2112 - A Galactic Empire

In the year 2062, a galactic war results in the union of all planets under the control of The Red Star of the Solar Federation. The year is 2112. The city of Megadon is ruled over by a faction of priests, who reside in The Temples Of Syrinx. These priests determine the content of all reading matter, songs and pictures.

2112 is a 7-part song written, composed and recorded by a band called Rush. Rush a 3 member band featuring guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist/singer Geddy Lee and drummer Neil Peart. Set in the future, the song touches on various topics. The city of Megadon is controlled by priests, who have outlawed individualism and creativity. It illustrates the struggle of the dystopian protagonist who thrives to make the priests see the beauty of music. In short, 2112 is a song that teaches us the importance of art in the modern world.

 

  

Abstract

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 surviving 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...

 Overture

 

 

The song opens with an epic instrumental section called Overture. The intro is quite synth heavy but the song begins to take shape once the guitar, bass and drums come in. The rhythm sections change while Lifeson lays down solid and catchy riffs. This part of the song feels progressive in nature, but flexible and metallic at the same time. Things to note here, in my opinion, are the drum sections and guitar riffs. The bass intertwines beautifully with Peart's playing and all in all, Overture is such a great section to listen to. It ends with the mind numbing line - And the meek shall inherit the Earth.

 

 

The Temples Of Syrinx

 

Abstract

The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the Heart of every Federation city. I have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the priests.. 

 

We've taken care of everything

The words you read and the songs you sing

The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes

This stanza is a small part of the 2nd section. Fueled by a clean and catchy guitar tone, the vocals in this section are full of energy. Geddy sings as the priests of Megadon and establishes the rules put in place by the priests of the city.

We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls

 

The stanza above is the chorus of the second section. Again, the main attraction is Geddy's powerful voice. The vocal melodies are crafted extremely well, although many listeners aren't fond of the high pitched voice that is Geddy's. 

The Temples Of Syrinx begins to establish the living conditions of Megadon and conveys the mindset of it's priests. 

Discovery

 

Abstract

Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was hidden beneath the cave, I found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful..

 

I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn the keys to make them sound differently. As I struck the wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious sounds, and soon my own music! How different it could be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait to tell the priests about it!... 

 

Discovery is an exceptionally beautiful section. A beautiful and soothing acoustic instrumental break makes up a portion of this part. The ambience during this break is what I noticed at first listen. The sounds of water, pouring and splashing, accompanied by Lifeson's masterful playing. It's a break from the previous 2 sections and it allows the listener to grasp the events that occurred up until the present moment. 

 

The protagonist of the story discovers something he's never seen before. A guitar. He picks it up and strums it's strings, and well, Neil's lyrics speak for itself:

 

What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music

What can this thing be that I found? 

 

See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain

 

I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night 

 

These lyrics are very articulate. The figure of speech used here is imagery. Neil paints a wonderful picture for the listener using words. It almost feels like you're reading a novel, but a novel with rhymes. 

The hero of the story wishes to show this wonder to the priests. To spread the joy and enlighten the people. This, however, does not go that well for him, as we will see in the next section.

Presentation

 

Abstract

..."In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up to a circle of grim, expressionless faces. Father Brown rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed throughout the silent Temple Hall"...

..."Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet rejection! Instead of praise, sullen dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet..." 

I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you.

The Priests:
Yes, we know
It's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
Our world is doing fine
Another toy
That helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan

I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do

The Priests:
Don't annoy us further
We have our work to do.
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?   

 

The priests destroy the guitar. Instead of embracing his newfound music, they call it a 'toy that helped destroy the elder race of man'. The dialogues of the protagonist are written wonderfully be Neil. He rhymes simple words together but it bodes very nicely with the feel of the song. Geddy sings this section fantastically and it almost seems like there is actually an argument between the hero and the priests. The music is also very dynamic.

 

 Oracle - The Dream

 

Abstract

..."I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase"...

..."I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities, and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things..."

 

I wandered home though the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream - can't you show me the light 

 

I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on, light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days

I see the works of gifted hands
Grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes

They left the planet long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong

 

He goes into a 'fitful sleep' and begins to dream. The analogy of him escaping to realms beyond the night is a profound one. An oracle confronts him in his dream and takes him into the past to see the work of the elder race. He sees these people at work and is extremely moved and is now filled with a new purpose.

 

Soliloquy  

 

Abstract

..."I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last."

 

Our hero begins to lose hope and secludes himself into a cave. Still aware of the dream, he chooses not to act upon it. I might try to delve deeper into his reasons, but I'll stick to the lyrics for now. He seems to have lost the energy and motivation even after the Oracle spoke to him, however. He also idles, thinking about how all his dreams return to stone and he didn't want the dream of the elder race rebound to be one of them. He calls his life cold and empty, his spirits are at an all time low. He decides, to die.

 

The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh, and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed

I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams
Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen

I don't think I can carry on
This cold and empty life

My spirits are low, in the depths of despair
My lifeblood
Spills over....  

 

This is the penultimate part of the song, and there's another epic solo from Alex to top it off. Needless to say, this is a scene overflowing with emotions, much like the sound of the waterfall he took refuge in. 

 

Grand Finale

 
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation

We have assumed control
We have assumed control
We have assumed control 

 

This part is recited by Neil Peart. He has a very deep voice and it hence suits the eerie vibe of The Grand Finale.

 

There is one very interesting detail here. 

"Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation" is a sentence with 7 words. There are 3 of the same sentences. 7 multiplied by 3 gives us 21.

"We have assumed control" is a sentence with 4 words. There are 3 of this sentence too. That gives us 4x3 = 12.

 

Putting these 2 results together, we get the masterpiece that is 2112.