Chris Smithers song "Love you like a man" from Smithers first album has been famously covered by Bonnie Raitt who has made it a signature song of hers under the title "Love me like a man" (published on her second Album "Give it up")- she has openly expressed admiration for Chris Smithers songwriting and guitarplaying. Later Raitt's version of the song has been covered by The Dixie Chicks and Diana Krall.
The protagonist of Linda Barnes's series of "Carlotta Carlyle" mysteries is a fan of Smither's music and several of her books mention it.
Leave The Light On
Chris Smither Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
little-known dimension
A taste of endless time
It's just like water – it runs right through our fingers
But the flavor of it lingers - Like a rich, red wine
In those days we were single – we lived them one by one
Now we hardly see ‘em – they don't walk - they run
But I've got plenty left I've set my sight on
soon
Short break
I've never seen my life in such a hurry - But if I
stop to worry – I get left behind
It's just a party, but you don't get invitations – and
there's just one destination
You better be on time.
For years we rhymed in s - And we sang ‘em two by two
Now we hardly rhyme at all – but here's a few
And if they hurt, there's bullets left to bite on
Don't wait up - Leave the light on - I'll be – home -
soon
Short break
That drummer in my head needs inspiration
There's a lack of syncopation – and it holds me to a line
It's just so hard to leave these cages that we're thinking
By stages we're just sinkin' - to a slow decline
For years we lived in waltz time – we danced them
three by three
Now it's hard to dance, but if you stick with me –
We've got what we need to spend the night on -
Don't wait up - Leave the light on - I'll be – home -
soon
Break
These races that we've run were not for glory - No
moral to this story –
We run for peace of mind.
But the race we're running now is never-ending – space and time are bending
And there's no finish line -
I will live to be a hundred - I was born in '44 - 33 to go, but I ain't keepin' score -
I've been left for dead before - but I still fight on –Don't wait up – Leave the light on
I'll be home soon
'Cause I been left for dead before - but I still fight on –
Don't wait up – Leave the light on
I'll be home soon
The song "Leave the Light On" by Chris Smither is a reflective piece about the nature of time and the inevitability of aging. The opening verse speaks of the fleeting nature of time and how it runs like water through our fingers. The singer regrets not paying enough attention to it when they were younger, for they never fully appreciated its "endless" taste. The metaphor of rich red wine is used to suggest that time is complex and full-bodied, and its effect lingers long after it has passed.
The second verse highlights how life seems to move faster as we age. The singer feels like they are constantly chasing after the moments of their life, and if they stop for too long, they will be left behind. The party they describe is a metaphor for life, and the "one destination" is death.
The final verse discusses the toll that life takes on our mental health and the difficulty we often have freeing ourselves from our own heads. The waltz time metaphor emphasizes how life is often a dance requiring partners, and when we stick together, we can make it through the night. This analogy is also used in the final line of the song, where the singer expresses their determination to make the most of the time they have left, despite knowing there is no finish line.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were young again, I'd pay attention
Looking back at my life, I regret missing out on a crucial dimension that appeared insignificant then, but could have given me a taste of endless time
It's just like water – it runs right through our fingers
Moments in life are fleeting, they just pass through us quickly and effortlessly
But the flavor of it lingers - Like a rich, red wine
Although life goes by quickly, the emotions and memories associated with those moments stay with us forever, like the lingering taste of a rich red wine
In those days we were single – we lived them one by one
When we were younger, we took our time and lived life one moment at a time
Now we hardly see ‘em – they don't walk - they run
As we grow older, life seems to pass us by more quickly and we hardly have time to appreciate our surroundings or the people in our lives
But I've got plenty left I've set my sight on
Despite the fast pace of life, there are still things I wish to accomplish and I remain optimistic
Don't wait up - Leave the light on - I'll be – home - soon
I don't want you to worry about me not making it home, but I will be back soon
I've never seen my life in such a hurry
I've never before experienced life going by so quickly
But if I stop to worry – I get left behind
If I spend too much time worrying about the fast pace of life, I will miss out on everything else that's happening around me
It's just a party, but you don't get invitations
Life is like a party, but unlike being invited to one, we have no control over our participation or how long it will last
and there's just one destination
The only certainty in life is death
You better be on time.
We have a limited amount of time on this earth, so we must make the most of each moment
For years we rhymed in s - And we sang ‘em two by two
In the past, we found enjoyment in the little things, like the rhyming of words or singing songs in pairs
Now we hardly rhyme at all – but here's a few
As we grow older, we lose touch with the simpler things in life that once brought us joy
And if they hurt, there's bullets left to bite on
Despite life's hardships, we must persevere and find a way to keep going, even if it means biting down on the pain and pushing through
That drummer in my head needs inspiration
I'm struggling to find motivation, as if the drummer in my head needs something to reignite his rhythm
There's a lack of syncopation – and it holds me to a line
I feel stuck in a rut, and the pattern of my life is following the same rhythm each day
It's just so hard to leave these cages that we're thinking
We are limited by our own thoughts and habits, and it's challenging to break free from those self-imposed cages
By stages we're just sinkin' - to a slow decline
As time goes on, we can easily succumb to a slow decline and lose our enthusiasm for life
For years we lived in waltz time – we danced them three by three
In the past, we took our time and approached life more gracefully, dancing to the waltz rhythm in sets of three
Now it's hard to dance, but if you stick with me – We've got what we need to spend the night on -
Life can be challenging, but if we support each other and stick together, we can still find joy and make the most of our time
These races that we've run were not for glory
In life, we're not racing to win a prize or earn glory
No moral to this story –
There isn't always a lesson or moral to be learned in our experiences
We run for peace of mind.
Ultimately, we are running this race for our own inner peace and wellbeing
But the race we're running now is never-ending
When it comes to life, there is no finish line or endpoint, it's a never-ending journey
space and time are bending
The concept of space and time becomes irrelevant as we enter an infinite and eternal journey with no defined boundaries or limitations
And I've been left for dead before - but I still fight on
I've faced challenges before that left me feeling helpless, but I won't give up and will continue to push forward
Don't wait up – Leave the light on - I'll be home soon
Don't worry about me, I will be back soon, so please leave the light on for me
Writer(s): Chris Smither
Contributed by Ellie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nepalkat4733
I'm 73. This song has so many levels of depth & meaning & connotation that it's hard to keep from weeping. I'm not alone in this; everyone I know who has heard it has said pretty much the same thing. I first saw Smither in 1967 in a small auditorium in the Boston University Student Union. I damn near levitated out of my seat with excitement with how good he was. Over the years he's just gotten better and better. Unlike many who claim the title, he is a true artist — poet and musician!
@noelcraig2917
Agreed, it’s an amazing song with layers of complexity. Maybe our age helps us to understand it.
@earthworkr2
I'm 47 and I hate new music. I like all genres if the song actually says something with depth. I'm beginning to understand this one more as I get older. He is among the real poets and artists, like you said. I have a very good friend that introduced me to this guy. What a gift!
@hazwalk
I first heard Chris about five years ago,I feel deprived of so many years of knowing of his music. We did get to see him live in Sheffield England earlier this year. I asked him will be come to Ireland , he said it's on the cards for 2024. Hope it happens.
@williamballmaier2355
I really appreciate your take on this beauty. I feel the same way. You got a few years me (I'm 55), I caught Smither on a rare college radio station in 1993 on a night shift. I feel blessed in way that I was so lucky to find these old records and songs on rare radio stations. The trick is to keep you ear close to the rail so you hear the train coming miles away. LOL
@KilamSabba
Here’s his under-appreciated Live at the World Cafe version of No Love Today: https://youtu.be/Vj8GI4b7jOE?si=Pw51e1l92Pm2nKXF
The best!
@grumblekin
I couldn't have really understood this as a young man.
After decades of scars and heartbreak and love and discovery I can finally get what he's talking about.
@michaelworczak543
Wrote the song. Played it alone, fingerpicking the base and melody. Sang along. This was beautiful. Thank you Chris.
@billbeecher3080
And is playing percussion with his feet...surprised you can't hear that.
@Halffastpaddler
I am incredibly grateful to the photographer who videotaped Mr. Smither's fingers on the fret board through the intro and solos.