What I take away from this isn't necessarily about trying not to conform, but rather how our outlooks on conformity in general contributes to our own individuality. That sounds confusing I'm sure, but it does make sense....to me at least. These lyrics posted here aren't dead on, either. He frequently switches between the words deviate, elevate and escalate. I think deviating and elevating/escalating are almost opposites, but that fits in perfect with this song. You could even make the argument that "the norm" doesn't refer to societies' standards but rather whatever would be "the norm" in one's life. To me that means that it's about peoples' tendencies to make decisions and changes based on boredom or restlessness alone.
The chorus seems to sum it up:
A tired mind become a shape shifter, - boredom or apathy leads to a need for change
Everybody need a mood lifter, - maybe drugs or some sort of new "routine"
Everybody need reverse polarity. - a total opposite swing in attitude or direction
Everybody got mixed feelings - we all differ in opinions of which direction is "right" and
About the function and the form. that's our only common ground(maybe?)
Everybody got to elevate from the norm. - already commented on this above
There really is a lot more to it, and as someone alluded to above; a song can have multiple meanings. Whether it's a conscious effort by the songwriter or not is really inconsequential; people take away different meanings from the same thing.....which also fits in with these lyrics. What a poignant song!
I was watching the new documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" and it looks like Neil Peart is the intellectual leader, the one who is non-social and just reads a lot. He is the brain of the operation. He comes up with concepts for the lyrics and Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson just go along for the ride and contribute what they can. They even admitted that sometimes they don't even know what the lyrics mean so I guess anybody can say what they think it means to them. I think they use the words deviate, elevate,...
I was watching the new documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" and it looks like Neil Peart is the intellectual leader, the one who is non-social and just reads a lot. He is the brain of the operation. He comes up with concepts for the lyrics and Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson just go along for the ride and contribute what they can. They even admitted that sometimes they don't even know what the lyrics mean so I guess anybody can say what they think it means to them. I think they use the words deviate, elevate, and escalate mostly because they rhyme. However I like some of the interpretations. Rush's music is very unique and musically, rhythmically fantastic. To make those intellectual lyrics flow and convey meaning to so many people is an amazing feat and yes Rush is tremendously underrated. Very talented individuals and remarkably down to earth. While some bands focus on their image to sell records, Rush focuses on one thing: THE MUSIC and it shows. Unfortunately image means more to most people.
What I take away from this isn't necessarily about trying not to conform, but rather how our outlooks on conformity in general contributes to our own individuality. That sounds confusing I'm sure, but it does make sense....to me at least. These lyrics posted here aren't dead on, either. He frequently switches between the words deviate, elevate and escalate. I think deviating and elevating/escalating are almost opposites, but that fits in perfect with this song. You could even make the argument that "the norm" doesn't refer to societies' standards but rather whatever would be "the norm" in one's life. To me that means that it's about peoples' tendencies to make decisions and changes based on boredom or restlessness alone.
The chorus seems to sum it up:
A tired mind become a shape shifter, - boredom or apathy leads to a need for change Everybody need a mood lifter, - maybe drugs or some sort of new "routine" Everybody need reverse polarity. - a total opposite swing in attitude or direction Everybody got mixed feelings - we all differ in opinions of which direction is "right" and About the function and the form. that's our only common ground(maybe?) Everybody got to elevate from the norm. - already commented on this above
There really is a lot more to it, and as someone alluded to above; a song can have multiple meanings. Whether it's a conscious effort by the songwriter or not is really inconsequential; people take away different meanings from the same thing.....which also fits in with these lyrics. What a poignant song!
I was watching the new documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" and it looks like Neil Peart is the intellectual leader, the one who is non-social and just reads a lot. He is the brain of the operation. He comes up with concepts for the lyrics and Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson just go along for the ride and contribute what they can. They even admitted that sometimes they don't even know what the lyrics mean so I guess anybody can say what they think it means to them. I think they use the words deviate, elevate,...
I was watching the new documentary "Beyond The Lighted Stage" and it looks like Neil Peart is the intellectual leader, the one who is non-social and just reads a lot. He is the brain of the operation. He comes up with concepts for the lyrics and Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson just go along for the ride and contribute what they can. They even admitted that sometimes they don't even know what the lyrics mean so I guess anybody can say what they think it means to them. I think they use the words deviate, elevate, and escalate mostly because they rhyme. However I like some of the interpretations. Rush's music is very unique and musically, rhythmically fantastic. To make those intellectual lyrics flow and convey meaning to so many people is an amazing feat and yes Rush is tremendously underrated. Very talented individuals and remarkably down to earth. While some bands focus on their image to sell records, Rush focuses on one thing: THE MUSIC and it shows. Unfortunately image means more to most people.