He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Shoot Out The Lights
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the dark, who can reach him?
He hides like a child. He hides like a child.
Keeps his finger on the trigger
You know he can't stand the day
Shoot out the lights. Shoot out the lights
Keep the blind down on the window
Just watching the dark. Just watching the dark
Ah he might laugh but you won't see him
As he thunders through the night
Shoot out the lights. Shoot out the lights
In the darkness the shadows move
In the darkness the game is real
Real as a gun. Real as a gun
As he watches the lights of the city
And he moves through the night
Shoot out the lights. Shoot out the lights
Shoot out the lights. Ah, shoot out the lights
The lyrics of Richard Thompson's song "Shoot Out The Lights" paint the picture of a man who is tormented and unable to come to terms with his life. The lines "In the dark, who can see his face? In the dark, who can reach him?" suggest that this man is hiding from something or someone, perhaps himself. He "hides like a child" and "keeps his finger on the trigger," indicating that he is deeply disturbed and may be contemplating violence.
Thompson emphasizes the man's sense of isolation and despair with the lines "Keep the blind down on the window, keep the pain on the inside." The man is trapped in his own thoughts and emotions, unable to escape them. He watches the city at night and moves through the streets, his actions and motives unclear. The song's refrain, "Shoot out the lights," may be a call to action or a plea for release from the man's torment.
Overall, "Shoot Out The Lights" is a haunting and evocative song that explores deeply human themes of fear, isolation, and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
In the dark who can see his face?
When there is no light, it is impossible to see the face of the person in question
In the dark who can reach him?
When there is no light, it is impossible to reach the person in question
He hides like a child
He conceals himself like an innocent, vulnerable child
He hides like a child
He conceals himself like an innocent, vulnerable child
Keeps his finger on the trigger
He is constantly ready to fire his weapon
He can't stand the day
He prefers to operate in darkness and is uncomfortable during daylight
Shoot out the lights
He wants to eliminate all sources of light to make it easier to hide
Shoot out the lights
He wants to eliminate all sources of light to make it easier to hide
Keep the blind down on the window
Keep the curtains closed to block out any light from the outside
Keep the pain on the inside
Repress any emotional or physical pain, and do not let it show
Just watching the dark
Observing the absence of light around him
Just watching the dark
Observing the absence of light around him
He might laugh but you won't see him
He may exhibit joy or amusement, but it will not be visible in the darkness
As he thunders through the night
Moving through the darkness with intensity and force
Shoot out the lights
He wants to eliminate all sources of light to make it easier to hide
Shoot out the lights
He wants to eliminate all sources of light to make it easier to hide
In the darkness the shadows move
When there is no light, even inanimate objects create moving shadows
In the darkness the game is real
In the absence of light, the stakes of the game are higher and more dangerous
Real as a gun
The danger and possibilities of harm are as real as a loaded weapon
Real as a gun
The danger and possibilities of harm are as real as a loaded weapon
As he watches the streets of the city
Observing the city at night while hidden in the shadows
As he moves through the night
Moving secretly and quickly under the cloak of darkness
Shoot out the lights
He wants to eliminate all sources of light to make it easier to hide
Shoot out the lights
He wants to eliminate all sources of light to make it easier to hide
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@annahillman8008
Absolutely one of the greatest unsung guitarists.
@dansobczak8347
Yes he is !!
@robjames702
This is one of the most awesome guitar performances of all time!
@robertcguenveur8387
I agree. I being an aged musician. This is up there with Jimi. Not many up there.
@richardsylvanus2717
Found this album in the $1 bin
What an intro to the band. ♥️
@paulcurtis3765
this is brilliant, I remember when it first came out, still as powerful today, class!!!
@suesjoy
Paul Curtis yes! It held up well!
@sullivan2339
A classic classic. He was young in human years. Lord knows how mature he was. He was & remains a master musician & profound soul.
@suesjoy
sullivan2339 I listened to this nonstop when it came out. Amazing album. Glad they got Joe Boyd to produce it. They originally got Gerry Rafferty. It was horrible, so they scrapped it and went with Joe Boyd.
@zepsabpurp999
Wow, uber-sensual, intelligent, unique and emotionally powerful. This song and album got everything right.