12-21-21 Reminds Me Of 2112

I could not help but think of 2112 when I saw today’s date.

2112 was the 4th studio album by the Canadian band, Rush.

It was 1976 and the bands popularity was waning. Mercury Records was close to putting them out to pasture, but gave them one more chance to come up with a commercial hit.

Instead, the boys produced  the antithesis of commercial, defying their handlers, resulting in the record that allowed the band to continue making music for a living for decades to come, selling over 40 million albums and playing to packed stadiums all around the world.

The late Neil Peart (regarded as one of the best rock drummers ever), attributes his idea for most of the lyrics to the philosophy of Ayn Rand (Who is John Galt?)  as the story unfolds of a dystopian world where music and independent thought  become outlawed and/or controlled by the high priests of the government.

While I always prefer “live” videos,  the original studio recording has never (in my opinion) been duplicated adequately live, so I am sticking to the studio.

“And the meek shall inherit the earth.”

Side one of the album is made up of 7 movements.  Here are the first two, with lyrics below.

Lyrics

We’ve taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It’s one for all, all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why

We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
Our great computers fill the hollowed halls
We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within these walls

Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
What a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled

Hold the red star proudly high in hand

We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
Our great computers fill the hollowed halls
We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within these walls