Jamie and I just really loved this movie. We saw it a few years after it came out—probably around 2012 or 2013. I remember we rented it, one of the last few movies we ever rented from the video store before they disappeared. It was the end of the video store era, and The Adventures of Power somehow felt like the perfect movie to close it out with.
We laughed and laughed. It was hilarious—just the kind of unexpected, absurd humor that stays with you long after you’ve seen it. But beyond the ridiculousness, there was something oddly inspiring about Power, this air-drumming factory worker chasing an impossible dream.
And then there was Rush.
Rush was already an incredible band to begin with—so much depth, so much talent, so many layers in their music. But for me, Rush will always tie back to Carl. Carl loved Rush. He had this Rush t-shirt he wore all the time, and I remember him telling my mom once that when he died, he wanted to be buried in that shirt, a pair of shorts, and flip-flops. He was a classic rock guy, through and through. On weekends, he’d put a Rush CD in the stereo, turn the speakers up, and let it blast while he cleaned out the carport or worked in the yard. That’s how I remember Rush—echoing through the house, filling up the space, always there in the background.
So watching The Adventures of Power, seeing how Tom Sawyer was woven into it, made it even better. It was already a hilarious, weirdly uplifting film, but the Rush connection gave it another layer of nostalgia.
If Rush already made the movie better, then this song took it to another level. Because “Tom Sawyer” isn’t just a song—it’s a force. From the opening synth line to the thundering drum fills, it hits with this wild, untamed energy that never fades. The lyrics feel like an anthem for independence, for thinking differently, for chasing something bigger than yourself. Every part of it is iconic—Geddy Lee’s sharp, soaring vocals, Alex Lifeson’s electrifying guitar work, and Neil Peart’s drumming, which is nothing short of legendary. The way he moves across the kit, shifting between complex rhythms and explosive fills, makes the entire song feel like it’s charging forward at full speed. It’s one of those tracks that demands your attention, pulls you into its world, and leaves you feeling like you’ve just experienced something bigger than music.”
We weren’t looking for it, but somehow, this ridiculous movie and its soundtrack found us. Like a secret signal, waiting to be heard. We only saw it once, but it stuck with us. Like some cosmic fluke—this weird, ridiculous little film we stumbled onto at the very end of the video store era, right before everything changed.
Now every time I hear Tom Sawyer I think of Power too—and I can’t help but be inspired by his passion! We still laugh about it, still talk about it, still bring up random moments from it years later. It’s this underground gem, a secret favorite that almost no one seems to know about. And honestly, that makes it seem even more special.
