The sixth song on the
self-titled first album by the Canadian band
Rush. Words and music written by
Geddy Lee. Performed by
Geddy Lee (bass and lead vocals),
Alex Lifeson (guitar and backup vocals) and
John Rutsey (drums, cowbell and backup vocals).
The intent of this song should be obvious to anyone who has ever spent time in a bar, especially a bar frequented by college students. Imagine a man who sits down next to a pretty woman and starts trying to pick her up. He starts gently, with a compliment ("I like your smile"), and moves from that to asking her to talk to him for "a little while". Then he tells her he's captivated by her ("you're makin' me crazy") and hints at his seduction technique "I'll tell you all my lies". What woman could resist?
The chorus (third, sixth and last stanzas) shows us his real mind. He wants to find a willing partner and have sex with her this night, and he doesn't have time to waste making chit-chat with dead ends. Thus he insists that "the hour is late" despite admitting that it's only "a quarter to eight". Maybe the bars close early in that town.
Later in the song, one gets the feeling he's none too sober. He asks the woman not to "talk so fast", mentions that "ev'rything's getting hazy" and then she either tries to escape him or he loses his focus, asking "where'd you go?"
Undaunted, he keeps after her. He uses his best line: "you really got me, baby/ way down deep inside". Surely, when she knows how crazy he is about her, she'll agree to have sex with him! He finally admits his object in the last verse.
Aw, hey now, baby,
Well, I like your smile
Won't you come and talk to me
For a little while
Well, you're makin' me crazy
The way you roll them eyes
Won't you come and sit with me
I'll tell you all my lies
Hey baby, it's a quarter to eight
I feel I'm in the mood
Hey baby, the hour is late
I feel I've got to move
Well, hey now, baby
Don't you talk so fast
I'm just try'n' to make this good time
I'm try'n' to make it last
Ev'rything's getting hazy
Now honey, where'd you go?
I just want to find out, baby
Where'd you learn what you know?
Hey baby, it's a quarter to eight
I feel I'm in the mood
Hey baby, the hour is late
I feel I've got to move
Well, hey now, baby
Said, I like your style
You really got me, baby
Way down deep inside
Oo, you drive me crazy
Baby, you're the one
I just want to rock-and-roll you woman
Until the night is done
Hey baby, it's a quarter to eight
I feel I'm in the mood
Hey baby, the hour is late
I feel I've got to move
Sources: My Rush CD collection and http://www.sing365.com