Vital Signs (Rush song)
| "Vital Signs" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Rush | ||||
| from the album Moving Pictures | ||||
| B-side | ||||
| Released | March 1981 (UK)[1] | |||
| Recorded | October–November 1980 | |||
| Studio | Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:43 | |||
| Label | Mercury | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| Rush singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Vital Signs" on YouTube | ||||
"Vital Signs" is a song by progressive rock band Rush. It is the closing track from their eighth studio album Moving Pictures. The lyrics of the song are about individuality and the pressures of conforming.[3]
The song is heavily influenced by reggae (in the guitar riff) as well as progressive electronica (in its use of sequencers) and the music of the Police.[4] These influences continued in subsequent albums: Signals, Grace Under Pressure, and Power Windows.
The song was released as a single in the U.K. peaking at No 41. Also, a live version of "Vital Signs" appeared as the B-side to Rush's "New World Man" single in 1982 (Mercury #76179, US edition).[4]
Background
[edit]According to Geddy Lee, "Vital Signs" was directly influenced by one of the band's many imaginary groups they made up in-between takes at the studio, the new wave act The Fabulous Men.[5]
Composition
[edit]On "Vital Signs", Rush continued to explore the "white reggae" previously in the middle section of "The Spirit of Radio", which resulted from being influenced by The Police.[6] The "forward-looking pulse" of "Vital Signs" represents the "adventurous" aspect of Moving Pictures' second side.[7]
Lyrics
[edit]"Vital Signs" is primarily about self-realization and tolerance.[8]: 200 Will Romano, author of a 2023 book primarily about the Moving Pictures album, considered the choice of "Vital Signs" as a closing track important, as it saw the group embrace a new direction in their sound and style.[8]: 200
Reception
[edit]Classic Rock readers voted "Vital Signs" the 37th best Rush song.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Rush Discography".
- ↑ "Moving Pictures (1981) Stereogum". www.stereogum.com. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ↑ Hansen, Eric. ""'Hold Your Fire' by Neil Peart" - Backstage Club Newsletter, January 1988". www.2112.net. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- 1 2 Popoff, Martin (2013). Rush: The Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760343647.
- ↑ Magnotta, Andrew (18 April 2022). "RUSH's 'Vital Signs' Was Inspired By A Fake New Wave Band Made Up As A Joke". 93.7 The River. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Leonard, Michael (5 May 2021). "The Genius Of… Moving Pictures by Rush". Guitar.com. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "45 Years Ago Today – Rush Release 'Moving Pictures' Album". Glide. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- 1 2 Romano, Will (2023). Moving Pictures: How Rush Created Progressive Hard Rock's Greatest Record. Rowman & Littlefield. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Rock, Classic Rock2015-06-11T09:36:00 161Z Classic. "The 50 Greatest Rush Songs Ever". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
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External links
[edit]- Rush – Vital Signs at Discogs (list of releases)
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