In the first quarter of 2024, Rush fans will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of the band’s self-titled debut album. For five decades, the allure of this band has been a combination of their supreme musicianship and the thought-provoking lyrics they offered within the context of their complex delivery. Never a band to lower themselves to stealing headlines through silly antics or gimmicks, Rush found their way by doing things with integrity; confident in knowing that if they maintained a consistent approach, people with a similar perspective on life would follow.
As a band, they were committed to this mission.
If one ever wanted to know what Rush thought as a band, they would need to look no further than the lyrics of Neil Peart. Their value system is very clear in the passages contained in the songs we have come to know. A prime example is the song ‘Bravado’ from the 1991 album ‘Roll the Bones’. Success at this level does not come without sacrifice or a price. When the dust settles there comes a moment when you need to sit back and assess the cost and determine if everything was worthwhile. Here is Geddy Lee’s reflection on how much ‘Bravado’ meant to him as an individual.
Bravado” fits in because of the nature of knowing and learning what the cost is. There’s a difference between being willing to pay the price and counting the cost of that. The things you do and the actions you take have a price. Every time you win or go out in the world and think you’ve climbed that mountain, maybe you then realize there was a cost you have to pay in some way or another.”
Geddy Lee
This is an important quote because Geddy Lee is on record as stating that he put Rush ahead of everything while in pursuit of his dreams. He was driven to success. A self-proclaimed ‘bossy pants’. As the vocalist, it was always essential to him that when he presented Neil Peart’s lyrics there needed to be an emotional connection. This is where the passion shines through. As a trio, this was always true, both in studio and on the concert stage. In this quote Lee expands on the previous thought.
All three of us were especially fond of that song—it was enjoyable to play, and its blending of music and lyrics was among our best, I thought. We had played the song on almost every tour since 1991, when we wrote and recorded it for our Roll the Bones album, but no matter how many times we played that song, I always felt it, emotionally.”
Geddy Lee
Fortunately, through the years Rush fans have been blessed with a plethora of live recordings that allow them to truly feel this approach. Enjoy ‘Bravado’ from the band’s R-30 tour where Geddy Lee introduced ‘Bravado’ as a song that the trio was collectively proud of over the years.
When Neil Peart wrote ‘Bravado’ he had one introduction rattling in his head for a period of time. The visual nature of Icarus flying to close to the sun and having his wings of wax melted away is a classic parable in Greek mythology. When combined with a line from ‘The Tidewater Tales’ by John Barth that literally stated “we will pay the price but we will not count the cost”, Peart knew he had a narrative worth sharing. It just took some time to organize his thoughts in the form of a song. Here is The Professor’s explanation of how the song unfolded conceptually.
A line from John Barth’s The Tidewater Tales (he said I could use it) which echoed around inside me for a long time after I read that book. To me, it just means go for it. There are no failures of talent, only failures of character. I think that’s often true too. Sure, there a lot of talented people who don’t achieve artistic or worldly success, but I think there’s usually a reason – a failure inside them. The important thing is: if you fail once, or if your luck is bad this time, the dream is still there. A dream is only over if you give it up – or if it comes true. That is called irony. We have to remember the oracle’s words, from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory and lumpy athletic shoes: Just do it. No excuses.”
Neil Peart
Within this quote there are a couple of interesting lines. When Neil speaks to the perception of failure, there is definitely an element of ownership for the individual. Any semblance of defeat should be met with a degree of resolve. Get back up and try again. I think back to the line from ‘The Enemy Within’.
Is it living, or just existence?
Neil Peart
Yeah, you! It takes a little more persistence
To get up and go the distance”
Be persistent, but more importantly, be resilient. Life will throw challenges your way. It is part of our existence. The Rush catalogue is full of philosophical gems like these. Fans of the band know this, and as a result they remain eternally devoted to this day.
Here is another quote from Geddy Lee that speaks to his connection to ‘Bravado’, specifically to the John Barth line that Neil was drawn to when he was moved to write.
That’s a pretty emotional song for me. It’s one of my favorites that I think we’ve ever written. Just because it’s quite a change…. it’s quite a different song on the album. It’s stands out on the record as being a different texture than most of the other tracks. That line to me says really says so much about the people, really that move the world, you know, the people that go out there and do what has to be done. And they’re not worrying about what it’s going to cost them personally down the road, they’re doing what has to be done, and they’re prepared to pay the price for it without worrying about…. the payment that comes later.”
Geddy Lee
Here is the complete set of lyrics.
If we burn our wings
Flying too close to the sun
If the moment of glory
Is over before it’s begun
If the dream is won
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost
When the dust has cleared
And victory denied
A summit too lofty
River a little too wide
If we keep our pride
Though paradise is lost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost (oh)
And if the music stops
There’s only the sound of the rain
All the hope and glory
All the sacrifice in vain
And if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost
And if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price (we will pay the price)
But we will not count the cost (but we will not count the cost)
And if love remains (if love remains)
Though everything is lost (though everything is lost)
We will pay the price (we will pay the price)
But we will not count the cost (but we will not count the cost)
And if love remains”
Neil Peart
Now, it must be stated that the lyrics alone don’t make the song. If Rush did not have the courage and conviction to look at ‘Bravado’ and its message from a different perspective they may not have understood that in order to get the idea across, they would have to alter their method. In a 1991 interview around the time of the ‘Roll the Bones’ release Geddy Lee spoke to how elements of the presentation expanded the band’s frontiers, but based on the importance of the piece and the perceived motivation each player felt they pushed their limits as performers.
Neil’s parts are complex, too. Listen to the end of “Bravado”. There’s an example of limb independence that rivals any drummer, anywhere. The fact that he nailed that in one take blows my mind. In only four days, Neil and I had all the drums and bass parts down. When you record that quickly, you wonder if maybe some ugliness will rear its head two weeks down the road. There were only a couple of little moments that sounded a tad unsteady over all that work; we’re able to live without them. Alex did almost all the guitars in about eight days.”
Geddy Lee
Elaborating on this point, in recent years the guitar tracks often took from 3 to 5 weeks to master.
There is an element of spontaneity and true feel. Through this collaboration we can sense a combination of innocence in terms of perspective and the result is genuine and emotional.
Further to this point, here is Alex Lifeson and his effusive praise that expands on how evocative ‘Bravado’ was in terms of his playing.
The solos in “Ghost of a Chance” and “Bravado” are certainly my favorites on the record, if not among my favorite solos ever. When I listen to them, I (recall) the way I felt at that time. That’s really the key.”
Alex Lifeson
Just one more thought from Alex that focuses on the power of the moment.
I think it was a first take. I played my Tele through the GK preamp direct to tape. The solo has a particular character and personality that’s uncommon for me. If I’d erased that and gone with something else, then it would have been just another solo I put together in the studio, rather than something that happened at a special moment.”
Alex Lifeson
This is why Geddy Lee is on record as stating that going way back to the earliest days of his partnership with Alex Lifeson, he was always sure to have the record button on, because in his jamming Alex often created magic.
To gain some additional understanding of ‘Bravado’ listen to Neil Peart as he breaks Bravado down not only as a drum track, but as a life lesson.
One may think that since Rush scaled back the layers of the musical elements within ‘Bravado’ that the complexity was also diminished. This is simply not true. In fact, a case could be made that it was quite the opposite. Neil Peart’s commitment to expanding his skills inspired him to do ‘Burning for Buddy’ which was the tribute to the drumming prowess of the great Buddy Rich.
In the end, Rush was confident that what they were doing was the proper path. Here is Geddy Lee emphasizing the mission of music’s finest democracy.
No matter what style, I think the audience knows when an artist means what they say and believes in their music – as opposed to just going through the motions and raking in the dough. We set out to write music that made us happy and crossed our fingers that there were enough fans out there who had the same musical sensibility as us. We remained true to ourselves and that worked out.”
Geddy Lee
Rush will be remembered in many ways, but one of their most endearing qualities was their uncompromising approach to their craft. For over 40 years they were the captain, and they drew the chart. At times, they resided on the precipice of failure, but from that place they could see success on the horizon. They never looked over the edge, and they refused to look back and dwell any perceived failure.
When they played their final three songs on the night of August 1, 2015 Geddy Lee bid the Los Angeles audience farewell on behalf of his partners.
Thank you so much, Los Angeles! On behalf of the greatest crew and organization in the world. On behalf of our whole organization, thank you, United States of America, for 40 awesome years. And I do hope we’ll meet again some time. Bye-bye.”
Geddy Lee
In a rare moment, Neil Peart joined Alex and Geddy at the front of the stage. This is when it struck the band that it was truly over. As a group they made it official in 2018.
Geddy Lee is very candid about the way it ended. Although it wasn’t what he wanted, he understood that it was what the group decided through their democratic process.
And if the music stops
There’s only the sound of the rain
All the hope and glory
All the sacrifice in vain
And if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost”
Neil Peart
When the final notes rained down and the audience roared their approval, one thing was evident.
The love remained….
Looking back at Rush songs and the cover versions offered is always interesting because the cover is always a tribute to the artists that influenced their career. The adulation always transcends the music. Out of that reverence comes some unique performances.
First, we head back to 2011 and the Germany based band, Gregorian. They present chant inspired versions of modern music using both chant harmonies and instrumental interpretations. Here they are doing ‘Bravado’ on their album ‘Masters of Chant Chapter VIII’. The material blends effectively with their style. It comes through like a confession. If you enjoy this cover, I highly recommend the rest of the album. There are several songs you will definitely recognize.
Staying in Germany, here is the renowned Germany metal act, Rage and their take on ‘Bravado. This was released as a bonus track on their 2016 album ‘The Devil Strikes Again’. From a musical standpoint this is very true. The vocals come across as a little forced. It is still worth sharing
Again from 2016 here is an acoustic cover by Ragon Linde from his album ‘Transitions’. To me this is a brave approach and it should be commended. It is slowed down which makes it come across as contemplative. I understand what he is aiming. to accomplish I think he captures the spirit. I suspect it may not be for everyone, but count me in.
To complete the covers portion of today’s post, here is a Ted Tocks favourite when it comes to Rush tributes. The Brazilian duo Fleesh often comes up. Fleesh is made up of Gabby Vessoni and Celo Oliveira. Here is their version of ‘Bravado’ from ‘The Next Hemisphere: A Rush Tribute’ which was released in 2017. This is an enjoyable album that was released through a very successful crowdfunding effort. Listen to Gabby’s vocals. This a remedy for anything that may be troubling you right now.
To conclude today’s feature, please enjoy this emotional presentation from Dallas in November of 2012. Note Geddy’s passionate vocals, and Alex’s subtle harmonies. Everything culminates with the signature guitar solo. Listen and enjoy…
As Columbo used to say; “just one more thing.”
Neil Peart’s drumming. It is steady. Resolute. Complicated without being overbearing. The subtle canvas that allows Geddy and Alex to paint their musical landscape.
No one member dominates, but they all excel. The absolute mantra of the group that will forever remain my favourite band for exactly this reason.
For Neil Peart, humility was always an obvious trait. He once stated;
I wasn’t talented but I was relentless.”
Neil Peart
Dedication, perseverance and commitment.
Let it be said that although Neil may be selling himself short, within these words there are lessons here for all of us. Not only does the love remain; we also have the music and the profound lyrics.
The complete package. Always remembered.
Ted Tocks Covers 
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