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PRESTO Lyrics

Artist: Rush
Album: Presto

Words by Neil Peart, Music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson

if I could wave my magic wand...

I am made from the dust of the stars
and the oceans flow in my veins
here I hide in the heart of the city
like a stranger coming out of the rain

the evening plane rises up from the runway
over constellations of light
I look down into a million houses
and wonder what you're doing tonight

if I could wave my magic wand
I'd make everything all right

I'm not one to believe in magic
But I sometimes have a second-sight
I'm not one with a sense of proportion
When my heart still changes overnight

I had a dream of a winter garden
a midnight rendezvous
silver, blue, and frozen silence
what a fool I was for you

I had a dream of the open water
I was swimming away out to sea
so deep I could never touch bottom
what a fool I used to be

if I could wave my magic wand
I'd set everybody free

I'm not one to believe in magic
Though my memory has a second-sight
I'm not one to go pointing my finger
When I radiate more heat than light

don't ask me
I'm just improvising
my illusion of careless flight
can't you see
my temperature's rising
I radiate more heat than light

don't ask me
I'm just sympathizing
my illusions a harmless flight
can't you see
my temperature's rising
I radiate more heat than light

Comments/Interpretations

by dave on 9/11/2008 1:57am
the lyrics from rush permeate and linger in my life....

by Mauricio on 11/15/2008 7:55pm
I think the same, Rush is different way to feel the life

by DRUMS on 12/11/2008 12:44am
Down to earth positve, HUMAN, extroadinre musicians a big part of my life.

by razvan on 4/3/2009 4:25pm
a special touch for my soul every day

by Juan on 7/7/2009 3:36pm
Temazo, sue�o con verlos en Argentina alguna vez.

by wut on 7/21/2009 11:45am
Waffles :D

by warrenF on 12/9/2009 1:17pm
Rush will engage your mind in deeper thought and ruin you for all other music. no more can I listen to useless drivel.

by Robert on 1/24/2010 9:10pm
This is one if the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

by Curtis on 3/2/2010 5:36pm
Their music and lyrics have become the sound track dialogue of my life.

by tony on 4/22/2010 6:46pm
love RUSH.....

by chris on 5/17/2010 2:15pm
I love Rush, this song like many of theirs embraces reason and emotion.

by mama rush on 8/13/2010 7:07pm
I sing this to my babies every night before bed.

by Tim on 8/20/2010 11:05am
What does this song mean?

by Mystic on 4/14/2011 7:45pm
For me, an awareness of the magic of our second sight and the invisible realm. A source we all have connection to and are all doing the best we can to remember it!

by kathy mulligan on 6/25/2011 2:10pm
For me the majic begins in 3 days qhen rush plays! The clark county amphitheatre in vancouver washington. Been 28yrs since I saw them..was 18 & I got row 18 center stage with seat 18. Karma!

by TJohn on 8/15/2011 6:00am
I think it may be a reference to Jonathan Edwards' writings...trying to research, anyone else know?

by Prince11 on 11/22/2011 11:19am
This song brings me to tears sometimes, as it reminds me of my failed marriage and divorce. "if I could wave my magic wand, I'd make everything alright." I also would imagine it was a set of lyrics that Neil thought of often during his family tragedies.

THRILLED that it was song #3 on the Time Machine tour and subsequently memorialized on the DVD. Cut that five minute song off the DVD and send it as a stand alone to the RRHOF. That five minute clip should convince anyone the wonder of Rush. :)

by Rushalong on 12/19/2011 3:20pm
I even used some of Neil's lyrics for a paper I wrote in Grad school. Rolling Stone magazine and the Rock n' Roll Hall of Goofs don't have any idea what they're missing! Rush keep touring, keep making music and keep making money. Half the bands in the RRHOF aren't even together anymore!

by eric d on 12/19/2011 5:38pm
rush rules my air waves

by javi on 12/24/2011 5:32am
Greatest band Ever!! I love Rush

by Mike Ward on 3/25/2012 2:29pm
These guys are so skilled in there craft. It's even more icing on the cake when you here them play. I sometimes wish people could hear what I hear. Best band ever!!!

by Michele on 5/30/2012 10:43pm
Nothing better than the band Rush.They have worked so hard to get where their at. There is alot to say for their continued success, drive, tenacity, stamina, creating beautiful music that represents life and the truth... I have a channel dedicated to them on You Tube.They were the first Progressive band for me, and will be the last when I shuffle off of this earth!

by map on 10/8/2012 6:43pm
I am seeing Rush on 11/13/12 (nice) when they play the Key Arena in Seattle for the Clockwork Angels Tour. I know this song was on the Time Machine Tour set list (saw it on HD on TV mind blowing), but not on this tour’s SL. I still think that Time Stand Still, Presto, and Faithless are three great songs. The lyrics are lush and expansive and boggle the mind on how Geddy and Alex can set them to music.
NOTE TO RRHOF VOTING MEMBERS: The people continually speak of their love and devotion for Rush by supporting their music and concerts – come on put Rush in – THEY SO DESERVE to be there… Rock on boys – eh…

by JP on 10/12/2012 2:29pm
Thanks rush fans for all the wonderful comments. I echo alot of what your sentiment is about them their music and their message. I think this song is about relationships. Every now and then we all radiate more heat(anger) than light (enlightenment)

by Cristiiano (Brazil) on 12/30/2012 5:26pm
There´s something more about this Band, Rush became my philosophy, my idea of perfection. I lived so many losses in my life and rush´s song were there, a background of my story. I can´t explain how I feel them, it´s more than just songs or a fan. I feel conected with them. When I heard their messages, it´s like a breeze blowing beneath my skin, they have the power to make me feel alright... Even if I life 1000 times I wouldn´t be grateful to them.