My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)

"My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)"
Single by Fall Out Boy
from the album Save Rock and Roll
Released	February 4, 2013
Format	Digital download
Genre	Pop rock electronic rock
Length	3:09
Label	Island
Writer(s)	Patrick Stump Pete Wentz Joe Trohman Andy Hurley Butch Walker John Hill
Producer(s)	Butch Walker
Certification	5x Platinum (RIAA)
Fall Out Boy singles chronology
"Alpha Dog" (2009) "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" (2013) "The Phoenix" (2013)
Audio sample file info · help Music video "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" on YouTube

"My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released as the lead single for the band's fifth studio album, Save Rock and Roll.^[1] It serves as the band's first single following the group's three-year hiatus and regrouping in early 2013.^[2] The track and its music video were released on February 4, 2013 worldwide and February 5, 2013 in North America,^[3] to coincide with the official news of the band's reformation. The song impacted radio on February 19, 2013.^[4] The band members felt that the song best represented their album at its core.

The song's title and principal lyric originate from an unrelated 2004 demo by the band.^[5][6] Fall Out Boy performed "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the group's first post-hiatus TV performance on February 13 as well as on various TV shows throughout the entire year, and have extensively played it in acoustic version at radio interviews. Lead vocalist/guitarist Patrick Stump performed the song as a guest on Taylor Swift's Red Tour on July 13, 2013, and Swift guested in turn with Fall Out Boy on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 13, 2013. The song became a staple at several sports-broadcasting soundtracks that year.^[7][8]

The music video is part 1 of The Young Blood Chronicles, a series in which a video was eventually recorded for every song on Save Rock and Roll as part of a narrative. "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" was a comeback success, reaching the 2 million digital downloads mark in July 2013, being the fourth song by Fall Out Boy to do so, and was certified 3x Platinum by the end of the year. It was named by BBC Radio 1 as one of the "Top 100 Tracks of the Past 5 Years"^[9] and No. 1 on Sirius XM Hits 1's best of 2013 countdown.^[10] It reached the top 10 on both Pop Songs and Alternative Songs with heavy airplay, and peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 with twelve consecutive weeks in the top 20.^[11]

Music video

The music video for the song is the first of the Young Blood Chronicles, an ongoing series with the band filming a video for every song on Save Rock and Roll. It begins late at night, with a figure - later revealed to be rapper 2 Chainz - walking away from a black van parked in a forest clearing. He starts a bonfire by pouring gasoline over a wood pile and lighting it up with a match. Two women then exit the van, carrying various music instruments belonging to Fall Out Boy which the band members then toss into the fire. Among the items they throw in are the band's guitars, a bass, drumsticks and various drums and cymbals. They also throw in amplifiers and Fall Out Boy records such as Take This To Your Grave, From Under the Cork Tree and Live in Phoenix, along with a Fall Out Boy wristband and Fall Out Toy Works comics. 2 Chainz then uses a flamethrower to speed up the incineration process, while the women return to the van and open its rear doors, revealing four hooded, bound men that are implied to be Fall Out Boy themselves. The camera then closes in on 2 Chainz's face as he holds up a match and stares at the band menacingly, ending the video.^[12]

Fall Out Boy's capture is shown in the music video for the following single, "The Phoenix", released on March 25, 2013.

Critical reception

Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone calling the song "a big, goofy, stomp-along pop-metal anthem".^[13] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard described the song as "a natural evolution of the Fall Out Boy sound," adding also that the song is "muscular in scope and jittery in practice, with rolling chants cresting above Stump's nervous energy."^[14]

Commercial performance

Commercially, "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" debuted on charts worldwide with success, reaching in the top five in the United Kingdom, charts the band have previously received success from with singles like "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" and "Thnks fr th Mmrs".

On the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the song debuted at number twenty-six and number eight on the U.S. Billboard Rock Songs chart; it reached number two on iTunes upon its release with 162,000 first week sales. In its nineteenth week on the chart, it reached a peak of number thirteen on the Hot 100 and number two on the Rock Songs chart (upon Save Rock And Roll's release). The song has sold over 5 million downloads in the United States by August 2015, the first song by Fall Out Boy to reach this level.^[15] "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" has sold over 200,000 copies in the UK earning a silver certification by the BPI as of 2013.

In pop culture

• The song has been known for appearing in several sporting events including the 2013 NBA playoffs player introductions for the Houston Rockets,^[16] the Canadian and American television coverage of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins 2013 commercial, intros for NASCAR drivers Aric Almirola and Justin Allgaier at Bristol Motor Speedway,^[17][18] the opening night of Monday Night Football during the San Diego Chargers vs. Houston Texans game and the MLB 2013 postseason "We Play October" campaign.^[19][20]
• The song was featured in the Xbox One presentation at E3 2013 as part of a montage showing different community creations for the upcoming video game Project Spark.^[21]
• The song appeared in the film Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and TV shows Hit the Floor and Criminal Minds.^[22]
• "My Song Knows What You Did in the Dark" was featured in the promotional video for the backdoor pilot of The Originals^[23] and during the Starz programming lineup.
• The song was also used during Timber Brown's acrobatic act during the quarter finals on season 8 of America's Got Talent, the show which Fall Out Boy would later perform the song at with "Alone Together" leading in.^[24]
• The song was used for the trailer for Disney's Big Hero 6, a film which featured the band's song "Immortals".^[25]
• The song was used for the soundtrack to the video games NHL 15 and Guitar Hero Live, the latter appearing as a playable track.^[26][27]
• It has been the goal song for Philadelphia Flyers since 2013 and the New Mexico Renegades in addition to the Australian NRL rugby in 2014.
• Since 2014, the Washington Nationals have used the song in their pregame "pump up" video before each home game at Nationals Park.
• The song was used in the 2014 NRL Finals Series promotional campaign 'Light It Up'.
• The song was covered in the 2015 musical comedy Pitch Perfect 2 in the form of a cappella.
• Internet a cappella singer Smooth McGroove made a cover of this song, changing part of the lyrics in order to refer to his pet cat, Charl. This version is called "My Cat Knows What You Do In The Dark."
• This song was used in the promotion 2016-17 Big Bash League season on Network TEN.

Remix

A remix, produced by Wonder Arillo, featuring rapper 2 Chainz with hip-hop sound was released on April 3. It was performed live the month before by Fall Out Boy and 2 Chainz at the beginning of the 2013 NBA slam dunk contest.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2013) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[28] 30 Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[29] 33 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[30] 19 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[31] 31 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[32] 35 Canada Rock (Billboard)[33] 49 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[34] 28 France (SNEP)[35] 89 Ireland (IRMA)[36] 33 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[37] 28 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[38] 35 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[39] 13 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[40] 2 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[41] 41 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[42] 5 UK Rock and Metal (Official Charts Company)[43] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[44] 13 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[45] 2 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[46] 8 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 15 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[48] 7

Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[49] 72 US Billboard Hot 100[50] 40 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[51] 7 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[52] 20 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[53] 19 UK Singles Chart [54] 84 Chart (2015) Position US Billboard Rock Digital Songs[55] 14 US Billboard Rock Streaming Songs[56] 11

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[57]	Platinum	70,000^^
Canada (Music Canada)[58]	3× Platinum	240,000^^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[59]	Gold	7,500^*
United Kingdom (BPI)[60]	Silver	200,000^^
United States (RIAA)[61]	5× Platinum	5,000,000[15]
Venezuela (APFV)[62]	Gold	5,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Worldwide	February 4, 2013	Digital download	Island Records
North America[3][63][64]	February 5, 2013

References

1. Hogan, Mark. "Fall Out Boy Return to 'Save Rock and Roll' With New Single, Album, and Tour". Spin. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
2. "Fall Out Boy to 'Save Rock and Roll' in May". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
3. "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) - Single". iTunes US. Apple inc. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
4. "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. February 12, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
5. Patrick Stump tweet on 2004 demo Twitter.com. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
6. Patrick Stump tweet on demo. Twitter.com. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
7. The Top 50 Songs From the First Half of 2013 popdust.com. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
8. How Fall Out Boy Became Jock Jam All-Stars. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
9. Radio 1's A List BBC. Retrieved September 15, 2013
10. The Hits 1 Best of 2013 Countdown. SiriusXM Hits 1. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
11. Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (light Em Up). acharts.us. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
12. Fall Out Boy - "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up)". About.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
13. Dolan, Jon (February 12, 2013). "Fall Out Boy: "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
14. Jason Lipshutz (April 16, 2013). "Fall Out Boy, 'Save Rock and Roll': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
15. Brian Cantor (August 10, 2015). "Fall Out Boy's "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark" and "Uma Thurman" earn new RIAA certifications.". Headline Planet.
16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NZR9oqNZ8y4#t=101s
17. Gluck, Jeff (August 24, 2013). "Drivers choose intro songs for Bristol night race". USA Today. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
18. Long, Dustin (August 23, 2014). "Bristol Driver Song List". Motor Racing Network. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
19. Ask Billboard: Baseball Hits, Gwen Stefani's Delay & Demi Lovato's Best-Selling Songs Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
20. http://www.bloguin.com/theoutsidecorner/2013-articles/september/mlb-preps-for-postseason-with-we-play-for-october-ad-campaign.html
21. "Project Spark coming to Xbox One". IGN.
22. Brothers Hotchner TV.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
23. 'The Originals' Pilot: Klaus Is Hungry For Power In 'Vampire Diaries' Spinoff Promo (VIDEO) huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
24. 'America's Got Talent' Results: A Favorite Younger Act Gets The Boot hollywoodlife.com. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
25. Hear 'Immortals,' Fall Out Boy's song from the 'Big Hero 6' soundtrack Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
26. Watch Gerard Way, Pete Wentz test out newly revealed “Guitar Hero Live”. Alternative Press. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
27. 'Guitar Hero' gets born again with a new look and a new controller. engadget.com. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
28. "Australian-charts.com – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
29. "Ultratop.be – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
30. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
31. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
32. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Canada Hot AC for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
33. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Canada Rock for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
34. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201315 into search. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
35. "Lescharts.com – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
36. "Chart Track: Week 6, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
37. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
38. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Fall Out Boy search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
39. "Charts.org.nz – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
40. "Archive Chart: 2013-02-16". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
41. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201311 into search. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
42. "Archive Chart: 2013-02-16" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
43. "Archive Chart: 2013-03-23" UK Rock Chart. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
44. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
45. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
46. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Rock Airplay for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
47. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
48. "Fall Out Boy – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Fall Out Boy. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
49. "Canadian Hot 100: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
50. "Hot 100 Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
51. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
52. "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
53. "Alternative Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
54. "UK Singles Chart: End of Year Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
55. "Rock Digital Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
56. "Rock Streaming Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
57. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
58. "Canadian single certifications – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark". Music Canada.
59. "New Zealand single certifications – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)". Recorded Music NZ.
60. "British single certifications – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark". British Phonographic Industry. Enter My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
61. "American single certifications – Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
62. APFV (November 30, 2013). "Certificaciones De Venezuela Del 2013" (PDF) (in Spanish). APFV. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
63. "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) - Single". iTunes CA. Apple inc. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
64. "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up) - Single". iTunes MX. Apple inc. Retrieved 11 February 2013.