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Flashlight (Jessie J song)

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"Flashlight"
Song

"Flashlight" is a song recorded by British singer and songwriter Jessie J for the soundtrack to the film Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). The song was written by Sia Furler, Sky Montique, Christian Guzman, Jason Moore and Sam Smith.[1] The song was originally obtained when one pre-ordered the Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack in the United States, beginning on 23 April 2015; it later became available for download on its own. "Flashlight" was released in the United Kingdom on 11 May 2015 both on the soundtrack and as a stand-alone single. "Flashlight" was particularly successful in Australia, peaking at number two, and number seven in New Zealand.

Hailee Steinfeld performs a version of "Flashlight" titled the "Sweet Life Mix" in the film Pitch Perfect 2. Her cover of the song is included on the special edition of the film's soundtrack as well as Japanese version of Steinfeld's debut EP, Haiz (2015).[2]

Critical reception

"Flashlight" received generally mixed reviews. In a less favourable review, Steven J. Horowitz of Billboard gave the song two stars out of five, saying: "prone to funny bone shout-singing on her more upbeat singles, Jessie J dials back her vocal force on the tepid "Flashlight", off the Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack. The more subtle delivery would be welcome if the track weren't so paint-by-numbers, it plays like a pantomime of a Sia ballad, but without the emotive edge."[3]

Music video

The music video (directed by Hannah Lux Davis) was released on 23 April 2015 on YouTube.[4] In the video, Jessie J heads to Barden University (the campus of UCLA) where she performs the ballad while watching the students go about their days while walking around the campus, while scenes from Pitch Perfect 2 are shown.[4]

Use in film

The song is first sung by Barden University freshman Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) for her audition into the Barden Bellas, who have been suspended from competition. Emily explains that she writes songs to compensate for her anxieties, in this case, leaving home. Emily sings the song again later during the "Riff Off" which, due to it being an original song, causes the Bellas to be disqualified.

Upon learning that Emily writes her own songs, Beca (Anna Kendrick) offers to work with her on it and record the song in a studio.

At the climax of the film, the Bellas incorporate "Flashlight" into their World Championships setlist.

Chart performance

The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on 28 May 2015, at number 68.[5][6] The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 24 May 2015, at number 62, eventually reaching number 13. The song debuted on the ARIA Charts on 18 May 2015, at number 15 and reached number 2 as of 8 June 2015. It reached number one in Indonesia.

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[28] Platinum 70,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[29] Gold 30,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[30] Gold 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[31] Gold 7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Gold 400,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States[33] 23 April 2015 Digital download Republic
United Kingdom[34] 11 May 2015

References

  1. ^ "Flashlight - Jessie J | Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved May 2, 2015. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |website= at position 1 (help)
  2. ^ "Haiz by Hailee Steinfeld on Apple Music". iTunes Store (JP). August 26, 2016. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  3. ^ Billboard Staff (May 1, 2015). "Best and Worst Singles of the Week: From Adam Lambert to Jessie J". SS. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn (April 24, 2015). "Watch Jessie J's Uplifting 'Flashlight' Video from 'Pitch Perfect 2'". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  5. ^ Billboard Hot 100 Week of June 6, 2015
  6. ^ Trust, Gary (May 27, 2015). "Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' Blasts to No. 1 on Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  7. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  8. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  9. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  10. ^ "Jessie J Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 32. týden 2015 in the date selector.
  12. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 27. týden 2015 in the date selector.
  13. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Chart Track: Week 26, 2015". Irish Singles Chart.
  15. ^ "Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 26 (dal 2015-06-22 al 2015-06-28)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  16. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  17. ^ "Top 30 Singles Chart Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. July 22, 2015. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  19. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight". VG-lista. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  20. ^ "Top 30 Singles Chart Philippines". Philippine Association of the Record Industry. June 24, 2015. Archived from the original on June 24, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  22. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201527 into search.
  23. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  24. ^ "Jessie J – Flashlight". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  26. ^ "Jessie J Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  27. ^ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2015". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 29, 2015. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Jessie J "Flashlight"". ifpi.dk. May 23, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  30. ^ "Italian single certifications – Jessie J – Flashight" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 31, 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Flashight" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  31. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Jessie J – Flashight". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  32. ^ "British single certifications – Jessie J – Flashight". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 7, 2015. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Flashight in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  33. ^ "Flashlight (From "Pitch Perfect 2" Soundtrack): Jessie J: MP3 Downloads". Amazon Music. Amazon.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
  34. ^ "Flashlight (From "Pitch Perfect 2" Soundtrack): Jessie J: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
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