Daylight

Daylight by David Kushner is a profound exploration of the human condition, specifically the internal war between the desire for righteousness and the pull of sinful temptation. The song delves into the concept of duality, capturing the agonizing feeling of simultaneously loving and hating a destructive behavior. This theme is heavily influenced by biblical theology, particularly the writings of Paul the Apostle in Romans 7, where he describes the struggle of doing the evil he does not want to do.

The central metaphor of the song relies on the contrast between Light and Dark. "Daylight" represents truth, God, redemption, and the exposure of one's true self. It is the moral standard the narrator strives for but fears because it reveals his flaws. Conversely, the "Darkness" or "Nighttime" provides a cover for sin, allowing the narrator and his partner to indulge in their "poison" without immediate scrutiny. The line "Hiding all of our sins from the daylight" suggests a state of shame and the human tendency to conceal wrongdoing rather than confess it.

The relationship described in the lyrics—"You and I drink the poison from the same vine"—indicates a trauma bond or a shared vice. It isn't necessarily just a romantic relationship, but a partnership in transgression where two people enable each other's worst impulses. The mention of "lust" and "sinners" points toward sexual temptation, but the "blood I've spilt" implies that the guilt runs deeper, possibly referencing the wider destructive impact of their actions. Ultimately, the song is a cry for mercy from someone who feels trapped in a cycle of repentance and relapse.

The narrative begins with an internal confession, where the protagonist acknowledges a futile attempt to resist a specific temptation. He admits to himself that despite his resolve to stay away, he likely won't care about the consequences once he gives in. There is a sense of heavy guilt as he tries to metaphorically cleanse himself of past wrongdoings, described as washing away spilled blood. He addresses a partner in this struggle, noting that their shared lust is a burden they both carry. The lyrics depict them as two sinners who cannot find redemption through a solitary prayer because their souls are knotted together by pride and shared guilt.

As the story progresses, the protagonist senses a looming darkness approaching, a consequence of his lifestyle and choices. He recognizes this approaching shadow but admits a powerless inability to resist the allure of his vices. This leads into the central conflict of the song: a paradoxical state of loving and hating the sin simultaneously. He uses the imagery of drinking poison from the same vine as his partner, signifying a shared, destructive indulgence. The recurring theme is the desperate attempt to hide these transgressions from the "daylight," representing truth, exposure, or divine judgment. They are constantly running from this illuminating force to keep their deeds in the shadows.

In the second verse, the cycle of addiction and repentance continues. The protagonist tries to convince himself that this transgression will be the final one. He cries out to a higher power, asking for any spare mercy while down on his knees in a posture of submission and desperation. He expresses a genuine desire to follow the "light," yet he feels trapped in the "nighttime" of his soul. The narrative closes with a plea not to be abandoned in the end, highlighting a deep fear of spiritual separation and the ultimate consequences of his inability to choose the light over the darkness.

Daylight was released on April 14, 2023, as the lead single from David Kushner's debut studio album, The Dichotomy. The song was written by David Kushner alongside Hayden Robert Hubers, Jeremy Fedryk, and Josh Bruce Williams. It was produced by the acclaimed Rob Kirwan, who is notably known for producing Hozier's hit Take Me to Church—a track that shares a similar dark, soulful aesthetic.

The song's journey to success began months before its official release. Kushner teased snippets of the track on TikTok, sparking a massive viral trend. He utilized the "You look happier; what happened" trend to introduce the melancholic piano melody, creating a stark contrast that resonated with millions of users. The snippet was used in over 200,000 videos before the song even dropped.

Kushner has stated that the song was one of the fastest he ever wrote. He went into the studio to work on a different track but ended up writing the melody and chorus for "Daylight" instead. Lyrically, he drew inspiration from his childhood and his Christian faith, specifically the biblical teachings about the "flesh vs. spirit" conflict. The release was expedited due to the overwhelming demand from his social media following.

The song is written in the key of A Minor, contributing to its somber and moody atmosphere. It follows a slow, steady 4/4 time signature with a tempo of approximately 130 BPM (often felt in half-time at 65 BPM), giving it a dirge-like, dragging quality that emphasizes the "burden" described in the lyrics.

The rhyme scheme in the verses is generally AABB or ABAB variations using slant rhymes (e.g., there/care/share and spilt/guilt). The chorus relies heavily on the repetition of the hook, creating a rhythmic anchor. The vocal delivery is legato and melodic, contrasting with the staccato piano chords, which creates a sense of a voice floating over a rigid, unchangeable reality.

Musical Techniques: The song is defined by its deep, resonant baritone vocals, often compared to Hozier and Bon Iver. The production by Rob Kirwan utilizes a minimalist, haunting piano melody that anchors the track, gradually building with orchestral swelling and atmospheric synthesizers to create a cinematic, cathedral-like soundscape. The low-end frequencies are emphasized to mirror the "heavy" lyrical content.

Literary Techniques: Kushner employs antithesis throughout the chorus ("I love it and I hate it") to emphasize the internal conflict. The lyrics use biblical allusions (sinners, prayer, Lord, mercy) to elevate a personal struggle into a grand, spiritual narrative. The rhyme scheme often utilizes assonance (sins/living/resist) to create a flowing, chant-like quality that mimics a prayer or a hymn.

"Daylight" became a massive global hit, largely driven by its viral success on TikTok. The trend "You look happier; what happened" helped the song amass over 1 billion streams on Spotify in record time. It topped the charts in countries like the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Poland, and reached the top 10 in the UK and top 40 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

Culturally, the song cemented the resurgence of the "Gothic Pop" or "Dark Folk" genre, following in the footsteps of artists like Hozier. It resonated deeply with a Gen Z audience grappling with mental health, identity, and spirituality. The music video, featuring elemental imagery (fire, water, earth), further solidified the song's cinematic identity and has been widely praised for its visual storytelling.

The lyrics of "Daylight" are dense with religious and natural imagery:

• Daylight vs. Darkness: This is the primary allegory. Daylight symbolizes divine truth, purity, and the judgment of God. Darkness represents sin, concealment, and the temporary comfort found in ignorance or hiding.
• Poison from the same vine: A metaphor for a shared toxic behavior or sin. The "vine" may allude to the Forbidden Fruit in the Garden of Eden, suggesting that the source of their pleasure is also the source of their spiritual death.
• Blood I've spilt: This imagery evokes violence and deep guilt. It references the stain of past sins that cannot be easily washed away, reminiscent of Lady Macbeth or biblical sacrificial imagery.
• Down on my knees: A dual symbol representing both submission to a lover and prayer/repentance to God. It physically manifests the narrator's torn allegiance.
• Washing away blood: A reference to the desire for baptism or cleansing, attempting to remove the "stain" of guilt through one's own effort, which the song suggests is futile without divine mercy.

The most significant recurring motif is the phrase "Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time." This hook encapsulates the core message of the song: the paradox of addiction and the duality of human nature. Repetition of this line reinforces the cyclical nature of the struggle—the narrator is stuck in a loop of indulgence and regret.

Another key phrase is "Runnin' from the daylight." This repetition emphasizes the active, desperate avoidance of truth. The word "Daylight" itself acts as a musical motif, often sung with a soaring melody that contrasts with the lower verses, sonically representing the light reaching down into the darkness.