Powerlight is the 12th studio album by American R&B, soul, and funk band Earth, Wind & Fire. The album was released in February 1983 by Columbia Records and was produced by band's members Verdine and Maurice White. The album peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, and it includes the hit singles "Fall in Love with Me," which rose to No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and "Side by Side," which reached No. 15 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Powerlight marks a noticeable shift from the band's classic sound, adopting more of an adult contemporary style, which was popular during the early 1980s. Being known for their fusion of various music genres, including R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, dance, Latin, and afro-pop, Earth, Wind & Fire made a significant impact on the music industry, and Powerlight is just one example of their innovative and influential body of work.
The lyrics on Powerlight highlight the band's positivity and the emotional depth which they were known for, with messages promoting love, spiritual enlightenment, and the search for truth. Critical reception for Powerlight was generally positive, with many reviewers noting the proficient musicianship, sophisticated arrangements, and original element the band used to build their legacy.
