Lights Up
{{Short description|2019 single by Harry Styles}}
{{For|the Flight Facilities song|Lights Up (Flight Facilities song)}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Lights Up
| cover = Harry Styles - Lights Up.png
| alt = A dimly lit photo of Harry Styles showing his bare chest with two tattoos below each shoulder. The title of the song "Lights Up" is written in all caps in white at the center of the photo.
| type = single
| artist = Harry Styles
| album = Fine Line
| B-side = Do You Know Who You Are?
| released = {{Start date|2019|10|11|df=y}}
| studio =
| genre = * Pop
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=52}}
| label =
| writer =
- Harry Styles
- Thomas Hull
- Tyler Johnson
| producer =
- Tyler Johnson
- Thomas Hull
| prev_title = Kiwi
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = Adore You
| next_year = 2019
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|9NZvM1918_E|"Lights Up"}}}}
}}
"Lights Up" is a song by English singer-songwriter Harry Styles from his second studio album Fine Line (2019). It was written by Styles alongside its producers Tyler Johnson and Kid Harpoon. Erskine Records and Columbia Records released the song for digital download and streaming on 11 October 2019 as the album's lead single. Musically, "Lights Up" is a pop and R&B song, featuring multilayered guitars, piano, programmed beats, and a gospel choir. Conceived by Styles after a period of self-reflection, the lyrics are about self-discovery and him embracing his own identity.
Critics found Styles's musical direction refreshing and commented on the song's unconventional structure which is composed of several breakdown pre-choruses and post-choruses, and a single chorus. A few others criticised the song as forgettable. In the UK, the single reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It also peaked in the top 20 and received Platinum certifications in Australia, Canada, and the US. Vincent Haycock directed the song's music video, which features Styles dancing shirtless in a sweat-drenched crowd of people.
Writing and production
File:Kid Harpoon Glasto07.jpg co-wrote and co-produced "Lights Up".]]
Formerly a member of the boy band One Direction, Harry Styles emerged as a solo artist in 2017 with his self-titled debut studio album, which heavily incorporated a 1970s rock-influenced sound. During an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music, Styles admitted that he was stressed while making his debut album.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-fine-line-zane-lowe-916437/|title=Harry Styles Talks New Album Fine Line With Zane Lowe|last=Blistein|first=Jon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=22 November 2019|access-date=4 November 2019|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123140000/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-fine-line-zane-lowe-916437/|archive-date=23 November 2019|url-status=live}} He said: "When I listen to the first album now, I can hear all of the places where I feel like I was playing it safe, because I just didn't want to get it wrong". He disliked feeling obligated to create a record to appease the listeners and decided to be "more fun and adventurous" with his next project.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/27/809971451/harry-styles-on-fine-line-stevie-nicks-and-his-definition-of-success|title=Harry Styles On Fine Line, Stevie Nicks And His Definition Of Success|last1=Kelly|first1=Mary Louise|last2=Yu|first2=Mallory|publisher=NPR|date=27 February 2020|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227231356/https://www.npr.org/2020/02/27/809971451/harry-styles-on-fine-line-stevie-nicks-and-his-definition-of-success|archive-date=27 February 2020|url-status=live}} For his second album Fine Line, released in 2019, Styles enlisted producers Tyler Johnson and Kid Harpoon, with whom he had worked on his debut album.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/harry-styles-secrets-of-fine-line-926657/|title=Harry Styles Reveals the Secrets Behind Fine Line|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Sheffield|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=13 December 2019|access-date=24 June 2020|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613031355/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/harry-styles-secrets-of-fine-line-926657/|archive-date=13 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-lights-up-new-video-watch-897176/|title=Watch Drenched Harry Styles Find Clarity in Dreamy 'Lights Up' Video|last=Spanos|first=Brittany |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=11 October 2019|access-date=4 February 2021|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231005758/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-lights-up-new-video-watch-897176/|archive-date=31 December 2020|url-status=live}} A pop rock record encompassing power pop, folk rock, psychedelic pop, and funk influences,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/harry-styles-fine-line/|title=Harry Styles: Fine Line Album Review|last=Larson|first=Jeremy D.|website=Pitchfork|date=13 December 2019|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213091852/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/harry-styles-fine-line/|archive-date=13 December 2019|url-status=live}} Fine Line turned out to be more experimental than his debut album, according to Vox{{'}}s Alexa Lee.{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/1/31/21115802/one-direction-harry-styles-solo-album-niall|title=2 winners and 3 losers from One Direction's solo albums|last=Lee|first=Alexa|website=Vox|date=31 January 2020|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201130148/https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/1/31/21115802/one-direction-harry-styles-solo-album-niall|archive-date=1 February 2020|url-status=live}} The song "Lights Up" has a more pop-like sound than the songs on Harry Styles.{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/harry-styles-lights-up-video/|title=Harry Styles Makes His Return With A Sweaty Video For 'Lights Up'|last=Rossinol|first=Derrick|website=Uproxx|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011210723/https://uproxx.com/pop/harry-styles-lights-up-video/|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}
While talking to Rolling Stone magazine, Styles said that "Lights Up" was created after "a long period of self-reflection, self-acceptance". It was conceived during songwriting sessions for the album in the first quarter of 2019. Styles wrote the song with Johnson and Harpoon,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-10-11/harry-styles-lights-up-new-song|title=After a long hiatus, Harry Styles releases the sultry new single 'Lights Up'|last=Dorany|first=Pineda|website=Los Angeles Times|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011191724/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-10-11/harry-styles-lights-up-new-song|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} who is credited under his birth name Thomas Hull in the liner notes. Production was handled by all the songwriters except Styles.
The recording took place in The Cave Studio in Nashville, EastWest Studios in Los Angeles, and Henson Recording in Hollywood. Johnson programmed the track and played drums, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and keyboards; Harpoon also played electric guitar and provided additional production while Ivan Jackson played the horns. Johnson, Jeremy Hatcher, Nick Lobel, and Sammy Witte engineered the song with Matt Tuggle and Matt Wallick. Jon Castelli mixed it with help from Ingmar Carlson at The Gift Shop in Los Angeles. Randy Merrill mastered it at Sterling Sound Studios in Edgewater, New Jersey.
Music and lyrics
{{Listen
| filename = Harry Styles - Lights Up sample.ogg
| title = "Lights Up"
| description = A 16-second sample of the refrain with gospel choir and repeating lead-vocal melody and lyric
}}
"Lights Up" is a pop{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/harry-styles-lights-up-song-review.html|title=Harry Styles's 'Lights Up' Is Deliciously Unsubtle|last=Jenkins|first=Craig|work=Vulture|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011203904/https://www.vulture.com/2019/10/harry-styles-lights-up-song-review.html|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/harry-styles-new-album-fine-line-next-month-1203391780/|title=Harry Styles Reveals New Album, Fine Line, is Coming Next Month|work=Variety|date=4 November 2019|access-date=4 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104174011/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/harry-styles-new-album-fine-line-next-month-1203391780/|archive-date=4 November 2019|url-status=live}} and R&B song,{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5697485/succession-remix-pusha-t-harry-styles-lights-up/|title=Harry Styles Lights It Up and Succession Gets the Remix it Deserves. These Are the 5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Weekend|last=Bruner|first=Raisa|magazine=Time|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011222129/https://time.com/5697485/succession-remix-pusha-t-harry-styles-lights-up/|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-new-music-2019.html|title=The Best New Songs of the Week: Tame Impala, the Weeknd, and More|work=Vulture|date=6 December 2019|access-date=24 June 2020|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621075221/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-new-music-2019.html|archive-date=21 June 2021|url-status=live}} with a length of two minutes and 52 seconds.Citations regarding the digital release of "Lights Up" in various countries:
- {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/lights-up-single/1482448406|title=Lights Up – Single by Harry Styles|date=11 October 2019|publisher=Apple Music (AU)|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106035437/https://music.apple.com/au/album/lights-up-single/1482448406|archive-date=6 November 2019|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/lights-up-single/1482448406|title=Lights Up – Single by Harry Styles|date=11 October 2019|publisher=Apple Music (CA)|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011040306/https://music.apple.com/ca/album/lights-up-single/1482448406|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/lights-up-single/1482448406|title=Lights Up – Single by Harry Styles|date=11 October 2019|publisher=Apple Music (GB)|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502173835/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/lights-up-single/1482448406|archive-date=2 May 2020|url-status=live}} Critic Jon Caramanica of The New York Times characterised its sound as "somewhere between '70s soft rock, lite disco and indie pop".{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/arts/music/playlist-harry-styles-city-girls-liz-phair.html|title=The Playlist: Harry Styles's Lite Rock Return, and 10 More New Songs|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|authorlink=Jon Caramanica|work=The New York Times|date=11 October 2019|access-date=24 June 2020|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011155509/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/arts/music/playlist-harry-styles-city-girls-liz-phair.html|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} Along with these, NME{{'}}s Hannah Mylrea noted soul influences in the song.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/harry-styles-fine-line-review-packed-with-personality-and-charm-and-saucy-lyrics-2584779|title=Harry Styles – Fine Line review: packed with personality and charm (and saucy lyrics)|last=Mylrea|first=Hannah|work=NME|date=9 December 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209215729/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/harry-styles-fine-line-review-packed-with-personality-and-charm-and-saucy-lyrics-2584779|archive-date=9 December 2019|url-status=live}} The track incorporates multilayered guitars, piano, and programmed beats with a supple bassline.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/arts/music/harry-styles-camila-cabello-review.html|title=Camila Cabello and Harry Styles, Teen-Pop Alumni, Think Bigger|last=Pareles|first=Jon|authorlink=Jon Pareles|work=The New York Times|date=12 December 2019|access-date=24 June 2020|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212141007/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/arts/music/harry-styles-camila-cabello-review.html|archive-date=12 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/04/50-great-tracks-for-november-from-dua-lipa-destroyer-selena-gomez-and-more|title=50 great tracks for November from Dua Lipa, Destroyer, Selena Gomez and more|last1=Beaumont-Thomas|first1=Ben|last2=Snapes|first2=Laura|work=The Guardian|date=4 November 2019|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404223535/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/04/50-great-tracks-for-november-from-dua-lipa-destroyer-selena-gomez-and-more|archive-date=4 April 2020|url-status=live}} The refrain is accompanied by a gospel choir.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/harry-styles-fine-line-review-a-journey-of-sex-sadness-and-self-discovery-1.4109330|title=Harry Styles: Fine Line review – A journey of sex, sadness and self-discovery|last=Bruton|first=Louise|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=13 December 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213120113/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/harry-styles-fine-line-review-a-journey-of-sex-sadness-and-self-discovery-1.4109330|archive-date=13 December 2019|url-status=live}} The Independent{{'}}s Roisin O'Connor said the track has "California Dreamin'{{-"}} vibes and psychedelic grooves. Slate writer Chris Molanphy described the song as "lightly strummed beach music with ethereal backing vocals".{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/08/harry-styles-watermelon-sugar-first-hot-100-number-one.html|title=Why Harry Styles Just Scored His First No. 1 Song|last=Molanphy|first=Chris|work=Slate|date=14 August 2020|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814204519/https://slate.com/culture/2020/08/harry-styles-watermelon-sugar-first-hot-100-number-one.html|archive-date=14 August 2020|url-status=live}}
"Lights Up" eschews traditional song structures and is composed of several breakdown pre-choruses and post-choruses, and a single chorus.{{cite web|url=https://i-d.co/article/harry-styles-new-sexy-video-lights-up/|title=Harry Styles is back and his new video is sexy as hell|last=Kheraj|first=Alim|work=i-D|date=11 October 2019|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123004639/https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/ywaxpw/harry-styles-new-sexy-video-lights-up|archive-date=23 November 2019|url-status=live}} The song opens with a 17-second instrumental introduction, which is followed by a beat at 00:19 and then the track's opening verse. A guitar-driven pitch drift takes place at 00:28, and is accompanied by Styles's tightly tuned vocals. His voice is distorted in the pre-chorus.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/harry-styles-fine-line-album-review-tracklist-songs-one-direction-brit-awards-a9340646.html|title=Harry Styles review, Fine Line: Dextrous, audacious album just a little too in thrall to music's greats|last=Pollard|first=Alexandra|work=The Independent|date=17 February 2020|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604122141/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/harry-styles-fine-line-album-review-tracklist-songs-one-direction-brit-awards-a9340646.html|archive-date=4 June 2020|url-status=live}} The central chorus, which begins at 1:18, is uptempo and uses a repeating lead-vocal melody and lyric; it is led by a backing-vocal refrain that begins with "Shine". The track reaches a crescendo shortly before the outro. The song uses a layered vocal texture with a doubling of vocal lines at the upper and lower octaves.{{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/mix-review-january-2020|title=The Mix Review: January 2020|last=Senior|first=Mike|work=Sound on Sound|date=January 2020|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221094034/https://www.soundonsound.com/people/mix-review-january-2020|archive-date=21 December 2019|url-status=live}} O'Connor described Styles's vocals as "surprisingly airy", which she said contrast with his "sharper delivery" in his earlier work. Critics from Billboard,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8533762/harry-styles-lights-up-five-burning-questions/|title=Five Burning Questions: Billboard Staffers Discuss How Harry Styles 'Lights Up' the Hot 100 at No. 17 This Week|magazine=Billboard|date=21 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017045302/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8533762/harry-styles-lights-up-five-burning-questions/|archive-date=17 October 2020|url-status=live}} The Guardian, MTV News,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3142030/harry-styles-lights-up-video/|title=Harry Styles launches a (very wet and very shirtless) new era with 'Lights Up'|last=Roth|first=Madeline|publisher=MTV News|date=11 October 2019|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329084821/http://www.mtv.com/news/3142030/harry-styles-lights-up-video/|archive-date=29 March 2020|url-status=dead}} and The New York Times compared the song's musical style to that of the psychedelic music group Tame Impala, while those from NME and Variety said that it sounded like the early works of the R&B-pop singer Justin Timberlake.
The lyrics of "Lights Up" discuss self-discovery and self-acceptance.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/harry-styles-lights-up-track-review-second-album-single-2556245|title=Harry Styles' new track 'Lights Up' trades rock'n'roll excess for a lighter touch|last=Hunt|first=El|work=NME|date=11 October 2019|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225143802/https://www.nme.com/reviews/harry-styles-lights-up-track-review-second-album-single-2556245|archive-date=25 December 2019|url-status=live}} Some critics thought the song was a commentary on Styles's fame. In the song, Styles embraces his own identity, singing "Lights up and they know who you are / Know who you are / Do you know who you are?"{{cite news|url=https://www.papermag.com/harry-styles-lights-up-video-2640929048.html?rebelltitem=14#rebelltitem14|title=Harry Styles Is Drenched, Tripping and Maybe Coming Out in His New Video|last=Goldfine|first=Jael|work=Paper|date=11 October 2019|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119080927/https://www.papermag.com/harry-styles-lights-up-video-2640929048.html?rebelltitem=14|archive-date=19 January 2021|url-status=live}} The lyrics in the refrain have a personal revelation from him: "Step into the light ... I'm not ever going back". According to Laura Snapes of The Guardian, he talks through a "conflicted inner monologue" and the lyrics find "him and a former partner talking at cross-purposes around the void of a relationship". Now writer Rea McNamara said that the song was "an all-too-brief ode to self-love and letting go",{{cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/harry-styles-fine-line/|title=Review: Harry Styles is a more responsible Internet Boyfriend on Fine Line|last=Mcnamara|first=Rea|work=Now|date=13 December 2019|access-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213142942/https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/harry-styles-fine-line/|archive-date=13 December 2019|url-status=live}} and in the words of Vulture critic Craig Jenkins, it is about "piercing the darkness in our hearts with radiant light". Tallahassee Democrat{{'}}s Jia Alonso and The Washington Post{{'}}s Anying Guo associated the song's lyrics to be vaguely about Styles's sexuality.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78789000/tallahassee-democrat/|title=Harry Styles (finally) releases new music|last=Alonso|first=Jia|work=Tallahassee Democrat|page=19|date=14 October 2019|access-date=24 April 2021|via=Newspapers.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602091202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78789000/tallahassee-democrat/|archive-date=2 June 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/12/13/how-harry-styles-navigated-solo-stardom-one-direction-fine-line/|title=How Harry Styles navigated solo stardom, from One Direction to Fine Line|last=Guo|first=Anying|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=13 December 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214200315/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/12/13/how-harry-styles-navigated-solo-stardom-one-direction-fine-line/|archive-date=14 December 2019|url-status=live}} Editorials reviews by Paper and Time noted a melancholic edge to the lyrics.
Release and promotion
Prior to the release of "Lights Up", Styles launched a campaign on 10 October 2019, World Mental Health Day.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/harry-styles-new-album-one-direction-fan-world-mental-health-day-twitter-a9151416.html|title=Harry Styles sends fan touching message on World Mental Health Day as he hints at new album|last=Michallon|first=Clémence|work=The Independent|date=10 October 2019|access-date=12 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011031441/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/harry-styles-new-album-one-direction-fan-world-mental-health-day-twitter-a9151416.html|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} Billboards bearing the Columbia Records logo and the caption "Do You Know Who You Are?", were erected in London and New York.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/harry-styles-new-music-lights-up-1203367044/|title=Harry Styles Drops New Single 'Lights Up' – Variety|last1=Nickolai|first1=Nate|last2=Aswad|first2=Jem|work=Variety|date=11 October 2019|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011041319/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/harry-styles-new-music-lights-up-1203367044/|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3141872/harry-styles-teases-do-you-know-who-you-are-posters/|title=Do You Know What These Mysterious Harry Styles Posters Mean?|last=Tilchen|first=Jordyn|publisher=MTV News|date=10 October 2019|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010222349/http://www.mtv.com/news/3141872/harry-styles-teases-do-you-know-who-you-are-posters/|archive-date=10 October 2019|url-status=dead}} The billboards also bore the acronym "TPWK" (Treat People with Kindness), a phrase that had earlier been used on the merchandise of Harry Styles: Live on Tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/looks-like-harry-styles-teasing-new-album-do-you-know-who-you-are-2555811|title=It looks like Harry Styles is teasing his new album|last=Reilly|first=Nick|work=NME|date=10 October 2019|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010150717/https://www.nme.com/news/music/looks-like-harry-styles-teasing-new-album-do-you-know-who-you-are-2555811|archive-date=10 October 2019|url-status=live}} The caption was later revealed as the title of the song "Treat People with Kindness" from the album Fine Line.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/small-changes-make-a-big-difference-harry-styles-tells-the-story-of-treat-people-with-kindness/078397|title='Small changes make a big difference': Harry Styles tells the story of Treat People With Kindness|last=Homewood|first=Ben|work=Music Week|date=12 December 2019|access-date=12 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308131235/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/small-changes-make-a-big-difference-harry-styles-tells-the-story-of-treat-people-with-kindness/078397|archive-date=8 March 2021|url-status=live}} A website titled with the same phrase was also set up; it offered compliments to users who entered their names into it.{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6021282/harry-styles-new-single-lights-up/|title=Harry Styles releases new single, 'Lights Up' — and he's shirtless in the video|last=Wallis|first=Adam|publisher=Global News|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820111938/https://globalnews.ca/news/6021282/harry-styles-new-single-lights-up/|archive-date=20 August 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.papermag.com/harry-styles-new-website-2640917768.html|title=Harry Styles' Mysterious Website Told Me I'm Fantastic|last=Wetmore|first=Brendan|work=Paper|date=10 October 2019|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011032927/https://www.papermag.com/harry-styles-new-website-2640917768.html|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} Styles announced the title of the single on his Instagram account with a photo of himself.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2019/10/11/harry-styles-returns-with-new-bacchanalian-music-video-for-lights-out/|title=Harry Styles returns with new bacchanalian music video for 'Lights Up'|last=Lenkar|first=Maureen Lee|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011193920/https://ew.com/music/2019/10/11/harry-styles-returns-with-new-bacchanalian-music-video-for-lights-out/|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} Erskine Records and Columbia Records released "Lights Up" for digital download and streaming on 11 October 2019 in various countries as the lead single from his second album Fine Line. The same day, the song was added to a BBC Radio 1 playlist,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3tqPdBWF9yMbTrfjWvfKV8t/radio-1-playlist|title=Radio 1 Playlist|publisher=BBC Radio 1|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012125717/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3tqPdBWF9yMbTrfjWvfKV8t/radio-1-playlist|archive-date=12 October 2019}} and contemporary hit radio stations in Australia and Italy.{{Cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/charts/issues/1258/1258-singles-to-radio/|title=Singles to Radio|website=The Music Network|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023180038/https://themusicnetwork.com/charts/issues/1258/1258-singles-to-radio/|archive-date=23 October 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite press release|url=http://radiodate.it/radio-date/harry-styles-lights-up-189814-11-10-2019-radiodate/|title=Harry Styles 'Lights Up' {{!}} (Radio Date: 11 October 2019)|last=Pagura|first=Chiara|publisher=Sony|language=it|access-date=12 October 2019|via=Airplay Control S.R.L.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012170644/http://radiodate.it/radio-date/harry-styles-lights-up-189814-11-10-2019-radiodate/|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=live}} A limited-edition 7-inch single containing a new track called "Do You Know Who You Are? (Locked Groove)" on the B-side was issued worldwide in early 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://shopuk.hstyles.co.uk/products/lights-up-7-digital-download|title=Lights Up 7" + Digital Download|website=Harry Styles UK|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012170646/https://shopuk.hstyles.co.uk/products/lights-up-7-digital-download|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=dead}}
On 16 November 2019, Styles delivered his first performance of "Lights Up" on Saturday Night Live, along with "Watermelon Sugar".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-watermelon-sugar-lights-up-snl-913708/|title=Watch Harry Styles Play Soulful 'Watermelon Sugar,' 'Lights Up' on 'SNL'|last=Reed|first=Ryan|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=17 November 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117150158/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-watermelon-sugar-lights-up-snl-913708/|archive-date=17 November 2019|url-status=live}} For the performance, he rendered "Lights Up" in a stripped-down, R&B style; he was accompanied by a trumpeter, backing vocalists, and a live band.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8543878/harry-styles-snl-lights-up-watermelon-sugar|title=Harry Styles Basically Dressed Up Like a Watermelon to Sing 'Watermelon Sugar' on 'SNL': Watch|last=Hughes|first=Hilary|magazine=Billboard|date=16 November 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117112413/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8543878/harry-styles-snl-lights-up-watermelon-sugar|archive-date=17 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/saturday-night-live-season-45-episode-6/|title=Saturday Night Live recap: Harry Styles turns the lights up as host and musical guest|last=Hoglund|first=Andy|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=16 November 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117061002/https://ew.com/recap/saturday-night-live-season-45-episode-6/|archive-date=17 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/miss-vogue/article/harry-styles-saturday-night-live-2019|title=Here's Exactly What Happened When Harry Styles Took Over Saturday Night Live|last=Pike|first=Naomi|work=Vogue|date=17 November 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117193937/https://www.vogue.co.uk/miss-vogue/article/harry-styles-saturday-night-live-2019|archive-date=17 November 2019|url-status=live}} Hilary Hughes of Billboard praised the performance, writing: "With little more than the piano, an acoustic guitar, a trumpet and the intricate harmonies of his back-up singers, Styles belted every high note and danced to the beat of the song's bridge". Styles performed the track again on Later... with Jools Holland on 21 November and at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball on 7 December.{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/11/fka-twigs-harry-styles-jools-holland-performance/|title=FKA twigs, Harry Styles, Brittany Howard, and Noel Gallagher perform on Jools Holland: Watch|last=Schatz|first=Lake|work=Consequence of Sound|date=22 November 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123150128/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/11/fka-twigs-harry-styles-jools-holland-performance/|archive-date=23 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8547099/harry-styles-2019-jingle-bell-ball-set-video|title=Watch Harry Styles 'Sleigh' London's 2019 Jingle Bell Ball|last=Rowley|first=Glenn|magazine=Billboard|date=27 December 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229224900/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8547099/harry-styles-2019-jingle-bell-ball-set-video|archive-date=29 December 2019|url-status=live}} The song was included on the setlist of his one-night concert at the Forum in Los Angeles on 13 December to promote the release of Fine Line.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/12/harry-styles-concert-at-the-forum-review.html|title=Harry Styles: A Crush for the Zeitgeist|last=Lange|first=Maggie|website=The Cut|date=17 December 2019|access-date=19 June 2020|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104140036/https://www.thecut.com/2019/12/harry-styles-concert-at-the-forum-review.html|archive-date=4 January 2020|url-status=live}} On 18 December, Styles performed the single on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge segment.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-lizzo-juice-cover-bbc-live-928016/|title=Harry Styles Blames it on His 'Juice' While Covering Lizzo for BBC Live Lounge|last=Spannos|first=Brittany|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=18 December 2019|access-date=18 June 2020|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408041101/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-lizzo-juice-cover-bbc-live-928016/|archive-date=8 April 2020|url-status=live}} On 29 February the following year, he sang it at the Music Hall of Williamsburg for Sirius XM and Pandora's secret session.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/harry-styles-siriusxm-pandora-secret-session-1203519929/|title=Harry Styles Brings Arena-Sized Swagger to Secret Club Show in Brooklyn (Watch)|last=Kaplan|first=Ilana|work=Variety|date=29 February 2020|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229191749/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/harry-styles-siriusxm-pandora-secret-session-1203519929/|archive-date=29 February 2020|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
Some critics commended Styles for experimenting with different styles. Time and Vulture named "Lights Up" as one of the best songs of its release week. Snapes praised the song's refreshing sound that distinguished Styles from his British male contemporaries and from the "narcotised" synth-pop-dominated sounds of that year,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/11/harry-styles-lights-up-review-soulful-enigmatic-return|title=Harry Styles: Lights Up review – soulful, enigmatic return|last=Snapes|first=Laura|work=The Guardian|date=11 October 2019|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011153126/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/11/harry-styles-lights-up-review-soulful-enigmatic-return|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} with Time{{'}}s Raisa Bruner regarding it as an example of his versatility. Caramanica described "Lights Up" as a generous return to the pop that played to Styles's strengths. The Atlantic{{'}}s Spencer Koornhaber said the track rendered the type of eerie yet simple listening territory that had seldom been explored since Donovan's "Mellow Yellow".{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/12/harry-styles-fine-line-makes-peace-baby-boomers/603820/|title=Harry Styles's Conscientious Remix of Baby Boomer Culture|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|work=The Atlantic|date=13 December 2019|access-date=20 December 2019|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220201721/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/12/harry-styles-fine-line-makes-peace-baby-boomers/603820/|archive-date=20 December 2019|url-status=live}} O'Connor called it Styles's most self-confident song yet. To explain this viewpoint, she highlighted that Styles's identity often felt lost in the middle of musical tropes on his debut album. Contrastingly, O'Connor argued that "Lights Up" stood out on its own.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/harry-styles-lights-up-review-song-lyrics-video-album-release-date-a9151816.html|title=Harry Styles review, Lights Up: Artist's first new music in two years is his most self-assured to date|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|work=The Independent|date=11 October 2019|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011141027/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/harry-styles-lights-up-review-song-lyrics-video-album-release-date-a9151816.html|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}
Critics also commented on the song's unconventional structure and arrangement. According to Pitchfork writer Anna Gaca, the track was "designed to wriggle through the strictures of pop songwriting",{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/harry-styles-lights-up/|title='Lights Up' by Harry Styles Review|last=Gaca|first=Anna|website=Pitchfork|date=11 October 2019|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011203901/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/harry-styles-lights-up/|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} and Chris DeVille from Stereogum claimed that it showed Styles's ability to "toy around with accessible sounds without descending into the blasé".{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2107318/harry-styles-fine-line-golden-watermelon-sugar/columns/the-week-in-pop/|title=Harry's Style may be progressive, but his music is as conservative as it gets|last=DeVille|first=Chris|website=Stereogum|date=16 November 2020|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116212655/https://www.stereogum.com/2107318/harry-styles-fine-line-golden-watermelon-sugar/columns/the-week-in-pop/|archive-date=16 November 2020|url-status=live}} The detailed arrangement of horns, congas, and choir on the song was noted approvingly by Clash editor Susan Hansen, who selected "Lights Up" as the best track on Fine Line and praised its "subtle, but acute build up".{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/harry-styles-fine-line|title=Harry Styles – Fine Line|last=Hansen|first=Susan|work=Clash|date=12 December 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213011837/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/harry-styles-fine-line|archive-date=13 December 2019|url-status=live}} In a similar vein, Loiuse Bruton from The Irish Times complimented the song production-wise. Variety{{'}}s Chris Willman picked it as one of the "distinct modern outliers" on the album, alongside "Adore You" and "Watermelon Sugar".{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/reviews/harry-styles-album-review-fine-line-1203434280/|title=Harry Styles' Fine Line: Album Review|last=Willman|first=Chris|work=Variety|date=12 December 2019|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212201554/https://variety.com/2019/music/reviews/harry-styles-album-review-fine-line-1203434280/|archive-date=12 December 2019|url-status=live}}
Andrew Unterberger was more critical in his review for Billboard in which he singled out the song's direction as deceptive and wrote that the track "never quite tells you where it's going and then leaves you off somewhere you don't even recognise".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7808577/one-direction-solo-singles-ranked-list/|title=Every One Direction Solo Single, Ranked (Critic's List)|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|magazine=Billboard|date=12 December 2019|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324175755/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7808577/one-direction-solo-singles-ranked-list/|archive-date=24 March 2021|url-status=live}} Tim Sendra of AllMusic called the single "inoffensive and sweet", saying it was "only saved from the skip button by the always impressive vocals".{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fine-line-mw0003333652|title=Harry Styles – Fine Line|last=Sendra|first=Tim|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214052641/https://www.allmusic.com/album/fine-line-mw0003333652|archive-date=14 December 2019|url-status=live}} Paste writer Ellen Johnson dismissed it as not "necessarily anything special".
Commercial performance
"Lights Up" entered and peaked at number three on the 18 October 2019 issue of the UK Singles Chart, Styles's second top-10 entry on the chart after "Sign of the Times" (2017).{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/51376/harry-styles/|title=Harry Styles, Full Official Charts History|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604105138/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/51376/harry-styles/|archive-date=4 June 2020|url-status=live}} In July 2021, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified the song Platinum for 600,000 track-equivalent units. The song reached number four on the Irish Singles Chart, becoming Styles's second Irish top-10 entry. In Australia, the song charted at number seven on the singles chart, and was certified 2× Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of 140,000 equivalent units. The song peaked in the same position in New Zealand and received a double Platinum certification from Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ).
In the United States, "Lights Up" debuted and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated 26 October 2019, accumulating 21.5 million streams and 20,000 download sales in its opening week.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8533692/harry-styles-lights-up-best-debut-streaming-songs-chart|title=Harry Styles Nabs His Best Debut on Streaming Songs Chart With 'Lights Up'|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|magazine=Billboard|date=21 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022004527/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8533692/harry-styles-lights-up-best-debut-streaming-songs-chart|archive-date=22 October 2019|url-status=live}} It was Styles's third Hot 100 chart appearance following "Sweet Creature". The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the song double Platinum for track-equivalent sales of two million units. In Canada, "Lights Up" peaked at number 14 on the Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by Music Canada. The song reached number three in Lithuania, number four in Greece and Latvia, number six in both Scotland and Slovakia, and number nine in Hungary. It peaked inside the top 20 at number 12 in Iceland, number 14 in Singapore, number 15 in Malaysia and Sweden, number 16 in Austria and Norway, number 20 in Finland; and peaked within the top 40 in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Switzerland. In Brazil, the single was certified Diamond.
Music video
Vincent Haycock directed the music video for "Lights Up", which was filmed in Cancun, Mexico in August 2019.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-music-videos-2019-928435/harry-styles-lights-up-3-928747/|title=The 25 Best Music Videos of 2019|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=19 December 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611110106/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-music-videos-2019-928435/city-girls-ft-cardi-b-twerk-dir-daps-nsfw-928716/|archive-date=11 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/miss-vogue/article/harry-styles-lights-up|title=5 Things To Know About The First Single From Harry Styles's Second Album, 'Lights Up'|last=Pike|first=Naomi|work=Vogue|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011133823/https://www.vogue.co.uk/miss-vogue/article/harry-styles-lights-up|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} It premiered on Styles's Vevo account on 11 October 2019, the same day as the song's release.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/harry-styles-shares-comeback-single-lights-moody-video-2556195|title=Harry Styles shares comeback single 'Lights Up' and its moody video|last=Richards|first=Will|work=NME|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011120615/https://www.nme.com/news/music/harry-styles-shares-comeback-single-lights-moody-video-2556195|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} The video shows Styles dancing shirtless at a bacchanal in a crowd of sweat-drenched people of all genders.{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/harry-styles/harry-styles-new-song/|title=Harry Styles' 'Lights Up' Video Solidifies the Star as a 21st Century Sex Symbol|last=Johnson|first=Ellen|work=Paste|date=15 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630045204/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/harry-styles/harry-styles-new-song/|archive-date=30 June 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/10/harry-styles-lights-up-video-music-mushroom-anthem.html|title=Can You Hear the Mushrooms in 'Lights Up'?|last=Arnold|first=Amanda|website=The Cut|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012024513/https://www.thecut.com/2019/10/harry-styles-lights-up-video-music-mushroom-anthem.html|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=live}} The dancers drape themselves over him, "gently jostling and caressing each other" as he throws his head back in ecstasy. The video switches between scenes of Styles alone and with the dancers.{{cite web|url=https://vmagazine.com/article/harry-styles-explores-his-individuality-in-new-single-lights-up/|title=Harry Styles explores his individuality in new single: 'Lights Up'|last=Kelly|first=Dylan|work=V|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809061522/https://vmagazine.com/article/harry-styles-explores-his-individuality-in-new-single-lights-up/|archive-date=9 August 2020|url-status=live}} Some scenes show him riding on the back of a motorcycle with outstretched arms, and standing alone in a house. Styles is also seen wading in the sea while bathed in red light and wearing a black, sequined blazer.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/harry-styles-dances-shirtless-in-steamy-music-video-new-single-lights-up/|title=Harry Styles Dances Shirtless in Steamy Music Video for New Single 'Lights Up'|last=Slater|first=Georgia|work=People|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022020701/https://people.com/music/harry-styles-dances-shirtless-in-steamy-music-video-new-single-lights-up/|archive-date=22 October 2019|url-status=live}} Later in the video, he stares at his own reflection while being hung upside down. The video ends with an encounter between Styles and some police officers. The visual mostly takes place in darkness with occasional uses of neon red, pastel pink, and blue filters.
The video suggests people "having sex and feeling sad", which is how Styles described the album to Rolling Stone.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/11/entertainment/harry-styles-lights-up-trnd/index.html|title=Harry Styles 'Lights Up' in new music video|last=France|first=Lisa Respers|publisher=CNN|date=11 October 2019|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011233950/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/11/entertainment/harry-styles-lights-up-trnd/index.html|archive-date=11 October 2019|url-status=live}} Alonso noted swift transitions between every scene in the music video which has Styles as the central point of every location change. Georgia Slater of People said the visual portrays a more emotional side of Styles, with Dylan Kelly from V calling Styles's "authentically carefree identity" in the video "a celebration of [his] personal journey of self-discovery". W{{'}}s Jocelyn Silver described the visual as "a steamy, moody, Ryan McGinley-esque piece of work".{{cite web|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/harry-styles-lights-up-video-gender-fluid-fashion|title=Harry Styles Wears Gender Fluid Fashion (And Gucci) In New 'Lights Up' Video|last=Silver|first=Jocelyn|work=W|date=11 October 2019|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012170646/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/harry-styles-lights-up-video-gender-fluid-fashion|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=live}} Rolling Stone
Track listing
- "Lights Up" – 2:52
- "Do You Know Who You Are? " (Locked Groove)
Credits and personnel
=Recording=
- Recorded at The Cave Studio (Nashville, Tennessee), EastWest Studios (Los Angeles, California), and Henson Recording Studios (Hollywood, California)
- Mixed at The Gift Shop (Los Angeles, California)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (Edgewater, New Jersey)
=Personnel=
{{Div col}}
- Harry Styles {{spaced ndash}} vocals, songwriting, backing vocals
- Tyler Johnson {{spaced ndash}} songwriting, production, backing vocals, drums, drum programming, bass, acoustic guitar, keyboards, engineering
- Thomas Hull {{spaced ndash}} songwriting, electric guitar, additional production
- Jason White {{spaced ndash}} choir, contractor
- Brandon Winbush {{spaced ndash}} choir
- Nikisha Daniel {{spaced ndash}} choir
- Tiffany Smith {{spaced ndash}} choir
- Tiffany Stevenson {{spaced ndash}} choir
- Ivan Jackson {{spaced ndash}} horn
- Jeremy Hatcher {{spaced ndash}} engineering
- Nick Lobel {{spaced ndash}} engineering
- Sammy Witte {{spaced ndash}} engineering
- Matt Tuggle {{spaced ndash}} assistant engineering
- Matt Wallick {{spaced ndash}} assistant engineering
- Jon Castelli {{spaced ndash}} mixing
- Ingmar Carlson {{spaced ndash}} mix assistant
- Randy Merrill {{spaced ndash}} mastering
{{Div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2024 weekly chart performance for "Lights Up" !scope="col"|Chart (2024) !scope="col"|Peak |
| scope="row"| Moldova Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/md/weekly/20241206-20241212|title=Top Radio Hits Moldova Weekly Chart: Dec 12, 2024|publisher=TopHit|access-date=13 December 2024}}
| 93 |
|---|
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance of "Lights Up" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Hungary (Stream Top 40){{cite web|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/stream_db/2019|title=Stream Top 100 – darabszám alapján – 2019|publisher=Mahasz|language=hu|access-date=7 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112175303/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/stream_db/2019|archive-date=12 January 2020|url-status=live}}
| 86 |
| scope="row"| Latvia (LAIPA){{cite web|url=https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/muzikas-paterina-tops-latvija-2019-8292|title=Digitālās Mūzikas Tops 2019|publisher=LAIPA|language=Latvian|access-date=7 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428234524/https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/muzikas-paterina-tops-latvija-2019-8292|archive-date=28 April 2021|url-status=live}}
| 94 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Lights Up"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|access-date=7 July 2022|refname=ausplatinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|access-date=30 March 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|access-date=12 May 2021|refname=brazilplatinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|date=18 November 2022|access-date=18 November 2022|refname=canadaplatinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|id=9623|access-date=24 October 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|id=8425|access-date=17 May 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|access-date=1 October 2020|refname=mexicoplatinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=13 April 2025|refname=nzplatinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|access-date=3 December 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|access-date=3 September 2020|refname=polandplatinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|id=file_2020-11-20-12-39-45.pdf|access-date=24 April 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|id=16069-4394-1|access-date=2 May 2020|refname=ukplatinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2019|certyear=2022|artist=Harry Styles|title=Lights Up|refname=usplatinum|access-date=15 June 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Lights Up" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| rowspan="3"| 11 October 2019 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Italy
| Sony |
| scope="row"| United Kingdom
| rowspan="2"|{{hlist|Erskine|Columbia}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| Early 2020 |
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Harry Styles}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Harry Styles
Category:Songs written by Kid Harpoon
Category:Songs written by Tyler Johnson (musician)
Category:British contemporary R&B songs