"New World Man" is a hit single from the 1982 album Signals by Canadian rock band Rush. The song was the last and most quickly composed song on the album, stemming from a suggestion by then-Rush producer Terry Brown to even out the lengths of the two sides of the cassette version. It went to #1 (on the RPM national singles chart) in Canada, where it remained for two weeks in October 1982.[2][3] It was the only single by a Canadian act to top the RPM chart that year.
Less successful in the United States, it nonetheless remains Rush's only American Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboardsingles chart in October and November 1982. On the Cashbox Top 100, it peaked at No. 35. It also hit No. 1 on the BillboardTop Tracks chart (the first Rush single to do so).[4]
"New World Man" reached No. 42 in the United Kingdom. A remixed version (released as a double A-side with "Countdown") later reached No. 36 in the UK in early 1983.
Cash Box said that "synth blips pave the way for this pulsing change of pace" for Rush, with "a more compact, almost Police-like drive."[5]Billboard said that it may give Rush a hit single due to its "hypnotic synthesizer pop with flashes of guitar rock."[6]
The B-side of the single, a live version of "Vital Signs," is one of the few officially-released Rush tracks which never appeared on a full album.
"New World Man" was played live on every tour since its release, until the Hold Your Fire Tour, when it was removed. The next four tours did not feature the song in the setlist. The song was brought back for the last time during Vapor Trails Tour, and the following five tours did not have the song.[7]
