Limelight
The Rush Lyrics
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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
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 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
The lyrics to The Rush's song "Limelight" begins by stating that living on a lighted stage is different and unreal, designed for those who think and feel in touch with some reality beyond their gilded cage. The songwriter emphasizes that cast in this unlikely role, it is necessary to put up barriers to keep oneself intact. However, in this limelight, the underlying theme is to put aside the alienation, get on with the fascination, and the real relation. Living in the limelight is the universal dream for those who wish to seem or those who wish to be; it is challenging to do so without alienation. One must put aside alienation and get on with fascination and realness to have a successful life in the limelight.
The songwriter describes the feeling of living in the limelight as being caught in the camera's eye, living in a fish-eye lens, where it is difficult to pretend to be someone else. Those who live in the limelight are merely players, performers, and portrayers, and each person is another's audience outside of the gilded cage. Living in this limelight requires putting aside alienation, getting on with the fascination, and the real relation, which suggests that it is possible to find the real relation in such an environment with sincerity.
This song precisely describes the complexities of living in the public eye. It addresses the reality, struggles, and challenges that performers face by putting themselves in such an intense, exposed position. It is not as glamorous as onlookers assume it to be; they must put up barriers to keep themselves intact. They are still human beings who require sincerity and realness to accurately express themselves. Overall, "Limelight" is a song that empathizes with the plight of performers, symbolically and metaphorically, and teaches us that we should remain true to our core while navigating the limelight.
Line by Line Meaning
Living on a lighted stage
Existing in a world of performance, where everything is illuminated and exaggerated.
Approaches the unreal
Filled with experiences that seem unreal and surreal.
For those who think and feel
This world is only for the people whose mind and heart can see beyond the illusions.
In touch with some reality
Connected to a deeper reality that cannot be perceived by everyone.
Beyond the gilded cage
Beyond the materialistic world of wealth and luxury, there is a limitless world of possibilities.
Cast in this unlikely role
Thrown into an unexpected part in life.
Ill-equipped to act
Unprepared to handle the challenges of the given role.
With insufficient tact
Lacking the skills to handle situations with delicacy and diplomacy.
One must put up barriers
To survive in this world, one must protect themselves by not being too vulnerable.
To keep oneself intact
To protect one's mind and heart from getting broken.
Living in the limelight
Existing in a world of fame and attention.
The universal dream
An ambition that is shared by many people around the world.
For those who wish to seem
For those whose only desire is to appear to be successful, regardless of the cost.
Those who wish to be
For those who have a true passion to become famous and achieve success.
Must put aside the alienation
Must overcome the feeling of being isolated or disconnected from the world.
Get on with the fascination
Must continue with the excitement and admiration that comes with success and fame.
The real relation
The true connection between people.
The underlying theme
The deeper, more profound meaning behind everything we do and experience.
Living in a fish eye lens
Being under constant scrutiny, as if living in a lens with no escape from the public eye.
Caught in the camera eye
Trapped in the lens of the camera or the public eye.
I have no heart to lie
Telling the truth, even when it's not favourable.
I can't pretend a stranger
Refusing to pretend that someone new or unfamiliar is a close or trusted friend.
Is a long-awaited friend
Forcing yourself to trust someone simply because you don't want to be alone.
All the world's indeed a stage
The entire world is a performance filled with different roles and characters.
And we are merely players
All of us, regardless of our position, are playing a role in this grand performance.
Performers and portrayers
The people who both act and portray different characters in this societal performance.
Each another's audience
Everyone is watching and judging each other's performance.
Outside the gilded cage
Beyond the superficial world of glamour and luxury, there is a world where authentic relationships and connections can be formed.
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: Neil Elwood Peart, Gary Lee Weinrib, Alex Zivojinovich
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@DrBeauHightower
Absolutely iconic
@Dana-kb5mk
Word ❤🎉
@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
🥂
@jessmason2112
✌️😎🤘
@frankbarnwell____
@@JesseJames-vc2bm accidentally saw Rush in 88. In Arkansas. Last show ever there. $17 ticket. $16 shirt.
@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!