I can’t believe I forgot this song. It used to be my anthem, the song I listened to whenever I got down, whenever the world decided to kick me in the teeth (another great song, for another time).
The Wife never liked Rush all that much. She indulged me one concert, and that was kind, but every day, I’m realizing everything that I “gave up.” Or, left behind.
CUT TO THE CHASE
(lyrics by Neil Peart)
It is the fire that ignites 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
(Ambition is the fire)
A driver on a busy freeway
Racing the oblivious cars
(Ambition is the fire)
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
Can’t stop — moving
Can’t stop — moving
I can’t stop
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
The way things ought to be
What kind of difference can one person make?
Cut to the chase