Today I am very excited to share that today’s song is “Spotlight” by British singer-songwriter, Jessie Ware. Jessie Ware is a singer that was always there but I never realized that it was here, she was featured on the “We Love Disney” album and she wrote and song on Nicki Minaj’s “The Crying Game.” Ware gained my attention when “Spotlight” and her album “What’s Your Pleasure?” were named a top five single and best album of 2020 by Anthony Fantano, the Internet’s busiest music nerd. Fantano hasn't let me down before and he certainly didn't let me down now with "Spotlight."
Single Cover for "Spotlight"
Ware begins the song stating that it "ain't enough to say that I think of you." These lyrics showcase how badly she wants to be with the person she is thinking of. She only can be with this person in her dreams but with this song she is shooting her shot and trying "to get more than a dream." By the first verse, Ware spent the day with their love and it's time for them to part ways but Ware doesn't want that to happen. Ware pleads "[I'll] do anything to make you stay, Do anything to start the day again." In the chorus, Ware realizes that a do-over is impossible and tries to reason with her self but she knows she can't accept the day being over. "If only I could let you go. If only I could be alone. I just wanna stay in the moonlight. This is our time, in the spotlight..." shows that Ware will even accept only this part of the evening to repeat if it was possible. Ware is by herself in the second verse but she stills feels like her lover is with her. By the bridge, Ware is constantly reminding herself that the night must end but she doesn't want it too and in the outro, she fantasizes about when she can experience a beautiful night like last night again.
The video for "Spotlight" was released penultimate day of February last year as the first glimpse of her fourth studio album, "What's Your Pleasure?" The video follows a beautifully groomed Ware makes her way through former President Tito's train. As Ware follows someone down the train, more and more dancers appear as she moves from room to room. Finally, Ware reaches the end of the train and joins the dancers at the party. I see this video as a metaphor for the night that she wanted to replay. Ware begins in her bedroom and them goes to the bathroom, she walks for a while chasing her lover and ends up in a karaoke room. Her date ends with dinner and she doesn't want it to end but she knows it must and she seems to float to the end of the train. Ware now knows the night is ending and enjoys it with the rest of her dancers.
I really love this song. It fits the 1980's resurgence going on but puts it in a different light. "Spotlight" calls back to song like "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin and Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love," The love ballads that were so 1980s but aged beautifully.
I give “Spotlight” 4.9 BRIT Awards out of 5.
I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "Spotlight"? Leave a comment and a request for Saturday down below.
I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.
