Rush · Listening Companion
A Farewell to Kings (1977) · Track 4 of 6

Cinderella Man

One of the rare songs with lyrics primarily by Geddy Lee, inspired by Frank Capra's classic 1936 film "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (the original source for the "Cinderella Man" nickname). The song is about an ordinary person who inherits fortune and uses it for good rather than selfish purposes.

Musically, it features what one reviewer described as a Weather Report influence in the instrumental bridge — a jazzy, fusion-inflected passage that hinted at the more sophisticated arrangements Rush would explore in coming years. Lee's bass work is particularly prominent and melodic throughout.

While not as celebrated as the album's epics, it's a solid mid-tempo rocker that showcased the band's growing ability to blend progressive complexity with accessible songwriting. The literary film reference was typical of the band's intellectual approach to even their shorter songs.