Fly by Night is the title track of Rush's second album. The music was written by Geddy Lee and the lyrics were penned by Neil Peart. Peart wrote this song about his first trip away...

Airport scurry flurry faces
Parade of passers by
People going many places
With a smile or just a sigh
Waiting waiting pass the time
Another cigarette
Get in line - gate thirty-nine
The time is not here yet (end)

Why try? I know why
The feeling inside me says it's time I was gone
Clear head, new life ahead
I want to be king now not just one more pawn

Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night goodbye my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend

Moon rise, thoughtful eyes
Staring back at me from the window beside
No fright or hindsight
Leaving behind that empty feeling inside

Start a new chapter
Find what I'm after
It's changing every day
The change of a season
Is enough of a reason
To want to get away

Quiet and pensive
My thoughts apprehensive
The hours drift away
Leaving my homeland
Playing a lone hand
My life begins today



Lyrics submitted by Bruiser

Track duration: 03:22

"Fly by Night" as written by Steven/brown Dubin

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Fly By Night song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about making a new start and changing your life. Neil left his simple life working at a parts store in Canada behind to join the band and "Fly By Night" away from there.
    Flag OvertheTop01on April 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The song is about Neil Peart leaving Canada for London he wrote it in heathrow airport at the age of 18 when he returned one year later geddy lee wrote the instrumentals and boom. If you look into it Neil confirms this on several occasions
    Flag Balladof2112on February 09, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:alot of singer have a difference between singing voice and speaking voice. one perfect example other then geddy lee is axl rose (not comparing) saying his speaking voice is alot deeper then his singing voice
    Flag plush89on May 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:yeah Mothra dont ever make fun of Rush who cares if Geddy has a high pitched voice just as Rushman said Angus and Robert have high pitched voices and what about Freddy Mercury hmmmmmmmm. Rush knows how to put out beautiful music and do it well.
    Flag meaningofsongon February 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Oh my God. Am I the only one that this song is about Neil Peart leaving Canada for London? He wrote it in Heathrow airport!!!
    Flag lightman135on January 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:T_D_Phoenix: I don't think you are wrong. I also think the lyric says "My ship is a-coming and I just can't pretend."
    Flag EricSon January 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:RUSH are very ver very honest in their songs. Peart and Geddy and Lifeson always make their emotions felt moreso in the words. their lyrics are always perfect something unique for a rock band i find. geddy and peart wrote this song, and they no longer want to be nobodies: instead they want to be kings, and be recognized. heres something interesing i found on wiki

    The phrase fly by night is a derisive term in the English language for businesses that appear and disappear rapidly, or that give an impression of transience. It has also been applied to individual traveling businessmen and tradesmen. The phrase implies that the quality of work done or goods sold is shoddy enough that the person responsible must leave town under cover of darkness to evade angry customers, or sometimes legal authorities.

    perhaps they feel unpopular or that they are not being received. maybe this song was written during the period when they changed their image from led zepp to the real RUSH. any die hard rush fans got real facts?
    Flag rush_chilison January 02, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:BTW - Awesome solo on this song!!
    Flag NUMBER 4on May 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Ehh... no. RUSHMAN is 100% right. That was the popular singing style at that time. Robert Plant actually got the idea from Geddy Lee to sing in that pitch range.

    ----------------------------------

    But I'm a huge fan of Rush, and to suggest albums to whoever it is... PrizeFighterInferno, that's it! (And, you know anyone else.) Obviously "Moving Pictures" is a must-have. It has 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Limelight', along with 'Red Barchetta' and 'YYZ'. Their top songs really.

    Some of their deep cuts really come in "Grace Under Pressure", whic includes 'Distant Early Warning', 'Between The Wheels', and 'Red Sector A'. 'Distant Early Warning' is one of their hits, and talks about the Cold War, while 'Red Sector A' talks about the Haulocost.

    "Farewell To Kings" is another good album, comprising of 'Cygnis X-1', 'Xanadu', and their greatest hit ever, and a classic song for years to come, 'Closer To The Heart'.

    "Permanent Waves" followed Moving Pictures, and contained many great songs such as 'Freewill', 'The Spirit Of Radio', and 'Natural Science'.

    ---

    So really, I can't rate them this quickly, but I'd say to go with either "Moving Pictures" or "Permanent Waves" for now. Now "Get Busy!" LOL...
    Flag NUMBER 4on May 31, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Whoever said there are no bands with talent nowadays is a dumbass.

    Coheed & Cambria
    Porcupine Tree
    Dream Theater
    Opeth
    Flogging Molly(not the traditional instruments, but talented nonetheless)
    and Ayreon.
    Flag JPetrucciownzon April 13, 2007   Link

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