Black Friday (pretty like the sun)

"Black Friday (pretty like the sun)" is a collaborative remix that transforms Tom Odell's original somber ballad into a dance track with a complex emotional core. The song juxtaposes themes of deep insecurity and self-doubt with an uplifting, melodic house beat. The title itself is a contradiction: 'Black Friday' symbolizes a period of darkness, personal struggle, and the overwhelming pressure of consumerism, which Odell linked to his own feelings of inadequacy. In contrast, the parenthetical '(pretty like the sun)' represents a beacon of hope, admiration, and the beauty one sees in another person, a light that seems unattainable. The lyrics articulate a desire to escape personal anxieties ('I want a better body, I want better skin / I wanna be perfect') by emulating someone who seems effortlessly happy and bright. The song captures the duality of human experience—feeling lost in one's own 'darkness' while simultaneously being captivated by the 'light' in another, and the hope that some of that light might rub off. Lost Frequencies' production lifts the introspective lyrics into a shared, cathartic experience, turning a song of personal angst into an anthem of resilient hope.

The song expresses a profound yearning for happiness and a sense of belonging. The narrator observes someone who appears effortlessly radiant, comparing them to the sun shining on everyone. This observation triggers a deep-seated desire within the narrator to experience that same carefree joy, to party, and to have fun, asking this radiant person to show them the way. There's a palpable sense of admiration and almost obsessive fascination with this individual's perceived perfection.

This longing for happiness morphs into a desire for self-transformation. The narrator wishes for a 'better body' and 'better skin,' wanting to become 'perfect' just like the other friends of the person they admire. This reveals a layer of insecurity and self-doubt, a feeling of inadequacy in comparison to others. The object of admiration is then compared to the wind, whose touch brings an 'adrenaline' rush, highlighting the powerful and almost overwhelming effect they have on the narrator. This suggests a relationship or connection that is both thrilling and perhaps destabilizing.

The core of the song is the repetitive, almost chant-like chorus, reinforcing the central theme of wanting to be happy and to emulate the shining example of this other person. It's a plea for guidance out of a state of internal struggle. The bridge introduces a moment of confusion and existential questioning with the repeated phrase, 'What is happening to us?'. This shifts the focus from a purely personal desire to a shared experience, questioning the state of a relationship or perhaps a broader societal condition. It leaves the listener with a sense of unresolved tension, a poignant query about connection and mutual understanding amidst personal insecurities.

"Black Friday (pretty like the sun)" is a remix by Belgian producer Felix De Laet, known as Lost Frequencies, of the song "Black Friday" by British singer-songwriter Tom Odell. The original song was released on September 22, 2023, as the lead single from Odell's sixth studio album of the same name. Odell co-wrote the original ballad with his frequent collaborators Laurie Blundell and Max Clilverd. He explained that he wrote the song on his birthday in 2022, which was the day before the actual Black Friday, and it was inspired by his love for the people in his life contrasted with his tendency towards self-criticism. The Lost Frequencies remix was officially released on July 19, 2024. This version was a collaboration that brought together Odell's emotive, raw vocals and poignant lyrics with Lost Frequencies' signature deep house and dance-pop production style. The writers credited on the remix include Tom Odell, Laurie Blundell, Max Clilverd, and Felix de Laet (Lost Frequencies). The production credits include Lost Frequencies, Tom Odell, and Cityfall.

The song's lyrical structure is relatively simple, relying on a consistent rhythm and rhyme to enhance its catchy, mantra-like quality. The rhyme scheme is predominantly AABB, as seen in the verses: 'I wanna go party, I wanna have fun / Wanna be happy, could you show me how it's done? / You look so pretty, pretty like the sun / I could watch forever while you shine on everyone'. This straightforward, perfect rhyme scheme makes the lyrics memorable and easy to sing along to. The song's rhythm is defined by its 4/4 time signature and a tempo of 126 beats per minute (BPM), a common tempo for house and dance music. The rhythmic interplay between Odell's syncopated, emotional vocal delivery and the steady, driving beat from Lost Frequencies is crucial. It creates a tension between the lyrical melancholy and the physical impulse to dance, encapsulating the song's core theme of finding uplift amidst sadness.

The track is a masterful blend of literary and musical techniques. Musically, it showcases a classic Lost Frequencies approach, fusing emotive, organic elements with a polished dance framework. The song begins with Tom Odell's plaintive vocals and a delicate piano riff, characteristic of the original ballad, creating a sense of vulnerability. Lost Frequencies builds upon this foundation with shimmering synths, a driving deep house bassline, and a steady 4/4 time signature at 126 BPM, making the track highly danceable yet melancholic. This juxtaposition between Odell's soulful, raw vocal delivery and the uplifting electronic production is the song's central stylistic choice, creating a unique bittersweet atmosphere. Lyrically, the song employs direct address ('Could you show me how it's done?') and repetition (the anaphora of 'I wanna...') to create a pleading, almost obsessive tone. The use of simple, relatable similes like 'pretty like the sun' and 'pretty like the wind' makes the complex emotions of admiration and insecurity immediately accessible.

"Black Friday (pretty like the sun)" achieved significant commercial success and cultural resonance, particularly across Europe. The remix became a major chart hit, reaching number one in the Flanders region of Belgium and entering the top 10 in the Netherlands. It also charted in the top 40 in several other countries including Austria, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. The collaboration successfully merged the fanbases of both Tom Odell, known for his emotive ballads, and Lost Frequencies, a staple in the electronic dance music scene, resulting in a track with broad appeal. It became a summer anthem and a fixture on global dance charts. The original version of "Black Friday" had already gained significant traction on TikTok, where users connected with its themes of vulnerability and self-doubt. The Lost Frequencies remix amplified this, providing a danceable yet emotionally resonant soundtrack that was widely shared and celebrated online.

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors that create a powerful emotional contrast.

• Black Friday: In the original song's context, 'Black Friday' is a metaphor for a state of deep personal insecurity and dark thoughts. It represents a period of internal turmoil and self-doubt, a stark contrast to the commercial event it's named after.
• The Sun: The recurring simile, "pretty like the sun," is a central metaphor. The sun represents an idealized person who is radiant, warm, and effortlessly shines on everyone. It symbolizes a state of happiness, confidence, and perfection that the narrator longs for but feels distant from. This person is a beacon of light in the narrator's perceived darkness.
• The Wind: The lyric changes to "pretty like the wind" in the second verse. The wind is a metaphor for a more active, almost electric force. Its touch brings 'adrenaline,' suggesting that this person's presence is not just passively admired but has a powerful, tangible, and thrilling effect on the narrator, emphasizing the intensity of their connection.

The most prominent recurring motif is the chorus: "I wanna go party, I wanna have fun / Wanna be happy, could you show me how it's done? / You look so pretty, pretty like the sun / I could watch forever while you shine on everyone." Its constant repetition throughout the song transforms it into a desperate plea and a central thematic statement. It underscores the narrator's deep-seated yearning for joy and guidance. Another recurring phrase is the post-chorus, "I wanna be happy 'cause I wanna be your friend / I wanna be happy 'cause I wanna be like the sun," which further clarifies the motivation behind the desire for happiness—it's tied to connection and emulation. Finally, the outro introduces a new, darker recurring question: "What is happening to us?". This repeated phrase shifts the song's focus from individual desire to relational confusion, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of unease and questioning the foundation of the connection that was previously admired.