The song is about the quiet, selfless side of true leadership and mentorship—prioritizing kindness, patience, and integrity over fame or control, even when no one is watching.
It celebrates the people who "leave the lights on" by creating a steady, reliable path for others to follow, offering guidance and hope without seeking recognition or praise.
Ultimately, the narrator finds fulfillment not in personal glory, but in being useful to those who are lost or unsure, trusting that the real legacy is in helping others keep moving forward and passing the light along.

Leave the Lights On

Winnipeg composer, retired from the farm, still chasing meaning in melody. My work lives where TV cues meet YouTube soundscapes, with a few albums in between. Built in Mixcraft Pro, fuelled by late-night coffee, stubborn curiosity, and a Stoic’s sense of timing. Also writing on politics, history, and philosophy, because sound isn’t my only instrument.

Leave the Lights On

Wayne Mathison