No Rush To Judgement

 

We were sitting in the car listening to the CBC, as all good Canadians do, when the guy being interviewed was talking about the audio version of his new book, and how he was able to get Geddy Lee of Rush to voice a lyric from the band’s song 

“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”

To which I said , If I had to reconsider Rush, I would still say no.  

To which my wife said,” I loved Rush. I remember seeing them live. “

To which I said, “Sometimes 47 years is not long enough to reallt get to know a person.”

To which she said, “Well you like Steely Dan- same thing.”

Same thing? 

Not the same thing at all.  

Steely Dan had great songs and lyrics that are hilarious.  

Rush is…..Rush.  

So here are two songs which have been mated, just as we have been mated. 

Words interspersed.  Hands held. Bodies come together as one.

One is by Rush, and one is by Steely Dan.  

No rush to judgement, but can you pick out who wrote what?

There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance
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

This is the day of the expanding man That shape is my shade. There where I used to stand It seems like only yesterday I gazed through the glass At ramblers, wild gamblers 

That's all in the past

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 Freewill

Learn to work the saxophone I play just what I feel Drink Scotch whiskey all night long, and  die behind the wheel  

They got a name for the winners in the world I want a name when I lose. 

They call Alabama the Crimson Tide Call me Deacon Blues. 

You call me a fool You say it's a crazy scheme This one's for real I already bought the dream 

So useless to ask me why Throw a kiss and say goodbye I'll make it this time 

I’m ready to cross that fine line

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 preordained, a prisoner in chains, a victim of venomous fate. Kicked in the face, you can pray for a place, in heaven's unearthly estate. You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choiceYou can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill. will choose a path that's clear, 

I will choose Freewill

My back to the wall a victim of laughing chance. This is for me The essence of true romance Sharing the things we know and love with those of my kind 

Libations, sensations That stagger the mind

Each of us, a cell of awareness, imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends with uncertain ends on a fortune hunt that's far too fleetYou 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 Freewill

I crawl like a viper Through these suburban streets Make love to these women Languid and bittersweet. 

I'll rise when the sun goes down Cover every game in town a world of my own I'll make it my home sweet home. This is the night of the expanding man. I take one last drag as I approach the stand. 

I cried when I wrote this song Sue me if I play too long

This brother is free. I'll be what I want to be.  

I said,” I guess you would call Rush Prog Rock.  I never cared much for Prog Rock.”

“ You didn’t like Yes?”

“ I liked roundabout. I also really like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, until punk rock killed that. “

“ Oh, I loved Uriah Heap.”

“ I bought Demons and Wizards and The Magician’s Birthday from Columbia House. “

“ I had those.”

To think, it was the music of Pere Ubu which brought us together.