This might be just my interpretation, but I think it's about how we move rapidly through our lives, and all the intensity of our encounters with people and the world.
With the chorus, i think it is intentionally slowed down. It asks us to be more introspective and observant, and take our time to appreciate things. Whenever the chorus plays, i feel like i'm standing in the eye of a hurricane, "looking around" at the temporary stillness, at all the chaos outwith.
The reason I feel this is because of the title of the album on which "Force Ten" appears: "Hold Your Fire". And I think that since Neil Peart tends to have similar themes during an album, this one is about time, and taking the time to appreciate the stillness. Force Ten and Time Stand Still demonstrate this.
Very good analysis.
It's also worth noting that all the verses are talking about extremes (vain and smart / humble and dumb, hearts on our sleeves / skin as thick as thieves' etc).
Very good analysis.
It's also worth noting that all the verses are talking about extremes (vain and smart / humble and dumb, hearts on our sleeves / skin as thick as thieves' etc).
One perspective in the song is saying "we can pursue these extremes/absolutes" Another perspective in the song is saying "hold your fire" - stop to look in, out and around - take it all in. The album has an overall theme of peace and stability - "rising and falling like empires" contrasts that.
One perspective in the song is saying "we can pursue these extremes/absolutes" Another perspective in the song is saying "hold your fire" - stop to look in, out and around - take it all in. The album has an overall theme of peace and stability - "rising and falling like empires" contrasts that.
This might be just my interpretation, but I think it's about how we move rapidly through our lives, and all the intensity of our encounters with people and the world.
With the chorus, i think it is intentionally slowed down. It asks us to be more introspective and observant, and take our time to appreciate things. Whenever the chorus plays, i feel like i'm standing in the eye of a hurricane, "looking around" at the temporary stillness, at all the chaos outwith.
The reason I feel this is because of the title of the album on which "Force Ten" appears: "Hold Your Fire". And I think that since Neil Peart tends to have similar themes during an album, this one is about time, and taking the time to appreciate the stillness. Force Ten and Time Stand Still demonstrate this.
Very good analysis. It's also worth noting that all the verses are talking about extremes (vain and smart / humble and dumb, hearts on our sleeves / skin as thick as thieves' etc).
Very good analysis. It's also worth noting that all the verses are talking about extremes (vain and smart / humble and dumb, hearts on our sleeves / skin as thick as thieves' etc).
One perspective in the song is saying "we can pursue these extremes/absolutes" Another perspective in the song is saying "hold your fire" - stop to look in, out and around - take it all in. The album has an overall theme of peace and stability - "rising and falling like empires" contrasts that.
One perspective in the song is saying "we can pursue these extremes/absolutes" Another perspective in the song is saying "hold your fire" - stop to look in, out and around - take it all in. The album has an overall theme of peace and stability - "rising and falling like empires" contrasts that.