Resist
by Rush

Album: Test For Echo (1996)
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Songfacts®:

  • The line, "I can resist everything except temptation," is a quote from the play Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde.
  • Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee began performing this acoustically on the Vapor Trails tour after Neil Peart performed his lengthy drum solo ("O Baterista") and released this version on Rush In Rio. This was so popular they repeated it in their set for the 30th anniversary tour two years later. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Darkside of the Moon, for above 2
  • The instrument played at the beginning of the song is a hammer dulcimer, not a guitar. Neil Peart wanted to include that instrument on a track. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Matthew Daubert - Mequon, WI

Comments: 13

  • Pryce from Litchfield, NhResist is amzing! I've been listening to it everytime i'm down.
  • Matt from Td, Ali think the different stages version is best...any song where geddy doesn't play bass is a waste of talent
  • Gary Lafalce from Fairmont, WvI'd have to say, listening to both versions back to back, the unplugged has my vote. I think this song just sounds better in this arrangement given that it is a folk song.
  • Gabriel from Minneapolis, MnI sing this song to my daughter as she's falling asleep.

    PS. Geddy's Scotland comment was a joke.
  • Taylor from Las Vegas, NeIt's best on the R30 DVD. The sound and picture quality is much better, and even the performance is greater.
  • John from Asheville, NcI enjoy both versions of this song, preferring, I think, the acoustic one most. Great (honest) lyric from Neil here. Even my wife likes this song and she hates Rush...LOL.
  • Robaba from Boston, United Statesis there anywhere on the net where Neil gives interpretation to his lyrics?
    Very beautiful song live
  • Jon from Fort Collins, CoI think that this song shows Neil's brilliance as a lyrcists. Especially the line "you can fight........win without a fight."
  • Randy from Colerain Twp., Oh I agree Jesse, the accoustic version of this song performed live is beautiful. This may be why 'Resist' is one of my favorite RUSH songs. If I am not mistaken, a dulcimer is also used in the music of 'Limbo', which is also on the 'Test for 'Echo' CD.
  • David from Port Hawkesbury, CanadaI Think the Scotland relation is that this is a folk song, folk music orginated in and around Scotland and Ireland
  • Brian from Meriden, CtGo reckless, leave caution never near
    Hark, alas I do not hinder nor hear
    To live - to drink and dance in bliss
    To survive - to think clear, and more than this -

    To Resist.
  • Brian from Taipei, TaiwanDoes anyone know the connection to Scotland that Geddy says this song has (on "Different Stages")?
  • Jesse from L.a., CaThe acoustic version of this song is beautiful, live.
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