Ray got his start in his native Michigan, a state known for the likes of Bob Seger, Ted Nugent and the Eagles’ Glenn Frey. While leaning a few chords on his father’s guitar, Ray gravitated towards the sounds of country, classic rock and folk, listening to people like Garth Brooks and Dwight Yoakam as well as James Taylor.
He knew he wanted a career in music, but Ray did the prudent thing and pursued a college education at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. He ended up playing regularly as a solo acoustic artist at the Cabin, a major college hangout in the mid-Michigan area. He still returns to the North Country on occasion to play at the venue where he honed his chops and learned how to work an audience.
After graduating from college, Ray set his sights on Nashville, where he planned to use his degree to teach school while learning the city and the music business. Alas, there were no jobs open in Nashville for him, even though he’d actually obtained his Tennessee teaching certificate. So he ended up accepting a teaching position in South Florida, having no idea what doors would be opened to him there.
"I think it worked out for the best," Ray said, of the chain of events that followed his arrival in Florida. In 2008, he learned about Kenny Chesney’s "Next Big Star" competition and decided to enter, first auditioning solo and then assembling a band to perform with a couple weeks after he’d been accepted. He won the competition, and soon found himself opening for Chesney himself in front of some 15,000 party-loving music lovers.
Following that victory, 99.9 KISS Country Program Director, Ken Boesen, and his staff soon began to book David for countless station events, including Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes games. KISS Country also hired Ray to play at the station’s concert venue in Fort Lauderdale, where he shared the stage with such artists as Billy Currington, Travis Tritt, Pat Green, Chris Young and American Idol champion Taylor Hicks. He received the kind of break and exposure that he probably never would have found in Nashville.
When Ray moved to Nashville in 2010, he hit the ground running, performing almost as soon as he pulled into town. In addition to performing in acoustic, in-the-round settings, Ray also performed at Paradise Park on Lower Broadway for a few months before landing steady gigs at Honky Tonk Central and the Legendary Tootsies Orchid Lounge.
In late 2012, Ray began working with manager Greg Hill who helped him land his first publishing deal with Big Deal Music. Today Ray’s time is spent writing songs with various Nashville hit songwriters, performing weekend gigs, and preparing to release his freshman album.
Light it Up
David Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess you won't be needing your favorite t-shirt because you ain't around
Gonna box it up and drive it out and take it to our spot on the edge of town
Splash a little gasoline all over your memory
Gonna light it up
Watch the flames burn away
What I thought was love, now it ain't anything
Everything that's left of us
Oh I'm gonna light it up
I tried so many times to get you on the phone, but your phone kept ringing
And i tried so hard to start moving on, but your stuffs got me thinking
There's a chance you might come back, if it's all over gotta face the facts
I ain't saying it's right, but it sure feels right
Gonna light it up
Watch the flames burn away
What I thought was love, now it ain't anything
All of the heartache, every mistake, turn even your goodbye into dust
Everything that's left of us
Oh I'm gonna light it up
Gonna light it up, gonna light it up
A rush of flames burn away what I thought was love
Now it ain't anything
All of the heartache, every mistake, turn even your goodbye into dust
Everything that's left of us
Oh, I'm gonna light it up
Light it up
The lyrics of David Ray's "Light It Up" narrate a story of a heartbroken person who finally decides to let go of the memories of their past love. The lines "I guess that's the last of the pictures, yeah I got 'em all down / Gonna box it up and drive it out and take it to our spot on the edge of town" imply that the person is trying to move on from the relationship and get rid of everything that reminds them of their ex-lover. However, they are not ready to forget everything easily, which is evident in "Splash a little gasoline all over your memory / Gonna light it up."
The chorus "Gonna light it up / Watch the flames burn away / What I thought was love, now it ain't anything / All of the heartache, every mistake, turn even your goodbye into dust / Everything that's left of us / Oh I'm gonna light it up" implies that the person is determined to let go of the past, and burning everything related to their past love is a symbolic act of their determination. It is also a way of purging themselves of all the pain and heartbreak and starting afresh.
In the second verse, the lines, "And I tried so hard to start moving on, but your stuff's got me thinking / There's a chance you might come back, if it's all over gotta face the facts / I ain't saying it's right, but it sure feels right" depict the person's emotional predicament, where they are unable to move on and have some hope of getting back with their ex-lover. However, the lines "Gonna light it up, gonna light it up / A rush of flames burn away what I thought was love / Now it ain't anything" serve as a reminder for the person to let go of the past and not dwell on the memories.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess that's the last of the pictures, yeah I got'em all down
I've collected all our memories in the form of pictures, but I don't need them anymore.
I guess you won't be needing your favorite t-shirt because you ain't around
You're not here, so you won't need your clothes or things anymore.
Gonna box it up and drive it out and take it to our spot on the edge of town
I am going to gather your belongings and take them to our favorite place on the outskirts of town.
Splash a little gasoline all over your memory
I'm going to pour gasoline all over our memories and set them on fire.
Gonna light it up
Watch the flames burn away
I'll spark the gasoline to incinerate our memories, and watch them evaporate.
What I thought was love, now it ain't anything
I used to think we had love, but now it's pointless and means nothing.
All of the heartache, every mistake, turn even your goodbye into dust
All the pain, mistakes, and even your farewell will now just be reduced to ashes.
Everything that's left of us
Oh I'm gonna light it up
Whatever's leftover from our relationship, I'm going to incinerate it all.
I tried so many times to get you on the phone, but your phone kept ringing
I've tried to reach you several times, but you're not picking up your phone.
And i tried so hard to start moving on, but your stuffs got me thinking
I attempted to continue living, but your things just kept reminding me of you.
There's a chance you might come back, if it's all over gotta face the facts
Although there could be a possibility that you'll come back, I have to accept that it's over.
I ain't saying it's right, but it sure feels right
Even though burning everything might not be the best solution, it does make me feel better.
Gonna light it up, gonna light it up
A rush of flames burn away what I thought was love
Now it ain't anything
I'm going to ignite everything and let the heat consume what I once believed was love, but now it's gone.
Light it up
I'm going to set everything ablaze.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amie Buchanan
Best song out right now!!!
Total motivation for me.
I'm gonna "light it up!"
Been a long time comin.
Thank you! Amazing job.
IceKiller Queen
I actually can't believe the low views. someone should notice this underrated guy. he has some real talent.
MarkGTR
agree
MOE DENIRO MEDIA
Love this. Absolutely love it.
Tammy Loretto
I LOVE IT!!!! Great job!!!!!!
Trinaty Elliott
Love this song!
Tiffie M
I love this song going through the same stuff
MiamiSaltLife 1
My wife and I were able to see David and his beautiful wife perform at Tootsie's in Nashville on 11.2016. We are heading back there in early February and hope to catch him again!! Very down to earth guy!
Jason Marks
Great work!
Ted Pregitzer
Catchy lyric and smooth sound!!!