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
"Leave That Thing Alone" became a staple of Rush's live sets, often serving as the lead-in to Neil Peart’s drum solo. Notable live versions include:
: Alex Lifeson contributed a "clean verse thing" he had been developing on tour, along with a solo that originated from an early digital recording on an Alesis ADAT. Lifeson noted the solo has a distinct "Celtic flavor". Rush-Leave That Thing Alone
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 .
Leave That Thing Alone: The Anatomy of a Modern Rush Instrumental The track earned a for "Best Instrumental Rock
"Leave That Thing Alone" is the ninth track from 1993 album, Counterparts . As a Grammy-nominated instrumental, it stands as a testament to the band’s technical evolution in the early 90s, blending their progressive rock roots with funk-inspired grooves and world music rhythms. Origins and Composition
The track began as a sequel to the instrumental "Where’s My Thing?" from the previous album, Roll the Bones . Much of the song grew out of spontaneous jam sessions where the band captured "happy moments" that were later dissected and refined into a formal structure. Lifeson noted the solo has a distinct "Celtic flavor"
: Geddy Lee describes the piece as being built around "rhythm and blues bass-drum interplay". It is often cited as a standout moment for his bass playing, featuring a funky, driving undertone that anchors the more atmospheric elements.