Losing It
by Rush

Album: Signals (1982)
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Songfacts®:

  • The lyrics refer to author Ernest Hemingway and 2 of his novels: The Sun Also Rises and For Whom the Bell Tolls. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Darkside of the Moon
  • Neil Peart (Rush Backstage Club Newsletter, March 1990): "The dancer is no one in particular, though partly inspired by the movie The Turning Point (starring Shirley Maclaine)." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Rick - Omaha, NE

Comments: 19

  • Moosehead from Scwe are all on the same page...except ritchie!!! this one stays in my top 10 Rush songs always.
    and i agree that the songs they play on the radio have never been close to the best Rush songs.
  • Robert St. Pierre from Concord, NhLosing It is one of those songs (like "Witch Hunt) that was sort of a studio piece that was difficult to pull off live. Technology advanced through the 90s and made it possible to (finally) perform songs like this live. I came across a tribute to Neil Peart done by Brody Dolyniuk and the violinist is Nina DiGrigorio. When she steps on that foot pedal and launches into that solo, I'm not gonna lie. No pun intended, I lose it myself. I've always heard that solo as the panic that sets in when you realize you had a talent and now it's gone. Speaking for myself, I was a meteorologist for over 20 years and then out of nowhere, my ability to analyze the weather just evaporated. My ability to read the models just vanished. Enough about me, please enjoy this tribute! https://youtu.be/EQ1wNxsQwnY
  • Mark From Syracuse from Syracuse,nyI commented on the song "The Garden" from their Clockwork Angels album. I couldn't pass up commenting on the song "Losing It" as well. So many people refer to Rush and say the obligatory Tom Sawyer, Spirit of the Radio, songs as benchmarks for Rush. Perhaps, to some the only record that comes to mind is Moving Pictures. I saw Rush as a whole. While the album Signals wasn't my absolute favorite, Rush as they always do threw in a nugget of music that moved my spirit. Losing it, is one of those songs for me... Rush had an uncanny way of putting a track in every album that was amazingly well crafted but not one of the most popular.. But should have been really listened to as an incredible piece of writing and backing music that drives the lyric perfectly. Losing it, is an emotional song for me. A well crafted song about the rise and fall of anyone. I found that on every album a gem is in there that somehow got over looked. I enjoy all their work and appreciate their "sleepers" that get passed over in favor of the tunes that everyone thinks of when they think of Rush...
  • John from Usahttps://youtu.be/MQe35KCCajk
  • Michael from Fox Island WaA Dear friend won a charitable auction for backstage passes for their last time in Seattle. We were 2 of maybe 15-20 people in Key arena for the sound check. Losing it was one of the songs they used. Ben Mink was not there so his violin was dubbed in. I have seen every tour since 1980 and even after Signals never heard this live.

    Signals edges out 13-14 other Rush albums as my all time favorite. I get verklempt listening to Losing it at home so It took every thing I had not to make a fool of myself and lose my composure. To say it was one of the highlights of my life would be an understatement. Love Rush, Signals and this song. One of the most beautiful songs ever produced. Ever.
  • Tim from IllinoisAn absolutely haunting song and lyrics...speaking from someone who is getting older and cannot do athletic things at the same level anymore! The song is in 5/8 and in G flat, which, according to Jonathan Dinklage , is a very difficult key to play the violin (Peter's brother from Game of Thrones; Jonathan plays in the string section that Rush had on the Clockwork Angels Tour...he also Played Losing It in Newark on this tour). These three are some of the most professional musicians in rock....no doubt about it!
  • Gavin from Toronto, CanadaRUSH played in Toronto on the R40 tour June 19 at the Air Canada Center

    Geddy announced "We'd like to play a song we've never played live before. Please welcome to the stage our very good friend Ben Mink. This is called "Losing It".

    And yes, I lost it. Only time I've every cried at a concert.
  • Ritchie from Coupeville, WaA complete throwaway track. Obviously filler material for the Signals album. Sentimental garbage.
  • Bob from Syracuse, NyLosing it is a studio masterpiece. It is very difficult for them to play this live. The vocals must be perfect as they were when this was recorded for the song to be truly what it was meant to be be. Therefore the harmonies and Geddy's moody tone and beautiful instrumentals are nearly impossible to to capture live.
  • Derek from Columbus, OhWith the Time Machine tour this summer, and RUSH playing some of their more obscure tunes, I wonder if this one will finally see the light of day...?
  • Bytor from Phx, AzThe song I wouldn't consider it sad by no means, merely a wake up call to all who have dreams and not just to exist, but to set one self one fire and live, pursue, and leave this world with a good fight. cause truly love for anything conquers all.
  • Mike from Ottawa, OnAll sentiments previous are correct and academic. This is a little known song off of a wonderful album which aptly illustrates Neil Peart's precision and economy of lyric. He must of laboured over this submission for quite a while in order to have it distilled to this purity. The following track on the album relates Rush's experience after having been invited to watch a space shuttle launch. Here again we can see Peart's precision with his prose and deft literary manipulations.
  • Gal from Ra'ananna, IsraelOne of the most gorgeous moments ever recorded, by anyone. The violin & guitar duet in the end is so thought-filling and resonant... and the lyrics... and the music... it makes me feel in a way nothing else, excluding some other Rush songs (La Villa Strangiato, The Pass, and a few others) has ever made me feel.
  • Eva from Sugar Land, TxLosing It has to my absolute favorite Rush song. Sure the more popular ones are AWESOME.. but this one takes the cake, I think. Beautiful music.. heart-wrenching melodies and words.... It's a masterpiece. And soo underrated!! I wish they would play it in concert... at least once!! I'd love to hear it live. As a cellist, the violinist is flat out amazing to any standards!
  • John from Asheville, NcVery underrated tune. One of Neil's most poignant lyrics. It's downright sad. Musically the instrumentation is a perfect reflection of the sentiment.
  • David from Port Hawkesbury, CanadaExcellent lyrics, Geddys voice is truly in prime, unique solo...Incredible song in general.
  • Steve from Torrance, CaThis song features electric violinist Ben Mink, who played the distinctive solos and did the arrangement. Mink appears on two albums by the Canadian group FM ("Surveillance" from 1979 and "City of Fear" from 1980) and on Geddy Lee's solo album "My Favorite Headache". He also recorded a very-hard-to-find solo album called "Foreign Exchange", and at one time was the leader of k.d.lang's backing band.
  • Sam from Boise, IdBTW, this song is off Signals, Rush's album for 1982, not Fly By Night.
  • Sam from Boise, IdThe Minimoog intro to this song is in 5/8, I do believe.
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