Love's Got a Hold on My Heart

Last updated

"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart"
Stepsloves.jpg
Single by Steps
from the album Steptacular
B-side "To Be Your Hero"
Released12 July 1999 (1999-07-12) [1]
Recorded1999
Studio PWL (Manchester, England)
Genre Pop
Length3:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Steps singles chronology
"Thank ABBA for the Music"
(1999)
"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart"
(1999)
"After the Love Has Gone"
(1999)
Music video
"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" on YouTube

"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" is a song by British pop music group Steps. It was released as the lead single from the band's second album, Steptacular (1999). The song features Faye Tozer and Claire Richards on lead vocals. The single peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and became a top-20 hit in Finland, Flanders, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Contents

Critical reception

Can't Stop the Pop stated that "the one thing that immediately jumps out with this single – from that first keyboard whizz in the intro – is how summery it sounds. The track is not without a trademark hint of melodrama, but on the whole, it’s a much lighter production which exudes sunshine and warmth." They added that the chorus is "deceptively – and enduringly – catchy." [2] Scottish newspaper Daily Record said it is "their best tune yet. A Europop sound, ABBA-tinged melody and they even supply the dance moves on the CD box". [3] They also wrote, "This song sounds like the band looks - cheesy. The tune pops along using all the right ingredients to make sure you're tapping your feet." [4]

Chart performance

The single missed out at number one on the UK Singles Chart, losing out to Latin pop singer Ricky Martin, who spent a second week at the top with "Livin' La Vida Loca". [5] Spending 12 weeks on the British charts, this single is the group's only single to fall off the charts for two consecutive weeks and then re-enter. [5] The song did reach number one on the Scottish Singles Chart, conversely preventing "Livin' la Vida Loca" from reaching the top spot. [6] "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" also peaked at number nine in Finland and Ireland, number 14 in the Flanders region of Belgium, number 18 in New Zealand, and number 29 in Australia. [7] [8]

Music video

The music video for the song, shot in Cannes in the South of France, was directed by Dani Jacobs. The main plot sees the group chase a man who has stolen the film reel for the fictitious "Steps: The Movie", interspersed with clips of the band performing the dance routine on a jetty dressed in yellow outfits.

A "dancebreak video", featuring just the footage of Steps performing the dance, was released to YouTube on 28 August 2022.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [22] Silver200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

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  4. "Chartslot". Daily Record. 30 July 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
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  8. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
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  10. Love's Got a Hold on My Heart (UK CD2 liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519392.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Love's Got a Hold on My Heart (UK cassette single sleeve). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519374.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Love's Got a Hold on My Heart (Australian & New Zealand CD single liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519422.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Steptacular (European CD album liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519442.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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