"Lights Out" is a song by American rock singer Peter Wolf, formerly of the J. Geils Band, as the epynonymous track from his debut solo album, Lights Out. It was released as a single in 1984 and became his biggest solo hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #12.
Reception The song entered the Hot 100 at No. 56 on July 14, 1984, and reached its peak position of No. 12 on September 8, 1984.
AllMusic described the song as a "bouncing, machine funk monster" and a "raft of catchy, candy-coated '80s pop". Cashbox commented that "Peter Wolf displays the same, soulfoul [sic], gritty vocals that marked his tenure with [the J. Geils Band]".
In popular culture
The song appeared on the soundtrack to the Rob Reiner film The Sure Thing.
Personnel Peter Wolf - lead vocals Elliot Easton, Elliott Randall, Ed Stasium, Rick "Rice" Peppers - guitar Michael Jonzun, Leon Mobley, Gordon Worthy, Peter Wolf - congas Robin Beck, Will Lee, Peter Wolf, Michael Jonzun - backing vocals Yogi Horton - percussion Will Lee - bass Gordon Worthy - keyboards P-Funk Horns Section - horns
Weekly charts Chart (1984)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)46Canada RPM Top Singles15U.S. Billboard Hot 10012
Samples The song was sampled by novelty artist Dickie Goodman in "Election '84".
References