New World Man

Rush's highest-charting single in the U.S., reaching #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 — a remarkable achievement for a band that never courted mainstream pop success. The song was reportedly written and recorded quickly, almost as an afterthought, when the band realized they needed one more track to fill the album.

The lyrics sketch a portrait of a flawed but adaptable person navigating a complex world — someone who learns from mistakes and keeps evolving. Its relative simplicity and catchy hook made it the most radio-friendly song Rush had produced to that point.

The irony of Rush's biggest pop hit being something of a tossed-off track was not lost on the band. It demonstrated that sometimes the songs that come easiest are the ones that connect most widely.