_hi_water._ ranks all 173 Rush songs

**Mosher** · August 18, 2023

10 minutes ago, _hi_water._ said:

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

I was never into Ghost of a Chance, I'm not one for love songs usually. It's a nice song, and Alex plays beautifully on it. It would have been a hit in an earlier era for sure. I have it at 127th I believe. So not my thing, but it's perfectly crafted and does everything the way it should be done. Everyone sounds great on it.

**goose** · August 18, 2023

50 minutes ago, Mosher said:

I was never into Ghost of a Chance, I'm not one for love songs usually. It's a nice song, and Alex plays beautifully on it. It would have been a hit in an earlier era for sure.

Ghost of a Chance spent 27 weeks on the Billboard mainstream rock chart and peaked at #2. :smile:

**Mosher** · August 18, 2023

17 minutes ago, goose said:

Ghost of a Chance spent 27 weeks on the Billboard mainstream rock chart and peaked at #2.

I mean actual pop charts, not rock specific charts

**TheAccountant** · August 18, 2023

2 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

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

ok song but not in my top 100. You have just about gotten rid of this album. Will be interesting to see which song you rank at #2 and which gets ranked at #1.

**1-0-0-1-0-0-1** · August 18, 2023

3 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

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

This is one of the few gems from RTB, and I have it a little higher on my list. I've always liked it, but when they played it on one of the recent tours it really came to life.

**_hi_water._** · August 19, 2023

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57), Vapor Trails (2002)

Vapor Trails - Entry 8 out of 13

Whether this is the original mix or the remixed version - this is a downright terrific alt-rock jam. It has a great sense of atmosphere, and really transitions well into the chorus. This album begins to lift for me around here.

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)

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - Entry 8/13, Vapor Trails (2002)

How is this album doing?

13. “Peaceable Kingdom”, Track 4/13 (5:23) - #164/173

12. “Out Of The Cradle”, Track 13/13 (5:03) - #155/173

11. “The Stars Look Down”, Track 5/13 (4:28) - #138/173

10. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - #130/173

9. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - #125/173

8. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04) - #116/173

7. “Ghost Rider”, Track 3/13 (5:41) - #113/173

6. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - #92/173

**laughedatbytime** · August 19, 2023

How is Freeze still alive when Ghost Rider and Ceiling Unlimited are not?

**Mosher** · August 19, 2023

16 minutes ago, _hi_water._ said:

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57), Vapor Trails (2002)

Vapor Trails - Entry 8 out of 13

It's in the 90's for me as well, basically the same spot. Might move higher, later. I am liking it more all the time.

**_hi_water._** · August 19, 2023

2 minutes ago, laughedatbytime said:

How is Freeze still alive when Ghost Rider and Ceiling Unlimited are not?

It's highest for me on Vapor Trails

**laughedatbytime** · August 19, 2023

1 minute ago, _hi_water._ said:

It's highest for me on Vapor Trails

Ugggh. Not seeing it at all. When I put a CD in my car, it usually stays there forever, and I'm still waiting for a traffic situation that is so severely in need of action that I don't skip tracks #4, 12, and 13 on that CD immediately. It's my lowest ranked song of the Fear trilogy plus 1 by over 100 positions.

But I'm glad you enjoy it. :wink:

**goose** · August 19, 2023

2 hours ago, laughedatbytime said:

Ugggh. Not seeing it at all. When I put a CD in my car, it usually stays there forever, and I'm still waiting for a traffic situation that is so severely in need of action that I don't skip tracks #4, 12, and 13 on that CD immediately. It's my lowest ranked song of the Fear trilogy plus 1 by over 100 positions.

But I'm glad you enjoy it.

Can you guess the one VT track almost always skip? C if U can. :smile:

**1-0-0-1-0-0-1** · August 19, 2023

1 hour ago, goose said:

Can you guess the one VT track almost always skip? C if U can.

For me it's Sweet Miracle. Auto skip.

**grep** · August 19, 2023

4 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57), Vapor Trails (2002)

Vapor Trails - Entry 8 out of 13

Whether this is the original mix or the remixed version - this is a downright terrific alt-rock jam. It has a great sense of atmosphere, and really transitions well into the chorus. This album begins to lift for me around here.

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)

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - Entry 8/13, Vapor Trails (2002)

How is this album doing?

13. “Peaceable Kingdom”, Track 4/13 (5:23) - #164/173

12. “Out Of The Cradle”, Track 13/13 (5:03) - #155/173

11. “The Stars Look Down”, Track 5/13 (4:28) - #138/173

10. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - #130/173

9. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - #125/173

8. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04) - #116/173

7. “Ghost Rider”, Track 3/13 (5:41) - #113/173

6. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - #92/173

These vapor-chem-trails are part of a mind-control conspiracy or something....

**laughedatbytime** · August 19, 2023

1 hour ago, goose said:

Can you guess the one VT track almost always skip? C if U can.

Knowing you, it's the best one. :wink:

tenor.gif?itemid=7281345

**laughedatbytime** · August 19, 2023

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

For me it's Sweet Miracle. Auto skip.

I guess with the worst two songs on the album being the last two, skipping them is unnecessary, you can just hit eject before they even pollute your field of hearing.

**Mosher** · August 19, 2023

Sweet Miracle is last for me as well, though I know some like it.

Also not a fan at all of Out of the Cradle.

But Freeze is an interesting case. I enjoy a lot of music many hate. Some experimental Jazz, 70's No Wave (no typo, I don't mean New Wave), some extreme metal, etc.

But I never like all of it.

Freeze reminds me of one of those projects. They're working really hard on an idea they know is great, and for the life of me I don't get it.

I keep wanting to get it, so I don't skip it. Part of me believes that once I get what they're going for, I'll like it.

But at this point, musically, it's mostly tuneful noise.

Sweet Miracle: I get it. Didn't like it.

**goose** · August 19, 2023

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

For me it's Sweet Miracle. Auto skip.

:pirate:

I find that song beautiful. Tragedy put Neil on the precipice, and finding love kept him from cashing in.

**goose** · August 19, 2023

10 hours ago, Mosher said:

Sweet Miracle is last for me as well, though I know some like it.

Also not a fan at all of Out of the Cradle.

But Freeze is an interesting case. I enjoy a lot of music many hate. Some experimental Jazz, 70's No Wave (no typo, I don't mean New Wave), some extreme metal, etc.

But I never like all of it.

Freeze reminds me of one of those projects. They're working really hard on an idea they know is great, and for the life of me I don't get it.

I keep wanting to get it, so I don't skip it. Part of me believes that once I get what they're going for, I'll like it.

But at this point, musically, it's mostly tuneful noise.

Sweet Miracle: I get it. Didn't like it.

I'm of the mind that as an album VT is a rare moment that finds Neil at his most human and most poetic as a lyricist. The album is a sonic train wreck in many ways, but I don't think that's an accident

**Mosher** · August 19, 2023

4 minutes ago, goose said:

I'm of the mind that as an album VT is a rare moment that finds Neil at his most human and most poetic as a lyricist. The album is a sonic train wreck in many ways, but I don't think that's an accident

I feel like VT is an album where a long layoff meant a million musical ideas from Geddy and Alex. Neil had a lot to say on the deepest of personal levels.

It's my least favorite (or maybe Snakes) for Geddy's vocal whoahs and oh's. I don't like how those are performed on either album. And the music is put together in a way that doesn't seem to work for me.

On the other hand, VT has grown on me a lot over the years, so either I'm warming up to those decisions---or I'm finally starting to 'get' it.

**TheAccountant** · August 19, 2023

22 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57), Vapor Trails (2002)

Vapor Trails - Entry 8 out of 13

Whether this is the original mix or the remixed version - this is a downright terrific alt-rock jam. It has a great sense of atmosphere, and really transitions well into the chorus. This album begins to lift for me around here.

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)

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - Entry 8/13, Vapor Trails (2002)

How is this album doing?

13. “Peaceable Kingdom”, Track 4/13 (5:23) - #164/173

12. “Out Of The Cradle”, Track 13/13 (5:03) - #155/173

11. “The Stars Look Down”, Track 5/13 (4:28) - #138/173

10. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - #130/173

9. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - #125/173

8. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04) - #116/173

7. “Ghost Rider”, Track 3/13 (5:41) - #113/173

6. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - #92/173

No surprise on my reaction - not a song I would rank remotely this high. But it is better than many on this album. Although, that being said, Ghost Rider is better. How It Is & Peaceable Kingdom are about on par with it. Ceiling Unlimited I would rank right behind VT.

**goose** · August 19, 2023

1 hour ago, Mosher said:

I feel like VT is an album where a long layoff meant a million musical ideas from Geddy and Alex. Neil had a lot to say on the deepest of personal levels.

It's my least favorite (or maybe Snakes) for Geddy's vocal whoahs and oh's. I don't like how those are performed on either album. And the music is put together in a way that doesn't seem to work for me.

On the other hand, VT has grown on me a lot over the years, so either I'm warming up to those decisions---or I'm finally starting to 'get' it.

Great call on Geddys vocal layers. So, remove the keys, but replace them with layered vocals? Erm....

**1-0-0-1-0-0-1** · August 23, 2023

On 8/19/2023 at 1:05 AM, 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 said:

For me it's Sweet Miracle. Auto skip.

On 8/19/2023 at 6:14 PM, goose said:

I find that song beautiful. Tragedy put Neil on the precipice, and finding love kept him from cashing in.

Completely agree with you about the lyrics. But I tend to be music-first, so songs with good lyrics and boring music usually to fall away for me.

**1-0-0-1-0-0-1** · August 23, 2023

On 8/18/2023 at 8:46 PM, _hi_water._ said:

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57), Vapor Trails (2002)

Vapor Trails - Entry 8 out of 13

Whether this is the original mix or the remixed version - this is a downright terrific alt-rock jam. It has a great sense of atmosphere, and really transitions well into the chorus. This album begins to lift for me around here.

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)

92. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - Entry 8/13, Vapor Trails (2002)

How is this album doing?

13. “Peaceable Kingdom”, Track 4/13 (5:23) - #164/173

12. “Out Of The Cradle”, Track 13/13 (5:03) - #155/173

11. “The Stars Look Down”, Track 5/13 (4:28) - #138/173

10. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - #130/173

9. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - #125/173

8. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04) - #116/173

7. “Ghost Rider”, Track 3/13 (5:41) - #113/173

6. “Vapor Trail”, Track 7/13 (4:57) - #92/173

Of all the songs on VT, as far as the mixing in the original release, this song suffered the most. It sounded like a cacophonous brick wall with so many layers of loud guitars battling to be heard. But I still liked the song, and the remixed version has raised my level of appreciation for this underrated deep cut. I have this ranked much higher.

**_hi_water._** · August 28, 2023

91. “Secret Touch”, Track 8/13 (6:34), Vapor Trails (2002)

Vapor Trails - Entry 9 out of 13

Perhaps I am underrating Vapor Trails - this is yet another powerful song that wonderfully evokes Neil's pain prior to the album. "The way out
Is the way in" and "You can never break the chain/There is never love without pain/A gentle hand, a secret touch on the heart" are all excellent lyrics, but I feel that this may be a little too repetitive for six and a half minutes, especially in comparison to shorter songs coming up from this album.