In 2004, she began her career in the animated Indian film The Legend of Buddha, later starring in the films Alice Upside Down (2007), The Clique (2008), Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) and Labor Pains (2009) as a teenager. In 2009, Mendler signed with Disney Channel and played Juliet van Heusen on Wizards of Waverly Place. Following the positive reception to her character, she landed the role of Teddy Duncan on the Disney series Good Luck Charlie, which ran from April 2010 to February 2014. Mendler also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth in 2011. Subsequently, Mendler portrayed Candace in the NBC sitcom Undateable (2015–2016) and Ashley Willerman in the musical television series Nashville (2017).
Mendler was featured on two singles released from the soundtrack of Lemonade Mouth, with both charting on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2012, Mendler released her debut studio album Hello My Name Is.... It went on to peak at number 30 on the Billboard 200. The record spawned the lead single "Ready or Not" (2012), which was certified Gold and Platinum in various countries. The follow-up single "Hurricane" (2013) did not achieve the same level of success but is still her second most popular single to date. Mendler released new music independently in 2016 and 2017.
Mendler also has links with several philanthropic projects and humanitarian causes. From 2010 to 2012, she served as ambassador to First Book, a campaign to encourage reading and gives books to children in need, and Give with Target, with Target Corporation to raise funds to reform schools in the United States. Since 2017, she has been a student and researcher with the MIT Media Lab.
City Lights
Bridgit Mendler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fog is real low and it's so blinded
Oh I'm tryna steer, tryna take the lead
But I feel like the road is steering me
Getting so lost, like a cast away
Feeling so crossed, like a renegade
And I'm tryna call out in the big city
Just a small voice and no ones listening to me
Oh tell me where to go
Tell me that you know
Just how bright I glow
Every time that you think you've lost your shine
Just remember nothings brighter
You're the city lights
Every time that you've waited til the night
Just remember you're the fire
You're the city lights
That shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, oh
Oh I'm blending in and I'm sticking out
Like a sore thumb that they don't know about
Wanna make peace, wanna just breathe
Wanna be the light that makes them all believe
I'm the race car, not the spectator
I'm the hero, not the narrator
Hercules, ballaning
Conquering everything, yeah
Ooh tell me where to go
Tell me that you know
Just how bright I glow
Every time that you think you've lost your shine
Just remember nothings brighter
You're the city lights
Every time that you've waited til the night
Just remember you're the fire
You're the city lights
That shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, ooh
Everybody knows
That everybody glows
Like the city lights
Everybody knows
That everybody glows
Like the city lights
Everybody knows
That everybody glows
Like the city lights
Everybody knows
That everybody glows
Like the city lights
The city lights ooh
Ooh the city lights
You are
Every time that you think you've lost your shine
Just remember nothings brighter
You're the city lights, you're the city lights
Every time that you've waited til the night
Just remember you're the fire
You're the city lights
That shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, night, oh
Shine into the night, night, night, ooh
In "City Lights," Bridgit Mendler sings about feeling lost and directionless in a big city, but ultimately finding strength and resilience within herself. The winding road and low fog symbolize the obstacles and confusion in her path, but she's determined to take the lead despite feeling like the road is leading her. She feels like a castaway, disconnected and adrift among the masses, and like a renegade, fighting against conformity and societal expectations. Even when she tries to speak out, she feels like no one is listening to her small voice.
However, the chorus is a reminder to herself that she is the city lights - bright, vibrant, and impossible to ignore. Even when she feels like she's lost her shine, she just needs to remember that nothing is brighter than her own resilience and perseverance. In the second verse, she embraces her role as a protagonist and a hero, not just a passive spectator or narrator. She wants to make peace, breathe, and be a light that inspires others to believe in themselves.
Overall, "City Lights" is an empowering anthem that encourages listeners to find their own inner strength and light, even in the midst of confusion and darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a long road and it get's winedy
The journey ahead is challenging and uncertain.
Fog is real low and it's so blinded
Obstacles and confusion hinder the way forward.
Oh I'm tryna steer, tryna take the lead
Despite the difficulties, the singer is trying to take control and lead the way.
But I feel like the road is steering me
The obstacles and confusion seem to be directing the singer's journey instead of them being in control.
Getting so lost, like a cast away
The singer feels disconnected and lost in their journey.
Feeling so crossed, like a renegade
The singer feels misunderstood and at odds with their surroundings.
And I'm tryna call out in the big city
The singer is trying to make themselves heard in a crowded and overwhelming place.
Just a small voice and no ones listening to me
Despite their efforts, the singer feels ignored and unheard.
Every time that you think you've lost your shine
When you feel lost or unsure of yourself.
Just remember nothings brighter
Remember that you have the potential to shine and stand out.
You're the city lights
You have the power to light up and inspire.
Every time that you've waited til the night
When you feel like you've been in the dark.
Just remember you're the fire
Remember that you have the passion and energy to make a difference.
Oh I'm blending in and I'm sticking out
The singer feels both accepted and rejected simultaneously.
Like a sore thumb that they don't know about
Feeling out of place and unappreciated.
Wanna make peace, wanna just breathe
Desiring calmness and contentment rather than conflict.
Wanna be the light that makes them all believe
Aspiring to be a guiding presence that inspires others.
I'm the race car, not the spectator
The singer is an active participant and pursuer of their dreams, rather than just a spectator.
I'm the hero, not the narrator
The singer is the singer of their own journey, not just an observer telling the story.
Conquering everything, yeah
The singer is determined to overcome all obstacles and emerge victorious.
Everybody knows
Everyone has the potential to shine and be remarkable.
That everybody glows
Everyone has a unique and special light within them.
Like the city lights
Similar to how city lights illuminate and beautify a place, everyone has the potential to brighten the world around them.
The city lights ooh
The power of personal inspiration and motivation.
Ooh the city lights
The singer is reinforcing the idea and power of the city lights analogy.
You are
The singer is directly addressing the listener, reminding them of their own potential and power as a city light.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRIDGIT MENDLER, FREDDY WEXLER, JAI MARLON, DAVID RYAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind