Summer Nights

"Summer Nights" is the third single from Australian-born singer Crystal Barker. The original version of the track was written by Crystal and featured on her album "Heat" and had only Crystal provide vocals, however for the single release, Crystal's best friend Candi agreed to releasing it as duet, meaning it is expected to also serve as the first single from Candi's second studio album, "The Lighthouse". Candi also wrote a brand new verse for the single version. It was released on 11 June, 2012 and charted at #1 in the singles chart, giving Crystal her eighth number one (and eight consecutive chart topper). It was also Candi's fourth #1.

Background
Months before this single was even planned, Crystal revealed that both she and Candi were desperate to work with one another, however both had such a busy schedule that it was nearly impossible to arrange. Besides this, neither of them wanted to rush into a collab, and instead wanted it too happen when the time felt right. Finally, on 22 April, 2012 Crystal revealed that her third single released from "Heat" would be "Summer Nights" and that it would be released as a duet alongside a mystery artist. The following day, it was revealed that Candi was the other artist, and the single would be released on June 11. It was co-produced by Dr.Luke, someone who had worked with both artists in the past and Chase Elite, who is the younger brother of Candi and boyfriend of Crystal. As promotion for the single, the girls (who are referred to as Candal by the media) released a range of candles, named "Candals by Candal". The product had two types, the pink, girly candle (based on Candi) and the red, sexy candle (based on Crystal).

Release and reception
Although the song first appeared on Crystal's album "Heat" (released January 2012), the single version features not only new vocals provided by Candi, but also a brand new verse. This version was first heard live on Britain's Got Talent on 10 May 2012. The following day, Crystal and Candi both appeared on BBC Radio 1 to premiere the single.

Music video
The video was due to premiere on Sunday 1 July at 9pm on 4music. Candi revealed it would be premiering 3 weeks after it's release date in order to give the song a boost and provide some longitivity in the charts. The video begins in a dark cave, as a mysterious young girl flicks through a fairytale book. The front page says "Crystal & Candi: The Tale of Friendship" and a picture of two small girls (one blonde, one brunette to represent Candi and Crystal) is shown, as they are picking strawberries together. The little girl ficks through the pages as a voice says out loud:

"This is the tale of true friendship. Throughout the hardest of times, whether you are under the darkest of clouds, a true friend is the ray of sunshine that keeps you going on. This is the story of that such friendship."

Suddenly the little girl hears someone walking through the forest as a foot steps on a twig. She quickly grabs the book and runs away. Two seconds later, Crystal Barker is shown wandering through the forest with a lantern. "Where is she, she needs saved!" Crystal mutters and the music begins.

The fairytale book is shown saying "Snow White in the Dark Forest". Crystal is then shown walking through the forest as she begins singing the song. She seems lost. The fairytale book's page turns and reads "Rapunzel: Trapped in her tower, in need of rescue". Candi is then shown also singing, however she is stuck in a strange looking room shown to be very high up, with no way of getting down.

Crystal, still in the forest and with no idea where to go, sings to a little black bird who comes down to help her. The black bird flies off and Crystal heads in the direction it flew. It flies over to Candi, who it chirps too, pressumably telling her Crystal is on her way. Candi begins to sing the song as she dances around the tower with joy.

Crystal finally makes it out of the dark forest, and arrives into the enchanted forest, where everything is beautiful. Candi's tower is situated right in the center of the small forest, however a handsome "prince charming" is stood in the way. The fairytale's page turns once more and reads "never let a little eye candy blind you from who really matters." The prince puts his lips out and closes his eyes. Crystal looks unsure, but feeling trusting, she leans in and kisses him. All of a sudden everything turns dark and the lights are shown to shine black on Candi inside her tour. The man laughs and rides away, planning on selling his story while Crystal is left on the floor.

Haunting flickers are shown of Crystal, as she is pushed down a corridor in a wheelchair, only clutching onto a single strawberry (symbolising at the start when Candi and Crystal picked strawberries together as children). She holds onto it tightly, as every other part of her is extremelly weak. The tables reverse now, and Candi is shown sitting in her pitch black tower. Suddenly a little bird flies in through the window and drops off a strawberry before flying off. Candi picks up the strawberry and smiles, as she begins to glow. Suddenly the roof of the tower opens up and Candi is seemingly stood in the sky singing the lyrics, looking powerful.

A light shines from Candi, showing her determination to save her best friend. Suddenly more of the towers walls start to fall apart, and a staircase is revealed. Candi runs down the staircase, turns around and waves goodbye to the tower, before running over to Crystal, who is still on the ground. Suddenly, both the strawberries in their hands begin to glow, and Crystal bursts up into the air, looking better than ever. She hugs Candi before turning to face the prince. With one blow, she sends the prince flying far into the distance.

The girls have triumphed! The final page in the book is turned as the girls hug! They run off into the enchanted forest together, laughing and skipping! The fairytale book is shown again as it reads "The End". A lighthouse is shown with the sun shining behind it, representing the albums the song appears on ("The Lighthouse" & "Heat). The video fades out.

Track listing

 * CD1
 * 1) "Summer Nights"
 * 2) "Summer Nights" (Crystal solo version)
 * 3) "Summer Nights" (Candi solo version)
 * 4) "Summer Nights" (Chase Elite remix)
 * 5) "Summer Nights" (instrumental)

Performances

 * Britain's Got Talent - 10 May 2012
 * The Uraps Factor Live Final - 17 June 2012

Chart performance
The single was released on June 11, 2012. Despite fierce competition from Taylor and Aimee Lyons, as well as massive second week sales for Elice Claire, Candi and Crystal managed to come out on top, with sales of 105,527 - Candi's highest first week sales to date. This was more than 10,000 sales higher than #2. On the charts issued May 20, 2012 "Summer Nights" debuted at #20 on the download chart before rising to #10 and peaking at #5, which is Candi's lowest charting peak on the download chart to date.

The track also gave Candi her third #1 in the Australia and fourth in Ireland. It charted within the top ten of every country it was released in, including #7 in the US, giving Candi her third top ten there.

Chart Run
TOTAL: 320,287
 * Week 1: #1 - 105,527
 * Week 2: #6 - 60,725
 * Week 3: #6 - 51,666
 * Week 4: #12 - 24,436
 * Week 5: #18 - 16,548
 * Week 6: #23 - 10,729
 * Week 7: #18 - 20,675
 * Week 8: #23 - 11,515
 * Week 9: #33 - 6,775
 * Week 10: #36 - 5,653
 * Week 11: #37 - 6,038