"Shoot Out the Lights" is the debut single by British heavy metal band Diamond Head released in March 1980 by Happy Face Records, the band's own label, with "Helpless" as the B-side, and was only available on 7", without a picture sleeve in order to reduce production costs.
An extended version of "Helpless" appeared on Diamond Head's 1980 debut Lightning to the Nations, and "Shoot Out the Lights" eventually appeared on an expanded version of the debut album released in 2001 by Sanctuary Records.
The band, though scoffing at these comments, was seen in live concerts playing more hardcore versions of the songs.
"Helpless" was covered by heavy metal band Metallica on their 1987 The $5.98 E.P.
– Garage Days Re-Revisited EP.