Be a Light

"Be a Light" is a song recorded by American country music singer Thomas Rhett and featuring guest vocals from Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban. It was released on March 30, 2020. To date, this is McEntire's most recent top-10 hit.

"Be a Light"
Single by Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, and Keith Urban
ReleasedMarch 30, 2020 (2020-03-30)
GenreCountry
Length2:50
LabelValory
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dann Huff
Thomas Rhett singles chronology
"Beer Can't Fix"
(2020)		 "Be a Light"
(2020)		 "What's Your Country Song"
(2020)
Reba McEntire singles chronology
"Freedom"
(2019)		 "Be a Light"
(2020)		 "Does He Love You"
(2021)
Hillary Scott singles chronology
"Still"
(2017)		 "Be a Light"
(2020)
Chris Tomlin singles chronology
"Christmas Day"
(2019)		 "Be a Light"
(2020)		 "Who You Are to Me"
(2020)
Keith Urban singles chronology
"God Whispered Your Name"
(2020)		 "Be a Light"
(2020)		 "Polaroid"
(2020)

Rhett performed the song live at the 54th Annual Country Music Association Awards alongside McEntire and Tomlin for the first time.[1]

Content and history

Rhett said that he wrote the song in 2019, but chose to release it because he thought its message would be well received in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] He told Billboard that the song "was really just about being a light in a dark place; being an encouragement to people." He co-wrote the song with Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, and Josh Miller.[3] The song was sent to country radio on March 30, 2020. On April 5, 2020, he performed it on ACM Presents: Our Country, a television special put on by the Academy of Country Music.[4] Rhett also announced that proceeds from the song will be donated to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.[2]

Chart performance

Be a Light entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 71 on the chart dated for the week ending April 18, 2020. In doing so, it became the first entries on that chart for both Scott and Tomlin (though the former has charted repeatedly with Lady A).[3] With a peak of number 2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, it became Rhett's first single to miss the top spot since "Vacation" peaked at number 30 in 2016.

Personnel

Credits by AllMusic[5]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 500,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Grein, Paul (October 29, 2020). "The CMA Awards Promise to Bring Top Country Stars Together 'Safely, All in One Room'". Billboard.
  2. McAfee, Tierney (April 1, 2020). "Thomas Rhett Releases Uplifting Song 'Be a Light' to Aid Coronavirus Relief Efforts". Country Living. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  3. Mamo, Heran (April 15, 2020). "Here Are the Lyrics to Thomas Rhett's 'Be a Light,' Feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  4. Chan, Anna (April 5, 2020). "Thomas Rhett Brings New Song 'Be a Light' to 'ACM Presents: Our Country'". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  5. "Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  6. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  7. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  8. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  9. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  10. "Thomas Rhett Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  11. "Top 100 Songs, September 4, 2020 - September 10, 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  12. "Country Airplay Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  13. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  14. "American single certifications – Thomas Rhett – Be a Light". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
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