Formed in 1992, the band originally comprised Tim Freedman (lead vocals, piano), Stevie Plunder (lead vocals, guitar) and Andy Lewis (double bass, backing vocals). The line-up has changed many times over the years with Tim the only consistent member of the band, not to mention the only original member still alive. In the current line-up Terepai Richmond hits the drums, Warwick Hornsby plays the bass, and Jak Housden steals the scene on the electric guitar alongside the ever-present Tim Freedman.
Their style of music has been described as muscular piano based pop/rock, however it has been quite varied over the life of the band. Their latest album is titled Little Cloud and is a double album, separated by the two themes of New York and Tim's homeland Sydney.
The band played their final shows in 2010, taking an extended break for Freedman to pursue a solo career.
In 2012, the band were announced as one of the headliners of the Caloundra Music Festival on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Keep the Light On
The Whitlams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we knock somethings over
Try not to make a sound
Each time you reach out
A new shout or shine on
We run in and fall out
Fumble around for the key
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
Your half-penny eyes
Smile like a fire sale
Everyone's a suspect
The horses won't move up the rail
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
Your sadness, thief
Waits in the hallway
With mail on the floor
And two birds in the chimney
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
And you can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
So bright
Burning so bright
The Whitlams's song Keep the Light On is a powerful and emotional track that talks about the struggles of life and how we need to keep pushing and fighting to stay alive. The song is about the constant ups and downs of life, and how we are all just stumbling through it together. The lyrics describe how we all make mistakes and knock things over, but we try not to make too much noise as we fumble around for the key to a better life.
The chorus of the song, "I'll always keep the light on for you, you try so hard to be alive, what else can you do but close your eyes," is a poignant reminder that no matter how difficult life may get, there is always hope and the possibility of a better tomorrow. It's about not giving up and keeping the light of hope burning even when things seem dark and impossible.
The song's lyrics have metaphors that are open to interpretation but it is evident that the song's intention is to encourage listeners never to give up, reminding them that someone they care about is always there for them, keeping the light on, to help guide them through even the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
We stumble into each other's lives
Our paths cross unexpectedly
And we knock somethings over
We disrupt each other's lives
Try not to make a sound
We try to avoid causing too much damage
Each time you reach out
Whenever you seek help
A new shout or shine on
A new challenge arises or a new solution is found
We run in and fall out
We come together and then drift apart
Fumble around for the key
We struggle to find the solution
I'll always keep the light on for you
I will always be here for you
You try so hard to be alive
You struggle to keep going
What else can you do
What other options do you have
But close your eyes
Except to rest
You can't see the beautiful way
You can't appreciate the good things in life
When you're burning so bright
When you're overwhelmed or struggling
Your half-penny eyes
Your tired or sad eyes
Smile like a fire sale
You try to stay positive despite everything
Everyone's a suspect
You're suspicious of everyone
The horses won't move up the rail
There are obstacles in your way
Your sadness, thief
Your sadness is stealing your happiness
Waits in the hallway
It's always present and waiting for you
With mail on the floor
The mundane tasks of life are piling up
And two birds in the chimney
There are problems that are difficult to solve
And you can't see the beautiful way
You're still struggling to appreciate the good things in life
When you're burning so bright
When you're still overwhelmed or struggling
Contributed by Daniel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@geoffbeck3598
We stumble into each other's lives
And we knock somethings over
Try not to make a sound
Each time you reach out
A new shout or shine on
We run in and fall out
Fumble around for the key
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
Your half-penny eyes
Smile like a fire sale
Everyone's a suspect
The horses won't move up the rail
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
Your sadness, thief
Waits in the hallway
With mail on the floor
And two birds in the chimney
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
And you can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
So bright
Burning so bright
@mardybum4562
Lyrics
We stumble into each other's lives
And we knock somethings over
Try not to make a sound
Each time you reach out
A new shout or shine on
We run in and fall out
Fumble around for the key
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
Your half-penny eyes
Smile like a fire sale
Everyone's a suspect
The horses won't move up the rail
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
Your sadness, thief
Waits in the hallway
With mail on the floor
And two birds in the chimney
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
You can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
I'll always keep the light on for you
You try so hard to be alive
What else can you do
But close your eyes
And you can't see the beautiful way
When you're burning so bright
So bright
Burning so bright
@brenthenessprepurchaseinsp3400
My best mate before he passed away wanted this song played for his daughters Jesekah & Bek at his funeral. Miss ya big fella.
@nixieNICLA
A lesser known Whitlams Song but so very beautiful all the same.....
@EdwardCox2016
Thanku Hollie. Now I remember what it means to be alive. Love the Whitlams (and this beautiful song).
@BimboBritt
This was played at a funeral i went too. Emotional song..but beautiful <3 CHLOE <3 xoxox
@craigobyrne1212
i have known this song for many years, and liked its words and emotion. My wife died recently, and I had this song played at the funeral. It embodied her, a shining light, always smiling for our little daughter, and wanting to live, right until the last.Ne me quitte pas.
@azairvine
:'(
@mbw6785
I wasn’t planning on crying today but...
@stormysrider
Thinking people's music When you need to think what the songwriter means you have to get into his head and he has achieved his aim!!! Tim is a god in our house!!!!
@Turley7471
Great song with true emotion. Love it!!!
@MyNameIsASecret1318
I'll always keep the light on for you