Harsh Light
Nate Ruess Lyrics

The barkeep's in a bad mood, playing with his chains
The bartender looks unhappy and is idly fidgeting with his accessories

Talking 'bout a blood moon, asking how I found this place
He's discussing an upcoming lunar event and curious how the singer came to the bar

My eyes are drained from the one that got away
The singer is heartbroken from a past failed relationship

So tonight I'm going out, tonight I'm gonna stay out
Despite the heartbreak, the artist intends to go and stay out tonight

In walks eighty long boots, looking for a date
Someone enters wearing knee-high boots and seems to be seeking a romantic partner

I would make the first move, but I'm too drunk to enunciate
The singer is too intoxicated to speak clearly enough to initiate a flirtatious conversation

Never been one to want to hear about someone's day
The singer isn't generally interested in hearing about the daily happenings of others

And it's so hard just to be
Life is difficult and often fraught with challenges

There's such a fine line between the things you want and the
It's tricky to balance desires with necessities

And the things that you need
And the things that are required to live a fulfilling life

So I'm not going to sleep
The singer has no intention of going to bed or resting

I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light
The artist is moving into the middle of the night surrounded by bright, unforgiving lighting

And nothing gets me down
Despite the difficulties, the singer is resilient and won't be defeated

Running into old friends I don't need anymore
The singer comes across acquaintances from the past that they no longer require in their life

And my heart is always breaking for the ghosts that haunt this room
The singer feels pained for the memories and apparitions that linger in the space

We fall asleep to revolution, but wake up next to a sad excuse
The world is constantly changing, but sometimes we find ourselves stuck in mundane and disappointing situations

Oh, what a shame how we got in our own way
It's a pity our own shortcomings and mistakes hold us back from realising our full potential

And it's so hard not to scream (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
The singer struggles to keep their emotions contained and not lash out with a scream

There's such a fine line between the things you are and the
It's difficult to differentiate between one's true self and external influences

And the things that you've been
And the experiences that have contributed to making the person who they are today

I'm scared that I'm becoming a satellite (We all got scars)
The artist feels isolated and drifting away from others, which is a consequence of past wounds and scars that remain

But I get this funny feeling that tonight is going to end (We all got scars)
Despite the uncertainty, the artist believes that tonight will conclude in a positive manner since everyone carries scars in their lives

I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light (come on)
The singer is entering a new part of the night under the same unyielding illumination.

Nothing here is bringing me down
Despite the adversity, the artist remains resolute and won't be beaten down.