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The Waifs — Lighthouse
Album: Up All Night
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2110









Released: 2003
Length: 3:14
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Lighthouse tall and grand
Standing on that cold headland
Shine your light across the sea
For a wayward sailor girl like me

Lighthouse man
Guide this sailor back to land
Steer my ship on through the storm
Back to water safe and calm

Sometimes I need a lighthouse for my own
Because it gets so dark I can't see which way I'm going
Oh lighthouse man I'm all at sea
Shine a little lighthouse light on me
Lighthouse man I'm all at sea
Shine a little lighthouse light on me

Lighthouse man can't help us all
Some he'll save and some will fall
He'll show you where the danger lies
But he can't help it if you capsize
He'll light your way but that is all
Steer your own ship back to shore

Won't you light my lonely way back home
This sea is full of misery and woe
Oh woe betide those that say
They don't need no light to light their way
They think they're safe enough on their own
Drown in murky depths below

We all need a lighthouse for our own
Because it gets so dark I can't see which way I'm going
Oh lighthouse man I'm all at sea
Shine a little lighthouse light on me

oh light house man im all at sea
shine your little lighthouse light on me x4
Comments (130)add comment
Wonderful to hear The Waifs on RP. Great band from my home state of Western Australia. 
Posted 7 months ago by adelaide68    [ Reply ]
A "Waif" is a homeless abandoned child.
Posted 8 months ago by Devaplan    [ Reply ]
Saw them a number of years ago at the Cambridge Folk Festival. They are excellent live and recommend buying their "A Brief History" live double CD.
Posted 1 year ago by orderofmaguuma    [ Reply ]
 mermansf wrote:

If you look at the artist, album, song, the i is a lower case L.




LOOKS LIKE a Greek upper case letter I to me
Posted 1 year ago by imluggr    [ Reply ]
Well, I USED to be a Lighthouse Keeper....  
Posted 2 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]
 tomperth1 wrote:

Great to hear The Waifs on RP!  A terrific Aussie band from a beautiful part of the world - Albany, Western Australia.



They—and this—have been here since the RP early days. I got Waifs when I first heard them here back then. 
Posted 3 years ago by CDREUT    [ Reply ]
I like listening to this while eating fish from a coal fire on Highway One 
Posted 3 years ago by drawcard    [ Reply ]
Great to hear The Waifs on RP!  A terrific Aussie band from a beautiful part of the world - Albany, Western Australia.
Posted 3 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
If you look at the artist, album, song, the i is a lower case L.
Posted 3 years ago by mermansf    [ Reply ]
Whatta' swingin' little number. I think I was tapping *both* feet at some point! :-)
Posted 3 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
They played the intimate B Street Theatre in Sacramento Aug 2019 What a great show!
Posted 5 years ago by proguesser    [ Reply ]
Haven't listened to this album in a while... Love this tune.
Posted 7 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
Perfect for a stinking Friday arvo heading into the Christmas weekend.
Posted 8 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
They are touring N America right now!
Posted 9 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
So smooth so good
Posted 10 years ago by TimMorgan    [ Reply ]
If at least one of your feet is not moving while you're listening to this, it seems you're dead... or deaf as a stone.
{#Bananajam}
Posted 10 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano} ........ excellent track from a superb album  9
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
looking for a home in the heart of the country ?
Posted 10 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 maxmox wrote:
Everyone in my village likes THIS (where the Waifs kicked off)

 

surely there must be at least one person? your granny? (lol)
Posted 11 years ago by garrettb    [ Reply ]
Everyone in my village likes THIS (where the Waifs kicked off)
Posted 11 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Tell her I loved the opener for Cockburn in Quebec city from mike in London still
Posted 12 years ago by Mike_S    [ Reply ]
I love this song , i listen to it all the time on my i-pod!{#Bananajam}
Posted 13 years ago by Snoopy2    [ Reply ]
fredriley wrote:
sidroseph, did you really have to quote a comment history in your attack? Do you know how sad that looks? More to the point, you've used up half the page pushing other comments off the page, which is mildly anti-social...
10% anti-social, 90% awesome.

Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 choderama wrote:

It doesn't look that sad really. It's kind of humerous to see how many negative comments there were. Pushing the comments off the page... who cares really.

 
oh noes page 2  {#Roflol}

Though I do wish those links were also at the top of the comments section, would occasionally make searching for a date a bit easier.
Posted 13 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Every time I see this group's name I think, "Tom Waits" for a quarter of a second. Then, after my hopes are dashed I realize that I could use a bit more Tom Waits on this station...but either way, Radio Paradise is awesome.
Posted 13 years ago by brianbf1986    [ Reply ]
Fun song! Definitely added to my vacation playlist. :)
Posted 14 years ago by audiophelia    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
sidroseph, did you really have to quote a comment history in your attack? Do you  know how sad that looks? More to the point, you've used up half the page pushing other comments off the page, which is mildly anti-social. If you have it in for another poster and want us to see how miserable s/he is, then just tell people to click on her/his handle to see their comments history.
 
It doesn't look that sad really. It's kind of humerous to see how many negative comments there were. Pushing the comments off the page... who cares really.

Posted 14 years ago by choderama    [ Reply ]
sidroseph, did you really have to quote a comment history in your attack? Do you  know how sad that looks? More to the point, you've used up half the page pushing other comments off the page, which is mildly anti-social. If you have it in for another poster and want us to see how miserable s/he is, then just tell people to click on her/his handle to see their comments history.
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
ah... the waifs... make me miss my days down under!!!   great, just great band and music
Posted 14 years ago by juanos    [ Reply ]
Love this!
Posted 14 years ago by Susan_Ssun    [ Reply ]
They were down a Waif when I saw them in concert a few years back. The lead singer was pregnant. Unless... the child can be considered a waif, then they'd be up one. The concert was pretty loud. I wonder if the child is, too.
Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
South Manitou Island lighthouse

The infamous Manitou Passage, where the world of beachbumming and bodysurfing first altered my mind to the music of the Kinks, the latter drifting up from somewhere in Chicago to reach my lowly Magnavox AM transistor radio.

 
I'm kayaking there this spring; can't wait for that moonlit crossing . . .

Posted 14 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
gorgeous, i could listen to them all day.
Posted 15 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
Another great Aussie band that just seems to roll on, the girls have great vocals.
Posted 15 years ago by Spud    [ Reply ]
Nice set Bill.  Great song off of an excellent album.  Nice song to wrap up the work day with.
Posted 15 years ago by RC_in_Bezerkeley    [ Reply ]
for this kind of songs I tune in in RP!
not the 'most exiting' 'new' 'best' 'spectacular', but .... intimate & authentic.

keep it rollin' bill
Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
One word: Awesome
Posted 15 years ago by Vinni_NL    [ Reply ]
great? more like annoying!
Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
This is great - surprised I haven't heard it on RP before!
Posted 15 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
 Alafia wrote:
NUMBER ONE.  On my must-see-live list of musicians.
Whenohwhen will they ever come to the Eastern US??
 
Just as soon as it fills up with Aussie ex-pats like here in UK, so.....never i guess

Oh and the version on the recent live album is better which is why this gets a 9 instead of the 10 it would otherwise receive.
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Yup, these Girls and Guy rock! No question.  I give it a 9 along with most of thier other material.{#Bananajam}
Posted 15 years ago by ubastard    [ Reply ]
NUMBER ONE.  On my must-see-live list of musicians.
Whenohwhen will they ever come to the Eastern US??

Posted 15 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
Terrestrial radio would do much better by embracing artists like this. Otherwise, it's just the same-old forever.

Posted 15 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
So this is where KT Tunstall began!
Posted 15 years ago by somebloke    [ Reply ]
South Manitou Island lighthouse

The infamous Manitou Passage, where the world of beachbumming and bodysurfing first altered my mind to the music of the Kinks, the latter drifting up from somewhere in Chicago to reach my lowly Magnavox AM transistor radio.

Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Spectacular guitar treatment.

Wow. Cool groove.

Posted 16 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
SinBlossom wrote:
Love this for the toe-tapping music, the rich vocals, and the artistic lyrics. Seems like everyone has a different interpretation of them.

And some very fun pleasant guitar playing.

Posted 16 years ago by gutboy    [ Reply ]
Cover art is very... waiflike
Posted 16 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
Josephine wrote:
The Waifs are purely awesome!
I completely agree! This is a great CD. Get it, get it, get it!
Posted 16 years ago by rvontha    [ Reply ]
I woulda guessed that this is Kelly Willis--surprised to hear that they're from Australia! Nice!
Posted 17 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Love these gals (and guy). Very talented, and great live.
Posted 17 years ago by teapot    [ Reply ]
bokey wrote:
Lighthouse fight!!!
Posted 17 years ago by FAY    [ Reply ]
LOVE the Waifs...
Posted 17 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
Bill, you're per-fect! Don't change a thing!
Posted 17 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Not true. Boston Light is the last manned lighthouse in the US. https://lighthousegetaway. com/lights/boston. html
Lighthouse fight!!!
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Love this tune, Play more Waifs, great band, see them live! Buy their discs!
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
I love this band - Thanks RP
Posted 17 years ago by ubastard    [ Reply ]
Alright, this is totally nerdy. . .but has anyone here played the PC game Stronghold? And if so, did that opening guitar lick totally make you think of it? Because it did me!
Posted 17 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]
shell wrote:
The Waifs ARE great.... and there's more where they come from....in a place that enjoys 23 degrees in the middle of winter....I feel so patriotic.....
Shell means Broome. Yo!
Posted 17 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
hippiechick wrote:
Actually there isn't a single lighthouse left in the US that has a "lighthouse man." They are all automatic now.
Not true. Boston Light is the last manned lighthouse in the US. https://lighthousegetaway.com/lights/boston.html
Posted 17 years ago by Tireux_De_Roche    [ Reply ]
Since they're not Americans, maybe they're singing about Oz lighthouses. Which may still have yet to be automated. hippiechick wrote:
Actually there isn't a single lighthouse left in the US that has a "lighthouse man." They are all automatic now.
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
No. Get your facts straight. There are plenty that are historic landmarks and remain in public hands. Zep wrote:
And private, too. The gov has sold them all off.
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Love this for the toe-tapping music, the rich vocals, and the artistic lyrics. Seems like everyone has a different interpretation of them.
Posted 18 years ago by SinBlossom    [ Reply ]
hippiechick wrote:
Actually there isn't a single lighthouse left in the US that has a "lighthouse man." They are all automatic now.
And private, too. The gov has sold them all off.
Posted 18 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Actually there isn't a single lighthouse left in the US that has a "lighthouse man." They are all automatic now.
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Saw these guys in 2001 in a hotel room in Vancouver for the Big Night on the Drive. Even then, they had that mysterious quality which sets 3% of players apart.
Posted 18 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
i like her voice. good song.
Posted 18 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
... ...
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Say, this rocks. Unexpected.
Posted 18 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
nice song - easy and happily!
Posted 18 years ago by iMacomania    [ Reply ]
It's a rare song that you play that propels me immediately to the artists' website. In this case I was shocked at these Aussie kids playing American Roots music! What a nice find! Thanks!!!
Posted 19 years ago by chuck_flacks    [ Reply ]
i love this track. i've loved it since day one, but i've not rated it until tonight. bizarre. any rate, it's a solid 9. excellent. ^_^
Posted 19 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
The Waifs are an amazing group. Very easy to dance to. A must see in concert if you have the opprotunity! :) Keep the groove go'n.
Posted 19 years ago by laughingflower    [ Reply ]
catchy! an 8
Posted 19 years ago by Tux    [ Reply ]
another name on my must get list. sounded like patty g. to me at first.
Posted 19 years ago by mem_313    [ Reply ]
Darlington wrote:
Bought their two disc live CD a couple of months ago. Its excellent and a good introduction to the band. They certainly have, for lack of a better word, a lot of spunk. Highly recommended.
New "Waifs" listener here... thx for the great recommendation!
Posted 19 years ago by Pate    [ Reply ]
I like it. Sounds like Sheryl Crow singing.
Posted 19 years ago by Four-Five    [ Reply ]
Roverfish wrote:
I was there as well...tore the house down, IMO. Good stuff, and great to hear here. Here here! :-)
Bought their two disc live CD a couple of months ago. Its excellent and a good introduction to the band. They certainly have, for lack of a better word, a lot of spunk. Highly recommended.
Posted 19 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
radiomao wrote:
Didn't know who they were when I saw them at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2003, but they put on a great show! -- A small clan of Aussies performing confidently in the middle of Americana heaven -- really earned my respect! I got all the recordings I could find as soon as I got home...love to hear them still!
I was there as well...tore the house down, IMO. Good stuff, and great to hear here. Here here! :-)
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Didn't know who they were when I saw them at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2003, but they put on a great show! -- A small clan of Aussies performing confidently in the middle of Americana heaven -- really earned my respect! I got all the recordings I could find as soon as I got home...love to hear them still!
Posted 20 years ago by radiomao    [ Reply ]
guitarwhisperer wrote:
Love it. Don't know how those down-under lassie's get the roots thing so dead-on, but by gum, they do. I 'm pretty picky about my roots music, but this has me tappin' the toes! Gets an 8! Is the rest of their stuff this good?
I happened to catch them last weekend at the Paradise in Boston, and I was less than impressed. I was kind of bored; it felt like they hit the "roots thing" a little too dead on, like it lacked the soul that comes so easy to a band like the Jayhawks... but then again, that''s just me.
Posted 20 years ago by Chunnamark    [ Reply ]
Love it. Don't know how those down-under lassie's get the roots thing so dead-on, but by gum, they do. I 'm pretty picky about my roots music, but this has me tappin' the toes! Gets an 8! Is the rest of their stuff this good?
Posted 20 years ago by guitarwhisperer    [ Reply ]
ksb wrote:
This is indeed a catchy little tune, but is anyone else struck by how well this describes additction and recovery from it?
it also describes well the process of codependent relationships, and probably other things as well.
Posted 20 years ago by keemun    [ Reply ]
This is indeed a catchy little tune, but is anyone else struck by how well this describes additction and recovery from it?
Posted 20 years ago by ksb    [ Reply ]
these guys are great.
Posted 20 years ago by matta    [ Reply ]
The Waifs ARE great.... and there's more where they come from....in a place that enjoys 23 degrees in the middle of winter....I feel so patriotic.....
Posted 20 years ago by shell    [ Reply ]
phineas wrote:
You'll have a blast! I was first exposed to them live, when they opened for The Be Good Tanyas in Vancouver. I love TBGTs, but The Waifs blew them off the stage!
I saw the same show in lotus land. I had never heard the Waifs, and was expecting a generic girls with guitars folk type band but this band is so much more. "London Still" is quite commonly stuck in my head.
Posted 20 years ago by chaosonio    [ Reply ]
Its kind of disturbing how much this sounds like the original.
Posted 20 years ago by wxman    [ Reply ]
Not bad, in fact, pretty darn good. Hope to hear more of them. Thanks again, Bill for opening up another can of good stuff for our delectation.
Posted 20 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
Bought the CD and love it! Thank you RP!
Posted 20 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Has me bobbing my head back and forth Catchy little tune. Kind of reminds me of Jewel (country pop). I'll give it a thumbs up.
Posted 20 years ago by t66tah    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
add another artist to the "must have" list.
and to the "must see" list! They're very good live.
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
add another artist to the "must have" list.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
I saw them play live at a free show in Santa Monica on the pier last summer. They were incredible. Every song was catchy, fun, well crafted and I found out as I played them over in my head over the next few days very memorable. I remember them looking like they were having so much fun up there. I searched out the album and bought it, searched out another ("sink or swim") and after a few listens determined that I had a new band to love. What more could you ask for? Don't we all live for a musical discovery like this? Thanks for listening... : - )
Posted 20 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
Amazon wrote:
the opening guitar licks of this cut remind me of Jorma K
Or the opening guitar licks of John Prine's Flashback Blues. How 'bout some more Prine, or some Prine?
Posted 21 years ago by Freebish    [ Reply ]
the opening guitar licks of this cut remind me of Jorma K
Posted 21 years ago by Amazon    [ Reply ]
The Waifs opened up for Dylan at Solomon's Island (Maryland) last summer the first time I saw/heard them - they were the best act that night. They walked quietly on to the stage and with an acoustic guitar through a shoe-box-sized Fender Champ amp, half a drum set and a bass guitar they opened with Lighthouse - how fitting for Solomon's with the sailboats on the Chesapeake in the background. Vikki's voice cut through the night air and instantly quieted a restless Dylan-bound audience. When they finished, the standing ovation was more than earned and they quietly walked off stage. After several minutes Joshua came out and crated his own amp and helped David pack up his drums. When is the last time you saw that? They are as modest and unassuming as they are talented.
Posted 21 years ago by chesapeake    [ Reply ]
I know there's this big buzz about them, but I saw them at a festival in Bloomington, IN and I just didn't get what all the commotion was about. I mean they were good, but people just seem to go nuts over these guys. I just didn't see anything totally new, unique or brilliant in what they do. Well I guess I'm just in the minority on this one.
Posted 21 years ago by llazare    [ Reply ]
Love this.. and the message of personal responsibility is great, too!
Posted 21 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Sweet.... THE perfect relaxing music for the hard and tedious work as Software Engineer ;-) Cheers, Doomsday
Posted 21 years ago by doomsday    [ Reply ]
MsfStl wrote:
Can't wait to see these guys in St. Louis on Nov. 12th, 2003! Thank you RP for turning me on to these guys and so many others! (pimp)
You'll have a blast! I was first exposed to them live, when they opened for The Be Good Tanyas in Vancouver. I love TBGTs, but The Waifs blew them off the stage!
Posted 21 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
Can't wait to see these guys in St. Louis on Nov. 12th, 2003! Thank you RP for turning me on to these guys and so many others! (pimp)
Posted 21 years ago by MsfStl    [ Reply ]
Good piece about them on NPR this morning. Why is it that no matter what a singer\'s SPEAKING accent is when they sing it\'s gone? :roll:
Posted 21 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Art_Carnage wrote:
Cute song, but it tends to go on a bit long.
Cute font, but I can't read your message without replying to it.
Posted 21 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
Cute song, but it tends to go on a bit long.
Posted 21 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Thanks, raschaffner, for uploading this. It appeals to quirky sense of humor . . . has a subversive cast to it . . . ! It seems done just for the joy of playing and singing.
Posted 21 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
Just saw them randomly on Yonge St. in Toronto--absolutely fantastic show. This guitar player instantly became one of my favorites.
Posted 21 years ago by coldatlantic    [ Reply ]
Catchy little diddy
Posted 21 years ago by Roto    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Leslie: If this song is indicative of the rest of their work I must check them out! This is a great tune. Good beat, nice vocals, great harmonica, wonderful guitar...What's not to like?
Well said!
Posted 21 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Freaky...I haven\'t listened to RP in weeks, and the 3rd song played after I turn it on is this one...which I uploaded! Cool.
Posted 21 years ago by raschaffner    [ Reply ]
Just saw the Waifs at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. And here I find that I had been listening to them all this time on RP & hadn\'t noticed. One more example of how RP expands my horizons. I recommend seeing them live if you get the chance - they put on a good show.
Posted 21 years ago by grizzly_anderson    [ Reply ]
If this song is indicative of the rest of their work I must check them out! This is a great tune. Good beat, nice vocals, great harmonica, wonderful guitar...What\'s not to like?
Posted 21 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ChicoCyclist: The Waifs will be at the Kate Wolf Festival later this month...they're worth the ticket price alone!
I'll be there. Great line-up and venue!
Posted 21 years ago by cbellak    [ Reply ]
The Waifs will be at the Kate Wolf Festival later this month...they\'re worth the ticket price alone!
Posted 21 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Nice song. They got any others.
Posted 21 years ago by cbellak    [ Reply ]
It\'s chick music. Which is exactly what my brother is becoming because he likes this.
Posted 21 years ago by eval    [ Reply ]
I\'m pleasantly surprised to find this up-and-coming band on RP. I think we will be hearing a lot more from the waifs in the next few years...
Posted 21 years ago by astromud    [ Reply ]
Glad to see I\'m not the only person who thought this was Joan Osborne too... --d
Posted 21 years ago by lindydallas    [ Reply ]