Sophie Cates is a 23 year old pop artist from Chicago, writing songs about … Read Full Bio ↴Sophie Cates is a 23 year old pop artist from Chicago, writing songs about her experiences in life and love. She cites her influences as ranging from Taylor Swift to The 1975. She previously went by the Name Silver Sphere.

Certain Lighting
Sophie Cates Lyrics

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Goddamn
Can’t get out of my head
I went on a date but
Nothing really happened
Couldn’t help but think bout
If the certain lighting
Looked like when you found me
Or what we said goodbye in

(Fuck that)
I know it’s not why you left it
Said you didn’t mean it
Wish you never said it
Thought that after 2 years
You couldn’t take it back if
You thought I was perfect
What happened to that?
Guess it was only
Certain light
That you felt alright with me
And now I’m just trying
To look in the mirror and figure out
What I look like and
Certain light
Never would’ve
Changed my mind
Cause you shined in my eyes
Now I’m craving attention from people I don’t like
Let you watch me as I got dressed
Feeling good in your gaze
Guess I never clocked this
Now we’re on the couch
And you’re in another spiral
Bout if you even want me
Or if you’re in denial

Or if it’s only
Certain light
That you felt alright with me then
Why not lie?
And just end it without being mean in the meantime
And certain light
Never should have changed your mind
Cause this is real life
You’re gonna keep finding reasons till the day that you realize
Wasted all my time
Finding shit that wasn’t right
About the way that I look
Or how you had to get high
And I was always right there
Giving up my light
And you rolled your eyes
As I gave you my light
And I don’t wanna hear shit
Bout how you need to be free
I would’ve given it all
To keep you Fucking happy
But it’s a really tough job
When you walk all over me
You can keep your ideals
They don’t mean shit to me

Overall Meaning

In Sophie Cates's song "Certain Lighting," the lyrics capture the frustration and confusion that come with a failed relationship. The singer laments about a recent date that didn't live up to expectations, as nothing significant occurred. Despite this, they couldn't help but compare the current situation to moments shared with their ex-partner. The lyrics reflect feelings of longing and nostalgia, wondering if the same connection and emotions under a specific lighting could be replicated. This introspection leads to questioning why the ex-partner left, despite previous expressions of perfection in the relationship.

The lyrics delve deeper into the complexities of the breakup, realizing that perhaps the ex-partner's affection was only present in a certain light or idealized version of the singer. This realization causes the singer to reflect on their own self-image and the desire for validation from others, even those they don't genuinely care for. The mention of getting dressed and feeling good under the ex-partner's gaze highlights a sense of seeking approval and acceptance that may have been lacking in the past relationship.

As the song progresses, the singer confronts the current state of their relationship with the ex-partner, who is shown to be in a state of confusion and indecision. The singer questions the sincerity of the ex-partner's feelings and their constant search for reasons to justify their actions. The lyrics depict a sense of frustration at feeling unappreciated and taken for granted, with references to sacrificing their own light and self-worth for the ex-partner's happiness.

In the final verses, the singer expresses a sense of resignation and defiance towards the ex-partner's justifications for ending the relationship. They reject the notion of needing to adhere to the ex-partner's ideals or expectations, emphasizing their own worth and agency in the situation. The lyrics convey a mix of defiance, hurt, and a realization of the self-worth that was perhaps overlooked in the past. Overall, "Certain Lighting" captures the emotional journey of coming to terms with a failed relationship and reclaiming one's sense of self amidst the chaos and disillusionment.

Line by Line Meaning

Goddamn
Expressing frustration or anger

Can’t get out of my head
Unable to stop thinking about something

I went on a date but
I tried to move on, but

Nothing really happened
It didn't lead to anything meaningful

Couldn’t help but think bout
I couldn't stop thinking about

If the certain lighting
Under specific circumstances

Looked like when you found me
How you saw me when we first met

Or what we said goodbye in
Or how we parted ways

(Fuck that)
Expressing disdain or disregard

I know it’s not why you left it
I understand that's not the reason you left

Said you didn’t mean it
You claimed it wasn't intentional

Wish you never said it
I regret that you said it

Thought that after 2 years
I thought that after two years

You couldn’t take it back if
You wouldn't take it back if

You thought I was perfect
You believed I was flawless

What happened to that?
What changed?

Guess it was only
Maybe it was just

Certain light
Specific circumstances

That you felt alright with me
In which you were comfortable with me

And now I’m just trying
Currently attempting

To look in the mirror and figure out
To understand myself better

What I look like and
My true appearance and

Certain light
Specific circumstances

Never would’ve
Would not have

Changed my mind
Altered my perspective

Cause you shined in my eyes
You were a bright spot in my life

Now I’m craving attention from people I don’t like
Now I seek validation from those I dislike

Let you watch me as I got dressed
Allowed you to witness my vulnerability

Feeling good in your gaze
Enjoying your attention

Guess I never clocked this
I never realized this

Now we’re on the couch
Now we're sitting on the couch

And you’re in another spiral
And you're in another cycle

Bout if you even want me
Regarding if you even desire me

Or if you’re in denial
Or if you're refusing to acknowledge

Or if it’s only
Or if it's solely

Certain light
Specific circumstances

That you felt alright with me then
In which you were comfortable with me back then

Why not lie?
Why not deceive?

And just end it without being mean in the meantime
And just finish it without cruelty in the interim

Never should have changed your mind
Should never have altered your opinion

Cause this is real life
Because this is reality

You’re gonna keep finding reasons till the day that you realize
You'll continue finding justifications until you understand

Wasted all my time
Spent all my time in vain

Finding shit that wasn’t right
Discovering flaws that weren't valid

About the way that I look
About my appearance

Or how you had to get high
Or how you needed to be intoxicated

And I was always right there
And I was consistently present

Giving up my light
Sacrificing my happiness

And you rolled your eyes
And you dismissed me

As I gave you my light
While I shared my joy with you

And I don’t wanna hear shit
And I don't want to hear nonsense

Bout how you need to be free
About your need for liberation

I would’ve given it all
I would have dedicated everything

To keep you Fucking happy
To make you truly content

But it’s a really tough job
But it's an incredibly difficult task

When you walk all over me
When you take advantage of me

You can keep your ideals
You can maintain your beliefs

They don’t mean shit to me
They hold no value to me

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Charlie Shuffler, Mickey Wozniak, Wyatt Wells Donnelley-Power, LAN Party

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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