Test for Echo

I think this song is a reaction to the spectacle that serious crimes have become in society. Because of modern technology, people get to watch real-life horrors unfold as if they were watching a ballgame, and they are treated as such.

I may be wrong, but I felt this was especially a reaction to America's obsession over the OJ Simpson trial. Am I way off? ;-)

If you're reading this then I don't need to say that rush lyrics are loaded with imagery, puns and double entendre.

Test for echo is a term used in professional recording to, well, make sure there's no echo that will be recorded. Move obvious, echoes occur in empty, vacant places. ie: Air head

I agree with coryoon's comments, but I think the song also calls attention to how we are increasingly letting the media, or more specifically 'opinion journalism' fill our heads with items fitting their agendas.

I agree with what coryoon says above aboutspectacle that serious crimes have become in society

This song is about the growing obsession we have with tragedy and crime, and how the media blows it up for views. The murders, the political drama, the shootings, it's all drama that we eat up. This song carries the same sort of message as "Vicarious" by Tool.

I think it is something like what you said. I definetly see a connection with TV news and sensationalism possibly bringing about more crime as it desensitizes society to more crime hence "test for echo."

actually, coryoon you're directly on. you couldnt be more on. thats EXACTLY what the song means. the last line isnt very neil peart style, and not quite great, the 'cant do the time dont do the crime' i dont particularly like. but its very true how pathetic it is that crime, murders, all that have become like entetrainment. its sad and patehtic.

Great song. I like it. What it reminds me of is ... Law and Order. We're entertained by crime ... that seems wrong somehow. But I do think it's mainly about news and maybe the OJ Simpson trial - I was four years old, too young to remember.

It makes me laugh when Geddy says, "Gangster." It sounds like he's saying "gangsta," and I'm like ... Geddy, you're fifty. You can't say gangsta. hahaha.

Call me "desensitised" to the TV world, but what does the term "TEST FOR ECHO" actually mean?

OK, call me crazy, but I always thought that it was "good boys" instead of "hood boys" and Geddy was just saying ti weird like he does with Tam Sawyer (Tom Saw-yee). I also thought it was six o'clock news, but you know, I'm not the world's greatest Rush authority.

Anyways, I agree with Everyday Glory- Geddy sounds hilarious saying "gansta."

This was one of the first Rush songs I ever actually listened to- my dad had always played the CDs in the car but I never really paid attention until I was 12. Then I listened to the lyrics and I fell in love with them immediatley. Anyways, I absolutley love this song and Geddy and Alex and Neil and I hope you all have an awesome day.

I think I agree with the general consensus. The song is talking about how we have turned crime and illicit activity into no more than a form of entertainment. Think about it, we have NCIS, Law and Order, Breaking Bad, even House of Cards. Some more white-collar crime than others, but none the less they are crimes that have been written out with some names and turned into entertainment. The term Vertigo, meaning "a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve; giddiness" could be talking about society's level of sensitivity to horrific imagery. I mean, come on, I never really watched NCIS until recently when I stopped on it flipping channels and was unaware that I would be seeing a family beaten to death with a baseball bat and left bleeding on the floor as their 5 year-old daughter walks through the room. Can someone please tell me how exactly that is entertaining? Where are we headed next in entertainment?

I think I agree with the general consensus. The song is talking about how we have turned crime and illicit activity into no more than a form of entertainment. Think about it, we have NCIS, Law and Order, Breaking Bad, even House of Cards. Some more white-collar crime than others, but none the less they are crimes that have been written out with some names and turned into entertainment. The term Vertigo, meaning "a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve; giddiness" could be talking about society's level of sensitivity to horrific imagery. I mean, come on, I never really watched NCIS until recently when I stopped on it flipping channels and was unaware that I would be seeing a family beaten to death with a baseball bat and left bleeding on the floor as their 5 year-old daughter walks through the room. Can someone please tell me how exactly that is entertaining? Where are we headed next in entertainment?