Daylight (David Kushner song) explained

Daylight
Cover:David Kushner- Daylight.png
Alt:A man in a black top, trousers, and leather jacket standing afront trees in a forest. The lowercase text "daylight" stands on his left.
Type:single
Artist:David Kushner
Album:The Dichotomy
Recorded:2023
Released:April 14, 2023
Genre:Gothic pop
Length:3:32
Label:Miserable
Producer:Rob Kirwan
Prev Title:Elk Grove
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Dead Man
Next Year:2023

"Daylight" is a song by American singer-songwriter David Kushner. Kushner wrote it with Hayden Robert Hubers, Jeremy Fedryk, and Josh Bruce Williams, and Rob Kirwan produced it. Miserable Music Group released it as the lead single from his upcoming debut studio album, The Dichotomy (2024), on April 14, 2023. An orchestral gothic pop ballad, it is inspired by Paul the Apostle's teachings and biblical allusions Kushner found inspirational as a child.

The song went viral on video-sharing service TikTok in 2023. In the United Kingdom, it debuted and peaked at number two on the Official Singles Chart, becoming Kushner's first top-10 single. The song reached number one in Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and Switzerland. Luke Shaw and Landon Juern directed the music video, which was released alongside it.

Background and release

After realizing he could sing after finishing 12th grade, David Kushner began writing songs with a close friend while living in Florida. He played the guitar and taught music to himself. Eventually, Kushner worked with a vocal coach and started writing songs he believed "will speak to people". He released the singles "Miserable Man" and "Mr. Forgettable", which preceded his debut extended play Footprints I Found.[1] [2]

Kushner wrote the song "Daylight" with Hayden Robert Hubers, Jeremy Fedryk, and Josh Bruce Williams. He described his inspiration for the song: "With my song 'Daylight,' I aim to convey the paradoxical desire for something that is simultaneously harmful to oneself, using elements of light and darkness, the lyrics 'Oh I love it and I hate it at the same time you and I drink the poison from the same vine' encapsulate this concept." One of the fastest songs Kushner ever wrote, its story is based on biblical allusions he found inspirational as a child. He created "Daylight" stimulated by Paul the Apostle's teachings about overcoming "evil forces" in the world, perceiving "darkness" as a ubiquitous concept that represents the "worst version of ourselves".[3]

"Daylight" went viral on video-sharing service TikTok, after Kushner posted demo snippets and created a trend called "You look happier; what happened" leading up to its release.[4] The snippet was used in more than 230,000 clips, and among other promotional efforts, he asked fans to send different options for its official single artwork.[5] Miserable Music Group released the song as a single on April 14, 2023.[6] It was serviced for radio airplay in Italy on April 28, 2023. "Daylight" was sent to adult album alternative radio stations in the United States on May 1, 2023. Daylight was used during a promo for Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar III as its 2nd theme song for WWE's SummerSlam, reportedly because Cody had just recently joined TikTok.

Composition

"Daylight" is three minutes and 32 seconds long. Rob Kirwan produced and programmed the song. He plays drums and synthesizer, Hubers plays piano, and Rick Hornby plays guitar. Jacob Morris mastered and mixed it.

"Daylight" is an eerie orchestral gothic pop[7] ballad, on which Kushner projects deep baritone vocals. The Official Charts Company's George Griffiths described the song as reminiscent of the work of Bon Iver and Hozier and thought its meaning "helps it transcend to a wider audience, with the specifics of the song somewhat unclear".[8] Robin Murray of Clash commented: "'Daylight' leans on that dulcet lyric, his word play shows a complex aspect to his personality. Playing with light and shade, the song utilises emotional depth, with Kushner's vivid vocal brooding with feeling."[9]

Words and music for "Daylight" were written by Jeremy Fedryk, David Kushner, Hayden Hubers and Josh Bruce Williams. The song was originally published in the key of A Minor and starts with F, Dm, Am, F, Dm, C, F, Dm, C, F, Dm, C chord progression with lyrics "Telling myself I won't go there. Oh, but I know that I won't care. Try'n' to wash away all the blood I've spilt". The song has the tempo of a piano ballad.[10]

Commercial performance

"Daylight" peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA. In Canada, the song debuted at number six on the Canadian Hot 100 and received a 4× Platinum certification from Music Canada. It entered at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Kushner's first top-10 single, and reached number two the following week.[11] "Daylight" was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. In Australia, the song charted at number four and earned a 2× Platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association.

"Daylight" peaked at number one in New Zealand and received a Gold certification from Recorded Music NZ. The song reached the top five of national record charts, at number one in Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland, number two in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Lithuania, and Norway, number three in Lebanon and Slovakia, and number four in Germany. It earned a Diamond certification in Poland.

The song was used in the fourth episode of the Netflix docuseries .

Music video

Luke Shaw and Landon Juern directed the music video for "Daylight", which was released alongside it and features the elements fire, water, air, and ash.

The video starts with Kushner chopping wood in the forest. He is then shown walking with a boy down a church aisle, whose face (along with other people in the pews) has been blurred. Reaching the altar, Kushner pulls out a knife. Next, Kushner is shown outside, reaching out to a giant ink drop-like darkness in the sky. Afterwards, he is dragged into a dark room where people (also with blurred faces) throw stones at him. A brief shot shows Kushner in a room as rain falls inside. Finally, he is shown shaking hands with a burning man, setting his arm and the room they are in on fire. Throughout the video, scenes are intercut with Kushner in the forest, the church, and the dark room singing to the camera.

Credits and personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] 6
Denmark (Tracklisten)[14] 7
France (SNEP)[15] 8
Global 200 (Billboard)[16] 11
India International Singles (IMI)[17] 11
Italy (FIMI)[18] 35
Latvia (LAIPA)[19] 1
Latvia Airplay (LAIPA)[20] 8
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[21] 3
Lithuania (AGATA)[22] 2
Luxembourg (Billboard)[23] 13
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[24] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[25] 2
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[26] 16
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[27] 1
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[28] 44
Singapore (RIAS)[29] 29
South Africa (TOSAC)[30] 15
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 33
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[33] 12
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[34] 4
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[35] 9
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[36] 14
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[37] 88

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[38] 19
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[39] 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[40] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[41] 7
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[42] 34
Denmark (Tracklisten)[43] 69
Germany (Official German Charts)[44] 16
Global 200 (Billboard)[45] 46
Hungary (Single Top 40)[46] 49
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[47] 41
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[48] 15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[49] 27
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[50] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[51] 40
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] 6
UK Singles (OCC)[53] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[54] 62
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[55] 19
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[56] 46
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[57] 44

Release history

Region!scope="col"
DateFormatLabelRef.
VariousApril 14, 2023Miserable
ItalyApril 28, 2023Radio airplayUniversal[58]
United StatesMay 1, 2023Adult album alternativeVirgin[59]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Schade . Alessandra . David Kushner Battles the Dark in 'Daylight' . . April 15, 2023 . April 14, 2023 . live . April 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415065727/https://www.papermag.com/david-kushner-2659852499.html .
  2. Web site: Major . Michael . David Kushner Shares 'Daylight' . . April 15, 2023 . April 14, 2023 . live . April 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415134950/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/David-Kushner-Shares-Daylight-20230414 .
  3. Web site: Griffiths . George . David Kushner interview on breakthrough single Daylight: 'Vulnerability is freedom' . . April 29, 2023 . April 25, 2023 . live . April 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429140055/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/david-kushner-interview-on-breakthrough-single-daylight-vulnerability-is-freedom__39113/ .
  4. Web site: Balao . Neia . Tiktok Users Are Celebrating Their Relationships With the 'You Look Happier; What Happened' Trend: 'This is So Pure' . . April 15, 2023 . March 22, 2023 . live . April 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415162051/https://www.intheknow.com/post/tiktok-users-are-celebrating-their-relationships-with-the-you-look-happier-what-happened-trend-this-is-so-pure/ .
  5. ref>Zellner . Xander . Hot 100 First-Timers: David Kushner Shines With 'Daylight' . . April 29, 2023 . April 25, 2023 . live . April 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230429140054/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/david-kushner-hot-100-debut-daylight-1235314640/ .
  6. Web site: Daylight - Single by David Kushner . Apple Music (US) . April 15, 2023 . live . April 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415134950/https://music.apple.com/us/album/daylight-single/1680069284 .
  7. Web site: Atkinson . Jessie . David Kushner on taking over TikTok, stanning Eminem and why Justin Bieber owes him $5 million . . June 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601094900/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/david-kushner-interview-2023 . June 1, 2023 . June 1, 2023 . live.
  8. Web site: Griffiths . George . Who is David Kushner? The American TikTok singer-songwriter challenging for Number 1 with Daylight . . April 18, 2023 . April 17, 2023 . live . April 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417145803/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/who-is-david-kushner-the-american-tiktok-singer-songwriter-challenging-for-number-1-with-daylight__39053/ .
  9. Murray . Robin . David Kushner's 'Daylight' Deals With A Lyrical Dichotomy . . April 18, 2023 . April 17, 2023 .
  10. Web site: 2023-06-05 . David Kushner 'Daylight' Sheet Music . 2023-06-05 . freshsheetmusic.com . en-US . June 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230605181249/https://freshsheetmusic.com/david-kushner-daylight-1315482/ . live .
  11. Web site: Griffiths . George . David Kushner and Lewis Capaldi take on Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding for Number 1 . . April 16, 2023 . April 16, 2023 . live . April 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416180407/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/david-kushner-and-lewis-capaldi-take-on-calvin-harris-ellie-goulding-for-number-1__39047/ .
  12. Daylight. David Kushner. 2023. Miserable Music Group.
  13. Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 29, 2023. Billboard. April 25, 2023.
  14. Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 17, 2023. Hitlisten. May 3, 2023. May 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230503014626/https://hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=17&y=2023&list=t40. live.
  15. Web site: Top Singles (Week 17, 2023). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. fr. May 2, 2023. May 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230502103938/https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=17&annee=2023&categorie=Top%20Singles. live.
  16. Billboard Global 200: Week of May 6, 2023. Billboard. May 2, 2023.
  17. Web site: IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 18th September 2023 Week 37 of 52. IMIcharts. September 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230918182858/https://imicharts.com/.
  18. Web site: Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 20. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. May 20, 2023. March 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200318054616/https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2023/20. live.
  19. Web site: Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 16. nedēļa. en, lv. LAIPA. June 14, 2023. April 23, 2023.
  20. Web site: Latvijas radio stacijās spēlētākās dziesmas Top 19. nedēļa. lv. LAIPA. May 29, 2023. May 16, 2023. May 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230528202811/https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/latvijas-radio-stacijas-speletakas-dziesmas-top-19-nedela-9759. live.
  21. Web site: The Official Lebanese Top 20 – David Kushner. The Official Lebanese Top 20. 12 June 2023. 28 June 2023.
  22. Web site: 2023 16-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. April 21, 2023. April 21, 2023. April 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230421112448/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s16-2/. live.
  23. Luxembourg Songs: Week of April 29, 2023. Billboard. January 30, 2024.
  24. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. May 1, 2023. April 29, 2023. April 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428222709/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5565. live.
  25. Web site: Singel 2023 uke 16. VG-lista. April 21, 2023. April 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230421135545/https://topplista.no/charts/singles/2023-w16/. live.
  26. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay. OLiS. pl. June 19, 2023. Select week 10.06.2023–16.06.2023.. January 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123185634/https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-airplay. live.
  27. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. April 27, 2023. Select week 14.04.2023–20.04.2023.. February 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202134558/https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-sprzedazy/single-w-streamie. live.
  28. Web site: Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 22/06/2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230622122451/https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/radio/radio-san-marino/top-50-ascoltare . 2023-06-22 . it . . 22 June 2023 . 20 July 2024.
  29. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 19 (5 - 11 May 2023). RIAS. May 16, 2023. May 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230516073720/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  30. Web site: New Releases. The Official South African Charts. June 8, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20230509095020/https://theofficialsacharts.co.za. May 9, 2023. dead.
  31. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 17. Sverigetopplistan. April 29, 2023. April 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428140057/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2023&dspp=17. live.
  32. Billboard Hot 100: Week of October 14, 2023. Billboard. October 10, 2023.
  33. Adult Pop Airplay: Week of December 2, 2023. Billboard. November 28, 2023.
  34. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of November 11, 2023. Billboard. November 7, 2023.
  35. Pop Airplay: Week of October 28, 2023. Billboard. October 24, 2023.
  36. Rock & Alternative Airplay: Week of July 1, 2023. Billboard. July 18, 2023.
  37. Web site: Billboard Vietnam Hot 100, CHART DATE 2023-06-29. 29 June 2023. Billboard Việt Nam. vi.
  38. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2023. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 12, 2024.
  39. Web site: Ö3 Austria Top 40. Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023: Singles. November 8, 2019 . December 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231228090016/https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/3020713/. December 28, 2023. live.
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  41. Web site: Rapports annuels 2023. Ultratop. fr. January 7, 2024.
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  43. Web site: Track Top-100 2023. Hitlisten. January 13, 2024.
  44. Web site: Jahrescharts 2023. GfK Entertainment charts. de. December 10, 2023.
  45. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 22, 2023.
  46. Web site: Single Top 100 - digitális és fizikai értékesítés alapján - 2023. MAHASZ. January 31, 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240131131809/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-slagerlistak/single_db/2023. January 31, 2024. hu.
  47. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2023. Dutch Top 40. nl. January 1, 2024. December 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231231221518/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2023.
  48. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2023. dutchcharts.nl. nl. January 3, 2024.
  49. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2023. Recorded Music NZ. December 22, 2023. December 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220081641/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/index_chart?chart=5732.
  50. Web site: Top 100 OLiS – single w streamie 2023. OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. pl. February 16, 2024.
  51. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2023. Sverigetopplistan. January 18, 2024.
  52. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2023. hitparade.ch. December 31, 2023.
  53. Web site: The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2023. Official Charts Company. Griffiths. George. December 29, 2023. December 29, 2023.
  54. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 22, 2023.
  55. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. December 4, 2023.
  56. Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. November 22, 2023.
  57. Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. December 4, 2023.
  58. Ranellucci . Martina . David Kushner 'Daylight' . Radio Airplay SRL . April 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430153847/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/david-kushner-daylight-235034-28-04-2023-radiodate/ . April 30, 2023 . it . live.
  59. Web site: Triple A > Future Releases. All Access Music Group. April 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430154243/https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases . April 30, 2023 . dead.

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