Piano in the Dark -Brenda Russell (1988)

renda Russell had an interesting way of composing her music.

She kept a notebook of stray phrases she'd hear with the theory that one of them might someday inspire a song title...and a song to go with it.

Such was the case with today's Great Song of 1988.

Her co-writers, Jeff Hull and Scott Cutler had already written the music--but they needed Brenda to come up with the lyrics.

Inspiration struck when Brenda opened her notebook and saw the phrase "Piano in the Dark" She envisioned a song about a woman who was bored with her lover and wanted to leave him...but then he'd sit down and play the piano (not necessarily in the dark), and she'd fall in love all over again-- with his music, if not his soul.

Brenda recorded "Piano in the Dark" for her album "Get Here," and A&M Records president Herb Alpert (who knew a thing or two about hit records), insisted it should be the first single release.

Herb was right--the song became a Billboard triple chart hit: #3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, #6 on the Hot 100, and #8 on Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart.

And then Brenda was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year!

Note: Two totally different videos of the song were released, one in black & white and one in color. I've included both below so you can choose your favorite.

"Piano in the Dark" by Brenda Russell: from "stray phrase" to Great Song of 1988!

Black & White: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7u5GtSIC5k

Color: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYRv3QmEe5U

Tomorrow: A bittersweet look at the Generation Gap.