Question 1

Did Rush write their own songs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, almost without exception. Neil Peart has a lyric credit on 145 of the 165 tracks across the nineteen studio albums, Geddy Lee a music credit on 162 and Alex Lifeson on 158. Only two writers from outside the band appear anywhere in the catalogue: Pye Dubois on four songs and Peter Talbot on one.

Question 2

Who wrote the lyrics for Rush?

Accepted Answer

Neil Peart, from his first album with the band in 1975 until the last one in 2012. Before he joined, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson wrote the words on the 1974 debut, with John Rutsey co-writing the lyrics to "Need Some Love".

Question 3

Who wrote the music for Rush?

Accepted Answer

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, together, on nearly everything. Peart is credited with the music on five tracks as well, among them "YYZ" and "La Villa Strangiato", and Lifeson wrote "Hope" on Snakes & Arrows alone.

Question 4

Who wrote "Tom Sawyer"?

Accepted Answer

Pye Dubois and Neil Peart wrote the lyrics, with the music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Dubois, who wrote for Max Webster, brought Peart the first draft and it stayed a shared credit.

Question 5

How many studio albums did Rush release?

Accepted Answer

Nineteen, from the 1974 debut through Clockwork Angels in 2012. The live albums, EPs and compilations are counted separately.

Question 6

Did Rush ever have a US top 40 hit?

Accepted Answer

One. "New World Man" from Signals reached number 21 on the Hot 100 in 1982. "Tom Sawyer" at 44 and "The Big Money" at 45 came closest after that.

Question 7

How many records has Rush sold?

Accepted Answer

The band ranks 90th in the US with sales of 26 million albums there, and industry sources estimate worldwide album sales at over 42 million.

Question 8

Which Rush album sold the most?

Accepted Answer

Moving Pictures, certified five times platinum in the US for five million copies. 2112 is second with more than four million sold in the US.

Question 9

Who produced Rush's albums?

Accepted Answer

Terry Brown produced with the band from Fly by Night through Signals, a ten-album run. Peter Henderson, Peter Collins, Rupert Hine, Paul Northfield and Nick Raskulinecz took over after that, and the band is credited as co-producer on every one.

Question 10

Is Rush in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Accepted Answer

Yes, inducted in 2013 in Cleveland, fifteen years after they first became eligible. They had already entered the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and were made Officers of the Order of Canada in 1996.