"Daylight" | ||||
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Single by David Kushner | ||||
from the album The Dichotomy | ||||
Released | April 14, 2023 | |||
Recorded | 2023 | |||
Genre | Gothic pop | |||
Length | 3:32 | |||
Label | Miserable | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Rob Kirwan | |||
David Kushner singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Daylight" on YouTube |
"Daylight" is a song by American singer-songwriter David Kushner. Kushner wrote it with Hayden Robert Hubers, Jeremy Fedryk, and Josh Bruce Williams, and Rob Kirwan produced it. Miserable Music Group released it as the lead single from his upcoming debut studio album, The Dichotomy (2024), on April 14, 2023. An orchestral gothic pop ballad, it is inspired by Paul the Apostle's teachings and biblical allusions Kushner found inspirational as a child.
The song went viral on video-sharing service TikTok in 2023. In the United Kingdom, it debuted and peaked at number two on the Official Singles Chart, becoming Kushner's first top-10 single. The song reached number one in Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and Switzerland. Luke Shaw and Landon Juern directed the music video, which was released alongside it.
Background and release
[edit]After realizing he could sing after finishing 12th grade, David Kushner began writing songs with a close friend while living in Florida. He played the guitar and taught music to himself. Eventually, Kushner worked with a vocal coach and started writing songs he believed "will speak to people". He released the singles "Miserable Man" and "Mr. Forgettable", which preceded his debut extended play Footprints I Found.[1][2]
Kushner wrote the song "Daylight" with Hayden Robert Hubers, Jeremy Fedryk, and Josh Bruce Williams.[3] He described his inspiration for the song: "With my song 'Daylight,' I aim to convey the paradoxical desire for something that is simultaneously harmful to oneself, using elements of light and darkness, the lyrics 'Oh I love it and I hate it at the same time you and I drink the poison from the same vine' encapsulate this concept."[2] One of the fastest songs Kushner ever wrote, its story is based on biblical allusions he found inspirational as a child.[1] He created "Daylight" stimulated by Paul the Apostle's teachings about overcoming "evil forces" in the world, perceiving "darkness" as a ubiquitous concept that represents the "worst version of ourselves".[4]
"Daylight" went viral on video-sharing service TikTok, after Kushner posted demo snippets and created a trend called "You look happier; what happened" leading up to its release.[5][6] The snippet was used in more than 230,000 clips, and among other promotional efforts, he asked fans to send different options for its official single artwork.[7] Miserable Music Group released the song as a single on April 14, 2023.[2][8] It was serviced for radio airplay in Italy on April 28, 2023.[9] "Daylight" was sent to adult album alternative radio stations in the United States on May 1, 2023.[10] Daylight was used during a promo for Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar III as its 2nd theme song for WWE's SummerSlam, reportedly because Cody had just recently joined TikTok.
Composition
[edit]![A man in a shirt and glasses playing with a thread tied around his neck afront sunlight](Https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/David_Kushner_%28singer%29.jpg/170px-David_Kushner_%28singer%29.jpg)
"Daylight" is three minutes and 32 seconds long.[8] Rob Kirwan produced and programmed the song. He plays drums and synthesizer, Hubers plays piano, and Rick Hornby plays guitar. Jacob Morris mastered and mixed it.[3]
"Daylight" is an eerie orchestral gothic pop[11] ballad, on which Kushner projects deep baritone vocals. The Official Charts Company's George Griffiths described the song as reminiscent of the work of Bon Iver and Hozier and thought its meaning "helps it transcend to a wider audience, with the specifics of the song somewhat unclear".[6] Robin Murray of Clash commented: "'Daylight' leans on that dulcet lyric, his word play shows a complex aspect to his personality. Playing with light and shade, the song utilises emotional depth, with Kushner's vivid vocal brooding with feeling."[12]
Words and music for "Daylight" were written by Jeremy Fedryk, David Kushner, Hayden Hubers and Josh Bruce Williams. The song was originally published in the key of A Minor and starts with F, Dm, Am, F, Dm, C, F, Dm, C, F, Dm, C chord progression with lyrics "Telling myself I won't go there. Oh, but I know that I won't care. Try'n' to wash away all the blood I've spilt". The song has the tempo of a piano ballad.[13]
Commercial performance
[edit]"Daylight" peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA.[14][15] In Canada, the song debuted at number six on the Canadian Hot 100 and received a 4× Platinum certification from Music Canada.[16][17] It entered at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Kushner's first top-10 single, and reached number two the following week.[18][19] "Daylight" was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.[20] In Australia, the song charted at number four and earned a 2× Platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association.[21][22]
"Daylight" peaked at number one in New Zealand and received a Gold certification from Recorded Music NZ.[23][24] The song reached the top five of national record charts, at number one in Latvia,[25] the Netherlands,[26] Poland,[27] and Switzerland,[28] number two in Austria,[29] Belgium,[30] the Czech Republic,[31] Ireland,[32] Lithuania,[33] and Norway,[34] number three in Lebanon and Slovakia,[35][36] and number four in Germany.[37] It earned a Diamond certification in Poland.[38]
The song was used in the fourth episode of the Netflix docuseries NASCAR: Full Speed.
Music video
[edit]Luke Shaw and Landon Juern directed the music video for "Daylight", which was released alongside it and features the elements fire, water, air, and ash.[2]
The video starts with Kushner chopping wood in the forest. He is then shown walking with a boy down a church aisle, whose face (along with other people in the pews) has been blurred. Reaching the altar, Kushner pulls out a knife. Next, Kushner is shown outside, reaching out to a giant ink drop-like darkness in the sky. Afterwards, he is dragged into a dark room where people (also with blurred faces) throw stones at him. A brief shot shows Kushner in a room as rain falls inside. Finally, he is shown shaking hands with a burning man, setting his arm and the room they are in on fire. Throughout the video, scenes are intercut with Kushner in the forest, the church, and the dark room singing to the camera.
Credits and personnel
[edit]- Rob Kirwan – producer, programming, drums, synthesizer
- David Kushner – songwriter
- Hayden Robert Hubers – songwriter, piano
- Josh Bruce Williams – songwriter
- Jeremy Fedryk – songwriter
- Rick Hornby – guitar
- Jacob Morris – mastering, mixing[3]
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit] |
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[22] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
Belgium (BEA)[83] | 2× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[84] | Diamond | 160,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[17] | 4× Platinum | 320,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[85] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[86] | Diamond | 333,333‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[87] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[88] | Platinum | 100,000‡ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[89] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[24] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[38] | Diamond | 250,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[90] | 2× Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[91] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[92] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[20] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[15] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece)[93] | Platinum | 2,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | April 14, 2023 | Miserable | [8] | |
Italy | April 28, 2023 | Radio airplay | Universal | [9] |
United States | May 1, 2023 | Adult album alternative | Virgin | [10] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Schade, Alessandra (April 14, 2023). "David Kushner Battles the Dark in 'Daylight'". Paper. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Major, Michael (April 14, 2023). "David Kushner Shares 'Daylight'". Broadway World. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c Miserable Music Group (2023). Daylight (Media notes). David Kushner.
- ^ Griffiths, George (April 25, 2023). "David Kushner interview on breakthrough single Daylight: 'Vulnerability is freedom'". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Balao, Neia (March 22, 2023). "Tiktok Users Are Celebrating Their Relationships With the 'You Look Happier; What Happened' Trend: 'This is So Pure'". In the Know. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Griffiths, George (April 17, 2023). "Who is David Kushner? The American TikTok singer-songwriter challenging for Number 1 with Daylight". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ ref>Zellner, Xander (April 25, 2023). "Hot 100 First-Timers: David Kushner Shines With 'Daylight'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Daylight - Single by David Kushner". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Ranellucci, Martina. "David Kushner 'Daylight'" (Press release) (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "Triple A > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ Atkinson, Jessie (June 1, 2023). "David Kushner on taking over TikTok, stanning Eminem and why Justin Bieber owes him $5 million". GQ. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (April 17, 2023). "David Kushner's 'Daylight' Deals With A Lyrical Dichotomy". Clash. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "David Kushner 'Daylight' Sheet Music". freshsheetmusic.com. June 5, 2023. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
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- ^ a b "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of April 29, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – David Kushner – Daylight". Music Canada. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Griffiths, George (April 16, 2023). "David Kushner and Lewis Capaldi take on Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding for Number 1". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
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- ^ a b "British single certifications – David Kushner – Daylight". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
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- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – David Kushner – Daylight". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 16. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian). LAIPA. April 23, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
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- ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 17". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
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- ^ a b "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "2023 16-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. April 21, 2023. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "Singel 2023 uke 16". VG-lista. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "The Official Lebanese Top 20 – David Kushner". The Official Lebanese Top 20. June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202318 into search. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
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- ^ a b "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 17, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Daylight in the search box.
- ^ "David Kushner – Daylight" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
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- ^ "Latvijas radio stacijās spēlētākās dziesmas Top 19. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. May 16, 2023. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ "Luxembourg Songs: Week of April 29, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
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- ^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 22/06/2023" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. June 22, 2023. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
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- ^ "Danish single certifications – David Kushner – Daylight". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "French single certifications – David Kushner – Daylight" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (David Kushner; 'Daylight')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – David Kushner – Daylight" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – David Kushner – Daylight" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved August 25, 2023. Enter Daylight in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2023 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
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- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Daylight')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
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