Rush achieved commercial success in the 1970s with Fly by Night (1975), 2112 (1976), A Farewell to Kings (1977) and Hemispheres (1978). The band's popularity continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with albums charting highly in Canada, the US and the UK, including Permanent Waves (1980), Moving Pictures (1981), Signals (1982), Grace Under Pressure (1984) and Counterparts (1993). Rush continued to record and perform until 1997, after which the band entered a four-year hiatus due to personal tragedies in Peart's life. The trio regrouped in 2001 and released three more studio albums: Vapor Trails (2002), Snakes & Arrows (2007), and Clockwork Angels (2012). Rush ceased touring at the end of 2015, and Lifeson announced in January 2018 that the band would not continue, which was cemented by Peart's death from glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, on January 7, 2020, at the age of 67.
Rush were known for their musicianship, complex compositions and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy and philosophy. The band's style changed over the years, from a blues-inspired hard rock beginning, later moving into progressive rock, then a period in the 1980s marked by heavy use of synthesizers, before returning to guitar-driven hard rock at the end of the 1980s. Their final work from 2012, marked a return to progressive rock. The members of Rush have been acknowledged as some of the most proficient players on their respective instruments, with each winning numerous awards in magazine readers' polls over the years.
As of 2022, Rush ranks 84th in the U.S. with sales of 26 million albums and industry sources estimate their total worldwide album sales at over 42 million. Rush has been awarded 14 platinum and 3 multi-platinum albums in the US plus 17 platinum albums in Canada. Rush was nominated for seven Grammy Awards, won several Juno Awards, and won an International Achievement Award at the 2009 SOCAN Awards. The band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_(band)
Studio albums
Rush (1974)
Fly by Night (1975)
Caress of Steel (1975)
2112 (1976)
A Farewell to Kings (1977)
Hemispheres (1978)
Permanent Waves (1980)
Moving Pictures (1981)
Signals (1982)
Grace Under Pressure (1984)
Power Windows (1985)
Hold Your Fire (1987)
Presto (1989)
Roll the Bones (1991)
Counterparts (1993)
Test for Echo (1996)
Vapor Trails (2002)
Snakes & Arrows (2007)
Clockwork Angels (2012)
Présentation
Rush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Yes, we know it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy will help 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.
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.
Don't annoy us further
We have our work to do.
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan.
The song "Presentation" by Rush is a commentary on the resistance to new and unconventional ideas in society. The singer has discovered an ancient miracle – perhaps a metaphor for music – and wants to share it with the world. However, the world is dismissive of the idea, claiming that it is a waste of time and that they have no need for ancient ways. The world is fixated on progress and destroying the "elder race of man."
The singer is frustrated by this response and argues that the world could benefit from this beauty. They plead with the world to listen to the music and hear what it can do, stating that there is something here as strong as life that they know will reach them. However, the world is not interested and dismisses the singer's plea, telling them not to annoy them further and to think about the average person who has no use for their idea.
Line by Line Meaning
know it's most unusual
I am aware that my presence here is unexpected
To come before you so
To be presenting myself to you right now
But I've found an ancient miracle
I have discovered something truly remarkable and valuable
I thought that you should know
I believed it was important to share this with you
Listen to my music
Pay attention to the sounds that I am creating
And hear what it can do
Recognize the power and potential of my music
There's something here as strong as life
There is an undeniable force and vitality to this music
I know that it will reach you.
I am confident that my music will have an impact on you
Yes, we know it's nothing new
We are aware that this is not a novel concept
It's just a waste of time
We view this as an unproductive use of our time and resources
We have no need for ancient ways
We do not see any value in traditional methods
The world is doing fine
We believe that things are going well as they are
Another toy will help destroy
The introduction of another innovation will only further contribute to the downfall of humanity
The elder race of man
The older generation of humans
Forget about your silly whim
Do not waste your time pursuing something that doesn't align with the current plan
It doesn't fit the plan.
This idea conflicts with the current strategy or agenda
I can't believe you're saying
I am surprised to hear you express these opinions
These things just can't be true
I do not believe that what you are saying is accurate or valid
Our world could use this beauty
I see potential in this idea or concept to benefit humanity
Just think what we might do.
Imagine the possibilities that could arise from pursuing this idea
Don't annoy us further
Please do not continue to bother or irritate us
We have our work to do.
We have important tasks or responsibilities that require our attention
Just think about the average
Consider the typical or average person
What use have they for you?
Why should they care or be interested in what you have to offer?
Writer(s): Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson Copyright: Core Music Publishing
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@borderlinedelusion
This is genius
Hi rush fiends and family
This comment is for Neil Peart..
The last few months have been a shock to me.
First , I lost one of my best friends to stage 4
He was so full of life , one of the most caring humans beings
He did everything for everyone else
So I was already depressed and devastated months ago when I found out he was sick. So Dave passed away a few weeks ago
Then I find out one of my favorite musicians, Neil Peart, has just passed away from brain cancer
I think Neil was 67
It seems that the only good die young !
I think that god takes the good to heaven too early.
I am in total shock..but this comment isn’t about me . We just lost the rock god !!
We also lost Dave.
My heart is broken
I still don’t if I can make it through the nights but...
I have been sober from drugs and alcohol for 3 yrs. I want to get waisted but I have an amazing support group in AA and music cares....... Neil wouldn’t want me to fall apart..to go back to using..
David wouldn’t want that
3 yrs ago my mom died from breast cancer. I don’t know why god made cancer?
I thought neil would live forever . Rush was supposed never end.
But this message is not about rush, it is about Neil. Neil’s words made me feel like I was not alone.
I went to a high school with so many bullies. Kids made fun of me because I was artistic.i player guitar and wrote poems .
Everyone at my high school was a snob.
So when I first heard subdivisions, I suddenly had a new friend. I was not a nerd in Neil’s eyes. I was a artist.
And when I heard Losing it ,
I realized that Neil had written a song about me..
I felt like I had lost my childhood after my parents divorce. When I was suicidal, my sister tammy would remind me of our favorite band.
Then my best friend jason committed suicide when we were 27
I went
pharmacy school.
I had a Jewish mom who forced me into pharmacy school.. don’t be a bumb.. I am going to throw away your guitar..mom would scream.
But I love my mom more than anything..
My sister tammy would say, danny , just do music’..drop out of usc pharmacy school. Just listen to rush and u will be okay! But it was specifically rush
But Neil’s words were about being positive and fighting the good fight...
Every song had so much meaning. I had nerdy math rock Friends .
They would talk about 2112 all day.
So my sister asked me to write lyrics. And Neil was the only reason I even wrote poems. So I became a song writer.
Below is a song i just wrote for david called “hey sunhine”
- [ ] I am so sad but I will also write a song for Neil. Neil, u will live forever. And u are too good for heaven, so god needs to send u back to us. If there is a god .
- [ ] My higher power isn’t god . It’s my mom..
- [ ] Mom , please keep Neil and David
- [ ] alive in our hearts.
- [ ] Danny words , vocals and guitars..
- [ ] Borderline delusion band.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtj_90xCmJuxo6RJTex4Tg_JuhlnZtvrE
@stevenhalford3961
I saw these guys with Styx in 1976 in Memphis Tennessee after I had just returned from country the year before. I was going to my new A school at NAS Memphis and was totally Blown Away by the number of incredible rock concerts that they had then
@maxwellbaney5590
Definitely my favorite part of 2112 it’s slow and fast at just the right parts. Love it
@LiamNashMiller
Same.
@solarpower26
The Temples of Syrinx and This my favorite part in 2112
@carlosfigueroa2917
No@@LiamNashMiller
@LiamNashMiller
@@carlosfigueroa2917 ?
@davidb.1731
GOD!!!!!! THIS STORY IS TALED WITH COMICS!!!!!! I LOVE THIS MUSIC!!!!! I WILL SHOW THIS TO MY BEST FRIEND, WHO WHAT SHOW ME THIS GREAT BAND!!!!! WOW!!!!!!
@birkinsornberger263
The gatefold vinyl contains the lyrics inside, and above each song is an unspoken passage that contributes to the story. It's really cool cause you get a lot more details they'd have a hard time putting into the song. Like the guitar being destroyed, you'd have no idea unless you watched the video or had the vinyl!
@christrudell7966
And that my friends, is why they call him 'The Professor on the drum kit.' 🥁🇨🇦
@nikolaimikhail7774
Sure the guitar and the drums in that solo are insane but just listen to that BASS!
It share similarities to the bassline played during the chorus of the temples of syrinx but it's taken to an ENTIRELY NEW LEVEL!