I Saw the Light (Todd Rundgren song)

Last updated
"I Saw the Light"
Isawthelight45.jpg
Single by Todd Rundgren
from the album Something/Anything?
B-side "Marlene"
ReleasedMarch 1972 [1]
RecordedLate 1971
Genre
Length2:59
Label Bearsville
Songwriter(s) Todd Rundgren
Producer(s) Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren singles chronology
"A Long Time, A Long Way to Go"
(1971)
"I Saw the Light"
(1972)
"Couldn't I Just Tell You"
(1972)

"I Saw the Light" is a song written and performed by American musician Todd Rundgren that was released as the opening track from his 1972 album Something/Anything? In the album's liner notes, Rundgren states that he intended the song to be the hit of the album, and copied the Motown tradition of putting hit songs at the beginning of albums. [6]

Contents

Background

Rundgren wrote the track in 20 minutes, a feat he attributes to his reliance on stimulants such as Ritalin. "It caused me to crank out songs at an incredible pace. You can see why, too, the rhymes are just moon/June/spoon kind of stuff." [7]

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1972)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [8] [9] 21
Canada RPM Top Singles [10] 15
UK Singles Chart [11] 36
US Billboard Hot 100 [12] [13] 16
US Billboard Easy Listening [14] 12
US Cash Box Top 100 [15] 11

Year-end charts

Chart (1972)Rank
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 [16] 88

Cover versions

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References

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  5. Stanley, Bob (September 13, 2013). "Progressive Rock (And Simpler Pleasures)". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 368. ISBN   978-0-571-28198-5.
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