Bright Lights

She got out of town On a railway, New York bound Took all except my name Another alien on Broadway Some things in this world you just can't change Some things you can't see until it gets too late Baby, baby, baby When all your love is gone Who will save me From all I'm up against out in this world Maybe, maybe, maybe You'll find something that's enough to keep you But if the bright lights don't receive you You should turn yourself around and come on home I got a hole in me now I got a scar I can talk about She keeps a picture of me In her apartment in the city Some things in this world, man, they don't make sense Some things you don't need until they leave you They're the things that you miss, you say Baby, baby, baby When all your love is gone Who will save me From all I'm up against out in this world Maybe, maybe, maybe You'll find something that's enough to keep you But if the bright lights don't receive you You should turn yourself around and come on home Let that city take you in (Come on home) Let that city spit you out (Come on home) Let that city take you down, yeah For God's sake, turn around Baby, baby, baby When all your love is gone Who will save me From all I'm up against out in this world Maybe, maybe, maybe You'll find something that's enough to keep you But if the bright lights don't receive you Turn yourself around and come on home Yeah, come on home Maybe, maybe, baby, baby Come on home Yeah, come on home Yeah, come on home Yeah, come on home

The song tells the story of a woman who leaves her home for New York City, searching for a new life or fulfilling her dreams. She takes everything with her, "except [his] name," signaling a clean break. The man she leaves behind grapples with a mix of sadness, nostalgia, and contemplation of what the future might hold for both of them. "Baby, baby, baby / When all your love is gone / Who will save me" speaks to the emotional void left by her departure, as the narrator wonders how he'll cope with life's challenges without her. At the same time, he raises a cautionary note for her journey: "Maybe, maybe, maybe / You'll find something that's enough to keep you / But if the bright lights don't receive you / You should turn yourself around and come on home." The term "bright lights" here could be interpreted literally as the dazzling lights of a big city like New York. Metaphorically, it represents the allure of success, adventure, and new experiences. The song cautions that if the city doesn't provide what she's looking for, she shouldn't hesitate to come back home, where she's loved and understood. "She keeps a picture of me / In her apartment in the city" suggests that, despite her new life, she hasn't completely forgotten her past or the person she left behind. Meanwhile, the line "Some things you don't need until they leave you / They're the things that you miss" touches on the idea that sometimes the value of what we have isn't truly understood until it's gone. The lines "Let that city take you in / Let that city spit you out" hint at the unpredictable nature of life in a big city. Cities can be places of great opportunity but can also be unkind, especially to newcomers. The chorus towards the end, "For God's sake, turn around," is a desperate plea, signaling the urgency and emotion behind his message. He's essentially saying that it's never too late to turn back, to come home, if things don't work out. "Bright Lights" serves as a love letter, a cautionary tale, and an ode to the enduring ties that bind us to our origins, even as we venture out into the world. The song underscores the notion that home remains a sanctuary, always welcoming us back, especially when the "bright lights" of the world outside fail to embrace us.

About

"Bright Lights" is a song by American rock band Matchbox Twenty, featured on their third studio album, "More Than You Think You Are," released in 2002. The song was written by the band's lead vocalist, Rob Thomas. Unlike some of their other hits that focus on interpersonal or emotional struggles, "Bright Lights" explores themes of ambition, yearning, and the perils and promises of city life.

More songs from Matchbox Twenty

Real World

3 credits

How Far We've Come

2 credits

Unwell

1 credits

Push

4 credits