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This song, which clocks in at around eight minutes and forty seconds in length, is entitled “By-Tor and the Snow Dog.” I made it a point to mention this song’s length because, as longtime fans of Rush likely know all too well, the band would go on to be known for creating lengthier tracks.Īs an example of what I mean by that, consider the title track on their 1976 album, 2112. The fourth track on this album is (as I promised earlier) one of the more fantasy-influenced songs in Rush’s repertoire. Perhaps this verse serves to convey a similar idea. In case that doesn’t quite make sense, I present for your consideration the second verse from “Anthem:” “Live for yourself / There’s no one more worth living for / Begging hands and bleeding hearts / Will only cry out for more.” I don’t know why, but the first images that jumped to my mind upon hearing the line about “begging hands” were of the street beggars from Assassin’s Creed II, of whom you could only rid yourself by tossing some money their way. In terms of its lyrics, this track strikes me as a call to live your life as though you’re the protagonist of your own story rather than a supporting character in a tale told by anyone else. It contains an outstanding guitar solo which I think fits that sound and style nicely. As such, it features a somewhat heavier sound similar to that which was present on many songs from the trio’s first record. Without further ado, let’s begin!įirst up, we have “Anthem.” This track was written when John Rutsey was still an active member of Rush.
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Peart settling in as the third member of the “Holy Triumvirate” turned out to be one heck of an excellent birthday gift! As a final point about this album’s history, Fly by Night was also the first album that saw the group venture into more fantastical territories in regards to their lyrics, as you’ll see when we get to its fourth and seventh tracks. The date is also significant because it just so happened to be Geddy Lee’s twenty-first birthday. That was the case until July 29th, 1974, when Neil Peart officially joined the band. Rutsey retired to focus on his health, so they temporarily forged ahead with Jerry Fielding as a replacement. John Rutsey, the band’s original drummer on their eponymous debut record, fell ill due to complications arising from diabetes shortly after that album’s release in March 1974. Most notably, Fly by Night was the first album which featured what would become Rush’s permanent lineup consisting of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and newly-minted drummer, percussionist, and lyricist, Neil Peart. According to guitarist Alex Lifeson, the album was recorded over the span of about five days in December 1974, then mixed throughout January 1975. Fly by Night was officially released on February 15th, 1975 by Mercury Records, whom you might remember also handled the international release of the group’s debut album just about a year prior. Today’s stop on our trek takes us back to early 1975 with the first of two albums released by the band that year.īefore we get into my usual, detailed, track-by-track review, I’d like to continue the tradition of providing a bit of backstory about this album. I hope you’ve packed a suitcase or two because, according to the title track from the subject of today’s monologue, we will be flying by night away from here. Folks, the time has come for us to continue our journey through the forty-plus year career of the legendary Canadian Progressive Rock trio known as Rush.