September 25, 2023

1975 - February: Rush “Fly By Night”

36 minutes

Fly By Night is the album where Rush takes its final form. Original drummer John Rutsey left the group shortly after their eponymously named debut album was released. Health problems related to diabetes made it difficult for Rutsey on tour. He was replaced on bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee's 21st birthday by the soon-to-be legendary percussionist, Neil Peart. Together with guitarist Alex Lifeson, the trio would become icons in the prog rock genre.

Most of the material for this album was written while the band was on tour opening for Uriah Heep and Manfred Mann. Rush went into the studios for about 5 days to record the album, which was mixed by January when the group flew to Winnipeg for a concert on January 15th. Fly By Night would also be the album in which Peart takes over much of the lyrical work with the songs, while Lee and Lifeson compose much of the music. The lyrical styles are noticeably different between the first and second album, complete with literary themes which reflect Peart's habit as an avid reader.

This album is also the one which saw Rush moving in a decidedly prog rock direction. This could be attributed to Neal "The Professor" Peart's lyrics, but the entire band wanted each song to show a different side to their writing and playing, creating a diversity of styles in the tracks.

Friend of the show Sean Mooney stands in for WTR Rush Ambassador, Bruce Fricks to bring us this classic prog rock album.

Anthem

The lead-off track to the album was originally conceived by Lee and Lifeson while Rutsey was still in the band. The name of the track is from an Ayn Rand novella, as do the lyrics. Peart's inspiration by Rand would return when the group penned their fourth album, 2112.

Beneath, Between and Behind

This is the first song to feature Peart's lyrics. It was about the discovery of America and the birth of the United States. The lyrics reference the American dream and growth as well as some darker history like wars and immigration. "Beneath the noble birth between the proudest words behind the beauty, cracks appear. Once with heads held high they sand out to the sky why do their shadows bow in fear?"

Best I Can

One of two tracks written before Peart joined the band, this song's music and lyrics were both penned by Geddy Lee, and the song saw regular performance during Rush's first North American tour. The lyrics have a more rock theme than Peart's more literary efforts. "Don't give me speeches 'cause they're oh so droll. Leave me alone, let me rock and roll."

Fly By Night

The "hit" single from the album leads off side 2, and peaked at number 88 on the Billboard charts. The lyrics reflect Peart's first trip away from home when he traveled from Canada to England. "Fly by night, goodbye, my dear. My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Main theme from the motion picture The Stepford Wives

This dystopian sci-fi thriller finds a couple in the town to Stepford, where the women mysteriously transform into submissive domesticated housewives.

STAFF PICKS:

Song for America by Kansas

Wayne leads off the staff picks with the single cut to a 10-minute epic paying tribute to America. It reflects the beauty that can be seen from a jet, but also the ugliness of industrialization. The 5/4 time interspersed in the song marks it as a prog rock masterpiece.

Jackie Blue by Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Rob brings us a cool groove about a woman in pursuit of happiness, but who never stays with anything long enough to find happiness. The original inspiration was a guy they met in Los Angeles who was strung out on drugs. Drummer Larry Lee takes lead duties for this song which made it to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#9 Dream by John Lennon

Lynch features a song released before he was born from Lennon's "Walls and Bridges" album, which coincidentally went to number 9 on the charts. The song literally came from a dream Lennon had, with no inspiration. The "mystery voice" in the background is Lennon's girlfriend at the time, May Pang. Several of the lyrics are nonsense words.

Adam's Apple by Aerosmith

Sean finishes the staff picks with a deep cut from Aerosmith. The lyrics are inspired by the story of the temptation of Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3. It appears on Aerosmith's album "Toys in the Attic," which Steve Tyler wanted to name "Love at First Bite" at one point, a line from this song.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Express by BT Express

We finish off this week's podcast with in instrumental hit from the early disco era.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings