Leave a Light On (Belinda Carlisle song)

Last updated
"Leave a Light On"
LeaveaLightOn.jpg
Single by Belinda Carlisle
from the album Runaway Horses
B-side "Shades of Michaelangelo"
ReleasedSeptember 25, 1989 (1989-09-25) [1]
Genre
Length4:15
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Rick Nowels
Belinda Carlisle singles chronology
"Love Never Dies"
(1988)		"Leave a Light On"
(1989)		"(We Want) The Same Thing"
(1989)
Music video
"Leave a Light On" on YouTube

"Leave a Light On" is a song by American singer Belinda Carlisle, recorded for her third studio album Runaway Horses (1989). Penned by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley and produced by the former, it was released as the album's lead single on September 25, 1989, via MCA Records in North America and Virgin Records internationally. In Japan, the album's second single, "(We Want) The Same Thing", was released simultaneously with "Leave a Light On" in October. [3] [4] The track features a notable slide guitar solo from George Harrison of the Beatles.

Contents

"Leave a Light On" proved to be a major success for Carlisle more internationally than in America. It reached top five status in countries like Australia, Austria, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, but barely missed the top ten in the United States, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles charts. A video was made for the song, directed by Peter Care, which saw Carlisle singing in the desert and in Las Vegas. The track has been certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 200,000 copies.

Release and commercial reception

Released at the end of 1989 on CD, 7-inch vinyl, and 12-inch vinyl, "Leave a Light On" became a top-ten hit in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In the United States "Leave a Light On" peaked at number 11, affording Carlisle her final US top-twenty hit.

Composition and recording

"Leave a Light On" is performed in the key of D major with a tempo of 129 BPM. [5] The track features George Harrison of the Beatles on slide guitar; Carlisle recalls: "Rick [Nowels] said we should get someone cool and with a distinctive style to play the lead guitar part. I thought for a moment and said 'What about George Harrison?' I had met George briefly a few years earlier in San Remo Italy and Morgan [Mason, Carlisle's husband] through his work on Sex Lies and Videotape " - a film Mason had produced for Harrison's HandMade Films - "knew someone who was close to [Harrison] and able to get word to him. George responded right away, saying he'd love to help out." [6] In a 1991 joint television interview with Harrison and Eric Clapton, Harrison recounted playing on the song, but couldn't remember Carlisle's name, referring to her as "...whatshername, the one with the red hair." [7]

There are four versions of the song. The album version and the 7-inch edit were mixed by Shelly Yakus and Steve McMillan. The other two, mixed by Jason Corsaro, are the Extended Mix and an edit of this titled the Kamikazee Mix; the latter is included on Carlisle's "Vision of You" CD single.

Critical reception

David Giles from Music Week named "Leave a Light On" a Single of the Week, writing, "No great departure from the formula pop of her earlier singles, with glossy production undercut by a rock edge as though to indicate some serious intent beneath the glossy surface." [8] Richard Lowe from Smash Hits said, "Magnificent. I'm a sucker for thoroughly predictable American rock records with whistleable tunes, chugging guitars, big blustering choruses and words about nothing in particular except for general lovey-doveyness. And so are lots of people, which is why this'll be a giant hit. Quite right too." [9] Dave Sholin of the Gavin Report called the track "pop perfection". [10] Pan-European magazine Music & Media described it as "transatlantic guitar pop with a strong chorus" and that it was "definitely a hit." [11]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Leave a Light On" was directed by Peter Care. [12]

In the music video, Carlisle is seen driving through the desert, filling up her car tank at a nearby gas station, singing the song in different outfits, backgrounds and locations, and walking down the metropolitan streets of Las Vegas where she poses for pictures and laughs while sharing moments of levity with tourists.

Track listings

  1. "Leave a Light On" – 4:15
  2. "Shades of Michaelangelo" – 5:52
A1. "Leave a Light On" (extended mix)
B1. "Leave a Light On" (7-inch version)
B2. "Shades of Michaelangelo"
  1. "Leave a Light On" (7-inch version)
  2. "Shades of Michaelangelo"
  3. "Leave a Light On" (extended mix)

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Leave a Light On"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [48] Platinum70,000^
Sweden (GLF) [50] Gold25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [51] Silver200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

References

  1. 1 2 "Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  2. ↑ Harnell, Steve (January 9, 2020). "Belinda Carlisle: Album by Album". Classic Pop Mag. Retrieved February 10, 2025. Brilliant opener "Leave A Light On" is another pop-rock gem...
  3. ↑ "輝きのままで | ベリンダ・カーライル" [Remain in the Shine | Belinda Carlisle] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  4. ↑ "この胸の想い | ベリンダ・カーライル" [This Heart Thought | Belinda Carlisle] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  5. ↑ "BPM and Key for Leave a Light On by Belinda Carlisle". Song BPM. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  6. ↑ Carlisle, Belinda (2010). Lips Unsealed: a memoir. New York City: Three Rivers Press (Random House). p. 153. ISBN   978-0-307-46350-0.
  7. ↑ "George Harrison & Eric Clapton at Bray Studios 1991". YouTube . 6 March 2020.
  8. ↑ Giles, David (September 30, 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 25. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  9. ↑ Lowe, Richard (September 20, 1989). "Singles". Smash Hits . p. 73. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  10. ↑ Sholin, Dave (September 15, 1989). "Personal Picks: Singles". Gavin Report . No. 1774. p. 52.
  11. ↑ "Previews: Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 41. October 14, 1989. p. 22. OCLC   29800226.
  12. ↑ Video on YouTube
  13. ↑ Leave a Light On (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Belinda Carlisle. MCA Records. 1989. MCA-53706.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Leave a Light On (US cassette single sleeve). Belinda Carlisle. MCA Records. 1989. MCAC-53706.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Leave a Light On (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Belinda Carlisle. Virgin Records Japan. 1989. VJD-10223.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Leave a Light On (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Belinda Carlisle. Virgin Records. 1989. VST1210.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Leave a Light On (UK CD single liner notes). Belinda Carlisle. Virgin Records. 1989. VSCDT 1210, 662 719-211.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Leave a Light On (European mini-CD single liner notes). Belinda Carlisle. Virgin Records. 1989. VSCD1210.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  20. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  21. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8678." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  22. ↑ Danish Charts Archive. 3 November 1989.
  23. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 44. November 4, 1989. p. IV. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  24. ↑ "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 45. November 11, 1989. p. 12. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  25. ↑ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  26. ↑ "Official French Charts Weekly TOP 100 Archive" (in French). Laurentpons. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn". DV . 1 December 1988. p. 34. ISSN   1021-8254.
  28. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Leave a Light On". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 4, 2022.Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Belinda Carlisle" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  30. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 49, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  32. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On". Top 40 Singles.
  33. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On". Singles Top 100.
  34. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On". Swiss Singles Chart.
  35. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  37. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  38. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 16, 1989". Cash Box . Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  39. ↑ "the Gavin Report: Adult Contemporary". Gavin Report . No. 1789. January 12, 1990. p. 32.Based off the last week column as the issue "Leave a Light On" is not archived.
  40. ↑ "the Gavin Report: Top 40". Gavin Report . No. 1785. December 1, 1989. p. 6.
  41. ↑ "The Back Page – Adult Contemporary". Radio & Records . No. 817. December 1, 1989. p. 92.
  42. ↑ "The Back Page – CHR". Radio & Records . No. 816. November 24, 1989. p. 88.
  43. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  45. ↑ "European Airplay Top 50 1989". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. 10. OCLC   29800226.
  46. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts . Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Year End Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror . January 27, 1990. p. 44. ISSN   0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
  48. 1 2 "Australian Top 100 Singles 1990". The ARIA Report . No. 50 – via Imgur.
  49. ↑ "Top 100 Singles-Jahrescharts – 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. January 9, 1990. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  51. ↑ "British single certifications – Belinda Carlisle – Leave a Light On". British Phonographic Industry. December 1, 1989. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  52. ↑ Soundcloud: Yisraelee - Leave a Light On (Retrographic Instrumental)
  53. ↑ "Leave the Light on for Me". Amazon.
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