Rush – Time Stand Still

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I turn my back to the wind
To catch my breath,
Before I start off again.
Driven on without a moment to spend
To pass an evening with a drink and a friend

I let my skin get too thin
I'd like to pause.
No matter what I pretend
Like some pilgrim --
Who learns to transcend --
Learns to live
As if each step was the end

Time stand still -- I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
See more of the people and the places that surround me now

Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each sensation a little bit stronger
Experience slips away...

I turn my face to the sun
Close my eyes.
Let my defences down --
All those wounds that I can't get unwound

I let my past go too fast
No time to pause --
If I could slow it all down
Like some captain, whose ship runs aground --
I can wait until the tide comes around

Make each impression a little bit stronger
Freeze this motion a little bit longer
The innocence slips away...

Summer's going fast, nights growing colder
Children growing up -- old friends growing older
Experience slips away...

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Lyrics submitted by scotticus, edited by Mickyfinn

Track duration: 05:17


Time Stand Still song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:If this isn't about The Catcher in the Rye, then they truly have an eerie similarity. Holden's ideals of preserving innocence and simplicity ("The innocence slips away. . ."), his cynical outlook that serves as armor (the chorus and second verse), his wishes that time would cease and change would halt as demonstrated when he talks about the museum ("Freeze this motion a little bit longer").

    This indeed is one of my all-time favourite Rush songs, topped only by Xanadu.
    Flag all-american girlon March 03, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:It's all about relishing the time you have...
    Flag igneouson August 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song reminds me a lot of Catcher in the Rye, especially Holden himself. It's probably because I'm reading it right now, but it really REALLY fits. ><;
    Flag GodlessMystique2112on February 18, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:I'm in my early forties now, and "children growing up, old friends growing older" means even more to me than it did when the Hold Your Fire LP came out in '87, when I was 21.
    Flag rufustfireflyon January 31, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I accidentally discovered this song last year, and I am sooo glad I did. It is a beautiful song, Definitely about having life rush by you and wanting to slow it down, to enjoy it more fully. Love it so much!
    Flag kuroginon July 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Maybe I should have said "the first VERSE". More specifically "to pass an evening with a drink and a friend".
    Flag tigerx2374on May 25, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:"I turn my back to the wind" makes you think of your best friend? Wow... how deep.
    Flag socket462on December 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The first line always makes me think of my best friend I grew up with - he was with me at the first concert I ever went to - Rush's Roll The Bones tour in 1991. It's a great song to chill out to - and reflect. Others in it's category: Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide", and (interestingly enough) Nickelback's "Photograph".
    Flag tigerx2374on September 13, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I just recently got into rush, got their Chronicles album and this song is one of my favorite. Amazing, amazing song.
    Flag the mongeron July 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My favorite.

    When I feel like I don't appreciate life enough, or I'm going to fast to enjoy anything and wearing myself out, this song gives me life. There aren't any other words truer than these.
    Flag stephanierush07on April 08, 2007   Link

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