Rush – Animate

My InterpretationWhile I agree its about the balance of masculine/feminine and how they must learn to compliment - i think this song is about two people not one.

Its about the challenges that masculinity faces when it meets its counterpart in a special someone, and how he must learn to let his guard down just the right amount so that they may compliment each other and become truly unified! It makes me think of learning to live with my girlfriend...

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  @eggboy1988
  +1

  Three years late with the reply ... but what the hell!
  
  I'm not sure this is about A person or TWO persons. It really is a call to men in general to be aware of their feminine side and to embrace it ... to let it make them better than what they are. However it also speaks to women, asking them to understand that men have fortresses to defend and that strength is a natural and desirable trait that must be balanced so man can "gently dominate". I'm not sure the feminists will like that sentiment, but my wife nods in appreciation when she hears this song.

  Flag GWNMusingon March 09, 2013  

General CommentI cannot imagine life without Rush, they're simply the Best!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  @crimsonidol910

General CommentThis song is about the dualities of man. Read the theories on "man's feminine side" by Carl Jung.

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  @myfaveheadache

General CommentThere's a feminine side to every man, and they need to be more open about it.

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  @everyday_glory

General CommentI think Neil's writing about finding a person (lover) who can basically light up your life. And that includes becoming more sensitive. That gain of sensitivity on the males behalf, will undoubtedly strengthen the relationship. He's also describing all these different roles his lover plays to his subconscious and
how the woman he's fallen in love with has changed him.

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  @sonoflife

General Comment"Animate" itself is a pun on the Jungian concepts of anima / animus; the subconscious manifestations of the masculine and feminine. Western culture likes to create dualisms, and gender is no different. As such, the western school of thought is to presume a man is to be fully masculine and a woman to be fully feminine (add into this the cultural distortions of gender thereupon, and you can get a good image of why this becomes problematic).

The idea expressed here is to recognize that we possess both masculine and feminine identities and characteristics, and integrate our two halves so that we may become more balanced, complete individuals.

"Counterparts" as an album is about seeking balance, internal and external: making peace with yourself and extending that harmony to those around you. It is a very personally mature body of work in this regard. It recognizes that we all have demons that we must embrace (Stick it Out), but also not to let our own problems drag others down and to view others with love and compassion no matter how different they are or what their situation (Nobody's Hero).

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  @mfratt
  0

  Very interesting. I always thought the lyrics spoke of a deepening relationship with someone who is opposite yet a counterpart. Thank you for the insight.

  Flag Sidgnooton November 11, 2013  

General Commentm.youtube.com/… might as well let Neil explain

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  @ratmod12