Lyrics
In Peart's lyrics, the narrator describes searching for something called "Xanadu" (although it is not explicitly stated what this is, references to the poem "Kubla Khan" imply that it is a mythical place based on the historical summer capitol of the Mongolian Empire) that will grant him immortality.
"Xanadu" is the first Rush song in which synthesizers are an integral part. Unlike the previous 2112 album or Caress of Steel, "Xanadu" used both guitar and synthesizer effects, and thus represented a transitional phase for the group.
The song also marks Rush's clear foray into program music. Previous albums had displayed some elements of program music. Subsequent albums during the late '70's and early '80's would see the group explore program music more systematically.
"Xanadu" requires each member to utilize an array of instruments to affect the performance. Lifeson used a double-necked Gibson electric guitar (one twelve-string, the other six-string) as well as synthesizer pedals; Lee made use of a double-necked Rickenbacker (bass and six-string guitar) as well as extensive synthesizer arrangements (through both pedals and keyboards) while singing; and Peart took on various percussion instruments (notably temple blocks, tubular bells, bell tree, glockenspiel and wind chimes) in addition to his drum kit work.
More recent performances of the song have been altered in order to simplify the arrangement. For example, when played during the R30 tour, the end of the song was changed so that Geddy Lee did not play the rhythm guitar part, as in the original arrangement.
Covers and tributes
"Xanadu" was covered by Silver Sun and released on their Too Much, Too Little, Too Late EP in 1998. Their version while generally faithful compressed the epic into a 4 minute pop song.
Van Halen based their song "Pleasure Dome", off of their 1991 For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge album, on this Rush song.[citation needed]
Foo Fighters occasionally copy the ending snare drum pattern of "Xanadu" onto live performances of their song "My Hero"
On Dream Theater's 2008 live album/DVD Chaos in Motion 2007–2008, John Petrucci plays the guitar line first heard at approximately 1:50 in "Xanadu" during the "Trial of Tears" portion of the album's closing medley
Xanadu
Rush Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honey dew
And drink the milk of paradise
I had heard the whispered tales
Of immortality
The deepest mystery
I scaled the frozen mountain tops
Of eastern lands unknown
Time and man alone
Searching for the lost, Xanadu
Xanadu
To stand within the pleasure dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste anew the fruits of life
The last immortal man
To find the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
Oh, I will dine on honey dew
And drink the milk of paradise, oh, paradise
A thousand years have come and gone
But time has passed me by
Stars stopped in the sky
Frozen in an everlasting view
Waiting for the world to end
Weary of the night
Praying for the light
Prison of the lost, Xanadu
Xanadu
Held within the pleasure dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste my bitter triumph
As a man, immortal man
Never more shall I return
Escape these caves of ice
For I have dined on honey dew
And drunk the milk of paradise, whoa, paradise
The lyrics of Rush's song "Xanadu" allude to the desire for immortality and eternal life, a common theme in literature and art. The singer of the song seeks the sacred river Alph and dares to climb the frozen mountain tops of unknown eastern lands in search of Xanadu, a mythical land decreed by Kubla Khan, where one can find the pleasure dome and become an immortal man. The lyrics suggest that the singer is tired of the world and its limitations and is looking for something greater, something that will bring him fulfillment and satisfaction that he cannot find in this world.
The imagery evoked in the song is vivid and striking. The listener can imagine the frozen mountain tops, the caves of ice with their mysterious secrets, and the pleasure dome decreed by Kubla Khan. The use of honey dew and milk of paradise as a metaphor for the fruits of life that the singer desires is also interesting. The idea of sweet honey dew and refreshing milk of paradise evoke a sense of richness and fulfillment that the singer seeks.
Line by Line Meaning
To seek the sacred river Alph
I am on a quest to find the mythical river Alph which holds great significance.
To walk the caves of ice
I am willing to endure harsh conditions to achieve my goal.
To break my fast on honey dew
I am seeking sustenance from the nectar of the gods.
And drink the milk of paradise
I yearn to partake in the ultimate pleasure of paradise.
I had heard the whispered tales
I have been intrigued by stories of immortality and have sought them out.
Of immortality
The whispers spoke of everlasting life.
The deepest mystery
Immortality has always been an elusive and alluring mystery.
From an ancient book, I took a clue
I have gained knowledge from texts of ancient wisdom.
I scaled the frozen mountain tops
I have journeyed to great heights and faced unimaginable challenges.
Of eastern lands unknown
I have ventured into unfathomable territory unknown to the mainstream world.
Time and man alone
I am a solitary traveler without companions, only time as my guide.
Searching for the lost, Xanadu
My pursuit is to rediscover the lost and mysterious Xanadu.
To stand within the pleasure dome
My ultimate goal is to fulfill my wildest desires and pleasures within the walls of Xanadu.
Decreed by Kubla Khan
Kubla Khan, the ancient ruler of Xanadu, has proclaimed the pleasure dome for his subjects.
To taste anew the fruits of life
I want to experience the pleasures of life beyond my current understanding.
The last immortal man
I want to be the last man standing, immortalized forever.
A thousand years have come and gone
The passage of a millennium has gone by without me getting any closer to Xanadu.
But time has passed me by
Time has taken its toll on me and left me behind.
Stars stopped in the sky
The universe seems to have stopped moving, reflecting my own stagnancy.
Frozen in an everlasting view
I feel trapped in a never-ending state of isolation and reflection.
Waiting for the world to end
Life has become unbearable and I long for its end.
Weary of the night
I am tired of the darkness that surrounds me, both physically and metaphorically.
Praying for the light
I am desperately hoping for salvation, for some source of light in the darkness.
Prison of the lost, Xanadu
I feel trapped in a prison of my own making, lost in my pursuit of Xanadu.
Held within the pleasure dome
If I ever do reach Xanadu, I will have fulfilled my ultimate desire to be within its walls.
To taste my bitter triumph
While I would have triumphed in reaching Xanadu, the journey has left me embittered.
As a man, immortal man
Being an immortal man would make me the ultimate being, above all else.
Never more shall I return
Once I have achieved my goal, there will be no reason to return to the outside world.
Escape these caves of ice
I long to break free from the harsh conditions I have endured on my journey.
For I have dined on honey dew
My perseverance has paid off, and I have indulged in the ultimate pleasure of the gods.
And drunk the milk of paradise, whoa, paradise
I have achieved my dream of drinking the sacred milk of paradise, and I am finally in a state of pure bliss.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Wargasm54
I remember listening to this in my room in 1979 when I was 13. Thinking to myself “why doesn’t everybody know about these guys?”. Each song was a little adventure in my mind. When my parents went to sleep, I would grab my dads Koss headphones and listen all night long. Didn’t matter if I had school the next day. Man, Seems like a lifetime ago. Hell, I guess it was.
@ayoancientone346
Great memories
@ginareddish2730
Very cool
@quadradomus
Koss headphones, lol…. I was right there with you. 😜
@SeeYouUpTheRoad
We are literally the same age group I was 14 in 1979 and was all into them - with headphones!!
@KevinPiland
I’ve always been a fan of KOSS.
@brokenheartmender
And here ladies and gentlemen is a reminder why this generation of musicians is one for the ages - 11 minute plus songs that are a true masterpiece in every sense of the word! I am honored I was able to see them in concert on the R40 tour! Thank you for all the years of wonderful listening!
@jameswarnecke2483
My fraternity nickname was from Zappas broken hearts are for assholes. Nice to meet another
@phyllissweeney7602
Saw them "live" 4 times. Spokane , Seattle(twice) and White Water(Auburn) all in WA state. My favorite band of all time. My teenage sons (at that time) were listening to "Tom Sawyer" and I was hooked. Now days I really enjoy the "Rush in Rio" (2 DVD disc set)...and "Clockwork Angels".
@altonleggett7509
I saw them on the R40 tour and also the Clock Work Angels Tour. Both were awesome shows