Belinda Carlisle Recruits George Harrison for "Leave a Light On"
"Leave a Light On" is the lead single off of Runaway Horses, the third solo album from Go-Go's lead singer Belinda Carlisle. When the time came to work on "Leave a Light On," producer and songwriter Rick Nowels believed the track needed something, or someone, that could elevate it. As Carlisle recalls:
"Rick [Nowels] said we should get someone cool and with a distinctive style to play the lead guitar part. I thought for a moment and said 'What about George Harrison?' I had met George briefly a few years earlier in San Remo, Italy, and Morgan [Mason, Carlisle's husband], through his work on Sex, Lies, and Videotape - a film Mason had produced for Harrison's Handmade Films - knew someone who was close to [Harrison] and able to get word to him. George responded right away, saying he'd love to help out."
It was a major coup to lasso the living legend, given he rarely worked outside his own projects. Still, Harrison's willingness to contribute was curious, but the rationale behind it was simple: he liked Carlisle's voice, nothing more. And he didn't just contribute a simple slide guitar solo. In fact, Harrison cited his slide guitar solo in the song to be his favorite, saying the solo "had its own little tune which related to the tune Belinda was singing, but it’s also a little composition in its own right, which I was really pleased with.” Cheekily – certainly not unusual for a Beatle – Harrison reportedly told Carlisle's team that he hoped they enjoyed his work, too, because he got a blister while recording his parts.
Who's Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?
Classic Rock Personality Quiz
Who's Your Perfect
Classic Rock Band?
A Personality Quiz · 10 Questions
Five legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?
⚡AC/DC
👅Rolling Stones
🤘Metallica
👑Queen
🎸The Beatles
Begin Quiz →
01
How do you walk into a room?
Choose the answer that feels most like you.
ALike a freight train — loud, fast, and everyone knows I've arrived.
BWith a slow, cool swagger — I take my time and own every step.
CHead down, focused — I'm here for a purpose and small talk isn't it.
DWith total confidence and a flair for the dramatic — all eyes on me.
EWarmly and curiously — genuinely excited to see what and who is here.
Next Question →
02
What does your ideal Friday night look like?
ALoud bar, cold beer, cranked jukebox — the louder the better.
BA smoky club, good company, and doing whatever feels right in the moment.
CIntense concert or staying in with headphones — nothing in between.
DSomething theatrical — a show, a dinner party, an experience worth remembering.
EHanging with close friends, maybe making music, keeping it relaxed and genuine.
Next Question →
03
What's your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?
ASimple is king. A great riff repeated perfectly beats any amount of cleverness.
BKeep it loose and bluesy — the groove matters more than technical perfection.
CGo deep and dark — I want layers, tension, and something that hits hard.
DWhy not both? Elaborate arrangements and hook-driven anthems can coexist.
ECraft every detail — a perfect melody is the result of countless small choices.
Next Question →
04
How would your friends describe your personal style?
ANo-frills, no-nonsense — jeans, a t-shirt, and ready to go.
BEffortlessly cool — slightly dishevelled in a way that somehow always works.
CDark and deliberate — black is a lifestyle, not just a colour.
DBold and expressive — fashion is a form of performance for me.
EClean and classic — timeless over trendy, always put-together.
Next Question →
05
How do you want to be remembered?
AAs someone who never let the energy drop — relentless, loud, and alive.
BAs someone who lived fully and on my own terms, unapologetically.
CAs someone who was brutally honest and made music that meant something real.
DAs someone who transcended genres, boundaries, and expectations entirely.
EAs someone who changed the world — and left it genuinely better than I found it.
Next Question →
06
What kind of crowd do you want around you?
APeople who are there to have a blast — no pretension, just pure fun and noise.
BA mix of rebels and free spirits who don't take themselves too seriously.
CA loyal, passionate crew who are all in — intensity over numbers every time.
DEveryone — I want to unite people who wouldn't normally be in the same room.
EPeople who appreciate craft and feel genuinely connected by the music.
Next Question →
07
If you were writing a song, what would it be about?
AHaving a good time, turning it up, and not overthinking it.
BStreet life, desire, and the rawness of being human.
CAnger, grief, war, or the darker side of the world — music as a weapon.
DSomething epic and emotional — love, loss, triumph, or pure fantasy.
ESomething personal and universal at once — a feeling everyone can recognise.
Next Question →
08
What's your secret to staying relevant over time?
ANever change the formula — if it works, it works. Consistency is everything.
BStay hungry, stay dangerous, and always keep a bit of that rebellious edge.
CEarn respect through dedication — the work and the live show speak for themselves.
DReinvent constantly — never let anyone put you in a box or predict your next move.
EWrite songs so good they can't be ignored, in any decade, in any context.
Next Question →
09
You're playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?
AA wall of sound and sweat — pure, unfiltered energy from first note to last.
BLoose, cool, and dangerous — every song feels like it might fall apart but never does.
CBrutal precision — tight, powerful, and leaving no one unmoved.
DA full spectacle — lights, costumes, vocal acrobatics, and total theatrical command.
EWarm, joyful, and tight — the crowd singing every word back at you.
Next Question →
10
Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music.
This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.
ARaw — stripped back, high-voltage, no frills.
BRolling — fluid, dangerous, built on blues and attitude.
CHeavy — powerful, honest, uncompromising.
DMajestic — theatrical, boundary-defying, unforgettable.
ETimeless — melodic, human, built to last forever.
See My Result →
Your Result
Your Perfect Band Is Revealed
Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…
⚡ AC/DC
You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don't need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You're the person in the room who doesn't overthink it, doesn't pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you've been on it since day one.
👅 The Rolling Stones
You've got swagger that can't be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you've seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You're not chasing perfection — you're chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can't always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.
👑 Queen
You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone's permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.
🎸 The Beatles
You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you're a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You've changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.
↩ Retake Quiz
Who's Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?
Classic Rock Personality QuizWho's Your PerfectClassic Rock Band?A Personality Quiz · 10 QuestionsFive legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?
⚡AC/DC
👅Rolling Stones
🤘Metallica
👑Queen
🎸The Beatles
Begin Quiz →
01
How do you walk into a room?Choose the answer that feels most like you.
ALike a freight train — loud, fast, and everyone knows I've arrived.BWith a slow, cool swagger — I take my time and own every step.CHead down, focused — I'm here for a purpose and small talk isn't it.DWith total confidence and a flair for the dramatic — all eyes on me.EWarmly and curiously — genuinely excited to see what and who is here.
Next Question →
02
What does your ideal Friday night look like?
ALoud bar, cold beer, cranked jukebox — the louder the better.BA smoky club, good company, and doing whatever feels right in the moment.CIntense concert or staying in with headphones — nothing in between.DSomething theatrical — a show, a dinner party, an experience worth remembering.EHanging with close friends, maybe making music, keeping it relaxed and genuine.
Next Question →
03
What's your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?
ASimple is king. A great riff repeated perfectly beats any amount of cleverness.BKeep it loose and bluesy — the groove matters more than technical perfection.CGo deep and dark — I want layers, tension, and something that hits hard.DWhy not both? Elaborate arrangements and hook-driven anthems can coexist.ECraft every detail — a perfect melody is the result of countless small choices.
Next Question →
04
How would your friends describe your personal style?
ANo-frills, no-nonsense — jeans, a t-shirt, and ready to go.BEffortlessly cool — slightly dishevelled in a way that somehow always works.CDark and deliberate — black is a lifestyle, not just a colour.DBold and expressive — fashion is a form of performance for me.EClean and classic — timeless over trendy, always put-together.
Next Question →
05
How do you want to be remembered?
AAs someone who never let the energy drop — relentless, loud, and alive.BAs someone who lived fully and on my own terms, unapologetically.CAs someone who was brutally honest and made music that meant something real.DAs someone who transcended genres, boundaries, and expectations entirely.EAs someone who changed the world — and left it genuinely better than I found it.
Next Question →
06
What kind of crowd do you want around you?
APeople who are there to have a blast — no pretension, just pure fun and noise.BA mix of rebels and free spirits who don't take themselves too seriously.CA loyal, passionate crew who are all in — intensity over numbers every time.DEveryone — I want to unite people who wouldn't normally be in the same room.EPeople who appreciate craft and feel genuinely connected by the music.
Next Question →
07
If you were writing a song, what would it be about?
AHaving a good time, turning it up, and not overthinking it.BStreet life, desire, and the rawness of being human.CAnger, grief, war, or the darker side of the world — music as a weapon.DSomething epic and emotional — love, loss, triumph, or pure fantasy.ESomething personal and universal at once — a feeling everyone can recognise.
Next Question →
08
What's your secret to staying relevant over time?
ANever change the formula — if it works, it works. Consistency is everything.BStay hungry, stay dangerous, and always keep a bit of that rebellious edge.CEarn respect through dedication — the work and the live show speak for themselves.DReinvent constantly — never let anyone put you in a box or predict your next move.EWrite songs so good they can't be ignored, in any decade, in any context.
Next Question →
09
You're playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?
AA wall of sound and sweat — pure, unfiltered energy from first note to last.BLoose, cool, and dangerous — every song feels like it might fall apart but never does.CBrutal precision — tight, powerful, and leaving no one unmoved.DA full spectacle — lights, costumes, vocal acrobatics, and total theatrical command.EWarm, joyful, and tight — the crowd singing every word back at you.
Next Question →
10
Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music.This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.
ARaw — stripped back, high-voltage, no frills.BRolling — fluid, dangerous, built on blues and attitude.CHeavy — powerful, honest, uncompromising.DMajestic — theatrical, boundary-defying, unforgettable.ETimeless — melodic, human, built to last forever.
See My Result →
Your ResultYour Perfect Band Is Revealed
Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…
⚡ AC/DC
You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don't need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You're the person in the room who doesn't overthink it, doesn't pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you've been on it since day one.
👅 The Rolling Stones
You've got swagger that can't be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you've seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You're not chasing perfection — you're chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can't always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.
👑 Queen
You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone's permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.
🎸 The Beatles
You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you're a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You've changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.
↩ Retake Quiz
"Leave a Light On" Is Pop Perfection
So if you land a musical icon to play the guitar solo, and said icon gives what he claims to be his best slide guitar work, Carlisle and Nowels' tune had to be better than simply good. And "Leave a Light On" did just that, a piece of pop perfection from beginning to end. According to lyricist Ellen Shipley, the song is about a woman leaving the love of her life, because she needs the time to find herself, adding, "She asks him to 'leave a light on' for her, meaning to wait for her return, but that's a lot to ask."
And Carlisle's powerful vocal performance, among her very best, has that pleading quality to it. She effortlessly communicates the conflict within, one that sees the longing to stay struggling with the need to leave, so deftly that the words exist merely as a means of validating the emotion, not the other way around. And Harrison was right: his slide guitar solo is simply exquisite, a perfect complement to what Carlisle had built to that point. It all comes together to create an excellent song, one with an intangible quality that grabs you from the start and refuses to let go.
Of course, we can use all the superlatives we want for "Leave a Light On," but the greatest compliment that could be paid to it comes from Harrison himself. Carlisle recounts in the previously cited The Arts Desk that a few years after Harrison's death, "His widow got hold of me, and she’d just got hold of a Runaway Horses cassette when she was having a clean-out. She wanted me to know how much he loved my voice." Leave a light on, and maybe a box of Kleenex with it.
United Artists / Apple Film
English (US) ·