Journey – Lights

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

So you think you're lonely
Well my friend I'm lonely too
I want to go back to my city by the bay
Ooh, ooh

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

Send "Lights" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by WhT LytEniN

Track duration: 03:11

"Lights" as written by Steve Perry, Neal Schon

Lyrics © Journey - Weedhigh Nightmare Music

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Lights song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:"When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the bay"
    When is this situation ? The dawn or the evening ?
    Flag kenzy66on May 24, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is clearly about San Francisco.
    I am so proud to be from this city.
    I love my city.
    Everytime I go on a trip to another country, I hear this song when I'm coming back to my city and I feel proud everytime I hear this song.
    I love Journey, especiaally sinced they formed in SF!
    SAN FRAN CITY LOVE BABY!
    Flag sf80sloveron October 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it's a great "i'm still love home better than anywhere else" song. it's really beautiful and reminds me of city lights ironically.
    Flag SilentSong19on June 18, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song so much. I first heard it when I was young and had no idea what it was about, but naturally, I always made me think of Milwaukee since I grew up just outside of the city. But now I clearly understand that it's about San Francisco. I heard they play the song at Giants games and now I want to go to a game out there so bad just to sing along! haha
    Flag stepharooon May 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Actually first poster was right,
    LA nicknamed "city of light"
    See Doors song "LA woman"
    Flag heykyleinsfon February 22, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about Billings, Montana. My home town.
    When he says "by the bay" he means horses and cows.
    I love this song!!!
    Flag heykyleinsfon February 22, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's ridiculous how some of you are laughing at the fact that the song could be about LA. Especially when the song was actually written about LA. The original lyrics were "....and the sun shines done on LA." He just changed it from LA to the bay cuz it sounds better but the song's origins are LA
    Flag poz52000on October 29, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:BAY AREA:) I'm From Oakland SO THIS SONG IS EXTR SPECIAL TO ME:)& IF YOU HAPPEN TO LIVE BY THE/A BAY THEN IT APPLIES....If Not Just Pretend You Do&It Still Applies:)
    Flag taytaytakenon December 15, 2009   Link
  • 0
    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'.
    Flag amoreamoreon October 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i love this song!!!! i saw them in concert with all of my friends and this song is my fave...and open arms...but as a bay area native this song is just amazing
    Flag maroonmimion February 26, 2009   Link

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