Rush — Limelight
Album: Moving PicturesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1615
Length: 4:18
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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
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayer
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage
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
Comments (231)add comment
A 10 song that needs to be played at 11!
Saw the 1981 Montreal show, it was amazing. My arm hairs (remaining ones) always stand up when I think about that night.
GOOD TUNE!!!
10. No question!
YES BILL!!!!!!!!! MORE RUSH PLEASE!!!! 
We miss the Professor!!! 
We miss the Professor!!! Forgot how good this was. Thanks RP!
Never been a big Rush fan. Just could never get into Geddy Lee's singing.
Written by Neil Peart....his songs are very thoughtful
Wasn't a big Rush fan in their heyday. Now I really
appreciate how talented they were as a band........
"Limelight" is a classic ...."10"
appreciate how talented they were as a band........
"Limelight" is a classic ...."10"
RIP Neil Peart - one of my top drummers of all time. 
Imkirok wrote:
I largely ignored Rush in the 70s, mainly because I thought the people that listened to them were losers and burnouts. Now I'm realizing I really missed out on some great music and have a lot of catching up to do. Can't get enough of Rush these days.
Stereotyping will never die!
I largely ignored Rush in the 70s, mainly because I thought the people that listened to them were losers and burnouts. Now I'm realizing I really missed out on some great music and have a lot of catching up to do. Can't get enough of Rush these days.
Stereotyping will never die!
Brilliant
Just an amazing album. Glad to have seen them a few times (Permanent Waves Tour, Moving Pictures Tour, and Time Machine. )
Love to hear Tom Sawyer by these boys?
roadie wrote:
This is an oldie but a goodie..they have many great tunes.....At this date it is to bad you have never seen them live...Some of the best concerts I have ever witnessed.
Maybe it was the black t-shirted fans that prevented me from appreciating these guys. I have such a bias against them, but I'm listening all the way through.
Then, our graphic designer expressed the same sentiment about Pink Floyd fans—of which I'm on the rabid side. Touche.
Then, our graphic designer expressed the same sentiment about Pink Floyd fans—of which I'm on the rabid side. Touche.
This is an oldie but a goodie..they have many great tunes.....At this date it is to bad you have never seen them live...Some of the best concerts I have ever witnessed.
Maybe it was the black t-shirted fans that prevented me from appreciating these guys. I have such a bias against them, but I'm listening all the way through.
Then, our graphic designer expressed the same sentiment about Pink Floyd fans—of which I'm on the rabid side. Touche.
Then, our graphic designer expressed the same sentiment about Pink Floyd fans—of which I'm on the rabid side. Touche.
https://politics.theonion.com/congress-debates-coolness-of-rush-1819565676
I heard their "Time Stand Still" the other day while out in the wild... struck a good chord...
daveinnj wrote:
Almost as if a great poet had composed it. I love Rush.
So many quotes from one of their greatest.
"All the world's indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage"
Never really here Rush on RP, this is a nice treat.
Almost as if a great poet had composed it. I love Rush.
There are 9 studio albums after Moving Pictures...Maybe we can here something new(er)!
Wow, that was cool. Rush was SO BIG when I was in high school: Essential Stoner Rock! I saw them on the Permanent Waves tour and they were freakin' brilliant!
Imkirok wrote:
I largely ignored Rush in the 70s, mainly because I thought the people that listened to them were losers and burnouts. Now I'm realizing I really missed out on some great music and have a lot of catching up to do. Can't get enough of Rush these days.
Isn't it great when you've matured and you can go back and listen to stuff with a fresh ear and without all the teenage/highschool/peerpreasure/fashionconscience baggage?
I've gone back and "discovered" lots of great music from my youth that I wrote off at the time.
I largely ignored Rush in the 70s, mainly because I thought the people that listened to them were losers and burnouts. Now I'm realizing I really missed out on some great music and have a lot of catching up to do. Can't get enough of Rush these days.
Isn't it great when you've matured and you can go back and listen to stuff with a fresh ear and without all the teenage/highschool/peerpreasure/fashionconscience baggage?
I've gone back and "discovered" lots of great music from my youth that I wrote off at the time.
It's a pleasure to listen to Rush all of a sudden!!!! Thanks!!!
THANK YOU RUSH for over 40 years of amazing music, especially THIS song!
leafmold wrote:
I largely ignored Rush in the 70s, mainly because I thought the people that listened to them were losers and burnouts. Now I'm realizing I really missed out on some great music and have a lot of catching up to do. Can't get enough of Rush these days.
Why do I have to be subjected to this band all these years later?...I thought I was done in the 70s.
I largely ignored Rush in the 70s, mainly because I thought the people that listened to them were losers and burnouts. Now I'm realizing I really missed out on some great music and have a lot of catching up to do. Can't get enough of Rush these days.
leafmold wrote:
DanFHiggins wrote:
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana
But a good song none the less
I think he remembers "the past" and is asking why it is still being repeated anyhow. Still, any recorded music is technically "from the past", and RP plays a lot of music from prior decades.
Why do I have to be subjected to this band all these years later?...I thought I was done in the 70s.
DanFHiggins wrote:
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana
But a good song none the less
I think he remembers "the past" and is asking why it is still being repeated anyhow. Still, any recorded music is technically "from the past", and RP plays a lot of music from prior decades.
Rush is why the "Skip" button was invented.
Thank you, Radio Paradise. Now I don't have to change the station.
Thank you, Radio Paradise. Now I don't have to change the station.
treatment_bound wrote:
For me, Rush would cleanse the palate after hearing Miles Davis. To each his own, I guess.
Sorry Geddy, I've certainly heard this enough in the past 34 years—so it's PSD for me.
And Miles Davis conveniently pops up to cleanse the palate!
And Miles Davis conveniently pops up to cleanse the palate!
For me, Rush would cleanse the palate after hearing Miles Davis. To each his own, I guess.
ScottishWillie wrote:
Most of my friends liked Rush. I sold the one's that didn't into well deserved slavery.
The stick I used to get from my friends for liking Rush!
Most of my friends liked Rush. I sold the one's that didn't into well deserved slavery.
Grade 10, Southwestern Ontario, Q107 morning show with The Scruffer dragging myself to school...
thatslongformud wrote:
Good call!
2 chicks in sea of dudes is 2 too many..
The male:female ratio at a Rush concert is way off in that picture...
Good call!
2 chicks in sea of dudes is 2 too many..
ScottishWillie wrote:
Consider yourself continually "virtually caned" by me.
I blame these two guys for the Rush "resurgence":
The stick I used to get from my friends for liking Rush!
Consider yourself continually "virtually caned" by me.
I blame these two guys for the Rush "resurgence":
Thanks Bill!
The stick I used to get from my friends for liking Rush!
So many quotes from one of their greatest.
"All the world's indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage"
Never really here Rush on RP, this is a nice treat.
Sorry Geddy, I've certainly heard this enough in the past 34 years—so it's PSD for me.
And Miles Davis conveniently pops up to cleanse the palate!
And Miles Davis conveniently pops up to cleanse the palate!
TJOpootertoot wrote:
That's a funny thing to say because, love it or hate it, most of Rush's stuff is the very opposite of "formulaic." If you think songs about anthropomorphic trees, the ideas of Ayn Rand and sci-fi epics, performed in complicated time signatures are "formulaic," I'd really like to know what you listen to...
I'm not a big fan of this band really, but I wouldn't say most of their work is formulaic either, however, your description of their music reads pretty much like a formula.
That's a funny thing to say because, love it or hate it, most of Rush's stuff is the very opposite of "formulaic." If you think songs about anthropomorphic trees, the ideas of Ayn Rand and sci-fi epics, performed in complicated time signatures are "formulaic," I'd really like to know what you listen to...
I'm not a big fan of this band really, but I wouldn't say most of their work is formulaic either, however, your description of their music reads pretty much like a formula.
leafmold wrote:
Why do I have to be subjected to this band all these years later?...I thought I was done in the 70s.
Not true. recently saw them. Amazing talents. leafmold wrote:
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana
But a good song none the less
Why do I have to be subjected to this band all these years later?...I thought I was done in the 70s.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana
But a good song none the less
Not bad for Rush...solid 2.
Thanks for the RUSH rocking
Righteous!!
great song from a great band. if i should give out a 10 it's here
Why do I have to be subjected to this band all these years later?...I thought I was done in the 70s.
MinMan wrote:
That's a funny thing to say because, love it or hate it, most of Rush's stuff is the very opposite of "formulaic." If you think songs about anthropomorphic trees, the ideas of Ayn Rand and sci-fi epics, performed in complicated time signatures are "formulaic," I'd really like to know what you listen to.
They have a few songs (particularly on this album) that are more straight-up pop/rock songs and this is a damned good one. It may seem "formulaic" but the musicianship is deceptively complex, as it always is with them. I'm not a huge Rush person (I'm not into the Rand/sci fi stuff or 10-minute instrumentals, for example) but a good song is a good song.
Not that any one asked; I never understood the appeal of this music - sounds formulaic; a parody of itself.
That's a funny thing to say because, love it or hate it, most of Rush's stuff is the very opposite of "formulaic." If you think songs about anthropomorphic trees, the ideas of Ayn Rand and sci-fi epics, performed in complicated time signatures are "formulaic," I'd really like to know what you listen to.
They have a few songs (particularly on this album) that are more straight-up pop/rock songs and this is a damned good one. It may seem "formulaic" but the musicianship is deceptively complex, as it always is with them. I'm not a huge Rush person (I'm not into the Rand/sci fi stuff or 10-minute instrumentals, for example) but a good song is a good song.
Nice pick-me-up!!
now we're talkin' - my all time favorite Canadian band!
Not that any one asked; I never understood the appeal of this music - sounds formulaic; a parody of itself.
I understand Neil is quite the writer also. All his books are available from Amazon. But I agree to his being one of the best drummers around.
Check out his interview, he is quite articulate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74fZvDQy06cit would be cool to run into Niel while out on the bike.
Glad he got his head sorta back together, and I too use riding a bike as therapy.
Glad he got his head sorta back together, and I too use riding a bike as therapy.
For you Paul!
Changing my 9 to a 10, now that they are in the R&R Hall of Fame and All. All hail the Holy Triumvirate!
thatslongformud wrote:
Exactly. The photo shows two women in the audience.
That is two more than would actually be at a Rush concert.
Except of course for the mothers who drove their nerd sons to the show.
The male:female ratio at a Rush concert is way off in that picture..
Exactly. The photo shows two women in the audience.
That is two more than would actually be at a Rush concert.
Except of course for the mothers who drove their nerd sons to the show.
Thanks Bill
The male:female ratio at a Rush concert is way off in that picture..
Alexandra wrote:
Alexandra wrote:
This rocked my 9th grade world when it came out!
Less Porcupine Tree, more Rush!
Alot of drums in there.....
Hmmmm
Hmmmm
bc wrote:
I will testicle twice!! Love this marvelous song... we be dancing...
Testify!!
I will testicle twice!! Love this marvelous song... we be dancing...
Neil Pert stands alone, according to Dr. Krieger:
Growing up in Toronto... I could never get into these guys. I think it was radio saturation that screwed it for me.
But Neil is incredible. And now I can claim 2 milliseconds of a brush with stardom... He lives in my town!!! (but I never see him in the grocery store)
juanos wrote:
But Neil is incredible. And now I can claim 2 milliseconds of a brush with stardom... He lives in my town!!! (but I never see him in the grocery store)
juanos wrote:
Neil Pert was my idol back then... wow what stamina!!!! he was 95% of the band!!!
. wow what stamina!!!! he was 95% of the band!!!I listened to this and other Rush songs so often during my childhood days as a rock drummer, that it and they are more like mental experiences than songs to me.
Well, you know I like this one.
I LOVE THIS SONG!! 
Sweet!
Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song...
Testify!!
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song...
Testify!!
I love Rush, and if you don't you have to at least admit that they have a great sense of humor. They really don't take themselves too seriously.
My third least favorite song from this album, but it's still an excellent tune.
I'm not a Rush fan, but this album , in my opinion is fantastic and their best. The only one I listen to. I have 2112 as well.
I will now put my flame suit on. :-)
I'm not a Rush fan, but this album , in my opinion is fantastic and their best. The only one I listen to. I have 2112 as well.
I will now put my flame suit on. :-)
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song...
Neil Pert was my idol back then... wow what stamina!!!! he was 95% of the band!!!
. wow what stamina!!!! he was 95% of the band!!!Dig Rush. One of the reasons I became a musician. Love their latest effort as well. Check it out and love it!
Agree. It still sounds good and makes me think of the 70s.
buddy wrote:
buddy wrote:
Thanks for playing Rush as always, Bill. Tremendously talented musicians. Neil Peart is the best living rock drummer in the world. Great that they will be inducted in the RRHOF this year, finally. Two of the best concerts I've ever seen were Rush at Red Rocks in 2008 & 2010 (with OV the second time, making it extra special). Brought the house down a couple of months ago in Dallas with a high energy 3-hour show.
Congrats boys. It's about time they put you in the R&R Hall of fame!
Thanks for playing Rush as always, Bill. Tremendously talented musicians. Neil Peart is the best living rock drummer in the world. Great that they will be inducted in the RRHOF this year, finally. Two of the best concerts I've ever seen were Rush at Red Rocks in 2008 & 2010 (with OV the second time, making it extra special). Brought the house down a couple of months ago in Dallas with a high energy 3-hour show.
"Rush IS variety bitch!!"
Quote from "Fan Boys"
Quote from "Fan Boys"
"YeahI I play bass....I slappa da bass man"
Paul Rudd from" I love you man. "
Paul Rudd from" I love you man. "
chadlymn wrote:
Chill. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2013-inductees-rush-public-enemy-heart-and-randy-newman-20121211
THEY GOT HOSED AGAIN!
Chill. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2013-inductees-rush-public-enemy-heart-and-randy-newman-20121211
ziakut wrote:
Long overdue!!
They deserve to be inducted into the RRHF!
Long overdue!!
They deserve to be inducted into the RRHF!
Ya know...I really liked them for a while when this was new....not enough to wear a t-shirt or anything, but that drummer was fun to watch. I nominate Geddy as ugliest rock star ever.
Thank you so much for playing Rush. Awesome every time. One of my 10's
Thank you for playing Rush
rotten wrote:
I second that beg....
I beg you not to play Rush ever again. thanks
I second that beg....
Rush! Not played enough on here in my my view... call me eccentric if you will, but I reckon they are among the best in the business!
Lets see. A band together since 1974 (before some of you were alive) and still playing good music. I would say this group of men are very talented and gifted and humble to stay together for so long.
Thanks RP for playing such good music.
Thanks RP for playing such good music.
mechanic1I beg you not to play Rush ever again. thanks
So. Much. Fun!
Papernapkin wrote:
ummmm.....he's not really 17...more like 36...i think the dude was just reminiscing...don't you remember those days out drivin and jammin with ur friends?
hencini wrote:
Maybe it's time to grow up.
I am 17. I have just installed my first car stereo. I am cranking Limelight. And it is good.
Maybe it's time to grow up.
ummmm.....he's not really 17...more like 36...i think the dude was just reminiscing...don't you remember those days out drivin and jammin with ur friends?
hencini wrote:
Maybe it's time to grow up.
I am 17. I have just installed my first car stereo. I am cranking Limelight. And it is good.
Maybe it's time to grow up.
hencini wrote:
This makes me very, very happy!
I am 17. I have just installed my first car stereo. I am cranking Limelight. And it is good.
This makes me very, very happy!
And yes, in my mind, they are the band most synonymous with the word "pretentious" (whatever that means). Doesn't change the fact that they're awesome. As a wise man once said, "It ain't braggin' if you really done it".
I am 17. I have just installed my first car stereo. I am cranking Limelight. And it is good.
Ahh, so good for the ears. Keep up the good work!!!!
and Led Zeppelin is too loud and The Wizard of Oz has too many colors...
bachbeet wrote:
Gawd I couldn't agree more
Never liked Rush. Never will. Really pretentious.
Gawd I couldn't agree more
I dislike this song in SO MANY ways it's ridiculous. Rush - eeks - maybe some journey or some (yeah) some Kansas or some Boston - ugh ugh ugh all of that crap. Not here please. I know - it's ECLECTIC and now i've left my first negative comment (ever on here I think) and I GET how much people dig rush - even some of my best friends. I'm not a snob.
Ok maybe. Bill we all love you otherwise we wouldn't be here or care.
Ok maybe. Bill we all love you otherwise we wouldn't be here or care.
Never liked Rush. Never will. Really pretentious.
green grow the Rushes...
Absolutely, A 10. Hands down.
love it!! 
gemtag wrote:
The only thing Rush has in common with Bread or Kansas is the time period they came about. I so tire of the musical snobbery exhibited by some on this board. If you don't dig them, fine; but don't treat those that do as a collection of hillbillies who don't understand "real" music.
Rush? Really? Is Bread or Kansas next?
How come I never here Guided By Voices on RP, or the Handsome Family, or Pavement, or....? Instead I get Rush. Blech....
How come I never here Guided By Voices on RP, or the Handsome Family, or Pavement, or....? Instead I get Rush. Blech....
The only thing Rush has in common with Bread or Kansas is the time period they came about. I so tire of the musical snobbery exhibited by some on this board. If you don't dig them, fine; but don't treat those that do as a collection of hillbillies who don't understand "real" music.
can you play it again Bill?
yodasan_magoo wrote:
To which I say, may they never stop! Meanwhile: Oh - what a Rush! These boys always take me 'Closer to the (My) Heart!
I like so many things about this band. They are so human, so humble, not typical of most musicians with a fraction of their talent. What really does it for me though is their unbelievable ability to consistently produce the quality of music that comes from only 3 individuals. It will be a sad day indeed when these guys stop making music.
To which I say, may they never stop! Meanwhile: Oh - what a Rush! These boys always take me 'Closer to the (My) Heart!
I like so many things about this band. They are so human, so humble, not typical of most musicians with a fraction of their talent. What really does it for me though is their unbelievable ability to consistently produce the quality of music that comes from only 3 individuals. It will be a sad day indeed when these guys stop making music.
Byronape wrote:
They are not for everybody, no doubt. At least you're in agreement about the R&R Hall of Fame.
I know that this is a very uncommon opinion, but I REALLY dislike Rush. Normally for bands that have had a career as long and distinguished as they have, they get a couple more points on the ranking for not being a "flash in the pan" act. However, I dislike Rush so much, that they don't get the bonus points. They get a 2.
On a side note, it is BS that they are not in the R&R Hall of Fame.
On a side note, it is BS that they are not in the R&R Hall of Fame.
They are not for everybody, no doubt. At least you're in agreement about the R&R Hall of Fame.
Rush? Really? Is Bread or Kansas next?
How come I never here Guided By Voices on RP, or the Handsome Family, or Pavement, or....? Instead I get Rush. Blech....
How come I never here Guided By Voices on RP, or the Handsome Family, or Pavement, or....? Instead I get Rush. Blech....
I know that this is a very uncommon opinion, but I REALLY dislike Rush. Normally for bands that have had a career as long and distinguished as they have, they get a couple more points on the ranking for not being a "flash in the pan" act. However, I dislike Rush so much, that they don't get the bonus points. They get a 2.
On a side note, it is BS that they are not in the R&R Hall of Fame.
On a side note, it is BS that they are not in the R&R Hall of Fame.
Clockwork Angels will be released in March 2012.
For you fellow Rush fans that haven't seen the movie "Fan Boy" check it out.
Let's hear it for the candy-ass R & R Hall of Fame! Rush has combined technical virtuosity and heartfelt communication with a rabid world-wide fanbase for 30 years. Ain't that rock & roll?
LOVE IT. Every Single Time I hear it. Thanks to Rush for playing the entire Moving Pictures album in their last tour as well.
Love Rush! VH1 Classics is doing Rush Hashanah currently, playing 24 hours of Rush for the holiday. 
On commercial, classic rock radio this song is overplayed to death. So I avoid them and when it shows up here I remember why it is such a huge classic. Excellent song.
Yeah!
I largely ignored Rush in the 70s, mainly because I thought the people that listened to them were losers and burnouts. Now I'm realizing I really missed out on some great music and have a lot of catching up to do. Can't get enough of Rush these days.
it turns out, you were the loser. hello radio paradise!