Geddy Lee Reveals Rush’s Most Difficult Song To Sing While Playing Bass
Rush performs Tom Sawyer Live – Ye Olde Rock/ YouTube
Playing an instrument while singing is no small feat, and for legendary musician Geddy Lee of Rush, the challenge is all part of the rock and roll journey. In a recent Q&A session in Montreal, Geddy Lee delved into the intricacies of Rush’s repertoire, specifically addressing the most challenging song to perform while handling both vocals and bass.
The question posed during the session was direct: which Rush song presented the most difficulty when playing and singing simultaneously?
Geddy Lee’s candid response pointed to “The Anarchist” from the band’s 2012 album, “Clockwork Angels.”
In a captured video from the event shared by The Metal Voice, Lee shared insights into the song’s complexity, stating,
“The hardest song to play and sing that I’ve ever written was ‘The Anarchist’ from [2012’s] Clockwork Angels [album]. Because I wrote that song on bass first, obviously…”
Lee further explained the challenge, noting,
“…when we put the kind of bed track together in the demo stage, I wrote this melody without thinking about what the bass part was. And it wasn’t till after we finished production of the record and I was in rehearsal where I realized they’re so completely different rhythmically — there was no meeting in the middle.”
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The seasoned musician revealed his meticulous approach to mastering the song,
He continued,
“So I spent weeks, literally, playing the one song, just on bass, didn’t try singing it until I didn’t have to think about the bass part at all. And then I would have to really concentrate, and then I could do it. I figured out a way I could do it.”
Highlighting the unique challenge presented by “The Anarchist,” Lee added,
“When I started playing it live, it’s the one song I have to sort of split myself like a drummer does. Drummers have independence. Bass players not always have independence, so it was a real challenge.”
Despite the formidable difficulty, Rush embraced the challenge, performing “The Anarchist” a notable 107 times at live shows, earning its place as the 93rd most played track in the band’s extensive history, according to Setlist.fm. The enduring popularity of this song, despite its complexity, is a testament to the band’s dedication to delivering a unique and memorable musical experience.
Watch the revelation in the video below:
