lights lyrics journey meaning

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Lyrics submitted by WhT LytEniN

Lights Lyrics as written by Neal Joseph Schon Stephen Ray Perry

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group

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i always associated it with Green BAY, seeing as how it says city by the BAY duhh -Kevin

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yes! thank you fellow wisconsin person of awesomeness!<br /> <br /> lol, but seriously, thanks to you i will now and forever be reminded of the great state of wisconsin.

Journey's best.

go ahead. argue.

and, yes, it is about San Fran, but I'd like to think it's about my home town, sea-town.

and computwiz - Journey is not a singer. journey is a band. Steve Perry is a singer. for a band. called journey. shoots

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I used to listen to this song every mourning on the ride to my daycare. And to me it's about Seattle. Thats my city, but now it had a greater meaning when I was all the way out in butt fucking Iraq fight a war. I come back in August 2003. Hey friends does that give a good enough instight for a great song.

This is a great song...one of my favorites. Joyrney is a good band. And with regards to that Los Angeles comment...I, too, must laugh. Everybody knows that San Francisco is the city by the bay.

@zacster He said it's definitely about LA but had to change the name when he got called to join the band. He wrote this song before he joined Journey<br /> <br /> hollywoodreporter.com/news/journeys-steve-perry-joins-eels-711540

actually, compuwiz is kinda right...Steve Perry originally wrote this song about LA, then had to change it when he joined Journey to make it about San Fran cuz that's where the rest of Journey was from...i got your back compuwiz!!

hell yeah CT man. I have great memories of hearing this song on the radio while driving up I-91 throught hartford. Not a city by the bay in any means, but its still a good feeling.

YES THIS SONG IS ABOUT SAN FRANSICO, NOT LOS ANGELES! A really great memory I have of this song is when I was a kid me and my family flew to San Fransico. It was at like 2:00 in the morning when the plane was about the hit the runway, and they played this song during the landing process. Since the airport is right in the bay, MAN the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge lit up with this song playing was so beatuiful, and at the same time so emontional. Passengers were crying, it definatley is something I will remember for ever. This song always cheers me up because it makes me think of that time. Steve Perry has a powerful, and heart touching voice.

This would be a great story, if you could actually see the GG bridge from the Airport!

The fact that one single radio standard Journey song could incite such heated debate is a major source of entertainment for me at this moment.

Sure, I am easily amused. Just as Compuwiz19 is positively weird. Whats next? The assertion by FaRvELvR1992 that its about green bay? Oh, wait. wouldnt want to give anyone any ideas...

Probably my favorite Journey song (just an inch above Separate Ways).

I always love thinking about how with a few judicious changes to the lyrics, it could really be a song about wanting to go home to any city. Yeah, I know it's about San Francisco, but it's nice to imagine it could be about Tampa, New York City, or even Hell, Michigan if one felt like it. That's how universal the sensibility it invokes is.

Even though this is about San Francisco, it was written in Los Angeles, where the band had relocated. Steve Perry explained in an interview with Joe Benson of Arrow 93.1 FM: "I had the song written in Los Angeles almost completely except for the bridge and it was written about Los Angeles. It was 'when the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on LA.' I didn't like the way it sounded at the time. And so I just had it sitting back in the corner. Then life changed my plans once again, and I was now facing joining Journey. I love San Francisco, the bay and the whole thing. 'The bay' fit so nice, 'When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay.' It was one of those early morning going across the bridge things when the sun was coming up and the lights were going down. It was perfect."

'City by the Bay' IS synonymous with San Francisco(Bay Area) and that's where Steve is from but this song can be interpreted as anyone's 'city by the bay'.

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Yearning for City Lights: Journey's Melancholic Tale

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The lyrics of "Lights" by Journey convey a sense of nostalgia, longing, and a yearning for a place that holds deep personal significance. The song's central theme revolves around the idea of home and the emotional connection one has to a specific location, in this case, the city by the bay, which is often associated with San Francisco. The opening lines, "When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the bay," set the scene and immediately create a vivid image of the city at dusk. This imagery evokes a sense of melancholy and a desire to be in that place.

The recurring phrase "I want to be there in my city" underscores the singer's intense longing to return to their hometown. It reflects a strong emotional attachment to this place and a feeling of being incomplete or disconnected when away from it. This theme of longing and homesickness is reinforced by the lines, "So you think you're lonely, well, my friend, I'm lonely too," which suggest that the singer is experiencing a profound sense of loneliness and isolation in their current location, emphasizing the idea that home is where they truly belong.

The mention of "mornings out on the road without you" hints at a life of travel and perhaps a career that takes the singer away from their beloved city. The phrase "without your charms" implies that the city holds a unique and irreplaceable allure, something that cannot be replicated elsewhere. This emphasizes the idea that home is not just a physical place but a source of comfort, memories, and a deep emotional connection.

Overall, "Lights" by Journey is a heartfelt expression of the longing for a special place that represents home and belonging. It captures the universal feeling of nostalgia for a cherished location and the emotions tied to it. The song's evocative lyrics and imagery make it relatable to anyone who has experienced a strong attachment to a particular city or hometown, making it a timeless and emotionally resonant piece of music.

Meaning of Lights by Journey

"Lights" by Journey is a song about the longing for home and the feeling of loneliness on the road. The singer expresses his desire to return to the familiar sights of his city, San Francisco, as he feels a deep sense of nostalgia and yearning for the place he calls home. The chorus, "When the lights go down in the City, and the sun shines on the bay, I wanna be there in my City," portrays the idea of wanting to return to a place that is familiar and comforting.

The song can be interpreted on different levels, as it speaks about both physical and emotional homesickness. On one hand, the singer wishes to be back in a physical place where he feels a strong connection to the city and its landmarks. On another hand, he expresses his emotional connection and longing for someone who is missing from his life. The verse "So you think you're lonely, Well my friend, I'm lonely too" suggests that the singer is not just missing his city but also someone he cares about.

Overall, the song "Lights" is about the ache for something we've lost, whether it be a person or a place. It invokes a feeling of nostalgia and yearning for home, and the comfort and sense of belonging it provides.

This meaning interpretation was written by AI. Help improve it with your feedback

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Lights by Journey

• When the lights go down in the city And the sun shines on the bay Ooh, I want to be there in my city Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh So you think you're lonely Well my friend, I'm lonely too I wanna get back to my city by the bay Ooh, ooh, oh-oh It's sad, oh there's been mornings Out on the road without you Without your charms Oh-oh, my, my, my, my, my, my Ooh, ooh, oh-oh When the lights go down in the city And the sun shines on the bay Ooh, I want to be there in my city Ooh-oh-oh (oh, oh, ooh-oh) When the lights go down in the city And the sun shines on the bay Ooh, I want to be there in my city Ooh-oh-oh (oh, oh, ooh-oh) (Oh, oh, ooh-oh) Writer/s: Neal Joseph Schon, Stephen Ray Perry Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Wixen Music Publishing Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind
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Comments: 24

• Tobias from Walsrode , Germany Still I am very impressed , even After decades of Years passing by, my JOURNEY-cds are Constantly in the Air, just Discovered several YouTube-Videos.... to Continue ROCKING .... STAY HEALTHY!!
• Terri from Long Beach, Wa This song was originally written by Steve Perry while he lived in Los Angeles. It wasn't quite right so he put it aside. When he joined Journey it came with him. Neal Schon helped to suggest some changes in the song that made it work. The rest is history.
• Mary from Castle Rock, Co I love this song. I grew up listening to Journey in the 80's. When I graduated from High School we went for our Senior Trip to San Francisco and took a ride on of their bay area boats and OF COURSE they played this song...will never forget it. It brought me goosbumps. I can still remember who I danced this song with, that's how vivid my memories are of this song. Proud to be from the Bay Area!!! Love you Steve Perry!
• Sandra from Gardnerville, Nv Hey James, San Jose, CA...Too funny! First, though...Steve Perry...What an incredible rock n' roll vocal! I love the song and the way he sang it! Anyway...While I heard the reference to this song/LA for the first time right here, I have to laugh about the SF Giants, thing. Although, I am a LA Dodgers Fan, I was in attendance to hear a friend of mine actually sing the National Anthem at Candlestick at an SF Giants game, (It was on the Fourth of July at a Giants/Dodger game. I don't remember what year for the life of me...details are sketchy...LOL), his elderly dad was there for it and it was a very special moment for all of us. Speaking of the SF Giants, I have a cute story about Will Clark and Mackey Sasser...
• James from San Jose, Ca 3. And finally, while it's personally disappointing to learn about the "L.A." thing, I had a great "Lights" moment in San Francisco. I was at a Giant's game back when they played at Candlestick Park. It was July 4, but San Francisco weather, it was actually rainy. By the end of the game, the rain had turned to a mist, and as they prepared for the July 4 fireworks, they played Lights as they dimmed the stadium lights. I know it was planned that way, but with the mist and everything, it was just a beautiful moment that I'll never forget.
• James from San Jose, Ca 2. lol Wish I could delete my last comment. Here is a 2nd Joe Benson interview with Steve Perry: http://steveperryfanclub.homestead.com/OffTheRecord.html The "L.A." claim is true, and it's about sunRISE on the Bay according to Perry. There you have it.
• James from San Jose, Ca 1. Here's the Joe Benson interview with Steve Perry: http://steveperryfanclub.homestead.com/OffTheRecord3.html There is NOTHING about the song being written about L.A., so stop the rumors.
• Jeff from Seal Beach, Ca I also heard the interview with joe benson on the radio in los angeles where steve perry mentions the lyrics originally were l.A., not the bay. He also mentioned other lyrics about lights referring to los angeles that he had to change to fit the s.F. Image..I love the song but it was originally about los angeles, not San Francisco
• Teri from Ca., Ca In an interview with Joe Benson, Steve Perry talked about this song. Originally, he wrote this song about Los Angeles. The original lyrics said "when the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on L.A.". (The person(s) that mentioned this fact before was correct) When Steve joined Journey he changed it, removing the L.A. reference and added references to the bay area/San Francisco after driving across one of the bridges.
• Beau from San Francisco, Ca So Steve Perry longs for San Francisco while he's in LA, but the distance doesn't make him forget that the San Francisco looks EAST over the bay. I have enjoyed many a sunrise and Steve describes the feeling spectacularly.
• Brandon from Peoria, Il Actually if you think of the "lights going down" as the city's lights fading OFF. Then it makes sense. It would be refering to early morning in San Fransisco. BUT...since the sun rises in the EAST, the sun would not be coming up over the bay at the time...OKAY try this...Late evening, with the sun setting over the San Fransisco Bay and the city's lights coming ON just before dark...that sounds about right :)
• Robert from San Francisco, Ca When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay. Doesn't happen very often but wouldn't trade it. Journey had it right - right Tilton.
• Casey from Pensacola, Fl yep... he may have been in LA, but he says "I want to get back to my City by the bay" right in the lyrics. seems pretty clear to me...
• Paul from Cincinnati, Oh I love this song. It always makes me feel sentimental.
• Matthew from East Brunswick, Nj Terrific song, Excellent guitar riff. Journey rocks!
• Becki from Hendersonville, Tn This song Is about San Francisco.I belong to a Steve Perry website and they have years of archives of interviews.Steve himself said it was about San Francisco.
• Jennifer from San Antonoi, Tx Note to Emo in San Jose, the lyrics actually say: "When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the BAY..." not LA
• Aj from Cleveland, Ga I also love the guitar solo.
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, Sc Well, I know the songs have different beats, but the beginning still sounds like something Hendricks would have done.
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, Sc great song! It's one of my favorites by them! I love the guitar solo. The beginning of the song sounds similar to the beginning of 'little Wing' by Jimi hendricks. Does anyone agree with me?
• Emo from San Jose, Ca Reportedly, Steve Perry did in fact originally write the song in L.A. and the lyrics were something like "When the lights go down in the city and the sun shine on L.A...."
• Tony from San Francisco, Ca This song may have been partially written IN L.A., but last time I checked, San Francisco was the city by the bay.
• Josh from C.p, Mn the song was actually written about LA since steve wrote parts of it while he lived in LA
• Chris from Aurora, Il Steve Perry has an amazing voice, and this is one of the songs that I listen to when I just get tired of bands who have talent, but still get airtime on the radio.

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Journey – Lights lyrics

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Lights meanings

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Journey - Lights - Lyrics Meaning

The song "Lights" by Journey was not originally a hit; however, it gained popularity over the years. The song is thought to be about San Francisco because of the reference to the "City by the Bay." However, the song was actually written originally about Los Angeles. The band is originally from the San Francisco area; however, they relocated to LA later on and wrote the song about this city. The original lyrics to the song were "When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on LA" However, Perry didn't like the way this flowed and later changed the lyrics to "The sun shines on the bay."

Steve Perry states in an interview that the song was brought back to focus when he first joined Journey and they decided that the lyrics "by the bay" were much more suitable since the band originated from the San Francisco area. This was the first song that featured Perry as the lead singer of Journey and references the beauty of the sunset in San Francisco as it reflects off of the bay. This song was featured on the album "Infinity" which was the last album that featured Aynsley Dunbar as the drummer. He was later replaced by Steve Smith because he was "incompatible" with the band.

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Journey - Lights Lyrics

Artist: Journey

Album: Greatest Hits

Genre: Rock

When the lights go down in the City And the sun shines on the bay I want to be there in my City Oh, oo, oh Ohh, oo, ohh Oh, oo, oh So you think you're lonely Well my friend I'm lonely too I want to go back to my City by the bay Ohh, ohh Oh, oo, oh It's sad, oh there's been mornings Out on the road with you Without your charms Oh, oo, oh My, my, my My, my, my Ohh, ohh Oh, oo, oh When the lights go down in the city And the sun shines on the bay I want to be there in my City (Oh, oo, oh) Ohh, oo, oh Oh, oh, oh When the lights go down in the city And the sun shines on the bay I want to be there in my City Oh, oo, oh Ohh, oo, oh Oh, oh, oh (Hmm) Ohh, oo, oh Oh, oh, oh

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Journey : Lights Meaning

Song Released: 1978

Lights lyrics.

They miss the feel of Sam Francisco, where the band is from, "when lights go down in the city" san Francisco "and the sun shines on the bay" the san Francisco bay "Oh I want to be there in my city" he wants to be in san Francisco "so you think your lonely well friend I'm lonely too" he is lonely without the city and the people there

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• Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding’s “Lights” Lyrics Meaning

by Sabrina Chitty · Published April 28, 2022 · Updated May 18, 2023

While some may think “Lights” is about Ellie Goulding facing  suicidal thoughts , this is actually not the case. Ellie has expressed that it’s about her childhood fear of sleeping in the dark. In a 2013 interview with  CNN  , Ellie said while growing up, she slept with her two sisters in the same bedroom because she apparently feared sleeping on her own. According to her, as an adult she has to now sleep with the lights on unless she’s with someone.

The Lyrics of “Lights”

Apparently the “queen” referred in the first verse of the track would be Goulding herself. In this case, Goulding felt like a queen back in her family home and now that she’s on her own, she feels like she’s been “overthrown” from the throne. This new change of being alone makes it hard for her to sleep since her childhood fear of the dark is now probably affecting her more.

Some of the many reasons why this fear (also known as “ Nyctophobia ”) occurs in children are related to their fear of ghosts, monsters, and strange noises. Feeling like one may die is one of the emotional symptoms in relation to this fear. When such fears are irrational or too big to control, it usually manifests worse things in our head.

Goulding shows that her fear has gotten the best of her when she hears noises in her head. She has probably tried many times to sleep with the lights off but when she does, the fear makes her feel like she’s going to die. However, when she turns the lights on at night, she feels safer.

In the chorus, we find Ellie directly addressing someone special in her life whose presence gives her the strength and courage to surmount her predicament (her intense fear of the darkness). It is not exactly clear who this person or entity is. But what is made abundantly clear is that this entity or person makes their presence available to Ellie whenever she is alone in the “darkness” and rescues her from turning “to stone” (i.e. being petrified) simply by shining “the lights” for her.

With this entity’s presence and light by her side, Ellie is able to summon the courage not to be afraid and remind herself to “be strong” to overcome the obstacles of fear brought on by the darkness surrounding her.

“You show the lights that stop me turn to stone You shine it when I’m alone And so I tell myself that I’ll be strong And dreaming when they’re gone ‘Cause they’re calling, calling, calling me home Calling, calling, calling home You show the lights that stop me turn to stone You shine it when I’m alone”

Release Date of “Lights”

On November 1st, 2010, “Lights” was released as single #2 from Goulding’s re-released debut album, “Bright Lights” through Polydor Records.

Goulding had  tweeted  on 8 th  September, 2010 of the news of her single.

Did Ellie Goulding write “Lights”?

Yes. Together with Goulding, two other songwriters contributed to the writing of “Lights”. They are:

• Richard “Biff” Stannard

Stannard and Howes are part of the music production and songwriting trio,  Biffco . They’ve worked with notable artists such as Spice Girls, Atomic Kitten and Little Mix.

We Have a Massive Hit on our Hands!

Upon release, “Lights” met with global success, even making to #1 in Poland. However, in the United States, it took a while before becoming famous. And when it did, it made it all the way to number 2 on America’s most important singles charts, the Hot 100. Simply put, in the US, “Lights” became what is said to be a sleeper hit – a song that initially didn’t meet with success upon being released but goes on to become very successful later on. In Ellie’s home (the United Kingdom), it also experienced some decent success. It was a top-50 hit in the UK.

Goulding has stated that “Lights” enjoying the remarkable success that it did took she and her team by great surprise. According to her, nobody was expecting it to be that big!

To date, “Lights” remains Ellie’s most successful song in the United States (where it has sold over 6 million copies and gone 6 times Platinum).

Notable Usage

“Lights” was part of the soundtrack in 2013 American crime movie, “ Spring Breakers ”. The movie starred likes of James Franco, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens.

The Bassnectar remix of “Lights” was sampled in American rapper Lupe Fiasco’s “Lightwork” in 2011.

In Omar Rodriquez-López’s 2016 solo album “Blind Worms Pious Swine”, a cover of Goulding’s “Lights” was featured in it. 

“Lights” was covered by American hard rock band Through Fire in their debut album, “Breathe” in 2016.

Between 2012 and 2013, iconic American rock band Blondie frequently covered “Lights” into their classic song, “ Atomic ” during live performances.

In addition to the above, a ton of popular  YouTubers  have also covered this track. Some notable ones include those done by the following:

• Boyce Avenue
• Tiffany Alvord

The “Lights” Album

English singer, Ellie Goulding , had “Lights” officially released on the 26th of February, 2010. It was released as the singer’s first studio album.

The album was however reissued on the 29th of November, 2010 under the title, “Bright Lights”. This version comprised of 7 additional songs including Ellie’s hit single, “Lights”. The said song became the singer’s most successful single in the United States.

Ten years later, the album was re-released as “Lights 10” to commemorate its tenth anniversary. It was officially made available to the public on February 26 of 2020.

The album was produced by a team of highly acclaimed record producers, including Liam Howe and Fraser T. Smith.

German-British record label, Polydor Records, was the record label responsible for the album’s release.

In addition to the release of four singles form “Lights”, Ellie embarked on a tour aimed at promoting the album. She also performed at a number of music festivals including, the 2010 Glastonbury Festival, iTunes Festival, 2010, 2010 V Festival and the Open’er Festival.

The album did not only receive positive accolades from music critics around the world, it also put up an impressive commercial performance. Within its first week of release, it recorded sales of almost 40,000 copies in the United Kingdom alone. It became 2010’s 24th best-selling album in the UK. By 2020, “Lights” had recorded sales of almost a million copies in the UK. As of 2021, it was certified 2x platinum by the BPI in the UK and platinum in the US as well as Canada.

“Lights”, landed on the UK’s OCC at No. 1, it peaked at No. 21 and No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and Australia’s ARIA respectively. It ranked within the top-10 in both Scotland and Ireland, peaking at No. 6 in both countries.

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Great song and magnificent vocals. I share her same fears and I’m a grown man

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Tags: Ash Howes Biffco Ellie Goulding Lights Richard "Biff" Stannard

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About Lights

"Lights" is a song recorded by American rock band Journey and written by Steve Perry and Neal Schon, released in 1978.

 Struggling with Lights? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!

Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded. During that period, the band released a series of hit songs, including 1981's "Don't Stop Believin'", which became in 2009 the top-selling catalog track in iTunes history. Its parent studio album, Escape, the band's eighth and most successful, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and yielded another of their most popular singles, "Open Arms". Its 1983 follow-up, Frontiers, was almost as successful in the United States, reaching No. 2 and spawning several successful singles; it broadened the band's ap… more »

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Written by: Stephen Ray Perry, Neal Joseph Schon

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

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"Lights Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. < https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30169011/Journey/Lights >.

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Know any other songs by journey don't keep it to yourself, image credit, the web's largest resource for, music, songs & lyrics, a member of the stands4 network, watch the song video, top hot 100 songs 1978, billboard #68, more tracks from the album, original album classics: 5 albums.

• #2 Feeling That Way
• #4 La Do Da
• #5 Patiently
• #6 Wheel in the Sky
• #7 Somethin' to Hide
• #8 Winds of March
• #10 Opened the Door
• #11 Majestic
• #12 Too Late
• #13 Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'
• #14 City of the Angels
• #15 When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)
• #16 Sweet and Simple
• #17 Lovin' You Is Easy
• #18 Just the Same Way
• #19 Do You Recall
• #20 Daydream
• #21 Lady Luck
• #22 Don't Stop Believin'
• #23 Stone in Love
• #24 Who's Crying Now
• #25 Keep On Runnin'
• #26 Still They Ride
• #28 Lay It Down
• #29 Dead or Alive
• #30 Mother, Father
• #31 Open Arms
• #33 Don't Stop Believin' [Live Version] [Live]
• #35 Open Arms [Live Version] [Live]
• #36 Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
• #37 Send Her My Love
• #38 Chain Reaction
• #39 After the Fall
• #40 Faithfully
• #41 Edge of the Blade
• #42 Troubled Child
• #43 Back Talk
• #44 Frontiers
• #45 Rubicon
• #46 Only the Young
• #46 Only the Young [*]
• #47 Ask the Lonely
• #47 Ask the Lonely [*]
• #48 Liberty
• #48 Liberty [*]
• #49 Only Solutions
• #49 Only Solutions [*]
• #50 Girl Can't Help It
• #51 Positive Touch
• #52 Suzanne
• #53 Be Good to Yourself
• #54 Once You Love Somebody
• #55 Happy to Give
• #56 Raised on Radio
• #57 I'll Be Alright Without You
• #58 It Could Have Been You
• #59 The Eyes of a Woman
• #60 Why Can't This Night Go on Forever

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