Morello has explained, "The Nightwatchman is my political folk alter ego. I've been writing these songs and playing them at open mic nights with friends for some time. This is the first time I've toured with it. When I play open mic nights, it's announced as The Nightwatchman. There will be kids there who are fans of my electric guitar playing, and you see them there scratching their heads. But it's something that I enjoy doing. I look at it more as an extension of my politics. Then again, some of the songs are not explicitly political. It really helped me grow as an artist and songwriter."
The debut album, "One Man Revolution", was released in 2007. The album "The Fabled City" was released on September 30, 2008. The third album, "World Wide Rebel Songs", was released in 2011.
The Lights Are On In Spidertown
The Nightwatchman Lyrics
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On a bright May Day, man I'm gettin' soft
I don't know what do you think?
Looks like 10 fat pigs at a 9 pig trough
And the lights are on in Spidertown
Sittin' back of the class
Holdin' down my will
I don't know what do you think?
I say we do anything just to take that hill
And the lights are on in Spidertown
The sky is falling down, falling down
The sky is falling down
The world's stopped turning, turning 'round
And the lights are on in Spidertown
Silent night and the wind crashes right
Put a wig on the heiress rob the bank and pray
I don't know what do you think?
Please don't do as I do just do as I say
'Cause the lights are on in Spidertown
The Nightwatchman’s “The Lights Are On In Spidertown” is a powerful song filled with vivid imagery and strong messages. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but the song seems to be about the struggles and injustices of society. In the first verse, the singer talks about a possible attack by stormtroopers, which could represent a call to arms for people to rise up against oppressors. The line “Looks like 10 fat pigs at a 9 pig trough” could be a metaphor for the unfair distribution of resources and wealth.
The second verse seems to be about the singer feeling trapped and powerless in a system that is holding them down. The imagery of “iron chains” and “lead weights” shows how oppressive the situation is, and the line “I say we do anything just to take that hill” could be a call to action to those who feel stuck in their circumstances. The chorus of the song emphasizes that despite the struggles, there are still those who thrive and benefit from the current system, as seen by the “lights…on in Spidertown”.
Overall, this song seems to be a call for change and a rallying cry for those who feel oppressed to stand up and take action. It highlights the struggles of the less fortunate and points out the unfairness of the current state of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand back stormtroopers attack
Prepare for something dangerous or massive to happen.
On a bright May Day, man I'm gettin' soft
Despite the beautiful day, the singer feels weak or unsure of themselves.
I don't know what do you think?
The singer is unsure of what to do and seeks input from others.
Looks like 10 fat pigs at a 9 pig trough
There is greed or hoarding behavior taking place.
And the lights are on in Spidertown
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, there is still activity and life in this place.
Sittin' back of the class
The singer is in a passive or insignificant position.
Iron chains, lead weights, taught rope
The singer feels weighed down and restrained.
Holdin' down my will
The artist is struggling with their own desires or motivations.
I say we do anything just to take that hill
The artist is willing to take extreme measures to achieve their goals.
Silent night and the wind crashes right
Despite the peaceful setting, there is still chaos or turmoil present.
Put a wig on the heiress rob the bank and pray
The singer suggests an outrageous or unlawful plan of action.
Please don't do as I do just do as I say
The artist recognizes their own flawed behavior and advises others to act differently.
'Cause the lights are on in Spidertown
Despite the singer's questionable actions, there is still life and activity in this place.
The sky is falling down, falling down
Things are falling apart or things are going wrong.
The world's stopped turning, turning 'round
Everything feels stagnant or motionless.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.