2112

April 1976 . 4th Studio Recording

Caress of Steel 1975 All The World’s A Stage 1976

About 2112

The band’s label didn’t want Rush to do another “concept” album. The band ignored this advice and went on to record their first major commercial success and a signature record, which enabled them to chart their own course moving forward. Writing the material took about six months, and the album, recorded at Toronto Sound with Terry Brown, required about a month in the studio to finish.

“We don’t want to change what people think about rock & roll, we just want to show them what we think about it.” – Alex Lifeson, 1976

Influenced by the writings of Ayn Rand, the album features the side-long title suite. Based in the future, a galaxy-wide war results in the union of all planets under the rule of the Red Star of the Solar Federation. By 2112, the world is controlled by the “Priests of the Temples of Syrinx,” who determine the content of all reading matter, songs, pictures – every facet of life.

“We’ve got a big future ahead of us.” – Geddy Lee, 1976

  • Credits
  • Liner Notes
  • Awards/Chart Positions

Credits

Produced by

Rush and Terry Brown

Engineer

Terry Brown

Arrangements

Rush and Terry Brown

Mastered by

Bob Ludwig and Brian Lee
Gateway Mastering Studios
Portland Maine

Graphics

Hugh Syme

Photography

Yosh Inouye
Gérard Gentil (Band)

Management

Ray Danniels
SRO Productions
Toronto

Executive Production

Moon Records

Liner Notes

“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…”

-Anonymous, 2112


Alex Lifeson – guitars
Neil Peart – percussion
Geddy Lee – bass and vocals


Recorded and mixed at Toronto Sound Studios
Toronto, Ontario


Roadmaster: Howard (Herns) Ungerleider
Roadcrew: Major Ian Grandy, L.B.L.B., Skip (Detroit Slider) Gildersleeve


A very special thank you

Ray, Vic, Terry, Howard, Ian, Liam, Skip, and Hugh for sharing the load.
Special thanks to ……(insert your name here)


© 1976 Mercury Records
© 1976 Anthem Entertainment

With acknowledgement to the genius of Ayn Rand


Special post-release notes
  • Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab issued a Gold CD remaster in 1993, currently out of print
  • A Mercury Records remaster was issued in 1997
  • 2112 was remastered again in 2011 by Andy VanDette for the Sector box sets, which re-released all of Rush’s Mercury-era albums. It is included in the Sector 1 set.
  • 2112 was remastered yet again, in various formats, including 5.1 for a December 2012 release. (21/12/12)

Awards

Billboard Pop Albums
#94
Certified Gold by RIAA
November 16, 1977
Certified Platinum by RIAA
February 25, 1981
Certified 2x Platinum by RIAA
December 1, 1993
Certified 3x Platinum by RIAA
November 17, 1995

2112

Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Lyrics: Neil Peart

I. Overture

“And the meek shall inherit the earth.”

II. Temples of Syrinx

“…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
The songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure
To your eye
One for all and all for one
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 hallowed halls
We are the Priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within our 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.

III. Discovery

“…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! …”

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.

IV. Presentation

“…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?

V. Oracle: The Dream

“…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

Home to tear the Temples down
Home to change –

VI. Soliloquy

“…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…”

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….

VII. The 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.

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