Where the Light Goes cover art

  Studio Album · No. 5

Where the Light Goes Songwriting Credits by Matchbox Twenty

2023 Atlantic Records 12 tracks 44 min

Produced by Gregg Wattenberg, Paul Doucette, Kyle Cook  ·  Engineered by Kevin Killen, Manny Marroquin, Serban Ghenea, Rob Kinelski

Atlantic Records Pop Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Matchbox Twenty carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
12 trackswritten by Matchbox Twenty 0 tracksoutside writers
Matchbox Twenty's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer50%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
9
Lyricists
3
Producers
2023
Released
Data Insight

Where the Light Goes continued the collaborative writing model, with the band sharing credits and Kyle Cook and Paul Doucette also stepping into production roles alongside Gregg Wattenberg. It was the first Matchbox Twenty album not produced by longtime collaborator Matt Serletic, signaling a clear shift in the band's creative process. Rob Thomas remained the lead vocalist and central writer, but the record reflects the full-band identity the group had embraced since North. The reunion album arrived a decade after their previous studio effort.

The fifth studio album by Matchbox Twenty, released on May 26, 2023 through Atlantic Records. A notable shift in creative dynamics: Paul Doucette wrote or co-wrote seven of the 12 tracks, while Rob Thomas wrote or co-wrote seven as well, with significant overlap on joint credits. Gregg Wattenberg produced or co-produced every track. Track 11 "No Other Love" features country artist Amanda Shires. Outside collaborators include Deana Carter, Eric Arjes, Jeffrey Joseph East, David Garcia, and Craig Wiseman.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Friends
Paul Doucette Paul Doucette Gregg WattenbergPaul Doucette Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
2
Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream) #22
Rob ThomasPaul DoucetteGregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasPaul DoucetteGregg Wattenberg Gregg WattenbergPaul Doucette Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
3
Rebels
Rob ThomasPaul Doucette Rob ThomasPaul Doucette Gregg WattenbergPaul Doucette Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
4
One Hit Love
Rob ThomasPaul DoucetteGregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasPaul DoucetteGregg Wattenberg Gregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
5
Warm Blood
Paul Doucette Paul Doucette Gregg WattenbergPaul Doucette Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
6
Queen of New York City
Rob ThomasEric ArjesJeffrey Joseph East Rob ThomasEric ArjesJeffrey Joseph East Gregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
7
Where the Light Goes
Rob Thomas Rob Thomas Gregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
8
Hang on Every Word
Paul Doucette Paul Doucette Gregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
9
Don't Get Me Wrong
Rob ThomasDavid GarciaCraig Wiseman Rob ThomasDavid GarciaCraig Wiseman Gregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
10
I Know Better
Kyle Cook Kyle Cook Gregg Wattenberg Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette
11
No Other Love
Paul DoucetteDeana Carter Paul DoucetteDeana Carter Gregg WattenbergPaul Doucette Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul DoucetteAmanda Shires
12
Selling Faith
Rob Thomas Rob Thomas Gregg WattenbergKyle Cook Rob ThomasKyle CookBrian YalePaul Doucette

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 11 contributors

More from Matchbox Twenty

Frequently Asked Questions Where the Light Goes

Did Rob Thomas write Where the Light Goes?
Rob Thomas remained the lead writer and vocalist on Where the Light Goes, but the album was a collaborative band effort. Kyle Cook and Paul Doucette also took on production roles. The writing reflects the full-band identity the group adopted from North onward.
Who produced Where the Light Goes?
Where the Light Goes was produced by Kyle Cook, Paul Doucette, and Gregg Wattenberg. It was the first Matchbox Twenty album not produced by Matt Serletic, who produced their earlier records. This marked a notable change in the band's creative process.
When did Where the Light Goes come out?
Where the Light Goes was released in 2023 on Atlantic Records. It was Matchbox Twenty's first studio album in over a decade, following North in 2012. The reunion album peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200.
Did Where the Light Goes have any hit singles?
'Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream)' was the album's charting single, reaching number 22 on the Adult Pop Songs chart and number 24 on Adult Contemporary. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Don't Get Me Wrong' was also released as a single.
How did Where the Light Goes perform on the charts?
Where the Light Goes peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200 and number 7 on Top Rock Albums. It sold roughly 13,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. The album has no documented RIAA certification.
Was Where the Light Goes produced by Matt Serletic?
No, Where the Light Goes was the first Matchbox Twenty album not produced by Matt Serletic. Production was handled by Kyle Cook, Paul Doucette, and Gregg Wattenberg instead. Serletic had produced the band's earlier albums.

Sources