"Red Lights" is mostly a musical change from Tiësto's previous releases as it departs from his trademark trance-influenced sound and sees him experimenting with new genres through the incorporation of acoustic elements into his music, which highlights his ability to adapt to the expanding EDM market.
"Red Lights" received generally mixed reviews from contemporary music critics and performed moderately well in most major music markets. It became Tiësto's first number-one hit in Scotland, his first top-ten hit in the United Kingdom and his highest-charting single in Ireland and Australia. Additionally, "Red Lights" also became Tiësto's second highest-charting single in the United States, where it peaked at number fifty-six on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also peaked at number two on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs and number six on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs charts.
On May 12, 2017, Tiësto released an official remix of "Red Lights" by electronic production duo Hungry Man Fun Man.
Tiësto's fifth studio album, A Town Called Paradise was released on 13 June 2014. While little was initially known regarding Tiësto's collaborators for the album, it had been revealed that the album would mark a departure from Tiësto's "traditional trance sound". "Red Lights" was eventually released as the album's lead single on 13 December 2013 after making its premiere on 29 November 2013 on BBC Radio 1. The song's release coincided with Tiësto's move to Republic Records and his announcement of plans to release an "artist album" in 2014. Tiësto stated that "Red Lights" would be one of two songs unveiled prior to the release of "Footprints", another one of his songs that premiered at the TomorrowWorld Festival in September 2013.
During an interview with the Miami NewTimes, Tiësto revealed that the original version of "Red Lights" had been developed two and a half years prior to its release. Swedish record producer Rami Yacoub brought the song to Tiësto's attention by playing its chorus to him. Tiësto reflected on this experience by commenting, "I was like, Wow, this is so uplifting and euphoric! This is so me! And I knew that I wanted to work on the track. It was a very long process, but it was definitely worth it".
The song's accompanying music video was released on 10 February 2014 and runs for approximately three minutes and thirty-two seconds. Tiësto describes "Red Lights" as a song about “letting loose of your inhibitions and running free" and states that the song's music video is a reflection of this. The video centers on two close friends who embark on a road trip to Las Vegas to attend one of Tiësto's shows in Hakkasan.
Red Lights
Tiësto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything's faded on your love,
I'm already wasted, so close
That I can taste it now, now
So let's break right out of these guilty cages
We're going to make it now
Don't ever turn around
Nobody else needs to know
Where we might go
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
There ain't no reason to stay
We'll be light years away
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
White lights, flirt in the darkness
This road leads where your heart is
These signs, something we can't ignore no
We can't back down
We'll never let them change us
We're going to make it now
What are we waiting for
What are we waiting for
Nobody else needs to know
Where we might go
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
There ain't no reason to stay
We'll be light years away
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
The song "Red Lights" by Tiësto talks about the desire to break free from the constraints of society, take a risk and embark on an adventure with a loved one. The opening lines reveal the singer's state of mind, lost in love and already feeling wasted. The singer then urges their partner to break out of any feelings of guilt and take a chance together. They promise to leave their problems behind, to run the red lights and to escape to a place where nobody else needs to know. In the chorus, the singer repeats the idea of running the red lights as a symbol of taking risks and following their hearts. They encourage each other to be fearless, to never back down and to never let anyone change them.
The lines "White lights, flirt in the darkness/ This road leads where your heart is/ These signs, something we can't ignore no" suggest a sense of adventure and uncertainty ahead but the singer is willing to follow their heart towards it. The rest of the song reaffirms this message of taking chances, taking risks and ignoring the pressure of society to conform. The song ends with the repeated line, "We could just run them red lights," almost as if to say that the adventure is ongoing and the possibilities are endless, as long as they remain true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Blacked out
Feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future
Everything's faded on your love
Feeling distant and disconnected from a past love
I'm already wasted, so close
Feeling emotionally invested in a situation beyond repair
That I can taste it now, now
The feeling of longing for something just out of reach
So let's break right out of these guilty cages
Breaking free from societal expectations and norms
We're going to make it now
Believing in the possibility of a positive outcome
Don't ever turn around
Stay committed to the decision to move forward
Nobody else needs to know
The decision to move forward doesn't concern anyone else
Where we might go
The destination is unknown, and that's okay
We could just run them red lights
Taking chances and living life on the edge
There ain't no reason to stay
The past is a place to learn from, not dwell in
We'll be light years away
Moving toward a brighter future
White lights, flirt in the darkness
Finding light in a dark and uncertain situation
This road leads where your heart is
Trusting your instincts to guide you down the right path
These signs, something we can't ignore no
Recognizing the signs and opportunities that are presenting themselves
We can't back down
Committing to moving forward, despite the challenges ahead
We'll never let them change us
Staying true to oneself, despite the pressure to conform
What are we waiting for
The time to act is now, not later
We could just run them red lights
Taking risks and embracing life without hesitation
We could just run them red lights
Choosing to live in the moment, without regret
We could just run them red lights
Living life on your own terms, without apology
We could just run them red lights
Embracing the thrill of the unknown
We could just run them red lights
Celebrate life and all of its challenges and possibilities
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carl Anthony Falk, Mans Erik Mikael Wredenberg, Michel Henry Allan Zitron, Rami Yacoub, Tijs Michiel Verwest, Wayne Hector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@firstlight3754
Best moments that can't be forgotten. I find peace by those artists
1. Avicii
2. Alesso
3. Martin garrix
4. OneRepublic
5. Twenty one pilots
6. passenger
7.Tiësto
8. Swedish house mafia
Anyone listening this song in 2022???
@yefim3262
"Red Lights"
Blacked out, everything's faded
On your love I’m already wasted
So close that I can taste it now... now...
So let’s break right out of these gilded cages
We’re gonna make it now...
Don’t ever turn around
Don’t ever turn around
Nobody else needs to know
Where we might go...
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
There ain’t no reason to stay
We’ll be light years away...
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights...
We could just run them red lights...
White lights, flirt in the darkness
This road leads where your heart is
These signs, something we can’t ignore...no...
We can’t back down
We’ll never let them change us
We’re gonna make it now
What are we waiting for...
What are we waiting for...
Nobody else needs to know
Where we might go...
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
There ain’t no reason to stay
We’ll be light years away...
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights...
We could just run them red lights...
@kattokastro6969
Blacked out,
Everything's faded on your love,
I'm already wasted, so close
That I can taste it now, now
So let's break right out of these guilty cages
We're going to make it now
Don't ever turn around
Don't ever turn around
Nobody else needs to know
Where we might go
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
There ain't no reason to stay
We'll be light years away
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
White lights, flirt in the darkness
This road leads where your heart is
These signs, something we can't ignore no
We can't back down
We'll never let them change us
We're going to make it now
What are we waiting for
What are we waiting for
Nobody else needs to know
Where we might go
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
There ain't no reason to stay
We'll be light years away
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
We could just run them red lights
God! This girls are sooo sexy! :o
@firstlight3754
Best moments that can't be forgotten. I find peace by those artists
1. Avicii
2. Alesso
3. Martin garrix
4. OneRepublic
5. Twenty one pilots
6. passenger
7.Tiësto
8. Swedish house mafia
Anyone listening this song in 2022???
@williamhs1040
Calvin Harris ?
@firstlight3754
@@williamhs1040 I forget him😚😚
@b.s.3645
Gotta admit Kygo songs have a lot of power too
@HipsterBrooo
Calvin Harris, Hardwell too
@dantakata1407
ZEDD?
@khanhbui4373
I was 20 when this song came out , now i'm 29 , listening at midnight . So many good memories .
@jhonatanwillian6712
I was 18.. times that never come back. Makes me want to cry 😓
@wavultra
I was 17 and I know exactly how you feel 😌
@Mozzzler
I was 9 playing baseball