Lighten Up

Album: Skeletons (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by John and TJ Osborne with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, this swampy rave-up plays on the titular phrase in several ways.

    They'll be walking into the roadside bar around the time the lights go on.

    When the sun goes down
    We'll be rollin' up
    About the time to lighten up


    The brothers are lighting up a cigarette in the car and passing it around.

    Southpaw pass it around
    Gon' keep the windows up
    'Cause we'll be lightin' up


    People are getting too serious about this world gone crazy. We can uplift others by showing them we care.

    Maybe everybody could lighten up
    When the road gets a little tough, give a little love


    Being part of a crowd singing along to an anthemic song will boost your mood too.

    And put your lighters in the air then light 'em up
  • John Osborne told Country Town: "'Lighten Up' is a song about us realizing we need to take a load off, relax for a minute, get together and enjoy each other."
  • Brothers Osborne recorded the song for Skeletons, an album released on October 9, 2020 amid the COVID pandemic. TJ Osborne told Billboard they recorded it with live concerts in mind and "Lighten Up" opening the show. Because they couldn't tour due to the coronavirus pandemic, they recorded the tracks with their touring band, "So hopefully the album does act as a placeholder to be the next best."
  • John and TJ Osborne give a shout-out to their older brother:

    Now, Brotha Jimbo ain't no late night toker
    Never been one to roll with the holy rollers


    Another Skeletons track, "Dead Man's Curve," is loosely based on John and TJ's sister.
  • The Brothers Osborne reunited with former tour mate and "Burning Man" duet partner Dierks Bentley to perform this song at the 2021 CMT Awards.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."