Video Classics: ‘Subdivisions’ – Rush

Rush on stage 2010 (Getty Images/Ethan Miller)

Ah, the alienation of being a face in the crowd, isolated from all those around you (and they from you) by your shared anonymity as you go through the endless repetition of day-to-day-living … in Toronto.  Well, not really just Toronto – Rush was talking about the general condition of modern life, but they used Toronto street scenes as the backdrop for their video for the song “Subdivisions”, as you can see after the jump. Then we’ll talk about the song itself.

“Subdivisions” was part of Rush’s 1982 album Signals. Signals was essentially a successful follow-up to an even-more-successful album, 1981′s Moving Pictures. It largely completed the band’s transition to an ’80′s’ sound, heavy on technology such as synthesizers and sequencers.  It went to #10 on the billboard charts in addition to going platinum. Part of this success might have been due to another transition, Rush’s change to shorter track lengths overall that made their music more radio-friendly.

“Subdivisions” was the lead-off track to Signals, clocking in at 5:34 (about average for the albums’ tracks). While it wasn’t a chart-topper as a single (it did go to #3, but only on the Mainstream Rock chart) it nevertheless found a place as one of the brightest starts in the Rush concert constellation. Since its introduction, it has been a staple of the band’s live performances, and always seems to find its way onto their ‘Greatest Hits’ compilations. It’s also one of five Rush songs to be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, ringing up some extra kudos for co-scribes Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, and Neil Peart.

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