Back to the Light (song)

Back to the Light

CD single - UK - 1st edition.

Artist Brian May Published 1992-09-28 Composer Brian May Genre Rock ballad Themes Depression, Growth, Redemption Rating

Back to the Light is a rock ballad written and sung by Brian May. It was first released on 1992-09-28 as the titular song on Back to the Light as track 2, and then as a single that following November with the guitar version of Nothin' but Blue as the B-side.

On the album recording Brian May sings and play guitar, Cozy Powell plays drums, Gary Tibbs plays bass, and backing vocals are supplied by Gill O'Donovan, Maggie Ryder, Miriam Stockley, and Suzie O' List.

The song appears to be about helping someone who is going through depression to return to a state of happiness.

Personal

This is my favorite song off the album. Brian paints a pretty desolate picture, not at all sugar-coating the sad aspects of life, but, at the same time, is encouraging and uplifting. I really love how he focuses on the inner turmoil, "winning and losing an inner war, wonder what we do it for." One of my favorite lyrics is near the end where he give his assurance that things will be okay, "I'm holding on, believe it, we'll be walking in the light, 'cause they'll be no place left to hide."

The guitar solo after the bridge, and the the one in the outro are both fantastic.

Lyrics

There is one filler lyric that I can't make out near the end of the song and it's not included in the album's printed lyrics.

Far, far from the light,
Hear the night creatures call.
With a cold breath they howl.
All the hollow hours,
They're calling you.

I'll be there,
No matter what your going through.
In the dark I care.
I'm holding on, I'm hoping on,
It's still the same old me inside.

Back to the light.
Back to the streets that are paved with gold.
Back to the light.
Back to the land where the sunshine heals my soul.

Deep, deep in the night,
When the world fills with tears.
And the wind blows,
Colder and colder it grows.
And the fire dims,
With the same old fears.

I'll be there,
Though maybe you don't hear me babe.
I still care,
No matter when, I'll still be there,
When you make it to the other side.
And I'm going back.

Back to the light (back to the light).
Back to the streets that are paved with gold.
Back to the light.
Go back to the land,
Where the sunshine heals my soul.
Yeah, yeah.

On and on,
Searching for a clearer view.
Winning and losing an inner war.
Wonder what we do it for.
Though the road seems never ending,
Hold on to the hope I'm sending through.
Yeah.

No matter what your going through,
In the dark I care.
I'm holding on, believe it,
We'll be walking in the light,
'Cause they'll be no place left to hide.

Back to the light.
Go back to the streets that are paved with gold. (Yeah, yeah)
Back to the light.
Yeah, I'm goin' back to land,
Where the sunshine heals my soul.
(Where ???)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah!)

Back to the light.
Back to the light.
Back to the light.
Back to the light.
Go back with me.
Back to the light.
Yeah, yeah!

Media

Album Art

The Back to the Light single cover was used for the US release of the album. However, the US album puts the title in the star graphic from the UK album release rather than just the text below the image.

• 

  UK CD cover.

Videos

Album version with lyrics.

Live at the Brixton Academy, 1993.

Links

   

• queensongs.info/song-analysis/songwriting-analyses/no-synth-era/sheer-heart-attack/dear-friends - Song analysis.
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_the_Light - Wikipedia page for the main album.