Rush, 2112 (album, song)

Rush (Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart). "2112." Rush: 2112. Uni/Mercury Records, 822 546-2 M-1, 1976. Toronto: Anthem, 1976. Running time: 20:34, 38:42.[1]

Concept album: progressive rock / progressive metal (Wikipedia entry).

Future totalitarian society has banned music as unproductive. The piece opposes computers and a priestly class on one side against a simple musical instrument and a musician on the other. Note esp. II. "Temples of Syrinx," which are filled with computers; III. "Discovery" of a "strange device," apparently a low-tech, stringed music instrument (like a lyre or acustic guitar); IV. "Presentation" and rejection of the ancient instrument and its music on the ground that it is, in the formulation of F. Pohl and J. Williamson, "unplanned" (see entry for them under Friction, The Reefs of Space). Lyrics and analysis available at many sites on the Internet.[2] [3]

Michael Conway, via e-mail: Calls attention to "a 1984-1sh society" and the refrain/Chorus:

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 these walls.[4]

Also recommending the album, "kyigitus" on IAFA ListServ, 29 June 2004.

Additional sources on line as of April 2023 at links: Rush website;[5] full album on YouTube.[6]

(RDE, 28/XI/93), RDE, Title, 27Aug19; Michael Conaway, 27June04; Kadir Yigit US