Would you say that Rush (The band) is very conservative?

[coloradodem2005]

On one hand they seemed to take some of Ayn Rand's philosophies, especially those of individualism to heart. On the other hand, they don't seem to care for the conformative mindset or suburbia. They did approve a joke site that used their song and likeness to make fun of Rush Limbaugh. They don't strike me as conservative the way the Republican party is conservative at all.

[Maestro]

1. Rush has never struck as very political

more art for art's sake kind of band. I really don't think that they support American style conservatism though.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. No, I'd say they are more progressive with a Randian libertarian bent

but I couldn't put them in the conservative camp at all. They're too smart, for one thing, and also considering many of their lyrics, they don't strike me as conservative. Not even legitimate conservative (the kind of almost-decent-conservativism that we've lost since Reagan's days).

[phusion]

3. Side question...

Seeing you're a Floyd fan, how would you describe their politics? Socialist?

[coloradodem2005]

4. Somewhat.

I know Roger Waters was ripping on conservativism in England and America in the late 70's early 80's.

[Beware the Beast Man]

5. He was the only Floyd to come from a working-class family, albeit

a rather well-to-do one. Nick Mason's family, on the other hand, was loaded.

[Elidor]

6. Waters rips on neocon imperialism, too

Amused to Death, written in response to the first Gulf War, is even more appropriate today.

[Elidor]

7. It's not the band that's a fan of Rand, it's Neil Peart

Their drummer/lyricist. Lifeson and Lee rarely contribute to the lyrics. (I can only think of one lyric written by Lee, and none by Lifeson.)

Peart's lyrics are generally progressive in their views of humanity, but The Trees seems to be a bitter parable against affirmative action.

[Goathead]

8. "Nobody's Hero" is about tolerance for homosexuals.

I knew he was different, in his sexuality
I went to his parties, as a straight minority
It never seemed a threat to my masculinity
He only introduced me to a wider reality

[coloradodem2005]

11. That first verse was.

In the end, I think if the song being about how many people who are not looked upon favorably falling by the wayside in life.

"Nobody's Hero"
I knew he was different, in his sexuality
I went to his parties, as a straight minority
It never seemed a threat to my masculinity
He only introduced me to a wider reality

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that he was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
But he's nobody's -

Hero - saves a drowning child
Cures a wasting disease
Hero - lands the crippled airplane
Solves great mysteries

Hero - not the handsome actor
Who plays a hero's role
Hero - not the glamor girl
Who'd love to sell her soul
If anybody's buying
NOBODY'S HERO

I didn't know the girl, but I knew her family
All their lives were shattered
in a nightmare of brutality
They try to carry on, try to bear the agony
Try to hold some faith
in the goodness of humanity

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that she was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
But she's nobody's -

Hero - the voice of reason
Against the howling mob
Hero - the pride of purpose
In the unrewarding job

Hero - not the champion player
Who plays the perfect game
Not the glamor boy
Who loves to sell his name
Everybody's buying
NOBODY'S HERO

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that you were gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart

Hero

[Radical Activist]

9. Working Man lyrics

An ode to the working man doesn't sound very conservative...

I get up at seven, yeah
And I go to work at nine
I got no time for livin’
Yes, I’m workin’ all the time

It seems to me
I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that’s why they call me
They call me the workin’ man

They call me the workin’ man
I guess that’s what I am

I get home at five o’clock
And I take myself out a nice, cold beer
Always seem to be wond’rin’
Why there’s nothin’ goin’ down here

It seems to me
I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that’s why they call me
They call me the workin’ man

They call me the workin’ man
I guess that’s what I am

Well they call me the workin’ man
I guess that’s what I am

[Droopy]

13. I crank that tune whenever I hear it out on the road

cruising around in my 18 wheeler. It sort of makes me proud of who I am that somebody thought to make a song about me and my fellow blue collar men and women ;)

[Goathead]

10. I've also heard RUSH referred to as "Thinking man's rock & roll"

Hmmm... "Thinking Man" = Intellectual = Liberal = Socialist = Communist. They are actually Communists!:sarcasm:

[6000eliot]

12. Rand wasn't pro conformity or suburbia

She was proudly elitist to the core. Her philosophy is warmed-over Nietzsche as far as I can tell, and I don't think she really gets that.