A Passage to Bangkok
Rush
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Our first stop is in Bogotà To check Columbian fields The natives smile and pass along A sample of their yield Sweet Jamaican pipe dreams Golden Acapulco nights Then Morocco, and the East Fly by morning light We're on the train to Bangkok Aboard the Thailand Express We'll hit the stops along the way We only stop for the best Wreathed in smoke in Lebanon We burn the midnight oil The fragrance of Afghanistan Rewards a long day's toil Pulling into Kathmandu Smoke rings fill the air Perfumed by a Nepal night The Express gets you there We're on the train to Bangkok Aboard the Thailand Express We'll hit the stops along the way We only stop for the best We're on the train to Bangkok Aboard the Thailand Express We'll hit the stops along the way We only stop for the best Yes, we're on the train to Bangkok Aboard the Thailand Express We'll hit the stops along the way We only stop for the best
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Written by: Neil Elwood Peart, Gary Lee Weinrib, Alex Zivojinovich
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Background Information"A Passage to Bangkok" is a song by the Canadian rock band Rush. It forms the second track on their 1976 album "2112".
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Song MeaningThe song lyrics are believed to be a thinly veiled homage to the smoker's travelogue. The song mentions many places across the globe, which were, back in the day, known for their cannabis and other drug plantations.
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Song CompositionThe song, like its album's other songs, reflects Rush's signature style of blending hard rock and progressive rock. It features tight song arrangements, complex time signatures, and stirring guitar solos by guitarist Alex Lifeson.
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Cultural ImpactDespite its controversial topic, the song is popular among Rush fans and is often viewed as a classic. It became a staple of the band's live performaces and is featured in many of their concert films and live albums.
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Live PerformancesDuring live performances, Rush traditionally paired "A Passage to Bangkok" with "The Temples of Syrinx," another song from "2112". This allowed them to transition smoothly between the two songs.
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ReceptionCritics have praised "A Passage to Bangkok" for its musicianship and the band's effort to tackle complex topics. Despite its controversial subject matter, the song resonated with fans and has stood the test of time.
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Song LyricsThe song includes geographical references to Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica, Morocco, Thailand, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Lebanon, referring to them as stops on the protagonist's "train of thought," a metaphor for the locations of drug origin.
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Band Members' PerspectivesIn many interviews, the band members have acknowledged the song's underlying theme, often humorously referring to it as their "drug song." However, they also noted that it was never their intention to promote drug use. Rather, they were presenting a creative narrative.
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InspirationIt's not explicitly stated, but the song's title "A Passage to Bangkok" may have been inspired by the novel "A Passage to India" by E.M. Forster. However, there is no thematic congruence between the book and the song.
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Music Industry ImpactDespite not being a single, the song influenced the shaping of 70's hard rock. Its progressive elements and narrative approach inspired many future rock musicians.
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Citation
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"A Passage to Bangkok Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33484427/Rush/A+Passage+to+Bangkok>.
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