Originally formed as Pilate in 1999, the Toronto-based rock quartet changed… Read Full Bio ↴Originally formed as Pilate in 1999, the Toronto-based rock quartet changed their name to "Pilot Speed" in mid-2006, in order to avoid possible lawsuits as their music spread internationally from their native Canada. Pilate were born in 2000 after vocalist and New Zealand native Todd Clark left the music program at the University of Western Ontario where he'd been studying and placed an ad online for potential bandmates. Bassist Ruby Bumrah, a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, answered the call, bringing with him fellow alums Chris Greenough (guitar) and Bill Keeley (drums). Citing influences like Crowded House, Radiohead, and U2 for Pilate's especially sweeping brand of melodic rock -- not so dissimilar to acts like Keane, Coldplay, and Snow Patrol -- they released the six-song EP For All That's Given, Wasted in the summer of 2001. It quickly sold out its initial pressing and established the guys as players in the Canadian music scene.

They then landed opening slots on shows for Broken Social Scene, DFA 1979, and Hot Hot Heat, and received the honor of Best Unsigned Band at the 2002 North by Northeast music conference (Canada's version of SXSW in the U.S.). Soon after, Pilate inked a deal with indie MapleMusic Recordings, which then released their full-length debut, Caught by the Window, in 2003. The album produced two hits on national radio and MuchMusic, as the guys toured North America, Australia, and Japan. Their follow-up, Sell Control for Life's Speed, appeared back at home in mid-2006, after which the band changed its name to Pilot Speed. The quartet had signed with Wind-Up earlier that same year following the completion of its third album overall (and first as Pilot Speed), Into the West; the label released the record that September.

Turn The Lights On
Pilate Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She'll write a sad sad song
to let this pain just stay too long
and she'll be a firefight
a forest king
this heart of blood left in the ring

He'll be a needle
like you're passin' through

I'll take that chance girl
how bout you
and she'll meet a lover who
when all seems lost
makes love to his dream
careless of the cost

Turn the lights on
turn the lights on
turn the lights on
turn the lights on

She'll be a father
with a broken son
and face like stone cold
has a gun there
was a soldier
topped by crumbling walls
or wind and rain just drowned his cause
I know it's hard
it's so hard to tell
my hands don't match my water well
like walking listless down darkened streets
I hear the drum
I just can't keep the beat

Turn the lights on
turn the lights on
turn the lights on
turn the lights on

It's been awhile since I've been on trial
for the course my life has run
I haven't heard any words
that forgive the things I've done
Yeah
So set a course for the north
I'll be waiting for words that come
just come away
come away
come away
come away
way
come away
my son

Turn the lights on
turn the lights on

turn the lights on
turn the lights on

Overall Meaning

In Pilate's song "Turn the Lights On," the lyrics depict a series of characters who are struggling with various difficult situations. The song starts with a girl who writes a sad song to prolong her pain. Then, the song moves on to describe a man who is compared to a needle. He takes a chance on the girl, and their love is strong enough to overcome adversity. The lyrics continue describing different characters, such as a father with a broken son, a soldier with a lost cause, and the singer himself, who confesses to the wrongs he has done in the past.

However, despite the challenges and hardships that each of these characters faces, the lyrics remind us to "turn the lights on". This can be seen as an invitation to face our problems head-on and to not let the darkness consume us. By turning on the lights, we can confront the difficulties in our lives and find hope for a brighter future.

Overall, Pilate's "Turn the Lights On" is a deeply emotional and contemplative song that encourages listeners to approach their struggles with courage and hope. Whether we are facing heartache, loss, or guilt, the song reminds us that we have the strength to face these challenges if we are willing to confront them head-on.

Line by Line Meaning

She'll write a sad sad song to let this pain just stay too long
She will express her sorrow through writing a sad song but will continue to hold onto her pain for much longer than necessary.

and she'll be a firefight a forest king
She will fight with all of her might, like a fierce king of the forest.

this heart of blood left in the ring
Despite being hurt, she leaves her heart on the line, exposed and vulnerable.

He'll be a needle like you're passin' through
He will be a force that passes through your life, like a needle.

I'll take that chance girl how bout you
He is willing to take a chance, but wonders if she is too.

and she'll meet a lover who when all seems lost makes love to his dream careless of the cost
She will find someone to love who, even when everything seems hopeless, holds onto their dreams and loves them without hesitation.

She'll be a father with a broken son and face like stone cold has a gun there was a soldier topped by crumbling walls or wind and rain just drowned his cause
She will have the responsibility of a father with a son who is broken, while wearing a cold and uncaring expression. She will also encounter a soldier who has lost his cause in the midst of destruction.

I know it's hard it's so hard to tell my hands don't match my water well like walking listless down darkened streets I hear the drum I just can't keep the beat
It is difficult to express oneself truthfully, and sometimes expression does not come easily. Like walking aimlessly in the dark, sometimes rhythm and clarity are lost.

It's been awhile since I've been on trial for the course my life has run
It has been a while since the artist has taken responsibility for the course they have taken in life.

I haven't heard any words that forgive the things I've done
The artist has not heard any words that forgive them for the actions they have taken.

So set a course for the north I'll be waiting for words that come just come away come away come away come away way come away my son
In the hopes of finding forgiveness and peace, the singer sets a course North and waits for the words that will lead them to freedom and redemption.

Turn the lights on turn the lights on turn the lights on turn the lights on
The artist urges to turn the lights on, to illuminate the darkness and allow everything to be seen clearly.

Contributed by Tyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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