The Central Texas-raised young men of The Bright Light Social Hour have built their growing reputation through exhilarating widely-acclaimed live shows, including the 2009 Austin City Limits Festival. In culmination of their studied development, the band released their debut full-length album in late 2010, simply titled "The Bright Light Social Hour". Recorded in five studios around Austin during summer 2010, the album is founded on sun-drenched optimism, raucous youth, and an innovative brew of American music of varying types - hard rock and roll, indie, rhythm and blues, dance and soul. Producer Danny Reisch of Good Danny's utilized the best elements of vintage and modern recording to achieve a sound both forward-looking and evocative of 1970s hi-fi.
The first track, "Shanty," pairs southern rock with hard disco, featuring the searing slide licks of guitarist Curtis Roush. Following the lean, exuberant stomp of "Bare Hands Bare Feet," the band settles into the dark psychedelic-funk of "La Piedra De La Iguana," led by keyboardist A.J. Vincent's dusky vocal and Farfisa organ work. Throughout the middle of the record, the solemn rhythm and blues of "Detroit" is juxtaposed with "Back And Forth," a four-on-the-floor disco-funk romp. On "Garden Of The Gods," the album's penultimate 10-minute epic, the band evolves from stately ballroom Americana to an expansive, ensemble anthem, conjuring up their limber and unrelenting live sets. The fiery "Rhubarb Jam" closes out the record, featuring the agile, booming funk of bassist Jack O'Brien and drummer Joseph Mirasole.
The Bright Light Social Hour have also just released "New Year's Live," a 4-track live EP recorded during their sold-out set at The Parish Austin on New Year's 2011. Re-teaming with producer/engineer Danny Reisch, "New Year's Live" marks the first audio recording to capture the band's raw live energy, consummated with masterfully directed live video by Hussain Pirani.
The Bright Light Social Hour will be touring nationwide in support of their debut album and live EP throughout 2011. Replete with their vital sound, deep brotherhood, and ever-growing facial hair, the band is steadfast in their singular aim - enduring rock and roll.
Detroit
The Bright Light Social Hour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need your love
I know that I'm leaving
But I want you to know
Ain't no other way
The day that I met you
Workin' side by side
'Til the day I died
Didn't notice the rain
Didn't notice the cold
Didn't notice a damn thing baby
We just let our love unfold
I need your love
I need your love
I know that I'm leaving
But I want you to know
Ain't no other way
Friday morning I went in
With a weight on my soul
I swear I tried to fight baby
But I won't be back no more
Pretty baby I know
Told you I'd never leave
But I swear babe I gotta go
If we're going to make ends meet
I need your love
I need your love
I know that I'm leaving
But I want you to know
Ain't no other way
The Bright Light Social Hour's "Detroit" is a song that speaks to the complex emotions of love and leaving. The opening lines express a desire for love, a need for someone special. However, it is quickly established that the singer is leaving. They feel conflicted, as they want their love interest to know that there is no other way, while also acknowledging that they are saying goodbye.
The second verse reveals a bit more backstory about the relationship. The two individuals met while working together, and the singer knew that they would be willing to work for their love interest until the end of their days. Their passion and dedication to their work and their love was all-consuming, as they didn't even notice the rain, the cold, or anything else.
However, the final verse provides greater insight into why the singer feels the need to leave. They have a weight on their soul and have tried to fight it, but they must go if they are to make ends meet. This verse reveals a more practical side to love – that it is not always enough to sustain us, and that sometimes we must make hard choices to ensure our own survival.
Overall, "Detroit" captures the complexity of love and relationships, and how they can be intertwined with our own personal, economic, and practical struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I need your love
The singer is expressing their need for the love of the person they are addressing.
I know that I'm leaving
The singer acknowledges that they are leaving, likely from Detroit where the song takes place.
But I want you to know
The singer wants to make clear how they feel before they go.
Ain't no other way
The singer sees no other option or solution to their current situation.
The day that I met you
The singer is reminiscing about the day they first met the person they are addressing.
Workin' side by side
The singer and the person they met were working together on something.
At that moment I knew I'd work for you
The singer felt a strong connection with the person they met and knew they wanted to work for them.
'Til the day I died
The singer is expressing their loyalty and devotion to the person they met and their work together.
Didn't notice the rain
The singer was so caught up in their work and their love for the person they met that they did not pay attention to external factors like the weather.
Didn't notice the cold
The singer was so focused on their work and love that they did not feel the cold weather.
Didn't notice a damn thing baby
The singer was so absorbed in their work and love for the person they met that they did not pay attention to anything else.
We just let our love unfold
The singer and the person they met allowed their love to develop naturally, without any force or pressure.
Friday morning I went in
The singer is referring to a specific day when they went in to work.
With a weight on my soul
The singer is feeling a heavy emotional burden or pressure, likely related to their work or leaving.
I swear I tried to fight baby
The singer is expressing their efforts to resist or push back against something, potentially their desire to leave.
But I won't be back no more
The singer has made a decision to leave for good and will not be returning.
Pretty baby I know
The singer is addressing the person they met as their affectionate nickname, acknowledging their relationship.
Told you I'd never leave
The singer is acknowledging that they made a promise to the person they met that they would never leave.
But I swear babe I gotta go
The singer is breaking that promise and acknowledging that they have to go.
If we're going to make ends meet
The singer is expressing the need to leave in order to improve their financial situation and make enough money to live or survive.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Richard Louis Vreeland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@schatziali
I'm mildly (ok, completely) obsessed with this song. My roomates just might kill me for the number of times I've put it on repeat. :)
@catherinechristmas18cranz24
Such an amazing band in real life
@EarthToSean
Such a phenomenal performance. The vocal harmonies at the end almost bring a tear to my eye...
@hayleybarr9819
I LOVE this song and album forever. I saw you guys in thunder bay, Ontario 10ish years ago and it was incredible. I treasure these videos. AJs vocals and energy added so much punctuation to the performance and Im sad as a fan that I can never revisit this moment, but grateful to have seen you perform. So good. You guys stay strong, keep bringing the noise💙
@tonyz5336
So good. I miss this version of the band
@hayleybarr9819
Me too!
@Genobawt
Wow, this is definitely mixed better than the New Years show. Still killing it guys!
@jackiewilson925
I love these guys, so much talent.
@tatianaduranpiedra6362
I like this version more than the Studio one, they fucking rock!!!!!
@bricelee2
THESE GUYS MAKE ME GO CRAZY!!!! I AM A TOTAL GROUPIE!!! LOVE THE HIGH VOCALS AT THE END I WAIT THE WHOLE SONG TO HEAR THAT AMAZING SHIT KEEP IT UP GUYS ID LOVE TO BOOK YOU ONE NIGHT HERE IN THE SOUTH