What's The Real Meaning Of Light Switch By Charlie Puth? Here's What We Think
Charlie Puth's latest single "Light Switch" is finally here. Puth has teased the infectious pop track basically since the song's inception on TikTok. The singer, who amassed more than 15 million followers on the platform, has broadened his already large fan base by sharing an inside look at his creative, often chaotic, recording process.
"I'm freaking out wtf just happened," Puth captioned a September 16, 2021 video putting together the hook of what would later become his new single. "Light Switch" incorporates the sound effect of a real light switch in the beat, an artistic choice Puth filmed himself making in his TikTok. "This is actually kind of dope, I'm freaking out right now," he said in the video. The minute-long clip amassed over 100 million views, building hype for the final product. "If this song gets 100,000 pre saves I'll finish it and drop it," he teased in the caption of a TikTok video the following day.
"Light Switch" was released January 20 to instant success. "20 million Spotify streams in the first week!" Puth said of his new song on Instagram. "Thank you!!" Now that listeners can enjoy the full version of the viral hit, fans want to know the true meaning of Puth's song.
Charlie Puth can't seem to stay away
On "Light Switch," Charlie Puth sings of a former lover who continues to toy with his emotions. In spite of his better judgment, Puth can't stay away from the toxic relationship, singing, "I say, 'Don't look back'/ But I go right back and / All a sudden, I'm hypnotized / You're the one that I can't deny / Every time that I say I'm gonna walk away / You turn me on like a light switch."
Relationship troubles have long-since inspired Puth's biggest hits, like "Attention" and "We Don't Talk Anymore." Puth seems to be unlucky in love often, like when his famous fling with Selena Gomez went south when she left him to reconnect with her ex, Justin Bieber. "It really messed me up," Puth said of his breakup with Gomez to Billboard in 2018. "It wasn't like I was the only person on her mind. And I think I knew that going in — what I was getting myself into."
During another behind-the-scenes look at Puth's creative process, the "See You Again" singer opened up in a video about being inspired by the misfortune in his love life. "I'm very bad at expressing my feelings, which is why I usually just hide them in music," he said, giving context to the new lyrics he previewed for his followers. "I went through a very bad breakup one time, and I felt like I lost a year of my life."
Charlie Puth gets a glow-up in the Light Switch video
Charlie Puth matches the electric energy of his song "Light Switch" in the new song's music video. The visual sees Puth, disheveled after a breakup, turn his life around with '80s-style aerobics to win back the one who broke his heart. "You got me in a tight grip / You know how to just make me want you, baby," he sings in the midst of his over-the-top makeover. The light-hearted music video sees Puth transform his life and physical appearance, only to have his love interest end up with someone else who strongly resembles Puth pre-transformation.
The video's concept rings true to the "Marvin Gaye" singer's relatable sense of humor, especially regarding his take on society's beauty standards for Hollywood stars. Puth hit back at body-shamers in March 2021 when internet trolls hurled negative comments his way after paparazzi spotted the star strolling in Los Angeles without wearing a shirt. "Hey just a very quick reminder that it's not cool to body shame anyone," he tweeted. "Not entirely sure what the purpose of it is. Sorry I don't have an 8 pack like damn."