Night in the City
Joni Mitchell Lyrics


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Light up, light up
Light up your lazy blue eyes
Moon's up nights up
Taking the town by surprise

Night time night time
Day left an hour ago
City light time
Must you get ready so slow
There are places to come from
And places to go

Night in the city looks pretty to me
Night in the city looks fine
Music comes spilling out into the street
Colors go flashing in time

Take off take off
Take off your stay-at-home shoes
Break off shake off
Chase off those stay-at-home blues

Stairway stairway
Down to the crowds in the street
They go their way
Looking for faces to greet
But we run on laughing with no one to meet

Night in the city looks pretty to me
Night in the city looks fine




Music comes spilling out into the street
Colors go waltzing in time

Overall Meaning

In the song "Night in the City," Joni Mitchell sings about the excitement of being in the city at night. The opening verse encourages the listener to "light up your lazy blue eyes" as the night sky takes over the town unexpectedly. The first line of the verse suggests that the night may awaken a sense of wonder and curiosity in someone who has been feeling lethargic or unenthused lately. Joni understands that the nightlife is a stimulating experience that can have a transforming power. She then goes on to rhyme "night time" with "city light time," a repetition that underscores her love for the city's bright and bustling energy. However, the second line of the verse suggests that the pace of the city can be a little slow for her taste, and there's more to come and go to.


In the chorus, Joni expresses that she finds the city at night to be stunningly beautiful. The lyrics "night in the city looks pretty to me, night in the city looks fine" indicate a sense of awe and appreciation for the city. The lively atmosphere of the city is conveyed through the images of flashing and waltzing colors, and music spilling out into the street. The chorus also evokes a feeling of liberation, as if the darkness of the night lets people shed off their inhibitions and just enjoy themselves.


The second verse talks about breaking free from the mundane routine of staying at home. Joni urges the listener to "take off your stay-at-home shoes" and "break off shake off, chase off those stay-at-home blues." The repetition of "stay-at-home" emphasizes her desire for people to go out and explore the world around them. The subsequent lines mention a "stairway" which leads "down to the crowds in the street" trying to find faces to greet. While others search for someone to meet, the singer runs along "laughing with no one to meet,' implying that the thrill of the city alone is enough for her.


Line by Line Meaning

Light up, light up
Encouraging someone to brighten up their energy and enthusiasm


Light up your lazy blue eyes
Asking someone to express their internal feelings by lighting up the eyes


Moon's up nights up
Referring to the time of the night when the moon is high in the sky


Taking the town by surprise
Expressing the feeling of liveliness that comes with the night when most of the town is asleep


Night time night time
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the time of the day


Day left an hour ago
Stating the fact that it's been a while since the daytime has passed


City light time
Describing the time of the night when the city lights are turned on


Must you get ready so slow
Questioning why someone is taking so much time to get ready and enjoy the night


There are places to come from
Acknowledging the different places one comes from before enjoying the night


And places to go
Indicating that the night is full of possibilities and unknown opportunities


Night in the city looks pretty to me
Expressing the beauty of the night in the city to the singer


Night in the city looks fine
Affirming the acceptability of the night in the city


Music comes spilling out into the street
Describing the liveliness of the city at night


Colors go flashing in time
Describing the beauty of the city at night with flashing colors


Take off, take off
Encouraging someone to let go of their fears and concerns


Take off your stay-at-home shoes
Suggesting someone to put on their adventurous shoes and enjoy the night in the city


Break off shake off
Urging someone to break their routine and embrace the liveliness of the night


Chase off those stay-at-home blues
Encouraging someone to overcome their blues and enjoy the night in the city


Stairway, stairway
Referring to the path to the city where there are people to meet


Down to the crowds in the street
Describing the path that leads to crowds in the street


They go their way
Describing the various paths people take in the city


Looking for faces to greet
Describing people's tendency to socialize and meet new people in the city


But we run on laughing with no one to meet
Indicating that the singer is content with just enjoying the night without the need to socialize much


Colors go waltzing in time
Describing the playful dancing of colors in the city at night




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joni Mitchell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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