Leave That Thing Alone: The Anatomy of a Modern Rush Instrumental
Recorded primarily at in Quebec, the sessions for Counterparts saw the band returning to a more guitar-driven sound, though "Leave That Thing Alone" still features prominent synthesizer work by Geddy Lee and guest keyboardist John Webster . Rush-Leave That Thing Alone
: Neil Peart used the song to experiment with diverse patterns, incorporating a "Nigerian beat" influenced by King Sunny Ade in the second verse, and later shifting into a "quasi-jazz pattern". Recording and Production Leave That Thing Alone: The Anatomy of a
The track earned a for "Best Instrumental Rock Performance," highlighting its critical success during a period when the band was moving away from the heavy synth-pop of the late 80s. Legacy in Live Performance Rush-Leave That Thing Alone