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I Saw The Light Lyrics
It was late last night
I was feeling something wasn't right
There was not another soul in sight
Only you, only you
So we walked along,
though I knew there was something wrong
And the feeling hit me oh so strong about you
Then you gazed up at me and the answer was plain to see
'Cause I saw the light in your eyes
Though we had our fling
I just never would suspect a thing
'Til that little bell began to ring in my head
In my head
But I tried to run,
though I knew it wouldn't help me none
'Cause I couldn't ever love no one, or so I said
But my feelings for you
were just something I never knew
'Til I saw the light in your eyes
But I love you best
It's not something that I say in jest
'Cause you're different, girl, from all the rest
In my eyes
And I ran out before but I won't do it anymore
Can't you see the light in my eyes
I was feeling something wasn't right
There was not another soul in sight
Only you, only you
So we walked along,
though I knew there was something wrong
And the feeling hit me oh so strong about you
Then you gazed up at me and the answer was plain to see
'Cause I saw the light in your eyes
I just never would suspect a thing
'Til that little bell began to ring in my head
In my head
But I tried to run,
though I knew it wouldn't help me none
'Cause I couldn't ever love no one, or so I said
But my feelings for you
were just something I never knew
'Til I saw the light in your eyes
It's not something that I say in jest
'Cause you're different, girl, from all the rest
In my eyes
And I ran out before but I won't do it anymore
Can't you see the light in my eyes
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This song captures the profound moment, being transfixed in love. The setting for the moment is dreamy, late, private and mysterious. In the first stanza, images of soulful feelings (L1, L3-L5) alternate with feelings of vague uncertainty (L2, L6). Then the magic moment happens: “you gazed up at me.” In that moment he sees the gift of love, the light, and he is transformed. The second stanza explains what happened in the moment. Even though he had love inklings (little bell), he had tried to keep his defenses up (a fling, tried to run, saying he couldn’t love). The earlier tension between soulful feelings and insecurity resolve in that profound love moment. The third stanza returns to the moment. As he sees the love in the eyes of his beloved, he simultaneously experiences his love, his light. He is transfixed, and the moment changes everything, he is devoted.
Rundgren, who is a brilliant, productive, and meticulous artist downplayed this simple, elegant song, saying it was cliché filled and quickly written. He probably takes most pride in the more hard fought products of his storied career, which has explored musical forms from energetic rock to jazz fusion, created innovations in audio production engineering, and built collaborations with rockers, pop-artists, and even symphonies. I get that. But, Mr. Rundgren, don’t be too hard on this song, because a brilliant, hardworking musician can sometimes only need an inspired "moment" to create, transfix, and illuminate the light in our eyes.
Actually, the line is "And a feeling hit me oh so strong".
This song pretty much speaks for itself. It's about a guy who falls in love with his friend, and first denies it, but soon realizes that she really is the one for him.
So i read in an iterview that TR apparently wrote this song in only a few minutes. He had a deadline so he just sat down and when he got up, he had the song. It is not about any expierience he had, nor is it anything personal to him. None the less it is one great song!
@KingRex He wrote it in 20 minutes, I've heard. I find it hard to believe that he had no emotional investment in the song. Not doubting your word - it's just that he performs it like a man who's been blindsided by love. It's a perfect pop song, perfectly performed, and my absolute favorite song.
@KingRex He wrote it in 20 minutes, I've heard. I find it hard to believe that he had no emotional investment in the song. Not doubting your word - it's just that he performs it like a man who's been blindsided by love. It's a perfect pop song, perfectly performed, and my absolute favorite song.
@KingRex Nah I completely disagree. Todd fell in love in high school. And it affected him deeply influencing many of his early love songs. He is remembering the magic of falling in love in this song and of course it was easy to put down because it was so much the dominant concern in his life. As first loves go, he gradually lost her and you can see his music becoming noticeably darker and more philosophical starting with the AWATS album.
@KingRex Nah I completely disagree. Todd fell in love in high school. And it affected him deeply influencing many of his early love songs. He is remembering the magic of falling in love in this song and of course it was easy to put down because it was so much the dominant concern in his life. As first loves go, he gradually lost her and you can see his music becoming noticeably darker and more philosophical starting with the AWATS album.
So catchy and pretty!!! One of my top favorites
Nothing says love like a twinkle in the eyes.
At the Todd concert I went to his eyes met mine during this song. LOL
isn't it the "feeling got me" instead of "hot me"???But yeah this song is awesome but so is "Hello it's me"and also try 10cc "I'm not in love"...you'll love it!!!
@crombiegirl00 It's actually "feeling hit me."
@crombiegirl00 It's actually "feeling hit me."
I think most of Todd's songs are less about the lyrics and more about the music. It's such a culmination of perfectly meshed sounds. Really, it has such a distinct feeling to it that i can't even explain.
Looking in somebodys eyes and it hitting you that you love them; priceless.
Recently read, that it was meant to be a hommage to Carole King. From a harmonic & general sound-ish pov it has a lot of "It's too late" by King. Not being native english speaker, I can not judge if the lyric is comparable to Carole King's lyrical style. Both great songs though.
@bartel I don't know about an homage, but "I Saw the Light" is clearly influenced by Carole King. Funnily enough, I'd MUCH rather listen to Todd Rundgren do Carole King than Carole King. :-)
@bartel I don't know about an homage, but "I Saw the Light" is clearly influenced by Carole King. Funnily enough, I'd MUCH rather listen to Todd Rundgren do Carole King than Carole King. :-)