Circadian Rhythms: The Best Soaring Thrill of Music

We sleep, we rest, we rise, we work, play and eat; we sleep again. This is driven by our Circadian rhythms that repeat roughly every 24 hours. These are our rhythms of life that influence various bodily functions and are primarily controlled by light exposure.  Vitamin D Production: Sunlight exposure is essential for the body to produce Vitamin D, which is vital for bone health and immune function.
Our moods and mental health are affected by light, especially natural light, which has a positive impact. Also, exposure to sunlight can stimulate the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness and mood regulation. Maybe this is one reason we are a little obsessed with it, and why it is a topic that is consistently explored in music; if music makes us happy, then music with light in its words can only make us happier. Find a small list of songs that explore the theme of Music and bright light here in Circadian Rhythms: The Best Soaring Thrill of Music

Light and darkness are major influencers on each of us, alongside food, activity and social environment. Music in all its forms has been part of our world even from the earliest of human existence, with archaeologists discovering ‘bone flutes’ dating back tens of thousands of years, alongside evidence of other instruments and vocal practices, indicating that music was a part of prehistoric life. 

“If music be the food of love, play on” is a famous line from William Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night and again highlights the part music has played in our universe. But why do we sing about light?

Light is a common theme in many cultures and traditions, often symbolising positive and transformative concepts. Light is frequently used as a metaphor for knowledge, truth, goodness, hope, and spiritual awakening. It can represent the divine, the triumph of good over evil, or the joy and clarity that comes with understanding

In essence, singing about light is a way to connect with powerful, universal symbols that resonate with people across cultures and beliefs. It allows us to express complex ideas about spirituality, morality, and the human experience through a universally understood and cherished symbol, according to some sources

Lorde Green light

The singer-songwriter Lorde released this song on 2nd March 2017 as the lead single from her second studio album, Melodrama. It was written and produced by Lorde and Jack Antonoff.

Very much seen as an electropop, dance-pop, and post-disco song, its lyrics use a “green light” as a traffic light metaphor that gives Lorde permission to move on with her life after a breakup.

No Light, No Light Florence + the Machine

English indie band Florence and the Machine released this song from their second studio album, Ceremonials (2011). Written by band members Florence Welch and Isabella Summers, and released as the second single from the album on 16 January 2012.

Welch expresses frustration about the state of her fragile relationship and further tries to keep it together. “No Light, No Light” received positive reviews, generally praising Welch’s vocals and the drum-led instrumentation. It was also placed on several critics’ year-end lists of best singles. 

Lights up, Harry Styles

By English singer-songwriter Harry Styles from his second studio album Fine Line (2019). It was written by Styles alongside his producers and released for digital download and streaming on 11 October 2019 as the album’s lead single. Conceived by Styles after a period of self-reflection, the lyrics are about self-discovery and his embracing his own identity.

Critics found Styles’s musical direction refreshing and commented on the song’s unconventional structure, which is composed of several breakdown pre-choruses and post-choruses, and a single chorus

Light My Fire The Doors

This is an infamous song by the American band the Doors. Although it was principally written by the band’s guitarist, Robby Krieger, songwriting was credited to the entire band. Recognised now as one of the earliest examples of psychedelic rock, and was released in January 1967 on their debut album.

Due to its (at the time) erotic lyrics and innovative structure, the track has come to be regarded as synonymous with the 1960s psychedelic and sexual revolutions, alongside the cult status of the band’s legendary lead singer Jim Morrison, whose early death made him iconic

Ray of Light Madonna

The song was the title track from Madonna’s seventh album, Ray of Light (1998), and it marked a new musical direction for her with electronic dance,  techno, trance, and disco influences.

Prodcuded by produced by Madonna and William Orbit, who stepped in to produce the album because sessions with producers Babyface and Patrick Leonard had not worked out.

Lyrically, the song explores freedom, mystical themes as a result of Madonna embracing Kabbalah, her study of Hinduism and Buddhism, and her daily practice of Ashtanga yoga.

The recording process was the longest of Madonna’s career, and she experienced problems with Orbit’s hardware arrangement, which would break down and cause delays until it could be repaired.

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out The Smiths

Written by guitarist Johnny Marr and lead vocalist Morrissey, the song featured on the band’s third studio album but was not released as a single in the United Kingdom until 1992, five years after their break-up.

Released to promote the compilation album …Best II, it peaked at No. 25 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 22, and it received considerable critical acclaim; in 2014, NME listed it as the 12th-greatest song of all time.

In 2021, it was ranked at No. 226 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Leave Before The Lights Come On Arctic Monkeys

The song was released on 14 August 2006 as the band’s third single in the United Kingdom. Yet the song was not included on the band’s debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,

The band songwriter Alex Turner is known for his lyricism, ranging from kitchen sink realism to surrealist wordplay, which has been praised by music critics

Guiding Light Mumford and Sons

This solid folk-pop song was released in September 2018, but a snippt an audio snippet from the song was released on the band’s Twitter page the day before

Discussing the song on Radio One 

“It was a bit of a beast to try and get on record. It was hard work. We kind of tried it in loads of different ways…this one took a while. We wrote it like a year ago, but it’s taken a while to just get it to that point, and now we’re happy with it.”

Marcus Mumford

The idea of light as a concept for movement of clarity and renewal, and spirit, stays forever present in our hearts and minds, probably because they are universal ideas we all share.

If you enjoyed reading Circadian Rhythms: The Best Soaring Thrill of Music, why not read Art, Song and Movement Here

.Cent Magazine London; Luxury Minded