Trick of the Light Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Wide awake in the middle of the night
I wonder how she's feeling
Is it just a trick of the light
Or is her ceiling peeling?
She's sitting up in bed, shaking her head
At a copy of "True Confessions"
Oh it must seem like a fairy tale
To a woman of her profession
[Chorus]
But was I all right? (was I all right?)
Did I take you to the height of ecstasy?
Was I all right? (was I all right?)
Did a shadow of emotion cross your face
[Hook]
Or was it just another trick of the light?
{Bass solo: John Entwistle}
[Chorus]
[Hook]
What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?
They don't make girls like you no more
And I'd like to get to know you on closer terms than this
But I guess you've heard it all before
[Verse 2]
Lady of the night
Won't you steal away with me?
Lady of the night
Won't you steal away with me?
The money's lying on the floor
She looks at me, shakes her head, and sighs
Out of time, out the door
Red light shining in my eyes
[Chorus]
[Outro]
All right?
But was I all right?
All right?
About
The third John Entwistle-penned track on Who are You, Trick of the Light covers a narrator’s feelings of inadequacy and love towards a prostitute. It is notable for its driving bass riff and was rarely played live in concert. However, its performances on the 1979 tour marked the only times Pete Townshend ever played bass live onstage with Entwistle.
This track’s sound is so brutal it must count for about 3 tracks. Alembic 8-string bass solo on this sounds like a musical Mac truck. Strange that such a big chap should be so paranoid about being sexually inadequate with a prostitute.
Roger Daltrey was not as impressed:
That was the one track I didn’t want on the album…It just goes on and on and on and on and I think the lyrics are very witty but it just becomes musically bland to me.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.New Song
- 2.Had Enough
- 3.905
- 4.Sister Disco
- 6.Trick of the Light
- 9.Who Are You
- 10.No Road Romance
- 11.Empty Glass