Rush ~ Marathon ~ Time Machine - Live in Cleveland [HD 1080p] [CC] 2011

Click on "CC" icon for Closed Captioning (Lyrics on Screen)
"Marathon" is the the fourth track from Rush's eleventh studio album titled "Power Windows". It was recorded in five different recording studios from April-August 1985, and released on October 29, 1985 with Peter Collins as co-producer and Andy Richards on additional keyboards. After touring in support of their previous album, Grace Under Pressure (1984), the band took a break and reconvened in early 1985 to work on a follow-up. The material continued to display the band's exploration of synthesizer-oriented music, this time with the addition of sampling, electronic drums, a string section, and choir, with power being a running lyrical theme. "Marathon" was anticipated by Lifeson to be difficult to arrange and record, but it turned out to be one of the easiest songs on the album to complete. It contains various samples, the fewest recorded overdubs, and incorporates the string section and choir recorded in London. Collins had the idea of using a choir and the band, upon witnessing the recording, saw the humor in having "pregnant women and old men sing our song". Lifeson considered the song to be close to Peart as he had taken up cycling during days off on the Grace Under Pressure tour, riding 100 miles each time.
The lyrics depict how one would feel while running in an actual marathon, but the meaning of the song is meant to use a marathon (an extreme challenge) as a metaphor for life, and say that life is full of obstacles and is all about achieving one's personal goals. In a 1986 interview, Peart said "(Marathon) is about the triumph of time and a kind of message to myself (because I think life is too short for all the things that I want to do), there's a self-admonition saying that life is long enough. You can do a lot -- just don't burn yourself out too fast trying to do everything at once. Marathon is a song about individual goals and trying to achieve them. And it's also about the old Chinese proverb: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
Lee's dexterous repeating bass line along with the steady pace of Peart's bass drum do a fine job of creating the image of a long distance runner's incessant strides. Lifeson's colorful chord voicings build and release tension, giving texture to this musical image. A measured retort to the "hope I die before I get old" and "Live fast, die young" clichés, Marathon is a song that suggests it is possible to do the things that we want to do, if we are persistent and pace ourselves with intelligence: "You can do a lot in a lifetime/If you don't burn out too fast". A life well-lived, according to this song, is a triumph of both sense and persistence.
With the line "The heartbreak climb uphill", Peart is referring to the runner's term "Heartbreak Hill". This term is used to describe numerous uphill ascents during long-distance footraces. Whether it is nuclear weaponry or running, it is clear that care has been taken to research the lyrical subjects.
This song is another piece of Rush music that includes outside musicians. A transcendent musical lift is provided by a choir towards the end of the song. The string section that was recorded at Abbey Road also makes an appearance in "Marathon".
One of Ernest Hemingway's favorite mottos was "First, one must last". Peart paraphrased this simple line and included it as the final line of the song, which sums the piece up neatly: "First you've got to last".
In the April 1986 issue of Guitar Player magazine, Alex Lifeson was asked if any tracks on the album were specially difficult to cut. He replied: "It's funny. There's always one song that you're terrified of doing. You think it's going to be really tough, and Marathon was the one. We wrote it and thought, 'This song is going to be like pulling teeth once we get in the studio.' Of course, we get into the studio and it's a breeze. The Marathon solo was probably the easiest of all the solos to do."
The album reached No. 2 in Canada, No. 9 in the United Kingdom, and No. 10 in the United States. In January 1986, the album reached platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for one million copies sold in the United States. Rush released five singles from the album between 1985 and 1986: "The Big Money", "Territories", "Manhattan Project", "Mystic Rhythms", and "Marathon". The band supported the album with their 1985-1986 tour.
Geddy Lee - Vocals, Bass, Synthesizers
Neil Peart - Drums, Percussion
Alex Lifeson - Guitar
#MysticRhythmsLive

[@MysticRhythmsLive]

*Lyrics* *[Click on "CC" icon for Closed Captioning] (Lyrics on Screen)*
It's not how fast you can go
The force goes into the flow
If you pick up the beat
You can forget about the heat
More than just survival
More than just a flash
More than just a dotted line
More than just a dash
It's a test of ultimate will
The heartbreak climb uphill
Got to pick up the pace
If you want to stay in the race
More than just blind ambition
More than just simple greed
More than just a finish line
Must feed this burning need
In the long run
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light
That gets in your eyes
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades
In the summer sky
Your meters may overload
You can rest at the side of the road
You can miss a stride
But nobody gets a free ride
More than high performance
More than just a spark
More than just the bottom line
Or a lucky shot in the dark
In the long run
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light
That gets in your eyes
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades
In the summer sky
[3:45 Guitar Solo]
You can do a lot in a lifetime
If you don't burn out too fast
You can make the most of the distance
First you need endurance
First you've got to last
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light
That gets in your eyes
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades
In the summer sky
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light
That gets in your eyes
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades
In the summer sky

[@Nyet103]

Rush's music is the soundtrack of my life and i know alot of fans can say this.

[@watchassassin1014]

Rush make most other bands look like miserable bumbling amateurs. Elite, once in a lifetime talent.

[@united4631]

One of Rush's most beautiful songs

[@Nyet103]

Alex is perfection.

[@hyndzy]

Geddy singing over the top of that bassline blows my mind man, I can't even concentrate on something and talk at the same time.

[@serrisdaylor1015]

I didn't expect him to go for the modulated high notes of the last chorus, hell yeah!!

[@Kidgloves1984]

Chills down my spine and goose bumps all over..my love is eternal for this band music..favorite band ever..

[@inether]

Best band ever

[@user-ru7jh5df9z]

Really like that 4 bar interlude they inserted toward the later part of the song

[@davids1632]

This has a new world man sound and possibly some Tom Sawyer. Really easy to hear,crisp and clean.

[@MysticRhythmsLive]

I had not realized the comparison you mention, but upon reflection I get where you're coming from, David. This song was a good recording...one that can be appreciated. Like I appreciate your support of this channel! You are quite a character, and I love your personality, bro!

[@artmchugh5644]

The double floor toms at the end always gives me chills!!!!😁😁😁🎸🎸🎤🎤🎼🎼🎼🥁🥁🥁🥁🍺🍺🍺

[@bd5933]

Must be a great track to see live.
Thanks again Dan.

[@MysticRhythmsLive]

I can imagine that it is! I haven't seen this one live. It's so full of energy; the guys really nail this one down.

[@DirkGently04]

never failed to get goosebumps when they dropninto thwbhalf time at the end. Definitely one of their best live songs...

[@danielmcalister2713]

Very few even know the back story of RUSH. I do. I have beloved Canadian family in Ontario.

[@kevincoker4178]

Wow.

[@user-sq7ex2sj6v]

5planets gone this morning, more

[@glennaweber5643]

2:28

[@HeteroSkeletal]

If u don't burn out 2fast....