Workin' Them Angels
by Rush

Album: Snakes & Arrows (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In Rush's drummer Neil Peart writes their lyrics, and is also an accomplished author. In his book Traveling Music, he explains that while he was out for a road trip, he overheard an elderly black couple who had just come off the road. The wife was on her husband's case for driving like a maniac, saying he was "workin' them angels," meaning he was pushing his luck.
  • Peart has mentioned his "daredevil" moments in all of his books, such as riding his bicycle "faster than safe speed" down a hill in West Africa, speeding and passing in traffic on his motorcycle in Ghost Rider and Roadshow. The lyrics in this song refer to these escapades. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Mountlake Terrace, WA, for above 2

Comments: 4

  • Lewis from Duluth, MnThe lyric "Filling my spirit with the wildest wish to fly" may be a reference to the title track from the album "The Wildest Wish to Fly" by Rupert Hine. He was the producer for Rush on Presto and Roll The Bones.
  • Robert from Las Vegas, NvAwesome story Stacie! I figured the lyrics had to do something with pushing oneself to their limits and even could be a father working himself to the bone, constantly working overtime such as my father did to provide us with a good life growing up. But then in the end getting fired and replaced by a "kid" because he didn't have a college degree. Which you don't learn how to manage a company and treat your co-workers well and juggle everything you need to by studying a text book in class, kid! Sorry for getting off subject.
  • Claude from Kingston, MaGreat story Stacie! Very cool.
  • Stacie from High Ridge, Mothis song is beautiful i am surprised i am the first to comment, but also honored! i love rush i love every song they have ever done!i love seein them live, especially from up close! we had 1st row the day our daughter was conceived 9-1-07 and 6-30-08 they were back in cinci we had 3rd row that time- we followed their(al&ged)cadillacs to the venue in ohio(neil rode his motorcycle)we told them we named our daughter after them (middle name rush) and neil gave us drumsticks (that he used!)to give her
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.