"Welcome to Heartlight" by Kenny Loggins

Song#:  1378
Date:  03/12/1983
Debut:  65
Peak:  24
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Loggins' album "High Adventure" made it to #13 on the strength of two Top 20 singles; "Don't Fight It" (#17) and "Heart to Heart" (#15). The LP would go gold, however that result would be a slight disappointment since his first three studio albums all went platinum. He tried to keep the momentum up with this third single, but it didn't have enough gas to join the other two singles in the Top 20. It did only slightly better at AC where it reached #17.

ReduxReview:  This was an odd single. Jungle sounds, a place called Heartlight, he's lovin' rain and thunder, and a kid's choir. Plus, the single's sleeve was the same as the "High Adventure" cover with Loggins looking like Indiana Jones a year before that film came out. What the hell is this? At the time I didn't know and didn't really care. I just liked the song and bought the single. At the time I liked the b-side, "Only a Miracle," even better. That sentimental piece doesn't sound as good now, but "Heartlight" still rocks out pretty well.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This song was inspired by students at a school in Los Angeles. Heartlight was the name of a private alternative school that focused on cross-cultural learning and the use of councils (as in a Native American council) in the classes. Loggins visited the school and the students had written papers on why they like the school. One student wrote in their paper "I like the love." That phrase, which is the opening line of the song, and the school itself prompted Loggins to write this song. Near the end of the song you can hear a children's choir. It includes members of the school's singing and dancing groups. Unfortunately, the school no longer exists. 2) If you look at the back cover of the "High Adventure" album, you will see that this song is just called "Heartlight." It is also listed as such on his compilation albums. A change in title was made when this song got issued as a single. The "Welcome to" part was added to avoid any confusion with the recent Neil Diamond hit "Heartlight" (#5).

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