In the summer of 2010, Harrington and Wright were playing for spare change in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace. In two short years since, Tall Heights has headlined packed listening rooms across New England, toured down to Austin, TX to showcase at South By Southwest Music Festival, and performed alongside national acts like David Wilcox, Ryan Montbleau, and Andrew Belle.
For the duo’s debut full-length effort, Man of Stone (May, 2013), Tall Heights returned to the home studio, sinking deeper into the vast world they’ve meticulously built for two. The title track and first single, Man of Stone, recalls a time when cavemen documented day-to-day existence on the walls of their stone-sheltered dwellings. “Emblems of cavemen they taught me / the importance of typing in bold,” contextualizes the rest of the record and challenges a careful listener to view each song as a vital documentation of what is both banal and extraordinary. The record exists in a fire-lit, shadowy space for their growing army of fans to inhabit. After two powerful EPs, Rafters (2011) and the Running of the Bulls EP (2012), there has been a growing cry for more from these young artists, and Tall Heights delivers with an LP of grand vision and scale.
RECENT PRAISE
“Tall Heights’s delicate melodies and gentle harmonies create a rare public space where the people can slow down, even stop, and suspend the chaos of city life in exchange for some really great music.”-Meghna Chakrabarti, NPR
“if you still remember how happy your ears were when you first listened to Bon Iver or Arcade Fire and realized you’d stumbled into singer/songwriter oblivion… you can trust me when I say this show is worth seeing.” – Boston Magazine
“…beautiful harmonies, exquisite musicianship, intricate songwriting. I love it when the bar is set so high” –David Wilcox
Keeps Me Light
Tall Heights Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
what did you think you would see here?
I live alone in a state you moved out of
I drink you down with my fear
hey there's love that keeps me light
it ain't truth that keeps me right
can I borrow from your mind?
I don’t care if the darkness is soon to arrive
just save me a place in the hungering sky
I don’t mind if the dawn doesn’t follow the night
I’ll be safe in a place that you said was mine
what did you see through my window,
catching a glimpse of devotion?
it's just a light from a shuttered casino
starts to dissolve in emotion
hey there, sorrow in my eye
(something that I couldn’t)
you're not safe to bring to life
(something that I couldn’t borrow)
can I borrow from your mind
(keeps me, it keeps me)
just to keep me light?
(something that will keep me alight)
I don’t care if the darkness is soon to arrive
just save me a place in the hungering sky
I don’t mind if the dawn doesn’t follow the night
I'll be safe in a place that you said was mine
as the ghosts are going on inside my windowed eyes
(eyes on my mind, eyes on my mind’s eye)
as the birds are blowing all around my windy skies
(skies are open, skies are open wide)
I need someone come to loan a light sometime
(time, almost time)
I don’t care if the darkness is soon to arrive
just save me a place in the hungering sky
I don’t mind if the world’s running out of light
I’ll stay, I’ll stay there by your side
I don’t care if the darkness is soon to arrive
just save me a place in the hungering sky
I don’t mind if the dawn doesn’t follow the night
I’ll be safe in a place that you said was mine
I don’t care if the darkness is soon to arrive
just save me a place in the hungering sky
knowing the day ain’t soon to arrive
I’ll be safe in a place that you said was mine
In "Keeps Me Light" by Tall Heights, the lyrics portray a sense of longing and vulnerability, as the singer reflects on their solitude and past connection with someone who has moved out of their life. The song opens with questions, as the singer wonders how this person knew to find them and what they expected to find. Living alone in a state that the other person has left, the singer admits to drowning their sorrows and fears with thoughts of this person.
The chorus speaks to the power of love in keeping them light, even if it may not be based on truth. The singer asks if they can borrow from this person's mind, seeking solace and a temporary escape from their own troubles. They express a willingness to embrace darkness and uncertainty, as long as they have a place in the metaphorical hungering sky, indicating a desire for a connection even in difficult times.
The bridge highlights their internal struggles, describing ghosts and birds within their own thoughts and emotions. They long for someone to "loan a light," symbolizing the need for support and guidance. Ultimately, the singer doesn't mind the darkness or the absence of light, as long as they can remain in a place that was once promised to them by this person.
Overall, the song encapsulates the yearning for emotional connection and the search for light and comfort amidst darkness and uncertainty. It explores themes of longing, vulnerability, and the power of love to uplift and provide solace.
Line by Line Meaning
how did you know where to find me?
I'm curious how you found me in this isolated state.
what did you think you would see here?
What were your expectations when you came to see me?
I live alone in a state you moved out of
I reside in a place you left behind, feeling alone.
I drink you down with my fear
I consume my thoughts and memories of you with fear.
hey there's love that keeps me light
There's a love that brings me a sense of ease and brightness.
it ain't truth that keeps me right
Truth alone doesn't guide me in the right direction.
can I borrow from your mind?
Can I draw inspiration or clarity from your thoughts?
just to keep me light
To maintain a feeling of lightness and emotional buoyancy.
I don’t care if the darkness is soon to arrive
I'm indifferent to the impending darkness or difficulties.
just save me a place in the hungering sky
Please reserve a spot for me in the vast, yearning expanse of the sky.
I don’t mind if the dawn doesn’t follow the night
I don't fret if the dawn doesn't immediately follow the darkness.
I’ll be safe in a place that you said was mine
I'll find security in a place you once assured me belonged to me.
what did you see through my window
What did you observe through the lens of my life?
catching a glimpse of devotion?
Did you notice a fleeting moment of my unwavering dedication?
it's just a light from a shuttered casino
It's simply a glimmer that fades, like a closed and empty casino.
starts to dissolve in emotion
It gradually fades away, overwhelmed by intense feelings.
hey there, sorrow in my eye
Hello, my eyes filled with grief.
(something that I couldn’t)
(Something that I couldn't express or articulate)
you're not safe to bring to life
I can't bring you into existence in a safe way.
(something that I couldn’t borrow)
(Something that I couldn't ask for or rely on)
can I borrow from your mind
Can I take inspiration or solace from your thoughts?
(keeps me, it keeps me)
(It keeps me buoyant and hopeful)
just to keep me light?
Just to maintain a sense of lightness and emotional weightlessness?
as the ghosts are going on inside my windowed eyes
As the haunting memories and thoughts fill my eyes.
(eyes on my mind, eyes on my mind’s eye)
(Focusing on my thoughts, my inner vision)
as the birds are blowing all around my windy skies
As the birds soar around my turbulent and unsettled world.
(skies are open, skies are open wide)
(The skies are vast and limitless)
I need someone come to loan a light sometime
I long for someone to lend me a guiding light at times.
(time, almost time)
(Time is passing, and it's nearly time)
I don’t care if the darkness is soon to arrive
I remain unconcerned about the imminent arrival of darkness.
just save me a place in the hungering sky
Please reserve a spot for me in the vast, yearning expanse of the sky.
I don’t mind if the world’s running out of light
I'm unperturbed even if the world is losing its brightness.
I’ll stay, I’ll stay there by your side
I will remain steadfastly by your side, offering support.
knowing the day ain’t soon to arrive
Being aware that the day is not approaching rapidly.
I’ll be safe in a place that you said was mine
I'll find security in a place you once assured me belonged to me.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Paul Wright, Tim Harrington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Simpson
on Back To Autumn
i really enjoyed listening to this song and the close harmony. i have a feeling we will be hearing more good music from these musicians!
George Simpson
on Spirit Cold
What spectacular harmonies! A beautiful song! You can be proud of this sound.