I always thought this song was specifically about the magic that radio can be, and should be. But it's also a lament over the commercialization that leads to cookie-cutter formats, and soulless corporate suits who care only about the bottom line.
Radio is meant to be personal, and can indeed be a friend...a "companion unobtrusive." But the song, in its brilliant prescience, foretells corporate ownership, consolidation, and the move away from local and personal focus.
I think the line about "all this machinery making modern music" just refers to the technical, physical equipment necessary to broadcast a radio signal.
@djmike I'm with you most of your post, but one question/possible disagreement - that line "all this machinery making modern music, can still be open-hearted", I always thought that line was about the infiltration into Rock and Roll of synthesizers, etc. ( a direction in which Rush was heading next), and how the message shouldn't be reduced to the medium.
@djmike I'm with you most of your post, but one question/possible disagreement - that line "all this machinery making modern music, can still be open-hearted", I always thought that line was about the infiltration into Rock and Roll of synthesizers, etc. ( a direction in which Rush was heading next), and how the message shouldn't be reduced to the medium.
Radio industry at the time was so stupid that it jumped on this song as an anthem, not realizing that it was in actuality a scathing review. They failed to look beyond the title.
Radio industry at the time was so stupid that it jumped on this song as an anthem, not realizing that it was in actuality a scathing review. They failed to look beyond the title.
And to think, five years esrlier they banned The Doobie Brithers’ single “Another Park, Another Sunday” because it contained the line “My car is empty and the radio just seems to bring me down.”
And to think, five years esrlier they banned The Doobie Brithers’ single “Another Park, Another Sunday” because it contained the line “My car is empty and the radio just seems to bring me down.”
I always thought this song was specifically about the magic that radio can be, and should be. But it's also a lament over the commercialization that leads to cookie-cutter formats, and soulless corporate suits who care only about the bottom line.
Radio is meant to be personal, and can indeed be a friend...a "companion unobtrusive." But the song, in its brilliant prescience, foretells corporate ownership, consolidation, and the move away from local and personal focus.
I think the line about "all this machinery making modern music" just refers to the technical, physical equipment necessary to broadcast a radio signal.
Great song indeed; it's one of my favorites.
Dude... that was deep.
Dude... that was deep.
@djmike Awesome analysis. Only thing to add is it is about a specific radio station, 102.1 CFNY.
@djmike Awesome analysis. Only thing to add is it is about a specific radio station, 102.1 CFNY.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFNY-FM
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFNY-FM
@djmike I'm with you most of your post, but one question/possible disagreement - that line "all this machinery making modern music, can still be open-hearted", I always thought that line was about the infiltration into Rock and Roll of synthesizers, etc. ( a direction in which Rush was heading next), and how the message shouldn't be reduced to the medium.
@djmike I'm with you most of your post, but one question/possible disagreement - that line "all this machinery making modern music, can still be open-hearted", I always thought that line was about the infiltration into Rock and Roll of synthesizers, etc. ( a direction in which Rush was heading next), and how the message shouldn't be reduced to the medium.
Oh, also, similar ground was covered by another Canadian power trio, Triumph, the following year, with Magic Power.
Oh, also, similar ground was covered by another Canadian power trio, Triumph, the following year, with Magic Power.
Radio industry at the time was so stupid that it jumped on this song as an anthem, not realizing that it was in actuality a scathing review. They failed to look beyond the title.
Radio industry at the time was so stupid that it jumped on this song as an anthem, not realizing that it was in actuality a scathing review. They failed to look beyond the title.
And to think, five years esrlier they banned The Doobie Brithers’ single “Another Park, Another Sunday” because it contained the line “My car is empty and the radio just seems to bring me down.”
And to think, five years esrlier they banned The Doobie Brithers’ single “Another Park, Another Sunday” because it contained the line “My car is empty and the radio just seems to bring me down.”