Lights Down Low (Max song)

Last updated
"Lights Down Low"
MAX - Lights Down Low (feat. gnash).png
EP cover
Single by MAX featuring gnash
from the album Hell's Kitchen Angel [1]
ReleasedOctober 14, 2016 (2016-10-14) [2]
Genre Pop [2]
Length3:44 [2]
Label DCD2 [2] [1]
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Nathaniel Motte
MAX singles chronology
"Basement Party"
(2016)		"Lights Down Low"
(2016)		"Did You Wrong"
(2016)
gnash singles chronology
"Home"
(2016)		"Lights Down Low"
(2016)		"Lonely Again"
(2017)

"Lights Down Low" is a song by American singer Max Schneider (better known as MAX) from his 2016 album, Hell's Kitchen Angel . The song was written by Schneider, Nathaniel Motte, and Liam O'Donnell, with Motte serving as the producer. [5] A later remix of the song includes a feature and writing contribution from singer gnash. The song, which MAX used to propose to his wife Emily, was released in October 2016; it became a sleeper hit, entering the Billboard Hot 100 more than a year after its release, and also earning a Platinum certification from the RIAA for sales of more than 1,000,000 copies. The song had an accompanying music video tracing the life of a couple living in an apartment. A "Latin Mix" featuring Argentine singer Tini was released on December 15, 2017. [6]

Contents

Background

After recording the song, MAX played it for his girlfriend, Emily, followed by a marriage proposal which she accepted. [7] [3] Originally, MAX planned to release the song in its solo form, but he decided to feature American rapper gnash on it after "this moment where I was like, 'Well, I kind of hear [gnash's] voice on "Lights Down Low." I never considered a rapper, it's a ballad, but you know what? I'm just gonna talk to him.'" [3]

After the song's release, it drew much attention in the LGBT community. [3] [8] In a 2017 interview with Billboard, MAX stated that "It's not our song anymore. It's everybody's song. Everybody is able to add whatever they want to it, what it is to them, and in that way, it becomes so much less — it's not about us anymore. It's not about even the artist or the writer or the singer, it's about what it can stand for for people." [3]

Composition

"Lights Down Low" is a midtempo pop song, with a length of 3 minutes and 44 seconds. Its instrumentation consists of keyboards, drums, guitar, and handclaps with Guitar pop and Acoustic pop elements and features a "Soulful" voice. [9] Sheet music for the song shows the key of E♭ major. [10]

Music video

The music video stars MAX and his wife, Emily. [7] The music video was shot above a bed; it depicts MAX in various relationships over the course of his lifetime. The video was directed by Crush Music and Christian Snell. Jade Ehlers, who is the creative director at Crush Music, explained that "the music video depicts what one's life might look like if they lived in one apartment their whole life." [11]

Commercial performance

The song was a sleeper hit, [12] becoming MAX's first Billboard Hot 100 entry as a lead artist. [13] It peaked at number 20 on the chart dated March 3, 2018. [13] [14] The song reached number one on the Billboard Adult Top 40 [15] and number seven on the Mainstream Top 40. [13] The radio promotion for the song was led by Brent Battles and Christopher Steven Brown of RED MUSIC. It also reached number 11 on the Canada Hot Adult Contemporary chart. [13] Its unexpected success was credited to strong airplay by hot adult contemporary stations in the United States. [16]

In Belgium, the song peaked at number five on Ultratip's Bubbling Under Singles chart, spending a total of eight weeks on the chart. [17]

In September 2017, the song was certified Gold in the United States for sales of more than 500,000 copies. In January 2018, the certification was upgraded to Platinum for sales of more than 1,000,000 copies. [18] [19]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [37] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [38] 3× Platinum240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [39] Gold45,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI) [40] Gold20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [41] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [42] 3× Platinum3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low (Flo Rida song)</span> 2007 single by Flo Rida

"Low" is the debut single by American rapper Flo Rida featuring fellow American singer T-Pain, from the former's debut studio album Mail on Sunday and also featured on the soundtrack to the 2008 film Step Up 2: The Streets. An official remix was made which also features Pitbull. The song peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Thousand Years (Christina Perri song)</span> 2011 single by Christina Perri

"A Thousand Years" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Christina Perri, and written by Perri and David Hodges, for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1. The song was released as a digital download on October 18, 2011, worldwide, and serves as the second single for the movie. Perri re-recorded the song with vocals from Steve Kazee for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latch (song)</span> 2012 single by Disclosure

"Latch" is a song by English electronic music duo Disclosure, featuring vocals from English singer Sam Smith. It was released as a digital download on 8 October 2012, by PMR Records. The lead single from their debut studio album, Settle (2013), the song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 26 and peaked at number 11. In the United States, "Latch" was a sleeper hit, peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 in August 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lay Me Down (Sam Smith song)</span> 2013 single by Sam Smith

"Lay Me Down" is a song by English singer Sam Smith, released on 15 February 2013 as the lead single from their debut studio album In the Lonely Hour (2014). It originally peaked at number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 25 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart in 2014. The song was written by Smith, Jimmy Napes and Elviin and produced by Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roses (The Chainsmokers song)</span> 2015 song by The Chainsmokers

"Roses" is a song by American DJ duo the Chainsmokers. It was released on June 16, 2015, as the second single from their debut EP, Bouquet (2015). The song features American singer Rozes. It was written by the Chainsmokers member Andrew Taggart and Rozes, and produced by the Chainsmokers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Locked Away</span> 2015 single by R. City featuring Adam Levine

"Locked Away" is a song by Virgin Islands production duo R. City featuring American singer Adam Levine, the lead singer of pop rock band Maroon 5. The song was released on June 29, 2015, by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records. The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the duo's first top ten hit and Levine's first single that he did not co-write.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lay It All on Me (song)</span> 2015 single by Rudimental featuring Ed Sheeran

"Lay It All on Me" is a song by British drum and bass band Rudimental. It features the vocals of Ed Sheeran. The song was recorded for Rudimental's second album, We the Generation (2015). On 24 September 2015, the band debuted the song on BBC Radio 1. It became available on streaming and downloading services the following day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Don't Talk Anymore (Charlie Puth song)</span> 2016 single by Charlie Puth featuring Selena Gomez

"We Don't Talk Anymore" is a song by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, featuring vocals from fellow American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on May 24, 2016, as the third single from Puth's debut studio album, Nine Track Mind. The artists wrote the song with Jacob Kasher Hindlin. Musically, it is a pop song with Puth's tropical-inspired production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Hate U, I Love U</span> 2016 single by Gnash featuring Olivia OBrien

"I Hate U, I Love U" is a song by American singer and rapper Gnash featuring American singer Olivia O'Brien. It was released on July 26, 2016, as the first single from Gnash's third extended play, Us (2016). The song peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "I Hate U, I Love U" topped the charts in Australia, a first for both Gnash and O'Brien, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gnash (musician)</span> American musician

Garrett Charles Nash, known by his stage name Gnash, is an American musician, rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ, and record producer. He released his debut extended play (EP), U, in March 2015 on SoundCloud and followed up with the Me EP in December 2015. His third EP, titled Us, was released in March 2017 and includes the single, "I Hate U, I Love U", featuring Olivia O'Brien, which peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in Australia. His debut studio album We was released in January 2019, and also features "I Hate U, I Love U".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Side to Side</span> 2016 single by Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj

"Side To Side" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring Nicki Minaj, from Grande's third studio album, Dangerous Woman (2016). Grande co-wrote the song with Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Minaj along with its producers Max Martin and Ilya. It is a reggae-pop song, featuring guest vocals from Minaj. The song was serviced to rhythmic and urban contemporary radio on August 30, 2016, serving as the third single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Love You (DJ Snake song)</span> 2016 single by DJ Snake

"Let Me Love You" is a song recorded by French DJ and electronic music producer DJ Snake featuring vocals from Canadian singer Justin Bieber. The song was released through Interscope Records on 5 August 2016 as the third single from his debut studio album, Encore (2016). The artists both co-wrote the song along with Andrew Watt, Ali Tamposi, Brian Lee and Louis Bell, while the song's production was handled by DJ Snake, Bell and Watt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starving (song)</span> 2016 single by Hailee Steinfeld featuring Gray and Zedd

"Starving" is a song by American singer Hailee Steinfeld and American duo Grey, featuring Russian-German producer Zedd. The song was written by Grey members Michael Trewartha and Kyle Trewartha, Robert McCurdy, Christopher Petrosino, and Asia Whiteacre. It was released on July 22, 2016, through Republic Records and Universal Music Group. "Starving" is included on the Japanese edition of Steinfeld's debut extended play, Haiz (2015). It serves as the record's third and final single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starboy (song)</span> 2016 song by the Weeknd featuring Daft Punk

"Starboy" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd featuring French electronic duo Daft Punk. It was released on September 21, 2016, through XO and Republic Records, as the lead single from his third studio album of the same name (2016). The artists wrote and produced the song with Doc McKinney and Henry "Cirkut" Walter, with Jason "DaHeala" Quenneville receiving additional credits. It is an R&B and electropop song that reflects themes of extravagance and celebrity life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Schneider discography</span>

American singer Max has released three studio albums, five extended plays, 39 singles, seven promotional singles and nine other album appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Feel It Coming</span> 2016 single by the Weeknd featuring Daft Punk

"I Feel It Coming" is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd featuring French electronic duo Daft Punk, from his third studio album, Starboy (2016). It was written by the trio alongside Doc McKinney, Cirkut and Eric Chedeville, being produced by Daft Punk, with The Weeknd, McKinney and Cirkut serving as co-producers. The song was released for digital download on November 18, 2016, alongside "Party Monster", as promotional singles. It was first sent to British contemporary hit radio on November 24, 2016, and it was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio on December 6, 2016, through XO and Republic Records, serving as the album's second single, following their previous collaboration "Starboy". It was named Song of the Year at the 2018 BMI R&B/Hip Hop Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold (Maroon 5 song)</span> 2017 single by Maroon 5 featuring Future

"Cold" is a song by American band Maroon 5 featuring American rapper Future. The song was released on February 14, 2017, as the second single from their sixth studio album Red Pill Blues (2017), included on both the deluxe and Japanese editions of the album. The song peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strip That Down</span> 2017 single by Liam Payne featuring Quavo

"Strip That Down" is the debut solo single by English singer and songwriter Liam Payne featuring American rapper Quavo. It was released on 19 May 2017, via Parlophone Records in the UK and Fueled By Ramen in the US. The song was written by Payne, Ed Sheeran—who contributes uncredited vocals to the song, Steve Mac and Quavo. It was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on 23 May 2017. The song's accompanying music video was released on 2 June 2017. The lyrical content is supposed to reflect Payne's freedom to venture into raunchy musical elements after departing from the British-Irish boy band One Direction. The song appears as a bonus track on Payne's debut studio album LP1. To date, it has sold 11.5 million units worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meant to Be (Bebe Rexha song)</span> 2017 single by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line

"Meant to Be" is a song recorded by American singer Bebe Rexha featuring American country music duo Florida Georgia Line, from Rexha's third extended play (EP) All Your Fault: Pt. 2 and later included in her debut studio album Expectations (2018). It was sent to American contemporary hit radio on October 24, 2017, by Warner Bros. Records as the second single from the EP. It was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. Rexha's acoustic version of the song without Florida Georgia Line was released on April 6, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls Like You</span> 2018 single by Maroon 5

"Girls Like You" is a song recorded by American band Maroon 5 from their sixth studio album Red Pill Blues (2017). The track was written by lead singer Adam Levine, Starrah, Gian Stone, Cirkut, and Jason Evigan, with the latter two serving as producers. A second version featuring and co-written by American rapper Cardi B, was released on May 30, 2018, as the album's fifth and final single. The single version was included on the re-release edition of the album.

References

  1. 1 2 "Hell's Kitchen Angel at iTunes". iTunes. Apple. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Lights Down Low – MAX overview". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Weatherby, Taylor. "MAX on Proposing To His Wife With 'Lights Down Low': 'This Song Is For Love'". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ Google Play Music. "Google Play Music: "Lights Down Low" – Lyrics and Writing Credits" Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ Google Play Music. "Google Play Music: "Lights Down Low" - Lyrics and Writing Credits" Retrieved December 10, 2017
  6. ↑ "Lights Down Low (Latin Mix) [feat. Tini] - Single". iTunes. Apple. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  7. 1 2 jagger. "Max feat. Gnash "Lights Down Low"". Kiss 95-7. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  8. ↑ "[Interview] MAX talks early life, "Lights Down Low", being true to yourself". 93Q. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  9. ↑ Snell, Christian. "MAX – Lights Down Low: About". www.billboard.com. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  10. ↑ "MAX "Lights Down Low" Sheet Music - Download & Print". musicnotes.com.
  11. ↑ Snell, Christian. "MAX – Lights Down Low: About". Christian W. Snell. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  12. ↑ Engelman, Nicole (October 3, 2018). "MAX Sings Alongside 'The Hangover' Monkey in Playful 'Worship' Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2022. ...first got mainstream attention with his sleeper hit "Lights Down Low" featuring gnash
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Chart Search: MAX". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.[ dead link ]
  14. 1 2 "Gnash Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  15. ↑ Trust, Gary (March 27, 2018). "MAX's 'Lights Down Low,' Featuring gnash, Shines at No. 1 on Adult Pop Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  16. ↑ Leight, Elias (2018-10-20). "Adult Radio Was Once the Butt of Jokes. Now It's the Hottest Radio Format". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  17. 1 2 "MAX feat. Gnash – Lights Down Low" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  18. ↑ "RIAA Gold Certification For Max "Lights Down Low"". All Access. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Gold & Platinum Search: Lights Down Low". RIAA. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Gnash Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Gnash Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  22. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201712 into search. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  23. ↑ "MAX feat. Gnash – Lights Down Low". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  24. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201714 into search. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Gnash Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Gnash Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Gnash Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Gnash Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Gnash Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Radio Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  37. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Max – Lights Down Low". Music Canada . Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Max – Lights Down Low". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Max – Lights Down Low" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved November 16, 2018.Enter Lights Down Low in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2018 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  41. ↑ "British single certifications – Max – Lights Down Low". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  42. ↑ "American single certifications – Max – Lights". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 1, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.