"No Light, No Light" | ||||||||
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Single by Florence and the Machine | ||||||||
from the album Ceremonials | ||||||||
Released | 16 January 2012 | |||||||
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Recorded | Abbey Road Studios, London | |||||||
Genre | Pop · electronica | |||||||
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Label | Island | |||||||
Writer(s) | ||||||||
Producer(s) | Paul Epworth | |||||||
Florence and the Machine singles chronology | ||||||||
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No Light, No Light is a song by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine from their second studio album, Ceremonials (2011). The song was written by band members Florence Welch and Isabella Summers while the production was handled by Paul Epworth. Island Records released the song as the second single from the album on 16 January 2012. The song was the first one written for the album in the band's tour bus in Amsterdam. Lyrically, in the song, Welch is expressing frustration about the state of her fragile relationship and she further tries to keep it together. "No Light, No Light" received positive reviews by music critics who generally praised Welch's vocals and the drum-led instrumentation. It was also placed on several critics' year-end lists of best singles. The song peaked at number fifty on the UK Singles Chart, the Irish Singles Chart and number thirty nine on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
An accompanying music video for the song premiered on 18 November 2011 and is directed by Icelandic duo Arni & Kinski. It includes shots of Welch singing on a skyscraper and being chased by a contortionist. Upon its release, the video received mixed to positive reviews by critics who praised the dramatic shots, the religion and voodoo references. However, following its online release, several publications and users on various websites commented on the use of racism and racial imagery due to the black face of the voodoo man at the beginning, which Welch later denied. "No Light, No Light" was performed live by the band several times on television shows and at the 2012 BRIT Awards held at The O2 Arena in London. They also performed the song during the encore of their second worldwide Ceremonials Tour (2011–12).