Lighter (Nathan Dawe song)

"Lighter" is a song by British DJ and record producer Nathan Dawe. The song features a guest appearance by British YouTuber and rapper KSI and uncredited vocals from British singer-songwriter Ella Henderson. It was released for digital download and streaming as a standalone single on 24 July 2020 by Atlantic Records and Warner. A house track, its lyrics are about leaving a toxic relationship and feeling happy that the relationship has ended.

"Lighter"
Single by Nathan Dawe featuring KSI
Released24 July 2020 (2020-07-24)
GenreHouse
Length3:02
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Nathan Dawe
  • Tre Jean-Marie
Nathan Dawe singles chronology
"Flowers"
(2019)		 "Lighter"
(2020)		 "No Time for Tears"
(2020)
KSI singles chronology
"Killa Killa"
(2020)		 "Lighter"
(2020)		 "Loose"
(2020)
Music video
"Lighter" on YouTube

"Lighter" received positive reviews from music critics, who commonly praised the song's feel-good energy and catchiness. The song charted at number three in the United Kingdom, where it has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and also reached the music charts of nine other countries. An accompanying music video was released on 24 July 2020. The video stars Dawe and KSI among a cast, playing basketball and football, though they start out completely useless at both sports but improve as the video progresses. The song was performed by Dawe, KSI and Henderson on BBC One's Top of the Pops New Year Special, which aired on 31 December 2020.

Writing and production

Ella Henderson wrote and recorded "Lighter". The song was "ballady, slow and classical" which "didn't fit [Henderson's] artist profile at the time". Dawe recalled that "[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 [him] luck with it".[1]

Dawe felt that "Lighter" should feature a verse from a British rapper, similar to his previous single "Flowers" (2019) which features British rapper Jaykae. Dawe "hit up KSI to see if he would be interested". KSI listened to the song and "thought it was an absolute banger" and agreed to "jump on it".[2] KSI explained, "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."[3] KSI wrote a verse for "Lighter" at his home in London.[4] He explained that "it took [him] a couple of hours to write the verse". KSI recorded the verse at an arranged recording studio session, which "took less than an hour".[3] Dawe couldn't be present at the recording studio due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, but he spectated the recording process via Zoom.[4] Explaining his decision to feature KSI on the song, Dawe said, "We felt that [KSI's] fan base would really appreciate a summer anthem [with] a feel-good vibe."[2]

Music and lyrics

Musically, "Lighter" is a crossover of house and rap.[5] The song runs for three minutes and two seconds (3:02). The song's chorus features a piano-house drop.[5] Henderson's vocals are sped up and pitched-up.[1] The lyrics are about leaving a toxic relationship and feeling happy that the relationship has ended and not carrying a burden. Being an upbeat song, it gives inspiration to those who are struggling through a breakup, heartbreak, or even through losing a toxic person in their life and coming out and being better despite the hard times.[6] KSI raps his verse in the break of the track.[5]

Release and promotion

On 12 July 2020, Dawe announced via Twitter that he would soon be releasing a new single.[7] The song's title, featured artist, cover art and release date were revealed three days later and "Lighter" was made available for pre-order.[8][9] The single's 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.[9] "Lighter" was released for digital download and streaming on 24 July 2020 at 00:00 (UTC) by Atlantic Records and Warner.[10] The song was accompanied by the release of a lyric video to Dawe's YouTube channel on the same day.[11] The day after the song's release, Dawe and KSI performed "Lighter" during a live streamed launch party to promote the song.[12]

An acoustic version of "Lighter" was announced and made available for pre-order on 21 August 2020 and released one week later. The version credits Henderson, unlike the original version of the song, and KSI performs a new verse.[13] A music video for the acoustic version was released to KSI's YouTube channel on the same day.[14] Several remixes of "Lighter" have been released. A remix by British singer and record producer S-X that features new verses by British rappers Big Zuu and Window Kid was released on 4 September 2020.[15] A remix by American DJ and producer PS1 was released on 21 September, while one by British DJ and producer Shapes was released on 9 October. Dawe, KSI and Henderson were scheduled to perform "Lighter" at KISS's Haunted House Party on 31 October 2020, but Dawe could not be present at the event due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.[16] "Lighter" was performed by the three artists on BBC One's Top of the Pops New Year Special, which aired on 31 December 2020.[17]

Critical reception

"Lighter" was met with positive reviews from music critics. The staff of Sport Playlists called "Lighter" an "anthemic slice of feel-good dance music" and liked how KSI's "memorable verse [punctuates] the track’s bubbling, sugary melodies and infectious chorus".[18] Oliver Tryon of CULTR found that "KSI's signature rapping... [allows] for an injection of rhyming energy that allows for a refreshing sound overall".[5] Sean Evans of Back To The Movies wrote 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 words and their alternative meanings".[19] Writing for What's On, Lauren Townsend called "Lighter" a "banger" which is "really easy to enjoy".[6] Robin Murray of Clash proclaimed that the song "could well be a summer smash" and called it "a clinical banger for those looking to unload [COVID-19] lockdown energy".[3] "Lighter" was dubbed "one of the hits of the summer" by the staff of Promonews.[20] "Lighter" won the Amazon Music UK award for the Best Song of 2020.[21]

Music video

The music video for "Lighter" was directed by Troy Roscoe.[20] The video was released to KSI's YouTube channel on 24 July 2020.[22] The opening scenes star a cast, comprising Dawe, KSI, S-X and Window Kid, playing poker. KSI challenges his fellow group members to compete at other sports, leading to them playing basketball and football. The group, who are accompanied by a coach, start out completely useless at both sports, but their on-court skills improve as the video progresses.[20] Speaking about the music video shoot, Dawe recalled, "It was a genuinely fun project. It was just a jokes day. It was genuine fun. That's what makes the video match the song because it's such a light-hearted, happy song."[4] KSI released a reaction video, in which him and Dawe watch the song's music video, to YouTube on 31 July 2020.[23][24] 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.[25][26]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Promonews.[20]

  • Troy Roscoe – director, editor, VFX
  • Ghandi El-Chamaa – producer
  • Nicola Sheppard – executive producer, commissioner
  • Stefan Yap – director of photography
  • Marcus Albertsen – focus puller
  • Charlie Knight – second assistant camera
  • Matt Allsop – steadicam
  • Johnjoe Besagni – gaffer
  • Louis Simonon – art director
  • Maria Bracher – wardrobe
  • Alex Gregory – colourist
  • Film Band – production company

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, "Lighter" was the country's most downloaded song of the week and it earned the highest new entry on the UK Singles Chart, debuting at number four, becoming both Dawe and KSI's first song to reach the top five of the chart.[27][28][29] The song spent eight weeks inside the top five of the chart, peaking at number three for four of those weeks.[28][30] The song spent a total of 21 weeks on the UK Singles Chart.[28] "Lighter" debuted at number two on the UK Dance Singles Chart.[31] On 1 October 2020, the Official Charts Company reported that "Lighter" was the UK's 40th highest-selling and 32nd most-downloaded song of 2020.[32] On 1 January 2021, "Lighter" was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of 600,000 track-equivalent units in the country.[33]

In Ireland, "Lighter" debuted at number 17 on the Irish Singles Chart.[34][35] The song peaked at number eight in its sixth week and spent a total of 18 weeks on the chart.[36][35] In the United States, "Lighter" debuted at number 18 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and spent eight weeks on the chart.[37] The song further debuted at number three on the Billboard Euro Digital Song Sales chart and spent six weeks on the chart.[38]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[39]

  • Nathan Dawe – producer, songwriter, programmer
  • KSI – songwriter, vocals
  • Ella Henderson – songwriter, vocals
  • Tre Jean-Marie – producer, songwriter, bass, drums, engineer, mixer, piano, programmer, synthesizer
  • Jonny Lattimer – songwriter
  • Adam Lunn – engineer
  • Kevin Grainger – masterer

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Lighter"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] Platinum 600,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Lighter"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 24 July 2020
Original
[10]
Contemporary hit radio [52]
28 August 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Acoustic [53]
4 September 2020 S-X Remix [15]
21 September 2020 PS1 Remix [54]
9 October 2020 Shapes Remix [55]

See also

References
  1. "Nathan Dawe talks working with KSI and Ella Henderson on new single Lighter". Official Charts Company. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  2. "KSI Reveals the Secrets of His Success & Making 'Lighter' with DJ Nathan Dawes | Good Morning Britain". Good Morning Britain. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via YouTube.
  3. Murray, Robin (24 July 2020). "'I'm Able To Give People What They Want!' Clash Meets KSI". Clash. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  4. "KSI & Nathan Dawe Talk 'Lighter' Music Video | Interview | Capital". Capital FM. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  5. Tryon, Oliver (24 July 2020). "Nathan Dawe & KSI Unite On Rap House Crossover 'Lighter'". CULTR. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  6. Townsend, Lauren (24 July 2020). "Lighter- Nathan Dawe ft KSI review". What's On. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  7. Dawe, Nathan [@NathanDawe] (12 July 2020). "My new single, and who it's with, will be announced on Weds at 6PM" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via Twitter.
  8. Dawe, Nathan [@NathanDawe] (15 July 2020). "The rumours are true @NathanDawe X @KSI New single #Lighter out next Fri! Pre-order from midnight tonight" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via Twitter.
  9. Dawe, Nathan (15 July 2020). "The rumours are true 😅 @KSI 🤯 New single 'LIGHTER' out next Friday! Available to pre-order now 🔥 (link in bio)". Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via Instagram.
  10. "Lighter (feat. KSI) ‒ Single by Nathan Dawe". Apple Music. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  11. "Nathan Dawe x KSI - Lighter [Official Lyric Video]". 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  12. Dawe, Nathan [@NathanDawe] (25 July 2020). "It's going off tonight 7PM. Live launch party featuring first ever performance of 'Lighter' w/ @KSI Special guest appearances too YouTube.com/nathandawe" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020 – via Twitter.
  13. Nathan Dawe [@NathanDawe] (21 August 2020). "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" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. "Nathan Dawe x KSI x Ella Henderson – Lighter (Acoustic) [Official Video]". 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020 – via YouTube.
  15. Wynter, Courtney (7 September 2020). "Big Zuu, Window Kid & S-X Join KSI & Nathan Dawe On New 'Lighter' Remix". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 4 January 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  16. KISS FM UK [@KissFMUK] (26 October 2020). "#KISSHaunted news Gutted to say @NathanDawe can't make the event anymore! He has to isolate and enjoy the show from home instead. Events in a global pandemic right?! Big love from us @NathanDawe and we hope you enjoy the show safe and sound!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020 – via Twitter.
  17. "Top of the Pops' Christmas Day and New Year 2020 line-up revealed". Official Charts Company. 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  18. "Nathan Dawe collabs with KSI on latest hit single 'Lighter'". Sports Playlists. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  19. Evans, Sean (31 July 2020). "KSI Lighter Music Video Review: A Step Up For KSI". Back To The Movies. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  20. "Nathan Dawe x KSI 'Lighter' by Troy Roscoe". Promonews. 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  21. Amazon Music UK (15 December 2020). "🥁...🥁...🥁... 'Lighter' has taken top spot! Thank you to all who voted, and huge congrats to @nathandawe and @ksi 🏆". Retrieved 15 December 2020 – via Instagram.
  22. "Nathan Dawe x KSI – Lighter [Official Video]". 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  23. "I Have A Special Guest". 31 July 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  24. Dawe, Nathan [@NathanDawe] (31 July 2020). "Only right that me & @KSI reacted to our own music video youtu.be/eFut5i0otw4" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2020 – via Twitter.
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  53. "Lighter (feat. KSI & Ella Henderson) [Acoustic] ‒ Single by Nathan Dawe". Apple Music. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  54. "Lighter (feat. KSI) [PS1 Remix] ‒ Single by Nathan Dawe". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  55. "Lighter (feat. KSI) [Shapes Remix] ‒ Single by Nathan Dawe". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
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