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Up We Go

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"Up We Go"
Song

"Up We Go" is the title of a song recorded by Canadian electropop artist Lights for her third studio album, Little Machines (2014). Written by Lights in collaboration with songwriter-producer Tawgs Salter, the song was released July 22, 2014 via LIGHTS Music as the lead single from the album.[1] In the United States, it was released to modern rock radio through Warner Bros Records on September 9, 2014.[2]

Composition

"Up We Go" is a synthpop song that combines Lights' signature electro-influenced pop production style with "lush" guitars. Jeff Benjamin of fuse described the style as a compromise between the lighter synths of her debut and the grittier electropop territory explored on Siberia.[3] Lyrically, the song is an anthem about persevering through difficult times, with the chorus assuring the listener that "from down this low / It's only up we go".

Critical reception

The song received mostly positive reviews from contemporary music critics. In his "Song of the Day" spotlight featuring "Up We Go", Jeff Benjamin of fuse praised Lights for "[mixing] clever lyrics... with inspiring lyrics about persevering and looking forward to the brighter day" and was also complimentary of the shift in her sound.[3] Also praising the lighter musical approach, Greg Moskovitch of Music Feeds wrote that "[t]he punchy, synth-pop production provides a soaring and glittering soundbed for Poxleitner’s motivational lyrics, which lead into an anthemic, impossibly catchy chorus."[4] British music blog Popjustice rated the song 8/10 and felt the song had the potential to elevate Lights's career to the next level: "Canadian electronic pop expert Lights hasn't yet enjoyed the UK success she deserves... which is a shame, because if this excellent first track from her new album 'Little Machines' is anything to go by she's about to scale new heights."[5]

Music video

The official music video for "Up We Go" was directed by Alon Isocian and premiered on Lights's VEVO channel on September 3, 2014.[6] The one shot video features the singer in an elevator, with various background events and characters appearing as the doors open to new locations.[6][7]

Chart performance

"Up We Go" debuted at No. 84 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for the chart dated August 9, 2014. On the chart dated October 25, 2014, "Up We Go" reached a new peak of No. 35, becoming her second highest charting single yet, behind "Drive My Soul" which peaked at No. 18. [8]

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 33
Canada AC (Billboard)[10] 26
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[11] 9
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[12] 19

Release history

Country Date Format
Canada[1] July 22, 2014 Digital download
United States[2] September 9, 2014 Modern rock

References

  1. ^ a b Stern, Bradley. "LIGHTS Announces New Album 'Little Machines' And Premieres New Single, "Up We Go": Listen". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Mediabase. Archived from the original on Aug 25, 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b Benjamin, Jeff. "LIGHTS Returns With Inspiring Electro-Pop Smash "Up We Go"". Fuse. The Madison Square Garden Company. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  4. ^ Moskovitch, Greg. "Lights Announces New Album 'Little Machines', Streams Single 'Up We Go'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Listen: Lights - 'Up We Go'". Popjustice. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Lights "Up We Go" (Video Premiere)". Ultimate Music. josepvinaixa. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  7. ^ Daw, Robbie. "LIGHTS' "Up We Go" Video: Watch The Charming Elevator-Set Romp". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  8. ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100
  9. ^ "Billboard chart search / title = Up We Go / chart = Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 28 September 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
  10. ^ "Billboard chart search / title = Up We Go / chart = Canada AC". Billboard Biz. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 18 September 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
  11. ^ "Billboard chart search / title = Up We Go / chart = Canada CHR/Top 40". Billboard Biz. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 10 September 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
  12. ^ "Billboard chart search / title = Up We Go / chart = Canada Hot AC". Billboard Biz. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 18 September 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)