Light is an interesting thing. Whether it’s being used in a literal sense to allow humans to see better or in a figurative sense as a sign of hope, light helps humankind to see more clearly and avoid dark uncertainty in the world.
Here are some of the most well-known and interesting songs about light – or that have light in their titles – that show just how prevalent this topic is among songwriters. As you’re about to see, there are some truly great songs on this playlist.
Contents
- There’s a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
- Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
- Moonlight Shadow – Mike Oldfield
- Turn on your Love Light – Grateful Dead
- In the Light – Horace Andy
- Guiding Light – Mumford & Sons
- Shine a Light – The Rolling Stones
- Beginning to See the Light – The Velvet Underground
- The Inner Light – The Beatles
- Light my Fire – The Doors
- In the Light – Led Zeppelin
- Love is Eternal Sacred Light – Paul Simon
- Everlasting Light – The Black Keys
- Ray of Light – Madonna
- Blinded by the Light – Bruce Springsteen
- Green Light – Lorde
- Neon Lights – Demi Lovato
- Lights – Ellie Goulding
- Bright Lights – Matchbox Twenty
- Red Light – U2
- Light the Sky – Grace VanderWaal
- One More Light – Linkin Park
- Light It Up – Luke Bryan
There’s a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
The protagonist of this track begs of his love interest, “Don’t drop me home.” It’s all about wanting to be by your love’s side, no matter what may come, and is one of the iconic Manchester band’s finest moments.
Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
This song has sweet lyrics about needing to be next to the person who lights up one’s life the most. The song is rumored to be about Bella Hadid and the on-and-off relationship between her and Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd.
Moonlight Shadow – Mike Oldfield
One of the most famous moonlight songs (if not the most famous), it’s thought to have been written about John Lennon’s death. It was also inspired by the Tony Curtis film Houdini. It’s about the end of life and the hope of seeing someone in heaven one day.
Turn on your Love Light – Grateful Dead
‘Turn On Your Love Light’ is a popular song about desperately wanting love. It was originally performed by Bobby Bland in 1961. Grateful Dead’s cover was very popular and became a regular part of their concert lineups.
In the Light – Horace Andy
Horace Andy’s ‘In The Light’ is all about being in a bright and enlightened place in life. It is part of an album with the same name. If his voice is familiar, you may recognize him from the work he did with UK trip-hop band Massive Attack in the 90s (songs including ‘Angel’, and ‘Five Man Army’).
Guiding Light – Mumford & Sons
Love in its best form can be a true source of light. This song discusses the type of couple who brings brightness to each other’s lives through this type of love. It has also been suggested that the song refers to God’s love, and could easily be interpreted either way.
Shine a Light – The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger originally intended this track to be about Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones’ addiction troubles but decided to rewrite it after Jones’ death. As it stands now, the song wishes light and happiness for someone dear.
Beginning to See the Light – The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground sings of light in the terms of awakening to a more enlightened state about life and society at large. It reminds listeners that sometimes you have to slow down and take stock of the state of the world to understand things in a clearer way.
The Inner Light – The Beatles
This is one of the rare Beatles songs written and led by George Harrison. Its lyrics are a translation of an ancient, sacred Chinese text known as the Tao Te Ching; specifically, a section about inner light.
Light my Fire – The Doors
The classic fire song came to be when Doors guitarist Robby Krieger decided to write about one of the natural elements. The title refers to lighting a fire in terms of romantic passion, rather than in a literal sense.
In the Light – Led Zeppelin
Paul Jones, bassist for Led Zeppelin, composed most of this song on a synthesizer. It’s all about finding the light in life and having help through life’s struggles from a loved one. It was never performed in concert because the synthesizer sounds could not be reproduced live.
Love is Eternal Sacred Light – Paul Simon
As its title would suggest, this track is about the sacredness and power of love. It also discusses God and other, more abstract concepts.
Everlasting Light – The Black Keys
This track could be about God’s light or a love interest’s light. It’s about guiding and protecting someone through one’s brightness.
Ray of Light – Madonna
Madonna’s ‘Ray of Light’ is based on another song called ‘Sepheryn.’ It focuses on Madonna’s interest in spirituality through her study of the Kabbalah.
Blinded by the Light – Bruce Springsteen
This was Bruce Springsteen’s first single. It was largely an autobiographical reflection on his life and the people he encountered over the years.
Green Light – Lorde
‘Green Light’ was the first single from Lorde’s second album Melodrama. It’s about the singer trying to move on and find the “green light” to move forward after a real-life heartbreak.
Neon Lights – Demi Lovato
Here’s a track that’s all about the exciting and bright feelings that occur alongside the possibilities of a new love. It inspired the name of Demi Lovato’s Neon Lights Tour.
Lights – Ellie Goulding
This Ellie Goulding hit’s lyrics have a simple meaning; they tackle the singer’s fear of the dark. The track, which also contains references to Electric Light Orchestra, was Goulding’s first US hit quite a while after its release.
Bright Lights – Matchbox Twenty
We hear a story about a girl who wants to act – and her boyfriend who reluctantly lets her go – in this Matchbox Twenty track. It charted in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.
Red Light – U2
U2 sings about the red light districts of Amsterdam and similar cities and their contrast with conservative Ireland. The studio was lit red while recording the track for emphasis.
Light the Sky – Grace VanderWaal
Grace VanderWaal first performed this track during the America’s Got Talent semi-finals. It later appeared on her debut EP. It’s about a powerful love or friendship that outshines other relationships in the protagonist’s life.
One More Light – Linkin Park
This song was written to honor a friend of the band who passed away after a battle with cancer. It was the title of Linkin Park’s seventh album, as well.
Light It Up – Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan sings of hoping a phone will light up with a message from someone special after a fight in this track. Bryan was happily married when writing the track but created its lyrics with an empathetic approach to romantic troubles in the digital age.
More light songs:
- 2000 Light Years From Home – The Rolling Stones
- Flashing Lights – Kanye West
- Morning Light – SizzleBird
- New York in the Dark – The Ad Libs
- Harbor Light – Elvis Presley
- Leave a Light On – Belinda Carlisle
- Flashlight – Jessie J
- Heartlight – Neil Diamond
