Artist(s): Lincoln
Title: Light Me Up
Genre(s): Power pop, Synthpop
Length: 3:13
Writer: L.Keaton-Paria, S.Hollywood, C.Hudson
Producer: The Wolverines
Label: Permanent Reminder
From The Album: TBC
Light Me Up is a song recorded by British-Azeri singer Lincoln Keaton-Paria, known mononymously Lincoln. The song was released on December 20, 2020, after numerous delays. The single was initially set for a September release and was then pencilled in for a December 18th drop before eventually being released two days later on the 20th. It serves as the new lead single from Keaton-Paria's forthcoming debut album. Lincoln's debut LP was initially set for a 2016 release in the wake of his multi-platinum #1 single "Bang The Drum", however, plans were indefinitely halted due to private personal issues. "Light Me Up" was written by Lincoln alongside acclaimed songwriters, Christopher Hudson and Sara Hollywood. Hudson also co-wrote "Bang The Drum" with Keaton-Paria. Production of the track was handled by award-winning duo, The Wolverines. Co-writer Sara Hollywood has stated that, lyrically, the song can be interpreted in two different ways. On the surface, "Light Me Up" reads as the recounting of a standard hook-up. However, Hollywood claims that there's a "sadness" and "desperation" within the lyrics and performance, with Lincoln trying to sell himself to a person, tired of always being picked last.
The release of "Light Me Up" follows almost five years since his debut single, "Bang The Drum". With his first single, Lincoln topped the charts and broke records. "Bang The Drum" went on to become one of the best-selling songs of all-time. The star-studded music video itself also achieved acclaim and accolades, becoming one of the most expensive music videos to date and was the fastest video to reach 100,000,000 views on YouTube at the time. As of December 2020, the official music video for "Bang The Drum" has over 4.5 billion views. Lincoln was set to release his debut album in 2016 but things fell silent. Keaton-Paria revealed that he was struggling with his sudden fame and that he was "scared" of "Bang The Drum" due to its huge popularity and all the expectations that came with following it up. Lincoln was also hurt by the public scrutiny of his mental development disorder. Aside from featuring on the title track of Joshua Grimmie's debut album in 2017, Lincoln did not appear on or release any music for the next few years. The singer recoiled in order to live a semi-private life with his actor boyfriend, Aaron Styles. The material for his original album was effectively scrapped. After an extended break, Keaton-Paria eventually returned to the studio in late 2019 and is finally set to release his album in 2021.
"Light Me Up" is a power pop and synthpop song, with dance-pop, dance wave and Italo disco elements. The production of the song is heavily inspired by 1980's pop and disco music, utilising tropes of the era such as a synthwave bassline. Despite being almost five years since his first and only release, "Bang The Drum", Lincoln is continuing to showcase and incorporate his love for retro music and aesthetics that were evident in his debut. "Light Me Up" was written in December 2019, a whole year before the song's official release. After his initial debut record was shelved, Keaton-Paria still wanted to work with Christopher Hudson on new material, stating that he feels "comfortable" around Hudson and that he "doesn't feel judged" by the singer-songwriter. The writing session took place in Hudson's home, where he also invited good friend and fellow writer Sara Hollywood. Despite many rumours and harsh criticism regarding the singer's intellect, Christopher Hudson confirmed that the majority of the track came from Lincoln and that the singer is heavily involved in his work.
Christopher Hudson wrote:"People severely underestimate Lincoln and I think that's what makes his triumphs seem even more epic in scale. It's common knowledge that Lincoln is on the autistic spectrum and has some learning difficulties but why count him out? He may not word things perfectly but the ideas, passion, talent and genius is all there. I can honestly say that I've never worked with a more hands-on pop star. Most of the time, I just find myself guiding him through and polishing his words. In the case of "Light Me Up", most of the lines and a good portion of that melody came from Lincoln pretty much off-the-cuff."
Critical reception of "Light Me Up" has been positive, with the pop song receiving instant acclaim. Arnie Wishart from Billboard called the song a
"magnificent return to form" and stated that
"it's exactly the type of stomping, sugary, energetic, unapologetic pop anthem you'd expect to hear from Lincoln". Neil Richards of Idolator branded the song a
"stone-cold bop". He continued to praise the track for its
"enormous chorus" and its
"nostalgia drenched production", stating that he found it to be among some of The Wolverines best work. Writing for Rolling Stone, Erika Winans stated that the song sounds
"bright and glittery while simultaneously owning a grumbling, sinister underbelly throughout". Winans then went on to describe the song as
"an outer-body, euphoric experience" and dubbed it as
"just an all-round perfect little pop song". In his review for Pitchfork, Irwin Coll said;
"While "Bang The Drum" was pop bliss and the equivalent to your favorite sugary soda; "Light Me Up" now uses that drink as a chaser. This is Lincoln 2.0. The sweet and frothy fun is still present but there's a good splash of alcohol in there with its rather suggestive lyrics and matured vocals." He then rounded off his review by stating that the song is
"ferocious" and claimed that the song will
"undoubtedly abolish his one-hit-wonder status,", concluding that
"Lincoln is back!"
Light Me UpI'm not blind and you're moving so boldly
No mistaken that you want to get to know me
There's no doubting I could make you happy
We have to keep it hush, now listen closely
Sure I can make us feel a little less lonely
Just don't go speaking too loosely
Light me up, isn't that what you're wanting?
Turn it up, show me just how you rock it
I can fill the floor, drop a classic without warning
When I step it up, oh, there ain't no stopping
Gonna be in your head for days
Make you request another play
Around it goes on your stereo, oh
Three-sixty-five all across the waves
Twenty-four-seven, day to day
This ain't my first rodeo
Oh, what a spectacular showUnder the lights it's so spellbinding
Twirling and simultaneously unwinding
Getting on down and we're intertwining
Never miss a beat, we keep perfect timing
This is just what we need, there's no denying
Step closer to Heaven, keep on climbing
Light me up, isn't that what you're wanting?
Turn it up, show me just how you rock it
I can fill the floor, drop a classic without warning
When I step it up, oh, there ain't no stopping
Gonna be in your head for days
Make you request another play
Around it goes on your stereo, oh
Three-sixty-five all across the waves
Twenty-four-seven, day to day
This ain't my first rodeo
Oh, what a spectacular showOh, these touches feel a little bit magic
Hot and bothered, close to hitting panic
Eye to eye, it's all so dramatic
Hitting every move like it's automatic
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, these touches feel a little bit magic
Hot and bothered, close to hitting panic
Eye to eye, it's all so dramatic
Hitting every move like it's automatic
Gonna be in your head for days
Make you request another play
Around it goes on your stereo, oh
Three-sixty-five all across the waves
Twenty-four-seven, day to day
This ain't my first rodeo
Oh, what a spectacular showBetter buckle up, oh, buckle up
'Cause you're gonna break a sweat when I light up
Better buckle up, oh, buckle up
'Cause you're gonna break a sweat when I light up
Better buckle up, oh, buckle up
'Cause you're gonna break a sweat when I light up
Better buckle up, oh, buckle up
'Cause you're gonna break a sweat when I light up
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