Cinderella Man
by Rush

Album: A Farewell to Kings (1977)
Play Video
  • A modest man from Mandrake
    Traveled rich to the city
    He had a need to discover
    A use for his newly-found wealth

    Because he was human
    Because he had goodness
    Because he was moral
    They called him insane

    Delusions of grandeur
    Visions of splendor
    A manic-depressive
    He walks in the rain

    Eyes wide open
    Heart undefended
    Innocence untarnished

    Cinderella Man
    Doing what you can
    They can't understand
    What it means

    Cinderella Man
    Hang on to your plans
    Try as they might
    They cannot steal your dreams, whoa

    In the betrayal of his love, he awakened
    To face a world of cold reality
    And a look in the eyes of the hungry
    Awakened him to what he could do

    He held up his riches
    To challenge the hungry
    Purposeful motion
    For one so insane

    They tried to fight him
    Just couldn't beat him
    This manic-depressive
    Who walks in the rain

    Cinderella Man
    Doing what you can
    They can't understand
    What it means

    Cinderella Man
    Hang on to your plans
    Try as they might
    They cannot steal your dreams Writer/s: Alex Zivojinovich, Gary Lee Weinrib
    Publisher: Anthem Entertainment
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 14

  • Rush B from Ontario, CanadaMr. Deeds Goes to Town Song is based on this 1930s movie and or the story behind it.
  • Daylight Cruzer from Glendale, Az.Was the song Wheels of Time by Rush included in the movie Wheel of Time? Curious.
  • Atomic from HoustonI just watched Mr Deeds. This song isn't 'loosely based' on the movie- it is a clear and concise telling of the story of the movie. Nothing 'loose' about it at all.
  • Mountain Mike from Arlington, TexasWas Cinderella Man about James Braddock the boxer?
  • Jkb from OhioLefty from Nj Yes it is Geddy
  • Lefty from NjWho is the vocalist for "Cinderella Man"?? obviously not Geddy
  • Trey from Kalamazoo, MtNeil can write lyrics almost as good as John Lennon's. That's saying something.
  • John from Asheville, NcI like this song. Strong song from Rush's first great record in my opinion. I'm not quite the fan of 2112...think it a tad overrated. To me it really started on Kings.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScWas Mr. Deeds Goes to Town remade several years ago as Mr. Deeds. Mr. Deeds has a similar primises, and it stars Adam Sandler I think in the character role that Gary Cooper originally played.
  • Robert from Schaumburg, Il Also see DIFFERENT STRING'S on the Permanent Waves album and not to mention Geds solo album for his songwriting skills,[ie} MY FAVORITE HEADACHE
  • Shelby from C-wood, KyRivendell(off of fly by night) was also written by geddy lee
  • Jesse from L.a., CaThis song was always one of my favorites. It's really upbeat.
  • Ryan from Albion, Nythere is now a movie being made called cinderella man about a boxer during the depression..wonder if they play this song....
  • Mike from Clinton, MaThis was not the only song Geddy wrote instead of Neil, Tears off of 2112 was also written by him with Lessons written by Alex.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.