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[miko2]

Today's Song: Earthshine by Rush

In honor of the fact that Rush has a new cd out (Snakes and Arrows) which I picked up on Saturday, I thought I'd highlight my favorite tune from 2002's Vapour Trails, their previous full-length original studio cd (2004's Feedback doesn't count, given that it was all covers and not really a full-length cd). Vapour Trails is the same title as my song of the day from this weekend by fellow Canadian band The Tragically Hip, but it's just a coincidence. I think.

Anyway Earthshine is a beautiful rock tune and a sort of loving hymn to mother Earth. It's probably my favorite Rush track of all time. Naturally their big hits from the 70's and 80's are their most popular downloads on iTunes -- in particular Tom Sawyer, Fly By Night, and The Trees, but in my opinion Earthshine is better than anything else they've done.

On certain nights
When the angles are right
And the moon is a slender crescent

It's circle shows
In a ghostly glow
Of earthly luminescence

Earthshine
A beacon in the night
I can raise my eyes to
Earthshine
Earthshine
A jewel out of reach
Form a dream to rise to
Earthshine

Floating high
In the evening sky
I see my faint reflection

Pale facsimile
Like what others see
When they look in my direction

Earthshine
Stretching out your hand
Full of starlit diamonds
Earthshine

Reflected light
To another's sight
And the moon tells a lover's story

My borrowed face
And my third-hand grace
Only reflect your glory

You're still out of reach
Form a dream to rise to
Earthshine

Earthshine (live)

Earthshine (live, not quite as good as above)