In 1986 she worked with then husband Peter Case on his debut album, following this a year later with her own debut, Happy Come Home, produced by Anton Fier. In 1990 she released Swing the Statue. She also often appeared onstage and on record with the band Giant Sand.
In 1993, Williams' life took a dramatic turn when she learned that she was suffering from multiple sclerosis. In 1994, a variety of artists, including Pearl Jam, Lou Reed, Soul Asylum, Lucinda Williams and others, joined together to record some of Williams' songs for a tribute/benefit project called Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams. This led to the creation of the Sweet Relief Fund, a charity that aids professional musicians (of any stature) in need of health care. That year, Williams also released a new album herself, entitled Loose.
Also that year, Williams appeared on Strong Hand of Love, a fund-raising tribute album to songwriter Mark Heard, who had died in 1992. That December she participated in a Christmas concert with Jane Siberry, Holly Cole, Mary Margaret O'Hara and Rebecca Jenkins, broadcast over CBC Radio in Canada and National Public Radio in the United States and subsequently released on CD as Count Your Blessings.
In 1995, Williams released her first live album, This Moment in Toronto With the Loose Band. Williams ended the 1990s with 1998's Musings of a Creekdipper and followed it with Water to Drink in 2000.
Her gift at breathing new life into standards, most often limited to her live concerts, was finally committed to record in 2002 on Sings Some Ol' Songs where she covers classics such as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "My Funny Valentine" and "Moon River".
She continues to tour regularly with her former husband Mark Olson, formerly of the band The Jayhawks, under the name of the Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers; they have produced seven records, mostly of Olson's intricate compositions.
Wikipedia
Lights
Victoria Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Almost like somebody thought they would
Thought they would
What kinda song would you give
If you had a song to give?
What kinda life would you live
If you had a life to live?
Now, wouldn’t you wanna make something good
That you could look on
Give you lots of pleasure?
Yeah, you would
What about this thing that you gave
What if it weren’t quite perfect
What if there was something bad about it?
Wouldn’t you still love it just the same?
Wouldn’t you still care about it?
The lights of the city look so good
Almost like somebody thought they would
Thought they would
Lights
in is a song by Victoria Williams, released in 1998 on her album "Musings of a Creekdipper". The song reflects on the city and the creative process, asking questions about what it means to create art and live a fulfilling life. The opening lines describe the visual appeal of the city lights, but then quickly shift to questions about the purpose of creating art.
The lyrics ask what kind of song or life one would give if they had the chance. The repetition of the word "kinda" implies a sense of uncertainty and possibility. The lyrics suggest that creating something good that brings pleasure is worthwhile, but also acknowledge the fear of imperfection that can hold us back from creating. The final lines suggest that even if what we create isn't perfect, we can still love and care about it.
Overall, the song seems to be about the struggle to create and find meaning in life, while also grappling with self-doubt and the fear of imperfection. The title, "Lights in", could be interpreted as a reference to both the lights of the city and the inner light of creativity and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Lights of the city look so good
The illumination in the urban center appears visually appealing.
Almost like somebody thought they would
It appears as though someone had intentionally designed it to look pleasing.
Thought they would
Assuming that someone deliberately developed the visual appeal of city lights.
What kinda song would you give
What type of music would you produce, given the opportunity?
If you had a song to give?
What kind of message or energy would it contain?
What kinda life would you live
What kind of existence would you experience if you had the power to choose?
If you had a life to live?
Assuming that you have the freedom to shape your life's path.
Now, wouldn’t you wanna make something good
Wouldn't you desire to create something beneficial?
That you could look on
Something that you could admire, watch, and reflect on.
Give you lots of pleasure?
Cause you immense joy and pleasure.
Yeah, you would
The presumption that the individual would desire to create such an item.
What about this thing that you gave
What if the object you created was judged?
What if it weren’t quite perfect
What if it had flaws or was less than perfect in some way?
What if there was something bad about it?
What if it had some negative attributes or effects?
Wouldn’t you still love it just the same?
Will you still have compassion for it, regardless of its flaws or negative impacts?
Wouldn’t you still care about it?
Will you still care for and value it, despite its imperfections?
The lights of the city look so good
The illumination in the urban center appears visually appealing.
Almost like somebody thought they would
It appears as though someone had intentionally designed it to look pleasing.
Thought they would
Assuming that someone deliberately developed the visual appeal of city lights.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VICTORIA ANN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind