Bright Lights Lyrics

Attention: open in a new window.

Bright Lights

Words & Music written by Neil Carswell, Chris Anderson and Stu Kimball

It's four o'clock in the morning

and the rain's hittin' hard in front of my headlights.

I've run these empty highways so long

I ain't gonna ever turn back.

I caught that white line fever as a boy

and I fell into the night life.

And Nashville's just an hour ahead

and soon I'll lay my head down for the night.

I've run with the Devil so long

but never figured out how he thinks.

I've seen him drown a working man’s sorrow

in a sea of whiskey drinks,

oh Lord, I got to break away,

I'll pray for you to steer me right,

cause Nashville’s just an hour ahead

and soon I'll lay my head down for the night.

I'm headin' for them bright lights,

I'm rolling down that lonesome road.

There's something in them bright lights

that'll take a man so far from home.

Another tour, one night stands,

sold old bars, guitars, and amps

a ringing in my ears from show to show.

Lord, I ain't never seen no bright lights,

worth the price of leaving home, leaving home !!!

I been through the gates of Graceland,

I've stood beside Elvis' grave.

I've played the blues on Beale St.

got a little taste of fame.

I've felt that mighty Mississippi wind,

blowing in my face.

I worked half my life away,

waiting on a tune to break !!!

And Im headin' for them bright lights,

I'm rolling down that lonesome road.

There's something in them bright lights

that’ll' take a man so far from home.

Another tour of one night stands,

sold old bars, guitars and amps,

ringing in my ears from show to show,

I ain't never seen no bright lights,

worth the price of leaving home.

I caught that white line fever as a boy

and I feel into the night life.

Yes I did!!!

And I’m heading for them bright lights,

I'm still heading for them bright lights.

And Nashville’s just an hour ahead

and soon I'll lay my head down for the night.

This song was written at the cabin in North Carolina, in the summer of the big flood. Stu Kimball came down from Boston to write and we arranged the song there too. After I moved to Nashville I brought in Chris Anderson to work on the song with me and we reconstructed the chorus. We cut a version at Johnny Neel’s studio and decided to recut it again. Stu added the lyric in the second verse, "I've seen him drown a working man’s sorrow in a sea of whiskey drinks," which I thought was a great lyric and much better than the one I had. This song was written and then rewritten, a song of past and present struggles of success, and I feel can be related to not only music but anything career wise sought out in life; the price paid of leaving home and family.

Basic tracks, cutting session, and overdubs recorded at

The Sound Emporium: studios "A" & "B" in Nashville, TN.

Chief Engineer: Mike Poole

Asst. Engineer: Taylor Pollert

Mixed at: The Rec Room, Nashville, TN by Ben Fowler

Mastered by: Richard Dodd, Nashville, TN.

Lead Vocals: Neil Carswell

Drums: Wes Powers

Bass: Randy Threet

Acoustic Guitar, Tambourine & B3 Organ: Stu Kimball

Lap Steel Guitar & Banjo: Russ Paul

Piano & Wurlitzer: Johnny Neel