Born in Chicago to Swedish/Italian parents, Lofgren moved to the Washington, D.C., area as a teenager. His first instrument was the accordion. He was also a competitive gymnast in high school, a skill that popped up later in his career.
Lofgren joined Neil Young's band in 1968 at age 17, playing piano on the album After the Gold Rush. Lofgren would maintain a close musical relationship with Young, appearing on his Tonight's the Night album and tour among others. He was also briefly a member of Crazy Horse, appearing on their 1971 LP and contributing songs to their catalogue.
From '71 to '74 Lofgren was active in Grin, the band he founded in '69. After landing a record deal in '71 the band released 4 critically-acclaimed albums but met with little commercial success.
In 1975 Lofgren released his a self-titled solo album featuring songs that went on to become staples of his solo performances; 'Keith Don't Go', 'Back it Up' and the cover of Carole Kings 'Goin' Back'.
Solo albums and tours followed every year through the 70s as Lofgren established himself as a top guitarist and live performer earning the respect and acclaim of his peers.
Bruce Springsteen made the call in 1984 and Lofgren joined the E-Street Band for the 'Born in the USA' tour. Lofgren was instant hit with Springsteens fans through his playing and vibrant on stage persona. Lofgren remains a stalwart of the E-Street Band to the present day.
Lofgren continues to juggle his tenure with the Springsteen Band and a solo recording career, whilst writing and performing with many other artists. His 2008 album 'Nils Sings Neil' was a project featuring Lofgren acoustically covering songs written by Neil Young, his former bandleader in Crazy Horse.
Shine Silently
Nils Lofgren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just another town
Same old crazy people hanging around
Still you shine silently
Staring into space
Comin' down alone
Feel like packin' all my bags
Shine silently
Shine silently
I don't need no light in the darkness
Shine silently
No I won't get lost while your loves shines
Shines on me shines on me
People at the door
People on the phone
Same old story
No time on my own
Still shine silently
Nothing left to say
Nothing left to prove
When it's said and done
There's nothing left but you babe
Shine silently
Shine silently
I don't need no light in the darkness
Shine silently
No I won't get lost while your loves shines
Shines on me shines on me
The song "Shine Silently" by Nils Lofgren is a reflective piece about feeling lost and overwhelmed in a world filled with chaos and noise. The lyrics center around the idea of wanting to retreat and escape from the pressures of society, but finding solace and comfort in the unspoken support of a loved one. The song begins with the description of a typical day in a mundane town, surrounded by the same old people and their troubles. The singer acknowledges their presence, but makes it clear that their focus and comfort lies elsewhere.
The longing and escape is further expressed through the line "Feel like packin' all my bags and running home", which showcases the singer's desire to find a place of comfort and belonging. Throughout the song, the refrain "Shine Silently" represents the unwavering love and support of the singer's partner, providing them with the strength and guidance they need to navigate the complexities of life. The final stanza brings the song full circle, with the singer acknowledging that when everything else is gone, their partner’s love remains the only constant.
Overall, "Shine Silently" is an ode to the power of a meaningful and reliable relationship, providing light in the darkness of a chaotic world.
Line by Line Meaning
Just another room
This room is one of many places in which I have felt lonely.
Just another town
This is just another place in which I have felt lost and isolated.
Same old crazy people hanging around
I am surrounded by people who do not understand me or the way that I feel.
Still you shine silently
Despite all of this, your love remains constant and unwavering. I find comfort in knowing that you are always there for me.
Staring into space
I am lost in my own thoughts, unable to escape from my own mind.
Comin' down alone
I feel as though I am slowly falling apart, and no one is there to help me pick up the pieces.
Feel like packin' all my bags
I am so overwhelmed that I am considering leaving everything behind and starting over.
And running home
I long for the comfort of being back in a place where I feel safe and loved.
Shine silently
Your love is a quiet beacon of hope that helps guide me through the darkness.
I don't need no light in the darkness
Your love is enough to light the way for me in even the darkest of moments.
No I won't get lost while your loves shines
As long as your love remains constant, I will never feel truly lost or alone.
People at the door
There are always people seeking my time and attention, making it difficult for me to focus on what really matters.
People on the phone
Even when I am alone, I am bombarded by messages and notifications that keep me from finding peace and quiet.
Same old story
I am tired of hearing the same problems and concerns over and over again, with no real solution in sight.
No time on my own
I crave solitude and time to reflect, but it seems like there is always something or someone vying for my attention.
Still shine silently
Despite all of the chaos and noise, your love remains constant and unwavering, providing me with a sense of peace and comfort.
Nothing left to say
I have run out of words and ways to describe how I feel. Sometimes silence says more than words ever could.
Nothing left to prove
I am done trying to prove myself to others, and am content to simply be myself and let things fall into place.
When it's said and done
At the end of the day, all that really matters is the love and support that I receive from those closest to me.
There's nothing left but you babe
You are the one constant in my life, the one source of love and stability that I can always count on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: NILS LOFGREN, DICK WAGNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mattlofgren1497
This song is about/for my great grandmother, and I'm just so glad it's immortalized and here for me whenever I need it ❤️
@alanbaird82
i saw Nils Glasgow Apollo 1980......trust me ,be proud.This was and always will be wonderful!
@matthewtoddbehindthescenes367
Met Nils in Bradford UK when I was in high school after a small gig. Still one of the best shows I ever went to and he told me to keep on with guitar, which I have for the following 30 years.
@simonwright9735
My funeral song pal.
Hope it's a few years away like🤞
@alexhamilton5897
@@simonwright9735 me 2 m8, although 71 this year, regardz from Sunny Tenerife
@stianmathisen4284
Underrated he must be , i never saw him mentioned in any top guitar player ranking, which is strangely insane, in my opinion he is better than most out there.
-He plays the electric guitar at Prince level..., and that is an understatement!!!
-He plays the acoustic better than any of the electric "gods" that is always at the top in the guitar hierarchy, his acoustic guitar playing is nothing but out of this world spectacular !
-He plays several other instruments at high level.
-He is an decent singer and songwriter.
Bruce is probably the better songwriter and frontman , but that is the only things Bruce is obviously better at....!
@timetraveller267
I was sixteen in 1979 and this song is still so sweet, 33 years later. His voice has more feeling xx
@shruggzdastr8-facedclown
That's actually 43 (now 44) years later
@guusschmittman
Best performance ever of shine silently. I saw him that year twice in the Netherlands in Zoetermeer and in Heino. Great shows!
@JohnnyCameo
Like everyone else I’m blown away by this performance. Spectacular. Great vocal, guitar and keyboard. But let’s hear it for the rhythm section. Bass and drums 😎 👏 👏