# Rush: Tom Sawyer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 15, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653 "2000-12-15T00:23:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tjw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@tjw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tjw)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/1 "2000-12-15T00:23:32Z")
A rock band named Rush wrote a song called Tom Sawyer. What was this song about? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/2 "2000-12-15T01:45:10Z")
Looks to be about three minutes, give or take. I could get an exact time, but most of my albums are down the cellar. ---
**Author:** ![Road\_Rash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@Road\_Rash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Road_Rash)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/3 "2000-12-15T01:55:52Z")
I think they were talking about modern rebel kids, today’s Tom Sawyer. Rush had a few lyrically clever songs, but their talent was in their musical chops. ---
**Author:** ![Eft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@Eft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eft)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/4 "2000-12-15T02:01:07Z")
The lyrics are available in several places online, like here: [http://www.postalnauts.com/newwave/00-09-02/rush.html](http://www.postalnauts.com/newwave/00-09-02/rush.html) I _think_ it’s about what it sounds, about Tom Sawyer as an innocent. (That sounds way too sophomore year English, but oh well.) Seems to be about TS as an independent thinker and someone who lives life on the surface without worrying too much about the meaning of it all. I see in the preview **cooldude’s** guess about TS being a metaphor for rebel kids. That sounds reasonable to me. I’m way too old to be deconstructing Rush lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![poohpah\_chalupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@poohpah\_chalupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poohpah_chalupa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/5 "2000-12-15T03:21:14Z")
Lord, I **hate** this song…I hate this song _so much_ that I’ve developed a morbid fascination to listen to it. I had to play this record for my brother to show him how terrible this song is. The melody structure is so annoying and simplistic, it is unbelievable that it is such a popular song…oooooohh!!! Geddy Lee is a nice guy. Rush _themselves_ have awesome talent. Neal Peart rocks! There’s a number of Dopers who will defend Rush to the limit and I respect their views. And, ultimately, my _opinion_ doesn’t _belong_ in GQ (I know! I know!) But… **aaaarrggggghhh!!!** **I hate this song!** …sorry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/6 "2000-12-15T03:38:15Z")
I feel your pain, **poopah chalupa**. Many a Rush fan I know is sick to death of this song. In fact, for many of them, it marks the obligatory run-to-the-bathroom or get-another-beer point in a concert. Me, though, I like the song. During the last tour, my run-to-the-bathroom point was during “2112,” but your milage may vary. ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/7 "2000-12-15T05:10:02Z")
> [@](#): > > During the last tour, my run-to-the-bathroom point was during “2112,” BLAS-PHEM-EEEE!! ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/8 "2000-12-15T05:13:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTA \* > \*\*BLAS-PHEM-EEEE!! \*\* I was expecting this. My reason: 1. I was at the premiere show of the tour in Albany, and it blew me away then. At each show after (about four, I think) that I saw, I got very bored as it went on. 2. I just don’t like the song that much, after “The Temples of Syrinx.” The Overture and that rocks, but then it got too Ayn Rand-y for my tastes. Yawn. 3. Hi Opal! 4. Alex’s “guitar solo” at the beginning of “Discovery” was a **great** time to duck out for a drink. I knew everyone would be doing the same in the intermission ten minutes later, so I just got a head start and came back in time to watch the trailers for those really bad movies. ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/9 "2000-12-15T05:24:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Alex’s “guitar solo” at the beginning of “Discovery” was a great time to duck out for a drink (writhing spasmodically on floor) Bla-Bla-BLAS-PHEM-EEE!! ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/10 "2000-12-15T05:47:35Z")
tjw, to answer your question, Tom Sawyer is about the same thing all Rush songs are about: to prove yet again that Neal Peart is hands down the best drummer ever to walk on the face of this planet. [sub]can I make this any smaller? I also sometimes find Tom Sawyer a bit annoying. So how come “Nobody’s Hero,” isn’t more popular?[/sub] ---
**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:** [December 15, 2000, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/11 "2000-12-15T07:07:31Z")
> [@](#): > > During the last tour, my run-to-the-bathroom point was during “2112,” Bathroom, hell, you could have gotten a beer, gone to the laundromat, gotten laid, and still have been back in time for the next song! I always wondered why they made that song soooo damn long (something like 20 1/2 minutes) but didn’t throw in a little bit extra, so it would be 21:12. 🙂 > [@](#): > > I just don’t like the song that much, after “The Temples of Syrinx.” Well, I guess you’re entitled to you opinion, even if it’s not the correct one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/12 "2000-12-15T13:37:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Enderw23 \* > \*\*to answer your question, Tom Sawyer is about the same thing all Rush songs are about: to prove yet again that Neal Peart is hands down the best drummer ever to walk on the face of this planet. > \*\* I’d like to introduce you to a few gentlemen named Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, and Buddy Rich, who didn’t need several bass drums and 500 RotoToms to create amazing sounds. They **invented** modern drumming. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/13 "2000-12-15T13:44:49Z")
Buddy Rich has always been a major influence on Peart, FWIW. Trivia: when askes how he had become such an accomplished drummer, Mike Portnoy (of Dream Theater, well, fame, sort of) answered: “I always practiced by playing Neil Pearts drum parts. _Backwards_.” Sweet mother of God, imagine THAT. I like Tom Sawyer. Anyone who disagrees is free to do so, but: simplistic rythm? While it isn’t the most COMPLEX rush song, it still beats “In the mood” in that area 😃 And Montfort? **BLAS-PHE-MEEEEEEEE!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/14 "2000-12-15T13:50:24Z")
_Astro gets ready… crouched down…_ Geddy Lee’s voice always annoyed the **snot** outta me!!! _RUNS AWAY QUICKLY!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/15 "2000-12-15T13:59:52Z")
The song means what ever you want it to mean. I’ve heard that the song is supposed to be based in part on Howard Roarke (sp?) from Ayn Rand’s The Fountianhead. To me there is at least some possiblity in this as Peart was a reader of Rands work. > [@](#): > > Though his mind is not for rent > Don’t put down as arrogant > His reserve, a quiet defence > Riding out the day’s events - > The river > > No his mind is not for rent > To any god or government > Always hopeful, yet discontent > He knows changes aren’t permanent - > But change is These lyrics suggest to me an individual that likes to think and isn’t influenced by what others say though he will agree with you after he’s thought about it. That’s what the song means/says to me, an individual that isn’t afraid of what he thinks or does even if it’s different from everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/16 "2000-12-15T14:55:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\*Buddy Rich has always been a major influence on Peart, FWIW. > > Trivia: when askes how he had become such an accomplished drummer, Mike Portnoy (of Dream Theater, well, fame, sort of) answered: “I always practiced by playing Neil Pearts drum parts. _Backwards_.” > > Sweet mother of God, imagine THAT. > > I like Tom Sawyer. Anyone who disagrees is free to do so, but: simplistic rythm? While it isn’t the most COMPLEX rush song, it still beats “In the mood” in that area 😃 > > And Montfort? **BLAS-PHE-MEEEEEEEE!!!** \*\* Amen, Coldy! I have a question for you (or any other SDMB Rush fans). There’s a Rush song that didn’t get radio play (I don’t think) that was performed in [sup]5[/sup]/[sub]4[/sub] (or [sup]5[/sup]/[sub]8[/sub]) time. That is, there was a definate 3-beat/2-beat rhythm to it. (With a little one in the house, my wife doesn’t care for me playing through all my Rush CDs to find it.) Do you know of what song I’m thinking? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/17 "2000-12-15T15:08:19Z")
I’m no true musician, but there are a few Rush songs in rare keys like 5/4 and 13/12 and whatnot. Not even sure if those are the ones, all I know is that I can tell when they use funny rythms. Hmmm… “The Camera Eye” comes to mind, from the Moving Pictures album. Could that be it? ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/18 "2000-12-15T15:46:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Montfort \* > \*\* > but then it got too Ayn Rand-y for my tastes. Yawn. > \*\* As if there’s something wrong with Ayn Rand… BLASPHEMER! ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/19 "2000-12-15T15:57:59Z")
Lest we end up in the Pit, I have this to say: I’m a Rush fan who doesn’t really worship Neil’s lyrics, because I disagree with the political slant of (some of) them. “2112” falls into that category. That Ged’s a good bassist, though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jesuslynch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jesuslynch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jesuslynch)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653/20 "2000-12-15T16:04:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AWB \* > \*\*I have a question for you (or any other SDMB Rush fans). There’s a Rush song that didn’t get radio play (I don’t think) that was performed in [sup]5[/sup]/[sub]4[/sub] (or [sup]5[/sup]/[sub]8[/sub]) time. That is, there was a definate 3-beat/2-beat rhythm to it. (With a little one in the house, my wife doesn’t care for me playing through all my Rush CDs to find it.) Do you know of what song I’m thinking? \*\* Maybe _Circumstances_? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-tom-sawyer/45653.md?page=2)