City Lights
Ray Price
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A bright array of city lights as far as I can see The great white way shines through the night for lonely guys like me The cabaretes and honky tonks their flashing signs invite A broken heart to lose itself in the glow of city lights Lights that say forget her name in a glass of cherry wine Lights that offer other girls for empty hearts like mine They paint a pretty picture of a world that's gay and bright But it's just a mask for loneliness behind those city lights The world was dark and God made stars to brighten up the night The God who put the stars above I don't believe made those lights Oh it's just a place for men to cry when things don't turn out right Just a place to run away and hide behind those city lights Lights that say forget her love in a different athmosphere Lights that lure are nothing but a masquarade for tears They paint a pretty picture but my arms can't hold them tight And I just can't say I love you to a street of city lights
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
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Written by: ANDRES TITUS, WILLIAM R. MCLEAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
14 facts about this song
Country Music Origin"City Lights" is a country music song written by Bill Anderson and performed by Ray Price. This song secured its place in the golden era of country music.
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Songwriting FeatBill Anderson was only 19 years old when he penned the song. This makes him one of the youngest country music songwriters to create a hit song.
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Chart TopperThe song was an instant hit, and Ray Price's version scaled to number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in July 1958.
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Duration of Popularity"City Lights" stayed at the top of the Billboard country chart for an impressive total of 13 weeks and helped cement Ray Price’s place in country music history.
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Prolific CoversThe song's popularity has led to it being covered by other artists over the years, including country music giants like Mickey Gilley and Dottie West.
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Notable CoversMickey Gilley's version of "City Lights" also charted at number 1 in 1975, making it one of the few songs to reach the top spot with two different artists.
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Signature Song"City Lights" became a signature song for both Bill Anderson as a songwriter and Ray Price as an artist.
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Historical ImportanceThe song is historically significant, as it represents the Nashville sound, a sound that defines country music in the 1950s and 60s.
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LegacyToday, "City Lights" is regarded as one of the classic country songs and is a testament to the enduring legacy of both Bill Anderson and Ray Price.
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Induction into Country Music Hall of FameBoth Bill Anderson and Ray Price were given a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame, in large part, due to their contributions to country music and successes like "City Lights".
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Song Inspiration"City Lights" was allegedly written by Bill Anderson from the viewpoint of his WJJC Commerce apartment, looking at the street lights around Commerce square.
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Album Success"City Lights" was the title track of one of Ray Price's most successful albums.
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Country Music Television RecognitionIn a ranking by Country Music Television (CMT), "City Lights" was placed 84th on their list of the 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music in the year 2003.
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Ray Price's Career BoostThe popularity and success of "City Lights" played a huge role in defining Ray Price's career and shaping his future work.
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"City Lights Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1663016/Ray+Price/City+Lights>.
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