I Love Your Smile

Last updated

"I Love Your Smile"
Shaniceiloveyoursmile.jpg
Single by Shanice
from the album Inner Child
ReleasedOctober 22, 1991
Genre
Length
  • 4:19 (album version)
  • 3:56 (radio version)
  • 3:50 (Driza Bone single remix)
Label Motown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Narada Michael Walden
Shanice singles chronology
"This Time"
(1988)		"I Love Your Smile"
(1991)		"I'm Cryin'"
(1992)
Music video
"I Love Your Smile" on YouTube

"I Love Your Smile" is a song by American singer-songwriter Shanice, released in October 1991 by Motown as the lead single from her second studio album, Inner Child (1991). The song was produced by Narada Michael Walden, and the radio version removes the rap bridge from the album version. It features a saxophone solo by Branford Marsalis as well as laughter from Janet Jackson and René Elizondo Jr. near the end of the song. To date, "I Love Your Smile" is Shanice's best known and most successful hit. [1]

Contents

It peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 on February 1, 1992, and it topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart for 4 weeks in December 1991 and January 1992. In Europe, "I Love Your Smile" peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart after being remixed by Driza Bone and reached the top of the Dutch Top 40 in the Netherlands. In 1992, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Shanice performed the song as the first musical guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 25, 1992. [2] A music video was produced to promote the single, featuring Shanice in a studio having pictures taken by a photographer. The video was made available on Shanice's official YouTube channel on May 12, 2023.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Tim Griggs named "I Love Your Smile" a "standout" from Inner Child . [3] J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun felt that here, Narada Michael Walden "gets a knock-out performance" from Shanice. He added that her "sunny delivery, backed by a breezy, Euro-pop arrangement and a rock-steady appearance by saxophonist Branford Marsalis, makes this the kind of tune you wouldn't expect from anyone still in Clearasil's primary target group." [4] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "slinky R&B tune", remarking that Shanice's "matured voice sounds like a cross between Chaka Khan and Janet Jackson, sprawling out comfortably over a subtle and percussive groove that is framed with warm sax lines." [5] DeVaney and Clark from Cashbox stated, "Compared to her previous projects, you can clearly tell that Wilson has matured both musically and vocally to take this project to its limits." [6] Martin Johnson from Chicago Reader declared it "an ideal guilty pleasure". [7] A reviewer from Ealing Leader found that "this little bundle of dynamite shows great promise with a warm debut single." [8] Swedish Expressen noted its "whispering happy jingle". [9]

Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote, "Only in her teens, Shanice Wilson is anything but a newcomer, having arrived on the scene in the late eighties and scoring instant airplay. But this should be the effort that really sparks her career." [10] Lakeland Ledger described her voice as "playful and spunky". [11] Alan Jones from Music Week's RM Dance Update declared it as "a likeable and highly commercial pop/dance workout, [and] it will doubtless be a hit on both sides of the Atlantic." [12] Another RM editor, James Hamilton, called it a "delightful breathily gurgling, humming, whistling, tinkling and (Branford Marsalis's jazz sax) tooting jiggly jogging cheerful swayer". [13] A reviewer from People Magazine stated that it "has risen to the top of the R&B charts on its jaunty, literally bells-and-whistles riff, its jazzy a cappella refrain and a walloping beat." [14] Michael Eric Dyson from Rolling Stone viewed it as "a sparkling midtempo confession of love" framed by Marsalis' sax. [15] Mark Frith from Smash Hits praised it as an "infectious swingbeat tune", giving it four out of five. [16] Jonathan Bernstein from Spin felt that Shanice "brought sheer, unalloyed joy to the charts and our hearts with her "I Love Your Smile". Exuberance isn't a feature of too many records these days—maybe some Helmet, the early stuff—but this singer sounded giddy with delight on her hit." [17]

Impact and legacy

NME ranked "I Love Your Smile" number 50 in their list of "Singles of the Year" in December 1992. [18] Freaky Trigger ranked it number 34 in its list of "Top 100 Songs of All Time" in 2005.[ citation needed ] Robert Dimery featured it in his 2015 book, 1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and 10,001 You Must Download,[ citation needed ] while Bruce Pollock featured it in his 2005 book, The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944-2000.[ citation needed ] Polish Porcys ranked "I Love Your Smile" number 46 in their list of "100 Singles 1990–1999" in 2012, writing, "The career of the singer did not flourish somehow stunning, but this one song, this one "turutututururu" is immortal. This sweet chorus has probably one of the most naturally catchy melodies of all time." [19]

Track listings

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [58] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionVersionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesOriginalOctober 22, 1991Cassette Motown [ citation needed ]
United KingdomNovember 11, 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 [59]
November 18, 1991CD [60]
Driza Bone remixFebruary 10, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [61]
JapanOriginalMarch 25, 1992Mini-CD [62]

Cover versions

See also

Related Research Articles

Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and dancer. She had the Billboard hit singles "I Love Your Smile" and "Silent Prayer" in 1991 and "Saving Forever for You" in 1993. In 1999, Shanice scored another hit song with "When I Close My Eyes", which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is recognized for her coloratura soprano voice and her ability to sing in the whistle register.

<i>Im Your Baby Tonight</i> 1990 studio album by Whitney Houston

I'm Your Baby Tonight is the third studio album by American singer Whitney Houston. It was released on November 6, 1990, by Arista Records. The album is one of the best-selling female albums of all time and has been certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Learned from the Best</span> 1999 single by Whitney Houston

"I Learned from the Best" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston. The ballad, written by Diane Warren, was released as the fifth and final single from Houston's fourth studio album, My Love Is Your Love (1998), in November 1999. When released, it peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Dance remixes of the song by Hex Hector and Junior Vasquez topped the US dance chart for three weeks. Houston gained another top 20 hit on the UK Singles Chart with this song, where it peaked at number 19. The song also topped the charts in Romania and Poland.

<i>Inner Child</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Shanice

Inner Child is the second studio album by American R&B singer Shanice. It was released on November 19, 1991, by Motown Records. The album peaked at number 13 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums charta and features a remake of Minnie Riperton's 1974 hit "Lovin' You" which hit number 59 on the R&B Singles chart in the summer of 1992. Shanice would cover the song for a second time on her 2006 album Every Woman Dreams. The UK version of the album features the Driza Bone remix of "I Love Your Smile" as track 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Because I Love You (The Postman Song)</span> 1990 song by Stevie B

"Because I Love You (The Postman Song)" (or simply titled "Because I Love You") is a song written by Warren Allen Brooks and performed by American singer, songwriter, and record producer Stevie B. It was released in September 1990 by LMR and RCA from his third album, Love & Emotion (1990). The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1990 and remained there for four consecutive weeks. It also spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song reached the top 10 in several countries worldwide, including Belgium and the Netherlands, where it peaked at number two. It received a gold certification in Australia and the United States. In August 2018, Billboard ranked the song the 71st-biggest hit in the history of the Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Too Sexy</span> 1991 single by Right Said Fred

"I'm Too Sexy" is a song by British pop band Right Said Fred, released in July 1991 by Tug Records as their debut single from their first album, Up (1992). The song was written by band members and brothers Fred Fairbrass and Richard Fairbrass with Rob Manzoli and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Outside the United Kingdom, it topped the charts in seven countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. James Lebon directed the music video for the song, featuring various clips of models walking on the catwalk. In 2023, Billboard magazine ranked "I'm Too Sexy" among the 500 best pop songs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fortress Around Your Heart</span> 1985 single by Sting

"Fortress Around Your Heart" is a hit single released from Sting's 1985 debut solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. It was released as the album's third single in the UK, and the second single in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Woman</span> 1991 single by Lisa Stansfield

"All Woman" is a song recorded by British singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield for her second album, Real Love (1991). The song was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. It was released by Arista as the second single on 9 December 1991 in the United Kingdom and in early 1992 in the rest of the world. The song reached number twenty in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it peaked at number fifty-six on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twenty-one on the Adult Contemporary Singles chart. The music video was directed by Nick Brandt. The single's B-side included previously unreleased track, "Everything Will Get Better." The latter was remixed by Danny Tenaglia and reached number thirty-six on the Hot Dance Club Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovin' You</span> 1975 single by Minnie Riperton

"Lovin' You" is a song recorded by American singer Minnie Riperton from her second studio album, Perfect Angel (1974). It was written by Riperton and her husband, Richard Rudolph, produced by Rudolph and Stevie Wonder, and released as the album's third single on November 29, 1974. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on April 5, 1975. Additionally, it reached number two on the UK Singles chart, and number three on the Billboard R&B chart. In the US, it ranked number 13 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Love Somebody Set Them Free</span> 1985 single by Sting

"If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is the first single by English musician Sting from his solo debut album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985). It is also the opening track of the album, and is featured on Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994 as well as The Very Best of Sting & The Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe</span> 1974 single by Barry White

"Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" is a song written, recorded, and produced by American musician Barry White. Released in June 1974 as the first single from his third album, Can't Get Enough (1974), the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard R&B charts. It became one of White's signature tunes and achieved gold record status in the US. It was also his second American chart-topper, after "Love's Theme".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is the Seventh Wave</span> 1985 single by Sting

"Love Is the Seventh Wave" is a hit single from Sting's 1985 solo debut album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. It was released as the album's second single in the UK, and the third single in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want Your Love (Chic song)</span> 1979 single by Chic

"I Want Your Love" is a song by American band Chic from their second studio album C'est Chic (1978). Featuring a solo lead vocal by Alfa Anderson, the song became a very successful follow-up to their hit single "Le Freak".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All 4 Love</span> 1991 single by Color Me Badd

"All 4 Love" is a song by American music group Color Me Badd. In the United Kingdom, it was released in July 1991 by Giant and Reprise as the second single from their debut album, C.M.B. (1991), while in the United States, it was released as the album's third single in November of the same year. The recording contains elements from the 1966 song "Patch My Heart" by the Mad Lads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Cryin'</span> 1992 single by Shanice

"I'm Cryin'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Shanice, released in February 1992 as the second single from her second album, Inner Child (1991). It was the follow-up to her highly successful single "I Love Your Smile", and it peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saving Forever for You</span> 1992 single by Shanice

"Saving Forever for You" is a song performed by American singer Shanice, written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster. It was one of the singles released by Giant and Reprise from the 1992 soundtrack album Music of Beverly Hills, 90210. It became Shanice's second and final top 10 US single, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it does not appear on her 1999 compilation album Ultimate Collection. A music video was filmed for the song, featuring Brian Austin Green from Beverly Hills, 90210.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Like (Shanice song)</span> 1994 single by Shanice

"I Like" is a song by American singer-songwriter, actress, and dancer Shanice, released in August 1994 as the third single from her third album, 21... Ways to Grow (1994). The song samples "I'll Take You There" by the Staple Singers. A music video was produced to promote the single.

This article contains the discography of American R&B singer, Shanice. This includes studio albums, compilation albums, and singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Set Your Loving Free</span> 1992 single by Lisa Stansfield

"Set Your Loving Free" is a song by British singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her second album, Real Love (1991). It was written by her with Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. The song was released as the fourth European single on 25 May 1992. It included "Whenever You're Gone", featured on the Japanese edition of Real Love only. The Nick Brandt-directed music video, starring Linus Roache, was also released. The song reached number 28 in the United Kingdom and number 20 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart, where it was released as B-side of "A Little More Love." "Set Your Loving Free" was remixed by Masters at Work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)</span> 1988 single by Sting

"They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo)" is a protest song composed by English musician Sting and published first on his 1987 album ...Nothing Like the Sun; the song was the fifth and final single released from the album. The song is a metaphor referring to mourning Chilean women (arpilleristas) who dance the Cueca, the national dance of Chile, alone with photographs of their disappeared loved ones in their hands.

References

  1. ↑ "Shanice – Discography". rnbhaven.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  2. ↑ "New Tonight Show's First Guest Leaks Out". WHUR. January 27, 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  3. ↑ Griggs, Tim. "Shanice – Inner Child". AllMusic . Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. ↑ Considine, J.D. (1992). "Shanice – Inner Child". The Baltimore Sun – via St. Louis Post-Dispatch . (February 14, 1992).
  5. ↑ Flick, Larry (October 19, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 77. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  6. ↑ DeVaney, Bryan; Clark, Randy (October 26, 1991). "News & Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cashbox . p. 5. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Martin (September 22, 1994). "Shallow Youth". Chicago Reader . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile". Ealing Leader . December 13, 1991. page 16.
  9. ↑ Expressen . February 14, 1992.
  10. ↑ Sholin, Dave (November 8, 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report . No. 1881. p. 56. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  11. ↑ "New Pop Albums: Shanice Wilson "Inner Child"". Lakeland Ledger . January 4, 1992. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  12. ↑ Jones, Alan (October 26, 1991). "Chart News" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 1. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  13. ↑ Hamilton, James (February 15, 1992). "DJ Directory: Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: Inner Child". People . February 10, 1992. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  15. ↑ Dyson, Michael Eric (March 19, 1992). "Recordings". Rolling Stone . Issue 626.
  16. ↑ Frith, Mark (February 19, 1992). "New Singles". Smash Hits . p. 54. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  17. ↑ Bernstein, Jonathan (December 1992). "The Year In Pop". Spin . p. 42. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  18. ↑ "NME Singles of the Year". NME . December 19, 1992. p. 21. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  19. ↑ "100 Singli 1990–1999". Porcys (in Polish). August 20, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2078." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  24. ↑ Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000).
  25. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 11. March 14, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 11. March 14, 1992. p. 23. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  27. ↑ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 9. February 29, 1992. p. 37. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  30. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Love Your Smile". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved May 31, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Shanice".
  32. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile". VG-lista. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  36. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  37. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Shanice – I Love Your Smile". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . November 30, 1991. p. 22. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . February 29, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Shanice Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard . Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Shanice Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Shanice Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  46. ↑
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  47. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  48. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1992" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  49. ↑ "1992 Year-End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 51/52. December 19, 1992. p. 17. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  50. ↑ "1992 Year-End Airplay Charts: European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 51/52. December 19, 1992. p. 20. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  51. ↑ "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1992" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  52. ↑ "Single top 100 over 1992" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1992" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  54. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1992" (in German). Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week . January 16, 1993. p. 8.
  56. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1992". Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  57. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1992". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  58. ↑ "British single certifications – Shanice – I Love Your Smile". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  59. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . November 9, 1991. p. 21.
  60. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 16, 1991. p. 21.
  61. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. February 8, 1992. p. 17.
  62. ↑ "アイ・ラブ・ユア・スマイル | シャニース" [I Love Your Smile | Shanice] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 12, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.