All music has emotions and connotations attached to it. When you listen to music it can make you sad, happy, angry and many other emotions. Different people also experience different emotions from the same song. One song that might make one person feel sadness, another person might feel calmed by it. Also with music, people often envision what would be accompanied with the music, a visual representation of the song. Some songs sound almost as if they're from adventure films, the music sounds as if it's going on a journey. Other songs could be considered almost like fighting music, music that is fast paced and heavy, that would suit a fighting game. As well as the music itself, the lyrics will often induce emotions in the listener. The lyrics could tell a sad story, or it could be something uplifting and jolly.
I have chosen to focus my attention on songs by the band Rush. The reason for this is the depth of the stories within their songs. Many of their greatest songs are not only musically brilliant, but each and everyone has some story to tell, whether it be set in the future after some form of apocalypse or set in a medieval world with dragons and necromancers.
Rush - 2112
The first part, Overture, has no particular meaning, however many people believe this part represents the rise of the Solar Federation.
The second part, The Temples of Syrinx, is the introduction of 'The Priests'. They talk about what they have done for mankind as if they have done good, but they haven't they disguise their oppression as if it is all for the benefit of mankind. Nearly all of this part of the song is heavy rock, so that coupled with what 'The Priests' are saying makes the listener angry.
The third part, Discovery, is about the protagonist finding a guitar and learning to play it. The part starts off as very simple and basic guitar playing and then it gradually increases in it's complexity. This part is one of the few parts that actually has happy moments. The discovery of the guitar and how happy it makes the protagonist effects the listener too.
The fourth part, Presentation, is when the protagonist presents the guitar and the music to the priests. The priests strongly reject the guitar and the music. The protagonist then attempts to explain that the music will bring beauty and happiness to the world. The priests are angered by the protagonist and Father Brown stomps on the guitar, destroying it. This part evokes both anger and sadness in the listener. The anger comes from what the priest has just done, he destroyed one of the only things that the protagonist found important. The sadness is for the protagonist, what is he going to do now? He just lost the guitar, the one thing that brought him happiness.
The fifth part, Oracle: The Dream, the protagonist goes home and has a vision, that he thinks is a dream, of the past and future. An oracle shows him what the world and it's society were like before the rise of the Federation, when people had freedom and creativity. He then realises that his life has no meaning without these things. This part increases the sadness of the song, the protagonist discovering that the world hasn't always been how he knows it and that it used to be so much better.
The sixth part, Soliloquy, is when the protagonist goes back to the cave where he found the guitar and broods for days. He imagines his life in the old world that he had seen and now looks at his life in the world under the Federation as cold and empty. He then comes to the conclusion that to "pass into the world of my dream" he must take his own life. This is probably the pinnacle of sadness in the song. Not only is the sadness of the protagonist being transferred to the listener, but then when the protagonist kills himself because of it, makes it even sadder.
The seventh and last part, Grand Finale, is another upbeat, heavy rock instrumental. Like Overture, this part also has no particular meaning. Many people see this part as the Humans, who originally evacuated Earth, returning to take it back. The reason this part is often thought as Earth being reclaimed is by the only few lyrics in this part, which are:
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
This shows that someone does come and take over Earth and even though it has never been officially confirmed, a few of the band members have mention that the intention of the last part was the return of the humans who had evacuated. This is also very upsetting, the protagonist has just taken his own life and now, the world he wanted to live in might only be around the corner. But it could also be considered happy as well, the remaining humans could be getting back the world how it used to be and the priests are most likely to get what they deserve for their years of oppression and intolerance.
As well as the story itself inducing emotions, other aspects also make the song much more powerful. One aspect is from the voice of the lead singer, Geddy Lee. He changes his voice depending on which characters he's portraying. When representing the protagonist his voice is gentle and low pitched and when representing the priests his voice is harsh and high pitched. In his voice you can clearly hear the different emotions going through the character being represented. The one part I find the most emotional is in Soliloquy, when the protagonist thinks about his life and how he no longer values living in the world. The lyrics are:
In a world like I have seen!
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood...
... Spills over...
At this point the protagonist's voice has changed, where it used to be soft and gentle it has become rough and high pitched, as if he is shouting at the top of his voice in despair. Then at the end of " My lifeblood... Spills over..." His voice seems to come to a point of relief as he passes away.
Another aspect of the song is the music itself. With every voice change from Geddy Lee there is often a change in music also. When the protagonist is speaking the music is often soft and harmonious acoustic guitar playing and when the priests are speaking it is often accompanied with heavy, distorted electric guitar playing. Just like the singing the only time this pattern changes is at the end of Soliloquy, as the protagonist comes to the point of suicide the music becomes much heavier and distorted and one of the main riffs of the songs that is full of the emotion of the song comes in between "Carry on this cold and empty life" and "My spirits are low in the depths of despair". This sudden change in both music and vocals displays the mental unrest within the protagonist and how much he has changed because of this.
Overall, I think this song is a very sad one, and even though there is one part that is more uplifting and happy when he finds the guitar, it just makes it even more upsetting when he loses it.
Rush - The Necromancer
The first part of the song, Into the Darkness, follows the journey of three travellers. It starts off describing their journey, the music is very calm and harmonious except for one aspect. The one aspect is a distorted electric guitar that starts off very quiet and gradually becomes louder and louder. The calm music represents the state of mind of the travellers, they feel as if it couldn't be better, there's nothing to be afraid of. The distorted electric guitar represents the Necromancer's power, becoming stronger as they get closer to him. The necromancer can see them coming and the travellers are unaware of what is to happen to them. This part is a very strange one for the listener, it first makes the listener quite calm and serene, the soft music displaying the happy adventure of the travellers. The singing at first, isn't singing at all, it is the drummer, Neil Peart, speaking the story. At first he just describes them emerging from the forest, but then the travellers make a turn southward, towards the lands of the Necromancer. Then, when the singing of Geddy Lee comes in it describes the dangers they are about to face. After the singing of Geddy Lee the electric guitar takes over with a powerful, heavy riff. This is a continuation of the journey as they make their way towards the Necromancer's lair as the danger and power of the Necromancer become stronger as they get closer. This whole part almost induces fear in the listener, what will become of the three helpless travellers?
The second part, Under the Shadow, tells the story of the three travellers unknowingly arriving inside the Necromancer's lair. The Necromancer knows that they are there and knows they are trapped. The Necromancer drains the three travellers of life, turning them into mindless spectres. The travellers now under the spell of the Necromancer, unable to resist his powers, they are locked in dungeons. The beginning of the part is once again the talking of Neil Peart, describing the travellers impending doom and the Necromancer's awareness of their presence. This part also has another high pitched electric guitar solo that represents the struggle that the travellers endure as the Necromancer turns them into spectres, displaying the torment and devastation of their minds. This part once again brings fear to the listener, but it is also accompanied with a feeling of wanting to fight. The listener feels anger towards the Necromancer, wanting to fight for the helpless travellers and prevent him from taking the travellers.
The third and final part, Return of the Prince, describes the appearance of Prince By-Tor, who has come to rescue all the spectres that have been imprisoned by the Necromancer. He kills the Necromancer who then turns into a wraith and flies away into the night in search of another land he can wreak his havoc upon. The slaying of the Necromancer releases all the people who were held captive by him, who then run free from the dungeons. All of this part is accompanied by upbeat, heavy rock, fitting well with the Prince's triumphant battle. As the singing ends the main solo of the song comes in, displaying the joy of the victorious battle over evil. This part of the song makes the listener almost want to fight, feeling as if they are in the role of the Prince, giving the Necromancer what he deserves. At the end of this part when everything has happened and the darkness is banished from the land it makes the listener almost feel a sense of pride, good has triumphed over evil.
Overall I like this song because of it's classic simplicity. The whole story of good triumphing over evil and the valiant hero is a very popular form of story, making the listener fearful for the lives of the innocent and then happy as the hero comes to the rescue.
Rush - Cygnus X-1 Duology
Book I: The Voyage
The first part, Prologue, introduces a black hole titled Cygnus X-1. All lyrics in this part are spoken by a sound engineer, Terry Brown. After the spoken part of the Prologue the rockets of a spaceship drowns out all of the music. This represents the protagonist setting off in his spaceship towards Cygnus X-1. Once the sound of the rockets die down, the bass guitar comes in with a very strange alternating tune that becomes louder and louder. Then the rest of the band joins in with drums and electric guitar, still playing strange notes and sound effects. All this strange music resembles the journey of the protagonist, through strange and alien space. This part of the song is very creepy, almost makes the listener uncomfortable, the strangeness of space being represented through the music.
The second part, Part 1, is all about the black hole, describing it and asking what would happen to someone if they were to fly in it. This part is sung very loudly and high pitched by Geddy Lee. The emotion in the lyrics show how serious this black hole is and almost bring fear to the listener.
The third part, Part 2, describes the journey of the protagonist. This part is also very high pitched, accompanied by a lot of high pitched, distorted guitar. This part also shows the seriousness, but it also has a very adventurous tone to it, making the listener feel as if they can take on the world, climb any mountain. As the protagonist is caught by the pull of the black hole and loses all control of his ship, the music changes suddenly to single, low pitched chords that match up with each syllable of the lyrics. As the lyrics fade out, Alex Lifeson, the guitarist, comes in with a wah-wah guitar solo. This represents the chaos that ensues as the black hole draws in the protagonist's ship. This part makes the listener become slightly fearful once again, the protagonist can no longer escape and will now have to face whatever the black hole has to offer.
The fourth and last part of the first book, Part 3, is a description of what happens to the protagonist as he gets drawn into the black hole. It starts off in the same fashion as the first part, with strange music but escalates into full, heavy rock. This represents the danger of the black hole and becomes louder and heavier as time goes on, displaying the protagonist getting closer to his impending doom. There are very few lyrics in this part, but it describes what happens in horrific detail:
Rush - The Necromancer
The first part of the song, Into the Darkness, follows the journey of three travellers. It starts off describing their journey, the music is very calm and harmonious except for one aspect. The one aspect is a distorted electric guitar that starts off very quiet and gradually becomes louder and louder. The calm music represents the state of mind of the travellers, they feel as if it couldn't be better, there's nothing to be afraid of. The distorted electric guitar represents the Necromancer's power, becoming stronger as they get closer to him. The necromancer can see them coming and the travellers are unaware of what is to happen to them. This part is a very strange one for the listener, it first makes the listener quite calm and serene, the soft music displaying the happy adventure of the travellers. The singing at first, isn't singing at all, it is the drummer, Neil Peart, speaking the story. At first he just describes them emerging from the forest, but then the travellers make a turn southward, towards the lands of the Necromancer. Then, when the singing of Geddy Lee comes in it describes the dangers they are about to face. After the singing of Geddy Lee the electric guitar takes over with a powerful, heavy riff. This is a continuation of the journey as they make their way towards the Necromancer's lair as the danger and power of the Necromancer become stronger as they get closer. This whole part almost induces fear in the listener, what will become of the three helpless travellers?
The second part, Under the Shadow, tells the story of the three travellers unknowingly arriving inside the Necromancer's lair. The Necromancer knows that they are there and knows they are trapped. The Necromancer drains the three travellers of life, turning them into mindless spectres. The travellers now under the spell of the Necromancer, unable to resist his powers, they are locked in dungeons. The beginning of the part is once again the talking of Neil Peart, describing the travellers impending doom and the Necromancer's awareness of their presence. This part also has another high pitched electric guitar solo that represents the struggle that the travellers endure as the Necromancer turns them into spectres, displaying the torment and devastation of their minds. This part once again brings fear to the listener, but it is also accompanied with a feeling of wanting to fight. The listener feels anger towards the Necromancer, wanting to fight for the helpless travellers and prevent him from taking the travellers.
The third and final part, Return of the Prince, describes the appearance of Prince By-Tor, who has come to rescue all the spectres that have been imprisoned by the Necromancer. He kills the Necromancer who then turns into a wraith and flies away into the night in search of another land he can wreak his havoc upon. The slaying of the Necromancer releases all the people who were held captive by him, who then run free from the dungeons. All of this part is accompanied by upbeat, heavy rock, fitting well with the Prince's triumphant battle. As the singing ends the main solo of the song comes in, displaying the joy of the victorious battle over evil. This part of the song makes the listener almost want to fight, feeling as if they are in the role of the Prince, giving the Necromancer what he deserves. At the end of this part when everything has happened and the darkness is banished from the land it makes the listener almost feel a sense of pride, good has triumphed over evil.
Overall I like this song because of it's classic simplicity. The whole story of good triumphing over evil and the valiant hero is a very popular form of story, making the listener fearful for the lives of the innocent and then happy as the hero comes to the rescue.
Rush - Cygnus X-1 Duology
Book I: The Voyage
The first part, Prologue, introduces a black hole titled Cygnus X-1. All lyrics in this part are spoken by a sound engineer, Terry Brown. After the spoken part of the Prologue the rockets of a spaceship drowns out all of the music. This represents the protagonist setting off in his spaceship towards Cygnus X-1. Once the sound of the rockets die down, the bass guitar comes in with a very strange alternating tune that becomes louder and louder. Then the rest of the band joins in with drums and electric guitar, still playing strange notes and sound effects. All this strange music resembles the journey of the protagonist, through strange and alien space. This part of the song is very creepy, almost makes the listener uncomfortable, the strangeness of space being represented through the music.
The second part, Part 1, is all about the black hole, describing it and asking what would happen to someone if they were to fly in it. This part is sung very loudly and high pitched by Geddy Lee. The emotion in the lyrics show how serious this black hole is and almost bring fear to the listener.
The third part, Part 2, describes the journey of the protagonist. This part is also very high pitched, accompanied by a lot of high pitched, distorted guitar. This part also shows the seriousness, but it also has a very adventurous tone to it, making the listener feel as if they can take on the world, climb any mountain. As the protagonist is caught by the pull of the black hole and loses all control of his ship, the music changes suddenly to single, low pitched chords that match up with each syllable of the lyrics. As the lyrics fade out, Alex Lifeson, the guitarist, comes in with a wah-wah guitar solo. This represents the chaos that ensues as the black hole draws in the protagonist's ship. This part makes the listener become slightly fearful once again, the protagonist can no longer escape and will now have to face whatever the black hole has to offer.
The fourth and last part of the first book, Part 3, is a description of what happens to the protagonist as he gets drawn into the black hole. It starts off in the same fashion as the first part, with strange music but escalates into full, heavy rock. This represents the danger of the black hole and becomes louder and heavier as time goes on, displaying the protagonist getting closer to his impending doom. There are very few lyrics in this part, but it describes what happens in horrific detail:
Spinning, whirling,
Still descending
Like a spiral sea,
Unending
Sound and fury
Drowns my heart
Every nerve
Is torn apart....
Still descending
Like a spiral sea,
Unending
Sound and fury
Drowns my heart
Every nerve
Is torn apart....
The singing of this part brings out the emotion even more, the last line being delivered as an almost ear piercing scream. This part is probably the peak of fear for the listener, as the protagonist is pulled into the black hole and "torn apart" paints a gruesome picture. Another aspect to the ending of the song is something that most people might actually miss. During the strumming of the guitar at the end, faint heart beats can be heard in the background. This also adds to the mystery and creepiness of the song.
Book II: Hemispheres
The first part, Prelude, is mostly an instrumental. It incorporates many of the themes heard later on in the song. The style of the music is almost like some form of battle music. It starts off with the drumming and guitar at a pace similar to marching music. It then turns and is more of the kind of battle music that displays some kind of struggle between the combatants. Then the music starts to calm down and become calm and almost harmonic, but then slowly changes again to more heavy rock. Then the singing comes in describing the struggle between two gods when the world was still young. This part is actually quite calming to the listener, until near the end where it becomes a lot more fast paced and heavy.
The second part, Apollo: Bringer of Wisdom, which describes the one side of the battle. This side is the left hemisphere, the ones that think logically. Apollo had shown people to build cities and gain understanding of science and knowledge. It then describes how many of them went missing, so Apollo consulted with the wise men and went in search for the ones they had lost. At the end of this part is a guitar solo that represents the people travelling to the forests of Dionysus and discovering why all the people had disappeared.
The third part, Dionysus: Bringer of Love, describes the other side in the battle. This side is the right hemisphere, the people who are creative and sensitive. Dionysus lured many people away from Apollo into the forests and provided them with love. This section describes how many of the people who were once part of Apollo's society were drawn away from them to join Dionysus. Many of the people were much happier but without Apollo they no longer had the safety and advances, so when winter came it brought starvation. These last two parts display the two societies of opposite extremes. Neither of them can survive without the other, but both gods are too stubborn to accept that. The two parts make the listener angry, with the music always heavy, aggressive rock and the lyrics talking about the two gods.
The forth part, Armageddon: The Battle of Heart and Mind, describes the battle that ensues and the entrance of the protagonist from Book I. The first two verses describe the battle and the hopelessness of it all. The way that all these people are fighting for no reason at all. The music at this point has become very battle-like again, as Geddy Lee sings about what has happened. This makes the listener again angry, why are they fighting over something so trivial? Both of the god's judgement has been clouded by hatred for the other. The last verse is the entrance of the protagonist, the music has slowed down and is much calmer. He describes where he has come from and how he got there. This leaves the listener in a little state of suspense, what will the protagonist do? It also leaves the listener quite happy, the explorer has survived in one form or another.
The fifth part, Cygnus: The Bringer of Balance, tells the story of the explorer and his opinion of what he is seeing. He is deeply disturbed by what he sees, the god's taking people to battle over something completely avoidable. The explorer is now just a spirit, he has awareness and his memories but no longer has a physical presence. Being unable to do anything he gives out a silent cry. The warriors feel this cry and all stop, mystified as to what it is. He explains his story to the two gods, who look down on Olympus and are saddened by the state it has gotten into. At the end the two gods unite together and recognise the explorer as another god, naming him Cygnus, The God of Balance. This makes the listener very happy, the battle has been resolved and the explorer has become a god.
The sixth and final part, The Sphere, describes the union between the two hemispheres as it becomes a sphere. This is a wonderful conclusion to the song in which Geddy Lee describes the two sides becoming one, "sense and liberty". This is probably the peak of happiness for the listener, the world becoming one and everyone living in harmony.
Overall these two songs, Book I and II, have many different and contrasting emotions throughout. Some moments are almost moments of fear, whereas other moments are of happiness.
The third part, Dionysus: Bringer of Love, describes the other side in the battle. This side is the right hemisphere, the people who are creative and sensitive. Dionysus lured many people away from Apollo into the forests and provided them with love. This section describes how many of the people who were once part of Apollo's society were drawn away from them to join Dionysus. Many of the people were much happier but without Apollo they no longer had the safety and advances, so when winter came it brought starvation. These last two parts display the two societies of opposite extremes. Neither of them can survive without the other, but both gods are too stubborn to accept that. The two parts make the listener angry, with the music always heavy, aggressive rock and the lyrics talking about the two gods.
The forth part, Armageddon: The Battle of Heart and Mind, describes the battle that ensues and the entrance of the protagonist from Book I. The first two verses describe the battle and the hopelessness of it all. The way that all these people are fighting for no reason at all. The music at this point has become very battle-like again, as Geddy Lee sings about what has happened. This makes the listener again angry, why are they fighting over something so trivial? Both of the god's judgement has been clouded by hatred for the other. The last verse is the entrance of the protagonist, the music has slowed down and is much calmer. He describes where he has come from and how he got there. This leaves the listener in a little state of suspense, what will the protagonist do? It also leaves the listener quite happy, the explorer has survived in one form or another.
The fifth part, Cygnus: The Bringer of Balance, tells the story of the explorer and his opinion of what he is seeing. He is deeply disturbed by what he sees, the god's taking people to battle over something completely avoidable. The explorer is now just a spirit, he has awareness and his memories but no longer has a physical presence. Being unable to do anything he gives out a silent cry. The warriors feel this cry and all stop, mystified as to what it is. He explains his story to the two gods, who look down on Olympus and are saddened by the state it has gotten into. At the end the two gods unite together and recognise the explorer as another god, naming him Cygnus, The God of Balance. This makes the listener very happy, the battle has been resolved and the explorer has become a god.
The sixth and final part, The Sphere, describes the union between the two hemispheres as it becomes a sphere. This is a wonderful conclusion to the song in which Geddy Lee describes the two sides becoming one, "sense and liberty". This is probably the peak of happiness for the listener, the world becoming one and everyone living in harmony.
Overall these two songs, Book I and II, have many different and contrasting emotions throughout. Some moments are almost moments of fear, whereas other moments are of happiness.
