The 1980s Canadian rock band Rush is apparently hated by the left. It seems that the band’s drummer, Neil Peart, was a huge Ayn Rand fan. (Incidentally, I think that Peart was one of the greatest drummers of all time.) Since Peart was the writer of most of the band’s lyrics, many of the band’s songs had significant libertarian themes.
No, his mind is not for rent
Tom Sawyer, by Rush
To any god or government.
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren’t permanent –
But change is
The author of this story says that Rand had objectivist fantasies of self-reliance before going on to lament that some members of Congress “would rather leave billionaires untaxed than take care of America’s children.” I wasn’t aware that it was the responsibility of billionaires to care for America’s children.” He ends the article by saying “So, in closing, fuck you, Rush.”
Rush wasn’t my introduction to the ideals of liberty and freedom. For me, it was Robert Heinlein’s excellent fiction. Rush just gave those ideas a tune.
Fuck Rush? No, fuck you commie leftists.
My three favorite Rush songs (in no particular order) are:
Tom Sawyer:
The Spirit of Radio:
Then there is Red Barchetta, a song about the joy of driving a car in an era where cars have been outlawed, proving that Rush was truly ahead of their time:
7 Comments
The Freeholder · October 14, 2021 at 11:08 am
I’m a “Bytor and the Snowdog” fan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_mcl5Zg3Zw
Tremendous band, saw them 4 times. Wish I could do it all again.
Weetabix · October 14, 2021 at 11:11 am
I’m not sure I could pick a favorite. Your three are definitely on the list. I also like Closer To The Heart, La Villa Strangiato, and Freewill.
booger · October 14, 2021 at 11:20 am
Funny, the Barbie doll groupie on stage @ 1:00 on first video. Guy’s knew how to have a good time.
Jonathan · October 14, 2021 at 11:22 am
There are plenty of resources available for children, with or without billionaire money.
What he really means is that he wants more federal spending and “tax billionaires” is his code for taxing everyone.
Cygnus X-1 · October 14, 2021 at 1:45 pm
Caress of Steel is underrated and the first album without Peart on drums is as well.
Have a great desktop of Peart on his motorcycle riding passed a road closed sign into the woods.
Freedom is just too much for the peace and safety hive borg collective because they are soft weak conformity über alles dullards.
Big Ruckus D · October 14, 2021 at 3:15 pm
Rush is superlative thinking man’s prog rock of the highest order. We shall not again see the likes of them, as humanity enters a new dark age.
Regrettably (or, perhaps not so regrettable) we’ll never actually see 2112 either, and now even 2023 is looking doubtful. With what I expect is coming down by the end of this year, 2022 will be the most tenuous time in the life of anybody reading this today. I hope all here have hardened up and laid in provisions for a slog of biblical scale. You still won’t be truly ready – nobody can be – but you just might give yourself a shot at making it through.
Cyclops · October 15, 2021 at 10:09 am
The Garden, Bravado, and One Little Victory all get a heavy rotation in the soundtrack of my life.
My eldest brother did me the great service of filtering out all the bullshit music and introducing me early to the bands that were worthy of my time and my money. Rush has been at the top of that list for nearly 40 years.
I was fortunate enough to see them live four times, twice at The Gorge in eastern Washington state. No words to describe it.
The songs you listed touch a particular nerve as they were songs I have always associated with members of my immediate family; for my brother (Red Barchetta), my sister (Spirit of Radio), and for me (Tom Sawyer). My Dad’s song is Closer to the Heart, and my other brother’s is Limelight.
With my father’s recent passing it’s just my sister and myself left now. Both of my brothers passed years ago. But I can still connect with them through the music that we all loved and shared together.
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