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“Rush” to pay it forward
By Charles Martin | October 24, 2009
I just ran the requisite 3 miles this morning. My shoes felt like 25 pound barbells tied to my feet. Definitely not getting enough TLC on the running game. But will.
I loaded up the ipod with new (old) Rush that I hadn’t really examined since maybe junior high. That’s what we called middle school when we were kids.
One main theme running through most of the “Signals”, “A Farewell to Kings”, and “Moving Pictures” albums that I wouldn’t have noticed as a 14 year old is the message of the small man making it big. The villagers making plans to tear down those walls. In these down times and when so many people are looking for the next big move out of their job, Rush was able to say in 1977 that you have the power.
You have the power to make your marriage better. You have the power to know what’s right and to do it 100% of the time. Quit stewing in the cubicle of life and remember that creativity is the blood of every great movement whether you’re an accountant or rock star.
There are other stories of paying it forward and dreaming big for others besides yourself. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and my favorite Neil Peart knew their crap then and they know it now. I was reminded to dig into my Rush collection after I saw “I Love You Man”. Ya — I remember about four straight months when I raced over to the O’Boyle’s house near Travis Junior High. We were there in a small, probably 8×8 extra bedroom where Bill had his full trap set taking up 80% of the space. He could ALMOST emulate Peart on drums. I realize now how good Bill was. We were there putting the needle back on the album for Bill so that we could hear “Tom Sawyer” over and over and over.
Btw, check out Neal Peart doing Jazz at the Buddy Rich memorial concert.
In these lyrics of “Cinderella Man”, Rush goes back and forth from reality to fantasy but the thread is real. It says you are in control and you must hold on to your dreams and fight the fight with the man.
Cinderella Man
Doing what you can
They can’t understand
What it means
Cinderella Man
Hang on to your plans
Try as they might
They cannot steal your dreams
If this isn’t the song you plug into your 8 track as you’re leaving the plant from a firing, I dunno what is. I also like the lyrics in this one — “Closer to the Heart”.
I interpret it to mean let’s come together to make a better place. Another song for the current times.
Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
You can be the captain
I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the heart
After the run I dreamed off into space and imagined what it would be like if Rush opened for U2 at the Rose Bowl tomorrow night. I heard half the audience of under-30 somethings moaning. Then those of us with nicely shaped yarmulke bald spots were falling over with glee with air guitars and air drums at the ready.
And before I get a bunch of people telling me what the “real” meaning is behind Rush lyrics, please know I had the same “altered” experiences back in 77 that you did.
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