Up We Go

Last updated
"Up We Go"
Lights - Up We Go single.jpg
Single by Lights
from the album Little Machines
ReleasedJuly 22, 2014 (2014-07-22)
Genre Synthpop
Length2:56
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lights singles chronology
"Cactus in the Valley (Acoustic)"
(2013)
"Up We Go"
(2014)
"Running with the Boys"
(2015)

"Up We Go" is 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]

Contents

The song has enjoyed commercial success - it reached number 31 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and the top ten on multiple airplay formats, and was certified Gold by Music Canada in January 2015 - and was also met with positive reviews from contemporary music critics, being described as "impossibly catchy." [3]

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 . [4] 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. [4] 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." [3] 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]

Chart performance

"Up We Go" debuted at number 84 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for the chart dated August 9, 2014. On the chart dated November 8, 2014, "Up We Go" reached a new peak of number 31, becoming her second highest-charting single yet, behind "Drive My Soul", which peaked at number 18. It debuted at number 42 on Canada CHR/Top 40 on the chart issued September 13, 2014, as well as number 47 on Canada Hot AC and number 43 on Canada AC the following week. The song has since peaked in the top 10 on the former two, and the top 5 on the latter.

Music video

The official music video for "Up We Go" was directed by Alon Isocianu and premiered on Lights's VEVO channel on September 3, 2014. 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]

Other appearances

The song "Up We Go" also features in the soundtrack and ingame songs of EA's The Sims 4. The song has been remixed to be sung in the Sims language Simlish

Track listings

Digital download [7]

  1. "Up We Go" - 2:51

Digital download Borgeous Remix [8]

  1. "Up We Go" (Borgeous Remix) - 4:41

Digital download Borgeous Remix (UK) [9]

  1. "Up We Go" (Borgeous Remix) - 4:41
  2. "Up We Go" (Borgeous Instrumental Remix) - 4:41

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Little Machines liner notes. [10]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [17] Gold40,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabelRef.
CanadaJuly 22, 2014 Digital download LIGHTS Music / Universal Music Canada [1]
United StatesSeptember 9, 2014 Modern rock Warner Bros. Records [2]
United KingdomNovember 14, 2014Digital download
(Borgeous Remix)
[9]
CanadaDecember 15, 2014LIGHTS Music / Universal Music Canada [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lights (musician)</span> Canadian musician

Lights Poxleitner-Bokan, known mononymously as Lights, is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. She is known for singles "Drive My Soul", "February Air", "Ice", "Second Go", "Toes", "My Boots" and "Up We Go", which have charted within the top ninety on the Canadian Hot 100. Her work has earned multiple Juno Awards and Canadian Independent Music Awards.

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

Canadian singer and songwriter Lights has released six studio albums, three acoustic albums, eight extended plays, 39 singles, and 30 music videos. Lights began her career as a songwriter, penning songs for the television series Instant Star. She released a self-titled EP in 2008 on the independent record label Underground Operations. Two singles, "Drive My Soul" and "February Air", were released from the EP: "Drive My Soul" reached number 18 on the Canadian singles chart and was certified gold by Music Canada (MC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karmin</span> American pop duo

Karmin was an American pop duo consisting of Amy Renee Noonan and Nick Noonan. Starting as a novelty act that released covers on YouTube, they signed in 2011 with Epic Records. In May 2012, Karmin released their debut EP Hello, which spawned the singles "Brokenhearted" and "Hello", and received mixed reviews. Rolling Stone named Karmin's lead singer Amy as the winner of "Women Who Rock" 2012 contests. In March 2014, the duo released their debut album, Pulses. The album's lead single, "Acapella", charted in the top 10 in Australia and New Zealand, and went Gold in the United States. They left Epic Records in the middle of 2014 and have since released music independently. Their second album Leo Rising was released on September 9, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sail (song)</span> 2010 single by Awolnation

"Sail" is a song by the American rock band Awolnation. It was released as a single on November 8, 2010. The song was first featured on the band's debut extended play, Back from Earth (2010), and was later featured on their debut album, Megalithic Symphony (2011). The song was written and produced in Venice, California by group member Aaron Bruno, with Kenny Carkeet as audio engineer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brand New Bitch</span> Single by Anjulie

"Brand New Bitch" is a song written and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Anjulie. It was co-written by Michel Zitron and was produced by J.O.B. The song was released to digital retailers via Universal Republic Records on May 23, 2011.

<i>When the Lights Go Out</i> (EP) 2012 EP by Havana Brown

When the Lights Go Out EP is a five-song EP by Australian DJ and recording artist Havana Brown. It was released for digital download on 17 July 2012 by Island Records Australia as Brown's first EP. The Australian version of the EP includes five new songs, while the US version includes the international remix of "We Run the Night" featuring American rapper Pitbull. The track, being Brown's debut single, written by Cassie Davis and Snob Scrilla, and produced by RedOne, was released in September 2011 and became her first US top 40 hit, reaching number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The EP peaked at number 16 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exotic (Priyanka Chopra song)</span> 2013 single by Priyanka Chopra featuring Pitbull

"Exotic" is the second single by Indian recording artist Priyanka Chopra, featuring American rapper Pitbull. The song was released as a single by Interscope Records on July 9, 2013. "Exotic" was written by Chopra, Pitbull and RedOne, who also produced the song. It contains both English and Hindi lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mother We Share</span> 2012 single by Chvrches

"The Mother We Share" is the debut single by Scottish synth-pop band Chvrches from their debut studio album, The Bones of What You Believe. The song was re-released in the United Kingdom on 15 September 2013 by Virgin Records. The re-release peaked within the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 38 in September 2013. This made it their highest-charting single until 2019 when their collaboration with Marshmello's "Here With Me" reached number 9 on the UK Singles Chart in April 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dvbbs</span> Canadian music production duo

Dvbbs is a Canadian production duo formed in 2012, composed of brothers Christopher van den Hoef and Alexandre van den Hoef.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Were Us</span> 2013 single by Keith Urban with Miranda Lambert

"We Were Us" is a song written by Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins, and Jon Nite and recorded by New Zealand-born Australian country music singer Keith Urban as a duet with American country music singer Miranda Lambert. It was released in September 2013 as the second international single and third overall from Urban's 2013 album Fuse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsunami (Dvbbs and Borgeous song)</span> 2013 single by Dvbbs and Borgeous

"Tsunami" is a song released by Canadian electronic music duo Dvbbs and American DJ Borgeous. It was released as a single on September 9, 2013 on the Dutch label Doorn Records.

John James Borger Jr. better known by his stage name Borgeous, is an American DJ and music producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neon Lights (Demi Lovato song)</span> 2013 single by Demi Lovato

"Neon Lights" is a song by American singer Demi Lovato from her fourth studio album, Demi (2013). The song was released as the album's third single on November 19, 2013 by Hollywood Records. Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella produced and co-wrote the song along with Lovato, Mario Marchetti and Tiffany Vartanyan. On September 29, 2013, Lovato announced the name of her concert tour, the Neon Lights Tour, and soon after that "Neon Lights" would become the third single from the album. The song, with its prominent EDM and four-on-the-floor influences, covered new ground for Lovato, who had been previously known for her pop rock and ballad singles. Its accompanying music video was released on November 21, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're Mine (Eternal)</span> 2014 single by Mariah Carey

"You're Mine (Eternal)" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey included on her fourteenth studio album, Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse (2014). It premiered on February 12, 2014, as the third single from the album. It was written and produced by Carey with Rodney Jerkins. An R&B song, the lyrics revolve around the singer reminiscing about a past lover. Critical response to the song was positive: Carey's breathy vocal style and use of the whistle register at the climax earned praise from critics. It also garnered several comparisons to one of Carey's previous singles, "We Belong Together" (2005).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boom Clap</span> 2014 single by Charli XCX

"Boom Clap" is a song by English singer and songwriter Charli XCX, released as the first single from the soundtrack album of The Fault in Our Stars (2014) and is also featured on XCX's second studio album, Sucker. There are two existing mixes of this song: the first and original one is heard in the film, the film's soundtrack, and the music video shot in Amsterdam; the second mix is heard on the music video shot in Japan and in Sucker.

<i>Little Machines</i> 2014 studio album by Lights

Little Machines is the third studio album by Canadian electropop singer-songwriter Lights, released on September 19, 2014, through Warner Bros. Records. It was preceded in July 2014 by the release of its lead single "Up We Go", which debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at number 84. In October 2014, Little Machines debuted on the Canadian Albums Chart at number five, and on the US Billboard 200 at number 34. The album sold 8,500 copies in its first week in Canada. On March 15, 2015, 'Little Machines' won the 'Pop Album of the Year' award at the 2015 Juno Awards. The album title comes from a lyric in the song "Running with the Boys".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Heart Wants What It Wants</span> 2014 single by Selena Gomez

"The Heart Wants What It Wants" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on November 6, 2014, through Hollywood Records, as the lead and only single from her compilation album For You (2014). The song was written by Gomez, Antonina Armato, David Jost and Tim James. Armato and James, who collectively form the production duo Rock Mafia, also produced the song. A mid-tempo pop and R&B track with a minimal electropop beat, its accompanying music video was premiered on November 6, 2014, alongside the premiere of the song itself. It is Gomez's last single release under the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running with the Boys</span> 2015 single by Lights

"Running with the Boys" is a song recorded by Canadian electropop artist Lights for her third studio album, Little Machines (2014). It was co-written by Lights and the album's producer, Drew Pearson. The song was first released September 9, 2014 as the album's second countdown single through iTunes, and was later serviced to Canadian radio on January 26, 2015 as the second official single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Summer's Gonna Hurt like a Motherfucker</span> 2015 song by American pop band Maroon 5

"This Summer's Gonna Hurt like a Motherfucker" is a song performed by American pop rock band Maroon 5. The fourth single from the album, it followed the reissue deluxe edition of the band's fifth studio album V, on May 15, 2015. Musically, the song has been described as having a "synthpop sound", while incorporating an arena rock style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blinding Lights</span> 2019 single by the Weeknd

"Blinding Lights" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on November 29, 2019, through XO and Republic Records, as the second single from his fourth studio album, After Hours (2020). The song was written and produced by the Weeknd alongside Swedish musicians Max Martin and Oscar Holter, with fellow Canadian musicians Belly and DaHeala receiving additional writing credits. The song was met with universal acclaim.

References

  1. 1 2 Stern, Bradley. "LIGHTS Announces New Album 'Little Machines' And Premieres New Single, "Up We Go": Listen". Idolator . Spin Media . Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Mediabase. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 Moskovitch, Greg. "Lights Announces New Album 'Little Machines', Streams Single 'Up We Go'". Music Feeds . Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 Benjamin, Jeff. "LIGHTS Returns With Inspiring Electro-Pop Smash "Up We Go"". Fuse . The Madison Square Garden Company . Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  5. "Listen: Lights - 'Up We Go'". Popjustice . Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  6. Daw, Robbie. "LIGHTS' "Up We Go" Video: Watch The Charming Elevator-Set Romp". Idolator . Spin Media . Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  7. "Little Machines (Deluxe Version) by Lights". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Up We Go (Borgeous Remix) - Single by Lights". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Up We Go (Borgeous Remix) - Single by Lights". iTunes Store (UK). Apple Inc . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  10. Little Machines (Compact disc liner notes). Lights. LIGHTS Music. 2014. B00M2D7HFY.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. "Lights Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  12. "Lights Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  13. "Lights Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  14. "Lights Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  15. "Billboard Canada AC Top 40 of 2015". Music Canada via Nielsen N.V. December 26, 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  16. "Billboard Canada Hot AC Top 40 of 2015". Music Canada via Nielsen N.V. December 26, 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  17. "Canadian single certifications – Lights – Up We Go". Music Canada.