Mission (song)
"Mission" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Song by Rush | ||||
from the album Hold Your Fire | ||||
Released | 1989 (live version) [1] | |||
Recorded | 1987 | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 5:16 | |||
Label | Anthem, Mercury | |||
Songwriter(s) | Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart | |||
Producer(s) | Peter Collins and Rush | |||
Rush singles chronology | ||||
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"Mission" is a song by Canadian rock band Rush from the 1987 album Hold Your Fire.
Writing and structure
"Mission" was inspired from a conversation Neil Peart and Geddy Lee had about people who were not satisfied with the lives of people in their age group. Peart said that the lyrics are related to a tendency that people have for idealizing the lifestyle of others. People tend to imagine that those who are rich and famous are to be viewed as people who have fewer personal issues than ordinary people. However, he argues that every life has its own level of "toughness." As an example of this idea, he recounts that people used to refer to him as someone who has the best job in the world. He claims that he is very proud of being a musician, which was a job that he dreamed of in his youth. However, he claims people tend not to realize that being away from family for several months while on tour is not as easy as others make it sound. A key verse to express that concept says "We each pay a fabulous price for our visions of paradise," referring to personal sacrifices he had to make to achieve his dream.[2]
A Sputnikmusic review gave a description of "Mission" as a "rocky
Critical reception
Music critics gave "Mission" good reviews.
Live performances
"Mission" was performed live during the Hold Your Fire tour (1988), the Presto tour (1990), and the Snakes & Arrows tour (2007-2008).[13]
Charts
The live version from "A Show of Hands" charted on the Mainstream Rock Chart in March 1989.
Chart | Peak position |
---|---|
US | 33 |
References
- ^ Rush Mission Canada Promo 12" vinyl single. Eli.com. Accessed from June 21, 2013.
- ^ Peart, Neil (2004). Traveling Music: The Soundtrack to My Life and Times. ECW Press. pp. 198–199.
- ^ Rush - Hold Your Fire (album review 2). Sputnikmusic. December 28, 2005. Accessed from June 23, 2013.
- ^ Mission Sheet Music. onlinesheetmusic.com. Accessed from June 21, 2013.
- ^ .
- ISBN 1550226789.
- ^ Peart, Neil. Firework: The Making of "Hold Your Fire" Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine. 2112.net. Accessed from June 21, 2013.
- ^ Parisi, Deborah (February 1988). Fire in the Hold. Music Technology. Accessed from June 21, 2013.
- ^ Neil Peart Archived 2014-03-05 at the Wayback Machine. effingham.net. Accessed from June 17, 2013.
- ^ Espiau, Olivier (23 April 2010). "Rush - Hold Your Fire". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
- ^ "A Definitive Ranking of All Rush Songs". 20 July 2017.
- ISBN 978-1683834502.
- Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Accessed from June 21, 2013.
See also
- List of Rush songs