The band made their debut under Acid Jazz Records but subsequently found mainstream success under Sony. While under this label, three of their albums have charted at number one in the UK, including Emergency on Planet Earth (1993), Synkronized (1999) and A Funk Odyssey (2001). The band's 1998 single, "Deeper Underground", was also number one in their native country.
As of 2017, Jamiroquai had sold more than 26 million albums worldwide. Their third album, Travelling Without Moving (1996), received a Guinness World Record as the best-selling funk album in history. The music video for its lead single, "Virtual Insanity", also contributed to the band's success. The song was named Video of the Year at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards and earned the band a Grammy Award in 1998.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamiroquai
Studio albums
Emergency on Planet Earth (1993)
The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994)
Travelling Without Moving (1996)
Synkronized (1999)
A Funk Odyssey (2001)
Dynamite (2005)
Rock Dust Light Star (2010)
Automaton (2017)
Light Years
Jamiroquai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cos I'm expressin' all my sentiments
Now I got to channel all my vehemence
For the benefit of my self defence
And you can be a do gooder
But true sincerity ain't charity
It can take a life time to be
How you wanna be.
You can be light years
Away from serious intention
And I thought I knew it all
Someday
I'd get to turn mankind
This way
If you don't know you can be light years
Away from your true destination.
No conscious escalation
Until I get with good vibration
I'm never gonna get to use that
use that earthly power
Substitutes
Can never take the place of peace of mind
Losing all sense of direction.
When you're light years
Too far away to turn you back on substitution
There is no u-turn on a one way route
Goin' up when I learn to love the life I can bite the fruit
Now I got sunshine in my life.
Light years
Never to return to Babylon
See money don't make a man
But if you really want you get there anyway you can.
In "Light Years," Jamiroquai explores the idea of being true to oneself, even if it means going against what society deems as acceptable. The opening lines set the tone, with Jay Kay singing about how others criticize him for expressing his emotions. He then goes on to explain how he must channel his energy for his own benefit rather than trying to please others. The chorus features the phrase "light years," which refers to being far away from one's true destination. This could mean being out of touch with oneself, one's goals, or even one's spirituality. The song suggests that living in such a state can cause a loss of direction in life and a lack of inner peace.
The second verse echoes the theme of being true to oneself, with Jay Kay singing about how he must align himself with the "good vibration" in order to fully utilize his earthly power. He compares this to substitutes, indicating that material possessions or worldly success cannot replace inner peace. The third verse seems to conclude the song with a reference to Babylon and the idea that money alone cannot make a person. The final line suggests that if one truly desires something, they will find a way to achieve it, regardless of what obstacles stand in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
People tell me I'm no good
Others criticize me for expressing my true feelings.
Cos I'm expressin' all my sentiments
Because I am openly sharing my emotions.
Now I got to channel all my vehemence
Now I have to direct and control my passion.
For the benefit of my self defence
In order to protect myself from harm.
And you can be a do gooder
You can try to do good for others.
But true sincerity ain't charity
But true honesty is not an act of giving to others.
It can take a life time to be
It can take a whole lifetime to become.
How you wanna be.
The way that you truly want to be.
You can be light years
One can be very far away.
Away from serious intention
Away from the true purpose or motive.
And I thought I knew it all
And I used to believe that I had all the answers.
Someday
One day in the future.
I'd get to turn mankind
I would be able to change humanity.
This way
Towards a better direction.
If you don't know you can be light years
If you are unaware, you may be very far away.
Away from your true destination.
Far away from where you truly want to be.
No conscious escalation
Without deliberate advancement or progress.
Until I get with good vibration
Until I am surrounded by positive energy and emotions.
I'm never gonna get to use that
I will never be able to take advantage of.
use that earthly power
My ability to make a difference in the world.
Substitutes
Replacement methods or materials.
Can never take the place of peace of mind
Cannot replace the feeling of inner calmness.
Losing all sense of direction.
Becoming confused and unsure of where to go.
When you're light years
When you are incredibly far away.
Too far away to turn you back on substitution
Too far away to revert back to other methods or materials.
There is no u-turn on a one way route
You cannot turn back on a path that only goes in one direction.
Goin' up when I learn to love the life I can bite the fruit
I will progress when I learn to appreciate the opportunities I have.
Now I got sunshine in my life.
Now I have positivity and happiness in my life.
Light years
A very long distance away.
Never to return to Babylon
Never to go back to a corrupted or oppressive way of life.
See money don't make a man
Money does not define somebody's worth or character.
But if you really want you get there anyway you can.
But if you truly desire something, you will find a way to achieve it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANNY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leonardofodrini2
Don't wait until you overcome obstacles or reach your goals, better enjoy the journey towards them.
Add that sunshine to your present, to every day.
Sometimes we live thinking about the future so much that we begin to stop appreciating the good that is in our present and all the good things that we have... our family, friends, being healthy, even the place where we live. There are people who don't even have a hot water tank at home.
When I become aware of this again, I enjoy life more and discover I am already happy.
I will continue working to achieve my dreams but I will not wait until tomorrow to be happy... "time won't wait".
The Lightyears song always transports me to that feeling. Thank you.
(surely this is not quite well written haha, but I hope this can be understood. I'm Argentine)
@RayfieldA
Maaan, I'll NEVER forget the FIRST time I heard the Bridge of this song!! I almost fell on the Floor, I was Hit So hard from the Funk of it!! GOD, I miss the 90s!!!
@pipes7120
Facts! It’s a reggae funk kinda groove that stu was playing & with the horns! Yes I’m with u I would replay that bridge over & over
@pasquosolid-r2828
90 ´ ... the urban inspiration 20 centuries
@natashaeloi9217
I feel you 1000%!!💃🕺💃🕺💃 The 90's was the rebirth of 70's dancing taking 1000% seriously. It was about the music, the fashion, the connective community of club culture! Damn I miss the 90's!!!🎶🎵🎧🎤💃🕺💯✌🏽
@barneymaurirere9592
90,s EVERYDAY BROTHER !!! EVEN 1000 years from this day .
@sarahassani1420
That was the first time that I saw this video spot of Jamiroquai on tv, I was 13 yrs old, after that I fell in love in Jamiroquai
@UrlocalNotSpoiler
"Now I got that sunshine in my life" Never Gets Old!
@bulo-.
you couldnt be more correct!
@Rileydelp_34L
Indeed
@user-jh8eq9mn3q
a song for everyone who's struggling at school or in a never ending career university, to help him to refocus and bring him to his next destination. Believe in yourself...