Alter Der Ruine was brainspawned in 2005 as a device to get soft shoes to t… Read Full Bio ↴Alter Der Ruine was brainspawned in 2005 as a device to get soft shoes to tap to a heavy beat. To compound this simple plan an intricate execution was employed. Long story short 2 Mikes and 1 Jacob got together and made a racket that took the scenic route to its destination.

Pooling enough influence to inspire even the laziest artist, ADR set its sights to constantly evolve and explore areas unfamiliar to them. The end result rests in a sound strikingly familiar that lounges in its own swanky world. A swanky world where sleaze and serious had an ugly, humor filled love child that craved synthesizers and something to snap its fingers to. Luckily Alter Der Ruine exists for them.
Do they exist for you...

Lights
Alter Der Ruine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A man says things sometimes when playing for all the light in the sky.
Look for the lights.
And son, even in the sun, he may turn cold waiting in the hours prescribed.
Look for the lights.
We're no more than stars and bone. We're just neighbors of a similar skin.
Look for the lights.

Places to fall asleep and people to miss

As vibrating islands cast adrift to breathe the dusk away.

()
(I am) Too lost to feel this brave.
Got caught in the wasted space.
Sleep takes its time to come now that you are in my heart,
eating your way to my brain.

Days spent waiting for you, tangled in our own designs.
Look for the lights.
Blessed youthful boredom and its slow lava flow.
Look for the lights.

Over desert over mountains and to the shore
elements in their place
everything is as it is, existing to change

()

The sunken city awaits
somewhere there are lights.

I need to see them.
I need to see them.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alter Der Ruine's "Lights" speak about the search for hope in a world that sometimes seems dark and cold. In the first verse, a man plays for "all the light in the sky," perhaps referring to the idea that music and art can bring light and beauty to a world that can often be bleak. He advises us to "look for the lights," to seek out sources of hope in our lives, even when things seem difficult. He warns that even the sun, which is usually a source of warmth and light, can turn cold and distant if we hold ourselves to strict schedules and rules, stressing the importance of staying open to change and possibility.

The second verse portrays the singer as lost and adrift in a world where they are consumed by their feelings for someone else. They describe themselves as "too lost to feel this brave," suggesting a vulnerability and lack of control in their emotions. They are caught in a "wasted space" of longing and desire, and sleep seems elusive now that this person is in their heart and mind. The bridge emphasizes the passage of time and the web of relationships and experiences that make up a life, as well as the slow, steady pace of change in the world around us.

Overall, the message of "Lights" seems to be one of hope and resilience, of seeking out sources of light and beauty in dark times, even when we feel lost or overwhelmed. The lyrics draw on imagery of the natural world to suggest the cyclical nature of life and the importance of remaining open to change and possibility.

Line by Line Meaning

A man says things sometimes when playing for all the light in the sky.
A person may say things they don't truly mean when trying to gain attention or affection from others.

Look for the lights.
Stay hopeful and optimistic, and don't give up in the face of darkness or difficult times.

And son, even in the sun, he may turn cold waiting in the hours prescribed.
Even when things seem to be going well or look bright, someone can still feel cold and alone when following a rigid or unfulfilling routine.

We're no more than stars and bone. We're just neighbors of a similar skin.
We are all human, and despite our differences, we are all interconnected and share the same basic structure and needs.

Places to fall asleep and people to miss As vibrating islands cast adrift to breathe the dusk away.
There are both physical and emotional places where one may feel lost or disconnected, but sometimes it's necessary to take a step back and simply live in the present moment.

I am too lost to feel this brave. Got caught in the wasted space. Sleep takes its time to come now that you are in my heart, eating your way to my brain.
Feeling lost and disconnected can make it difficult to be brave or take action. Sometimes, negative thoughts or fears can consume us and make sleep elusive.

Days spent waiting for you, tangled in our own designs. Look for the lights. Blessed youthful boredom and its slow lava flow. Look for the lights.
During times of uncertainty or waiting, it's important to stay positive and look for signs of hope or joy. Even moments of boredom can have their own beauty and purpose.

Over desert over mountains and to the shore elements in their place everything is as it is, existing to change
The natural world can be both beautiful and harsh, with everything serving a specific purpose and constantly undergoing changes and transformations.

The sunken city awaits somewhere there are lights. I need to see them. I need to see them.
Even in seemingly hopeless situations, there is always the possibility of finding light and hope. It's important to seek out these moments and hold onto them to find strength and inspiration.

Contributed by Anna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS