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.
Their first album under their new name "Wooden Bones" was released April 28th, 2009
Merchandise and news is available from their Official site.
Turn The Lights On
Pilot Speed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a sad, sad song
Who lived his pain
Just stayed to long
Show me a fighter
Fighting for his king
His heart and blood
Give me a needle
I can pass on through
I'll take that chance, girl
How about you?
Show me the lover
Who when all seems lost
Makes love to his grief
Careless of the cost
Turn the lights on
Turn the lights on
Turn the lights on
Turn the lights on
Show me a father
With a broken son
His face like stone
Cold as a gun
There was a soldier
Atop my crumbling walls,
but wind and rain just
drowned his calls
I know it's hard
Not so hard to tell
That my head don't
Match my water well
Like walking listless
Down a darkened street
I hear the drum
I just can't keep the beat...
Turn the lights on
Turn the lights on
Turn the lights on
Been a while since
I was on trial
For the course
My life has run
I haven't heard any words
That that forgive the things I've done
So set a course for the north
I'll be waiting for word to 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
The lyrics of Pilot Speed's "Turn The Lights On" are open to interpretation, but at its core, the song seems to be about the struggles and pain of life. The song speaks to a yearning for truth and light in a world that can be dark and confusing. The singer calls for examples of people who have lived through pain: a writer, a fighter, a lover, and a father with a broken son. The lyrics express a deep longing for something more, a deeper understanding of why things have to be the way they are. The final lines of the song suggest a sense of solitude and a longing to escape, to come away from it all.
The song is built around a steady rhythm and features beautifully layered instrumentation. The verse uses a simple four-chord pattern, while the chorus adds some variation. The melody is haunting and builds to an emotionally charged climax. The lyrics are poetic and thought-provoking, and the singer's delivery is powerful.
Overall, "Turn The Lights On" is a beautifully crafted song that explores the complexities of life and human emotion. It's a powerful expression of the search for meaning and connection in a world that can be confusing and scary.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me a writer
A writer who can express his sadness through a song
With a sad, sad song
A song that reflects the writer's deep sadness
Who lived his pain
A writer who has experienced the pain he is expressing
Just stayed too long
A writer who feels stuck in his pain and cannot move on
Show me a fighter
Someone who fights for a noble cause
Fighting for his king
A fighter who is loyal to his country or ruler
His heart and blood
A fighter who gives his all and risks his life for his cause
Left in the ring
A fighter who has been defeated and left injured in the fight
Give me a needle
I am willing to take a risk and try something new
I can pass on through
I will take a chance and see where it leads me
I'll take that chance, girl
I am willing to take a risk with you, my partner
How about you?
Are you willing to take a chance with me?
Show me the lover
Someone who expresses his love openly
Who when all seems lost
A lover who doesn't give up when things get tough
Makes love to his grief
A lover who finds solace in his suffering
Careless of the cost
A lover who is willing to endure pain for the sake of love
Turn the lights on
A plea to bring light to the darkness, to find a way out of despair
Show me a father
A father who is struggling with a broken family
With a broken son
A son who is lost, hurt or struggling with his identity
His face like stone
A father who is trying to remain strong despite his pain
Cold as a gun
A father who is distant and unapproachable
There was a soldier
A soldier who fought bravely for his country
Atop my crumbling walls
A fortification that is falling apart and losing its strength
But wind and rain just
Despite his bravery, the soldier was defeated by the elements
Drowned his calls
His cries for help went unheard and unanswered
I know it's hard
I acknowledge that life can be difficult
Not so hard to tell
It's not difficult to see that I am struggling
That my head don't
I am mentally struggling
Match my water well
My emotional state doesn't match my external appearance
Like walking listless
I am walking aimlessly and without direction
Down a darkened street
I am lost and walking in a dark, uncertain path
I hear the drum
I hear a rhythm, a call to action
I just can't keep the beat
Despite the call, I am struggling to follow through
Been a while since
It's been a long time since
I was on trial
I was judged by others for my actions
For the course
For the path my life has taken
My life has run
The trajectory and outcome of my life so far
I haven't heard any words
I have not received forgiveness or absolution for my mistakes
That forgive the things I've done
I am seeking redemption for my past actions
So set a course for the north
I am searching for direction and guidance
I'll be waiting for word to come
I am hopeful for a sign, a message, that can lead me forward
Just come away
Just come with me, follow me
Come away
Let's leave our problems behind and start afresh
Way
The path we take together
Come away, my son
A father's plea to his son to leave their past behind and start anew
Turn the lights on
A final plea to find a way out of despair and into the light
Turn the lights on
A final plea to find a way out of despair and into the light
Turn the lights on
A final plea to find a way out of despair and into the light
Turn the lights on
A final plea to find a way out of despair and into the light
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.