Lyrical Greats (pt.3)

Now into the year of 1987; Peart's expertise in lyrical writing continued to expand and ultimately, become more intelligent. One thing that you'll notice is the lack of actual chorus with the late 80's tunes.

'Time Stand Still'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
I let my past go too fast
No time to pause

Chorus:
(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each sensation a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away

Thoughts:

Time Stands Still is relatively upsetting song. As the song title and lyrics would suggest, it's about time slipping away with one's lack of control over it; and perhaps, the lack of appreciation you had for a certain event at that particular moment (but now, happen to appreciate it more than ever).

'Lock and Key'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
Plenty of people will kill you
For some fanatical cause

Chorus:
I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key

Thoughts:

This song's message is pretty clear in displaying the fact that we all have a bad side, but naturally, never want to see it.

'Mission'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
We each pay a fabulous price
For our visions of paradise
But a spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

Chorus - there isn't one..

Thoughts:

Admittedly, 'Mission' is a song about achieving goals and of course, the struggles to accomplish them.

'Turn the Page'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
We disengage, we turn the page
Racing down the river running fast
Every day we're standing in a wind tunnel

Chorus - there isn't one..

Thoughts:

Meaning of this particular song? I dunno actually. Evolution, perhaps routine. God knows..

'The Pass'
From the album: 'Presto' - 1989

A Key Line:
And now you're trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Can't face life on a razor's edge
Nothing's what you thought it would be

Chorus - there isn't one

Thoughts:

No speculation here. This song is about a teenager who was an alcoholic (most likely brought on by his alienation at school) and then with no one there to help him find the path of 'good'; decides to commit suicide.

'Scars'
From the album: 'Presto' - 1989

A Key Line:
I've heard the lions hunting
In the Serengeti night
I get this feeling...

Chorus:
Scars of pleasure
Scars of pain

Thoughts:

Hearing the actual song (rather than just reading the lyrics) gives you a better impression of what the lyrics are talking about. With various mentions of Africa and an African inspired drum beat, I have no doubts that it's about...ding..ding..Africa!

'Available Light'
From the album: 'Presto' - 1989

Thoughts:

Like 'Turn the Page', AL leaves me lost. My speculation is that it's about a soul of a deceased individual floating through the earth; searching for the perfect place. Could be entirely wrong though! :D

More great lyrics on the 23rd!