Certified Platinum by RIAA: February 25, 1981 Certified 2x Platinum by RIAA: December 1, 1993 Certified 3x Platinum by RIAA: November 17, 1995 View All Album Certifications
Highest Billboard Chart Position: 61
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 surving 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
Produced by Rush and Terry Brown
Engineered by Terry Brown Arrangements by Rush and Terry Brown Recorded and mixed at Toronto Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario Mastered by Bob Ludwig and Brian Lee at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, Maine Roadmaster - Howard (Herns) Ungerleider Roadcrew - Major Ian Grandy, L.B.L.B., Skip (Detroit Slider) Gildersleeve
Graphics - Hugh Syme
Photography - Yosh Inouye, Gérard Gentil (Band)
Management by Ray Danniels, SRO Management, Inc., Toronto
Executive Production - Moon Records
A very special thank you to Ray, Vic, Terry, Howard, Ian, Liam, Skip, and Hugh for sharing the load.
1. 2112 (20:34) 2. A Passage to Bangkok (3:34) 3. The Twilight Zone (3:17) 4. Lessons (3:51) 5. Tears (3:31) 6. Something For Nothing (3:59)
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.
A Passage to Bangkok Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson / Lyrics: Neil Peart
Our first stop is in Bogota
To check Colombian fields The natives smile and pass along A sample of their yield Sweet Jamaican pipe dreams Golden Acapulco nights Then Morocco, and the East, Fly by morning light
We're on the train to Bangkok
Aboard the Thailand Express We'll hit the stops along the way We only stop for the best
Wreathed in smoke in Lebanon
We burn the midnight oil The fragrance of Afghanistan Rewards a long day's toil Pulling into Katmandu Smoke rings fill the air Perfumed by a Nepal night The Express gets you there The Twilight Zone Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson / Lyrics: Neil Peart
A pleasant faced man steps up to greet you
He smiles and says he's pleased to meet you Beneath his hat the strangeness lies Take it off, he's got three eyes Truth is false and logic lost Now the fourth dimension is crossed
You have entered the Twilight Zone
Beyond this world strange things are known Use the key, unlock the door See what your fate might have in store Come explore your dreams' creation Enter this world of imagination
Wake up lost in an empty town
Wondering why no one else is around Look up to see a giant boy You've just become his brand new toy No escape, no place to hide Here where Time and Space collide
Lessons Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson / Lyrics: Alex Lifeson
Sweet memories Flashing very quickly by
Reminding me Giving me a reason why I know that My goal is more than a thought I'll be there When I teach what I've been taught
You know we've told you before
But you didn't hear us then So you still question why You didn't listen again
Sweet memories I never thought it would be like this
Reminding me Just how close I came to missing I know that This is the way for me to go You'll be there When you know what I know
Tears Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson / Lyrics: Geddy Lee
All of the seasons
And all of the days All of the reasons Why I've felt this way So long So long
Then lost in that feeling
I looked in your eyes I noticed emotion And that you had cried For me I can see
What would touch me deeper
Tears that fall from eyes That only cry? Would it touch you deeper Than tears that fall from eyes That know why?
A lifetime of questions Tears on your cheek I tasted the answers And my body was weak For you The truth
Something For Nothing
Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson / Lyrics: Neil Peart
Waiting for the winds of change
To sweep the clouds away Waiting for the rainbow's end To cast its gold your way Countless ways You pass the days
Waiting for someone to call
And turn your world around Looking for an answer to The question you have found Looking for An open door
You don't get something for nothing
You don't get freedom for free You won't get wise With the sleep still in your eyes No matter what your dreams might be
What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory What you love is your own power What you live is your own story In your head is the answer Let it guide you along Let your heart be the anchor And the beat of your own song
Articles Rush: Pebbles & Bam-Bam in Alphaville - Creem Magazine, March 1976 2112 (Review) - Billboard Magazine, March 1976 Groups offer 'nearly dazzling' albums - The University Daily of Lubbock TX, April 1976 2112 album mention - The Winnipeg Tribune, April 1976 2112 (Review) - The Calgary Herald , April 1976 Rush: Speeding Ahead - RPM Weekly Magazine, April 1976 Rush Goes Into Future Shock - Music Will Not Exist in 2112 - Circus Magazine, April 1976 2112 Album Review - The Kamloops BC News, May 1976 2112 (Review) - Valparaiso Indiana Vidette Messenger, May 1976 Rush's Concept is Rock and Roll - Scene Magazine, June 1976 Rush to Judgement - Creem Magazine, June 1976 We Have Assumed Control - Sounds Magazine, June 1976 2112 (Review) - The Kingsport , June 1976 2112 (Review) - Canadian Composer, June 1976 A Headlong Rush to Stardom - SOUND Magazine, July 1976 Canadian Group 'Rush' to Appear - The Traverse City Record, August 1976 Rush Rushes Into U.S. Prominence - Billboard Magazine, August 1976 Canadian Rock Band Wins U.S. Following - Winnipeg Free Press , November 1976 Rush - The Copley News, December 1976 We Have Assumed Control - Sounds Magazine [UK], June 1977 https://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/rush/albums-2112.php
