Subdivisions

Rush

About Subdivisions

"Subdivisions" is a song by Canadian progressive rock group, Rush, released as the second single from their 1982 album Signals. The song was a staple of the band's live performances, is played regularly on classic-rock radio, and appears on several greatest-hits compilations. It was released as a single in 1982, and despite limited success on the UK charts, the song had significant airplay in Great Britain. In the United States, it charted at No. 105 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Album Rock Tracks chart. Played live prior to its release, numerous pre-release live versions have circulated among collectors for years. 


Year:
2005
6:09
94 
#3

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In-between the bright lights
And the far, unlit unknown

Growing up, it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass-production zone

Nowhere is the dreamer
Or the misfit so alone

Subdivisions
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
Subdivisions
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out

Any escape might help to smooth
The unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe
The restless dreams of youth

Drawn like moths, we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night

Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight

Somewhere out of a memory
Of lighted streets on quiet nights

Subdivisions
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
Subdivisions
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out

Any escape might help to smooth
The unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe
The restless dreams of youth

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Rush

Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Lifeson, and drummer, percussionist and lyricist Neil Peart. The band and its membership went through a number of re-configurations between 1968 and 1974, achieving their iconic lineup when Peart replaced original drummer John Rutsey in July 1974, two weeks before the group's first United States tour. Rutsey's departure stemmed primarily from health concerns regarding his diabetes. In 2015 the band played their final show due to Peart's declining health. more »

17 fans

Written by: Alex Zivojinovich, Gary Lee Weinrib, Neil Elwood Peart

Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Album Information
"Subdivisions" is a song by Canadian progressive rock band, Rush. It was the lead track on "Signals", which was the band's ninth studio album, released in 1982.
Track Popularity
The song has been a staple of Rush's live performances, and it is one of their most popular songs. It reached number five on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and peaked at number 8 on the Canadian RPM singles chart.
Musical Composition
"Subdivisions" is notable for its use of synthesizers as the primary musical instrument, showing the band's shift away from their traditional rock sound towards a more electronic orientation.
Concept and Lyrics
The song addresses themes of high school social life and suburban monotony. The lyrics written by Neil Peart, the band's drummer, reflect feelings of isolation and dissatisfaction growing up in the suburbs.
Music Video
The music video for "Subdivisions" was one of Rush's first videos and received substantial airplay on MTV. The song and video have been praised for their accurate depiction of the loneliness and despair of teen years.
Impact and Legacy
"Subdivisions" is deeply impactful within the progressive rock genre. It showcases the band's ability to combine progressive musical elements with accessible, radio-friendly format.
Tour Performances
The song had been a fixture in all of Rush's concert tours since its release, and they performed it over a thousand times live.
Awards
In 2018, the "Subdivisions" was named one of the 10 greatest keyboard riffs in the Ultimate Classic Rock.
Covers
The song has been covered by several bands, including Canadian rock band The Tea Party on the 2005 album "Alhambra", demonstrating its influence on a generation of musicians.

Discuss the Subdivisions Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Subdivisions Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8514229/Rush/Subdivisions>.

    Missing lyrics by Rush?

    Know any other songs by Rush? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Subdivisions

    16.8M
    95,010     3,567

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    How many albums does Ariana Grande have?
    A 6
    B 8
    C 4
    D 10

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Rush's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Rush tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!