Afterimage (song)

"Afterimage" is a song by the Canadian rock band Rush. It was released on their 1984 album Grace Under Pressure, dedicated to a good friend of the band. The single was a Japan-only release.

Background
The song was dedicated to Robbie Whelan, a friend of the band who worked as an assistant engineer on some of Rush's earlier albums, most notably Moving Pictures and Signals.

The opening lyric was quoted in the liner notes for Rush's 1998 live release, Different Stages, as a dedication to drummer Neil Peart's daughter and wife, who died in 1997 and 1998, respectively. The memoriam is as follows:

"Suddenly...you were gone...from all the lives you left your mark upon..." In loving memory of Jackie and Selena Peart chose the title "Afterimage" as it refers to the mental effect of still seeing something even though it no longer remains in your field of vision.

Reception
Odyssey rated "Afterimage" 10/10, and considered it to be the 18th best Rush song, and the third best from Grace Under Pressure.

Thrillist considered "Afterimage" to be the 25th best Rush song, and wrote that it "on paper, could easily be a tossed-aside 80s tune in the hands of a lesser band, but Rush takes these elements and turns them into absolute gold."

Video

 * Afterimage (music video)