[Intro – spoken, dry] Every December, our street blows a fuse. Not just the power. The ego grid too. [Verse 1] Number 12 put a reindeer on the roof this year, neon nose blinking like the end is near. Number 10’s got Santa in an inflatable sleigh, takes up half the driveway, no one parks there anyway. Projector snowflakes on a brickwork wall, fake North Pole in a five-step hall. I plug in one warm string, feel absurd, next door just installed a second sun and a reborn bird. [Pre-Chorus] Every house keeps turning up the glow, current-ly we’re terrified of lying low. [Chorus] Light war, light war, Christmas light war, every year we’re brighter than before. From “just a wreath” to “visible offshore”, tell me, watt are we competing for? Light war, light war, Christmas light war, posing with our porches like a store. If your joy needs forty thousand lights, who you trying to convince tonight? [Verse 2] Number 8’s got candy canes that pulse on beat, sync’d to a playlist, traffic stuck along the street. Number 5’s full nativity show on loop, plastic baby Jesus in an EDM troupe. Power grid humming like it might give out, someone live-streams just to show the clout. I hang one star, feel “under-lit”, apparently my soul’s not “festive-fit”. [Pre-Chorus 2] Every bulb’s a little “look at me” sign, we’re power-tripping on the same old fear to not shine. [Chorus] Light war, light war, Christmas light war, front-yard galaxies and plastic snow galore. From “just a string” to theme-park on your lawn, no one knows what planet we’re on. Light war, light war, Christmas light war, all that glow and still we’re wanting more. If your peace needs LEDs on blast, what are you hiding in the dark out back? [Bridge] Somewhere on this street there’s one small flat, one paper star and that’s just that. No drone-shot magic, no timed display, just a kettle on and a quiet “stay”. Maybe they’re the only ones who won, no “who’s more lit” race to outshine the sun. ’Cause if love fits in a single window’s glow, why’s the rest of us burning down the whole damn road? [Breakdown – chant] Light war, light war, Christmas light war, turn it up, add some more. “More is merry”, says the floor, tripping on our own décor. Light war, light war, Christmas light war, who’s all this electric for? Pull the plug, hear the house restore, one small light could do much more than a full-scale Christmas light war. [Final Chorus] Light war, light war, Christmas light war, every year we’re brighter, slightly sore. Under all the shine and roar, we’re just scared of being plain next door. If your heart is flickering, unsure, no amount of fairy lights will cure. So tonight I’ll leave one candle on, cut the wattage, keep the bond. If it’s love you’re looking for, you won’t find it in a light war. [Outro – spoken, dry] Nice lights, neighbour. Next year I’ll try something radical: less lumen, more human.
