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Grand Designs Lyrics
A to B --
Different degrees...
So much style without substance
So much stuff without style
It's hard to recognize the real thing
It comes along once in a while
Like a rare and precious metal beneath a ton of rock
It takes some time and trouble to separate from the stock
You sometimes have to listen to a lot of useless talk
Shapes and forms against the norms --
Against the run of the mill
Swimming against the stream
Life in two dimensions is a mass production scheme
So much poison in power, the principles get left out
So much mind on the matter, the spirit gets forgotten about
Like a righteous inspiration overlooked in haste
Like a teardrop in the ocean, a diamond in the waste
Some world-views are spacious -- and some are merely spaced
Against the run of the mill
Static as it seems
We break the surface tension with our wild kinetic dreams
Curves and lines -- of grand designs...
Different degrees...
So much stuff without style
It's hard to recognize the real thing
It comes along once in a while
Like a rare and precious metal beneath a ton of rock
It takes some time and trouble to separate from the stock
You sometimes have to listen to a lot of useless talk
Against the run of the mill
Swimming against the stream
Life in two dimensions is a mass production scheme
So much mind on the matter, the spirit gets forgotten about
Like a righteous inspiration overlooked in haste
Like a teardrop in the ocean, a diamond in the waste
Some world-views are spacious -- and some are merely spaced
Static as it seems
We break the surface tension with our wild kinetic dreams
Curves and lines -- of grand designs...
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I think the principles & ideas in this song can be applied to a variety of worldly issues, the whole vanity over meaningfulness thing.
Personally I believe this song is about the music industry, and it's as relevant now as it was back then - there's such a proliferation of awful, vapid yet sellable trash in the music industry, solely for the capitalist purpose of making a tonne of money.
The first verse states this fact and basically says finding something worthwhile, music with heart, is quite rare. etc etc
"So much poison in power, the principles get left out " pretty much sums up my point here
Sometimes I wonder about Neil. What went on in his mind? Because he's throwing out very Christian terms. Talking about "spirit", and "righteous inspirations". I mean the title, "Grand Designs". I'm pretty sure atheists don't believe in grand designs. So really, what did Neil believe?
If you ask me, I think he was in the right place. Had the right beliefs. He was just filled with so much hate, that he didn't want to believe. But, truth is truth. It's kind of sad really.
So in my life, I see this as God's Grand Design for every one of us. I can relate with all the lyrics. But I can currently relate the most to "Like a rare and precious metal beneath a ton of rock. It takes some time and trouble to separate from the stock." I'm currently in a waiting stage of life. But eventually, a rare and precious metal will come my way. I just need to wait. and wait. and wait.
This song is about 'thinking outside the box', being ambitious and breaking through the inertia of the world around us to experience or create something authentic.
There's also subtext about the 'two-dimension scheme' - the cliche of swimming with or against the stream. In the end, someone with real ambition and action "breaks the surface tension" (transcends the dichotomy of culture vs counterculture).
If Power Windows is about 'expressions of power', Grand Designs is about the power of creative expression.
I can't believe that brought this back for the Clockwork Angel tour. I'm going to see them but, it's strange why they're pulling so much off this album. It must be near the end.
This song is about how the power of talk can bury the things that truly matter, and only bring to light stuff that lacks any depth. Power Windows is such a great album.
I second that last statement. Except instead of great, I'd probably use AMAZING!
"Kinetic Dreams" is one of my favourite rush expressions. I think we even named one of our bands that in high school.
My point of view is that explains how human beings modify the environment for own convenience...and even when this is an admirable thing, could be good or bad depending on intentions and consequences.
one of their best albums as a whole...believe it or not the only song i dont love off of PW is one of their biggest hits..The Big Money