Founde… Read Full Bio ↴The Frank and Walters are a pop/rock band from Cork, Ireland.
Founded in 1990 the group (named in honour of two eccentric Cork characters) are Paul Linehan (vocalist/bassist), his brother Niall Linehan (guitar) (replaced by Kevin Pedreschi in 2004) and Ashley Keating (drums).
Signing to the Setanta label in 1991, the group debuted with album EP1, and the lead track "Fashion Crisis Hits New York" became an indie hit. The follow-up album EP.2 was quickly forthcoming.
Shortly after signing to the Go! Discs label, The Franks partnered with producer Edwyn Collins to record the Happy Busman EP. Success in the UK was not far away, and following a tour in support of Carter USM, an Ian Broudie remix of the LP track After All reached the top twenty in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 11.
After a long sabbatical, the group returned with Grand Parade (with contributions from Gus Dudgeon), and the Indian Ocean EP in 1997. This was followed with Beauty Becomes More Than Life in 1998 and Glass in 2000. Setanta released a well received "Best of" in 2002.
In 2004 Niall Linehan left the band and was replaced by a friend of the band, Kevin Pedreschi. The band signed a new deal with FIFA Records in Ireland, and released a B-sides triple album, Souvenirs, in October 2005.
The band released a new album, Renewed Interest In Happiness, on October 27th 2006 possibly their most complete work to date.
City Lights
The Frank and Walters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wasting light and passing time
I need something else
Something higher
I want to run
I want to sleep beneath the sky,
Trade all my memories for nights we wont forget
So I'll craft a key
Cause my biggest fear is to be trapped inside a cage
So Please
Can we run away for the night babe
And steal the sun away,
Make it rain
Watch the world go crazy
While we just smile and wave
I won't let it conquer me
The city lights and neon signs
They never spoke to me
Never made me feel
Just give me a breeze
The cool touch of the sea
The rugged ends of bark upon the tree
I'm ready to leave
Abandon everything
No one understands but i believe
Please
Can we run away for the night babe
And steal the sun away,
Make it rain
Watch the world go crazy
While we just smile and wave
The lyrics to "City Lights" by The Frank and Walters speak to the yearning for something more, a desire to escape the mundane and experience a deeper connection with the world. The singer is dissatisfied with the superficiality of city life represented by the "wasting light and passing time" of the city lights and neon signs. They long for something higher, something that will make them feel alive.
The lyrics express a desire for freedom and a break from the confines of everyday life. The singer wants to run, to escape the cage of their own fears and limitations. They seek to trade their mundane memories for unforgettable nights, symbolizing a yearning for more meaningful experiences. The idea of "crafting a key to open everything" suggests a determination to unlock the potential for a more fulfilling existence.
The chorus of the song is a plea to "run away for the night" and defy the constraints of society and expectations. The singer wants to steal the sun away and make it rain, metaphorically representing a desire to disrupt the ordinary and find joy amidst the chaos. By watching the world go crazy while they remain unaffected and just smile and wave, there is a sense of rebellion and a refusal to let external forces conquer their spirit.
Overall, "City Lights" is a song about dissatisfaction with a superficial and unfulfilling existence and a longing for something more meaningful and genuine.
Line by Line Meaning
What can you offer me?
What do you have to give me in terms of experiences or opportunities?
Wasting light and passing time
Spending time idly without purpose or direction.
I need something else
I desire something different or more fulfilling.
Something higher
Something more profound, meaningful, or spiritually uplifting.
I want to run
I have a strong urge to escape or flee from my current situation.
I want to sleep beneath the sky
I long to rest or find solace under the open sky.
Trade all my memories for nights we won't forget
I am willing to exchange my past experiences for memorable moments in the future.
So I'll craft a key
I will create a way to unlock or access everything I desire.
To open everything
To gain access to all possibilities and opportunities.
Cause my biggest fear is to be trapped inside a cage
My greatest fear is to feel confined or restricted in my life.
Please
As a plea or request for something desired.
Can we run away for the night babe
Can we escape together for a brief period of time, my love?
And steal the sun away
To take away the typical expectations and create our own unique experience.
Make it rain
To bring excitement or change into our lives.
Watch the world go crazy
Observe the chaos or unpredictability of the world around us.
While we just smile and wave
While we remain unaffected and maintain a positive outlook.
I won't let it conquer me
I will not allow the pressures or challenges of life to overcome or defeat me.
The city lights and neon signs
The urban environment and its flashy attractions.
They never spoke to me
They never truly resonated or connected with me on a deeper level.
Never made me feel
They never evoked strong emotions or a sense of belonging within me.
Just give me a breeze
I simply desire a gentle gust of wind or refreshing air.
The cool touch of the sea
The soothing sensation of the ocean against my skin.
The rugged ends of bark upon the tree
The rough and natural texture of tree bark.
I'm ready to leave
I am prepared to depart from my current environment or situation.
Abandon everything
To leave behind all attachments or belongings.
No one understands but I believe
Even if others don't comprehend, I still hold strong to my convictions or beliefs.
Please
As a plea or request for something desired.
Can we run away for the night babe
Can we escape together for a brief period of time, my love?
And steal the sun away
To take away the typical expectations and create our own unique experience.
Make it rain
To bring excitement or change into our lives.
Watch the world go crazy
Observe the chaos or unpredictability of the world around us.
While we just smile and wave
While we remain unaffected and maintain a positive outlook.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Carl Hast
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind