The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987

The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987
Greatest hits album by
Rush
ReleasedFebruary 11, 2003
Recorded1973–1987
Genre
Length79:47
LabelAnthem
Producer
Rush chronology
Vapor Trails
(2002) 		The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987
(2003) 		Rush in Rio
(2003)

The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987 is a compilation album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on February 11, 2003. It includes many of the band's most popular songs from their Mercury Records era, but does not feature any material from their third album Caress of Steel. A special edition of the album included a DVD containing music videos for several songs, including "Mystic Rhythms" (which does not appear on the album itself).

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
Q[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[4]
Uncut[5]

"This 16-track Best Of skips over the early years…" noted Paul Elliott in Q. "The '80s brought shorter songs, better tunes and even a Top 20 UK hit with 'The Spirit of Radio', one of the great rock singles and perhaps the only song ever to feature a Simon & Garfunkel reference, a reggae breakdown and the word 'unobtrusive'."[6] Following Neil Peart's death in January 2020, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 at number 45.[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."Working Man"Lee, LifesonRush (1974)7:11
2."Fly by Night" Fly by Night (1975)3:22
3."2112 Overture / The Temples of Syrinx" 2112 (1976)6:45
4."Closer to the Heart"Lee, Lifeson, Peart, Peter TalbotA Farewell to Kings (1977)2:53
5."The Trees" Hemispheres (1978)4:42
6."The Spirit of Radio" Permanent Waves (1980)4:57
7."Freewill" Permanent Waves5:23
8."Limelight" Moving Pictures (1981)4:20
9."Tom Sawyer"Lee, Lifeson, Peart, Pye DuboisMoving Pictures4:33
10."Red Barchetta" Moving Pictures6:10
11."New World Man" Signals (1982)3:43
12."Subdivisions" Signals5:34
13."Distant Early Warning" Grace Under Pressure (1984)4:58
14."The Big Money" Power Windows (1985)5:35
15."Force Ten"Lee, Lifeson, Peart, DuboisHold Your Fire (1987)4:32
16."Time Stand Still" (featuring Aimee Mann) Hold Your Fire5:09
Total length:79:57

DVD titles

No.TitleLength
1."Closer to the Heart"2:52
2."Tom Sawyer"4:34
3."Subdivisions"5:33
4."The Big Money"4:57
5."Mystic Rhythms"5:20

Personnel

Rush

  • Geddy Lee – bass guitar, synthesizers, vocals
  • Alex Lifeson – electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizers, vocals
  • Neil Peart – drums, percussion, lyricist

* John Rutsey – drums and percussion on "Working Man"

Additional personnel

  • Terry Brown – production (tracks 1–12)
  • Peter Collins – production (tracks 14–16)
  • Peter Henderson – production (track 13)
  • Aimee Mann – additional vocals on "Time Stand Still" and "Force Ten"

Charts

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[8] 17
US Billboard 200[9] 45

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[10] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[11] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  3. ^ Q, May 2003
  4. ^ "Rolling Stone Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2013-07-04. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  5. ^ "Rush - The Spirit Of Radio". Uncut: 113. May 2003. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
  6. ^ Q, May 2003
  7. ^ "When We All Fall Asleep, Where do We Go? By Billie Eilish | Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Rush Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Rush Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  10. ^ "British album certifications – Rush – The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  11. ^ "American album certifications – Rush – The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987". Recording Industry Association of America.