Left in the Dark

This article is about the 1984 song. For the 2014 album, see Left in the Dark (Tarja EP). For the series premiere of The Loud House episode, see Left in the Dark (The Loud House).

"Left in the Dark" is a song by Jim Steinman from his only solo album Bad for Good.

"Left in the Dark"
Song by Jim Steinman
from the album Bad for Good
Released	April 1981
Recorded	August 1980 – March 1981
Genre	Wagnerian rock
Length	7:58
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Jim Steinman
Producer(s)	John Jansen, Todd Rundgren, Jim Steinman, Jimmy Iovine

"Left in the Dark"
Single by Barbra Streisand
from the album Emotion
B-side	"Here We Are at Last"
Released	September 1984
Recorded	June 18, 1984
Studio	Power Station (New York, NY)[1] The Village (Los Angeles, CA)[1]
Genre	Pop[2]
Length	7:12 (album version)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Jim Steinman
Producer(s)	Jim Steinman
Barbra Streisand singles chronology
"Papa, Can You Hear Me?" (1984) "Left in the Dark" (1984) "Make No Mistake, He's Mine" (1984)

The song gained more notice performed by Barbra Streisand when it was released as the lead single from her album Emotion in autumn 1984. It was also recorded by Meat Loaf on the album Welcome to the Neighbourhood in 1995.

Barbra Streisand version

Streisand's rendition of the song is a power ballad which tells about experiences of a woman who finds out her partner has been cheating on her. "Left in the Dark" met with moderate commercial success internationally. The percussive synth sound in the intro is taken from Billy Squier's song "All Night Long", a track which was also produced by Steinman in 1984.

Music video

The music video for the song was Barbra's first video intended for MTV. Filmed within three days in Los Angeles in September 1984, it was directed by Jonathan Kaplan and included an appearance from Kris Kristofferson. The six-minute video portrays Barbra as a lounge singer entangled in a love triangle, with Kristofferson playing her partner.^[3]

Track listings

• 7" Single^[4]

A1. "Intro" – 0:44

A2. "Left in the Dark" – 6:12

B. "Here We Are at Last" – 3:18

• 7" Promotional Single^[5]

A. "Left in the Dark" (without spoken intro) – 4:58

B. "Left in the Dark" (with spoken intro) – 5:42

Charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6]	27
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7]	27
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8]	87
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9]	20
UK Singles (OCC)[10]	85
US Billboard Hot 100[11]	50
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[12]	37

Other cover versions

In 1995, Swedish singer Cecilia Vennersten released a version of the song translated into Swedish by Nanne Grönvall on her self-titled debut solo album. Meatloaf also covered the song on his 1995 album "Welcome To The Neighborhood". ^[13]