HOLY CRAP!! First Time Hearing - Rush - 2112 Reaction/Review

[@briansummers6074]

I think Rush came from another planet. I've listened to them for 40 years and still in awe. They were epic in the 1970's and didn't get old even today.

[@chrispotyok8843]

One of the greatest pieces of rock music ever conceived. Not bad eh? 🇨🇦

[@helmutvogel901]

Especially when you know the story behind the record, eh? How Caress of Steel (the album before 2112) was not a big success, and how the record company suggested they come up with more radio-friendly songs, not too long. 2112 was their response.

[@chrispotyok8843]

@@helmutvogel901 yep. Biggest balls ever.

[@helmutvogel901]

@@chrispotyok8843 Not bad for Canadians. One of my oldest friends, lived in Ontario in his youth, and Rush played at his school. Soon after he moved here to Quebec, and had April Wine play at his school!! Lucky so and so!!

[@chrispotyok8843]

@@helmutvogel901 lol. We had Chilliwack and Trooper play at our high school dances. Not quite Rush but still some classic Canadian rock. 👌

[@eljefe9020]

Best thing ever to come out of canada lol

[@stardust164]

from Canada with love! we grew up listening to this excellent music! I turned 13, 1970, oh what a time to be young and impressionable. ROCK.

[@k_spats]

*RUSH RULES* 💜💫✌🏼🎵 💥THE GIRL WHO LISTENED TO RUSH💥 From the back of the stadium She’s easy to see Standing up at the stage In her Starman tee From Anthem to Limelight To YYZ She’s the girl who listened to Rush And all of the rockers And all of the heshers Well they dreamed of the day That they might get her And drive her away In a Red Barchetta She’s the girl who listened to Rush Philosophers and ploughmen They can’t resist her call They cannot choose Not to decide So they've got no choice at all They've gotta love her No she doesn’t say "Pert" And she doesn’t say "Part" Yeah, she knows it’s "Neil Peert" ‘Cause he’s close to her heart Say a prayer for John Rutsey He was there at the start She’s the girl who listened to Rush Philosophers and ploughmen They can’t resist her call They cannot choose Not to decide So they've got no choice at all They've gotta love her Why don’t girls ever listen to Rush? (X a lot) But she listened to Rush! The blacksmith and the artist They can’t resist her call You cannot choose Not to decide So you’ve got no choice at all No you’ve got no choice at all You’ve gotta love her! -Nerf Herders

[@JimiBurleigh]

I married a girl who listens to Rush. We saw many Rush shows together. We even took our son to The Gorge at George (Washington state) for the Time Machine tour in 2011. It's been my experience that girls who listen to Rush are very special indeed.

[@JoeSmith-ey2xp]

I always wondered who was the one girl in the universe who liked Rush. I don't know whether to be happy for you or sad :P

[@k_spats]

@@JoeSmith-ey2xp Be happy!!! I have loved them for 42+ years and have been to over a dozen concerts! *RUSH RULES* 💜💫✌🏼🎵

[@daveking9393]

That was AWESOME thanks for sharing!

[@k_spats]

@@daveking9393 My pleasure!!! (Hi Dave!) I am *that* girl! My 5th grade birthday party - everyone got me something RUSH! (Posters, a name bracelet and a banner, etc.) I have always been OBSESSED with them. All my friends from elementary school, Jr. High School and High School still say, "Every time a RUSH song comes on, I immediately think of you!" 😁🤓🤗👍🏼 Kelly 💜💫✌🏼🎵 *When I first read it - I lost my mind!!! 🤪

[@FUBAR1986]

Best musical rock opera story ever told about a future civilization, the loss of music, the discovery of music and the eventual conflict that arises and brings music back

[@FUBAR1986]

And you pronounce it 21 12. As in the year twentyone twelve

[@jwgregory1969]

What you just listened to is undoubtedly one of the greatest masterpieces of all time.

[@2869may]

RusH is composed of 3 compulsive perfectionist, and genuine good people that do not have any the 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.

[@jimrupe9991]

Rush has been my favorite band since 1974. I could not have said that better myself.

[@2869may]

@@jimrupe9991 Mine too, I can't tell you how many of my school art projects were RusH related.... lol (Have you seen "Beyond the lighted stage" if not you really need to..!)

[@laknox88]

Also, the "invaders" are not aliens but enlightened humans who weren't afraid to go out exploring the universe, as well as themselves, returning home. The priests were the cowards that were too afraid to go or the ones that knew that if they stayed, they could be the rulers of the innocents that were descendents of those that couldn't, or weren't selected, to go out. Joke's on the priests in the end! At least that's the way I've always thought that's the way the story went...

[@markgettemeyer1145]

A little background on what you just experienced: They’d just come off a tour for their previous album which wasn’t very well received. The record company wanted them to produce something that sounded more like Bad Company and tried to force their hands with the band to come up with music that sounded just like that. The band agreed that they would make the album they wanted to make, and if it wasn’t successful they would go out making their music on their terms. It was essentially the band against the record company. So Neil used Ayn Rand’s book Anthem as a basis for telling the story. Anthem was about the individual against the machine, so it was fitting to frame their situation in this context. The song starts with an overture and an introduction to the temples of syrinx which is where the priests who held all the power were. Along the way he discovers a guitar learns how to tune it and play it, and presents it to the priests who rejected it as something that was against their way. The character in the song then has a dream where he meets an Oracle who shows him how great the world could be if everyone could contribute. Sensing continued resistance to his discovery, he loses all faith and takes his own life. When the album came out no one really knew this part of the story and I think it only came out later with social media. Certainly people close to the band knew what was going on, but this epic song is really a vignette of where they were at that time. Nerd alert: regarding the spoken words at the end- Attention all planets of the solar federation (7 words repeated 3 times = 21 We have assumed control (4 words repeated 3 times = 12)

[@joshrisakotta3730]

Wow!! That's amazing! It goes to show that even when they're under pressure, they can come out with masterpieces like this??🤯

[@markgettemeyer1145]

@@joshrisakotta3730 some folks do their best work under those circumstances ✌🏻

[@dc2694]

I mean, Bad Company was a nice little band, but sometimes I feel like we need to put record company execs on an island someplace where they can exchange their idiotic ideas with one another while not interfering with masterpieces in progress.

[@markgettemeyer1145]

@@dc2694 agreed - there’s big profit in something that’s safe and proven.

[@SylviusTheMad]

@@markgettemeyer1145 More importantly, no one gets fired for choosing the safe option.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

For me, one of the main attractions to rock is the passion. The passion here is off the charts. For 2112, the composition skills, musicianship, lyrics, all set to level 10. Back in the day, I was just out of high school in my friends room rummaging through his albums. I saw the cover of 2112 and it intrigued me. Forty minutes later, I was a Rush fan for life. I grew up a Zep addict but Rush jumped up their with them in a matter of forty minutes. And the rest is history.

[@rubbersole79]

In the early 70's, about to get dropped by their record label after their first few albums weren't selling, RUSH was told to produce some hits......shorter, more radio palatable songs. They released this instead.

[@WarrenCromartie2]

The debut and Fly by Night sold reasonably well. FBN went gold, but Caress of Steel totally bombed. I remember Geddy Lee saying he played COS to Paul Stanley of Kiss, who they'd been touring with, and he said Paul didn't know what they were trying to do with COS. Paul also said listeners wouldn't get it either. He was right. I think COS is a great album, personally.

[@ssrearadmiral]

nothing like giving your boss the finger, eh? ..... my montra

[@didsomebodysaydmt8193]

Gotta love it!!

[@samson9535]

That is right. They never compromised their principles.

[@markb.8756]

And the rest is history...

[@garya7893]

This song never gets old and every time i hear it reminds me of high school days

[@deborahreynolds9792]

I just shake my head of HOW I KNOW EVERY SINGLE DANG NOTE OF ALL OF THEIR SONGS. I LOVE RUSH. Have for 40 years. ROCK ON!

[@DarthDuress]

Here’s to the return of the Elder Race of Man!

[@happymethehappyone8300]

When This Album Was Released Back In The Day,, It Absolutely Blew People's Minds Right Out Of Their Heads & Is Still Doing So 45 Years Later..That's What You Call EPIC & LEGENDARY!!

[@psilocinesthesia]

The story basically goes like this: >fade into dystopian future where every aspect of life is ruled by a technocult government >protagonist stumbles upon an ancient guitar in a cave, and slowly teaches himself to play it >protagonist shows the guitar to the local priests, thinking he'll be celebrated for his discovery, only to be told that the priests know of such things and forbids them; the priest destroys the guitar and tells the protagonist to fuck off >protagonist goes home devastated and dreams of the ancient world, where men could express themselves freely through music and arts of all sorts, building a beautiful and wondrous society >protagonist awakes, and realizing that his dream was just that and that he is trapped in his cold, prescribed reality, feels such despair that he commits suicide >After the protagonist dies, a fleet of human ships invades and wipes out the ruling technocult, bringing back their free and expressive society and freeing people from the yoke of tyranny, tragically too late for the protagonist to see There's a comic that was later released for the album that tells the story in more detail, though it also revises the end to show the protagonist living to see the invasion.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

And then they all lived happily ever after! :D

[@lisarainbow9703]

And this story is based on a short novel by Ayn Rand, entitled "Anthem". In fact the band mentions her by name, and dedicated this album to her, it's written on the album cover. It's an interesting read.

[@joshrisakotta3730]

Thank you for the song info! I didn't know there was a comic book version!🤔

[@psilocinesthesia]

@@joshrisakotta3730 Yea, I think it came with the 30th anniversary re-release.

[@michaelsine17]

"Attention all planets of the solar federation; We have assumed control, we have assumed control'. In my opinion, this conclusion has the ruling class victorious.

[@suziechapstick8236]

Welcome to Rush, my friend. Your expressions say it all.

[@AudiophileTubes]

One of rock's all time MASTERPIECES!

[@emersonlangstaff1527]

Used to listen to 2112 in the mid 70's on the way to surfing, getting lit...we'd never heard anything like it. Geddy could hit those insane notes in the early albums. Still and will always will be the most unique huge rock band of all time.

[@k_spats]

Please listen again to 2112 (21, 12 - the year) with the lyrics. 👍🏼

[@cherylreichardt]

Rush takes you on a musical journey. You certainly don't want to pause what your ears are enjoying. Rush is in a class all by themselves! It's great you like them Josh!🎧🎸🎹🎶

[@pasqualecandelora2878]

Yup

[@cherylreichardt]

@@pasqualecandelora2878 👍

[@joshrisakotta3730]

I love 'em, Cheryl!😆🙏🏽

[@k_spats]

Now, you have to react to the other side!!! - Passage to Bangkok - The Twilight Zone - Lessons - Tears (Geddy wrote) - Something for Nothing 💜💫✌🏼🎵

[@kirbywilliamson2942]

Definitely, . . . Many forget there was a side 2. Twilight Zone dazzled my mind first listen forty plus years ago.

[@bigham1jb]

Passage to Bangkok is a great song.

[@JimiBurleigh]

@@kirbywilliamson2942 The first time I listened to side two was late at night with headphones. When I heard the "whisper track" I whipped the headphones off and turned on a light. It was 1976 and I was just a teenage prog nerd forty plus years ago 😎

[@mysterymac38]

Nobody ever reacts to side two and it pizzes me off!! :)

[@joshrisakotta3730]

Thank you for the recommendations!😁🙏🏽

[@lewisbernstein4272]

The story is well described by that cartoon version that one of the comments (from Gary A) said you should watch. Let this sink in for a few seconds... Geddy and Alex were 22. Neil was 23. This was Rush's 4th studio album and their 4th album released in 25 months (March 1, 1974 for RUSH, April 1, 1976 for 2112). And between album 1 and album 4 they played approximately 220 concerts. Here's another Fun fact. The end of this song is "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation!" repeated 3 times for 21 words; followed by "We have assumed control!" also repeated 3 times for 12 words; hence the opus 2112 ends with 21 then 12 words... :-)

[@marksfarmcraft1888]

Been living this since it came out! Funny how I never see anyone mention the Close encounters of the third kind notes during the discovery. Always loved that.

[@dianaa9826]

A masterpiece by the legendary band Rush... Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and "The Professor" Neil Peart (RIP) you are MY heros!! Btw Josh, Geddy and Alex inducted Yes into the RRHOF..

[@hippylong]

The holey of holeys! Neil was a wordsmith sent from the gods... and a drummer. Not bad... for the new guy!

[@appalachianman1940]

Hemispheres!!! We gotta hear it.

[@tbradley6250]

Keep doing RUSH my young friend and you will blow this channel up! The RUSH army will show up.

[@joshrisakotta3730]

Thank you for the support!🙏🏽😁

[@jimc4737]

My favorite bands are Rush , Yes , and Jethro Tull. I'm an old man and have seen them in concert since the 70's. Welcome to a long journey into progressive rock. I'm sure you will have as much fun listening as I did 40 years ago and still do.Kudos!

[@amarok9097]

Lucky man. Sadly Rush is the greatest band to never tour Australia.

[@riveralph3687]

1976 / 2112. The year / album that changed everything for Rush and legions of their fans. Such a grand masterpiece!

[@ChuckBrierton]

I was 15 when this album came out and it split my head wide open. They're STILL my favorite band.

[@debbieplato5107]

I would check out a lyric or the comic book version of this song and then you will get the story. It is a masterpiece! Cheers

[@joshrisakotta3730]

There's a comic book version?? I didn't know that!

[@debbieplato5107]

@@joshrisakotta3730 Yes, there is.

[@Shigawire]

@@joshrisakotta3730 yup. official one too. watch it.

[@philstone3859]

Just read Anthem by Ayn Rand, the book that inspired Neil for this album. It’s even dedicated to her! At least it says so on the early albums. Plus they have a song called Anthem.

[@Scooter730]

This album was and is a Masterpiece. The music, the transitions from face melting guitar to accoustic and serene, the story, and the drums...Geddy's voice and his changes...just incredible.

[@MusicLover-rt4bs]

Rush is all about 2 things: Concept Albums and transitions. Always a Masterclass in transitions.

[@lisaharrison1031]

RUSH ARMY reporting for duty. Been a devoted fan since hearing “The Necromancer” from “Caress Of Steel “ album way back in 1975. Holding the “red star proudly high in hand” ever since……... There will never be another “RUSH”!! Thank you Ged, Al & Neil for the best music ever made.

[@philstone3859]

Lisa, didn’t you know that women aren’t allowed here? Certainly not in the ARMY!

[@elianad2083]

@@philstone3859 ??

[@philstone3859]

@@elianad2083, just joking because it’s a well known fact that there are less female fans of the band. I’ve heard some of the women joke about it also.

[@bradkubota6968]

RUSH Almost like they intended to start their music catalog set way in the future and work their way back album by album. Great for driving through the mountains. The constant time changes work well in scenery that is rife with entropy.

[@norwegianblue2017]

Lead guitar, bass guitar, 360 degree drum kit, vocals, keyboards, foot pedals.....only three guys.

[@guidosarducci]

Thank you for paying attention to and enjoying great music..............

[@charlesheld3725]

You need to go old school & look INSIDE the album cover. Next to the lyrics there's paragraph from the protagonists point of view for each song. Him finding the guitar in a cave behind a waterfall. His dismay as the priests crush it. His anguish of living in a world without his music. Finally killing himself in the place in the only place that gave him peace. The cave behind the waterfall.

[@brettking1014]

Great reaction Josh to a masterpiece! I recommend two things: 1) listen to this song again with the lyrics in front of you and see if you can discover the story; 2) watch the Rush documentary Beyond the Lighted Stage. 2112 is not only a musical masterpiece, but a personal response to what the band was experiencing from the music industry in their early days. I won’t ruin it for you, because it’s more exciting to discover it on your own. 😁

[@kevinharpham6396]

I’ve been a Rush fan since 1979. Imagine this live in concert!!! The talent and stamina needed to play this is off the charts.🥸

[@planetcampervan]

If you could hear an album again for the first time ever ??? ...this would be in my top 3. To be that 14 year old boy sat in my room playing this on a crappy little record player and discovering ...for the first time ...what music could do and how it can move you ...would give anything for that experience again ...true masters of their craft and very missed .

[@markmiller3101]

So glad you listened to this. Absolutely one of those iconic masterpieces. YES, Rush was highly influenced by YES. Just listen to Geddy play the bass, he has said countless times how much of an influence the bass player from Yes (Chris Squire) has had on him. Rush is right up there with Yes, Pink Floyd, and Genesis when it comes to music like this. They are all timeless! Also, this album was a big F*%k You to the record company. It turned out to be one of the greatest LPs ever recorded LOL.

[@JokMetal]

45 years after and still amazing! My gf, at the time hated Geddy’s vocals. Thanks for reinvigorating my love of this band!🤘😉

[@daveking9393]

Recommendation for you to consider. Entire LP is great. Thanks. Songs from the Wood is the tenth studio album by British progressive rock band Jethro Tull, released February 1977. The album signalled a new direction for the band, who turned to celebrating British pagan folklore and the countryside life in a wide-ranging folk rock style which combined traditional instruments and melodies with hard rock drums and electric guitars. The album is considered to be the first of a trio of folk rock albums: Songs from the Wood, Heavy Horses (1978) and Stormwatch (1979). An extended title line appears on the album cover: "Jethro Tull - with kitchen prose, gutter rhymes and divers - Songs from the Wood". The title track contains two of these phrases in its lyrics. The UK music-paper adverts read: "Jethro Tull present 'Songs From The Wood'. A new album of Old Magic. Songs From The Wood. It's inspired by the thought that perhaps nature isn't as gentle as we'd like to believe. And it takes as its theme the natural and supernatural inhabitants of the woodlands of old England. Warm and friendly, harsh and bitter by turns, it includes 'Ring Out Solstice Bells' as well as Tull's new single 'The Whistler' and seven other songs. Find a quiet spot and listen to it soon."

[@staciojeda4146]

your reaction was priceless!!! They totally blew your mind and it's evident.... sooo many amazing songs by Rush... so glad I was a teenager when all the great bands of the 70's were at their peak... enjoy the rabbit hole... you won't be disappointed.

[@michaelsine17]

Amazing music. It's so cool to see how much you appreciate the sounds. It's complex and at times simple with color and textures everywhere. Rush was so dynamic in their sound. The lyrics by Neal Peart are incredible, and the story is a journey. Thank you for making your video.

[@garya7893]

There is an animated version of this song watch it and it the story Its worth it

[@JayLandon64]

I definitely recommend watching the Animated version of this that Rush put out, which explains the story much better.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I bought this on 8-track cassette when it first came out. I'd read an article about it in a music magazine (Circus? Hit Parader?) and took a chance on it which paid off.

[@MusicLover-rt4bs]

The last 3 minutes ALWAYS gives me the chills, even after listening to this for 40 years. Simply one of the best Rock songs ever created.

[@armandourso1526]

It blew my mind when i was 16 years old ... i'm 54 now. Hugs from Brazil >>>>

[@ap7498]

Nice reaction!! It’s pronounced “Twenty one-twelve” thanks you

[@jimtatro6550]

Now you’re ready for Cygnus X1 parts 1 and 2

[@Scooter730]

Josh, what I love most about your reactions is their authenticity. It is easy to see what you are thinking and feeling by your facial expressions! Keep bringing it brother! Try La Villa Strangiato and Xanadu live off the Exit Stage Left album...

[@5thsgamingreplays518]

love watching 1st reactions . it brings me back to my 1st in '77. The best part of any reaction is the reaction to the last 'we have assumed control' and that note fades out into nothingness. The 2112 virgin now is trying to compose themselves from the last 20 minutes.

[@elianad2083]

Huge Rush fan. Love this reaction/review. I have seen many reviews of this amazing band and I have yet to see anyone say one critical comment. They are that good. I just hear.."speechless" "Mind-blowing" "Insane" "sick" "Have never heard complexity like this before" This has changed my life" and countless of these comments. They are even better live. Watch RUSH live in Cleveland..Working Man" just mind blowing. And there is only *three* of them. This is why I feel RUSH is the best band to ever walk this planet. They are unmatched. A 61 year old woman here.

[@goose300183]

This was a cool reaction! I'm very late to your party, but I still enjoyed watching your first experience of this. And yes, 2112 is pretty confusing the first time you listen to it! You are left thinking "wait, how does this whole thing work together? Is it separate songs or what?" The next time(s) you listen to it, pay close attention to the lyrics and what is happening through all the different chapters. It IS one story, told from two points of view. First off is the 'priests of the temples of Syrinx' (harsh vocals) who are in charge of the post-armageddon world. The 'thunder' part at the start represents a bomb dropping, and the World as we know it ending. Those priests control the world with pure logic and computers ("our great computers fill the hallowed halls") and they don't give any thought or signficance for beauty, music, spirituality, things that feed the soul. They decide what people should see and hear. The protagonist (mostly soft vocals) happens to find a guitar from the pre-armageddon world behind a waterfall. He does not know what it is. He figures out that it makes music, and he starts to create beautiful music, and he realises that music excites and feeds the soul ("there's something here that's as strong as life"). So he presents it to the priests, whom he thinks will be excited and reward him as a hero for finding such a beautiful expression as making music on this guitar. However, the priests totally reject him, and see the guitar as something very old and dangerous, and they don't want anyone thinking about it or making their own music. So the protagonist is crushed by this. Not knowing what to do, he goes back to the waterfall with the guitar. He then dreams of the elder race (a group of humans who left the planet before/during the apocalypse) who still value music, life, soul etc. He becomes very depressed, thinking they will never come back, and it was just a dream. BUT - they do come back! And they take control away from the priests, and create a world which has beauty, music, spirituality, happiness and soul. Like I said, this isn't a personal slight towards you for not 'getting it' straight away. You are in good company with that! I certainly didn't get it or understand how it worked as a story the first time round. I think that's the case for most people. But, once I understood and could follow it, this became one of my all-time favourite songs, out of everything in the world of music. And I've listened to plenty! This is a very special and unique song, and it's worth persevering with, it becomes better every time you listen to it. Cheers!

[@edanielgreen]

I'll never forget bringing this home from the record store, on the day it finally showed up in our wee Saskatchewan town after its release. I'd been a fan since the first obscure album by these fellow Canucks came out while I was in high school, and I especially couldn't get enough of the immediately previous album, Caress of Steel. After unwrapping 2112 from the plastic, my buds and I goggled and giggled over the sleeve and folding album cover, inside and out, trying to absorb and figure out everything in there all at once (all the extra background narrative/story), but soon it was time. I set this precious new purchase respectfully down onto my, for those days, fairly high-end turntable, dusted it with highly evaporative de-static roller/fluid, and oh-so-gently let the needle settle down onto the vinyl (Careful! Don't scratch it!) I then unpaused the RECORD button on my cassette deck (ALWAYS record the first playing, before scratches and pops and skips mar the vinyl). The four of us sat back, not knowing what to expect. Our minds were, naturally, completely blown away. As the song ended, I, at that moment, knew for a fact that Rush is elite, among the best ever, and we had not only just listened to an opus that will outlive us, we were unbelievably fortuitous to be among the first humans ever to hear something that will endure, and, until society collapses, shall forevermore be revered. 🥴🤘🤓🤩 And here it is, almost a half century later. I do believe Rush has finally ascended to where they merit: To be, among the curious global masses of hungry music lovers, one of the most studied, appreciated, and enjoyed artists to arise out of the late 20th century; and always shall be. Thus, I absolutely loved your reaction, dude! You get the greatness. 🤭 Cheers! 🍻😁

[@garya7893]

Try The Fountain of Lamneth its long like this one when you get the time thanks

[@joshrisakotta3730]

I'll check it out, thank you!😁🙏🏽

[@bostonwhofan]

I highly recommend you react to Rush performing "Natural Science" live in 1997 at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto. Just make sure you have the lyrics handy so you can follow the story. It's another long, epic banger from Rush with some of the deepest lyrics you'll ever hear. It starts out slow and acoustic and then turns into a rollercoaster ride of awesomeness!

[@joebeck5517]

Masterpiece * Josh your bang on with the Yes influence, because when Yes was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Geddy Lee played Bass in place of Chris Squire. - R.I.P

[@michaelward9880]

I had the same reaction in 1976 when I first placed the needle down on the record. My friends and I young stoned minds were totally blown! To this day it still sounds fresh to me.

[@m.ericwatson968]

The story behind 2112 is epic in itself, if they were going out, they would do so on their terms

[@ronsandahl274]

Neal based the basic premise for this on Ayn Rand's story Anthem. The idea is that this is a branch of humanity in the distant future who have a totalitarian society where everything is controlled by the priests - from the words they read to the songs they sing to the pictures that give pleasure to their eye. The hero finds a guitar and learns to play it in secret, then presents it to the priests. They tell him they know about it and it is trouble. When he insists the world could use this, they smash the guitar to the ground. In despair he goes home and falls asleep where he sees visions of what Earth used to be like, and of what man will achieve in the future. When he wakes he can't bear life without his music and under the priests thumb, so he kills himself. At some point after that other humans arrive and liberate the planet from tyranny - though too late for our hero. Also, Neil wrote a paragraph that is intended to be read between each section (he imagined people would pause the track, read the paragraph, then start it back up).

[@bigham1jb]

The Eargasm tha lasts 20 minutes and 40 seconds!

[@PromLesbian]

EPIC‼️

[@hawklee9702]

The song that changed the world by the band that changed the world.

[@brandonbentz1209]

Love the Rush videos man! Best band EVER! We have assumed control.

[@elianad2083]

"The meek shall inherit the earth"..

[@jaywitt5171]

Josh - watch the official VEVO version in your own time. It's the cartoon of the story - it will all come together for you. Love your Rush reactions!

[@joshrisakotta3730]

Thank you! I'll check it out!😁🙏🏽

[@panflutetoth9395]

just as good as when i 1st heard it FORTY FIVE years ago

[@cityhonors1]

🤷🏿‍♀️ Sometimes you don't have to "understand" to 🤗 just enjoy the way the music makes you feel! 😁🐰

[@bobdelp2023]

HEY JOSH, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN! ) SO THISSSSS WAS RUSH'S MAKE IT OR BREAK IT MOMENT LITERALLY AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THANK GODDDDD! R.I.PARADISE TO THE MUSICAL VIRTUOSO GIANT , THE PROFESSOR ( NEIL PEART ) :( AND YEAH JOSH WHAT KAY SAID, GOOD IDEA! :) SINCE THIS IS A CONCEPT ALBUM ( 2112 ) YOU SHOULD DO SIDE 2 FOR SURE!

[@davidgale7384]

Now you know what all the talk was about....(Yes & Rush & Pink Floyd) You have experienced the three top progressive pieces of music ever recorded. There are many others to enjoy.... Genesis ( some early live videos with Peter Gabriel) Frank Zappa will absolutely turn one's brain to mush.(Most lyrical content is really used as more instruments with the added bonus of being generally humourous) try his Montana or Inca Roads Emerson Lake and Palmer (3 guys who rival Rush) The album Trilogy may take you to some of my personal favourite places. Led Zeppelin... (More blues rock but still, Jimmy Page's guitar work and his songwriting, add Bonham's drum work and Plante's haunting vocals gets them a progressive stamp of approval.) But the past has many doors to peak in.... The very end of the 60's and most of the 70's where an amazing time... Crosby Stills Nash and Young, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, the Folk end of the spectrum... Jimmy Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Grand Funk, The Grateful Dead... Incredible guitar driven modern Rock(with country and blues thrown in). You have thousands of hours of unbelievably great music to get through before you even get to the Jazz Fusion period of Return To Forever band, Jean Luc Ponté, Pat Metheny and so many others... Enjoy the trip "young Skywalker"

[@joshrisakotta3730]

Thank you!!😁🙏🏽

[@JimiBurleigh]

2112, pronounced "Twenty-one Twelve", is Rush's Magnum Opus. The story was inspired by the work of contraversial authour Ayn Rand. The protaganist in the story lives in a world controlled by "the priests of the Temples of Syrinx" whose "great computers fill these hallowed halls". Life is regulated and regimented to such a level as to squelch the individual in favour of the collective society. "Just think about the average, what use have they for you?". Our hero discovers a cave behind a waterfall (hence the sound effect) and in that cave he finds a guitar. He learns how to make his own music and takes his discovery to the priests. They reject his music and Father Brown smashes and destroys his guitar. After this encounter our hero is devastated and he returns to his cave behind the waterfall and falls "into a fitful sleep", he then has the dream where he meets the Oracle and learns that "the Elder race still learn and grow". When he awakens from this dream he is convinced that he does not want to live in the priests world and so he decides to end his life. Just at that moment the Elder race arrive "to claim the home where they belong" and a battle ensues. It is left up to the listener to determine who wins this battle and assumes control. I have always envisioned it to be the Elder race. A little Rush Trivia: There is a little 'easter egg' buried within the "Grand Finale". "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation" 7 words repeated 3 times = 21 "We have assumed control" 4 words repeated 3 times = 12 There is also a little 2-1-1-2 'easter egg' hidden in the ride out of "Red Barchetta". If you want to know exactly where to listen for it, just ask.

[@bizo2pg31]

They were 25 years old when they recorded this. Let that sink in...

[@laknox88]

1. There is little to no Yes influence here. Neal was =very= into Ayn Rand, so much so, that she was acknowledged on the album cover. 2. This was probably the 500th time I've listened to 2112 straight through and I =still= get goosebumps. 3. The album version is great but pales in comparison to seeing this live, which I was lucky enough to do on the 2112 Tour in '76.

[@bobdelp2023]

OKAY THERE YA GO, YOU'RE ON THEIR WEBSITE, COOL! :)

[@robchehowski4281]

Do yourself a favour & watch the youtube video with the accompanying storyboard to 2112, the story will blow you away. I was privileged to see them play 2112 in its entirety June 30, 1997 at Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto. It was the first time they ever played all of it live, even including the 2112 tour. I could have died after that night. For the love of cute, fluffy kittens, react to Leave That Thing Alone from the Time Machine Tour! Also, Red Barchetta, The Camera Eye, Natural Science, Freewill, Witch Hunt, Something for Nothing, By Tor and the Snow Dog.

[@squamishfish]

Watch the song again with the cartoon version follow the lyrics , The song is a rock opera about a society that does not believe in music, a guy finds a guitar and is totally taken away with it , he presents it to the society leaders who reject it , Again even on your own time watch the Cartoon version it has around 2.5 million views it will be worth the time ,

[@tamararosecollins1623]

Thank you for your commentary. I’m in shock! While I was listening to Elton John , this was going ok behind the scenes. I’m a 57 year old woman and although love their commercial stuff, I never listened to this until yesterday. I’m forever hooked !

[@squamishfish]

@@tamararosecollins1623 Rush , Elton John , Queen , Eric Clapton , Rod Stewart, The stones The Beatles , The Who , Led Zep , and countless others have a huge part in my Life listening to their music

[@johnioannou7976]

Jesus Christ and his disciple John were strolling along the shore of the Dead Sea when Jesus all of the sudden stepped off to the side, squatted down, pulled up his frock and pinched a loaf ten feet long and three feet wide. John, with a stunned look on his face said, “HOLY SHIT! “

[@AudiophileTubes]

LMFAO!!! HILARIOUS!!!

[@scottshields113]

The greatest breakthrough album by any band...

[@zerglilngvet5428]

Hemispheres!!!

[@james3282]

It's called 21-12, twenty one twelve.

[@jamesmorrill9650]

Check out these from rush. All live versions. La villa Striangato Xanadu from live Exit Stage Left Drum solo Frankfurt Germany

[@philstone3859]

Two one one two? No, it’s twenty one twelve, like the year. This is future Rock. The real world is getting very scary close to this dystopian theme. This is high level, science fiction, high quality Rock & Roll from the past! Or just another day for RUSH. They are the very best at this stuff. Nobody can compete with them here. Plus that’s one of the coolest album covers EVER! This is one of the best half concept albums of all time. Yes, technically it’s not a concept album because only the first side is concept. But who fucking cares? It’s a RUSH masterpiece that no one can touch, period.

[@johncampbell756]

They are all human. Watch the video Rush made on the form of a graphic novel that explains everything.

[@stratcat3216]

the story as I see it: Mankind left this planet long ago.. returned at the end to burn down the temples and set man that was left behind free (again).

[@wild8757]

You should’ve checked out the version of this song with the animation playing in the background that explains the story, check it out sometime

[@burningbeard9478]

i was hoping to be the 2112st like but the 230th works fine...cheers from oregon

[@edwardcrews2952]

The best three person band ever. Rest In Peace Mr Peart

[@miguelbotelho2613]

Love your reactions bro, now try Hemespheres side 1 next by Rush.

[@lewisbernstein4272]

But not before he listens to Cygnus X-1 from A Farewell to Kings!

[@anthonysullivan6534]

Gotta listen to part one from a farewell to kings first…

[@djohns7544]

Enjoy your videoa, especially as you're not pausing too much. Have you thought about doing reactions to the Bee Gees, three brothers who were very popular in the sixties and seventies. How deep is your love. Alone, Massachusetts, Too much heaven

[@miket7763]

You are welcome... From Canada.

[@suziechapstick8236]

Sorry to keep commenting, but when 18:00 hits I cant help but think that Geddy's voice can wail just as as hard as any guitar.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

What Can This Strange Device Be?,, When I Touch It,, It Gives Forth A Sound,, It's Got Wires That Vibrate & Gives Music,, What Can This Thing Be That I've Found? Rush "Discovery"

[@helmutvogel901]

No, it is the 'Elder Race of Man' that the oracle had shown him, that came back to reclaim their home and tear the controlling temples down. The last lines announcing "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation -seven words, repeated three times = 21, followed by " We have assumed control, also repeated three times, = 12. And thus you have the title.

[@JimiBurleigh]

Just a quick note to tell you that it's pronounced "Twenty-one Twelve", not 'two-one-one-two'. It's a small thing, but an important one nonetheless. Just FYI Peace 0️⃣✌

[@joshrisakotta3730]

I had a feeling that there was a certain way to pronounce it!😂

[@pahtar7189]

@@joshrisakotta3730: 2112 is the year this story is supposed to take place.

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

@@pahtar7189 it's important to read the liner notes and lyrics to understand 2112.

[@hawklee9702]

Rush music and songs must be accompanied by the lyrics. The purpose of the music is supporting the lyrics. The comic book video is perfect. Honor the great three, lyrics, lyrics, and now lyrics. Absorb Cygnus X-1, and Hemisperes next, no regerts.

[@jamesmorrill9650]

Here is the gist of 2112. It’s about a future time when music was outlawed. The point of the water and what he found was a guitar and he’s tuning it. They bring that guitar to the religious nuts and try to show them but they rejected it