The band's music is an eclectic mix of genres, including alternative rock, indie rock, and pop. They are known for their energetic and emotional live performances, which are often accompanied by elaborate visuals and lighting.
X Ambassadors' breakthrough came with the release of their debut album, "VHS," in 2015. The album spawned several hit singles, including "Renegades," "Unsteady," and "Jungle," which have collectively amassed over a billion streams on Spotify alone. "VHS" also featured collaborations with other artists, including Imagine Dragons and Jamie N Commons.
One of the band's defining characteristics is their willingness to address personal and social issues through their music. For instance, "Unsteady" is a poignant reflection on the Harris brothers' upbringing with a mother who battled substance abuse, while "Renegades" is a call for rebellion against societal norms.
X Ambassadors have also been vocal advocates for mental health awareness and have worked with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation. In 2019, they launched their own initiative, the "Joyful Tour," which aimed to destigmatize mental health issues and promote self-care among fans.
In addition to their studio albums, X Ambassadors have released several EPs and singles over the years, showcasing their versatility as a band. They have also collaborated with other artists on various projects, including the soundtrack for the Netflix film "Bright" and the song "Home" with Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha.
Kerosene Dreams
X AMBASSADORS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on light it up, light it up
Hold up your lighters
Cause tonight we on fire
Light it up, light it up
Come on light it up, light it up
Hold up your lighters
Cause tonight we on fire
Tell my ma take care of us
You know things looking perilous
All my siblings and cousins too
Man we for life, we can make it through
We can still persevere
Turn darkness in tears
Come on light it up, light it up
Come on and burn bright
My friends, when your world is caving in
Put your lighters in the air, air, air
Put your lighters in the air
Light it up, light it up
Come on light it up, light it up
Hold up your lighters
Cause tonight we on fire
Light it up, light it up
Come on light it up, light it up
Hold up your lighters
Cause tonight we on fire
Broken bottles on the floor
Broken promises and more
People come and people go
Just sit back and enjoy the show
Through the darkness and daze
Through the smoke and the haze
Come on light it up, light it up
Cause we gonna burn bright
My friends, when the darkest days ahead
Put your lighters in the air, air, air
Come on, turn up
You and me
Turn up, gasoline
Put your lighters in the air, air, air
Put your lighters in the air
Put your lighters in the air
Put your lighters in the air, air, air
Put your lighters in the air, air, air
Put your lighters in the air
Put your lighters in the air
The song 'Kerosene Dreams' by X Ambassadors is an uplifting anthem about finding hope and perseverance even in the midst of difficult times. The repeated refrain of "light it up" and "hold up your lighters" is a call to action, urging the listener to rise above their struggles and shine bright like a flame. The opening lines of the song paint a picture of family and community, with the singer urging their mother to take care of them and assuring their siblings and cousins that they can make it through anything together. Despite the broken bottles and broken promises that litter the floor, the song encourages listeners to sit back and enjoy the show, embracing the chaos and unpredictability of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Light it up, light it up
Let's start a fire or set something ablaze, possibly as a symbol of passion, energy or something worth fighting for
Come on light it up, light it up
Encouragement to join in the cause and contribute to the energy
Hold up your lighters
Raising a lighter above one's head as a gesture of unity, solidarity, or remembrance
Cause tonight we on fire
This is our time, and we are burning with enthusiasm, excitement, and passion
Tell my ma take care of us
Asking for protection and care, possibly as a way of saying goodbye or a reminder of family and loved ones
You know things looking perilous
Acknowledging and accepting the dangerous or difficult situation at hand
All my siblings and cousins too
Including the whole family, extended or not, in the hardships and celebrations
Man we for life, we can make it through
We are in this together, and we will survive and thrive no matter what happens
We can still persevere
We have the strength and resilience to endure and overcome any obstacle
Turn darkness in tears
Coming out of a difficult situation with a renewed sense of purpose, clarity, or emotional release
My friends, when your world is caving in
Speaking to a friend or a community going through tough times, and how they can still find strength and support in each other
Put your lighters in the air, air, air
Asking for a show of solidarity, strength, and hope by raising lighters as a symbolic gesture
Broken bottles on the floor
A visual depiction of chaos, violence, and destruction that can happen in life
Broken promises and more
Acknowledging the disappointment, hurt, and betrayal that can also happen in relationships
People come and people go
Recognizing the transient nature of life, and how friendships, relationships, and opportunities can come and go
Just sit back and enjoy the show
Encouragement to stay calm, find humor or enjoyment in difficult situations, or take a moment to appreciate life
Through the darkness and daze
Going through tough times or confusion, and finding a way to see through it
Through the smoke and the haze
Navigating a difficult or foggy situation with clarity or determination
Cause we gonna burn bright
Affirming the commitment, energy, and passion of the group, and how they will shine through adversity
My friends, when the darkest days ahead
Similar to previous verse, but with an added reference to how things might get even worse in the future, and how they will still stay together and persevere
Turn up, gasoline
Metaphor for adding fuel to the fire, or a way of showing how they will keep their passion and energy alive
Put your lighters in the air
Repeating the earlier chorus, as a way of reminding everyone of the symbolic gesture and the collective strength it represents
Writer(s): Adam Levin, Alexander Junior Grant, Samuel Nelson Harris, Casey Wakeley Harris
Contributed by Levi W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.