Jacob's Ladder

The album's most progressive piece, inspired by the dramatic sight of sunlight breaking through storm clouds — what's sometimes called a "Jacob's ladder" of light beams. Peart turns the meteorological phenomenon into something transcendent, depicting it as a moment of revelation and wonder.

The song builds from a moody, atmospheric opening into one of Rush's heaviest and most dynamic passages, with Lifeson's guitar reaching near-symphonic intensity. Lee's synthesizer work adds a new dimension that would become increasingly important on subsequent albums. The extended instrumental section showcases all three musicians at their most adventurous.

It served as proof that Rush could still deliver epic, progressive-scale music within a more concise framework — at seven and a half minutes, it's ambitious without the sprawl of their earlier side-long pieces. It was a fan favorite in concert, particularly during the 1980s tours.