Limelight
Rush Lyrics


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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
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

Overall Meaning

"Limelight" by Rush is a song about the highs and lows of fame, specifically the experience of living under the spotlight of public attention. The first verse sets up the idea of living on a stage, which can feel both unreal and pointedly real at the same time; for those who are in touch with reality, they must navigate the gilded cage of fame. The second verse describes the feeling of being thrust into a role they feel unprepared for, with the need to put up walls to protect themselves from the onslaught of scrutiny and criticism.


The chorus of the song speaks to the universal desire to be seen and recognized, to "live in the limelight" and be part of the "universal dream." However, in order to do so, one must put aside the alienation that comes with fame and embrace the "real relation" and "underlying theme" of connection with others. The final verse takes a more introspective turn, with the singer acknowledging their own role in the fame game and how they sometimes feel like an imposter, pretending to be someone they're not to please the expectations of their audience.


Overall, "Limelight" is a powerful meditation on the cost of fame and the need for humility and authenticity amidst the pressures of public attention.


Line by Line Meaning

Living on a lighted stage
Existing in a public arena where everything is constantly illuminated.


Approaches the unreal
Moving towards something that is seemingly not real or beyond one's understanding.


For those who think and feel
Intended for those who possess the ability to think critically and experience emotions deeply.


In touch with some reality
Connected to a certain, irrefutable truth.


Beyond the gilded cage
Free from the confines of an ornamental, but restricting, lifestyle.


Cast in this unlikely role
Assigned to an unexpected or improbable position.


Ill-equipped to act
Lacking the necessary skills or knowledge necessary to perform the role successfully.


With insufficient tact
Without enough sensitivity or diplomatic skill.


One must put up barriers
One must adopt an attitude of self-protection in order to survive in difficult circumstances.


To keep oneself intact
To preserve one's mental and emotional stability in the face of adversity.


Living in the limelight
Existing in a state of constant scrutiny, with one's every move watched and analyzed by others.


The universal dream
A shared aspiration held by many people across different cultures.


For those who wish to seem
For those who want to give the impression of being successful or important.


Those who wish to be
For those who want to actually achieve the success they seek.


Must put aside the alienation
Must overcome the loneliness and feelings of disconnection that come with success and fame.


Get on with the fascination
Embrace the things that inspire and motivate you to keep going, even when things get tough.


The real relation
The authentic connection between people that transcends the boundaries of fame and fortune.


The underlying theme
The deeper, unspoken message contained within the song's lyrics.


Living in a fish eye lens
Living life as though under constant surveillance, with every action documented and scrutinized.


Caught in the camera eye
Trapped in the public spotlight, with no hope of escaping the gaze of others.


I have no heart to lie
I cannot pretend to be something I'm not, even if it means losing favor with the public or my fans.


I can't pretend a stranger
I cannot put on a false front or pretend to be friends with people I don't know, even if they are famous or important.


Is a long-awaited friend
No matter how much people may idolize someone, they cannot replace the value of genuine friendship and connection.


All the world's indeed a stage
Life itself can be seen as a performance, with each individual playing a different role and all actions being part of a larger narrative.


And we are merely players
Humans are not the ultimate creators of their own destiny but rather participants in a greater, universal drama.


Performers and portrayers
People who play multiple roles throughout their lives, both on and offstage.


Each another's audience
Everyone is both a performer and a spectator, with each individual's actions influencing and being influenced by the world around them.


Outside the gilded cage
Once freed from the limiting effects of superficial wealth, true growth and creativity can occur.


The real relation
The genuine connection between people, free from the constraints of fame and fortune.


The underlying theme
The deeper, philosophical message contained within the song's lyrics.




Lyrics Β© Anthem Entertainment
Written by: Neil Elwood Peart, Gary Lee Weinrib, Alex Zivojinovich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@eltorocal

Telling of the Lying Times and Orwellian strangeness of today, there's Witch Hunt:

The night is black without a moon, the air is thick and still
The vigilantes gather on the lonely torchlit hill
Features distorted in the flickering light, faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night, the mob moves like demons possessed
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right, confident their ways are best
Oh-oh-oh No

The righteous rise with burning eyes of hatred and ill will
Madmen fed on fear and lies, to beat and burn and kill

They say there are strangers who threaten us, our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness too dangerous in our theaters and bookstore shelves
Those who know what's best for us must rise and save us from ourselves

Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand



@eltorocal

You will like Caress of Steel (entire album), 2112, Hemispheres (entire album) and Moving Pictures (entire album). The song Witch Hunt is more meaningful today than ever.

The night is black without a moon, the air is thick and still
The vigilantes gather on the lonely torchlit hill
Features distorted in the flickering light, faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night, the mob moves like demons possessed
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right, confident their ways are best
Oh-oh-oh No

The righteous rise with burning eyes of hatred and ill will
Madmen fed on fear and lies, to beat and burn and kill

They say there are strangers who threaten us, our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness too dangerous in our theaters and bookstore shelves
Those who know what's best for us must rise and save us from ourselves

Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand



All comments from YouTube:

@DrBeauHightower

Absolutely iconic

@Dana-kb5mk

Word β€πŸŽ‰

@JesseJames-vc2bm

Absolutely, Close to Perfection as a band can be. i saw hem in like 81' the concert was great, tigt, perfect timing, sounded like the Radio, another thing they did not have it so loud that it hurt. Just perfect.

@zachary5237

πŸ₯‚

@jessmason2112

✌️😎🀘

@frankbarnwell____

@@JesseJames-vc2bm accidentally saw Rush in 88. In Arkansas. Last show ever there. $17 ticket. $16 shirt.

8 More Replies...

@SothrowedTV

I'm a 57 year old black man and Rush was the inspiration I had to become a Computer Tech when no one thought possible!

@gt2872

You’ve got great taste!

@kendalwhidden5692

It doesn't matter what age or pigment of your skin. Rush is for everyone. And I'm happy that they inspired you to reach for a better life.Take care and keep rocking out!

@rocknrollxoxox

Love your comment!

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