Livin' in the Light

"Livin' in the Light" is a song from British singer Caron Wheeler's debut solo album UK Blak (1990). Wheeler wrote the song with N. P. Hail, and produced it with Afrika Baby Bam and Blacksmith. "Livin' in the Light" is a soul song that incorporates elements of neo soul, electronica, and 1970s-style funk music. Its lyrics describe people being dragged away from their culture and having to survive within a new surrounding. The song references slavery and reparations.

"Livin' in the Light"
Single by Caron Wheeler
from the album UK Blak
Released14 February 1990
Recorded1990
GenreElectronica, soul
Length5:44 (Original Version)
4:55 (Remix Version)
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)Caron Wheeler, N. P. Hail
Producer(s)Caron Wheeler, Afrika Baby Bam, Blacksmith
Caron Wheeler singles chronology
"Livin' in the Light"
(1990)		 "UK Blak"
(1990)
Music video
"Livin' in the Light" on YouTube

Background

EMI Records released "Livin' in the Light" on 14 February 1990 as the lead single from UK Blak. The song spent a total of six weeks on the chart and peaked number 14 on the UK Singles chart.[1] It was a number-one hit on Billboard's dance chart, and achieved top-twenty peaks on several other countries' record charts.[2][3] The song went on to sell over thirty-thousand copies worldwide. The success of the song invited Wheeler to perform on Top of the Pops in mid-1990.

Critical reception

In his review of UK Blak, Alex Henderson from AllMusic described the song as a "riveting" and "moving" neosoul treasure.[4] Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote, "Produced by Afrika Baby Barn of the Jungle Brothers, lyrically uplifting cut shuffles down a funk/swing groove path somewhat similar to SIIS, though Wheeler's own unique sense of melody and vocal arrangements ultimately shine through. A smash."[5]

Music video

A music video was shot for both the original version and the remix version of the song. The video for the original version of song features Wheeler performing the song in close-up frame shots. The imagery of the video showcases many African people in a new surrounding. As they learning to adapt to the new surrounding, many of them are shown on a beach with the sun shining on them. The video also features many different men in the water. Wheeler is also shown wearing a traditional reddish-orange outfit. The video for the remix version of the song features a similar video with the same settings and imagery.

Formats and track listings

See also

References
  1. UK Charts > Caron Wheeler. Official Charts. Retrieved on June 30, 2016
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 278.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 619.
  4. Henderson, Alex. "Caron Wheeler – UK Blak". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  5. Coleman, Bill (25 August 1990). "Single Reviews: New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. p. 87. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
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