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

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.