"Vital Signs"
Single by Rush
from the album Moving Pictures
B-side
ReleasedMarch 1981 (1981-03) (UK)[1]
RecordedOctober–November 1980
StudioLe Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec
Genre
Length4:43
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Rush singles chronology
"Limelight"
(1981)		 "Vital Signs"
(1981)		 "Tom Sawyer (live)"
(1981)
Music video
"Vital Signs" on YouTube

"Vital Signs" is a song by progressive rock trio Rush from their 8th 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 would carry on into their next three studio 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]

It has appeared in Rush's set lists as recently as the 2010–2011 Time Machine Tour (documented on Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland[5]), during which Moving Pictures was played in its entirety.[6] It is also noted for being played during the encore of the Grace Under Pressure Tour[7] (documented on the Grace Under Pressure Tour Live album and video).[8]

Reception

Classic Rock readers voted "Vital Signs" the 37th best Rush song.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rush Discography".
  2. ↑ "Moving Pictures (1981) Stereogum". www.stereogum.com. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  3. ↑ Hansen, Eric. ""'Hold Your Fire' by Neil Peart" - Backstage Club Newsletter, January 1988". www.2112.net. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  4. 1 2 Popoff, Martin (2013). Rush: The Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760343647.
  5. ↑ "Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland | Rush.com". www.rush.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  6. ↑ "Time Machine Tour | Rush.com". www.rush.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  7. ↑ "Grace Under Pressure Tour | Rush.com". www.rush.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  8. ↑ "Grace Under Pressure Tour Live | Rush.com". www.rush.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  9. ↑ Rock, Classic Rock2015-06-11T09:36:00 161Z Classic. "The 50 Greatest Rush Songs Ever". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 1 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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