And the oceans flow in my veins
Here I hide in the heart of the city
Like a stranger coming out of the rain
Over constellations of light
I look down into a million houses
And wonder what you're doing tonight
I'd make everything all right
But I sometimes have a second-sight
I'm not one with a sense of proportion
When my heart still changes overnight
A midnight rendezvous
Silver, blue, and frozen silence
What a fool I was for you
I was swimming away out to sea
So deep I could never touch bottom
What a fool I used to be
I'd set everybody free
Though my memory has a second-sight
I'm not one to go pointing my finger
When I radiate more heat than light
I'm just improvising
My illusion of careless flight
Can't you see
My temperature's rising
I radiate more heat than light
I'm just sympathizing
My illusions a harmless flight
Can't you see
My temperature's rising
I radiate more heat than light
I love the line "What a fool I used to be!" I think we all feel like that when we look back- we think we know everything, then something happens to make us realize what idiots we are, that we know nothing.
The lyrics (by drummer Neal Peart) expresses great empathy and sympathy for anyone who has faced some of life's greatest difficulties at one time or another.
If only there was a way - by magic even, if it existed, to lift the spell of uncertainty, disappointment, heartache, grief and pain for those who are suffering through it.
He feels this empathy as he recalls his own past mistakes - clearly seeing the fool he used to be and so tries not to judge...
Being only human of course, and still learning and growing himself, he can only empathize and sympathize with others' suffering as he does not have all the answers.
As Athiests may interpret it, the lyrics can be seen to have a subtle reference to "some immortal power" who presumably HAS all the answers as well as a "magic wand" ...
i dont think there is anyone here who wouldnt jump at the chance to simply wave a wand to make everything perfect
Amazing. The acoustic sections are very cool, with the drums backing them, and one of Geddy's best perfomances to date.
I think this song is about how everyone would like to go back and fix mistakes but can't.
I always felt like I understood some of the parts but not the song as a whole. The verse "The evening plane rises up from the runway Over constellations of light I look down into a million houses And wonder what you're doing tonight"
I felt was a reference to always being on the go and not able to enjoy a family or a more simple life. But when I look at the "you're" as an individual instead of a "millon" people and also the same individual that I use to be a "fool" for, the song made more sense. Seems to be about this, someone lost a romantic partner(girlfriend, wife, ect.) for whatever reason.(lost contact, break-up, divorce, ect.) The person thinks that they are "over" the lost partner until a vivid dream or even a full out return of the person brings back lost memories. And so "Presto" that person is back in their life. Kinda like losing a parent or wife beacause of death and then seeing them in a dream. Plus "I'm just improvising My illusion of careless flight" sounds like a dream.
I think he is simply thinking about what people in random houses below are doing. As he is looking down at the millions of houses, he is thinking about the millions of people living out there lives and wondering what they may be doing.
I think he is simply thinking about what people in random houses below are doing. As he is looking down at the millions of houses, he is thinking about the millions of people living out there lives and wondering what they may be doing.
I have no idea what this song means - but I love it!!!
http://bensommer.com/blog/deep-music-criticism-10-rush-presto/
Dude just hopped on a plane and left his wife, even though it hurts and he still wonders about her. He was a fool for her charms when he was a younger man, but I guess he swallowed the red pill and figured her games out and bailed.
The metaphor of the frozen place of his feelings had him trapped when he was a fool for her, but it all melted away into a deep ocean as he swam away from her, realizing what a fool he used to be.
Frozen also being the true nature of a woman's ice cold heart.
i love this song so much! i agree Beemer...thats why the lyrics are so great b/c anyone can relate to it...every person would like to make "everything alright" with just one wave of a magic wand
Quite frankly, this song is saying that all the would-be world changers are fools...