Norwegian female band of 3 members: Inger Lise Størksen, Christine Sandtorv… Read Full Bio ↴Norwegian female band of 3 members: Inger Lise Størksen, Christine Sandtorv and Jannicke Larsen. Formed in 1994, they've released 6 albums to much critical acclaim in Norway. Their 2001 release Balloons and Champagne won the Norwegian Grammy Award for Best Pop Album. Several of their songs have been placed in American television shows, including perhaps their biggest hit, Girls Keep Secrets in the Strangest Ways.
Their website is at http://www.ephemeramusic.com/english/

But, also exists group with the same name which is formed from swedish screamo stars.

City Lights
Ephemera Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I Can Put Up A Show
So Spectacular And Devine
But There′s A Thin Line
Between Rich And Poor
The First Lady And A Whore
And Who Will I Play It For
Who Will I Play It For

I Can Put Up A Show
So Simple And Lame
It's Far From The Same
But The Line Is Thin
Between Failure And Success
There′s Either More Or Less
Youre Either Out Or In
The Line Is Thin

Under The City Lights I Fail
Under The City Lights I'm Pale

I Can Fake A Smile
And Hide That I'm Torn
And Turn The Other Cheek
Try To Appear Cold
As You Strike The Second Blow
Beware Of The One
Who Throws The First Stone

Under The City Lights I Fail
Under The City Lights I′m Pale

Under The City Lights I Fail
And To The City Lights I Pray

Overall Meaning

In Ephemera's song "City Lights," the artist reflects on the duality of life in the limelight. The first verse discusses the thin line between those who are rich and those who are poor, the first lady and a whore. The artist acknowledges that they can put on a show, but wonders who they are performing for. The second verse explores the line between success and failure. The artist recognizes that they can also put on a simple show, but the line is thin between being out or in.

The chorus repeats the sentiment that under the city lights, the artist fails and is pale. Despite this, they continue to put on a façade, faking a smile and turning the other cheek. They warn against those who throw the first stone, presenting a theme of vulnerability.

The song as a whole can be interpreted to be about the challenges of life in the public eye, where individuals are expected to put on a show and present themselves as successful, even if they feel torn or vulnerable. The artist delves into the ups and downs of this dichotomy, and how it can ultimately lead to feelings of failure and insecurity.

Line by Line Meaning

I Can Put Up A Show
I am skilled at putting on a performance

So Spectacular And Devine
My performance can be awe-inspiring and divine

But There’s A Thin Line
However, there is a fine boundary to consider

Between Rich And Poor
There is a divide between the haves and the have-nots

The First Lady And A Whore
People can be judged solely based on their social status

And Who Will I Play It For
But who will be my audience?

I Can Put Up A Show
On the other hand, my skill can also put on a mundane and unimpressive exhibition

So Simple And Lame
It is negligible and mediocre

It’s Far From The Same
It is a far cry from my previous performance

But The Line Is Thin
In the same vein, this fine boundary still exists

Between Failure And Success
The thin line separates victory and defeat