What Rush song or album was your obsession? When and how long?

[Slime]

We all like Rush albums and songs, and some of us LOVE certain Rush songs and albums, and we might even love them a lot.

 

But then there is the OBSESSION phase - those times where we just play a certain song or album OVER AND OVER

and we just cant get enough of it.   

 

It might be a long while, or it may not last very long, but the love is still there 

 

So which Rush song or album was your OBSESSION? That one that you just played all the time

and couldn't stop yourself from putting on repeat? The one that you were happy to sacrifice your

stereo and speakers to? The one that made things like food, shelter and air seem less important??

 

And how long was that obsession? Were you spinning that song for a whole month, or did the

journey end quickly? 

 

Also, WHEN did you have the obsession? Was it your high school days, or are you in an obsession phrase right now??

 

Tell us all about it. 

[Nova Carmina]

I boarded the Rush bus in 1983, so GUP was my first "new" album, and I listened to that thing until I wore the print off the cassette. By then I had the track list and times memorized anyway, so it didn't matter. It's still my favorite album. I did essentially the same thing with Power Windows, and the breakdown/fadeout jam on "The Big Money" still makes me happy and air drum wildly every time I hear it.

[JARG]

When I first got into Rush AFTK was the new album, but it was 2112 that got worn out first.

[PurpleHayes]

I got into Rush bass-ackwards, by hearing GuP and Power Windows first. After wearing those out for two weeks I started getting the other ones, MP being the first, then PW and Signals...over three months I bought all their albums except for CoS and didn't listen to much else during those 3-4 months (except for Triumph's live Stages album...I guess I was infected by Canuckitis!)

 

At the end of that fourth month, which was September 1987, I was highly anticipating HYF coming out

 

The problem? HYF DID come out...and you could see the smile drop from my face from the moon. I loved Force Ten, but kept waiting for other songs on the album to actually, you know, ROCK or something...

 

My early faith in Rush wasn't really restored until way later in 1993 when CP came out, only to be followed by TFE which I haven't listened to since the last century. Mind you, I saw them in concert seven times and was NEVER once disappointed, even when they played the newer material which clearly sounded better live.

Edited April 7 by PurpleHayes

[treeduck]

The first RUSH album that amazed me and was the one I kept going back to was Permanent Waves. And then it was Hemispheres and 2112. After that it was A Farewell to Kings. This was before Moving Pictures was released.

[zepphead]

Album: A Farewell To Kings

When:

  From - Day of release in 1977

  To - Now

 

In terms of individual tracks - I have a total obsession with Xanadu

Edited April 8 by zepphead

[blueschica]

9 hours ago, zepphead said:

Album: A Farewell To Kings

When:

  From - Day of release in 1977

  To - Now

 

In terms of individual tracks - I have a total obsession with Xanadu

Yes!

[Leanne]

I love Xanadu!!

 

Other songs:

 

Working Man

Lakeside Park

One Little Victory

Secret Touch

Headlong Flight

Far Cry

 

And I know I'm missing a few. My obsession comes and goes. Usually when I don't hear the song for awhile and then out of the blue, I hear the song, the obsession starts over again.

 

[malm_51]

2112 back in 76! I was hooked from the first sound effects of Overture! My sister got the album when it came out, I basically borrowed it from her and it didn't leave the turntable for a month or two. Then got into other stuff at the time, drifted away a bit till 1980. Was really into "live" albums at that time and saw All the Worlds a Stage at the local record store. I've got to get this! Boom!! total Rush fan from that point onwards! Still have the double gatefold LP somewhere in the collection. Permanent Waves was then released, loved it! The rest of the back catalogue was then purchased slowly on a paper route salary!

Edited April 10 by malm_51

[taurus]

Here's Alex's 5 songs that changed his life

 

 

[taurus]

2112

first heard at my older cousin's place

was on the throne heard the opening spaceship sounds and the Overture opening notes. Was like a bolt of lightning, hurried up my business and rushed out to find out who and what this amazing space sound was. Would have been the year of release not sure of the exact date. Summer would be my guess

[blueschica]

On 4/9/2025 at 9:01 PM, Leanne said:

I love Xanadu!!

 

Other songs:

 

Working Man

Lakeside Park

One Little Victory

Secret Touch

Headlong Flight

Far Cry

 

And I know I'm missing a few. My obsession comes and goes. Usually when I don't hear the song for awhile and then out of the blue, I hear the song, the obsession starts over again.

 

Xanadu is a great one, it never gets old!

[chemistry1973]

Force 10. For like, years.

[Timbale]

I discovered Rush through my older brother when I was 10 or 11...that was '82/'83.  It was an interesting time to get into them, because Signals was their newest record, which I loved.  But I was discovering everything at the same time, so in a way The Weapon and The Necromancer were all the same to me...I loved it all.

 

Having said that, I had a taped version of Permanent Waves that I couldn't stop listening to...and the 1-2 punch of Different Strings into Natural Science just killed me.  Natural Science was just perfect to me, and is still the essential Rush track I think.

[Timbale]

On 4/10/2025 at 9:51 PM, chemistry1973 said:

Force 10. For like, years.

That drop into the chorus "Look in to the eye of the storm..." is such a good moment.  A bit reminiscent of Analog Kid, which is also a fave transition of mine. 

[PurpleHayes]

3 hours ago, Timbale said:

Natural Science was just perfect to me, and is still the essential Rush track I think.

 

 

You're darn tootin'. It's got everything: acoustic and electric guitars, synths, awesome bass, outstanding drums, thoughtful and philosophical lyrics...I had a college friend who always believed that if he listened to Natural Science, Chemistry, Digital Man, and Vital Signs the night before any science test it would improve his grade.

Edited April 15 by PurpleHayes

[HemiBeers]

I bought ATWAS without ever hearing Rush. Big leap of faith since that was a double album and ran about $10 at the time. The kickass cover sold it for me. Once Bastille starting playing I was hooked.

[JARG]

9 minutes ago, HemiBeers said:

I bought ATWAS without ever hearing Rush. Big leap of faith since that was a double album and ran about $10 at the time. The kickass cover sold it for me. Once Bastille starting playing I was hooked.

That's amazing. I don't think I've ever bought an album without first having heard at least something by the band.

[HemiBeers]

4 hours ago, JARG said:

That's amazing. I don't think I've ever bought an album without first having heard at least something by the band.

Rush was not listened to by my small circle of friends in high school. On top of that, the only FM radio that I could get was the typical AOR of the 70s...boston, eagles, fleetwood mac, etc. I remember seeing the 2112 album on the list of Columbia House records for 10 for a penny. That caught my curiosity since our house address was 2112 first street. Totally being honest...that house was built by my father and still in the family and currently owned by my nephew. 

[PurpleHayes]

4 hours ago, JARG said:

That's amazing. I don't think I've ever bought an album without first having heard at least something by the band.

 

Thank goodness the album he saw that day wasn't by New Kids On The Block.

[HemiBeers]

14 hours ago, PurpleHayes said:

 

Thank goodness the album he saw that day wasn't by New Kids On The Block.

Somehow I don't think New Kids on the Block would have that album cover impact of ATWAS. I remember thinking 'I don't really know these guys, but if the album is like the cover...this is gonna rawk!'