Living on a lighted stage
Approaches the unreal
For those who think and feel
In touch with some reality
Beyond the gilded cage

Cast in this unlikely role
Ill-equipped to act
With insufficient tact
One must put up barriers
To keep oneself intact

Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme

Living in a fish eye lens
Caught in the camera eye
I have no heart to lie
I can't pretend a stranger
Is a long-awaited friend

All the world's indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage

Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme

Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme
The real relation
The underlying theme

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Lyrics submitted by MasterDuncan03, edited by molson420, Pizzov

Limelight Lyrics as written by Gary Lee Weinrib Neil Elwood Peart

Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP

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Limelight song meanings

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54 Comments

+8
General Comment
This was most likely written while they were on the Permanent Waves Tour ~25 years ago. Freewill and Spirit of Radio were getting good radio play, and the band was expeiencing a bloom of exposure. Mr Peart is a very private introverted person. From what I have read he responds poorly to people getting too familiar with him (and misproununcing his name) This song is Neil Peart attempting to express those feelings without making it so personal. I read somewhere that it took him effort to not write "I must put up barriers to keep myself intact" and to move the statement to the 3rd person. In moving this to the 3rd person, Mr Peart generalizes the experience, and makes it more accessible to anyone who finds themselves moved up before they are ready. I don't think Neil Peart is sitting atop his mansion whining about his good fortune, rather I think he is showing that there are negative experiences that come with sudden thrusts of fame, and that for some ppl, these experiences are quite nightmare like. The recent tragedies in Mr Peart's life only drive the point of this song home.

This was most likely written while they were on the Permanent Waves Tour ~25 years ago. Freewill and Spirit of Radio were getting good radio play, and the band was expeiencing a bloom of exposure. Mr Peart is a very private introverted person. From what I have read he responds poorly to people getting too familiar with him (and misproununcing his name) This song is Neil Peart attempting to express those feelings without making it so personal. I read somewhere that it took him effort to not write "I must put up barriers to keep myself intact" and to move the statement to the 3rd person. In moving this to the 3rd person, Mr Peart generalizes the experience, and makes it more accessible to anyone who finds themselves moved up before they are ready. I don't think Neil Peart is sitting atop his mansion whining about his good fortune, rather I think he is showing that there are negative experiences that come with sudden thrusts of fame, and that for some ppl, these experiences are quite nightmare like. The recent tragedies in Mr Peart's life only drive the point of this song home.

Reason:

Dantorpon July 16, 2007 Link
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@Dantorp

I love how you talk about him in distancing titles ("Mr Peart" or "Neil Peart") - showing him respect in accordance with the meaning of this song.

abexyon July 17, 2012
+8
General Comment
I read through most of the comments, and everyone seems to be missing the real relation, the underlying theme.

I read through most of the comments, and everyone seems to be missing the real relation, the underlying theme.

Reason:

bassjaredon March 19, 2010 Link
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@bassjared

LOL!! That comment approaches the unreal...

sentimentalsteveon June 11, 2010
+5
General Comment
How often does Shakespeare get quoted in rock and roll? All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: From As You Like It

How often does Shakespeare get quoted in rock and roll? All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: From As You Like It

Reason:

rufustfireflyon February 01, 2009 Link
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@rufustfirefly
+5
General Comment
On a literal level, the song is about living as a performer. But, the deep meaning of the song is very spiritual. The writer if this song understands that our earthy life is merely an illusion with a greater purpose. Most of us who see this earthy life as a fixed reality choose to "seem". Those who know there is a higher purpose and seek to find it choose to "be". Our purpose for being here is simply to "be" so that we can realize who our souls are. If you understand and seek your higher self, you will feel alienated from the world. But, you must to discover this "fascination". The author is struggling with this himself. He sees God as a stranger, and admits that he cannot pretend otherwise. He is searching.

On a literal level, the song is about living as a performer. But, the deep meaning of the song is very spiritual. The writer if this song understands that our earthy life is merely an illusion with a greater purpose. Most of us who see this earthy life as a fixed reality choose to "seem". Those who know there is a higher purpose and seek to find it choose to "be". Our purpose for being here is simply to "be" so that we can realize who our souls are. If you understand and seek your higher self, you will feel alienated from the world. But, you must to discover this "fascination". The author is struggling with this himself. He sees God as a stranger, and admits that he cannot pretend otherwise. He is searching.

Reason:

Buggison April 12, 2013 Link
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@Buggis

Im with you on this one.
I never paid attention to the lyrics as close as I have today when it played on the radio because for me the meaning was a spiritual one -

missy10359on August 05, 2014

@Buggis @Buggis Since I felt Meaning in this song when I was 18. 1989. From the lyrics I felt the song reminded me of our relationships with God, His Devine Plan - the people we will meet, that we are being led to a relationship with God. That nothing happens by accident. God allows everything to happen and prevents things from happening, that we reflect on it and choose to seek Him. Seek The One who made us with purpose.

You can continue to blame the people and the situations that have hurt you. Or you can take back your power and look through the actors. To see the Director.

Every single aspect of your life has a purpose and is by divine design. Even the parts you hate. Even the parts you try to hide from the world and yourself. Even the parts that hurt. Even the tears. The betrayal. The divorce. The loss.

“You will find the purpose when you grow through this. When you allow nothing to shrink you. Or chain you. Or own you. When you stop hearing the noise of what other people are saying or thinking of you. When you stop the "what if's". When you stop beating yourself to a mental pulp. And never again allow someone to mistreat, disrespect, use, or take you for granted.

But most of all, you will only find peace when you finally remove the thing that has occupied God's place in your heart.
Read that again.
Only then will you be able to truly love again. In a healthy way.”
Written by Yasmin Mogahed.

May God’s peace and Blessings be upon those of you who read in search of God’s Message through His Prophets.
AsSalamuAlaikum WaRahmatullahi WaBarakhatuh
Islam-Guide.com
qurandownload.com/…(yusuf-ali).pdf
Read the scholarly commentary at the bottom of the pages as to have an understanding of when and why the verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad pbuh. Especially pay attention to the Chapter “Mary” Mother of Jesus (peace be upon them) God (Allah) created only two humans who were never touched by the evil influence of Satan. They are: Virgin Mary and Jesus the Messiah. Yes, in order to be a Muslim, we must believe this. All praise to God for putting perspective of Him into me even as I was a rebellious teen partying my butt off.
Read! In the name of your Lord! First revelation to Muhammad pbuh who was illiterate, and a man known for his trustworthiness among even his enemies and who deeply reflected on worshipping The One God, as Abraham, Moses Jesus, all of the preceding Prophrts taught the people of their time, with the last and final Prophet and Messenger being Muhammad. Read the Quran!

The entire life and lineage of Muhammad:
kalamullah.com/…

SentimentalMeon July 04, 2019

@Buggis This is a grotesque and inconsiderate post. You're just imposing your belief system on someone you didn't know for your own selfish benefit. "The writer," to whom you're conveniently referring in the abstract, was in fact a human being who thought for himself, and certainly did NOT espouse the nonsense that you're describing in this disgusting, masturbatory comment. If you want to create your own interpretation of these lyrics, that's your prerogative, but to pin those ridiculous thoughts on the author is a vile and manipulative thing to do.

robert1065on July 06, 2021
+2
General Comment
If you liked this, listen to Subdivisions, 2112 Overture, and (imho) Force Ten. First two are mega-hits, and the last one is just them rocking out. And soooo gooood. As for this song, yeah, Neil got hit hard by stardom. And to top it all off, his life is quite tragic. Never knew what he went through just recently until I looked up the band on a whim.

If you liked this, listen to Subdivisions, 2112 Overture, and (imho) Force Ten. First two are mega-hits, and the last one is just them rocking out. And soooo gooood. As for this song, yeah, Neil got hit hard by stardom. And to top it all off, his life is quite tragic. Never knew what he went through just recently until I looked up the band on a whim.

Reason:

Planeswalker817on August 07, 2006 Link
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@Planeswalker817
+2
General Comment
The second verse to me, means that Neil didn't know he was going to be a famous drummer. (He was "cast in this unlikely role".) And the second line of that same verse, "Ill-equipped to act", means that he doesn't know how to act around people, or the public. Everyone just knows him as a drummer; not as a person. Then, "One must put up barriers to keep oneself in tact" means that he must block himself, from the public in a way as to not be overwhelmed by people. And, the limelight -- the spot light. Everybody can see him, and knows who he is. (Although, Alex takes the spotlight with his solo!)

The second verse to me, means that Neil didn't know he was going to be a famous drummer. (He was "cast in this unlikely role".) And the second line of that same verse, "Ill-equipped to act", means that he doesn't know how to act around people, or the public. Everyone just knows him as a drummer; not as a person. Then, "One must put up barriers to keep oneself in tact" means that he must block himself, from the public in a way as to not be overwhelmed by people. And, the limelight -- the spot light. Everybody can see him, and knows who he is. (Although, Alex takes the spotlight with his solo!)

Reason:

NUMBER 4on May 27, 2007 Link
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@NUMBER 4
+2
General Comment
Although I loved so many of Rush's songs, this song has always been my favorite. For me, the meaning of the song isn't so important as the different, subtle musical nuances within the songs chorus. I play several instruments, so what sticks out to me within the chorus is I LOVE the clean guitar part there; what Neil is doing and the synth parts. Although I love this song from a musically analytical standpoint, it does touch off a lot of emotions and memories from growing up (and older) with this song since first hearing it when I was 14...

Although I loved so many of Rush's songs, this song has always been my favorite. For me, the meaning of the song isn't so important as the different, subtle musical nuances within the songs chorus. I play several instruments, so what sticks out to me within the chorus is I LOVE the clean guitar part there; what Neil is doing and the synth parts. Although I love this song from a musically analytical standpoint, it does touch off a lot of emotions and memories from growing up (and older) with this song since first hearing it when I was 14...

Reason:

sentimentalsteveon March 08, 2010 Link
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@sentimentalsteve
+1
General Comment
RapisGarbage you should stfu cause you dont know about anything you are talking about. Rush isnt pop. And if you're living paycheck to paycheck..well maybe you should save your money instead of spending it on shit and you'll have some.

RapisGarbage you should stfu cause you dont know about anything you are talking about. Rush isnt pop. And if you're living paycheck to paycheck..well maybe you should save your money instead of spending it on shit and you'll have some.

Reason:

Mathias.3on July 31, 2007 Link
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@Mathias.3
+1
General Comment
I'm feeling wealthy..so here's my two cents.... Rush is THE pre-eminent thinking man's rock band.. Anyways, I agree with a lot of folks here. - The song is about the celebrity-fan relationship. But I'm sure there are themes and motifs of the song we all can relate to. Barriers to "keep oneself in tact" are important for everyone to have. Neil has ALWAYS shunned "the Limelight". He appreciates his fans, but wants his privacy too. This song was written long before the tragedy that Neil suffered in 1997-1998 with the deaths of his daughter and wife. That's why when Rush began promoting Vapor Trails in 2002, the band agreed that only Alex and Geddy would face the media - to protect Neil.

I'm feeling wealthy..so here's my two cents.... Rush is THE pre-eminent thinking man's rock band.. Anyways, I agree with a lot of folks here. - The song is about the celebrity-fan relationship. But I'm sure there are themes and motifs of the song we all can relate to. Barriers to "keep oneself in tact" are important for everyone to have. Neil has ALWAYS shunned "the Limelight". He appreciates his fans, but wants his privacy too. This song was written long before the tragedy that Neil suffered in 1997-1998 with the deaths of his daughter and wife. That's why when Rush began promoting Vapor Trails in 2002, the band agreed that only Alex and Geddy would face the media - to protect Neil.

Reason:

tigerx2374on September 13, 2007 Link
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@tigerx2374
+1
General Comment
nagomnai: "...Garbage has a very valid point to make - I disagree strongly, but the point is no less valid - it's someone's personal take on the song which stirs up comments from others.." Everyone may be entitled to their own opinion, but if you're trying to say that everybody's opinions are equally VALID then your critical thinking's for the shits..

nagomnai: "...Garbage has a very valid point to make - I disagree strongly, but the point is no less valid - it's someone's personal take on the song which stirs up comments from others.." Everyone may be entitled to their own opinion, but if you're trying to say that everybody's opinions are equally VALID then your critical thinking's for the shits..

Reason:

goldsacon November 14, 2007 Link
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@goldsac