music.wikisort.org - Composition

"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]

"Vital Signs"
Single by Rush
from the album Moving Pictures
B-side	"A Passage to Bangkok" "In the Mood"
Released	March 1981 (1981-03) (UK)[1]
Recorded	October–November 1980
Studio	Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec
Genre	Reggae rock progressive rock new wave[2]
Length	4:43
Label	Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Neil Peart Geddy Lee Alex Lifeson
Producer(s)	Rush Terry Brown
Rush singles chronology
"Limelight" (1981) "Vital Signs" (1981) "Tom Sawyer (live)" (1981)
Music video
"Vital Signs" on YouTube

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

• List of Rush songs

References

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