"Limelight" by Rush

Song#:  0527
Date:  03/14/1981
Debut:  83
Peak:  55
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Prog Rock



Pop Bits:  Continuing with the more rock radio-friendly fare established on their previous album "Permanent Waves," Rush upped the ante with what would become their best-selling album, "Moving Pictures." This first single was about the difficulty in dealing with fame and all that comes with it including the intrusion into personal lives. Although the group was already famous, the LP would push them towards superstardom, which probably made the lyrical meaning to this song seem even more relevant.

ReduxReview:  Even though terrific for rock radio and accessible (for prog rock), it's still nothing that would be a standard on pop radio. So it is both good and a bit surprising that the song made it almost halfway up the chart. The opening guitar lick is great and memorable and the rest of the song is darn good. A solid entry for Rush.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  On "Moving Pictures," Rush included the instrumental "YYZ," which received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The title refers to the three-letter airport code for the Toronto airport. The Morse Code equivalent of the airport code is played at the beginning of the song.

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