Last week, Dave returned with “Starlight,” his first release since dropping his 2021 sophomore album, We’re All Alone In This Together, which debuted atop the U.K. charts.
“Starlight,” which interpolates Frank Sinatra’s classic “Fly Me to the Moon,” was first teased by the South London rapper on an Instagram Live back in February. Since its release, the song has held steady in the Top 5 on the Genius Top Songs chart, and last night, the Official Charts announced that the track may even claim the No. 1 spot on the U.K. Singles chart this week.
“Starlight” opens with the chorus, where Dave shouts out a since-deleted Instagram photo of rapper Meek Mill that went viral. The photo shows Meek counting stacks of cash while talking on the phone aboard a private jet.
Countin’ cash with the phone to my ear
I feel like Meek on the private jet
He also lists the qualities of his perfect girl. She’s a ride-or-die of slightly above-average height who’s got a great set of peepers.
Life or death, five-five, eyes, thighs, potential wifey
On the first verse, Dave spits the song’s titular phrase while calling attention to the damaging effects of pollution in London’s East and West End. If he wants to do some stargazing, he’ll fly back home to South London, where the sky isn’t so hazy.
Nuff pollution in the ends, I flew back Yard ‘cah I wanna see starlight
Later on in the verse, Dave thinks he’s found his true love. She hails from the North African country of Eritrea.
Eritrean, skin tone cinnamon, I think I found my princess
My empress, still gonna impress
Dave gives us a more detailed picture of his dating requirements on the second verse.
She a ten out of ten on a bad day, public affection, I tell her, “Come kiss me”
I like mine obsessed, clingy
If she don’t miss me, miss me
On the third verse, Dave’s hope of finding true love starts to wane. So far, he’s mostly met insecure women who date the wrong guys and get jealous when Dave does anything without them.
‘Nuff girls datin’ their biggest haters
How her boyfriend don’t want her to win? Like, rah
And why my girlfriend never wanna see me have a good time out if she ain’t there?
By the end of the verse, Dave decides to shift his focus to the people in his life who’ve already earned his love and respect.
Free my gang, 013’s and 020’s (Darlin’ miss me)
Oh God knows, I miss my bros
“Starlight” arrived alongside a music video that features a guest appearance from Clint, the founder of major streetwear label Corteiz.
You can check out all the lyrics to “Starlight” on Genius now.
