Swing Set were active from 1983 to 1993, and they had a following at live m… Read Full Bio ↴Swing Set were active from 1983 to 1993, and they had a following at live music venues in the Twin Cities and an impact on college radio stations around the country; their first album, Life Speeds Up, landed in the Top 50 on U.S./Boston Rocks college charts. Singles from their next two albums, 1990’s The Soul Remains and its follow-up, DIG, also received commercial airplay.

The band was led by Mike Nilles, who founded the group and served as a songwriter, guitarist, and singer alongside fellow guitarist and vocalist Dan Prozinski. The late Kevin Foley, who would go on to play in Tommy Stinson’s Bash and Pop, held it down on bass; Dave Nussbaum played piano and synths; and Mick Wirtz played drums.

“Blackout” was originally recorded in 1985 at the historic Blackberry Way Studios, and was released the next year on Life Speeds Up. It was recently digitally remastered by Blackberry Way Records‘ Michael Owens — who has recently placed several Blackberry Way recordings onto popular television shows — and was included on the label’s 2014 compilation, Mini Hits of Minneapolis, Vol. 2. The compilation that contains the song is available on Blackberry Way’s website in addition to iTunes, Amazon and Tidal.

Blackout
Swing Set Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Blackout, blackout, blackout tonight
Oh, oh, seems so unusual
Wipe out, wipe out, wipe out the lights
Oh, oh, seems so immovable

Blackout, blackout, blackout tonight
Oh, oh, and the city hides
Watch out, watch out, watch out tonight

Oh, oh, lock your heart inside

And it′s only tonight
That you need someone, someone to hold on

Blackout, blackout, blackout tonight
Oh, oh, and the blind men know
Watch out, watch out, watch out tonight
Oh, oh, we're all blind men now

And you′re lonely tonight
And you need someone, someone to hold on

Living in darkness, looking for light
And there's nothing left, nothing's in sight

Blackout, blackout
Blackout, blackout

Blackout, blackout
Oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The song "Blackout" by Swing Set seems to be about the feeling of isolation and loneliness in a big city, particularly during a blackout. The repeated lyrics "blackout, blackout, blackout tonight" emphasize the darkness and lack of visibility that creates feelings of vulnerability and confusion. The singer urges the listener to "watch out" and "lock your heart inside" - advice that is particularly poignant in a blackout, when danger could be lurking anywhere.

The second verse introduces the idea that "we're all blind men now" - emphasizing that the blackout has a leveling effect. No matter how rich or powerful someone is, they are just as vulnerable as everyone else in the absence of light. The chorus repeats the idea that the listener needs "someone to hold on" - implying that the singer is offering themselves as that anchor in a time of darkness.

Overall, the song captures the feeling of insecurity and uncertainty that can arise in a blackout or other unexpected crisis. It raises the question of whether we truly are alone in these moments, or whether there is a way to find comfort and connection even in the darkest of times.

Line by Line Meaning

Blackout, blackout, blackout tonight
There is a power outage occurring tonight.

Oh, oh, seems so unusual
This blackout is unusual and unexpected.

Wipe out, wipe out, wipe out the lights
The lights have been completely erased.

Oh, oh, seems so immovable
It feels like the darkness is all-consuming.

And the city hides
The city is completely dark.

Watch out, watch out, watch out tonight
Be careful when moving around in the darkness.

Oh, oh, lock your heart inside
Protect yourself from danger.

And it's only tonight
This blackout is only temporary.

That you need someone, someone to hold on
During a crisis, it is human nature to seek comfort in others.

And the blind men know
Even those who cannot see can sense the darkness.

We're all blind men now
In this darkness, we are all vulnerable.