Cold Fire

To me, this song is about the dichotomy between a fairytale concept of love (fire), and one that primarily centers around logic and reason (cold). In this instance, it certainly seems that the male is very traditional and idealistic in terms of how love should be, and the female is more modern and realistic about how she wants to be treated.

Additionally, I think the song chronicles the time line of a marriage from beginning to end. In the line, “The phosphorescent wave on a tropical sea,” I picture that being a honeymoon. “The pattern of moonlight on the bedroom floor” reminds me of laying in bed after passionate lovemaking. “The flame at the heart of a pawnbroker's diamond,” leads me to believe that their marriage is failing, and the woman hocked her ring. And finally, “The look in your eyes as you head for the door,” marks the end of the marriage.

It also seems apparent that “cold fire” is used to describe someone who is angry to the point of indifference or emotional withdrawal from a relationship; or perhaps passive-aggressiveness.

There is not one single band that exists today on any plane of existense that can move me the way the Rush does.Rush has been a part of my life since I first heard Subdivisions for the first time when I was 13 and the song was already 6 years old. To this very moment as I listen to Lock and Key from Hold Your Fire as the cd goes to the next track The Mission, Rush has illuminated every step of my way as my personal soundtrack.Within this song, there literally are no other words that a man could express about a woman and the awkwardness and uncertainties that come from a relationship as Neil so clearly states, yet "the pattern of moonlight on the bedroom floor" and "the look in your eyes as you head for the door" could'nt speak louder and with more truth.It's hard enough sometimes to speak the word and emotions that one feels to one person let alone write lyrics that reach out to masses of faithful and more importantly touch them and make them understand. I thank God for the gift of the music of Rush,not only as a crazed fan, but just as someone who can appreciate and reflect on such a wide variety of sounds,visions and images, not only through musical changes but personal changes. Also to know that I can listen to any given Rush cd and it will instantly warp me back to a time when things were....

Essentially breaks down the concept of "unconditional love" or "I'll love yeu forever" type dealies, as well as challenging traditional values.

Covers everything from stating that "unconditional" is a misnomer, and that there are in fact SOME conditions. Situations such as abuse, disappointment, or a multitude of issues can cause people to either break up, cheat on one another, or whotever. Everyone has a breaking point, and though these can be extended artificially through cultural taboo, religion, or personal values, they still exist and going past that point can end a relationship.

Next, it also covers some ideas such as traditional roles (husband/wife in stereotypical 'man is dominant' ideal, marriage, monogamy, etc implied), but also states that although one may 'agree' to these supposed rules, it doesn't necessarily mean they're going to be followed to the letter in practice. The woman in the song, clearly is not a strict 'traditional' woman in that she is stating conditions, that she's willing to break things off if he doesn't continue to earn her love long term, and so on.

The mentioning of "this is not a love song, this isn't fantasy land" shows that it's being thought of in a more realistic sense, rather than a purely emotional ideal, which 'love' is typical considered as.

In fact, the whole song, including the title "Cold Fire", can be taken as a rationalization and intellectual conversation in regards to love in general.

Cold Fire could very well imply that the "cold" aspect, is the cold, uncaring reasoning, with "fire" being the heat of passion and love.

The pattern of moonlight on the bedroom floor (night being cold, bedroom likely implying lovemaking as passionate and heated)

The flame at the heart of a pawnbroker's diamond (the cold likely relating to 'cold cash', as Rush has a habit of making subtle wordplay like this, where that cold monetary view of things being an expression of love despite that it's a material possession)

The look in your eyes as you head for the door (could mean that she's just leaving in the morning after the conversation, but considering the rest of the song and the progression leading up to such, ie the engagement ring just before this bit, it likely represents her leaving the relationship anyway, and a mixture of thought and emotion behind such)

Love can turn to a long, cold burn (probably directly pointing to the concept of an intense fire is generally short lived and burns out fast, but a cooler one lasts much longer. Passion tempered with reason, emotion watched over by discussion and communication simply works better long term)

As per usual, Rush loves their word play, and thought provoking lyrics.

I have this story about a girl, I like and I THINK I can relate to this, I get touched when Ged sings "I'll be around if you don't let me down", it gets to me. I really liked this girl, but one she " walked out on me" "The look in your eyes as you head for the door,is a cold fire"

I think it's pretty obvious what this means...

It tells you about how love is not always all powerful, and it's not as great and deep in some cases as you'd think.

Just my idea. ANyone else care to comment?

I agree. Neil Peart is 100% right with his notion that traditional love songs are dangerous and very misleading about what love is. check out songs like "Different Strings" and "Ghost Of A Chance" for similar lyrics.

We all have this iniate desire for to be loved unconditional and as we stumble through life we find out how difficult it is to find .True love has to be tended to with forgivness and understanding ie...Bravado

(...And if love remains Though everything is lost We will pay the price, But we will not count the cost)

.....Ghost of a chance

(BUT I BELIEVE THERE'S A GHOST OF A CHANCE TO FIND SOMEONE TO LOVE AND MAKE IT LAST )

and finally (more could be given ).......Everyday Glory

(If the future's looking dark We're the ones who have to shine If there's no one in control We're the ones who draw the line Though we live in trying times-- We're the ones who have to try Though we know that time has wings-- We're the ones who have to fly)

I guess girls are complex