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

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?