Leave A Light On (Talk Away the Dark)

Album: Ego Trip (2022)
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Songfacts®:

  • "Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)" is a message of hope and support for someone struggling with mental health issues. Papa Roach lead singer Jacoby Shaddix pours his heart out, conveying concern and unwavering support for someone battling inner darkness.
  • When Shaddix sings "Leave a Light On" live, he often dedicates it to Chester Bennington, the late Linkin Park vocalist who died by suicide in 2017.
  • Shaddix wrote "Leave A Light On" alongside Papa Roach guitarist and keyboardist Tobin Esperance, Kriss Bonn, and producers Nicholas "RAS" Furlong and Colin Brittain. Furlong and Brittain have been Papa Roach's regular collaborators since their 2017 Crooked Teeth album.
  • Papa Roach released the rock ballad as a single on November 24, 2023, in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Originally titled "Leave A Light On" on Ego Trip, they subsequently renamed the single to radio as "Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)" in conjunction with the AFSP's "Talk Away The Dark" campaign. The band pledged all future royalties from the song to the foundation.
  • The heartfelt track resonated deeply with audiences and climbed to the top of Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in February 2024. This marked Papa Roach's 10th #1 hit on the tally and their fourth from Ego Trip.
  • Papa Roach dropped a new version of "Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)" on August 2, 2024, with Shaddix trading lyrics with Carrie Underwood.

    "I'm such a huge fan of Jacoby and Papa Roach and was honored to be invited to record 'Leave A Light On' with them," said Underwood. "It's a beautiful song and the message behind it and the band's mission to shine a light on suicide prevention and mental health awareness has never been more important."
  • The music video for the Carrie Underwood version was directed and filmed by Bryson Roatch and Jeff Johnson. They shot it on location at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and East Iris Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • The Papa Roach/Carrie Underwood partnership is a natural fit, as the country star is a rock music fan and is no stranger to rocking out. During her successful run on American Idol, Underwood sang a rendition of the Heart's 1980s rock hit "Alone," and she performed Aerosmith's hit tune "Walk This Way" with Stephen Tyler at the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards. Underwood also sings rock songs like Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City" in her concerts.

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