The Fountain of Lamneth

The side-long epic that nearly ended Rush's career — and simultaneously proved their artistic fearlessness. This six-part suite follows a hero's journey through the stages of life as he searches for the mythical Fountain of Lamneth. Each section represents a different phase: youthful wonder ("In the Valley"), conflict ("Didacts and Narpets"), isolation ("No One at the Bridge"), love ("Panacea"), contentment ("Bacchus Plateau"), and the final arrival at the fountain ("The Fountain"). It's only 34 seconds shorter than "2112."

"Didacts and Narpets" is one of Rush's strangest moments — it consists largely of a drum solo with shouted vocals. Peart later explained that the title is an anagram-like play on "teachers and parents," and the shouted words represent an argument between the hero and authority figures. "Panacea" is a genuinely beautiful, gentle ballad that showcases the band's dynamic range. "In the Valley" features some of Peart's best drumming up to that point.

Alex Lifeson told Guitar World in 2008 that "The Fountain of Lamneth" was "really our first full concept song, and '2112' was an extension of it." The connection between the two is clear — both are side-long suites following a protagonist's journey through an oppressive world. The experience of writing and performing "Fountain" gave Rush the confidence and the template for their masterpiece.

The band famously played it in their van for Kiss' Paul Stanley one night on tour. As Lifeson recalled, "you could see that he just didn't get it. A lot of people didn't get it. We wondered if we even got it!" Geddy Lee has been similarly candid about the era, telling Rolling Stone in 2014 that the whole Caress of Steel period was "stuck in a strange and funny moment" in their history. Despite the self-deprecation, the piece remains a favorite among fans who value ambition and artistic risk-taking above all else.