Be a Light

"Be a Light" is a song recorded by American country music singer Thomas Rhett and featuring guest vocals from Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban. It was released on March 30, 2020. and serves as a single from 20 Number Ones.

"Be a Light"
Single by Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban
from the album 20 Number Ones
Released	March 30, 2020 (2020-03-30)
Genre	Country
Length	2:50
Label	Valory
Songwriter(s)	Thomas Rhett Matt Dragstrem Josh Miller Josh Thompson
Producer(s)	Dann Huff
Thomas Rhett singles chronology
"Beer Can't Fix" (2020) "Be a Light" (2020) "What's Your Country Song" (2020)
Reba McEntire singles chronology
"Freedom" (2019) "Be a Light" (2020) "Does He Love You" (2021)
Hillary Scott singles chronology
"Still" (2017) "Be a Light" (2020)
Chris Tomlin singles chronology
"Christmas Day" (2019) "Be a Light" (2020) "Who You Are to Me" (2020)
Keith Urban singles chronology
"God Whispered Your Name" (2020) "Be a Light" (2020) "Polaroid" (2020)

Rhett performed the song live at the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards alongside McEntire and Tomlin for the first time.^[1]

Content and history

Rhett said that he wrote the song in 2019, but chose to release it because he thought its message would be well received in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[2] He told Billboard that the song "was really just about being a light in a dark place; being an encouragement to people." He co-wrote the song with Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, and Josh Miller.^[3] The song was sent to country radio on March 30, 2020. On April 5, 2020, he performed it on ACM Presents: Our Country, a television special put on by the Academy of Country Music.^[4] Rhett also announced that proceeds from the song will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.^[2]

Personnel

Credits by AllMusic^[5]

• David Angell – violin
• Monisa Angell – viola
• Jenny Bufano – violin
• Zeneba Bowers – violin
• Janet Darnall – violin
• David Davidson – violin
• Matt Dragstrem – programming
• Conni Ellisor – violin
• Alicia Engstrom – violin
• Dann Huff – electric guitar, piano, programming
• Charlie Judge – keyboards, piano
• Chris Kimmerer – drums
• Anthony LaMarchina – cello
• Betsy Lamb – viola
• Tony Lucido – bass guitar
• Reba McEntire – featured vocals
• Carole Rabinowitz-Nueun – cello
• Justin Niebank – programming
• Sari Reist – cello
• Thomas Rhett – lead vocals
• Hillary Scott – featured vocals
• Chris Tomlin – featured vocals
• Ilya Toshinsky – acoustic guitar
• Keith Urban – electric guitar, featured vocals
• Mary Kathryn Van Osdale – violin
• Derek Wells – electric guitar
• Kris Wilkinson – viola, string arrangements

Chart performance

Be a Light entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 71 on the chart dated for the week ending April 18, 2020. In doing so, it became the first entries on that chart for both Scott and Tomlin (though the former has charted repeatedly with Lady A).^[3] It is also McEntire's first top-10 hit since "Turn On the Radio" peaked at No. 1 in January 2011, and her most recent top-10 hit to date. With a peak of number 2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, it became Rhett's first single to miss the top spot since "Vacation" peaked at number 30 in 2016.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2020) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] 74 Canada Country (Billboard)[7] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[8] 42 US Country Airplay (Billboard)[9] 2 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[10] 7 US Rolling Stone Top 100[11] 91

Year-end charts Chart (2020) Position US Country Airplay (Billboard)[12] 31 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] 24

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Grein, Paul (October 29, 2020). "The CMA Awards Promise to Bring Top Country Stars Together 'Safely, All in One Room'". Billboard.
2. McAfee, Tierney (April 1, 2020). "Thomas Rhett Releases Uplifting Song 'Be a Light' to Aid Coronavirus Relief Efforts". Country Living. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
3. Mamo, Heran (April 15, 2020). "Here Are the Lyrics to Thomas Rhett's 'Be a Light,' Feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
4. Chan, Anna (April 5, 2020). "Thomas Rhett Brings New Song 'Be a Light' to 'ACM Presents: Our Country'". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
5. "Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
6. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
7. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
8. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
9. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
10. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
11. "Top 100 Songs, September 4, 2020 - September 10, 2020". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
12. "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
13. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
14. "American single certifications – Thomas Rhett – Be a Light". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 8, 2023.