Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
At night the city grows
Look at the horizon glow

Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark

Drinking in the lounge
Following the neon signs

Waiting for a word
Looking at the milky skyline
The city is my church
It wraps me in its blinding twilight

Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark
Waiting in the car
Waiting for the ride in the dark


Lyrics submitted by ultragrin, edited by danamore, LunarLove, trvrplk, Jachrach, biohzrd

Midnight City Lyrics as written by Justin Meldal-johnsen Anthony Gerard Gonzalez

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Midnight City song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

32 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +19
    General Comment

    From the cd booklet:

    Waiting in the car Waiting for a ride At night the city grows Look at the horizon glow

    Waiting in the car Waiting for a ride in the dark Drinking in the lights Following the neon signs

    Waiting for a word Looking at the milky skyline The city is my church It wraps me in its blinding twilight

    Waiting in the car Waiting for a ride in the dark

    Juanjo25on October 19, 2011   Link
  • +17
    General Comment

    I think that anyone who finds sanctuary in the city at night will know what M83 are trying to get across. There is a way, a feeling. It is peace, melancholy, reflection, joy, despair, nostalgia, anticipation. It is the ultimate time and place to look within yourself, and anything can happen.

    nickbensonon March 05, 2013   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    i feel as if when he says "the city is my church" he means that he lives by the city; its his way of life. it's probably his escape from reality/life, and he's faithful that it will bring him some sort of peace of mind, as a church would do all the above to someone religious.

    alltimeblowon December 20, 2011   Link
  • +4
    Lyric Correction

    The Trentemoller remix reveals much more: youtube.com/watch

    Here's my take:

    Waiting in a car Waiting for a ride in the dark. The night city grows Look and see the ___ glow

    Waiting in a car Waiting for a ride in the dark Drinking in love (or a lounge) Following the neon signs

    Waiting for a roar Looking at the milky skyline The city is my church He wraps me in a blinding twilight

    vinnie97on September 28, 2011   Link
  • +4
    My Interpretation

    I think the song is talking about night life and how he enjoys it.

    "Waiting in a car Waiting for a ride in the dark." Probably how he's waiting for it to become night time so he can go to his favorite places.

    "At night the city grows Look at the horizon glow" How people emerge from where they are to come and enjoy the nightlife, and the horizon glowing is the lights of the city.

    "Drinking in the lights Following the neon signs" Gazing at the bright lights, reading the signs of each place.

    "The city is my church" He goes out at night religiously.

    I don't know, but that's what it seems like to me.

    Breetasticon December 02, 2011   Link
  • +3
    My Opinion

    I personally think that this is a song about being alone driving in a car at night just thinking about your life and what you can make of it. Kind of like how we zone out driving in a car at night

    gabepowerson January 11, 2013   Link
  • +2
    Lyric Correction

    waiting in the car waiting for a ride to the club the night city grows ?

    waiting in the car waiting for a ride to the club drinking in the lounge following the neon signs

    waiting for a roar looking at the mutating skyline the city is my church it wraps me in the sparkling twilight

    waiting in the car waiting for the right time

    obscuraaon August 11, 2011   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    This is the actual lyrics for the song.Listen and you will see that this is what Gonzalez is really saying.

    Waiting in a car Waiting for a ride in the dark The night city grows Look and see her eyes,they glow

    Waiting in a car Waiting for a ride in the dark Drinking in the lounge Following the neon signs Waiting for a ride Looking at the mutating skyline The city is my church It wraps me in the sparkling twilight

    Waiting in a car Waiting for a ride in the dark Waiting in a car Waiting for a ride in the dark(x4)

    PrinceDreyon February 17, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Could 'tour' possibly be 'dark'?

    OrBoy123on August 09, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    UGH BEST SONG ON THIS ALBUM

    st hannahon October 14, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
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.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/