Lakeside Park by Rush

Album: Caress Of Steel (1976)

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The "Lakeside Park" is St. Catharine's, on Lake Ontario in Canada. Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart lived very near Lakeside Park and spent summers as a child working and playing there. This song details his memories, his time spent there, and of how it used to be before they changed it.
The lyrics mention the "24th of May" - This is Victoria Day, commemorating Queen Victoria's birthday. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Neil Peart (from Traveling Music): "Another important setting in my childhood and early teens was Lakeside Park, in Port Dalhousie. When I was 14 and 15, I worked summers at Lakeside Park as a barker ('Catch a bubble, prize every time,' all day and night), and there was music: some of the kids brought transistor radios to work, and the music of that summer of 1966 played up and down the midway. At night, when the midway closed, we gathered around a fire on the beach, singing. Lakeside Park resonated in my life in so many deep ways, especially those fundamental exposures to music that would be forever important. It's all gone now. All that's left, apart from memories, is the old merry-go-round." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Rick - Omaha, NE
Rush biographer Martin Popoff feels that this is the most enduring song on Caress Of Steel.

Comments: 31

Billy from BramptonMy uncle used to hang out with Geddy Lee in the 1960s/70. He played bass in a garage band called Bullrush way before Rush was even a band. They went their separate ways when my uncle went to college.
Sam Coon from Manchester TnWhen I found out my gf was from Canada I asked her if she knew Lakeside Park. She did! The place, not the song....
I got to visit it on my first visit to Canada.
Casey from Simi ValleyLakeside Park, so many memories... Neil did such a great job describing it, I feel like I am there!
Dave from KingstonHey, "Rush from Beverly Hills, Ca," the Victoria Day long weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer every year. You are right it officially falls on the Monday just before May 25 every year, but we still refer to it as "24th of May," like the beloved Professor did in his lyrics to "Lakeside Park," since Queen Victoria was actually born on May 24, 1819. We also call it "May two-four" which is a dual reference to said birthday and the number of cans of Canadian (stronger ;-) beer to be found in each of the many cases that are destined to be consumed across the country on that weekend by the multitude of holiday revelers. So any year you can come on up and party with us in Canada on the Victoria Day long weekend, and still call it "the 24th of May," even if the actual holiday doesn't fall on the 24th - you would be faithful to the Rush lyric.
Kat from OntarioI was part of the Lakeside Park gang with Neil back in the 70s. Neil left me with a song I will cherish forever. RIP my friend.
Arliss from Canadai went swimming there last sunday. beautiful beach. lovely water. my family rode the carousel. 5 cents a ticket. and during the whole time there i was told to be quiet by my kids as i couldn't hold myself from singing: "Lakeside Park, willows in the breeze". still a lot of willows. great summer this year. sorry Geddy, it's a great song. after 2112 (a passage to bangkok) i lost interest in rush.
Rush from Beverly Hills, CaGreetings RUSH fans!! I have been wanting to visit Lakeside Park for many years now and was planning on going this May 24th! Much to my disappointment Victoria Day is NOT Celebrated on the 24th of May. In fact, since 1952 (the year Neal Peart was born) it has been officially celebrated on the Monday before May 25th by order-in-council and statutory amendment. (May 19th this year 2014) This confuses me because all the information I have found says that Lakeside Park was about the time that Peart spent there. If that is true then why do the lyrics indicate that they gathered on the 24th of May?? I know, I am a complete dork, but I was so looking forward to FINALLY going to Lakeside Park on the 24th of May, only to find this out. ANY help or insight would be appreciated. I am also going to try and ask Neal this on Twitter if possible. ROCK ON!!
Vincent from Barry Lakes, Nji dont care what geddy are any one else sais lakeside park in my eyes is the best song they ever wrote!i think its the best song in the world period!let me just say i would go any where in the world to see rush if they played only old stuff up to permenent waves.a fan for life P,S I HAVE A PICTURE OF THEM HANGING OVER MY FIRE PLACE IN MY HOLM.IS THERE ANY MORE FANS OF RUSH LIKE ME LEFT OUT THERE?
John from Asheville, NcNot a bad song...and a bit different for the band at the time. It's whimsical and melodic. Nice break from the norm of Rush at that time. Lyrically it's wistful and nostalgic. Works.
Paige from Haouson, Txi have the starman tattoo on my right shoulder..... it's beautiful....www.myspace.com/paigea11
the oly thing missing are the signatures of the best 3 man band that actually have survived all the bs of the past and remain artists... and are legends...(just ask my kids)
xPAIGE
Jon from Kingsville/windsor, Canadawell that sucks, i was told that it was based on the Lakeside park in my town of kingsville, down near windsor, and i was thinking that that was soo coool, oohh well, they're still the best canadian band ever!!!!
Duane Seamans from Toronto, CanadaLakeside Park is actually in a district of St. Catherines named Port Dalhousie. My buddy Brit and I used to hang and fish there a while growing up. Some movers and shakers have now developed over the land and forestry and built an mini empire of clubs and pubs for the sailors and night-hawks. The best is the midway; they still have it every year.
Chuck from Houston, TxI have to agree with Alan from NJ, This is a very underrated song, yet I don't ever hear it played on the raido and I don't think the band has played it live for years.
Gil from Donna, TxIve never been to Canada, but would love to visit. Lakeside Park is one of my favs and like to visit there just cause of the song
David Baird from Westerville, OhWhere exactly is Lakeside Park? I would like to visit it on a trip to Toronto. Thanks, Dave.
Brian from San Diego, CaGreat song,great band.Should be in Hall Of Fame in Cleveland.
Brian M. San Diego,Ca.
Sundog from WindsorWe just got back from touring Lakeside Park a couple weeks ago, and the Merry-go-round is still wheezing the same old melody! And yes, it's still just 5 cents a ride. It was quite a site to behold a bunch of Rush fans going round and round. I can't wait to do it again! Come on Rushcon VII!
~sundog, Windsor, Ontario
Barry from Gagetown Nb CanadaI saw Rush live at the CNE Grandstand ... A Fairwell To Kings Tour ...They played it live ... Awesome !!!!!!

Barry 61
Drew from Niagara Falls, CanadaAmazing song. i was listening to it last night, having no idea it was actually about the park in port dalhousie, thinking "man...willows...carousel...i was there". i knew peart was from the area. great times at lakeside park...might even go down there on the 24th of may (4 days!!)
Sebastian from Miami, FlThere is bar inside the park that plays this song before closing every night. On a different note. Check out the version of this song in the Rush tribute cd Subdivisions.
Nn from Nbn, Greenlandi live right by lakeside park
Daryl from SaskatoonGeddy Lee (1993 Raw magazine): "A lot of the early stuff I'm really proud of," he says. "Some of it sounds really goofy, but some of it stands up better than I gave it credit for. As weird as my voice sounds when I listen back, I certainly dig some of the arrangements. I can't go back beyond 2112 really, because that starts to get a bit hairy for me, and if I hear "Lakeside Park" on the radio I cringe. What a lousy song! Still, I don't regret anything that I've done!"
Taylor from Pittsburgh, PaThis song is irroniclaly on my birthday too.
Keewa from Fairbanks, AlRush perform Lakeside Park live on the "All The World's A Stage" album
Shawn from Philadelphia/pittsburgh, PaGeddy Lee actually said Lakeside Park is a terrible song? Is he NUTS? My second favorite Rush song behind Bastille Day.
Rick from St. Catharines, CanadaThe best part is... I've actually been there! Many times, actually. In fact, I live in the same city.
Alan from Fair Lawn, NjIt's too bad Geddy made that comment about the song. Simple as it is, it is a wonderful song that I have enjoyed for many years. I believe I have attended 25 or more Rush concerts and I don't think I have ever heard them play it live. The first Rush show I ever saw was during the 2112 tour at a small Music Hall venue. The ticket cost $4.95
Kenif from Reno, NvIn an interview sometime near 1999 I heard Getty refer to some of the 'terrible' songs Rush had recorded like 'Lakeside Park'. I thought this was a drag 'cause I really like it.
Taylor from Riceville, TnIf you didn't know when Neil was in his teens he used to ride a motorcycle and he got into a reck by the pier at Lakeside Park. He didn't ride for many years later. He started riding a while before his ghost rider trip. It took many years for Neil to get over the fear of riding a motorcycle.
Charlie from Thomaston, Cti love this song, its great really gets you nostalgic for a park you've never even been too!
Richard from Belle Vernon, PaI always thought it was because it was my birthday.

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