Stylistically, the album was a continuation of Rush's foray into the technology oriented 1980's through increased use of electronic instrumentation such as keyboards, sequencers, and electric violin. Other noticeable changes were decreased average song length and lyrical compression. The album reached #10 on the Billboard album charts and was certified platinum in November 1982.
The opening track from Signals is "Subdivisions," which has become one of Rush's live staples.
"The Analog Kid" and "Digital Man" served as the inspiration for writer Troy Hickman to create the comic book heroes of the same names in the 2004 comic Common Grounds.
The lyrics for "Chemistry" were written by all three band members. To date, it is the last time either Lee or Lifeson have written lyrics for a Rush song.
"Digital Man", a slightly reggae-based song, ultimately led to the end of the band's relationship with Brown. He was reluctant to leave behind the band's progressive rock past, while the band members, especially Lee, wanted to explore new musical directions. The instrumental break of the song has been compared with the song "Walking on the Moon" by The Police. The song was performed during the 2007 Snakes & Arrows Tour, marking the first time Rush performed it live in nearly 23 years.
"The Weapon" (Part II of the 'Fear' series) would be featured in the album's supporting tour and would include a video opening hosted by Count Floyd of SCTV fame.
"New World Man" became a surprise hit single for the band, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks in October and November 1982. It remains the band's highest charting single (and the only one to reach the top 40) in the US.
The lyrics for "Losing It" include references to the latter years of writer Ernest Hemingway: "for you the blind who once could see, the bell tolls for thee.". The song was not played live until 2015, when it was played at four concerts on the R40 Live Tour.
The lyrics in the final track, "Countdown", describe the launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981, which the band was present for. The song features samples of radio communications recorded before and during the flight. It was a minor UK chart hit in early 1983.
Signals represented the band's last collaboration with producer Terry Brown, who had co-produced every Rush album since 1975's Fly by Night, and had engineered their eponymous first album in 1974.
The opening track from Signals is "Subdivisions," which has become one of Rush's live staples.
"The Analog Kid" and "Digital Man" served as the inspiration for writer Troy Hickman to create the comic book heroes of the same names in the 2004 comic Common Grounds.
The lyrics for "Chemistry" were written by all three band members. To date, it is the last time either Lee or Lifeson have written lyrics for a Rush song.
"Digital Man", a slightly reggae-based song, ultimately led to the end of the band's relationship with Brown. He was reluctant to leave behind the band's progressive rock past, while the band members, especially Lee, wanted to explore new musical directions. The instrumental break of the song has been compared with the song "Walking on the Moon" by The Police. The song was performed during the 2007 Snakes & Arrows Tour, marking the first time Rush performed it live in nearly 23 years.
"The Weapon" (Part II of the 'Fear' series) would be featured in the album's supporting tour and would include a video opening hosted by Count Floyd of SCTV fame.
"New World Man" became a surprise hit single for the band, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks in October and November 1982. It remains the band's highest charting single (and the only one to reach the top 40) in the US.
The lyrics for "Losing It" include references to the latter years of writer Ernest Hemingway: "for you the blind who once could see, the bell tolls for thee.". The song was not played live until 2015, when it was played at four concerts on the R40 Live Tour.
The lyrics in the final track, "Countdown", describe the launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981, which the band was present for. The song features samples of radio communications recorded before and during the flight. It was a minor UK chart hit in early 1983.
Signals represented the band's last collaboration with producer Terry Brown, who had co-produced every Rush album since 1975's Fly by Night, and had engineered their eponymous first album in 1974.
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