"Red Light Spells Danger" is a single recorded by Billy Ocean in 1977. It was written by Ocean (credited under his real name, Leslie Charles), and producer Ben Findon. The song became his second UK top 10, peaking at number two.
It was first released by GTO Records on 11 March 1977. The songs b-side, "Sweet Memories", was written by Ocean (again credited under his real name) and Geoff Downes, later of The Buggles. The song is sung in the key of E.Song Key of Red Light Spells Danger / retrieved 11 April 2026
Reception The song charted in the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, and New Zealand. In the UK, it peaked at number two (his second single to peak at number two after "Love Really Hurts Without You"), with "Knowing Me, Knowing You" by ABBA preventing the song from reaching the top of the charts for two weeks.Official Singles Charts - 17-23 April 1977 / retrieved 11 April 2026 It went to number ten in New Zealand, number eleven in the Netherlands, and number fifteen in Germany.German Charts - Billy Ocean / retrieved 11 April 2026
"Red Light Spells Danger" ranked 47 in the 1977 Year-end charts.Hunter, Nigel; Scaping, Peter, eds. (1978). "Top 100 Singles in 1977". BPI Year Book 1978 The song was certified gold in 2020, forty-three years after its release, and by 2025, was double platinum.
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1978)PeakpositionGermany (GfK Entertainment charts)15Netherlands (Dutch Charts)11New Zealand (Official Aotearoa Music Charts)10UK Singles (OCC)Official Singles Charts - Darts / retrieved 10 April 20262
Year-end charts Chart (1978)PeakpositionUK Singles (OCC)47
In media and popular culture It is the 'walk on' music of British professional darts player Ross Smith.
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