Posted on 07/08/2004 12:18:18 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
Hm, at one time I knew all the words.
"I hear the sound of gunfire at the prison gate, are the liberators here? Do I hope or do I fear? For my father and my brother, it's too late, but I must help my mother stand up straight."
Hope your brother enjoyed the concert!!!!
Red Sector A
All that we can do is just survive
All that we can do to help ourselves is stay alive
Ragged lines of ragged grey
Skeletons, they shuffle away
Shouting guards and smoking guns
Will cut down the unlucky ones
I clutch the wire fence until my fingers bleed
A wound that will not heal
A heart that cannot feel
Hoping that the horror will recede
Hoping that tomorrow we'll all be freed
Sickness to insanity
Prayer to profanity
Days and weeks and months go by
Don't feel the hunger
Too weak to cry
I hear the sound of gunfire at the prison gate
Are the liberators here?
Do I hope or do I fear?
For my father and my brother, it's too late
But I must help my mother stand up straight
Are we the last ones left alive?
Are we the only human beings to survive?
I only saw Rush once, for the Signals tour back in the early 80s. To confirm how long ago it was, Golden Earring was the opening band (“Twilight Zone”, indeed). I was obsessed with Rush throughout high school, like every other suburban male I knew at the time. Wow, do I feel old :-)
BROTHER!
Never, and I mean ever, in my life have I encountered someone who liked both Rush and Yes.
I thought I was alone. I see now, after all these years, that I am not.
MFH - Great post. Excellent song, from an excellent album! (And yes...I mean album...I still have this one on vinyl!)
Agreed, I think they found a good balance of synth and guitar on that album, after having blown it with Signals. Though don't get me wrong, I actually like the music on Signals, I'm just glad they backed off.
Dang. I never knew this.
I first heard Rush in 1975 and wore out their first few albums. I had no idea.
Great story... really inspiring.
Grace Under Pressure is my favorite Rush album, never quite got why it's so despised among most Rush fans...besides the whole synth/no synth thing.
***
My favorite is Moving Pictures, one of the all-time classic "art-rock" albums. It has been all downhill from there, with some exceptions, like several songs on Grace Under Pressure.
I still crank Xanadu when I'm out driving on nice days.
And yes, I do get some very odd looks.
I saw them in Virginia Beach back on Memorial Day weekend - 4th row seats!!! I was literally 25 feet from Alex's mike stand. Great show, and like you said, they touched on practically anything a fan would want to hear! They did a great version of The Who's "The Seeker" and pulled out some of their oldies like "By-Tor & the Snow Dog." Great band, untouched talent on their instruments, and they actually use their brains! Their energy on stage blows away some of the young punks, and their dedication to their craft should serve as a challenge to those cutting their teeth now...
Thanks for posting this; I was a Rush fan back in high school (late 1970's), althought I guess not that much of a fan, because I don't remember "My Favorite Headache"; Red Barchetta was one of my favorite tunes by Rush.
I've never been a fan of Rush, but Geddy Lee's story is truly incredible. Bless him and his family.
I've got to take you to task for not using the right tool for the right job...Red Barchetta is the song to crank while driving. 8^)
It has always seemed perfectly logical to me, and I could never understand why no one else got it. Even though they are different musically, they are alike in that they are both profoundly powerful bands when they are at their best.
I have never heard a Rush song that I didn't like.
These guys are consummate musicians and Neil Peart is the best rock drummer to ever play. I like the more recent releases (Presto, Counterparts, Roll the Bones....Vapor Trails) - I listen to them more then say Signals or Hemispheres.
I always though Red Sector A was akin to communists but I given when Grace Under Pressure was released in 1986, but I guess I didn't pay close enough attention.
I'm going to see them in NYC in August. I've been to four concerts in my life (lame) and three have been Rush. Awesome!
Caught their Union tour back in the early 90's. If it wasn't for Trevor Rabin, that concert would have been flawless. IMO...he just never fit their style...he was too much of a "pop guitarist" for me.
Fragile, The Yes Album, Tales from Topographic Oceans, and Tormato have the best line-ups.
I first heard Rush in 75 and nearly fell out of my chair. I promptly went out the next day and bought every album they had ever put out. They are my favorite rock band of all time, even beating out P. Floyd. Thanks for the info on Geddy.
Ah, yes...but with Xanadu, not only can I air-drum while driving, I can play the air-chimes and air-bells.
Don't get me wrong, Red Barchetta is a rockin' song...
....
...but it needs more cowbell.
(A-ha... Say "Gary Lee" with a Polish accent and you get "Geddy Lee.")
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