Song of the Week – Bastille Day, Rush

Ignored           Obscured            Restored

Today’s SotW was drafted last night after I learned that Neil Peart, of Rush, died earlier this week, on January 7th.  Now I have to confess, Rush is NOT one of my favorite bands.  But I respect what they contributed to the history of progressive rock music and I especially respect Peart’s mastery of the drums and his knack for writing intellectual lyrics.

Today’s SotW is “Bastille Day,” Peart’s tribute to the event that kicked off the French Revolution.

Some of the song’s lyrics are as relevant today as they were when Peart wrote them in 1975.

There’s no bread, let them eat cake
There’s no end to what they’ll take
Flaunt the fruits of noble birth
Wash the salt into the earth

Lessons taught but never learned.
All around us anger burns.
Guide the future by the past.
Long ago the mold was cast.

Peart was known for using an elaborate drum kit.  And he used it to its fullest extent.

He died of glioblastoma (brain cancer) at the age of 67, in California.

So, here’s to Neil Peart – drummer, lyricist, novelist and father.  May he rest in peace.

Enjoy… until next week.