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

Liner Notes

Geddy Lee – Bass guitar, synthesizers, bass pedals, vocals
Alex Lifeson – Electric and acoustic guitars
Neil Peart – Drums, percussion and electronic percussion


Recorded at The Manor, England
Assisted by Steve Chase
and
AIR Studios, Montserrat
Assisted by Matt Butler
and
Sarm East, London
Assisted by Dave Meegan, Heff Moraes, and Paul Wright

Mixed at Sarm East


Tour manager and Lighting Director: Howard Ungerleider
President: Liam Birt
Production Manager: Nick Kotos
Concert Sound Engineer: Jon Erickson
Stage Left Technician: Skip Gildersleeve
Centre Stage Technician: Larry Allen
Guitar and Synthesizer Maintenance: Tony Geranios
Stage Right Technician: Jim Johnson
Monitor Engineer: Steve Byron
Concert Projectionist: Lee Tenner
Minister-Without-Portfolio: Kevin Flewitt
Concert Sound by See Factor: Jim Staniforth, Bill Fertig, Jason Macrie, Mike Sinclair
Concert Lighting by See Factor: Ed Hyatt, Jack Funk, Roy Niendorf, Frank Scilingo, J.T. MacDonald, Mike King
Concert Rigging by Southfire Rigging: Billy Collins and Tim Wendt
Laser Images by Craig Sprede(r)man, Glen Tonsor, Phil Valdivia
Busheads and Truckfaces: Tom Whittaker, Pat Lynes, Billy Barlow, Mac and Candy MacLear, Red McBrine, Mike Nervi, Larry Cole and Dennis Cricket.

In memory of Harry Smith


Big Thank You’s go around the world

At Elora Sound: Bill, Linda, and Joanne.
At the Manor: Lynne, Mike, Barney, Patsy, (don’t bring) Lulu, Jenny, Ian, Paul, Mark, Peter, Frank and Mrs. P., and Willie and Bowzer.
In Montserrat: Matt, Yvonne, Malcolm, Paul, George, Desmond, Franklin, Carlton, Leroy, Doreen, Felena, Razor Willie, Bosun, Veston, Fosforus, Scoozball, the King of Antilles Television, and HRH King Lerxst.
At Sarm East: Jo, Dave, Heff, Paul, and Rockin’ Dave.
In Japan: Mr. Udo, Tommy, Yoshi, Nori, Tets, Kaz, and Tomo.
In England: Peter Mensch and Su Wathan, David Mallet, Nikita’s, Bill Churchman, Debbie Collins, Simon Honnor, Mr. Big and the Royal Jamaicans, Zino Davidoff, the Launching Pad, Peter, Jenny, and Joe Flemming, Wimblestein, Rockit Cargo and Fireball XL-5.
On the road: Gary Moore band and crew, Red Rider band and crew, Seaship Brokers, Big Al, and the ubiquitous B-Man.
On the mound: Smitty, Gully, Bo, and El Animal.
At home plate: Ray, Val, Pegi, Sheila, and Bob.
Brought to you by the letter “M”.

And to the technical assistance of: The Music Shoppe (Thornhill), the Percussion Centre (Fort Wayne), Jim Burgess, Wal Basses, Dean Markley, Tama Drums, Avedis Zildjian cymbals, and – the Omega Concern.

A special tribute to our magnetic poles
The firm support and surprising patience
Of our families

That’s a wrap!


©1985 Mercury Records
©1985 Anthem Entertainment

Awards

Canadian RPM100 Albums
#2
Dutch Albums Chart
#44
Swedish Albums Chart
#26
UK Album Chart
#9
US Billboard 200
#10
Certified Gold by RIAA
December 18, 1985
Certified Platinum by RIAA
January 27, 1986

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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