Hit the Lights (Jay Sean song) explained

Hit the Lights
Cover:Jaysean hit-the-lights+lilwayne.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne
Released:4 February 2011
Recorded:January 2011
Genre:
Length:3:41
Label:
Producer:J-Remy & Bobbybass
Chronology:Jay Sean
Prev Title:2012 (It Ain't the End)
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:Every Little Part of Me
Next Year:2011

"Hit the Lights" is the second single by English recording artist Jay Sean, featuring American rapper and labelmate Lil Wayne and produced by OFM production team J-Remy and Bobby Bass. It was released to UK as a digital download to iTunes on 4 February 2011,[1] and to US radio stations and as a digital download to iTunes on 8 February 2011.[2] It was released as a CD single in the United Kingdom on 24 April 2011.[3]

Background

Jay Sean told MTV, "I'm so excited about this song, 'cause, for me, it's the first time I felt like I did a huge club record, I always wanted to write a song that could be batted across all the clubs and on radio. And I think this is that song. It doesn't need any remixes or anything like that."[4] He said also "I'm feeling mad excited about "Hit the Lights". It's a club banger that's gonna get everyone movin! I'm looking forward to watching another one of my songs grow! That's the most fun part!”[5]

Of the collaboration he told MTV News, "It's inspirational, I learn off of people who have achieved greatness. There's something about them -- their work ethic, their mentality -- that resonates and strikes a chord. So when I watch him to see what he does, in my head I'm looking at it going, 'This is why he got to where he is.' And I like to learn that."[4] Lil Wayne previously contributed a verse to the British artist's US breakthrough single, "Down". Jay Sean told DesiHits about the difference in dynamic between "Down" and "Hit the Lights" in terms of working with Lil Wayne, "It's different when you hear his interpretation of the song, he has understood that I have taken it to a bit more of a sexy and mature level on this song. "Down" was young and playful while "Hit the Lights" is for a mature audience and it is aimed at the clubs, plus the lyrics of the song. Lil Wayne added his interpretation and of course some things had to get bleeped out."[6]

Jay Sean sampled the song in another song he made, YMCMB Heroes, featuring Tyga, Busta Rhymes, and Cory Gunz.

"Hit the Lights" was recently featured on Las Vegas, Nevada's tourism campaign "Only Vegas" where a man at his work station was singing along to the song while viewing photos of his vacation in Las Vegas.

Music video

Bille Woodruff directed the music video for "Hit the Lights", which premiered on 22 March 2011 on VEVO. The video has many CGI effects and features women dancing, an appearance from Lil Wayne as well as Birdman and DJ Khaled and plenty of lights.[6] [7] [8]

Charts

Chart (2011)! scope="col"
Peak
position
German Youth Airplay Chart[9] 25
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[10] 34

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
United Kingdom4 February 2011Digital downloadCash Money Records, Universal Republic
United States8 February 2011[11] Airplay
United StatesDigital download
Canada

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hit the Lights (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single. iTunes.
  2. Web site: JAY SEAN and LIL WAYNE Team up Again for "Hit the Lights" . Businesswire.com . 2011-01-28 . 2012-05-20.
  3. Web site: Lewis Corner. Music - Singles Review - Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne: 'Hit The Lights'. Digital Spy. 14 April 2011 . 2011-04-14.
  4. Web site: Rodriguez . Jayson . Jay Sean Calls Lil Wayne Collabo 'Hit The Lights' A 'Huge Club Record' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News . https://web.archive.org/web/20110211220021/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657565/jay-sean-calls-lil-wayne-collabo-hit-lights-huge-club-record.jhtml . dead . 11 February 2011 . MTV . 9 February 2011 . 2011-04-05.
  5. Web site: Jay Sean and his new track: Hit the Lights . Oyetimes.com . 2011-02-08 . 2012-05-20.
  6. Web site: DH! Interview: Jay Sean Has 'Hit the Lights' . Desihits.com . 2011-02-08 . 2012-05-20.
  7. Web site: Video: Jay Sean f/ Lil Wayne – 'Hit the Lights' . Rap-Up.com . 22 March 2011 . 2011-04-05.
  8. Web site: Jay Sean And Lil Wayne Take It to the Club in The "Hit The Lights" Video | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on . Idolator . 23 March 2011 . 2011-04-05.
  9. http://germancharts.com/airplay_charts.asp German Airplay Chart
  10. Chart Highlights: Adult Contemporary, Alternative & More. 14 March 2011. Billboard. 14 March 2011.
  11. Web site: Hit the Lights (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single. January 2011 . iTunes.