_hi_water._ ranks all 173 Rush songs

[TheAccountant]

22 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09), Hold Your Fire (1987)

Hold Your Fire - Entry 6 out of 10

 

Side B of Hold Your Fire opens up with an intense synth intro where Geddy sings "I don't want to face the killer instinct/Face it in you or me". Holy hell, the bass on this album is uncharted. The guitar solo on this track is strong, and stands well up against the synths. Excellent synth-heavy track!

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)

100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)

98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)

97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)

96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)

 

How is this album doing?

10. “Tai Shan”, Track 9/10 (4:17) - #165/173
9. “Second Nature”, Track 4/10 (4:36) - #134/173
8. “High Water”, Track 10/10 (5:33) - #112/173
7. “Turn The Page”, Track 8/10 (4:55) - #106/173
6. “Open Secrets”, Track 3/10 (5:38) - #102/173
5. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - #96/173

IMO this is clearly a top 100 song.  Where?  Not certain.  Likely somewhat higher.  

 

Interesting that every song you have eliminated from this album (with the likely exception of High Water) would be in my top 100.  Clearly I like the album more than you do.

 

Looking forward to #95.

[TheAccountant]

52 minutes ago, _hi_water._ said:

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18), 2112 (1976)

2112 - Entry 3 out of 6

 

Nothing much to say about this one, really. A groovy track where the boys pay homage to two of their favorite episodes from some show that nobody's ever heard of. Cool song.

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)
100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)
98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)
97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)
96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)
95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

 

How is this album doing?

6. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - #117/173
5. “Tears”, Track 5/6 (3:29) - #104/173
4. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - #95/173

Little did I know but you have posted #95!!

 

For me this is a top 100 song.  Where?  Not really certain.  So no argument with this ranking.  Onwards....

[laughedatbytime]

1 hour ago, _hi_water._ said:

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18), 2112 (1976)

2112 - Entry 3 out of 6

 

Nothing much to say about this one, really. A groovy track where the boys pay homage to two of their favorite episodes from some show that nobody's ever heard of. Cool song.

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)
100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)
98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)
97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)
96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)
95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

 

How is this album doing?

6. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - #117/173
5. “Tears”, Track 5/6 (3:29) - #104/173
4. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - #95/173

Uggggh.  Much lower.

[grep]

1 hour ago, _hi_water._ said:

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18), 2112 (1976)

2112 - Entry 3 out of 6

 

Nothing much to say about this one, really. A groovy track where the boys pay homage to two of their favorite episodes from some show that nobody's ever heard of. Cool song.

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)
100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)
98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)
97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)
96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)
95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

 

How is this album doing?

6. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - #117/173
5. “Tears”, Track 5/6 (3:29) - #104/173
4. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - #95/173

We control the horizontal
We control the vertical.
We're going to blow your mind.

But not with this song.

[Mosher]

Twilight Zone is a great song where they really try to evoke the essence of one of the best shows ever. 

And they mostly succeed. I do think if they had tried to capture this a bit later, with their growing prog maturity after 2112, the song would have been much better. But kudos for trying, and I almost like what they were going for more then what they achieved. 

[1-0-0-1-0-0-1]

15 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18), 2112 (1976)

2112 - Entry 3 out of 6

 

Nothing much to say about this one, really. A groovy track where the boys pay homage to two of their favorite episodes from some show that nobody's ever heard of. Cool song.

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)
100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)
98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)
97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)
96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)
95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

 

How is this album doing?

6. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - #117/173
5. “Tears”, Track 5/6 (3:29) - #104/173
4. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - #95/173

 

This is ranked a little too high for me. It gets skipped more often than not.

[Alex’s Amazing Arpeggios]

16 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

...Just a reminder...

 

We haven't seen anything from Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures...

 

or Signals...

 

or Grace Under Pressure

 

:)

All good then ! 😉👍😎

[Alex’s Amazing Arpeggios]

48 minutes ago, 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 said:

 

This is ranked a little too high for me. It gets skipped more often than not.

😮😉

[_hi_water._]

6 hours ago, Alex’s Amazing Arpeggios said:

All good then ! 😉👍😎

There's a reason why I had to remind you...

[goose]

9 hours ago, 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 said:

 

[Twilight Zone] is ranked a little too high for me. It gets skipped more often than not.

I never skip it.  I love the guitar tone, the melodies, the rhythm, and Geddy's vocals.  Hilarious that hi_water called it a show nobody has heard of. 

[_hi_water._]

12 minutes ago, goose said:

I never skip it.  I love the guitar tone, the melodies, the rhythm, and Geddy's vocals.  Hilarious that hi_water called it a show nobody has heard of. 

:D

[_hi_water._]

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58), Signals (1982)

Signals - Entry 1 out of 8

 

Let me clear one thing out of the way first - Signals is a fantastic record, and all eight tracks on here are fantastic. However, "Chemistry" has always stood out to me as clearly the weakest link from Signals. I feel as if this one isn't as structurally significant or lyrically interesting in comparison to other tracks from the album. It has some great synth lines as a hook and to use with the chorus; Geddy really bounces on that bass and Alex shreds that solo. I will say that Alex really makes my least favorite tracks on this album glitter (foreshadow to what might be next to leave from this album...?). 

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)

100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)

98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)

97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)

96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - Entry 1/8, Signals (1982)

 

How is this album doing?

8. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - #94/173

[Mosher]

Chemistry is easily the weakest song on Signals, but every song on Signals is a keeper. I have it 128, though, so you definitely like it better

[laughedatbytime]

26 minutes ago, Mosher said:

Chemistry is easily the weakest song on Signals, but every song on Signals is a keeper. I have it 128, though, so you definitely like it better

I have it #129th.  

[grep]

1 hour ago, _hi_water._ said:

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58), Signals (1982)

Signals - Entry 1 out of 8

 

Let me clear one thing out of the way first - Signals is a fantastic record, and all eight tracks on here are fantastic. However, "Chemistry" has always stood out to me as clearly the weakest link from Signals. I feel as if this one isn't as structurally significant or lyrically interesting in comparison to other tracks from the album. It has some great synth lines as a hook and to use with the chorus; Geddy really bounces on that bass and Alex shreds that solo. I will say that Alex really makes my least favorite tracks on this album glitter (foreshadow to what might be next to leave from this album...?). 

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)

100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)

98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)

97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)

96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - Entry 1/8, Signals (1982)

 

How is this album doing?

8. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - #94/173

Seems to me that we agree......

this is placed about right, IMO.

[goose]

2 hours ago, Mosher said:

Chemistry is easily the weakest song on Signals

I have 3rd from the bottom, above the Weapon and Countdown

[grep]

2 minutes ago, goose said:

I have 3rd from the bottom, above the Weapon and Countdown

Maybe it's because I'm a NASA junkie and remember Apollo 11 AND the Columbia launch live on TV... but Countdown is top 30 for me.    because f***ing Rush did a song about the Space Shuttle and included NASA tapes. 

[Mosher]

15 minutes ago, goose said:

I have 3rd from the bottom, above the Weapon and Countdown

A lot of people don't like Countdown.

 

That was one of my biggest surprises when I joined this forum, as Rush goes.

 

The others were the wide dislike for Kid Gloves and the deep affection for Tears.

 

I have always loved Countdown.

 

I really like the Weapon as well.

 

 

[goose]

1 hour ago, grep said:

... remember Apollo 11 AND the Columbia launch live on TV... but Countdown is top 30 for me.    because f***ing Rush did a song about the Space Shuttle and included NASA tapes. 

I love the song's middle keyboards, but including the NASA tapes feels unnecessary to me.  

[goose]

1 hour ago, Mosher said:

A lot of people don't like Countdown.

 

That was one of my biggest surprises when I joined this forum, as Rush goes.

 

The others were the wide dislike for Kid Gloves and the deep affection for Tears.

 

I have always loved Countdown.

 

I really like the Weapon as well.

 

 

The Weapon is adored around here.  For me it's mostly  a yawner.  

 

Kid Gloves is killer!

[yyz305]

6 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58), Signals (1982)

Signals - Entry 1 out of 8

 

Let me clear one thing out of the way first - Signals is a fantastic record, and all eight tracks on here are fantastic. However, "Chemistry" has always stood out to me as clearly the weakest link from Signals. I feel as if this one isn't as structurally significant or lyrically interesting in comparison to other tracks from the album. It has some great synth lines as a hook and to use with the chorus; Geddy really bounces on that bass and Alex shreds that solo. I will say that Alex really makes my least favorite tracks on this album glitter (foreshadow to what might be next to leave from this album...?). 

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)

100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)

98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)

97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)

96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - Entry 1/8, Signals (1982)

 

How is this album doing?

8. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - #94/173

By far my least favourite track off Signals, so I agree with you from that point of view.

[Alex’s Amazing Arpeggios]

20 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58), Signals (1982)

Signals - Entry 1 out of 8

 

Let me clear one thing out of the way first - Signals is a fantastic record, and all eight tracks on here are fantastic. However, "Chemistry" has always stood out to me as clearly the weakest link from Signals. I feel as if this one isn't as structurally significant or lyrically interesting in comparison to other tracks from the album. It has some great synth lines as a hook and to use with the chorus; Geddy really bounces on that bass and Alex shreds that solo. I will say that Alex really makes my least favorite tracks on this album glitter (foreshadow to what might be next to leave from this album...?). 

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)

100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)

98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)

97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)

96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - Entry 1/8, Signals (1982)

 

How is this album doing?

8. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - #94/173

I personally really enjoy & never get tired of 

Chemistry ! 
 I Love Ged’s voice & synths on this track. 

It’s a permanent fixture on my  

🎸 jam-along playlist and I adore 

Alex’s under-rated solo which is really emotive : perfect note choice and he really digs in with those artificial harmonics whilst still keeping it ultra melodic.

Chemistry is Top 45 for me 

[TheAccountant]

23 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58), Signals (1982)

Signals - Entry 1 out of 8

 

Let me clear one thing out of the way first - Signals is a fantastic record, and all eight tracks on here are fantastic. However, "Chemistry" has always stood out to me as clearly the weakest link from Signals. I feel as if this one isn't as structurally significant or lyrically interesting in comparison to other tracks from the album. It has some great synth lines as a hook and to use with the chorus; Geddy really bounces on that bass and Alex shreds that solo. I will say that Alex really makes my least favorite tracks on this album glitter (foreshadow to what might be next to leave from this album...?). 

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)

100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)

98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)

97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)

96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)

95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)

94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - Entry 1/8, Signals (1982)

 

How is this album doing?

8. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - #94/173

No argument with this - in fact the more I think about it I might have it outside my top 100.

[Mosher]

Chemistry is easily the weakest track on Signals. 
I love the idea of each member writing a verse, making the song really personal. Unfortunately the song loses me rather than pulling me in with it's refrains. 

It's not bad, but it has no competition for bottom spot on that great album. 

[_hi_water._]

Note: I posted this one last night... in the wrong thread! I will post #92 tonight, lol.

 

93. “Ghost Of A Chance”, Track 8/10 (5:18), Roll The Bones (1991)

Roll The Bones - Entry 8 out of 10

 

On an album where they had an unfortunate misstep with rapping and tried a bunch of other questionable gimmicks, be needed a bar-rock love song. Ewwww, right? Nah, this song is great, and has always stood out to me as a highlight from the album. It has a nice riff and great vocals, and I especially love the chorus - it really fits in well with the conviction of the whole album. "I don't believe in destiny/Or the guiding hand of fate/I don't believe in forever/Or love as a mystical state". Underrated tune.

 

 

Previously on my list...

101. “In The Mood”, Track 6/8 (3:36) - Entry 4/8, Rush (1974)
100. “We Hold On”, Track 13/13 (4:13) - Entry 10/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
99. “Cinderella Man”, Track 4/6 (4:20) - Entry 2/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977)
98. “Totem”, Track 6/11 (4:58) - Entry 9/11, Test For Echo (1996)
97. “Cut To The Chase”, Track 3/11 (4:46) - Entry 5/11, Counterparts (1993)
96. “Lock And Key”, Track 6/10 (5:09) - Entry 6/10, Hold Your Fire (1987)
95. “The Twilight Zone”, Track 3/6 (3:18) - Entry 3/6, 2112 (1976)
94. “Chemistry”, Track 3/8 (4:58) - Entry 1/8, Signals (1982)
93. “Ghost Of A Chance”, Track 8/10 (5:18) - Entry 8/10, Roll The Bones (1991)

 

How is this album doing?

10. “Face Up”, Track 4/10 (3:54) - #166/173

9. “You Bet Your Life”, Track 10/10 (5:01) - #163/173

8. “Neurotica”, Track 9/10 (4:39) - #159/173

7. “Roll The Bones”, Track 3/10 (5:30) -  #141/173

6. “The Big Wheel”, Track 6/10 (5:13) - #137/173

5. “Heresy”, Track 7/10 (5:27) - #122/173

4. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - #111/173

3. “Ghost Of A Chance”, Track 8/10 (5:18) - #93/173

Edited August 18, 2023 by _hi_water._