WCSX Classic Cuts : New World Man

WCSX Classic Cuts

Rush: "New World Man"

The Hook: It's all about da riddim, mon.

Album: Signals

Year: 1982

Writers: Neil Peart, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson

Stats: Rush's only song to chart in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number-21.

Background: Although Neil Peart's lyrics feature some pretty heavy geopolitical thought, singer-bassist Geddy Lee says that for him, it's the rhythm that stands out.

Rush singer-bassist Geddy Lee on “New World Man.” OC:…to write. :16

"Rhythm is probably the most important facet of that song. It has a slightly ska, slightly reggae-ish rhythm to it. And I think that was a little unexpected for most of our fans, for us to go in that direction rhythmically. And it was a fun song to write.”