Trick Of The Light

Album: Who Are You? (1978)
Play Video
  • Wide awake in the middle of the night
    I wonder how she's feelin'
    Is it just a trick of the light
    Or is her ceiling peeling?

    She's sitting up in bed, shakin' her head
    At a copy of "true confessions"
    Ooh, 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
    Or was it just another trick of the light?
    [Repeat]

    Come on, tell me
    What's a nice girl like you doin' 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

    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 lyin' on the floor, she looks at me
    Shakes her head and sighs
    Out of time, out the door
    Red light shinin' in my eyes

    [Chorus]

    All right?
    But was I all right?
    All right? Writer/s: JOHN ENTWISTLE
    Publisher: WHISTLE RHYMES LIMITED
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Eli from PhiladelphiaSinger Roger Daltrey disliked this song by John Entwistle. He claimed that although it had clever lyrics, it just went on and on for too long.
  • Eli from PhiladelphiaJohn Entwistle had a predilection for prostitutes throughout his later career. It is creepy enough that the day he died, he was found in bed with a groupie in Las Vegas.
  • Guy from Benson, NcGreat song!!!! The whole Who Are You album was great from start to finish.
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaGreat song. I remember when I was a teenager when this came out they would always play this song on the radio.
  • Neil from London, EnglandWhen the Who played this live, John introduced it as "a guy thinks he's a good lover, so he sees a 'professional' to get an expert opinion.. he gets a hooker to tell him he's good in bed..."
  • Pete from London, EnglandI thought this song was awesome...until I actually listened to the lyrics. Oh well, it's still ok I guess. haha.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!