# Defenders of "Rush"!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2003, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006 "2003-01-26T07:13:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/21 "2003-02-03T06:52:11Z")
Funny, I was just gonna talk about Rush today and this thread was already here. Anyhow, one of my all-time favorite songs by them is “Countdown”, about the first space shuttle launch. I hope the mods grant me the leeway of posting the lyrics, in tribute to the disaster this weekend: **COUNTDOWN** (Lee/Lifeson/Peart, 1982) Lit up with anticipation We arrive at the launching site The sky is still dark, nearing dawn On the Florida coastline Circling choppers slash the night With roving searchlight beams This magic day when super-science Mingles with the bright stuff of dreams Floodlit in the hazy distance The star of this unearthly show Venting vapours, like the breath Of a sleeping white dragon Crackling speakers, voices tense Resume the final count All systems check, T minus nine As the sun and the drama start to mount The air is charged – a humid motionless mass The crowds and the cameras, The cars full of spectators pass Excitement so thick – you could cut it with a knife Technology high on the leading edge of life The earth beneath us starts to tremble With the spreading of a low black cloud A thunderous roar shakes the air Like the whole world exploding Scorching blast of golden fire As it slowly leaves the ground Tears away with a mighty force The air is shattered by the awesome sound Excitement so thick – you could cut it with a knife Technology high on the leading edge of life Like a pillar of cloud, the smoke lingers high in the air In fascination, with the eyes of the world we stare… _“Dedicated with thanks to astronauts Young & Crippen and all the people of NASA for their inspiration and cooperation.”_ ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/22 "2003-02-03T07:03:32Z")
I like Bad Religion. A lot of their songs may be musically simplistic, but they’re catchy, political, and have great lyrics. From **Kyoto Now** : It’s a matter of prescience No, not the science fiction kind It’s all about ignorance, and greed, and miracles for the blind the media parading, disjointed politics founded on petrochemical plunder and we’re its hostages If you stand to reason you’re in the game the rules might be elusive but our pieces are the same and you know if one goes down we all go down as well the balance is precarious as anyone can tell this world’s going to hell ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/23 "2003-02-03T07:09:32Z")
I have never heard their music. I would not recognise any of their songs as being by Rush. This, I feel, is an indicator of how good they are - they just don’t get heard. Good bands get heard. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/24 "2003-02-03T14:55:08Z")
You seriously believe that? Oh, how wrong you are. NSYNC Backstreet Boys The Starland Vocal Band Fabian All heard more than most. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/25 "2003-02-03T17:40:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by skaterboarder87 \* > \*\*Rush is one of the most brilliant groups in existence. They are technically perfect; timing is amazing and their dedication almost unsurpassed (especially given the tragedies to befall the Peart family). I’m hardly a blind fanboy, there are copious other groups I love, including an array of classic rock, modern punk, etc. However, none of them posses the raw talent of Rush. \*\* That, sir, is a brilliant summation of my feelings towards this band. Do you know what else I love about them? They don’t take themselves too seriously. They acknowledge that their music is “weird”. In fact, Neil Peart (jokingly) proposed an advertising line for their new album: “Now, more of what you’ve always hated about Rush!” 🙂 Oh, and [did I mention that Geddy Lee is a kind hearted person?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=159604) He really is. And a serious :dubious: @ **Guano Lad** for his assertion that “getting heard” = “good band” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/26 "2003-02-03T18:49:01Z")
Rush is one of the worlds greatest bands, period. Peart fans should all pick up a copy of his book “Ghost Rider”. Awsome reading. * * * Fagjunk Theology: Not just for sodomite propagandists anymore. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/27 "2003-02-03T21:28:45Z")
I didn’t say that the bands that are heard are all good. I said if a band is any good, I would’ve heard their songs either on the radio, on an ad, or more likely, in some friend’s record collection. And none of those things (as far as I know) have happened regarding Rush. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/28 "2003-02-03T21:49:08Z")
So - Music **GuanoLad** has heard = “Good” Music **GuanoLad** has not heard != “Good” Hmm… don’t look now, but your fallacy is showing :eek: Personally, I don’t care if you like Rush (or Karen Carpenter for that matter!) but don’t you think your statement is a little self-important? Unless of course you are really Tommy Mottola posting as GuanoLad 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/29 "2003-02-04T02:46:12Z")
My point, which has gotten lost in amongst the misconceptions, is that I have never heard any of their songs. I’m not saying they are bad, I just figure if they really are as amazingly incredible as some are saying, and that’s quite a thing to say, you’d think I would’ve heard at least one of their songs at some point somehow. But if I have, it was not labelled as Rush, nor as the greatest song ever written, or even “hey, this is kind of cool”. Instead, the only conclusion I can gather is, maybe they aren’t quite as amazing as you think, as they haven’t made an impact outside of personal record collections. What sort of music is it, can you classify it? Can you tell me where I may have heard a song of theirs? Can you link to a sample? Anything I might recognise? If I do recognise it, and it is something I have liked, I’ll rethink my stance. I may indeed be wrong in my estimation of it’s airplay, but I really don’t believe I’ve heard anything of theirs at all. ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/30 "2003-02-04T04:14:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \* > \*\* Instead, the only conclusion I can gather is, maybe they aren’t quite as amazing as you think, as they haven’t made an impact outside of personal record collections. > \*\* I believe you’re just ignorant of the outside world. I attended a Rush concert at the Gorge in WA this summer and it was damn near sold out (hell, it may have been sold out, sure as hell looked like it). Rush has also been around for decades; anyone with even a mere musical insight has knowledge of Rush. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/31 "2003-02-04T05:16:33Z")
\<–points to username. 😃 Rush is just too deep for the likes of some people. Whitesnake? Megadeth? BAH! It’s Limelight, Closer to the Heart and Hemispheres…perfect hemispheres… :sigh: ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/32 "2003-02-04T06:13:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rushgeekgirl \* > \*\*\<–points to username. 😃 > > Rush is just too deep for the likes of some people. > > Whitesnake? Megadeth? BAH! > > It’s Limelight, Closer to the Heart and Hemispheres…perfect hemispheres… > > :sigh: \*\* I love you. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/33 "2003-02-04T06:52:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \* > \*\*I didn’t say that the bands that are heard are all good. I said if a band is any good, I would’ve heard their songs either on the radio, on an ad, or more likely, in some friend’s record collection. > > And none of those things (as far as I know) have happened regarding Rush. \*\* Well, first of all if you haven’t heard of Rush you probably don’t know jack about music. Second, Rush is played all the time to this day. Third, I promise you that you have heard Rush songs but you just don’t know enough about music to understand what you are listening to. I would suggest that you actually listen to a band before making a judgement about that particular bands impact on the world of music. In the rock world Neil Peart, the drummer for Rush, is considered as one of the best players ever. [Cite](http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Venue/9123/). Before you comment on Rush you really should listen to the bands music. Rush kept progressive rock alive during the 70’s and 80’s. And, hey, Rush has been around since 1971. But you never heard of them so they must suck, right? Learn more, listen to other music and grow up. Slee ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/34 "2003-02-04T07:50:50Z")
I did not say they suck. Okay? I did not say that. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/35 "2003-02-04T13:45:31Z")
> [@](#): > > the only conclusion I can gather is, maybe they aren’t quite as amazing as you think Or maybe they are and you just don’t know it! **GuanoLad** , you are now experiencing the “Defenders of Rush” carrying out our self-appointed mission 🙂 But seriously - I know you didn’t say they suck, and I encourage you to find some of their music and check it out. Although I should warn you, their style has changed dramatically over the years. In the early to mid 70’s they were a sort of Led Zeppelinesque hard rock band, then in the 80’s they got into the synth thing pretty heavily. By the 90’s they were back to a simpler rock sound, and they’ve actually returned to their harder roots with their newest album **Vapor Trails**. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/36 "2003-02-04T14:02:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Splanky \* > \*\*I resent that remark! It’s just from what I’ve listened to, they sound too Whitesnake meets Megadeth for my tastes. \*\* The only acts I know of that are farther away from Whitesnake and Megadeth than Rush are maybe Perry Como and ABBA. There are several albums that I though were pretty bad, even by Rush standards. But they hit paydirt with the best trifecta in music history. _Permanent Waves Moving Pictures Exit Stage Left_ And _Roll the Bones_ was a pretty good record, too. Their most current release, I haven’t quite made up my mind about it yet. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/37 "2003-02-04T15:41:55Z")
I have heard plenty of Rush, having had a roomate in college that was obsessed with them. I don’t like their music. It’s not that I don’t understand the lyrics, it’s not that I don’t understand that they’re good technically. Aesthetically, I just don’t like their sound. If it ended there, I would just say that a don’t like Rush. However, many Rush fans have a habit of assuming that I don’t like them because they’re “too deep” or “my tastes aren’t refined enough”(for a dead on example of this attitude see **Sleestak’s** post above. Because of Rush fans, I loathe Rush. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/38 "2003-02-04T16:20:01Z")
I respect people like you **5-HT** , because you have exercised (as Harlan Ellison has put it) “your right to an informed opinion”. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/39 "2003-02-04T16:26:53Z")
I have a big smile on my face right now. Kinda like this: :). All the Rush-Defenders in this thread, talking about the deep meaning of Peart’s lyrics, the technical brilliance of their musicianship, etc. You all could have been me ten years ago. I was the biggest Rush geek there was. I have a vague memory of writing a paper on them in high school. :eek: It’s all true. The lyrics are “thinky” and they have a _very_ clean sound (actually they have had about seven _completely different_ very clean sounds, as they keep completely reinventing themselves). But I outgrew it at some point. I don’t know why, I think maybe it was a reaction against having worshipped them all those years, I just got tired of myself. I remembered that lots of “dirtier” bands are pretty awesome too, and “thinky” is not the same as “great” when it comes to song lyrics. _Test for Echo_ was the last time I paid any attention to them. > [@](#): > > Because of Rush fans, I loathe Rush. I swear to God, I have heard more people say this. 😃 It’s true, though. We do tend to be assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006/40 "2003-02-04T16:36:03Z")
What **5-HT** said. Some of y’all have _really_ got to get over your sense of innate musical superiority. Oh, and Rush is, “perhaps, the only band of today writing political statements”? Puh-leeze. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defenders-of-rush/151006.md?page=3)