Lighter (Nathan Dawe song) explained

Lighter
Cover:Nathan Dawe - Lighter.jpeg
Alt:A photo of Nathan Dawe (left) and KSI (right), dressed in white and red tracksuits, respectively, on the set of the music video, in the centre of a red and white background. The title "Lighter" appears in large white font in the bottom-right, with Dawe's name in large white font in the top-left and KSI's name in large red font in the top-right.
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Nathan Dawe featuring KSI
Ep:If Heaven Had a Phone Line
Studio:Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Genre:House, UK Garage
Length:3:02
Label:
Producer:
Chronology:Nathan Dawe
Prev Title:Flowers
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:No Time for Tears
Next Year:2020

"Lighter" is a song by British DJ and record producer Nathan Dawe featuring British YouTuber and rapper KSI, with vocals from British singer-songwriter Ella Henderson. It was released for digital download and streaming by Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group on 24 July 2020 as a standalone single. An upbeat, feel-good house track, its lyrics are about leaving a toxic relationship and feeling happy that the relationship has ended and not carrying a burden.

An accompanying music video was released on 24 July 2020. The light-hearted video stars Dawe and KSI among a cast, playing basketball and football. The group start out completely useless at both sports, though they improve as the video progresses. An acoustic version of "Lighter", which credits Henderson and features a new verse by KSI, was released on 28 August 2020 alongside an accompanying music video.

"Lighter" received positive reviews from music critics, who commonly praised the song's catchiness and KSI's energetic verse, and it was dubbed "one of the hits of the summer". The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and it further charted in eight other countries. "Lighter" was one of the UK's best-selling songs of 2020 and it has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for exceeding sales of 600,000 units in the country. "Lighter" was nominated for the BRIT Award for Song of the Year at the 2021 ceremony.

Writing and production

Ella Henderson wrote "Lighter" with British songwriters Tre Jean-Marie and Jonny Lattimer. The song was "ballady and slow" which "didn't fit her artist profile at the time". Henderson "had a lot of other releases planned and it wasn't really right for her". She sent the song to Nathan Dawe, who "sped it up, pitched the vocal up and completely transformed it". Henderson "thought it was sick and wished [Dawe] luck with it".[1] Dawe and his management felt that "Lighter" should feature a verse from a British rapper, similar to his previous single "Flowers" (2019), which features British rapper Jaykae, leading to the decision to feature KSI on "Lighter". Dawe explained, "I've known of KSI for a long time and I've been quite a fan of his work... His music recently that's started to come out, the quality [of it has] been really good... I was listening to [<nowiki/>[[Dissimulation (KSI album)|his album]]] thinking, 'KSI's actually sick!' So I [asked] my manager, "What do you think? Would [KSI] work?' [My manager said], 'Let's reach out [to him].'"[2] They sent the track to KSI, who listened to it and "thought it was an absolute banger" and agreed to "jump on it".[3] KSI recalled, "When I heard [the song], I thought, 'This is a smash!' I knew instantly what I needed to do to elevate it to another level."[4] KSI wrote a verse for "Lighter" at his home in London.[5] He recalled that "it took [him] a couple of hours to write the verse". He recorded the verse at an arranged recording studio session which "took less than an hour". Dawe could not be present at the recording studio due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, but he spectated the session via Zoom.

Music and lyrics

"Lighter" is an upbeat house track.[6] [7] [8] Henderson's vocals are sped-up and pitched-up. She sings about leaving a toxic relationship and feeling happy that the relationship has ended and not carrying a burden. The lyrics give inspiration to those who are struggling through a breakup, heartbreak, or even through losing a toxic person in their life, and feeling better despite the hard times. Henderson's chorus builds up to a piano-house drop. KSI's energetic rap verse is introduced in the break of the track, leading to "Lighter" being labelled as a crossover of house and rap. Dawe described "Lighter" as "a summer anthem [with] a feel-good vibe". The staff of Sport Playlists similarly described "Lighter" as an "anthemic slice of feel-good dance music" that was "written with summer in mind".

Release and promotion

On 12 July 2020, Dawe announced via social media that he would soon be releasing a new single.[9] [10] The song's title, featured artist, cover art and release date were revealed three days later and "Lighter" was made available to pre-order on digital download services and pre-save on streaming services, alongside the release of a teaser trailer for the song.[11] [12] The cover art shows a photo of Dawe and KSI that was taken on the set of the song's music video shoot, in front of a red and white background. "Lighter" was released for digital download and streaming by Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group on 24 July 2020. An accompanying lyric video was released to Dawe's YouTube channel on the same day.[13] The day after the release of "Lighter", Dawe and KSI performed the song during a live streamed launch party.[14]

An acoustic version of "Lighter" was announced and made available to pre-order on 21 August 2020 and released one week later on 28 August 2020, alongside an accompanying music video.[15] [16] This version credits Henderson, unlike the original version of the song, and KSI performs a new verse. Several remixes of "Lighter" have been released; A remix by British singer-songwriter and record producer S-X, which features new verses by British rappers Big Zuu and Window Kid, was released on 4 September 2020.[17] A remix by American DJ and record producer PS1 was released on 21 September 2020, while one by British DJ and record producer Shapes was released on 9 October 2020.[18] [19] Dawe, KSI and Henderson performed "Lighter" on BBC One's Top of the Pops New Year Special, which aired on 31 December 2020.[20] The trio later performed the track during The KSI Show on 17 July 2021.

Critical reception

"Lighter" was met with positive reviews from music critics. The staff of Sports Playlists liked the song's "infectious chorus" and they praised KSI's "memorable verse", which "[punctuates] the track’s bubbling, sugary melodies". They concluded that the song "[reaffirms Dawe's] position as one of the UK's biggest breakout producer talents of the [year]". Sean Evans of Back To The Movies claimed that the song "[shines] a light on an otherwise dark 2020". He acclaimed that KSI's verse is "well-constructed and perfectly matched to the song at hand". Evans praised KSI's "[evolution] as a lyricist" and found it "refreshing to see that some serious thought [had been] put into [his] words and their alternative meanings".[21] Oliver Tryon of CULTR noted that "KSI's signature rapping... [allows] for an injection of rhyming energy that allows for a refreshing sound overall". Tryon remarked, "[KSI] is yet to feature on a house record, and after this result, we need to see it again." Robin Murray of Clash called the song "a clinical banger for those looking to unload [COVID-19] lockdown energy" and proclaimed that it "could well be a summer smash [hit]". "Lighter" was dubbed "one of the hits of the summer" by the staff of Promonews.[22]

Music video

The music video for "Lighter" was directed by Troy Roscoe. It was filmed at two locations in London on 20 June 2020, across a 13-hour shoot. The music video was released to KSI's YouTube channel on 24 July 2020.[23] KSI released a reaction video, in which he and Dawe watch and react to the music video, to YouTube one week later.[24] [25] A behind-the-scenes video of the music video shoot was released to Dawe's YouTube channel on 7 August 2020, followed by a bloopers video being released to KSI's YouTube channel one week later.[26] [27]

The music video opens with a cast, comprising Dawe, KSI, S-X and Window Kid, playing poker. But when an overconfident KSI goes all-in and comes a cropper, he is stung into challenging his fellow group members to compete at other sports, leading to the group playing basketball and football. The group, who are accompanied by a coach, start out completely useless at both sports, but their on-court skills start to improve upon the arrival of a young woman, with the group competing for her affection.[28] The video ends with closing credits. The staff of Promonews described the music video as a "suitably light-hearted take on sporting achievement", which "captures the [group's] sporting incompetence like a big budget Nike [advert]" and "does a great job [at] showcasing KSI's big personality and the camaraderie among the group". Reflecting on the music video shoot, Dawe said, "It was a genuinely fun project. It was just a jokes day. All the reactions on camera [were genuine]. It was genuine fun. And that's what makes the video match the song."

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, "Lighter" was the country's most downloaded song in its first week of release.[29] It earned the highest new entry on the UK Singles Chart, debuting at number four, becoming both artists' first song to reach the top five.[30] [31] [32] It spent eight weeks inside the top five, peaking at number three for four of those weeks, and spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart.[33] [34] The song also peaked at number two on the UK Dance Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company reported that "Lighter" was the UK's 40th highest-selling and 32nd most-downloaded song of 2020, as well as the country's fifth highest-selling dance song of 2020.[35] [36] On 1 January 2021, "Lighter" was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of 600,000 track-equivalent units in the UK. On 4 March 2021, Music Week reported that "Lighter" has sold 671,884 track-equivalent units in the country.[37]

In Ireland, "Lighter" debuted at number 17 on the Irish Singles Chart.[38] [39] The song peaked at number eight in its sixth week of release, becoming both artists' first song to reach the top 10, and spent a total of 18 weeks on the chart.[40] Elsewhere in Europe, "Lighter" charted in Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. In the United States, the song debuted at number 18 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and spent a total of eight weeks on the chart. On 12 May 2021, Staffordshire Live reported that "Lighter" has received more than 136 million global streams.[41]

Awards and nominations

Year! scope="col"
AwardCategoryResult
2020Amazon Music UKBest Song[42]
2021The BRIT AwardsBest British Single[43]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[44]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Dance)[45] 48
Croatia (HRT)[46] 49
Global Excl. US (Billboard)[47] 178
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[48] 17

Year-end charts

2020 year-end chart performance for "Lighter"
Chart (2020)Position
UK Singles (OCC)[49] 40
UK Download (OCC)32
UK Dance (OCC)5

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel(s)
Various24 July 2020Original
United KingdomContemporary hit radio[50]
Various28 August 2020Acoustic
4 September 2020S-X Remix
21 September 2020PS1 Remix
9 October 2020Shapes Remix

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White. Jack. 12 August 2020. Nathan Dawe talks working with KSI and Ella Henderson on new single Lighter. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812185439/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/nathan-dawe-talks-working-with-ksi-and-ella-henderson-on-new-single-lighter__30725/. 12 August 2020. 12 August 2020. Official Charts Company.
  2. Web site: 28 July 2020. Nathan Dawe IBW Podcast #009. 28 July 2020. IBW Podcast. YouTube.
  3. Web site: 7 August 2020. KSI Reveals the Secrets of His Success & Making 'Lighter' with DJ Nathan Dawes Good Morning Britain. 7 August 2020. Good Morning Britain. YouTube.
  4. Web site: Murray. Robin. 24 July 2020. 'I'm Able To Give People What They Want!' Clash Meets KSI. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200726181207/https://www.clashmusic.com/features/im-able-to-give-people-what-they-want-clash-meets-ksi. 26 July 2020. 24 July 2020. Clash.
  5. Web site: 30 July 2020. KSI & Nathan Dawe Talk 'Lighter' Music Video Interview Capital. 30 July 2020. Capital FM. YouTube.
  6. Web site: Townsend. Lauren. 24 July 2020. Lighter- Nathan Dawe ft KSI review. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210104182225/https://whatson.guide/lighter-nathan-dawe-ft-ksi-review/. 4 January 2021. 24 July 2020. What's On.
  7. Web site: 24 July 2020. Nathan Dawe collabs with KSI on latest hit single 'Lighter'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924070921/http://sportplaylists.com/nathan-dawe-lighter. 24 September 2020. 24 July 2020. Sports Playlists.
  8. Web site: Tryon. Oliver. 24 July 2020. Nathan Dawe & KSI Unite On Rap House Crossover 'Lighter'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200724181426/https://www.cultr.com/news/nathan-dawe-ksi-unite-on-rap-house-crossover-lighter/. 24 July 2020. 24 July 2020. CULTR.
  9. NathanDawe. 1282364861125664769. My new single, and who it’s with, will be announced on Weds at 6PM. 12 July 2020. 24 July 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103164905/https://twitter.com/NathanDawe/status/1282364861125664769. 3 January 2021. Nathan Dawe. Dawe, Nathan.
  10. Web site: Dawe. Nathan. 12 July 2020. My new single, and who it's with, will be announced on Weds at 6PM . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CCjNnWyBz1a . 24 December 2021 . registration. 24 July 2020. Instagram.
  11. NathanDawe. 1283446228760616962. The rumours are true @NathanDawe X @KSI New single #Lighter out next Fri! Pre-order from midnight tonight. 15 July 2020. 24 July 2020. Dawe, Nathan. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103183631/https://twitter.com/NathanDawe/status/1283446228760616962. 3 January 2021. live.
  12. Web site: Dawe. Nathan. 15 July 2020. The rumours are true @KSI New single 'Lighter' out next Friday! Available to pre-order now (link in bio). https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CCq5cXIhiLB . 24 December 2021 . registration. 24 July 2020. Instagram.
  13. Web site: 24 July 2020. Nathan Dawe x KSI - Lighter [Official Lyric Video]]. 24 July 2020. YouTube.
  14. NathanDawe. 1286976051273441281. It’s going off tonight 7PM. Live launch party featuring first ever performance of ‘Lighter’ w/ @KSI Special guest appearances too http://YouTube.com/nathandawe. 25 July 2020. 25 July 2020. Dawe, Nathan. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103184454/https://twitter.com/NathanDawe/status/1286976051273441281. 3 January 2021.
  15. NathanDawe. 1296794605594312710. I can’t stress enough how amazing the acoustic version of Lighter is sounding @EllaHenderson absolutely killed the vocals and @KSI’s brand new verse legit gave me goosebumps. Available to pre order on iTunes now! Out next Friday. 21 August 2020. 21 August 2020. Dawe, Nathan. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103184415/https://twitter.com/NathanDawe/status/1296794605594312710. 3 January 2021. live.
  16. Web site: 28 August 2020. Nathan Dawe x KSI x Ella Henderson – Lighter (Acoustic) [Official Video]]. 28 August 2020. YouTube.
  17. Web site: Wynter. Courtney. 7 September 2020. Big Zuu, Window Kid & S-X Join KSI & Nathan Dawe On New 'Lighter' Remix. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210104175258/https://grmdaily.com/ksi-nathan-dawe-sx-lighter-remix/. 4 January 2021. 7 September 2020. GRM Daily.
  18. 1307763974570737671. NathanDawe. Another Lighter remix out at midnight! @ps1music killed it @KSI. Dawe, Nathan. 20 September 2020. 21 September 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200920193120/https://twitter.com/NathanDawe/status/1307763974570737671. 20 September 2020.
  19. 1311001454199668740. ShapesHQ. big news! my official remix of @NathanDawe and @KSI ‘Lighter’ drops next friday the 9th of October! can’t wait for you all to hear this! let’s goooo. Shapes. 29 September 2020. 9 October 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929195526/https://twitter.com/ShapesHQ/status/1311001454199668740. 29 September 2020.
  20. Web site: 2 December 2020. Top of the Pops' Christmas Day and New Year 2020 line-up revealed. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201202112920/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/top-of-the-pops-christmas-day-and-new-year-2020-line-up-revealed__31769/. 2 December 2020. 2 December 2020. Official Charts Company.
  21. Web site: Evans. Sean. 31 July 2020. KSI Lighter Music Video Review: A Step Up For KSI. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127195740/https://www.backtothemovies.com/ksi-lighter-review/. 27 January 2021. 31 July 2020. Back To The Movies.
  22. Web site: 25 August 2020. Nathan Dawe x KSI 'Lighter' by Troy Roscoe. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201013124358/https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2020/08/25/nathan-dawe-x-ksi-lighter-troy-roscoe/66260. 13 October 2020. 25 August 2020. Promonews.
  23. Web site: 24 July 2020. Nathan Dawe x KSI – Lighter [Official Video]]. 24 July 2020. YouTube.
  24. Web site: 31 July 2020. I Have A Special Guest. 31 July 2020. YouTube.
  25. NathanDawe. 1289160306304811008. Only right that me & @KSI reacted to our own music video https://youtu.be/eFut5i0otw4. 31 July 2020. 31 July 2020. Dawe, Nathan. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103193404/https://twitter.com/NathanDawe/status/1289160306304811008. 3 January 2021.
  26. Web site: 7 August 2020. Nathan Dawe x KSI ‒ Lighter [Official BTS]]. 7 August 2020. YouTube.
  27. Web site: 14 August 2020. What you didn't see.... 14 August 2020. YouTube.
  28. Web site: Avoledo. Pam. 7 August 2020. Video Review: Nathan Dawe & KSI 'Lighter'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201001120655/https://iwantmypopculture.com/2020/08/07/video-review-nathan-dawe-ksi-lighter/. 1 October 2020. 7 August 2020. I Want My Pop Culture.
  29. Web site: 31 July 2020. Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100. 31 July 2020. Official Charts Company.
  30. Web site: 31 July 2020. Joel Corry and MNEK hold on to Number 1 with Head and Heart on the Official Singles Chart. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200801215452/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/joel-corry-and-mnek-hold-on-to-number-1-with-head-and-heart-on-the-official-singles-chart__30659/. 1 August 2020. 31 July 2020. Official Charts Company.
  31. Web site: Nathan Dawe full Official Chart History. 31 July 2020. Official Charts Company.
  32. Web site: KSI full Official Chart History. 31 July 2020. Official Charts Company.
  33. Web site: 7 August 2020. Joel Corry and MNEK's Head & Heart keeps Number 1 as Billie Eilish scores highest new entry on Official Singles Chart. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201001184836/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/joel-corry-and-mneks-head-heart-keeps-number-1-as-billie-eilish-scores-highest-new-entry-on-official-singles-chart__30701/. 1 October 2020. 7 August 2020. Official Charts Company.
  34. NathanDawe. 1307002727424315398. Lighter has been out for 8 weeks. Lighter has been in the Top 5 for 8 weeks. @KSI @EllaHenderson. 18 September 2020. 18 September 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918170729/https://twitter.com/NathanDawe/status/1307002727424315398. 18 September 2020. Dawe, Nathan.
  35. Web site: 4 January 2021. The Official Top 40 biggest songs of 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210104193834/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-songs-of-2020__29264/. 4 January 2021. 4 January 2021. Official Charts Company.
  36. Web site: Joel Corry's Head And Heart ft. MNEK named UK's biggest dance single of 2020. live. Official Charts Company. 9 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210209101132/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/joel-corrys-head-and-heart-ft-mnek-named-uks-biggest-dance-single-of-2020__32402/. 9 February 2021.
  37. Web site: Paine. Andre. 4 March 2021. BMG bosses talk KSI and his 'credibility as an artist' ahead of second album. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210304072657/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/bmg-bosses-talk-ksi-and-his-credibility-as-an-artist-ahead-of-second-album/082739. 4 March 2021. 4 March 2021. Music Week.
  38. Web site: 31 July 2020. Taylor Swift becomes the female artist with the most Irish Number 1 albums this millennium. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200801035325/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/taylor-swift-becomes-the-female-artist-with-the-most-irish-number-1-albums-this-millennium__30653/. 1 August 2020. 31 July 2020. Official Charts Company.
  39. Web site: Discography KSI. 31 July 2020. irish-charts.com.
  40. Web site: 4 September 2020. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion scoop a second week as Ireland's Number 1 with WAP. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200907095849/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/cardi-b-and-megan-thee-stallion-scoop-a-second-week-as-irelands-number-1-with-wap__30915/. 7 September 2020. 4 September 2020. Official Charts Company.
  41. Web site: Kreft. Helen. 12 May 2021. Brit Awards 2021: Little Mix and Nathan Dawe enjoy night to remember. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210527190926/https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/news/burton-news/brit-awards-little-mix-nathan-5404165. 27 May 2021. 12 May 2021. Staffordshire Live.
  42. Web site: Amazon Music UK. Amazon Music. 15 December 2020. ......... 'Lighter' has taken top spot! Thank you to all who voted, and huge congrats to @nathandawe and @ksi . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CI1JkzOn5YU . 24 December 2021 . registration. 15 December 2020. Instagram.
  43. Web site: 31 March 2021. Brits 2021: Full list of award nominees. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210331154548/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56595220. 31 March 2021. 31 March 2021. BBC News.
  44. Web site: 24 July 2020. Nathan Dawe / Lighter (feat. KSI) / Credits. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103154912/https://listen.tidal.com/album/147289836/credits. 3 January 2021. 24 July 2020. Tidal.
  45. Web site: Ultratop Flanders Dance (12 September 2020). Ultratop. 12 September 2020. 12 September 2020. nl.
  46. Web site: ARC 100 - datum: 14. rujna 2020. ARC 100 – date: 14 September 2020. Komerički. Goran. hr. Hrvatska radiotelevizija. 14 September 2020. 14 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917121937/https://radio.hrt.hr/clanak/arc-100-datum-14-rujna-2020/243594/. 17 September 2020. live.
  47. Web site: KSI Chart History (Global Excl. US). 19 September 2020. Billboard.
  48. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 3 August 2020. 1 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210304093443/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=4907. 4 March 2021.
  49. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2020. Official Charts Company. 4 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210105121902/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/. 5 January 2021.
  50. Web site: Capital FM Playlist. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807151934/https://www.capitalfm.com/radio/playlist/. 7 August 2020. 24 July 2020. Capital FM.

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