Format Digital download Length 2:56 | Genre Synthpop | |
Released July 22, 2014 (2014-07-22) Label LIGHTS Music
Warner Bros. Writer(s) Lights
Thomas "Tawgs" Salter | ||
"Up We Go" is a song recorded by Canadian electropop artist Lights for her third studio album, Little Machines (2014). Written by Lights in collaboration with songwriter-producer Tawgs Salter, the song was released July 22, 2014 via LIGHTS Music as the lead single from the album. In the United States, it was released to modern rock radio through Warner Bros. Records on September 9, 2014.
Contents
- Composition
- Critical reception
- Chart performance
- Music video
- Track listings
- Credits and personnel
- References
The song has enjoyed commercial success - it reached No. 31 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and the top ten on multiple airplay formats, and was certified Gold by Music Canada in January 2015 - and was also met with positive reviews from contemporary music critics, being described as "impossibly catchy."
Composition
"Up We Go" is a synthpop song that combines Lights' signature electro-influenced pop production style with "lush" guitars. Jeff Benjamin of fuse described the style as a compromise between the lighter synths of her debut and the grittier electropop territory explored on Siberia. Lyrically, the song is an anthem about persevering through difficult times, with the chorus assuring the listener that "from down this low / It's only up we go".
Critical reception
The song received mostly positive reviews from contemporary music critics. In his "Song of the Day" spotlight featuring "Up We Go", Jeff Benjamin of fuse praised Lights for "[mixing] clever lyrics... with inspiring lyrics about persevering and looking forward to the brighter day" and was also complimentary of the shift in her sound. Also praising the lighter musical approach, Greg Moskovitch of Music Feeds wrote that "[t]he punchy, synth-pop production provides a soaring and glittering soundbed for Poxleitner’s motivational lyrics, which lead into an anthemic, impossibly catchy chorus." British music blog Popjustice rated the song 8/10 and felt the song had the potential to elevate Lights's career to the next level: "Canadian electronic pop expert Lights hasn't yet enjoyed the UK success she deserves... which is a shame, because if this excellent first track from her new album 'Little Machines' is anything to go by she's about to scale new heights."
Chart performance
"Up We Go" debuted at No. 84 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for the chart dated August 9, 2014. On the chart dated November 8, 2014, "Up We Go" reached a new peak of No. 31, becoming her second highest-charting single yet, behind "Drive My Soul", which peaked at No. 18. It debuted at No. 42 on Canada CHR/Top 40 on the chart issued September 13, 2014, as well as No. 47 on Canada Hot AC and No. 43 on Canada AC the following week. The song has since peaked in the top 10 on the former two, and the top 5 on the latter.
Music video
The official music video for "Up We Go" was directed by Alon Isocianu and premiered on Lights's VEVO channel on September 3, 2014. The one shot video features the singer in an elevator, with various background events and characters appearing as the doors open to new locations.
Track listings
Digital download
- "Up We Go" - 2:51
Digital download — Borgeous Remix
- "Up We Go" (Borgeous Remix) - 4:41
Digital download — Borgeous Remix (UK)
- "Up We Go" (Borgeous Remix) - 4:41
- "Up We Go" (Borgeous Instrumental Remix) - 4:41
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Little Machines liner notes.