Grant McLennan (1958-2006) was one half of the creative team that made up T… Read Full Bio ↴Grant McLennan (1958-2006) was one half of the creative team that made up The Go-Betweens. He and partner Robert Forster formed the band in 1978 and continued off and on through 2005. McLennan's solo career began with Watershed in 1991; he released a total of four albums, the last in 1997, then rejoined Forster for a reunion. He's also collaborated with Steve Kilbey of The Church under the name Jack Frost. Jack Frost released 2 albums. Grant and Steve played live together in both Australia and America.

Haunted House
Grant McLennan Lyrics

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Go ahead, light a candle,
The lines are down and out.
Put it in the window
And light the haunted house.

Things become apparent
Like a ghost in a dark room.
You can search without a warrant

Under a brilliant moon.

In a time of desperate measures
Anything's allowed.
Lovers line the doorstep
To the haunted house.

Trapped inside forever,
Loneliness is mean.
I want you to set me free.

Go ahead, light a candle,
The lines are down and out.
Put it in the window
And light the haunted house.

I'm trapped inside forever,
Loneliness is mean.

I want you to set me free.
I want you to set me free.

Overall Meaning

In Grant McLennan's hauntingly beautiful song "Haunted House," the lyrics tell a story of a person who is trapped and haunted by loneliness. The opening lines, "Go ahead, light a candle, the lines are down and out" create a sense of isolation and desperation. The candle serves as a symbol of hope, but the lines being down mean that the connection to the outside world is cut off. The idea of lighting the haunted house suggests a desire to overcome the darkness and fear.

As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the person is haunted by something that they cannot see or touch. It is a ghostly presence that lingers in the darkness, and they are searching for a way out. The line, "You can search without a warrant under a brilliant moon" suggests that they are willing to do whatever it takes to find a way out of the darkness.

The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the desperation and yearning for freedom from the haunted house. The final lines, "I'm trapped inside forever, loneliness is mean. I want you to set me free," express the person's desire for human connection and the hope that someone will rescue them from their isolation.

Overall, "Haunted House" is a poignant commentary on the human condition, exploring themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Go ahead, light a candle,
Start flickering a candle without delaying,

The lines are down and out.
There is no communication or connection available.

Put it in the window
Place it near the glass, allowing others to witness.

And light the haunted house.
Illuminate the abandoned, spine-chilling house.

Things become apparent
Mysteries and unanswered questions are exposed.

Like a ghost in a dark room.
As conspicuous as a ghost in a lights-off chamber.

You can search without a warrant
There is no need to obtain an official document to investigate.

Under a brilliant moon.
Underneath the serenity of a bright full moon.

In a time of desperate measures
During a period of challenging predicaments.

Anything's allowed.
Any action or behavior is permitted.