In 1977, Joe Brooks’ song “You Light Up My Life” won an Oscar for its use in the film of the same name (also written, directed, and produced by the talented composer) and a Grammy, despite the fact that nearly everyone major music publishers and record companies had rejected it, and even Brooks had let it languish in his “rejection” pile for some time. His own career had been a long time coming, though he played almost every musical instrument and had attended five colleges, albeit without the reward of a degree.

Still, he continued to write jingles in Hollywood until this movie, his first, finally put him in the spotlight. Debby Boone’s recording further helped rescue the song and its composer from obscurity; it was a huge hit for her, #1 for 10 weeks, and she sang it at the Academy Awards ceremonies the year she won.

Boone, best known for “You Light Up My Life,” is a popular Christian singer and the daughter of 1950s singer Pat Boone. She is married to Gabriel Ferrer, son of another popular 1950s singing star, Rosemary Clooney, and actor José Ferrer.

You illuminate my life

(word and music by Joseph Brooks)

So many nights I sat by my window

waiting for someone to sing this song to me

So many dreams that I kept deep inside of me

alone in the dark, but now you’ve come

And you light up my life

you give me hope to continue

you light up my days

and fill my nights with song

Rolling in the sea, drifting in the water

Could it be that I’m finally coming home?

Fin’lly gets a chance to say “Hey, I love you”

never be alone again

And you light up my life

you give me hope to continue

you light up my days

and fill my nights with song

can’t be wrong

when it feels so good

because you light up my life