Work / Family Business / Track 05
Traffic Lights
A synth-led song about growing up, feeling stuck, and recognising that people are always changing.
Family Business mood board
Commentary
“Traffic Lights” is a song that has been years in the making. It is a song I had wanted to write for a long time, but I didn’t know how to put the words to paper. It tells a story of growing up, feeling stuck and unsure of yourself, while recognising that, as a person, you are constantly changing and evolving, and that no one is one-dimensional.
The instrumental is heavily influenced by one of my favourite songs, “Supercut” by Lorde. It is a very electronic, synth-led song that is catchy and memorable, but at first listen you do not realise the heaviness and symbolism of the lyrics. That is something I tried to achieve with my own song.
Credits & collaborators
- Ann O’Connor: sings the lullaby.
- Josh Croly: collaborated on every track, writing multiple guitar parts for some songs and helping to produce tracks.
Studio audio
Full current version for assessment listening.
Lyrics
Traffic Lights
Verse 1
Standing, waiting
For the bus that never comes
You’re 10 and it’s raining
You’ll remember this for years to come
Staring out the window in the back of the car
Feels like life is never ending, never get very far
You’re 12 and complaining
You’ll learn soon, that’s who you’ve become
Pre-chorus
The years speed up while you slow down
When living was simple, and noise was just sound
On a one-way street, there’s no turning back
Just you and me, tryna stay on track, on track
Chorus
Traffic lights, have we missed our stop
Traffic lights, you have to grow up
Traffic lights, keep going, give it all you’ve got
Traffic lights, you’re nearly home, don’t stop
And you’ll be asking, are we there yet?
You’ll be asking, are we there yet?
Verse 2
You meet yourself ten years from now
Have a lot of thoughts, what would you ask about?
Ask about
Cuz the future felt bright and nothing was certain
You live your life just a different version
A different person
Sentimental insanity, I don’t know what’s wrong with me
Standing on my own two feet
I can’t let go of bittersweet reality
Verse 3
Hatchback, flashback to when you were young
Naive assumptions when you were drunk
And you get drunk
Freddles the world, sherbet dips
Partying, independence, someone’s lips
Paydays, haydays, things you might miss
Chorus
Traffic lights, have we missed our stop
Traffic lights, you have to grow up
Traffic lights, keep going, give it all you’ve got
Traffic lights, you’re nearly home, don’t stop
And you’ll be asking, are we there yet?
You’ll be asking, are we there yet?
Lullaby
We’ll be home in a minute home in a minute
Angel of mine
We’ll be home in a minute home in a minute
That’s not much time
Angel of mine
Angel of mine