Starlight

"Starlight" by Dave is a multifaceted track that explores the artist's journey from the streets of South London to the heights of fame and fortune. At its core, the song is a reflection on success, authenticity, and the complexities of love and relationships in the context of a lavish yet perilous lifestyle. Dave contrasts his hard-earned truth with the envy and lies of others, celebrating his wins while acknowledging his roots and the dangers that persist. The title itself has multiple layers; it literally refers to seeing the stars in a less polluted sky during a trip to Jamaica, but metaphorically represents clarity, escape from the negativity ('pollution') of his environment, and the aspiration for something pure and real.

The song delves into the paradox of success. Dave juxtaposes images of opulence, like private jets and expensive gifts, with the gritty reality of his past and the need for street protection. There's a running theme of authenticity versus superficiality, highlighted by the lyric, "How you wanna take pics with the belts in the ring, but don't help in the gym?" . This metaphor critiques those who desire the rewards of success without the necessary hard work and sacrifice, a sentiment he applies to both career and relationships.

Romantically, the song reveals a complex and somewhat contradictory perspective on love. Dave expresses a desire for an intense, all-consuming connection, wanting a partner who is "obsessed, clingy". This desire for deep affection is juxtaposed with a fear of abandonment and a need for control, creating a duality of vulnerability and bravado. He critiques unsupportive partners in other people's lives while admitting to his own girlfriend's possessiveness, further complicating the song's exploration of modern relationships.

The song opens by establishing a core conflict: the difficulty of living an honest life and achieving success when surrounded by envy and falsehood. The narrator positions himself as authentic, contrasting his reality with the lies of others. He paints a picture of his success with the image of counting money on a private jet, a direct reference to a viral photo of rapper Meek Mill, symbolizing his arrival in the upper echelons of the music industry. This success is not without its dangers; he alludes to the need for protection and loyalty in the streets, highlighting a dual existence between being a highly respected figure in the industry and a protected individual in his old neighborhood.

He grounds his story in his roots, specifically South London, where he made his first money. The lyrics touch on the hustle of his past, using imagery of elastic bands and plastic bags, common in street-level dealings. A brief escape to Jamaica is mentioned, not just as a vacation but as a necessity to see the 'starlight', a metaphor for clarity and a break from the 'pollution' of his London life, which can be interpreted as both literal smog and the toxic environment of his industry. This journey also leads to a romantic interest, a woman he describes as his 'princess' or 'empress'.

The narrative then delves into the complexities of his romantic relationships. He desires a partner who is a perfect 'ten out of ten', even on her worst days, and expresses a preference for an 'obsessed, clingy' love. This desire for intense connection is immediately followed by a fear of being missed, stating that if she doesn't miss him, she is 'history' or a 'mystery'. This juxtaposition reveals a vulnerability and a need for deep, unwavering affection. Alongside these romantic musings, he weaves in reminders of his street credentials, mentioning a 'G17' (a Glock pistol) at a party, a reminder that despite his success and search for love, danger is always present. He declares his capacity for true love, even saying he'd donate his kidneys for his partner, and specifically mentions a desire for a girl from the West Indies, tying back to his Caribbean escape.

The final verse serves as a critique of superficiality and inauthenticity. The narrator questions those who want the glory of success (taking pictures with championship belts) but are unwilling to put in the work (help in the gym). This metaphor extends to relationships, as he criticizes men who don't want to see their partners succeed. He also touches on the possessiveness in his own relationship, noting his girlfriend's reluctance to see him have fun without her. This leads to a desire for space, poetically expressed as 'fly me to the moon', directly tying into the song's sampled melody. He continues to describe his ideal woman in physical terms—'hip dip, she got no waist, body snatched, servin' face'—while also expressing a longing for his friends who are in jail, a somber note that brings the narrative back to the harsh realities of his life. The song concludes with the sampled outro from 'Fly Me to the Moon', a final, melodic plea for true love and adoration.

"Starlight" was written and produced entirely by Dave (David Omoregie), a notable feat in modern music production where collaboration is common. The track was his first single of 2022, released on March 3rd of that year, following his critically acclaimed second album, "We're All Alone In This Together" (2021). Its release was celebrated as part of his UK, Europe, and North American tour that began in February 2022.

A key element of the song's creation is its prominent sample of the 1954 Bart Howard classic, "Fly Me to the Moon". Specifically, Dave used a rendition by Norwegian singer Angelina Jordan from 2017, and some sources also credit a 2017 cover by the Indonesian duo The Macarons Project. The intro creatively features a reversed line, "In other words, I love you," from the sampled track. The self-produced single's success made it the first UK Number 1 to be solely written and produced by one person since Calvin Harris's "Summer" in 2014.

The music video was co-directed by Dave himself and his frequent collaborator, Nathan Tettey. It features a laid-back, aspirational aesthetic, filmed in an upscale apartment and studio space, and includes a cameo from Clint, the founder of the London-based fashion brand Corteiz.

Dave's "Starlight" is characterized by a relaxed, conversational flow that sits comfortably atop a smooth, mid-tempo beat. The rhythm is largely driven by his lyrical delivery rather than a complex percussion line. His cadence is fluid, often employing multi-syllable and internal rhymes that demonstrate his technical proficiency without sacrificing a natural feel. For example, in the lines "She a ten out of ten on a bad day / public affection, I tell her, 'Come kiss me' / I like mine obsessed, clingy / If she don't miss me, miss me / If she don't miss me, history / If she don't miss me, it's a mystery," he strings together a chain of rhymes and near-rhymes (kiss me/clingy/miss me/history/mystery) that accelerate the verse's momentum. The rhyme scheme is generally free-form, typical of modern hip-hop, focusing more on intricate internal rhyming and rhythmic patterns within the bars rather than a strict end-rhyme structure. This allows the narrative to feel more like a stream of consciousness, blending boastful lines with introspective thoughts seamlessly.

Dave employs a range of stylistic techniques in "Starlight" that showcase his lyrical and musical craftsmanship.

• Musical Style: The track features a laid-back, minimal beat with a relaxed tempo, which contrasts with the often aggressive and complex nature of his lyrics. This juxtaposition of a smooth, almost lo-fi instrumental against sharp, introspective bars is a signature element of the song's style. The production is built around the prominent sample of "Fly Me to the Moon," creating a hazy and atmospheric soundscape.
• Vocal Delivery: Dave's delivery is calm and conversational, yet precise. He uses subtle shifts in cadence and tone to convey different emotions, from boastful confidence to romantic vulnerability and frustration. His characteristic ad-lib of kissing his teeth adds a layer of authentic, frustrated expression.
• Wordplay and Puns: The lyrics are filled with clever wordplay. For instance, "Stick with the stick, PVA" uses the double meaning of 'stick' (gun) and PVA glue to describe his closeness to his weapon. Another example is "shells gonna land like Disney / I'll put him down under, Sydney," a two-part punchline referencing Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (Ariel/shells) and the geography of Australia.
• Cultural References: Dave anchors his narrative in contemporary culture, most notably with the line, "Countin' cash with the phone to my ear, I feel like Meek on the private jet," referencing a famous image of rapper Meek Mill. This grounds his story of success in a recognizable hip-hop context.
• Reversed Audio: The song begins with a reversed sample of the line "In other words, I love you," a creative production choice that immediately sets an intriguing and experimental tone.

"Starlight" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, particularly in the UK. The song debuted at Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, marking Dave's second chart-topper and his first as a solo artist. It held the top spot for four consecutive weeks, setting a record for the longest-running solo UK Rap Number 1 single in Official Chart history. The track was a commercial success, racking up 7.7 million streams in its first week alone.

Its success was also notable because it was written and produced solely by Dave, a rare achievement for a Number 1 hit in an era of collaborative songwriting, making it the first of its kind since 2014. The music video, co-directed by Dave, also achieved immense popularity, becoming the most-watched music video on YouTube in the UK for 2022. The song was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2022 MOBO Awards. "Starlight" further solidified Dave's position at the forefront of British music, recognized not only for his lyrical depth but also for his ability to craft commercially successful and culturally resonant hits. The track also saw success on global charts, appearing on the Billboard Global 200.

"Starlight" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its narrative about success and authenticity.

• Starlight: The central metaphor of 'starlight' represents clarity, peace, and escape. Dave raps about leaving the 'pollution in the ends' (his polluted London neighborhood) to see the starlight in Jamaica. This symbolizes a desire to escape not just physical pollution but also the toxic aspects of his life and the music industry to find something pure and true.
• The Gym and Boxing Ring: The line, "How you wanna take pics with the belts in the ring, but don't help in the gym?" is a powerful metaphor for unearned success. The 'gym' symbolizes the hard work, dedication, and struggle required to achieve greatness, while the 'belts in the ring' represent the public rewards and accolades. Dave uses this to critique superficiality and the desire for glory without effort.
• Fly Me to the Moon: The sample from the classic song is used metaphorically. When Dave says, "Fly me to the moon, let me get some space," he's expressing a need for distance from a possessive relationship and the pressures of his life. It connects directly to the theme of seeking escape and freedom.
• PVA Glue: In the line "Stick with the stick, PVA," Dave uses clever wordplay. 'Stick' is slang for a firearm, and PVA is a type of glue. The phrase implies he is inseparable from his weapon, emphasizing the constant need for protection and the dangerous realities of his world.

Several phrases and motifs recur in "Starlight," creating thematic cohesion and memorability.

• The Chorus Hook: The central recurring element is the chorus: "It's hard to hate on the truth I'm livin' / Enough man hate with the lies instead / Countin' cash with the phone to my ear / I feel like Meek on a private jet." This hook encapsulates the song's core themes of authentic success and the envy it attracts. Its repetition reinforces Dave's confident stance on his achievements.
• The "Fly Me to the Moon" Sample: The hummed melody of "Fly Me to the Moon" is a constant musical motif throughout the track. It provides the song's melodic backbone and is lyrically referenced when Dave says, "Fly me to the moon, let me get some space," directly linking the musical sample to the song's lyrical theme of seeking escape.
• References to Wealth and Success: The motif of wealth recurs through phrases like "bags that I buy come filled with fifties" and the private jet imagery. This serves as a constant reminder of the lifestyle he has achieved, which is central to the song's narrative.
• Love and Relationships: The motif of a complex romantic relationship appears in each verse, evolving from finding a 'princess' to detailing the dynamics of wanting an 'obsessed' partner and dealing with jealousy. This recurring theme provides the song's main emotional counterpoint to the themes of street life and career success.