City Lights
Umbrella Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you see me at midnight walking the streets
You know it's me for I cannot sleep
I've pushed away the dreams, and spoiled the quiet
I'm propelled by fear, and not the righteous

So have you been to a place like this?
To see your breath as it paints against the sky
The fever is near
I wish you were here

I'm thinking ambitious
I've got this feeling that things will be alright
So go break a leg now
Been given the green light
So go entertain them
They're waiting for you
They're waiting for this

So have you been to a place like this?
To see your breath as it paints against the sky
Feeling so right and things will run




The fever is near
I wish you here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Umbrella's song, City Lights, paint a picture of a restless protagonist who can't sleep and is wandering the streets at midnight. The first verse shows the character's despair at not being able to have a peaceful night's rest as they have pushed away their dreams and can't stand the silence. The line "I'm propelled by fear/ And not the righteous" indicates that the singer is motivated by anxiety and not by a higher purpose or calling.


The second verse begins by asking the listener if they have ever been to a place like this, where you can see your breath against the sky. The person is feeling feverish as they anticipate the future and feel that things are going to be alright, as shown in the line "I'm thinking ambitious/ I've got this feeling things will be alright". The song enhances the emotions with a relatable metaphor of feeling feverish. The song culminates with the declaration, "I wish you were here," indicating a sense of loneliness that the person is experiencing. They want someone to share the experience with them even though they are feeling positive about their ambitions.


Overall, the song City Lights showcases the image of a person struggling with insomnia and anxiety while trying to hold on to their hopes for the future. The song instills the emotions very well and brings back memories of lonely and hopeless nights.


Line by Line Meaning

If you see me at midnight
If you happen to spot me walking the streets at the stroke of midnight


Walking the streets
Strolling along the empty pathways


You'll know it was me for I cannot sleep
My sleepless state is the reason you will be able to recognize me


I've pushed away the dreams
The dreams are not welcomed and hence, suppressed


And spoiled the quiet
The serenity of the night has been destroyed


I'm propelled by fear
My actions are fueled by fear


And not the righteous
I am not guided by righteousness


So have you been to a place like this?
Have you ever visited a similar place?


To see your breath as it paints against the sky
Where you can see the mist of your breath rising up, visible against the dark sky


The fever is near
The excitement is almost overwhelming


I wish you were here
I really wish you could experience this with me


I'm thinking ambitious
I am optimistic and planning big things


I've got this feeling things will be alright
I have a good vibe that everything will turn out fine


So go break a leg night
Go ahead and do your best tonight


Been given the green light
Get permission to proceed


So go entertain them
Delight them with your performance


They're waiting for you
They are eagerly waiting for your appearance


Feeling so right and things will run
Everything will fall in place and it's just perfect




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@kathleenlouisecabucos6561

If you see me at midnight
Walking the streets
You'll know it was me for I cannot sleep
I've pushed away the dreams
And spoiled the quiet
I'm propelled by fear
And not the righteous
So have you been to a place like this?
To see your breath as it paints against the sky
The fever is near
I wish you were here
I'm thinking ambitious
I've got this feeling things will be alright
So go break a leg night
Been given the green light
So go entertain them
They're waiting for you
They're waiting for you
So have you been to a place like this?
To see your breath as it paints against the sky
Feeling so right and things will run
The fever is near
I wish you were here
So have you been to a place like this?
To see your breath as it paints against the sky
Feeling so right and things will run
The fever is near
I wish you were here



All comments from YouTube:

@dianehbunn

The scene this song played in on Grey's Anatomy is the first scene I cried on.

@anietytretra7168

Drum&Bass Couture sammmmmme

@VoidHereICome

yup was kinda sad

@VoidHereICome

didnt finish the episode to come listen to the full song

@cheechee6473

Why they do the blonde haired girl like that 😢😢

@user-ui2zl3is9p

"Umbrellas" is my comfort zone, they're so underrated and i like it so much, their songs feel so private and special to me

@heathledger8082

bonnie brought me here ❤️

@JessicoUomorosa

I occasionally return here to listen this song, and I love to read the comments of people that have nice memory to it. Give me some nostalgic/ happy vibes

@Tpashano

I miss bands like this

@jillmayer9501

When I was 16 I told my friends to play this at my funeral. Still stand

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