Drat for Wp#1
By, Lawrence Waterhouse
Rush
Try to draw from all of their albums in an effort to illustrate the artist/band’s evolution or growth, and not necessarily the Top 10 most popular hit songs (if those exist).
Working man
In 1981, The Canadian band Rush delivered the killer track, Working Man, that kick started a luxurious career that none of the members anticipated. In a age where Britain and the united states were dominating the music scene Rush was able to give a fresh look at rock and roll and psychedelic rock. With a singer that pours his heart in to his lyrics and a drummer that some critics called “the third hand”, it isn’t surprising that the world began to obsess. Working Man appealed to the blue-collar workers around the world, that desired a harder demeanor than bands like the Beetles or Beach Boys. The lyrics “lock it up, seven to eight, I go to work at nine, I got no time for living yeah because I’m working all the time” was a chorus that shock the very essence of our society. The ripples from this track are still seen today, and continue to form the mentality of children and adults alike.
As a child my parents understood who Rush were but didn’t value the strides that this band made during my parents child hood (this is not my parent’s fault Haha). Once I was around the age of 13, I started to dive deeper in to the music that my father listened to as a child. This include the glam rock bands of the late 70s and early 80s. while I was searching the internet for more bangers that I could rock out to. I crossed by this song and after just a few listens I was hooked. I could tell there was no going back to my old genre of rock. The “rush” was permanently in my Bloodstream.
Farewell to Kings
In the early age of Rush’s career, the band distinctively belonged to the hard rock genre but that would quickly change with the release of A Farewell to Kings album. This album was released during the psychedelic age of the mid 80s, capitalizing of the growing interest in music, Rush was able to come into there own. The specific song named after the album cover is a great example of the shift in genres. With a more flowy rhythm and hypnotic lyrics, the band was able to create a safe place for hippies and stoners. Although Rush was changing their genre, this did not mean that they dropped hard rock completely. A mixture of both albums was accurately depicted in there music but specifically the sound A Farewell to Kings.
After listening to Rush’s music, the audience can see that the band is fighting against the individuals in our world that control majority of the power. And this since accurately depicts this. The band expressed there discomfort in our world at the time and used their power of influence to convey their message to the world. An example of this expression can be heard in the lyric “beating down the magnitude, and stopping at the wise”. This lyric means destroy the individuals or entities with too much power while leaving the groups that are smart enough to help the entire society. Government change should be addressed before social reform.
Limelight
The magnum opus of Rush’s career, defined Rush as a rock and roll legend that will be passed down for generations to come. If you haven’t heard this anthem, take the time to listen to the 4:19 master piece. Even individuals that are unable to listen to the rock genre are able to appreciate the musical symphony of “Limelight”.
“Those who wish to be, must put aside the alienation, get on with the fascination the real relation, the underlining mean.” Wow just saying this lyric in my head almost brings a tear to my eye. The ability for Rush to understand the pros and cons of there future in the music industry is beyond self-conscious and shows their audience that they aren’t in it for the money they are in this business to change the lives of millions of people.
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone was released in there 40th anniversary album “2112”. The song follows a story that acts more as a ballad then a structured song. This is uncommon for rush but has been seen before. The 21st century technology allows Rush to manipulate their sound in a way unseen during their prime. The Twilight Zone acts as a glimpse into what could have been if this band came out during a more modern time. Synthesizers and computer editing changed the typical sound of Rush without destroying the essence of the band that resonated with so many people.
Red Sector A
The most divergent song that Rush has ever produced. A dramatic symphony that delves in to the mind set of a prisoner of an unfair leader. There are many references of global tragedies that have occur in our past within this song. The turmoil of war and imprisonment are hard ships that all nations have seen in their history and Rush uses their plat form to discuss the history of one of their members. Geddy Lee the lead singer of Rush was raised in a Jewish house hold and has respected his religion by discussing difficult topics within their music and in interviews. This hasn’t been delved into as much but I would predict that Red Sector A is a great analysis of the torture that Jewish individuals went through during the Holocaust during World War II. An example of this assumption is heard in the lyric, “Ragged light, ragged grey, skeletons they shuffle away, shouting guards and smoking guns, cut down the unlucky ones, I clutch the wire fence until my finger bleed, a wound that will not heal, a heart that can not feel, hoping that the horror will recede, hoping tomorrow we all be free”. This is one of the most disturbing and insightful lyrics Rush has ever produced. Geddy Lee was born to two polish Jewish immigrants during the second to last year of the second world war. He was able to see the destruction of this genocide first hand, imprinting on his mind and driving his ambition throughout his life and career.
Time Stand Still
Close your eyes, what is the first song you think of when you hear when you think of summer…. Boys of summer, summer of 69, or something that has a more emotional connection to you. When I dream of summer there is only one song that comes to mind, and that is the masterpiece Time Stand Still. There is no rhyme or reason to my connection to this song but there is an emotional relationship that I have with this song that hasn’t faded since I first uncovered it. Time Stand Still doesn’t reference any summer activity or weather occurrence but when I close my eyes and feel the sound of Neal Peart’s rhythm the image of laying on the beach at midnight with a person in my arms is the only thought on my mind. Even though I’m still a young individual the sound of this anthem sends me back to a simpler time where my worries were smaller and less significant. Time truly stands still when I toss this song on in my car and I will cherish the memories that I have experienced while listening to this amazing track.
This song reminds me to never let time slip away from me and be thankful for every person within my life.
Far Cry
In the sound Far Cry by Rush
Spirit of the Radio
Finally, we will discuss my favorite song of all time
“All this machinery making modern music and still be open-hearted, lots of bullets shouted and the question all your honesty… yeah your honesty, one likes to believe in the freedom of music, glittering eyes and endless compromises, shatter the illusion of integrity.”
Musical writing 