As a fan of Rush (the band), it drives me nuts whenever I am on a political forum debating politics, and a conservative brings up Rush as an example of a band who is conservative. It has happened to me numerous times. I am sure it's because Neil Peart (the band's drummer and lyricist) wrote several songs devoted to the ideas of Ayn Rand, examples being the 2112 suite and the song "Anthem." But as someone who at one point wrote out all of Rush's lyrics by memory one day when I was bored during a meeting at the school where I work, it was obvious to me that there were lots of liberal-leaning ideas in there as well. Heck, "Closer to the Heart" is pretty hippy-dippy leftism if you ask me. "Each must do his part" and all that.
It has been noted here during the Sandra Fluke news cycle that Rush Limbaugh was playing their song "The Spirit of Radio" when he was on his tirade about her. I figured I would provide an update on the band's comments regarding politics since that time.
So o.k., maybe Rush (the band) just wants to stay out of the fray, eh? Maybe they are libertarian and just want to be left alone to practice their conservatism their own way. Well, not so much.
First, Alex Lifeson, the guitar player for Rush gave an interview in the June 2012 issue of High Times magazine:
Do you consider yourself a libertarian?
I think I'm a liberal. I'm certainly socially liberal. And I think government can play an important role in our lives, which libertarians don't believe.
As far as our album 2112 and the tribute to Ayn Rand - I read one of her books, but she was a little too far out for me. For Neil, it was a period in his life, and now he's kind of moved on.
Recently Rush released their latest (brilliant, career-topping) album,
Clockwork Angels, and I got mine as a Classic Rock Fan Pack, which included a CD with deluxe packaging, a poster, a keyring, and a special edition of Classic Rock magazine featuring interviews with the band and associates. Geddy manages to both praise filmmaker Michael Moore and slam Rush Limbaugh. This interview is not online so I cannot link to it. First, Classic Rock commented about the song "Subdivisions" and how it crystallizes the feelings of alienated youth in the suburbs, and here is Geddy's response extolling Mr. Moore (emphasis mine):
One the last tour, Michael Moore came to one of our shows, and we found out that he's a big Rush fan. He was saying that very thing to us about Subdivisions, and he quotes Subdivisions at the top of his last book. And I thought that was fascinating, because I have a lot of respect for him and I love what he does; he's smart, and he's a moral guy.
Then, a couple paragraphs later there is this gem:
Classic Rock: Talking of cruel and inhuman, you've recently told right-wing American firebrand Rush Limbaugh to stop using your music on his radio show.
Geddy Lee: I didn't know he was using our music. Apparently, he's been using Spirit of Radio for quite a few years; We didn't know that. And I wouldn't know where to find his radio show, he's such an offensive human being; I try not to bring that into my life. Anyway, this gentleman who works for The Huffington Post wrote to us and made us aware of it.
We did a similar thing with Rand Paul, the Libertarian candidate-he's like a Tea Party guy, he's Ron Paul's son-earlier this year. We heard he was using our music on his campaign and actually quoting lyrics of ours, and we sent him a nice letter saying, "Please don't do this."
I don't want to be seen as sponsoring these guys. A lot of situations you can't control how you're music's being used. You don't want to get caught up in it too much, but some people just put you in a position where you have to separate yourself from it.
Interesting that Geddy does not want to be be seen sponsoring Limbaugh and Paul, but is happy to be associated with Michael Moore.
Aside from the political stuff, which is a soothing balm to me as someone who has been debating the band's politics with right-wingers for years, the album is instantly in my top five favorite Rush albums. It is easily one of the best things they've ever done. I like all their albums, but I have felt that something has been missing for a decade or so-a certain Rush magic. Anyway, for me at least, they have recaptured that magic.