The Twilight Zone

The Zoo Crew is spinning "The Twilight Zone" by Rush from their iconic 1976 album 2112, and Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this track's wild backstory. Inspired by two episodes of the classic TV series The Twilight Zone, the song draws from "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?" for its first verse, where a three-eyed alien hides among diner patrons, and "Stopover in a Quiet Town" for the second, where a couple wakes up as playthings for a giant child. Lyricist Neil Peart, a huge fan of the show’s creator Rod Serling, crafted the lyrics to capture the eerie, surreal vibe of these stories, even paraphrasing the show’s iconic opening narration. Rush dedicated the song to Serling, having already honored him on their previous album, Caress of Steel, after his death in 1975. The track was the last one written and recorded for 2112 and became its first single, a bold choice for a band fighting to prove themselves after the commercial struggles of their prior album.

One spooky detail Zoo Freaks might catch while grooving to "The Twilight Zone" is the whispered vocal effect layered behind Geddy Lee’s singing. Fans on Reddit have obsessed over this, with many confirming it’s Geddy himself doubling his vocals with a haunting whisper, panned to one side while his main vocals sit on the other. In a documentary about 2112, producer Terry Brown isolated these tracks, revealing the chilling effect was intentional to amp up the song’s otherworldly vibe. Some fans, like a Redditor who noticed it while running with earbuds, say it sends shivers down their spine, especially around the two-minute mark. The song also sparked a nod from Marvel’s Defenders comic in 1977, where issue #45 was dedicated to Rush, featuring a character, Red Rajah, quoting the lyric, “Truth is false and logic lost, consult the Rajah at all cost.”

Another cool tidbit is the song’s rarity in Rush’s live performances. According to Reddit discussions, "The Twilight Zone" was hardly played live, making a bootleg recording from the 40th anniversary reissue of 2112 a gem for fans. This reissue also included a cover by Steven Wilson, recorded during a soundcheck in Austria, though some fans debated the quality of the live version, suspecting it was a rough radio broadcast. The song’s mystical, spacey feel led one fan to call it “Rod Serling’s kind of jam,” as noted in Rush Vault, and its trippy lyrics have even been likened to an LSD-fueled journey by commenters on SongMeanings.

Rush started as a scrappy trio from Toronto, Canada, in 1968, with bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and original drummer John Rutsey. Initially called The Projection, they played bluesy, hard-rock covers inspired by bands like Cream and The Yardbirds in local bars and high school gigs. By 1971, they’d settled on the name Rush and were gigging relentlessly around Ontario, honing their sound. Their self-titled debut album in 1974, recorded with Rutsey, leaned heavily into Led Zeppelin-esque rock but caught attention with the track “Working Man.” Rutsey’s health issues and creative differences led to his exit, and Neil Peart joined as drummer and lyricist just before their first U.S. tour. Peart’s cerebral, sci-fi, and philosophy-driven lyrics, influenced by writers like Ayn Rand, transformed Rush into a progressive rock powerhouse. Their breakthrough came with 2112 in 1976, a defiant concept album that ignored their label’s push for commercial hits and cemented their legacy, selling over 3 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Zoo Freaks can keep up with Rush’s legacy through their official website, which dives into their discography, tour history, and news. The band’s Facebook page is active with fan engagement and updates, while their Instagram shares throwback photos and album anniversaries. On X, Rush posts about reissues and tributes, though activity has slowed since Neil Peart’s passing in 2020. Fans can connect on the Rush Is a Band fan site, which offers detailed discographies and news, or join the vibrant Rush Fans (2112) Facebook group, where devotees share memorabilia and stories. Another great spot is Rush Vault, a fan-driven archive packed with trivia and commentary. These communities keep the Rush spirit alive for Zoo Freaks everywhere.