Rush: Why the gender gap?

[RBrownBass]

Well, it seems the answers are kinda all over the map here. I'm reading that it isn't as one-sided as it used to be, that maybe it never really was, and that...

As a rule of psychology, women tend to be drawn to emotional stimuli much more than men. Rush's music, along with other 'blokey' bands, don't contain much emotional content (certainly not in a way which women would easily respond).

Ouch. Whatever happened to being moved by pure musicianship?

I think you're the only confirmed female who's posted, and you've also confirmed that you rise above allowing emo stuff to cloud your judgement, so I'll ask you. Why does this gap in tastes still exist when women are struggling all over the world to achieve equality with men? I get that art isn't work, but if one lives music with the same approach that one lives life, they'd have stepped up to the plate by now.

What you're saying to me (not about you, but about what you said about women in general) is a bit like me reading USA Today's sports section and finding that, once again, Christine Brennan's been relegated to writing not about sports, but about some alleged bigger-than-sports "perspective". It demeans her because there are still men out there who don't expect anything more from women and, as a result, they don't receive it.

Would more women attend Rush concerts (this assumes the split is not 50/50) if we didn't shut them out of significant parts of our (and, by extension, their) rearing?

I mean, no man wants a carbon copy of themselves in a woman, especially when there's a disagreement, but the last thing I'd want is for her to take anything about me less seriously than I do. Dubbing it "penis rock" or "penis" anything would suggest that she doesn't, and that would spell the end of the relationship.

 

[nortonrider]

My woman adores Keith Urban and his gooey lovey-dovey tunes.
He has a majority female fan base, so I guess it goes both ways.

Music can definitely be gender oriented.

 

[hrodbert696]

One factor is definitely that you can't dance to it. Statistically, as every cover band knows, it's the girls that are the first to get onto the floor.

Second factor, the members of the band have no sex appeal. Sad reality of show biz, but it cuts both ways - how many guys here on the forum are huge fans of female musicians they don't find attractive? Geddy Lee ain't Sting in the looks department.

Third factor, complex music mostly appeals to musicians. Fassa likes Rush, but then Fassa is a bassist.

Fourth factor, Geddy's voice, as many have mentioned. I happen to like it, but I won't pretend it's charming, smooth, or suave.

Fifth factor, the themes of the lyrics. A fair dose of Rush's songs are basically sci-fi fantasies. There are women into sci fi, but again, statistically, most aren't.

Sixth factor, no love songs. I don't agree with the statement that Rush has no emotional engagement in their songs. But it's a particular kind of emotional engagement. Songs like Tom Sawyer, Limelight, Freewill, Subdivisions... those are lyrics that resonate very strongly with the adolescent male who's not very popular and is a little smarter than his peers, trying to stake out his independence and his dignity. That's what drew me to Rush in the first place. But it's a very different set of emotional issues than what girls - even in the same position - tend to go through.

Seventh - it's self-perpetuating. Go to a sausage-fest Rush concert and you come away with a permanent fixture in your head that Rush is Not For Women.

 

[Marial]

If my wife called something I liked listening to 'penis rock' I'd fall out of my chair laughing and refer to it as such henceforth.

 

[Fassa Albrecht]

I think you're the only confirmed female who's posted, and you've also confirmed that you rise above allowing emo stuff to cloud your judgement, so I'll ask you. Why does this gap in tastes still exist when women are struggling all over the world to achieve equality with men? I get that art isn't work, but if one lives music with the same approach that one lives life, they'd have stepped up to the plate by now.

The psychology of the two genders is very different, as any study of gender studies will tell you. Women's tastes and approaches to just about anything including music is very much different to that of men and is unlikely to change, even where their place in the world does.

Then again, you're likely asking the wrong person. I might be biologically female but I identify as male.

What you're saying to me (not about you, but about what you said about women in general) is a bit like me reading USA Today's sports section and finding that, once again, Christine Brennan's been relegated to writing not about sports, but about some alleged bigger-than-sports "perspective". It demeans her because there are still men out there who don't expect anything more from women and, as a result, they don't receive it.

Problem is that there are few women who wish to take that place of writing ABOUT the subject such as sports as opposed to the perspectives and the opinion pieces.
You can't force anyone to be or do something they don't want to do.

Would more women attend Rush concerts (this assumes the split is not 50/50) if we didn't shut them out of significant parts of their rearing?

I mean, no man wants a carbon copy of themselves in a woman, especially when there's a disagreement, but the last thing I'd want is for her to take anything about me less seriously than I do. Dubbing it "penis rock" or "penis" anything would suggest that she doesn't, and that would spell the end of the relationship.

Even Rush realize their fanbase has always been mostly male and is always likely to be like this.

Nowadays women have the choice to act and do as they wish. They can quite easily find a Rush CD to listen to if they choose to do so, but they don't for reasons that are entirely their own.

 

[XylemBassGuitar]

Dubbing it "penis rock" or "penis" anything would suggest...

My apologies for just jumping in right here, but dubbing Rush and Primus "Penis Rock" is absolutely hilarious to me...and I started playing bass because of Les Claypool.

I'm gonna have to start using that one...

I've been to both Rush and Primus concerts and they definitely don't seem to attract many members of the fairer sex.

...and ladies, be nicer, Primus already sucks!

 

[RBrownBass]

If my wife called something I liked listening to 'penis rock' I'd fall out of my chair laughing and refer to it as such henceforth.

My apologies for just jumping in right here, but dubbing Rush and Primus "Penis Rock" is absolutely hilarious to me...and I started playing bass because of Les Claypool.

I guess I just don't have that many humorous cells in my bloodstream. I would take it as another "This isn't what's important about life" shot.

The psychology of the two genders is very different, as any study of gender studies will tell you. Women's tastes and approaches to just about anything including music is very much different to that of men and is unlikely to change, even where their place in the world does.

I get some of that, but ditching some of the nurture-teaching we do with girls might reveal something different. I don't have the gender studies classes under my belt to prove that, tho.

Then again, you're likely asking the wrong person. I might be biologically female but I identify as male.

Just saw your sig. I want opinions from anyone with ovaries (as well as from other guys). Who they sleep with is of no concern to me.

Problem is that there are few women who wish to take that place of writing ABOUT the subject such as sports as opposed to the perspectives and the opinion pieces.
You can't force anyone to be or do something they don't want to do.

I get that. I was saying that she ought to find work at a publication that suits her ideals instead of forcing them onto the institution of sport or allowing her superiors at USA Today to use her in that fashion.

 

[Fassa Albrecht]

I get some of that, but ditching some of the nurture-teaching we do with girls might reveal something different. I don't have the gender studies classes under my belt to prove that, tho.

Just saw your sig. I want opinions from anyone with ovaries (as well as from other guys). Who they sleep with is of no concern to me.

Eh, either way my opinion is a little skewed.

I get that. I was saying that she ought to find work at a publication that suits her ideals instead of forcing them onto the institution of sport or allowing her superiors at USA Today to use her in that fashion.

Women have virtually free choice in choosing what work they do or the position they hold or whatever. But some jobs may not suit women because of the mindset required.

 

[Matthew_84]

I was driving in my car a couple of months ago with my girlfriend and "The Spirit of Radio" was playing in the background. I didn't make any comments about how this is Rush, one of my favourite bands or anything, I just listened quietly, and out of nowhere she comes out and says, "this song sucks".

Really, our musical tastes are way different: I love Rush, she loves Lady Gaga... she obviosuly has a horrible taste of music. ... But the point here is that she didn't know who they were; what they looked like; their catalog of songs; etc... All she did was hear a bit of one of their best songs (in my opinion of course), and to her "it sucked".

I don't think a lot of women will ever get it, not because of imagery, or song content or anything, it's just something they simply don't like...

Why? I think a psychologist should be chiming in next.

 

[fdeck]

There are gender differences all over the place in consumer and entertainment preferences. I think it boils down to culture, peer influence, and marketing.

 

[Fassa Albrecht]

There are gender differences all over the place in consumer and entertainment preferences. I think it boils down to culture, peer influence, and marketing.

This times a million.

 

[XylemBassGuitar]

I was driving in my car a couple of months ago with my girlfriend and "The Spirit of Radio" was playing in the background. I didn't make any comments about how this is Rush, one of my favourite bands or anything, I just listened quietly, and out of nowhere she comes out and says, "this song sucks".

My better half can't stand Rush either. She cites that they "sound like a generic form of every rock band ever"...

...she does like Primus though, especially "Scissor Man" and "Tommy the Cat"

 

[Ben Noblit]

The lady I consulted had this to say: If music were paintings on someone's wall, Rush would be a diagram of a computer chip.

 

[totallyfrozen]

My best guess is that most women are superficial and stupid...

So my wife is superficial and stupid because she doesn't like Rush?

I know you didn't mean it that way. I'm just making a point about how hostile a statement like that is.

On another note, I just played a Rush song for my wife on Pandora. There was a few seconds of musical intro...all good. AS SOON AS Getty started singing, she got that look like she'd just smelled a buffalo fart and said, "That hurts my ears. Why do men like that?"

Getty's got a wretched voice.

 

[brandau]

Saw a band the other night...(Oz Noy, Will Lee, Anton Fig, someone else...). My wife leans over and says.."this sounds like Rush playing jazz...!"

Im still laughing

 

[mellowinman]

I was in high school in the late seventies.

Men liked RUSH

Women liked JOURNEY

That is how things are.

We do not question this.

 

[RBrownBass]

On another note, I just played a Rush song for my wife on Pandora. There was a few seconds of musical intro...all good. AS SOON AS Getty started singing, she got that look like she'd just smelled a buffalo fart and said, "That hurts my ears. Why do men like that?"

Getty's got a wretched voice.

I don't know of anyone who likes Geddy's voice. I don't. But I don't care. I don't know of too many guys who do care what he sounds like vocally. If Rush had wanted a preener with a golden voice, they'd have one by now. Evaluating vocals that exist only because someone needs to hear them to get into the song is over the top. You know up front he isn't George Michael or Luther Vandross or Freddie Mercury or whoever. So you throw that out and listen to what he does well. Geddy's not there to sing to you- Rush's there to play for you, and he sings as a bonus- or not.

He's a better singer than the guy from Hot Chocolate (the band that recorded "You Sexy Thing" in the late 70s). Now there's a song I can do without, because vox is all there is to it, and those suck.

 

[RBrownBass]

I was in high school in the late seventies.

Men liked RUSH

Women liked JOURNEY

That is how things are.

We do not question this.

I was in HS band, with people who didn't care who liked what so long as it was musically interesting. I like some Journey, because they can play and showed it on their albums. Same with Toto.

EDIT: "HS Band" doesn't sound like a lot, but it isn't a commentary on what great players we were or anything. It's a commentary on what we didn't just immediately dismiss because of popular opinion.

 

[steddy2112]

Here's my guess, and I'm sure I'll get flamed.

To me, Rush's whole approach suggests boys playing with their toys (i.e. gear) and their material has absolutely nothing to do with human feelings, relationships, emotions, etc., etc., all things which tend to fascinate most women. Rush is about as sexy as a bunch of 8-year-old boys playing with their Wiis.

Also, Geddy's voice is godawful, and is about as far as you can get from Luther Vandross, Al Green, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Jim Morrison, or about a million other GOOD singers who are beloved by women.

(Come to think of it, Robert Plant's voice is also hideous, yet women like him... hmmmm... )

So in a nutshell you're saying the music of Rush has no feelings?

Oh man, lmao, that might be the best thing I have read on the internet ever.

Like I wouldn't flame, but you have obviously given about maybe a listen and half to maybe songs they have played on the radio and that's it.




A band that does a song called "Closer to the Heart" and you're going to say they don't talk about human feelings...ROFL...golden...I nominate your post for a topic starter in the bass humor section lol.

As for actually giving my own two cents on this topic, the answer is the same reason their not in the Hall:

It's not shoved down anyone's throat.

Society dictates what's in and what's not. In my experiences when it comes to pop culture, women have been more swayed by the hip and happening things than dudes...usually.

I mean think about the old videos of the Beatles performing...it wasn't teen boys screaming for them...then there was disco...everyone learned to dance because well...don't forget the boy bands...I am in no way saying guys can't be swayed in any way shape or form in pop culture.

When it comes to music though it seems the female gender is more prone to having their thoughts and ideals handed to them instead of finding themselves. They're more worried about the pressures of being a woman, which IMO, is more than enough for anyone lol.

 

[john_g]

He's a better singer than the guy from Hot Chocolate (the band that recorded "You Sexy Thing" in the late 70s). Now there's a song I can do without, because vox is all there is to it, and those suck.

You know, every time I listen to Rush I think this exact thing!

Oh and I like the color blue, pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.