Ghost Rider

Rush

Pack up all those phantoms
Shoulder that invisible load
Keep on riding north and west
Haunting that wilderness road
Like a ghost rider

Carry all those phantoms
Through bitter wind and stormy skies
From the desert to the mountain
From the lowest low to the highest high
Like a ghost rider

Keep on riding North and West
Then circle South and East
Show me beauty, but there is no peace
For the ghost rider

Shadows on the road behind
Shadows on the road ahead
Nothing can stop you now

There's a shadow on the road behind
There's a shadow on the road ahead
Nothing can stop you now

Sunrise in the mirror
Lightens that invisible load
Riding on a nameless quest
Haunting that wilderness road
Like a ghost rider

Just an escape artist
Racing against the night
A wandering hermit
Racing toward the light

From the White Sands
To the Canyonlands
To the redwood stands
To the Barren Lands

Sunrise on the road behind
Sunset on the road ahead
There's nothing to stop you now
Nothing can stop you now

There's a shadow on the road behind
There's a shadow on the road ahead
Nothing can stop you now


Lyrics submitted by NeoTwilight

Ghost Rider Lyrics as written by Gary Lee Weinrib Alex Zivojinovich

Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP

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Ghost Rider song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment
    My deepest respects to Jackie and Selena.
    NUMBER 4on June 22, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    I read the book "ghost rider" written by the drummer Neal Peart. He lost his Daughter to a car accident and later his wife of breast cancer although neal believed Grief was what killed her. He then Endeavoured on a Tour across america, mexico and canada searching for "his reason to live". the song "ghost rider" refers to the search for a reason
    d9s9123on May 17, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I'm halfway through reading Neil's book Ghost Rider: Travels on The Healing Road. Just heard this song for the first time two days ago. Saw Rush four days ago. Neil - My condolences. Thank you for sharing your story with those of us fans who love and respect you. May Jackie and Selena Rest in peace. Alex and Geddy - thank you for being there for Neil. This song gets me choked up.
    tigerx2374on September 11, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    I was writing a report on Rush and the evolution of their musical style and I used this song as my final example. When writing the backstory and meaning to this piece, I was overcome by emotion. This is a very powerful story of overcoming and surviving unbearable pain and suffering.
    Eagahbedon February 02, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Neil Peart, drummer and frontman for Rush since the late 70s, lost his wife and daughter shortly before writing the songs on Vapor Trails (like Ghost Rider). After the loss of his famly, he took and long journey from Canada to South America and considered himself in "exile." This song is a chronicle of his travels.
    nemton April 18, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Ditto NEMT'S posting. From the synopsis of the Ghost Rider book, Neil Peart was contemplating life and his own death after his double tragedy. He decided on motion instead.
    lerxstgkon January 17, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I'm surprised many people haven't made more comments on this. When I first heard this song, I could totally relate. Sometimes anger or frustration get so high the only thing I can do is get on the road. I'll just drive through the deserts and mountains. The thing about driving is once you've driven out for awhile, there's nothing you can do but get back home. So you can't deal with your emotions prematurely. Just get out there, think them completely through, and come home. Then express. Great song.
    Vozzyon April 22, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    yeah, this song is about Neil's troubles and how he got through them. but supposedly the lyrics were in more detail and Geddy said he didn't feel comfortable singing that.
    shagrath666on October 15, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I have so much admiration for Neil. That man has so much strength ontop of being a brilliant lyricist and arguably the greatest drummer of all time
    sabotender666on February 25, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    after reading his book, Ghost Rider, and reading the lyrics and listening to the music of this album and how well they mesh, Neil has quickly climbed his way to my top 3 lyricists/writers. the book was so powerful and the detail and metaphors and every other writing tool he uses, he uses perfectly. this is easily my favorite song off of vapor trails
    harper83087on April 09, 2008   Link

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