Mathguy64 said:

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Xanadu, Limelight by a hair, Red Barchetta just because, and Spirit of Radio.

7 of the 8 are strong choices. That 4 album run from 2112 to MP is as good as it gets for any band not called the Beatles or LZ.

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Agreed..... except it was a 5 album run.

2112 1976
A Farewell to Kings 1977
Hemispheres 1978
Permanent Waves 1980
Moving Pictures 1981

Every song in the top 8 and 14 of the top 16 were from that period. The exceptions were just outside that run
Fly by Night 1975
Subdivisions 1982



my votes also differ on all
Tom Sawyer - it's the best song period. imho
YYZ - the fact that an instrumental is among their best songs says so much, it gets my vote
2112 - epic magnum opus, and i love red barchetta the narrative, song, everything.
A Farewell to Kings - Spirit of the Radio is just too radio friendly. that was the intent and it is good but it doesn't hook me as much because of that. the uniqueness of AFTK wins out for me.

That said - I am not offended by anyones votes on these 8. To each his own and we are talking about the best 8 songs of a legendary band.

Zombie Jon Snow said:

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Mathguy64 said:

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Xanadu, Limelight by a hair, Red Barchetta just because, and Spirit of Radio.

7 of the 8 are strong choices. That 4 album run from 2112 to MP is as good as it gets for any band not called the Beatles or LZ.

---

Agreed..... except it was a 5 album run.

2112 1976
A Farewell to Kings 1977
Hemispheres 1978
Permanent Waves 1980
Moving Pictures 1981

Every song in the top 8 and 14 of the top 16 were from that period. The exceptions were just outside that run
Fly by Night 1975
Subdivisions 1982



my votes also differ on all
Tom Sawyer - it's the best song period. imho
YYZ - the fact that an instrumental is among their best songs says so much, it gets my vote
2112 - epic magnum opus, and i love red barchetta the narrative, song, everything.
A Farewell to Kings - Spirit of the Radio is just too radio friendly. that was the intent and it is good but it doesn't hook me as much because of that. the uniqueness of AFTK wins out for me.

That said - I am not offended by anyones votes on these 8. To each his own and we are talking about the best 8 songs of a legendary band.

---

I'd include Signals in that great album run, too. Subdivisions got all the glory and radio/video airplay, but the rest of the album is very strong. I love Countdown, Chemistry, and Losing It, too.

Man my mind went to much and forgot FtK. The cold is getting to me.

Mathguy64 said:

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Xanadu, Limelight by a hair, Red Barchetta just because, and Spirit of Radio.

7 of the 8 are strong choices. That 4 album run from 2112 to MP is as good as it gets for any band not called the Beatles or LZ.

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Just curious, which 1 is not a strong choice, in your opinion?

IMHO A Farewell to Kings isn't on the same level as the other 7.

I would also rank it below La Villa, Freewill, Subdivisions, The Trees, The Garden and The Wreckers.

The catalog is deep.

Zombie Jon Snow said:

---

Mathguy64 said:

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Xanadu, Limelight by a hair, Red Barchetta just because, and Spirit of Radio.

7 of the 8 are strong choices. That 4 album run from 2112 to MP is as good as it gets for any band not called the Beatles or LZ.

---

Agreed..... except it was a 5 album run.

2112 1976
A Farewell to Kings 1977
Hemispheres 1978
Permanent Waves 1980
Moving Pictures 1981

Every song in the top 8 and 14 of the top 16 were from that period. The exceptions were just outside that run
Fly by Night 1975
Subdivisions 1982



my votes also differ on all
Tom Sawyer - it's the best song period. imho
YYZ - the fact that an instrumental is among their best songs says so much, it gets my vote
2112 - epic magnum opus, and i love red barchetta the narrative, song, everything.
A Farewell to Kings - Spirit of the Radio is just too radio friendly. that was the intent and it is good but it doesn't hook me as much because of that. the uniqueness of AFTK wins out for me.

That said - I am not offended by anyones votes on these 8. To each his own and we are talking about the best 8 songs of a legendary band.

---

You guys must have missed my post at the bottom of page 1 where I mentioned that 5 album run.

Here's my own top 8 Rush masterpieces. They all come from those 5. That takes away nothing from the other incredible stuff they did, but the combination of youthful exuberance and experimentation with the experience they gained up until 2112 on through to Moving Pictures was just magical, and caused the creation of my favorite music ever.

My Top 8 (based on what I crave to hear the most today)

Hemispheres (Cygnus X-1, Book 2)
Xanadu (Exit... Stage Left version)
La Villa Strangiato
The Trees
Red Barchetta
The Camera Eye
2112
Natural Science

As always with me and Rush, this list could change tomorrow.

Thanks again to OP. This has been really fun, and I look forward to see if Tom Sawyer can be beat.

Mathguy64 said:

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IMHO A Farewell to Kings isn't on the same level as the other 7.

I would also rank it below La Villa, Freewill, Subdivisions, The Trees, The Garden and The Wreckers.

The catalog is deep.

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I love A Farewell To Kings, but must agree. I think it had a much easier run to the last 8 than those others, but I think the run is over.

snowdog90 said:

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Zombie Jon Snow said:

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Mathguy64 said:

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Xanadu, Limelight by a hair, Red Barchetta just because, and Spirit of Radio.

7 of the 8 are strong choices. That 4 album run from 2112 to MP is as good as it gets for any band not called the Beatles or LZ.

---

Agreed..... except it was a 5 album run.

2112 1976
A Farewell to Kings 1977
Hemispheres 1978
Permanent Waves 1980
Moving Pictures 1981

Every song in the top 8 and 14 of the top 16 were from that period. The exceptions were just outside that run
Fly by Night 1975
Subdivisions 1982



my votes also differ on all
Tom Sawyer - it's the best song period. imho
YYZ - the fact that an instrumental is among their best songs says so much, it gets my vote
2112 - epic magnum opus, and i love red barchetta the narrative, song, everything.
A Farewell to Kings - Spirit of the Radio is just too radio friendly. that was the intent and it is good but it doesn't hook me as much because of that. the uniqueness of AFTK wins out for me.

That said - I am not offended by anyones votes on these 8. To each his own and we are talking about the best 8 songs of a legendary band.

---

You guys must have missed my post at the bottom of page 1 where I mentioned that 5 album run.

Here's my own top 8 Rush masterpieces. They all come from those 5. That takes away nothing from the other incredible stuff they did, but the combination of youthful exuberance and experimentation with the experience they gained up until 2112 on through to Moving Pictures was just magical, and caused the creation of my favorite music ever.

My Top 8 (based on what I crave to hear the most today)

Hemispheres (Cygnus X-1, Book 2)
Xanadu (Exit... Stage Left version)
La Villa Strangiato
The Trees
Red Barchetta
The Camera Eye
2112
Natural Science

As always with me and Rush, this list could change tomorrow. Thanks again to OP. This has been really fun, and I look forward to see if Tom Sawyer can be beat.

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No I saw your post about it - just correcting his.

For me it is all interesting I expected these or at least 7 of these in the final 8 - popularity isn't necessarily "the best" stuff. And that's fine. Like you my Rush appreciation runs really really wide.

I have no less than 8 full playlists of Rush music - and I'll play any of them on almost any given day.

Rush Greatest Hits - 32 songs
Rush Deep cuts - 48 more that I really like a lot
Rush Live - 239 songs from 12 Live albums
Rush Instrumentals - 11 songs
Rush Magnum Opus - 10 songs all longer than 8:30 the longest is 2112 of course
Rush Studio - 164 songs (original studio releases, does not include Feedback)
Rush R40 setlist - the last concert in order studio versions
Rush Fear Tetralogy - the four songs making up the Fear collection

403 total Rush recordings

Quote:

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Xanadu (Exit... Stage Left version)

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Yes! I prefer that one as well.

You missed one: the "Fear" playlist.

The Enemy Within - Grace Under Pressure
The Weapon - Signals
Witch Hunt - Moving Pictures
Freeze - Vapor Trails

G Martin 87 said:

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You missed one: the "Fear" playlist.

The Enemy Within - Grace Under Pressure
The Weapon - Signals
Witch Hunt - Moving Pictures
Freeze - Vapor Trails

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No I actually have that too..... forgot to list it.

Fear Tetralogy is how I list it.

AggieChemist said:

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Limelight vs. the trees made me cuss myself.

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agree

ELITE 8 RESULTS

BRACKET 1 CHAMPIONSHIP

1. "Tom Sawyer," Moving Pictures (1981) 64%
2. "Xanadu," A Farewell to Kings (1977) 36%

BRACKET 2 CHAMPIONSHIP

1. "Limelight," Moving Pictures (1981) 69%
6. "YYZ," Moving Pictures (1981) 31%

BRACKET 3 CHAMPIONSHIP

1. "Red Barchetta," Moving Pictures (1981) 46%
3. "2112," 2112 (1976) 54%

BRACKET 4 CHAMPIONSHIP

1. "A Farewell to Kings," A Farewell to Kings (1977) 20%
2. "The Spirit of Radio," Permanent Waves (1980) 80%

FINAL FOUR

https://forms.gle/aNK2abp8RmCSasWS6


1. "Tom Sawyer," Moving Pictures (1981)



1. "Limelight," Moving Pictures (1981)






3. "2112," 2112 (1976)



2. "The Spirit of Radio," Permanent Waves (1980)

You're making me pick between Tom Sawyer and Limelight? That is a real Sophie's Choice moment.

G Martin 87 said:

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You missed one: the "Fear" playlist.

The Enemy Within - Grace Under Pressure
The Weapon - Signals
Witch Hunt - Moving Pictures
Freeze - Vapor Trails

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I had no idea there was a 4th part to the series. I guess I mostly focus on the album era from 1980-1989 (Permanent Waves thru Presto).

Their stylistic change post Vapor Trails seemed to have a flowing, folksy lyrical pace with more words per verse.
The album production mix had a "wall of sound" style too.

I liked when their 80's minimal lyrics' rhythm were actually riffs & worked tightly with the drums (i.e., Losing It, Countdown, Subdivisions, Red Barchetta, The Body Electric, Manhattan Project, etc.).

FINAL FOUR RESULTS:

1. "Tom Sawyer," Moving Pictures (1981) 59%
1. "Limelight," Moving Pictures (1981) 41%

3. "2112," 2112 (1976) 51%
2. "The Spirit of Radio," Permanent Waves (1980) 49%


Setting up the championship of

1. "Tom Sawyer," Moving Pictures (1981)
3. "2112," 2112 (1976)

VOTE HERE NOW

https://forms.gle/B8eg86DTbsRHWC6L9

Wow 51 to 49% haha

Quote:

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1. "Limelight," Moving Pictures (1981) 57%
5. "The Trees," Hemispheres (1978) 43%

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This was my final.

Personal final 4 long songs

Hemispheres Book 2
2112
La Villa Strangiato
Xanadu (live version E...SL)

Personal final 4 mainstream

Tom Sawyer
Freewill
Red Barchetta
The Trees

Personal final 8 post-Moving Pictures

Time Stand Still
New World Man
Earthshine
Secret Touch
Kid Gloves
Presto
Between The Wheels
The Body Electric

snowdog90 said:

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Personal final 4 long songs

Hemispheres Book 2
2112
La Villa Strangiato
Xanadu (live version E...SL)

Personal final 4 mainstream

Tom Sawyer
Freewill
Red Barchetta
The Trees

Personal final 8 post-Moving Pictures

Time Stand Still
New World Man
Earthshine
Secret Touch
Kid Gloves
Presto
Between The Wheels
The Body Electric

---

No love for Test For Echo?

Been listening to clockwork angels again. Really love "the wreckers"

Troutslime said:

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snowdog90 said:

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Personal final 4 long songs

Hemispheres Book 2
2112
La Villa Strangiato
Xanadu (live version E...SL)

Personal final 4 mainstream

Tom Sawyer
Freewill
Red Barchetta
The Trees

Personal final 8 post-Moving Pictures

Time Stand Still
New World Man
Earthshine
Secret Touch
Kid Gloves
Presto
Between The Wheels
The Body Electric

---

No love for Test For Echo?

---

Psssh.... not one track from Clockwork Angels. That's the crime.

Best album since MP imho.

But I know many kind of grew up in that Signals to Presto or Roll the Bones era. My cousin did and has more love for those, where I was a 2112 to Moving Pictures era person. My top 12 or maybe more would have nothing outside that era for sure.

I think it all depends what your period of intro to them was and your age.

Well, the results are in and I am diappoint in all of you.

1. "Tom Sawyer," Moving Pictures (1981) 67%
3. "2112," 2112 (1976) 33%

Tom Sawyer is a great classic rock song, but really shouldn't have made a legitimate top 8. I thought it would get crushed in the finals.

The Spirit of Radio
Closer to the Heart
Limelight
Red Barchetta
2112
A Passage to Bangkok
Working Man
The Trees

I'd put all of these ahead of it, along with La Villa Strangiato, Freewill, and In the Mood.

Well, this was fun. Thanks for playing along.


And you're wrong.

I'd guess over 75% of those that saw the thread would have predicted Tom Sawyer wins.
It is one of their best - easy too 10 if not top 5 but I agree there are a handful of better Rush songs.
Now if you did a poll on favorite in a different format - have everyone name their top 5 and then tally the votes, TS would be further down the list.

If you didnt see that coming I dont know what to tell you.

It's like being disappointed when something Star Wars wins a contest. Or every contest.

Tom Sawyer is easily their best known and most accessible song and gets the most airplay.

That's doesnt mean it is the best but it means it will win popularity contests.

Zombie Jon Snow said:

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I used to look at Rush in terms of 4 album periods - partly because for the first 16 albums they released a Live collection every 4th album.

But it makes more sense in mostly 3 (and one set of 4) album groupings:

Early classic period - finding a sound and direction, heavyish metal (not heavy)

• Rush
• Fly By Night
• Caress of Steel

Prog Rock and concept album period - long compositions and prog rock emphasis

• 2112
• A Farewell to Kings
• Hemispheres

Prog Lite - still rock and Prog centric but more radio friendly

• Permanent Waves
• Moving Pictures
• Signals - honestly this is halfway to synth between MP and GUP in sound

Synth era

• Grace Under Pressure
• Power Windows
• Hold your Fire

Post Synth eras (could be one grouping but 2 subgroups to me)
A: Rock Lite

• Presto
• Roll the Bones

B: Alt Rock influence

• Counterparts
• Test for Echo

Return to Rock era - more guitar centric and heavier

• Vapor Trails
• Snakes and Arrows
• Clockwork Angels

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Great break-down and explains why I really love the "Return to Rock era" releases.

Troutslime said:

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snowdog90 said:

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Personal final 4 long songs

Hemispheres Book 2
2112
La Villa Strangiato
Xanadu (live version E...SL)

Personal final 4 mainstream

Tom Sawyer
Freewill
Red Barchetta
The Trees

Personal final 8 post-Moving Pictures

Time Stand Still
New World Man
Earthshine
Secret Touch
Kid Gloves
Presto
Between The Wheels
The Body Electric

---

No love for Test For Echo?

---

Nope.

Zombie Jon Snow said:

---

Troutslime said:

---

snowdog90 said:

---

Personal final 4 long songs

Hemispheres Book 2
2112
La Villa Strangiato
Xanadu (live version E...SL)

Personal final 4 mainstream

Tom Sawyer
Freewill
Red Barchetta
The Trees

Personal final 8 post-Moving Pictures

Time Stand Still
New World Man
Earthshine
Secret Touch
Kid Gloves
Presto
Between The Wheels
The Body Electric

---

No love for Test For Echo?

---

Psssh.... not one track from Clockwork Angels. That's the crime.

Best album since MP imho.

But I know many kind of grew up in that Signals to Presto or Roll the Bones era. My cousin did and has more love for those, where I was a 2112 to Moving Pictures era person. My top 12 or maybe more would have nothing outside that era for sure.

I think it all depends what your period of intro to them was and your age.

---

I appreciate the love for CA. For me, Geddy's voice was at it's best long before CA. The songs are good, but Geddy can't erase all those years on his voice.

Obviously I'm not right or wrong, it's all personal opinion, and it's all part of the repertoire of the greatest band ever. It's all awesome! Well, not all, but 95%, which is still amazing. 70s and 80s are my fave, with a big love for Vapor Trails. I just don't love Clockwork Angels. Maybe it will grow on me.

snowdog90 said:

---

Zombie Jon Snow said:

---

Troutslime said:

---

snowdog90 said:

---

Personal final 4 long songs

Hemispheres Book 2
2112
La Villa Strangiato
Xanadu (live version E...SL)

Personal final 4 mainstream

Tom Sawyer
Freewill
Red Barchetta
The Trees

Personal final 8 post-Moving Pictures

Time Stand Still
New World Man
Earthshine
Secret Touch
Kid Gloves
Presto
Between The Wheels
The Body Electric

---

No love for Test For Echo?

---

Psssh.... not one track from Clockwork Angels. That's the crime.

Best album since MP imho.

But I know many kind of grew up in that Signals to Presto or Roll the Bones era. My cousin did and has more love for those, where I was a 2112 to Moving Pictures era person. My top 12 or maybe more would have nothing outside that era for sure.

I think it all depends what your period of intro to them was and your age.

---

I appreciate the love for CA. For me, Geddy's voice was at it's best long before CA. The songs are good, but Geddy can't erase all those years on his voice.

Obviously I'm not right or wrong, it's all personal opinion, and it's all part of the repertoire of the greatest band ever. It's all awesome! Well, not all, but 95%, which is still amazing. 70s and 80s are my fave, with a big love for Vapor Trails. I just don't love Clockwork Angels. Maybe it will grow on me.

---

Well perhaps. I mean he was able to singer higher earlier with ease and he lost that ability. So some older songs were tougher for him Live.

But the last couple of albums in particular S&A and CA I thought he lowered his register which helped a lot. I mean he may not hit those notes but he was able to perform those songs much better Live since they were lower.

Anyway as you say - so much great to choose from and people loving different eras is very interesting to me.

I'm definitely a 2112 - Moving Pictures timeframe fan. But I loved CA more so than any others since MP. The story struck a chord with me really and it was the first concept album in a long time and it worked for me. Felt truly fortunate too to see the CA tour in Dallas - they performed every song from CA (with a string ensemble) except BU2B and BU2B2 which was not the case on any other stops because they filmed both Dallas shows for the DVD/BR CA Live concert footage. Huge highlight for me. And then I took my son ti his first Rush concert on the R40 tour - his first and their last. Went out on the highest of notes for me.

Fat Bib Fortuna said:

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Tom sawyer wins

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