Turn Off the Light


"Turn Off the Light" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado from her debut studio album, Whoa, Nelly!. Written by Furtado, and produced by Gerald Eaton, Brian West, and Furtado, the song was released as the album's second single on 2 July 2001, reaching number one in New Zealand, Portugal, and Romania, as well peaking within the top 10 in several other countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Chart performance

In New Zealand, "Turn Off the Light" became Furtado's first number-one single and stayed on the RIANZ Singles Chart for 27 weeks. "Turn Off the Light" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand for sales greater than 5,000 copies. The song became the second-most successful song of New Zealand in 2001, behind Craig David's "Walking Away". "Turn Off the Light" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 on 10 November 2001. A remix featuring rappers Ms. Jade and Timbaland was also released, and a dance remix topped the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. In Australia, although the song peaked at number seven, it remained in the top 50 for 21 weeks and was certified platinum for sales exceeding 70,000 copies. The song debuted and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Furtado's second top-five single there, and reached number two on the UK [R&B Singles and Albums Charts|UK R&B Singles Chart].

Music video

There are two music videos for "Turn Off the Light": the underground version and the regular version.
The regular version was directed by Sophie Muller and was filmed in Chinatown's Central Plaza in Los Angeles, California. The music video for the regular version of "Turn Off the Light" begins in a swamp where Nelly Furtado is sitting on the edge of a log and people are swimming in the swamp. She begins to sing the first verse and when the chorus commences the people in the swamp pull her in and they start dancing in the swamp. When the second verse begins Furtado is seen at a temple singing while dancers jump out and dance with Furtado. During the second part of the chorus, she is surrounded by a group at the temple and they dance around her while she sings. During the bridge Furtado is shown at an old house singing and playing the guitar, with the flag of the Azores both behind her and on her guitar. The video ends with Furtado back at the temple eating noodles.
The underground video features Furtado playing the guitar in a wooden shed, wearing a white top and jeans. She is also seen buying flowers. Behind the scenes footage of the photoshoot for the Whoa, Nelly! cover is interwoven throughout the video.

Track listings

UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Turn Off the Light"
  2. "Turn Off the Light"
  3. "I'm Like a Bird"
  4. "Turn Off the Light"
UK 12-inch single
UK cassette single and European CD single
  1. "Turn Off the Light" – 3:36
  2. "I'm Like a Bird" – 3:50
Australasian and European CD maxi-single
  1. "Turn Off the Light"
  2. "Turn Off the Light"
  3. "I'm Like a Bird"
  4. "Turn Off the Light"

    Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the Whoa, Nelly! album booklet.
Studios
  • Recorded and engineered at The Gymnasium and Can-Am Recorders
  • Mixed at Can-Am Recorders
  • Mastered at Classic Sound
Personnel

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
US Billboard Hot 10092
US Adult Top 40 59
US Mainstream Top 40 55
US Rhythmic Top 40 33

Certifications

Release history