Starlight (Dave song) explained

"Starlight" is a song by British rapper Dave. It was released on 3 March 2022 through Dave and Neighbourhood Recordings. The song was written and produced by Dave himself. It debuted at number-one in both the UK Singles Chart and the Irish Singles Chart, becoming Dave's second number-one single in the UK, after "Funky Friday" in 2018, and his first in Ireland. It was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2023 Brit Awards.^[1]

Composition

A self-produced track, the song samples a rendition of Bart Howard's 1954 standard "Fly Me to the Moon", by Norwegian singer Angelina Jordan in 2017.^{[2] [3]} Lyrics include references to the song itself, American rapper Meek Mill, Jamaica and his home South London.^[4] Having found his significant other, he describes his wish to settle down. He also flexes career highlights and changes in his life. The "subtle" and "wavy" song is built around a "hummed melody" and a "minimal beat" that puts "bars front and centre".^{[5] [6] [7]} The song was seen as separation from his usual sound, pivoting between "UK drill elements and something a little more trans-Atlantic".^[8]

Music video

The music video was released on 3 March 2022. It was directed by Nathan Tettey, alongside Dave himself. The video takes place at a luxurious apartment and shows Dave and Corteiz founder Clint wearing latest fits. On top, it features models walking down a runway, as well as Dave and some friends posing for mugshots.^{[5] [9]}

Commercial performance

On 11 March 2022, "Starlight" entered the UK Singles Chart at number one. It also debuted at number 35 on the Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100.^{[10] [11]}

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[12]	8
Denmark (Tracklisten)[13]	7
Greece International (IFPI)[14]	15
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[15]	8
Lithuania (AGATA)[16]	46
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17]	6
Norway (VG-lista)[18]	31
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[19]	25

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Position
Australia (ARIA)[20]	69
UK Singles (OCC)[21]	14

Notes and References

1. Web site: Smith . Carl . 12 January 2023 . BRIT Awards 2023 nominations REVEALED . 12 January 2023 . Official Charts Company.
2. Web site: Dave Shares Video for New Song "Starlight": Watch. Corcoran. Nina. Pitchfork. 3 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
3. Dave releases first song of 2022, 'Starlight'. Krol. Charlotte. Rolling Stone. 3 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
4. Web site: Dave 'Starlight' lyrics meaning explained. Capital Xtra. 4 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
5. Web site: Dave Dons Corteiz In Fashion-Forward Video For "Starlight". Keith. James. Complex UK. 4 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
6. Web site: Dave – "Starlight". Brodsky. Rachel. Stereogum. 3 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
7. Web site: Dave shares video for wavy new track 'Starlight'. Lavin. Will. NME. 3 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
8. Web site: Dave's 'Starlight' Dares To Play It Simple. Murray. Robin. Clash Music. 4 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
9. Web site: Dave samples "Fly Me To The Moon" on new outing "Starlight". Kenneally. Cerys. The Line of Best Fit. 3 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
10. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company. Official Charts.
11. Web site: Dave's Starlight makes a massive Number 1 debut. Official Charts.
12. Web site: Glass Animals make it ten weeks at #1 on ARIA Singles Chart with Heat Waves. Australian Recording Industry Association. 25 March 2022. 25 March 2022.
13. Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 13, 2022. Hitlisten. 6 April 2022.
14. Web site: Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 13/2022. IFPI Greece. 16 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220411065439/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html . dead. 11 April 2022.
15. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. 12 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220403104407/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. 3 April 2022. dead.
16. Web site: 2022 14-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 8 April 2022. 8 April 2022.
17. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 25 April 2022. 23 April 2022.
18. Web site: VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2022-13. VG-lista. 2 April 2022.
19. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 14. Sverigetopplistan. 8 April 2022.
20. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2022. Australian Recording Industry Association. 4 January 2023.
21. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2022. officialcharts.com. 3 January 2022.