Unfair… Read Full Bio ↴The Auteurs was a British alternative rock band of the 1990s.
Unfairly dismissed as the egotrip of acclaimed songwriter Luke Haines, The Auteurs were one of the unsung bands of the mid-nineties Britpop movement. Releasing their first record, New Wave, in 1993, the Auteurs were compared to Suede, and the resurgent glam-rock movement, and began to amass a reasonable cult following. 1994's second album, and commercial highlight, Now I'm A Cowboy, saw the band embracing at times a more contemporary sound, notably on the single Lenny Valentino, which probably remains Haines' best-known song. Now I'm A Cowboy was marked out by sprawling guitar lines as much as by Haines' inimitable lyrics, a kind of visceral social commentary. While touring this album in 1995, Haines jumped off a fifteen-foot wall, breaking both ankles, resulting in his being in a wheelchair for the rest of that year, recording the starker, angrier third album After Murder Park, most notable for the ballad-like lead single Unsolved Child Murder, released for Christmas at Haines own bidding. Following this, Haines took time out to work on other projects such as Black Box Recorder and Baader Meinhof, reforming the Auteurs in 1999 for the release of the mostly overlooked final album, How I Learned To Love The Bootboys.
While Haines remains widely respected for his lyrical eloquence and eye for the minutae of life, his eccentric, confrontational personality, and habit of styling himself as a louche ne'er-do-well, perhaps impeded the formation of a more affectionate bond with his fans. The Auteurs, similarly, tended to be respected rather more than they were loved.
Lights Out
The Auteurs Lyrics
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Romeo and Juliet, we can be like them
Come on, Leslie, turn the lights out
Lights out, last exit on the motorway
Drive out to the woods turn on the radio
A busy night for rescue parties
Do the stars watch over you
Your guardian angel can't see to guide you
Lights out somewhere there's a satellite
Watching over you and I
Its wrong to put your faith in space junk
Lights out
Come on Leslie, turn the lights out
Do the stars watch over you
So sleep tight when you turn out the light
Your guardian angel can't see to guide you
Lights out, met a man in a pub car park
Money was exchanged, no mention of a name
You must never call me again
Lights out the nation turns the lights out
At the flicker of a switch we can count the stars
The Auteurs’ “Lights Out” is a haunting and sensual song that tackles themes of love, danger, and oblivion. The song’s opening lyrics “Lights out, come on baby, turn the lights out” suggest a plea for intimacy and darkness in order to be alone with someone special. This notion is reinforced by the reference to Romeo and Juliet, which symbolizes a tragic love story that can only be consummated in secrecy. The recurring line “Come on, Leslie, turn the lights out” sounds like a seductive invitation, further emphasizing the need for shutting down distractions and immersing oneself in the moment.
However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that there is an underlying sense of menace and uncertainty. References to a motorway, woods, and rescue parties suggest that the characters are not only seeking privacy but also taking risks, possibly even engaging in illegal activities. The line “Its wrong to put your faith in space junk” implies that there is a lack of trust or belief in external systems or safety measures, adding to the sense of paranoia and isolation.
The closing lines “Lights out the nation turns the lights out/At the flicker of a switch we can count the stars” further suggest a critique of modern society’s dependence on artificial lighting and technology, which have led to a loss of connection with nature and the cosmos. The song’s overall mood is one of darkness and uncertainty, but also beauty and longing, making it a powerful and evocative commentary on human intimacy and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Lights out, come on baby, turn the lights out
Asking someone to turn off the lights and maybe have an intimate moment.
Romeo and Juliet, we can be like them
Comparing their relationship to the tragic romance of Romeo and Juliet.
Come on, Leslie, turn the lights out
Still asking for someone to turn off the lights, but now addressing them by their name.
Lights out, last exit on the motorway
Describing a place where there are no more lights, like a lonely road in the middle of nowhere.
Drive out to the woods turn on the radio
Suggesting a romantic evening in the woods while listening to music.
A busy night for rescue parties
Imagining a scenario where people might get lost or stranded in the woods and need rescue.
Do the stars watch over you
Wondering if the stars have a protective or guiding influence.
So sleep tight when you turn out the light
Encouraging someone to sleep well and not worry about the darkness.
Your guardian angel can't see to guide you
Implying that someone might need guidance or protection, but it's not possible from afar.
Lights out somewhere there's a satellite
Highlighting the fact that even in darkness there might be technology watching us.
Watching over you and I
Speculating on the idea that technology could provide some form of surveillance or safety.
Its wrong to put your faith in space junk
Dismissing the idea that technology could be a substitute for human connection or spirituality.
Lights out
Repeating the refrain that sets the mood and tone of the song.
Met a man in a pub car park
Starting a new story or vignette, perhaps about a shady encounter.
Money was exchanged, no mention of a name
Revealing that the encounter might have been illicit or secretive.
You must never call me again
Suggesting that the relationship between the characters might be a one-time thing, with no possibility of continuation.
Lights out the nation turns the lights out
Expanding the idea of the night as a time when things go dark, highlighting the fact that it could be a collective experience.
At the flicker of a switch we can count the stars
Reflecting on the contrast between the darkness of the night and the power of technology to create light and illuminate the sky.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LUKE MICHAEL HAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind