# A Show of Hands

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This article is about the Rush album. For the TV shorts, see [A Show of Hands (TV series)](/source/A_Show_of_Hands_(TV_series)). For other uses, see [Show of hands](/source/Show_of_hands_(disambiguation)).

1989 live album by Rush

A Show of Hands Live album by Rush Released January 9, 1989 (1989-01-09) Recorded 1986, 1988 Genre Progressive rock, hard rock Length 74:22 Label Anthem Producer Rush Rush chronology Hold Your Fire (1987) A Show of Hands (1989) Presto (1989)

Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [1] The Encyclopedia of Popular Music [2] The Essential Rock Discography 5/10[3] Kerrang! [4] MusicHound Rock [5] Rolling Stone [6] The Rolling Stone Album Guide [7] The Virgin Encyclopedia of 80s Music [8]

***A Show of Hands*** is a live album by the Canadian [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [Rush](/source/Rush_(band)), released in 1989. The band released a [video of the same name](/source/A_Show_of_Hands_(video)), originally on [VHS](/source/VHS) and [LaserDisc](/source/LaserDisc), the same year. A [DVD](/source/DVD) version was released as part of a [box set](/source/Box_set) in 2006, and as an individual DVD in 2007. In 2015 it was reissued after being remastered by Sean Magee at [Abbey Road Studios](/source/Abbey_Road_Studios) following a direct approach by Rush to remaster their entire back catalogue.[9]

## Recording

The majority of the performances on this album were from the 1988 *[Hold Your Fire](/source/Hold_Your_Fire)* tour, recorded in the American cities of [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans), [Phoenix](/source/Phoenix%2C_Arizona), and [San Diego](/source/San_Diego), and the British city of [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham). "[Mystic Rhythms](/source/Mystic_Rhythms)" and "[Witch Hunt](/source/Fear_(song_series))" were recorded in [East Rutherford, New Jersey](/source/East_Rutherford%2C_New_Jersey), during the 1986 *[Power Windows](/source/Power_Windows_(album))* tour.[10] The opening track "Intro" features [The Three Stooges](/source/The_Three_Stooges) theme playing in the background; the band used this music to open many of their concerts during the 1980s.

With the exception of "[Closer to the Heart](/source/Closer_to_the_Heart)", the tracklist focuses almost entirely on the band's material from the 1980s, and is Rush's only live record to feature no performances of songs released before 1977. Unlike *[All the World's a Stage](/source/All_the_World's_a_Stage_(album))* and *[Exit... Stage Left](/source/Exit..._Stage_Left)*, this album does not have any songs that had to be omitted for single CD release. The first two were released prior to the introduction of compact discs and were double album sets, whilst this album was initially released on CD so time restrictions were already taken into account.

## Video release

The video was filmed at the first of two Birmingham (UK) shows which took place on April 23–24, 1988 at the city's [NEC Arena](/source/Resorts_World_Arena) - one of the sources of the live album. The song order and selection of the video are different from the live album. The laserdisc release also includes the song "[Lock and Key](/source/Lock_and_Key_(Rush_song))".

## Singles

- "Closer to the Heart" / "Witch Hunt" (7")

- "Mission" (12" promo)

- "Marathon" (12"/CD promo)

## Track listing

All songs written by [Alex Lifeson](/source/Alex_Lifeson), [Geddy Lee](/source/Geddy_Lee) and [Neil Peart](/source/Neil_Peart), except where noted.

Side one No. Title Location Length 1. "Introduction" 0:53 2. "The Big Money" Birmingham, UK 5:59 3. "Subdivisions" Birmingham, UK 5:22 4. "Marathon" Birmingham, UK 6:39

Side two No. Title Location Length 1. "Turn the Page" New Orleans, LA 4:41 2. "Manhattan Project" Phoenix, AZ 5:18 3. "Mission" San Diego, CA 5:46

Side three No. Title Writer(s) Location Length 1. "Distant Early Warning" Birmingham, UK 5:15 2. "Mystic Rhythms" Meadowlands, NJ 5:32 3. "Witch Hunt" (Part III of "Fear") Meadowlands, NJ 4:00 4. "The Rhythm Method" Peart Birmingham, UK 4:37

- Track 4 features a drum solo.

Side four No. Title Writer(s) Location Length 1. "Force Ten" Lifeson, Lee, Peart, Pye Dubois Phoenix, AZ 4:55 2. "Time Stand Still" Birmingham, UK 5:13 3. "Red Sector A" Birmingham, UK 5:18 4. "Closer to the Heart" Lifeson, Lee, Peart, Peter Talbot Birmingham, UK 4:54

## Personnel

- [Geddy Lee](/source/Geddy_Lee) – bass guitar, synthesizers, vocals

- [Alex Lifeson](/source/Alex_Lifeson) – electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizers, backing vocals

- [Neil Peart](/source/Neil_Peart) – drums, percussion

## Charts

Chart (1989) Peak position Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[11] 38 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[12] 7 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[13] 35 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 28 UK Albums (OCC)[15] 12 US Billboard 200[16] 21

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales Canada (Music Canada)[17] Platinum 100,000^ United States (RIAA)[18] Gold 500,000^ ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Remaster details

*A Show of Hands* was remastered in 2011 by Andy VanDette for the "Sector" box sets, which re-released all of Rush's Mercury-era albums. *A Show Of Hands* is included in the *Sector 3* set.[19]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Prato, Greg. ["A Show of Hands - Rush"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-show-of-hands-mw0000652701). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131020123920/http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-show-of-hands-mw0000652701) from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Larkin, Colin](/source/Colin_Larkin) (2007). [*The Encyclopedia of Popular Music*](/source/The_Encyclopedia_of_Popular_Music) (4th ed.). [Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0195313734](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0195313734).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Strong_3-0)** Strong, Martin Charles (2006). "Rush". *The Essential Rock Discography* (8th ed.). Open City Books. pp. 938–939. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84195-860-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84195-860-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Hotten, Jon](/source/Jon_Hotten) (January 14, 1989). "Rush: 'A Show of Hands'". *[Kerrang!](/source/Kerrang!)*. Vol. 221. London, UK: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). "Rush". *MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide*. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 965. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57859-061-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57859-061-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Azerrad, Michael](/source/Michael_Azerrad) (April 20, 1989). ["A Show of Hands"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/a-show-of-hands-19890420). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140228025129/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/a-show-of-hands-19890420) from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Rush: Album Guide"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130704223108/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/rush/albumguide). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/rush/albumguide) on July 4, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Larkin, Colin](/source/Colin_Larkin) (2003). "Rush". *The Virgin Encyclopedia of 80s Music*. [Virgin Publishing](/source/Virgin_Publishing). pp. 414–415. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1852279699](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1852279699).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Abbey Road - Engineers - Sean Magee"](https://www.abbeyroad.com/engineer/sean-magee). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201214135425/https://www.abbeyroad.com/engineer/sean-magee) from the original on December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [""'A Show of Hands' by Neil Peart" - Backstage Club Newsletter, September 1988"](http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19880900backstageclub.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160511014220/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19880900backstageclub.htm) from the original on May 11, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Netherlands_Rush_11-0)** "[Dutchcharts.nl – Rush – A Show of Hands](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Rush&titel=A+Show+of+Hands&cat=a)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 3, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Rush". [*Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021*](https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=221) (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 221. Retrieved May 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Germany_Rush_13-0)** "[Offiziellecharts.de – Rush – A Show of Hands](https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-32277)" (in German). [GfK Entertainment charts](/source/GfK_Entertainment_charts). Retrieved July 3, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Sweden_Rush_14-0)** "[Swedishcharts.com – Rush – A Show of Hands](https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rush&titel=A+Show+of+Hands&cat=a)". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 3, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_UK2_15-0)** "[Official Albums Chart on 22/1/1989 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19890122/7502/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved July 3, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_Billboard200_Rush_16-0)** "[Rush Chart History (*Billboard* 200)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Rush/chart-history/TLP)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 3, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CanadaRushA_Show_of_HandsalbumCertRef_17-0)** ["Canadian album certifications – Rush – A Show of Hands"](https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=A+Show+of+Hands%20Rush). [Music Canada](/source/Music_Canada).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_StatesRushA_Show_of_HandsalbumCertRef_18-0)** ["American album certifications – Rush – A Show of Hands"](https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Rush&ti=A+Show+of+Hands&format=Album&type=#search_section). [Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Andy VanDette on Remastering 15 Rush Albums | the Masterdisk Record"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140823055546/http://www.themasterdiskrecord.com/2011/11/andy-vandette-on-remastering-14-rush-albums/). Archived from [the original](http://www.themasterdiskrecord.com/2011/11/andy-vandette-on-remastering-14-rush-albums) on August 23, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2012.

## External links

- *[A Show of Hands](https://www.discogs.com/master/7380)* at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) (list of releases)

v t e Rush Alex Lifeson Geddy Lee Jeff Jones John Rutsey Neil Peart Studio albums Rush (1974) Fly by Night (1975) Caress of Steel (1975) 2112 (1976) A Farewell to Kings (1977) Hemispheres (1978) Permanent Waves (1980) Moving Pictures (1981) Signals (1982) Grace Under Pressure (1984) Power Windows (1985) Hold Your Fire (1987) Presto (1989) Roll the Bones (1991) Counterparts (1993) Test for Echo (1996) Vapor Trails (2002) Snakes & Arrows (2007) Clockwork Angels (2012) Live albums All the World's a Stage (1976) Exit... Stage Left (1981) A Show of Hands (1989) Different Stages (1998) Rush in Rio (2003) R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour (2005) Snakes & Arrows Live (2008) Grace Under Pressure Tour (2009) Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland (2011) Clockwork Angels Tour (2013) R40 Live (2015) Live videos Exit... Stage Left (1982) Grace Under Pressure Tour (1986) A Show of Hands (1989) Rush in Rio (2003) R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour (2005) Rush Replay X 3 (2006) Snakes & Arrows Live (2008) Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland (2011) Clockwork Angels Tour (2013) R40 Live (2015) Compilations Rush Through Time (1979) Chronicles (1990) Retrospective I (1997) Retrospective II (1997) The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987 (2003) Gold (2006) Retrospective III: 1989–2008 (2009) Working Men (2009) Video compilations Through the Camera Eye (1985) Chronicles (1990) Box sets The Studio Albums 1989–2007 (2013) Extended plays Feedback (2004) Cygnus X-1 (2017) Singles "In the Mood" "Fly by Night" "Lakeside Park" "The Twilight Zone" "Making Memories" "Closer to the Heart" "Circumstances" "The Trees" "The Spirit of Radio" "Entre Nous" "Limelight" "Tom Sawyer" "Vital Signs" "New World Man" "Subdivisions" "Countdown" "Red Sector A" "Afterimage" "The Big Money" "Mystic Rhythms" "Time Stand Still" "Show Don't Tell" "The Pass" "Dreamline" "Roll the Bones" "Ghost of a Chance" "Stick It Out" "Nobody's Hero" "Test for Echo" "Half the World" "Driven" "One Little Victory" "Secret Touch" "Summertime Blues" "Far Cry" "Caravan" "Headlong Flight" Other songs "Working Man" "Before" and "After" I. "Into the Darkness" "Didacts and Narpets" "2112" "A Passage to Bangkok" "Tears" "Xanadu" "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres" (II. "Apollo Bringer of Wisdom" and III. "Dionysus Bringer of Love" IV. "Armageddon The Battle of Heart and Mind" VI. "The Sphere A Kind of Dream") "Freewill" "Red Barchetta" "YYZ" "Witch Hunt" "The Analog Kid" "Between the Wheels" "Marathon" "Manhattan Project" "Force Ten" "Mission" "Lock and Key" "Second Nature" "Heresy" "Animate" "Cold Fire" "The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)" Tours Hemispheres Tour (1978–1979) Moving Pictures Tour (1980–1981) Exit... Stage Left Tour (1981) Power Windows Tour (1985–1986) Hold Your Fire Tour (1987–1988) Presto Tour (1990) Roll the Bones Tour (1991–1992) Counterparts Tour (1994) Test for Echo Tour (1996–1997) Snakes & Arrows Tour (2007–2008) Time Machine Tour (2010–2011) Clockwork Angels Tour (2012–2013) R40 Live Tour (2015) Fifty Something Tour (2026–2027) Related articles Discography Songs Awards Instrumentals Victor My Favourite Headache A Work in Progress Anatomy of a Drum Solo Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road Hugh Syme Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage Working Man – A Tribute to Rush Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [A Show of Hands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Show_of_Hands) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Show_of_Hands?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.