Power Windows

October 1985 . 11th Studio Recording

Grace Under Pressure 1984 Hold Your Fire 1987

About Power Windows

Power Windows is the band’s 11th studio album, released in 1985. It was the first time the band worked with producer Peter Collins.  The album was recorded at The Manor in England, AIR Studios in Montserrat and at Sarm East Studios in London.

Power Windows launched an era in which the band expanded into new sonic directions, and featured synths heavily. It was also the album where Geddy switched to using a Wal bass, made by a small English company. He’d use the Wal as his main bass all the way through the Roll The Bones album and tour. Neil’s lyrics focused primarily on various manifestations of power–”Manhattan Project” explores the origins and consequences of the U.S. military’s development of the atomic bomb, and “Territories” comments on nationalism around the world.

Incidentally, Power Windows was the first Rush album to ever be released directly to CD. However, you’ll be able to get in on vinyl in October of 2015.

  • Credits
  • Liner Notes
  • Awards/Chart Positions

Credits

Produced by

Peter Collins and Rush

Engineered by

Jimbo "James" Barton

Arrangements

Rush and Peter Collins

Pre-production engineering

Mr. Head

Synthesizer programming

Andy Richards and Jim Burgess

Additional keyboards

Andy Richards

Strings arranged and conducted by

Anne Dudley
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London

Choir arranged and conducted by

Andrew Jackman

Mastering

Bob Ludwig and Brian Lee
Gateway Mastering Studios
Portland, Maine

Management

Ray Danniels
SRO Management Inc.
Toronto

Executive Production

Moon Records
Val Azzoli and Liam Birt

Art direction, graphics, and cover painting

Hugh Syme

Photography

Dimo Safari

The Big Money

Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Lyrics: Neil Peart

Big money goes around the world
Big money underground
Big money got a mighty voice
Big money make no sound
Big money pull a million strings
Big money hold the prize
Big money weave a mighty web
Big money draw the flies

Sometimes pushing people around
Sometimes pulling out the rug
Sometimes pushing all the buttons
Sometimes pulling out the plug
It’s the power and the glory
It’s a war in paradise
It’s a cinderella story
On a tumble of the dice

Big money goes around the world
Big money take a cruise
Big money leave a mighty wake
Big money leave a bruise
Big money make a million dreams
Big money spin big deals
Big money make a mighty head
Big money spin big wheels

Sometimes building ivory towers
Sometimes knocking castles down
Sometimes building you a stairway —
Lock you underground
It’s that old-time religion
it’s the kingdom they would rule
It’s the fool on television
Getting paid to play the fool

Big money goes around the world
Big money give and take
Big money done a power of good
Big money make mistakes
Big money got a heavy hand
Big money take control
Big money got a mean streak
Big money got no soul…

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