I’m going back to a time when we owned this town
Down powder mill lane in the battlegrounds
We were friends and lovers and clueless clowns
I didn’t know I was finding out how I’d be torn from you
When we talked about things we were gonna do
We were wide-eyed dreamers and wiser too
We’d go down to the rides on east parade
By the lights of the palace arcade
And watch night coming down on the sovereign light café
I’m begging you for some sign
But you’ve still got nothing to say
Don’t turn your back on me, don’t walk away
I’m a better man now than I was that day
Let’s go down to the rides on east parade
By the lights of the palace arcade
And watch night coming down on the sovereign light café
Let’s go down to the bandstand on the pier
Watch the drunks and the lovers appear
To take turns as the stars of the sovereign light café
I’m going back to a time when we owned this town
Down powder mill lane in the battlegrounds
We were friends and lovers and clueless clowns
I didn’t know I was finding out how I’d be torn from you
When we talked about things we were gonna do
We were wide-eyed dreamers and wiser too
We’d go down to the rides on east parade
By the lights of the palace arcade
And watch night coming down on the sovereign light café
Let’s go down to the bandstand on the pier
Watch the drunks and the lovers appear
To take turns as the stars of the sovereign light café
I wheel my bike off the train
Up the north trade road
And look for you on Marley lane
In every building, in every street side
Oh, why did we ever go so far from home?
Well, you’ve got nothing to hide
You can’t change who you really are
You can get a big house and a faster car
You can run away, boy, but you won’t go far
Let’s go down to the rides on east parade
By the lights of the palace arcade
And watch night coming down on the sovereign light café
Yeah! I’m going where the people know my name
Yeah! I’m going where the people know
Nostalgia and Lost Connections
“Sovereign Light Café (Afrojack Remix)” is a heartfelt journey back to a simpler time, filled with memories of friendship, love, and youthful dreams. The lyrics paint vivid scenes of carefree days spent on powder mill lane, sharing laughter and plans for the future. There’s a strong sense of longing, as the narrator revisits places once filled with joy, now shadowed by distance and change. The song captures the bittersweet ache of nostalgia—remembering the innocence and optimism of the past while grappling with the realities of growing up and growing apart.
Searching for Home and Identity
The track also delves into the theme of searching for belonging and identity. Through lines about returning to familiar streets and seeking familiar faces, the narrator expresses a desire to find home, both in place and in people. The refrain underscores the importance of authenticity, reminding us that material changes can’t replace true connection or erase who we are at our core.
Song Credits
- Artist: Afrojack
- Songwriters: Tom Chaplin, Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes, Jesse Quin
- Release Year: 2012
- Label: Island Records