Lights Out (Santogold song)

Infobox Single
Name = Lights Out


Caption =
Artist = Santogold
from Album = Santogold
A-side =
B-side =
Released = August 11, 2008
Genre = Indie rock, New Wave
Length = 3:12
Label = Downtown Records (US)
Atlantic Records (UK)
Writer = Santi White, John Hill, Chris Feinstein
Producer = Santi White, John Hill
Certification =
Last single = "L.E.S. Artistes"
(2008)
This single = "Lights Out"
(2008)
Next single =

"Lights Out" is the third single by American artist Santogold, taken from her self-titled debut "Santogold" (see 2008 in music).

Release and reception

It was announced on July 4, 2008 that "Lights Out" would be released as a single on August 11. [ cite web | url=http://angryape.com/news/2008/07/04/santogold-to-release-lights-out-single | title=Santogold to release Lights Out single | work=AngryApe.com | publisher=AngryApe | date=2008-07-04 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] [ cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/entertainment-catch-all/2008/07/04/razz-rocks-striking-gold-86908-20630804/ | title=Razz Rocks: Striking Gold | author=Rick Fulton | quote=...Lights Out which is out on August 4 | work=Daily Record | publisher=Trinity Mirror | date=2008-07-04 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] "Lights Out", as well as an exclusive remix of the song, is used to promote Bud Light Lime. [ cite web | url=http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-santogold-lights-out-bud-light-remix_009870.html | title=New Santogold - "Lights Out (Bud Light Remix)" | work=Stereogum | date=2008-05-19 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] The remix is available as a free download from the beer's official website. [ cite web | url=http://www.budlightlime.com/AgeGate.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fDownloads%2fmusicDownloads_BudLightLime.aspx | title=Music Downloads | work=Bud Light Lime | publisher=Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch) | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] Santi promoted the song on BBC Radio 1's popular Live Lounge programme, hosted by Jo Whiley. She performed "Lights Out" and a cover of Adele's "Hometown Glory".

"Rolling Stone" compared "Lights Out" to "a lost Pretenders single." [ cite web | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/20255990/review/20273804/santogold | title=Santogold | author=Will Hermes | work=Rolling Stone | publisher=Wenner Publishing | date=2008-05-01 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] "NME", meanwhile, said the song "harkens back to the sleek ’80s new wave of The Cars." [ cite web | url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/9672 | title=Santogold | author=Priya Elan | work=NME | publisher=IPC Media | date=2008-05-08 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] "Blender" seconded the comparison, saying the "butterfly fragile" song uses "chunky Cars guitars and a plaintive early-MTV synth" as a "shy come-on". [ cite web | url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=5145 | title=Hip-hop hipster mocks hipsters, gets hipper | work=Blender | publisher=Dennis Publishing | author=Jon Dolan | date=2008-04 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] "Lights Out" also received comparisons to the Pixies; cite web | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/single_reviews/s/1060663_santogold__lights_out_lizard_king | title=Lights Out (Lizard King) | author=Sarah Walters | work=Manchester Evening News | publisher=Guardian Media Group | date=2008-07-31 | accessdate=2008-08-23 ] cite web | url=http://www.ilikemusic.com/indie/Santogold_Lights_Out_Tour_Dates-5383 | title=Santogold live, plus free mixtape | work=ILikeMusic | date=2008-08-08 | accessdate=2008-08-23 ] The Village Voice stated it "channel [s] the Pixies with a punk-pop sound fueled by spare guitar plucks, simple drum patterns, and lyrics delivered in a talk-sing stutter with random falsetto breaks." [ cite web | url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0817,santogold-a-star-grows-in-brooklyn,419610,22.html | title=Santogold: A star grows in Brooklyn | author=Katie Hintz | work=The Village Voice | publisher=Village Voice Media | date=2008-04-22 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] It "finds a fascinating middle ground between the Pixies and the Go-Go's", according to Pitchfork Media. [ cite web | url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/50435-santogold | title=Santogold | work=Pitchfork Media | author=Tom Ewing | date=2008-05-07 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] PopMatters simply called the song "a sweet and eerie lullaby". [ cite web | url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/57682/santogold-santogold/ | title=Santogold | author=Alexis Pauline Gumbs | work=PopMatters | date=2008-04-30 | accessdate=2008-07-04 ] ILikeMusic said that "under a pure fire pop chorus the track is as irresistible as gravity." The Manchester Evening News went as far to call the song "perfect, faultless: a complete peach."

Music video

The "Lights Out" music video was directed by Kim Gehrig. The music video premiered via Pitchfork Media on August 11, 2008. cite web | url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/144541-pitchforktv-santogold-lights-out-video | title=Pitchfork.tv: Santogold: "Lights Out" [Video] | author=Marc Hogan | date=2008-08-11 | accessdate=2008-08-13 ] It features Santogold performing in front of various coloured walls and patterns — zebra print, black-and-yellow gingham, a tropical theme, cheetah and tiger prints, flamingoes, feathers, and others.

Tracklist

*UK CD single
#Lights Out (Radio Edit) – 3:13

*UK digital EP [ cite web | url=http://www.7digital.com/artists/santogold/lights-out/ | title=Lights Out | publisher=7digital | date=2008-08-10 | accessdate=2008-08-13 ]
#Lights Out – 3:13
#Lights Out (Tepr Club Remix) – 5:40
#Lights Out (Tepr Emo Remix) – 3:37
#Lights Out (Kid Gloves Remix) – 7:30
#Lights Out (Dave Rubato Remix) – 3:16 (iTunes only) [ cite web | url=http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=286666597&s=143444 | title=Lights Out - EP | publisher=iTunes Store | date=2008-08-11 | accessdate=2008-08-13 ]

Official versions and remixes

* Album Version — 3:12
* Radio Edit — 3:13 (same as the album version)
* Video Version - 2:30
* Bud Light Remix — 2:32
* Dave Rubato Remix — 3:16
* Diplo's Panda Bear Remix — 2:22 (appears on "Top Ranking")
* Kid Gloves Remix — 7:30
* Tepr Club Remix — 5:40
* Tepr Emo Remix — 3:37

References

External links

*MySpace|santogold|Santogold