See the Lights
Simple Minds Lyrics


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Summer's gone winter's in your eyes
I can feel the thunder storms inside
I wake every morning and the cold winds cover me
All I've got's a ghost of what could be
If you can see the lights shine in front of me
If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be
I'm in a broken dream I stare out into space
You know I called you up cause nothing takes your place
I've got a heart of stone and it's sinking deep inside
I want to tell you love I'm too proud to cry
If you can see the lights shine in front of me
If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be
Summer's gone and I can't tell you lies
Oh forgive me love I'm too proud to cry
If you can see the lights shine in front of me
If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be
Summer's gone and I can't tell you lies
Forgive me love I'm too proud to cry
Too proud to cry




Too proud to cry
Too proud to cry

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Simple Minds' "See the Lights" touch on themes of loss, loneliness, and regret. The first line, "Summer's gone, winter's in your eyes," sets the tone of the song by implying a sense of sadness and loss. The next line, "I can feel the thunder storms inside," introduces the idea that the main character is struggling with his emotions, possibly due to a recent breakup or other traumatic event.


The second verse reinforces this idea, with the lines "I'm in a broken dream I stare out into space / You know I called you up 'cause nothing takes your place." The singer is lost in his own thoughts and memories, unable to move on from a past relationship. The following line, "I've got a heart of stone and it's sinking deep inside," highlights the contradiction between his outward appearance and his inner turmoil.


Despite this, the chorus offers a glimmer of hope in the form of "the lights." The singer implores the listener to "shout out where you'll be" if they can see these lights, suggesting that there is a way out of his current situation. However, the repetition of the line "forgive me love I'm too proud to cry" at the end of each verse underscores the singer's reluctance to fully let go of his emotions and move forward with his life.


Overall, "See the Lights" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the feeling of being stuck in the past, unable to fully embrace the present or future.



Line by Line Meaning

Summer's gone winter's in your eyes
The singer believes that the season of joy and happiness has passed, and all they see in their lover's eyes is a cold, harsh winter.


I can feel the thunder storms inside
The singer senses the emotional turmoil inside themselves that they cannot control.


I wake every morning and the cold winds cover me
The singer wakes up every day with an overwhelming feeling of sadness and loneliness.


All I've got's a ghost of what could be
The artist only has a faint memory of the hope and possibilities they used to have in their relationship.


If you can see the lights shine in front of me
The artist is asking their lover if they too can see a glimmer of hope for their future together.


If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be
The singer wants their lover to share their own vision of the future and where they see themselves in it.


I'm in a broken dream I stare out into space
The singer feels lost and disconnected from reality, trapped in a shattered illusion of what could have been.


You know I called you up cause nothing takes your place
The artist is desperately reaching out to their lover because they cannot imagine life without them.


I've got a heart of stone and it's sinking deep inside
The artist's heart feels heavy and unable to feel emotion, yet they are still deeply affected by their situation.


I want to tell you love I'm too proud to cry
The artist wants to confess to their lover that they are hurting, but cannot bring themselves to appear vulnerable.


Summer's gone and I can't tell you lies
The singer acknowledges that the happy times are over and they can no longer pretend that everything is okay.


Oh forgive me love I'm too proud to cry
The artist is asking for forgiveness for any pain they have caused, but still cannot bring themselves to show their emotions.


Too proud to cry
The repetition of this line emphasizes the singer's internal struggle to be vulnerable and express their emotions, even when it may be necessary.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Amanda Conti

They never put a foot wrong, their music is just sublime.

Tracy Davidson

Yep. saw them a few weeks ago in Aberdeen. Amazing!

Amanda Conti

@Tracy Davidson I envy you. I hope they come back to Australia one day.

MR M

yep you could play there music to the sun goes down!!

John Gibson

@MR M their music I think you meant

Gary Carr

​@Tracy Davidson Simple Minds

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Micheal Kelliher

An absolutely superb band. Superb arrangement and production.

Dick Carlsson

Huge Simple Minds fan since I was 12 and this one goes in among the 3 best songs ever from SM!! Everybody who hears this one loves it from the first listening!!!!

Ivanildo pereira da silva

Que sincronia perfeita

Michael M.

Eternal classic from an eternal band. Rock on Simple Minds.

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