Jon-Rae Fletcher is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded both as a… Read Full Bio ↴Jon-Rae Fletcher is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded both as a solo artist and with a back-up band, The River.

Jon-Rae grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia, where, as the son of a minister, he sang in his church's choir. Eventual musical developments included his discovery of Kurt Cobain and the formation of his own garage band. Jon-Rae later moved and founded the original River band with a collective of Vancouver friends, but disbanded the group when he moved east.

The River was reformed with like-minded Toronto musicians in 2003, and they grew into a popular cult band with an ever-expanding audience. Combining country, gospel, rock, and soul, Jon-Rae & The River created a unique blend of music, sometimes complemented by an on-stage choir. Their critically acclaimed album, Knows What You Need, was released in 2006 and the band broke up sometime afterwards.

Jon-Rae Fletcher, now residing in Victoria, BC and working at the Market on Yates, a local downtown organic grocery store. Jon-rae Fletcher enjoys hunting for rare and exotic mushrooms, mountain biking near his home in Brentwood Bay, and hiking/trailing on his spare time. He released a full-length solo record entitled Oh, Maria on Weewerk February 3, 2009.

City Lights
Jon-Rae Fletcher Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know what you think of me
And, I'm not ashamed
I know how it must seem
That I misbehaved

But I didn't
No I didn't
I didn't

No I didn't

The city lights shine for me
And I grow in my varied dreams
Crashing with the bores around me
What of my name? it's nothing to me

Sometimes I can see what's ticking over in your mind
But not this time
It appears as though your judgment of me has
Clouded my own

There's nothing I own
Well not anymore
Nothing I own
Matters anymore

The city lights shine for me
And I grow in my varied dreams

Crashing with the bores around me
What of my name? it's nothing to me

Overall Meaning

In the song City Lights by Canadian singer-songwriter Jon-Rae Fletcher, the lyrics are filled with self-reflection and internal conflict. The song seems to address the negative opinions and judgments people have about the singer. The lyrics "I know what you think of me...that I misbehaved" suggests that the singer is aware of what people think about them and that they have possibly made mistakes in the past.

However, the lyrics "But I didn't, No, I didn't" appears to be the singer's attempt to defend themselves and deny any wrongdoing, expressing frustration over the judgments they face. The chorus, "The city lights shine for me and I grow in my varied dreams, crashing with the bores around me, what of my name? It's nothing to me," suggests that the singer finds solace in the bright lights of the city and dreams of a better life, despite their surroundings and the opinions of others.

The bridge "Sometimes I can see what's ticking over in your mind, but not this time" suggests that the singer is often perceptive about others' thoughts and feelings, but in this instance, they are unable to accurately guess what the other person is thinking about them.

Overall, the song City Lights seems to be a reflection of the singer's struggle with self-worth, judgment, and the quest for meaning and purpose.

Line by Line Meaning

I know what you think of me
I am aware of your perception of me.

And, I'm not ashamed
Your perception of me does not shame me.

I know how it must seem
I understand how it appears to you.

That I misbehaved
It appears to you that I have misbehaved.

But I didn't
Contrary to your perception, I did not misbehave.

No I didn't
I did not behave in the way you are thinking.

I didn't
I did not do what you think I did.

No I didn't
I am saying it again that I did not do it.

The city lights shine for me
The lights of the city brighten up my night.

And I grow in my varied dreams
My various dreams keep me growing as a person.