13 Year-old Paul S. explains why he loves the band Rush, even if loving them isn’t cool.
My name is Paul, I’m thirteen years old, and I love Rush. I’m being bullied in school because of it. This is my story.
Friends at school say, “You’re the only one in this school or perhaps the world who likes such a horrible band.” “They were only one hit wonders.” “They had all that sad music done for them.” People walk in the hallway and say, “Hey Paul, Rush sucks!”
“Go listen to fuckin’ Eminem. FUCK RUSH!”
To my middle school classmates: Kiss my ass! Rush is one of the most amazing bands in rock and roll history. They have been playing successfully for over forty years! They have more hit songs than you have dreams about Katy Perry. They are third — behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones — for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band.
Haters: I don’t call you stupid for liking LMFAO. I won’t question your sexual identity for listening to Lady Gaga or Justin Timberlake. I love classic rock with loud guitars. If you’ve got a problem with that, which I think you do, kiss my ass. That’s rock and roll.
I identify with Rush’s story because they were ridiculed for what they liked to do, too. They didn’t fit any preconceived mold, and they paid the price for it. They’ve gotten love from the fans, but not much industry recognition. They’re still not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! The record company didn’t always like what they had to offer, but they still recorded the music they wanted to make. They stayed true to themselves. I admire that.
Rush’s lyrics resonate with me. My favorite one is from the song Limelight:
“Living in the Limelight the universal dream for those who wish to see.
Those who wish to be must put aside the alienation.
Get on with the fascination.
The real relation, the underlying theme”
To me, this means if you want to succeed, you have to let go of what people think of you.
A recent Rolling Stone article listed the100 best rock guitarists. They put Jimi Hendrix at #1 and Alex Lifeson at #98. I do not understand this. I think Alex should be somewhere in the 40’s. Why, Rolling Stone?
I’m still being teased for liking Rush. I love Rush regardless of how much people bully me. I can’t stop listening just because others don’t agree. The teasing hurts, but trying to be someone I’m not hurts more. I listen to Rush on my way to school because it gives me confidence to stay true to what I believe in.
In summary: I am a Rush fan, deal with it.
RUSH, if you are reading this, I think you are the coolest band ever and I hope to see you in concert, soon. You guys are the greatest.
Wow you were bullied? No one in my school seemed to know who Rush was, I even wore a Rush shirt almost every day but no one said a word.
Omg u r exactly like my friend and I we love rush and btw we r thirteen too keep strong dude people say shit about us too but really the crap they listen too has zero talent so wat I do is I find it funny cause im a guitar player and I know wat true music is. Ps my favourite song is 2112
My sentiments exactly… this was my experience too, and now my daughter’s experience as she struggles with not fitting into the “Subdivisions”… for going up against The Priests. It seems to be a right of passage for us. The end result, though, is vindication. As Rush is ultimately vindicated by being inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” after being called “Led Zeppelin with labotomies” and tantamount to Nazi’s (particular offensive to Geddy who is the son of two Holocaust survivors), so shall yoi be vindicated. In the fullness of time, you-all like the rest of us- will… Read more »
I agree completely with everything you said, and all of the Rush references in your comment were a nice little touch. Also, to all of the Rush fans out there who get shit from those assholes, listen to “Everyday Glory” off of “Counterparts”. It’s so very inspirational, it’s helped me through a lot of shit, and I hope it does for you all. I thought I’d mention it because Counterparts is very underrated, and I thought I should tell people who might not have heard it. Once again, rock on in the fullness of time, and never give up on… Read more »
Rise from the ashes a blaze of Everyday Glory.
Just one spark of decency
Against the starless night
One glow of hope and dignity
A child can follow the light
No matter what they say
Rock on, man. I’m mercilessly bullied because of Rush, but you know what? Fuck those poseurs. Justin Bieber and Katy Perry is not real music. I’m glad that you’ll ALWAYS love Rush, just like I will. Also, the best song I can relate to is Subdivisions. The lyrics are exactly what I feel. Rock on forever!
I highly agree! Rush are one of the most innovative bands in rock history; even though I don’t particularly appreciate Geddy Lee’s vocals, they’re still extremely talented musicians!
Hooray for Rush! What a pleasure to read your article and know that discovering Rush at a formative time in life is still something that happens. I’ve been listening to an all-Rush mixtape I picked up at truckstop many years ago, on repeat, for a couple of days now. An actual cassette. It sounds terrible, but somehow better. With regards to Alex being low on the list of all-time guitar greats, I have to agree with Rolling Stone. He’s a fabulous rhythm guitarist but his ability to compose a coherent solo is shaky at best. Take the solo from “Tom… Read more »
You are awesome! Keep us updated.
In defence of the so called “haters” the only reason we hate rush is because of John. He started talking about Rush so much we all started to hate the band in general. He still talks about it and that is the reason everybody in John’s school hates Rush.
Jenga!
I enjoy Rush – particularly Peart’s drumming. Not only does he come up with a lot more interesting musical ideas on his drums than most guitar players out there, but he executes the crap out of those ideas. He does that, and manages to stay in a powerful groove. Very inspiring. Don’t be afraid to be passionate about what you like. It means you’re thinking about what you like, which is the beginning of a lifelong interest, I’ll bet. You’ll either love or hate hearing this, but I loved Rush when I was your age…let that sink in for a… Read more »
Don’t be afraid to be passionate about what you like. It means you’re thinking about what you like, which is the beginning of a lifelong interest, I’ll bet.
Paul, i applaud your independent spirit. Fear of being seen to be different, of ridicule.. or worse can cripple a man from acting freely. From Mental fortitude, comes physical fortitude
It is good you already have such strength of character
Listen kid, most people around that age wouldn’t know a good band if it bit them in the ass, they only listen to what is spoon fed to them especially in my day with MTV and shit. The kids that make fun of you were the same kids I went to school with who were always like wow that song by Vanilla ice is awesome he is going to be huge or even years later I’m pretty sure I got in an arguement with someone younger then me that Limp Biscuits shelf would would be like 2 years at best.
Check out “The Ripple Effect”…it’s about 2 guys who love their music and they don’t care what’s popular or not! Now the weird, alternative, relatively unknown bands they favored and promoted have picked up in recognition….and their website is now quite influential! Stay ahead of the curve! Or behind it! A boy I knew in 8th grade used to always disparage whatever music I liked….if I said I liked Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop…”, he would say that song is cr-p…..that Fleetwood Mac was much better before the women came….if I said I liked Styx and that a BF gave me… Read more »
You are awesome Paul! We need more young folks like you around! By the way Rush’s website is one of the neatest website I’ve seen in a long time; worth checking out …http://www.rush.com/rush/index.php
This is amazing how far reaching the demographics of GMP’s audience is; I had no idea this site attracted (intelligent) young teens.
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“Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken”
<3
Dude, don’t sweat it. I’ve been taking crap for loving Rush for 30 years. In fact, I was about 13 when I started listening to them and getting grief for it. And that was when they had a hit song! Here’s the thing: The fact that they’ve been making music for nearly 40 years means you’ve already won. They outlasted the Kajagoogoos and the Knacks and the Scritti Polittis of my day and they’ll outlast the Gagas and the Perrys and the Biebers of your day. Here’s the other thing: People who don’t like Rush will never like Rush and… Read more »
Stay strong. I’ve been through this. Rush didn’t get the deserved props in the days of Zeppelin. Relax though. The Priests of the Temple if Syrinx have assured us all, in 2112, “the meek shall inherit the Earth”.
Rock On…
Paul! I am so proud of you, lil dude. Not sure if you remember me well, but I used to babysit you a lot back in the ‘Dale, and I loved watching you grow and become more and more that insanely intelligent, always energetic and talented guy I know. I’m thrilled to see that not only are you still amazing, but that you have an impeccable taste in music. My Da took Mike and I to see Rush at the Joe a few years back, and I don’t have to tell you how incredibly UNBELIEVABLE they are in concert. Easily… Read more »
Nice essay, Paul. Apparently, your bullies aren’t just mean, but are pretty darn ignorant of musical talent and history. It sounds like most kids in your school just have their heads up their butts. I’ll bet most of them haven’t even heard any Rush songs. They probably have no idea that the songwriter is also the best living drummer in the world, and also a real intellectual. By the way, if you haven’t checked out the words to Subdivisions, I think you might connect with some of them.
LOL…This is awesome. Paul, your taste in music is incredible for a guy your age. Let haters hate…but you can remind your buddies the fact is most one hit wonders don’t last 44 years.
Dude, I wore Limelight and that whole album out when it first came out. Look, even back then, some of the headbangers thought Rush was pretentious because of the whole progressive metal tag. But they kept putting out amazing music and stood the test of time. I agree, Lifeson should be way up on that list, but don’t hold you breath waiting for RS to get the picture, they were always too busy promoting marginally talented flakes like Elvis Costello.
Eminem? If that’s the bar–a Caucasian pants-on-the-ground Vanilla Ice retread–you’ve got nothing to worry about. Rock on.
Rush is awesome. I sat outside the fence with my buddies at a Rush concert because we couldn’t afford the scalped tickets.
But lets, be fair, Eminem is an incredible rapper. His lyricism is unparalleled. Don’t compare him to Vanilla Ice just because he’s white. Compare him to all other lyricists and you’ll see that he’s in the top 10.
Point taken, Christian, I can’t listen to the guy but he may indeed be good at what he does.
Bud don’t compare rush to eminem cause u will lose badly let’s see eminem pick up a guitar and do an amazing guitar solo
Stay strong, kid. These “haters” will not be the last people to try to get you down. When it happens again, even if it is a teacher or a principle, don’t listen. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.
Paul,
You will dine on honey dew
And drink the milk of Paradise.
Marc