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Popular Culture and Philosophy #57
Rush and Philosophy: Heart and Mind United
The progressive/hard rock band Rush has never been as popular as it is now. A documentary film about the band, Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, which was released in the summer of 2010 has been universally well received. They had a cameo in the movie I Love You Man. Their seven-part song “2112” was included in a version of “Guitar Hero” released in 2010. The group even appeared on The Colbert Report.
And now this, a book about Rush written for a general audience and geared towards issues concerning popular culture and philosophy. There has been a recent explosion of Rush onto the popular culture front, and how ironic for a band that has spent the early days of their career on the outside of mainstream popularity. Even legendary trios such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, and The Police don’t enjoy the commitment and devotion that Rush’s fans lavish on Alex, Geddy, and Neil. In part, this is because Rush is equally devoted to its fans. Since their first album in 1974, they have released 18 additional albums and toured the world following nearly every release. Today, when other 70s-bands have either broken up or become nostalgia acts, Rush continues to sell out arenas and amphitheatres and sell albums—to date Rush has sold over 40 million albums. They are ranked fourth after The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band.
Rush’s success is also due to its intellectual approach to music and sound. The concept album 2112 made Rush a world-class band and cemented its reputation as the thinking-person’s progressive rock trio. Rush’s interest in political philosophy, mind-control, the nature of free-will, of individuality, and our relationship to machines makes Rush a band that matters and which speaks to its fans directly and honestly like no other. Lyricist Niel Peart has even built a following by writing books, both about his motorcycle travels and about the tragic death of his daughter, which have only furthered the respect Rush’s fans have for (arguably) rock’s greatest drummer and lyricist.
Fiercely independent of trends, Rush has maintained a clear mission and purpose throughout their career. With a unique sound, best described as the “Rush sound,” the band has been able to blend thought-provoking lyrics and music for almost four decades. The Rush style of music can trigger the unusual combination of air-drumming, air-guitar, singing along, and fist-pumping, just as much as it can thoughtful reflection and deep thinking, making Rush “The Thinking Man’s Band.”
Rush and Philosophy does not set out to sway the public’s opinion, nor is it an awkward gushing of how much the authors love Rush. Rush and Philosophy is a fascinating look at the music and lyrics of the band, setting out to address thought-provoking questions. For example, elements of philosophical thinking from the likes of Jean Paul-Sartre, Ayn Rand, and Plato can be found in Peart’s lyrics; does this make Peart a disciple of philosophy? In what ways has technology influenced the band through the decades? Can there be too much technology for a power-trio? Can listening to Rush’s music and lyrics lead listeners to think more clearly, responsibly, and happily? Is the band’s music a “pleasant distraction” from the singing of Geddy Lee? In what ways is Rush Canadian? How can a band that has been referred to as “right-wing” also criticize big government, religion, and imperialism?
Rush and Philosophy is written by an assortment of philosophers and scholars with eclectic and diverse backgrounds who love Rush’s music and who “get” the meaning and importance of it. They discuss Rush with the enthusiasm of fans and the seriousness of college professors. The book will be a must-read for the many fans who have long known that Rush deserves as much respect as the ideas, concepts, and puzzles about human existence they write and compose music about.
And now this, a book about Rush written for a general audience and geared towards issues concerning popular culture and philosophy. There has been a recent explosion of Rush onto the popular culture front, and how ironic for a band that has spent the early days of their career on the outside of mainstream popularity. Even legendary trios such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, and The Police don’t enjoy the commitment and devotion that Rush’s fans lavish on Alex, Geddy, and Neil. In part, this is because Rush is equally devoted to its fans. Since their first album in 1974, they have released 18 additional albums and toured the world following nearly every release. Today, when other 70s-bands have either broken up or become nostalgia acts, Rush continues to sell out arenas and amphitheatres and sell albums—to date Rush has sold over 40 million albums. They are ranked fourth after The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band.
Rush’s success is also due to its intellectual approach to music and sound. The concept album 2112 made Rush a world-class band and cemented its reputation as the thinking-person’s progressive rock trio. Rush’s interest in political philosophy, mind-control, the nature of free-will, of individuality, and our relationship to machines makes Rush a band that matters and which speaks to its fans directly and honestly like no other. Lyricist Niel Peart has even built a following by writing books, both about his motorcycle travels and about the tragic death of his daughter, which have only furthered the respect Rush’s fans have for (arguably) rock’s greatest drummer and lyricist.
Fiercely independent of trends, Rush has maintained a clear mission and purpose throughout their career. With a unique sound, best described as the “Rush sound,” the band has been able to blend thought-provoking lyrics and music for almost four decades. The Rush style of music can trigger the unusual combination of air-drumming, air-guitar, singing along, and fist-pumping, just as much as it can thoughtful reflection and deep thinking, making Rush “The Thinking Man’s Band.”
Rush and Philosophy does not set out to sway the public’s opinion, nor is it an awkward gushing of how much the authors love Rush. Rush and Philosophy is a fascinating look at the music and lyrics of the band, setting out to address thought-provoking questions. For example, elements of philosophical thinking from the likes of Jean Paul-Sartre, Ayn Rand, and Plato can be found in Peart’s lyrics; does this make Peart a disciple of philosophy? In what ways has technology influenced the band through the decades? Can there be too much technology for a power-trio? Can listening to Rush’s music and lyrics lead listeners to think more clearly, responsibly, and happily? Is the band’s music a “pleasant distraction” from the singing of Geddy Lee? In what ways is Rush Canadian? How can a band that has been referred to as “right-wing” also criticize big government, religion, and imperialism?
Rush and Philosophy is written by an assortment of philosophers and scholars with eclectic and diverse backgrounds who love Rush’s music and who “get” the meaning and importance of it. They discuss Rush with the enthusiasm of fans and the seriousness of college professors. The book will be a must-read for the many fans who have long known that Rush deserves as much respect as the ideas, concepts, and puzzles about human existence they write and compose music about.
332 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 3, 2017
I bought Fly by Night (their second album) intrigued by the owl when it first came out and quickly bought the first album Rush back when I was in high school. I even learned Working Man but it was hard to keep up with Lifeson on the solo. I have every Rush album and even today play guitar to all their live albums (I am in my early fifties). I know about 25 songs quite well with another ten songs that I can manage. For me a new album, live or studio is a great event. Prior to Snakes and Ladders coming out I listened to the other studio albums (I think that was 23 albums) in chronological order. I have read all but the last Peart book but have read many of his articles on line. Yep I am a Rush nerd.
In the last while I have read two books on Rush's philosophy, or rather Neil Peart's views. Chris McDonald's Rush, Rock Music and the Middle Class wowed me while I had a cooler response to Mystic Rhythms by Carol Selby Price and Robert M. Price. Just as Rush's popularity rises (for a band entering their 40th anniversary) so too has the "philosophy". Rush and Philosophy is a good primer book for anyone interested in what the band has said over these 40 years. Consisting of a collection of essays, there is something for everyone here. Divided into four parts, and lots of punning on Rush lyrics, there is 1) To the Margin of Error, 2) The Ebb and Flow of Tidal Fortune, 3) I want to Look around Me Now, and 4) The Blacksmith and the Artist. They range from Ayn Rand Versus Neil Peart (2112 and Anthem) to comparisons to Greek mythology (Hemispheres) and "How is Rush Canadian?" (being a Canuck, this was too obvious).
My favourite eye-opener essay was John T. Reuland's "Nailed it" because I realized that there are others hack- guitarists like me out there who spend hours playing Rush songs. Why? As Reuland points out, their complicated time signatures make it a challenge to learn the song and one strives to "nail it". For me a good night is playing along with as few mistakes as possible. A great night is making no mistakes. Why do we play? Because it is so fun and I love the challenge. yep super nerd!
Overall, I found the book entertaining even when sometimes it seemed to be getting a little silly. Sometimes it seems that each writer was stretching to fit an idea or song into a certain philosophical idea. I often wondered what Neal thinks about this? Yet I have to admit that his words have influenced me more than most books on philosophy or organized religion. He is a secular, wise man who keeps his eyes open to the changing world around him and his poems reflect this and reinforced by the great music Rush has made over the years. They still act like hard-working suburb guys and I admire that in them.
One complaint is that I found there was a lot of repeating the Peart tragedies which could have been edited better. Otherwise if you want to "catch the wave" read this book.
In the last while I have read two books on Rush's philosophy, or rather Neil Peart's views. Chris McDonald's Rush, Rock Music and the Middle Class wowed me while I had a cooler response to Mystic Rhythms by Carol Selby Price and Robert M. Price. Just as Rush's popularity rises (for a band entering their 40th anniversary) so too has the "philosophy". Rush and Philosophy is a good primer book for anyone interested in what the band has said over these 40 years. Consisting of a collection of essays, there is something for everyone here. Divided into four parts, and lots of punning on Rush lyrics, there is 1) To the Margin of Error, 2) The Ebb and Flow of Tidal Fortune, 3) I want to Look around Me Now, and 4) The Blacksmith and the Artist. They range from Ayn Rand Versus Neil Peart (2112 and Anthem) to comparisons to Greek mythology (Hemispheres) and "How is Rush Canadian?" (being a Canuck, this was too obvious).
My favourite eye-opener essay was John T. Reuland's "Nailed it" because I realized that there are others hack- guitarists like me out there who spend hours playing Rush songs. Why? As Reuland points out, their complicated time signatures make it a challenge to learn the song and one strives to "nail it". For me a good night is playing along with as few mistakes as possible. A great night is making no mistakes. Why do we play? Because it is so fun and I love the challenge. yep super nerd!
Overall, I found the book entertaining even when sometimes it seemed to be getting a little silly. Sometimes it seems that each writer was stretching to fit an idea or song into a certain philosophical idea. I often wondered what Neal thinks about this? Yet I have to admit that his words have influenced me more than most books on philosophy or organized religion. He is a secular, wise man who keeps his eyes open to the changing world around him and his poems reflect this and reinforced by the great music Rush has made over the years. They still act like hard-working suburb guys and I admire that in them.
One complaint is that I found there was a lot of repeating the Peart tragedies which could have been edited better. Otherwise if you want to "catch the wave" read this book.
May 1, 2015
Overall like taking a philosophy class but the subject is the rock group Rush. This is not a book for a casual reader or one who doesn't like the group. Some of the essays were fun and others were difficult to follow, i.e. a bit boring at times.
If you think Neil Peart's songwriting abilities are fantastic, this is for you. If you think Geddy Lee is a master musician and also love his voice, this is for you. And if you think Alex Lifeson is one of the most underrated guitarists in the rock and roll pantheon, then enjoy this book.
If you think Neil Peart's songwriting abilities are fantastic, this is for you. If you think Geddy Lee is a master musician and also love his voice, this is for you. And if you think Alex Lifeson is one of the most underrated guitarists in the rock and roll pantheon, then enjoy this book.
August 27, 2013
What a snoozer. Rarely does a book so bore me to death, and especially one about one of my favorite bands. Stretching the interpretation of an artist's material to represent the beliefs you thought he might be trying to communicate lead directly to an overblown piece of nonsense, and an entire waste of my time. There are several books in this series (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones...), but I won't even give the rest of them a shot after this one. I was terribly disappointed.
March 15, 2017
I'm a huge Rush fan, and am also very interested in philosophy. So I thought this book would be a perfect fit. And while there was some very interesting sections, a lot of the book is repetitive. Each chapter is written by different philosophers, and a lot of them just repeat what the three before them said as well. Also, at least for me, there were sections where it got way bogged down about the different keys and chords that were being played.
June 11, 2024
Such am enjoyable read! Not only does it give more in-depth understanding of one of the greatest rock bands of all time, but it offers an insightful and often humorous look at the different perspectives within musical acumen. I mean seriously, I had never before even considered how their utilizing peculiar time signatures within their songs actually conveyed additional messages beyond the song itself. These brilliant songwriters and performers have added so much; this book helps me appreciate Rush even more!
July 20, 2026
If the author had shut up for one damn second and actually talked about philosophy in Rush's music, this book would have been interesting.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews