Light Switch (song)

"Light Switch" is a song recorded and produced by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth. It was released on January 20, 2022, as the lead single from his third studio album, Charlie (2022).^[2] Puth wrote the song alongside Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Jake Torrey.^[3] A funky, uptempo track, the song lyrically sees Puth crooning about his attraction to a love interest.^[1] The song was teased several times on his TikTok account, causing the video to go viral on the platform, with many videos being made using the audio.^[4]

"Light Switch"
Single by Charlie Puth
from the album Charlie
Released	January 20, 2022
Recorded	2021
Genre	Pop[1]
Length	3:05
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Charlie Puth Jacob Kasher Hindlin Jake Torrey
Producer(s)	Charlie Puth
Charlie Puth singles chronology
"After All" (2021) "Light Switch" (2022) "That's Hilarious" (2022)
Music video
"Light Switch" on YouTube

Commercially, "Light Switch" reached number one in Singapore, and charted in the top ten in Malaysia and Vietnam. It reached the top 40 in Canada, worldwide, Ireland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, and peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background

In November 2021, Puth revealed "a single" would come out in 2022 by responding to a comment on Twitter.^[5] "Light Switch" then was teased on TikTok that same month, showing him documenting the production of the song. The video went viral on the platform, with a presave for the song made available on November 24, 2021. Throughout the rest of 2021, Puth kept teasing the song in various videos on TikTok. On January 18, 2022, Puth revealed the release date and cover art for "Light Switch" on his social media accounts.^[6]

Music video

A few hours after the song's release, an official music video for the song premiered on Puth's YouTube channel. The music video was directed by Christian Breslauer.^[7] The music video begins with Puth out of shape after an implied breakup, watching TV on his recliner. A Tae Bo instructor (Billy Blanks) he watches crawls out of the TV and encourages him to get back into shape with some workouts and other activities, such as fence painting, cleaning, and buying $100 worth of Bitcoin. Puth is later shown performing the last chorus to his ex in front of a bright sign that says "SORRY", only to find out the ex has gotten a new, out of shape, boyfriend. The trainer arrives, leading Puth away. In the comments of the video on YouTube, Puth says, "I created the concept for this music video based on an idea I had and shared with the incredible director, Christian Breslauer. I wanted to humorously portray all the things we sometimes try to change about ourselves in order to capture that unrequited love, when deep down we should be changing our lives only to benefit ourselves and no one else."^[8] The music video also includes product placements from Regal Select Exterior Paint by Benjamin Moore and the cryptocurrency company Coinbase.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart performance for "Light Switch" Chart (2022) Peak position Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[9] 100 Australia (ARIA)[10] 20 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] 49 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[12] 16 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] 17 Canada AC (Billboard)[14] 13 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[15] 10 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[16] 7 Croatia International (HRT)[17] 2 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[18] 49 Denmark (Tracklisten)[19] 20 France Airplay (SNEP)[20] 59 Germany (GfK)[21] 62 Global 200 (Billboard)[22] 21 Greece International (IFPI)[23] 48 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[24] 28 Iceland (Tónlistinn)[25] 21 Ireland (IRMA)[26] 25 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[27] 84 Lebanon (OLT20)[28] 20 Lithuania (AGATA)[29] 26 Malaysia (RIM)[30] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[31] 29 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] 43 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] 28 Norway (VG-lista)[34] 13 Philippines (Billboard)[35] 21 Portugal (AFP)[36] 73 Romania (Romanian Radio Airplay)[37] 4 Romania (Romania TV Airplay)[38] 10 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[39] 14 Singapore (RIAS)[40] 1 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[41] 21 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] 80 South Africa (TOSAC)[43] 70 South Korea (Gaon)[44] 103 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[45] 36 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 40 UK Singles (OCC)[47] 25 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[48] 15 US Billboard Hot 100[49] 27 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[50] 13 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[51] 9 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[52] 34 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[53] 11 Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[54] 7

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for "Light Switch" Chart (2022) Position South Korea (Gaon)[55] 106 Year-end charts 2022 year-end chart performance for "Light Switch" Chart (2022) Position Australia (ARIA)[56] 88 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[57] 153 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[58] 99 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[59] 58 Denmark (Tracklisten)[60] 80 Global 200 (Billboard)[61] 111 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[62] 51 South Korea (Circle)[63] 134 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[64] 27 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[65] 26 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[66] 40 Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[67] 68

Certifications

Certifications for "Light Switch"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[68]	2× Platinum	140,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[69]	Gold	15,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[70]	2× Platinum	160,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[71]	Gold	45,000‡
France (SNEP)[72]	Gold	100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[73]	Platinum	30,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[74]	Gold	30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[75]	Gold	25,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[76]	Gold	5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[77]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[78]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Light Switch"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	January 20, 2022	Digital download streaming	Original	Atlantic	[79]
Italy		Radio airplay		Warner	[80]
United States	January 24, 2022	Adult contemporary radio		Atlantic	[81]
	January 25, 2022	Contemporary hit radio			[82]
Various	February 4, 2022	Digital download streaming	Instrumental		[83]
	February 18, 2022		Acoustic		[84]
	March 4, 2022		Tiësto remix		[85]

References

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