Cover Songs
"The only way to convincingly record someone else's music is to make it your own in some way.
Sometimes you're more successful than others." - Geddy Lee, The Charlotte Observer, May 28, 2004
 "Fly By Night", performed by the Sun City Girls on Midnight Cowboys From Ipanema, 1986
The Sun City Girls are an underground/indie trio originally from Sun City, Arizona, comprised of three guys (not girls: the guitar and bass player are brothers). The vocal on this one is...hard to describe...which I believe would be taken as a compliment.
 "Red Barchetta", performed by progressive metal band Thought Industry on their "Signing Demo", 1989
A then unsigned progressive metal band from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Thought Industry produced this cassette demo containing four original songs plus "Red Barchetta" in 1989 before going on to release six albums from 1992 through 2001.
 "The Spirit of Radio", performed by grunge band Solomon Grundy, a spin off of the band Screaming Trees, as a 7" single, 1991
During the fadeout, the guitarist also plays the opening notes of "Freewill". The back cover art gives "Thanks to Rush".
 "What You're Doing", performed by Skid Row on B-Sides Ourselves, 1992
Vocalist Sebastian Bach would later perform on the Working Man tribute album, 1996, and the Subdivisions tribute album, 2005.
 "Today's Tom Sawyer" performed by psychobilly band The New Duncan Imperials (as in the yo-yo!), on Loserville, March 2, 1993
You know those 70's recordings by William Shatner where he performed 60's songs in the beatnik style (i.e. "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds", etc.)? Ok, now imagine William Shatner on mescaline!
 "I Think I'm Going Bald", performed by Ed Hall on the compilation album Cinco Años, Five Years Trance Syndicate Records, August 25, 1995
Not a bad version by this Butthole Surfers influenced band; they sound like they are having fun singing this classic. The vocals sound like three or four guys singing at a bar.
 "The Spirit of Radio", performed by Paul Brooks on Classic Rock: Symphonic Arrangements of 19 Monster Rock Anthems, 1995
Possibly best described as "Andrew Lloyd Weber" or "Musak", this cover tune is found on a UK K-tel compilation (ECD3241) along with symphonic covers of other classic radio hits from the 70's and 80's, ranging in scope from Led Zeppelin and Queen to Bon Jovi and the Eagles.
 "Subdivisions", performed by the Groove Daddys on Sunburn, 1995
A fabulous cover, the Groove Daddys not only succeed in rearranging "Subdivisions" with an alternative sound, they end it with the closing notes to "Xanadu"! "We recorded that song in '95 and at the time there was alot of talk about Punk Rock (there still is ...) ....about it 'finally going mainstream' blah, blah, blah.... We thought that 'Subdivisions' was the ultimate 'Punk Rock' song lyrically - about kids being bored in the suburbs and the general malaise and angst that go along with that. We felt that most people at the time would miss the point because of the '80's production of the original, so we thought we'd give it our own 'punk-rock'-type treatment. It was really done quite tongue in-cheek...we were actually really more of a prog-alterna kinda band...quite Rush influenced (odd times signatures, complicated ensemble playing etc.) now that I look back on it....that's more obvious when you listen to the rest of Sunburn though." - Rob Szabo of the Groove Daddys, via email August 2, 2002
 "The Spirit of Radio", performed by Catherine Wheel, hidden track on Like Cats And Dogs, September 2, 1996
"There was that British band, Catherine Wheel, who did 'Spirit Of Radio', and they did a really good version, and I heard an interview with the guy going: 'the parts we left out were the ones we can't play...' [laughs]" - Neil Peart, Classic Rock, October 2004
 "Anthem", performed by Yngwie Malmsteen on Inspiration, November 5, 1996
 "Witch Hunt", performed by death metal band Paradigma on Skadi, 1996
The haunting, female witchy/ritual-esque vocals make this version really interesting. There are a few typical death metal growling man's voice in the "beat and burn and kill" lyrics, which work well in this version.
  Dream Theater
- "Tears" live, performed by Dream Theater, recorded January 31, 1995, from the International Fan Club Christmas CD 1996
- "The Dance Of Eternity" from Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory , October 26, 1999
Includes a tribute to the closing notes of "Freewill" beginning at 5:56 through the end.
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Dream Theater's first rehearsal as a band included jams of their favorite Rush songs; although "Tears" is the only Rush cover included on an official Dream Theater release, they frequently include Rush covers in their live show and some of the members performed on the 1996 Rush tribute album, Working Man. Drummer Mike Portnoy, whose high school yearbook states his dream was "to be the next Neil Peart", wrote the liner notes for the Japanese release of Vapor Trails, included Rush in his "History of Prog Rock" found in the Live at Budokan DVD, and performed a Rush tribute show as part of "Cygnus And The Sea Monsters". The January 2007 issue of Guitar World magazine subscriber CD-Rom included a 26 minute interview with guitarist John Pretrucci, where John opens with "one of my biggest influences, as a band and the guitar player from that band is Rush. If I had to name my favorite band, it would be them." The video is available here. They also confirmed during the audio commentary of their Metropolis 2000: Scenes From New York DVD that the end of their song "Dance of Eternity" has the reference to Rush's "Freewill" (and Petrucci followed this with a "Take Off!" is his best Geddy voice). In addition, there are additional Rush related comments found on their Images and Words Live in Tokyo / 5 Years in a Live Time two DVD set: on Images and Words Live in Tokyo, John Petrucci states his volume swell effects are inspired by Rush and sites "Xanadu" as an example; on 5 Years in a Live Time, he sings a song he made up about how he hates medleys and hates when Rush does 'em ("I fuckin' hate when Rush does medleys/Why don't they play the whole damn song/It makes me feel like medley smedley...").
 "Closer to the Heart", performed by Jaymz Bee and The Royal Jelly Orchestra from Cocktail:Shakin' and Stirred, 1997
Break out your polyester leisure suit and head to the piano bar for this lounge singer version. Everyone, do the Macarena!
 "Tom Sawyer", performed by Swedish progressive band Death Organ on Universal Stripsearch, 1997
The heavy use of keyboards in this version are reminiscent of Deep Purple.
 "Working Man" performed by punk band Anger on Juvenile Anthems, 1997
This one sounds straight out of '77, not '97. If you are a fan of punk, you'll love this version.
 "Driven", performed by Mr. Hyde on Demo Version 1.0, 1997
An unsigned Ohio band who released their second self-produced CD in July, 2001. Trying to sound like Rush, this version of "Driven" is from an out of print CDr produced by the band that contained one original song plus four covers.
 "Working Man", performed by alternative rock band Liquid Gang on Fantastic Pirate Satellite, February 2, 1998
This melancholic-alternative rock version is a nice reworking of the original.
 "2112 Overture", performed by Paul Roarback on The Mother of all Tribute Albums, March 17, 1998
The closing notes of this song are from Pink Floyd's "Is There Anybody Out There?". Roarback was the drummer for Christian grunge band Grammatrain.
 "The Spirit Of Radio", performed by violinist Rachel Barton (with accompanying second violin and cello) on Stringendo: Storming The Citadel, 1998
Performed by a string trio, this is an amazing cover, and unique. Other tracks on the album include covers of AC/DC, U2, Black Sabbath, Metallica, and more.
"...the structures of tunes like 'The Spirit of Radio' and [Metallica's] 'One' are quite sophisticated, much more so than in a typical pop tune." - Rachel Barton
 "Tom Sawyer", performed by Rage on Thirteen (Japanese version only), April 2, 1998
 "Xanadu", performed by Silver Sun on the "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" 7" single, 1998
This was the first cover song that I absolutely loved for the fact that it does not sound like the original. Without the lush introduction of the original, this version kicks right in and steamrolls to the end.
 "2112 Overture"/"Temples of Syrinx", performed by Italian progressive trio Shoggoth on Combination, 1998
 "Battle Scar" (live), performed by Talas on If We Only Knew Then What We Know Now..., September 8, 1998
A cover of the Max Webster/Rush collaboration (found in the Guest Appearances section of this site). From Talas' 1998 reunion concert, this recording includes a two minute bass solo intro by Billy Sheehan. Talas was Sheehan's first band, which broke up in 1985 when he left to join David Lee Roth's solo band. Following two albums with Roth, Sheehan left to form Mr. Big, who toured with Rush during the Presto tour. In his instructional video, Billy Sheehan-Bass Secrets, 1992, Billy personally thanks the members of Rush after the end credits.
 "The Spirit of Radio", performed by dance-pop band Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers on Rock the Party, December 15, 1998
Trying to sound like Rush, for a K-tel-esque cover album.
 "Jacob's Ladder", performed by progressive band Hermetic Science on Prophesies, 1999
The lead instruments on this track are percussion (vibes & marimba).
 "La Villa Strangiato", performed by Greg Howe on Ascend, May 4, 1999
 "The Spirit of Radio", performed by Spur of the Moment (Brandeis University pop a capella group) on Two Flights Up, 1999
A capella must be tough enough for average songs, but RUSH!? A few of the lyrics are incorrect, but this song is very well scripted; every note recreated a capella - even the percussion!
 "Headrush", performed by The Gomers on Sofa King Good, 1999
From the album's linernotes: "What if David Byrne-era Talking Heads did Rush's Tom Sawyer?"
 "Oracle: The Dream", performed by metal band Thrones on the compilation album Jackson's Jukebox, 1999
Formed by ex-Melvins bassist Joe Preston, reviews of other Thrones material describe them as "Metal meets Pink Floyd" for their use of effects.
 "Tom Saywer", performed by French heavy-metal band Fifty One's on Jealousy, 2000
This track is actually a cover of the DJ Z-Trip remix from the Small Soldiers soundtrack, although Rush is thanked in the albums' credits.
 "The Spirit of Radio", performed by Rosetta Stone on Unerotica, August 15, 2000
The vocals in this version are very similar to latter day David Bowie.
 "The Sphere: A Kind of Dream", performed by Sound Transmission on First Construction, 2000
Similar in composition to the original, this cover includes a complimentary extended instrumental second half. To order the album, visit SoundTransmission.com.
 "Distant Early Warning" performed by German progressive rock band Poverty's No Crime on One In A Million, 2001
This cover is very similar to the original, in fact the opening synthesizer sounds like a sample of the Rush original.
 "Working Man", performed by Firebird, included as bonus track on the Japanese release of Deluxe, August 22, 2001
Highly regarded ex-Carcass guitarist Bill Steer leads this contemporary hard-rock/blues-based trio in the tradition of the late-'60s and early-'70s rock groups such as Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. "Working Man" is available for download on their official website, Firebirdhome.com
 "Anthem", performed by George Lynch on Will Play For Food, August 28, 2001
Guitar shredder George Lynch previously performed this same track on the Working Man tribute album.
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Deadsy
- "Tom Sawyer" (live) on Family Values Tour 2001, May 7, 2002
- "Tom Sawyer", performed on Commencement, May 14, 2002. Originally slated for release in 1999, Atlantic apparently held back its release, prompting the band to eventually change to Korn's label. During the delay the band added five additional songs, one of which was "Tom Sawyer".
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 "In The Mood", performed by Sloan on the soundtrack to the Canadian film Fubar, May 21, 2002
When asked who they prefer among all Canadian bands, Bryan Adams or Neil Young, Sloan guitarist and vocalist Patrick Pentland answered "Oh, Neil Young. Has anyone ever said Bryan Adams? Now if you had said Rush or Neil Young... That would have been harder." - www.swizzle-stick.com
 "Tom Sawyer", performed by the String Cheese Incident live at Red Rocks, on July 6 2002, Morrison Co: On the Road (limited edition)
With a feel reminiscent to live Grateful Dead or Phish, there are a few lyrical errors in this performance. "Tom Sawyer" is also found on other live releases from The String Cheese Incident On the Road Series. "SCI" is a group from Boulder, Colorado, who describe themselves as a "sacrilegious mix of bluegrass, calypso, salsa, afro pop, funk, rock, and jazz." - www.stringcheeseincident.com.
 "Tom Sawyer" (acoustic), performed by Brazil's Emmerson Nogueira on Versão Acústica Vol. 2 (Acoustic Versions), October 21, 2002
This is a beautiful cover performed on acoustic guitars, with a female vocal lead and male accompaniment, and sparse percussion. The keyboard solo now sounds like flamenco guitar! Other tracks on the album include covers of Supertramp, The Beatles, The Police, etc.
 "Working Man", performed by the Suplecs on the "stoner rock" covers compilation Sucking The 70's, October 22, 2002
 "YYZ", performed by Umphrey's McGee on Live At Fox Theatre, recorded March 29, 2003
Exclusively available at emusic.com, this jam band concludes "YYZ" with the final notes of "The Spirit Of Radio".
 "Afterimage", performed by Violet Island on One Or Nothing, July 17, 2003
This etheral cover is reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan.
 "Closer To The Heart", performed by 12 Harmonic Chaos on the Cover Art EP, August 2003
An acoustic version performed by a one-piece band from Silver Spring, Maryland. For additional information, visit www.12harmonicchaos.tk.
 "Cygnus X-1", performed by Dr. Manhattan on Deflatormouse, September 17, 2003
This online cover album is available for free download, complete with artwork. Visit warpsmasher.com for additional information.
 "Tom Sawyer", performed by punk band Mindless Self Indulgence on You'll Rebel to Anything, April 12, 2005
Mindless Self Indulgence previously toured with Deadsy, a band who also released a cover of "Tom Sawyer" in 2002 (see previous entry).
 "Limelight", performed by Spearfish on Area 605, May 3, 2005
Although they hail from Sweden, Spearfish is a city in South Dakota, USA, which has the telephone area code 605...
 "Bravado" and "At The End", performed by Clator Butler on Here B-Side Myself, 2005
One Rush and one Victor (Alex Lifeson's solo album) cover are included on this download-only album which includes alternate takes of original songs as well as cover tunes of Clator Butler's favorite artists.
 "The Trees", performed by Richard Cheese on Silent Nightclub, September 26, 2006
"America's loudest lounge singer Richard Cheese performs swingin' Vegas versions of rock songs. Imagine Frank Sinatra crooning a Rush tune, and you've got Dick." - iloverichardcheese.com
 "YYZ", performed in the video game Guitar Hero 2, November 7th, 2006
 "The Spirit Of Radio", performed by the Bach Children's Choir from the film White Noise 2: The Light, January 5, 2007
Late in this film about a man who sees a light emanating from those about to die, a school choir sings "The Spirit of Radio". The choral version is actually sung by the Bach Children's Choir. Released in theaters only in Europe, it is available on DVD in North America.
 "Tom Sawyer", performed by Derek Fairbridge on Eleven-Legged Race, January 2007
Click here for a sample of "Tom Sawyer". Only available via pay-download, this is "an album that answers the musical question: What would it sound like if Joni Mitchell, Jim O'Rourke and Led Zeppelin held a potluck dinner party at Burt Bacharach's house and drank a little too much wine?" - derekfairbridge.com
 "Garden Road", performed by Mos Generator on Sucking the 70s: Back in the Saddle Again, February 27, 2007
Click here for a sample of "Garden Road". "Garden Road" is an unreleased Rush original last performed live on the '74 tour. In the 1988 "Rush Backstage Club Newsletter", when asked why it was never officially released, Neil replied, "... original songs written before I joined the band... Well, why do you think we never recorded them?"
 "Tom Sawyer", performed by The Alex Skolnick Trio on Last Day In Paradise, March 15, 2007
The Alex Skolnick Trio is known for its inventive jazz take on hard rock and heavy metal standards. Alex Skolnick also performed on the Subdivisions tribute album.
 "Tom Sawyer", performed by instrumental jazz band The Bad Plus on Prog, May 8th, 2007
 "Tom Sawyer" & "Limelight", performed in the video game Rock Band, November 20th, 2007
"Tom Sawyer" is included in the game disk itself, while "Limelight" and "Working Man" are available as a subsequent downloads. This is the second time that Rush covers were included in one of Harmonix/Electronic Arts' games; "YYZ" was included in Guitar Hero 2.
"With a lot of the rock guitar games that are available now...a whole new audience is coming around to knowing who we are. We're seeing a lot of young kids that have learned about Rush that way. So its very interesting to us to see all of these 11 - 14 year old budding guitar players coming to our shows." - Alex Lifeson, KZRR Albuquerque phone interview, April 8th, 2008
"Finding My Way", performed by the Michael Schenker Group on Doctor, Doctor: The Kulick Sessions, February 8, 2008
Sebastian Bach lends his vocal talents to this track from Michael Schenker's covers album. This is Bach's fourth such Rush cover on record: he has performed Rush covers both as a member of Skid Row as well as on the Working Man and Subdivisions tribute albums.
"Available Light" is one of four tracks which have been recorded for an all new full orchestral jazz covers project to be released mid-to-late 2008. The as of yet unnamed band began as a recording project founded by composers Ryan Fraley & Ralph Johnson with vocalist Lydia McAdams. Besides Rush, the band is covering Queen, Yes, Led Zeppelin and more; there are samples of the four completed tracks (including "Available Light") currently available on their website with eight more tracks in the works. Judging from the samples, this covers album will be very unique, with classic prog songs lovingly rearranged for a full jazz orchestra with beautiful vocal accompanyment. Visit progjazz.com for more information, including a mailing list to be automatically notified once the CD is released.
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