PrettyLights - We Must Go On - HD Music Video (official)

The track is reminiscent of an earlier PL style, a classic soulful hip-hop style.
The music video was created by Derek Vincent Smith (Pretty Lights) and his girlfriend Krystle Blackburn (PLM's creative Director).
While the two of them traveled together all over the world during 2011, they filmed as much as their schedule allowed. Locations included in the video include Detroit, Warsaw, Oslo, NYC, Vancouver, London, Paris, Prague, Australia, New Zealand, Denver and many more.
The aim with the video was to accomplish multiple things:
1 - Create a visual accompaniment for the music that added depth and complexity to the emotions being channeled by the music and lyrics... Rather than tell a story, communicate a range of feelings and open ended ideas.
2 - Create a piece of art that speaks to the name "Pretty Lights" The name was originally intended to capture the essence of inspiration and speak to the nature of the artistic eye, so this video combines captivating imagery with beautiful lights in an organic and creative manner.
3- To accomplish the first two things in a way that captures the attention of the viewer and does not let go. The element of precise synchronicity combined with quickly and creatively edited shots brings the video and music together in a way that unites the two like never before.
It truly is one piece of art.
The track was produced by Pretty Lights and was released as a single on Jan. 26th 2012.
In case you can not understand the lyrics completely, they are:
"Times will get bad, and the whole wide world, will come down on you.... You must go on."
"I wish that I could tell you how I feel. It's so real, it's so real."
This song and video can be downloaded for free at www.prettylight...
...as well as all other Pretty Lights albums and singles.
SMACKBURN PRODUCTIONS 2012

[@masopaso3073]

My brother died about 6 years ago. Honestly impossible to describe the griefs I feel as his younger sibling as he was my idol for all intensive purposes. He and I had not much in common at the time but a love for music which bonded us. I will never forget when he showed me Pretty lights. And I fell in love forever.and that we share forever ❤

[@MadisonRidgley]

my brother died 12/24/2016 his love for PL got me into it at 16-17 and that’s one thing we shared. i will forever thank Derek V Smith for making his healing music

[@L33tSkE3t]

It’s for all intents and purposes. Sorry about your brother man.

[@andrewjohnson2108]

Sorry to hear man, your brother was a good guy just telling by his choice of music. I've never met a weirdo or a bad guy that listened to Derek 😂

[@salochinnotlimah2406]

We Must Go On! Especially during a time like this..

[@bassmenxxx]

Yesss

[@analogfuturemusic]

very accurate depiction of the world right now and we must!

[@MrRigdon97]

To this day!

[@jackhill1825]

Just wait until what’s coming...

[@salochinnotlimah2406]

@@jackhill1825 what u think?? 👀🤔

[@ArsenPatron]

Me and only another few million poeple love this. Keep it up.

[@trevtay91]

whenever i hear a Pretty Lights song i get the feeling that this world is so much bigger than we can imagine. Together the people, places, and all the little things all find a way to coexist and create the "Pretty Lights" that surround us all.

[@Mikoo2119]

Guys. That music has no typical genre. It has hip-hop, electronic, soul (and blues?) inside. And I think that's the best thing ever invented ;D

[@uncledvs]

the lyrics are what the video is all about. that, and the whole concept of the name 'pretty lights' it's about what inspires us. it's about beauty. it's about life. it's about standing strong in the face of struggle and and opening ourselves up and letting the awesomeness and pure beauty and soul of the world and the people around us help us keep moving...keep evolving...keep learning. well, to me anyway.

[@kyrylonaumko]

I’ve been in filmmaking for almost 10 years and never seen anything more beautiful than this

[@krystleblackburn6025]

thank you

[@victoriaurso9816]

Truly a work of art

[@d-Rich34]

Yellowbird is pretty amazing too

[@thomas_lee_harvey]

That’s the acid talking man 😮😂 Nah I’m playing. It is a piece of art visually and for the soul.

[@grapeapril19]

Pretty Lights on XM/Sirius channel 51 Electric Area Wed nights from 6pm Eastern to 7pm Eastern. By the time I get home, I don't want to get out of the car......just keep on driving to hear the whole hour....It evokes the style of music we listened to at home like Cross-Collateral Passport...I just can't explain it, fantastic for the ears and soul.

[@danmele1]

Couldn't be more stoked on this. For all the people out there listening to this who have been jamming PL since the "Taking Up Your Precious Time" days, you know how good it is to see him keep his roots and keep the soul/hip hop feel that leads to uncontrollable head nods. Can't wait to hear this song live!!

[@Walls_of_Sound]

Thank you Pretty Lights. You make me believe the beauty in this world...even if its for 6 minutes.

[@MarceloLopez-tl9wy]

Sooooo many people don''t know they're in a dope ass video.

[@MusicJunkyFunky]

Man I think I fell in Love with Pretty Lights all over again...

[@wes7715]

10 years .. that doesn't even seem possible.

[@CimplyComplex]

The last 3 minutes of this video were so beautiful and worked so well with this amazing song.

[@cris53dodd]

Who gave this a thumbs down?! Do you just not like music in general? This song is dope, this vid is dope, and Pretty Lights is Dope. Thank you, Derek, for giving us awesome music and great shows.

[@fabinou]

So much soul in this one, directly from ears to the heart. What is supposed to do music, before it was only here to make money

[@delorianecameron5250]

This song moves me. Makes me want too endure and thrive to be a better person. Despite whatever the world may throw our way.

[@Sunshine_of_love25]

I watched his whole tour live on twitch and I have listened to some of his music because of my boyfriend. I never knew who they were before but damn! Pretty lights is amazing! I love this song as I’m listening to it I can just picture watching it live. That was so amazing to see. I want to see him live! 💞 love this song. Especially for the new year. Times will get bad but we must keep moving! Much love ❤

[@Sunshine_of_love25]

I can listen to this song on repeat and it never gets old. Helps me remember no matter what happens in life you have to keep moving on. ❤

[@caliform]

Can we have top comments be about how awesome the music is? Because it is. This is great.

[@grwagz]

Funky beats that set your head to bobbin' like some dashboard idol. I close my eyes and take a trip on the smooth groove highway...

[@chrisbabyt]

One word captures the whole beauty behind the concept of this video and that is, sonder.

[@Dubarco]

Nothing like some pretty lights.. anywhere anytime PL never fails. see you at ultra derek!!

[@TheNickmercier]

This video encompasses what i find myself looking at, as i aimlessly walk around with PL on headphones.

[@noneyabusiness6601]

Cleanses my soul!

[@madelinelsmith]

This is what bliss sounds like.

[@Hockey933]

LOVE this old school track and i love that hes bringing it back seeing a festival set from PL when the sun is rising and him spinning his old chill beats would be the sickest thing ever...i feel like most PL fans dont really appreciate his old sound as much as they shud

[@djbigeye]

True artists working together - superb

[@steamedyam]

Pretty lights has been killing it for years he gives away all his music on his website.

[@PDaley27]

any time im feeling down. i turn to derek.... this song is timeless for me. and has really gotten me thru some dark times.

[@altondavis690]

)

[@NothinHoldTheFalling]

He cried a little bit, and I just saw him... and we both understood thar moment was just for us, with this lovely music surrounding us :) this melody was the witness

[@ColoradoSoundboy]

Got to hear this live in CO 2023! 🎉

[@slaytanic34]

This just shows what Pretty Lights is capable of. He can go from the heaviness of I Know the Truth, and then go back to the old style. I love everything PL has done and he never disappoints.

[@93Wesleyar]

I miss you Derek, thank you for shifting my perspective of what music can be.

[@Jamiethaking]

anyone who loves this song as dearly as I MUST see DVS live someday in their life. This song will literally compel you in an indescribable fashion.

[@SynesthesiaeFilms]

Simply put,nothing but beautiful things here...

[@masterofbombs2]

There is literally nothing wrong with this song and video. This is the most perfect song I have ever heard. It nearly brings me to tears

[@ChilleDINJerseY]

I LOVEEEEEEEE THE OLDER TYPE STUFF PL KEEP IT UP.

[@PorcupinePower]

Looking out the window and watching the mountains on a train from Italy to Germany on the way back to the love of my life. I've listened to this song hundreds of times and that's still what it reminds me of.

[@aracelizuniga5451]

2022 and still love this song.

[@CuzOfLove]

NOW! That's HARSH big city life! Know all to well the city of Chicago & it's just like that!!! Pretty Lights is an EXCELLENT Receiver & Musical translator for vibrations from the different parts/sections of our world ! He must be an expert listener !! Very Skillful & WELL DONE!

[@Tryler_]

When I first found this it was the best song in the world and an amazing feeling

[@kiddswift927]

RIP to this song..... So beautiful

[@viprex]

So chill. Gotta love PL's chill tracks.

[@yureispirit7634]

Epitome of perfection in videography, excellent song life goes on with or without us.

[@hugboat808]

PRETTY LIGHTS PERFECTION!

[@frezurmind]

I learned of this music by a homeless guy named Whiter ... call him whitey ... smooth vibez... caught it had to ask for the name of the tunes... he hooked it up... im here... and there he went on his bike (blastin this tune)rainbow antenna pulling 2 dogs on a cart attached to his bike down the highway he went .... bye whitey... thanks man ✌🏻❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Lin_rajk]

Needed this at such a time. Much love!

[@IntriguedIndeed]

Iii9999

[@calvinbrockington5974]

amen

[@woos188]

this helps with paper so much, the flow of the beat goes with the flow of the essay, and my papers always turn out great.

[@texn333]

hope 2022 is the year derek hops back on the deck

[@arjunaadjinna]

It's people like Derek Smith that gives me hope and faith that music is not dead. He changed my life, for the good. That's a bold statement, but I will stand by it. Artistic creativity by this man is unparalleled.

[@mdp.33]

Pretty Lights is a vibe

[@amoore12344]

just smoked a couples bowls and watching this video (3 times) was the most fun i've had in a while

[@christopherbarnett2961]

Such beautiful and inspiring music 🎶

[@FalconXtreme1]

Times will get bad, and the whole wide world, will come down on you.... You must go on I wish that I could tell you how I feel. It's so real, it's so real

[@Roche687]

Thank you Derek 👍🤗😍😘🙏

[@mindkeyper]

I'm melting in my seat right now. Thanks Pretty Lights. :)

[@kmchico]

I enjoy the street performers that permeate through the video. Great stuff

[@DonAlfredo7]

man that's no golden rule of life itself.. we can achieve peace you just got to change peoples minds , we've been taught to be like this we could have learned differently

[@pjmacone]

the emotion evoked is just unreal. I'll never get tired of this video.

[@amoore12344]

PLM is creating a new genre. Pretty lights, supervision, michal menert, paul basic, all awesome

[@nikkygtv]

One of my favorite music videos ever

[@williamswillkill]

Man, wow words can't begin to evoke the emotions and feelings you feel when a true artists is at work! thank you pretty lights for bringing true talent into a main stream focus it really is beautiful!

[@jacobl8042]

This is most definitely the greatest music project of our time and I don't really give a damn who disagrees. so much energy behind Derek's music.

[@poppiflowerz]

Needed this today. #neverforget911 Thanks Derek! I miss you!

[@LuciaRosselotValdes]

is amazing how something so common and ordinary is so beautiful .... great video and great song. thanks for sharing

[@tharbs123]

Pretty lights is a true musician and creates real music touches your soul. We must go on sings of the plights of humanity. The radio is BS, this is true music.

[@DeePollyJane]

Incredible. My mind is blown by the song and the music video. Woo I see Vancouver!

[@IAmPeteRockFan]

Sound + video = Masterpiece

[@1313Travis1313]

WOW, just WOW, this video compliments this soulful song perfectly. The exposure of the variety of people from all walks of life in this video is just astounding, sooo beautiful. It showed the happy, sad, and everything in between moments of different peoples experiences and it's just amazing to see all that, not mind edited like a freaking boss and the song itself...speachless.

[@KozisKey]

It relaxes and energises at the same time i could knock down a mountain.

[@princesssparkle101]

this song, drift away and understand me now are my all time favs

[@AttilatheThrilla]

This video is edited so well. Along with the music it just hits a deep spot inside me. Brings a tear to my eye and it's just life...

[@justinmuncy217]

right there with ya.

[@StokedPhilosophy]

Me too.... I saw some of the people and I knew their stories were long ones. Sometimes I can only hope to god that we find a way to go on. Any one of these people have their own set of struggles and there is a high chance that at least one of them doesn't want to go on anymore but I have a feeling they do it anyway. Life's greater purpose is not death but those who are not afraid of death are afraid of life or otherwise they are afraid of their greater purpose which is being alive in itself.

[@dereksmith3933]

This song has pulled me through the absolute darkest times in my life. This song transcends to a whole new level.

[@scotteberline5458]

Nice! I spot Detroit footage

[@8t8a25]

This is the track you wake up to and have a good ass day about it.

[@xXxMETALISFOREVERxXx]

There's beauty in the lost man. It's a whole culture of it's own living and breathing, just trying to get by, just trying to go on. This video and song are an excellent way to show this

[@nickpeezy42]

Brilliant.. just.. brilliant!

[@trumble5rgiii]

times will get bad, and the whole wide world will come down on you, we must go on

[@Mitochison]

Now that's some laid back love!

[@zmoneytime]

this video captures the song perfectly

[@TheSSPeaceLove]

Faw.King.Dope. Let that soul shine through PL, beautiful...

[@Roman007M]

Simply Beautiful!

[@S4rockz]

The very end of the video on the plane is sequenced beautifully with the music...

[@Negative4Productions]

Absolutely amazing.

[@macalvello]

pretty lights is more then music...he does art with his music

[@IAmPeteRockFan]

No words to express that feelings...

[@TheFutureContinues]

PLM is incredible, there is really nothing like it.

[@josephjohnson1456]

We must go on? Where must we go if something is holding and pushing us back? If times will get better in the whole wide world then this song deserves credit. coupled with smooth crunchy base lines this song can help to end hunger, poverty, and injustice. PL for life

[@247alps]

Derek & Krystle, this is a dope video, really has meaning to it!!! Very appreciated...

[@pjmacone]

success guys ! .... cause for some reason i cant explain, Im obsessed with this song .

[@SonicGeometry]

I hope Derek stays on this tip this is the music that's in his soul, this is true art. Bravo Derek for doing what you truly believe in!

[@PauLWaFFleZ]

Don't usually bother with Music videos, but if its PL, its more than worth a sit through. There are only a few other artists that even come close to PL's level. I REALLY want more artists like this to come out in the future, my music library is pretty thin :\

[@GarfanboyNEW]

I didn't know such good music existed anymore. Everyone's hyping skrillex and other shit, when people should be embracing the musicians that put their soul into their music. Never been a big fan of electronic music, but this just leaves me speechless

[@m0razanista]

Lots of places. The song behind it is pretty mellow.

[@bradledj1]

FINALLY a song that sounds like his first two albums. In my opinion they contain the best pretty lights tunes there are. signed- old school PL fan.

[@HardViewer]

pretty lights! please dont be repetitive :( your the best ever and u know that !

[@djstephenpp99]

Pretty Lights Is so talented, so very inspirational keep up the great work your music is just so chill and amazing!

[@soggyz]

all the sounds are so equally balanced

[@justinmuncy217]

you ever have a song just take you away? yeah, that's this for me.

[@apcometri1919]

+Justin Muncy this is the one

[@MilasDailyfits8]

So beautiful.. helps me through this hard time