Vocal Analysis of “Limelight” by RUSH
One of my favorite songs by the Canadian progressive rock band RUSH is “Limelight”. Most all songs by the group are primarily written by Neal Peart and adjusted by Geddy Lee to make them more singable. Mr. Peart was by his own admission an introvert. It seems strange to some that a world-famous music performer could be an introvert until you hear more of his story. He loves to perform on the drums and other percussion instruments for others. However, he is shy. The lyrics of this song try to reconcile these two dimensions of his life, a public performer and an introverted lyric writer.
I too am an introvert. Seems odd for a public school teacher and frequent conference speaker. But it is who I am. And this is why this song resonates so powerfully with me. “Living in the limelight. The universal dream. For those who wish to seem. Those who wish to be.”
Limelight Lyrics by RUSH
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 can't pretend a stranger
Is a long-awaited friend
All the world's indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage
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 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
The real relation
The underlying theme
