Lyrical Greats (pt.1)

Well, hello there. As is rather obvious, I haven't had much time to update my Blog as of late.

Rather than wasting any more time - let's get to the point. As per usual, I've been listening to Rush and in particular, their most recent album, 'Snakes & Arrows'. Aside from being musically brilliant, it is most certainly lyrically brilliant. In fact, I'd say that the S&A lyrics are easily on par with my other favourite Rush album(lyrically), 'Hold Your Fire'. Such is an accomplishment, especially considering the latter was distributed to High Schools around Montreal thanks to it's meaningful and stylistic poetry-like writing.

Having said that, I thought I'd be interesting to take a look at some of Rush's best lyrics.

The Writer:

For those unaware, Rush's primary lyricist is their drummer, Neil Peart and he is the original writer of these fantastic lyrics. Mind you, band vocalist Geddy Lee has also been known from time to time to add or change lyrical input. So.. special thanks to the both of them!

Before we go on, one must make note that Peart's lyrics can be interpreted many different ways. These are my personal interpretations!

-- Chronologically ordered --

'Something For Nothing'
From the album: '2112' - 1976

A Key Line:
What you do is your own glory

Chorus:
You don't get something for nothing
You can't have freedom for free
You won't get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be

Thoughts:

'Something For Nothing' is the typical Rush song of the late 70's. Especially as Neil had a fascination with reading Ann Ryann books (which very much focused on the Russia's Communism).

'The Spirit of Radio'
From the album: 'Permanent Waves' - 1980

A Key Line:
One likes to believe in the freedom of music

Chorus:
Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

Thoughts:

The SPOR has a wonderful message. Music is magical and the lyrics in this particular song are stringed together like a masterpiece.

'Entre Nous'
From the album: Permanent Waves' - 1980

A Key Line
Each of us a world apart

Chorus:
Just between us
I think it's time for us to recognize
The differences we sometimes fear to show
Just between us
I think it's time for us to realize
The spaces in between
Leave room for you and I to grow

Thoughts:

A song about clearly about a relationships.

'Freewill'
From the album: 'Permanent Waves' - 1980

A Key Line:
You can't pray for a place In heaven's unearthly estate

Chorus:
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose freewill

Thoughts:

'Freewill' is very much akin to 'Snakes & Arrows', 'Faithless'. It's about choosing religion and how you're religion, might be not to choose one.

'Tom Sawyer'
From the album: 'Moving Pictures' - 1981

A Key Line:
No his mind is not for rent to any god or government

Chorus:
The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his eyes are wide

Thoughts:

A song about alienation and social impact on the youth.

'Limelight'
From the album: 'Moving Pictures' - 1981

A Key Line:
One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact

Chorus:
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

Thoughts:

This is what I believe to be what Neil felt were the negatives about the band's success.

More tomorrow!