In The End
by Rush

Album: Fly By Night (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song opens with Alex Lifeson playing an acoustic guitar, then switching to an electric after the intro. He did this again on the song "Trees" from their 1978 album Hemispheres.
  • In the live version recorded for "All the worlds a stage" (1976) At 1:48 into the intro, before Alex starts the main guitar riff, you can hear Geddy slowly count in echo "one...two...buckle my shoe." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington, for above 2

Comments: 11

  • Guy from Shoreline, WaI always thought it was the 7/8 time signature for thevcount in for the next part if the song… ie, 1, 2, (3)buck (4)le (5)my (6)shoe (7)… Alex starts riff …

    Also gives Alex time to swap guitars.
  • Carl from Lincolnshire UkI think this song intro on acoustic is played in a different key or guitar tunes down. Song book says start with chard C. But I think this is incorrect . Can anybody tell me what charts are played on acoustic intro and is the acoustic guitar tunes down and is electric guitar tunes down?
  • Kirk from Santa CruzThe Guitar intro is on a 12 string.
  • Rusty from Oahu, HiNeil Peart did not write the lyrics of "In The End." The album credits Geddy Lee with the lyrics and Lifeson/Lee with the music.
  • Rufus from Wheeling, WvOne of my favorite early Rush songs, this and Here again off the first release.
  • Arthur from Ktichener, OnDuring the solo, Geddy Lee is singing with the guitar starting at 4:23 until near the end of the solo.
  • Kent Lyle from Cincinnati, OhMy LP pressing of _Fly By Night_ credited "In the End" to Lee and Lifeson, and Wikipedia has also taken that path. However, there are some sources which seem to list "Lee/Lifeson/Peart", so maybe there is some controversy. If Peart did write those lyrics, he certainly wasn't trying very hard.
  • Justin from Montpelier, VtThe opening guitar on this song is an acoustic tuned down a whole step, if you try to play the intro in regular tuning it'll sound way too sharp.
  • Robert from Schaumburg, IlKent from CA look at the credits| lyrics by Peart
  • Kent Lyle from Palo Alto, CaUndoubtedly a holdover from their pre-Peart days. The lyrics are of the same throwaway nature as those of the first album.
  • Mike from Mountlake Terrace, WashingtonIn the live version recorded for "All the worlds a stage" (1976) At 1:48 into the intro, before Alex starts the main guitar riff, you can hear Geddy slowly count in echo "one...two...buckle my shoe".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.