Saturday, April 24, 2010

Retro Pop (Culture) - You Light Up My Life

In the fall of 1977 Debby Boone would have the first and what would ultimately be the biggest hit of her singing career when the now universally known You Light Up My Life went to the number one position on the Billboard® Hot 100 charts. Debby, the third daughter of 1950's pop music superstar Pat Boone and no stranger to the stage herself, having toured with the Boone family since the age of 14, found overnight celebrity with this hugely popular single. You Light Up My Life was originally recorded by Kasey Cisyk for the movie of the same name. Contrary to what many people believe Debby's recording was never used in that film. Her version was released as a single in August 1977 and would spend a record breaking ten consecutive weeks at the number one position. The song would also go to the number one position on the Hot Adult Contemporary as well as number four on the Hot Country Singles charts. Although originally written as a more conventional love song Debby professed her version to be about her love for God rather than any kind of romantic love. Even though follow up success in pop music would elude her Debby would go on to have a highly regarded singing career with numerous hits and awards in Christian and Country music. But it was her recording of You Light Up My Life that made history, not only was it wildly popular with the buying public, but broke records, was nominated for (and won) numerous awards and would eventually sell nearly five million copies. The single would earn Boone a Grammy® Award for Best New Artist (as well as two other nominations) and an American Music Award® for Favorite Pop Single of 1977. The Academy Of Country Music would also award Debby with the Top New Female Vocalist for 1977. You Light Up My Life would end up being the biggest selling single for the entire decade and in 2008 Billboard would name the song # 7 on its All Time Hot 100 list. Today, over 30 years later, it can still be heard on the radio, and at wedding receptions and anniversary parties around this nation and the world. A fitting tribute to one young woman's love for her creator.

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