Goose ranks (on?) the 165-Song RUSH Catalog!

[Derek19]

28. the Necromancer, song #4/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

29. By-Tor and the Snow Dog, song #4/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

30. the Trees, song #3/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

31. Afterimage, song #2/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

32. Before and After, song #7/8, "Rush (1974)"

33. Caravan, song #1/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

34. Secret Touch, song #8/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

35. Malignant Narcissism, song #12/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

36. Red Lenses, song #7/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

37. the Stars Look Down, song #5/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

38. Tom Sawyer, song #1/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

39. the Way the Wind Blows, song #7/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

40. Fly By Night, song #5/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

41. Earthshine, song #9/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

42. Closer to the Heart, song #3/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

43. New World Man, song #6/8, "Signals (1982)"

44. Distant Early Warning, song #1/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

45. the Big Money, song #1/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

46. Test For Echo, song #1/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

47. Dreamline, song #1/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

48. BU2B, song #2/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

49. Chain Lightning, song #2/11, "Presto (1989)"

50. Vital Signs, song #7/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

51. Middletown Dreams, song #6/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

52. Available Light, song #11/11, "Presto (1989)"

53. Lakeside Park, song #3/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

54. Sweet Miracle, song #10/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

55. Time and Motion, song #5/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

56. Hope, song #8/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

57. BU2B2, song #10/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

58. Ghost of A Chance, song #8/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

59. Time Stand Still, song #2/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

60. How It Is, song #6/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

61. the Twilight Zone, song #3/6, "2112 (1976)"

62. Need Some Love, song #2/8, "Rush (1974)"

63. Best I Can, song #2/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

64. Digital Man, song #4/8, "Signals (1982)"

65. Carnies, song #5/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

66. Making Memories, song #6/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

67. Roll the Bones, song #3/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

68. Cut to the Chase, song #3/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

69. Turn the Page, song #8/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

70. Take A Friend, song #3/8, "Rush (1974)"

71. Where's My Thing? (Part IV "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy), song #5/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

72. the Enemy Within (Part I of "Fear"), song #4/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

73. Losing It, song #7/8, "Signals (1982)"

74. War Paint, song #4/11, "Presto (1989)"

75. Mystic Rhythms, song #8/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

76. Between Sun & Moon, song #5/8, "Counterparts (1993)"

77. Scars, song #5/11, "Presto (1989)"

78. Alien Shore, song #6/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

79. Workin' Them Angels, song #3/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

80. High Water, song #10/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

81. Freeze (Part IV of "Fear"), song #12/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

82. Witch Hunt (Part III of "Fear"), song #6/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

83. the Pass, song #3/11, "Presto (1989)"

84. Ghost Rider, song #3/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

85. Different Strings, song #5/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

86. Bravado, song #2/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

87. Open Secrets, song #3/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

88. Red Tide, song #9/11, "Presto (1989)"

89. Tears, song #5/6, "2112 (1976)"

90. Cold Fire, song #10/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

91. Dog Years, song #7/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

92. Out of the Cradle, song #13/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

93. I Think I'm Going Bald, song #2/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

94. Emotion Detector, song #7/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

95. Lessons, song #4/6, "2112 (1976)"

96. Beneath, Between and Behind, song #3/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

97. Superconductor, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

98. Driven, song #2/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

99. Mission, song #7/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

100. Vapor Trail, song #7/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

101. We Hold On, song #13/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

102. Leave that Thing Alone, song #9/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

103. Peaceable Kingdom, song #4/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

104. Lock and Key, song #6/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

105. Grand Designs, song #2/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

106. the Body Electric, song #5/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

107. Heresy, song #7/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

108. Show Don't Tell, song #1/11, "Presto (1989)"

109. Faithless, song #9/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

110. Face Up, song #4/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

111. Limbo, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

112. Far Cry, song #1/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

113. One Little Victory, song #1/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

114. Prime Mover, song #5/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

115. Armor and Sword, song #2/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

116. Double Agent, song #8/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

117. In the End, song #8/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

118. Something For Nothing, song #6/6, "2112 (1976)"

119. Bastille Day, song #1/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

120. Marathon, song #4/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

121. Entre Nous (Between Us), song #4/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

122. Countdown, song #8/8, "Signals (1982)"

123. Presto, song #6/11, "Presto (1989)"

124. In the Mood, song #6/8, "Rush (1974)"

125. Cygnus X-1: Book Two - Hemispheres, song #1/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

126. A Farewell to Kings, song #1/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

127. Totem, song #6/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

128. Animate, song #1/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

129. the Larger Bowl (A Pantoum), song #4/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

130. Anagram (For Mongo), song #8/11, "Presto (1989)"

131. the Garden, song #12/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

132. Cinderella Man, song #4/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

133. Rivendell, song #7/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

134. Second Nature, song #4/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

135. Resist, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

136. Hand Over Fist, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

137. Nobody's Hero, song #4/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

138. Nocturne, song #11/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

139. the Wreckers, song #8/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

140. Good News First, song #11/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

141. Stick It Out, song #2/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

142. Neurotica, song #9/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

143. Chemistry, song #3/8, "Signals (1982)"

144. Manhattan Project, song #3/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

145. the Weapon (Part II of "Fear"), song #5/8, "Signals (1982)"

146. Between the Wheels, song #8/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

147. Territories, song #5/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

148. Force Ten, song #1/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

149. Tai Shan, song #9/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

150. Cygnus X-1: Book One - the Voyage, song #6/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

151. Ceiling Unlimited, song #2/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

152. Half the World, song #3/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

153. Spindrift, song #5/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

154. the Big Wheel, song #6/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

155. Seven Cities of Gold, song #7/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

156. Bravest Face, song #10/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

157. Halo Effect, song #6/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

158. Wish Them Well, song #11/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

159. Carve Away the Stone, song #11/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

160. You Bet Your Life, song #10/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

161. Everyday Glory, song #11/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

162. Virtuality, song #8/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

163. the Color of Right, song #4/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

164. the Speed of Love, song #7/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

165. Madrigal, song #5/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

Edited December 18, 2023 by Derek19

[Mosher]

9 hours ago, goose said:

Pretty sure I rank the debut album higher than most, but, after All the World's a Stage, it's the album that really turned me on to the band.  I still love those songs and enjoy the energy and creativity that Alex brought to the guitar parts.  Geddy's bass chops are evident as well, and Rutsey does a fine job as a pocket drummer.  So there are a full five songs from the album that I've placed in the top 32, the most of any album.  Hemispheres, PWaves and Pictures come in with four each, Clockwork, FBN, Caress, Kings, Signals and GUP with one or two.  Nothing beyond GUP makes it this far.

 

32.  Before & After:  With a dreamy intro that gives way to a driving rocker, this may be the band's first hint at the epics that would come.  

31.  Afterimage:  One of the band's most poignant songs lyrically, it's also an up tempo 80s jam.   

30.  The Trees:  A bit silly lyrically, but its musical genius carries the day.  Could any other band make something like this a hit?

29.  By-Tor & The Snowdog:  The first epic!  The Geddy-Alex battle is classic, and few songs beat it live.

28. The Necromancer:  The heavier follow up to ByTor, and the better of the two, imo.  Alex slays it.

 

 

I really enjoy the structure of Before and After and I agree that this one, along with Working Man, does speak to their potential. And in fairness to my typical first album criticism, I believe that even without Neil, Geddy and Alex would still have soon been writing better lyrics and more complex music. The seeds are there.

 

Afterimage was the final song from Grace that really clicked for me, but now it's a favorite.

 

The Trees was such a clever song to the child in me. Its simple metaphor is so applicable to almost any cause that it reads like a children's fable. Certainly to adult ears it feels forced and obvious, but never underestimate the power to impact youth. Attach it to your favorite issue: Quebec vs English Canada, Canada vs US, rich vs poor, labor vs management, capitalism vs communism- it can be made to fit it all. And therefore someone out there has already done that.

To the kid I was it was even more simple. It was just a warning that when two groups start hating each other there's a third that's waiting to cut you all down together. Musically it's great as well. I agree that the lyrics are weak until I remember how it resonated when I was young.

 

By-Tor is the perfect first epic. It's fun, blistering, creative, and not remotely serious. It opens the door for riskier experiments later.

 

Necromancer has a spoken post that ages very poorly, at least to me. Good thing they did By-Tor first. But musically Alex steals the show and singlehandedly makes the song one of their best.

[goose]

12 hours ago, Mosher said:

I really enjoy the structure of Before and After and I agree that this one, along with Working Man, does speak to their potential.

... I believe that even without Neil, Geddy and Alex would still have soon been writing better lyrics and more complex music. 

Sure seems like it, though to what degree?  In his memoir Geddy gives Neil a ton of credit for getting him and Alex into reading.

12 hours ago, Mosher said:

Afterimage was the final song from Grace that really clicked for me, but now it's a favorite.

Musically it's just OK.  The song's power is in the lyrics and Geddy's delivery, i think.

12 hours ago, Mosher said:

The Trees was such a clever song to the child in me. Its simple metaphor is so applicable to almost any cause that it reads like a children's fable.

The metaphor is universal, for sure.

12 hours ago, Mosher said:

 

By-Tor is the perfect first epic. It's fun, blistering, creative, and not remotely serious. It opens the door for riskier experiments later.

 

Necromancer has a spoken post that ages very poorly, at least to me. Good thing they did By-Tor first. But musically Alex steals the show and singlehandedly makes the song one of their best.

I don't care for any spoken parts that RUSH has put out, down to the "sysiphus" in Carve Away.  In every case, I think the music does the job, and including the spoken parts on the lyric sheet would have been enough.  Imagine if 2112 has the story's written intro as a spoken part.  Lol.  

[Nova Carmina]

16 hours ago, goose said:

 

I don't care for any spoken parts that RUSH has put out, [...] Imagine if 2112 has the story's written intro as a spoken part.  Lol.  

 

Some parts, like "Presentation" or "Soliloquy" get pretty close as it is . . .

[goose]

3 hours ago, Nova Carmina said:

 

Some parts, like "Presentation" or "Soliloquy" get pretty close as it is . . .

I can't believe you're saying! 

[goose]

We're about to crack the top 25...

 

27. Here Again: Man, do I love the way Alex can set a mood.  This track foreshadows the warm and darker tones of Caress Of Steel, an album that I absolutely love.  This track stands out as unique not just among the debut tracks, but across the entire catalog.  There's really no other RUSH track like it.

26. Headlong Flight:  A lot of fans wondered if RUSH was capable of re-capturing the spirit of the classic epics.  It had been decades since the the band, it seemed, had happily settled into AOR mode.  And then Clockwork Angels happened.  A monster of an album, it featured not one, not two, but three longer epic tracks.  Headlong Flight is the second best of these, and it delivers.  

25. Main Monkey Business:  Vapor Trail necessarily featured a tone reflective of the anger and desperation Neil experienced on his road to recovery.  Snakes and Arrows' instrumentals were a perfect follow up to that, signaling a return to the heavy but melodic music the band was so well known for. And, in terms of tone and phrasing, MMB features some of my all-time favorite Alex moments.

[Derek19]

Goose (Allen), you have "Here Again" at #57.

 

25. the Main Monkey Business, song #6/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

26. Headlong Flight, song #9/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

27. Here Again, song #4/8, "Rush (1974)"

28. the Necromancer, song #4/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

29. By-Tor and the Snow Dog, song #4/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

30. the Trees, song #3/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

31. Afterimage, song #2/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

32. Before and After, song #7/8, "Rush (1974)"

33. Caravan, song #1/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

34. Secret Touch, song #8/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

35. Malignant Narcissism, song #12/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

36. Red Lenses, song #7/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

37. the Stars Look Down, song #5/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

38. Tom Sawyer, song #1/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

39. the Way the Wind Blows, song #7/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

40. Fly By Night, song #5/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

41. Earthshine, song #9/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

42. Closer to the Heart, song #3/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

43. New World Man, song #6/8, "Signals (1982)"

44. Distant Early Warning, song #1/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

45. the Big Money, song #1/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

46. Test For Echo, song #1/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

47. Dreamline, song #1/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

48. BU2B, song #2/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

49. Chain Lightning, song #2/11, "Presto (1989)"

50. Vital Signs, song #7/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

51. Middletown Dreams, song #6/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

52. Available Light, song #11/11, "Presto (1989)"

53. Lakeside Park, song #3/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

54. Sweet Miracle, song #10/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

55. Time and Motion, song #5/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

56. Hope, song #8/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

57. BU2B2, song #10/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

58. Ghost of A Chance, song #8/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

59. Time Stand Still, song #2/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

60. How It Is, song #6/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

61. the Twilight Zone, song #3/6, "2112 (1976)"

62. Need Some Love, song #2/8, "Rush (1974)"

63. Best I Can, song #2/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

64. Digital Man, song #4/8, "Signals (1982)"

65. Carnies, song #5/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

66. Making Memories, song #6/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

67. Roll the Bones, song #3/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

68. Cut to the Chase, song #3/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

69. Turn the Page, song #8/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

70. Take A Friend, song #3/8, "Rush (1974)"

71. Where's My Thing? (Part IV "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy), song #5/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

72. the Enemy Within (Part I of "Fear"), song #4/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

73. Losing It, song #7/8, "Signals (1982)"

74. War Paint, song #4/11, "Presto (1989)"

75. Mystic Rhythms, song #8/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

76. Between Sun & Moon, song #5/8, "Counterparts (1993)"

77. Scars, song #5/11, "Presto (1989)"

78. Alien Shore, song #6/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

79. Workin' Them Angels, song #3/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

80. High Water, song #10/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

81. Freeze (Part IV of "Fear"), song #12/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

82. Witch Hunt (Part III of "Fear"), song #6/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

83. the Pass, song #3/11, "Presto (1989)"

84. Ghost Rider, song #3/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

85. Different Strings, song #5/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

86. Bravado, song #2/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

87. Open Secrets, song #3/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

88. Red Tide, song #9/11, "Presto (1989)"

89. Tears, song #5/6, "2112 (1976)"

90. Cold Fire, song #10/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

91. Dog Years, song #7/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

92. Out of the Cradle, song #13/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

93. I Think I'm Going Bald, song #2/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

94. Emotion Detector, song #7/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

95. Lessons, song #4/6, "2112 (1976)"

96. Beneath, Between and Behind, song #3/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

97. Superconductor, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

98. Driven, song #2/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

99. Mission, song #7/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

100. Vapor Trail, song #7/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

101. We Hold On, song #13/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

102. Leave that Thing Alone, song #9/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

103. Peaceable Kingdom, song #4/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

104. Lock and Key, song #6/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

105. Grand Designs, song #2/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

106. the Body Electric, song #5/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

107. Heresy, song #7/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

108. Show Don't Tell, song #1/11, "Presto (1989)"

109. Faithless, song #9/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

110. Face Up, song #4/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

111. Limbo, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

112. Far Cry, song #1/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

113. One Little Victory, song #1/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

114. Prime Mover, song #5/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

115. Armor and Sword, song #2/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

116. Double Agent, song #8/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

117. In the End, song #8/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

118. Something For Nothing, song #6/6, "2112 (1976)"

119. Bastille Day, song #1/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

120. Marathon, song #4/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

121. Entre Nous (Between Us), song #4/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

122. Countdown, song #8/8, "Signals (1982)"

123. Presto, song #6/11, "Presto (1989)"

124. In the Mood, song #6/8, "Rush (1974)"

125. Cygnus X-1: Book Two - Hemispheres, song #1/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

126. A Farewell to Kings, song #1/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

127. Totem, song #6/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

128. Animate, song #1/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

129. the Larger Bowl (A Pantoum), song #4/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

130. Anagram (For Mongo), song #8/11, "Presto (1989)"

131. the Garden, song #12/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

132. Cinderella Man, song #4/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

133. Rivendell, song #7/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

134. Second Nature, song #4/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

135. Resist, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

136. Hand Over Fist, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

137. Nobody's Hero, song #4/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

138. Nocturne, song #11/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

139. the Wreckers, song #8/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

140. Good News First, song #11/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

141. Stick It Out, song #2/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

142. Neurotica, song #9/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

143. Chemistry, song #3/8, "Signals (1982)"

144. Manhattan Project, song #3/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

145. the Weapon (Part II of "Fear"), song #5/8, "Signals (1982)"

146. Between the Wheels, song #8/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

147. Territories, song #5/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

148. Force Ten, song #1/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

149. Tai Shan, song #9/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

150. Cygnus X-1: Book One - the Voyage, song #6/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

151. Ceiling Unlimited, song #2/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

152. Half the World, song #3/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

153. Spindrift, song #5/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

154. the Big Wheel, song #6/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

155. Seven Cities of Gold, song #7/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

156. Bravest Face, song #10/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

157. Halo Effect, song #6/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

158. Wish Them Well, song #11/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

159. Carve Away the Stone, song #11/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

160. You Bet Your Life, song #10/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

161. Everyday Glory, song #11/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

162. Virtuality, song #8/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

163. the Color of Right, song #4/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

164. the Speed of Love, song #7/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

165. Madrigal, song #5/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

Edited December 18, 2023 by Derek19

[Mosher]

2 hours ago, Derek19 said:

Goose (Allen), you have "Here Again" at #57.

 

 

...because it's here again, right?

 

[Mosher]

4 hours ago, goose said:

 

26. Headlong Flight:  A lot of fans wondered if RUSH was capable of re-capturing the spirit of the classic epics.  It had been decades since the the band, it seemed, had happily settled into AOR mode.  And then Clockwork Angels happened.  A monster of an album, it featured not one, not two, but three longer epic tracks.  Headlong Flight is the second best of these, and it delivers.  

25. Main Monkey Business:  Vapor Trail necessarily featured a tone reflective of the anger and desperation Neil experienced on his road to recovery.  Snakes and Arrows' instrumentals were a perfect follow up to that, signaling a return to the heavy but melodic music the band was so well known for. And, in terms of tone and phrasing, MMB features some of my all-time favorite Alex moments.

Agreed on Clockwork's impact, and I personally view the whole album as one track. 

Headlong isn't as high for me, but that's no slight. Everything about the album is great. Even BU2B2, which I don't really count as a song, works within the larger piece very well.

Main is a fantastic instrumental. I have MalNar higher, but so what. Either are better than most other songs on Snakes.

Here Again is climbing as we speak. :)

(you're not the first to do that. It just shows how readily songs can shift in their catalog depending on the day. 

[goose]

2 hours ago, Mosher said:

...because it's here again, right?

 

If only it were by design!  Funny cuz I was counting and wondering what I'd missed, lol

[goose]

Somehow, these four fell just outside the top 20.  Great, great songs.

 

24. What You're Doing:  Hands down RUSH's best riff.  Just killer.

23. Red Sector A:  A powerful tribute to those who survived unspeakable horrors.  

22. Red Barchetta:  Neil called this the band's best attempt at musical storytelling, and I agree

21. Finding My Way: The intro that heralded the band's future.  A perfect opener to an amazing career.

Edited December 13, 2023 by goose

[Derek19]

Goose (Allen), you have done the same thing with "Finding My Way" by including the song twice, now, as it's at #39.  I'm not just saying that.

 

21. Finding My Way, song #1/8, "Rush (1974)"

22. Red Barchetta, song #2/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

23. Red Sector A, song #3/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

24. What You're Doing, song #5/8, "Rush (1974)"

25. the Main Monkey Business, song #6/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

26. Headlong Flight, song #9/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

27. Here Again, song #4/8, "Rush (1974)"

28. the Necromancer, song #4/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

29. By-Tor and the Snow Dog, song #4/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

30. the Trees, song #3/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

31. Afterimage, song #2/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

32. Before and After, song #7/8, "Rush (1974)"

33. Caravan, song #1/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

34. Secret Touch, song #8/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

35. Malignant Narcissism, song #12/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

36. Red Lenses, song #7/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

37. the Stars Look Down, song #5/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

38. Tom Sawyer, song #1/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

39. the Way the Wind Blows, song #7/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

40. Fly By Night, song #5/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

41. Earthshine, song #9/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

42. Closer to the Heart, song #3/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

43. New World Man, song #6/8, "Signals (1982)"

44. Distant Early Warning, song #1/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

45. the Big Money, song #1/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

46. Test For Echo, song #1/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

47. Dreamline, song #1/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

48. BU2B, song #2/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

49. Chain Lightning, song #2/11, "Presto (1989)"

50. Vital Signs, song #7/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

51. Middletown Dreams, song #6/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

52. Available Light, song #11/11, "Presto (1989)"

53. Lakeside Park, song #3/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

54. Sweet Miracle, song #10/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

55. Time and Motion, song #5/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

56. Hope, song #8/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

57. BU2B2, song #10/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

58. Ghost of A Chance, song #8/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

59. Time Stand Still, song #2/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

60. How It Is, song #6/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

61. the Twilight Zone, song #3/6, "2112 (1976)"

62. Need Some Love, song #2/8, "Rush (1974)"

63. Best I Can, song #2/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

64. Digital Man, song #4/8, "Signals (1982)"

65. Carnies, song #5/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

66. Making Memories, song #6/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

67. Roll the Bones, song #3/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

68. Cut to the Chase, song #3/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

69. Turn the Page, song #8/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

70. Take A Friend, song #3/8, "Rush (1974)"

71. Where's My Thing? (Part IV "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy), song #5/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

72. the Enemy Within (Part I of "Fear"), song #4/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

73. Losing It, song #7/8, "Signals (1982)"

74. War Paint, song #4/11, "Presto (1989)"

75. Mystic Rhythms, song #8/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

76. Between Sun & Moon, song #5/8, "Counterparts (1993)"

77. Scars, song #5/11, "Presto (1989)"

78. Alien Shore, song #6/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

79. Workin' Them Angels, song #3/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

80. High Water, song #10/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

81. Freeze (Part IV of "Fear"), song #12/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

82. Witch Hunt (Part III of "Fear"), song #6/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

83. the Pass, song #3/11, "Presto (1989)"

84. Ghost Rider, song #3/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

85. Different Strings, song #5/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

86. Bravado, song #2/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

87. Open Secrets, song #3/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

88. Red Tide, song #9/11, "Presto (1989)"

89. Tears, song #5/6, "2112 (1976)"

90. Cold Fire, song #10/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

91. Dog Years, song #7/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

92. Out of the Cradle, song #13/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

93. I Think I'm Going Bald, song #2/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

94. Emotion Detector, song #7/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

95. Lessons, song #4/6, "2112 (1976)"

96. Beneath, Between and Behind, song #3/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

97. Superconductor, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

98. Driven, song #2/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

99. Mission, song #7/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

100. Vapor Trail, song #7/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

101. We Hold On, song #13/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

102. Leave that Thing Alone, song #9/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

103. Peaceable Kingdom, song #4/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

104. Lock and Key, song #6/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

105. Grand Designs, song #2/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

106. the Body Electric, song #5/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

107. Heresy, song #7/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

108. Show Don't Tell, song #1/11, "Presto (1989)"

109. Faithless, song #9/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

110. Face Up, song #4/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

111. Limbo, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

112. Far Cry, song #1/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

113. One Little Victory, song #1/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

114. Prime Mover, song #5/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

115. Armor and Sword, song #2/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

116. Double Agent, song #8/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

117. In the End, song #8/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

118. Something For Nothing, song #6/6, "2112 (1976)"

119. Bastille Day, song #1/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

120. Marathon, song #4/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

121. Entre Nous (Between Us), song #4/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

122. Countdown, song #8/8, "Signals (1982)"

123. Presto, song #6/11, "Presto (1989)"

124. In the Mood, song #6/8, "Rush (1974)"

125. Cygnus X-1: Book Two - Hemispheres, song #1/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

126. A Farewell to Kings, song #1/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

127. Totem, song #6/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

128. Animate, song #1/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

129. the Larger Bowl (A Pantoum), song #4/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

130. Anagram (For Mongo), song #8/11, "Presto (1989)"

131. the Garden, song #12/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

132. Cinderella Man, song #4/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

133. Rivendell, song #7/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

134. Second Nature, song #4/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

135. Resist, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

136. Hand Over Fist, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

137. Nobody's Hero, song #4/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

138. Nocturne, song #11/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

139. the Wreckers, song #8/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

140. Good News First, song #11/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

141. Stick It Out, song #2/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

142. Neurotica, song #9/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

143. Chemistry, song #3/8, "Signals (1982)"

144. Manhattan Project, song #3/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

145. the Weapon (Part II of "Fear"), song #5/8, "Signals (1982)"

146. Between the Wheels, song #8/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

147. Territories, song #5/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

148. Force Ten, song #1/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

149. Tai Shan, song #9/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

150. Cygnus X-1: Book One - the Voyage, song #6/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

151. Ceiling Unlimited, song #2/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

152. Half the World, song #3/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

153. Spindrift, song #5/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

154. the Big Wheel, song #6/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

155. Seven Cities of Gold, song #7/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

156. Bravest Face, song #10/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

157. Halo Effect, song #6/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

158. Wish Them Well, song #11/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

159. Carve Away the Stone, song #11/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

160. You Bet Your Life, song #10/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

161. Everyday Glory, song #11/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

162. Virtuality, song #8/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

163. the Color of Right, song #4/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

164. the Speed of Love, song #7/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

165. Madrigal, song #5/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

Edited December 18, 2023 by Derek19

[goose]

And we're into the top 20.  At any given time, any of these could be Top 10, even Top 5, perhaps.  It's why I love this band, they put out so many amazing songs, and all so different.  Can't say that about my other top bands like Van Halen, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, etc.  Here's the five that feel in at 20 thru 15...a complete Alex-fest.

 

20. Circumstances

19. Kid Gloves

18. YYZ

17. Analog Kid

16. The Spirit of Radio

[Derek19]

16. the Spirit of Radio, song #1/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

17. the Analog Kid, song #2/8, "Signals (1982)"

18. Yyz, song #3/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

19. Kid Gloves, song #6/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

20. Circumstances, song #2/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

21. Finding My Way, song #1/8, "Rush (1974)"

22. Red Barchetta, song #2/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

23. Red Sector A, song #3/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

24. What You're Doing, song #5/8, "Rush (1974)"

25. the Main Monkey Business, song #6/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

26. Headlong Flight, song #9/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

27. Here Again, song #4/8, "Rush (1974)"

28. the Necromancer, song #4/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

29. By-Tor and the Snow Dog, song #4/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

30. the Trees, song #3/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

31. Afterimage, song #2/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

32. Before and After, song #7/8, "Rush (1974)"

33. Caravan, song #1/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

34. Secret Touch, song #8/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

35. Malignant Narcissism, song #12/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

36. Red Lenses, song #7/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

37. the Stars Look Down, song #5/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

38. Tom Sawyer, song #1/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

39. the Way the Wind Blows, song #7/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

40. Fly By Night, song #5/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

41. Earthshine, song #9/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

42. Closer to the Heart, song #3/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

43. New World Man, song #6/8, "Signals (1982)"

44. Distant Early Warning, song #1/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

45. the Big Money, song #1/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

46. Test For Echo, song #1/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

47. Dreamline, song #1/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

48. BU2B, song #2/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

49. Chain Lightning, song #2/11, "Presto (1989)"

50. Vital Signs, song #7/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

51. Middletown Dreams, song #6/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

52. Available Light, song #11/11, "Presto (1989)"

53. Lakeside Park, song #3/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

54. Sweet Miracle, song #10/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

55. Time and Motion, song #5/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

56. Hope, song #8/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

57. BU2B2, song #10/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

58. Ghost of A Chance, song #8/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

59. Time Stand Still, song #2/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

60. How It Is, song #6/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

61. the Twilight Zone, song #3/6, "2112 (1976)"

62. Need Some Love, song #2/8, "Rush (1974)"

63. Best I Can, song #2/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

64. Digital Man, song #4/8, "Signals (1982)"

65. Carnies, song #5/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

66. Making Memories, song #6/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

67. Roll the Bones, song #3/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

68. Cut to the Chase, song #3/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

69. Turn the Page, song #8/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

70. Take A Friend, song #3/8, "Rush (1974)"

71. Where's My Thing? (Part IV "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy), song #5/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

72. the Enemy Within (Part I of "Fear"), song #4/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

73. Losing It, song #7/8, "Signals (1982)"

74. War Paint, song #4/11, "Presto (1989)"

75. Mystic Rhythms, song #8/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

76. Between Sun & Moon, song #5/8, "Counterparts (1993)"

77. Scars, song #5/11, "Presto (1989)"

78. Alien Shore, song #6/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

79. Workin' Them Angels, song #3/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

80. High Water, song #10/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

81. Freeze (Part IV of "Fear"), song #12/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

82. Witch Hunt (Part III of "Fear"), song #6/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

83. the Pass, song #3/11, "Presto (1989)"

84. Ghost Rider, song #3/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

85. Different Strings, song #5/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

86. Bravado, song #2/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

87. Open Secrets, song #3/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

88. Red Tide, song #9/11, "Presto (1989)"

89. Tears, song #5/6, "2112 (1976)"

90. Cold Fire, song #10/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

91. Dog Years, song #7/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

92. Out of the Cradle, song #13/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

93. I Think I'm Going Bald, song #2/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

94. Emotion Detector, song #7/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

95. Lessons, song #4/6, "2112 (1976)"

96. Beneath, Between and Behind, song #3/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

97. Superconductor, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

98. Driven, song #2/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

99. Mission, song #7/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

100. Vapor Trail, song #7/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

101. We Hold On, song #13/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

102. Leave that Thing Alone, song #9/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

103. Peaceable Kingdom, song #4/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

104. Lock and Key, song #6/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

105. Grand Designs, song #2/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

106. the Body Electric, song #5/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

107. Heresy, song #7/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

108. Show Don't Tell, song #1/11, "Presto (1989)"

109. Faithless, song #9/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

110. Face Up, song #4/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

111. Limbo, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

112. Far Cry, song #1/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

113. One Little Victory, song #1/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

114. Prime Mover, song #5/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

115. Armor and Sword, song #2/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

116. Double Agent, song #8/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

117. In the End, song #8/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

118. Something For Nothing, song #6/6, "2112 (1976)"

119. Bastille Day, song #1/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

120. Marathon, song #4/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

121. Entre Nous (Between Us), song #4/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

122. Countdown, song #8/8, "Signals (1982)"

123. Presto, song #6/11, "Presto (1989)"

124. In the Mood, song #6/8, "Rush (1974)"

125. Cygnus X-1: Book Two - Hemispheres, song #1/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

126. A Farewell to Kings, song #1/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

127. Totem, song #6/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

128. Animate, song #1/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

129. the Larger Bowl (A Pantoum), song #4/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

130. Anagram (For Mongo), song #8/11, "Presto (1989)"

131. the Garden, song #12/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

132. Cinderella Man, song #4/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

133. Rivendell, song #7/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

134. Second Nature, song #4/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

135. Resist, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

136. Hand Over Fist, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

137. Nobody's Hero, song #4/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

138. Nocturne, song #11/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

139. the Wreckers, song #8/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

140. Good News First, song #11/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

141. Stick It Out, song #2/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

142. Neurotica, song #9/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

143. Chemistry, song #3/8, "Signals (1982)"

144. Manhattan Project, song #3/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

145. the Weapon (Part II of "Fear"), song #5/8, "Signals (1982)"

146. Between the Wheels, song #8/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

147. Territories, song #5/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

148. Force Ten, song #1/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

149. Tai Shan, song #9/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

150. Cygnus X-1: Book One - the Voyage, song #6/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

151. Ceiling Unlimited, song #2/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

152. Half the World, song #3/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

153. Spindrift, song #5/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

154. the Big Wheel, song #6/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

155. Seven Cities of Gold, song #7/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

156. Bravest Face, song #10/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

157. Halo Effect, song #6/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

158. Wish Them Well, song #11/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

159. Carve Away the Stone, song #11/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

160. You Bet Your Life, song #10/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

161. Everyday Glory, song #11/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

162. Virtuality, song #8/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

163. the Color of Right, song #4/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

164. the Speed of Love, song #7/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

165. Madrigal, song #5/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

Edited December 18, 2023 by Derek19

[Mosher]

32 minutes ago, goose said:

And we're into the top 20.  At any given time, any of these could be Top 10, even Top 5, perhaps.  It's why I love this band, they put out so many amazing songs, and all so different.  Can't say that about my other top bands like Van Halen, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, etc.  Here's the five that feel in at 20 thru 15...a complete Alex-fest.

 

20. Circumstances

19. Kid Gloves

18. YYZ

17. Analog Kid

16. The Spirit of Radio

All brilliant songs.

 

Kid Gloves is the superior one here for me, always top 10,  but nothing to argue here. 

[Nova Carmina]

10 hours ago, goose said:

And we're into the top 20.  At any given time, any of these could be Top 10, even Top 5, perhaps.  It's why I love this band, they put out so many amazing songs, and all so different.  Can't say that about my other top bands like Van Halen, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, etc.  Here's the five that feel in at 20 thru 15...a complete Alex-fest.

 

20. Circumstances

19. Kid Gloves

18. YYZ

17. Analog Kid

16. The Spirit of Radio

 

"The Spirit of Radio" suffers a bit from over-familiarity, but when I can actually listen to it, that's a great track.

 

All these others are immaculate, and I'm loving the ranking of "Circumstances" and "Kid Gloves," an underrated gem I wish had been played more often.

[goose]

Here are four more tracks that are worth of top ten, or even top 5.  These are my highest ranking short-form RUSH songs, the greatest of the non-epics.  Perfectly crafted musically, they also reflect Neil's best social commentaries.  Well, three of them anyway...  

 

15. Subdivisions

14. Limelight

13. A Passage To Bangkok

12. Freewill

 

 

[Nova Carmina]

11 minutes ago, goose said:

15. Subdivisions

14. Limelight

13. A Passage To Bangkok

12. Freewill

 

I've never found "Subdivisions" as moving or meaningful as so many of my peers, so this is an overshot for me (not hugely), and I think "Freewill" is creme de la creme, but as an average, this group is spot-on. 

[Derek19]

12. Freewill, song #2/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

13. A Passage to Bangkok, song #2/6, "2112 (1976)"

14. Limelight, song #4/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

15. Subdivisions, song #1/8, "Signals (1982)"

16. the Spirit of Radio, song #1/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

17. the Analog Kid, song #2/8, "Signals (1982)"

18. Yyz, song #3/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

19. Kid Gloves, song #6/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

20. Circumstances, song #2/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

21. Finding My Way, song #1/8, "Rush (1974)"

22. Red Barchetta, song #2/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

23. Red Sector A, song #3/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

24. What You're Doing, song #5/8, "Rush (1974)"

25. the Main Monkey Business, song #6/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

26. Headlong Flight, song #9/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

27. Here Again, song #4/8, "Rush (1974)"

28. the Necromancer, song #4/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

29. By-Tor and the Snow Dog, song #4/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

30. the Trees, song #3/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

31. Afterimage, song #2/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

32. Before and After, song #7/8, "Rush (1974)"

33. Caravan, song #1/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

34. Secret Touch, song #8/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

35. Malignant Narcissism, song #12/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

36. Red Lenses, song #7/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

37. the Stars Look Down, song #5/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

38. Tom Sawyer, song #1/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

39. the Way the Wind Blows, song #7/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

40. Fly By Night, song #5/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

41. Earthshine, song #9/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

42. Closer to the Heart, song #3/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

43. New World Man, song #6/8, "Signals (1982)"

44. Distant Early Warning, song #1/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

45. the Big Money, song #1/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

46. Test For Echo, song #1/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

47. Dreamline, song #1/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

48. BU2B, song #2/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

49. Chain Lightning, song #2/11, "Presto (1989)"

50. Vital Signs, song #7/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

51. Middletown Dreams, song #6/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

52. Available Light, song #11/11, "Presto (1989)"

53. Lakeside Park, song #3/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

54. Sweet Miracle, song #10/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

55. Time and Motion, song #5/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

56. Hope, song #8/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

57. BU2B2, song #10/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

58. Ghost of A Chance, song #8/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

59. Time Stand Still, song #2/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

60. How It Is, song #6/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

61. the Twilight Zone, song #3/6, "2112 (1976)"

62. Need Some Love, song #2/8, "Rush (1974)"

63. Best I Can, song #2/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

64. Digital Man, song #4/8, "Signals (1982)"

65. Carnies, song #5/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

66. Making Memories, song #6/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

67. Roll the Bones, song #3/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

68. Cut to the Chase, song #3/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

69. Turn the Page, song #8/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

70. Take A Friend, song #3/8, "Rush (1974)"

71. Where's My Thing? (Part IV "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy), song #5/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

72. the Enemy Within (Part I of "Fear"), song #4/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

73. Losing It, song #7/8, "Signals (1982)"

74. War Paint, song #4/11, "Presto (1989)"

75. Mystic Rhythms, song #8/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

76. Between Sun & Moon, song #5/8, "Counterparts (1993)"

77. Scars, song #5/11, "Presto (1989)"

78. Alien Shore, song #6/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

79. Workin' Them Angels, song #3/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

80. High Water, song #10/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

81. Freeze (Part IV of "Fear"), song #12/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

82. Witch Hunt (Part III of "Fear"), song #6/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

83. the Pass, song #3/11, "Presto (1989)"

84. Ghost Rider, song #3/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

85. Different Strings, song #5/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

86. Bravado, song #2/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

87. Open Secrets, song #3/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

88. Red Tide, song #9/11, "Presto (1989)"

89. Tears, song #5/6, "2112 (1976)"

90. Cold Fire, song #10/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

91. Dog Years, song #7/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

92. Out of the Cradle, song #13/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

93. I Think I'm Going Bald, song #2/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

94. Emotion Detector, song #7/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

95. Lessons, song #4/6, "2112 (1976)"

96. Beneath, Between and Behind, song #3/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

97. Superconductor, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

98. Driven, song #2/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

99. Mission, song #7/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

100. Vapor Trail, song #7/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

101. We Hold On, song #13/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

102. Leave that Thing Alone, song #9/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

103. Peaceable Kingdom, song #4/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

104. Lock and Key, song #6/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

105. Grand Designs, song #2/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

106. the Body Electric, song #5/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

107. Heresy, song #7/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

108. Show Don't Tell, song #1/11, "Presto (1989)"

109. Faithless, song #9/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

110. Face Up, song #4/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

111. Limbo, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

112. Far Cry, song #1/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

113. One Little Victory, song #1/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

114. Prime Mover, song #5/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

115. Armor and Sword, song #2/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

116. Double Agent, song #8/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

117. In the End, song #8/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

118. Something For Nothing, song #6/6, "2112 (1976)"

119. Bastille Day, song #1/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

120. Marathon, song #4/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

121. Entre Nous (Between Us), song #4/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

122. Countdown, song #8/8, "Signals (1982)"

123. Presto, song #6/11, "Presto (1989)"

124. In the Mood, song #6/8, "Rush (1974)"

125. Cygnus X-1: Book Two - Hemispheres, song #1/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

126. A Farewell to Kings, song #1/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

127. Totem, song #6/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

128. Animate, song #1/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

129. the Larger Bowl (A Pantoum), song #4/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

130. Anagram (For Mongo), song #8/11, "Presto (1989)"

131. the Garden, song #12/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

132. Cinderella Man, song #4/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

133. Rivendell, song #7/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

134. Second Nature, song #4/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

135. Resist, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

136. Hand Over Fist, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

137. Nobody's Hero, song #4/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

138. Nocturne, song #11/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

139. the Wreckers, song #8/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

140. Good News First, song #11/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

141. Stick It Out, song #2/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

142. Neurotica, song #9/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

143. Chemistry, song #3/8, "Signals (1982)"

144. Manhattan Project, song #3/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

145. the Weapon (Part II of "Fear"), song #5/8, "Signals (1982)"

146. Between the Wheels, song #8/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

147. Territories, song #5/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

148. Force Ten, song #1/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

149. Tai Shan, song #9/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

150. Cygnus X-1: Book One - the Voyage, song #6/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

151. Ceiling Unlimited, song #2/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

152. Half the World, song #3/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

153. Spindrift, song #5/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

154. the Big Wheel, song #6/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

155. Seven Cities of Gold, song #7/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

156. Bravest Face, song #10/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

157. Halo Effect, song #6/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

158. Wish Them Well, song #11/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

159. Carve Away the Stone, song #11/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

160. You Bet Your Life, song #10/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

161. Everyday Glory, song #11/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

162. Virtuality, song #8/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

163. the Color of Right, song #4/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

164. the Speed of Love, song #7/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

165. Madrigal, song #5/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

Edited December 18, 2023 by Derek19

[goose]

On 12/13/2023 at 12:26 AM, Derek19 said:

Goose (Allen), you have done the same thing with "Finding My Way" by including the song twice, now, as it's at #39.  I'm not just saying that.

 

23. Red Barchetta, song #2/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

24. Red Sector A, song #3/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

25. What You're Doing, song #5/8, "Rush (1974)"

26. the Main Monkey Business, song #6/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

27. Headlong Flight, song #9/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

28. the Necromancer, song #4/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

29. By-Tor and the Snow Dog, song #4/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

30. the Trees, song #3/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

31. Afterimage, song #2/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

32. Before and After, song #7/8, "Rush (1974)"

33. Caravan, song #1/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

34. Secret Touch, song #8/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

35. Malignant Narcissism, song #12/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

36. Red Lenses, song #7/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

37. the Stars Look Down, song #5/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

38. Tom Sawyer, song #1/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

39. Finding My Way, song #1/8, "Rush (1974)"

40. Fly By Night, song #5/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

41. Earthshine, song #9/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

42. Closer to the Heart, song #3/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

43. New World Man, song #6/8, "Signals (1982)"

44. Distant Early Warning, song #1/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

45. the Big Money, song #1/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

46. Test For Echo, song #1/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

47. Dreamline, song #1/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

48. BU2B, song #2/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

49. Chain Lightning, song #2/11, "Presto (1989)"

50. Vital Signs, song #7/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

51. Middletown Dreams, song #6/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

52. Available Light, song #11/11, "Presto (1989)"

53. Lakeside Park, song #3/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

54. Sweet Miracle, song #10/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

55. Time and Motion, song #5/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

56. Hope, song #8/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

57. Here Again, song #4/8, "Rush (1974)"

58. Ghost of A Chance, song #8/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

59. Time Stand Still, song #2/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

60. How It Is, song #6/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

61. the Twilight Zone, song #3/6, "2112 (1976)"

62. Need Some Love, song #2/8, "Rush (1974)"

63. Best I Can, song #2/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

64. Digital Man, song #4/8, "Signals (1982)"

65. Carnies, song #5/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

66. Making Memories, song #6/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

67. Roll the Bones, song #3/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

68. Cut to the Chase, song #3/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

69. Turn the Page, song #8/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

70. Take A Friend, song #3/8, "Rush (1974)"

71. Where's My Thing? (Part IV "Gangster of Boats" Trilogy), song #5/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

72. the Enemy Within (Part I of "Fear"), song #4/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

73. Losing It, song #7/8, "Signals (1982)"

74. War Paint, song #4/11, "Presto (1989)"

75. Mystic Rhythms, song #8/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

76. Between Sun & Moon, song #5/8, "Counterparts (1993)"

77. Scars, song #5/11, "Presto (1989)"

78. Alien Shore, song #6/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

79. Workin' Them Angels, song #3/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

80. High Water, song #10/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

81. Freeze (Part IV of "Fear"), song #12/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

82. Witch Hunt (Part III of "Fear"), song #6/7, "Moving Pictures (1981)"

83. the Pass, song #3/11, "Presto (1989)"

84. Ghost Rider, song #3/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

85. Different Strings, song #5/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

86. Bravado, song #2/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

87. Open Secrets, song #3/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

88. Red Tide, song #9/11, "Presto (1989)"

89. Tears, song #5/6, "2112 (1976)"

90. Cold Fire, song #10/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

91. Dog Years, song #7/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

92. Out of the Cradle, song #13/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

93. I Think I'm Going Bald, song #2/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

94. Emotion Detector, song #7/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

95. Lessons, song #4/6, "2112 (1976)"

96. Beneath, Between and Behind, song #3/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

97. Superconductor, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

98. Driven, song #2/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

99. Mission, song #7/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

100. Vapor Trail, song #7/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

101. We Hold On, song #13/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

102. Leave that Thing Alone, song #9/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

103. Peaceable Kingdom, song #4/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

104. Lock and Key, song #6/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

105. Grand Designs, song #2/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

106. the Body Electric, song #5/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

107. Heresy, song #7/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

108. Show Don't Tell, song #1/11, "Presto (1989)"

109. Faithless, song #9/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

110. Face Up, song #4/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

111. Limbo, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

112. Far Cry, song #1/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

113. One Little Victory, song #1/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

114. Prime Mover, song #5/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

115. Armor and Sword, song #2/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

116. Double Agent, song #8/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

117. In the End, song #8/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

118. Something For Nothing, song #6/6, "2112 (1976)"

119. Bastille Day, song #1/5, "Caress of Steel (1975)"

120. Marathon, song #4/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

121. Entre Nous (Between Us), song #4/6, "Permanent Waves (1980)"

122. Countdown, song #8/8, "Signals (1982)"

123. Presto, song #6/11, "Presto (1989)"

124. In the Mood, song #6/8, "Rush (1974)"

125. Cygnus X-1: Book Two - Hemispheres, song #1/4, "Hemispheres (1978)"

126. A Farewell to Kings, song #1/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

127. Totem, song #6/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

128. Animate, song #1/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

129. the Larger Bowl (A Pantoum), song #4/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

130. Anagram (For Mongo), song #8/11, "Presto (1989)"

131. the Garden, song #12/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

132. Cinderella Man, song #4/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

133. Rivendell, song #7/8, "Fly By Night (1975)"

134. Second Nature, song #4/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

135. Resist, song #9/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

136. Hand Over Fist, song #7/11, "Presto (1989)"

137. Nobody's Hero, song #4/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

138. Nocturne, song #11/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

139. the Wreckers, song #8/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

140. Good News First, song #11/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

141. Stick It Out, song #2/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

142. Neurotica, song #9/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

143. Chemistry, song #3/8, "Signals (1982)"

144. Manhattan Project, song #3/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

145. the Weapon (Part II of "Fear"), song #5/8, "Signals (1982)"

146. Between the Wheels, song #8/8, "Grace Under Pressure (1984)"

147. Territories, song #5/8, "Power Windows (1985)"

148. Force Ten, song #1/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

149. Tai Shan, song #9/10, "Hold Your Fire (1987)"

150. Cygnus X-1: Book One - the Voyage, song #6/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

151. Ceiling Unlimited, song #2/13, "Vapor Trails (2002)", and "Vapor Trails (Remixed) (2013)"

152. Half the World, song #3/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

153. Spindrift, song #5/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

154. the Big Wheel, song #6/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

155. Seven Cities of Gold, song #7/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

156. Bravest Face, song #10/13, "Snakes & Arrows (2007)"

157. Halo Effect, song #6/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

158. Wish Them Well, song #11/12, "Clockwork Angels (2012)"

159. Carve Away the Stone, song #11/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

160. You Bet Your Life, song #10/10, "Roll the Bones (1991)"

161. Everyday Glory, song #11/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

162. Virtuality, song #8/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

163. the Color of Right, song #4/11, "Test For Echo (1996)"

164. the Speed of Love, song #7/11, "Counterparts (1993)"

165. Madrigal, song #5/6, "A Farewell to Kings (1977)"

Well, golly!  I guess I really do love the debut.

[Mosher]

10 hours ago, goose said:

Here are four more tracks that are worth of top ten, or even top 5.  These are my highest ranking short-form RUSH songs, the greatest of the non-epics.  Perfectly crafted musically, they also reflect Neil's best social commentaries.  Well, three of them anyway...  

 

15. Subdivisions

14. Limelight

13. A Passage To Bangkok

12. Freewill

 

 

Three of these are forever top 20 songs for me. Musically Limelight and Freewill are phenomenal, and lyrically excellent. Subdivisions was one of the first wordy songs I learned the lyrics to. Musically not up with the other two but lyrically even better. All three are fantastic. 

Passage was a huge favorite at one time. Now, while I like it, I find the 9-note stereotype at the beginning eye-roll inducing. So that detracts.

That aside it still rates high.

[goose]

There's a reason I've played RUSH more than any other band over my lifetime.  It's because unlike any other band they strike a perfect balance between listener-challenging math rock and straight ahead in your face heavy rock.  In pretty much every song, there's always something thought provoking going on, but not so much that the groove is lost.  Smart, weird, but fun.  THAT I can relate too.  There greatest songs will always be the longer pieces, and that's what comprises the balance of my list.  

 

11. Working Man:  Fitting that the band's break-out song weighs in at over seven minutes, and a perfectly poetic start to this final list. Dedicated to their craft, RUSH were the Working Men.

10. Clockwork Angels:  Forty years in RUSH managed to put out another classic album.  No small feat and it speaks to how special RUSH were.  For me that classic album requires some assembly, meaning I have to weed out a few unnecessary CD era tracks and a rearrange the song order, but the parts are all included.  Properly edited, the album is a masterpiece, and the title track becomes a perfect opener, maybe the best of their career since Finding My Way.  It skillfully sets the scene for the songs and story that follow, and, most importantly it rocks like a mother.

[Mosher]

Working Man is brilliant and deserves a high ranking. I don't really include it the same way for my own list, but it's importance is huge, and it's a great song. 

 

And of course Clockwork is truly excellent

[BastillePark]

This is quite the task and not one I'd be willing to undertake so I applaud you for doing so. I'd have to do a song by song comparison, actually listening to them which would take way more time than I'd want to spend and take away from my time arguing with strangers via social media. 

[goose]

1 hour ago, BastillePark said:

This is quite the task and not one I'd be willing to undertake so I applaud you for doing so. I'd have to do a song by song comparison, actually listening to them which would take way more time than I'd want to spend and take away from my time arguing with strangers via social media. 

I think it's healthy to take a break from arguing with others...to argue with yourself!