Leave The Lights On

Album: Detroit Muscle (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is Ted Nugent's tribute to his brother John, who died in 2020 at 66. "You just never stop crying," he told Songfacts. "He was such a man, such a force."

    "My heart comes out through the guitar," Nugent added. "I wrote it for his wife, son, and daughter to try to fortify them."
  • Nugent quotes part of his classic song "Stranglehold" in describing what he's trying to convey here:

    Some people think they're gonna die someday
    I got news: You never gotta go


    "If you leave your mark, which John did, then anytime you want, he can be with you," Nugent said. "It's a song of heartbreak and hope that I think every human understands and seeks, and I believe, celebrates."
  • "Leave The Lights On" is an outlier on the Detroit Muscle album, which is filled with high-energy rock and roll. But Nugent will slow it down a bit when he gets reflective. "I'm an emotional guy," he said. "Both outrageously fire-breathing celebratory and heartbreaking tears of blood."

Comments: 1

  • AnonymousJust heard this song. Cried like a baby. I've been a fan of Ted's since I was 10 and I'm 56 now. It's like he's family. I feel the pain in his playing. Takes me back to the Song "Alone" from the State of Shock album. It will hurt like hell when Ted's gone.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."