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



Lyrics submitted by kelsey!

Track duration: 03:49

"Light On" as written by Brian Howes, Chris Cornell

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Light On song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:One of my favorite songs. I agree with everyone else's interpretation which is the beauty of music: there doesn't have to be ONE specific interpretation.To me it sounds&looks (both the song&the video) like someone who has been through a great deal of pain & misery & is looking for a sigh of relief from all of that.
    Flag jedjaon March 07, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Makes me think of the final weeks of my specialty camp Drama - Play Connection.
    Flag Civicson August 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:I think this song can mean a variety of thing to people...

    If someone you loved died it'd be hard for you to move on but you miss them

    If you got out of a bad breakup your moving on but you miss them

    It's basically about losing someone that was important to you...

    apparently though david cook wrote this about his cancerous brother i believe? and his brother died. so yeahh
    Flag paparoachon June 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:another Chris Cornell classic songwriting. i hope that he writes more songs for david cook.
    Flag Geoastronomeron May 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:Well I think that the video does a good job of the meaning how the girl isn't happy with who she's with and he is treating her badly , she feels alone. The guy from the restaurant sees her on the street and saves her from herself. Earlier in the video he is watching her and he sympathizes... Thats just my oppinion tho
    Flag emmdeeon April 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with everyone else's interpretation as well. I like to imagine that he is also telling her to keep her love burning for him as he is gone. So I think that the light he speaks of can be taken literally, as well as symbolically. Either way, this song is beautiful and gives me chills.
    Flag Adambombon February 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My meaning of the song is when someone is leaving and they want their loved one to keep the "Light on when I'm gone" to come home to. Or it could be about someone who is leaving and their loved ones will miss them while they're away. I don't know, that's what I think the song means to me.
    Flag RockerTwilighter109on January 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:WOAHHH. crazy-good song
    Flag sierraaaXOon January 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Great song.
    Flag Bskiffingtonon December 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment: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.. =/
    Flag sarahsitus23on November 22, 2008   Link

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