Lock And Key
Rush · Other Songs - Rush
The killer instinct
Face it in you or me.
We carry a sensitive cargo
Below the waterline
Tickling like a time bomb
With a primitive design.
Behind the finer feelings
This civilized veneer
The heart of a lonely hunter
Guards a dangerous frontier.
The balance can sometimes fail
Strong emotions can tip the scale.
Don't want to silence a desperate voice
For the sake of security no one wants to make
A terrible choice on the price of being free.
I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key.
It's not a matter of mercy
It's not a matter of laws
Plenty of people will kill you
For some fanatical cause.
It's not a matter of conscience
A search for probable cause
It's just a matter of instinct
A matter of fatal flaws.
No reward for resistance
No assistance, no applause.
We don't want to be victims
On that we all agree
So we lock up the killer instinct
And throw away the key.
Lock And Key
Rush's "Lock And Key" stands as a quintessential example of the band's progressive rock prowess, blending intricate guitar work with soaring vocals. Released during their mid-career period, the track exemplifies the complex time signatures and melodic structures that defined their discography. The song showcases Geddy Lee's distinctive bass lines and Neil Peart's precise drumming, characteristic of the group's technical mastery. It remains a staple of their live performances, often serving as a bridge between heavier, faster compositions and more melodic ballads. The recording captures the band's evolution from their early experimental phase to their polished, arena-ready sound, cementing their legacy in the progressive rock canon.