Keys Out Lights On
Jenny Owen Youngs Lyrics

The first two lines of Jenny Owen Youngs's song Keys Out Lights On, "I kick you like a dog that never gets fed, Kick you like a dog that never gets fed," creates a distressing image of how the singer perceives their relationship with the person they address. Through the metaphor of an unfed dog, the singer conveys their resentment towards the other person, perhaps because they feel taken for granted or unappreciated. The singer's frustration is also evident in the repetition of the phrase, emphasizing their desire to assert their dominance or anger.

However, the following lines, "I trust you with my words like you're my friend, I've got so much stowed away down there," ground the song in a deeper sense of vulnerability. Despite the initial aggressiveness, the singer reveals their deep trust for the other person, and how much they have kept within themselves. This alludes to a sense of intimacy that they share with the person they are addressing, which creates a complex layer to their relationship.

The chorus, "Keys out, lights on, No one's waiting," is more ambivalent in tone. The phrase 'Keys out lights on' suggests that the singer has returned home, tired or perhaps bored, and is looking for a way to push the other person away. The second line, "No one's waiting," signals the ambiguity of the singer's actions. Although they are rejecting the person, they are also very much aware that they are also alone, and it's not clear if that is what they want.