The List of Rush Albums in Order of Release Date

Rush Albums in Order: Rush was a legendary Canadian rock band formed in the city of Toronto way back 1968. They were famous for the complexity of their compositions and the wonderful musicianship. The band’s formation has remained stabilized from 1974 with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. This was the birth of their legendary power trio. Albums from Rush vary across styles: blues-inspired hard rock, progressive rock, and synth-heavy tracks-reflections of the evolution of the band.

The discography boasts some of the milestones of rock, opening with the self-titled debut from 1974 and continuing with albums like 2112, released in 1976, which marked the completion of their affirmation as superstars, and Moving Pictures in 1981, which had received mainstream attention. Rush has sold more than 40 million records worldwide. The last album, Clockwork Angels, has come out in 2012, revisiting progressive standards and principles that characterized the early work of the band.

“Rush Albums in Order” is a trip through decades of trailblazing sound, carving their niches within modern rock music and securing a space in the annals of history.So, if you are a die heart fan of Rush then check out here we have list of all Rush albums in order of release so far.

All Rush Albums Available on:  Apple Music 

Also See: Led Zeppelin Albums in order

How many albums does Rush have?

The Rush has released 19 Studio albums, 11 Live albums, 11 Compilation albums, 13 Video albums, 34 Music videos, 2 EPs, 38 Singles and 12 Box sets.

The List of Rush Albums in Order of Release Date

Here is the list of Rush album in order of release date:

1. Rush — March 1, 1974
2. Fly by Night — February 15, 1975
3. Caress of Steel — September 24, 1975
4. 2112 — March – April 1, 1976
5. A Farewell to Kings — September 1, 1977
6. Hemispheres — October 29, 1978
7. Permanent Waves — January 14, 1980
8. Moving Pictures — February 12, 1981
9. Signals — September 9, 1982
10. Grace Under Pressure — April 12, 1984
11. Power Windows — October 14, 1985
12. Hold Your Fire — September 8, 1987
13. Presto — November 21, 1989
14. Roll the Bones — September 3, 1991
15. Counterparts — October 19, 1993
16. Test for Echo — September 10, 1996
17. Vapor Trails — May 14, 2002
18. Snakes & Arrows — May 1, 2007
19. Clockwork Angels — June 12, 2012

All Rush Albums List in Order

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1. Rush (1974)

Tracks

1. Finding My Way
2. Need Some Love
3. Take a Friend
4. Here Again
5. What You’re Doing
6. In the Mood
7. Before and After
8. Working Man

Rush, the debut studio album by Toronto-based rock band Rush, was released on March 18, 1974 on Moon Records. The album has a hard rock metal background through influences from bands like Led Zeppelin and Cream. All drumming tracks were performed by the original drummer John Rutsey until he left and was later replaced by Neil Peart due to health reasons. Album stand-outs include “Working Man” and “Finding My Way,” which received early airplay on Cleveland’s WMMS radio. Over the years the critical reception of this has varied, but Rush is undeniably a gem in the artifacts of the early work of the band, with all its raw energy and talent.

2. Fly by Night (1975)

Tracks

1. Anthem
2. Best I Can
3. Beneath, Between and Behind
4. By-Tor and the Snow Dog
5. Fly by Night
6. Making Memories
7. Rivendell
8. In the End

Rush’s second studio album, “Fly by Night,” released in 1975, marked a significant turning point in the band’s career. This album featured Neil Peart on drums, who brought a fresh and dynamic energy to the band’s sound. Tracks like “Anthem,” “By-Tor and the Snow Dog,” and the title track showcased Rush’s progressive rock style, characterized by intricate instrumentation and Geddy Lee’s soaring vocals. “Fly by Night” cemented Rush’s place in the rock music landscape, setting the stage for their future success and establishing them as pioneers of the genre.

3. Caress of Steel (1975)

Tracks

1. Bastille Day
2. I Think I’m Going Bald
3. Lakeside Park
4. Into the Darkness
5. Under the Shadow
6. Return of the Prince
7. In the Valley
8. Didacts and Narpets
9. No One at the Bridge
10. Panacea
11. Bacchus Plateau
12. The Fountain

Released on September 24, 1975, Caress of Steel marked a bold move into progressive rock for Rush, who in this period were leaving their earlier blues-based sound behind. The album followed immediately from the group’s tour to support Fly by Night. It is marked by complex narrative pieces such as “The Necromancer” and “The Fountain of Lamneth,” the latter of which occupies an entire side of vinyl. Although “Bastille Day” and “Lakeside Park” were constants in live performances, Caress of Steel was a commercial failure. The “Down the Tubes Tour” which followed merely served as testament to this theory, though in time the sophomore effort has been opened up to a wider audience to be appreciated for its boldness and creativity.

4. 2112 (1976)

Tracks

1. Overture
2. The Temples of Syrinx
3. Discovery
4. Presentation
5. Oracle: The Dream
6. Soliloquy
7. Grand Finale
8. A Passage to Bangkok
9. The Twilight Zone
10. Lessons
11. Tears
12. Something for Nothing

“2112,” out in March 1976, was the fourth studio album of Rush, sitting atop a crossroads for the band. Back then, the band had suffered from financial drawbacks due to the poor reception accorded their previous studio release, Caress of Steel, but instead of doing what most big bands would have done at this point in their career, the group challenged the norm by embracing everything that made up progressive rock. It contains the 20-minute title track, a science fiction epic, its origins inspired from Ayn Rand’s philosophy: a dystopian future in which music is outlawed.

Its complex arrangements and thought-provoking lyrics brought it to the critical acclaim of the time, taking No. 5 in Canada and No. 61 in the U.S., further stamping Rush’s place within the rock genre and making it their second-highest-selling album, with over 3 million copies sold in the United States alone. The album will be remembered as a piece de resistance in the history of progressive rock.

5. A Farewell to Kings (1977)

Tracks

1. A Farewell to Kings
2. Xanadu
3. Closer to the Heart
4. Cinderella Man
5. Madrigal
6. Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage

• “Prologue”
• “1”
• “2”
• “3”

A Farewell to Kings is the fifth studio album of the Canadian rock band Rush, released on August 29, 1977. It marked a major milestone for it became the first Top 40 album in the US and the UK, in Canada it made it to No. 11. The enlarged sound of the album features synthesizers and varied instrumentation, that the tracks effortlessly reflect, whether the 11-minute long epic “Xanadu” or the more concise “Closer to the Heart.”

Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, this reflected an artistic evolution subsequent to 2112. Themes are further elaborated and culminate in the closing track “Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage,” which sets up a story that would be continued in the next album, Hemispheres. Famous for its complex compositions and poetic depth, A Farewell to Kings is one of Rush’s milestone issues, not only in the eyes of fans but also of critics.

6. Hemispheres (1978)

Tracks

1. Prelude
2. Apollo (Bringer of Wisdom)
3. Dionysus (Bringer of Love)
4. Armageddon (The Battle of Heart and Mind)
5. Cygnus (Bringer of Balance)
6. The Sphere (A Kind of Dream)
7. Circumstances
8. The Trees
9. La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence)

• Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!
• To Sleep, Perchance to Dream…
• Strangiato Theme
• A Lerxst in Wonderland
• Monsters!
• The Ghost of the Aragon
• Danforth and Pape
• The Waltz of the Shreves
• Never Turn Your Back on a Monster!
• Monsters! (Reprise)
• Strangiato Theme (Reprise)
• A Farewell to Things

Released to critical acclaim on October 24, 1978, Hemispheres is the sixth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush on Anthem Records. This ambitious record draws to a close a three-part epic begun on their previous release, A Farewell to Kings, with the 18-minute opening piece, “Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres.” Philosophical dichotomy defines the excursion between the two ideals of man as urbane and cultured described by the Greek philosophers: the Apollonian ideal and that of Dionysus, in balance and liberation and pure joy. Musically, Hemispheres is considered the epitome of Rush’s style of progressive rock with hits in “Circumstances” and “La Villa Strangiato.” The RIAA labeled it platinum. Hemispheres was a pinnacle of intensity and lyrical depth, reifying Rush as one of the leading forces in the world of rock music.

7. Permanent Waves (1980)

Tracks

1. The Spirit of Radio
2. Freewill
3. Jacob’s Ladder
4. Entre Nous
5. Different Strings
6. Natural Science

• Tide Pools
• Hyperspace
• Permanent Waves

Permanent Waves is the seventh studio album by the Canadian rock trio Rush. Its release on 14 January 1980 marked a turning point in their catalog for a more focused, radio-friendly yet still intrinsically progressive compositions; noted by such tracks as “The Spirit of Radio” and “Freewill,” featuring Geddy Lee with more contained vocals and complicated arrangements from the band. The album, recorded at Le Studio in Quebec, received critical acclaim and was No. 3 in Canada and the UK and No. 4 in the U.S. Eventually it was certified platinum in the U.S. A big tour buttressed the album’s success and further guaranteed the impact of Rush on the rock genre.

8. Moving Pictures (1981)

Tracks

1. Tom Sawyer
2. “Red Barchetta
3. YYZ
4. Limelight
5. Witch Hunt
6. Vital Signs
7. The Camera Eye

• “I.” (a.k.a “New York”)
• “II.” (a.k.a “London”)

“Moving Pictures,” released February 12, 1981 is the eighth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush. Of course, it’s a very important step in evolution on the sound: more radio-friendly, even shorter than usual, with longtime co-producer Terry Brown at work behind the board. All iconic singles are represented: “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” and the Grammy-nominated instrumental “YYZ,” where progressive rock combines with catchy melodies. It proved a commercial success, topping the charts in Canada and the U.S. and U.K. at number three; “Moving Pictures” became Rush’s best-selling album in the U.S., with over five million copies sold. “Moving Pictures” remains a landmark release, held in revere for what is styled innovative artistry and lyrical depth.

9. Signals (1982)

Tracks

1. Subdivisions
2. The Analog Kid
3. Chemistry
4. Digital Man
5. The Weapon
6. New World Man
7. Losing It
8. Countdown

“Signals,” the ninth in a long line of studio records from the Canadian rock group Rush, is a September 9, 1982 release. The sound came following the success of “Moving Pictures” in the autumn of 1981 and was written during the band’s 1981 tour and while mixing their live album, “Exit.Stage Left.” The band significantly shifted on this record by incorporating synthesizers and other electronic instrumentation on occasion; Terry Brown produced the record for the final time. The album reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 3 in the UK, while in the U.S. it reached No. 10; its singles “New World Man”, which turned into Rush’s highest charting single in the U.S., as well as “Subdivisions” and “Countdown”, brought the platinum status to the album in November 1982.

10. Grace Under Pressure (1984)

Tracks

1. Distant Early Warning
2. Afterimage
3. Red Sector A
4. The Enemy Within
5. The Body Electric
6. Kid Gloves
7. Red Lenses
8. Between the Wheels

Grace Under Pressure, released on April 12, 1984, is Rush’s tenth studio album as a Canadian rock band. Following the Signals tour, it was an attempt by the band to sound more like others had begun with their synthesizer-based style and incorporated ska and reggae elements. It really was their first not produced by Terry Brown, who had been with them from the beginning. They hired Peter Henderson instead to record with them at Le Studio in Quebec. Commerially successful, the album peaked at No. 4 in Canada and No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 while achieving platinum certification. Some of the most notable cuts include “Distant Early Warning,” inspired by news stories, and “Red Sector A,” which hones in on Holocaust themes.

11. Power Windows (1985)

Tracks

1. The Big Money
2. Grand Designs
3. Manhattan Project
4. Marathon
5. Territories
6. Middletown Dreams
7. Emotion Detector
8. Mystic Rhythms

Power Windows is the eleventh studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released on October 11, 1985 in Canada and October 21, 1985 in the U.S. It followed in the line of Rush’s experimental forays into synthesizer-driven music, incorporating sampling, electronic drums, and orchestral elements. The album was recorded in Montserrat and England with co-producer Peter Collins, and it peaked to No. 2 on the Canadian charts and was certified platinum in the United States. Thematologically, the work elucidates the power axis explored in songs like “The Big Money” and “Manhattan Project.” The album was complemented by a tour and received praise from scholars and critics for innovation and complexity.

12. Hold Your Fire (1987)

Tracks

1. Force Ten
2. Time Stand Still
3. Open Secrets
4. Second Nature
5. Prime Mover
6. Lock and Key
7. Mission
8. Turn the Page
9. Tai Shan
10. High Water

Hold Your Fire, 1987: The twelfth studio album by Canadian progressive rock band Rush, and their last record with PolyGram/Mercury outside of Canada. It was made at a variety of studios, including The Manor and AIR Studios. A notable track on this one is “Time Stand Still,” which features Aimee Mann. Peaking only at the number 13 spot on the Billboard charts and marking the lowest-charging album from Rush since 1978, it was gold-certified from the RIAA. Work by Neil Peart featured themes of time and instinct, which dictated the album’s storytelling. It has attained a loyal cult following through negative critiques.

13. Presto (1989)

Tracks

1. Show Don’t Tell
2. Chain Lightning
3. The Pass
4. War Paint
5. Scars
6. Presto
7. Superconductor
8. Anagram (For Mongo)
9. Red Tide
10. Hand Over Fist
11. Available Light

Presto, 1989 November 17th Released on, marked Rush’s thirteenth studio album as the band made their transition from Mercury to a global partnership with Atlantic Records. A six-month gap after completing the Hold Your Fire tour gave way to renewed emphasis on guitar-led compositions and far fewer synthesizers. It added a raw, powerful quality to the overall sound, as heard in such cuts as “Show Don’t Tell,” “The Pass,” and “Superconductor.” Presto was a commercial success, reaching No. 7 in Canada and No. 16 in the U.S. and securing gold certification sales of over 500,000. The band toured well behind Presto throughout much of 1990; it’s since been remastered and reissued as part of the band’s discography.

14. Roll the Bones (1991)

Tracks

1. Dreamline
2. Bravado
3. Roll the Bones
4. Face Up
5. Where’s My Thing?
6. The Big Wheel
7. Heresy
8. Ghost of a Chance
9. Neurotica
10. You Bet Your Life

Roll the Bones is the Canadian progressive-rock band Rush’s fourteenth studio record. Released on September 3, 1991, it marked the first session since the brief hiatus after Presto. The album was recorded at Le Studio and McClear Place with co-producer Rupert Hine. This would prove to be the big commercial comeback the band needed for it rose to No. 3 in the US charts. The LP also produced a Juno Award for Best Album Design. The interesting exploration of chance and fate in introspective lyrics comes together with wonderful experiments at a musical level, with a memorable rap feature on the title track. It earned the status of platinum certification in the United States in 2001 and was remastered multiple times to further confirm its unparalleled legacy in the music field.

15. Counterparts (1993)

Tracks

1. Animate
2. Stick It Out
3. Cut to the Chase
4. Nobody’s Hero
5. Between Sun and Moon
6. Alien Shore
7. The Speed of Love
8. Double Agent
9. Leave That Thing Alone
10. Cold Fire
11. Everyday Glory

Counterparts is the fifteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on October 19, 1993 through Anthem Records. After the Roll the Bones tour, the band aimed to balance their style between spontaneity and polish. Chart performance The album had a moderate success on the charts, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 on the American weekly charts and at No. 6 in Canada. Its lead single, “Stick It Out,” spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The instrumental “Leave That Thing Alone,” from which the Grammy nomination was received, best encapsulates the return to guitar-based music by the band. The album has since been remastered and re-released several times, cementing it in Rush’s history.

16. Test for Echo (1996)

Tracks

1. Test for Echo
2. Driven
3. Half the World
4. The Color of Right
5. Time and Motion
6. Totem
7. Dog Years
8. Virtuality
9. Resist
10. Limbo
11. Carve Away the Stone

The sixteenth studio album from Canadian rock band Rush, “Test for Echo” was released on September 10, 1996 through Anthem Records. Co-produced by Peter Collins, it marked a change in the direction of the band toward a guitar-orientated sound, as can be heard in the title song tracks: “Driven”, featuring Geddy Lee’s bass work, and “Resist,” as was later altered for some acoustic performances. After the world tour of their album, Rush went into a five-year layoff when personal tragedies happened, as Neil Peart, the drummer, experienced. It has been remastered and reissued several times to show its importance within the band’s catalog.

17. Vapor Trails (2002)

Tracks

1. One Little Victory
2. Ceiling Unlimited
3. Ghost Rider
4. Peaceable Kingdom
5. The Stars Look Down
6. How It Is
7. Vapor Trail
8. Secret Touch
9. Earthshine
10. Sweet Miracle
11. Nocturne
12. Freeze
13. Out of the Cradle

Vapor Trails is the seventeenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on May 14, 2002. As their first studio effort in six years, this album was written after a hiatus started due to drummer Neil Peart’s personal tragedy; the death of his daughter and wife. A recording that not only is different from previous records but one that doesn’t have any keyboards or synthesizers, giving it a sound much heavier through thickened guitar, bass, and drums. Charted to No. 3 in Canada and No. 6 in the U.S.; the lead single “One Little Victory” charted to No. 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Because of mixed reviews of the initial production, a remixed version of the disc was released in 2013 to better reflect the band’s desire for higher quality sound.

18. Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Tracks

1. Far Cry
2. Armor and Sword
3. Workin’ Them Angels
4. The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)
5. Spindrift
6. The Main Monkey Business
7. The Way the Wind Blows
8. Hope
9. Faithless
10. Bravest Face
11. Good News First
12. Malignant Narcissism
13. We Hold On

“Snakes & Arrows” is the eighteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush. Released on May 1, 2007, it has been recorded after a short break of R30 tour in January 2006 by the band with co-producer Nick Raskulinecz in five weeks. It is a three-instrumental track record, more than any other release from Rush, notable for its endeavoring sound. Thematic richness is characterized by Neil Peart’s song words within faith, war, and hope-thriving off very personal experiences, as well as literary references. The album was praised through criticism, surged to the No. 3 spot on Billboard charts, and was certified gold in Canada as well.

19. Clockwork Angels (2012)

Tracks

1. Caravan
2. BU2B
3. Clockwork Angels
4. The Anarchist
5. Carnies
6. Halo Effect
7. Seven Cities of Gold
8. The Wreckers
9. Headlong Flight
10. BU2B2
11. Wish Them Well
12. The Garden

Released on June 8, 2012, Clockwork Angels is the last studio album and nineteenth overall from this Canadian rock band, Rush. It was produced following nearly a year-and-a-half off when they concluded their Snakes & Arrows Tour. The remainder of the album was recorded in October, November and December 2011 at Revolution Recording in Toronto, however two of the songs, “Caravan” and “BU2B,” were actually recorded April 2010. The lyrics were written by drummer Neil Peart and tell a linear story in a dystopian steampunk-themed world. With lavish orchestration, including string arrangements, the album debuted at No. 1 in Canada and No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and won the 2013 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year.

All Rush Tours in Order by Year

Rush’s touring career does offer testimony to the change in status of one of the rock bands most perpetuated and influential in history. The sequence of Rush Tours reflects a steady growth from modest performances in Ontario toward international tours. First tour of major stature after the entrance of Neil Peart was in 1974, catapulting the band into the US market.

They became famous over the years for some of the most spectacular tours; the 2112 Tour in 1976-1977 and the Permanent Waves Tour in 1980 cemented their status. The later tours include the Power Windows Tour in 1985 and the Test for Echo Tour in 1996-1997. Last but not least, the R40 Live Tour took place in 2015, just to close out the 40th anniversary of the band. The series of Rush Tours in Order recounts their story of staying power, musical evolution, and mythical status in rock history.

Here is the List of Rush Tours in Order by Year:

1. Rush Tour (1974–1975)
2. Fly By Night Tour (1975)
3. Caress of Steel Tour (1975–1976)
4. 2112 Tour (1976)
5. All The World’s A Stage Tour (1976–1977)
6. A Farewell To Kings Tour (1977–1978)
7. Archives Tour (1978)
8. Hemispheres Tour (1978–1979)
9. Permanent Waves Tour (1979–1980)
10. Moving Pictures Tour (1980–1981)
11. Exit … Stage Left Tour (1981)
12. Signals Tour (1982–1983)
13. Grace Under Pressure Tour (1983–1984)
14. Power Windows Tour (1985–1986)
15. Hold Your Fire Tour (1987–1988)
16. Presto Tour (1990)
17. Roll the Bones Tour (1991–1992)
18. Counterparts Tour (1994)
19. Test for Echo Tour (1996–1997)
20. Vapor Trails Tour (2002)
21. R30: 30th Anniversary Tour (2004)
22. Snakes & Arrows Tour (2007–2008)
23. Time Machine Tour (2010–2011)
24. Clockwork Angels Tour (2012–2013)
25. R40 Live Tour (2015)

 

Conclusion:

This discography runs over an incredible journey through the history of rock: from blues-inspired hard rock to progress and synth-driven styles. Classic power trio lineup-Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart-defined virtuosic musicianship and lyrical depth. Albums 2112, Moving Pictures, and Clockwork Angels left a permanent imprint in the history of music. “Rush Albums in Order” sees the way the band went through so many phases, from one style to another, giving the tracks of each a new and fresh unique influence. And so, even with their last concert this year 2015, the impact remains indelible on generations to rock music.

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