Rush has long been celebrated as one of the most iconic rock bands to emerge from the late ’60s. Known for their intricate musicianship and progressive sound, the trio of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart crafted a legacy that continues to captivate fans decades later. Their influence on rock music remains undeniable.
Despite their monumental success, not every track in their catalog resonates equally with the band members. Even legendary musicians can look back at their work with a critical eye, and Geddy Lee is no exception. It’s surprising to learn that even he has strong feelings about a particular Rush song.
What could make a celebrated artist dislike one of their own tracks? For fans of the band, this revelation offers a rare glimpse into the complexities of their creative process—and raises some intriguing questions about their music.
The Rush Song That Gave Geddy Lee Trouble
Geddy Lee, Rush’s legendary frontman, once admitted to struggling with a specific song from the band’s extensive catalog. Even seasoned musicians can find their own creations challenging to perform. For Lee, this song proved particularly difficult to sing and play live.
In a 1992 interview, Lee was candid about the issue. He shared how the complexity of the track made it tough to execute during live performances. It’s a rare insight into the challenges even top-tier artists face on stage.
What makes this admission so intriguing is Lee’s openness. He didn’t shy away from revealing how one of Rush’s own songs could test his abilities. For fans, it’s a reminder that even legends encounter hurdles.
His Toughest Song to Perform
During a 1992 interview, Geddy Lee faced the usual questions about Rush’s longevity and success. He responded as expected, with his characteristic humility and wit. But one question stood out, sparking a more intriguing response.
When asked if he had ever written a song he found difficult to sing, Lee’s answer surprised everyone. It revealed a unique challenge even a seasoned artist like him had to face. His reply shed light on the complexities behind performing Rush’s intricate music.
Lee admitted that “Roll the Bones” was one of his most challenging songs. He explained how its accents conflicted with the vocal parts, making it tough to balance the bass-and-drum punches with a smooth vocal delivery. Even for a virtuoso, some tracks are harder to master than others.
Geddy’s Struggle with “Roll the Bones”
Geddy opened up more about the challenges of performing “Roll the Bones,” particularly its complex bass chords. He admitted the song felt like a heavy burden at times, but his bandmates consistently encouraged him to take it slow and not let the difficulty overwhelm him.
Lee explained how balancing the bass line and vocals required extra effort. “The tendency is to want the vocal to push with the bass,” he shared, adding that he adjusted his vocal timing to make it work. His bandmates pushed him to create intricate bass lines, even though they knew it would give him a headache during rehearsals.
Despite the difficulty, Lee credited his bandmates for making the process easier with their constant support. They motivated him to push his limits, ensuring the performance stayed true to the song’s complexity and energy.
He Also Struggled Performing “La Villa Strangiato”
Geddy Lee once revealed the difficulty of performing “La Villa Strangiato,” a complex instrumental track that challenged even Rush’s legendary musicianship. In a January 7, 2020, interview with Rolling Stone, he shared how the band struggled to master the piece during its early days. Mistakes were frequent, and the song’s intricate details often tripped them up.
Lee described the song’s creation as a collaborative process filled with rhythmic shifts and constant adjustments. He and his bandmates would work in sync, each feeding off the other’s ideas. “I’ll go to some new place, and he’ll go, ‘Oh, I like that,’” Lee recalled, explaining how they built the track section by section.
Despite their collective effort, the real challenge came in remembering the intricate structure. “We couldn’t get through it,” Lee admitted, laughing about the endless mistakes. It was a reminder that even for rock legends, some songs demand an extraordinary level of focus and perseverance.