The Light (Common song)

Infobox Single
Name = The Light


Artist = Common
from Album = Like Water for Chocolate
B-side =
Released = July 18, 2000
Format = 12-inch single, CD, Vinyl
Recorded =
Genre = Chicago hip hop
Length = 4:21
Label = MCA Records
Writer = Lonnie Lynn
James Yancey
Bobby Caldwell
Norman Harris
Bruce Malament
Producer = Jay Dee
Certification =
Last single = "The 6th Sense"
(2000)
This single = "The Light"
(2000)
Next single = "Geto Heaven Remix T.S.O.I. (The Sound of Illadelph)"
(2001)

:"Also see The Light (disambiguation)."

"The Light" is a Grammy nominated second single off Common's 2000 album "Like Water for Chocolate". It is produced by Jay Dee and features keyboards performed by James Poyser. It samples "Open Your Eyes" as performed by Bobby Caldwell and the drums from "You're Getting a Little too Smart" by the The Detroit Emeralds. Framed as a love letter, it is a confession of Common's love for a woman whom many believe to have been his girlfriend at the time, Erykah Badu. Cythia Fuchs of PopMatters describes it as a "charming, tender, and undeniably soulful declaration of affection and respect."cite web | last = Fuchs | first = Cynthia | url = http://www.popmatters.com/music/videos/c/common-light.shtml | title = Common: The Light - PopMatters Music Video Review | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007] A music video directed by Nzingha Stuart features Common, Erykah Badu and "recognizable sensual delights" including "a homemade Minnie Ripperton cassette, a mango, a pink lava lamp [and] a deeply green water-beaded leaf."cite web | last = Fuchs | first = Cynthia | url = http://www.popmatters.com/music/videos/c/common-light.shtml | title = Common: The Light - PopMatters Music Video Review | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007]

Overview

Reception

After the release of "Like Water for Chocolate", the song almost immediately attained the status of one of hip hop's few "precious" love songs and women's anthems.cite web | last = Fuchs | first = Cynthia | url = http://www.popmatters.com/music/videos/c/common-light.shtml | title = Common: The Light - PopMatters Music Video Review | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007] It also reached Common's best chart positions: #44 on The Billboard Hot 100, #21 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Additionally, it reached #13 on the Hot Rap Singles chart, a feat that Common had previously surpassed. Allmusic writer Steve Huey says that "The Light" as well as "The 6th Sense" are "quintessential Common, uplifting and thoughtful [songs that] helped bring him a whole new audience."cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:wbfrxq9kld0e | title = Like Water for Chocolate Review at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007]

The song received a 2001 Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance.

Alternate versions

*A live seven minute version featuring vocals by Erykah Badu and Bilal, scratching by DJ Dummy, keyboards by James Poyser and Omar Edwards, bass guitar by Adam Blackstone, drums by ?uestlove, guitar by Kevin Hanson and percussion by Frank "Knuckles" Walker is featured on "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" 2006 soundtrack.
*A remix featuring vocals by Erykah Badu was released by Motown Records as a single in 2000 for the "Bamboozled" soundtrack.
*The original version is featured on compilations such as 2000's "The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits, Vol. 4", 2001's "Grammy R&B/Rap Nominees 2001", 2001's " Pure R&B, Vol. 2", 2001's " Wrap It Up", 2004's "The Hip Hop Box" and 2006's "Hip Hop: Gold".
*Tom Middleton remixed it for his 2004 album "The Trip".
*Tony Okungbowa remixed it for his 2005 album " Hollywood Sessions, Vol. 1".
*"The Light '08 (It's Love)", a remake made by Common and producer Just Blaze, featuring Marsha Ambrosius, was released in 2008 for a Smirnoff advertising campaign.

Track listing

US version

A-side

# "The Light (Album Version)" (4:02)
# "The Light (Instrumental)" (4:07)
# "The Light (Acappella)" (3:42)

B-side

# "Funky for You (Album Version)" (4:28)
# "Funky for You (Instrumental)" (4:26)
# "Funky for You (Radio Edit)" (4:28)

Import

A-side

# "The Light (Album Version)"

B-side

# "The 6th Sense (Something U Feel) (Album Version)"
# "The Light (Instrumental)"

Remix

A-side

# "The Light (Remix) (Radio)" (4:01)
# "The Light (Remix) (Main)" (6:03)

B-side

# "The Light (Remix) (Instrumental)" (5:49)
# "The Light (Remix) (Acapella)" (5:56)

Chart positions

References

ee also

*List of Common songs