Sorry about the volume problem. The original KZfaq video I reacted to has a real high volume compared to my microphone

You were bang on with your reaction. Yes, the elders came back. This was the finger to their record company as they didn't like their music direction and they wanted them to do more radio friendly songs. The guys had the integrity to stick what they wanted to create and 2112 was a massive success. The record company never interfered again.

I`m 62 have listened to 2112 probably over 10,000 times and I still get goose bumbs.

The first I have seen catch the suicide just as the life he dreamed became reality with the return of the elder race. We'll done. The 2112 tour in 1976 was my first concert ever at 12 years old. Rush became and remains my favorite band! Seen them live double digits. Blessed!

The song and album that bought Rush their freedom. After this dropped nobody from the record company ever told them what they could or couldnt do ever again. 😊

I've seen a lot of reactions to this, and every one starts out exactly. The. Same. Way. The opening chords come blasting in and the listener is startled, then intrigued... and then the rhythm kicks in and their head starts bopping. Every time. This album is when all the parts of Rush came together and flourished. It's a brilliant composition that will likely be enjoyed for as long as people listen to music. This is one of their most passionate pieces. And yes, I still get occasional goosebumps during the finale.

When I first heard this in the fall of 1982, I was hooked. Rush is an awesome band!!!

The most insightful and articulate reaction to this song hands down. Lyrical context as well as music. Well done, young man. Love it how you love it. Because Rush is pure artistry.

2112 is the year (it is science fiction, after all), but it also is a nod to the classical piece "1812 Overture". Alex even quotes a theme from it briefly during the first part - titled "Overture", fittingly enough. It also uses the blast of cannons at the end of that part, just like the 1812 Overture does during its finale. I used to also believe "2112" corresponded to the length of the track too, but sadly it runs less than 21 minutes!

Geddy says he was a big Yes fan. When Yes got into the R&R HOF, Geddy played bass for them.

Imagine how this sounded to my young stoned 16 year old mind in 1976. Incredible. It's still my favorite Rush album. It put Rush on the map. It is when Rush became RUSH! I saw them live on the supprting tour that year as well. Brilliant!

Rush fan for 40 years here. Only found this out a few years ago (and did not figure this out on my own lol). "Attention All Planets of the Solar Federation" - 7 words repeated 3 times = 21. "We Have Assumed Control" - 4 words repeated 3 times = 12. 2112. My mind was blown 35+ years after first hearing this song!

Yeeeeesssss great job! I have watched lots and lots of reactions on this amazing epic. Most don't come close at all to what is going on with a first listen. You NAILED it! The hero kills himself thinking he can't live in that world anymore. In the ultimate irony the elder race returns to tear the temples down just after he dies. Neil was a poet. Great job. This song is the perfect demonstration of his genius.

This is an absolute classic......in a hundred years from now this will be mentioned as a modern classic. .pretty much as we talk about Motzart etc today. Every section of this piece is masterful and grabs your attention as the story unfolds.

Excellent reaction too what I believe is the greatest rock song ever written!! And what blows me away about RUSH is they had hungry minds for over 4 decades and I truly believe if Neil had not passed away we would have easily been blessed with another 10 yrs of this greatness 🤘🔥🤘

An epic Rush song. A break down of the 7 sections. Original song lengths listed. I. "Overture" - 4:31 II. "The Temples of Syrinx" - 2:16 III. "Discovery" - 3:25 IV. "Presentation" - 3:41 V. "Oracle: The Dream" - 2:00 VI. "Soliloquy" - 2:19 VII. "Grand Finale" - 2:16

I love your reactions to Rush! Simply put, you get it. You get the musicianship, songwriting and lyrics. Keep in mind, this only a trio. How many trios in rock and progressive rock can do this?Thank you! Rush on!

Sooo refreshing to watch someone totally get this song on your first try.

You have reached the peak.

- "Screw those priests guys." - RIGHT ON! :) - (BTW, great real-time analysis/interpretation of this masterpiece/opus Sci-Fi Rock Opera! (which is about the music industry, BTW.)).

Rush was picked to induct Yes into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Geddy and Alex had great stories about listening to Yes as teenagers and going to their concert , Geddy got to play Bass on Roundabout with Yes

I know you’re early 30’s so you might remember that this entire song was available in guitar hero and Rock Band video games in 2010. That’s how I was introduced to it ❤

Man, you nailed it, first time - even some of the finer story nuances that normally take a few listens. As awesome as Geddy’s full-range vocal performance is, as incredible as Neil’s drumline fills are, you gotta hand it to Alex in this one. The tone, the expressiveness of the solos - I’d put this performance up against Gilmour any day. The solos are the best. In the end of Presentation it’s the complete shock and confusion, even panic, as the protagonist runs from the Temples, He was expecting to be praised, not rejected. Nothing compares to Soliloquy, though - that solo is just utter despair and loss of all hope. Man, he makes that thing wail and moan. You will enjoy this one over and again. Cheers! P.S. “I see the hand of man arise, with hungry mind and open eyes.” I’ve always loved that lyric. I think it embodies one of the best qualities of humans.

OMG! Rush was my favorite band in high school (class of 85). Played the hell out of this back then. Still love this band. Neil was undoubtedly the best. I rank Geddy #3 behind John Entwhistle and Chris Squire. Alex us criminally underrated. But their writing both music and lyrics mixed with the talent on their instruments is unequalled. There will never be another Rush!

🤗 It's late but I don't care!🥰 2112 Lets Go! 😊🐰

Your assessment of this epic song was bang on better than other reactions and I’ve watched them all

This album was their middle finger to their record company - after their previous album (Caress of Steel) didn't sell they were told to do more short 'radio friendly' songs. They chose to do the music they wanted, even if it meant they weren't going to make it in the music business. After 2112 was a massive hit they didn't get any further interference. Also note, attention all planets of the solar federation, 7 words repeated 3 times, followed by we have assumed control, 4 words 3 times makes 2112. And yes the song name is twenty one twelve.

ok, great and quite thoughtful reaction, and imo was correctly interpreted, and for a first listen, so my hats off to you Sir. Consider me subscribed. I skipped school @ 16yo to drive up to Port Huron, Michigan to see them, 5/22/77, in a small hockey arena. Got there around noon. Stalked the area for potential rock star sighting. Snuck in the backstage door with my buds, we stole up to the dark upper seats so we could stealthily watch the soundcheck. Saw them writing Freewill while roadies flew radio controlled aircraft around the inside of the joint. Max Webster opened for them. Watched them play 2112 from 2nd row, and saw what i believe was only the 2nd performance of Xanadu, before Farewell To Kings was even recorded. Yeah, I got blessed like that!

The actual lyrics: "With hungry mind and open eyes" The author of the video made a few minor errors in an otherwise great lyric video. You're reaction is awesome, if a big too many pauses :)

I stopped making comments . Everybody said IT all . Wht can else can you say . " I echo every one's comments . Thumbs up for these guys ‼️

Such a great reaction to my favorite song by Rush. This is another one of those songs that I use to lay down under our pool table with the lights out back in the 70's when I was a kid and just listen and study what the lyrics were saying and how the music was being played. I like the fact that you listen to the song and really try and understand the meaning of both the lyrics and the music of it. Alot of people hear music but don't really truly listen to it if you know what I mean. About the song, I believe the dream did not make him kill himself but, put him in a depressed state to think that a world can have such control over you that you can't have any individuality and enjoy your own music and/or arts. And as you heard in the end, maybe there really is a world trying to be in control of us all. Great, Great song!

I was blessed to catch Rush's Test For Echo tour back around 96 or maybe 97 when they played the 2112 Overture in it's entirety. I had a new girlfriend of only a few weeks at the time and she had never heard Rush before. She walked away very impressed by their performance.

Great reaction to one of my favorite Rush songs. Thanks

Much of the inspiration for the story from Neil comes from the Ayn Rand novella Anthem. Neil was a super philosophical dude.

Great reaction! Love that you get the lyrics and follow along intently, superb.

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. As cool as the graphics are, in 1976 we were hit with both barrels with 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.😎

Your understanding young man has earned you another sub!

After the tepid response to their first couple albums, their record company told them to come out with some shortened radio friendly "hits", so in response, RUSH released this.

A brilliant reaction - the best I've seen regarding this masterpiece. The final words -Attention all planets of the Solar Federation x 3 = 21 words We have assumed control x 3 = 12 words Also - 21 + 12 = 33 The Freemasons sacred number. That's something to think about !

26:12 Yes, this is what happened to me after the dmt experiences

Everyone says Rush is "prog rock". I believe they just rock🤘🤘🤘👽

Lucky f you get to hear this for the first time

In the song it definitely sounds like the main character commits suicide, but RUSH put out a comic book version of this that implies that the main character lives. In the comic it is the Elder Race returning and tearing down the temples. You see the banner of the red star set on fire and burnt up. It's twenty-one twelve.

I got 2112 when I was 13, back in '77, which was cool because I got A farewll to kings , as well, this other than Pink Floyd, blew my mind at the time😊

Your reaction reminded me of me the first time I heard it in 77. Its definitely a rock opera

Great reaction! Yes, it's "twentyone-twelve", not 2-1-1-2. And yes, the Elder Race does return at the end to save mankind from oppressive, power-obsessed Priests! I believe suicide of our hero is suggested but the band (or maybe just Neil) said that he didn't really go through with suicide -- he just felt like dying. But then, all of the sudden, he had reason for hope! Rush was going to continue making great music and the Record Company "Priests" were going to back TF off and give them their freedom to create and make glorious music!! Wooo!!

If you look for it, there is a comic book style / lyric video to this track,.. it follows along nicely!

I know you reacted to Xanadu - but you should react to the LIVE version - it is the Best Live Performance OF ALL TIME. RUSH - Xanadu - Live In Montreal 1981 (2021 HD Remaster 60fps) Alex Lifeson - 6 string guitar, 12 string guitar, pedal synthesizer, volume pedal; Geddy Lee - Vocals, bass guitar, 6 string guitar, foot pedal synthesizer, electric piano/synthesizer; Neil Peart - Lyrics, Drums, orchestra bells, tubular bells, wind chimes, crotales, timbales, timpani, gong, temple blocks, bell tree, triangle, and melodic cowbells. Based on Kubla Khan (Xanadu) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Coleridge composed his poem, ‘Kubla Khan’, in a state of semi-conscious trance either in the autumn of 1797 or the spring of 1798 and published in 1816. The whole poem is pervaded by an atmosphere of dream and remains in the form of a vision. The vision embodied in Kubla Khan was inspired by the perusal of the travel book, Purchas His Pilgrimage. Coleridge had taken a dose of opium as an anodyne, and his eyes closed upon the line in the book, “At Zanadu Kubla Khan built a pleasure palace.” But this opened his creative vision, and the poem of about 200 lines was composed in this state of waking dream. On being fully awake, he wrote the poem down. The theme of the poem is unimportant. It describes the palace built by Kubla Khan, the grandson of Chengis Khan, the great rule of central Asia. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aMipna2cs8XSho0.html

A masterpiece !

I think about that long intro as an overture to an opera or Broadway musical. You'll notice a lot of the sections of the intro repeat with lyrics later in the "opera" song... which is what an "overture" usually does - provide a musical preview of songs and musical sections to come when the singing starts.

What’s really cool about Discovery as when he first picks it up he is literally tuning it to the song musically. Very cool intro to the discovery and then he begins slowly increasing the chord play and pick harmonics. Gorgeous. If you like this you’d really like “By-Tor and the SnowDog”

It's a metaphor of RUSH up against the corporate record company. They were under pressure to be more commercial but INSTEAD they decided they would rather commit suicide doing it their own way than doing it the commercial. They REALLY thought they were committing suicide with this album because they totally did it their own way - like a middle finger to music business - because of it's success this was their break thru album that gained them that creative freedom and they were never ever bothered again and have ALWAYS done it their own way

In my book, the guy didn't die.

Just a heads-up for when you get around to Yes' Close to the Edge, that came before this. When you hear it, you'll understand why I bring it up, now.

If I’m ever a news producer and the story to cover is the next space shuttle journey into space, I’m choosing Grande Finale as the background music, no brainer!

Awesome!Great break down!

Nice reaction!!!!! Oh hey Metal Mark

Superb reaction!

Attention all planets of the Solar Federation. (7 words) x 3-------21 We have assumed control (4 words) x 3 ----12

You are absolutely correct bro...great reaction All the bands that rush influenced...they can write the music with all the transitions but they don't have a Neil writing lyrics.....that's the difference 👍

Geddy and Alex were 22 years old and Neil was 23. That’s freakin crazy. Great reaction!

Doesn't get any better!

The Foutainhead was written in 1943 and 1984 was published in 1948

Here is a little extra tidbit: "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation" - 7 words 3 times is 21 and then "We Have Assumed Control" - 4 words 3 times is 12. Hence 2112. Just one more layer for your entertainment!

Sound was great on our end.... lol so glad I found you, I know exactly where your from... east coast Canada....... Welcome to Rush our three Canadian matsers. My kids were born in 80's so grew up with them. So most of my life..... we got 3 hour concerts.... yep yr. 2112..... the orig. Video has a cartoon strip to follow..... When this was written they were trying to tell the boys how to write music..... Cheers

Love it

You were correct the first time: pronounced "Twenty-one twelve", and yes it is the YEAR. Also, kudos on "getting" what was happening in the story without the benefit of the (very popular) cartoon video that shows the characters, and also shows the UNSUNG lyrics that accompany the story (which are actually included on the album's lyric sheet, and are a more detailed narration as to what the main character is doing/thinking.)

Great reaction ❤. You just get it, MJ.

Attention All Planets of the Solar Federation x 3 = 21 words We have Assumed Control x 3 = 12 Words Hence 2112

The original musical piece was structured like a Shakespearean or Greek tragedy. The protagonist after his vision fell into incurable despair and ultimately took his own life, and literally moments later the elder race had returned and annihilated the priestly establishment. But it was too late for the protagonist to experience the new world he longed for. The anniversary re-issue of this album included a new animated comic video for 2112. They altered the outcome at the end to show that the protagonist was interrupted in his suicidal thoughts by the bombing of the planet. Perhaps being sensitive to the topic of suicide, they used visuals to show a more positive outcome. I can honestly appreciate both endings in their own way. But still, in either case, there's an ambiguity about how things will turn with a new authority in place. Benign? Respectful of liberty without imposing "equality"? Words backed up by actions? etc

great great react

I first heard Rush when _All the World's a Stage_ came out, and I must say I like that version *much* more. It rocks harder and has a much more crunchy sound. It does omit _Discovery_ but nothing's perfect. In general I prefer their live versions of most songs.

That was a great reaction, man.

Attention All Planets of the Solar Federation - 7 words said 3 times = 21 We have Assumed Control - 4 words said 3 times = 12 2112

I remember the music press in Britain being outraged and totally dismissed this album and RUSH because they were predominantly left wing and they viewed this album as a right wing "nazi" album.!!!! I know how ridiculous that is but one music paper ( NME) accused Neil Peart of being a fascist because the lyrics are based upon a novel by Aayn Rand who was actually a fascist in the 1930s. They tried to say the Rush logo represented a pure Ayrian pushing back the red star of communism. Honestly they were that paranoid. Really.....Geddy Lee is jewish for gods sake. Great reaction to a great album by a brilliant band.

Xanadu by Rush edit stage left

Those last lines were some of the few times you have Neil on vocals.

It's pronounced Twenty one twelve. It's the most eloquent middle finger to the record industry ever delivered. The record execs wanted a More radio-friendly album from them and they figured you know what if we're going to go out let's do it great and they put out this album which was anything but radio friendly 😊

They left our planet long ago. And now they are back to assume control.

Well done bud, you nailed it. Music, musicianship and lyrics, just for fun, count the ending lyrics in their 2 parts. 21 12 ????

EXCELLENT JOB!! This is one of the best 2112 reactions I’ve seen!! I thoroughly enjoyed watching you listen to this! It’s so great to see people when they just “get it”!! As others have said, this is an FU to the record label for wanting them to cave and be more commercial, but it’s also based off the book Anthem by Ayn Rand. A story about a future collective society where they had no concept of “I”. Everything they did was for the community. No creative expression or artistry of any kind. The label wanted them to “conform to the norm” (something RUSH was never going to do)! It’s funny how you can see the bands point of view from the story Neil wrote as well as what was going on in their career at the time. They really wrote a masterpiece! Great reaction, Dude!! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!

"attention all planets of the solar federation"... 7 words spoken 3 times... 7x3 = 21 "we have assumed control"... 4 words spoken 3 times... 4x3 = 12 2112 yes the elder race tore down the temples in the year 2112.

It sounds silly especially since I’m 52 but when I first heard this album many many years ago I was in a dark place…Neil’s lyrics spoke to me the whole album…something for nothing helped me stop feeling sorry for myself and learn to deal…love love this album to this day…glad you found it

Ignoring the record company pressures and analysis/commentary by the band themselves over the years (because growing up I was unaware of it) I kinda felt the Elders coming back weren't really heroes either. I mean they were the ones that left Earth in ruins. Then the priests turned the remains into a hellhole. But then the Elders come back and conquer. Why would I think they would do any better despite "learning" and "growing". Maybe they just learned to make better weapons. 😉 Anyway, absent any info on this when I was young, I assumed both the Priests and the Elders to be bad guys (Authoritarians). Still do, honestly. But hey, it's my favorite Rush song. Good stuff.

Neil was as fun as Eddie vanHalen playing the guitar

Where have you been for almost 50 years? If you had had the copy of the album, you could’ve read the whole story. Kansas • Rush • Yes ! Trifecta. You got a lot of listening to do.

To get a good feel of what they do live. RUSH - XANADU (LIVE EXIT STAGE LEFT) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jNt4hpCYz7PNhqs.html And some old Ontario high school circuit footage pre Neil Peart. RUSH - LIVE ST.CATHERINES , CANADA 1974 LAURA SECONDARY SCHOOL kzfaq.info/get/bejne/etifqMuTz9bDaZc.html

yeah in 1976-77 this side got worn out

Autotune, not here. You get it! Now start an A-Z Rush Year and watch your subscribers grow. Audio was fine on my listen. Thanks for your thoughts!

i have to add ... the bass is good on headphones but it was made to be heard on a good set of speakers to punch you in the chest ...right in the heart , as a bass player i can confirm that true sub bass is not felt in the ear but as a shockwave affecting the whole body ...but you knew that right ? that slow down at 24:35 ... not often you get to use those numbers in a song again dynamics ... again difficult to find metal with those changes ...yes there are some ... which move you ?

Cool...you're reacting to RUSH' 2112 *_before_* reacting to the YES Masterpiece *Close To The Edge* which inspired it. Now, when you listen to Close To The Edge, you'll understand everything...

Neil Peart write’s most if not all Rush music !! R.I.P. 🙏🏻🔥❤️

You get it but u have to get this is the 70s

This is the album that changed my life, I first heard it in 1981 as a freshman in high school and it began my 40+ year love affair with Rush

The clue is in the title: "2112" this is a vision of a dystopian society 136 years from when the song was written, with ideas borrowed from a Russian right wing writer called Ayn Rand and her novel The Fountainhead but could as easily be taken from George Orwell's 1984 if that gives you a better comparison

One of the best Rush reactions to 2112 that I’ve seen on YT! Excellent job! Enjoy your Rush reactions very much. If you want to see 2112 perform by Rush in its entirety, here is the absolute best version of it on KZfaq: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sNCSaNaJr5rHn4E.html

Wait, you call yourself "The Metal Junkie" and you've *never* heard this before? Plus you're Canadian?! I call bullsh*t. 😉