When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I want to be there in my city
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

So you think you're lonely
Well my friend, I'm lonely too
I wanna get back to my city by the bay
Ooh, ooh, oh-oh

It's sad, oh there's been mornings
Out on the road without you
Without your charms
Oh-oh, my, my, my, my, my, my

Ooh, ooh, oh-oh
When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I want to be there in my city
Ooh-oh-oh (oh, oh, ooh-oh)

When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I want to be there in my city
Ooh-oh-oh (oh, oh, ooh-oh)
(Oh, oh, ooh-oh)


Lyrics submitted by WhT LytEniN

Lights Lyrics as written by Neal Joseph Schon Stephen Ray Perry

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group

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Lights song meanings
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    Song Meaning

    Even though this is about San Francisco, it was written in Los Angeles, where the band had relocated. Steve Perry explained in an interview with Joe Benson of Arrow 93.1 FM: "I had the song written in Los Angeles almost completely except for the bridge and it was written about Los Angeles. It was 'when the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on LA.' I didn't like the way it sounded at the time. And so I just had it sitting back in the corner. Then life changed my plans once again, and I was now facing joining Journey. I love San Francisco, the bay and the whole thing. 'The bay' fit so nice, 'When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay.' It was one of those early morning going across the bridge things when the sun was coming up and the lights were going down. It was perfect."

    'City by the Bay' IS synonymous with San Francisco(Bay Area) and that's where Steve is from but this song can be interpreted as anyone's 'city by the bay'.

    amoreamoreon October 30, 2009   Link

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