When the Lights Go Out
The Black Keys Lyrics

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Don't it hurt so bad
When you're standin' in the sun
In the bottom of your heart
You don't love no one

You can be oh so mean
I just can't see, no in between
You know what the sun's all about

When the lights go out

What a way to live
Back of your class
End of the line
Always last

You can be oh so mean

I just can't see, no in between
You know what the sun's all about
When the lights go out

See the moon
See the stars
From your lonely seat
In your lonely cars

You can be oh so mean
I just can't see, no in between

You know what the sun's all about
When the lights go out

Overall Meaning

The Black Keys' "When The Lights Go Out" is a raw and emotional song that expresses feelings of loneliness, isolation, and desperation. The opening lines "Don't it hurt so bad, when you're standin' in the sun, in the bottom of your heart, you don't love no one" set the tone of the song, expressing the pain and sadness of feeling alone and unloved. The lyrics also address how one can be cruel and mean when feeling vulnerable and alone, asking for forgiveness and understanding.

The chorus of the song highlights the contrast between light and dark, symbolizing the highs and lows of life. The lyrics "You know what the sun's all about, when the lights go out" speak to the idea that we often only appreciate the good things in life when we experience the darkness. The song has a melancholy and reflective tone, highlighting the struggles and pain that come with living life.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't it hurt so bad
The pain is unbearable

When you're standin' in the sun
Being exposed to the harsh reality is painful

In the bottom of your heart
Deep down, you know the truth

You don't love no one
You are incapable of love

You can be oh so mean
You have a tendency to be cruel

I just can't see, no in between
You're either hot or cold, and nothing in between

You know what the sun's all about
You have experienced the harsh reality

When the lights go out
When things get tough

What a way to live
Living in this painful reality is a challenge

Back of your class
Not succeeding in school

End of the line
At the bottom of the heap