Le Bon is singled out by critics for her "beautiful, haunting voice". She described writing and performing music as "important to me, it's just an expression and sometimes it's not necessary to moralise it". Le Bon claimed that "early experiences with a string of pet deaths had a profound lasting effect on me" and informed her initial self-admitted "abnormal fixation with death". She describes her lyric writing as "foraging for [the right] words and then everything falls into place".
The Light
Cate le Bon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How would he sit and bookend days?
No, I don't need the poetry
More than a moment could upset the need
Console for the love, but the love belongs to me
The light, the light, the light, the light
The light, the light, the light, the light that finds me
The light, the light, the light, the light that finds me
Mother, I feel the crowds on the turn
Took out the windows
Moved the stairs
And I don't need the comedy
Holding the door to my own tragedy
Take blame for the hurt but the hurt belongs to me
The light, the light, the light, the light
The light, the light, the light, the light that finds me
The light, the light, the light, the light
The light, the light, the light, the light that finds me
You must die a little
You must exercise
You must die a little
Bury the keys and get to work
You must die a little
You must exercise
You must die a little
You must hate yourself
You must die a little
You must die a little
You must die a little
Bury the keys and get to work
In "The Light," Cate le Bon explores themes of self-discovery, finding solace in solitude, and the conflicts and responsibilities that come with love and relationships.
The first verse sets the stage, questioning where the singer would find enjoyment in the town and how they would spend their days. The mention of not needing poetry suggests a desire for simplicity and directness, wanting to stay grounded in reality rather than being swept away by lofty ideals. The line "More than a moment could upset the need" implies that the singer seeks stability and security, hesitant to disrupt the delicate balance they have found.
The chorus speaks of the light that "finds" the singer. This light can be interpreted as a symbol of enlightenment or self-realization, offering guidance and clarity amidst the confusion and challenges of life. It might represent those rare moments of illumination and understanding that come unexpectedly, bringing a sense of peace and purpose.
Moving on to the second verse, the mention of the crowds turning and rearranging the surroundings suggests a sense of displacement and upheaval. The singer doesn't need comedy to distract from their personal tragedy, implying a desire to confront and process their own emotions authentically. The line "Take blame for the hurt but the hurt belongs to me" suggests a willingness to accept responsibility for their own pain, acknowledging that it is an integral part of their individual journey.
The final section of the lyrics, repeated several times, introduces a more introspective and demanding tone. It's as if the singer is speaking to themselves, urging personal growth and a deepening of their understanding. The lines "You must die a little," "exercise," "bury the keys and get to work," and "hate yourself" can be seen as reminders to shed old habits and beliefs, to challenge oneself, and to embrace vulnerability in order to progress and evolve.
Overall, "The Light" portrays a complex search for meaning and self-acceptance, the struggle to balance personal desires and responsibilities to others, and the recognition that growth often requires embracing discomfort and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Where would he go for fun in this town?
In which places would he find enjoyment in this town?
How would he sit and bookend days?
How would he spend his time and mark the beginning and end of each day?
No, I don't need the poetry
No, I don't require the use of poetic language
More than a moment could upset the need
Anything longer than a brief moment could disrupt the necessity
Console for the love, but the love belongs to me
Provide comfort for the love, but the love is mine
The light, the light, the light, the light
The brightness, the brightness, the brightness, the brightness
The light, the light, the light, the light that finds me
The brightness, the brightness, the brightness, the brightness that discovers me
Mother, I feel the crowds on the turn
Mother, I sense the shifting crowds
Took out the windows
Removed the windows
Moved the stairs
Changed the position of the stairs
And I don't need the comedy
And I don't require the use of funny or amusing elements
Holding the door to my own tragedy
Acting as a barrier to my personal tragic events
Take blame for the hurt but the hurt belongs to me
Accept responsibility for the pain, but the pain is mine
You must die a little
You must experience some level of death or loss
You must exercise
You must engage in physical activity
Bury the keys and get to work
Conceal the keys and begin working
You must hate yourself
You must hold negative feelings towards yourself
You must die a little
You must experience some level of death or loss
You must die a little
You must experience some level of death or loss
You must die a little
You must experience some level of death or loss
Bury the keys and get to work
Conceal the keys and begin working
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Cate Timothy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher Aguayo
Heard this song on blonded radio. Been in love with it ever since ❤️ THE LIGHT
Anari Cloud
Same
BoredumbSleepyHead
Holding the door to my own tragedy
Holy hell! Such good lyrics, as always
mercromino 86
Today, from my job, in a little factory, from a little town, from Spain, I feel like this song.
King Kook
Brilliant! She never misses! can't wait for the album!
luckythelab2
Thank you. This album is sounding so smooth . Beautiful
Simon Williams
Uplifting and inspiring
Ed Braxton
Falling in love with Cate all over again.
Xavier Garnier
This is great! Cheers!
galugawa
life-changing.