You and I, we are strangers by one chromosome
Slave to the hormone, body and soul
In a struggle to be happy and free
Swimming in a primitive sea

You and I, we must dive below the surface
A world of red neon and ultramarine
Shining bridges on the ocean floor
Reaching to the alien shore

For you and me
For you and me
For you and me, sex is not a competition
For you and me, sex is not a job description
For you and me
We agree

You and I, we are pressed into these solitudes
Color and culture, language and race
Just variations on a theme
Islands in a much larger stream

For you and me, race is not a competition
For you and me, race is not a definition
For you and me
We agree

Reaching for the alien shore
Reaching for the alien shore
Reaching for the alien shore

You and I, we reject these narrow attitudes
We add to each other, like a coral reef
Building bridges on the ocean floor
Reaching for the alien shore

For you and me, sex is not a competition
For you and me, race is not a definition
For you and me, we hold these truths to be self-evident
For you and me, we'd elect each other president
For you and me
We might agree

But that's just us
Reaching for the alien shore

But that's just us
Reaching for the alien shore

But that's just us
Reaching for the alien shore

But that's just us
Reaching for the alien shore

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Lyrics submitted by shed27

Alien Shore Lyrics as written by Alex Lifeson Geddy Lee

Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP

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Alien Shore song meanings

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13 Comments

+3
General Comment
Similarities exist in everyone, be they of different race or of the opposite sex. There is more to everyone than their race, religion, sex, or culture. I also get the impression that when he says, "Sex is not a job description," perhaps he is referring to traditional views of a woman's place -- she does not have to be in the home, being a mother/housewife just because she is female, thus, "sex is not a job description." And that's my two cents.

Similarities exist in everyone, be they of different race or of the opposite sex. There is more to everyone than their race, religion, sex, or culture. I also get the impression that when he says, "Sex is not a job description," perhaps he is referring to traditional views of a woman's place -- she does not have to be in the home, being a mother/housewife just because she is female, thus, "sex is not a job description." And that's my two cents.

Reason:

everyday_gloryon July 22, 2006 Link
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+1
General Comment
This song seems to reflect that even though we are very different, we have common traits, desires, and interests. But more specifically, the differences between male and female are addressed. Reaching for the alien shore indicates that once involved in a relationship, we reach to find those things strange to our sex in order to achieve completeness as a couple.

This song seems to reflect that even though we are very different, we have common traits, desires, and interests. But more specifically, the differences between male and female are addressed. Reaching for the alien shore indicates that once involved in a relationship, we reach to find those things strange to our sex in order to achieve completeness as a couple.

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stylazynon August 05, 2005 Link
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+1
General Comment
Men and women are so much the same and at the same time very different, almost alien, but at least we try to reach each other (some of us anyway).

Men and women are so much the same and at the same time very different, almost alien, but at least we try to reach each other (some of us anyway).

Reason:

Cygnus333on May 09, 2008 Link
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@Cygnus333
+1
General Comment
I don't think it's about two sperms because since the first two characters are strangers by one chromosome, then they'd be an egg and a sperm. An egg has two X chromosomes (XX) and a sperm has a single X chromosome and a single Y chromosome (XY). So I think the first stanza might be relating the similarities and differences of egg and sperm, but in the general eye, it's really relating the differences between men and women, and how they're not all too different. As for the rest of the song, and the term 'alien shore', I'm stumped. Neil Peart is a little too creative. (Not their best album...)

I don't think it's about two sperms because since the first two characters are strangers by one chromosome, then they'd be an egg and a sperm. An egg has two X chromosomes (XX) and a sperm has a single X chromosome and a single Y chromosome (XY). So I think the first stanza might be relating the similarities and differences of egg and sperm, but in the general eye, it's really relating the differences between men and women, and how they're not all too different. As for the rest of the song, and the term 'alien shore', I'm stumped. Neil Peart is a little too creative. (Not their best album...)

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Yazscquahton May 05, 2009 Link
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@Yazscquaht

@Yazscquaht

PaulGlenon February 16, 2019

@Yazscquaht

Alien shore refers to unfamiliar territory- the antagonist and protagonist in the song finally agree. This is unusual and unfamiliar territory for them. The song relates to the differences between the sexes but also the similarities.

PaulGlenon February 16, 2019
+1
Song Meaning
"We are strangers by one chromosome" Men: XY Women:XX The difference by one chromosome is the Y in men and the X in women. This is why in the first third of the song he is talking about gender. "Color and culture, language and race". In the second third of the song, he is now talking about nationalities. In the last third, he finishes to say that differences in gender and race don't matter. "We hold these truths to be self evident" precedes 'that all men are created equal' in the Declaration of Independence, and served as the basis for the civil rights movements. This may be overspeculation, but I believe that the "Alien Shore" in question is actually a person that is somehow different. Him "building bridges" to reach "for the Alien shore" may be just like in Entre Nous when he mentions different islands that we are on and us "building...bridges". This shows that what this song means is that him and the other person of different race or sex are making connections with each other. But that's just them.

"We are strangers by one chromosome" Men: XY Women:XX The difference by one chromosome is the Y in men and the X in women. This is why in the first third of the song he is talking about gender. "Color and culture, language and race". In the second third of the song, he is now talking about nationalities. In the last third, he finishes to say that differences in gender and race don't matter. "We hold these truths to be self evident" precedes 'that all men are created equal' in the Declaration of Independence, and served as the basis for the civil rights movements. This may be overspeculation, but I believe that the "Alien Shore" in question is actually a person that is somehow different. Him "building bridges" to reach "for the Alien shore" may be just like in Entre Nous when he mentions different islands that we are on and us "building...bridges". This shows that what this song means is that him and the other person of different race or sex are making connections with each other. But that's just them.

Reason:

AhtenXeviouson February 14, 2014 Link
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@AhtenXevious
+1
Song Meaning
I think this song is about a traditional male-female married couple. They are a happy loving couple who are in tune with each other and unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the norm anymore. I think this is a very personal look at Neil Peart and his relationship with his wife at the time Jacqueline Taylor. Sadly she died of cancer in 1998.

I think this song is about a traditional male-female married couple. They are a happy loving couple who are in tune with each other and unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the norm anymore. I think this is a very personal look at Neil Peart and his relationship with his wife at the time Jacqueline Taylor. Sadly she died of cancer in 1998.

Reason:

jonrush40on May 06, 2015 Link
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0
General Comment
It seems to me that this is a ficticious song about two sperms: Strangers by one chromosome, slave to the hormone, body and soul, swimming in a primative sea, we must dive below the surface a world of RED neon, Sex is not a competitionm (as one Y chromosome sperm says to the X chromosome sperm) and last but not least, Reaching for the alien shore I beleive refers to the womans EGG. Very strange interpretation but Neil does have a very complex imagination. Re-read the lyrics and you'll see my point

It seems to me that this is a ficticious song about two sperms: Strangers by one chromosome, slave to the hormone, body and soul, swimming in a primative sea, we must dive below the surface a world of RED neon, Sex is not a competitionm (as one Y chromosome sperm says to the X chromosome sperm) and last but not least, Reaching for the alien shore I beleive refers to the womans EGG. Very strange interpretation but Neil does have a very complex imagination. Re-read the lyrics and you'll see my point

Reason:

fcm2112on May 12, 2007 Link
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0
General Comment
Not my fav Rush song.

Not my fav Rush song.

Reason:

NUMBER 4on May 28, 2007 Link
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@NUMBER 4

Of my 37 years of listening to Rush, I think that this is the best overall song they have done. Number 2 =Limbo. Who really knows the meaning?.....Neil

brian92358on November 13, 2015

Of my 37 years of listening to Rush, I think that this is the best overall song they have done. Number 2 =Limbo. Who really knows the meaning?.....Neil

brian92358on November 13, 2015
0
General Comment
truly a great guitar song--great solo.

truly a great guitar song--great solo.

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fritzrxon July 21, 2010 Link
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0
My Interpretation
This song really makes me think of a Dostoevsky quote:Who wants to want according to a little table? His charactor laments against the scientific veiwpoint that actions are determined by measurable things like our environment and physiology. I think RUSH here is also stating that theyre not out just to survive and reproduce but theyre looking for more... an alien shore. The lines "sex is not a competition" and "race is not a competition"--For you and me-- shows how they dont want to live only to further the species(through sex) and push their genetic makeup(their race)into the next generation. Im an evolutionist and Im not saying the members of RUSH arent but there is something disheartening to the nihilistic veiwpoint that all we want is governed by our animal instincts. Leaving us to look for more... an alien shore.

This song really makes me think of a Dostoevsky quote:Who wants to want according to a little table? His charactor laments against the scientific veiwpoint that actions are determined by measurable things like our environment and physiology. I think RUSH here is also stating that theyre not out just to survive and reproduce but theyre looking for more... an alien shore. The lines "sex is not a competition" and "race is not a competition"--For you and me-- shows how they dont want to live only to further the species(through sex) and push their genetic makeup(their race)into the next generation. Im an evolutionist and Im not saying the members of RUSH arent but there is something disheartening to the nihilistic veiwpoint that all we want is governed by our animal instincts. Leaving us to look for more... an alien shore.

Reason:

Jimonkey21on May 08, 2011 Link
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