Makeshift Innocence has a unique m… Read Full Bio ↴http://www.makeshiftinnocence.com
Makeshift Innocence has a unique mystique, which is defined by combining a variety of genres including; Rock, Reggae, Pop and Roots. Makeshift Innocence was originally formed in 2007 by Jesse-James Cameron and Benjamin Bald. Not long after forming, they released their first album "Between Heaven and Hell" with outstanding success and the band was quickly booked into venues across Canada.
Lead singer Jesse-James Cameron spent four years living in Negril, Jamaica as a child. It was there he fell in love with the tones and feel of Reggae music. Trying adding additional members. Bassist Tammy Amstutz and drummer Dylan Lichtenberger were selected among many to enhance the sound of the band. Since, all members have combined to diversify and strengthen the team. These additions also lead to the release of their hit new single "Your Body" to even more critical acclaim.
Makeshift Innocence set out on a 2009 Canada-wide summer tour that extended from Vancouver Island to Montreal, and found themselves well received by fans and new listeners alike, continuing to build their fan base. Remaining completely independent and self-promoted, the group also managed to find time to return to Calgary mid-tour to perform alongside legendary Ben E. King (Stand by Me). While on tour, their new single "Your Body" along with "Tides" was chosen to be in a feature film (shot in Los Angeles) called "the Anniversary". While being featured in a movie was amazing, "Your Body" was also propelling them to the top of the Myspace charts in their genres. Makeshift Innocence hit #1 in Folk Rock, #2 in Reggae and #6 in acoustic and has been steadily increasing those numbers for over the past 6 months.
The innovative sounds exemplify Makeshift Innocence's compilation of rare talents from across the country and globe. The music attracts those of all ages, which is as clear as this cohesive unit plays flawlessly in front of teenagers and elders alike. With momentum rapidly picking up pace, and a 2nd album being recorded as we speak, it's a sure bet you can expect to hear and see more from these guys in the near future.
Lights On
Makeshift Innocence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mr. Jimi Hendrix
Mr. Bob Marley
And Bradley Nowell
We leave our lights on!
Bradley from Sublime
Yeah I truly do miss him
That we'd get high in the kitchen
Just listen!
We were kids
And high was just a position
Thinking we would quit one day
And that we'd never really miss it
But time kept going on
We kept the drugs to keep living
It's like a simple date with herb
Turned into a living condition
Popping pills to stay awake
And popping pills in the evening
Concealing what we felt
As the shit hit the ceiling
If you leave and you're all alone
I'll leave the lights on
Show you there's a place to go
I'll leave the lights on
Show you that there's still some hope
I'll leave the lights on baby
Lights on baby
And if you feel like you're all out of rope
I'll leave the lights on
Show you there's a place to go
I'll leave the lights on
Show you that there's still some road
I'll leave the lights on baby
Now thinking back
How ignorant we must have been
To have ever thought
That we'd escape the shit
That we called a friend
Take a hit when we would wake
And wash it down with some gin
I found your 40 ounces to freedom
And it was under my skin
Oh,
It was coursing through my veins
As it was laying it's trap
It's like I'm laying in a gurney
And these drugs are the straps
I hear the Doctors yelling out
That "we can get this one back"
But it's too late for me
As my heart rate goes flat
I want it back!
Praying that my heart will keep beating
Because I ain't ready to leave
You know I'll conquer my demons
Better believe
That if you bring this body to life
I'm a go home
And I'm a change my stripes tonight
OH,
If you leave and you're all alone
I'll leave the lights on
Show you there's a place to go
I'll leave the lights on
Show you that there's still some hope
I'll leave the lights on baby
Lights on baby
And if you feel like you're all out of rope
I'll leave the lights on
Show you there's a place to go
I'll leave the lights on
Show you that there's still some road
I'll leave the lights on baby
Now thinking back
Now thinking back
Now thinking back
Now thinking back
Praying that my heart will keep beating
Because I ain't ready to leave
You know I'll conquer my demons
Better believe
That if you bring this body to life
I'm a go home
And I'm a change my stripes tonight!
If you leave and you're all alone
I'll leave the lights on
Show you there's a place to go
I'll leave the lights on
Show you that there's still some hope
I'll leave the lights on baby
Lights on baby
And if you feel like you're all out of rope
I'll leave the lights on
Show you there's a place to go
I'll leave the lights on
Show you that there's still some road
I'll leave the lights on baby
Woah
Woah
Woah
I'm a leave the lights on
Woah
Woah
Woah
The song "Lights On" by Makeshift Innocence is a tribute to late legendary musicians Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Bradley Nowell, and also to anyone who has lost their lives due to drug abuse. The lyrics revolve around the singer's memories of Bradley Nowell from the band Sublime and their experiences with drugs. The song depicts how easy it is to get trapped in a drug addiction and how difficult it can be to escape from it. It also conveys a message of hope to those struggling with addiction, indicating that there is still a place to go and that there is still some hope left.
The first verse begins by paying homage to the late great musicians who have passed away. The next few lines reminisce about the time singer spent with Bradley Nowell in the kitchen, getting high on drugs. The song portrays a sense of nostalgia for the past and how time had gone on but the singer and Nowell, and possibly many others, had continued with their drug habits. The lyrics go on to describe how their drug use had turned into a living condition, and they ended up popping pills to stay awake and sleep in the evening. The song also talks about concealing the effects of drug abuse while their lives fell apart, turning into a living hell.
The chorus of the song features the phrase "I'll leave the lights on" as a symbol of hope. The singer sings about leaving the lights on for someone who feels alone or out of options. The singer offers a place to go, a ray of hope, something that will give them strength and make them feel like they still have a chance. The following verses talk about how drug use had taken over the singer's life and that they had never imagined it would be something they could not get out of. The singer talks about how drugs have not only affected his life but also his heart, that he wants to fight his demons, repent and start afresh.
Line by Line Meaning
This song goes out to all the late but greats
This song is dedicated to the musicians who passed away but were brilliant in their field
Mr. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix, one of the greatest guitarists of all time
Mr. Bob Marley
Bob Marley, a pioneer of reggae music and a cultural icon
And Bradley Nowell
Bradley Nowell, the lead vocalist of Sublime who died at a young age
We leave our lights on!
We keep our hope and positivity alive, like leaving the lights on in a dark room
Bradley from Sublime
Referring to Bradley Nowell, the late lead vocalist of Sublime
Yeah I truly do miss him
Expressing the feeling of deep longing and missing Bradley
I reminisce about the time
Recalling past memories and experiences
That we'd get high in the kitchen
Referring to drug use in their early days
Just listen!
Urging the listeners to pay attention and understand the following words
We were kids
Referring to their youth and inexperience
And high was just a position
Drug use was just a temporary phase they went through
Thinking we would quit one day
Believing they could overcome their addiction and move on from it
And that we'd never really miss it
Assuming that they would not feel the urge to use drugs again
But time kept going on
Realizing that time does not stop, and their addiction continued
We kept the drugs to keep living
Referring to the cycle of addiction where drugs become necessary to keep going
It's like a simple date with herb
Using drugs started as a casual pastime
Turned into a living condition
Drug addiction became a part of their lifestyle and routine
Popping pills to stay awake
Taking pills to stay alert and avoid sleep
And popping pills in the evening
Taking pills in order to relax and sleep
Concealing what we felt
Hiding their true emotions and feelings
As the shit hit the ceiling
As everything started to fall apart and become chaotic
If you leave and you're all alone
If you are feeling helpless and abandoned
I'll leave the lights on
I will keep the hope and positivity alive
Show you there's a place to go
There is a way out of the darkness, and I will show you
Show you that there's still some hope
Despite the difficulties, there is still a way to find hope and positivity
I'll leave the lights on baby
I will keep the light of hope and positivity alive for you
And if you feel like you're all out of rope
If you feel like you have no options left
Now thinking back
Reflecting on the past memories and experiences
How ignorant we must have been
Realizing how naive and uninformed they were in their early days
To have ever thought
Realizing how misguided their beliefs and assumptions were
That we'd escape the shit
Believing that they could overcome their addiction easily
That we called a friend
Referring to drugs as a friend or companion
Take a hit when we would wake
Using drugs first thing in the morning
And wash it down with some gin
Drinking alcohol along with drugs
I found your 40 ounces to freedom
Referring to an album by Sublime called '40 Oz. to Freedom'
And it was under my skin
The music and lyrics of Sublime spoke to them on a deep level
It was coursing through my veins
The music and lyrics of Sublime became a part of their identity and lifestyle
As it was laying it's trap
Realizing how addiction and dependency slowly trap and ensnare people
It's like I'm laying in a gurney
Feeling helpless and vulnerable like being on a hospital bed
And these drugs are the straps
Feeling tied down and trapped by addiction
I hear the Doctors yelling out
Hearing the urgent cries of people trying to help
That "we can get this one back"
That they can still be saved and rescued from the darkness
But it's too late for me
Despite the help available, it might be too late for them
As my heart rate goes flat
Realizing that their life might be slipping away
I want it back!
Feeling the urgency to regain control and recover from addiction
Praying that my heart will keep beating
Hoping for strength and resilience to overcome the odds
Because I ain't ready to leave
Not being willing to give up and lose the fight against addiction
You know I'll conquer my demons
Having the determination to win over their inner demons and overcome addiction
Better believe
Asserting their confidence and determination
That if you bring this body to life
If given another chance at life and recovery
I'm a go home
Will go home and start afresh with new determination and hope
And I'm a change my stripes tonight
Having the desire to change their behaviour and lifestyle from that moment onwards
Woah
Exclamation of emotion and intensity
I'm a leave the lights on
Pledging to keep the hope and positivity alive
Woah
Exclamation of emotion and intensity
Woah
Exclamation of emotion and intensity
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MtlTank
never delete this song/vid... this song means a lot to me... RIP Chris
@joshkier
Two years since I last heard this and it still hits home, incredible song.
@drewjefferson8306
This song keeps me going when I feel I've done things I can never take back. It gives me hope... it makes me strive to 'keep my lights on' for all those who need it. Thank you, Makeshift Innocence.
@donaldkerr4310
I thank my friend Kasha at least once a year for buying me this CD (one of my last CD's). Every time I hear this song, as well as many other Makeshift Innocence, I am struck by the emotional impact from these songs. Also they sound f****G amazing. Thanks
@woodstockmoonchild
lights on here my brother.....thank you for this! in life we get what we have the courage to expect
@juliane007
awesome music and nice video.. makes me thinking about many things..
@kirstanmaxfield2774
Much love to you guys. This is beautiful. Thank you!
@ThroneOfVengeance
Very well done! Great song guys
@Septembryo
there is always hope beautiful song! great video Damien!
@BlkDragonEnt
No doubt, one of my favourite Makeshift innocence songs! I put this one repeat!!