21 Songs About Light (2023)

The word “light” has many possible meanings, including “bright,” “ignite,” “flimsy,” and “mild.” In addition, it represents a number of concepts, including optimism, joy, and even existence itself. Light is everywhere, and its absence can impact one’s life greatly. Thus, many composers have found “light” to be an apt metaphor or source of inspiration due to its pervasiveness in our daily lives.

If you’re in need of some musical illumination, here are some of the most inspiring and best songs about light that you will certainly enjoy.

21. I See the Light — Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi

The first entry on our list is an enchanting duet from one of the most well-known Disney animated film soundtracks, Tangled. It’s titled “I See The Light,” and is a touching ballad featuring vocals from both Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. This masterpiece indeed deserved the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media for its melody and its vocal harmony, which sound like a fairytale. The term light in this song symbolizes the love they have found in each other.

20. Light It Up – Ritviz Diwali Edition — Major Lazer

Listening to Major Lazer’s “Light It Up – Ritviz Diwali Edition” will get you amped up and ready to party. This upbeat track can be found on his album titled Peace Is The Mission, and it features not only him but also Fuse ODG and Nyla. Its dance beat and electronic tune are sure to give you an energy boost that will last you the whole day.

19. Beginning To See The Light — The Velvet Underground

Our next track is a classic rock song from The Velvet Underground’s self-titled album and is titled “Beginning to See the Light.” It was made public in 1969 and is written by Lou Reed. The revolutionary idea that one need not always comply with societal norms in order to be happy is central to its message, which is musically delivered in a nostalgic way.

18. Light It Up — Luke Bryan

Country singer Luke Bryan recorded a song titled “Light It Up” from his famous album, What Makes You Country. This track is a bit less country and more pop compared to his other tracks. The lyrics are about him waiting for his phone to light up and get a message from the woman he likes. It’s an appealing tune you won’t get enough of.

17. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) — Fall Out Boy

With a whopping 200 million YouTube views, it is undeniable how loved Fall Out Boy’s song “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)” is. This rock song is a high-energy tune that can fit in a variety of contexts, like a scene for an action movie, a game soundtrack, or a sports event’s opening track. It is from Save Rock and Roll, which was released in 2013. “Light Em Up” is an engaging track that received a nomination for the World Music Award for World’s Best Song as well.

16. Morning Light — Justin Timberlake

The song “Morning Light” by Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys has a musical quality that embodies the feeling of morning light. Listening to it is very calming and has a warm and cool quality all at once. This pop song can be found on his 2018 album Man of the Woods, and it would make an excellent addition to a playlist designed to put you in a good mood.

15. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia — Reba McEntire

For My Broken Heart, Reba McEntire’s 1991 album, is particularly close to her heart. It’s an album she made after losing her bandmates and manager in a plane crash. The album features the single “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” which was nominated for the Academy of Country Music Award for Visual Media of the Year. It’s a sad song about a man betrayed by his wife and best friend.

14. Light On — Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers is a young American singer-songwriter who penned and recorded the song “Light On.” Listeners will definitely be inspired by the words that center around being vulnerable and invincible at the same time. It features a catchy melody and Maggie’s amazing voice and is on her album titled Heard It in a Past Life, released in 2019.

13. Love Is Eternal Sacred Light — Paul Simon

“Love is Eternal Sacred Light” is a song performed by Paul Simon in 2011. It is part of his album titled So Beautiful or So What. It has a fast tempo and compelling backing track and lyrics that were cleverly written and full of symbolism. This track is a perfect pick to play while driving around.

12. The Light Behind Your Eyes — My Chemical Romance

Another profound piece of music is My Chemical Romance’s “The Light Behind Your Eyes.” It has that heartfelt tune that will make you emotional and cry, not because it is sad but because it will make you feel heard and understood, like an embrace you’ve been longing to get. This incredible piece is off the rock band’s album, Conventional Weapons.

11. Light Of The World — Lauren Daigle

We also have a Christian song in this collection. It is recorded by Lauren Daigle and is titled “Light of the World.” It is part of Lauren’s Behold album, which was released in 2016. It revolves around Jesus, who is called the “light,” and his arrival in the world. The instruments and their melody are comforting to listen to.

10. Lights — Ellie Goulding

You will imagine lights from a dance party hall while listening to the song Lights.” It is Ellie Goulding’s title track for her 2010 album. Her airy, sweet voice and the electronic pop melody make a great balance in a song that can make you groove yet calm at the same time. “Lights” has already received a lot of nominations, such as the Billboard Music Award for Top Pop Song and the Billboard Music Award for Top Streaming Song (Audio).

9. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out — The Smiths

The Smiths, the most influential British alternative rock band of the 1980s, are represented here by their iconic song “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.” It comes from their album The Queen Is Dead and is a soothing indie tune. Its composition and arrangement are so sublime that they can provide their listeners with the fresh air of optimism and hope.

8. Light On — David Cook

The alternative rock song titled “Light On” was recorded by the American Idol season 7 winner, David Cook, in 2008. You can stream this song from his self-titled album. David Cook’s husky vocals and the track’s inviting tune are hard not to sing along to. The lyrics of this emotional song are about someone who has to leave home and his lover and how it pains him.

7. Neon Lights — Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato’s exceptional and powerful singing is front and center in the elevating “Neon Lights.” This song’s beat is very infectious and danceable for its electro-pop tune. It was included on her self-titled album from 2013 and has since amassed over 200 million views on YouTube. “Neon Lights” is a love song about feeling a spark in another person, like a neon light.

6. One More Light — Linkin Park

We hope you’re emotionally ready to listen to Linkin Park’s “One More Light,” as it is impossible to listen to it and not feel your heart breaking and your eyes tearing up. The title track is an emotional alternative-pop song that makes reference to the transience of our lives. Lyrically, there is a lot of weight to the imagery and wording in this song.

5. Light My Fire — The Doors

Listening to “Light My Fire,” performed live by The Doors, will, as the song’s name suggests, light you up. Its upbeat instrumentation and timeless vocal quality are reminiscent of the late 1900s. “Light My Fire” is among the tracks in their 1967 self-titled album. The song runs for over nine minutes since it includes instrumentals and ad-libs that showcase their incredible musicianship.

4. The Light — Disturbed

Disturbed is a heavy metal band that released the song “The Light” in 2005. It is an entertaining and fetching rock song from their album named Immortalized. The uplifting message of this song is to never give up looking for the light because “sometimes darkness can show you the light.” Heavy is a fitting descriptor for the song’s instrumentals as well as the content that they convey.

3. Green Light — Lorde

Lorde included a catchy pop tune titled “Green Light” on her 2017 album Melodrama. The song has a contemporary, anthem-like quality that will have you playing it over and over. “Green Light” has won a number of awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Editing, the NME Award for Best Track, the Teen Choice Award for Choice Rock Song, and many more.

2. Light Switch — Charlie Puth

Are you looking for a song to play while you get warmed up before your performance? “Light Switch” by Charlie Puth is the song you should listen to. The infectious rhythm and melody of this song he recently dropped in 2022 will undoubtedly cause you to feel energized. “Light Switch” is a catchy pop song that can be found on Charlie’s self-titled album, and it showcases the musician’s creative side.

1. Blinding Lights — The Weeknd

As we turn out the lights, we leave you with a track that has garnered over 700 million views on YouTube since its release in 2020: “Blinding Lights.” It is one of the biggest hits recorded by The Weeknd and has an infectious beat and melody that will stick in your head forever. “Blinding Lights” also served as the title track and won the Juno Award for Recording Engineer of the Year. The Weeknd’s mesmerizing voice, along with the fascinating instrumentals, makes it a highly pleasurable song and a masterpiece that has won the hearts of people.