"The office door closed early The hidden bottle came out The salesman turned to close the blinds A little slow now, a little stout But he’s still heading down those tracks Any day now for sure Another day as drab as today Is more than a man can endure Dreams flow across the heartland Feeding on the fires Dreams transport desires Drive you when you’re down - Dreams transport the ones Who need to get out of town The boy walks with his best friend Through the fields of early May They walk awhile in silence One close - one far away But he’d be climbing on that bus Just him and his guitar To blaze across the heavens Like a brilliant shooting star The middle-aged madonna Calls her neighbour on the phone Day by day the seasons pass And leave her life alone But she’ll go walking out that door On some bright afternoon To go and paint big cities From a lonely attic room It’s understood By every single person Who’d be elsewhere if they could So far so good And life’s not unpleasant In their little neighbourhood They dream in Middletown…"
It’s hard to get past neil and geddy’s playing but once you can listen to this album a few times and hear the work Alex did, you’ll be blown away. He had the hardest job from signals through this album to make the guitar fit and fill out the sound and he nailed it. Very odd fills, chords, and his solos on this album are some of his best. I don’t think there are many guitarists that could have pulled off what he did on these synth era albums.
@@davidwoolbright3675 I know a lot of people really like this album but it just doesn't grab me. Music speaks to everyone differently. What resonates with some may not with others. I would put Hemispheres, 2112 and Permanent Waves in my top three. As to what order, it all depends on the day. Have a good one. Cheers
You can actually listen to this four times in a row - concentrating each time on a singular part of the song Bass Guitar Percussion Vocal/lyrics and the story Neil is telling. It's amazing how much more you learn about the song and actually appreciate it even more. That's what I think anyway 😉 Alex's "wakka wakka wak Wakka wakka wakka wak" makes me smile every time I hear it.
The lyrical content on this album sits front and center. The content of the storytelling and phrasing is amazing. The musical landscape is the bonus on top. This is just business as usual for Rush!
I love their Power Windows album, and this song is one of my favorites from the album. They played this on the Clockwork Angels tour when I saw them. As soon as those opening notes started, my jaw dropped. I honestly thought I'd never hear this one performed live again. I couldn't have been happier.... until they started playing "Territories" from this album. Being one of the other favorite songs from the album, and never thinking I'd hear it again, I was beside myself. What a great show.
The interesting thing is that the record company decided to push what I consider the weakest song on the album, "The Big Money", as the big single. Between this, "Territories," "Mystic Rhythms," and a song I consider my personal favorite of the band, "Marathon," it's a fantastic album, and was actually the album that took me from "Okay, Rush is alright" to "This is now my favorite band." A choice that was cemented after seeing them live in concert that year and experiencing a Neil Peart drum solo for the first time.
Absolutely correct! I nearly cried when they played Middletown Dreams. One of my favorite top 10 Rush songs. First time I heard it live. Another favorite one that I never heard live is Losing It. They had so many deep cuts that are better than all their big hits. I wished they played more of those great songs live. Second Nature and Double Agent are amazing too.
I always got the impression Neil continued some of the ideas he presented in this song with "The Mission" from "Hold Your Fire". In this song, we have "Dreams flow across the heartland, feeding on the fires". In The Mission, he continues "Hold your fire, keep it burning bright. Hold the flame till the dream ignites. A spirit with a vision is a dream...." It seems to me he continues that line of thought.
This era solidified my love for Rush. They weren't just super musicians but Neil was a brilliant poet. Grace Under Pressure, to Roll the Bones really shows how powerful his lyrics could be. Power Windows is as close as you can get to a perfect album. Considering the Oppenheimer movie currently in theaters, I can't think of a better song to listen to than Manhattan Project, off this same album!
Interesting enough, this was Rush’s most symphonic phase with all the instruments and sounds melding together to create and form sounds and music that no other musician would ever dare to attempt. Add in the lyrics and you have Shakespeare meets Mozart on a heavy metal plane.🤯🎹🥁🎸🎤🤘🖖✌️
HYF had some great symphonic shift to the material, in its own way. Just with a more great compressed edge that's crisp and vigorating like a cold drink.
I’ve heard this song about 100k times since it came out in 85’. Still gives me chills. Saw them perform the whole Power Windows album @CowPalace Winter 86’
I think a lot of people don’t like this album. But to me it is a quintessential Rush album! I had just started listening to Rush thanks to Grace Under Pressure, so this was the first new release I had heard from them. I think it’s a great album.
Cool guys, yeah Rush is so focking good. Almost impossible to put these 3 together in 1 band….Amazing career, catalogue, humble normal guys…lots of humor….their fanbase kept on growing till they got popular and cool in 2013 and still their fanbase is growing. They influenced so many bands…great so see you guys exploring the rabbit hole. Greetings from The Netherlands!
“Don’t be over” - what I said at the end of the Clockwork Angels album, knowing it was their last, and what I said through tears at the end of their R40 concert, knowing it was the last time I’d see them live.
"Turn The Page" from their "Hold Your Fire" (1987) is an AWESOME track. I promise you guys will love it - OR YOUR MONEY BACK 😅😅 Please put it on your list, as there are very few reactions to it.
For what it's worth, I'll second this! And I won't spoil it too much, but the way Alex utterly destroys his guitar during that solo gives me goosebumps every time!
This is the best song on the album, in my opinion. I’m feeling some strong nostalgia for the first time I listened to this album in 1984. A lot of people don’t like the synth era for Rush, and those feelings are valid. But I love the keys from Moving Pictures through Power Windows. Alex felt alienated since keyboards kind of filled his space, but he still puts his stamp on every song. The solo in Middletown Dreams is sizzling.
Did you guys notice the musical changes when the lyrics changed to the middle aged maddona (keyboard pop sound) from the boy with the guitar (hard rock guitar sound) ? I still pick up on new things every listen. Even 40+ yrs later.Enjoy your journey. PS Counterparts is my fav. Check out Alien Shore, Cut to the Chase, Double Agent , heck all of them.
Been a fan of rush since 1980....this is hands down my favorite Rush song.....heard it back in high school 1986 and the rest is history. Thank you rush for writing the soundtrack to my of our lives.
Hey guys. I believe you've done six of the eight tracks on this album. You're missing the best one. Marathon. I promise you you won't be disappointed. It's got everything.
@@frankievaccaro3216Mystic Rhythms is a perfect example of what I've always liked about Power Windows; there's an excellent performance of it on the R30 Tour video. 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐
After 42 years experiencing this band …I still get the same look on my face you both had …and it still makes me just as happy to see someone else GET it ….great job y’all
I had to listen to this one again and there are so many great inspirational songs that they wrote over time. Two other ones that I truly love are Mission and Marathon. My favorite versions are from the show of hands tour. Actually every single song off of that tour was fantastic but those two in particular are very inspirational you should really look at them.
Such a great song from Power Windows. My favorite track on the album. Geddy's bass tone, the keyboard elements, Alex ripping into it like a buzz saw but staying melodic, and of course Neil the human metronome with otherworldly fills.
Gracias por el video. Para mi, esta es una de las mejores de Rush (la mejor del PW por lo pronto). Sensible, potente, arreglos increibles... instrumentos y voz se lucen..... y la letra, imposible no emocionarse
This song has so many beautiful layers that tells a story with the music, Power Windows is an incredible album by a very talented band!!! You need to listen Losing It ! Off Signals i have heard all these songs live , and the sound and power you feel at their concerts were unbelievable as well as the light show , Rush had the best sound live i have ever heard , there are a lot of talented bands out there and i have seen a lot of them. But Rush always seemed to me to be in a Class all by themselves!
The first Rush album I bought at the time it was released in the mid 80's. Sure, I love all the 70 and early 80's classics but I'll always have a special connection with this one. Great album.
❤ what a reaction 😸 I remember getting this CD from my big brother for xmas. Even if the album was from 1985, I heard it in the mid 90s for the first time. It was amazing.
Sometimes it takes a review/reaction like this to re- appreciate what a brilliant song this is both lyrically and musically Power Windows isn't an album I listen to too often but then you hear a track like this and it makes you reconsider
For better or worse Power Windows was a big change in style for the boys. I've always liked the (poor) recording of the demo for this album which is raw and slightly less synthesizer.
I was reading recently that Alex Lifeson hated the Power Windows album. He felt it was too synth heavy and the guitar was getting lost. He and Geddy kinda fell out over it.
@@markysumm72 yeah dont get me wrong i like Grace Under Pressure - it different but thats Rush - they variety - idk the right term but Alex playing on it is more like rhythm u now - he shines on kid gloves - and some solos but yeah it more keyboardy - P W - i think he does great fills an solos and powerful chord stuff - territories - mystic rhythms - grand designs- even when Mr Alex is in he background he awesome - thx 4 let me say stuff 👋
Yeah the synth adds another layered element to their sound but it’s definitely very high/loud in the mix. Neil & Geddy still stand out pretty well but I think it dose overshadow/burry Alex’s playing at times. But than again my main instrument is guitar so I’m a bit biased when it comes to the guitar lol.
@@dmusiclife5727 if u wanna hear awesome Mr Neil lyrics listen to everyday glory In the house where nobody laughs And nobody sleeps In the house where love lies dying And the shadows creep A little girl hides, shaking, With her hands on her ears Pushing back the tears, ’til the pain disappears that some powerhouse writing and Mr Alex playing is good on it 2 🤘
I really appreciate u 2!!!!! Im 51, been playing drums and listening to rush for over 40 years. U r appreciateion is over whelming . !!!!!!love u both....lol, much love and respect!!!!
Back when the album came out this song became my go to song every day for about a year or so ... back then I used to say this song was what kept me alive during those days. I love it to bits.
This is by far the best Rush album of their “Synth Era”. There is not a song on this album that is not epic, musically or lyrically! But I will have to say, “Middletown Dreams” Is the most beautiful song tonally. I never get tired of listening to this song. The music is a beautiful example of tension and release! Which is what life is! The lyrics, written by the Professor, or poignant and every one who dials in to what is being said, is something that we can all relate to. Rush is the reason I became a musician. Favorite band of all time, and there are a lot of amazing bands. Rush takes top shelf, every time! Thank you for reacting to this song! Cheers!
Power Windows is my favorite Rush album. Every song is incredible. Check out Territories, Mystic Rhythms & Emotion Detector. Power Windows album came out in 1985. Rush created many beautiful songs. Available Light on Pesto Album, Mission on Hold your Fire Album. Bravado on Roll the Bones Album. ❤🔥
Power Windows (PW2, to my friends and I) is up there with their very best albums. This was the first of their albums that I bought on the day of its release. The melodies in this song are so beautiful and the middle eight brings tears to my eyes every time. Beautiful song.
The live track from Clockwork Angels tour is worth a listen to see them execute this song live. Geddy has to work his voice hard …. But the three pull this off in typical Rush fashion which in my humble opinion is spectacular.
Rush has always been my favorite band. Check out Best Intro Ever Spirit of the Radio . Instrumental of songs off their first few albums I could recommend endless songs that have lyrical and musical properties
The songs were great, the playing was great, and at the time it was released, I was all over it, Ioved it. Also the first time I saw them live. But in retospect, it seems really over-produced and Geddy was using alot of really bright samples and triggering sequencers, and stacking up layers of synths. This left little room for much else in terms of tone, so Alex's guitar had to be super bright in the top end to cut through, and Geddy's bass had to be thin and popping in the mid-range because the bass pedals gobbled everything up. Genesis did the same thing in the 80s. I don't think Rutherford played the bass much at all after that. At least Geddy found a way to keep the bass guitar active and important, but Peter Collins was NOT the right producer for Rush. Their albums vastly improved over the next decade as they brought back the crunch. But Power Windows still stands as an excellent album despite being 'over-polished'
PWs is my favorite Rush album. I had just turned 18 when it came out. Loved it from the get go. Everything on the album speaks to me. It's a huge part of my life soundtrack.
I’ve been watching a lot of your Rush reaction videos and I am now your new subscriber , keep on the Rush Journey. love you guys. Ps Ive noticed your Caifanes tee, and have you hear Cafetacuva??
Loved seeing your genuine enthusiasm. Your right, this is a beautiful song and one of my favourites, although to be honest I have many Rush favourites ( practically them all 😀). This song needs large woofers and turn the bass right up for this one as the bass drum drives this song along while the guys do their magic. Regarding your comment about Neil cycling, he had 2 very tragic events in his life which many people would have found unbearable. Cycling and motorcycling helped him through these periods of his life. You need to read up about why Neil cycled both on a bicycle and eventually motorcycle. Also read his book Ghost Rider. The more you listen to Rush the more you get what they are about. Apart from being superb musicians and composers they are (were) three very descent human beings who have enhanced my Middletown dreams dramatically. Take care and most importantly have fun.
Imagine getting this cd the day it came out. RUSH was/is so respected , we knew it would be nothing but great. Driving through the California desert at night, this song made you think about sleeping towns you will never see again. sorry, long winded.
My favorite track from the album. The synths are absolutely gorgeous on this album. Unfortunately, they choke out the guitar opportunities for melody. At least Alex got a beautiful solo in there!
Not listened to that one in a minute. God! They were such a unique and incredible band Really had their own sound, their own path. No one else sounded like that. Love it or hate it, Rush is just Rush!
As others noted Neil used to often ride his bike (bicycle) all over the place, dropped off up to 100 miles outside a gig and ride in. Then later on a motorcycle after encountering some very difficult times with the loss of his daughter and rather shortly thereafter his wife. It was an escape, a journey lost in himself likewise as noted by him or others. Tragic to a degree but necessary (for him.) All three of these guys are very deep. Very caring and respectful of their craft and one another. Their results are powerful.
Aside from being the best drummer who ever lived and a great writer of music lyrics. Neil also wrote and published 7 books during his life the man was truly multi talented.
