Changing his name from Jeremy Thomas McRae Blackall to just Tom McRae - he released his first, self-titled album in 2001, during the height of the new acoustic movement, and gained Mercury Music Prize nomination. His second album, Just Like Blood, was released in February of 2003, which was produced by Ben Hillier, responsible for Elbow’s Asleep In The Back, with which McRae’s album shares a similar melancholy but uplifting atmosphere. In 2004, McRae moved to California where he wrote and recorded his next album, All Maps Welcome, which was released in May 2005. His fourth album, King of Cards was released on 14th May 2007. A talented live performer, he supported Tori Amos on the UK leg of her Original Sinsuality tour, Paul Weller, Dido, World Party, The Waterboys among others. He is recognised as an intelligent and talented performer, influenced by, among others, Nick Drake, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Jeff Buckley.
Bright Lights
Tom McRae Lyrics
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Kicking through the old streets
Of a place I once called home, not long ago
Searching for an omen, looking for a sign
Looking for the place I swore an oath of love undying
Of love undying
But I'm tired of this dull ache
I'm goinna torch my name and my trade
Run into the bright lights
Run into the bright lights
Brother don't go back to funeral row
The streets have fallen silent
And the cross no longer glows
On funeral row
And I'm tired of this dark place
Where hope dies and hope fades
I'm gonna leave these shadows behind
Head into the bright lights
Head into the bright lights
So come on Red get your guitar
Feed the flames and feed the fire
Wishing things won't make them so
And the truth is I refuse to go
Dos the shadow's where the best things hide
You can keep the brightest light
You can keep the brightest light
You can keep the brightest light
The lyrics to Tom McRae's song "Bright Lights" explore the concept of leaving one's past behind and running towards a more hopeful, bright future. The singer describes returning to a place he once called home, "funeral row," and looking for a sign, perhaps of reconciliation or closure. However, he becomes disillusioned with the darkness and emptiness of the place, and decides to instead embrace the bright lights and leave the shadows behind. He recognizes the futility of wishing for things to change, and instead chooses to take control of his future and feed the fire within himself.
The song creates a palpable sense of tension between the pull of the past and the push towards a new beginning. The image of "funeral row" conjures up a feeling of morbidity and sadness, which is then contrasted with the enticing brightness of the "bright lights." The singer acknowledges that leaving the past behind is not an easy feat, as he urges his brother not to return to the same familiar, but ultimately dead-end, path. In the end, however, the singer chooses to embrace the challenge and run towards a new and uncertain future.
Overall, "Bright Lights" is a poignant and introspective song about the struggles of letting go of the past and embracing change. Its themes of hope, renewal, and self-determination are universal and relatable, making it a powerful and resonant piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I went back to funeral row
I returned to the place where I was buried, kicking through the streets I walked on before, looking for some kind of sign, a message that would give me an unyielding love
Kicking through the old streets
Walking through the familiar streets one last time to say goodbye
Of a place I once called home, not long ago
It wasn't long since I left, but the place seems foreign now
Searching for an omen, looking for a sign
Trying to find a clue to guide me towards some purpose
Looking for the place I swore an oath of love undying
Hoping to find the spot where I made my promise that my love would have no end
But I'm tired of this dull ache
Feeling exhausted by the constant pain
This endless and fake parade
The never-ending routine that deceives people
I'm gonna torch my name and my trade
I'm going to abandon my past and what I was known for
Run into the bright lights
Escape into an unknown and brighter future
Brother don't go back to funeral row
Never go back to the place where you were buried, where everything is now silent and dark
The streets have fallen silent
The usual sounds on the street have now been silenced
And the cross no longer glows
The symbol that once gave hope doesn't shine anymore
On funeral row
The place where the dead are buried
And I'm tired of this dark place
Tired of being in this place of sadness and despair
Where hope dies and hope fades
Where hope is lost and the future seems bleak
I'm gonna leave these shadows behind
Will leave the gloomy past behind and move towards a brighter future
Head into the bright lights
Move forward to a future that is full of possibilities
So come on Red get your guitar
Referring to someone named 'Red', urging them to join and bring their instrument
Feed the flames and feed the fire
Stoke the fire and make the flames even higher
Wishing things won't make them so
Merely wishing for things won't make them happen in reality
And the truth is I refuse to go
The decision has been made, and I'm not changing it
Dos the shadow's where the best things hide
Sometimes the best things are hidden in the darkness or behind obscurity
You can keep the brightest light
The person addressed can keep everything at their disposal
You can keep the brightest light
The person addressed can keep everything at their disposal
You can keep the brightest light
The person addressed can keep everything at their disposal
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TOM MCRAE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
janaltus
Granted, it's not BBC broadcast quality - but you capture the energy of seeing Tom perform live. Well done and thanks for sharing!