Rush: Top 100 Songs / All the Albums Ranked

First posted 7/29/2012; updated 1/21/2020.

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

This page includes the top 100 Rush songs and a ranking of all of Rush’s studio albums, as well as significant live releases and compilations. You can also check out the following: Rush’s DMDB Music Encyclopedia Entry Rush Discography Rolling Stone (1/10/2020). “Neil Peart, Rush Drummer Who Set a New Standard for Rock Virtuosity, Dead at 67.” By Brian Hiatt.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. Songs which hit #1 on various charts are noted. (Click for codes to singles charts.) DMDB Top 5%: 1. Tom Sawyer (1981) 2. The Spirit of Radio (1980) DMDB Top 10%: 3. Closer to the Heart (1977) 4. Limelight (1981) 5. New World Man (1982) #1 AR, CN DMDB Top 20%: 6. Fly by Night (1975) 7. Subdivisions (1982) 8. The Big Money (1985) 9. The Temples of Syrinx (Part II of “2112”) (1976) 10. Free Will (1980) 11. Time Stand Still (1987) 12. The Trees (1978) 13. Red Barchetta (1981) DMDB Top 20%: 14. Working Man (1974) 15. Overture (Part I of “2112”) (1976) 16. Presentation (Part IV of “2112”) (1976) 17. Distant Early Warning (1984) 18. Discovery (Part III of “2112”) (1976) 19. In the End (1975) 20. Roll the Bones (1991) 21. The Body Electric (1984) 22. Grand Finale (Part VII of “2112”) (1976) 23. A Passage to Bangkok (1976) 24. Force Ten (1987) 25. Nobody’s Hero (1993) 26. Dreamline (1991) #1 AR 27. Xanadu (1977) 28. Soliloquy (Part VI of “2112”) (1976) 29. Finding My Way (1974) 30. Oracle: The Dream (Part V of “2112”) (1976) 31. Lock and Key (1987) 32. Driven (1996) 33. Show Don’t Tell (1989) #1 AR 34. Bravado (1991) 35. Manhattan Project (1985) 36. One Little Victory (2002) 37. Stick It Out (1993) #1 AR 38. Mystic Rhythms (1985) 39. Far Cry (2007) 40. Entre Nous (1980) 41. Vital Signs (1981) 42. Secret Touch (2002) 43. Red Sector A (1984) 44. Test for Echo (1996) #1 AR 45. By-Tor and the Snow Dog (1975) 46. Lakeside Park (1975) 47. Marathon (1985) 48. In the Mood (1974) 49. YYZ (1981) 50. Ghost of a Chance (1991) 51. Territories (1985) 52. Prime Mover (1987) 53. Animate (1993) 54. La Villa Strangiato (1978) 55. Something for Nothing (1976) 56. Half the World (1996) 57. The Analog Kid (1982) 58. The Pass (1989) 59. Mission (1987) 60. What You’re Doing (1974) 61. Presto (1989) 62. Cold Fire (1993) 63. Between the Wheels (1984) 64. Bastille Day (1975) 65. Resist (1996) 66. Countdown (1982) 67. Superconductor (1989) 68. Headlong Flight (2012) 69. The Wreckers (2012) 70. Circumstances (1978) 71. Cygnus X-1 Book Two (1978) 72. Different Strings (1980) 73. The Twilight Zone (1976) 74. Workin’ Them Angels (2007) 75. Caravan (2010) 76. Anthem (1975) 77. I Think I’m Going Bald (1975) 78. BU2B (2010) 79. Losing It (1982) 80. Not Fade Away (1973) 81. The Weapon (1982) 82. Second Nature (1987) 83. Natural Science (1980) 84. Leave That Thing Alone (1993) 85. Cinderella Man (1977) 86. The Anarchist (2012) 87. Clockwork Angels (2012) 88. Cygnus X-1 (1977) 89. Witch Hunt (1981) 90. A Farewell to Kings (1977) 91. Return of the Prince (1975) 92. Afterimage (1984) 93. Jacob’s Ladder (1980) 94. The Camera Eye (1981) 95. The Garden (2012) 96. The Larger Bowl (2007) 97. Spindrift (2007) 98. Earthshine (2002) 99. Beneath, Between, and Behind (1975) 100. Broon’s Bane (live, 1981) Rush Albums Ranked Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by albums’ appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, points in the Dave’s Music Database of songs, and awards. This is a ranking of all the studio albums, compilations, and live albums released by Rush from 1974 to 2015. DMDB Top 1000 Albums: 1. Moving Pictures (1981) 2. 2112 (1976) DMDB Top 1000 Albums: 3. Permanent Waves (1980) 4. Hemispheres (1978) 5. The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits (compilation: 1974-1987, released 2003) 6. A Farewell to Kings (1977) 7. Chronicles (compilation: 1974-1989, released 1990) 8. Exit…Stage Left (live, 1981) 9. Retrospective I (compilation: 1974-1980, released 1997) 10. Archives (box of first three albums: 1974-75, released 1978) 11. Rush (1974) 12. Signals (1982) 13. Retrospective II (compilation: 1981-1987, released 1997) 14. In Rio (live, 2003) 15. Retrospective III (compilation: 1989-2007, released 2009) 16. Snakes & Arrows (2007) 17. Icon (compilation: 1976-1988; released 2010) 18. Grace Under Pressure (1984) 19. Time Stand Still: The Collection (compilation: 1974-1987; released 2010) 20. Power Windows (1985) 21. All the World’s a Stage (live, 1976) 22. Hold Your Fire (1987) 23. Fly by Night (1975) 24. Clockwork Angels (2012) 25. Counterparts (1993) 26. Roll the Bones (1991) 27. Feedback (covers EP, 2004) 28. Different Stages (live box set: 1978-97, released 1998) 29. Caress of Steel (1975) 30. Presto (1989) 31. Snakes & Arrows Live (live, 2007) 32. Grace Under Pressure Tour (live: 1984, released 2009) 33. Working Men (live compilation: 2002-08, released 2009) 34. Test for Echo (1996) 35. Vapor Trails (2002) 36. A Show of Hands (live, 1989) 37. Time Machine (live, 2011) 38. Icon 2 (live: 1974-88, released 2011) 39. Clockwork Angels Tour (live, 2013) 40. R40 Live (live, 2015)

First posted 1/15/2020; updated 1/21/2020.

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

This page gives snapshots of all of Rush’s studio releases as well as select compilations and live recordings. You can also check out the following: Rush’s DMDB Music Encyclopedia Entry Top 100 Rush Songs Rush Albums Ranked Studio Albums: Rush (1974) Fly by Night (1975) Caress of Steel (1975) 2112 (1976) A Farewell to Kings (1977) Hemispheres (1978) Permanent Waves (1980) Moving Pictures (1981) Signals (1982) Grace Under Pressure (1984) Power Windows (1985) Hold Your Fire (1987) Presto (1989) Roll the Bones (1991) Counterparts (1993) Test for Echo (1996) Vapor Trails (2002) Feedback (covers EP, 2004) Snakes & Arrows (2007) Clockwork Angels (2012) Live Albums: Songs featured on these live albums are noted by the codes below (AS, ES, etc.) AS All the World’s a Stage (1976) ES Exit…Stage Left (1981) SH A Show of Hands (1989) Compilations: Songs featured on these compilations are noted by the codes below (R1, R2, etc.) 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) Singles are noted by the date it charted or was released (if known) and various codes indicate which charts the songs appeared on Click for codes to singles charts.

 

Rush

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

Released: March 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 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)

Released: April 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

 

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, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: 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)

Released: September 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

 

Hemispheres

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

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

 

Permanent Waves

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

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 Freewill (#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

 

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: 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)

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

 

Exit…Stage Left

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

Recorded: June 10-11, 1980; March 27, 1981 (live) Released: October 29, 1981 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: 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: 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)

Recorded: 1974-1987 Released: February 11, 2003 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK) Tracks: 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: 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: 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 21, 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)

Charted: 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)

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: 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