Limelight
Paul Rudd & Jason Segel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 fish eye 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 portrayer




Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage

Overall Meaning

The song Limelight by Paul Rudd and Jason Segel is a philosophical reflection on the nature of success and fame. The song begins by describing the illusion that is being in the limelight, living on a "lighted stage" that approaches the "unreal." The ones who are "in touch with some reality" are those who think and feel beyond the gilded cage, the metaphor for the traps of societal expectations and limitations.


The second verse is a reflection on the challenges that come with the fame and living in the limelight. The performer must put up barriers to keep themselves intact and protected from the alienation of others. Yet, the universal dream for those who wish to be seen and to seem is to live in the limelight. However, to achieve this, one must put aside the alienation and get on with the fascination, the real relation, and the underlying theme of life.


The final verse describes the fish eye lens effect in which the performer is caught in the camera eye, leading to the feeling of being unable to lie or pretend. The song concludes with the assertion that all of the world is indeed a stage, and we are merely players performing for each other.


Line by Line Meaning

Living on a lighted stage
Existing in a world where everything is visible and scrutinized


Approaches the unreal
Seems surreal because of the constant attention and expectations


For those who think and feel
For people who are introspective and empathetic


In touch with some reality
Able to see beyond the superficial and understand what is truly important


Beyond the gilded cage
Free from the restrictions and limitations of a privileged lifestyle


Cast in this unlikely role,
Thrown into a position that is unexpected and challenging


Ill-equipped to act
Unprepared for the demands and pressures of the role


With insufficient tact
Lacking the social skills and diplomacy to deal with others effectively


One must put up barriers
Must protect oneself from the negative effects of fame and scrutiny


To keep oneself intact
To preserve one's identity and values in the face of constant scrutiny and pressure


Living in the limelight
Existing in a world where fame and attention are the norm


The universal dream
The desire for recognition and success that transcends cultural and geographic boundaries


For those who wish to seem
For people who want to present a certain image to the world


Those who wish to be
People who aspire to achieve their goals and dreams


Must put aside the alienation
Must overcome the feeling of detachment and isolation that comes with fame


Get on with the fascination
Embrace the excitement and interest that comes with being famous


The real relation
The genuine connection with others that is the most important thing


The underlying theme
The deeper meaning or message that is present in everything


Living in a fish eye lens
Being watched and scrutinized constantly by the public and the media


Caught in the camera eye
Seen through the lens of the media and the public


I have no heart to lie
Being honest and genuine is the best way to cope with the pressures of fame


I can't pretend a stranger
Can't act like someone is a friend when they are really just an acquaintance or stranger


Is a long-awaited friend
Can't pretend that the attention and admiration of strangers is the same as genuine friendship


All the world's indeed a stage
The idea that life is like a performance and we are all actors on this stage called Earth


And we are merely players
Humans are like actors playing different roles in life


Performers and portrayer
People who act and people who create art


Each another's audience
We all observe and react to each other's performances in life


Outside the gilded cage
Free from the constraints and pressures of fame and fortune




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN PARSONS, ERIC WOOLFSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Backseat Driver

RIP Neil. No one will ever drum like you.

Ted K

Phillip Weems or write lyrics like him either. Awesome. Contributed so much to so many lives..more than he even knew.

Mark Daniels

“Is that hard?”

Mike Villarreal

he is on his own league

Britt

Neil no one can drum like you...it’s been tried...

Sir James 1990

Damn straight! Neil was the best!

9 More Replies...

OlympicLeprechaun

It never ceases to amaze me how these guys can produce the most serious, intellectual, and complex music of my lifetime while at the same time not taking themselves too seriously and always being in comedy mode.

FinnWarrior

That's why they were one of the greatest bands to ever exist. They were insanely good yet humble and light-hearted. Long live Rush! (1968 — 2018)

FinnWarrior

@screwyootube1 My bad

1 More Replies...

Matt Clawson

Neil Peart wasn't just a drummer. He was a percussion professor. And innovator. A legend. AND, he was the prime lyric writer for the band. RIP sir.

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