The 50 Greatest RUSH songs of all-time (featuring # 1 from the 1970's) (1 Viewer)

[Whyatt]

Oh yeah!!! xxxxx’x xxxxxx!!!! 

It’s great to see others love this song like I do. As Ghost highlights, the slow build up sets up that transition at 1:16 followed by that sublime solo at 1:50. 

I agree in that this song grew on me with careful listening over time.

And yes, something of a religious experience seeing this live at R40.

 

[Jedi Knight]

Not to take away from you're list, but I just discovered this and thought it was cool.  US Army band covering Time Stand Still.  Just wanted to share with Rush fans.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Not to take away from you're list, but I just discovered this and thought it was cool.  US Army band covering Time Stand Still.  Just wanted to share with Rush fans.

I saw that when it was first put up on YT. Amazing tribute to the man.

 

[Caesar]

I may be in the minority, but I actually prefer Where's My Thing? to Leave That Thing Alone.  

While we're waiting for #4, I was thinking of some fictional titles of Rush instrumentals.  I know most of you can do better, but here's what I got:

What is that Thing?

Don't Touch My Thing! (An Exercise in Quarantine Indulgence) 

Thing King

My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad      Ok.  I see this as like a dueling banjos between Alex and Ged...  I may not be right in the head, where I think I'm going bald.

 

[Ghost Rider]

4. Red Barchetta (from the 1981 album Moving Pictures)

I am not a car guy at all (as long as they get from point a to point b with breaking down, I am good), but this song about a car is so damn great.  The lyrics and music both give very much a cinematic feel, and the song, despite not having a true chorus, is jam packed with more hooks than you can imagine.   On my list of Neil drum fills that I do every time, the slow one during the fade-out at the end is probably number 1 on my list (just before the 6-minute mark); amazing how Neil could make a slow, simple fill like that sound so awesome.  And of course this is one of the all-timers as far as driving songs go.  How I haven't gotten a ticket yet when driving to this song on the highway is a mystery .  Love this one to pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvQSkK8Z8U

 

[Klimtology]

4. Red Barchetta (from the 1981 album Moving Pictures)

I am not a car guy at all (as long as they get from point a to point b with breaking down, I am good), but this song about a car is so damn great.  The lyrics and music both give very much a cinematic feel, and the song, despite not having a true chorus, is jam packed with more hooks than you can imagine.   On my list of Neil drum fills that I do every time, the slow one during the fade-out at the end is probably number 1 on my list (just before the 6-minute mark); amazing how Neil could make a slow, simple fill like that sound so awesome.  And of course this is one of the all-timers as far as driving songs go.  How I haven't gotten a ticket yet when driving to this song on the highway is a mystery .  Love this one to pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvQSkK8Z8U

All Time Classic!

Can't wait to see what you have for the top three!

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

4. Red Barchetta (from the 1981 album Moving Pictures)

I am not a car guy at all (as long as they get from point a to point b with breaking down, I am good), but this song about a car is so damn great.  The lyrics and music both give very much a cinematic feel, and the song, despite not having a true chorus, is jam packed with more hooks than you can imagine.   On my list of Neil drum fills that I do every time, the slow one during the fade-out at the end is probably number 1 on my list (just before the 6-minute mark); amazing how Neil could make a slow, simple fill like that sound so awesome.  And of course this is one of the all-timers as far as driving songs go.  How I haven't gotten a ticket yet when driving to this song on the highway is a mystery .  Love this one to pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvQSkK8Z8U

This could be #1.

 

[Klimtology]

This could be #1.

Truth!

 

[BassNBrew]

I think I have the last three but definitely some interesting omission.  GR could still surprise with a new tune.  

 

[Caesar]

This could be #1.

Hasn't this been said about all four of the side A tracks from Moving Pictures?  I mean, that tells you all you need to know about that album.

 

[Caesar]

I think I have the last three but definitely some interesting omission.  GR could still surprise with a new tune.  

I am 99% sure on one, about 90% sure on another, and about 50% sure there will be one more sleeper pick.  

 

[Todem]

4. Red Barchetta (from the 1981 album Moving Pictures)

I am not a car guy at all (as long as they get from point a to point b with breaking down, I am good), but this song about a car is so damn great.  The lyrics and music both give very much a cinematic feel, and the song, despite not having a true chorus, is jam packed with more hooks than you can imagine.   On my list of Neil drum fills that I do every time, the slow one during the fade-out at the end is probably number 1 on my list (just before the 6-minute mark); amazing how Neil could make a slow, simple fill like that sound so awesome.  And of course this is one of the all-timers as far as driving songs go.  How I haven't gotten a ticket yet when driving to this song on the highway is a mystery .  Love this one to pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvQSkK8Z8U

My #1 favorite Rush song.

I remember it so vividly like it was yesterday. 1981, living in Austin Texas. I was the new kid. My mom packed us up with her second husband, sold our awesome house in Surfside Miami Beach.....and we moved to Austin Texas. It was a very hard time for me. 11 years old, no friends, nothing. Starting all over. My parents had a crappy divorce. My moms new husband was a freaking a****** and I was trying to find my way.

I met a cool dude named Brad. He lived up the block from me and we quickly became good friends. He was a total red neck and I was this jewish kid from Miami Beach.....yeah what a match!!! But we hit it off because we both played baseball and we were both really good at it. We ended up building a three story tree house in his backyard, went arrow head and snake hunting at the creeks (with Daisy pump BB guns LOL).....just wonderful memories now for me of my one and only year living in Austin Texas. 

But the best memory I had was discovering Rush. We were hanging out in his living room...when his older sister came home (she was hot and she was a junior in high school). She just picked up a new record from a band named Rush. She dropped the needle and Tom Sawyer blared through the speakers. I was really excited when I heard it. I fiddled around on my step dads guitar a lot....learning some old Kiss songs and what not...but when I heard this sound from this band I got really curious. 

But it was not until the second song on side 1 that I realized......my god...I want to write music and perform live. Red Barchetta was that moment for me. The moment I realized music could be this empowering, inspirational and just so f***ing awesome. I went out the very next day and begged my mom to get this album for me. The love affair began.

To this day.....Red Barchetta as always been my #1 Rush song. It has it all. Incredible, visual lyrics, amazing music. It really is a mini movie that plays inside your head. Just close your eyes and travel to that Country Place that no one knows about.

 

[Ghost Rider]

My #1 favorite Rush song.

I remember it so vividly like it was yesterday. 1981, living in Austin Texas. I was the new kid. My mom packed us up with her second husband, sold our awesome house in Surfside Miami Beach.....and we moved to Austin Texas. It was a very hard time for me. 11 years old, no friends, nothing. Starting all over. My parents had a crappy divorce. My moms new husband was a freaking a****** and I was trying to find my way.

I met a cool dude named Brad. He lived up the block from me and we quickly became good friends. He was a total red neck and I was this jewish kid from Miami Beach.....yeah what a match!!! But we hit it off because we both played baseball and we were both really good at it. We needed up building a three story tree house in his backyard, went arrow head and snake hunting at the creeks.....just wonderful memories now for me of my one and only year living in Austin Texas. 

But the best memory I had was discovering Rush. We were hanging out in his living room...when his older sister came home (she was hot and she was a junior in high school). She just picked up a new record from a band named Rush. She dropped the needle and Tom Sawyer blared through the speakers. I was really excited when I heard it. I fiddled around on my step dads guitar a lot....learning some old Kiss songs and what not...but when I heard this sound I got really curious. 

But it was not until the second song on side 1 started that I realized......my god...I want to write music and perform live. Red Barchetta was that moment for me. The moment I realized music could be this empowering, inspirational and just so f***ing awesome. I went out the very next day and begged my mom to get this album for me. The love affair began.

To this day.....Red Barchetta as always been my #1 Rush song. It has it all. Incredible, visual lyrics, amazing music. It really is a mini movie that plays inside your head. Just close your eyes and travel to that Country Place that no one knows about.

Great post!

 

[Fiddles]

one of their absolute best.  does any rush fan not love this song?   

 

[Todem]

one of their absolute best.  does any rush fan not love this song?   

Whatever Rush fan claims they don’t....we are going to take them out to the woodshed....beat them senseless and confiscate their Solar Federation membership card on the spot. 

 

[The Kansas Comet]

While COVID-19 life generally sucks, I do appreciate the time we have for things like this thread.  Props to Ghost Rider for putting this out there and everyone else commenting on it for all to enjoy.  It helped remind me of how much fun it is to listen to Rush.  Had to work in the garage yesterday for a few hours and just put on Spotify, started with Power Windows and let it just keep going down through Grace Under Pressure, Signals, and finally Exit...Stage Left.  Never enjoyed working in the garage so much, revisited some lesser-known songs that I really enjoy like Grand Designs and Kid Gloves,  and I probably wouldn't have done that without this thread.   

 

[Ghost Rider]

3. Xanadu (from the 1978 album A Farewell to Kings)

Speaking of amazing, Xaaaaaaaaaa-naaa-duuuuuuuuuuuuuu!  This album featured the band introducing synths and more percussion into their sound, and they were on full display in this song.  This has song has everything in it including the kitchen sink.  For me, the live version from Exit... Stage Left is the definitive version (link below), but the studio album crushes it as well.  Every time I watch the live version from ESL, I am in awe.  It is the perfect display on a band firing on all cylinders while playing one of their best and most well loved songs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHS-gjMiVw

 

[Fiddles]

3. Xanadu (from the 1978 album A Farewell to Kings)

Speaking of amazing, Xaaaaaaaaaa-naaa-duuuuuuuuuuuuuu!  This album featured the band introducing synths and more percussion into their sound, and they were on full display in this song.  This has song has everything in it including the kitchen sink.  For me, the live version from Exit... Stage Left is the definitive version (link below), but the studio album crushes it as well.  Every time I watch the live version from ESL, I am in awe.  It is the perfect display on a band firing on all cylinders while playing one of their best and most well loved songs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHS-gjMiVw

was betting on this for #1.  I have 1 more candidate for that.  that primus farewell to kings tour better still happen after all of this mess

 

[Todem]

Agree GR. Exit Stage Left....is the signature edition of this incredible progressive rock masterpiece. 

Still blows my mind every time I listen to it (and watch it on the Exit Stage Left DVD). I wore out my VHS copy of this concert film......and Xanadu was the highlight of that album and video. 

 

[joey]

4. Red Barchetta (from the 1981 album Moving Pictures)

I am not a car guy at all (as long as they get from point a to point b with breaking down, I am good), but this song about a car is so damn great.  The lyrics and music both give very much a cinematic feel, and the song, despite not having a true chorus, is jam packed with more hooks than you can imagine.   On my list of Neil drum fills that I do every time, the slow one during the fade-out at the end is probably number 1 on my list (just before the 6-minute mark); amazing how Neil could make a slow, simple fill like that sound so awesome.  And of course this is one of the all-timers as far as driving songs go.  How I haven't gotten a ticket yet when driving to this song on the highway is a mystery .  Love this one to pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAvQSkK8Z8U

As close to a perfect Rush song as there is. Anywhere from #1 to #10 imo based on preference. As a drummer, there are just so many great and interesting changes, patterns and fills in this song. Super challenging "Tom Sawyer-esque" series of fills right before the outro separate the great drummers from the decent (I’m in the latter category)

3. Xanadu (from the 1978 album A Farewell to Kings)

Speaking of amazing, Xaaaaaaaaaa-naaa-duuuuuuuuuuuuuu!  This album featured the band introducing synths and more percussion into their sound, and they were on full display in this song.  This has song has everything in it including the kitchen sink.  For me, the live version from Exit... Stage Left is the definitive version (link below), but the studio album crushes it as well.  Every time I watch the live version from ESL, I am in awe.  It is the perfect display on a band firing on all cylinders while playing one of their best and most well loved songs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHS-gjMiVw

Agreed that the ESL version is quintessential. As I said in reply to the Trees post, ESL was a great gateway drug for us "newer" fans from the early 80s to learn about the greatness that came before, and the Trees/Xanadu combo on ESL made kids like me immediately go out and buy Hemispheres and A Farewell to Kings. 

only 2 songs left. Wow. My guess for #1 has been the same since the beginning so we'll see. I can’t imagine the song I’m thinking of not making the top 5 of every single rush fan's list, but we'll see...

 

[BassNBrew]

Did GR post earlier that instrumentals weren't his preferred Rush music or was that someone else posting a critique of one of his rankings.

 

[zamboni]

3. Xanadu (from the 1978 album A Farewell to Kings)

Speaking of amazing, Xaaaaaaaaaa-naaa-duuuuuuuuuuuuuu!  This album featured the band introducing synths and more percussion into their sound, and they were on full display in this song.  This has song has everything in it including the kitchen sink.  For me, the live version from Exit... Stage Left is the definitive version (link below), but the studio album crushes it as well.  Every time I watch the live version from ESL, I am in awe.  It is the perfect display on a band firing on all cylinders while playing one of their best and most well loved songs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHS-gjMiVw

Love x 1000.

Even in that ESL red ‘70s game show host jacket, Alex is one of the coolest dudes in rock.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Did GR post earlier that instrumentals weren't his preferred Rush music or was that someone else posting a critique of one of his rankings.

I am pretty sure you are the only one critiquing my rankings.

Love x 1000.

Even in that ESL red ‘70s game show host jacket, Alex is one of the coolest dudes in rock.

Their fashion sense was so hysterically bad back then, but it was the 80's, so they weren't alone.

 

[Fiddles]

3. Xanadu (from the 1978 album A Farewell to Kings)

Speaking of amazing, Xaaaaaaaaaa-naaa-duuuuuuuuuuuuuu!  This album featured the band introducing synths and more percussion into their sound, and they were on full display in this song.  This has song has everything in it including the kitchen sink.  For me, the live version from Exit... Stage Left is the definitive version (link below), but the studio album crushes it as well.  Every time I watch the live version from ESL, I am in awe.  It is the perfect display on a band firing on all cylinders while playing one of their best and most well loved songs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHS-gjMiVw

Last  couple weeks Something For Nothing podcast focused on AFTK.  They were discussing how Rush recorded this whole album outside in a courtyard.  They recorded Xanadu in one take - the whole freaking song.  I am not sure how thats possible especially the bass/synth at the sametime towards the end.   I need to dig into that more.  Did anyone read the making of that album graphic novel?

 

[Fiddles]

Last  couple weeks Something For Nothing podcast focused on AFTK.  They were discussing how Rush recorded this whole album outside in a courtyard.  They recorded Xanadu in one take - the whole freaking song.  I am not sure how thats possible especially the bass/synth at the sametime towards the end.   I need to dig into that more.  Did anyone read the making of that album graphic novel?

There’s another epic – Xanadu, from the previous album, A Farewell To Kings – that you also recorded in one take.

Alex: With Xanadu, we ran that down once to get the sound and levels, and then we hit ‘record’ and played the song and it was done. Pat Moran, the engineer on that record, was shocked. Seldom did a rock band do one take of a song that’s eleven minutes long. He was blown away.

https://www.loudersound.com/features/teamrock-exclusive-rush-q-a-the-bonus-bits

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

There’s another epic – Xanadu, from the previous album, A Farewell To Kings – that you also recorded in one take.

Alex: With Xanadu, we ran that down once to get the sound and levels, and then we hit ‘record’ and played the song and it was done. Pat Moran, the engineer on that record, was shocked. Seldom did a rock band do one take of a song that’s eleven minutes long. He was blown away.

https://www.loudersound.com/features/teamrock-exclusive-rush-q-a-the-bonus-bits

Wow, did not know that. Amazing.

 

[Caesar]

Did GR post earlier that instrumentals weren't his preferred Rush music or was that someone else posting a critique of one of his rankings.

Oh that was me.  Thinking I might be disappointed in #1.

ETA:  I mean, as disappointed as I can be in an incredibly great song being #1.  

 

[BassNBrew]

@Ghost Rider Timeline on 1 and 2?  

 

[pecorino]

Xanadu is my number 1, by a pretty good margin. It's a perfect song. 

 

[Ghost Rider]

@Ghost Rider Timeline on 1 and 2?  

Tomorrow.

 

[Todem]

I have a very good feeling about the last 2......has to be the songs we are all thinking. 

 

[Ghost Rider]

The heck with it, no time like the present!

2. La Villa Strangiato (from the 1978 album Hemispheres)

In my mind, this is THE definitive rock instrumental.  Like many other Rush songs, it manages to be very melodic while at the same time being very showy as far as their playing goes.  I have seen many drummers say that this is the best performance Neil ever laid down in the studio and I don't doubt it.  Geddy, as well, is his usual reliable self with his rumbling bass lines and synth touches.  But the real star of the song, IMO, is Mr. Alex Lifeson. The "Lerxst in Wunderland" section slays me every time, and goosebumps were always there every time he played that section live.  My intro to the song was its part of the encore medley on A Show of Hands, and I was ecstatic when I eventually heard the studio version and realized, "hey, there's more to it!"  This song, simply put, is a beast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNilsLf6eW4

 

[zamboni]

The heck with it, no time like the present!

2. La Villa Strangiato (from the 1978 album Hemispheres)

In my mind, this is THE definitive rock instrumental.  Like many other Rush songs, it manages to be very melodic while at the same time being very showy as far as their playing goes.  I have seen many drummers say that this is the best performance Neil ever laid down in the studio and I don't doubt it.  Geddy, as well, is his usual reliable self with his rumbling bass lines and synth touches.  But the real star of the song, IMO, is Mr. Alex Lifeson. The "Lerxst in Wunderland" section slays me every time, and goosebumps were always there every time he played that section live.  My intro to the song was its part of the encore medley on A Show of Hands, and I was ecstatic when I eventually heard the studio version and realized, "hey, there's more to it!"  This song, simply put, is a beast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNilsLf6eW4

I may not have agreed with a lot of your picks, but IMO you nailed it with Xanadu and LVS in the top 3.

 

[Whyatt]

The heck with it, no time like the present!

2. La Villa Strangiato (from the 1978 album Hemispheres)

In my mind, this is THE definitive rock instrumental.  Like many other Rush songs, it manages to be very melodic while at the same time being very showy as far as their playing goes.  I have seen many drummers say that this is the best performance Neil ever laid down in the studio and I don't doubt it.  Geddy, as well, is his usual reliable self with his rumbling bass lines and synth touches.  But the real star of the song, IMO, is Mr. Alex Lifeson. The "Lerxst in Wunderland" section slays me every time, and goosebumps were always there every time he played that section live.  My intro to the song was its part of the encore medley on A Show of Hands, and I was ecstatic when I eventually heard the studio version and realized, "hey, there's more to it!"  This song, simply put, is a beast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNilsLf6eW4

I really wanted to see this one, and I was getting nervous, until the instrumentals started getting rolled out.

Pretty much every time I hear this song, I’m stunned at the performance. The beginning of the “The Ghost of the Aragon” part has me shake my head. 

It’s absolutely fantastic live (love the rant) and even better on the studio album. 100% tour de force!!!

 

[joey]

The heck with it, no time like the present!

2. La Villa Strangiato (from the 1978 album Hemispheres)

In my mind, this is THE definitive rock instrumental.  Like many other Rush songs, it manages to be very melodic while at the same time being very showy as far as their playing goes.  I have seen many drummers say that this is the best performance Neil ever laid down in the studio and I don't doubt it.  Geddy, as well, is his usual reliable self with his rumbling bass lines and synth touches.  But the real star of the song, IMO, is Mr. Alex Lifeson. The "Lerxst in Wunderland" section slays me every time, and goosebumps were always there every time he played that section live.  My intro to the song was its part of the encore medley on A Show of Hands, and I was ecstatic when I eventually heard the studio version and realized, "hey, there's more to it!"  This song, simply put, is a beast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNilsLf6eW4

My personal #1 overall Rush song! Love love love this song. My mind was initially blown by the live version with the electric guitar intro, where Alex tore it up. But then to listen to the studio version for the first time and Alex tears it up on a freakin acoustic guitar in that intro?...mind blown!!!

there is not a weak part in this whole song. Every melody amazing. Every instrument in peak form. This song is forever a message to the world that says, “oh yeah? You think you’re so talented? Well, try THIS!”

I’d put this song at #1, 2 and 3 if I was allowed to  

I’d like to think I know which song is #1, but you’ve kept me guessing for most of your countdown, so while I’m confident, I have a shred of doubt.  Can’t wait!

 

[joey]

Oh, and that quiet 7/8 beat in the middle section (that builds beautifully during Alex's solo) is probably the first 7/8 beat most rock drummers learn. I learned it when I was 14 or 15. My son learned it when he was 13 or so. (He can be much better than his old man if he applies himself). and, yes, I’ve brain washed him with Rush and he and I have matching gold-on-black 2112 "dude in the star" tshirts. Poor kid  

 

[BassNBrew]

My personal #1 overall Rush song! Love love love this song. My mind was initially blown by the live version with the electric guitar intro, where Alex tore it up. But then to listen to the studio version for the first time and Alex tears it up on a freakin acoustic guitar in that intro?...mind blown!!!

there is not a weak part in this whole song. Every melody amazing. Every instrument in peak form. This song is forever a message to the world that says, “oh yeah? You think you’re so talented? Well, try THIS!”

I’d put this song at #1, 2 and 3 if I was allowed to  

I’d like to think I know which song is #1, but you’ve kept me guessing for most of your countdown, so while I’m confident, I have a shred of doubt.  Can’t wait!

Definitely my #1.

 

[BassNBrew]

While we wait for #1, any thoughts on Geddy's solo album? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gw2ehHXMjQ&list=PLtHmNtgo1ssTYic_H-UNZaWEedK8AkStu&index=1

 

[Apple Jack]

#1 is easy

 

[Caesar]

#1 is easy

Considering there have been no songs from that album yet, and we know there will be.  Yep.  #1 is obvious now, but still looking forward to the write up.  

And I will say in advance, its a viable #1 overall.  Not mine, but certainly one of the best, and it completes a very solid overall list.

 

[Caesar]

While we wait for #1, any thoughts on Geddy's solo album? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gw2ehHXMjQ&list=PLtHmNtgo1ssTYic_H-UNZaWEedK8AkStu&index=1

We had a brief discussion a few pages back.  Mentioned some of our personal favorites off there.

Slipping, Still, and Grace to Grace are the best in my opinion, but there are some other good tunes on there.  

 

[Ghost Rider]

1. The Fountain of Lamneth (from the 1975 studio album Caress of Steel)

Is there a more perfect piece of music ever written by a rock band?  I think not.  Rush wrote three side-long epics, and the first was definitely the best by a wide margin.  And it was so awesome that the band knew they could never match it again and thus never played it live (by most reports, although some swear it was played a few times on the Down the Tubes tour).  This is musical perfection.

Okay, I am almost got through that with a straight face.

The real number 1 is below.

1. 2112 (from the studio album 2112)

See now, THIS is the most perfect piece of music ever (dead serious).  This has been my favorite song since 1992 and I doubt anything will ever match or top it.  The lyrics tell a great tale of a man in a futuristic word fighting to keep music alive, while also conveying the band 's personal fight for their own artistic freedom, as they had been told by the record company, following the commercial failure of Caress of Steel, to go back to writing songs like the first album, but taking the "if we are going down, we are going down OUR way" approach, the band wrote a 20-minute epic and put it on Side 1 of the new album, which the record company could not overrule, and it became the song and album that put them on the map and paved their way to legendary status.  It is the best and most important song the band ever wrote. 

"We have assumed control."

Indeed, they did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZm1_jtY1SQ

 

[BassNBrew]

1. The Fountain of Lamneth (from the 1975 studio album Caress of Steel)

Is there a more perfect piece of music ever written by a rock band?  I think not.  Rush wrote three side-long epics, and the first was definitely the best by a wide margin.  And it was so awesome that the band knew they could never match it again and thus never played it live (by most reports, although some swear it was played a few times on the Down the Tubes tour).  This is musical perfection.

Okay, I am almost got through that with a straight face.

The real number 1 is below.

1. 2112 (from the studio album 2112)

See now, THIS is the most perfect piece of music ever (dead serious).  This has been my favorite song since 1992 and I doubt anything will ever match or top it.  The lyrics tell a great tale of a man in a futuristic word fighting to keep music alive, while also conveying the band 's personal fight for their own artistic freedom, as they had been told by the record company, following the commercial failure of Caress of Steel, to go back to writing songs like the first album, but taking the "if we are going down, we are going down OUR way" approach, the band wrote a 20-minute epic and put it on Side 1 of the new album, which the record company could not overrule, and it became the song and album that put them on the map and paved their way to legendary status.  It is the best and most important song the band ever wrote. 

"We have assumed control."

Indeed, they did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZm1_jtY1SQ

Great choice. Definitely top 5. First list I’ve seen it at number 1. No argument here. 

Thank you so much for hosting this thread. Appreciate you turning me on to some new tunes even if they aren’t as good as ones you  left off the top 50

 

[Ghost Rider]

Also, I will throw out a few honorable mentions and notable omissions:

Working Man - as discussed prior, I like this song, but I don't love it. Never have.
Hemispheres - I figured I would get some push back on this not being in there.  I like this song a lot, but I almost never listen to it anymore, and it is hard to call a song one of my favorites when I almost never listen to it.
Beneath, Between and Behind - this is my favorite song from the first three albums that didn't make the cut. Love this one.
Bastille Day - tough leaving this one off as well.
Roll the Bones - I love this song, rap and all.
Everyday Glory - I am nuts about this song, especially the section after the solo. "We're the ones who have to fly."
Losing It - another one that just missed the cut. 
Afterimage - as discussed prior as well, I hated leaving this one off as well. 

 

[Fiddles]

I prefer fountain honestly.  freakin love that tune

great list man been very fun to follow along

 

[HugeUpside]

I've been a long-time lurker on this board.  Really long.  Probably 15+ years.  I setup my account in only god knows what year, but never posted before... until now.  This is a subject I feel a little qualified to talk about.

I became a Rush fanboy in the mid- to late-80s.  I heard of Rush back in the early-80s thanks to MTV (I watched MTV night and day in the early-80s) and thanks to some older neighbor boys playing it on their boombox while out in the yard.  However it wasn't until the summer on '87 when I really explored their back catalog.  I went on a soccer tour of Europe in that summer and a guitar playing high school classmate of mine dubbed  Rush's first six albums onto cassettes for me to listen to on my Walkman.  It was an awakening.  From that moment on they'd be "my band".  By the time I hit college two years later I was basically listening to Rush non-stop. 

The first new release as a total Rush fanatic was obviously Presto.  Then I was lucky enough to see them on that tour in '90 from the tenth row with the buddy that set me up with those dubbed cassettes three years prior and the drummer in his band.  Magical show.

I'm not one to ever get really saddened over the death of someone I never met, but Neil's passing hit me.  He was such a mainstay in my life due to me being a wannabe drummer and the lyrics he wrote.  

"Suddenly, you were gone.. From all the lives you left your mark upon."  -NEP

As a thank you to Ghost Rider for this excellent diversion in these turbulent times... I'd like to present my Top 50-ish.  Feel free to pick it a part.  Obviously some picks vary from day to day, mood to mood, but hopefully I don't have any glaring omissions.  As you can tell from the rankings I'm not a huge fan of the last few albums... like at all, but that didn't dampen my enthusiasm supporting them on tours, and celebrating their back catalog, etc. 

1. Limelight
   
2. Subdivisions 
   
3. Distant Early Warning
   
4. The Spirit Of Radio
   
5. Analog Kid
   
6. Red Barchetta
   
7. La Villa Strangiato
   
8. Middletown Dreams
   
9. Natural Science 
   
10. Mystic Rhythms
    
11. Losing It
    
12. Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres
    
13. 2112
    
14. Earthshine
    
15. Dreamline
    
16. Xanadu
    
17. Anthem
    
18. The Enemy Within
    
19. Red Sector A
    
20. The Trees
    
21. New World Man
    
22. The Necromancer
    
23. Show Don’t Tell
    
24. Animate
    
25. Cinderella Man
    
26. Tom Sawyer
    
27. The Trees
    
28. The Camera Eye
    
29. Vital Signs
    
30. Jabob’s Ladder
    
31. The Weapon
    
32. Test For Echo
    
33. Force Ten
    
34. YYZ
    
35. Something For Nothing
    
36. By-Tor And The Snow Dog
    
37. Leave That Thing Alone 
    
38. In The End
    
39. Bravado 
    
40. Witch Hunt
    
41. The Pass
    
42. Entre Nous
    
43. Time Stand Still
    
44. Turn The Page
    
45. Different Strings 
    
46. The Big Money
    
47. Closer To The Heart 
    
48. Prime Mover 
    
49. Afterimage 
    
50. Territories 
    
51. Freewill 
    
52. Countdown 
    
53. The Wreckers
    

Bottom 10:

1. The Speed Of Love
   
2. Red Lenses
   
3. Tai Shan
   
4. Superconductor
   
5. You Bet Your Life
   
6. Dog Years
   
7. How It Is
   
8. Freeze
   
9. and 10. A couple songs off Snakes & Arrows. I honestly don’t listen to that album unless by accident. 
   

 

[zamboni]

A few that didn't make the top 50 that I would have had - just my personal taste though.

The Twilight Zone

A Farewell To Kings

Vital Signs

Anyway, thanks again GR - great stuff!

 

[Ghost Rider]

The Twilight Zone is my favorite Side 2 song from Side 2 of 2112.  Love that guitar solo at the end.

It was also tough for Vital Signs to be the odd man out as the only Moving Pictures song to not make it, but I do love that one as well.   I know it wasn't intentional, but that song was an indicator of the direction they would take on the next album. 

 

[joey]

Great pick for #1. It might not be in my personal top 10, but there’s no denying the greatness of 2112 and the importance of that song to the band’s success, record company be damned. 
 

Thanks so much to @Ghost Rider for starting this thread. It’s been great to relive, discuss and share stories about these great songs from a great band that obviously had a huge effect on those of us who’ve been replying so often in this thread. 
 

Literally off the top of my head as I write this, here's my personal top 15 as of this moment.  The top 2 haven’t changed in decades. The rest are undeniably great Rush songs but shift up and down depending on my mood, but when they come up on shuffle, I crank it the eff up and can relive  the days when I first became obsessed with these songs, listened to them over and over, and they were the highlights of the albums they were on for me:

1. La Villa 
2. Natural Science 
3. Limelight 
4.  Spirit of Radio
5.  Analog Kid  
6. Kid Gloves
7. Camera Eye
8. Between the Wheels
9. Tom Sawyer
10. Subdivisions
11. 2112 
12. Red Barchetta  
13.  Hemispheres 
14. YYZ 
15. Middletown Dreams

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Love this list @Ghost Rider. Honestly I enjoy Fountain of Lamneth so much I was fooled for a second. Then I realized 2112 hadn't been mentioned 

What can be said, you did a fantastic job and I think the mix was really interesting to say the least. I'll try to go back and comment on some of the ones I may have missed.

Although my comments were pretty much "love this tune so much!". And it was true every time.