Light Up the Night is the fourth album by the Los Angeles, California-based duo the Brothers Johnson, released in 1980. The album topped the U.S. R&B albums chart and reached number five on the pop albums chart. The single "Stomp!" became a dance hit, reaching number one on both the R&B singles and disco charts and top ten on the pop singles chart.
Light Up the Night was the final Brothers Johnson album to be produced by Quincy Jones. When Jones left A&M Records, he was contractually barred from having contact with the brothers.
This album includes the song "This Had to Be", co-written by Michael Jackson.
Track listing
Personnel
The Brothers Johnson George Johnson – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (1–3, 5, 6, 8) Louis Johnson – acoustic piano, Prophet-5, guitars, lead guitar (3), bass, bass solo (1), backing vocals
Additional musicians Greg Phillinganes – synthesizers (1), acoustic piano, electric piano Rod Temperton – electric piano (1) Steve Porcaro – synthesizers, synthesizer programming John Robinson – drums Paulinho da Costa – percussion, vocal percussion (9) Richard Heath – percussion, lead and backing vocals (4) Kim Hutchcroft – flute, baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone Larry Williams – flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, synthesizers (7, 9) Bill Reichenbach Jr. – euphonium, trombone, slide trumpet Gary Grant – trumpet, flugelhorn Jerry Hey – trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn Merry Clayton – backing vocals Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals Susaye Greene-Brown – backing vocals Josie James – backing vocals Valerie Johnson – backing vocals Quincy Jones – backing vocals Scherrie Payne – backing vocals Alex Weir – lead and backing vocals (4) Michael Jackson – backing vocals fills (5)
Music arrangements The Brothers Johnson – rhythm arrangements Quincy Jones – rhythm, synthesizer and BGV arrangements Rod Temperton – synthesizer arrangements, BGV arrangements Johnny Mandel – synthesizer arrangements Jerry Hey – horn and string arrangements Bill Reichenbach Jr. – string conductor Michael Jackson – BGV arrangements (5)
Production Quincy Jones – producer Bruce Swedien – recording, mixing Tim Gerrity – assistant engineer Ralph Osborn – assistant engineer Randy Pipes – assistant engineer John Van Nest – assistant engineer Bernie Grundman – mastering at A&M Studios Chuck Beeson – art direction Glen Wexler – art direction, cover concept, photography Ed Eckstien – cover concept Kurt Triffet – illustration The Fitzgerald/Hartley Co. – direction
Charts and certifications
Charts Year Chart Peakposition1980 US Billboard Pop Albums5 US Billboard Top Soul Albums1 New Zealand4 Norway12 Sweden23 Holland43
Year-end charts Year End Chart (1980) PeakpositionU.S. Billboard 200 38U.S. Billboard Top Soul Albums 8
Singles Year Single Chart positions US USR&B USDance1980 "Light Up the Night" — 16 — "Stomp!" 7 1 1 "Treasure" 73 36 —
Certifications
References
External links Brothers Johnson - Light Up the Night at Discogs