The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Never really said too much
Afraid it wouldn't be enough
Just try to keep my spirits up
When there's no point in grieving
Doesn't matter anyway
Words could never make me stay
Words will never take my place
When you know I'm leaving
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone
You know we've been down that road
What seems a thousand times before
My back to a closing door and my eyes to the seasons
That roll out underneath my heels
And you don't know how bad it feels
To leave the only one that I have ever believed in
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone yeah
Sometimes it feels like we've run out of luck
When the signal keeps on breaking up
When the wires cross in my brain
You'll start my heart again
When I come along
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone
Afraid it wouldn't be enough
Just try to keep my spirits up
When there's no point in grieving
Doesn't matter anyway
Words could never make me stay
Words will never take my place
When you know I'm leaving
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone
You know we've been down that road
What seems a thousand times before
My back to a closing door and my eyes to the seasons
That roll out underneath my heels
And you don't know how bad it feels
To leave the only one that I have ever believed in
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone yeah
Sometimes it feels like we've run out of luck
When the signal keeps on breaking up
When the wires cross in my brain
You'll start my heart again
When I come along
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Something I rely on to get home
One I can feel at night
A naked light, a fire to keep me warm
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone
Try to leave a light on when I'm gone
Even in the daylight, shine on
And when it's late at night you can look inside
You won't feel so alone
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Love this song!!! And love David Cook. It's not hard to understand the meaning of this song - it's about going away and leaving your loved one behind, about missing that person.
It's most likely a song that refers to a soldier who has to return to Iraq and leave his wife behind.
I believe David Cook kept the message somewhat hidden because of the backlash the Dixie Chicks faced whjen they expressed their opposition to the war.
Sadly, radio with the big giants has become somewhat political so singers haveto be careful in being covert in their messages if anything can be construed to be against the Bush Administration.
There is nothing wrong with the song but Bush is closely aligned with big business media groups like Clear Channel and other radio networks. It's sad because he could just call his buddies at these companies and that would be the end of any singer on these stations.
another Chris Cornell classic songwriting. i hope that he writes more songs for david cook.
i completely agree with you about that meaning. i love this song too!!! and david cook.. he has so much talent. i think i'm a little too obsessed with him :\ i hope the rest of his album sounds like this!! i can't wait until november :]
I love love love David. I thought the song was leaning on talking about death though...
NO THANK YOU. zmfg, no.
HAHA really? Who says zmfg?<br /> Chav.
This song is fantastic. David Cook has a great singing range and i fell in love with it the first time i heard it. (= Pretty much I agree with Liiva it's about a person who leaves their loved one behind. They want them to remember them leave the light on and await their return.
David Cook is amazing and I'm soo glad he won AI. I love this song.. it's probably my favorite off of his CD.
I pretty much agree with what everone else says about the meaning. It reminds of my brother and my friend's husband, who are both serving overseas.. =/
Great song.
WOAHHH. crazy-good song