Performing Songwriter calls Hutchinson, "...A master of introspective ballads filled with understated yearning and an exquisite sense of metaphor." The twenty-six year old describes her style as "lyric-based, folk-pop, with a whole lot of small town idealism and one devastating break up thrown in for good measure." Among her influences she is quick to include poet Mary Oliver along with the likes of David Grey, Patty Griffin, Greg Brown and Shawn Colvin. Her songs are characterized by a weathered but unselfconscious optimism, a love of language and of the natural world. Having grown up in a town of 5,000 people, "just outside the National Historic District," her songs possess all the charm of Lake Wobegon, tempered by a sweet and timeless voice.
When The Lights Went Down
Meg Hutchinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold your glass too tight tho all that's left is ice
Thousand yard stare, life's a battlefield behind stage lights
Ah but Lu, you made us cry tonight
All those years you dreamed of making the show
Fame it seems to, only make the pain grow
When drinking with the boys, you always held your own
Ah but Lu, how we gonna get you home
When the lights went down
You made us feel a little less alone
Ah but Lu, how we gonna get you home
Starts so simple, the belief in something more
God or grief or just one poem opens up that door
Of a heart too big, for it's container
You got a glimpse of heaven, and you ordered one more
When the lights went down …
Ah but Lu, how you gonna get you home
Oh we know this story, oh we know this story
Destroyed by your own fire or burnished into gold
I need your songs still, please get home
"When The Lights Went Down" by Meg Hutchinson is a poignant song about the toll that pursuing fame can take on an artist, told through the lens of a specific character named Lu. The opening lines paint a picture of a tired and defeated individual who is struggling to hold onto the last dregs of their drink while lost in thought. Despite the glamourous appearance of the stage lights, life as an artist can be a battlefield, as Lu has clearly experienced. The line "Ah but Lu, you made us cry tonight" acknowledges that Lu's performance was moving and powerful, but also hints at the emotional pain that may have gone into creating it.
The next section reveals Lu's motivations for pursuing success as an artist. Like many creatives, Lu had dreamed for years of making it big, only to find that fame and success have not brought the fulfillment they thought it would. The reference to Lu holding their own while "drinking with the boys" suggests a desire to belong and be accepted in a male-dominated industry. Despite this, Lu is clearly struggling and needs help getting home.
The chorus, "When the lights went down, you made us feel a little less alone" recognizes the power of art to connect and move people, but also serves as a reminder that even those who bring so much joy to others can still struggle with their own personal demons. The final verse reflects on the common fate of talented artists who either self-destruct due to their inner turmoil or are "burnished into gold" by their trials, suggesting that the choice lies with the individual.
Line by Line Meaning
Sit there like a sad and very tired child
You are sitting with a sad and tired attitude.
Hold your glass too tight tho all that's left is ice
You are holding your glass too tightly, although the ice is the only thing left in it.
Thousand yard stare, life's a battlefield behind stage lights
Even though you're on stage, you seem to have a distant look, life feels like a battlefield.
Ah but Lu, you made us cry tonight
Lu, you made us emotional by your performance tonight.
All those years you dreamed of making the show
You have been dreaming for many years to perform like this.
Fame it seems to, only make the pain grow
Fame seems to be causing more pain than happiness.
When drinking with the boys, you always held your own
When drinking with friends, you didn't have any issues and held your own.
Ah but Lu, how we gonna get you home
Lu, how can we get you safely back home?
Starts so simple, the belief in something more
It all began with a simple belief in something greater.
God or grief or just one poem opens up that door
The belief in God, the grief of a loved one, or just one poem opened the door.
Of a heart too big, for it's container
Your heart is too big to be contained within your body.
You got a glimpse of heaven, and you ordered one more
You experienced something so beautiful, and wanted to experience it again.
Oh we know this story, oh we know this story
We are familiar with this story, we've heard it before.
Destroyed by your own fire or burnished into gold
Either you will be destroyed by your own passion or refined by it.
I need your songs still, please get home
We still need your songs, please come back home.
When the lights went down
When the show was over and the lights were turned down.
You made us feel a little less alone
Your performance made us feel less lonely.
Ah but Lu, how you gonna get you home
Lu, how can you get yourself back home?
Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.