LM 47.2 [ANALYSIS] RUSH - Limelight

Analysis of the musical piece "Limelight" by the band RUSH.
== Original video :
• Rush - The Pass
== Original video live (Exit Stage Left) :
• Rush ~ LimeLight ~ Exi...
This video is part of a 10 weeks series on the Canadian band : Rush. The following list is the result of a survey on this channel. Here they are, in chronological order. 10 songs / 10 weeks with Rush ... Be prepared for a great journey!
01. (1976) 2112
02. (1977) Closer to the Heart
03. (1978) The Trees
04. (1980) Spirit of Radio
== 05. (1981) Limelight
06. (1981) Tom Sawyer
07. (1982) Subdivisions
08. (1989) The Pass
09. (1993) Nobody's Hero
10. (2012) The Garden
This video is part of a series 'Lectio Musica' started in April 2020.
Reactions and analyses of the Franciscan and biblical scholar Guylain Prince
on musical pieces/songs submitted to him.
== Presentation of the series (French and English subtitles) :
• LM. 00. Introduction '...
Passionate about rock music in all its forms, but also about Gospel, Blues, Quebecois and traditional music, Fr. Guylain spontaneously reacts, analyzes and comments on a song by a contemporary artist.
Facebook: Guylain Prince Ofm
Twitter: @gpofm
Instagram: @guylainprince
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Comments and suggestions are welcome.

[@phillee2814]

"All the world's a stage" is a reference back to William Shakespeare's monologue from "As you like it", Act 2, Scene 7.
The very name of the song also references a past era, as limelight, also known as calcium light, was the usual form of stage lighting from early in the 19th century until the advent of electric lighting - gas lighting simply could not produce the intensity of light needed for a stage. Lighting so intense that it is hard to see beyond it.
The thing is, there is something else about limelight - it burns very hot indeed - up to 2,572°C.
It was actually quite common for theatres and music halls to burn down because of it.
So I think that is another warning in the song.
The fisheye lens is also notable for having no hidden area while making everything seem far away - until it approaches really closely when it dominates the picture with a distorted image.
So I think the message in the song is "don't allow yourself to be dazzled and drawn into a fake "reality" and keep your focus on what matters, or you run the risk of being consumed by that fake world".

[@GuylainPrince]

Dear Phil, this is GREAT info and great insights. I pined you up in the comment section. Thanks!

[@wendylynn4318]

I was rather surprised that he did not pick up on that. It is a very well-known idea from Shakespeare...

[@dumping7092]

This album came out 40 years ago (and two days), and is one of the few albums in rock history which does not contain a weaker or filler track. Well, in my opinion. :)
Merci bien for the analysis, especially the fourth verse. Looking forward to Subdivisions!

[@GuylainPrince]

I totally agree with you! I listened to it, yesterday : I agree, whole-heatedly. To re-visit Rush, 40 years after, is a marvellous experience. I enjoy every second of it!

[@jacobm.vantuijl]

I agree on the fourth verse. Great inside Guylain!

[@GuylainPrince]

You know what? I wonder if there is more to Rush than what we usually assume!

[@wendylynn4318]

I agree. Funny enough, Tom Sawyer is my least favorite song on this record and the camera eye is my favorite.

[@xvh720]

I would add a small detail which could be interesting for Rush aficionados and remark how the lyrics are more personal for Neil Peart than we suppose. His huge drum kit in the 80s was called "The Gilded Cage" and included all kind of percussion. It was his refuge on the lighted stage and a place where he didn't have to pretend to be someone else.

[@GuylainPrince]

I felt that, very strongly! :-) I did not KNOW it, but that was my intuition!

[@peterlansdowne5367]

The underlying theme is the relationship with the listener . The inspiring of listeners thru music . The real relation that really matters .

[@GuylainPrince]

Yup! Being honest and true to oneself, and to the fans. Popularity is secondary, and always was for Rush! That is why they lasted so long...

[@christophmozure9413]

Hello. Excellent analysis. One thing that was maybe missed in translation is “caught” in the camera eye. Past tense of catch. Maybe there is no French saying for that but caught red handed means somebody found you out in the act so caught in the camera is like trapped or “found out” against your will. Like a candid or paparazzi moment. Maybe you understood and I misunderstood your explanation. Anyways. Loved this! Thank you.

[@GuylainPrince]

I got the verb "catch" in the past tense. I took more the meaning : "behaving in a certain way because we are in front of cameras". I did not think of the nuance of "being under the objectives of the paparazzis". When we know how an introvert is Neil Peart, we can understand very well how private he is and do not appreciate the whole world to know. Thanks for bringing it!

[@cullencase3114]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your reactions. It has been a very entertaining way to knock the rust off the long unused French I learned in high school. I imagine you've already chosen the Rush songs you are going to listen to, but I would love to hear your thoughts on two in particular: "Xanadu", from A Farewell to Kings, and "Marathon", from Power Windows.

[@GuylainPrince]

Sadly, in a way, the songs have already been chosen. But, that does not mean that I will not come back. Xanadu was clearly a runner up, not making the cut of 10 at the finish line. May be some day? Thanks for your nice comments!

[@wendylynn4318]

I certainly hope you listen to the camera eye. I believe it to be the most Progressive musically and to me the most interesting lyrically on this record as I love traveling.

[@scott4482]

The underlying theme is making the music, not being a " star "

[@GuylainPrince]

True relation, making music. Being a star, if it comes, good, but that is not the focus of attention/energy. This being said, the 4th verse sends back the question to us : to be or to pretend? Interesting question!

[@chalfo]

Enjoyed both the reaction and this analysis. Have a look at music producer Rick Beato's breakdown of the music here czcams.com/video/4P-yUOlOC5M/video.html where he isolates many of the parts. You'll enjoy it for sure ...

[@GuylainPrince]

I did not see that particular one, but I LOVE his videos in general. One of the very few reactors / analysts that I appreciate. Every time.

[@curtpowell3795]

Brother, Ora pro Nobis.

[@GuylainPrince]

Ok!