Lighter (Nathan Dawe song)

"Lighter" is a song by British DJ and producer Nathan Dawe, featuring British YouTuber and rapper KSI, and uncredited vocals from British singer-songwriter Ella Henderson. It was released on 24 July 2020 through Atlantic Records. The song peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Lighter"
Single by Nathan Dawe featuring KSI
Released24 July 2020 (2020-07-24)
Recorded2020
GenreHouse
Length3:02
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Nathan Dawe singles chronology
"Flowers"
(2019)		 "Lighter"
(2020)
KSI singles chronology
"Killa Killa"
(2020)		 "Lighter"
(2020)
Music video
"Lighter" on YouTube

Background

Ella Henderson recorded the song, which was originally "ballady, slow and classical", but "it didn't fit her artist profile at the time. She had a lot of other releases planned and it wasn't really right for her". The song was sent to Nathan Dawe, who "sped it up and pitched the vocal up", and Ella Henderson "thought it was sick and wished him luck with it".[1] Nathan Dawe felt that the song should feature a verse from a British rapper, similar to his previous single "Flowers", featuring British rapper Jaykae, so he asked KSI if he would feature on the song. KSI "thought the song was a banger" and responded immediately.[2]

Promotion and release

The song's title, featured artist, cover art and release date were revealed on 15 July 2020, and the song was made available for pre-order on the same day.[3] The song was released worldwide for digital download and streaming via all platforms on 24 July 2020 through Atlantic Records.

"Lighter" was made BBC Radio 1's "Tune of the Week" on 3 August 2020.[4]

Critical reception

Oliver Tryon of CULTR said, "featuring another female vocal that builds up to the piano house drop, KSI’s signature rapping is introduced in the break, allowing for an injection of rhyming energy that allows for a refreshing sound overall".[5] Robin Murray of Clash said, "it could well be a summer smash, a clinical banger for those looking to unload lockdown energy".[6]

Commercial performance

"Lighter" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 4, and it was the UK's most digitally downloaded song of the week.[7] The song climbed to its peak of number 3 the following week, making it both artists' highest-charting single in the UK to date, and it also topped The Official Big Top 40.[8][9][10][11] "Lighter" peaked at number 2 on the UK Dance Singles Chart and at number 18 on the Billboard US Dance/Electronic Songs.[12][13]

Music videos

A lyric video was uploaded to Nathan Dawe's YouTube channel on the same day as the release of the song.[14]

The song's music video was filmed at Powerleague London and the Copper Box Arena, London in June 2020 and was uploaded to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day as the release of the song. It has 9 million views.[15] The video is directed by British director Troy Roscoe. A behind-the-scenes video of the filming of the music video was uploaded to Nathan Dawe's YouTube channel on 7 August 2020, followed by a bloopers video, uploaded to KSI's YouTube channel on 14 August 2020.[16][17]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[18]

Charts
Weekly chart performance for "Lighter"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[19] 3
Hungary (Single Top 40)[20] 15
Ireland (IRMA)[21] 17
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 17
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[23] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[24] 3
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[12] 2
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[13] 18

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Lighter"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 24 July 2020
[25]

See also

References
  1. "Nathan Dawe talks working with KSI and Ella Henderson on new single Lighter". Official Charts Company. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  2. "KSI Reveals the Secrets of His Success & Making 'Lighter' with DJ Nathan Dawes | Good Morning Britain". 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via YouTube.
  3. Nathan Dawe [@NathanDawe] (15 July 2020). "The rumours are true @NathanDawe X @KSI New single #Lighter out next Fri! Pre-order from midnight tonight" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via Twitter.
  4. Nathan Dawe [@NathanDawe] (3 August 2020). "Tune of the week on @BBCR1 @KSI Thank you @scott_mills" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 August 2020 – via Twitter.
  5. Tryon, Oliver (24 July 2020). "Nathan Dawe & KSI Unite On Rap House Crossover 'Lighter'". CULTR. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  6. Murray, Robin (24 July 2020). ""I'm Able To Give People What They Want!" Clash Meets KSI". Clash. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  7. "Joel Corry and MNEK hold on to Number 1 with Head and Heart on the Official Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  8. "Joel Corry and MNEK's Head & Heart keeps Number 1 as Billie Eilish scores highest new entry on Official Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  9. "Nathan Dawe | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  10. "KSI | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  11. "KSI & Nathan Dawe grab the No.1 spot with 'Lighter'". The Official Big Top 40. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  12. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  13. "KSI Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  14. "Nathan Dawe x KSI - Lighter [Official Lyric Video]". 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  15. "Nathan Dawe x KSI – Lighter [Official Video]". 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  16. "Nathan Dawe x KSI ‒ Lighter [Official BTS]". 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via YouTube.
  17. "What you didn't see..." 14 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020 – via YouTube.
  18. "Nathan Dawe / Lighter (feat. KSI) / Credits". Tidal. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  19. "Euro Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  20. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  21. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  22. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  24. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  25. "Lighter (feat. KSI) ‒ Single by Nathan Dawe". Apple Music. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
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