"I met Henri when I was in grade 8," Matt Murphy reminisces. "He came over to my neighbor's house wearing a Jam shirt. I was like, Hey, right on! I like the Jam." Thus began a rock 'n' roll friendship that would eventually lead singer/guitarist Murphy and bassist Henri Sangalang to move from Halifax to Toronto and become the exceptionally fine Flashing Lights, along with drummer Steve Pitkin and keyboardist, tambourine tapper and harmonica hooter Gaven Dianda.
Sangalang and Murphy formed their first band together in grade 12, and Sangalang insists that the music they made at the time was influential on what they're playing now, except with some proficiency in their playing.
Murphy was playing in various other bands around Halifax (including good-time country outfit Little Orton Hoggett) when he decided to jumpstart The Flashing Lights as a 60ss cover band, playing songs by The Kinks, The Yardbirds, and [artistTthe Who.
Alongside The Super Friendz, Murphy made The Flashing Lights a time vehicle for his own 60's inspired yet undeniably '90s creations.
While it might be thought that Murphy's instantly recognizable voice would make The Flashing Lights indistinguishable from The Super Friendz, the band's distinct flavour is apparent.
While gems like "Elevature" and the first single, "Where Do the Days Go", could have been Slide Show - era Super Friendz numbers, the punchy power-pop arrangements are uniquely Flashing Lights.
Keep It to Yourself
The Flashing Lights Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a lot of fun
I wish you could have come
But now it's getting late
I knew I'd have to wait
But now it's getting late
And everyone is gone
And I will party on though everyone is gone
I'd love to tag along
But I don't want to melt you down
Wear you like a crown
But they wonder why
You are never around
You keep it to yourself
And no one else
I am waiting but I long
To be on my way now
The sun is coming
I have to cry
So I don't want to know
Just keep it to yourself
Keep it for yourself and no one else
You keep things so close
I don't want to know
The Flashing Lights's song "Keep It to Yourself" is a melancholic and introspective tune that expresses the feeling of being left behind by a loved one who keeps their feelings and whereabouts to themselves. The song's opening lines "Oh, I wish you could have come, I had a lot of fun" establishes the sense of disappointment and abandonment felt when the person the singer was hoping to spend time with doesn't show up. Despite the disappointment, the singer decides to keep the party going but acknowledges that they are doing it alone, as everyone else has left.
The singer's desire to tag along with the elusive person highlights their curiosity and longing to understand the reasons for their absence. However, they are afraid of overstepping boundaries and melting down the person's guard. The lines "But I don't want to melt you down, wear you like a crown" suggest that the singer is afraid of pushing away the person they care about. The recurring phrase "keep it to yourself" reinforces the theme of emotional distance and secrecy that is preventing the singer from getting closer to the person they care about.
In conclusion, "Keep It to Yourself" is a poignant song about unfulfilled expectations and the struggle to connect with someone who keeps their feelings and intentions to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I wish you could have come
I express disappointment for your absence
I had a lot of fun
I enjoyed myself
I wish you could have come
I reiterate my disappointment for your absence
But now it's getting late
The time is progressing
I knew I'd have to wait
I expected to wait for you
But now it's getting late
The time is progressing further
And everyone is gone
The other people have left
And I will party on though everyone is gone
I will continue to have fun despite everyone leaving
I wish I knew just where you run off to
I express my curiosity and desire to join you
I'd love to tag along
I express my desire to join you in your away-time
But I don't want to melt you down
I don't want to pressure or exhaust you
Wear you like a crown
I don't want to exploit or possess you
But they wonder why
Others are curious about your behavior
You are never around
You are often absent or elusive
You keep it to yourself
You keep your activities private
And no one else
You don't share your activities with others
I am waiting but I long
I wait but I feel restless
To be on my way now
I want to leave now
The sun is coming
The morning is approaching
I have to cry
I express my sadness about something
So I don't want to know
I don't want to be burdened with more sadness
Just keep it to yourself
I advise to keep it private
Keep it for yourself and no one else
Don't share it with anyone
You keep things so close
You don't share your activities with others
I don't want to know
I prefer not to know the details
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yondas Eso
This song is just so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes.
Breck Shelby
one of my favourite songs of all time. A real treasure.
New York City Trucking
This is one of those rare songs where actual tangible magic is captured in the audio. It’s not perfect, but the little flaws give it more power. A truly beautiful track. I’ve loved this song for over 15 years and it’s never fluctuated with time.
clancy6969
Pretty much the best song ever. How can you not love this band?
KerryW79
love! love! love this! One of my fave bands ever!
Heinzy78
Yes!!!!!!!!!! Amazing. Last time I checked this wasn't on here. Great post. Great band.