All The Lights
By The Coast
A Night of Dreams and Belief: Unpacking 'All The Lights' by By The Coast
In 'All The Lights,' By The Coast crafts a poignant narrative that captures the essence of a deeply intimate and transformative night. The song opens with the imagery of walking and sitting by the harbor while the world sleeps, setting a serene and almost magical scene. This setting serves as a backdrop for the emotional journey that unfolds, where the lights dancing on the skin symbolize moments of clarity and connection. The repetition of 'I'd do it again' underscores a sense of commitment and the lengths one would go to preserve such a cherished moment.
The lyrics delve into themes of belief and dreams, with the narrator expressing a sense of rediscovery through the other person's faith in them. The line 'I forgot what it's like to be believed in' speaks to a past filled with doubt and perhaps a lack of support. However, the presence of the other person fills the narrator's head with 'a hundred dreams,' suggesting a newfound hope and inspiration. This transformation is further highlighted by the recurring motif of light, which often symbolizes guidance, hope, and enlightenment in literature and music.
The chorus, with its repeated plea to 'kiss me with the lights down now,' adds a layer of vulnerability and intimacy. It suggests a desire to be seen and loved in one's most authentic form, without the distractions or pretenses that light can bring. The repetition of this line, along with the affirmation 'when you said you believed,' reinforces the theme of belief and trust as foundational elements of the relationship. By The Coast uses these lyrical elements to create a song that is both tender and powerful, capturing the essence of love, belief, and the transformative power of a single night.