Album: Signals (1982)

Charted: 36

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• (Coming on forty-five minute point in our countdown
  Everything going smoothly
  T-minus 45 minutes and counting
  Coming up on t-minus 40 minutes
  T-minus 40 minutes and counting
  This is shuttle launch control)
  
  Lit up with anticipation
  We arrive at the launching site
  The sky is still dark, nearing dawn
  On the Florida coastline
  
  Circling choppers slash the night
  With roving searchlight beams
  This magic day when super-science
  Mingles with the bright stuff of dreams
  
  (We had a AEO abort, go for test
  Tester says they are go for launch
  At the present time we know of no major problems
  As we enter final hold)
  
  Floodlit in the hazy distance
  The star of this unearthly show
  Venting vapors, like the breath
  Of a sleeping white dragon
  
  Crackling speakers, voices tense
  Resume the final count
  All systems check, T-minus-nine
  As the sun and the drama start to mount
  
  The air is charged, a humid, motionless mass
  The crowds and the cameras
  The cars full of spectators pass
  Excitement so thick, you could cut it with a knife
  Technology high, on the leading edge of life
  
  (T-minus twenty-seven seconds
  We applaud for redundant sequencers start
  T-minus twenty seconds and counting
  T-minus fifteen, fourteen, thirteen
  Minus ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four
  We have locked the main engine start, we have)
  
  The earth beneath us starts to tremble
  With the spreading of a low black cloud
  A thunderous roar shakes the air
  Like the whole world exploding
  
  Scorching blast of golden fire
  As it slowly leaves the ground
  It tears away with a mighty force
  The air is shattered by that awesome sound
  
  (T-plus thirty seconds, plus thirty-five
  Columbia, Houston you are go at forty)
  
  Excitement so thick, you could cut it with a knife
  Technology high, on the leading edge of life
  Like a pillar of cloud, the smoke lingers high in the air
  In fascination with the eyes of the world we stare
  
  (Columbia is now turning towards
  Precise window in space for main engine cutoff
  One, two minute and forty seconds
  Columbia now thirty-nine nautical miles altitude
  Forty-two nautical miles downrange
  Columbia you're looking a little hot
  And all your calls will be a little early
  Young and Crippen really moving out now
  Velocity now reading just sixty-two hundred feet per second
  What a view, what a view
  Glad you are enjoying it
  G800 to LOS
  Columbia Houston, ah we have forty seconds to LOS
  You're looking good burning over the hill
  We'll see you in Madrid
  And we enjoyed the music Bob, thank you
  Ah, we enjoyed, we just wanted to share some with you Writer/s: Alex Zivojinovich, Gary Lee Weinrib, Neil Elwood Peart
  Publisher: Anthem Entertainment
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

• Mark from Syracuse,nyApril 2, 1982 Syracuse Carrier Dome ... My first Rush show. John Butcher Axis opened for them. I was on the floor in like the third section back. Not great visibility for a 13 year old kid of average height.. I was so amazed with the sound. When they played "Countdown" it was so amazing with the back projector of the space shuttle with Young and Crippen being launched in to space. As that ship took off I struggled to hear the song because the audience irrupted in to loud cheering as the shuttle left the ground. It was deafening. I saw a few in the audience with tears in their eyes. So powerful. Music and imagery. I get chills thinking about it to this day. I saw them numerous times since and never took a Rush show for granted.
• Alejandro Obregon from México CityThis song makes me remember when i was studying engineering, i dreamed about being an astronaut, one of my favorite songs ever, thank you Rush for the inspiration.
• Gabe From Chicago from Chicago, IlI think the argument could be made that "Passage to Bangkok" is, pretty much about drugs. The point about Rush's lyrics remains however. Good list.
  
  
• Rob from Los Osos, Cathe Shuttle was actually launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It landed at Edwards AFB in California
• Dougee from San Bernardino, CaWhen I was a teenager one of my biggest dreams was to witness a Shuttle launch. Now, almost 30 years later, I haven't yet (live on the opposite coast, darn it) but this song's vivid imagery makes me feel almost like I was an eyewitness. "This day when super science mingles with the bright stuff of dreams..."
• John from Asheville, NcI think the song's dated, but that's just what happens when you document "a moment." However, I think the band definitely made sure the song was atmospheric...and the NASA dialogue is a strong part of this experience. As a song it's just ok....as a project and an historical reflection it's pretty special. I like it more than most fans I know...LOL.
• Warner from Stanley, KsSo what was the music that was played for the astronauts that is referred to in this song?
• Don from Franklin, MaThis song is always tinged with a little sadness for me, because its the Columbia, and I still remember quite clearly that sad morning when I woke my wife up saying 'the Columbia has burned up in reentry.'
  Obviously not the same crew, but its still somewhat haunting to hear the chatter between the Columbia and Houston.
• Brad from Chicago, IlDescribes perfectly the experience of being close-up and at hand of THE first "space shuttle" launch. "Lit up with anticipation the star of this unearthly show, venting vapours like the breath of a sleeping white dragon"...HOLY CRAP!!!! What a word-smith!!!
• Jesse from L.a., Ca Geddy's keyboard part in this song is terrific! Love this song. It gives me chills.
• Dave from Cardiff, WalesOriginally a No.41 hit in the UK in September 1982 as a double A-Side with the live version of "New World Man", the single was re-issued and peaked at No. 36 in April 1983, becoming Rush' fifth and last UK Top 40 hit.
• Patrick from Boston, MaThis song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. What a fantastic tribute to this achievment.

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