s times.

@owenjohnson5030

5 ай бұрын

Actually it is the elder race of man come back to over throw the priests that assumed control.

The look on yall's face at the end of that "song" was priceless. This album is so good it made my eyes sweat a little bit for the 50th time. The joy that I felt as a 15 year old first hearing this masterpiece comes right back. This song is an advanced drums, bass, guitar, & vocals clinic. I bought a Les Paul copy, just like Alex's, behind this album. Mine didnt work like his...

@whostheblackprivatestick8565

Жыл бұрын

"Mine didn't work like his". Of course it didn't...silly rabbit. 😂🤣

@goldenageofdinosaurs7192

Жыл бұрын

Lol, they never do. I could never quite get my Yamahas & Ludwigs to sound like Jimmy Chamberlin or John Bonham either..

This was a game changer for me at the time it came out. It still sounds fresh as the day it came out. The "We have assumed control" line just gives me chills each and every time.

This was a teenage stoners dream....and I thank them. ;) The seventies were so great.

@obiwanbenobi4943

Жыл бұрын

Haha! So true...

@vickiconley3638

Жыл бұрын

Yes, 70's rock!

2112 is what put Rush on the map. It never got any radio play, they earned their fans through live performances. And yes, they sounded note for note the same all the way through!

I was 14 years old in the fall of 1977. One of my friends liked YES and was told he would love RUSH. He did not. Because I liked STYX and QUEEN he thought I would like this so he gave it to me. I remember putting on my headphones, alone in my living room one afternoon. I looked at the photo on the back of the album and thought it was a ridiculous picture. I dropped the needle on the rim of that record and my life changed. By the time it was done, I was shaking. I could not believe music could be THIS. It flipped a switch in my 14-year-old brain. To this day RUSH is one of my top 5 bands of all time. I learned to play bass because of this ( I played trombone and baritone only up to that point. I started at age 6). This expanded my mind to a whole world of music I had no idea existed and to this day am a deep fan of prog rock. Thank you, RUSH! I have also seen every tour since 1980

2112 is a timeless artistic masterpiece. Musical Intelligence at the highest level. Brilliant lyrical storytelling.

Twenty-one-twelve. A MASTERPIECE. No, it WASN'T keyboard at the end. It was guitar. 😉

2112 is a masterpiece. The story they are telling is incredible. Especially when the man picks up the guitar next to the stream and starts to pick at it then tries to explain the beauty of it.

A song about free expression told in a sci Fi fiction. 2112 is a brilliant song and was a big middle finger to the record label. After Caress of Steel had disappointing sales, the record label wanted Rush to be more like Bad Company. Short, radio friendly songs. Rush gave them a 21 minute epic in 7 parts. They stayed true to themselves. The fan base loved it, sales skyrocketed and Rush won their creative freedom for the rest of their time with that label.

🤗 AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! 🤗 2112!!!!!!! 🤣 I wasn't ready y'all! 😏 Ran out for snacks..... 🤯 but my headphones ain't charged! 😱 Where's my plug..... 😊 ok..... 🤩 LET'S DO THIS!!!! 😁🥰🐰

- As others have noted, "RUSH 2112" is a sci-fi rock opera. - So, it's a single "work", w/ multiple parts (call them "songs", if you like). - The "libretto" tells a story, which is actually an allegory for the music industry, and its controlling, creativity-stifling nature. This is apropos, since their music label said, "Make next album more commercial. You have this one last chance with us."... Rush did the exact opposite... and created a MASTERPIECE! :) - Reread the lyrics as a single story, the "song" will make a lot more sense. And perhaps, watch the fan-produced animation (comic book style). - Enjoy...

@stevelennox8575

Жыл бұрын

A perfect and succinct reply........kudos Swami 💯

I saw this live and they definitely assumed control.

This album was one of the first to introduce "prog metal".... a genre where progressive, metal, and rock were all merged. It actually follows classical music conventions. It has an overture that introduces the musical motifs, then tells a story that is sung in first-person perspective by multiple characters (like an opera), and ends with a grand finale. It's considered a rock classic and prog classic, and is the album that cemented Rush as a top-notch band. It also is the first of a five-album streak where each album was not only brilliant, but also surprising and different from the previous ones.

Rush plays this all straight thru live. No breaks. I witnessed 2112 live performance 4 times, maybe 5. Their concerts are several long performances with a few radio hits between. At least up to Power Windows tours.

@cityhonors1

Жыл бұрын

Same! Was nice when in the 2000's they started playing their old songs again. 🤗 Was actually hoping for an R50 Tour! 😔 RIP Professor

@KennyCamaro2364

5 ай бұрын

Loved it live!

I bought this album in 1979 at age 13. I was in a record store searching for a song from top 40 radio but didn't know the artist. I just randomly searched through albums looking for a song about the Twilight Zone ( Manhattan Transfer lol). Side two 2112, the Twilight Zone. (I think Golden Earring also came out a few years later with another song with the same title.) Purchased my first RUSH album. Played it and was slightly disappointed I had made a mistake. But after giving it a second and third play with a couple of Mary Jane friends, I was hooked. I wore that record out.

The first time I listened to this... I'm still not sure where it took me... But I know I haven't been back since. Tremendous 💯🔥

@obiwanbenobi4943

Жыл бұрын

The second side takes you to other places too. :) It is well worth the listen.

Early Rush is the best. Hands down. It is one piece, with each act or chapter creating a movement. Much like an orchestral piece.

ah yes, back in the days of concept albums. neil wrote this story (the lyrics) after reading a book written by ayn rand. this album gave the band their freedom from the record exec's who wanted shorter more airplay friendly songs, and the band responded by basically saying screw you, if we are going down , we will do it our way. bands had to write and record albums, then go out on the road for long periods of time to support their work. and through it all , they maintained who they were. RIP to the best drummer ever!

This is the first song I heard from Rush, when a friend loaned the album to me in high school back in 1976. I was immediately hooked and still am to this day! Two years later I saw them in concert, on their A Farewell to Kings tour. It was amazing!

Geddy's voice, OMG. 👍👍

2112 came with a comic book of the story. The numbered breakdown of the song's parts are written like chapters in a book. Except, it's actually just ONE story-song! Masterpiece.

The song was a story developed around an idea put to music. An artistic creation, not for marketing but to express the vision Peart created around a theme. Love the reaction.

These are the liner notes that came with the album: "I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as they trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here, just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple Paper in the evening. My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surving planets were banded together under the Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons. I believed what I was told, I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found something that changed it all..." -Anonymous, 2112

Hey guys I love your comments and reactions. What you got understand about progressive rock from the 70s is that you can have a 20-minute song that explored one idea, yet have many different musical movements within it. I guess it would start back in the 60s with songs like in the Gadda Da Vida and Alice's Restaurant. The idea of longer themes appeal to the spirit of the late 60s early 70s and allowed for infinite creativity. And you're damn right the music industry ruined it by trying to formulate it. It's now like baby food for the masses

I know it had to have been said, but to be clear. Rush didn’t write a 20-minute song for marketing. Just the opposite. It was too long to be played or get heavy rotation on most radio stations. They wrote the song that was in their head and hearts.

As insane as all these time signatures and key changes are, along with the impeccable musicianship, they could (and did many times) reproduce this note for note live. I saw them perform twice, in 1978 and 1980, and could not believe how perfectly they played all their songs live. Elite level talent.

@timcardona9962

Жыл бұрын

As a professional musician I have to tell you that this is not as insane or complex as you seem to think it is. It's great, no doubt, but this is only insane as compared to regular rock n roll. But it's child's play compared to the likes of Genesis, King Crimson, Zappa, etc....I mean, we're talking about power chords and regular ol' G, C, D. Its not rocket science

@mariafraser3555

Жыл бұрын

@@timcardona9962 😂 oh yeah ….. childs play compared to “ I can’t dance “ 👌

This was the era of album rock and album rock FM radio. Every big city had FM stations who would play a whole side like this. Suffice it say, those days are over. It was a great era.

@vickiconley3638

Жыл бұрын

That it was.

Back in the day not one band was like the other. Unique in their own right. You can jump from Earth wind & fire to Rush to Santana .They were completely different colors. Today they're all the same . Also notice that there are really no more bands, just individuals .

As high level musicians get. Was never huge rush fan but as I aged man they blow me away now

This is first song i ever heard from Rush In summer 1978 friends and i would hitchhike to local department store to check out albums. Webought the album not knowing what it was but my friends and i were stoned and liked the album cover so took a chance. Then i saw them five times live in next few years before even graduating high school. First time was at Providence Civic center opening for Blue Oyster Cult, a band we did not pay to see.

Somehow in my life, a fan of Yes, Genesis, Kansas and others, I didn’t discover Rush until about 2014…..what a big fuck up musically. I was busy living in many places, overseas and such. No excuse, my bad but I have come to appreciate Rush. This album was my gateway. Great music, thanks for covering it.

@obiwanbenobi4943

Жыл бұрын

At least you got to hear them and can appreciate them now. :)

@goldenageofdinosaurs7192

Жыл бұрын

Never too late! I’m just glad you got a chance to hear them.

There’s so much to unpack here. If you listen to this along with the story board it makes more sense. This song was a “f you “ response to their record label’s request to do only short money making songs. I suggest “The Necromancer” next if you like early RUSH.

@lerxstdirkst6181

Жыл бұрын

Yes! I was about to suggest ‘The Necromancer’ and ‘Fountain of Lamneth’ next! Maybe they should listen to Bytor and the snowdog first though to set them up for The Necromancer! That stuff will blow your minds! Keep ‘em coming!

Saw them do the whole 2112 album when it came out. It was my 2nd rush concrete, damn did they nail it !!!!!😜✌️ This is F##KING RUSH 😈😈

A single song in 7 parts: 1. Overture - Instrumental 2. Temples of Syrinx - In the year 2112 the solar federation is run by a dictatorship of priests who preach collectivism over individualism 3. Discovery - Our hero finds a guitar in a cave and teaches himself to play. He wants to show it to the priests 4. Presentation - The priests reject this display of individual creativity and claim the guitar came from an "elder race" of man 5. Oracle - The hero is dejected and has a dream where an oracle shows him the elder race left the planet but still survives in a society filled with music and creativity 6. Soliloquy - The hero is even more dejected that he can't live in that creative society, and kills himself. 7: Grand finale - The federation is under attack from an invading force (the returning elder race?) who take control from the priests

My favorite era of Rush. Love this album and got to see the tour. This album was an important step in the development of a music snob. :) btw, 2112 is a year.

The finest piece of music ever made right here. Been a Rush fan since 1980, this takes me waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back!

Damn I'm gonna have to get back to this later. I'm so excited to watch it with you guys!! I'm sure its gonna be epic. La will fall in love with Neil, the drummer. BTW I'm the one who sent in the Venmo for that live Zeppelin reaction, in case your wondering who it is. ✌🏼❤

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

Let me check our emails.

@joescott8877

Жыл бұрын

Studio Rush, Live Zeppelin--both excellent reaction material, lol!

Thanks for reacting to this. This is from my childhood. Albums were so different back in the day. They told a story. I still don't completely understand this, but I've always been a huge RUSH FAN! It was a magical time, never to be repeated. I appreciate you.

You are right to consider the pieces of this composition as different "songs," but they do a good job of describing the sections you are hearing and there is indeed a strong connection making this a single composition.

@vickiconley3638

Жыл бұрын

I remember in High School the discussions we had on Bohemian Rhapsody. Some thought it was one piece, others thought it was 3 pieces. The same with P.Floyd. All new and so interesting with the differing sounds and instruments. Great times!

I first heard this album in 1981 when I was 14 and it changed my whole idea of what music could be.

Pure genius here. This album is the soundtrack of my life, thanks for listening. My favorite memory of this album was during Chicago Fest and (WLUP the Loop FM) was broadcasting live from Navy Pier, the entire crowd in front of the broadcast booth stood there and sang every song on this album, live with mayor Jane Byrne singing along with the rest of us. Great times!

Greatest 3 piece rock in history, no debate, over.

You just listened to the first side, one brilliant song broken into different movements. Rush was influenced by the Who, and if I’m not mistaken, they were the first to write a rock opera (Tommy). This was recorded after the record company told them to write shorter more accessible songs. They said F U to the label and stuck to their guns expecting to go out on their terms. The exact opposite happened and this masterpiece was a turning point for the band.

This album, amongst others,is a big reason why Rush is one of my number one bands! I say one because Pink Floyd shares the number one spot with them 😉

This was my first concert in Houston. It was a great concert that blew my mind. This album is a story that's ongoing. Of course in their 40yr career that got better and better. If you watch their concert in Reo you'll see like 80,000 fans going crazy.

Hands down one of my favourite channels ... love your reactions ... and as a child of the 70s it's great to see the music of my youth still sound so fresh and appreciated so much . Keep up the great work

2112 is badass!!! That’s how Prince did Lovesexy. The album was one whole track when released. Sonically, it’s a great listen start to finish.

And I've been subscribed to you guys for a while. But I'm so excited to see doing this. I have seen about five people react to it and it's generally quite favorable but you don't see it much but I'm so glad you guys got to this. I'm afraid to even click play and find out you didn't cover the whole concept side of the album and please don't forget the standalone songs on side B of the record are obviously from the same era but are just incredible also.

Oh hell yeah! Headphones on, volume up, ready to vibe with the best damn reaction channel out there. Thanks for always picking my day up - much love from Canada!

This was the album where Rush found their true sound.

In the Rush documentary, Rush said their previous album had sold poorly. The suits weren't supporting the band and were pressuring them to be more commercial and implying the end was near. Rush reacted by saying if we're going out we may as well do exactly what we want to do, and they did 2112. It was a shift towards the more creative, complicated Rush people loved, though there were bits of it in the early days too.

Their first multi-movement extended piece was "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" on their second album (first with Neil Peart). Their third album had two, the 12 minute "The Necromancer", and the side long "The Fountain of Lamneth". Then we get to their fourth album "2112".

Here's the basic story behind 2112. Their management wanted them to do radio friendly songs. This was a protest. They said we're not doing this for you. We're doing it for us. So they made the first half of the record all one song (kinda) and gave them the finger and created this MASTERPIECE😎 This is the story of that battle. Neil Peart wrote all of the lyrics to Rush music. We lost our GOAT. He's playing for GOD now.😇 That was the last time I cried (Sorry Christine. When Stevie goes I'm going to lose it) 😭 I'm jealous because you have the cool earphones like I had with my old turntable in the day. Now all I have is my little computer speaker. There's a version that's cool with graphics telling the story, in the 1970s we were hit with both barrels with this, and only our imagination. " Listen to my music". "Hear what it can do". "Tere's something here as strong as life". "I know it will reach you." Thank you so much for making this GOAT enjoyable again.😎

Record company told Rush to write short hits for radio play. They did this as a f-u. The song is one song. He finds a guitar and brings it to the elders to share this beauty, the totalitarian elders want it squashed because "art" breeds free thinking which is a threat to the control all tyrants require to exist.

I love that you called Alex’s chords ‘bright.’ That’s a signature sound, even when they go heavy.

You will and forever have moments in your life when you find yourself listening to this everyday for two weeks in a row. Hearing different shit everytime.

@Jo-oc8sc

25 күн бұрын

Recently I’ve been blown away by how Geddy sings the words, “do and you” in the movements Discovery and Presentation. Each time he uses one of these words, he enunciates them differently. I wonder if Geddy was that detailed to do that intentionally, as to me, this further drives home RUSH’s message that creativity and all peoples expression is important. As you said, “hearing different shit everytime”.

All the songs add up to one story. The record company wanted more short singles. Rather than sellout, because that wasn't their gig, they said lets go out with a bang and make the whole first side one long song in parts. It WAS marketing genius as you stated! Everybody put it on the turntable , put on their headphones, and was blown away.

Context will all come to fruition if you watch the video/story behind/with the music. The greatest concept album eva!!!

"With hungry mind and open eyes" - a story of the individuals fight against conformity.

Yeah, we used listen to whole albums back in the day. One side, then flip it over...then put in the next record. Remember, we had double albums (2 records in a set) with lots of cool art on the album jackets to look at while you were listening and reading the lyrics. Thanks for the reaction. Always a pleasure.

One of the great prog rock suites ever, the various parts keep the story going forward and their incredible use of acoustic and shifting dynamics, combine with hard rock proginess makes one of the best sides of music ever made. I saw this for the first time when they opened for Blue Oyster Cult not long after the album came out and they were magnificent, we were in awe of the new material. BOC followed that with their incredible laser show, bouncing them off mirror balls and creating illusions and trippy effects to enhance their as always kick butt show, all time great show! They were also debuting a new album, their classic Specters, with Godzilla, Golden Age of Leather and Nosferatu, that whole album is worth a reaction, not a bad track and the whole thing flows and is a classic. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶

Yes, grew up with this, concept albums. Pink Floyd's my favorite. Ideas formed into rhymic sounds. The lyrics lead you to the next, onward.

2112 is a masterpiece for sure

🤯 Live, 2112 is AMAZING!!! 😏 Remember, some of us saw Rush for the first time when they opened for 🤩 KISS or Mandred Mann. 🤗 Yup, saw KISS (and Rush) 2x in NJ! 😒 Cause I'm real old..... 🤭🐰

Made my evening that did, enjoying all your reactions. How about their first album 'RUSH' by Rush, I think it's also a master piece see what you think. Three cheers to both of you thanks

It was one entire side of a record. It's one song, with several movements, which tell a single story about a distopian future where music is outlawed.

Are you sure this is one song? YES, I researched it . . .😂😂 😂 😂 welcome to Rush boys, carry on.

You guys do perfect reactions. That was Alex Lifeson on guitar during the last part.

About time guys! Been waiting for this one! Keep up the great reactions! It’s ‘twenty one twelve’ by the way.

Beats, you hit the nail on the head. This album was in defiance of their record label who wanted those 3 min. songs you talked about. They said f-that, we'll do us, all else be damned. And they were right. Legendary album before their use of keyboards btw. A tripod of excellence that is still underrated today, especially Alex the guitarist. Thanks guys. RIP PROFESSOR PEART

There is a cartoon done for this song that illustrates the story very well. It’s about a guy way in the future that finds an old guitar. He brings it to the priests who say they already know about it and have banned music as a waste of time and so on….

If you look at the lyrics, it’s just *one story.* There are different ‘movements’ just like classical music. So the different ‘songs’ were like different scenes in a movie. Like one scene is outside, another is in the bedroom, then next is in the garage. So listen to it again and pay attention to the actual story, because all of those songs are just telling different parts of the story.

At 13 yrs old, I first heard this. My first taste of Rush. Those dudes were straight laced, and killed it every time and inspired many like myself. Amazing musicianship! 3 guys who sound HUGE, but could play it live without soundtracks

This tune is essentially about the year 2112. Awesome reaction guys! I don’t believe there’s any keyboards in 2112, except for the sound effects. Everything else is Guitar work. Now you guys have to listen to caress of steel, hemispheres, farewell to Kings, & fly by night!

I saw them play this live the three times I saw them in between 1976 and 1978. Epic and on their All the World's a Stage live album. It was a story told musically and filled one side of the album. Like Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull and they also did Passion Play. Of Course Tommy and Quadrophenia by The Who, but those two are split up more.

The artist used to feed our imaginations and highest hopes. Now they cater to our animal instincts, and we watch ourselves de-evolve. Shout out to DEVO.

The way I listen to Rush is different every time. Sometimes just listen to Geddy's bass, voice and keys. Another day, Alex's ripping layers of unique guitar work...then next time visualize Neil's sticks racing across his massive kit with precision, speed and passionate intensity. Because live in concert, it was overwhelming. Best live band ever, but their studio albums like Pink Floyd, so much nuance, you do need the studio version to appreciate the live concerts at another level.

RUSH did it more than once. You need to do the "Cygnus-X1" suite....both books, in order. Hemispheres is life changing.

"Like listening to five different records in one song" 😂😂 When listening was an adventure--not just pre programmed background noise, force fed to the i phone zombies.

3 people, that's it. GOAT

Great job on 2112 Side 1, La and Che. Remarkable they were a 3 piece band (+ effects). I got to see them perform the 2112 album start to finish in late 1977. Excellent, of course, and that was only about half of the concert. I was introduced to Rush’s music in 1974, in 8th grade, with their first album - and it was a banger. So much great music in that time. Thanks for taking us back decades. Coming up on 50 years since the release of their first one!

Go back and listen to the words. The singer is playing 2 roles, in this narrative. He is The Computer hive mind, of “The Elder Race” And he is one simple Man. A member of the masses, who holds no power. The year is 2112. So in 1976, this was the imagined future of mankind. Then, you might understand how scary and relevant it was and is even more so now, in 2023, as we move closer to this reality.

I Really Dig this song! Another "Wake and Bake" Masterpiece!! 💯🔥👏 A Mini Rock Opera with each of the guys Showing Out!!! ,🥁🎸🤘♥️

2112 being one song is more about how the entire piece tells a story.

As other people have stated its in pieces. It tells a whole story. My fave part is when he finds the guitar.

Great album. Side One is all one story. Side Two is just good individual songs. Enjoy fellas!!!

I saw Rush 4 times. No concert was shorter than 3 1/2 hours. My favorite band since 78.

I remember a good friend Tim Riley turned me on to this Album in 76, I was 16. We listened to it in full on his record player. I never looked back🤘🏻

You're listening to my childhood years learning drums. Love all that early Rush. All The World's A Stage, features this and more early great Rush tunes in concert. Too late to see them do it all live, good times.