Schro Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 I'm just going to start off with one of my favorite songs in this category. Something for nothing. I don't think there's another song in the Rush catalogue that has better use of soft and hard passages to contrast each other, that work so well with the message. It starts out soft and peaceful, and unbeknownst to the new listener, the hard rock monster lurks around the corner. Just when the quiet passage starts rolling, your brain lets its defenses down and prepares for a nice, mellow tune. But no, it's a "wake the f*ck up and smell the coffee jones, your life is passing you by because you're sittin' on your lazy ass wiling the days away. You know what you should be doing, now get off your butt and start doing something with your life!!" Full guitars Alex! Wicked fills Neil! Screech the lyrics Ged! This lazy sh*t listener needs a kick in the @*^%! I admit it, I'm a bit warped. When writing the above, I started thinking about what might happen to someone who'd never heard 2112 before and pops it in.. The following was overheard when Steve, age 15, put in 2112 for the first time and got to the last track, Something For Nothing: Steve: Ooh, that's a pretty guitar part. Looks like they decided to end the cd on a nice, peaceful number.. Steve: I bet they start singing about elves and quiet rivers or something. I'll just sit back with my headphones and turn it up a bit.. [20 seconds later..] Steve: WHAT THE..!! must.. reach.. volume knob.. [3 minutes later] Steve: (sobbing) OK! OK! I'll start doing my schoolwork! I'll start practicing more! I'm sorry, man! You're right, my life has been a waste - I promise never to be lazy again!! Now get off my case already!! *** I guess what I'm trying to say here is I really like how the music matches the mood and story of this song. I want to hear from you guys. What songs in your opinion does the music fit the words perfectly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Porschetta Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Marathon and Time and Motion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowdog Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 The Analog Kid. The music and lyrics work together so that I can see that boy laying in the grass and pulling down that cap over his eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pags Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 I agree with all mentioned above. I'd like to throw The Pass into the mix. I don't there there is a better connection of words to music than this song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickyrob Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Cygnus X-1 Of course. The quiet start, as Rocinante sails through deep space...in space no-one can hear you scream.... Then Cygnus takes over and draws the defenceless ship towards it dragging with it whole stars, warping the very fabric of space and time. This is depicted with the mayhem of guitar riff....help! Then the singularity is passed and Rocinante enters a parallel universe, another World, another time? All is calm again, the spaceship survives (heartbeats....) enter Part Two... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowdog Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 QUOTE (rickyrob @ Feb 7 2005, 05:04 PM) Cygnus X-1 Of course. The quiet start, as Rocinante sails through deep space...in space no-one can hear you scream.... Then Cygnus takes over and draws the defenceless ship towards it dragging with it whole stars, warping the very fabric of space and time. This is depicted with the mayhem of guitar riff....help! Then the singularity is passed and Rocinante enters a parallel universe, another World, another time? All is calm again, the spaceship survives (heartbeats....) enter Part Two... very good description. It does match perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital Man Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Just MHO but I think the follwing song takes the prize for this thread: Red Barchetta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleAgent420 Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 By-Tor and the Snowdog!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pags Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Ah!!!! Driven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New World Kid Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 No one said Xanadu yet? How couldn't they? ANother good song for that kind of thing, Imo is Time Stand Still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slacker Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 My pick? Red Barchetta... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor & the Jazz Bass Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 How about Cinderella Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indica Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 The Pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indica Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Marathon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RushGuru Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 The Fountain of Lamneth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RushGuru Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Also all of 2112. Especially Presentation and Soliloquy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob's Bladder Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 The Pass, Bravado, and Red Barchetta are obvious winners. Can't believe nobody mentioned Bravado yet (I think)! The mood of the song, in particular Alex's beautiful slow-burn of a guitar solo, are perfect for the lyrics. In the not-so-obvious category are Available Light (very moody), Earthshine (I remember reading that the guys rewrote this because the original music did not do the lyrics justice), Mystic Rhythms (spooky, mysterious tempo/beat), Tai Shan, ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proggy Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 If I'm allowed to mention just one...LOSING IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animan Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Bravado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animan Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Which songs don,t? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of a Rider Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 Gosh, there are so many. After all, this is one of the many marks of a good musician; to create the mood of the music to match the lyrics. And Rush are the masters at this. Don Henley is another master at it. In the interest of expediency, here are some but not all of my choices. Otherwise I'll be here all day. Available Light Mystic Rhythms Open Secrets Witch Hunt Mission Prime Mover Middletown Dreams Afterimage Between The Wheels The Pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfuentes Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 Don't forget 2112... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schro Posted February 12, 2005 Author Share Posted February 12, 2005 I agree Rush is particulary adept at this, and one could make an argument to include practically every one of their songs on this list. However, despite their talent in this regard, some songs rise above the rest in this category. I just wanted to hear from all of you what you thought. Thanks for all the contributions, I agree with every one of them!! Schro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutman Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 Hey Schro, funny you should mention "Something for Nothing" you nailed it!! Your description is pretty in depth. I the ATWAS version, the croud at the begining and the sound of Alex's guitar is so AWSOME!! I love the first driving heavy sound, alway's waiting with anticipation for it. To me the live version is best it just has a more of an edge/distorted sound with Alex's guitar it. Gonna listen to it right now troutman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolinda Bonz Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 Natural Science does this the best. Or 2112. No...wait, The Pass IS perfect. I think Animan's right, "which songs don't?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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