Show Don't Tell (song)
Encyclopedia
"Show Don't Tell" is a single
by the progressive Canadian rock band Rush
and is the first song on the album Presto
. The song charted at number 1 on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart (the second in a stream of five other songs by Rush to top the chart, first accomplished by New World Man, and later on by Dreamline
, Stick It Out, and Test for Echo). A music video was made for this song.
In Presto and particularly in "Show Don't Tell", Rush continues to play in the style of progressive rock but in a different style. In Rush's music of the late 1970s and early 1980s, their progressive rock is indicated by asymmetric time signatures and lyrics fitting into a concept album, and in "Show Don't Tell", their progressive rock is shown by using a very complex riff played in unison by the members of the band.
The band chose to use more funk by using extended chord tones, a dramatic pause eighteen seconds into the song and other methods as well.
The funkier song structure proved to be difficult for Neil Peart
when he played the drums for the song. He explained in Canadian Musician,
" 'Show Don't Tell' begins with a syncopated guitar riff that appears two or three times throughout the song. That was about the hardest thing for me to find the right pattern for. I wanted to maintain a groove and yet follow the bizarre syncopations that the guitar riff was leading into. It was demanding technically, but at the same time, because of that, we were determined that it should have a rhythmic groove under it. It's not enough for us to produce a part that's technically demanding; it has to have an overwhelming significance musically. So it had to groove into the rest of the song and it had to have a pulse to it that was apart from what we were playing."
onward from writing concepts and abstractions to a more concrete, first-person viewpoint, or as he noted when interviewed a perspective with a "stance and a good attitude".
Peart alternates between narration and a first person perspective as he writes about confronting a person who has fooled the protagonist of the song too often. Peart's philosophy throughout the song is epitomized with the very no-nonsense lyric "You can twist perception. Reality won't budge!" The first verse explains the frustration of depending on others and finding out that is the wrong approach (e.g. "Everyone knows everything, and no one's ever wrong, until later. Who can you believe?").
The chorus shows the protagonist's resolution to being fooled: stop listening to the schemer's persuasion, pay attention only if the schemer shows evidence, rather than being convinced by conniving words.
The second verse uses vivid imagery of a courtroom trial as the solution to the protagonist's; however, in this case, the deceived protagonist is the "judge and the jury". After the second verse and chorus, an instrumental section features a bass solo by Geddy Lee
and a shorter guitar solo by Alex Lifeson
. The chorus in the last section uses more courtroom imagery and then alternates lines from the chorus between the two verses and the chorus using courtroom imagery.
tour. The song was included in the live album Different Stages.
US release:
Canadian release:
CD single
A CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s...
by the progressive Canadian rock band Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
and is the first song on the album Presto
Presto (album)
-Personnel:* Geddy Lee - bass guitar, synthesizers, vocals* Alex Lifeson - electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals* Neil Peart - drums, percussion* Rupert Hine - additional keyboards, production*Stephen W Tayler - recording and mixing...
. The song charted at number 1 on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart (the second in a stream of five other songs by Rush to top the chart, first accomplished by New World Man, and later on by Dreamline
Dreamline
"Dreamline" is the first track from Rush's 1991 album Roll the Bones. It was released as a single the same year. The song charted at number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and is a staple for live performances by Rush, having been performed on every tour since the inaugural Roll the...
, Stick It Out, and Test for Echo). A music video was made for this song.
Music and Song Structure
"Show Don't Tell" illustrates Rush's move away from synthesizer in favour of a more guitar-oriented approach; the band favoured a more funk/groove style of play and away from the 1980s style of music typical in the two preceding albums Power Windows and Hold Your Fire.In Presto and particularly in "Show Don't Tell", Rush continues to play in the style of progressive rock but in a different style. In Rush's music of the late 1970s and early 1980s, their progressive rock is indicated by asymmetric time signatures and lyrics fitting into a concept album, and in "Show Don't Tell", their progressive rock is shown by using a very complex riff played in unison by the members of the band.
The band chose to use more funk by using extended chord tones, a dramatic pause eighteen seconds into the song and other methods as well.
The funkier song structure proved to be difficult for Neil Peart
Neil Peart
Neil Ellwood Peart , OC, is a Canadian musician and author. He is the drummer for the rock band Rush.Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario . During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band in pursuit of a career as a full-time drummer...
when he played the drums for the song. He explained in Canadian Musician,
" 'Show Don't Tell' begins with a syncopated guitar riff that appears two or three times throughout the song. That was about the hardest thing for me to find the right pattern for. I wanted to maintain a groove and yet follow the bizarre syncopations that the guitar riff was leading into. It was demanding technically, but at the same time, because of that, we were determined that it should have a rhythmic groove under it. It's not enough for us to produce a part that's technically demanding; it has to have an overwhelming significance musically. So it had to groove into the rest of the song and it had to have a pulse to it that was apart from what we were playing."
Lyrics
As is the case with a vast majority of Rush songs, Neil Peart writes the lyrics for this song. In an interview, he explained that "Show Don't Tell" is an example of his trend from the album Grace Under PressureGrace Under Pressure (Rush album)
Grace Under Pressure is the tenth studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1984 . A symbol for the album is the letter "p" above a line with the letter "g" below ....
onward from writing concepts and abstractions to a more concrete, first-person viewpoint, or as he noted when interviewed a perspective with a "stance and a good attitude".
Peart alternates between narration and a first person perspective as he writes about confronting a person who has fooled the protagonist of the song too often. Peart's philosophy throughout the song is epitomized with the very no-nonsense lyric "You can twist perception. Reality won't budge!" The first verse explains the frustration of depending on others and finding out that is the wrong approach (e.g. "Everyone knows everything, and no one's ever wrong, until later. Who can you believe?").
The chorus shows the protagonist's resolution to being fooled: stop listening to the schemer's persuasion, pay attention only if the schemer shows evidence, rather than being convinced by conniving words.
The second verse uses vivid imagery of a courtroom trial as the solution to the protagonist's; however, in this case, the deceived protagonist is the "judge and the jury". After the second verse and chorus, an instrumental section features a bass solo by Geddy Lee
Geddy Lee
Gary Lee Weinrib, OC, better known as Geddy Lee , is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush...
and a shorter guitar solo by Alex Lifeson
Alex Lifeson
Aleksandar Živojinović, OC, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a second generation Serbian-Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. In the summer of 1968, Lifeson founded the band that would become Rush with friend, drummer John Rutsey...
. The chorus in the last section uses more courtroom imagery and then alternates lines from the chorus between the two verses and the chorus using courtroom imagery.
Live performances
"Show Don't Tell" was featured in their tour supporting Presto. It proved popular enough to also be played during later tours, including the Roll the BonesRoll the Bones
Roll the Bones is the fourteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1991 . The album was recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights and at McClear Place in Toronto with Rupert Hine returning as producer. The album won the 1992 Juno Award for best album cover design...
tour. The song was included in the live album Different Stages.
Track listing
Music by Lifeson, Peart, and Lee. Lyrics by Peart.US release:
- Show Don't Tell - 5:01
Canadian release:
- Show Don't Tell (Edit) - 4:17
- Show Don't Tell - 5:01
See also
- List of number-one mainstream rock hits (United States)