Afterimage is the second track from Rush's 1984 album Grace Under Pressure. The track 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.[1][2] The track deals with the loss of a friend and the emotional aftermath that follows.
The single was a Japan-only release.[3] 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.[4] 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
