Rush - Second Nature Lyrics






A memo to a higher office
Open letter to the powers that be
To a god, a king, a head of state
A captain of industry
To the movers and the shakers...
Can't everybody see?

It ought to be second nature
I mean, the places where we live
Let's talk about this sensibly
We're not insensitive
I know progress has no patience
But something's got to give

I know you're different
You know I'm the same
We're both too busy
To be taking the blame
I'd like some changes
But you don't have the time
We can't go on thinking
It's a victimless crime
No one is blameless
But we're all without shame
We fight the fire while we're feeding the flames

Folks have got to make choices
And choices got to have voices
Folks are basically decent
Conventional wisdom would say
But we read about the exceptions
In the papers every day

It ought to be second nature
At least, that's what I feel
Now I lay me down in Dreamland
I know perfect's not for real
I thought we might get closer
But I'm ready to make a deal

Today is different, and tomorrow the same
It's hard to take the world the way that it came
Too many rapids keep us sweeping along
Too many captains keep on steering us wrong
It's hard to take the heat
It's hard to lay blame
To fight the fire while we're feeding the flames





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Rush Second Nature Comments
  1. b.... ....

    HOLD YOUR FIRE PERFECR AND WONDERFUL ALBUM!

  2. L.... M....

    RIP Neil Peart

  3. S.... L....

    Masterpiece RIP Neil Peart

    S.... L....

    crazy we lost the best drummer and lyricist

  4. c.... w....

    Lay me down in dreamland .... Peace Neil ....

  5. S.... J....

    RIP Neil

  6. R.... D....

    Underrated album maybe, by whom? Probably by ignorants and stupids

  7. T.... d....

    This is a gem one of my all-time favorite bands.

  8. T.... B....

    This is definitely a favourite of mine! Then again, the entire Hold Your Fire album is one of my favourites from Rush

  9. J.... S....

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!--!

  10. D.... M....

    Top 3 for the Human Condition. Globally.
    And just so you know, I had to wait 20 minutes, for more ballots to be delivered, to cast MY vote for Trump.
    REPUBLICANS are not Evil.

  11. l.... ....

    Such a magical song. Absolutely beautiful.

  12. G.... B....

    One of my top couple Rush albums!!!

  13. c.... t....

    I love this song!

  14. m.... f....

    Sometimes people hate this album. But this was when I was just discovering what prog rock was (1987) and was just learning to drum; so, this album brings back great memories for me

  15. N.... S....

    I was at this concert back in the 80s was a great show.......RUSH RULES!!!!!!!!! lol

  16. R.... E....

    The best bar none

  17. K.... E....

    Love this song, makes me want to go Fly By Night

  18. A.... L....

    It’s hard to believe this album is 31 years old.... sounds like it was made yesterday... I’ve loved this band since I was a 15 year old kid.. from Anthony in the uk 🇬🇧

  19. E.... B....

    Perfect is not for real. I love RUSH.

  20. �.... �....

    Альбом просто замечательный! Как это у них получается?

  21. G.... ....

    One of Peart’s best lyrics

  22. D.... M....

    Just EPIC.
    Maybe their best one.

  23. S.... W....

    Hold Your Fire is one of my favorite Rush albums. I remember I went to the concert the week my uncle died. An emotional time.

  24. J.... o....

    i really wish that there was a good live recording of this song

  25. F.... T....

    "To fight the fire while we're feeding the flames" = Humanity

  26. M.... L....

    We all know what needs to be done but we don't do it .rush rules

  27. G.... S....

    It perfectly fits your playlist theme

  28. Z.... ....

    Gosh, I haven't played these on YouTube for quite a heck of a while, because I'm usually into this decade's electronic musical songs (such as Monstercat, Owl City, Livingtombstone, etc.), if you look up Wolf Bite (and Tokyo) by Owl City.

  29. T.... ....

    What a masterpiece. Neil's lyrics are as sharp as ever here!

    T.... ....

    Lyrically it's one of Rush's best albums. This along with Power Windows have my favorite lyrics.

    T.... ....

    yea man

  30. J.... B....

    soon i lay me down in dreamland to dream about going back to high school. it's hard to take the heat. see jjcreator.blogspot.com Jesus loves you. why are we feeding the flame?

  31. J.... B....

    More relevant now to our political landscape than ever

    The Right accuse the Left of obstruction so they get nothing accomplished for reelection, but those are their own tactics, just as a liar won't believe anyone else, it's no surprise they'd think the Left would do this because this is what they did.

    J.... B....

    I'm not taking either side, but neither side is good. Both sides spend all of their time saying that what the other side is doing is wrong. Politics are just a waste of time at this point.

  32. R.... F....

    Power Windows
    FANTASTICO😍

  33. A.... K....

    I always interpreted this song as having an environmental message that was more grounded in reality. Anyone else? Even if not, I agree that this was one of Rush's most underrated albums.

    A.... K....

    Always took it more as Geo-Political.
    Mother's and Father's every where AROUND THE PLANET want a better life for their kids.
    Problem is, some want to take what OTHER'S HAVE EARNED.
    I have earned what little I have. Try to take it..
    At your own peril.
    I will only take WHAT I earn.

  34. D.... R....

    I was blessed and lucky to have seen them live at least once. What an epic show that was!

  35. F.... L....

    This is the only "romantic date" album in Rush´s catalogue. This song in particular is stunningly beautiful.

  36. l.... r....

    For me the climax of this songs occurs at 2:58, both musically and lyrically, with that perfect drum fill that sets up the dramatic conclusión of the ensuing vocal line. One of the most meaningful and suitable drum fills I´ve heard, ever!

    l.... r....

    It's genius!

  37. J.... L....

    You could call this song FARTHER FROM THE HEART. (Just check the first lyric of Closer To The Heart and you'll see what i mean)

    J.... L....

    Couldn't agree with you more. Not sure how i got these lyrics in my head this morning-folks are basically decent, convensional wisdom would say. Had to search the song out and ponder it's message. Sad thing is the older i get the more it seems (or maybe i should say notice) most people/communties are not decent, so many people are only out for themselves & corruption in our government is rampant.

  38. s.... ....

    @Benoit Vanhees The lyrics identify the song as an "open letter" to anyone who is in a position of power. It can be about something specific if you like, but I think it can be applied to any dichotomy between those in charge of things and those who actually do things. It's about seeking that balance (as Neil has written about many times) and the compromise that's sometimes necessary "...but I'm ready to make a deal." The flames he mentions aren't literal; they have no color. They represent the negative forces that keeps us from attaining the said balance...we are all guilty of keeping those forces going even as we lament their negative effects. This doesn't mean there is no hope. We all have the power to choose "Folks have got to make choices"....

    Also, the hope lies in the fact that someone is thinking about this stuff and making a rock song out of it.

    s.... ....

    I don't remember what song it is but: on rushes Presto album there is a song in which they sing " if you choose not to decide, you still make a choice". I see exactly what you mean, too!!! 👍

    s.... ....

    @Collin Campbell PEOPLE THAT ARE LITERATE AND REALLY "KNOW" FRENCH POETRY! EVEN RUSSIAN, GREEK, CHINESE, ETC. YOU KNOW - THOSE WHO WON'T ALLOW THEIR BRAINS TO STAGNATE?!!

    s.... ....

    @BITCHY BITCH haha u keep thinking that

    s.... ....

    @Collin Campbell 😏😎THANKS!😏😎

    s.... ....

    @Collin Campbell I meant - 😏😎THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT!😏😎

  39. B.... V....

    OK, so the lyrics are Neil's best, but can someone explain me what the song is about ? Is it about the crazy ratrace, is it about air pollution, about people living in bubbles and not communicating with other people than with their own little incrowd or what ? I mean, an open letter to let's say a Captain of Industry should have a clear message, and to me, it isn't that clear at all. Where's that "fire", and what color exactly does the flames of it have ?

    B.... V....

    @*****
    That is my point: if you're adressing higher offices & co., your message afterwards should be crystal clear.captains of industry are not into metaphors. Metaphors are fine in other contexts, like Pink Floyd's wall or that of Kansas. I don't mind the guessing part of "poetry", but if you start a song with summing up all those that matter, and then attach a not very clear message to it, that is something like  the body of an aristocat with the head of Pluto. And that's no metaphor.

    B.... V....

    @***** It's not because you write a lot and slightly condescending, that it's by definition all the true gospel. Let's agree to disagree. The kind of poetry you seem to be fan of is not my cup of tea. But... just to make sure... I am entitled to have an own opinion, right ? (You never know with all those wannabe Stalins here on Youtube)

    B.... V....

    Benoit Vanhees I think the meaning of this song couldn't be more crystal clear. It is about people of differing opinions, good people, not being able to come together for their common good.

    B.... V....

    @CMCguitars1 "Crystal clear" hmmmm.....

    B.... V....

    Benoit Vanhees to me they were crystal clear. Maybe it wasn’t to you. You may see something different. Wait...life is imitating art here. We can agree to disagree and it is ok. Lol

  40. T.... R....

    i think this period was neils best work lyrically. power windows, hyf and presto. before this it mostly corny prog lyrics, although still well written. after this period he started getting lazy writing cringe worthy lyrics about sex and all the religious hating stuff on their recent albums. but those 3 albums were neils best lyrics.

    T.... R....

    +t rex neil never writes about $*X

    T.... R....

    I agree about the lyrics but they also happen to be my top 3 favorite Rush albums musically as well. Which isn't a popular opinion. lol

    T.... R....

    You forgot 1/3 of the Abrahamic religions. Atheist or not, gotta give some acknowledgment to JC for challening the "Gods chosen" concept, and those fanatic priests. The world is in a mess right now because there aren't enough people doing the same.

  41. T.... P....

    Man, I'd love it if they played this on their tour this year. Alex said he wants to do rarer material for the special celebration of 40 years, and as far as I know, they've never played this live at all. 

    T.... P....

    @Kerri Strnad Perhaps I'll do the same some time. There's always at least one song on every album I don't like though, I'd be surprised if my opinion on it changed.

    T.... P....

    Well, I've gone through a lot of changes the last few years and my musical appreciations have as well.

    T.... P....

    @Kerri Strnad I change often as well, and I can easily appreciate the song, I just don't think it's pleasant to listen to. Like I said, though, I might give it a shot when I'm not busy and/or ridiculously tired.

    T.... P....

    I look forward to hearing your refreshed opinion, good or bad.

    T.... P....

    They played it multiple times

  42. J.... W....

    great rush song and neil's lyrics to this are hard hitting and magic. the professor always writes the best rush songs. #rusharerocklegends  

  43. R.... F....

    Always been a favorite, play, rewind, replay!!! man I miss cassette tapes. Can't "backup" on the thumb drive :)

    beta.RUSHFanatics.com - Lock in your unique RUSH Fanatics Member ID now! Try out the NEW Quiz Engine!!!
    @RUSHFanatics
    #rushfanatics
    .snap

  44. V.... M....

    This is one of my favorites

  45. M.... R....

    Power Windows and this one, while not among their very best albums do in my opinion have some of their best lyrics.

    M.... R....

    Lyrically.   Power Windows was their strongest.   Power Windows is my favorite RUSH album(closely followed by 'A Farewell to Kings'.     "I thought we might get closer"   Epic.  

    M.... R....

    I LOVE Power Windows, I played that CD since my birthday in Spring of 2013 (not as a birthday present but discovered it on one of the CD wallets), and then afterwards I began to fell in love with Rush.

    M.... R....

    such is done. Amen, so be it!

    M.... R....

    Power Windows and Hold Your Fire are my personal favorites

  46. l.... o....

    wow what a gem...

  47. r.... ....

    Haha, yeah. I forgot about that one (deliberately).

  48. B.... ....

    Dog years...

    B.... ....

    I love the work in progress version Neils drums are up front...as they should be.

  49. r.... ....

    Agreed! I'm one of the people who liked your comment, but it's not true if you ask Geddy. An interviewer once asked him what regrets he's had over his career. Geddy had one thing to say: "Tai Shan". haha I love every song, too, though.

  50. J.... E....

    Great Song!!!

  51. A.... P....

    I love this album so much. It sounds so much different than anything that they've ever done.

  52. S.... G....

    Amazing song and lyrics!!! :)

  53. T.... ....

    There are many hidden gems in Rush's discography, this is one of them.

  54. S.... ....

    I think this is one Rush's best albums. It's deep in a low key way. . . tre cool. Shame it doesn't get, really, any air play.

  55. P.... ....

    It's so creative and unique, and to me that's what makes it so cool.

  56. A.... M....

    Massive massive Rush fan, but this is not true. Dog years is just an awful song. Other than that, they are incredible.

  57. G.... K....

    Every album, cd, whatever and made the decision they were my favorite band in 1980 and this is one of their (if not THE) best, it was a shift, a true sprint into their "polytechnical" sound, they found themselves WITHOUT "selling out". They built their own unique niche of fans and they prove you may just be the greatest and the best and not be the most notorious or famous, that`s being a true artist and maybe 100 years from now the rest of the world will figure it out.

  58. C.... ....

    It kinda bugged me when they denounced this period in BTLS. My introduction to Rush was Retrospective II, so this is my definition of the Rush sound. Every musician that works towards a more concise and beautiful song-craft gets criticized. Of course I love the prior and subsequent stuff, but I like this era the best.

    C.... ....

    Alex Lifeson hates keyboards pure and simple

  59. L.... ....

    I know what you mean. This song has been on my mind since I heard about the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday. So much about the lyrics and message of this song seem to relate to the problem we have with violence in this country and whether we can come together as a country to find solutions that will avoid such tragedies from occurring in the future.

  60. M.... D....

    1:53 today.

  61. s.... ....

    I love this song!

  62. M.... B....

    This is a cool song. I love it

  63. F.... M....

    these guys are awesome...their music is so honest and transparent!

  64. 4.... ....

    I've never heard Geddy say that. I've heard him say that both Alex and he regretted putting out _Tai Shan_ but that's another story. Either way, I'd have to (humbly, of course) disagree with the man.

  65. m.... ....

    When I read that Geddy Lee consdiers this one of Rush's weakest songs I'm astonished. I love this song, and I love it's sentiment.

  66. L.... ....

    que letra!! que instrumental!! the best!!!

  67. J.... L....

    Mission: Headlong Flight has quite a way to go. Noon happens any minute and certainly have time to spare to hear every Rush song ever done. It's quite a MARATHON.

  68. T.... R....

    Another masterpeice from the "Masters of Music"

  69. L.... T....

    Yes, you are correct.

  70. P.... ....

    thanks for the fix

  71. s.... ....

    I think this song has particular meaning over the last decade or so.

  72. b.... ....

    great lyrics and great band

  73. x.... ....

    I love to rock out with Rush as much as anybody but that doesn't mean I don't love the hell out of this song and other of their more mellow stuff. This might be my favorite song on HYF and that's no slight on the others. I always thought lyrically it was almost a redo of Closer to the Heart.

  74. A.... M....

    Takes me back to my second heartbreak..will always hold this album very close to my heart. Such touching music, truly life changing

    A.... M....

    A new heartbreak, Rip Neil ... what a guy ...