Bright Lights

Album: Blak and Blu (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Gary Clark Jr. penned this song "about hanging out in New York City." He explained to Artist Direct: "I think it was the second time I've been there. I was running around with some friends. I'm from Austin, Texas, and it's a little slower-paced of a city. Being caught up in that energy, it's exciting, new, and loud. There are billboards everywhere, and it's something I'm not used to seeing all the time. It's basically the experience of what I saw."
  • "Bright Lights" first appeared on Clark's 2010 EP Gary Clark Jr., released on his own label. Clark's reputation grew, and that same year he was invited to play the Crossroads Guitar Festival, and event organized by Eric Clapton as a benefit for his Crossroads rehab center. Clark wowed the crowd with his performance of this song; he stayed on stage for two more numbers, joined by Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Susan Tedeschi, and Doyle Bramhall II. Soon after, Warner Bros. signed him. His first release on the label was Blak and Blu in 2012, which included "Bright Lights" on the track list.
  • This soundtracked a 2011 Jack Daniel's commercial.

Comments: 1

  • Troy from Mars This song is amazing!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.