Libertarian Rock:

(Originally posted at Freespace)

Over at the Volokh Conspiracy, Juan Non-Volokh discusses libertarianism in rock lyrics:

“Of course, no discussion of libertarian-leaning bands could be complete without mention of Rush. The Canadian power trio, about to embark on its 30thanniversary tour, is arguably the most prominent libertarian band of all time. Rush dedicated an album, 2112, to 'the genius of Ayn Rand.' and penned such liberty-themed anthems as 'Freewill,' and this week’s Sunday Song Lyric, 'The Trees.' When I was younger, and into such music, I was struck by the song’s explicitly anti-egalitarian message.

There is trouble with the trees,
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.

The trouble with the maples,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade.

There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the maples scream ‘Oppression!’
And the oaks just shake their heads.

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
'The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light.'
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw."

I am a big fan of the Progressive Rock genre. This includes not only Rush, but also bands like Yes, Genesis, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and King Crimson. I am glad to see that Rush is back on tour and plan on seeing them. I just saw my favorite progressive rock band Kansas at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey. I hope to see both Yes, and Rush this year.

Here is Neal Peart’s (Rush’s drummer, and Rand-inspired lyricist) classic line on love from the song Ghost of a Chance:

I don't believe in destiny
Or the guiding hand of fate
I don't believe in forever
Or love as a mystical state
I don't believe in the stars or the planets
Or angels watching from above
But I believe there's a ghost of a chance we can find someone to love
And make it last...