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Lights
Journey Lyrics


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When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I want to be there in my city
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

So you think you're lonely
Well my friend, I'm lonely too
I wanna get back to my city by the bay
Ooh, ooh, oh-oh

It's sad, oh there's been mornings
Out on the road without you
Without your charms
Oh-oh, my, my, my, my, my, my

Ooh, ooh, oh-oh
When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I want to be there in my city
Ooh-oh-oh (oh, oh, ooh-oh)

When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I want to be there in my city
Ooh-oh-oh (oh, oh, ooh-oh)
(Oh, oh, ooh-oh)

Overall Meaning

Journey's hit song Lights is a nostalgic ballad about wanting to return to one's home city. The lyrics capture the emotions of being away from home and longing for the familiar sights and people. The song starts with the description of a beautiful evening in San Francisco as the lights go down and the sun shines on the bay. The singer expresses a heartfelt desire to be there in his city. The city is an important part of his identity, and he wants to be a part of it.


The second verse expresses the feeling of loneliness that comes with being away from home. The singer tells his friend that he is also lonely and wants to return to his home city. He misses his friend's charms and the comfortable feeling of being in his city. The song's chorus repeats the desire to be in San Francisco when the lights go down and the sun shines on the bay. The singer longs to return home and be with the people he loves.


Line by Line Meaning

When the lights go down in the city
As the night falls in the city, the hustle and bustle of the daytime turns into a calm and serene atmosphere.


And the sun shines on the bay
While the blackness of the night descends on the city, the sun still shines over the vast bay, creating a stunning play of light and shadow.


Ooh, I want to be there in my city
The singer yearns to be present in his own city, which holds a special place in his heart.


Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
The repetition of these sounds is an expression of the singer's strong emotions associated with his city, signaling its importance and significance in his life.


So you think you're lonely
The singer connects with his audience by acknowledging their loneliness and suggesting that he feels the same.


Well my friend, I'm lonely too
Acknowledging that solitude is not unique to his audience, the singer empathizes with them by admitting to his own feelings of loneliness.


I wanna get back to my city by the bay
The singer expresses his intense desire to return to the city by the bay, where he feels he truly belongs.


Ooh, ooh, oh-oh
Repeating these sounds creates a sense of yearning and intense emotion, emphasizing the singer's longing for his city.


It's sad, oh there's been mornings
The singer expresses a sense of melancholy and grief, reminiscing about the times when he missed his city and the people close to him.


Out on the road without you
When he is away from his city and the people he loves, the singer feels lost and alone.


Without your charms
Acknowledging the qualities that make his city and its people charming, the singer admits that he misses those special qualities.


Ooh-oh, my, my, my, my, my, my
Repeating these sounds adds emphasis to the singer's emotional state and his strong attachment to his city and its people.


Ooh-oh-oh (oh, oh, ooh-oh)
Repeating these sounds once again intensifies the singer's sense of yearning and his emotional connection to his city.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephen Ray Perry, Neal Joseph Schon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@TeeAreEff82

I know “Don’t Stop Believing” is the song everyone knows and loves, but “Lights” has always been my favorite. I just love it.

@troofball4

San Francisco loves it

@lorenovergaauw

Living in LA wish he kept the original but man what a song for the bay

@susanschubert1222

Ditto

@sherithomas5815

This is my favorite song also and their other song wheels in the sky. Oh yeaaaa 😁😁♥️ I could never get tired of listening to journey sing. 😍

@TeeAreEff82

@@sherithomas5815 I don’t think I’ve heard Wheels in the Sky, but I’ll check it out!

6 More Replies...

@arriuscalpurniuspiso

Probably the most UNDERRATED song and singer in the history of UNDERRATED music.

@Randypruden-nr4kt

Yeah I agree there's there's nobody like Steve Perry's vocals I saw them in 78 Roberts stadium Evansville Indiana

@GuantanamoBayBarbie3

Couldn't agree more!

@joetravieso3542

no one underates Steve Perry......he's called THE VOICE for a reason.....

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