Lights and Sounds

Maybe im a bit out there but i think that this song is directed to celebrities. The first stanza in my opinion serves to show the beginning of ones career " Hello you, how was the rest, you made it thru but never the less, I got you out on a wire, you be love and ill be a liar. Tell it all and fill up the air, but make it loud cause nobodies there nobodies there, nobodies there.." You made it thru refers to everything aspiring actor/actress's go through to make it (i.e. waitering etc.) You be love and I'll be a liar probably means that everyone that loves you, friends family, say lies to comfort you, hence the rest. Nobodies there means that no one believes in you at the start, which also reinforces the 'liar' who IMO tells him that they can do it but doesnt really believe.

The Chorus is reminding them to look at their past, at who actually supported them. "Stop, turn, take a look around" All the lights and sounds in my opinion refers to the spotlight and media. Celebrities are often 'taken in' by their popularity. He gives a negative connotation to this by, "Slow, burn, let it all fade out, and pull the curtain down, wonder where you've been.." because after a while, it all 'burns' and fades out. Pull the curtain down symbolizes the 'end' of a possible career, wonder where you've been is exactly what is written.

The 2nd stanza, " Make it new but stay in the lines, just let go, keep it inside, smile big for everyone, even when you know what they've done. They gave you the end but not where to start, not how to build, how to tare it apart, So Tell it all and fill up the air, but make it loud cause nobodies there, nobodies there.. nobodies there.." Also reinforces this 'interpretation'. Make it new, but stay in the lines sorta implies that one should make a name for themselves, but dont wander off the 'path' too much. Just let it go, keep it inside, refers to their constant harrassment by papparatzi, instead of being exploded, just let it go, keep it inside "Smile big for everyone even when you know what they've done" Any celebrity knows that a fan is a fan, no matter what they've done, just smile, raise your popularity. "They gave you the end, not where to start" depicts the people that just jump on the bandwagon, like before, those who dont believe in you from the start, but once you've already made a name for yourself people start to like you. Not how to build how to tear it apart, same thing as above, some celebs careers are destroyed because they cannot handle popularity, applies to musicians too (i.e. kurt cobain) I think you can figure out "tell it all to fill up the air, make it loud cuz no bodies there"

"I got a way to work this out" means that hes got a way to not be engulfed in this atmosphere of popularity.

The last two lines i think bring it all home, "You've earnedt everything you've found and painted faces frown, I'll say I knew you when.." An actor/musician has earned everything he has (found) because he struggled through it all, painted faces refer to the two faced people who just like you because your famous, but when you werent famous they werent really your friend or whatever, I'll say i knew you when to me means that he always supported him, not just liked him for his celebrity status, money or wealth.

That my take on it. It seems plausable. Tell me what ya guys think.

See ya . Art.

This song rocks! The music video doesn't contribute much to the meaning, the true meaning of the song, but it is still awesome. It may be about NYC but it still grips the possibility that being a celebrity isn't all that good. Ryan Key is an excellent lyricist. I envy him. He always hits the spot and creates the illusion that thats what you are feeling.

By the way, NYC could also stand for New YellowCard since Ben left a while ago instead of New York City. Just a thought.

yellowcardr0ck, dude, you were all over this post, thanks for the interpretation on the 1st page, it really set the story straight

NYC and LP Rox Lol

Alright to settle the argument once and for all this song is talking about how right after Ocean Avenue YellowCards world kinda got flipped around. So really it's about the confusion that they where feeling and how angry they were that they were confused.

"Smile big for everyone, even when you know what they've done" That line is great.

I think I'm the only one that thinks this way but I'll give it a go:

To quote one of the member's reviews of the albums, he said that Ocean Avenue was all about discovering yourself, Lights and Sounds was losing yourself to the real world, and Paper Walls was redefining yourself in the real world.

With that in mind, I categorize each album as Romanticism (Ocean Avenue), Realism (Lights and Sounds), and a mix of between (Paper Walls). Following that I say that this is a GREAT introduction to the album as it slaps Romanticism in the face with such lines as "You be love and I'll be a liar. Tell it all and fill up the air but make it loud, cause nobody's there." Meaning you can romanticize all you want in your own fantasies but it will get you nowhere. Then it gets to "Stop. Turn. Take a look around. At all the lights and sounds." Be realistic and take what you have. "You gave it an end but not where to start. Not how to build but how to tear it apart." You know what there will be a happy ending but you have no idea how to get there.

"I've got a way to work this out." -being realistic allows you to be pragmatic.

I think this song is about them hating LA. they said in an interview that was kinda a theme of the albulm with a character popping in and out. The song isn't there best I think this song makes a good single but I heard the other songs on the new cd and they're more rock and not as much pop punk. well just have to see when it comes out

I think it's possible that this song is about them hating LA-- a city with a lot of lights and sounds, but little substance? Maybe a song about "fakeness"? Painted faces, fake smiles, and nobody is really there?

I don't like this song as much as I like most of the older ones, but it's a catchy song, and I think it will song good live.

well i must say this is not one of their best songs. I absolutely LOVE YC but this song is definitly not as good as their older stuff. Though it does work really well live (i went and saw them last night :P, twas great!). yea, i think its about 'fakeness' and how behind all the lights and sounds which are in your face, there is so much more. which i suppose is true to life, though this song doesnt do much for me. tis a very catchy tune tho!

it's about the fakeness of Hollywood... tleise32 i don't think you're right My Chemical Romance get played on MTV do they make songs that public would like? Nah maybe a little but they didn't change.

I always get to a song late to give me explanation and someone always has mine... Nice interpretation. I swear since I can't get this on a download I keep my PSP on with Burnout Legneds listening to this song. I can't wait 'till I get the album.