"Lock and Key" is a song written, produced and performed by Canadian rock band Rush.

The song's music video was originally released in 1987, and was produced by Bob Jason and directed by T. Vanden Ende.

"[4] The song also includes a guitar solo by Lifeson that, according to a review on Sputnikmusic, deviates "from his melodic aspirations elsewhere on the album [Hold Your Fire].

[8] The subject of the song is about violence,[9] making mentions of threats about a "killer instinct" inherent in humanity.

[10] Alex Lifeson said that the phrase meant "the ability to kill for no reason at all,"[6] so, according to the book Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush, "we suppress and repress the living, vibrant, animal courage, and substitute the tepid, torpid, vapid, but secure robotic, mechanistic, automatic-pilot self.

"[17] Metal Storm said that the song was a standout track of Hold Your Fire, stating that it "has a clear-cut power edge over the rest of the album.

[20] The song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

"[3] "Lock and Key" was played on the episode "The Whole Truth" from the Canadian television show Degrassi Junior High.