Limelight
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Living on a lighted stage
Approaches the unreal
For those who think and feel
In touch with some reality
Beyond the gilded cage
Cast in this unlikely role,
Ill-equipped to act
With insufficient tact
One must put up barriers
To keep oneself intact
Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme
Living in a fisheye lens
Caught in the camera eye
I have no heart to lie
I cant pretend a stranger
Is a long-awaited friend
All the worlds indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each anothers audience
Outside the gilded cage
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Subdivisions
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In between the bright lights
And the far unlit unknown
Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer
Or the misfit so alone
Subdivisions ---
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
Subdivisions ---
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth
The unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe
The restless dreams of youth
Drawn like moths we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night
Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight
Somewhere out of a memory
Of lighted streets on quiet nights...
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Superconductor
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Packaged like a rebel or a hero
Target mass appeal
To make an audience feel
He really means it
Package the illusion of persona
Careful to conceal
The fact that shes only too real
Shes got to screen it
Hit you in a soft place
A melody so sweet
A strong and simple beat
That you can dance to
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Orchestrate illusions
Superconductor
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Hoping youll believe
Designing to deceive
Thats entertainment
He can put a target on the market
Bask in your applause
Reality withdraws
Now he believes it
The role becomes the actor
Shes addicted to applause
The stage a world because
She never leaves it
Hit you in a soft place
With sentimental ease
They know the fantasies
That you romance to
Watch her every move
Superconductor
She can manipulate reactions
Superconductor
Watch her every move
Superconductor
Pin the donkeys on her tail
Fantasy for sale
Thats entertainment...
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Livin In The Limelight
**everybody wants to be a star
Living in the limelight
A big house and a fancy car
Living in the limelight
Everybody gonna know your name
Surely pleased to meet you
Ask you for your autograph
See your latest feature
In the middle of the middle of a dream
Living in the limelight
See yourself on the silver screen
Living in the limelight
*how you gonna keep em down on the farm
Never make em happy
How you gonna keep em close to home
Everybodys leavin, headin for hollywood
Everybody has a fantasy
Living in the limelight
A personality
Living in the limelight
Hypnotisin the roar of the crowd
Living in the limelight
Never heard of stagefright
First one back for the curtain call
Fall in love with the spotlight
On the cover of a magazine
Living in the limelight
In your limousine
Living in the limelight
Everybody gonna know your name
Living in the limelight
Say, gonna be pleased to meet you
Living in the limelight
Living in the lime, living in the limelight
Living in the limelight
They go to hollywood, be a star
Living in the limelight...
(* repeat)
(**repeat)
song performed by by Peter Cetera
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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La Villa Strangiato
(an exercise in self-indulgence)
Music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Instrumental
I. buenas noches, mein froinds!
Ii. to sleep, perchance to dream ...
Iii. strangiato theme
Iv. a lerxst in wonderland
V. monsters!
Vi. danforth and pape
Vii. the waltz of the shreves
Viii. never turn your back on a monster!
Ix. monsters! (reprise)
X. strangiato theme (reprise)
Xi. a farewell to things
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Closer To The Heart
Words by neil peart and peter talbot,
Music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones to start
To mould a new reality
Closer to the heart
The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
Forge their creativity
Closer to the heart
Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
You can be the captain
I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the heart
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Anthem
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Know your place in life is where you want to be
Dont let them tell you that you owe it all to me
Keep on looking forward, no use in looking round
Hold your head above the ground and they wont bring you
Down
Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought
New wonders in the world, wonders in the world,
Wonders in the world they wrought
Live for yourself -- theres no one else
More worth living for
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will
Only cry out for more
Well, I know theyve always told you
Selfishness was wrong
Yet it was for me, not you, i
Came to write this song
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Turn The Page
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Nothing can survive in a vacuum
No one can exists all alone
We pretend things only happen to strangers
Weve all got problems of our own
Its enough to learn
To share our pleasures
We cant sooth pain with sympathy
All that we can do is be reminded --
We shake our heads at the tragedy
Every day were standing
In a time capsule
Racing down a river from the past
Every day were standing
In a wind tunnel
Facing down the future coming fast
Its just the age
Its just a stage --
We disengage --
We turn the page...
Looking at
The long-range forecast
Catching all the names in the news
Checking out
The state of the nation
Learning the environmental blues
Truth is after all a moving target
Hairs to split,
And pieces that dont fit how can anybody be enlightened?
Truth is after all so poorly lit
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Fountain Of Lamneth
I. in the valley
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
I am born
I am me
I am new
I am free
Look at me
I am young
Sight unseen
Life unsung
My eyes have just been opened
And theyre open very wide
Images around me
Dont identify inside
Just one blur I recognize
The one that soothes and feeds
My way of life is easy
And as simple are my needs
Yet my eyes are drawn toward
The mountain in the east
Fascinates and captivates
Gives my heart no peace
The mountain holds the sunrise
In the prison of the night
Till bursting forth from rocky chains
The valley floods with light
Living one long sunrise
For to me all things are new
Ive never watched the sky grow pale
Or strolled through fields of dew
I do not know of dust to dust
I live from breath to breath
I live to climb that mountain to
The fountain of lamneth
Ii. didacts and narpets
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Listen...
Iii. no one at the bridge
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Crying back to consciousness
The coldness grips my skin
The sky is pitching violently
Drawn by shrieking winds
Seaspray blurs my vision
Waves roll by so fast
Save my ship of freedom
Im lashed helpless to the mast
Call out for direction
And theres no one there to steer
Shout out for salvation
But theres no one there to hear
Cry out supplication
For the maelstrom is near
Scream out desperation
But no one cares to hear
Remembering when first I held
The wheel in my own hands
I took the helm so eagerly
And sailed for distant lands
But now the seas too heavy
And I just dont understand
Why must my crew desert me
When I need a guiding hand
Iv. panacea
Words and music by geddy lee and neil peart
The whiteness of confusion
Is unfolding from my mind
I stare around in wonder
Have I left my life behind
I catch the scent of ambergris
And turn my head... surprised
My gaze is caught and held
And I am helpless, mesmerized
Panacea -- liquid grace
Oh let me touch your gentle face
Enchantment falls around me
And I know I cannot leave
Heres a meaning for my life
A shelter from the storm
Pacify my troubles with
Her body, soft and warm
Naked in our unity
A smile for every tear
Gentle hands that promise me
Comfort through the years
Yet I know I must be gone
Before the light of dawn
Panacea -- passion pure
I cant resist your gentle lure
My heart will lie beside you
And my wandering body grieves
V. bacchus plateau
Words and music by geddy lee and neil peart
Another endless day
Silhouettes of grey
Another glass of wine
Drink with eyes that shine
To days without that chill at morning
Nights time out of mind
Draw another goblet
From the cask of 43
Crimson misty memory
Hazy glimpse of me
Give me back my wonder
-- Ive something more to give
I guess it doesnt matter
-- theres not much more to live
Another foggy dawn
The mountain almost gone
Another doubtful fear
The road is not so clear
My soul grows ever weary
And the end is ever near
Vi. the fountain
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Look... the mist is rising
And the sun is peaking through
See, the steps grow lighter
As I reach their final few
Hear, the dancing waters
I must be drawing near
Feel, my heart is pounding
With embattled hope and fear
Now, at last I fall before
The fountain of lamneth
I thought I would be singing
But Im tired... out of breath
Many journeys end here
But, the secrets told the same
Life is just a candle
And a dream must give it flame
The key, the end, the answer
Stripped of their disguise
Still its all confusion
And tears spring to my eyes
Though Ive reached a signpost
Its really not the end
Like old sol behind the mountain
Ill be coming up again...
Im in motion
I am still
I am crying
I am still
Im together
Im apart
Im forever
At the start
Still... I am
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chemistry
Words by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart,
Music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Signals transmitted
Message received
Reaction making impact ---
Invisibly
Elemental telepathy
Exchange of energy
Reaction making contact ---
Mysteriously
Eye to i
Reaction burning hotter
Two to one
Reflection on the water
H to o
No flow without the other
Oh but how
Do they make contact
With one another?
Electricity? biology?
Seems to me its chemistry
Emotion transmitted
Emotion received
Music in the abstract ---
Positively
Elemental empathy
A change of synergy
Music making contact ---
Naturally
One, two, three ---
Add without subtraction
Sound on sound
Multiplied reaction
H to o
No flow without the other
Oh but how
Do we make contact
With one another?
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Circumstances
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
A boy alone, and so far from home
Endless rooftops from my window
I felt the gloom of empty rooms
On rainy afternoons
Sometimes, in confusion
I felt so lost and disillusioned
Innocence gave me confidence
To go up against reality
All the same
We take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus a change
Plus cest la mme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
Now Ive gained some understanding
Of the only world that we see
Things that I once dreamed of
Have become reality
These walls that still surround me
Still contain the same old me
Just one more whos searching for
A world that ought to be
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Animate
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Polarize me
Sensitize me
Criticize me
Civilize me
Compensate me
Animate me
Complicate me
Elevate me
Goddess in my garden
Sister in my soul
Angel in my armor
Actress in my role
Daughter of a demon-lover
Empress of the hidden face
Priestess of the pagan mother
Ancient queen of inner space
Spirit in my psyche
Double in my role
Alter in my image
Struggle for control
Mistress of the dark unconscious
Mermaid of the lunar sea
Daughter of the great enchantress
Sister to the boy inside of me
My counterpart --- my foolish heart
A man must learn to rule his tender part
A warming trend --- a gentle friend
A man must build a fortress to defend
A secret face --- a touch of grace
A man must learn to give a little space
A peaceful state --- a submissive trait
A man must learn to gently dominate
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life roads
We all have different life roads,
we all think which one to choose,
some choose their road and crawl it,
they have no wish to fly.thinking it's a wit.
It's hard for them to learn the truth of life,
such people go with the tide
and fear like a hare living in a form with fright;
their feelings and soul are hidden,
they are always afraid to be bitten;
they take life as a boring groove,
it's so difficult for them to move.
Some people think that happiness -
living in a golden cage.
They speak with rage about freedom;
the golden cage is their stage.
In relation to some of those who get freedom:
they fuss, they dash about,
don't know what to do with it
and their life also becomes a rut,
they step on their own foot.
May be Shakespeare's famous words were true
'Life is a stage, and we are all actors'.
We all have entrances and our exits,
we take them as facts and persist.
But I would like to sing a song for those
who were not afraid to fall
but did everything in their power,
strained themselves in the utmost.
They had enough courage and strength
to get up and go on up the hill,
having their greatest will
they can surely pay for their life bill.
The science of life is so complicated
and only by God it can be rated.
But the roads of life are all self created.
Larisa R(Odessa, Ukraine)
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Bravado
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
If we burn our wings
Flying too close to the sun
If the moment of glory
Is over before its begun
If the dream is won --
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost
When the dust has cleared
And victory denied
A summit too lofty
River a little too wide
If we keep our pride --
Though paradise is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost
And if the music stops
Theres only the sound of the rain
All the hope and glory
All the sacrifice in vain
[and] if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Open Secrets
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
It went right by me --
At the time it went over my head
I was looking out the window
I should have looked
At your face instead
It went right by me --
Just another wall
There should have been a moment
When we let our barriers fall
I never meant
What youre thinking --
That is not what I meant at all...
Well I guess we all
Have these feelings
We cant leave unreconciled
Some of them burned on our ceilings
Some of them learned as a child
The things that were concealing
Will never let us grow
Time will do its healing
Youve got to let it go
Closed for my protection --
Open to your scorn
Between these two directions
My heart is sometimes torn
I lie awake with my secrets
Spinning around my head
Something that somehow
Escaped me --
Something you shouldnt have said
I was looking out the window
I should have looked
At your face instead...
I find no absolution
In my rational point of view
Maybe some things are instinctive
But theres one thing you could do
You could try to understand me --
I could try to understand you...
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Hand Over Fist
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
And the rock must stand alone
I could disappear into the crowd
But not if I keep my head in the clouds
I could walk away so proud
Its easy enough if you dont laugh too loud
I thought I was okay alone
Wait for the postman and the telephone
Lost in a world of my own
I thought I could run alone
Thought I could run through the night alone
Hand over hand
Doesnt seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
You talk as we walk along
You never imagined I could be so wrong
Humming your favorite song
You know Ive hated that song for so long
How can we ever agree?
Like the rest of the world
We grow farther apart
I swear you dont listen to me
Holding my hand to my heart
Holding my fist to my racing heart
Take a walk outside myself
In some exotic land
Greet a passing stranger
Feel the strength in his hand
Feel the world expand
I feel my spirit resist
But I open up my fist
Lay hand over hand over
Hand over fist
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Farewell To Kings
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down
On the path of least resistance
Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred halls of truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Cant we find
The minds that made us strong
Cant we learn
To feel whats right and wrong
Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
Cant we raise our eyes
And make a start
Cant we find the minds
To lead us closer to the heart
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Madrigal
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
When the dragons grow too mighty
To slay with pen or sword
I grow weary of the battle
And the storm I walk toward
When all around is madness
And theres no safe port in view
I long to turn my path homeward
To stop awhile with you
When life becomes so barren
And as cold as winter skies
Theres a beacon in the darkness
In a distant pair of eyes
In vain to search for order
In vain to search for truth
But these things can still be given
Your love has shown me proof
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bad Dream
Im living in a bad dream.
Theyre supposed to be here by now.
What the hell is taking them so long?
I parked the car just like they said.
Now, Im sitting, waiting for a bullet in my head.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
Im supposed to be feeling better by now.
What the hell is taking me so long?
I hit the hay just like they said.
Now, Im sitting, waiting for a bell in my head.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
On a curve, lost control.
On a cliff, lost control.
This is not happening to me.
I say so.
Im supposed to be a better person by now.
What the hell is taking me so long?
Dying saviors off sum cross.
Now, Im hoping and Im praying that theyll nullify my losses.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream gone bad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Im living in a bad dream
Im living in a bad dream thats sad.
Im living in a bad dream.
Gordon gano: vocals, guitar
Brian ritchie: acoustic bass guitar, vocals, autoharp
Guy hoffman: drums, vocals
David vartanian: electric piano
Produced by brian ritchie and gordon gano
Recorded and mixed by david vartanian at dvs perversion room, milwaukee, wi
gorno music reprinted with permission
song performed by by Violent Femmes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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But when Neil called, I have to say that my heart soared. And the reason was, because it said so much about his recovery... that he was coming back to the world of the living.
quote by Alex Lifeson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mission
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Hold your fire --
Keep it burning bright
Hold the flame
til the dream ignites --
A spirit with a vision
Is a dream with a mission
I hear their passionate music
Read the words
That touch my heart
I gaze at their feverish pictures
The secrets that set them apart
When I feel the powerful visions
Their fire has made alive
I wish I had that instinct --
I wish I had that drive
Spirits fly on dangerous missions
Imaginations on fire
Focused high on soaring ambitions
Consumed in a single desire
In the grip of
A nameless possession --
A slave to the drive of obsession --
A spirit with a vision
Is a dream with a mission...
I watch their images flicker
Bringing light to a lifeless screen
I walk through
Their beautiful buildings
And I wish I had their dreams
But dreams dont need
To have motion
To keep their spark alive
Obsession has to have action --
Pride turns on the drive
Its cold comfort
To the ones without it
To know how they struggled --
How they suffered about it
If their lives were
Exotic and strange
They would likely have
Gladly exchanged them
For something a little more plain
Maybe something a little more sane
We each pay a fabulous price
For our visions of paradise
But a spirit with a vision
Is a dream with a mission...
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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