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If You Like Rand, You'll Like...
Started by Brad Reddekopp at 12-19-2005 2:28 AM. Topic has 0 replies.
  
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 12-19-2005, 2:28 AM
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Brad Reddekopp
 
Joined on 12-19-2005
British Columbia
Posts 6
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Obviously, the veteran rock band Rush must be mentioned in this section of the forums. I'll throw out a few bits of information, many of which will already be familiar to seasoned Rush fans.
Rush drummer/lyricist Neil Peart does not self-identify as an Objectivist but as a "left-wing libertarian" (yeah, I know -- self-contradiction). However, many of his songs display an understanding and appreciation of Rand.
One of the most obviously Rand-inspired Rush songs is "Anthem" from their 1975 album, Fly By Night. (To the best of my understanding the album title is a reference to their very heavy touring schedule.) Here are the last two verses:
Live for yourself -- there's no one else
More worth living for
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more
Well, I know they've always told you
Selfishness was wrong
Yet it was for me, not you, I came to write this song
The liner notes of their 1976 album, 2112, tells us that the album is "dedicated to the genius of Ayn Rand". The title track is roughly the length of one side of a vinyl LP and tells the story of an idealistic and individualistic young man who runs afoul of the collectivist priest caste of his society. Commercially, 2112 was the real breakthrough album for Rush and it followed a low point in their career. Their previous album, Caress of Steel, and the following tour did poorly. That album had included some experimental long compositions and the band was under pressure to compose shorter, more radio-friendly songs for their next album. According to guitarist Alex Lifeson, the band's response to that pressure was, "Screw you, we're going to do what we want." They did just that and it turned out very well for them. One of the songs of more "normal" length on the album is "Something For Nothing" and it urges the listener not to be satisfied with dreaming and longing but to work to achieve those dreams and desires.
One of the images from the 2112 album art became an enduring symbol for the band. It shows a man shielding himself from a red five-pointed star, in a stance that says to me that he is fighting against it. That star was the symbol of the collectivist society in the title track's story so, for those who know the story, the "starman" image is a strongly individualistic symbol. Peart explains the "starman" as follows, according to Wikipedia: "All it means is the abstract man against the masses. The red star symbolizes any collectivist mentality." (from here -- scroll down a bit to see the starman)
"Freewill" from the 1980 album Permanent Waves conveys a message that is strong and clear:
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill;
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose freewill.
There are more Rush lyrics that fans of Ayn Rand should appreciate but I'll stop there for now. It isn't only the lyrics that are of interest, though, but also the music. For the most part, the music of Rush is complex and unique. They have conciously chosen not to aim for the lowest common denominator they have proven themselves to be both intelligent composers and tremendously skilled instrumentalists, gaining a solid fan base and the respect of their peers. Rush has never had a number one pop radio hit (a consequence, I think, of not caring too much about what is currently popular) but their strong performances both in live shows and albums have created such a loyal audience that they still sell out major stadiums three decades after their first album.
People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs.
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The Atlas... » Special Interes... » If You Like Ran... » Rush (not Limbaugh)
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