Coming Out of the Dark

The song was a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 ,US Cash Box Top 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. ^{[3] [4] [5]} The song was also a hit in Canada, Spain and Japan, while having moderate success in the rest of Europe, where Estefan had always been popular. In Ireland, the single reached the top 20, and in the UK it reached the top 40.

AllMusic editor Jason Birchmeier highlighted the song in his review of Into the Light, complimenting it as a "memorable" ballad.^[6] Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard found that this "uplifting, gospel-framed ballad" is "bolstered by a striking and inspirational performance."^[7] Bill Wyman from Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Coming Out of the Dark" is a "pretty song about Estefan's recovery. It starts out slow, then brings its point home with a gospel-like chorus reminiscent of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror". It's hard not to be sympathetic — the song is an anthem to hope and indomitability, and someone who's endured Estefan's pain certainly deserves room to talk about it."^[8] Mario Tarradell from Knight Ridder viewed it as a "gospel-tinged showpiece".^[9] Pan-European magazine Music & Media remarked that with a "comeback in glory after a heavy tourbus accident, Estefan shines in this gospel type of song. Inspired by the strong backing vocals, she climbs her way back to the top.^[10] David Quantick from NME said, "Her recent stuff, the 'Anything for You's and 'Oye Mi Canto's threaten to give American hit music a good name. 'Coming Out of the Dark', however, is a bit epic for my tastes, Gloria's restrained vocal not ideally suited to its anthemic leanings. Perhaps Maria McKee could cover it?"^[11] Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel wrote that the song "has a pretty vocal although the melody sounds like something destined for a Kodak commercial. The gospel-choir effect of the backing vocals seems more an homage to Madonna's "Like a Prayer" than a spiritual statement."^[12] A reviewer from People Magazine deemed it as "standard dance pop".^[13] Caroline Sullivan from Smash Hits felt that it "starts off slow, then perks up a touch and cracks along at a lively pace for the rest of the song."^[14]

In 2019, Bill Lamb from About.com described the song as a "gorgeous hit ballad", adding that it is now considered one of the top inspirational pop hits of all time.^[15] In a 2021 retrospective review, Matthew Hocter from Albumism viewed it as "one of her finest".^[16] Maryann Scheufele from AXS ranked the song among her ten "best songs" in 2014, remarking that Estefan "truly has been blessed with an inspirational voice."^[17] The Daily Vault's Mark Millan named it one of three "real hits" of the album, with "Live for Loving You" and "Seal Our Fate".^[18] Pip Ellwood-Hughes from Entertainment Focus declared it as "one of the most poignant songs" of Estefan's career.^[19] Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly described it as a "poignant gospel-tinged ballad".^[20]

Estefan also recorded the Spanish version of the song, called "Desde la Oscuridad". The song was released to Latin-American radio stations and the considerable airplay it received took the song to the Top Five of the Hot Latin Songs chart.