Fastbacks were a pioneering Seattle band. Formed in 1979 by songwriter/gui… Read Full Bio ↴Fastbacks were a pioneering Seattle band. Formed in 1979 by songwriter/guitarist Kurt Bloch (born August 28, 1960), and friends Lulu Gargiulo (guitar and vocals, born October 12, 1960) and Kim Warnick (bass and vocals, born April 7, 1959), they disbanded in 2001. Their sound mixed a generally punk approach to vocals and sound textures with poppy tunes and strong musicianship. Bloch is also a member of The Young Fresh Fellows as well as Thee Sgt. Major III. The Fastbacks reunited for a show in West Seattle in the summer of 2011.

The Light's On You
Fastbacks Lyrics

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You've been as close to the edge as you can be
Voice comes on and says 'Why aren't you happy?'
'I've been on the earth for twenty-nine years
And haven't found what I should do with my life.'
Man comes on the screen and he asks boldly
'Does it make you sad to be so lonely?'
'I think I know what life's about
Yet never have I had a chance to find out what went wrong.'

The light's on you, tell us the story of your life
The light's on you, tell us even if you don't feel right about
The things you've done
Tell us why you're on the run
The light's on you, tell us the story of your life
Silence fills the room, the air turns sour
Think to yourself, it's been almost an hour
How can I say just how I feel
When I've been taught to hide the things that come from inside?'
Who can we steal today
Who can we use today
To put in front of us to cover up ourselves
And keep it all safe inside
You sense the fact that the ordeal is over
You feel the cross being lifted off your shoulder

'The end of the beginning
And I think that I'm about to see the start of something new. '

Overall Meaning

The Fastbacks' song "The Light's On You" is a poignant and introspective track that speaks to the struggles many people face when trying to find their purpose in life. The opening lines of the song paint a picture of someone who is teetering on the edge of despair, having come close to giving up on the search for meaning. The addition of a voice asking why the person isn't happy serves to enhance the tension and sense of hopelessness.

The lyrics then delve into the idea of feeling lost and uncertain, of having spent almost 30 years searching for purpose and direction but coming up empty-handed. The image of a man on a screen asking if it makes one sad to be so lonely adds to the sense of isolation and despair, highlighting the bleakness of the situation.

But as the song progresses, there is a glimmer of hope. The repetition of the phrase "the light's on you" serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is the potential for illumination and growth. The request to tell the story of one's life, even if it doesn't feel right, suggests that there is value in honesty and vulnerability, even when it's uncomfortable. The final lines of the song embody a feeling of liberation and newfound purpose, as the singer recognizes that they are on the cusp of something new.

Overall, "The Light's On You" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the universal struggle of finding one's place in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

You've been as close to the edge as you can be
You have been in a precarious position, teetering on the edge of a dangerous situation.

Voice comes on and says 'Why aren't you happy?'
A disembodied voice questions why you are not content or satisfied with your life.

'I've been on the earth for twenty-nine years And haven't found what I should do with my life.'
You have lived on this planet for nearly three decades, yet you have not discovered your true purpose or what you should devote your life to.

Man comes on the screen and he asks boldly 'Does it make you sad to be so lonely?'
A confident man appears on a screen and inquires if your solitude causes you sorrow or melancholy.

'I think I know what life's about Yet never have I had a chance to find out what went wrong.'
Although you believe you have an understanding of the meaning of existence, you have yet to determine what led you astray or caused you to deviate from your path.

The light's on you, tell us the story of your life The light's on you, tell us even if you don't feel right about The things you've done Tell us why you're on the run The light's on you, tell us the story of your life
You are being put in the spotlight and asked to recount the narrative of your existence, regardless of any discomfort, guilt, or shame you may feel.

Silence fills the room, the air turns sour Think to yourself, it's been almost an hour How can I say just how I feel When I've been taught to hide the things that come from inside?'
As the atmosphere grows tense and bleak, you reflect on the duration of the ordeal and contemplate how to express your emotions, which you have been conditioned to conceal and repress.

Who can we steal today Who can we use today To put in front of us to cover up ourselves And keep it all safe inside
The world is constantly hunting for individuals to exploit, manipulate, or exploit in order to shield oneself from vulnerability or insecurity.

You sense the fact that the ordeal is over You feel the cross being lifted off your shoulder 'The end of the beginning And I think that I'm about to see the start of something new. '
You recognize that the trial or tribulation has reached a conclusion, and you experience a sensation of relief or liberation. You realize that this marks the end of one phase and the beginning of another, which offers promises and possibilities for growth and enlightenment.

Writer(s): kurt bloch

Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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