In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
The sun is a light bulb
A candle's a treat
The curtains stay closed now
On my little retreat
And I'll only take medicine
If it's followed by sweets
A sickly pink liquid
That puts me to sleep
My head beats a better way
Tomorrow a better day
And I can watch TV
While I'm wrapped up in bed
And mother makes sure that
I'm watered and fed
My best from school will
Come over and stare
At me in my bubble
Of germified air
When I'm asleep the smoke fills me
I feel the heat
My illness leaves me
The sun is a light bulb
A candle's a treat
The curtains stay closed now
On my little retreat
But after a while
The noise from the street
Is making me wish I
Was back on my feet
A candle's a treat
The curtains stay closed now
On my little retreat
And I'll only take medicine
If it's followed by sweets
A sickly pink liquid
That puts me to sleep
My head beats a better way
Tomorrow a better day
And I can watch TV
While I'm wrapped up in bed
And mother makes sure that
I'm watered and fed
My best from school will
Come over and stare
At me in my bubble
Of germified air
When I'm asleep the smoke fills me
I feel the heat
My illness leaves me
The sun is a light bulb
A candle's a treat
The curtains stay closed now
On my little retreat
But after a while
The noise from the street
Is making me wish I
Was back on my feet
Lyrics submitted by Ministry, edited by CharMarRules
Lightbulb Sun Lyrics as written by Steven John Wilson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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I don't know, it certainly seems more like nostalgia to me. Lines like "Mother makes sure that I'm watered and fed" and "My best friend from school" Obviously implies that it's a kid, and the lighthearted feel of the song sort of radiates "The good ol' days". I think it's a nostalgic song, and SW just chose to sing about being sick because it's a good example of how everyone else would take care of you as a kid, and you never had to worry about yourself, and missing school was kind of like a "little retreat" whereas when you grow up, you can't just skip school or work or whatever without consequences.