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| artist = [[Brenda Russell]]
| artist = [[Brenda Russell]]
| album = [[Get Here (album)|Get Here]]
| album = [[Get Here (album)|Get Here]]
| B-side =
| B-side = This Time I Need You
| released = February 2, 1988
| released = February 2, 1988
| recorded = 1987
| recorded = 1987
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| genre = {{flatlist|*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[soul music|soul]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H9eTDwAAQBAJ&dq=brenda+russell+ballad+piano+in+the+dark&pg=PT408|title=Chart Watch UK - Hits of 1988|date=April 20, 2019|publisher=[[James Masterton]]|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>}}
*[[soul music|soul]]}}
| length = 5:20 (album version)<br/>4:20 (single version)
| length = 5:20 (album version)<br/>4:27 (single version)
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]]
| writer = {{hlist|[[Brenda Russell]]|Jeff Hull|[[Scott Cutler]]}}
| writer = {{hlist|[[Brenda Russell]]|Jeff Hull|[[Scott Cutler]]}}
Line 27: Line 26:


==Song information==
==Song information==
Russell, believing "that in every title there's a song somewhere" made a habit of "collecting" interesting phrases she heard and placing them in a notebook for potential song titles. It was through this process that she wrote the lyrics to "Piano in the Dark" as the title seemed to fit with the music her co-writers sent her.<ref name="SongwriterInterview">{{cite web |last1=G |first1=Carrie |title=Songwriter Interviews Brenda Russell |url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/brenda-russell |website=Songfacts |accessdate=15 July 2019}}</ref> In the early stages Russell did not understand what the title would refer to eventually deciding it was about {{Quote
Russell, believing "that in every title there's a song somewhere," made a habit of "collecting" interesting phrases she heard and placing them in a notebook for potential song titles. It was through this process that she wrote the lyrics to "Piano in the Dark" as the title seemed to fit with the music her co-writers sent her.<ref name="SongwriterInterview">{{cite web |last1=G |first1=Carrie |title=Songwriter Interviews Brenda Russell |url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/brenda-russell |website=Songfacts |accessdate=15 July 2019}}</ref> In the early stages Russell did not understand what the title would refer to, eventually deciding it was about {{Quote
|text=" ...this woman. Her lover plays piano. And she wants to leave him, because she's really kind of bored. But every time she does that, he sits down and starts playing. And it sucks her right back in. She's so in love with the way he plays. And he plays in the dark, theoretically. It's not that literal, necessarily. But that's what keeps her to him, basically, is his music. And I just found that was an interesting story to write about." <ref name="SongwriterInterview"/>}}
|text=" ...this woman. Her lover plays piano. And she wants to leave him, because she's really kind of bored. But every time she does that, he sits down and starts playing. And it sucks her right back in. She's so in love with the way he plays. And he plays in the dark, theoretically. It's not that literal, necessarily. But that's what keeps her to him, basically, is his music. And I just found that was an interesting story to write about."<ref name="SongwriterInterview"/>}}
Initially "Gravity" was planned to be released as the first single, however [[Herb Alpert]] pushed to have "Piano" released instead feeling that it better represented her as an artist.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunt|first1=Dennis|title=Russell Shines With 'Piano in the Dark'|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1988-05-08/entertainment/ca-3703_1_brenda-russell|website=Los Angelis Times|accessdate=17 November 2017}}</ref>
Initially "Gravity" was planned to be released as the first single, however [[Herb Alpert]] pushed to have "Piano" released instead, feeling that it better represented her as an artist.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunt|first1=Dennis|title=Russell Shines With 'Piano in the Dark'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-08-ca-3703-story.html|website=Los Angelis Times|date=8 May 1988 |access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref>


"Piano in the Dark" was released in early 1988, nine years after Russell's previous charting single on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] (1979's "So Good, So Right"). The song gained heavy airplay and became Russell's biggest hit, peaking at number 6 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], number 8 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs|R&B Chart]]<ref>{{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=507}}</ref> and number 3 on the [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary Chart]]. The song was also a moderate hit in the UK, peaking at number 23.
"Piano in the Dark" was released in early 1988, nine years after Russell's previous charting single on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] (1979's "So Good, So Right"). The [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]]<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://atlantablackstar.com/2012/10/07/flo-ridas-i-cry-puts-brenda-russells-piano-in-the-dark-back-on-charts/|title=Flo Rida's 'I Cry' Puts Brenda Russell's 'Piano in the Dark' Back on Charts|date=October 7, 2012|website=Atlanta Black Star}}</ref> gained heavy airplay and became Russell's biggest hit, peaking at number 6 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], number 8 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B chart]]<ref>{{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=507}}</ref> and number 3 on the [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary chart]]. The song was also a moderate hit in the UK, peaking at number 23, but spending over three months on the chart due to its slow but steady climb to its peak.


The song earned Russell two [[Grammy Award]] nominations in 1989, including one for [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]].
The song earned Russell two [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nominations in 1989, including one for [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]].


==Music video==
==Music video==
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!align="center"|Position
!align="center"|Position
|-
|-
|United States (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite journal |date=December 24, 1988 |title=1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles |page=Y-20 |journal=Billboard |volume=100 |issue=52 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1988|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1988|accessdate=October 3, 2016}}</ref>
|United States (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 24, 1988 |title=1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles |page=Y-20 |magazine=Billboard |volume=100 |issue=52 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1988|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1988|accessdate=October 3, 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|81
| style="text-align:center;"|81
|}
|}

==Cover versions==
* Pianist [[Alex Bugnon]] covered the song from his popular 1989 album ''Love Season''.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r71465|pure_url=yes}}|title=Love Season overview|work=[[Allmusic|Allmusic.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smoothvibes.com/movabletype/archives/001025.html|title=Berks Jazz Fest 2008: Alex Bugnon|work=SmoothVibes.com}}</ref>
* AMP (Alan Matthews Project) released a 1991 version of the original song with a dance beat, using Brenda Russell's vocal.
* British actress/singer [[Bonnie Langford]] covered this song on her four track CD ''Limited Edition'' in 1996.
* Filipina singer [[Nina Girado]] covered the song for [[Nina Live!|her live album]] in 2005. This version features her higher notes on the chorus' second line "oh no, I gave up on a riddle, I cry just a little when he plays piano in the dark" near the end.
* Pop/rock singer [[Jennifer Rush]] recorded a version on her 1997 album ''[[Credo (Jennifer Rush album)|Credo]]''.
* The song was covered by house music singer Shanie and remixed as a dance track by 7th Heaven.
* [[George Howard (jazz)|George Howard]] covered this song on his 1989 album "Personal."
* [[John Tesh]] and [[Gerald Albright]] recorded their own version for Tesh's 1995 album "Sax on the Beach".

==Sampling==
{{Unreferenced|section|date=April 2021}}
* The song was sampled by [[2Pac]] & tha Outlawz for the song "U Can Be Touched," from their 1999 album, ''[[Still I Rise (album)|Still I Rise]]''.
* The song was sampled by Steve Angello in the EDM track "Davali" in 2004.
* Sixty-9 vs Discodrive featuring DJ Fierce sampled the chorus under the song "Rainbow" in 2006.
* August 3, 2009, Guy Robin is sampled is track "Cry A Little".
* Danny-S Vs. TAITO sampled the chorus under the song "Rainbow" in 2010.
* Vinylshakerz is sampled in its song "Rainbow" in 2011.
* In 2011, the Bingo Players released a dance mix "[[Cry (Just a Little)]]", which consisted entirely of a repetition of the first line from "Piano in the Dark"'s main chorus: "I know I'm caught up in the middle, I cry just a little, When I think of letting go".
* Roger-M is sampled using the vocal of Neu Era was the song "Letting Go (Piano in the Dark)" in 2011.
* [[Qwote]] sampled the song for his 2012 single featuring [[Pitbull (rapper)|Pitbull]] "[[Letting Go (Cry Just a Little)]]".
* Bingo Players' version was also used in Flo Rida's 2012 hit "[[I Cry (Flo Rida song)|I Cry]]".
* July 23, 2013, Paolo Tuci is sampled is track "Piano In The Dark (Cry Just a Little)", As for the female vocals are Lafaux (Stefania Del Prete).
* The single "Cry" by Stefan Rio from 2016, sampled the chorus.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MetroLyrics song|brenda-russell|piano-in-the-dark}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Brenda Russell}}
{{Brenda Russell}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


⚫
[[Category:1987 songs]]
[[Category:1988 singles]]
[[Category:1988 singles]]
[[Category:Brenda Russell songs]]
[[Category:Brenda Russell songs]]
⚫
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
⚫
[[Category:Contemporary R&B ballads]]
[[Category:Soul ballads]]
[[Category:Songs written by Scott Cutler]]
[[Category:Songs written by Scott Cutler]]
[[Category:Songs written by Brenda Russell]]
[[Category:Songs written by Brenda Russell]]
[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]
[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]
⚫
[[Category:1987 songs]]
[[Category:A&M Records singles]]
[[Category:A&M Records singles]]
[[Category:Quiet storm songs]]
[[Category:Pop ballads]]
⚫
[[Category:Contemporary R&B ballads]]
⚫
[[Category:Soul ballads]]
[[Category:1980s ballads]]
[[Category:1980s ballads]]
⚫
[[Category:Songs about musicians]]
[[Category:Songs about pianos]]

Latest revision as of 05:19, 27 August 2024

"Piano in the Dark"
Single by Brenda Russell
from the album Get Here
B-side"This Time I Need You"
ReleasedFebruary 2, 1988
Recorded1987
Genre
Length5:20 (album version)
4:27 (single version)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Brenda Russell
  • Jeff Hull
Brenda Russell singles chronology
"If You Love (The One You Lose)"
(1981) 		"Piano in the Dark"
(1988) 		"Get Here"
(1988)
Music video
"Piano in the Dark" on YouTube

"Piano in the Dark" is a song by American singer-songwriter Brenda Russell (featuring backing vocals by Joe Esposito). It was the first single to be taken from Russell's 1988 album, Get Here.

Song information

[edit]

Russell, believing "that in every title there's a song somewhere," made a habit of "collecting" interesting phrases she heard and placing them in a notebook for potential song titles. It was through this process that she wrote the lyrics to "Piano in the Dark" as the title seemed to fit with the music her co-writers sent her.[2] In the early stages Russell did not understand what the title would refer to, eventually deciding it was about

" ...this woman. Her lover plays piano. And she wants to leave him, because she's really kind of bored. But every time she does that, he sits down and starts playing. And it sucks her right back in. She's so in love with the way he plays. And he plays in the dark, theoretically. It's not that literal, necessarily. But that's what keeps her to him, basically, is his music. And I just found that was an interesting story to write about."[2]

Initially "Gravity" was planned to be released as the first single, however Herb Alpert pushed to have "Piano" released instead, feeling that it better represented her as an artist.[3]

"Piano in the Dark" was released in early 1988, nine years after Russell's previous charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 (1979's "So Good, So Right"). The ballad[1][4] gained heavy airplay and became Russell's biggest hit, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 8 on the R&B chart[5] and number 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song was also a moderate hit in the UK, peaking at number 23, but spending over three months on the chart due to its slow but steady climb to its peak.

The song earned Russell two Grammy Award nominations in 1989, including one for Song of the Year.

Music video

[edit]

There are two music videos. The first version, filmed in black-and-white, shows Brenda looking depressed in her apartment as she tosses cards in a derby and thinks about her lover, a long-haired blond man playing on the piano. The second video was filmed in color and mostly shown in the US where a smiling Brenda is shown performing with her band (including Joe Esposito) in a dimly lit nightclub with many people during a thunderstorm at night.

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1988) Peak
position
Canada RPM Top Singles[6] 23
UK Singles Chart 23
US Billboard Hot 100 6
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles 8
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 3

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (1988) Position
United States (Billboard)[7][8] 81

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Chart Watch UK - Hits of 1988". James Masterton. April 20, 2019 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b G, Carrie. "Songwriter Interviews Brenda Russell". Songfacts. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  3. ^ Hunt, Dennis (8 May 1988). "Russell Shines With 'Piano in the Dark'". Los Angelis Times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Flo Rida's 'I Cry' Puts Brenda Russell's 'Piano in the Dark' Back on Charts". Atlanta Black Star. October 7, 2012.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 507.
  6. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1988-06-25. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  7. ^ "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 52. December 24, 1988. p. Y-20.
  8. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.
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