Number One Songs—You Light Up My LifeUpdate: 'You Light Up My Life' composer kills self, police say—May 22, 2011 By Alan Duke, CNN... 
In 1977, Joe Brooks' song "You Light Up My Life" won both an Oscar for its use in the film of the same name (also written, directed and produced by the multi-talented composer) and a Grammy—despite the fact that nearly every major music publisher and record company had turned it down, and even Brooks had let it languish on his "rejects" pile. His own career had been a long time coming, though he played almost every known musical instrument and had attended five colleges, albeit without the customary reward of a degree.
Still, he continued to write jingles in Hollywood until this film, his first, finally put him in the limelight. Debby Boone's recording further helped rescue the song and its composer from obscurity; it was a big hit for her—#1 for 10 weeks—and she sang it at the Academy Award ceremonies the year it won.
Boone, known mostly for "You Light Up My Life," is a popular Christian singer and the daughter of 50's crooner Pat Boone. She is married to Gabriel Ferrer, the son of another popular 50's singing star, Rosemary Clooney, and actor Jose Ferrer.
So many nights I'd sit by my window
And you light up my life
Rollin' at sea, adrift on the water
And you light up my life
|
Subscribe in a reader