Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Nolan Randall playing the guitar solo of "Fly By Night” by Rush from their 1975 album Fly By Night for Mercury Records.
Words and music by Geddy Lee and Neil Peart
Why try? I know why
This feeling inside me says it's time I was gone
Clear head, new life ahead
It's time I was king now, not just one more pawn
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
Moon rise, thoughtful eyes
Staring back at me from the window beside
No fright or hindsight
Leaving behind that empty feeling inside
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend, whoa!
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
Start a new chapter, I'll find what I'm after
It's changing every day
The change of a season's enough of a reason
To want to get away
Quiet and pensive, my thoughts apprehensive
The hours drift away
Leaving my homeland, playing a lone hand
My life begins today
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
*Song Facts*
"Fly By Night" is a song by Canadian progressive rock band Rush. It was released in 1975 and is the title track from their second studio album. The music was written by bassist Geddy Lee and the lyrics were penned by drummer Neil Peart. Peart wrote the tune about his first trip away from home. In 1971 at 18 years old, he left behind his small-town Canadian life and flew to England. Lee sings the lead vocals and on the song's bridge, his voice is fed through a Leslie speaker.
The tune was released as a single in April 1975. It marked the first time a single by the band was also released in markets other than the US or Canada. As it was released in The Netherlands and Australia during the summer of 1975.
Cash Box described "Fly By Night" as "a hard-rocking, well-produced cut" that is "very Zeppelinish, with lead guitar and rhythm tracks that could have you evicted." Record World said that a live medley with "In the Mood" "puts the emphasis on fuzz toned guitar and histrionic vocals."
Peart wrote a prologue that is not in the song: "Airport scurry, flurry faces. Parade of passers-by. People going many places. With a smile or just a sigh. Waiting, waiting, pass the time. Another cigarette. Get in line, gate thirty-nine. The time is not here yet."
In December 1976, the tune was released as a single a second time. As part of a live medley with "In The Mood" from the band's live album All the World's A Stage. This version became the band's first single to reach the US Billboard Hot 100, charting at No. 88.
"Fly By Night" was used in the Canadian TV series Degrassi High, in the season two episode "Home, Sweet Home". The song was used in TV series Supernatural, in the season one episode "Wendigo". In 2012, "Fly By Night" was used in an American TV commercial for the Volkswagen Passat. It was one of three Rush tunes made available to download for play in Rock Band 3 on December 13, 2011, along with a live version of "The Spirit Of Radio" and the single edit of "Caravan". In the video game Dota 2, the playable character known as "Dragon Knight" has a voice line referencing the song.
The album Fly By Night was the first Rush LP to showcase elements of progressive rock for which the band has become known. It was also the first to feature lyricist and drummer Neil Peart. Who replaced original drummer John Rutsey the previous summer just prior to the band's first North American tour. Peart took over as Rush's primary lyricist, and the abundance of fantastical and philosophical themes in his compositions contrasted greatly with the simpler hard rock of the band's debut album.
Fly By Night was recorded during the last week of December 1974 and mixed in early January 1975 at Toronto Sound Studios during a gap in touring. Alex Lifeson said it took around five days to record and once the mixing had finished, the group packed their cases and traveled to Winnipeg. Starting their Fly By Night tour on January 15.
It was the band's first album co-produced by Terry Brown who would maintain this role through to Signals (1982). Alex Lifeson was pleased with the songs on the album and felt like it was a second beginning for the group. Geddy Lee recalled the difficulty that their label's management had in understanding the material on the album. Particularly "By-Tor and the Snow Dog", as the label had wanted material in the style of their debut.
#Rush #FlyByNight #GuitarSolo
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Nolan Randall playing the guitar solo of "Fly By Night” by Rush from their 1975 album Fly By Night for Mercury Records.
Words and music by Geddy Lee and Neil Peart
Why try? I know why
This feeling inside me says it's time I was gone
Clear head, new life ahead
It's time I was king now, not just one more pawn
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
Moon rise, thoughtful eyes
Staring back at me from the window beside
No fright or hindsight
Leaving behind that empty feeling inside
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend, whoa!
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
Start a new chapter, I'll find what I'm after
It's changing every day
The change of a season's enough of a reason
To want to get away
Quiet and pensive, my thoughts apprehensive
The hours drift away
Leaving my homeland, playing a lone hand
My life begins today
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
Fly by night, away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye, my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
*Song Facts*
"Fly By Night" is a song by Canadian progressive rock band Rush. It was released in 1975 and is the title track from their second studio album. The music was written by bassist Geddy Lee and the lyrics were penned by drummer Neil Peart. Peart wrote the tune about his first trip away from home. In 1971 at 18 years old, he left behind his small-town Canadian life and flew to England. Lee sings the lead vocals and on the song's bridge, his voice is fed through a Leslie speaker.
The tune was released as a single in April 1975. It marked the first time a single by the band was also released in markets other than the US or Canada. As it was released in The Netherlands and Australia during the summer of 1975.
Cash Box described "Fly By Night" as "a hard-rocking, well-produced cut" that is "very Zeppelinish, with lead guitar and rhythm tracks that could have you evicted." Record World said that a live medley with "In the Mood" "puts the emphasis on fuzz toned guitar and histrionic vocals."
Peart wrote a prologue that is not in the song: "Airport scurry, flurry faces. Parade of passers-by. People going many places. With a smile or just a sigh. Waiting, waiting, pass the time. Another cigarette. Get in line, gate thirty-nine. The time is not here yet."
In December 1976, the tune was released as a single a second time. As part of a live medley with "In The Mood" from the band's live album All the World's A Stage. This version became the band's first single to reach the US Billboard Hot 100, charting at No. 88.
"Fly By Night" was used in the Canadian TV series Degrassi High, in the season two episode "Home, Sweet Home". The song was used in TV series Supernatural, in the season one episode "Wendigo". In 2012, "Fly By Night" was used in an American TV commercial for the Volkswagen Passat. It was one of three Rush tunes made available to download for play in Rock Band 3 on December 13, 2011, along with a live version of "The Spirit Of Radio" and the single edit of "Caravan". In the video game Dota 2, the playable character known as "Dragon Knight" has a voice line referencing the song.
The album Fly By Night was the first Rush LP to showcase elements of progressive rock for which the band has become known. It was also the first to feature lyricist and drummer Neil Peart. Who replaced original drummer John Rutsey the previous summer just prior to the band's first North American tour. Peart took over as Rush's primary lyricist, and the abundance of fantastical and philosophical themes in his compositions contrasted greatly with the simpler hard rock of the band's debut album.
Fly By Night was recorded during the last week of December 1974 and mixed in early January 1975 at Toronto Sound Studios during a gap in touring. Alex Lifeson said it took around five days to record and once the mixing had finished, the group packed their cases and traveled to Winnipeg. Starting their Fly By Night tour on January 15.
It was the band's first album co-produced by Terry Brown who would maintain this role through to Signals (1982). Alex Lifeson was pleased with the songs on the album and felt like it was a second beginning for the group. Geddy Lee recalled the difficulty that their label's management had in understanding the material on the album. Particularly "By-Tor and the Snow Dog", as the label had wanted material in the style of their debut.
#Rush #FlyByNight #GuitarSolo
![All The Way To Reno (Youre Gonna Be A Star) [R.E.M. Cover] - Nolan Randall Of Plaid On Flannel](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uWgtb0yieqw/mqdefault.jpg "All The Way To Reno (Youre Gonna Be A Star) [R.E.M. Cover] - Nolan Randall Of Plaid On Flannel
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An acoustic cover of All The Way To Reno (Youre Gonna Be A Star) by R.E.M. from their 2001 album Reveal for Warner Brothers Records.
Words and music by Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills
Humming all the way to Reno
Youve dusted the non believers
And challenged the laws of chance
Now, sweet
Youre so sugar sweet
You may as well have had kick me
Fastened on your sleeve
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
Wing is written on your feet
Your Achilles heel is a tendency to dream
But youve known that from the beginning
You didnt have to go so far
You didnt have to go
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
You know who you are
You know who you are
You know who you are
Humming all the way to Reno
Youve written your own directions
And whistled the rules of change
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
You know what you are
Youre gonna be a star
Humming all the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
All the way to Reno
Youre gonna be a star
Youre gonna be a star
Youre gonna be a star
Youre gonna be a star
*Song Facts*
All The Way To Reno (Youre Gonna Be A Star) is a song by American rock band R.E.M. It was released on July 23, 2001 as the second single from the bands twelfth studio album Reveal (2001). The single did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, but it did reach number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, number 31 in Italy, and number 34 in Ireland.
The B-side live performances were recorded at the South Africa Freedom Day concert in Trafalgar Square, London. Which was held in honour of South African President Nelson Mandela. The event marked the seventh anniversary of democracy in South Africa.
According to Peter Bucks sleevenotes to In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003, the R.E.M. compilation on which this song also appears, the song describes someone who believes they can get famous if they go to Reno, Nevada. The working title of the song was Jimmy Webb on Mars. Which according to Bucks notes, was a sick tribute to a songwriter who we all admire.
In 2023, Mike Mills named the song the best the band had released since Bill Berry left: [Its] as good as anything we did after Bill left the band. All the parts work. Peter [Buck]s composition is fantastic. The bass line is cool. The production is really, really good. Its encapsulated in that song. [Its] a little sad but its also a little optimistic, like the best of Michael [Stipe]s writing. It encompasses joy and tragedy. That song grabbed everything we were looking for.
The songs video was shot at Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in the Prospect Park area of Brooklyn, New York. It was directed by Michael Moore and filmed by four students from the host school and other local schools: Chris, 17; Steve, 17; Andy, 18; Charlotte, 13; Roger, 18; and Juan, 17. In the video, Peter Buck and Mike Mills can be seen entering the career guidance office with their respective instruments in hand, only to leave armed with nothing more than a dustpan and brush. R.E.M.s manager Bertis Downs makes an appearance as the schools announcer, only to have his microphone commandeered by Michael Stipe.
Reveal is the twelfth studio album by American rock band R.E.M. It was released on May 14, 2001, through Warner Bros. Records and was the second of three albums by the band to be produced with Pat McCarthy. It was also R.E.M.s second album as a three-piece, following the departure of drummer Bill Berry. Reveal includes contributions from the bands touring members Joey Waronker, Scott McCaughey and Ken Stringfellow. R.E.M. recorded the album in various locations, including in Dublin, Miami, Vancouver, and their hometown of Athens, Georgia. The album saw R.E.M. continue to experiment with electronic music as they had on their previous album Up (1998), utilizing keyboards and drum machines, while also retaining elements of their earlier sound.
Reveal was a critical and commercial success. The album reached the top 10 in the US while topping the charts in the UK and throughout mainland Europe. Three singles were released—Imitation of Life, All the Way to Reno (Youre Gonna Be a Star), and Ill Take the Rain—with the former reaching the top 10 throughout Europe. Reviews were positive, with many highlighting the albums melodic nature and combination of R.E.M.s classic sound with electronic elements. The band did not tour in support of the album, with its promotion instead consisting mainly of television appearances, music videos, and a number of free concerts within major cities.
#REM #AllTheWayToReno #AlternativeRock")
