13 More Songs Propelled by Light 💡

Reading Time: 14 min read

13 More Songs Propelled by Light 💡 features music courtesy of Charlie Puth, Hozier, Kelly Clarkson, Lana Del Rey, and The Weeknd.

In the words of Jamaican 🇯🇲 standout, 🎙 Sean Paul, “Jus gimme the light and pass the dro”. On second thought 🤔 💭, perhaps there is a better example of a light 💡 lyric other than being lit 🔥 for weed 💨 😵‍💫 We’ll opt for 🎙 Melanie Martinez, whom on 🎵 “LIGHT SHOWER” (💿 PORTALS) asserts, “You’re the shower 🚿 of light 💡I devour any day of the week / Baby, cleanse me.” Ooh-la-la! The keyword, in different contexts from Sean Paul and Melanie Martinez, is light 💡, like, totally # SHINE ON ME ☀️! This 13-song musical compendium, 🎧 13 More Songs Propelled by Light 💡, arrives as a long-overdue follow-up to 🎧 13 Songs Propelled by Light, published in September 2018 🤯. 🎧 13 More Songs Propelled by Light 💡 features light-driven music courtesy of 🎙 Charlie Puth, 🎙 Hozier, 🎙 Kelly Clarkson, 🎙 Lana Del Rey, and 🎙 The Weeknd among others. The playlist encompasses pop, R&B, soul, alternative, country, soundtrack, and rap. Without further ado, get prepare to light up your music rotation with these luminescent gems 💎!

1. The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”

💿 After Hours • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2020 

The best song from 💿 After Hours, as well as the best song of 2020, is 🎵 “Blinding Lights”. The former Billboard Hot 100 no. 1 hit is an epic pop song by 🏆 Grammy-winning, Canadian R&B artist, 🎙 The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). Shockingly, “Blinding Lights” and After Hours, arguably The Weeknd’s best work to date was snubbed by the Grammys. Of course, you can’t cry over spilled milk, so, let’s continue to rave over this musical excellence despite the fact it was WRONGED. “Blinding Lights” commences enigmatically with a minor key (eventually settling into major) and moody synths.  This is before the groove settles in, one of the biggest selling points. There’s plenty to ❤️ about this single, starting with its pop/pop-rock vibe. 🎛 Max Martin and Oscar Holter produce alongside Tesfaye. 

“Blinding Lights” features beautiful vocals, the form is straightforward, while the centerpiece should come as no surprise – the chorus:  

“I said, ooh, I’m blinded by the lights

No, I can’t sleep until I feel your touch

I said, ooh, I’m drowning in the night
Oh, when I’m like this, you’re the one I trust

Hey, hey hey.”  

Thematically, The Weekend focuses on love, relationships, and sex – predictable, but always effective. All in all, “Blinding Lights” is superb, showing his versatility on this sick, utterly infectious, pop record.

Appears in 🔻:

2. Kelly Clarkson, “lighthouse”

💿 chemistry • 🏷 Kelly Clarkson / Atlantic • 📅 2023

🎵 “lighthouse” marks a dynamic song from 💿 chemistry, the tenth album by 🏆 Grammy-winning pop superstar 🎙 Kelly Clarkson. The theme is irreparable love, a perfect fit for a D-I-V-O-R-C-E album. “Like a wave, you’re always crashin’ into me,” Clarkson sings in the memorable chorus, later adding, “No shootin’ stars 💫 can fix what we aren’t, and / What’s a good lighthouse when the light is burnin’ out?” A darker, more pessimistic record despite how we typically view a lighthouse, this is one of the better and most genuine joints from chemistry. “What you loved, what you wanted, what you held / So high when we first met in hindsight,” she sings in the bridge, “Were the things that you tried and ask me to change / As if I could do that.” That hits different!

3. Hozier, “First Light”

💿 Unreal Unearth • 🏷 Rubyworks Ltd. / Columbia • 📅 2023

“And I can scare believe what I’m believin’ in / Could this be how every day begins?” Legtimate question, 🎙 Hozier! 🎵 “First Light” marks the coda of 💿 Unreal Unearth, the hour-plus, third LP by the 🏆 Grammy-nominated, Irish singer/songwriter – like, #Take Me To Church ⛪️ 🙌. Hozier references 📚 Dante (📚 The Divine Comedy), who fuels plenty of Unreal Earth, but opts for a post-Inferno perspective – there’s light ☀️! “The sky set to burst, the bold and the rust,” he sings in the pre-chorus, continuing, “The color erupts, you fillin’ my cup / The sun ☀️ comin’ up.” Musically, there is an interesting change in the harmonic scheme in the pre-chorus and chorus 🤓. The contrast and melodic quirks are selling points. Furthermore, there is excellent separation between the verses and choruses. The chorus, of course, is the centerpiece:

“Like I lived my whole life

Before the first light

(Some bright mornin’ comes).”

Notably, some fine colorful touches increase engagement in the second verse. Of course, the songwriting continues to captivate too (“But after this, I’m never gonna be the same / And I am never going back again”).

4. Lana Del Rey, “Let The Light In” (Ft. Father John Misty)

💿 Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd • 🏷 Polydor / Interscope • 📅 2023

“Ooh, turn your light on / Look at us, you and I, back at it again.” Back at it again, indeed! When 🎙 Lana Del Rey and 🎙 Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) get together, the musical chemistry is EVERYTHING. That is the case on 🎵 “Let The Light In”, the 12^th track from Del Rey’s excellent ninth album, 💿 Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd. “Let The Light In” is a song where possessing a degree of chemistry 🧪 is a vital aspect of the song. “Let The Light In” hearkens back to an earlier Ocean Blvd gem, 🎵 “Kintsugi”, when her and Tillman sing, “Ooh, let the light in.” The chorus in particular is one of the best of the LP. “Let The Light In” has a degree of intimacy, both from a love and sexual standpoint. The way that Del Rey seems to weave all aspects of the relationship in is impressive. The love/hate is real (“‘Cause I love to love, to love, to love you / I hate to hate, to hate, to hate you”).

5. Charlie Puth, “Light Switch”

💿 CHARLIE • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2022

“Why you callin’ at 11:30 / When you only wanna do me dirty?” Ooh wee, 🎙 Charlie Puth! “But I hit right back / ‘Cause you got that-that, yeah.” 🎵 “Light Switch” marked the first taste of 💿 Charlie that fans received in 2022. Thematically, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated musician dabbles in matters of the pants! While a true relationship with this seems unlikely, the sex is poppin’. He hungers for her, evident in the pre-chorus (“All a sudden, I’m hypnotized / You’re the one I can’t deny”), and confirmed in the memorable, fun chorus: “You turn me on like a light switch / When you’re movin’ your body around and around / Now, I don’t wanna fight this (No) / You know how to just make me want.” Puth sings with an airy, light tone – there’s still a sense of boyish innocence. Nonetheless, I like the sweet falsetto he serves up in the chorus. Besides a naughty but ‘not too naughty’ script, the bright, warm pop production (Puth) is a plus, featuring some colorful touches (including harmonized vocals) and an infectious pop groove. Has a minor key joint ever sounded so exuberant?

Appears in 🔻:

Awesome Songs: January 2022

6. Harry Styles, “Lights Up”

💿 Fine Line • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2019

Did 🎙 Harry Styles ‘come out’ when he released single 🎵 “Lights Up” on 📅 October 11, 2019 (National Coming Out Day)? That is the question surrounding the single. Regardless of how Styles identifies sexually, “Lights Up,” is quite the intriguing record. The 🏆 Grammy-winning British heartthrob went against the grain on his promo single from 💿 Fine Line, and it boded well for him. “Lights Up” has elements of vintage and retro, led by the robust bass line and the keyboards. Still, there are also some modern cues, including the sleekness of the vocal production and some programming as well. The record possesses a great groove, and fine production work courtesy of 🎛 Tyler Johnson. Vocally, Styles remains a force, sounding absolutely marvelous, as he makes it clear he will “Shine, step into the light” and notably, ‘never go back.’ Honestly, it’s the lyrics, the accompanying music video, and the significance of 10/11/19 that add to the speculation regarding Styles’ sexuality. Does he care? Probably not. There does seem to be elements of bisexuality implied in the music video, while the lyrics seem to be ‘open-minded’ without specifically addressing sexuality. But the chorus seems to ‘open the door’:

“All the lights couldn’t put out the dark

Runnin’ through my heart

Lights up and they know who you are

Know who you are

Do you know who you are? (Oh).”

Appears in 🔻:

7. Halsey, “The Lighthouse”

💿 If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power • 🏷 Capitol • 🗓 2021

🎙 Halsey (Ashley Frangipane) pleasantly surprises us with the best album of her career, 💿 If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is an album with a darker sound that finds Frangipane reflecting on love, mental health, and childbirth. She gets a huge lift behind the boards thanks to the 🏆 Academy- and Grammy-award winning production team 🎛 Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor. Among the best songs from If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is 🎵 “The Lighthouse.” Despite being called “The Lighthouse,” Halsey opts for a dark, ‘minor key’ path. Case in point – the chorus:

“There is a lighthouse

In the middle of the deep

And I’m still stranded on the shoreline there

And nobody hears me scream.”

Yikes! Besides the chorus, Frangipane provides examples of several bad, devilish experiences. In the first verse, she mentions an ex who “Was tall and mean with venom eyes so green / Wanted reconciliation, but my tongue was in my teeth” (Yes, we can speculate if that’s 🎙 G-Eazy 😜) In the second verse, the sailor she meets is not good – “A sailor ain’t a savior cause they only tell you lies.” Of course, Frangipane also admits her own devilishness in the bridge, while in the outro, “the waves come crashing down.” Yeah, some lighthouse, alright!

Appears in 🔻:

Light: 5ive Songs No. 75 (2021)

8. Thomas Rhett, “Be A Light” (Ft. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban)

💿 20 Number Ones • 🏷 Big Machine Label Group, LLC • 📅 2023

“Yeah, it’s hard to live in color / When you just see black and white / In a world full of ate, be a light.” Those are thoughtful lyrics that 🏆 Grammy-nominated country musician 🎙 Thomas Rhett sings on the uplifting single, 🎵 “Be a Light”. Rhett isn’t the sole superstar to grace the COVID-19 relief record, even if he serves in the capacity as lead artist. He’s joined by the star-studded cast of 🎙 Reba McEntire, 🎙 Hillary Scott, CCM standout 🎙 Chris Tomlin, and 🎙 Keith Urban. Honestly, just reading through the names, it’s hard not to be in awe of “Be a Light.” For the most part, “Be a Light” is a success. Rhett is the main attraction. “In a time, full of war, be peace,” he sings on the first verse, continuing the wisdom, singing, “In a time full of doubt, just believe.” Yes, Thomas is the ‘head honcho,’ but gets welcome assists from everybody. Chris Tomlin sings the second half of the second verse for example. Reba and Hillary split the second chorus. Urban joins on the third verse, alongside Rhett, Scott, and Reba, with all five singers joining together on the final chorus. “Be A Light” successfully delivers a thoughtful, transcendent message. The 🎛 Dann Huff produced record, released in a turbulent 2020, is perfectly suited for COVID-19 pandemic relief.

Appears in 🔻:

9. ZAYN, “No Candle No Light” (Ft. Nick Minaj)

💿 Icarus Falls • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2018

“Quit burning all of my time / I, I woke up on the wrong side of ya.” Uh-oh! 💿 Icarus Falls wasn’t a success initially for the handsome (😍) and talented pop musician, 🎙 ZAYN. Famously, the album peaked at no. 61 on the Billboard 200, where it charted just four weeks 🤯. Despite its sus performance, Icarus Falls was certified gold by the RIAA in 2020. None of the singles took off the 2018 LP, including the urban/electro-pop flavored 🎵 “No Candle No Light” featuring 🎙 Nicki Minaj. The slick beat and synths (produced by 🎛 Tushar Apte, Sawyr, and Brian Lee), constructing a moody vibe wasn’t enough to spark “No Candle No Light,” which literally had no light on the charts 😏. Nicki Minaj sings the first verse respectably, but it was by no means game changing (“Hand on your hand / Chest on your chest / Tangled in bed / But I’m feeling you less”). ZAYN arrives at the end of the verse, with the two superstars duetting in the pre-chorus and the centerpiece, the chorus: “No candle, no light for you…” ZAYN takes the reins in the second verse, showcasing his radiant vocal tone. Nicki appears at the end of the second verse, as ZAYN did earlier in the first. Ultimately, 🎵 “No Candle No Light” proved to be an okay record, but not particularly memorable. Revisiting it five years later the result is similar.

Appears in 🔻:

Candle 🕯️: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 68 (2023)

10. BROCKHAMPTON, “The Light”

💿 ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE • 🏷 Question Everything, Inc. / RCA • 📅 2021

🎵 “The Light” marks a heavy moment from 💿 ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE, the 2021 album by now defunct ‘boy band,’ 🎙 BROCKHAMPTON. 🎙 Joba makes his first appearance in the album, and it’s an emotional one. Why? He tackles his father’s suicide: “When I see myself, I see a broken man / Remnants of my pops, put the Glock to his head.” Besides the key first verse, he goes on to deliver the chorus, where he asserts, “Something’s missin’ deep inside / The light.” 🎙 Kevin Abstract follows, and also seems to be bummed, dropping some clever references to tennis, The Matrix, and referencing the constriction of their record deal. The emotion and the honesty are greatly appreciated and make this record a resounding success. The hard-hitting, dramatic production also plays a key role.

11. Debby Boone, “You Light Up My Life”

**💿 You Light Up My Life • 🏷 Curb • 📅 1977**  

“So many dreams / I’ve kept deep inside me,” 🎙 Debby Boone sings, continuing, “Alone in the dark / But now you’ve come along.” Oh, the feels! Per Boone, on the dominant, no. 1 pop hit, 🎵 “You Light Up My Life” (1977), she was singing to God 🙌.  Fair enough.  The chorus of “You Light Up My Life” is incredibly inspirational, and could parallel walking with God and giving him praise:   

“And you  

Light up my life  

You give me hope  

To carry on  

You light up my days  

And fill my nights  

With song.”   

That said, the original intent of this song, penned by 🎼 ✍ Joseph Brooks for the movie, 🎦 You Light Up My Life, wasn’t directed toward God. The power of love, however, is a key whether this uplifting number is viewed religiously or secularly – romance. Notably, Boone DID NOT originally record her one-hit wonder 🤯.  The original vocalist was 🎙 Kasey Cisyk on the soundtrack for the film. Regardless, Boone’s recording earned her 10 weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, two Grammys (Song of The Year and Best New Artist), and the record won the Academy Award for Best Song. Still to this day, the light shines bright when it comes to 🎵 🎵 “You Light Up My Life” particularly the Debby Boone rendition. 

Appears in 🔻:   

12. Reuben Gray, “Till the Lights Go Out”

🎵 “Till the Lights Go Out” • 🏷 Balance It Out • 📅 2018

In 2018, then 17-year-old pop artist 🎙 Reuben Gray released a terrific debut single, 🎵 “Till the Lights Go Out”. The gifted multi-instrumentalist (born in 2000), cooked up greatness in the studio, working with top-notch producers and songwriters including producer 🎛 John Nathaniel. The fruits of his labors definitely pay off on “Till the Lights Go Out.” The slick backdrop is the first thing that stands out. Early on, magnificent, moody, ear-catching vibes are established. This backdrop includes superb drum programming and piano 🎹. Beyond the instrumental in all its glory, there’s Reuben, who shines like a beacon. His vocals are expressive, his tone gorgeous, and he’s lifted by superb vocal production.

The form of “Till the Lights Go Out” is relatively straightforward. The pre-chorus easily gets stuck in one’s head: “Hey, hey / She got that Gucci /… I know you’re lonely / Girl I’ll take you places / I could show you so much more.” Per Gray:

“Till the Lights Go Out” is my answer to our generations constant quest for acceptance and the need to be validated by our peers. I want to show that you don’t need the most expensive clothes, the latest mobile phone or even hundreds of likes on your profile picture to be happy. All you really need is to find that one person who likes you for who you really are.

The chorus, the crowning achievement, is catchy and memorable:

“I just wanna love you till the lights go out

I promise to give it all girl I’ll make that vow

I could be falling

I could be drowning

I don’t really care

I don’t really care

I just wanna love you till the lights go

Lights go

Till the lights go

Out.”

Appears in 🔻:

11 Intriguing Songs by Young Musicians Born in 2000 & Beyond (2020)

13. Teddy Pendergrass, “Turn off the Lights”

💿 Teddy • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1979

“Turn off the lights and light a candle / Tonight I’m in a romantic mood, yeah.” Ooh-la-la ! Back in the day, 🎙 Teddy Pendergrass’ music oozed with sex. “Let’s take a shower, shower together / I’ll wash your body, and you’ll wash mine,” he sings on 🎵 “Turn Off the Lights,” adding, “Rub me down in some hot oils baby, yeah / And I’ll do the same thing for you.” Aww Sugar.Honey.Iced.Tea!!! “Turn Off the Lights” stands out from his platinum-certified album, 1979 LP, 💿 Teddy. Mr. Pendergrass never says sex, but he doesn’t have to – it’s obvious (“Girl I just wanna give you a special treat, you’re so sweet”).

Bitmoji Image The lushness of the production was enough to make “Turn Off the Lights” a hit. Those warm, sensual sounds and the orchestration – LIT. 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff constructed nothing short of musical excellence for TP. Pendergrass is the star, of course, with his voice drenched in soul and bearing ample authenticity. He sounds dedicated to his lover, expressively constructing this romantic, sensual evening vocally. You buy what he’s selling when he dramatically sings, “Turn ‘em off.” One of my favorite moments is the outro section. He’s supported by backing vocals (“Tell me what you wanna do / Tell me what you wanna do baby”), while professing his love (+ sex) to her. “Anything that you want / Anything that you need / I got it!” Woo!

Appears in 🔻:

13 More Songs Propelled by Light 💡 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Balance It Out, Big Machine Label Group, LLC, Capitol, Columbia, Curb, Kelly Clarkson, RCA, Republic, Rubyworks Ltd., Sony Music Entertainment; Arek Socha, Eduardo, Francis Ray, OpenClipart-Vectors, from Pixabay]

13 More Songs Propelled by Light 💡 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on October 13, 2023October 13, 2023