Rush – The Spirit Of Radio

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Send "The Spirit Of Radio" Ringtone to Cell

Begin the day with a friendly voice,
A companion unobtrusive
Plays the song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood.

Off on your way, hit the open road,
There is magic at your fingers
For the Spirit ever lingers,
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.

Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antenna bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted.
Not so coldly charted, it's really just a question
Of your honesty, yeah, your honesty.

One likes to believe in the freedom of music,
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity.

For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall,
Concert hall
And echoes with the sounds of salesmen.

Send "The Spirit Of Radio" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by shed27

Track duration: 04:57


The Spirit Of Radio song meanings
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45 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Given that both Geddy Lee and Neil Peart are ardent libertarians and Ayn Rand devotees, their complaints about money in music is disingenuous.
    Flag AlexeiSayleon February 27, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I would be curious to know if the singer was paid to relinquish his voice OR if he gave it away for free. I suppose the only one tonight who will listen to him sing his two step is the unsuspecting, albeit beautiful, listener. May s/he enjoy the repertoire. Me, I'll save my song for those in my REAL life.
    Flag ILUVUon December 16, 2012   Link
  • +1
    Song Comparison:Not sure if this is obvious or not but the last 3 lines are a reference to Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence". The lines from that are:

    And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
    And tenement halls"
    And whispered in the sounds of silence

    interesting tidbit about this song.
    Flag Mystrocoolon December 16, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:One year I saw Rush in concert, the baseball teams were on strike.

    They changed the lyrics in the song to "One likes to believe in the spirit of baseball."

    The song is about the conflict between artistic passions and marketability.
    Flag NightMgron September 25, 2010   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:to me this songs about how the radio is always there to give "Emotional feedback on timeless wavelengths" to bring you up when you're down(or sometimes down when you're up it sucks), but its "Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free". its ALMOST(keyword) "free" cause you have to spend time to listen to the radio
    Flag 3yrguitargod19on August 09, 2010   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:I always thought this song was specifically about the magic that radio can be, and should be. But it's also a lament over the commercialization that leads to cookie-cutter formats, and soulless corporate suits who care only about the bottom line.

    Radio is meant to be personal, and can indeed be a friend...a "companion unobtrusive." But the song, in its brilliant prescience, foretells corporate ownership, consolidation, and the move away from local and personal focus.

    I think the line about "all this machinery making modern music" just refers to the technical, physical equipment necessary to broadcast a radio signal.

    Great song indeed; it's one of my favorites.
    Flag djmikeon May 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Great intro, great song, great message. Amazing band.
    Flag BearsAndBeetson January 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Written by Neil Peart in 1979, recorded by Rush, inspired by CFNY:

    "As for The Spirit of Radio – it was written about CFNY and all that we stood for - I was told that by the band and management before the album was released. At that time Rush and their manager discussed with me that there would be no reference officially to CFNY as it could stop other radio stations from playing the track. As a fan and supporter of Rush I agreed that would be the best plan. If you still have a vinyl disc you will find that in the centre grooves you will find the album master number is 1021." - David Marsden, August 2001

    Flag palofcyrusson April 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:this song rule! Its about the radio simple as that and how great music is, and about radiostations, how they are and should be.
    Flag teemazeon March 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me, this song is about how the future of music is strongly influenced by the power of the radio. The first few verses speak exclusively of how the radio can help motivate you to get your day going right. Afterwards, it talks about how modern musicians can follow two paths: make music coming from your heart and soul or make it for money. This seems obvious when Lee says "One likes to beleive in the freedom of music (that people make it as a release) /But glittering prizes and countless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity (human greed and lust easily can overpower the will to make music how you want to make it".
    Flag Rushfan93on July 02, 2008   Link

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