 "Piano in the Dark" was released in early 1988, nine years after Russell's previous charting single on the "Billboard" Hot 100 (1979's "So Good, So Right").The song gained heavy airplay and became Russell's biggest hit, peaking at number 6 on the "Billboard" Hot 100, number 8 on the R&B Chart and number 3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.The song was also a moderate hit in the UK, peaking at number 23.