Love Is The Answer – England Dan & John Ford Coley

“Love Is the Answer” is a song written by Todd Rundgren for his band Utopia from their 1977 album “Oops! Wrong Planet”. Utopia’s version did not reach the music charts, however a cover version by the pop rock duo England Dan and John Ford Coley became an American hit single reaching #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1979.

It is the seventh song in the album “Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jive” which is the seventh studio album by England Dan & John Ford Coley released in March 1979.

Incidentally, it is also the seventh song in the album “Best of England Dan & John Ford Coley” – an album that I purchased way back then as a young teen in the early 80s. What makes the song special for me is the fact that despite being pop rock, it has a gospel element in the refrain calling on the “Light of the World” to shine on us all and set us free. For us Christians, and speaking as a graduate from the Pontifical and Royal University in the Philippines, it is clear that Jesus is the Light of the World. Our eyes can perceive physical light that reveals the beauty of God’s creation, but more importantly, our hearts can feel the spiritual light that emanates from source of all Love.

I created the video MTV of this song with the hopes that the message is amplified across all social media because this is precisely what the world needs today more than ever regardless of our faith tradition. Everyone needs some brightness in their lives, so why not show some love to brighten up someone’s day today? Start with a simple deed like a smile even to a stranger.

When you smile with  genuine love, the spiritual glow shines and it becomes contagious. Unlike the corona virus that must be avoided, love is a welcome infection that cures the darkness in our hearts. Be part of the cure and let your love shine.

“You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

-Matthew 5:14-16

Name your price, a ticket to paradise
I can’t stay here anymore
And I’ve looked high and low
I’ve been from shore to shore to shore
If there’s a short cut I’d have found it
But there is no easy way around it

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all, set us free
Love is the answer

Who knows why someday we all must die
We’re all homeless boys and girls
And we are never heard
It’s such a lonely, lonely, lonely world
People turn their heads and walk on by
Tell me is it worth just another try

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all, set us free
Love is the answer

Tell me, are we alive
Or just a dying planet?
(What are the chances?)
Ask the man in your heart for the answers

And when you feel afraid
(Love one another)
When you’ve lost your way
(Love one another)

And when you’re all alone
(Love one another)
And when you’re far from home
(Love one another)

And when you’re down and out
(Love one another)
And when your hopes run out
(Love one another)

And when you need a friend
(Love one another)
And when you’re near the end
(Love, we’ve got to love, we’ve got to love one another)

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all, set us free
Love is the answer

Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all, set us free
Love is the answer

God-fearing child of the 70s and 80s, retro music lover, a boring dad who loves to cook, engineer who loves to code, wannabe apologist, listens to anything smooth jazz.