Chris De Burgh Album: “Into The Light”

I'll start this review by saying "Perfect Day" is a 5 star recording, and is easily my favorite by him.

Back to Into the Light. This was DeBurgh's big breakthrough into the American music scene. ... I believe that after the success of Don't Pay the Ferryman, DeBurgh and his record company believed that high energy songs were where Chris would make his bread and butter, at least here in the U.S.

As a result, the first single that was released was the energetic The Spirit of Man, which sounded influenced by St. Elmo's Fire theme, Man in Motion. If memory serves correctly -- and this is 14 years ago, so forgive me if I don't get it exactly -- The Spirit of Man was in its infancy in terms of release when The Lady in Red was released in England to stunning success. I doubt anyone thought it would do as well as it did, moving from 40 - 10 - 2 - 1, knocking off Madonna's Papa Don't Preach (that is correct, by the way). Given this remarkable success, The Lady in Red was released here, but did not enjoy the same success it did across the ocean. I believe it was around one year later that some adult contemporary stations began playing the song again, and it was then re-released in the U.S., where it peaked on Billboard's Hot 100 chart at #3. I was, by this time, a rabid fan of DeBurgh's music, and was sad that it didn't reach #1. Regardless, it was DeBurgh's biggest hit here and a classic that still gets airplay.

There is another one of DeBurgh's "stories" on the album (The Leader, The Vision, What About Me), which attempts to be reminiscent of Crusader, but falls far short. One Word (Straight to the Heart) is one of my least favorite DeBurgh songs ever (as the lyrics contain "straight to the heart -- like a cannonball..." eck).

And then there is "For Rosanna", the song DeBurgh wrote his daughter. I've mentioned before that DeBurgh is strong when he writes of love, and this song is evidence that it's not only romantic love he is in touch with, for even though I wasn't a father then, and am not now, when I listen to that song I *feel* like a father. I see what he sees when he looks into her eyes, I feel everything he writes about. It's DeBurgh's strength as an artist that he can do this so effectively.

If I play this album one more time, I may just burn out my CD player. What a find! The song, "The Ballroom of Romance" rates right up there with "Lady in Red". Highly recommend this album and the "Flying Colors" album. The only two I have so far, but will be trying out his others!)

Chris DeBurgh hit real popularity in the US with his Into the Light album, and the Lady in Red love song. That visual image is so strong, of the woman in a red dress, and the adoring guy who realizes just how special she is. It's no wonder that many studies show that the ladies in red dresses are the ones that get the most attention in a crowd.

But this CD really has much more to offer than that one (admittedly quite wonderful) song! The other songs are equally engrossing in their own way. You've got a tender ode from a father to his daughter in "For Rosanna". You've got stories being told across multiple songs.

Some of the songs are a bit more poppy if you want to dance around a bit, but really for me the quality shines best in the romantic songs. He really gets to the heart of that emotion, and brings it out in the listener. Perfect for curling up with your loved one, and gazing into each others eyes.

that adds splendid flair to romantic music

Cd was received on time ...item is is Great condition it was listed as used good. I am very satisfied with this dealer