In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
They forge their creativity
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart
Philosophers and plowmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart, yeah, oh
Whoa, whoa
You can be the captain
And I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
Well, closer to the heart, yeah
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
I said closer to the heart
Well, closer to the heart, yeah
Closer to your heart
Closer to your heart, whoa
Must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
They forge their creativity
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart
Philosophers and plowmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart, yeah, oh
Whoa, whoa
You can be the captain
And I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
Well, closer to the heart, yeah
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart
I said closer to the heart
Well, closer to the heart, yeah
Closer to your heart
Closer to your heart, whoa
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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To be honest, I'm amazed by some of Rush's work, which reflects my personal views better than most anyone else. Let me go into these lyrics in detail.
And the men who hold high places Must be the ones to start To mould a new reality Closer to the Heart
The first is quite obvious. Those who's voices carry the most weight in things must lead others "closer to the heart."
The Blacksmith and the Artist Reflect it in their art Forge their creativity Closer to the Heart
All things. Media, the building blocks of society its self must reflect the desire to go forward.
Philosophers and Ploughmen Each must know his part To sow a new mentality Closer to the Heart
It's everyone's part to do this. A place exists for everyone, and they need to know what that is, and do their very best in that, no matter who they may be.
You can be the Captain I will draw the Chart Sailing into destiny Closer to the Heart
This is probably the deepest part of the song. On the surface, it seemed like the songwriter's admission that he isn't the one to lead. Looking further though, it's an attitude that many should follow: Don't grab for power just because it's there. Let those that can do the job better than you, do that job. Focus on what it is you do best, and think about it.
I take this song as something very inspirational, and without a doubt, one of their finest tracks ever.
"Looking further though, it's an attitude that many should follow: Don't grab for power just because it's there."<br /> <br /> I couldn't possibly agree more... with both the interpretation of the verse, and also the philosophy that it implies. Unfortunately a majority of us are guilty of this, and it affects all types of people. The scary thing is, those that should not be leading people, or become authority figures, do so anyway because of greed, lust for power/control etc. I believe that it is a sign of an advancement in your personal growth, and this will be one of the characteristics that will mark the next great renaissance in our society... if we reach the evolution. <br /> <br /> After the last verse, the very first is next in importance. It is nearly impossible for the rest of the world to change for the positive and altruistic... unless those at the top lead by example, and #1. allow us to, and #2. show that it is alright. If you think about it, you really can't even hold a job in many corporations, regardless of skills or educational requirements, unless you are willing to do everything that is asked, even if basic ethics and morals are compromised in doing so. If those at the bottom of the latter try changing all by their lonesome, they're likely going to be out of a job, rendering it almost impossible for all but the most idealistic to feasibly "be the ones who start."
unbelieveable song. i love this song live especially on Exit Stage Left where the entire audience can b heard singing every lyric with Geddy
We should give up hate and live closer to the heart.
^^^ This is the general idea. If every person did their part to create a better world, instead of acquiescing to hatred, fear, jealousy, apathy, among other things that hold us back as a society, the world would be a much, much better place. And it doesn't even require much effort on our parts IMHO.
each of us must cooperate to stop materialism and be closer to the heart
Another example of the duality that is a theme in Rush lyrics. Peart contrasts pairs of very different people (blacksmith and artist, Philosopher and ploughman, captain and navigator) and says that they all can cooperate and contribute to the creation of a new world
You can be the Captain I will draw the Chart Sailing into destiny Closer to the Heart
In my and Alex Lifeson's opinions this is the ultimate Rush song. To me some of the most beautifully sparce lyrics ever written. This song definately presents a strong positive message without saying much at all. This and Spirit of Radio are my favorite Rush songs. But this one wins. Even the audience agrees. My band does both songs, but Closer to the Heart always gets the biggest response. It's amazing. Our first performance was a battle of the bands against some other more established local teenage bands. We were given the last slot and did our set opening with Spirit of Radio and then our original metal/shred/hard rock originals and then I pulled out my acoustic 12-string and put in on a gracie stand and began the song. People went nuts, but i sometimes wonder if it was because i was playing a different instrument in a different style than the other bands. Then for the second verse I backed off and returned to bass duties and we rocked the song I must say and then closed with an impromptu jam at the end, a-la different stages, to push the song over the edge. Needless to say we ended up winning the battle. It was sweetness. But even almost 30 years this song is still a monster.
Although shed27 wrote his statement nearly 2 years ago, I agree that the best versions of this song are live, expecially on "Exit Stage Left."
The feeling you get when you have thousands of people singing along to a song this simple and pure. It's almost impossible to describe.
this song live....the instrumental part towards the end... ahh, wonderful. this is my favorite song. of my favorite band. of all time.
great song thats all i know rush rocks!
My second favorite Rush song, which makes it fucking awesome. I can't put my finger on it, but for some reason I LOVE THIS SONG.