"Bright Lights" is a song by American alternative rock group Matchbox Twenty. The song was released on July 28, 2003, as the third single from their third album, More Than You Think You Are (2002). "Bright Lights" peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 50 in Australia and New Zealand.
Content The song was written by lead singer Rob Thomas, and is about a girl who leaves her hometown to pursue an unspecified career of some fame, possibly Broadway. Throughout the song, he pleads with the girl to let her know that she is encouraged to return home if things don't work out. According to Thomas, "Bright Lights" may be his favorite song he has recorded.
Music video The video is taken directly from footage released on the DVD Show: A Night in the Life of Matchbox Twenty, and as such, is a live performance. As he also does in the studio version of the song, Thomas plays the piano, and towards the end, lead guitarist Kyle Cook jumps atop the piano.
Track listing UK and Australian CD single "Bright Lights" "Disease" (live) "Bright Lights" (live)
Credits and personnel Credits are taken from the More Than You Think You Are album booklet.
Studios Recorded at Bearsville Studios (Bearsville, New York) and The Hit Factory (New York City) Mixed at The Hit Factory (New York City) Mastered at Marcussen Mastering (Hollywood, California)
Personnel
Rob Thomas – writing, vocals, piano Kyle Cook – background vocals, lead guitar Adam Gaynor – background vocals, rhythm guitar Brian Yale – bass Paul Doucette – drums, percussion Greg Leisz – pedal steel Matt Serletic – keyboards, production Greg Collins – recording, additional mixing Jim Scott – mixing Chris Testa – mixing assistance Mark Dodson – Pro Tools, digital editing, additional engineering Pat Woodward – additional engineering Stephen Marcussen – mastering Stewart Whitmore – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2003)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (2003)PositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)27US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)92 Chart (2004)PositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)7US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)88
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJuly 28, 2003AtlanticAugust 11, 2003Contemporary hit radioAustraliaSeptember 15, 2003CDUnited Kingdom
References