Light of the World (song)
{{Short description|1993 single by Kim Appleby}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Light of the World
| cover = Kim_Appleby-Light_of_the_World.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Kim Appleby
| album = Breakaway
| B-side = Don't Worry
| released = {{start date|1993|7|19|df=y}}{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=19|date=17 July 1993}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
- Dance-pop{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6BEEAAAAMBAJ |title= Dance Trax |magazine= Billboard |date= 14 August 1993 |page= 25 |access-date= 6 October 2020 |author-link= Larry Flick}}
- hi-NRG{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |title= Djdirectory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= 24 July 1993 |page= 2 |access-date= 30 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-07-24.pdf |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}}
| length = 4:46
| label = Parlophone
| writer =
- Kim Appleby
- Neal Slateford
- Neil Davidge
| producer =
- Neal Slateford
- Neil Davidge
| prev_title = If You Cared
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Breakaway
| next_year = 1993
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|0pzNx9BcW2M|"Light of the World"}}}}
}}
"Light of the World" is a song by English singer-songwriter Kim Appleby, released in July 1993 by Parlophone as the first single from the singer's second solo album, Breakaway (1993). Originally released on DNA's 1992 album, 'Taste this' with vocals sung by Neil Davidge.https://www.discogs.com/release/114201-DNA-Taste-This Neal Slateford and Neil Davidge (DNA) recorded the song with Appleby making minor changes. It reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1993, but was more successful on the UK Dance Singles Chart, peaking at number 15. Additionally, it charted in Germany (58), spending a total of 7 weeks on the German Singles Chart, and in Australia (137). Its black-and-white music video was directed by Tim Royes and Russell Young, and released on 19 July 1993. The video was shot on 35mm and made as a stylish close-up performance film.{{cite magazine|first= |last= |title= Promos in Production |magazine= Music Week |date= 12 June 1993 |page= 23 |access-date= 28 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-06-12.pdf}}
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "It's a pleasure to hear Kim Appleby back on the boards with "Light of the World", a rave-etched pop/houser that is ready to dominate peak-hour programs." He remarked that "Kim romps happily, turning in a vocal that has a lot more soul than in the past." Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Okay, it's bubble gum, but don't call Kim dim. She has grown up with her audience and is therefore still relevant to good pop radio."{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-07-31.pdf |title= New Releases: Singles |magazine= Music & Media |volume= 10 |issue= 31 |date= 31 July 1993 |page= 11 |access-date= 6 October 2020 }} David Quantick from NME said, "Dancefloor musing! Thoughtful disco joy! Tunes! Genius! This is a fine record, not exactly world-destroying but devoid of any crap bits. Kim Appleby — unlike Whitney and Janet and Tina — is the real queen of adult dance pop [...] On the radio, this record will make you happy."{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Quantick|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52940978326/|title=Singles|magazine=NME|date=31 July 1993|page=18|access-date=5 June 2023|author-link=David Quantick}}
James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as a "Hi-NRG pop canterer". Pete Stanton from Smash Hits gave it four out of five, noting that the singer "marks her return with a lively up-beat pop tune that'll have them singing in the aisles." He added, "This type of song makes you wiggle around the kitchen/lounge/potting shed or wherever you happen to be. The world needs songs like this for when it's sunny outside."{{cite magazine|first=Pete|last=Stanton|title=New Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/52554572431/in/album-72177720304345850/|magazine=Smash Hits|date=21 July 1993|page=53|accessdate=15 December 2022}} In her review of Breakaway, the magazine's Hilary Chapman felt that the song comes close to the "irresistible catchiness" of Appleby's 1990 hit "Don't Worry", remarking that the singer "shines in the uptempo songs of hope and optimism".{{cite magazine|first= Hilary |last= Chapman |url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/36672778436/in/album-72157684357392172/ |title= New Albums: Best New Album |magazine= Smash Hits |date= 18 August 1993 |page= 48 |access-date= 6 October 2020}}
Track listings
- 7-inch single, UK
- "Light of the World" — 4:46
- "Don't Worry" — 3:30
- 12-inch single, UK and Europe
- "Light of the World" (Phil Kelsey Remix) — 6:06
- "Light of the World" (Extended Mix) — 7:13
- "Light of the World" (Chaps Remix) — 7:04
- CD single, UK
- "Light of the World" — 4:46
- "Don't Worry" — 3:30
- "Shame" — 4:38
- "Light of the World" — 7:04