Story Behind The Song

True situation where my daughter moved straight from college to NYC... with Brooklyn being the only affordable borough. She is determined to expand her modeling career and become a working actress. As any parent might know, a young adult's self doubt and frustrations and sadness can require careful acknowledgment and sorting out. "How's those lights in Brooklyn" was an opening phrase from me whenever a late night phone call came in and I suspected encouragement and mood-lifting was required. This song is a summation of advice and encouragement given over her first year. Beyond the literal advice, there is an emotional father secretly worried yet hoping for the best and knowing his daughter has great capability to succeed. As an epilog, not part of the song, three years later she has moved up in the world to Manhattan high-rise and is experiencing great success and boundless confidence. The song photo is her in a magazine shoot on a NY rooftop.

Song Description

Long distance parent of child fresh out of college staking her claim in New York, living in meager Brooklyn accommodations, and working to build a career. Dreaming of acting and the brighter lights of Broadway. The singer is a parent from the writer's perspective but this song can translate to a long distance friend or lover who strives to support and encourage the subject and provide sage advice. Asking "How's those lights in Brooklyn" is an ice-breaker for phone conversation but poetically a metaphor for how everything is going and if her path is clear in her quest... Each verse is a combination of phrases that commiserate and recognize the struggle and also phrases that are instructive and insightful in terms of getting beyond doubts and having confidence early in the plan, example "you never lose for trying, and you never win until you do, and every new day means you're lucky, and every old day you got through.."

Lyrics

Lights In Brooklyn
(Lyrics and music by Barry E. Thompson, 2025, All Rights Reserved, Registered BMI)

(VERSE 1)
How's those lights in Brooklyn?
With such a long day come to end
Would plain night sky seem brighter?
Or is that just the mood you're in?
It's hard to know where you're goin'
When your trip is just begun
And somethings always missing
And somethings already been done

(CHORUS)
So how bright are the lights tonight in Brooklyn?
I wish I could see you from here
How bright are the lights tonight in Brooklyn?
I know you're going somewhere

(VERSE 2)
Do you fight the lights in Brooklyn?
To dream them bigger on Broadway?
It's just a subway ride to times square
But the dream seems farther away
Well you never lose for trying
And you never win until you do
And every new day means you're lucky
And every old day you got through

(CHORUS)
So how bright are the lights tonight in Brooklyn?
I wish I could see you from here
How bright are the lights tonight in Brooklyn?
I know you're going somewhere

(VERSE 3)
How's those lights in Brooklyn?
With such a long year come to end
Well, dreams like yours don't get old
And hope never cost anything
I wish for sweet dreams in Brooklyn
To swirl around your sleeping head
And when it seems dim in Brooklyn
you'll shine your own light instead

(CHORUS-OUTRO)
So how bright are the lights tonight in Brooklyn?
I wish you could see me from there
How bright are the lights tonight in Brooklyn?
I hope your way is clear
Under the lights in Brooklyn
How bright are the lights tonight in Brooklyn?
I know you're going somewhere

(All rights reserved, Barry E. Thompson, 2025)