Why is Pink Floyd more popular and appealing than Rush?

[mrjim123]

Better melodies, less obscure lyrics - but don't get me wrong, I LOVE Rush.

 

[80jazz]

I have no problem throwing it on in front of Women. I'm lucky to be around alot of creative types here in LA though. My GF gets it too. (lucky me?)

Their stuff from Power Windows to Counterparts should have some appeal.

That was also Peart's best run lyrically.

 

[21DaHoagie12]

Jeesh, this site is so toxic.. what is it with talkbass and these endless Band vs Band posts that basically are just excuses for sh!tting on Rush?

"radio friendly 4/4 band that all the critics loved got more airplay and is more 'popular' than a kimono wearing prog rock trio from Toronto that all the critics hated... who'd have friggen thought huh?"

It just gets so tiring

 

[Lesfunk]

Simpler music with lush atmospheric orchestration

Less fantasy, more relatable lyrical themes

Easier for a mass audience to digest

 

[BAG]

Another Floyd fan here.
When I joined TB I wouldn't have been able to name a single Rush song. I have tried to get into their music and have heard a couple of their songs that I enjoy, and a few of them really impressed the musician in me due to their changing time signatures etc, but I just can't listen to them much. A big part of that is Geddy's vocals.

Floyd on the other hand I can listen to a LOT. I love the way Gilmour doesn't feel the need to shred his solos and, like us bass players, generally serves the song rather than tries to impress with guitar pyrotechnics.

 

[Bass-ball]

serves the song rather than tries to impress with guitar pyrotechnics

Even the intro to "Sorrow," despite a really heavy overdrive (to me, anyway), is so Gilmour in that regard. He lets it build, allows the instrument room to "breathe," etc. I think he's my favorite guitarist.

But man, when I want drums (in a rock setting, which is rare anymore), give me Rush's "Signals" or "Moving Pictures" any day.

 

[sonic 7]

Pink Floyd were just much better song writers.

 

[r_bnks]

Because the vocals don't suck.

 

[ThomasTronics]

So much geddy lee singing hate. I personally love his singing and have problems with how squealy it was in the early years
Rush is def more diverse and have gone through so many different iterations of sounds and song writing. Hard to hate them period.

Pink floyd had more commercially avaliable rings and a few good ballads.

I don't think there are many pink floyd fans that would compare early floyd to later floyd.

 

[2112]

Because the world consists of people outside of TB.

 

[pbassnut]

In general Pink Floyd has a much wider appeal to rock fans than Rush. It seems their music is also more appealing to women.
What do you think, why?

There are hits and then there are HITS. I think I saw that Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" sold 50,000,000 copies. That's enough sales to put a band on the map and keep them on the map just about forever and is probably why Pink Floyd has more "mindshare" than Rush. FWIW, I like'm both ... but more for their later periods. Post "Meddle" for Pink Floyd and what I'll call the "Moving Pictures", "Signals", "Power Windows" era for Rush.

 

[GreyBeard]

I think Pink Floyd is more popular than Rush because Pink Floyd's music is easier for the general public to connect with. It is a lot like comparing Ravel and Bartok string quartets.

 

[DigitalMan]

Pink Floyd has a more relaxed, background music vibe. I would argue that far more people identify as Rush fans, whereas Pink Floyd has far more listeners.

 

[LanEvo]

For me Rush has always felt like a bunch of band geeks competing to see who can overplay the most ... with some extremely irritating vocals on top. You kind of have to be a music nerd to get into them.

Pink Floyd might not be super interesting these days; their songs are a lot more conventional. But there's a nice feel to it. The melodies and solos are quite memorable. Overall, they just feel very comfortable.

 

[Gustopher]

I'll make this easy. I asked my wife, she said she couldn't stand Geddys voice. I freaking worship Rush, but it's a big non starter with most causal music fans.

 

[micguy]

Women really like Barry White's voice. Listen to Rush and….see if you can do the math. It's not complicated.

 

[Max Blasto]

False premise.

 

[u2brothr]

Prog rock is definitely for a particular audience. This Canadian also recognizes that Canadian bands in the USA aren't as revered as dearly as American bands in the USA.

I don't think Rush minds very much about their appeal. People "get it" or they "don't get it".
I love the blues-y guitar in Pink Floyd songs.

If you have a moment make sure you watch the Rush doc "Beyond the Lighted Stage". It made me appreciate them so much more.

 

[jimmydean]

Some people think the British are cooler than Canadians ........they are wrong !

 

[perfektspace6]

Pink Floyd is transcendental. Better to get stoned to. Takes on a more mythical quality and songs are easier to follow.

I am a giant Rush fan and a moderate Pink Floyd fan.