Graduating in 1984 from the University Of Indiana with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, Jeff remained in Bloomington Indiana for 4 more years to study with Jazz great David Baker and to hone his own writing and producing skills while traveling in a 7 piece funk band called “Kilo”.
It didn't take long after moving to New York City in 1988 for Jeff to be noticed. Within 6 weeks he was on the road with Gayson Hugh, a BMG recording artist and 1 month later was asked to Join the Billy Joel band for a new record and tour. Well, the new record was “Stormfront” and the Producer was Mick Jones of Foreigner. Jeff went on to record two records with Billy Joel, Stormfront and River of Dreams, and has toured the world with the Piano Man not to mention having played the first sounds heard of Billy’s last two number one singles, “We Didn't Start the Fire”, and “River Of Dreams”
Since joining Foreigner as a full time member in 1993, Jeff Jacobs has enjoyed success as a writer and producer, as well as recording and touring with such artists as; Julian Lennon, Laura Brannigan, Phil Ramone, Paul Simon, as well as many other artists who you may or may not have heard of.
Still calling Chicago home, Jeff and his wife Claudia have two Daughters, Megan and Emily.
City Lights
Jeff Jacobs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smell the cold outside
Stretch my arms out wide
Reachin' out for your body
But there's nothing there
So I sit and stare
At the glass of wine
To ease my troubles
And take my mind off of you
And the things you do.
Though it cooled me off
And numbed my veins
That ain't enough
To forget the way
Makin' love
Wasn't' half as good as lyin' there together
In the dark
Just fallin' asleep to the rhythm and beat of your heart.
Goin out in the evening
Got so many friends
But they're just pretend
Always sellin' me something
They say let her go
But they'll never know
When the city lights
Go dark at night
And the world's asleep
I roam the streets like a fool
For another you
And after all that noise
And all those crowds
I sit alone
Rememberin' how
Makin' love
Wasn't' half as good as lyin' there together
In the dark
Just fallin' asleep to the rhythm and beat of your heart.
(Guitar Solo)
Would you lie to me
My Angelie
Don't end this dream
I'll wake up on my own
And forget about
Just lyin' there together
In the dark
Just fallin' asleep to the rhythm and beat of your...
The song 'City Lights' by Jeff Jacobs talks about the feelings of a person waking up in the morning and realizing that their partner is not there. The lyrics evoke feelings of loneliness, isolation, and sadness. The person reminisces about the moments they spent together with their partner, especially the times when they lay together in the dark listening to the rhythm and beat of their heart.
The person then goes out into the city in the evening, surrounded by people, but feeling alone. They wander the streets hoping to find someone who can replace their partner, but all they can think of is the time they spent together. They drink alcohol to forget their sorrows, but it does not help much, as they realize that nothing can replace their partner's touch and care.
The song's theme highlights the value of connections and relationships in life, which can be stronger than any worldly pleasures such as alcohol, money or success. It suggests that the memories of a good relationship can never be forgotten, no matter how hard we try.
Line by Line Meaning
Waking up in the morning
Beginning my day with the sunrise
Smell the cold outside
Feeling the chill of the outdoor air
Stretch my arms out wide
Getting the blood flowing and preparing for the day
Reachin' out for your body
Longing for my lover's touch
But there's nothing there
Realizing my lover is not beside me
So I sit and stare
Feeling empty and alone
At the glass of wine
Turning to alcohol to cope with my emotions
I had last night
Remembering my previous night's actions
To ease my troubles
Using the wine to try and forget my problems
And take my mind off of you
Trying to distract myself from thoughts of my lover
And the things you do.
Reflecting on the actions of my lover
Though it cooled me off
Feeling the physical effects of the wine
And numbed my veins
Experiencing the dulling effect of the alcohol
That ain't enough
Realizing that the wine cannot make me forget my problems
To forget the way
To erase the memories of my lover
Makin' love
Being intimate with my lover
Wasn't' half as good as lyin' there together
Valuing the simple act of being close to my lover over sexual activity
In the dark
Emphasizing the closeness we share
Just fallin' asleep to the rhythm and beat of your heart.
Finding comfort and peace in my lover's presence
Goin out in the evening
Engaging in social activities at night
Got so many friends
Having many superficial acquaintances
But they're just pretend
Realizing that my friendships lack true depth and meaning
Always sellin' me something
Feeling that my friends are always trying to gain something from me
They say let her go
Advising me to move on from my lover
But they'll never know
Understanding that they cannot truly comprehend my emotions
When the city lights
The bright lights of the urban landscape
Go dark at night
The quiet and stillness of the nighttime skyline
And the world's asleep
The quiet solitude amidst the urban chaos
I roam the streets like a fool
Feeling lost and aimless in my wanderings
For another you
Searching for someone to replace my lover
And after all that noise
Reflecting on the chaos of the city
And all those crowds
Feeling the isolation amidst the urban masses
I sit alone
Feeling the emptiness of my soul
Rememberin' how
Reflecting on my past experiences with my lover
Would you lie to me
Questioning the honesty of my lover
My Angelie
Addressing my lover with a pet name
Don't end this dream
Begging my lover to stay with me
I'll wake up on my own
Facing reality by myself if my lover leaves
And forget about
Letting go of my past with my lover
Just lyin' there together
Yearning for the simple act of being close
In the dark
Emphasizing the comfort and closeness we share
Just fallin' asleep to the rhythm and beat of your...
Finding peace and tranquility amidst the chaos of life
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marisa Foresta
I'm an A&R intern looking for talent in new york. Your really talented. I wanted to know if you wanted to record in Staten Island with Baretta inc. Its a new record label. Please let me know if you are interested because you really are talented.
Jeff Jacobs
+Marisa Foresta
Thanks so much for your comment. I'd be interesting in talking more! Are you still looking for artists?
Marisa Foresta
+Jeff Jacobs unfortunately the company does not exist anymore. however, i work at a recording studio and i book talent for shows we host. we will be having a show in January if you are interested in playing.
Jeff Jacobs
Marisa,
Are you still booking talent?