In this song, Neil Peart warns the listeners against getting trapped in their immediate concerns and tells them to keep looking for the forthcoming possibilities even in the darkest hour. This was something that he personally had to go through as a tragedy befell his family.
[Verse 1]
Here's a little trap
That sometimes catches everyone
When today's as far as we can see
Faith in bright tomorrows
Giving way to resignation
[Chorus]
That's how it is
How it's going to be
It's such a cloudy day
Seems we'll never see the sun
Or feel the day has possibilities
Frozen in the moment
The lack of imagination
Between how it is and how it ought to be
Between how it is and how it ought to be
[Verse 2]
Here's a little trap
That sometimes trips up everyone
When we tire of our own company
Sometimes we're the last to see beyond the day's frustrations
[Chorus]
That's how it is
How it's going to be
It's such a cloudy day
Seems we'll never see the sun
Or feel the days of uncertainty
Burning in the moment
Trapped by the desperation
Between how it is and how it ought to be
Between how it is and how it ought to be
[Bridge]
Foot upon the stair
Shoulder to the wheel
You can't tell yourself not to care
You can't tell yourself how to feel
That's how it is
That's how it is
[Chorus]
Another cloudy day
Seems we'll never see the sun
Or feel the day has possibilities
Frozen in the moment
The lack of imagination
Between how it is and how it ought to be
Between how it is and how it ought to be
How It Is was written by Alex Lifeson & Geddy Lee & Neil Peart.
How It Is was produced by Paul Northfield & Rush.