Mystic Rhythms

The album closer is arguably the most percussion-forward track in Rush's synth-era catalog. Peart used African and Indian drums alongside his regular kit, creating layered polyrhythms that give the song an almost tribal, hypnotic quality. The lyrics explore the mysterious patterns and rhythms that underlie human experience — the forces we sense but can't quite explain.

The intro was used as theme music for "1986," an NBC news magazine show hosted by Connie Chung. The song reached #21 on the rock charts and its music video received significant MTV rotation. Hugh Syme's artwork for the track — and the album as a whole — perfectly captured the era's aesthetic.

"Mystic Rhythms" became a fan and peer favorite and was included on the 1989 live album A Show of Hands. It appeared in the R30 concert DVD, where it leads into Peart's live drum solo — a fitting showcase given the song's percussive DNA. It remains one of the most beloved deep cuts from Rush's most divisive period.