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
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


Lyrics submitted by MasterDuncan03, edited by molson420, Pizzov

Limelight Lyrics as written by Gary Lee Weinrib Neil Elwood Peart

Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment

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Limelight song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    The second verse to me, means that Neil didn't know he was going to be a famous drummer. (He was "cast in this unlikely role".)

    And the second line of that same verse, "Ill-equipped to act", means that he doesn't know how to act around people, or the public. Everyone just knows him as a drummer; not as a person.

    Then, "One must put up barriers to keep oneself in tact" means that he must block himself, from the public in a way as to not be overwhelmed by people.

    And, the limelight -- the spot light. Everybody can see him, and knows who he is.

    (Although, Alex takes the spotlight with his solo!)

    NUMBER 4on May 27, 2007   Link

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