When the Lights Go Out
LIVING ROOM - The Black Keys Lyrics

In the song “When the Lights Go Out” by The Black Keys, the singer is reflecting on the pain of unrequited love. The first verse suggests that standing in the sun while feeling unloved in the bottom of one’s heart is a painful experience. The second verse describes the singer’s perception of their lover as “oh so mean”, indicating that the lover may not reciprocate the singer’s feelings or may be treating the singer poorly. The chorus then repeats the phrase “you know what the sun’s all about when the lights go out”, suggesting that the singer is aware of the true nature of their relationship when everything is stripped away.

The third verse shifts to an observation of the world around the singer. They see the moon and stars, but are still lonely in their car. This further emphasizes the pain and isolation that the singer is experiencing. The final chorus repeats the message that the singer knows the truth about their relationship when the lights go out. The repetition of the chorus suggests that the singer is trying to convince themselves of this truth.

Overall, the song conveys a sense of longing and pain. The imagery of the sun, moon, and stars adds to the sense of loneliness and isolation felt by the singer. The repeated phrase in the chorus emphasizes the singer's awareness of the truth of their relationship, even though they may not want to accept it.