Singing in the local church choirs as a boy, studying jazz and classical piano performance, composition, and arrangement, and singing and playing keyboards in the ska band Gangster Politics in high school. Watson left the band after graduating and began to explore other types of music, including electronica and ambient. In 2002, after returning from a trip to Vietnam, he decided to start a four-piece chamber pop group, bringing in bassist Mishka Stein, drummer Robbie Kuster (both of whom he had met at university), and former Gangster Politics guitarist Simon Angell. The group (which was technically a solo project with a backing band) released Just Another Ordinary Day (2003) independently.
In 2001 Watson released his first own solo debut, Waterproof9 and in 2006 his second, Close to Paradise. Early in 2007, Watson was nominated for a Juno Canada's music award in the New Artist of the Year category.
His band's song "The Great Escape" was featured on a third-season episode of Grey's Anatomy.
He co-wrote and performed on several songs on The Cinematic Orchestra's 2007 album Ma Fleur including the opening track "To Build a Home". His "Missing You" remix of Champion's "Guy Doune", from Champion's 2006 album The Remix Album, reached #1 on CBC Radio 3's R3-30 chart in early 2007.
Patrick Watson (the band) also won the prestigeous Polaris Music Prize (Canada) in 2007.
Website: www.patrickwatson.net
Bright Shiny Lights
Patrick Watson Lyrics
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There shinning so bright
Casting a shadow
On all the simple things you used to own
Casting a shadow
On all the simple things you used to own
Oh those bright shinny lights
Blinding the simple man
Oh what a sorrowful sight
Blinding the simple man
Oh what a sorrowful sight
Oh those bright shinny lights
There shinning so bright
There casting a shadow
Oh what a sorrowful sight
There casting a shadow
On all the simple things we used to own
There casting a shadow
Oh what a sorrowful sight
The lyrics of Patrick Watson’s “Bright Shiny Lights” describe the overwhelming and ultimately damaging influence of materialism and consumer culture. The repetition of the opening lines “Oh those bright shinny lights / There shinning so bright” establishes the all-consuming nature of this way of life, contributing to a pervasive sense of personal loss as the “simple things” that once held meaning are pushed into the shadows. The imagery of the shadow symbolizes the inversion of values and priorities, where the allure of the bright shiny lights blinds the observer to the beauty and importance of simplicity.
The repetition of the refrain “Blinding the simple man / Oh what a sorrowful sight” highlights the sense of despair and loss that comes with this way of life, where the pursuit of the material trumps all other considerations. The lyrics speak to a longing for a return to a simpler time, where the simple things held their value and the world was not blinded by consumerism. The song is a poignant commentary on the dangers of materialism and the importance of valuing the things that truly matter.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh those bright shiny lights
The singer is referring to bright lights that catch his attention.
There shining so bright
The singer is emphasizing how bright the lights are.
Casting a shadow
The lights are so bright that they are casting shadows on everything below them.
On all the simple things you used to own
The singer is stating that the bright lights are impacting the simplicity of everyday life.
Blinding the simple man
The brightness of the lights is causing people to not be able to focus or see clearly.
Oh what a sorrowful sight
The singer laments the impact of these lights on people's lives.
There casting a shadow
The lights are creating shadows everywhere.
On all the simple things we used to own
The singer reiterates that the lights are impacting the simplicity of life, this time including himself in the statement.
Oh what a sorrowful sight
The singer repeats his sentiment of sadness and frustration towards the effects of the bright lights.
Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.