A Light That Never Comes
{{Infobox song
| name = A Light That Never Comes
| cover = Linkin Park Steve Aoki A Light that never comes.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Linkin Park and Steve Aoki
| album = Recharged
| B-side = "Until It Breaks" {{small|(Datsik Remix)}}
| released = October 11, 2013
| recorded = 2013
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
- EDM{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/listen-steve-aoki-linkin-park-a-light-that-never-comes|title=Steve Aoki And Linkin Park Light Up The Skies|website=Red Bull|last=Sharp|first=Elliott|date=February 20, 2017|access-date=May 11, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/mike-shinoda-interview|title=Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda on EDM, "A Light That Never Comes," and Their New Remix Album|website=Complex|last=Dowling|first=Marcus|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=May 11, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/09/linkin-park-steve-aoki-a-light-that-never-comes-facebook-game/|title=Hear Linkin Park And Steve Aoki's 'A Light That Never Comes' On Facebook|website=Spin|last=McGovern|first=Kyle|date=September 12, 2013|access-date=May 11, 2022}}
- rap rock{{Cite web|url=https://djmag.com/node/4636|title=PREMIERE: COONE REMIXES LINKIN PARK & STEVE AOKI|website=DJ Mag|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=May 11, 2022}}
}}
| length = 3:49 {{small|(album version)}}
| label = {{hlist|Warner Bros.|Machine Shop|Dim Mak}}
| writer = {{hlist|Linkin Park|Steve Aoki}}
| producer = {{hlist|Mike Shinoda|Steve Aoki|Brad Delson}}
| chronology = Linkin Park
| prev_title = Castle of Glass
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = Guilty All the Same
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Steve Aoki
| type = single
| prev_title = Flight
| prev_year = 2013
| title = A Light That Never Comes
| year = 2013
| next_title = Bring You to Life (Transcend)
| next_year = 2013
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|ToHo29kD9Go|"A Light That Never Comes"}}}}
}}
"A Light That Never Comes" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Linkin Park, and is their first collaboration with American DJ and record producer Steve Aoki. It was included on the band's second remix album, Recharged. It is the twenty-sixth single by the band. The song appears as the opening track on the album while a reboot version produced by Rick Rubin serves as the closing track. In addition to the song being released in advance when Recharged was partially released early on September 16, 2013,{{cite web|title=Recharged|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/recharged/701162375?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&wmgref=|publisher=iTunes|access-date=17 September 2013}} "A Light That Never Comes" was released to radio and made available to stream as a promotional single on digital music service Xbox Music on the same day.{{cite web|title=A Light That Never Comes (Feat. Steve Aoki)|url=http://music.xbox.com/Details/Album/z/b098e207-0100-11db-89ca-0019b92a3933|publisher=Xbox Music|access-date=17 September 2013|archive-date=1 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401111716/http://music.xbox.com/Details/Album/z/B098E207-0100-11DB-89CA-0019B92A3933|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/09/linkin-park-steve-aoki-a-light-that-never-comes-facebook-game/ |title=Hear Linkin Park and Steve Aoki's 'A Light That Never Comes' on Facebook | SPIN | Newswire |publisher=SPIN |date=2013-09-12 |access-date=2013-09-18}} The CD single was released on October 11, 2013.{{cite web|title=A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES(2TRACK)|url=http://www.warnermusic.ch/catalogue_detail-n41-i54391972385-sD.html|publisher=Warner|access-date=21 September 2013}}
Background and promotion
{{Listen
| filename = Linkin Park A Light That Never Comes.ogg
| title = "A Light That Never Comes"
| description = A 48 second sample of the chorus and outro of "A Light That Never Comes".
| pos = left
}}
According to Mike Shinoda, "The coolest part about the song is it was really organic in how it came together ... Steve Aoki and I first talked on Twitter, and then we were emailing, and then we started throwing music back and forth."{{cite web |url=http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2013/09/16/listen-to-the-new-linkin-park-steve-aoki-track-a-light-that-never-comes/ |title=Listen To The New Linkin Park + Steve Aoki Track 'A Light That Never Comes' « The World Famous KROQ |publisher=Kroq.cbslocal.com |access-date=2013-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919000833/http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2013/09/16/listen-to-the-new-linkin-park-steve-aoki-track-a-light-that-never-comes/ |archive-date=2013-09-19 |url-status=dead }} In an interview on August 30, 2013, with Shinoda and Aoki, Shinoda said that they began working on the song "no less than a half a year ago". He said they did not constantly work on it, but "the ideas would flow whenever...something new came up".
HBO featured the song in their 2013 fall preview advertisement.{{cite web|url=http://www.youredm.com/2013/09/09/steve-aoki-linkin-parks-light-never-comes-premiered-hbo-preview|title=Steve Aoki & Linkin Park's "A Light That Never Comes" Featured In HBO Ad|date=9 September 2013 |access-date=September 23, 2013}} The band released the song's official lyric video on September 16 when players from across the world unlocked the track on LP Recharge,{{Cite web |url=https://apps.facebook.com/lprecharge/ |title=Linkin Park Recharge |access-date=2013-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916174305/https://apps.facebook.com/lprecharge/ |archive-date=2013-09-16 |url-status=dead }} their first Facebook game.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsKQOm_iJug|title=LINKIN PARK x STEVE AOKI - A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES: Official Lyric Video (FULL SONG)|date=September 16, 2013|author=Linkin Park|publisher=LPTV|work=YouTube|access-date=September 17, 2013}} The song was heavily contributed in the 2014 documentary film The Distortion of Sound, which features Mike and Steve, as well as the background music for the introduction video of Grid Autosport. The Rick Rubin Reboot of the song was also featured in the soundtrack of 2014 American ensemble action film The Expendables 3.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2333784/soundtrack The Expendables 3 (2014) Soundtracks] IMDb Retrieved August 20, 2014.
Live performances
Shinoda, Bennington, and Aoki performed the song together for the first time at the Summer Sonic Festival on August 10, 2013, in Tokyo, Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGYe_mwpowk |title=A Light That Never Comes - Linkin Park (Chaz & Mike) & Steve Aoki @ Summer Sonic 2013 |publisher=YouTube |date=2013-08-11 |access-date=2013-09-18}}{{cite web |url=http://www.kiisfm.com/articles/trending-465498/listen-linkin-park-steve-aoki-a-11652176/ |title=LISTEN: Linkin Park & Steve Aoki - 'A Light That Never Comes' |publisher=Kiisfm.com |access-date=2013-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920160844/http://www.kiisfm.com/articles/trending-465498/listen-linkin-park-steve-aoki-a-11652176/ |archive-date=2013-09-20 |url-status=dead }} Aoki said, "we just kind of threw this show together like...it was very just raw." At the time, Shinoda said that there were no plans to perform the song again with Aoki, however, he said "I imagine it will happen," but he did not know if it would be the same set up as the Summer Sonic show, or if it would be the full band and Steve. He said he could see both happening.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRXjGhOybbE|title=Mike Shinoda and Steve Aoki discuss "A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES"|date=August 30, 2013|author=Linkin Park|publisher=LPTV|work=YouTube|access-date=September 17, 2013}}
On November 15, 2013, Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington, and Steve Aoki performed the song with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall.{{cite web|url=http://chesterbnetwork.com/2013/11/photos-chester-bennington-mike-shinoda-w-steve-aoki-live-in-la/ |title=Photos: Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda w/ Steve Aoki Live in LA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012658/http://chesterbnetwork.com/2013/11/photos-chester-bennington-mike-shinoda-w-steve-aoki-live-in-la/ |archive-date=2013-12-03 }} On November 26, Shinoda, Bennington, and Aoki performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2013/11/19/news/linkin-park-steve-aoki-set-for-jimmy-kimmel-live-performance-next-week/|title=Linkin Park & Steve Aoki Set For 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Performance Next Week|date=19 November 2013 }}
On January 9, 2014, at The Joint in Las Vegas, Linkin Park performed the song for the first time as a full band without Aoki.
On Celebrate Life concert, the song was performed with pop singer Bebe Rexha on vocals.
Critical reception
Stupid Dope gave the song a positive review, saying "The track is packed full of dope energy, heavy melodic elements, and of course, the patented sound of Linkin Park, as they mesh together nicely with Mr. Aoki."{{cite web |url=http://stupiddope.com/2013/09/16/linkin-park-steve-aoki-a-light-that-never-comes-new-music/ |title=Linkin Park & Steve Aoki – A Light That Never Comes | New Music | stupidDOPE.com | Music, Fashion, Travel, Art & More! |publisher=stupidDOPE.com |access-date=2013-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054825/http://stupiddope.com/2013/09/16/linkin-park-steve-aoki-a-light-that-never-comes-new-music/ |archive-date=2013-09-21 |url-status=dead }}
=Commercial performance=
In its first week of release, the single sold 55,000 downloads in the US.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/5740583/chart-moves-ylvis-the-fox-scampers-up-hot-100-pearl-jam-ties-alt-rock-record |title=Chart Moves: Ylvis' 'The Fox' Scampers Up Hot 100, Pearl Jam Ties Alt Rock Record, Luke Bryan Stays Atop Hot Country Songs |last=Trust |first=Gary |magazine=Billboard |date=2013-09-27 |access-date=2013-09-27}}
Music video
On October 6, 2013, Joe Hahn confirmed a video for "A Light That Never Comes" is in production, by posting two behind the scenes pictures, and a short video preview on his Instagram account.{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/mrjoehahn# |title=Instagram |publisher=Instagram |access-date=2013-10-08}} The video was released a couple of days later, albeit on several sites across the world appealing to their respective regions only.
The music video was then officially released worldwide on YouTube on October 17, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToHo29kD9Go |title=Linkin Park x Steve Aoki - A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES (Official Music Video) |publisher=YouTube |date=2013-09-12 |access-date=2013-10-19}} A behind-the-scenes feature of the video is on Dell's official website.{{cite web|url=http://www.dell.com/linkinpark |title=Dell |publisher=Dell |access-date=2013-10-19}}{{dead link|date=November 2023}} It features the band and a statue of Steve Aoki in a cyber world along with an unnamed actress.
As of November 2023, the music video for "A Light That Never Comes" has over 40 million views on YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToHo29kD9Go|title=A Light That Never Comes [Official Music Video] - Linkin Park X Steve Aoki|publisher=YouTube|author=Linkin Park|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2022}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Stream
| title1 = A Light That Never Comes
| length1 = 3:49
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = CD single
| title1 = A Light That Never Comes
| length1 = 3:49
| title2 = Until It Breaks
| note2 = Datsik Remix
| length2 = 6:00
}}
Remixes
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox album
| name = A Light That Never Comes (Remixes)
| type = ep
| artist = Linkin Park, Steve Aoki
| cover = Light that never comes.jpg
| alt =
| released = January 21, 2014
| recorded = 2013–14
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Electronic rock
| length = 33:48
| label = {{hlist|Warner Bros.|Dim Mak}}
| producer = {{hlist|Mike Shinoda|Brad Delson|Steve Aoki}}
| chronology = Linkin Park
| prev_title = Recharged
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = The Hunting Party
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Steve Aoki EP
| type = ep
| prev_title = It's the End of the World As We Know It
| prev_year = 2012
| title = A Light That Never Comes (Remixes)
| year = 2014
| next_title = 4OKI
| next_year = 2016
}}
|italic_title=no
}}
A Light That Never Comes (Remixes) is the third extended play released to the public by American rock band Linkin Park and the second released EP by American electro house musician Steve Aoki.[https://music.apple.com/au/album/a-light-that-never-comes-remixes-ep/795527397 "A Light That Never Comes (remixes)"] iTunes Retrieved July 2, 2014. It features seven remixes by seven various artists for the collaborated single, "A Light That Never Comes".[http://www.linkinpark.com/profiles/blogs/a-light-that-never-comes-remixes-ep "A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES (Remixes) EP"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234724/http://www.linkinpark.com/profiles/blogs/a-light-that-never-comes-remixes-ep |date=2014-07-14 }}linkinpark.com Retrieved July 2, 2014. This is one of their few extended plays that were not released by Machine Shop, which was founded by the band's co-vocalist Mike Shinoda. The whole album was available on Aoki's and Dim Mak's official YouTube channel.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUuKt1Tv6KE "Extended Play on Youtube"] YouTube Retrieved July 2, 2014.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzULOrz0Qn0 "EP on YouTube"] YouTube Retrieved July 2, 2014.
=Background=
A Light That Never Comes (Remixes) features EDM remixes of the single. The EP was confirmed by the band on their Facebook page. The EP included artists like Rick Rubin, Angger Dimas, Coone and various others. The Vicetone remix was originally available for digital download when people Shazamed Linkin Park and Steve Aoki's performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! straight to their own mobile phones or other electronic communication uses, which was recorded and aired on TV on November 26, 2013. The remix was actually a winner of the A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES remix contest. The reboot by Rick Rubin for the song was also included in the band's second remix album, Recharged. It served as the closing track of the album.
=Promotion=
The EP was not promoted well but still it was commercially a success by the online shopping websites. For the promotion of the EP, there were two music videos for the Coone remix and the Vicetone remix, which were available on their YouTube channels. The video of the Coone remix is a live performance and also includes some lyrics of the song, but it was not declared as a lyric video. The video was directed by Editz. The video for the Vicetone remix was a remix of the official video of the single, which was an animated video, taken from the official video of the song by the band and Steve Aoki.
=Track listing=
{{track listing
|total_length = 33:48
| title1 = A Light That Never Comes
| note1 = Rick Rubin Reboot
| length1 = 4:40
| title2 = A Light That Never Comes
| note2 = Vicetone Remix
| length2 = 3:53
| title3 = A Light That Never Comes
| note3 = Angger Dimas Remix
| length3 = 4:53
| title4 = A Light That Never Comes
| note4 = Twoloud Remix
| length4 = 5:40
| title5 = A Light That Never Comes
| note5 = Coone Remix
| length5 = 5:45
| title6 = A Light That Never Comes
| note6 = Vicetone Remix Dub
| length6 = 4:57
| title7 = A Light That Never Comes
| note7 = Brian Yates Remix
| length7 = 4:00
}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "A Light That Never Comes" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2013)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue1231.pdf |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20131023130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20131024-0000/issue1231.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-10-23 |title=The ARIA Report: Issue 1231 (Week Commencing 30 September 2013) |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=June 16, 2014 |page=2 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
| 56 |
| {{Single chart|Austria|21|artist=Linkin Park & Steve Aoki|song=A Light That Never Comes|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{Single chart|Wallonia Tip|21|artist=Linkin Park|song=A Light That Never Comes|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|51|artist=Linkin Park|year=2013|week=40|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| scope="row"| Canada Rock (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/linkin-park/chart-history/car/|title=Linkin Park Chart History (Canada Rock)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 29, 2023}}
| 49 |
| {{single chart|France|81|artist=Linkin Park & Steve Aoki|song=A Light That Never Comes|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{Single chart|Germany|8|artist=Linkin Park & Steve Aoki|song=A Light That Never Comes|songid=1193159|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland|72|year=2013|week=39|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|Italy|30|artist=Linkin Park / Steve Aoki|song=A Light That Never Comes|year=2013|week=39|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|71|artist=Linkin Park|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2014}} |
| scope="row"| Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/linkin-park/chart-history/min/|title=Linkin Park Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 11, 2023}}
| 5 |
| {{single chart|Poland|15|chartid=1152|year=2013|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| scope="row"| Portugal (AFP){{Cite web|url=https://acharts.co/portugal_singles_top_50/2013/51|title=PORTUGAL SINGLES TOP 50|publisher=Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|date=December 15, 2013|access-date=May 11, 2022}}
| 24 |
| {{single chart|Portugaldigitalsongs|47|artist=Linkin Park|rowheader=true|access-date=December 21, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|29|date=2013-09-28|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|Slovakia|73|year=2013|week=47|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{Single chart|Switzerland|15|artist=Linkin Park & Steve Aoki|song=A Light That Never Comes|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|UK|34|date=2013-09-28|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|UKdance|8|date=2013-09-28|rowheader=true|access-date=December 12, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|65|artist=Linkin Park|rowheader=true|access-date=October 5, 2013}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceelectronic|8|artist=Linkin Park|access-date=October 5, 2013|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|11|artist=Linkin Park|access-date=October 5, 2013|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|15|artist=Linkin Park|access-date=October 5, 2013|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|7|artist=Linkin Park|access-date=December 12, 2013|rowheader=true}} |
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col"| Chart (2014) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-dance-electronic--songs|title=Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2014|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 22, 2019}}
| 61 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Release history
| class=wikitable |
| Region
! Date ! Format ! Label |
|---|
| Worldwide
| September 16, 2013 | Stream | {{hlist|Warner Bros.|Machine Shop}} |
| Austria
| rowspan="3"| October 11, 2013 | rowspan="3"| CD | rowspan="3"| Warner Bros. |
| Germany |
| Switzerland |
| Worldwide
| January 21, 2014 | Remix EP{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/a-light-that-never-comes-remixes-ep/795527397 |title=A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES (Remixes) by LINKIN PARK & Steve Aoki on Apple Music |publisher=iTunes |date=2014-01-17 |access-date=2016-12-20}} | rowspan="4"| {{hlist|Warner Bros.|Dim Mak}} |
References
{{reflist|2|refs=}}
{{Linkin Park songs}}
{{Steve Aoki}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Light That Never Comes}}
Category:Songs written by Mike Shinoda
Category:Songs written by Steve Aoki