“Starlight” by Dave 

Dave came up in the game by largely branding himself as a rapper who is in tune with the trials and tribulations faced by Black people and womenfolk. And we have born witness to similar-minded rappers who, upon firmly establishing themselves as A listers in the industry, then began to drop songs that are more of a mainstream variety. 

With that in mind, this isn’t one of Dave’s tracks where he’s empathizing with abused women for instance. Instead the second verse does focus on women in Dave’s life and how he likes them “obsessed [and] clingy”, apparently kept in check by the size of his bank account. And the second half of the same passage has the conscious rapper, even if only briefly, basically threatening to murder opps. 

But he concludes the stanza by saying something like he loves his main squeeze to the point where he’d “donate both… kidneys” for her, sounding more like the compassionate Dave we have come to know and love.

But the point being relayed is that this piece is (even if from the perspective of a unique rapper) by and large standard rap braggadocio. Dave has now reached the point where he’s undoubtedly the hottest rapper in the UK, which itself is one of the biggest music markets in the world. Or viewed alternatively, there is no doubt that he’s paid. And as such, his wealth is one of the main themes of this song.

Theme Number 2

A second theme, as alluded to earlier, centers on the vocalist’s admiration for a certain type of woman. It seems that marriage is on the young rapper’s mind, and he may have even found that special someone, a West Indian shorty who he’s apparently smitten by. But all lyrics considered she is likely a personification or vision of the type of woman he prefers, as other lyrics would imply that he’s not truly thinking about settling down at this moment.

Theme Number 3

And lastly there are, as noted earlier, the allusions to violence. It is imperative for rappers, as Dave does in this song, to relay the idea that even if they are multi-millionaires or whatever, they are also ready, willing and able to keep it ‘hood.

What is the meaning of “Starlight” as used in this song?

Concerning the title, it seems that practically the entire third verse is dedicated to various romance-related musings. And the vocalist reveals that his girl is the type who, most simply put, doesn’t give him freedom. So when he says “fly me to the moon”, that’s a metaphorical expression of his desire to escape from this situation. So that astronomical reference may be related to the title, which is also astronomy-based.

And earlier in the first verse, Dave actually uses the term “starlight” within a somewhat similar frame of thought, i.e. expressing a desire, due to some sense of dissatisfaction (in this case actually being urban pollution) to go from one location (London) to another (the Caribbean). 

So relatedly, perhaps we can say that there’s no way Dave was going to drop a single, even one as frivolous-minded as this, without giving a shoutout to his Black people.

But to reiterate, this song doesn’t appear as if it is intended to send the listener down the path of deep thought. Dave has made it, and “Starlight” is boastful though at the same time unique to his artistry.

Facts about “Starlight”

Dave came out with this track via Neighbourhood Records on 3 March 2022, marking his first release of the year. “Starlight” swiftly proceeded to hit, topping both the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart and in that latter regard marking the first time the rapper has achieved said feat.

“Starlight” was written and produced by Dave. In composing this piece, he sampled “Fly Me to the Moon” (2017) by The Macarons Project, which itself is a cover of a classic song of the same name which was originally dropped by American music legend Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) in 1964. 

To note the rapper also co-directed the music video to this track, working alongside Nathan Tettey to accomplish that goal.

The video features a London-based fashion designer who goes by the name of Clint, founder of a brand known as Corteiz, which is worn in the clip.

The first teasing of this track took place in early February, 2022.

Dave embarked on a tour in mid-February 2022 that commenced in his homeland of the UK, with later dates in the US and Canada. And reportedly this song was released in celebration of that event.