It was always hard to communicate how large Rush loomed in the schema of my musical worldview. Maybe that was because despite their retirement in 2015, there was a sense they would always be there: three goofy Canadians with a terrific sense of humor that also happened to write some of the best, forward thinking rock music of all time. Always exploring, always looking ahead, the “Three Gods of Maple Leaf Prog Rock” as Dan called them felt immortal.
And then Friday we got the news: Neil Peart, drummer and lyricist for the band, passed away January 7th from brain cancer. It still hurts to write and see those words, because the thing I’ve slowly been coming to learn about my love for Rush, the things that keeps repeating in my head aren’t the riffs but the words. That’s where I fell in love with the band. The amazing riffs and absolutely exquisite drumming came later. The outpouring of love for Neil and the band and the music and the words…it’s incredible to read, providing a chance to dive back in and listen with fresh ears, ears sadly made fresh with the loss. And so for this edition of Nine Circles ov… I wanted to add my voice to the chorus, and take a moment to set down the music and words that resonate with me, to remember and celebrate a life that impacted me more than I realized.
Which is always the way, isn’t it?
—
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass-production zone
Are enough to leave a thousand cuts
We build our defenses, a place of safety
And leave the darker places unexplored
Or the love is too weak
What should have been our armor
Becomes a sharp and angry sword
—
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
—
To have motion
To keep their spark alive
Obsession has to have action
Pride turns on the drive
To the ones without it
To know how they struggled
How they suffered about it
—
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will
—
I don’t understand those songs you love
She said this is not a love song
This isn’t fantasy-land
If you don’t push me down
Too far
—
Selfishness was wrong
Yet it was for me, not you
I came to write this song
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought
The wonders in the world, wonders in the world
Wonders in the world they wrought, wrought, wrought
—
But what am I to do?
You sometimes drive me crazy
But I worry about you
I know it makes no difference
To what you’re going through
But I see the tip of the iceberg
And I worry about you
—
Well equipped to act
With insufficient tact
One must put up barriers
To keep oneself intact
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme
—
Too many amazing words. Too many amazing songs. Too many, gone too soon.
Until next time,
– Chris
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