Cold and Grey
City Lights Lyrics


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I just wanted to let you know
Just how beautiful you are on the outside
′Cause inside you're cold and grey like Ohio in February
I don′t know what made you this way
But you suck the life right out of me
I gave you everything
You threw it all back in my face
It's hard enough to keep my head above the water
Without you trying to pull me down
Why is it that you always have to be the cement on my feet
When I'm trying to swim

But I′ve got my strength and my will to carry on
Is the only thing keeping me from sinking

I just wanted to let you know
Just how beautiful you are on the outside
′Cause inside you're cold and grey like Ohio in February
I don′t know what made you this way
But you suck the life right out of me
I gave you everything
You threw it all back in my face

It's bad enough that nothing ever goes right
When I′m doing everything I can to make things work
But there you are turning sunshine into rain
Turning positivity to pain

But I've got my strength and my will to carry on
Is the only thing keeping me from sinking

I just wanted to let you know
Just how beautiful you are on the outside
′Cause inside you're cold and grey like Ohio in February
I don't know what made you this way
But you suck the life right out of me
I gave you everything
You threw it all back in my face
You threw it all back in my face

We don′t need you around anymore
We don′t need you around
We don't need you around anymore

But I′ve got my strength and my will to carry on
Is the only thing keeping me from sinking

I just wanted to let you know
Just how beautiful you are on the outside
'Cause inside you′re cold and grey like Ohio in February
I don't know what made you this way
But you suck the life right out of me




I gave you everything
You threw it all back in my face

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of City Lights's song "Cold and Grey" speak of a relationship gone sour, with one person giving their all to another who only takes and drains their energy. The singer acknowledges that the person they're addressing may appear beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, they're "cold and grey" like the bleak winter month of February in Ohio. The singer doesn't know why this person has become this way, but they know that being with them is like being pulled down into the depths of the ocean. The singer wants to let the person know that their actions have hurt them deeply, but they are also determined to move on and be strong.


The lyrics are a powerful portrayal of a toxic relationship, with the metaphor of Ohio in February serving to emphasize the bleakness and hopelessness of the situation. The singer describes how their partner's negativity and lack of support is like "cement on my feet when I'm trying to swim". Despite this, however, the singer is determined to stay afloat, with their "strength and will to carry on" being the only thing that keeps them from sinking. Ultimately, the singer realizes that they no longer need this person in their life, and they're ready to move on and leave them behind.


Line by Line Meaning

I just wanted to let you know
I want you to be aware


Just how beautiful you are on the outside
Your exterior looks nice


′Cause inside you're cold and grey like Ohio in February
However, you have a dark and desolate personality


I don’t know what made you this way
I am unsure what caused you to be like this


But you suck the life right out of me
Your presence drains my energy


I gave you everything
I provided you with everything I could


You threw it all back in my face
You rejected all that I offered


It's hard enough to keep my head above the water
I am already struggling to stay afloat


Without you trying to pull me down
And you're making it worse by dragging me down


Why is it that you always have to be the cement on my feet
You always hinder and restrict me


When I'm trying to swim
When I am trying to progress


But I’ve got my strength and my will to carry on
Despite this, I have the determination to persevere


Is the only thing keeping me from sinking
And that is the only thing preventing me from giving up


It's bad enough that nothing ever goes right
I am already facing difficulties and setbacks


When I’m doing everything I can to make things work
Despite my best efforts


But there you are turning sunshine into rain
But you always manage to find a way to make things worse


Turning positivity to pain
Transforming positivity to negativity


We don’t need you around anymore
We can do without your presence from now on


But I’ve got my strength and my will to carry on
Nevertheless, I won't give up and will stay strong


Is the only thing keeping me from sinking
My strength and willpower are the only things that prevent me from failing




Writer(s): Julien Cooper Bichar

Contributed by Emma Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@nomorecakes

this band will always be one of my favorite bands, idk how they arent bigger, they make such great music, not only in the instrumenal way, but concerts, and lyrics its like the whole package, this band woulda been huge in the early 90s with Blink and such lol regardless AWESOME CD!!!!!!!

@brownpunk1794

what a beautiful closer of a song..i'm late to the party and only discovered these guys..love em..pure pop punk..no bs

@alexiluffy216

i discovered these guys back in 2016/2017 and thought i was late enough :3

@ElsewhereGuitar

this deserves a million likes...what a tune..so heartfelt

@vishneviybleyzer

This is a masterpiece of pop punk, but such underrated

@dhiy6336

songs of love, friends, friendship and heartbreak, even though so pop punk still have energy i know i like it

@lumapalacio5742

great song! =D

@bratpollution1371

As an Ohioan, I can confirm about the weather in February.

@hardcorewhovian556

As an Ohioan, and today being mid February I can confim you are telling the truth as well.

@EricBoxers

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! BEST ALBUM!

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