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Cut To The Chase Lyrics
It is the fire that lights itself
But it burns with a restless flame
The arrow on a moving target
The archer must be sure of his aim
It is the engine that drives itself
But it chooses the uphill climb
A bearing on magnetic north
Growing farther away all the time
Can't stop--moving
Can't stop--moving
Can't stop--
You may be right
It's all a waste of time
I guess that's just a chance
I'm prepared to take
A danger I'm prepared to face
Cut to the chase
It is the rocket that ignites itself
And launches its way to the stars
Racing the oblivious cars
It's the motor of the western world
Spinning off to every extreme
Pure as a lover's desire
Evil as a murderer's dream
Young enough not to care too much
About the way things used to be
I'm young enough to remember the future--
The past has no claim on me
I'm old enough not to care too much
About what you think of me
But I'm young enough to remember the future
And the way things ought to be
What kind of difference
Can one person make?
Cut to the chase
The meaning of this song shares many common themes with many of Peart's other lyrics. Basically, it's about chasing a dream, ignoring naysayers and excuses; failure is not an option.
"What kind of difference can one person make" is the naysayer trying to dissuade the dreamer from his course. The dreamer responds "Cut to the chase!" Similar to the themes and message of the song "Show Don't Tell."
One of Lifeson's best solos. Sweet!
"It is the fire that lights itself, but it burns with a restless flame." "It is the engine that drives itself, but it chooses the uphill climb."
At the end of the day, we're the only ones who can help us reach our wildest dreams -- no one else.
This is easily my favorite song from Counterparts. I agree it could be about the self-motivated dream chaser, but the last line "What kind of difference can one person make?" could be interpreted to be more specifically about those who dedicate their lives to helping others and/or "changing the world".
But I would like to take this a little deeper and suggest that it may really be about the numerous times in our lives when we can choose to be selfish and short-sighted or choose to consider the greater good of humanity as we make decisions and form our opinions.
Neil Peart commented in his book, "Traveling Music" that, "Genius is the fire that lights itself." I've always been of the opinion that this song is about the nature of genius and its tendency to perpetually seek motion. I don't see the song as being about the tension between an unknowable "greater good" and one's own interest, but rather as a description of how genius and action are inextricably tied.
Neil Peart commented in his book, "Traveling Music" that, "Genius is the fire that lights itself." I've always been of the opinion that this song is about the nature of genius and its tendency to perpetually seek motion. I don't see the song as being about the tension between an unknowable "greater good" and one's own interest, but rather as a description of how genius and action are inextricably tied.
I hear echoes of "Mission" in these lyrics. "Obsession has to have action / Pride turns on the drive."
I hear echoes of "Mission" in these lyrics. "Obsession has to have action / Pride turns on the drive."