Phillips began her musical career as a vocalist in the early 1980s, singing background parts for Christian artists such as Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill, and others. After a short time, Phillips was signed to a solo contract with Myrrh Records (under her given name) where she went on to record four Christian pop albums: Beyond Saturday Night, Dancing with Danger, Black & White in a Grey World, and, The Turning, which teamed her with producer and future husband T-Bone Burnett. Throughout the Myrrh period, Phillips wrote more and more of her own songs and several were Top 10 singles on Christian radio.
Since Cyndi Lauper was popular at the time and also had an high-pitched, idiosyncratic vocal style, Myrrh insisted on promoting her as "the Christian Cyndi Lauper." Phillips was never comfortable with this image, and it was a bone of contention between her and the label. She began using the name "Sam" professionally in 1988 when she left Myrrh Records and signed with Virgin Records, partially in order to distance herself from her somewhat embarrassing Myrrh-imposed persona.
Like many Christian artists before her, she expanded into more secular content at the new label. She released The Indescribable Wow, which featured the orchestrations of Van Dyke Parks. Cruel Inventions, which was released in 1991, included a guest appearance from close friend Elvis Costello, and she (with her husband) supported Costello on his 1991 tour. 1994's Martinis & Bikinis was widely praised by music critics and was even nominated for a Grammy Award; this was Phillips' first nomination.
In 1995, Phillips made her silver screen debut in the Bruce Willis blockbuster Die Hard With a Vengeance, in which she played a mute terrorist. She was originally supposed to have a speaking part in the film but it was decided that her character would be silent, since it made her appear much more imposing and lethal, although it also placed her in a more stereotypically femme fatale role at the same time.
In 1996, Phillips released Omnipop (It's Only a Flesh Wound Lambchop), which was more experimental musically and ended up being her worst-selling album to date. After releasing a contractual obligation "best-of" album for Virgin in 1999, the label dropped Phillips from their roster.
In 2001, Phillips signed with Nonesuch Records and released a stripped-down acoustic album called Fan Dance, which featured some of the most critically acclaimed songwriting of Phillips' career. Van Dyke Parks contributed string arrangements for a track or two. Phillips also began writing music for and scoring the television series Gilmore Girls, and even appeared on-screen during the final episode of season six, performing Taking Pictures. In 2004 she released A Boot and a Shoe, another collection of acoustic cabaret songs in the same vein as her previous album.
Sam returned with a new album don't do anything in 2008. In October 2009 Sam launched Long Play, an exclusively web-based membership site which promised subscribers 5 digital EPs and 1 full-length digital album over the course of about one year. A physical "best of" compilation of Long Play songs, titled Solid State, was released in June 2011.
Light Of Love
Sam Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At least not the way you're thinking
I don't want to climb the stairs up to your room
'Cause up there in the darkness
The love that we'd reach for
Would disappear at dawn with the fading moon
And in the light of love
In the light of love
I'll wait to have you and you'll wait to have me
I have lonely sunsets
Where my heart sinks into dusk
And I want someone to hold me through the night
I know that you are willing
But if it's not forever
I just can't walk away from what is right
And in the light of love
You'll see how long it takes for love to be
In the light of love
I'll wait to have you and you'll wait to have me
And He makes it shine down from above
For man and wife to share His love
And in the light of love
You'll see how long it takes for love to be
In the light of love
I'll wait to have you and you'll wait to have me
In Sam Phillips's song "Light of Love," the singer is expressing their fear of being hurt in a romantic relationship by refusing to fully commit to their partner. They do not want to love their partner in the way that the partner is expecting because they fear that the love will disappear quickly, just as the moon disappears at dawn. They know that they want someone to hold them through the night, but they are wary of starting a relationship that may not last. The singer believes that waiting for true love is worth the time and effort it takes to find it, and they refuse to settle for temporary love.
The repeated line of "In the light of love, you'll see how long it takes for love to be" suggests that the singer believes that true love cannot be rushed or superficial, but rather it takes time and effort to cultivate. They are willing to wait for love to develop and grow naturally. The mention of God in the final lines of the song suggests that the singer believes that true love is also a spiritual bond that is strengthened by divine intervention.
Overall, "Light of Love" is a thoughtful and introspective examination of romantic love and the importance of waiting for true and lasting love.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to love you
I am hesitant to fall in love with you
At least not the way you're thinking
I don't want to engage in a relationship with you like you might be anticipating
I don't want to climb the stairs up to your room
I am reluctant to take advantage of your offer to be intimate with you
'Cause up there in the darkness
Getting close in the dark could lead to complications
The love that we'd reach for
The feelings we'd develop could spiral out of control
Would disappear at dawn with the fading moon
The connection we build could disappear at daybreak just like the disappearing moon
And in the light of love
By being open and honest about our feelings
You'll see how long it takes for love to be
We'll discover how long it takes for true love to develop
I'll wait to have you and you'll wait to have me
We'll wait until the timing is right to fully commit to each other
I have lonely sunsets
I often face lonely moments as the sun sets
Where my heart sinks into dusk
My emotions often become heavy and difficult to carry as nightfall approaches
And I want someone to hold me through the night
I desire someone to comfort and support me during tough times
I know that you are willing
I understand that you are willing to be that person for me
But if it's not forever
If our relationship isn't meant to be long-term
I just can't walk away from what is right
I can't sacrifice my morals and values for a temporary comfort
He makes it shine down from above
God blesses us with love
For man and wife to share His love
For married couples to share God's love in their lives
Contributed by Alexandra O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lawrence Ehrbar
I had this album back in the '80's. Played it all the time in my car.