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Rush — The Spirit Of Radio
Album: Permanent Waves
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1602









Released: 1980
Length: 4:55
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Begin the day
With a friendly voice
A companion, unobtrusive
Plays the song that’s so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood

Off on your way
Hit the open road
There is magic at your fingers
For the Spirit ever lingers
Undemanding contact
In your happy solitude.

Invisible airwaves
Crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle
With the energy
Emotional feedback
On a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price –
Almost free…

All this machinery
Making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted
It’s really just a question
Of your honesty

One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity

“For the words of the profits,
Are written on the studio wall,
Concert hall –
Echoes with the sounds…
Of salesmen.”
Comments (71)add comment
 libertinesupreme wrote:


I'm a girl who's obsessed with Rush and whose only tattoo is the Starman with Peart's signature above it ... so maybe you just haven't met that many women? ;D


Pic or it (maybe) didn't happen...
 sfoster66 wrote:

Fun fact, I have never ever met a female Rush fan...



I'm a girl who's obsessed with Rush and whose only tattoo is the Starman with Peart's signature above it ... so maybe you just haven't met that many women? ;D
 Stetsonman wrote:

this bloke as what is "singing"? does he only have 1/2 a testicle?



If reproductive organs are your focus, you are exploring the wrong part of the Internet. 
 sfoster66 wrote:

Fun fact, I have never ever met a female Rush fan...



Sorry to hear that. They exist. 
Please and thank you are the magic words... what a great catalog of music!
Neil Peart, drummer god and genius lyrics writer.
i heard a Throwing Muses song, i think from The Real Ramona a day or two ago and there was a part to the chorus/guitar of that song where it builds a bit that i swear is taken right from this song. (i'm sure people will think i'm nuts.)

this song i had a new appreciation for after reading the amazing lyrics. such a great song.
its a 10 just hearing NP play !
 sfoster66 wrote:

Fun fact, I have never ever met a female Rush fan...



So you're telling us you don't know many women into music?
 sfoster66 wrote:

Fun fact, I have never ever met a female Rush fan...



True, you haven't met my wife
 westslope wrote:

Fans of Rush here?  Any fans of Neil Peart?  

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that many of you will love Porcupine Tree's latest album Closure/Continuation that came out over June and July in 2022.



Thank you for this comment.  I only recently learned about Porcupine Tree from Radio Paradise and have been doing a crash course over the past year or so.  When I first started listening to them in 2021, Wikipedia quoted Steven Wilson saying that Porcupine Tree was broken up forever.  Then, all of a sudden, they announced they are releasing a new album and going on a tour.  I am really enjoying Closure/Continuation - you are spot on that it appeals to those of us that are big Rush fans.  I am also going to cruise up to LA and see them live at the Greek Theater at the end of September.   I guess this is another big thank you to Bill and Rebecca for Radio Paradise.
This song perfectly captures the greatness of RP! Keep it going!
Fun fact, I have never ever met a female Rush fan...
Fans of Rush here?  Any fans of Neil Peart?  

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that many of you will love Porcupine Tree's latest album Closure/Continuation that came out over June and July in 2022.
I am usually positive and yet I come here and see comments that are just stupid… This is not subjective - Rush is one of the most talented Progressive Rock bands in the history of music. They along with Yes and King Crimson and others invented Progressive Rock. please now stfu
There is something wrong with your website Bill...The scoring only goes up to 10....I need a 15!!!
One of the two hideous Rushes of my lifetime.  The other was Limbaugh.
A great band. But I also think it is nor prog at all. Brad X isn't either. Maybe fussion band?
 coloradojohn wrote:

My buddy Richard G (rest his soul, much too early departed) and I were 2nd Row for this show on this tour, AND IT KICKED ALL KINDS OF ASS! I'll never forget that before the show, The Who Who Are You was BLASTING -- the entire album -- over the sound system, and had us ALL FIRED UP!



Neil fucking loved Keith Moon
 rbrise wrote:


how about Brand X instead of Rush to represent prog rock?


I wouldn't really call Rush prog rock.  But I'll check out Brand X.
 Montreal_Mort wrote:

I know there are a lot of Rush fans here… but I just have register myself as someone who think their catalog is shite. And that



Thanks brother.  If it wasn't for this opinion Rush wouldn't be Rush.
My buddy Richard G (rest his soul, much too early departed) and I were 2nd Row for this show on this tour, AND IT KICKED ALL KINDS OF ASS! I'll never forget that before the show, The Who Who Are You was BLASTING -- the entire album -- over the sound system, and had us ALL FIRED UP!
Oops. And that from the Canadian kid …
I know there are a lot of Rush fans here… but I just have register myself as someone who think their catalog is shite. And that
Good Tune!
 rushfan wrote:

my username is relevant! 



Me too!!!
1980 midwestern 15 year old headbanger sez MOAR PLZ 
There are songs that make me happy. Just like that. Its magic - I was pretty sad today for the same old stupid reasons. This song just made me smile. Magic. Thank you Rush.
 andrew2112 wrote:

Can I rate this 11?



how about Brand X instead of Rush to represent prog rock?
 brentjamesmills wrote:

I found Rush through watching the mockumentary 'Trailer Park Boys'. It's good light hearted television if you haven't watched before. Alex Lifeson makes several appearances on various episodes and movies.



Alex...totally underrated rock guitar god.
 deepwoodskev wrote:

1986. Rosemont Horizon, just outside of Chicago. Power Windows tour. Front row. Opened with this. High school kid in sheer heaven.



i was there with you, Deep Woods!  loved the opening of every show with Spirit of Radio.  i was just out of high school, but in sheer heaven as well.  Bill, how about something from Hemispheres or Farewell to Kings?
 BCarn wrote:
I seldom resort to this type of response but once in a while it's just warranted. Ready? Here it goes: You're an idiot.

I admire your restraint.
THIS RECORD!!! PURE GOLD....
The era of alternative/experimental terrestrial radio was so amazing...CFNY...the station in the 'burbs of Toronto that inspired this song (their tag line was literally The Spirit of Radio) was the most incredible thing to listen to...before it got bought up by corporate radio, of course.  The things you would hear....staggering...
 Stetsonman wrote:

this bloke as what is "singing"? does he only have 1/2 a testicle?



Geddy explains in a documentary that the band was so loud he had to sing in a higher voice just to be heard.


Stetsonman wrote:

this bloke as what is "singing"? does he only have 1/2 a testicle?


 BCarn wrote:

I seldom resort to this type of response but once in a while it's just warranted. Ready? Here it goes: You're an idiot.

Tooooo funny!
 Stetsonman wrote:

this bloke as what is "singing"? does he only have 1/2 a testicle?


I seldom resort to this type of response but once in a while it's just warranted. Ready? Here it goes: You're an idiot.
 BiffP wrote:

My wife cheated on me with a guy who loves Rush.   I can't listen to them anymore without feeling pissed off.  So, they're off my playlist.




 Smudger72 wrote:

Rush...

Been listening to RP for a couple of months now while working from home, I've never heard so much Rush prior to this stint with RP... I'm just not getting it though, what am I missing?



Patience and exposure. You'll get there...
Rush...

Been listening to RP for a couple of months now while working from home, I've never heard so much Rush prior to this stint with RP... I'm just not getting it though, what am I missing?
Still gives me goosebumps.
My wife cheated on me with a guy who loves Rush.   I can't listen to them anymore without feeling pissed off.  So, they're off my playlist.
I found Rush through watching the mockumentary 'Trailer Park Boys'. It's good light hearted television if you haven't watched before. Alex Lifeson makes several appearances on various episodes and movies.
this bloke as what is "singing"? does he only have 1/2 a testicle?
You gotta dig this man !!!
I've never been the biggest Rush fan, but my God, this is an 11.
one of the songs I still have a vivid memory hearing for the first time on the radio. I'm 16 and playing with some friends in a garage band. the guitarist's mother is giving us a lift home after practice and this came on the radio. Even she was into it!
Choon! 
Their shows are over-choreographed and formulaic, but damn, you can't deny the musicianship! Monsters of rock and roll! Can't ever go wrong cranking this up at the bbq...
Ah Canada!
Simply have to stop work and  perform a clumsy mix of air drums and guitar right through to the end (especially the end!). There is no choice..my body demands it...
Just watched an interesting documentary on the making 2112 and Moving Pics on either Amazon Prime or Netflix - worth seeing if you have interest.

An Interesting insight was they were about to be dropped from their label for poor sales and were given one more shot - rather than play it safe they would do what THEY wanted and hence 2112! Also didn't realize that Ann Rand was a big influence for that album; I say very cool!
Thanks for adding more Rush, Bill.

The world NEEDS to know!
This takes me back to 10th grade...one of my favorite bands, still. So much musicianship. I never tire of this album.  
I was not too convinced at first... but the change in rhythm got me :D 
1986. Rosemont Horizon, just outside of Chicago. Power Windows tour. Front row. Opened with this. High school kid in sheer heaven.
Greatest air drum song ever. Except for maybe Tom Sawyer. 
OMG, turn it up! i'm 8 again and listening to my older brother's record, I wore these grooves down!
I can't believe that Rush, any album, has been so ignored by Aussie radio. The first I bought was 2112 and I slowly accumulated every album, on vinyl, a prized collection.
Never heard them here, apparently USA and Europe loved them. For a three piece they rank at the top. Musically and progressively they rank at the top.
 alain.brault wrote:
This is way overplayed here...
/Sarcasm
 

Apparently whoever thumbs downed this doesn't understand "Sarcasm"
10
my username is relevant! 
Woooh ! I never hear Rush, why are they so commercially unacceptable ? Yay, do it some more.
This is way up there as the best Progressive rock ever!!! RIP Neil🙏
This is the best song of all time. Done and done.
This song will never stop growing on me.
Rip Neal
This song always makes me think of Freaks & Geeks
This is way overplayed here...
/Sarcasm
Can I rate this 11?