As Many Candles As Possible

As Many Candles As Possible
Album	Getting Into Knives
Released	October 23, 2020
Length	3:24
Previous Track	"Picture of My Dress"
Next Track	"Tidal Wave"

As Many Candles As Possible is the fourth song on Getting Into Knives. It was the lead single for the album and was released with a lyric video shot by John and Lalitree Darnielle.

Lyrics

When stray dogs finally catch you in the alley
You don't consider their point of view
But when the wounds are healed, and the scars are shiny,
Sometimes then you do

The terms are vicious
Time is tight
No one gets
Too much light

When you see the risen beast in your nightmares
You treat him like a long lost brother
But when you pass him on the streets of the city by day
You pretend you don't recognize each other

The lake is boiling
The fish won't bite
No one gets
Too much light

Seek out a cave by the ocean while you wait out the rain
Dial down the weak bits and crank up the gain
Listen for the prophecy somewhere in the static
Once you've saddled up your pony, burn down the paddock

When pigs gather in the sty to greet the sunrise
They all begin to squeal for joy
It doesn't sound like joy to the untrained ear
And there's plenty of distortion and it's not real clear

You've got a friend downstairs
He howls all night
No one gets
Too much light

Comments by John Darnielle About this Song

• "I was trying to come up with a title that would convey a sort of light that would seem welcome at first until you began to accurately perceive just how bright it was, at which point you would learn to fear it. This is called 'As Many Candles as Possible'." -- 2021-08-23 - Pabst Theater - Milwaukee, WI

Things Referenced in this Song

• “Time Is Tight” is a song written and recorded by Booked T and the MGs in 1968.

Live Shows this Song Was Played at

• 2021-08-06 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
• 2021-08-11 - The Mohawk - Austin, TX
• 2021-08-12 - White Oak Music Hall - Houston, TX
• 2021-08-16 - Meow Wolf - Santa Fe, NM
• 2021-08-18 - The Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO
• 2021-08-19 - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
• 2021-08-23 - Pabst Theater - Milwaukee, WI
• 2021-08-25 - Space - Evanston, IL
• 2021-08-26 - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI
• 2021-08-27 - The Athenaeum Theatre - Columbus, OH
• 2021-10-18 - The Fillmore Silver Spring - Silver Spring, MD
• 2021-10-20 - Royale - Boston, MA
• 2021-10-22 - College Street Music Hall - New Haven, CT
• 2021-10-25 - Brooklyn Made - New York, NY
• 2021-10-27 - Brooklyn Made - New York, NY
• 2021-12-15 - The Jefferson Theater - Charlottesville, VA