Released 27 November 1989 Genre Pop, gospel | Format CD | |
A-side "Whenever God Shines His Light" B-side "I'd Love to Write Another Song" Recorded 20 February 1989 The Townhouse Studios/England | ||
"Whenever God Shines His Light" is a song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and released on his 1989 album Avalon Sunset as a duet with Cliff Richard. Although the album was released in June 1989, this song was released as a single in November 1989 for the Christmas sales market. Morrison and Richard performed the duet on the British music chart television show, Top of the Pops. The single charted at #20 on the UK Singles Chart and #3 on the Irish Singles Chart. Allmusic critic Jason Ankeny describes it as a "standout opener" to Avalon Sunset. Critic Patrick Humphries describes it as "the most manifest example of Morrison's Christian commitment," claiming that although it "is not one of Morrison's most outstanding songs" it works as "a testament of faith."