Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Bulbs
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A question of being down for the game
The one shot deal don't matter
And the other one's the same
Oh! My friend I see you
Want you to come through (alright)
And she's standing in the shadows
She leaving for an American (uhuh)
Suitcase in her hand
I said her brothers and her sisters
Are all on Atlantic sand
She's screaming through the alley way
I hear the lonely cry, why can't you?
And her batteries are corroded
And her hundred watt bulb just blew
Lallallal, alright, huhuhhuh
She used to hang out at Miss Lucy's
Every weekend they would get loose
And it was a straight clear case of
Having taken in too much juice
It was outside, and it was outside
Just the nature of the person
Now all you got to remember
After all, it's just show biz
Lallalal, huhuh, lallal
We're just screaming through the alley way
I hear her lonely cry, ah why can't you?
And she's standing in the shadows
Canal street lights all turn blue
And she's standing in the shadows
Where the street lights all turn blue
And she's standing in the shadows
Down where the street lights all turn blue
Hey, hey, yeah
In Van Morrison's song "Bulbs," the singer in the song is someone who is down on their luck and perhaps struggling to make sense of their life. The opening lines, "I'm kicking off from center field, a question of being down for the game" suggest that this person is taking some sort of risk or making some sort of leap of faith, but they're not entirely sure if they're ready or prepared for it. The lines "The one shot deal don't matter, and the other one's the same" imply that the singer has grown disillusioned with their current circumstances and is looking for something that will give their life more meaning or purpose.
The song then introduces a woman who is leaving for America with a suitcase in hand. The singer mentions that her brothers and sisters are all on Atlantic sand, which could be a reference to the Jersey shore or another east coast beach location. The woman is described as standing in the shadows where the street lights all turn blue, which could be a nod to the moody, atmospheric quality of Morrison's music. The singer seems to address the woman directly with the lines "And she's screaming through the alley way, I hear the lonely cry, why can't you?" suggesting that he understands her pain and isolation.
The final verse of the song reveals that the woman used to hang out at Miss Lucy's every weekend and that she had a tendency to overindulge in alcohol. The singer reflects that "after all, it's just show biz," suggesting that perhaps the woman's struggles are part of a larger cultural narrative or societal trend. The song ends with a repetition of the line "she's standing in the shadows where the street lights all turn blue," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the woman's sense of isolation and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm kicking off from center field
I'm starting off, leaving from a comfortable position
A question of being down for the game
It's a matter of being committed to the task at hand
The one shot deal don't matter
It's not important if you only get one chance or one opportunity
And the other one's the same
Another chance or opportunity is just like the first
Oh! My friend I see you
Hey, I acknowledge that you're here
Want you to come through (alright)
I want you to follow through and succeed
And she's standing in the shadows
She is hiding, avoiding attention
Where the street lights all turn blue
In a dark, possibly dangerous place
She leaving for an American (uhuh)
She is going to America
Suitcase in her hand
She has packed her belongings
I said her brothers and her sisters
I mentioned her family
Are all on Atlantic sand
They are all on the beach along the Atlantic Ocean
She's screaming through the alley way
She is crying out and upset
I hear the lonely cry, why can't you?
I hear her sadness and desperation
And her batteries are corroded
Her energy is depleted
And her hundred watt bulb just blew
Her source of inspiration or light has been extinguished
She used to hang out at Miss Lucy's
She used to frequent a place called Miss Lucy's
Every weekend they would get loose
They would have a good time, relax and let go
Having taken in too much juice
Drank too much alcohol
It was outside, and it was outside
It was out of the ordinary
Just the nature of the person
That's just how she is
Now all you got to remember
The only thing to keep in mind
After all, it's just show biz
At the end of the day, it's only entertainment
We're just screaming through the alley way
We are expressing ourselves, making noise
And she's standing in the shadows
She is still trying to avoid attention
Canal street lights all turn blue
The lights on the street are blue, indicating the darkness and danger of the area
Down where the street lights all turn blue
In the same dark and dangerous place
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
breathe in breathe out breathe in breathe observe
This song / music /voice / work of Art/ idea/ words /concept/ creation
Is largely unrecognized for the Beautiful work of labor ( is that correct ?
Is there such a thing as a work of labor
This is for the occasions of deep deep sorrow of loss death of fear at the same time
When someone/ some people have truly lost sight of the road
Of their mind emotions
They are at a crossroads which may
Lead them away
From safety into
Where they may never
Return
This song simple
Will give Hope
Belief Trust.Recovery
Healing
Joy
Yes Van has the Power to do all of that
Through the notes chords thoughts
Words Voice Delivery
You do it Van
You have Healing in your work
Yes Sir, Thou art a Healer
Now Always
Thank you Sir
Thank you for your l
Work Healing Wisdom Dedication
Knowlege Help Simplicity Humbleness
Teachings Dear Sir
I will listen to your music
Always !
breathe in breathe out breathe in breathe observe
Yes Sir
Don’t think any one really understand the lyrics
Maybe they are not meant to be understood
Just like Queen Bohemian Rhapsody
They may be streams of concious ness as in James Joyce etc. Forget the books name
About a day in Dublin
Listen to Listen to theLion/the ending of Tir Na Nog
I believe Van is getting his Rapture on
He is heading into the mystical/the.wondrous/the Higher Self…
Whatever
You call it
Understand+? 😋🦉
R. R. Rubin
I'm kicking off from center field
A question of being down for the game
The one shot deal don't matter
And the other one's the same
Oh! My friend I see you
Want you to come through (alright)
And she's standing in the shadows
Where the street lights all turn blue
She leaving for an American (uhuh)
Suitcase in her hand
I said her brothers and her sisters
Are all on Atlantic sand
She's screaming through the alley way
I hear the lonely cry, why can't you?
And her batteries are corroded
And her hundred watt bulb just blew
Lallallal, alright, huhuhhuh
She used to hang out at Miss Lucy's
Every weekend they would get loose
And it was a straight clear case of
Having taken in too much juice
It was outside, and it was outside
Just the nature of the person
Now all you got to remember
After all, it's just show biz
Lallalal, huhuh, lallal
We're just screaming through the alley way
I hear her lonely cry, ah why can't you?
And she's standing in the shadows
Canal street lights all turn blue
And she's standing in the shadows
Where the street lights all turn blue
And she's standing in the shadows
Down where the street lights all turn blue
Hey, hey, yeah
wambui37
"Bulbs" is one of the best songs of all times for me. Wonderful instrumentation.
JerkballTO
Just a beautiful song. Too often I feel alone an ask why know one else see's it? I am ok however many suffer on the streets(and in the system*) without enough allies. And I'm standing in the shadows and the street lights all turn blue, why can't you? Van is special to me deeply in my heart.
Universal Hobo
DANCING TO THIS!
JerkballTO
Yeah, easily one of many Van's special songs that channel god.
Lauren Shaw
Oh how I love this song. Such wonderful memories. Veedon Fleece and Astral Weeks changed my life.
joeseddit
Love Van Morrison but also gotta give props to the guitar fills on this one. I've noticed that Van always hired outstanding session players.
JerkballTO
@Madfret Mann Cool. Bulbs and Cul de sac, 2 of my many favorite Van songs.
Madfret Mann
It's the great John Tropea, NYC session player, on that superb guitar.
jason3368
First got into Van about 25-30 years ago. Today is first time I’ve ever heard this... how was this not on any of the greatest hits!
Raymond Carver
I first heard this song not too long ago on Kenny Chesney's No Shoes Radio channel on Sirius. Uncle Kracker was a guest DJ and played some of his favorite songs, including this one.