To record a song like this in the studio is hard enough, but to play it live so flawlessly is simply another level of 🐐🐐🐐-dom!! This is definitely one of their best songs.

"The most endangered species? The honest man......." The hardest rocking song with some of the deepest lyrics you'll ever hear! Another great one is "The Camera Eye". To me, Geddy's finest vocal performance is on the studio version of "The Camera Eye".

Since the early 80's, RUSH was the ONLY band I'd pay to see live, and I saw them live MANY times

All the many times I've seen Rush live, they have a way of making you feel like you're standing beside yourself. Utter amazement, puzzled, like you just went through something...a true experience. The math never makes sense in one's head, it's always, "no way this is three people" despite having personally witnessed it. They are insanely talented individuals in their own right, but the sum of the parts always equals MORE with Rush and that's not always an easy thing to wrap one's head around. RUSH is special and everything a music lover, an audiophile could ever ask for in a band, in each musician as an individual and within the music, it's story writing lyrics and overall complexity. I am always in awe and will always hold them in high regard...just wow!

Rush were always on top of their game. There was never a "bad" live performance of their classic songs. You're seeing 3 of the greatest rock muscians of all time.

Geddy sounds awesome here. I love where his vocal development was here, matured but still completely youthful. I love Rush! RIP Neil.

IMO this is there best Album. There is something special about this Album, from when you drop the needle or push play the ride begins, side A then side B and at the end you are exhausted and saying WOW over and over. I said that when I got the Album in 84 ( released 1980 ) and still say the same 40 years later in 2024.😎

This is definitely one of my favorite Rush songs and this is a great live performance. I love this entire album.

I was at this very show, my first time seeing Rush - AND it was also my first time hearing Natural Science! To say I was blown away is an understatement! This was already a concert that had ALL of 2112 played before the intermission. This track came midway through the second half (it was a 3 hour concert - just Rush, no opener!). The atmosphere with this song (the whole night actually) was sublime. Hot summer night, breeze off of Lake Ontario, sweet smells (ahem) in the air, and these 3 hometown boys! What could be better?! I was quick to pick up Permanent Waves after this show to hear the original version. Great reaction Salvo! Thanks for the memory jog!

Besides the splashing at the intro, the reverb on Geddy’s vocals in the intro of the studio cut was the natural echo and reverberation from the mountains surrounding LaStudio in Canada. They said that Geddy recorded the vocals for the intro and they took some speakers outside and blasted his vocals through them, so they’d get a natural sound reverb. These three gentlemen are legends. Gentlemen actually fits those three. Three of the most humble people in the world. No ego in that band, which is why they were able to stay together for over forty years. The one thing always said about Rush is “How can three guys make such a sound?”. One reason is because Neil and Geddy are a band within a band. They are the most layered and multitalented rhythm section ever in rock and roll. That gives Alex a hand and why they never needed a rhythm guitarist to fill out the sound, not when Geddy can shred 8th and 16th notes while singing. They have been called the world’s smallest orchestra for a reason. They write their rock songs more like an orchestra, filling out the sound by creating harmonizing layers, rather than all play the same thing. Geddy makes sure that every bass riff fits Neil’s drum fills perfectly. I never remember hearing any rock band before them that did that? Geddy also usually writes bass pieces in harmonizing keys. It’s like when you hear two people singing the same melody, it doesn’t sound as full as two people who are harmonizing, especially when it becomes a quartet singing soprano, tenor, baritone and bass. If every singer in the quartet was singling the same melody, it wouldn’t sound as full as when they harmonize. No other band could recreate their studio recordings live with the perfection of Rush. Their workload was so much more involved than the average rock group. Both Alex and Geddy have Taurus pedals on the floor by their microphone, where they can trigger synthesizer sounds and also sound samples. Neil also fills out the sound of the slower intros and breaks with some of the many percussion instruments worked into his massive drum Kit. He was one of the few drummers with a humongous kit that actually played every percussion instrument at his access. Those chimes, glockenspiel, xylophones, tubular bells and Chinese tuned cymbals, just to name a few percussion pieces in his kit. His giant, monster of a drum kit was not there for show, no, he actually played pieces as melodic as any other instrument in the band. Geddy always had the greatest workload in the band. He could shred the bass like no other, while simultaneously playing the keyboards with his feet, all while singing. I have seen Rush live more than 30 times, beginning with their Permanent Waves tour, which is the album Natural Science happens to be on. They did that live and it was perfection, like this one. I was so blown away by their perfection live that I vowed never to miss them when they came to town. They never disappointed. In the beginning, they always had an opening act, then they’d play for around two hours. When they made their comeback after five years off, due to the horrible tragedies Neil suffered, they released the album Vapor Trails. That was the very first tour that I remember them having no other act. Instead, they played a three hour show, only taking a short break in the middle. That was mostly due to Neil getting older, but refusing to slow down and would still play at the same level he did as a 20 year old. Geddy and Alex would usually come out and do a couple of acoustic numbers, giving Neil a much needed break. To answer your question about Alex and vocals, yes, he does sing harmonies on some songs. There are several songs he harmonizes with Geddy on. I know he sings on the beautiful song named “The Garden” off of their last album, Clockwork Angels. Alex would also harmonize with Geddy when they’d play the acoustic numbers during their break.

"This is crazy!" Yes, that is this song in a nutshell.

Indeed in my top 10 Rush songs but this live performance is in my top 3…it is so good!!!!!!

This song is everything that makes Rush simply one of the greatest experiences. As a fan since the late 70’s this song and entre nous are two of my favorites.

No every song is the best song. You need to listen to the studio version with headphones or a good stereo so you can hear all the sound effects the water and everything in the beginning basically it sounds like what they try to do mimic the album on stage and also improvise and have fun but in a professional way close to the album. I can't believe you you watching the video without here in the studio first to see how close they got it pretty much nailed it. Just a little natural environmental effects that you can hear in the studio album instead of allowed concert you get a little better experience. Oh and you are listening to the number one drummer in the world rest in peace. From number one Rush fan.

Fantastic song from Permanent Waves, and an amazing rendition of it.

I was at that show. It was my 3rd time seeing them live and the first time in 20 years they did all seven parts of 2112 live. Absolute magic.

I was at this show. It was F'ing exceptional!

Alex occasionally sang backup vocals and keyboards. The channel rushlyricsonscreen has lyrics with the original album audio.

Several things at work here, imo. 1) Three insanely talented musicians. All three at least in the conversation for best ever at their instruments. 2) The composition is top shelf. The integration of these three virtuosos is otherworldly. Three way musical mind meld. Multiple time signature transitions executed flawlessly. 3) Three musicians sounding like several more is also due to their each playing multiple instruments. Neil’s kit is massive, encircling him completely. Every drum, cymbal and other percussion instrument imaginable. He uses just about all of it. Geddy plays synth with hands in addition to singing and ripping bass. Also plays synth fills with his feet. Alex has a number of guitar effects. Their level of professionalism is astonishing, executing very complex music near flawlessly live.

What a blast......incredible

Beautiful ✨💞

One of my all time favorite Rush songs. Musically and lyrically brilliant. The studio version is a masterpiece.

What a great live version of a very difficult song

An amazing live performance!

No overreaction at all! These guys are insanely great! What I always loved about them live is watching their personal reactions when they rip through such incredible tracks that are 10 or more min long with time signatures changes that are purely technically brilliant!! I feel for anyone who never had the chance to see them live…. So insanely goooooooood

This video shows why I saw Rush 18 times !

Permanent Waves is my fave Rush album.. "Entres Nous".. "Jacob's Ladder" "Freewill".. #RUSH

one of their best songs

It still amazes me how fucking good Rush is. I have watched this video so many times. Pure energy and musicianship.

Surely one of thier best

Rush always performed at a level way above expectations. I had the pleasure of seeing eight of their tours and would have loved to see many more. And yes, this is progressive metal! Consider responding to The Camera Eye.

Welcome to Rush! The 3 members that sounded like many! Pure talent! The masters at tempo change!

Flat out one of the best prog/rock songs ever recorded, by perhaps the most talented rock band to ever grace a stage.

My fav ❤, and I was there. As a real fan, you know every beat, and to see the band nail them all live is an unbelievable experience

Truly astounding.

You are right, this might be thier best song!

Possibly my favorite. And they were performing at this level into their 60s! Geddy’s voice began to falter, but their musicianship was always next level!

Personally I being a lifelong fan my opinion this is one of the best songs ever written period. !

What you miss with the live version of this song - is the water tide pools in the beginning, with birds chirping and at the end, the tidal waves engulfing the earth. This is my favorite Rush song. Musically and lyrically. Just the perfect song. Crazy thing about this song is that it almost did not make the album. So happy it did.

They're absolutely amazing 👏

Nice reaction Salvo, you were blown away!! Rush wrote great music, I was lucky enough to know them and it doesn't matter if it was just this year... I won't be able to hear them live now, but they will be part of my soundtrack for the rest of my life.

"Changes aren't permanent, but change is. I know, it's not "that song'"; but it is reflected in all of Rush's music. No one does changes better than Rush.

Definitely one of their best songs! Do yourself a favor and listen to the studio version as the live version was shortened with a second Lifeson solo removed. Peace.

You’re not dreaming. It really is just 3 outstanding musicians!!!

Loved these songs and concert performances in the day. The apex of musicianship and output of themed music, with science themes, and fantasy. Amazing songs, loved seeing Rush live.

The synchronized step back at 4:13 gets me right in the feels every time. Miss these guys. 19 times live was not nearly enough. Good to see the next generation loving this.

This is one of those songs where you just get in, sit down, shut up, and hang on!

I can't wait for Jacobs Ladder !

I believe Alex was on the mic for Subdivisions. It's the first one that comes to mind. He's the booming "SUBDIVISIONS" voice.

Even though you saw the live version , even on your own time the Studio version is a must , with the lyrics

The power of three!!!!!

One of the absolute best bands to see live!

Rush lyrics are #1 in prog rock music.

One of my favourite Rush songs! Great performance! 💜💜💜

As a Rush fan and science geek, this is one of my favorites. What an amazing performance! Be sure to check out the lyrics - poetry. Alex does sing on some, for example on The Garden.

As Jerry Reed once sang: When You're Hot You're Hot. The fellows were on fire, that night.

This was an amazing concert to experience live, as were all of them. It was an amazing era to live through.

I saw this tour 2nd row Albany NY……they ended their first set with this and took about half hour break and then came back with 2112 in its entirety…pretty special…..I wouldn’t say prog metal ….but definitely prog hard rock ..although the song Necromancer has a sabbath feel to it and is rather dark

Amazing!!! This tour was incredible. Rush were definitely firing on all cylinders on this tour and Geddy was still in really great vocal form.

I was at this show...

This album was my first concert when I was around 16, 1979-80, blew me away

My absolute favorite Rush song! The idea is mindbendy that our world, that we think so permanent, might just be a temporary stage like a tidepool between two high tides. And then the music, the different parts, the crazy time signatures. Awesome, awesome song.

Let's all admit it. It is because of Alex's guitaring that expands Rush's sound.

This is my ALL time favorite RUSH song!! I love the excitement, enthusiasm, and pure giddiness of your first time reaction.

"Talent level on a scale of 1 to 10: 38 Billion"

This was a great reaction I can't believe you only have 700 like I gave you 100,000 great job 👏

To sound like so many people, Rush have always played bass pedal synthesizers onstage. Those later evolved to be used as sampling workstations. So the keyboard sounds come from Geddy and Alex's feet as well as Neil triggered them on drums pads. They played these live, in time, no tracks. Sometimes Geddy triggers his own backing vocals.

RUSH: Making other bands say WTF since 1974!

When Alex starts that picking right after the “acoustic” opening, I get chills. Every time. One of my all-time top-five Rush songs. Great, great performance.

what a difference the size of the venue makes when it comes to clarity

more rush plz

Check out La Villa Strangiato, live in 1978. Killer instrumental song. This showed the genius of RUSH, early in their career. A virtuoso performance by each band member.

It’s Alex…. “Subdivisions “ and a quit a few more backing vocals live.

One of Rush's best...I was at this show. Awesome memories...

Sounds like Rock n Roll to me!

This concert was on the 2nd of July. On the 10th of August, Peart's daughter died in a car crash, and his wife died of cancer in June of the next year. There's a poignancy to this tour that's bookended by their performance of "Ghost Rider" in the Rush in Rio video, the lyrics of which describe his journey back to life. At the end of the song, Peart snaps one of his sticks.

Lol...Power trio!!! I'm 45 and i'm lucky to have seen them 4 times live, 3x in my hometown Montreal and once in Toronto. You can see them on stage challenging each other, amazing.

The other 5 members of the band are hiding under Neil"s drum riser. This has been a favorite of mine for *cough* 42 years. Yeah, I'm old. I saw my first Rush concert in 1977. There has been no band that has had as much influence on me than these three (plus John Rutsey from the first album.).

rush was an amazing live band

This is probably my all-time favorite bassline ever.

I got the Permanent Waves LP as soon as it was released. When I heard this song for the first time, I was blown away by it & loved it immediately. I got to see them on that tour at The Palladium in NYC (which is no more). It truly was amazing hearing it live. I took some amazing photos at this concert. One of the best shows I've ever seen.

Rush=Exceptional live performances, at least as good as Studio recordings, but usually even better due to performance extensions and flourishes. The only reason to listen to studio recordings instead of live, with Rush, is the cleaner sound without the crowd, and better stereo/surround sound staging/scaping created.

This is my favorite RUSH song. Neil predicted AI. And I love Biology. Plus, it's like their heaviest song.

This was test for echo tour.. i went to the show in KC...amazing.... of course it was enhanced with a bit of LSD...😂.... they played 2112 in its entirety on that tour. Saw them somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 times after that tour. Amazing

Although numerous progressive bands are wonderfully talented, what I feel sets Rush apart is their superior ability to weave progressive complexity within beautiful music which is equally enjoyable by musicians and non-musicians. I feel that they have accomplished this lofty goal better than any other musical group in history. Deeply inspired as a young teen by their wonderful song "Mission" from their "Hold Your Fire" album, I set about a career as a songwriter/lyricist/bassist and have enjoyed every moment. RUSH = GOAT :)

They asked Eddie Van Halen how it felt like to be the Greatest Rock Guitarist. And he responded, ' I don't know, what did Alex Lifeson say?' Now, it's all subjective but, that's HIGH Praise coming from a Legend.

I saw this tour at the Knickerbocker (opening night). 3 hours of just RUSH. AMAZING! And they played 2112 beginning to end. I will say, "Natural Science" is one of their most underrated songs.

Alex's mic is live but rarely used. His contribution to backing vocals is spare at best, and in later tours he did this rambling, improvisational comedy bit. Also, he does step to the mic and mimic the word "subdivisions" like he does in the video, but he does not actually say it either live or on the record.

SalvoG, check out the studio version! It's a little bit different from this version and it kills!

One of the most under rated Rush songs, and def one of my favorites. Alex says "Subdivisions" LOL

Sure, the depth and complexity seems insane. But it's Rush. For them, just another day at the office.

Top 5 Rush song for me, check out the studio version for an extra verse and guitar solo

For some reason it was missing one of the solos. There was a second, arguably even better solo, towards the end of the song that Alex didn't play in this version. I wonder why?

SalvoG remember Rush always going to better. Great reaction and Alex participate in a few songs like "Subdivitions" . This song Is like 2112 without parts. Great reaction SalvoG thanks again

it IS one of their best songs. Here's a little playlist for you if you like this: 1. Natural Science 2. Cygnus X-1 3. Jacobs Ladder 4. Hemispheres 5. Chemistry Those 5 songs will give you about a 45 minute tour de force.

Yeah Alex does do backup vocals on a few songs live. Off hand I can't recall what song. Maybe Force Ten? Marathon? I think it's Marathon. Check that out. Jacob's Ladder is another song from Permanent Waves worth looking into.

I saw Rush several time but the Rush 30 tour was the best. ALEX Did get on the mic . I think it was during LA Villa Strangiato. Geddy was wearing a Girls Gone Wild T-Shirt and Alex was playing a blues solo which was from "Feedback" it sounded. So good and then Alex started speaking into the mic. I could tell Geddy Found it funny. I only remember him mentioning pirates and female treasure chests before he made the guitar scream. Alex is quite the comedian.

I was at this show back then. They played the entirety of 2112 live for the first time ever, which was just insane. Natural Science is a fantastic song all around, definitely one of their best. I was a bit disappointed that they left out Alex's second solo of the song, but they were definitely at the top of their game on this tour.

Exceptional, polished, tight. We need to invent a new word for Rush's live performances.....

Show the lyrics. The music alone is unequaled, but without knowing the lyrics the complete dimension will be vague to the first time listener. Rush is the complete package because of their individual talents and universal message.