Rush Discography, 1974-2012

l to r: Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, and Geddy Lee of Rush

Rush 1974-2012

Overview: Canadian power-rock trio formed in Toronto in 1969. Singer/bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson met in 8th grade. They started out playing English blues like the Yardbirds, John Mayall, and Cream and heavy metal from the Who to Led Zeppelin. Rush was built around Lee’s unique vocal style and Lifeson’s rhythm-lead techniques. When drummer Neil Peart joined, he brought a touch of art-rock a la Pink Floyd and King Crimson. His science fiction-inspired imagination fueled concept albums 2112, A Farewell to Kings, and Hemispheres. In the early ‘80s, Rush became a premiere FM radio-oriented group with Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, and Signals. Since then, Rush has become an album rock staple and consistent gold album seller. Only Kiss and Rush have had entire careers of 20+ albums that all have gone gold. According to their website, Rush have sold 40 million albums. The Players: Geddy Lee (vocals, bass: 1969-2015). Born Gary Lee Weinrib on 7/29/1953 in North York, Ontario, Canada. Alex Lifeson (guitar: 1969-2015). Born 8/27/1953 in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. John Rutsey (drums: 1969-1974). Born 7/23/1952 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Died 5/11/2008. Neil Peart (drums: 1974-2015). Born 9/12/1952 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Died 1/7/2020. On the Web: Rush.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia Lists: Top 100 Rush Songs Rush Albums Ranked

Awards:

The Studio Albums: Hover over an album cover to see its title and year of release. Click on the album to go to its dedicated DMDB page. Compilations: R1 Retrospective I (1974-1980, released 1997) R2 Retrospective II (1981-1987, released 1997) SR The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits (1974-1987, released 2003) C Chronicles (1974-1989, released 1990) R3 Retrospective III (1989-2007, released 2009) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to singles charts. Live Albums: AS All the World’s a Stage (1976) ES Exit…Stage Left (1981) SH A Show of Hands (1989) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the live albums are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to singles charts.

Rush

Rating: 2.855 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Released: March 18, 1974 Peak: 105 US, -- UK, 86 CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Finding My Way (8/74, #18 CL) AS, R1, C Need Some Love Take a Friend Here Again What You’re Doing (#23 CL) AS, C In the Mood (single, #11 CL, 31 CN) AS Before and After Working Man (#4 CL) AS, SR, C Total Running Time: 39:51

Fly by Night

Rating: 3.364 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Released: February 15, 1975 Peak: 113 US, -- UK, 9 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Anthem AS, R1, C Best I Can Beneath, Between & Behind ES By-Tor & the Snow Dog (#22 CL) AS, R1 Fly by Night (5/75, #88 US, 2 CL, 45 CN) AS, R1, SR, C Making Memories Rivendell In the End (1/8/77, #88 US, 21 CL, 41 UK) AS Total Running Time: 37:38

Caress of Steel

Rating: 3.059 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Released: September 24, 1975 Peak: 148 US, -- UK, 60 CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Bastille Day (#22 CL) AS, R1, C I Think I’m Going Bald (#22 CL) Lakeside Park (single, #14 CL) AS, C The Necromancer The Fountain of Lamneth Total Running Time: 45:00

2112

Rating: 4.098 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings) Awards:

Released: April 1, 1976 Peak: 61 US, -- UK, 5 CN Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, -- UK, 3.0 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: 2112 (#6 CL) I: Overture AS, R1, SR, C II: The Temples of Syrinx AS, R1, SR, C III: Discovery IV: Presentation AS V: Oracle: The Dream VI: Soliloquy AS VII: Grand Finale AS A Passage to Bangkok (#16 CL; live: 3/28/81, #41 UK) ES, C The Twilight Zone (single) Lessons Tears Something for Nothing (#18 CL)AS, R1 Total Running Time: 38:42 Read more about this album here.

All the World’s a Stage

Rating: 3.668 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings)

Recorded: June 11-13, 1976 (live) Released: September 29, 1976 Peak: 40 US, -- UK, 6 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Tracks: Bastille Day Anthem Fly by Night / In the Mood Something for Nothing Lakeside Park 2112 By-Tor and the Snow Dog In the End Working Man / Finding My Way / Drum Solo What You’re Doing Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as AS. Total Running Time: 79:32

A Farewell to Kings

Rating: 4.168 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings) Awards:

Released: September 1, 1977 Peak: 33 US, 22 UK, 11 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.1 UK, 1.1 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: A Farewell to Kings C Xanadu (#10 CL) ES, R1 Closer to the Heart (10/29/77, #69 US, 73 CB, 90 HR, 2 CL, 21 AR, 36 UK, 45 CN) ES, R1, SR, SH, C Cinderella Man (single) Madrigal Cygnus X-1 Book 1: The Voyage Total Running Time: 37:13 Read more about this album here.

Hemispheres

Rating: 4.001 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings) Awards:

Released: October 28, 1978 Peak: 47 US, 14 UK, 14 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 1.06 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres Circumstances (single, #18 CL) The Trees (#7 CL) ES, R1, SR, C La Villa Strangiato (#12 CL) ES, R1, C Total Running Time: 36:08 Read more about this album here.

Permanent Waves

Rating: 4.119 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings) Awards:

Released: January 14, 1980 Peak: 4 US, 3 UK, 3 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 1.06 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: The Spirit of Radio (2/9/80, #51 US, 60 CB, 57 HR, 1 CL, 27 AR, 13 UK, 22 CN) ES, R1, SR, C Free Will (#4 CL) ES, R1, SR, C Jacob’s Ladder ES Entre Nous (single, #18 CL, 94 CN) Different Strings Natural Science Total Running Time: 35:35 Read more about this album here.

Retrospective I

Rating: 3.953 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings)

Recorded: 1974-1980 (compilation) Released: May 6, 1997 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: The Spirit of Radio The Trees Something for Nothing Free Will Xanadu Bastille Day By-Tor and the Snow Dog Anthem Closer to the Heart 2112 Overture The Temples of Syrinx la Villa Strangiato Fly by Night Finding My Way Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as R1. Total Running Time: 75:49

Moving Pictures

Rating: 4.140 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings) Awards:

Released: February 12, 1981 Peak: 3 US, 6 UK, 1 CN Sales (in millions): 4.0 US, 0.6 UK, 4.06 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Tom Sawyer (2/28/81, #44 US, 47 CB, 57 HR, 1 CL, 8 AR, 25 UK, 24 CN) ES, R2, SR, C Red Barchetta (#6 CL) ES, R2, SR, C YYZ (#9 CL) ES Limelight (2/81, #55 US, 66 CB, 67 HR, 3 CL, 4 AR, 18 CN) R2, SR, C The Camera Eye Witch Hunt (Part III of “Fear”) SH Vital Signs (3/81, #43 CL, 41 UK) Total Running Time: 40:03 Read more about this album here.

Exit…Stage Left

Rating: 3.097 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings) Awards:

Recorded: June 10-11, 1980; March 27, 1981 (live) Released: October 29, 1981 Peak: 10 US, -- UK, 7 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Tracks: The Spirit of Radio Red Barchetta YYZ A Passage to Bangkok Closer to the Heart Beneath, Between & Behind Jacob’s Ladder Broon’s Bane The Trees Xanadu Free Will Tom Sawyer La Villa Strangiato Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as ES. Also featured is a guitar solo from Alex Lifeson called “Broon’s Bane.” Total Running Time: 76:36

Signals

Rating: 4.111 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Released: September 9, 1982 Peak: 10 US, 3 UK, 13 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 1.06 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Subdivisions (9/25/82, #8 AR, 53 UK, 36 CN) R2, SR, SH, C The Analog Kid (9/25/82, #19 AR) R2 Chemistry Digital Man The Weapon (Part II of “Fear”) New World Man (8/82, #21 US, 35 CB, 25 RR, 1 AR, 36 UK, 1 CN) R2, SR, C Losing It Countdown (5/7/83, #36 UK) Total Running Time: 43:12

Grace Under Pressure

Rating: 3.209 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Released: April 12, 1984 Peak: 10 US, 5 UK, 4 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 1.06 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Distant Early Warning (4/28/84, #3 AR) R2, SR, SH, C Afterimage (single) Red Sector A (5/12/84, #21 AR) R2, SH, C The Enemy Within (Part I of “Fear”) The Body Electric (5/5/84, #23 AR, 56 UK, 86 CN) R2 Kid Gloves Red Lenses Between the Wheels (5/5/84, #39 AR) Total Running Time: 39:23

Power Windows

Rating: 3.486 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Released: October 14, 1985 Peak: 10 US, 9 UK, 2 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.6 UK, 1.06 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: The Big Money (9/26/85, #45 US, 4 AR, 46 UK, 52 CN) R2, SR, SH, C Grand Designs Manhattan Project (11/2/85, #10 AR) SH, C Marathon (live: 1/14/89, #6 AR) R2, SH Territories (11/16/85, #30 AR) Middletown Dreams Emotion Detector Mystic Rhythms (3/8/86, #21 AR) R2, SH, C (live) Total Running Time: 44:44

Hold Your Fire

Rating: 3.333 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Released: September 8, 1987 Peak: 13 US, 10 UK, 9 CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.06 UK, 0.56 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Force Ten (9/5/87, #3 AR) R2, SR, SH, C Time Stand Still (with Aimee Mann, 9/19/87, #3 AR, 42 UK, 52 CN) R2, SR, SH, C Open Secrets Second Nature Prime Mover (4/11/88, #43 UK) Lock and Key (12/12/87, #16 AR) Mission (3/11/89, #33 AR) R2, SH Turn the Page SH Tai Shan High Water Total Running Time: 50:21

Retrospective II

Rating: 3.920 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings)

Recorded: 1981-1987 (compilation) Released: June 3, 1997 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: The Big Money Red Barchetta Subdivisions Time Stand Still Mystic Rhythms The Analog Kid Distant Early Warning Marathon The Body Electric Mission Limelight Red Sector A New World Man Tom Sawyer Force Ten Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as R2. Total Running Time: 76:42

The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits

Rating: 3.948 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings) Awards:

Recorded: 1974-1987 Released: February 11, 2003 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Working Man Fly by Night 2112 Overture / The Temples of Syrinx Closer to the Heart The Trees The Spirit of Radio Free Will Limelight Tom Sawyer Red Barchetta New World Man Subdivisions Distant Early Warning The Big Money Force Ten Time Stand Still Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as SR. Total Running Time: 79:47

A Show of Hands

Rating: 3.073 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings)

Recorded: 1986,1988 (live) Released: January 9, 1989 Peak: 21 US, -- UK, -- CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: The Big Money Subdivisions Marathon Turn the Page Manhattan Project Mission Distant Early Warning Mystic Rhythms Witch Hunt The Rhythm Method Force Ten Time Stand Still Red Sector A Closer to the Heart Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as SH. Also featured is a drum solo from Neil Peart called “The Rhythm Method.” Total Running Time: 74:22

Presto

Rating: 3.598 out of 5.00 (average of 6 ratings)

Released: November 21, 1989 Peak: 16 US, 27 UK, 7 CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.06 UK, 0.56 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Show Don’t Tell (11/18/89, #1 AR) C Chain Lightning The Pass (3/3/90, #15 AR) R3 War Paint Scars Presto (1/6/90, #14 AR) R3 Superconductor (5/19/90, #37 AR) Anagram (For Mongo) Red Tide Hand Over Fist Available Light Total Running Time: 52:11

Chronicles

Rating: 3.398 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings)

Recorded: 1974-1989 (compilation) Released: September 4, 1990 Peak: 51 US, 42 UK, 38 CN Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, -- UK, 2.0 world (includes US and UK) Tracks, Disc 1: Finding My Way Working Man Fly by Night Anthem Bastille Day Lakeside Park 2112 Overture / The Temples of Syrinx What You’re Doing (live) A Farewell to Kings Closer to the Heart The Trees La Villa Strangiato Free Will The Spirit of Radio Tracks, Disc 2: Tom Sawyer Red Barchetta Limelight A Passage to Bangkok (live) Subdivisions New World Man Distant Early Warning Red Sector A The Big Money Manhattan Project Force Ten Time Stand Still Mystic Rhythms (live) Show Don’t Tell Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as C. Total Running Time: 2:23:42

Roll the Bones

Rating: 3.007 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Released: September 3, 1991 Peak: 3 US, 10 UK, 11 CN Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Dreamline (9/7/91, #1 AR) R3 Bravado (3/28/92, #13 AR) R3 Roll the Bones (10/19/91, #9 AR, 49 UK) R3 Face Up Where’s My Thing (Part IV: Gangster of Boats) The Big Wheel Heresy Ghost of a Chance (11/30/91, #2 AR; live: 2009) R3 Neurotica You Bet Your Life Total Running Time: 48:04

Counterparts

Rating: 3.341 out of 5.00 (average of 3.5 ratings)

Released: October 19, 1993 Peak: 2 US, 14 UK, 6 CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Animate (5/21/94, #35 AR) R3 Stick It Out (10/23/93, #1 AR) Cut to the Chase Nobody’s Hero (2/26/94, #9 AR) R3 Between Sun & Moon Alien Shore The Speed of Love Double Agent Leave That Thing Alone (1993) R3 Cold Fire (11/20/93, #2 AR) Everyday Glory Total Running Time: 54:24

Test for Echo

Rating: 3.175 out of 5.00 (average of 6 ratings)

Released: September 10, 1996 Peak: 5 US, 25 UK, 3 CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK, 0.5 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Test for Echo (9/7/96, #1 AR) Driven (3/22/97, #20 AR) R3 Half the World (11/16/96, #6 AR) The Color of Right Time and Motion Totem Dog Years Virtuality Resist Limbo Carve Away the Stone Total Running Time: 53:32

Vapor Trails

Rating: 3.430 out of 5.00 (average of 5 ratings)

Released: May 14, 2002 Peak: 6 US, 38 UK, 3 CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: One Little Victory (3/29/02, #10 AR) R3 Ceiling Unlimited Ghost Rider Peaceable Kingdom The Stars Look Down How It Is Vapor Trail Secret Touch (6/10/02, #25 AR) Earthshine R3 Sweet Miracle (9/02) Nocturne Freeze (Part IV of “Fear”) Out of the Cradle Total Running Time: 67:15

Feedback

Rating: 3.607 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings) Awards:

Released: June 29, 2004 Peak: 19 US, -- UK, 5 CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Summertime Blues (6/19/04, #30 AR) Heart Full of Soul For What It's Worth The Seeker Mr. Soul Seven and Seven Is Shapes of Things Crossroads Total Running Time: 27:08

Snakes & Arrows

Rating: 4.041 out of 5.00 (average of 16 ratings)

Released: May 1, 2007 Peak: 3 US, 13 UK, 3 CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, 0.63 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Far Cry (3/12/07, #22 AR) R3 Armor and Sword Workin’ Them Angels (single) R3 The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum) (6/25/07) Spindrift (6/1/07) The Main Monkey Business The Way the Wind Blows Hope Faithless Bravest Face Good News First Malignant Narcissism We Hold On Total Running Time: 62:50

Retrospective III

Rating: 3.450 out of 5.00 (average of 3.5 ratings)

Recorded: 1989-2007 (compilation) Released: March 3, 2009 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN Sales (in millions): 47 US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: One Little Victory Dreamline Workin’ Them Angels Presto Bravado Driven The Pass Animate Roll the Bones Ghost of a Chance (live) Nobody’s Hero Leave That Thing Alone Earthshine Far Cry Songs featured on this collection are coded on studio albums as R3. Total Running Time: 71:50

Clockwork Angels

Rating: 3.619 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Released: June 8, 2012 Peak: 2 US, 21 UK, 11 CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Caravan (6/1/10, #44 CN) BU2B (6/1/10, #50 CN) Clockwork Angels The Anarchist Carnies Halo Effect Seven Cities of Gold The Wreckers Headlong Flight BU2B2 Wish Them Well The Garden Total Running Time: 66:04

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Rush Dave’s Music Database: Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists First posted 1/15/2020; last updated 9/20/2024.