Force Ten
by Rush

Album: Hold Your Fire (1987)
Play Video
  • Tough times demand tough talk
    Demand tough hearts demand tough songs
    Tough times demand tough talk
    Demand tough hearts demand tough songs
    Demand

    We can rise and fall like empires
    Flow in and out like the tide
    Be vain and smart, humble and dumb
    We can hit and miss like pride, just like pride

    We can circle around like hurricanes
    Dance and dream like lovers
    Attack the day like birds of prey
    Or scavengers under cover, under cover

    Look in
    To the eye of the storm
    Look out
    For the force without form
    Look around
    At the sight and the sound
    Look in, look out, look around

    Tough times demand tough talk
    Demand tough hearts demand tough songs
    Demand

    We can move with savage grace
    To the rhythms of the night
    Cool and remote like dancing girls
    In the heat of the beat and the lights , and the lights

    We can wear the rose of romance
    An air of joie de vivre
    Too tender hearts upon our sleeves
    Or skin as thick as thieves', thick as thieves'

    Look in
    To the eye of the storm
    Look out
    For the force without form
    Look around
    At the sight and the sound
    Look in, look out, look around

    Tough times demand tough talk
    Demand tough hearts demand tough songs
    Demand

    Look in
    To the eye of the storm
    Look out
    For the force without form
    Look around
    At the sight and the sound
    Look in with the storm in the eyes
    Look out
    To the sea and the sky
    Look around
    At the sight and the sound
    Look in, look out, look around

    Tough times demand tough hearts
    Tough times demand tough talk Writer/s: ALEX ZIVOJINOVICH, DUBOIS PYE, GARY LEE WEINRIB, NEIL ELWOOD PEART
    Publisher: Anthem Entertainment
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Mike from CtPatrick, it's a twist on an idiom and an old expression. Thick skin; thick as thieves...brilliant wordsmanship from the late professor. Another reason he'll be so terribly missed.
  • Andy from Duluth, GaIt’s not a jackhammer, it’s kick and snare with a delay that shortens within 1 second. Night and day. A jackhammer can’t do that.
  • Patrick from Bedford, TxI'm real confused. The boy with the high voice is sing about skin as thick as thieves (sorry I don't know everyone's names, I'n new to Rush) but thieves don't need to have thick skin because they're sneaky and stealthy and haunt the shadows. But, that doesn't matter because when it goes to the triplet sections in the chorus is freaking dope as hell.
  • Powerwidow from York , MeWhat about that cool thing Alex does with his guitar during the solo? Very cool!
  • John from Asheville, NcGreat album opener. Enjoy this song a lot.
  • Ben from Eden, TnWhat can I say...this song just flippin ROCKS!!!
  • Stephanie from Houston, TxThe lyrics behind the second chorus, barely heard and distorted, are: "Rising, falling at Force Ten, we spin the world and ride the wind..."
  • Jesse from L.a., CaLove the opening to this song... And the little guitar solo...
  • Koko from Bla, AlReal Cool Bass Line!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Tom Waits Lyrics Quiz

Tom Waits Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.