Monroe sang with some of the "Big Bands" of the '40s era, but his music transcended that style to become a popular radio and television personality - like Perry Como, Dean Martin, etc.
When the Lights Go on Again
Vaughn Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And rain or snow is all that may fall from the skies above
A kiss won't mean "goodbye" but "Hello to love"
When the lights go on again all over the world
And the ships will sail again all over the world
Then we'll have time for things like wedding rings and free hearts will sing
When the lights go on again all over the world
The lyrics of Vaughn Monroe’s song “When the Lights Go On Again” relate to a hopeful time following the events of World War II. The first two lines “And the boys are home again all over the world / And rain or snow is all that may fall from the skies above” speak to the joy of soldiers being reunited with their families while also foreshadowing the message of the song that peace is a possibility. The lyrics “A kiss won’t mean ‘goodbye’ but ‘Hello to love’” suggest that the future holds promise for love and connections that won’t be hindered by the war.
The second verse continues this message of hope for the future with the lyrics “And the ships will sail again all over the world / Then we'll have time for things like wedding rings and free hearts will sing.” The idea that ships will sail once again implies that normal life will resume, and people can finally focus on fulfilling their dreams, like getting married. The final lines, “When the lights go on again all over the world, when the lights go on again all over the world” emphasize the idea that when lights turn on, hope is restored, and normalcy is resumed. The song is, in essence, a nostalgic and emotionally-charged reflection on the war's impact and the eventual optimistic outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
And the boys are home again all over the world
Soldiers who have been at war will finally return home to their loved ones all around the globe.
And rain or snow is all that may fall from the skies above
The weather will be calm and peaceful without the sound of bombs or gunfire.
A kiss won't mean "goodbye" but "Hello to love"
The end of a romantic moment will no longer signify separation but rather an expression of love and reunion.
When the lights go on again all over the world
The end of the darkness and fear that has been present during wartime and the return of peace and safety.
And the ships will sail again all over the world
International trade and commerce will resume, allowing ships to travel freely without fear of attack.
Then we'll have time for things like wedding rings and free hearts will sing
With the return of peace, people can focus on marriage and finding love. Hearts will be happy and joyful.
When the lights go on again all over the world
The repetition of this line emphasizes the hope and excitement for a brighter future and the return of peace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENNIE BENJAMIN, SOL MARCUS, EDDIE SEILER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickfleming3658
Luv Vaughn Monroe
@sauquoit13456
Seventy-eight years ago today on December 11th, 1942 "When The Lights Go On Again"* by Vaughn Monroe peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's 'National Best-Selling Retail Records'* chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby...
Between 1940 and 1959 the Akron, Ohio native had fifty-seven records on the Billboard charts, twenty-four made the Top 10 with five reaching #1; "There! I Said It Again" {1945}, "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" {1945} ,"Ballerina" {1947}, "Riders In The Sky: A Cowboy Legend" {1949}, and "Someday" {1949}...
Vaughn Wilton Monroe passed away at the age of 61 on May 21st, 1973...
May he R.I.P.
* "When The Lights Go On Again" was Vaughn Monroe's first of his two records to peak at #2, his other #2 record was "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" for one week in October of 1947...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the National Best-Selling Records' Top 10 on December 11th, 1942:
At #3. "Praise The Lord" by Kay Kyser
#4. "There Are Such Things" by Tommy Dorsey
#5. "Mr. Five By Five" by Harry James
#6. "I Had The Craziest Dream" by Harry James
#7. "Juke Box Saturday Night" by Glenn Miller
#8. "Serenade In Blue" by Glenn Miller
#9. "Der Fuehrer's Face" by Spike Jones
#10. "Dearly Beloved" by Dinah Shore
@MarcelaGomez-ch4ig
Es conmovedor escuchar esta hermosa canción en su primera versión, que acompañó a tantos soldados en los campos de batalla de Europa durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
@lugwrench9832
Other band leaders sang too, like Ben Bernie and Russ Morgan.
Thanks for posting !
@pianopappy
and Bob Crosby and Woody Herman
@mdmphd
Did Monroe sing with anyone prior to forming his own group? Wiki just says he started with his own orchestra in 1940 but that seems like a mighty big jump.
@the78prof72
Yes, he played trumpet and sang on recordings by the Larry Funk band in 1934, and the same with Jack Marchard's orchestra in 1939.