When English bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s defined themselves as 'electric folk' they were making a distinction with the already existing 'folk rock'. The result of this hybridisation was an exchange of specific features drawn from Traditional music and Rock music. These have been defined as including:
Traditional music:
Lyrics
Tunes
The drone
Use of some acoustic instruments
Use of traditional music rhythms
Blending of multiple songs in the traditional music style
Rock music:
Rhythm
The hook
Ostinati
Use of some electric instrument
The tempo of some songs may be altered well beyond the traditional boundaries
Key changes may be added
Not all of these features are found in every song. For example, Electric folk groups, while predominantly using traditional material as their source for lyrics and tunes, occasionally write their own (much as traditional musicians do).
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard & Linda Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now the weekend's come
I'm gonna throw my troubles away
If you've got the cab fare, mister, you'll do all right
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Meet me at the station, don't be late
I need to spend some money and it just won't wait
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
There's crazy people running all over town
There's a silver band, just marching up and down
And the big boys are all spoiling for a fight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Meet me at the station, don't be late
I need to spend some money and it just won't wait
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
A couple of drunken nights rolling on the floor
Is just the kind of mess I'm looking for
I'm gonna dream 'till Monday comes in sight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Meet me at the station, don't be late
I need to spend some money and it just won't wait
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
The song "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" by Richard & Linda Thompson is about escaping the daily grind and seeking excitement and pleasure in the city. Through the lyrics, the singer expresses their weariness with work and desire to leave it all behind for a night of fun and adventure. The bright lights mentioned in the title and throughout the song represent the dazzling allure of the city and the endless possibilities it offers.
The singer invites someone to meet them at the station and take them to a dance where they can forget their troubles and immerse themselves in the wild energy of the city. The references to crazy people running all over town and the big boys spoiling for a fight suggest a dangerous edge to the nightlife, but the singer remains undeterred. They long for drunken nights and the kind of messiness that comes with letting go of inhibitions.
Overall, "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" captures the desire for escape and the yearning for pleasure that many people feel. The song celebrates the transformative power of nightlife and the allure of the city, while also acknowledging its darker aspects.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so tired of working every day
The singer is exhausted from the monotony of a typical work week.
Now the weekend's come
The singer is relieved to finally have a break from work.
I'm gonna throw my troubles away
The singer plans to let go of their worries and enjoy themselves.
If you've got the cab fare, mister, you'll do all right
The artist is willing to rely on someone else to pay for transportation.
I want to see the bright lights tonight
The artist desires excitement and adventure in the form of bright city lights.
Meet me at the station, don't be late
The singer is anxious to start their adventure and wants their companion to be prompt.
I need to spend some money and it just won't wait
The singer is eager to let loose and spend money on their night out.
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
The artist wants to have a fun, carefree night dancing with their companion.
There's crazy people running all over town
The city is bustling with activity and excitement.
There's a silver band, just marching up and down
The artist is drawn to the lively music filling the city streets.
And the big boys are all spoiling for a fight
The city can be a rough place where confrontation and aggression are common.
A couple of drunken nights rolling on the floor
The artist is eager to let loose and have carefree, wild experiences.
Is just the kind of mess I'm looking for
The singer desires a wild, adventurous night out without worrying about consequences.
I'm gonna dream 'till Monday comes in sight
The singer plans to let go and enjoy themselves until the reality of work on Monday arrives.
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
The singer wants to have a fun, carefree night dancing with their companion.
I want to see the bright lights tonight
The artist desires excitement and adventure in the form of bright city lights.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard John Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@inkoinfinity2
I'm so tired of working every day
Now the weekend's come
I'm gonna throw my troubles away
If you've got the cab fare, mister, you'll do all right
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Meet me at the station, don't be late
I need to spend some money and it just won't wait
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
There's crazy people running all over town
There's a silver band, just marching up and down
And the big boys are all spoiling for a fight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Meet me at the station, don't be late
I need to spend some money and it just won't wait
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
A couple of drunken nights rolling on the floor
Is just the kind of mess I'm looking for
I'm gonna dream 'till Monday comes in sight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Meet me at the station, don't be late
I need to spend some money and it just won't wait
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
Take me to the dance and hold me tight
I want to see the bright lights tonight
@doobiebros4626
This song is a masterpiece..
@nicolejenkins2609
Wall of Death is my favorite, but this is a close second...
@zodiac6968
@Nicole Jenkins What about Napalm Death?
@olwengarcia4449
Love this - genius horns.
@connorsample8389
Hell yeah first time hearing this! Good groove
@coreykauffman4921
Leon's wake up song. I feel it every morning.
@mynameisntdave6012
10$....10$ says you can't shoot that off his head
@ElegantHood
That's Easy!
@mrmeme9991
Woah woah woah, Jesus f*cking Christ
@MartyMcFly88
@My name isn't Dave! “with THIS Valentine!”