Livin' in the Light

EMI Records released "Livin' in the Light" on 27 August 1990 as the lead single from UK Blak. The song spent a total of six weeks on the chart and peaked number 14 on the UK Singles chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26441/caron-wheeler/|title=UK Charts > Caron Wheeler|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=10 December 2021}} It was a number-one hit on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and achieved top-twenty peaks on several other countries' record charts.{{cite book |title= Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=278}}{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=619}} The song went on to sell over thirty-thousand copies worldwide. The success of the song invited Wheeler to perform on Top of the Pops in mid-1990.

In his review of UK Blak, Alex Henderson from AllMusic described "Livin' in the Light" as a "riveting" and "moving" neosoul treasure.{{cite web|first= Alex |last= Henderson |title= Caron Wheeler – UK Blak |publisher= AllMusic |date= |accessdate= 4 November 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/uk-blak-mw0000308686}} J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun remarked its "bass-heavy pulse".Considine, J.D. (1990). "Caron Wheeler – UK Blak". Baltimore Sun – via Milwaukee Journal (18 Nov 1990). Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote, "Produced by Afrika Baby Bam of the Jungle Brothers, lyrically uplifting cut shuffles down a funk/swing groove path somewhat similar to SIIS, though Wheeler's own unique sense of melody and vocal arrangements ultimately shine through. A smash."{{cite magazine|first= Bill |last= Coleman |title= Single Reviews: New & Noteworthy |work= Billboard |date= 25 August 1990 |page= 87 |accessdate= 28 October 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/BB-1990-08-25.pdf}} Andrew Mueller from Melody Maker said that Wheeler "has a perfectly splendid voice and sings some perfectly splendid things with it".{{cite magazine|first=Andrew|last=Mueller|work=Melody Maker|title=Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52187066443/|date=1 September 1990|access-date=24 February 2023}}

A music video was shot for both the original version and the remix version of the song. The video for the original version of song features Wheeler performing the song in close-up frame shots. The imagery of the video showcases many African people in a new surrounding. As they learning to adapt to the new surrounding, many of them are shown on a beach with the sun shining on them. The video also features many different men in the water. Wheeler is also shown wearing a traditional reddish-orange outfit. The video for the remix version of the song features a similar video with the same settings and imagery.

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• UK single CD Single

1. Livin' In The Light (The Larger Than Light Mix) – 6:56
2. Livin' In The Light (Red Zone Mix) – 6:16
3. Livin' In The Light (The Sensual Mix) – 5:42

• UK Vinyl, 7" Single

1. Livin' In The Light (7") – 4:33
2. Livin' In The Light (The Original Story) – 4:55

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• US Maxi-CD single

1. Livin' In The Light (Brixton Bass 12" Mix)
2. Meewonjammin'
3. Livin' In The Light (The Original Story)
4. Livin' In The Light (Single)

• European CD Single

1. Livin' In The Light (7") – 4:33
2. Livin' In The Light (The Original Story) – 4:55
3. Livin' In The Light (Brixton Bass Mix) – 8:52

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• List of number-one dance singles of 1990 (U.S.)

{{Caron Wheeler}}

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Category:1990 singles

Category:1990 songs

Category:Electronica songs

Category:British soul songs

Category:EMI Records singles