Countdown

This was inspired by the April 12, 1981 launch of the Columbia Space Shuttle, the first reusable manned spacecraft. The band were guests of NASA for the launch at Kennedy Space Center in Florida (they saw it from an area called Red Sector A, which "inspired another song"). Rush drummer Neil Peart wrote the lyric, which describes the feeling of anticipation and wonder as they took in the historic event. "It was an incredible thing to witness," said Peart. "A truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Rush dedicated this song to astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen, and "all the people of NASA for their inspiration and cooperation."

Audio from NASA's actual countdown to launch was interspersed through this song.