Limelight

Rush

About Limelight

"Limelight" is a song by the Canadian progressive rock band Rush. It first appeared on the 1981 album Moving Pictures. The song's lyrics were written by Neil Peart with music written by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. "Limelight" expresses Peart's discomfort with Rush's success and the resulting attention from the public. The song paraphrases the opening lines of the "All the world's a stage" speech from William Shakespeare's play As You Like It; the band had previously used the phrase for its 1976 live album. Released as a single, it charted at No. 4 on the U. S. Billboard Top Tracks chart and No. 55 on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100, and remains one of Rush's most popular songs. "Limelight" was one of five Rush songs inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on March 28, 2010. 


Year:
1981
4:19
234 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

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 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

 Struggling with Limelight? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!


Rush

Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Lifeson, and drummer, percussionist and lyricist Neil Peart. The band and its membership went through a number of re-configurations between 1968 and 1974, achieving their iconic lineup when Peart replaced original drummer John Rutsey in July 1974, two weeks before the group's first United States tour. Rutsey's departure stemmed primarily from health concerns regarding his diabetes. In 2015 the band played their final show due to Peart's declining health. more »

17 fans

Written by: Neil Elwood Peart, Gary Lee Weinrib, Alex Zivojinovich

Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Members Background
"Limelight" was written by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart, who are the members of the legendary Canadian rock band Rush.
Popularity and Recognition
The song is one of Rush's most popular songs, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Track chart in the United States upon its release. It is still heavily played on classic rock radio stations.
Album Classification
"Limelight" is a track from Rush's 1981 album "Moving Pictures", which is considered as their most commercially successful album.
Lyrics Theme
The lyrics were written by Rush's drummer Neil Peart. They reflect on his discomfort with fame and the intrusions into his privacy that it brings.
Unusual Time Signature
Consistent with much of Rush's work, "Limelight" is noted for its unique and complex musical structure, including a distinctive alternating time signature of 3/4 and 4/4.
Influence and Inspiration
The song's title is likely inspired by the 1952 Charles Chaplin movie of the same name, a movie about the fading of an actor's fame.
Instrument Usage
Despite the song's complex musical structure, "Limelight" contains one of the most simple guitar solos Lifeson ever played. It is a key part of the song, emphasizing melody and thematic unity over technical prowess.
Live Performances
"Limelight" is a staple track for Rush’s live performances. It has been included in many of their concert tour setlists.
Cultural Recognition
The song was included in the video game Rock Band 4 as a playable track, further cementing its cultural recognition and continued relevance.
Other Media Appearance
It was used in the opening titles of the 2010 film, I Love You Phillip Morris, and featured prominently in the 2011 Movie, Paul.

Discuss the Limelight Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Limelight Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/252529/Rush/Limelight>.

    Missing lyrics by Rush?

    Know any other songs by Rush? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Limelight

    15.1M
    82,539     2,732

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1981

    Billboard #55


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who 'Walks On Minks' as a rapper and trapper?
    A Drake
    B Pop smoke
    C 2 chainz
    D Future

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Rush tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Limelight

    »