After their initial formation in 2008, their debut album "Passive Me, Aggressive You" was released on the "Somewhat Damaged" label during September 2010. The single "Young Blood" debuted at number one on the New Zealand chart - the first New Zealand artist to do so in three years. On 6 December 2010, the BBC announced that The Naked and Famous had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.
Their second album, 2013's In Rolling Waves, reached the top 5 on the New Zealand Albums chart, and top 15 on the Australian Albums and US Billboard Top Alternative Albums charts. Their following album, Simple Forms, was Xayalith and Powers' first release as a two-piece. Their fourth album, Recover, was released in 2020, and peaked at 19 on RMNZ's New Zealand Artist Albums chart.
Bright Lights
The Naked and Famous Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
so fill me up
just a little hollow
who wants to fuck?
this is nothing
this is great
i am bored now
i can't wait
i like the bright lights
i like to shout
don't need a reason
to get out
i like the bright lights
i like to pout
don't need a reason
to get out
there's nothing better
then to shake
i can't remember
another black out
let's hit the floor
it's less to deal with
yes, yes, yes, yes / less is more
give me commotion
a little soap
pour me an ocean
and i can float
i like the bright lights
i like to shout
don't need a reason
to get out
i like the bright lights
i like to pout
don't need a reason
to get out
The lyrics to The Naked and Famous's song "Bright Lights" paint a picture of someone feeling empty but seeking to fill that emptiness with excitement and distractions. The opening lines "I feel a little empty, so fill me up, just a little hollow, who wants to f***?" suggest a sense of desperation for anything to bring fulfillment, even if it's just temporary. The lyrics that follow continue this theme of needing something to distract and entertain, as the singer declares "I like the bright lights, I like to shout, don't need a reason to get out."
The line "there's nothing better than to shake" suggests that dancing and losing oneself in the music is the ultimate escape from the emptiness that the singer is feeling. The desire for "commotion" and "a little soap" (possibly referencing drugs) further drives home this search for things that will give a rush of excitement and distraction. The chorus repeats the declaration of loving the bright lights and not needing a reason to go out, emphasizing that the singer is running from something and not looking to be anchored to anything.
Overall, the lyrics to "Bright Lights" showcase the search for excitement and thrill as an escape from feeling empty and aimless. The singer seems to long for anything that will provide a momentary distraction, even if it means losing control or seeking out potentially harmful things.
Line by Line Meaning
i feel a little empty
The singer feels unfulfilled.
so fill me up
The singer wants someone or something to make them feel complete.
just a little hollow
The singer feels empty or incomplete in some way but not entirely.
who wants to fuck?
The artist is looking for someone to fulfill their physical desires.
this is nothing
The artist feels unimpressed or indifferent with their current situation.
this is great
The singer is sarcastically expressing contentment with their current situation.
i am bored now
The singer is no longer interested or entertained by their current situation.
i can't wait
The artist is eagerly anticipating something else to come.
i like the bright lights
The artist enjoys being in exciting or stimulating environments.
i like to shout
The artist enjoys expressing themselves loudly or boldly.
don't need a reason
The singer doesn't require justification for their actions or desires.
to get out
The artist wants to leave their current situation for something more interesting or exciting.
there's nothing better
The singer believes that what they are about to do is the most enjoyable thing possible.
then to shake
The singer wants to dance or move their body to the music.
i can't remember
The singer may have had too much to drink or is dissociating from their surroundings due to the music and stimulation.
another black out
The artist has experienced memory loss due to excessive drinking or partying before.
let's hit the floor
The artist wants to dance or party hard.
it's less to deal with
Dancing or partying requires less focus or attention than dealing with personal problems or emotional issues.
yes, yes, yes, yes / less is more
The singer is reaffirming the idea that simplicity and minimalism can be more enjoyable and effective.
give me commotion
The artist wants excitement, stimulation, or a sense of chaos.
a little soap
The artist may be referencing the drug MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy), which can produce a 'soapy' feeling of euphoria.
pour me an ocean
The artist wants to be surrounded by or immersed in intense feelings or experiences.
and i can float
The singer can find peace or contentment in the midst of chaos or intense stimulation.
i like to pout
The artist enjoys feeling sulky or moody for the sake of expressing their emotions.
Writer(s): Aaron Short, Thomas Powers
Contributed by Josiah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.