Description
Kim Carnes – Lighthouse – Vinyl Record
Kim Carnes – Lighthouse, released in 1993, is a deeply personal and understated album that marked a significant shift from the pop-driven, chart-topping sound she was known for in the early 1980s, especially following the massive success of Mistaken Identity (1981) and the hit single “Bette Davis Eyes.” On Lighthouse, Carnes takes a more introspective and mature approach, blending elements of Americana, folk, soft rock, and adult contemporary, with lyrics focused on emotional resilience, love, and reflection.
Lighthouse trades in the sleek, synthesizer-heavy production of her earlier work for a more organic, rootsy feel, featuring acoustic guitars, piano, warm harmonies, and occasional bluesy touches. Carnes’ signature raspy voice is still front and center, but here it’s used less for pop drama and more for subtle, heartfelt storytelling. Her vocal delivery feels lived-in, sincere, and often intimate—well suited to the album’s tone of quiet strength and spiritual searching.
The album leans into metaphors of guidance, inner light, and navigating difficult emotional terrain. The title Lighthouse itself evokes images of safety, hope, and perseverance, and these ideas echo throughout the songs. Tracks like “Gypsy Honeymoon” and “If You Don’t Want My Love” showcase her ability to blend romance with a kind of quiet independence. Meanwhile, songs such as “Sparks Fly” or “Lighthouse” reflect a more spiritual or philosophical bent, touching on renewal and personal growth.
Though Lighthouse didn’t generate the commercial impact of her earlier albums, it was warmly received by critics and longtime fans who appreciated its maturity and artistic sincerity. It revealed a side of Carnes that was more songwriter than pop star, aligning her more closely with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Rosanne Cash, or Shawn Colvin, who also embraced Americana-rooted storytelling in the 1990s.
Lighthouse stands as a quietly compelling chapter in Kim Carnes’ career—an album that trades flashy hooks for emotional nuance and depth. It’s a record best experienced in a contemplative mood, offering thoughtful lyrics and restrained, beautiful arrangements that reward attentive listening.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic but promo hole in jacket
Track Listing
Divided Hearts
I’d Lie To You For Your Love
Black And White
Piece Of The Sky
You Say You Love Me (But I Know You Don’t)
Dancing At The Lighthouse
Love Me Like You Never Did Before
Along With The Radio
Only Lonely Love
That’s Where The Trouble Lies
