Album: Counterparts (1993)

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• I knew he was different in his sexuality
  I went to his parties as a straight minority
  It never seemed a threat to my masculinity
  He only introduced me to a wider reality
  
  As the years went by, we drifted apart
  When I heard that he was gone
  I felt a shadow cross my heart
  But he's nobody's
  
  Hero
  Saves a drowning child
  Cures a wasting disease
  Hero
  Lands the crippled airplane
  Solves great mysteries
  
  Hero
  Not the handsome actor
  Who plays a hero's role
  Hero
  Not the glamour girl
  Who'd love to sell her soul
  If anybody's buying
  Nobody's hero
  
  I didn't know the girl, but I knew her family
  All their lives were shattered
  In a nightmare of brutality
  They try to carry on, try to bear the agony
  Try to hold some faith
  In the goodness of humanity
  
  As the years went by, we drifted apart
  When I heard that she was gone
  I felt a shadow cross my heart
  But she's nobody's
  
  Hero
  Is the voice of reason
  Against the howling mob
  Hero
  Is the pride of purpose
  In the unrewarding job (the unrewarding job)
  
  Hero
  Not the champion player
  Who plays the perfect game
  Hero
  Not the glamour boy
  Who loves to sell his name
  Everybody's buying
  Nobody's hero
  
  As the years went by, we drifted apart
  When I heard that you were gone
  I felt a shadow cross my heart
  But he's nobody's
  
  Hero
  Saves a drowning child
  Cures a wasting disease
  Hero
  Lands the crippled airplane
  Solves great mysteries
  
  Hero
  Not the handsome actor
  Who plays a hero's role
  Hero
  Not the glamour girl
  Who'd love to sell her soul
  If anybody's buying
  Nobody's hero
  
  Nobody's hero
  
  Hero
  
  Nobody's hero
  
  Hero
  
  Nobody's hero Writer/s: Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee Weinrib, Neil Peart
  Publisher: Anthem Entertainment, Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 16

• Cyberpope from Vancouver BcI like the chorus -- heroes aren't just images -- they're those who risked themselves for a greater cause.
• Maxb from CaA little over a year since Neil has passed, I can hear him speak the lyrics to this song and it chokes me up. We all need to be tolerant of others and realize life is very fragile. Though I know Neil wouldn't consider himself a hero, to many of us he was. Do yourself a favor and read some (if not all) of his books. RIP Professor.
• James from NzI don't understand how people could find the lyrics controversial. Perhaps that's just a sign of homophobia in 1990s North America?
  Empathy? Sadness? Compassion? How can you not feel those for someone who died of AIDS? It's much harder to understand how someone could feel hate or anger towards someone who slowly dies, merely because of their sexuality.
• Chris from PennsylvaniaI think if people leave a group like Rush because one song is too controversial for their fragile sensibilities, they probably weren't true fans of Rush in the first place. I've been a life-long fan (been listening since...okay, since 1977...I was 10) and I've always thought Neil's lyrics were sometimes out there, sometimes fanciful, but they were always poignant and well thought out. Heck, all I have to to do is look at my kids, now, and the line, "...summer's going fast, night's growing colder...children growing up, old friends growing older..." will slip into my mind. It's that kind of an impact this music, and this band, and these lyrics have had on a lot of people.
• Ahmed from Edinburgh, United KingdomQuite surprised to hear of people leaving Rush purely due to this song. I must say that being a Muslim Rush fan for almost 25 years, I found this song to be a real inspiration, by emphasising the human aspect, Nobody's Hero genuinely educated me on viewing homosexuality with more compassion.
• Pryce from Litchfield, NhSo you're saying this song is about homosexuality. Well it's not what i think of when i think of Rush but i respect this song.
• Eric from Bend, OrI never thought about this song being so polarizing. I never thought about people turning away from Rush after this song, and that's sad - Rush is a great band with a good message. Many of their songs (including this one) talk about peace and tolerance and understanding. Examples include "Closer to the Heart", "Witch Hunt", and then there's this one (I may be leaving out others).
• Eric from Bend, OrThis is a great song. I like that Rush was able to write a song like this and not be afraid of what people think. I think the whole Counterparts album is great, too - one of Rush's best.
• John from Asheville, NcIt's mentioned before that this song is polarizing on Rush boards and that's true. The key criticisms revolve around the lyrics, which I've heard described as dumb...and "gay" (opening lines) and all other sorts of things. I think the words are extremely well done here....in fact, one of Neil's best overall efforts. I find a lot of compassion and empathy, surrounded by an infectious and memorable melody. I'm not sure what more you can ask for in a song, quite honestly. It's both uplifting and sad....that the real heroes out there are the ones doing the quiet living and dying...not the ones slathered in the press. It's both melancholy and triumphant...and that's quite a fine line to walk.
• John from Louisville, KyThis is a great song!....a lot of good comments here. People who turned away from RUSH after this
  song probably never read RUSH lyrics anyway and never appreciated how insightful & philisophical Peart is. As Peart says...the homosexuality issue is only a small part of this song's message. It's also about inspiring people because it's noble and shows how great the human spirit is...not because you're going to be recognized for your actions.
• Adrian from Monterrey, MexicoThis song is great. Really powerful.
• Brendan from Easton, CtYeah, really, it is a very intelligent song. One has to look past the immediate shock of what they are saying. I agree with Robert from Arlington. Actually, it's amazing that Rush fans would so easily abandon ship after all the years of changes and controversial songs. Here is a question- if a person can stomach the message of The Trees, why not this?
• Robert from Arlington, VaIt's frustrating to read on many Rush forums about how negatively polarizing this song has become. Their are legions of former Rush fans out there who are proud to tell you that they stopped listening to the band after they recorded this song. Thanks Mike from Moutlake Terrace, Washington for posting Neil's quote. Hopefully, this song will continue to cause people to look at the differences in mankind as simply differences and not negatives.
• Jonathan from Philadelphia, PaWriting a song of this nature ahead of its time is always a plus
• Dave from Cardiff, WalesI love the way that, despite boasting quite an upbeat tone, the song actually has a touch of pensive sadness about it... Good stuff!
• Taylor from Riceville, TnThe boy in this song is one of Neil's friends he worked with while he was in London in 1971. Then after Neil moved back he had heard that his friend had died.
  
  - Taylor Hixson

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