Official Top 75 Rush songs Thread!!! (Top 2 revealed!!)

[KevShmev]

Nah, I like both your running tally of the cumulative points for each album, as well as pg1067's updates on how many songs have made it from each album and where.  It's a little less work I have to do.

[wolfking]

Nice to see Grand Designs so high.  I had it at 40.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

37 Grand Designs
Appeared on 18 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 8 (DTA)

I had this at 32, but didn't think it would finish nearly as high as this.  Guess there are more Power Windows fans here than I thought (see: smart Rush fans ).


36 Anthem
Appeared on 18 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 10 (MrMike)

As this was the first song on the first Rush album with Neil on drums, he announced his presence in kick ass fashion. Killer song that has held up well.  I had it at 49.

Grand Designs - This was a song that I hated when I first heard the PoW album, but it grew on me a ton over time. It ended up at #55. The bright keyboards mixed with Neil's very enthusiastic drumming just somehow captivates me now.

Anthem - An old favorite, landing at #57. The live version on Different Stages is the definitive version, imo. They took the already heaviness and speed of the studio recording and amped it up to 11. Just a blistering performance of an already fast song.

[King Postwhore]

I loved learning the solo to Grand Designs as a teen. Alex's solos were almost poetry to my ears.

[The Realm]

Here is today's update!

37 Grand Designs
Appeared on 18 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 8 (DTA)


36 Anthem
Appeared on 18 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 10 (MrMike)

Grand Designs - my rank 26. A great song that has grown on me over the years as the whole Power Windows album has.

Anthem - my rank 54. Always loved this one.

[TAC]

What planet am I on?

[pg1067]

37 Grand Designs
Appeared on 18 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 8 (DTA)

I had Grand Designs as Not Rated. I think it's awful, honestly, and it's not the kind of Rush that I like.

What's worse is that it's ranked at #37 and is only the second ranked POW song  to this point.  I'm dreading the possibility/probability that 6 of the top 35 songs will be POW songs.

You willing to put Big Money on that? 

If we're betting straight up, I'd say it's more likely that the 6 remaining POW songs will be in the top 35 (as bass ackwards as that seems to me).

The question is - how many complete Rush albums will feature in this Top 75? I figured all of Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, and Power Windows would. What about Signals? 2112? A Farewell To Kings? I haven't been keeping track, but I think pg has, so I'm interested in seeing how that goes.

Didn't Kev already tell us this?  I think he did (same time he told us that two albums are unrepresented), but I don't remember the number (my obsessive nature will force me to look after I click "post").  At this point, there's no way Signals (Chemistry), 2112 (Lessons and Tears) or AFTK (Madrigal) will be 100% albums.  The PEW and MP songs that seemed kinda sketchy have made the top 75, so I think it's a virtual certainty that they, along with Hemispheres, will make it.  And, as I mentioned above, I think the odds are now that 100% of POW makes it too.

Nah, I like both your running tally of the cumulative points for each album, as well as pg1067's updates on how many songs have made it from each album and where.  It's a little less work I have to do.

  I figured you'd have said something by now if you minded.  By the way, now that we're more than halfway through, THANKS for doing this!

[The Letter M]

The question is - how many complete Rush albums will feature in this Top 75? I figured all of Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, and Power Windows would. What about Signals? 2112? A Farewell To Kings? I haven't been keeping track, but I think pg has, so I'm interested in seeing how that goes.

Didn't Kev already tell us this?  I think he did (same time he told us that two albums are unrepresented), but I don't remember the number (my obsessive nature will force me to look after I click "post").  At this point, there's no way Signals (Chemistry), 2112 (Lessons and Tears) or AFTK (Madrigal) will be 100% albums.  The PEW and MP songs that seemed kinda sketchy have made the top 75, so I think it's a virtual certainty that they, along with Hemispheres, will make it.  And, as I mentioned above, I think the odds are now that 100% of POW makes it too.

Ahhh, makes sense. Thanks. I haven't thoroughly read every reply in this thread so I may have missed all of that information the first time. I may or may not have helped getting all of POW in the Top 66... 😅
Not like POW is one of my all-time favorite Rush albums, or that my username here comes directly from that album's liner notes...

-Marc.

[King Postwhore]

What planet am I on?

What part of the earth were you buried for 2 decades?

[TAC]

What planet am I on?

What part of the earth were you buried for 2 decades?

[King Postwhore]

[TAC]

[King Postwhore]

[KevShmev]

I figured you'd have said something by now if you minded.  By the way, now that we're more than halfway through, THANKS for doing this!

All good.   I am already plotting the next one, and it won't be me just going with the band that finished with the 2nd most votes in that poll I ran. I have a few ideas in mind. 

[SoundscapeMN]

curious where Middletown Dreams ends up.

As I posted a few weeks back, I struggle to rank songs, but if I had participated, I would have had a hard time not including that in my top 10.

[wolfking]

What planet am I on?

The one where power windows are everywhere.

[nick_z]

curious where Middletown Dreams ends up.

As I posted a few weeks back, I struggle to rank songs, but if I had participated, I would have had a hard time not including that in my top 10.

As it turns out, it's my favorite on Power Windows...

[Cool Chris]

Watching Tim and pg bemoan tickles me. Lol

Chris is bemoaning as well, he is just doing it quietly.

[King Postwhore]

You are not as adamant.   Plus, it's so much more fun to pick on Tim. 

[KevShmev]

As promised, featuring just one today since it is from Power Windows!! 

35 Mystic Rhythms
Appeared on 17 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 3 (DTA)

I had this at 37, so pretty close to where it finished.  I love how this is one of those songs that is unlike anything else the band ever did, and yet is still pretty damn amazing.  Neil's drumming, which was so creative and so different from his normal rock approach, goes to another level.  Killer stuff all-around.

[nick_z]

As promised, featuring just one today since it is from Power Windows!! 

35 Mystic Rhythms
Appeared on 17 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 3 (DTA)

I had this at 37, so pretty close to where it finished.  I love how this is one of those songs that is unlike anything else the band ever did, and yet is still pretty damn amazing.  Neil's drumming, which was so creative and so different from his normal rock approach, goes to another level.  Killer stuff all-around.

 

Mystic Rhythms (ranked #32)

Same here, pretty close to the aggregate ranking and I'm quoting everything you said. Beautiful song, and so different. Alex's guitar creates some wonderful textures as well (as usual).

[Deadeye21]

As promised, featuring just one today since it is from Power Windows!! 

35 Mystic Rhythms
Appeared on 17 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 3 (DTA)

Mystic Rhythms was my number 40 pick. As you said, Neil’s drums. There’s really not a whole lot more that needs to be said. The lyrics are actually quite beautiful, and I love the guitars in this one, even if they”re completely overshadowed by synth.

[HOF]

Love Mystic Rhythms. It came in at 12 on my list, and is such a great atmospheric track. You’re right, I don’t think Rush really attempted another track like this. Maybe a little bit with High Water, but that didn’t have the same swath of big keyboard and bass sounds. The whole thing is very cinematic. I love how it picks up for a second in the instrumental section and then kind of glides back down tempo wise. Some really amazing playing by Geddy on this track. So much cool stuff from Neil as well, and Alex ties it all together.

[romdrums]

35. Mystic Rhythms (N/A).  This was the only song from Power Windows that didn't crack my Top 75.  It's an interesting track, for sure, but it's never really resonated with me.

[devieira73]

35 Mystic Rhythms (#21) - Great and unique song, with a very ethereal vibe. Totally amazing the drum composition and the use of eletronics here, it's like all the song was composed around the drum parts.

[pg1067]

35 Mystic Rhythms
Appeared on 17 of 25 entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 3 (DTA)

I had this at 37, so pretty close to where it finished.  I love how this is one of those songs that is unlike anything else the band ever did, and yet is still pretty damn amazing.  Neil's drumming, which was so creative and so different from his normal rock approach, goes to another level.  Killer stuff all-around.

When I was taking bass lessons, my teacher challenged me to pick a song I didn't like and learn the bass part.  This was the song I picked.  Having this at #35 is downright shameful.  I had it at #132.


The Score So Far
Rush - 1 song (Working Man - #56)
Fly by Night - 3 songs (Fly by Night - #70; By-Tor and the Snow Dog - #38; Anthem - #36)
Caress of Steel - 2 songs (The Necromancer - #67; Bastille Day - #59)
2112 - 2 songs (Something for Nothing - #63; A Passage to Bangkok - #58)
A Farewell to Kings - 1 song (Closer to the Heart - #43)
Hemispheres - 1 song (Circumstances - #45)
Permanent Waves - 2 songs (Different Strings - #57; Entre Nous - #53)
Moving Pictures - 2 songs (Vital Signs - #51; Witch Hunt - #38)
Signals - 4 songs (Countdown - #68; New World Man - #54; The Weapon - #48; Digital Man - #47)
Grace Under Pressure - 1 song (The Enemy Within - #49)
Power Windows - 3 songs (Emotion Detector - #66; Grand Designs - #37; Mystic Rhythms - #35)
Hold Your Fire - 4 songs (Prime Mover - #73; Open Secrets - #72; Force Ten - #50; Mission - #44)
Presto - 2 songs (Presto - #69; Show Don't Tell - #64)
Roll the Bones - 3 songs (Roll the Bones - #75; Ghost of a Chance - #52; Bravado - #41)
Counterparts - 5 songs (Double Agent - #74; Everyday Glory - #65; Cut to the Chase - #61; Cold Fire - #60; Leave That Thing Alone - #40)
Test for Echo - 2 songs (Test for Echo - #71; Driven - #62)
Vapor Trails - NO SONGS
Snakes & Arrows - NO SONGS
Clockwork Angels - 3 songs (Clockwork Angels - #55; Headlong Flight - #46; Caravan - #42)

[Setlist Scotty]

Grand Designs is another great track on PoW - one of the reasons I really love that album, although several others (including Emotion Detector) rank higher for me. It placed at #29 on my list.

Always loved Anthem from the first time I listened to the whole FBN album. The version on AtWaS far surpasses the studio version, with Geddy going crazy during the chorus. And this song is another example of how to properly change the vocal melody later on in the band’s career - glad they brought it back for the RtB (in part) and R40 tours. It ended up at #34 for me.

OTOH, I’ve never been a huge fan of Mystic Rhythms. For the longest time, it never really clicked with me and would probably be my least favorite on PoW. However over time, I have grown to appreciate it more, especially after seeing it live on the Counterparts tour and then again on the R30 tour. Love that they kinda extended and jammed out the outro on the Counterparts tour. That would be my favorite version of this song. Still, it’s one of the PoW tracks that didn’t make my top 75, although this one missed by only a little, making it to #82.

[nick_z]

You certainly didn't disappoint 

Now curious to see what Tim comes up with

[TAC]

Wow, that is fucking gross.

[TAC]

OK, I actually had Mystic Rhythms at #43. It wasn't until A Show Of Hands that the song caught my attention. It's so much stronger than the studio version.

[pg1067]

OK, I actually had Mystic Rhythms at #43.

[pg1067]

You certainly didn't disappoint 

Now curious to see what Tim comes up with

At least it won't get any worse.  Three of the five remaining POW songs were in my top 75 (although none as high of the levels we're at right now).

[TAC]

I had 4 and this was the second highest.

[King Postwhore]

OK, I actually had Mystic Rhythms at #43.

 

[TAC]

OK, I actually had Mystic Rhythms at #43.