1
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
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
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Which is better? "Poor me, I'm a millionaire rock star, and the people and the paparazzi won't leave me alone to spend my millions in peace"?
Or is it, "Poor me, I'm a working stiff struggling to get by, just like the rest of you (suckers who are buying my records and concert tickets as fast as they can be made -- despite the fact they are overpriced and you losers can't afford them -- because I manipulate your emotions by pretending to relate to you)"? Tough call. At least, the first choice is honest.
Actually, I think, more than whining about being a "poor pock star," I agree with astatusquorxiler's take on the lyrics. It's almost like an apology, "Sorry folks, I don't handle it well. I don't mean to blow off you guys (my fans), but it's just who I am. I'm not much of a people person."
I love Rush...but this is probably my least favorite song of theirs. (At least, of the ones that have been done-to-death on the radio.) I really don't get the appeal. They have so much great stuff that never gets any airplay. I do agree that this is a very pop tune-style song. At least, as close to a pop tune as Rush ever gets.