treeduck Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Ok here I am asking yet another Rush related question. The middle 8, a departure from the songs main verse/chorus melodic structure/direction, so called because it tends to occur in the middle of the song and is often 8 bars long. That's all very interesting but, which is your favourite Rush middle 8? The one that's in my head right now and one I really like is the one in Hand Over Fist, which I think is actually stronger musically than the rest of the song, especially the chorus (maybe they should have made a song out of the middle 8). For those who are confused it's the part that goes: Take a walk outside myself In some exotic land Greet a passing stranger Feel the strength in his hand Feel the world expand Yes the part that changes in the middle... Ok so now I've asked the question, time for you to formulate your answers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DmanYYZ Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 It's a great question Tree. This one is going to take some time to answer honestly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyndale2112 Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Not a great fan of over synthisised music but the middle 8 of Middletown Dreams is absolutly superd. Very melodic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 "You can surrender without a prayer But never really pray Pray without surrender You can fight, fight without ever winning But never, ever win Win without a fight..." - "Resist", Test for Echo Hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padfoot Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 QUOTE (Kudzu @ Oct 4 2006, 07:06 PM) "You can surrender without a prayer But never really pray Pray without surrender You can fight, fight without ever winning But never, ever win Win without a fight..." - "Resist", Test for Echo Hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrHands Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 You're the first person, other than myself, that I've heard refer to the "middle 8"...cool. That's a hard one to answer... Hand Over Fist is a good one...I love that song. Middletown Dreams is also most excellent, as is Marathon. The breakdown/middle 8 in Freewill kicks major tail, as does Red Barchetta. Heck...they're all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangiatoman Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 QUOTE (Kudzu @ Oct 4 2006, 06:06 PM) "You can surrender without a prayer But never really pray Pray without surrender You can fight, fight without ever winning But never, ever win Win without a fight..." - "Resist", Test for Echo Hands down. DYNOMITE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. P. L. Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Marathon is the best lyrically: "You can do a lot in a lifetime..." also: War Paint Available Light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DmanYYZ Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 "Don't want to silence A desperate voice For the sake of security No one wants to make a terrible choice On the price of being free I don't want to face the killer instinct- Face it in you or me So we keep it under lock and key..." Is this a middle 8? There are a bunch of good ones. I think what makes them cool is the singularly awesome sound of Geddy's voice like a calm spot in a storm of sound...and then the beat is picked up again by a great roll from Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesweetscience Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 QUOTE (DmanYYZ @ Oct 5 2006, 08:51 AM) "Don't want to silence A desperate voice For the sake of security No one wants to make a terrible choice On the price of being free I don't want to face the killer instinct- Face it in you or me So we keep it under lock and key..." Is this a middle 8? There are a bunch of good ones. I think what makes them cool is the singularly awesome sound of Geddy's voice like a calm spot in a storm of sound...and then the beat is picked up again by a great roll from Neil. I think that part would be the chorus. The middle eight (even though its really at the end) would be: "We don't want to be victims On that we all agree So we lock up the killer instinct And throw away the key" Its the little section of the song thats musically different from the rest of the song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DmanYYZ Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Roger That. Well I guess I have my "mission" for the day. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted October 5, 2006 Author Share Posted October 5, 2006 QUOTE (DmanYYZ @ Oct 5 2006, 08:51 AM) "Don't want to silence A desperate voice For the sake of security No one wants to make a terrible choice On the price of being free I don't want to face the killer instinct- Face it in you or me So we keep it under lock and key..." Is this a middle 8? There are a bunch of good ones. I think what makes them cool is the singularly awesome sound of Geddy's voice like a calm spot in a storm of sound...and then the beat is picked up again by a great roll from Neil. No that's the chorus, there's no true middle 8 in Lock and Key but there's something like one that's half spoken but it's really a version of the chorus only slowed down somewhat, here it is: We don't want to be victims On that we all agree So we lock up the killer instinct And throw away the key. This song has a chorus, verses and a pre-chorus bridge but not a proper middle 8 it's more of a chanted chorus interlude... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesweetscience Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 QUOTE (treeduck @ Oct 5 2006, 12:20 PM) QUOTE (DmanYYZ @ Oct 5 2006, 08:51 AM) "Don't want to silence A desperate voice For the sake of security No one wants to make a terrible choice On the price of being free I don't want to face the killer instinct- Face it in you or me So we keep it under lock and key..." Is this a middle 8? There are a bunch of good ones. I think what makes them cool is the singularly awesome sound of Geddy's voice like a calm spot in a storm of sound...and then the beat is picked up again by a great roll from Neil. No that's the chorus, there's no true middle 8 in Lock and Key but there's something like one that's half spoken but it's really a version of the chorus only slowed down somewhat, here it is: We don't want to be victims On that we all agree So we lock up the killer instinct And throw away the key. This song has a chorus, verses and a pre-chorus bridge but not a proper middle 8 it's more of a chanted chorus interlude... I stand corrected!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lerxt1990 Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Neurotica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DmanYYZ Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Ok...Ghost of a Chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azechiel Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Just for reference, another name for the middle 8 (especially if it isn't 8) would be to refer to it as the bridge. As for my choice, no idea. Maybe I'll think about it more later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZYRANNIX Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Wow! Some very interesting, but great, choices. I don't think the boys can write a bad "middle eight". One of my favourites is The Trees, the bit with the bass pedals, the middle of the next song on that album is pretty damn good too, specially the guitar solo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted October 7, 2006 Share Posted October 7, 2006 QUOTE (Kudzu @ Oct 5 2006, 12:06 AM) "You can surrender without a prayer But never really pray Pray without surrender You can fight, fight without ever winning But never, ever win Win without a fight..." - "Resist", Test for Echo Hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadwing2112 Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 I don't think is would count but I'll post anyways. Summer's going fast, nights growing colder Children growing up, old friends growing older Freeze this moment a little bit longer Make each impression a little bit stronger I love those lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridge Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 Off the top of my head: 1. lakeside Park 2. Losing It 3. The Enemy Within Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted October 8, 2006 Author Share Posted October 8, 2006 Another one I like is unusual and very cool, from the excellent Open Secrets which isn't a very talked-about song... Here's the middle 8 section, it's just before the guitar solo... I find no absolution In my rational point of view Maybe some things are instinctive But there's one thing you could do You could try to understand me I could try to understand you. You could try to understand me I could try to understand you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted November 7, 2006 Author Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Oct 5 2006, 02:23 PM) Neurotica. Yeah this has a cool middle 8: SNAP! Hide in your shell, let the world go to hell It's like Russian roulette to you SNAP! Sweat running cold, you can't face growing old It's a personal threat to you SNAP! The world is a cage for your impotent rage But don't let it get to you SNAP! Which sets up a stunning Lerxt guitar break... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
third hand grace Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 I like the middle 8 in the rhythm method Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted November 7, 2006 Author Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE (third hand grace @ Nov 7 2006, 08:20 AM) I like the middle 8 in the rhythm method I used to think you were a chick Gracey but i realise that a girl wouldn't ever come out with a comment like that... (think about it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of a Rider Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Prime Mover I set the wheels in motion Turn up all the machines Activate the programs And run behind the scenes I set the clouds in motion Turn up light and sound Activate the window Watch the world go around I'm not sure if it's my favorite but it's the first one to come to mind. The ending of that song gives me chills the way they made Geddy's voice trail off like that. I also like the one in Hand Over Fist a lot. I'm sure I'll think of others later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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