Permanent Waves Songs Ranked

Permanent Waves is the seventh studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on Jan. 14, 1980, through Anthem Records. After touring to support their previous album, Hemispheres (1978), the band began working on new material for a follow-up album in July 1979. This material showed a shift in the group’s sound towards more concise arrangements and radio friendly songs (such as “The Spirit of Radio” and “Freewill”), though their progressive rock blueprint is still evident with “Jacob’s Ladder” and the more than nine-minute closer “Natural Science.” Bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee also employed a more restrained vocal delivery compared to previous albums. Permanent Waves was recorded in 1979 at Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec with production handled by the group and Terry Brown. Permanent Waves received a mostly positive reception from critics, and became the band’s most successful album at the time of release, reaching No. 3 in Canada and the UK and No. 4 in the United States. The album was certified platinum in the latter by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling one million copies. Rush released “The Spirit of Radio” as a single in February 1980 and toured in support of the album in 1980. Here are all of Permanent Waves songs ranked.

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6. Different Strings

“Different Strings” is a beauitful acoustic song, written entirely by Geddy, that is really moving and uncharacteristic for Rush. It reminds me a little bit of “Tears” from 2112.”

5. Entre Nous

“Is a kinda weird Rush song because its a Relationship song and that’s kinda weird for a Rush song subject matter. But its a great track and is a very good single to be released off this album. And shows that a single can still be a interesting song.”

See more: Rush Albums Ranked

4. Jacob’s Ladder

“The First out of the two semi Prog songs on the album. This is my least favorite song out of the two but still is a very good track. Its the most Prog song on the album and it is a interesting song its just not as good as the second semi Prog song.”

3. Freewill

“Another great Rush hit and a great second track. The song is about Freewill and Basically believe in what ever you what to believe in. Again its just a great track but to me its not as good as Spirit Of The Radio”

See more: Rush Songs Ranked

2. Natural Science

“This is my favorite song of this album and one of my favorite Rush tracks of all time. It just is a perfect mix of what rush was doing on Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres and what they are doing on the other tracks off the album. Its just a Amazing song and one of my favorites”

1. The Spirit of Radio

“One of Rush’s best hits it shows influence’s from the late 70s new wave scene with bands like The Police and Ultravox. Like always the instruments are stunning and the lyrics are also great. Its just a great track.”