City Lights
K.Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got no time for memories
Follow me, don't be afraid
Don't hide away
Window closed, the light is on
Is it dusk or is it dawn
Telephone off the line
What's on T.V.
You gotta try
To get away from this endless night
You gotta try
I'm gonna help you to see the light
You gotta try
To get out and see some city lights
Need some shelter for awhile
From the pain and the phony smiles
Are you ready
Is it time to trust someone
You gotta try
To get away from this endless night
You gotta try
I'm gonna help you to see the light
You've got to try
To get out and see some city lights
To get out and see some city lights
Secret life, no reveries
Got no time for memories
Follow me, don't be afraid
Don't hide away
Window closed, the light is on
Is it dusk or is it dawn
Telephone off the line
What's on T.V.
In K.Williams's song "City Lights," the lyrics describe a desire to escape from the monotony and pain of everyday life. The singer offers to show their companion the beauty and excitement of the city at night, urging them to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. The phrase "secret light" suggests a sort of hidden life, one that operates separate from the public sphere where people put on false smiles and hide their pain. The singer recognizes the loneliness and suffering that can come with this life but offers hope for a way out.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of trying something new and breaking free from the cycle of pain and monotony. The lines "need some shelter for awhile/ from the pain and the phony smiles" suggest a kind of weariness with the superficiality of everyday life. The singer offers a way out by showing their companion the excitement of the city at night, symbolized by the "city lights." The song ends on a note of ambiguity, with the repetition of the opening verse leaving us wondering whether the two characters will actually step out into the city night or stay hidden away in their secret life.
Line by Line Meaning
Secret light, no reveries
A hidden light shines bright, unaccompanied by any dreams or fantasies.
Got no time for memories
There is no moment to reflect on past experiences.
Follow me, don't be afraid
Believe in me, have faith and don't let fear consume you.
Don't hide away
Do not conceal yourself from the world.
Window closed, the light is on
The light shines through a window, but it is unclear whether it is sunset or sunrise.
Is it dusk or is it dawn
The time of day is ambiguous, blurring the line between endings and beginnings.
Telephone off the line
The phone does not ring, distracting from the moment.
What's on T.V.
Nothing matters, anything can be played.
You gotta try
To break the cycle, you must start to take action.
To get away from this endless night
Escape the long, dark period of time when nothing seems to change.
I'm gonna help you to see the light
With my support, you can emerge from this state of being and find a new beginning.
To get out and see some city lights
Explore the wide open world and everything it has to offer.
Need some shelter for awhile
Take refuge for a period of time from the pain and fake personas around you.
From the pain and the phony smiles
Escape from the hurt and the artificial signs of happiness.
Are you ready
Are you ready to turn over a new leaf and start anew?
Is it time to trust someone
Is now the time to confide in another person and reveal your true self?
Lyrics © KENDOR MUSIC, INC.
Written by: JEFF JARVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind