Fix what’s wrong, but don’t rewrite what the artist wrote. Stick to the official released version — album booklet, label site, verified lyric video, etc. If you’re guessing, pause and double-check.
Respect the structure
Songs have rhythm. Pages do too. Leave line breaks where they belong. Don’t smash things together or add extra empty space just for looks.
Punctuation counts (but vibe-editing doesn’t)
Correct typos? Yes. Re-punctuating a whole verse because it ‘looks better’? Probably not. Keep capitalization and punctuation close to the official source.
Don’t mix versions
If you’re editing the explicit version, keep it explicit. If it’s the clean version, keep it clean. No mashups.
Let the lyrics be lyrics
This isn’t the place for interpretations, memories, stories, or trivia — that’s what comments are for. Keep metadata, translations, and bracketed stage directions out unless they’re officially part of the song.
Edit lightly
If two lines are wrong… fix the two lines. No need to bulldoze the whole page. Think ‘surgical,’ not ‘remix.’
When in doubt, ask the crowd
Not sure what they’re singing in that fuzzy bridge? Drop a question in the comments and let the music nerds swarm. Someone always knows.
Back in high school in the late seventies, whenever I was introducing someone to RUSH, this is the song I would play first for them. You'd start it with the volume way up so they can here the intricate beginnings and then the song slowly creeps louder and louder until the whole house was shaking and then, there's that adrenaline RUSH!
Although an instrumental, the song tells a story, complete with plot and characters. It was based on a dream/dreams that Alex had experienced. Apparently it was recorded in a single take.
The song was based on Alex Lifeson's vivid nightmares.
One part's even dedicated to him: "A Lerxst (sp?) In Wonderland." If I spelled that correctly, it's Alex Lifeson's nickname. =]
I read a book where it said it was done in three seperate pieces, and they just glued 'em all together.
Although the live versions are obviously in one take.
A quote from Alex himself: "I always thought 'I'm never going to be able to play 'La Villa Strangiato'', it'll be too confusing. But now I play it on acoustic all the time, like at breakfast, or when I'm watching hockey."
Neil Peart continues to astound me; I think his complex minimalist beginning to this song is extraordinary. I can't get enough of this incredible musicanship! I like the live version a lot, but the version on "Hemispheres," an underrated album, speaks volumes. Thanks for the history on this song and Alex's dreams...
Pratt...was a play on the various butcherings of my simple Anglo-Saxon surname, “Peert.” [It morphed] into Nels Pratt, then just Nels, which Alex and Liam usually called me, or Mr. P., as Geddy preferred.
Pratt...was a play on the various butcherings of my simple Anglo-Saxon surname, “Peert.” [It morphed] into Nels Pratt, then just Nels, which Alex and Liam usually called me, or Mr. P., as Geddy preferred.
Alex was usually “Lerxst,” which came from a long-ago, exaggerated pronunciation of his name as “Alerxt.”
Alex was usually “Lerxst,” which came from a long-ago, exaggerated pronunciation of his name as “Alerxt.”
[And] Geddy was commonly “Dirk,” which derived from an invented name for an archetypical rock bass player, or secret agent—Dirk Lee.
[And] Geddy was commonly “Dirk,” which derived from an invented name for an archetypical rock bass player, or secret agent—Dirk Lee.
Questions and Answers
Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
This is my favorite video of the song: http://youtube.com/watch?v=78D00dYOBrM
Alex is an incredible guitarist. Definitely my favorite.
Back in high school in the late seventies, whenever I was introducing someone to RUSH, this is the song I would play first for them. You'd start it with the volume way up so they can here the intricate beginnings and then the song slowly creeps louder and louder until the whole house was shaking and then, there's that adrenaline RUSH!
@joey503
@joey503
nice
nice
Although an instrumental, the song tells a story, complete with plot and characters. It was based on a dream/dreams that Alex had experienced. Apparently it was recorded in a single take.
I know it's an instrumental with characters and a story line and whatnot ... but every time I hear it, I'm like ... you people freak me out.
Strangiato makes me think of gelato.
The song was based on Alex Lifeson's vivid nightmares.
One part's even dedicated to him: "A Lerxst (sp?) In Wonderland." If I spelled that correctly, it's Alex Lifeson's nickname. =]
I read a book where it said it was done in three seperate pieces, and they just glued 'em all together.
Although the live versions are obviously in one take.
A quote from Alex himself: "I always thought 'I'm never going to be able to play 'La Villa Strangiato'', it'll be too confusing. But now I play it on acoustic all the time, like at breakfast, or when I'm watching hockey."
This song is a great example of program music that was popular in the 1800's. I love when bands can take classical influences but make it rock.
Neil Peart continues to astound me; I think his complex minimalist beginning to this song is extraordinary. I can't get enough of this incredible musicanship! I like the live version a lot, but the version on "Hemispheres," an underrated album, speaks volumes. Thanks for the history on this song and Alex's dreams...
I love the version on Exit... Stage Left where Neil plays that one part on his cowbells. Brilliant.
Alex is great on this song.
(P.S. I love his rants!!)
Anyone know how the nickname "Lerxst" arose for Alex Lifeson?
Pratt...was a play on the various butcherings of my simple Anglo-Saxon surname, “Peert.” [It morphed] into Nels Pratt, then just Nels, which Alex and Liam usually called me, or Mr. P., as Geddy preferred.
Pratt...was a play on the various butcherings of my simple Anglo-Saxon surname, “Peert.” [It morphed] into Nels Pratt, then just Nels, which Alex and Liam usually called me, or Mr. P., as Geddy preferred.
Alex was usually “Lerxst,” which came from a long-ago, exaggerated pronunciation of his name as “Alerxt.”
Alex was usually “Lerxst,” which came from a long-ago, exaggerated pronunciation of his name as “Alerxt.”
[And] Geddy was commonly “Dirk,” which derived from an invented name for an archetypical rock bass player, or secret agent—Dirk Lee.
[And] Geddy was commonly “Dirk,” which derived from an invented name for an archetypical rock bass player, or secret agent—Dirk Lee.