Rush — Freewill
Album: Permanent WavesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1539
Length: 5:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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There are those who think that life
Has nothing left to chance
With a host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance
A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
“The stars aren’t aligned –
Or the gods are malign”
Blame is better to give than receive
You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will.
There are those who think that
They were dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them
They weren’t born in Lotus-Land.
All pre-ordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can’t pray for a place
In Heaven’s unearthly estate
Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt
That’s far too fleet…
Has nothing left to chance
With a host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance
A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
“The stars aren’t aligned –
Or the gods are malign”
Blame is better to give than receive
You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will.
There are those who think that
They were dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them
They weren’t born in Lotus-Land.
All pre-ordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can’t pray for a place
In Heaven’s unearthly estate
Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt
That’s far too fleet…
Comments (72)add comment
Another awesome Rush tune (OK, I'm biased being an all time fan).
I particularly love the solos on this.
I particularly love the solos on this.
Stones to Rush, two of the best drummers of all time! Great set RP!
One word - AWESOME
Thanks RP ❤️
Thanks RP ❤️
My cats leave the room when I vacuum but stay in the room when I play Rush kick ass loud. Wonder what that means? HMMMMM
Essbee63 wrote:
You appear to get disappointed very easily! ...life must be rough for you!
Playing the same songs in the same order as two days ago. Disappointing!
You appear to get disappointed very easily! ...life must be rough for you!
Playing the same songs in the same order as two days ago. Disappointing!
Rush is all the good things together...
I’m a big fan of RUSH since their beginning … long time ago :-)
Lost of long ride by motorcycle from Canada to US to see them on show.
I love your name with 2112.
This was my first "all-time" favorite song way back in 1983 when I first heard it. Still gets me going.
Permanent Waves, Signals, and Moving Pictures. Those were some damn good albums back in the early 1980s.
andrew2112 wrote:
Thanks amigo. That's my point. It's great that we can and enjoy or hate music from such different perspectives.
This is why I love that Bill and Rebecca play Tori Amos after Rush so much.
Thanks amigo. That's my point. It's great that we can and enjoy or hate music from such different perspectives.
This is why I love that Bill and Rebecca play Tori Amos after Rush so much.
andrew2112 wrote:
As a massive Rush fan, I would almost feel bad if someone didn't rate it a 1. To me, it's the best music ever, but throughout my 35 years of listening to Rush I've found that was often a minority opinion. Somehow, that has only heightened my appreciation for Rush. It's actually a trip for me to see that Freewill has a 7.6 rating on RP which makes it one of the highest rated songs. I would have expected it to be rated 5: half 10s, half 1s.
Thanks amigo. That's my point. It's great that we can and enjoy or hate music from such different perspectives.
As a massive Rush fan, I would almost feel bad if someone didn't rate it a 1. To me, it's the best music ever, but throughout my 35 years of listening to Rush I've found that was often a minority opinion. Somehow, that has only heightened my appreciation for Rush. It's actually a trip for me to see that Freewill has a 7.6 rating on RP which makes it one of the highest rated songs. I would have expected it to be rated 5: half 10s, half 1s.
Thanks amigo. That's my point. It's great that we can and enjoy or hate music from such different perspectives.
I am not a big Rush fan, but this is a GREAT tune!!
That's outstanding musicianship on display here. In particular, listen to the drumming .. very creative use of time signatures. Yeah, I live in Toronto, close to where the band's from, but I'm just a fan of this kind of talent. Cheers.
kazoo wrote:
someone who cannot stand the sound of the singers voice.
and Rushs tiresome prog rock
R.I.P. Neil
someone who cannot stand the sound of the singers voice.
and Rushs tiresome prog rock
Ah yes, the not so lovely lilt of the Rush cats Spring mating sounds.
a_geek wrote:
Certain religious types would. They really abhor "free will", which is the polar opposite of "obedience to god", at least in their minds.
Yes, you are correct. The point of contention I have, if " free will" is a God-given, God designed, character trait, why is it, when chosen, it seems to go against that. "obedience to God" "directive"?!!?? Too deep for THIS pea brain to figure out!! ✌️ To all! God bless
Certain religious types would. They really abhor "free will", which is the polar opposite of "obedience to god", at least in their minds.
kcarr224 wrote:
Well I just did. Even artist that are regarded as exceptional don't appeal to everyone. I would be fine with never hearing another Rush song. Long live RP. Just hit fast forward on those occasions.
As a massive Rush fan, I would almost feel bad if someone didn't rate it a 1. To me, it's the best music ever, but throughout my 35 years of listening to Rush I've found that was often a minority opinion. Somehow, that has only heightened my appreciation for Rush. It's actually a trip for me to see that Freewill has a 7.6 rating on RP which makes it one of the highest rated songs. I would have expected it to be rated 5: half 10s, half 1s.
Well I just did. Even artist that are regarded as exceptional don't appeal to everyone. I would be fine with never hearing another Rush song. Long live RP. Just hit fast forward on those occasions.
As a massive Rush fan, I would almost feel bad if someone didn't rate it a 1. To me, it's the best music ever, but throughout my 35 years of listening to Rush I've found that was often a minority opinion. Somehow, that has only heightened my appreciation for Rush. It's actually a trip for me to see that Freewill has a 7.6 rating on RP which makes it one of the highest rated songs. I would have expected it to be rated 5: half 10s, half 1s.
sdn wrote:
Well I just did. Even artist that are regarded as exceptional don't appeal to everyone. I would be fine with never hearing another Rush song. Long live RP. Just hit fast forward on those occasions.
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Well I just did. Even artist that are regarded as exceptional don't appeal to everyone. I would be fine with never hearing another Rush song. Long live RP. Just hit fast forward on those occasions.
When God's get hold of instruments.....
karlishappy wrote:
Don't forget about the Hip!
Best band to ever come out of Canada. By far. You can't help but feel happy while listening to rush.
Don't forget about the Hip!
sdn wrote:
Apparently, the same type that would down-vote this comment. To date there are 3 such.
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Apparently, the same type that would down-vote this comment. To date there are 3 such.
Man this gives me a rush✌️
Best band to ever come out of Canada. By far. You can't help but feel happy while listening to rush.
Quite high, that bit.
I will choose a bathysphere??
I don't really understand anyone ranking a song they hear on RP low. If you don't like it move on and enjoy your next song... maybe. This is a great song for many reasons and you dont have to like it to acknowledge it.
sdn wrote:
Certain religious types would. They really abhor "free will", which is the polar opposite of "obedience to god", at least in their minds.
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Certain religious types would. They really abhor "free will", which is the polar opposite of "obedience to god", at least in their minds.
Nice to hear once in awhile. They were huge in Cleveland and their entire catalogue got heavily played for years.
Ultimate power trio. Neil tips the balance in their favor. Hendrix, Cream, Police, et al, I love you but take a seat and tip your hat.
nickodgers wrote:
Pretty sure that counts as knocking them
Not knocking the band, but never rated them.
Pretty sure that counts as knocking them
sdn wrote:
Agreed. A 2 from me!
No point in trolling the whole "this song is awesome/terrible" thing tho - push the "next" button and carry on.
One man's trash is another's treasure.
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Agreed. A 2 from me!
No point in trolling the whole "this song is awesome/terrible" thing tho - push the "next" button and carry on.
One man's trash is another's treasure.
Not knocking the band, but never rated them.
moocray wrote:
Agree on the musicianship but it's still meandering testosterone to me.
relatively unclassifiable sound. huge breadth. amazing musicianship.
it is insane for anyone to dislike all of Rush. Only the most ignorant would suggest such a thing.
it is insane for anyone to dislike all of Rush. Only the most ignorant would suggest such a thing.
Agree on the musicianship but it's still meandering testosterone to me.
Always a treat to hear Rush on RP!
Every time I hear this excellent song, I am delighted that such an unusual song became a hit. (I realize it's pretty "normal" compared to the rest of the Rush canon, but compared to the rest of rock/pop radio at the time, it's pretty out-there.)
One of the few songs which can stand up to following the Stone's
'Can't you hear me knocking?'
'Can't you hear me knocking?'
Love RushBeauty! So much better than RHCP.
Feels like a cross between great rock and roll and a college essay.
Wow, on main mix!!! Awesome!
One of the best groups live...ever. Miss you Neil.
sdn wrote:
It would feel weird if someone didn't rate this a 1.
https://politics.theonion.com/congress-debates-coolness-of-rush-1819565676
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
It would feel weird if someone didn't rate this a 1.
https://politics.theonion.com/congress-debates-coolness-of-rush-1819565676
Soooooooooo awesome.
I still remember their fabulous concert in the Netherlands many, many years ago. ..... so fantastic.
Always loved the prog- reggae riff in this.
Thanks for getting a little more Rush into the line up. Just - thanks.
sdn wrote:
Their Gods are malign
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Their Gods are malign
This song is nothing short of brilliant!... I've always regarding it as a master class in musicianship and sheer technical proficiency. As well, I only believe that musicians can truly appreciate what's going on here - sort of like looking at a blackboard filled with mathematical equations and saying "wow!", yet not actually understanding what one is viewing unless a mathematician.
RIP Neil... Flashbacks to the opening of their show - 1982, Moving Pictures tour, Detroit; the hair on the back of my neck is standing just thinking about it!
RIP Neil... Flashbacks to the opening of their show - 1982, Moving Pictures tour, Detroit; the hair on the back of my neck is standing just thinking about it!
sdn wrote:
Someone what don't know nothin' 'bout music. Or someone's cat.
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Someone what don't know nothin' 'bout music. Or someone's cat.
Farewell to a King, an inspiration to us all.
sdn wrote:
Not this weirdo...I went with an initial rating (first hearing here for me) of 8 and looking forward to hearing more Rush with Neil's passing....Long Live RP and RIP Mr. Peart!!
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Not this weirdo...I went with an initial rating (first hearing here for me) of 8 and looking forward to hearing more Rush with Neil's passing....Long Live RP and RIP Mr. Peart!!
relatively unclassifiable sound. huge breadth. amazing musicianship.
it is insane for anyone to dislike all of Rush. Only the most ignorant would suggest such a thing.
it is insane for anyone to dislike all of Rush. Only the most ignorant would suggest such a thing.
RIP Neil Peart. It seems we are losing those who help human flourishing, leaving us with the venal and petty. Somehow, I think, Neil would disagree with this. That thought is heartening.
We will miss you Neil!
Neil shines on this (and all others).
Thank you for playing. I've had tears in my eyes since Friday!! Long live Rush and Radio Paradise!
RIP from Oregon as well
One of my all-time favorite songs from my favorite band. So positive in the face of life's troubles and uncertainty. Glad to see this on the main channel and long live Rush!
RIP Neil Peart, you were one, if not the best at your craft.
RIP Neil Peart. Ecxellence.
R.I.P. Neil
Amazing album cover deserves at least rate 8 !
What kind of weirdo would rate this a 1?
Damn, that guitar solo! Hell, they're ALL soloing in that passage! Great!
An appropriate anthem.
Yes! More Rush!
Yay much much more of this please
Yes. More of this,please!
Don't forget about the Hip!