Xanadu
Rush Lyrics
To seek the sacred river Alph
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
From an ancient book, I took a clue
I scaled the frozen mountain tops
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
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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"Xanadu" is a song recorded by the Canadian progressive rock trio Rush for their 1977 album A Farewell to Kings. It is approximately eleven minutes long, beginning with a five-minute-long instrumental section, then transitioning to a narrative written by lyricist Neil Peart, inspired by the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem Kubla Khan.
Lyrics
In Peart's lyrics, the narrator describes searching for something called "Xanadu" (although it is not explicitly stated what this is Read Full Bio"Xanadu" is a song recorded by the Canadian progressive rock trio Rush for their 1977 album A Farewell to Kings. It is approximately eleven minutes long, beginning with a five-minute-long instrumental section, then transitioning to a narrative written by lyricist Neil Peart, inspired by the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem Kubla Khan.
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
Lyrics
In Peart's lyrics, the narrator describes searching for something called "Xanadu" (although it is not explicitly stated what this is Read Full Bio"Xanadu" is a song recorded by the Canadian progressive rock trio Rush for their 1977 album A Farewell to Kings. It is approximately eleven minutes long, beginning with a five-minute-long instrumental section, then transitioning to a narrative written by lyricist Neil Peart, inspired by the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem Kubla Khan.
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
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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.
Mike K
I'm a little older than you (I was 24), and this is still one of my favorite Rush songs. It was done with raw musical ability, unlike some of their later stuff that had slowly morphed into synth-rock, with all the fancy electronics and technology. At the time, I travelled fairly regularly to the USA, and Rush was well know south of the border, they were regularly played on all the major USA FM stations. You didn't have to switch the radio tuner more than a slight turn to find the next FM band station that played them. They were only ignored at home, like most of the rest of the talented Canadian musicians and performers, and spent a lot of their tour time in the US, and elsewhere in the world. Many moved there and stayed. Too bad. We've lost so many talented people to the US for financial and notoriety reasons. Bigger market and better tax structure. They let you keep more of your money. It's frustrating that Canada is still a small market country, with brutal taxation, to pay for all the "free stuff".
Kay Ward
@MaxBrixh
Christopher Gibson
Wow. You and I both! Couldn't say it better myself!
MaxBrix
I love this comment.
Edward Anthony Leone
My first Rush album was 2112. I was blown away. Then this came out Sept 77. Had just stared my senior year of HS. Anxiously, I AFTK on my Dual turntable. Turned on my Marantz 2245 receiver, plugged in AKG K240 headphones. Off I went! Listened to it over n over for a week. Even now, I can't listen to too much Rush!
Lillie Bernal
This is the first song my dad tried to teach me to play on the guitar. I regret I never followed through. Every time I hear this song, I get emotional. RIP Daddy and thank you for bringing this band to my life. I wish I could have seen R40 with you, but you were there in spirit. ❤️
Mozartfon Correia
Pode apostar, ele estava ao seu lado!!!
Stephen Lewis
Godspeed to you and your Dad... That's awesome he influenced you this way.
Chris Yasus
It's OK. His love for you is what matters. Stay good pop is up there watching