Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In between the bright lights
And the far unlit unknown

Growing up it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass production zone

Nowhere is the dreamer
Or the misfit so alone

Subdivisions
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
Subdivisions
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
Any escape might help to smooth
The unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe
The restless dreams of youth

Drawn like moths we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night

Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight

Somewhere out of a memory
Of lighted streets on quiet nights



Lyrics submitted by MasterDuncan03

Track duration: 05:35

"Subdivisions" as written by Peter Townshend

Lyrics © SPIRIT ONE MUSIC OBO TOWSER TUNES

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Subdivisions song meanings
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59 Comments

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  • 0
    My Opinion:This is about slow death
    Flag mudfooton May 02, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I rank this #16 in my top 20 all-time best Rush songs:

    bensommer.com/blog/…

    What better song to relate to as a geeky teenager living in the suburbs, listening to geeky prog-rock that like 10 chicks listen to :)
    Flag bensommeron August 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So many brilliant comments have been made about this masterpiece of a song that I almost don't want to write my own views on it, but the power of this anthem makes me want to express my feelings out of sheer admiration.

    Obviously this song is about feeling like an outsider among conformity when prospects of diversity of escape are bleak; in North American society conformity is usually at its worst in suburbs. Although the song portrays teenage isolation, it also shows that conformity is a social disease which affects adults--hence being cast out in bars. "Be cool or be cast out" who the fuck is to say what is cool; the majority of very successful and creative people were outsiders while growing up.

    On an extra note Rush is among the most under-rated bands, though Geddy Lee said it well when he stated his beliefs that Rush is the biggest cult band on Earth. Technically brilliant, original, full of depth and intelligence, and they do their own thing.
    Flag River Wolfon April 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:GEORGE CARLIN SAID THAT THE USA IS REALLY A TRAP, AND MICHAEL PARENTI SAID THAT MOST AMERICANS ARE POOR AND LIVE A THIRD WORLD LIFE STYLE. I THINK THE POVERTY OF MOST AMERICANS IS REALLY CAUSED BECAUSE IN THE USA YOU CAN EARN 40,000 DOLLARS A YEAR (WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY) BUT THOSE 40,000 ARE STOLEN FROM YOUR POCKETS, BECAUSE THEY MUST BE SAVED TO PAY ALL THE BILLS, TAXES AND FEES OF THIS TRAP, SCAM AND FREE MARKET HELL. SO AT THE END OF THE DAY MOST US WORKERS EARN VERY LITTLE MONEY.
    Flag MarxistChaviztaon August 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The truth is that the capitalist system turns people into conformist drones, conformist robots. The song "People are Strange" by The Doors, is an anti-capitalism song. That song is a clear strong critisism against life in capitalism. Where people hate each other, bashes each other, and where neighbors are not united. Another rock bands that have many anti-capitalism song is Rage Against The Machine, System of a Down, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Tool. Thanks
    Flag MarxistChaviztaon August 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Im agree with you puckers2811 , totally agree. This song mean perfectly person who lived bullying , lived of isolation. It's just my favorite of all time , everyday I listen to it , almost sheds a tears while listening the intro and the ending part....deep and powerful.

    youtube.com/…

    at 0:42 he seem to be sad or concentrated , sad probably.
    Flag RushBigFanL94on January 03, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:I think this song is speaking about how teens in secondary school often feel pressured to like and do the same things as everyone else, as if they don't they wont be branded 'cool'.
    This song relates to me because i'm not one of the 'cool kids', and i'm not invited to all the 'cool' parties etc. It's such a brilliant song!
    Flag Puckers2811on December 30, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Even the coolest most popular people in high school are insecure. Even as adults as we long to have our white picket fences in the suburbs. It is our "Enemy Within".
    Flag Seanycon October 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:
    high school, long island, 1984...this song says it all, with nyc a few miles away..sigh...those days were the best...
    Flag magicalrushon August 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Awesome song! As a fan from south of the Canadian border,
    I thank God for Rush!
    Some thoughts...
    The Suburbs are the "insulated border" between the city and the country "the far unlit unknown"

    "Opinions pre-decided" most suburbanites are generally against living in the city correct?
    However their children on the other hand "The misfit or dreamer" drift away from "the basement bars" (Suburban house party's, where only the "popular" or "in" crowd are invited) towards the city... cruising for the action is an escape. "just to feel the living night" To feel, is to feel welcome. The city is an escape from thier parents "mass production zone" & cliques "Be cool or be cast out" "Any escape might help to smooth The unattractive truth"

    "Some will sell their dreams for small desires
    Or lose the race to rats Get caught in ticking traps"
    Some of these kids will fall into Prostitution or drugs in the city.

    "And start to dream of somewhere
    To relax their restless flight"

    I don't know? run away? maybe suicide?
    "Somewhere out of a memory Of lighted streets on quiet nights"



    Peace out, stay safe, don't divide.
    God bless Canada and the U.S.A.

    "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

    I will choose free will!
    Flagged atseabeachon August 27, 2010   Link

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