I'm shocked at how quickly I can fall so far behind. But I'm loving the reactions so far.
47. Digital Man - Me - Did not rank. Both original lists had it outside the top 100.
My least favorite song from Signals. But I did gain a better appreciation for it when they resurrected it on the Snakes and Arrows Tour.
46. Headlong Flight - Me #52
Fantastic rocker. I was giddy when I heard it the first time. Still can't believe how they ended their career on such a high note. And this is honestly one of the main reasons.
45. Circumstances - Me #16
I think this was the song I heard on the radio that made me run out and buy Hemispheres. Might be one of the most perfect albums in existence. Every song made the top 30. It's difficult to pick a least favorite from this album because every song is perfection. I was shocked when they dusted this one off for the S&A tour. I was actually worried about Geddy trying something that is one of his higher songs...but the tuning down sounded great and I think it turned out much better than I expected.
44. Mission - Me #70
I hate to see that I ranked this one so low. I actually love it more than this ranking suggests. That "cold comfort" breakdown section gives me goosebumps every time.
43. Closer to the Heart - Me: Did not rank. Neither list had it in the top 100.
Very overrated song. It's pleasant enough. It's just a little surprising that after swearing up and down that they were not going to try to write a radio hit...and then making it big with 2112 and not having a radio hit...that they would then turn around and write a radio hit. 3 minutes? Check. Catchy chorus? Check. Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-verse-chorus structure? Check. The live version with the extended jam is kindof cool. I do enjoy playing it on the guitar. It's fun I guess.
42. Caravan - Me #54
In spite of the repetition in the chorus, I think it somehow works. I actually got this stuck in my head for a whole week last week.
41. Bravado - Me #40
I used to be with Tim on this one. But then one day it just grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Now I think it's one of the most beautiful things they've ever done. Just a gorgeous and hypnotic melody. And the punctuation on the "when the music stops" line is sublime.
40. Leave That Thing Alone - Me: Did not rank. This actually made #74 on my 2nd list and then got bumped on a last minute shuffle. First list had it at 90.
Love this song. It's so much better than its predecessor which I actually don't care for that much. Still, I'm a bit surprised that it made it this high in the ranking.
39. Witch Hunt - Me #45
This song creeped me out as a kid. But in a good way. I LOVED the lyrics straight away because they really shine a spot light on the ignorant people of the time who were seeing devil worship in even the slightest thing. It really got ridiculous. Excellent execution of the subject matter. Captures the mood perfectly.
38. By-Tor and the Snow Dog - Me #21
I love EVERY SINGLE SECOND of this song. I'm starting to worry about you guys calling out the "Aftermath" section in "Of the Battle". Haven't you heard of storytelling? Atmosphere? It's a perfect follow up to the "7/4 War Furor" section. The aftermath of the battle would be brooding. It literally makes me feel like I'm standing on the battle field in the aftermath....and it's totally quiet. And then right into Alex's beautiful solo on "Hymn of Triumph". Na son. The entire Of the Battle section SLAYS and is way better than parts 1, 2 and 4 which almost seem like an afterthought. Of the Battle is the entire point of the song.
37. Grand Designs - Me #34
When my friend first gave me Power Windows, I wasn't very impressed with The Big Money at all. But when track 2 started, I was hooked almost immediately. That intro synth going into the power chords is just perfection. And the lyrics peaked my interest for the rest of the album. Then it was just song after song after song pulling me in.
36. Anthem - Me #32
In going from the first album to FBN, this was the PERFECT introduction to "the new Rush". There was no doubt whatsoever that Neil made an immediate impression not only as a lyric writer, but as a musician. Night and day difference. When I put this record on, I think my face melted immediately.
35. Mystic Rhythms - Me #51
boom....boom chi-chi.....boom.....boom chi-chi PAAAA
I wasn't as quite as high on this one at first...it had to grow on me a bit. I still liked it, but now I absolutely love it. I don't get for the life of me how people don't think this is one of Rush's musical masterpieces. There is SO MUCH going on in these songs. Tons of layering. I think I still hear something new every time I listen to Power Windows.
34. Time Stand Still - Me #66
The sentiment of the song is beautiful. The delivery is a bit over polished and slick. It's one of those songs that I love it when I hear it....but then I immediately don't feel like listening to it again.
33. The Pass - Me #24
Wow. How can anyone compare this with Bravado? I mean. I get that Bravado musically speaking is a bit repetitive and relies more on melody and mood and lyrics. But I think The Pass is much more engaging song musically. And the lyrics are even more heavy hitting than Bravado. I have actually gotten a bit teary eyed when listening to The Pass. Just a beautiful upbuilding song that screams at you to not give up when you sometime feel like packing it in.