# The Spirit of Radio

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This article is about the song. For their compilation album, see [The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987](/source/The_Spirit_of_Radio%3A_Greatest_Hits_1974%E2%80%931987).

1979 single by Rush

"The Spirit of Radio" UK 7" single Single by Rush from the album Permanent Waves B-side "Circumstances" (US) "The Trees" (UK) Released December 1979 (promo) February 1980 (single) Recorded 1979 Studio Le Studio (Morin-Heights, Quebec) Genre New wave[1] progressive rock[2] art rock[2] power pop[3] Length 4:56 (album version) 3:40 (US/Canada single edit) 3:00 (UK single edit) Label Mercury Songwriters Neil Peart Geddy Lee Alex Lifeson Producers Rush Terry Brown Rush singles chronology "Circumstances" (1979) "The Spirit of Radio" (1979) "Entre Nous" (1980) "Resist" (1997) ""The Spirit of Radio" (Live)" (1998) "One Little Victory" (2002) Music video "The Spirit of Radio" on YouTube

"**The Spirit of Radio**" is a song by Canadian rock band [Rush](/source/Rush_(band)), released from their 1980 album *[Permanent Waves](/source/Permanent_Waves)*. The song's name was inspired by [Brampton, Ontario](/source/Brampton%2C_Ontario) based radio station [CFNY-FM](/source/CFNY-FM)'s slogan.[4][5] It was significant in the growing popularity of the band, becoming their first top 30 single in Canada and reaching number 51 on the US [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100).

## Background

The introduction of the song was composed in a [mixolydian mode](/source/Mixolydian_mode) scale built on E; most of the rest, barring repetitions of the introductory guitar riff, is in conventional E major.[6]

Guitarist [Alex Lifeson](/source/Alex_Lifeson) explained the song's opening riff as "I just wanted to give it something that gave it a sense of static – radio waves bouncing around, very electric. We had that sequence going underneath, and it was just really to try and get something that was sitting on top of it, that gave it that movement."[7]

"The Spirit of Radio" features the band experimenting with a [reggae](/source/Reggae) style in its closing section. Reggae would be explored further on the band's next three records, *[Moving Pictures](/source/Moving_Pictures_(Rush_album))*, *[Signals](/source/Signals_(Rush_album))*, and *[Grace Under Pressure](/source/Grace_Under_Pressure_(Rush_album))*. The group had experimented with reggae-influenced riffs in the studio and had come up with a reggae introduction to "[Working Man](/source/Working_Man)" on their tours, so they decided to incorporate a passage into "The Spirit of Radio", and as Lifeson said, "to make us smile and have a little fun".[8]

Lyrically, the song is a lament on the change of FM radio from free-form to commercial formats during the late 1970s. The Brampton, Ontario based station [CFNY-FM](/source/CFNY-FM)—which had *not* abandoned free-form programming—is cited as an inspiration for the song. The reggae finale also has lyrics inspired by the song "[The Sound of Silence](/source/The_Sound_of_Silence)" by [Simon & Garfunkel](/source/Simon_%26_Garfunkel).[9]

## Single release

Rush had grazed the UK Top 40 two years earlier with "[Closer to the Heart](/source/Closer_to_the_Heart)". However, when "The Spirit of Radio" was issued as a single in February 1980, it reached number 13 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) in March.[10] It remains their biggest UK hit to date (the 7" single was a 3:00 edited version which has not appeared on CD, as of 2011).[11] In the [US](/source/United_States), the single peaked at number 51 on the *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* [Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100) in 1980 and number 22 in Canada, and in 1998 a live version of the song reached number 27 on the Mainstream Rock Chart.

Promotional 12-inch copies were released in the United States in late 1979 with the B-sides of "[Working Man](/source/Working_Man)" and "[The Trees](/source/The_Trees_(Rush_song))", and the song being incorrectly titled "The Spirit of the Radio".[12]

## Reception

*[Cash Box](/source/Cash_Box)* said that "Geddy Lee's high vocals and the band's electrically charged instrumental should click on [AOR](/source/Album-oriented_rock) lists."[13]

"The Spirit of Radio" was named one of [The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll](/source/The_Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame's_500_Songs_that_Shaped_Rock_and_Roll) and was among five Rush songs inducted into the [Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame](/source/Canadian_Songwriters_Hall_of_Fame) on March 28, 2010.[14] *[Record World](/source/Record_World)* called it a "crafty rocker that's an out-of-the-box AOR-pop smash."[15]

*[Classic Rock](/source/Classic_Rock_(magazine))* readers voted "The Spirit of Radio" the fourth best Rush song.[16]

The song was covered by the British alternative rock band [Catherine Wheel](/source/Catherine_Wheel_(band)) in 1996, with their version appearing both on their B-sides and rarities album *[Like Cats and Dogs](/source/Like_Cats_and_Dogs)* and on the CFNY-branded compilation album *Spirit of the Edge, Vol. 2*.[17]

## Music video

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of *Permanent Waves*, on June 12, 2020, Rush produced an animated music video by Fantoons Animation Studio. The video features the band as they appeared around 1980. It also features nods to [Guglielmo Marconi](/source/Guglielmo_Marconi) (an Italian inventor instrumental in the development of radio) as well as radio [DJs](/source/Dj) from the time that were influential in Rush's development. The video also pays homage to Rush's drummer, the late [Neil Peart](/source/Neil_Peart), "whose music and lyrics continue to capture the hearts and imaginations of the fans".[18][19]

## Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "The Spirit of Radio" Chart (1980) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM) 22 Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[20] 16 UK Singles (OCC)[21] 13 US Billboard Hot 100[22] 51

## See also

- [List of Rush songs](/source/List_of_Rush_songs)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-VH1_New_Wave_1-0)** McPadden, Mike (January 13, 2015). ["11 Classic Rockers Who Went New Wave For One Album"](https://www.vh1.com/news/xhuo8w/11-classic-rockers-who-went-new-wave). *[VH1](/source/VH1)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220625132827/https://www.vh1.com/news/xhuo8w/11-classic-rockers-who-went-new-wave) from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Goldmine_2024_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Goldmine_2024_2-1) Popoff, Martin (January 5, 2024). ["The Top 20 unlikely Progressive Rock hits, ranked"](https://www.goldminemag.com/music-history/top-20-unlikely-progressive-rock-hits-ranked). *[Goldmine](/source/Goldmine_(magazine))*. Retrieved January 7, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Lewis, John (June 25, 2020). ["Rush – Permanent Waves"](https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/rush-permanent-waves-127124/). *[Uncut](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uncut_(UK_magazine)&action=edit&redlink=1)*. Retrieved January 17, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Catchphrase"](http://www.spiritofradio.ca/index.asp). CFNY-FM. Retrieved October 30, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Kinos-Goodin, Jesse (13 November 2014). ["Neil Peart on the 10 best Rush songs ever"](https://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/12151/neil-peart-on-the-10-best-rush-songs-ever). CBC. Retrieved 26 May 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["The Spirit of Radio"](https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0016606). *Musicnotes*. 13 September 1999.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Prato, Greg (2006-05-03). ["The Story Behind The Song: The Spirit Of Radio by Rush"](https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-the-song-the-spirit-of-radio-by-rush). *[Classic Rock](/source/Classic_Rock_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2022-01-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [""F.M. Radio Earns Plaudits from Rush" - Music Express, February 1980"](http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19800200musicexpress.htm). *2112.net*. Retrieved 3 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Prato, Greg (2006-05-03). ["The Story Behind The Song: The Spirit Of Radio by Rush"](https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-the-song-the-spirit-of-radio-by-rush). *[Classic Rock](/source/Classic_Rock_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2019-01-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["UK Singles Chart runs"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100310020924/http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php). Polyhex.com. April 8, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.polyhex.com/music/chartruns/chartruns.php) on March 10, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Rush – Spirit Of Radio"](http://www.discogs.com/Rush-Spirit-Of-Radio/release/1144431). [Discogs.com](/source/Discogs.com). February 1980. Retrieved 5 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Photographic image"](http://www.rush-vlaanderen.com/rushcollection/1234.jpg) (JPG). *Rush-vlaanderen.com*. Retrieved 3 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cb_13-0)** ["CashBox Singles Reviews"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1980/CB-1980-02-09.pdf) (PDF). *Cash Box*. February 9, 1980. p. 17. Retrieved 2022-01-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Infantry, Ashante (January 20, 2010). ["New home a place to sing praises of our songwriters"](https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/753007--new-home-a-place-to-sing-praises-of-our-songwriters). *[The Toronto Star](/source/The_Toronto_Star)*. Retrieved June 16, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rw_15-0)** ["Hits of the Week"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/80/Record-World-1980-02-09.pdf) (PDF). *Record World*. February 9, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["The 50 greatest Rush songs ever"](https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-50-greatest-rush-songs-ever). *Loudersound.com*. 11 June 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Greg Quill, "Rush: writing new history Canadian rock institution gets 'humbling' honour for indelible songs like 'Spirit of Radio'". *[Toronto Star](/source/Toronto_Star)*, March 28, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["The Spirit of Radio Video"](https://www.rush.com/the-spirit-of-radio-video/). *Rush.com*. Retrieved 2022-02-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Universal Music Rush The Spirit of Radio"](https://fantoons.tv/animation/universal-music-rush-spirit-of-radio-music-video/). *fantoons.tv*. Retrieved 2023-08-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Radio Luxembourg Top 20/30/40"](https://www.hitnoteringen.nl/hitlijsten/radio-luxembourg-top-203040/1980-13) (in Dutch). Hitnoteringen. 25 March 1980. Retrieved 24 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UKsinglesbyname_Rush_21-0)** "[Search results for "Rush" | Official Chart](https://www.officialcharts.com/search/artists/Rush/?singles=0&albums=0&films=0&articles=0&songs=0)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved February 3, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardhot100_Rush_22-0)** "[Rush Chart History (Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Rush/chart-history/HSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved February 3, 2019.

## External links

- [Official Rush website](http://www.rush.com)

- [Dedicated to the old CFNY](http://www.spiritofradio.ca/)

- [Current CFNY](http://www.edge.ca)

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 [The Spirit of Radio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spirit_of_Radio) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spirit_of_Radio?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.