Shine a Light
Keith Richards/Mick Jagger Lyrics
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With a smile on your face and a tear right in your eye
Whoa, come see to get a line on you, my sweet honey love
Berber jewelry jangling down the street
Making bloodshot eyes at every woman that you meet
Could not seem to get high on you, my sweet honey love
May the good Lord shine a light on you
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Warm like the evening sun
When you're drunk in the elevator, with your clothes all torn
When your late night friends leave you in the cold gray dawn
Just seen too many flies on you, I just can't brush them off
Angels beating all their wings in time
With smiles on their faces and a gleam right in their eyes
Whoa, thought I heard one sigh for you
Come on up, come on up, now, come on up now
May the good Lord shine a light on you, yeah
Make every song you sing your favorite tune
May the good Lord shine a light on you, yeah
Warm like the evening sun
Come on up now, come on up now, come on up now, come on up, come on
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Make every song you sing your favorite tune
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Warm like the evening sun, yeah, yeah
The song "Shine a Light" by Keith Richards/Mick Jagger begins with imagery of a person lying down, with a smile on their face and a tear in their eye, possibly indicating that there is a sense of mixed emotions within the person. The singer wants to understand this person better, and hence seeks to "get a line" on them. The next few lines describe the person's appearance, with jewelry jangling and bloodshot eyes, but there is a sense that the singer is unable to connect with this person. Despite this, the singer wishes them well, hoping that the good Lord will "shine a light" on them, and make every song they sing their favorite tune.
The later verses of the song describe a scene where the person is drunk and disheveled, and their friends have left them in the cold. The singer wants to help this person, but there are "too many flies" on them, meaning the person has too many issues or problems that need to be dealt with first. However, there is still hope, as the chorus is repeated again, wishing that the person is blessed by the good Lord and that they feel the warmth of the evening sun.
Overall, the song seems to be about reaching out to someone who is struggling and wishing them well, even if the singer cannot quite understand what is going on with them. The repeated chorus is a call for hope and strength, showing that there is always a chance for things to get better.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw you stretched out in Room ten oh nine
With a smile on your face and a tear right in your eye
Whoa, come see to get a line on you, my sweet honey love
I saw you in such a broken and vulnerable state, yet you had a smile on your face and were crying. I want to understand what is troubling you and help you, my love.
Berber jewelry jangling down the street
Making bloodshot eyes at every woman that you meet
Could not seem to get high on you, my sweet honey love
You dress in such an extravagant and eye-catching way, yet you seem to be searching everywhere for pleasure and happiness that I cannot seem to provide, my love.
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Make every song (you sing) your favorite tune
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Warm like the evening sun
I hope that you find true happiness and meaning in your life, and that the Lord's light guides you always. I want every moment to be filled with joy and warmth, my love.
When you're drunk in the elevator, with your clothes all torn
When your late night friends leave you in the cold gray dawn
Just seen too many flies on you, I just can't brush them off
I have witnessed you in such terrible and vulnerable states, abandoned and alone, and I feel powerless to help, as if you are plagued by problems and temptations that are beyond my control, my love.
Angels beating all their wings in time
With smiles on their faces and a gleam right in their eyes
Whoa, thought I heard one sigh for you
Come on up, come on up, now, come on up now
I imagine that even the angels themselves are singing and dancing in unison with you, hoping to bring you closer to spiritual enlightenment and joy. I urge you to come with me, to rise up above your pain and struggles, my love.
Come on up now, come on up now, come on up now, come on up, come on
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Make every song you sing your favorite tune
May the good Lord shine a light on you
Warm like the evening sun, yeah, yeah
Let us go together on this journey towards happiness and fulfillment, as I pray that the Lord will guide us and bless us. May every moment be filled with joy and warmth, my love.
Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind