Love Is Strong

Last updated

"Love Is Strong"
Lurveisstrong.jpg
Single by the Rolling Stones
from the album Voodoo Lounge
B-side
  • "The Storm"
  • "So Young"
Released4 July 1994 (1994-07-04)
Genre Rock
Length3:49
Label Virgin
Songwriter(s) Jagger–Richards
Producer(s)
The Rolling Stones singles chronology
"Jumpin' Jack Flash (live)"
(1991)		"Love Is Strong"
(1994)		"You Got Me Rocking"
(1994)
Music video
"Love Is Strong" on YouTube

"Love Is Strong" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones, released as the opening track, and first single, from their 20th British and 22nd American studio album, Voodoo Lounge (1994). Issued as a single on 4 July 1994 by Virgin, the song preceded the release of Voodoo Lounge by a week. "Love Is Strong" peaked at No. 14 in the band's native United Kingdom and at No. 2 in Canada and Finland but stalled at No. 91 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Despite this, it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The song's accompanying music video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe. [1]

Contents

Inspiration and recording

Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Love Is Strong" is a brooding number about an encounter between the singer and an unnamed person which leads the singer to a "love/lust at first sight" immediate attraction and longing for the couple to unite despite the obstacles.

Your love is strong and you're so sweet;
You make me hard, you make me weak;
Love is strong and you're so sweet,
And some day, baby, we've got to meet...

What are you scared of, baby?; It's more than just a dream;
I need some time; We make a beautiful team...

The song was written in Ireland by Richards and originally had the name "Love is Strange". Popular bootlegs of the sessions abound, as Ron Wood, Richards, Ivan Neville and producer Don Was worked the song while Jagger was supporting his record Wandering Spirit . Later takes have Richards changing the title to "Love is Strong"; although the final release was significantly altered by Jagger's added lyrics and use of a harmonica, a trademark instrument for him rarely utilized in the Stones' middle period work. Jagger said at the time of its release, "We ran through it a bunch of times and I was playing harmonica, and I started singing through the harmonica mike, so you get this strange sort of sound. And then I started singing down an octave, so you get this kind of breathy, sexy tone... It was good to put harmonica on a track like this. You always think of playing it on a 12-bar blues, and it's kind of fun to put it on one which is not. It's good to work with another sequence." [2]

Recording began in September 1993 at Wood's home studio in Ireland and continued at A&M Recording Studios in Los Angeles in 1994.

Release

Released as the first single from the album, "Love Is Strong" performed below expectations, barely making it into the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US. It became the lowest charting first single ever by the band and marked a change in the composition of the singles chart as well as the Stones role on it. Despite this, the song remains one of the band's well-known songs from the 1990s. Five years earlier "Mixed Emotions" was a Top 5 pop chart single. Considerable promotional expense was spent on the Voodoo Lounge CD release, as it was the first on Virgin Records, including a popular music video directed by David Fincher and edited by Robert Duffy at Spot Welders; the black and white video shows giant versions of the Stones, as well as a few residents locked in romantic embraces, rambling about New York City. It received heavy rotation on MTV Europe in August 1994. [1]

The single's weaker-than-expected lead dampened CD sales, despite positive critical reviews and a Grammy Award win for Best Short Form Music Video. In time, the track proved popular in Europe going to No. 14 in the UK and received significant airplay in the US, but only peaked at No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. The commercial response in Canada was considerably stronger, where the song reached No. 2 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart on 19 September 1994.

The Rolling Stones performed the song at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. Although it had disappeared from several recent concert tours setlists in favour of the more live-friendly "You Got Me Rocking" (the follow-up single from Voodoo Lounge), the Stones reintroduced "Love Is Strong" to their A Bigger Bang Tour setlist on 22 July 2007 at their Brno, Czech Republic show and at their Hamburg show in August. The song was included on their 2002 career compilation album, Forty Licks .

Critical reception

Steve Baltin from Cash Box named the song Pick of the Week, writing, "With U2 and R.E.M. making so many great records already this decade, it’s hard to call the Rolling Stones the “world’s greatest rock ’n’ roll band” anymore. However, they’re still the Stones, and this is one cool song." He added, "Trademark Jagger all the way vocally, the song oozes the sex appeal that made the man a legend. In addition, it’s hard to ignore any Keith Richards riff, and this song opens with the classic Richards’ styling. It may not be “Satisfaction” or “Gimme Shelter”, but whaddaya want—it’s still the Stones." [3] Everett True from Melody Maker said, "It's only rock'n'roll, but I don't like it." [4] David Quantick from NME named it Single of the Week, commenting, "This time round, with a new contract and without the scabrous Bill Wyman sniffling at the back, the Rolling Stones have scented fresh money and made their best record for years. Pissing as they do on yer Black Crowes and that, "Love is Strong" wheels out Keith's Slow Riff of Evil and a threatening Jagger vocal, sticks to it the slow trawling "The Storm" and the curiously spry boogie "So Young" and the result is quite extraordinary. Who'd a thought it?" [5] David Sinclair from The Times wrote, "As well as a typically salacious vocal, Mick Jagger contributes reedy blasts of harmonica which intertwine loosely with the sinuous chop and grind of Keith Richards's suspended-seventh chords. The lyric seems a shade unadventurous. Isn't there something that these 50-year-olds can get excited about other than how big and strong their love still is?" [6]

Track listings

Personnel

The Rolling Stones

Additional Performers

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United Kingdom4 July 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Virgin [40]
United States5 July 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [41]
Japan20 July 1994Mini-CD [42]
7 September 1994Maxi-CD [43]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fake Plastic Trees</span> 1995 single by Radiohead

"Fake Plastic Trees" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released on their second album, The Bends (1995). It was the third single from The Bends in the UK, and the first in the US. It reached the top 50 on the UK Singles Chart, the New Zealand Singles Chart, the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and the Canadian Rock/Alternative chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Together Again (Janet Jackson song)</span> 1997 single by Janet Jackson

"Together Again" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope (1997). It was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with additional writing by Jackson's then-husband René Elizondo Jr. It was released as the second single from the album in December 1997 by Virgin Records. Originally written as a ballad, the track was rearranged as an uptempo dance song. Jackson was inspired to write the song by her own private discovery of losing a friend to AIDS, as well as by a piece of fan mail she received from a young boy in England who had lost his father.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitter Sweet Symphony</span> 1997 single by the Verve

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a song by the English rock band the Verve, released on 16 June 1997 by Hut Recordings and Virgin Records as the lead single from their third album, Urban Hymns (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Guitar</span> 2002 single by the Chemical Brothers

"Star Guitar" is a song by English electronic music duo the Chemical Brothers, released as the second single from their fourth album, Come with Us (2002). It reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart, number two on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart, and number one on the UK Dance Chart. The song was greeted with praise from critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Song for the Lovers</span> Song by Richard Ashcroft

"A Song for the Lovers" is a song by English singer-songwriter Richard Ashcroft, included as the opening track on his 2000 album, Alone with Everybody, as well as his first solo single following the break-up of the Verve. The song was released on 3 April 2000 as the first single from the album in the United Kingdom and Australia. "A Song for the Lovers" was originally written by Richard Ashcroft as a demo track for the Verve's studio album Urban Hymns; three different versions were recorded, but the song did not make the final cut. It was inspired by Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Love (Blue song)</span> 2002 single by Blue

"One Love" is a song by English boy band Blue. Co-written by the band and StarGate, who also produced the track, it was released in the United Kingdom on 21 October 2002 as the lead single from their second studio album, One Love (2002). It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top 10 in Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and New Zealand. "One Love" has received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), representing sales and streams of at least 400,000 units in the UK. The song's music video was directed by Cameron Casey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fade into You</span> 1994 single by Mazzy Star

"Fade into You" is a song by American alternative rock band Mazzy Star from their second studio album, So Tonight That I Might See (1993). The song was written by lyricist Hope Sandoval and composer David Roback, who also served as producer. The song reached number three on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1994 and is Mazzy Star's only single to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 44. The song also charted at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart and number three in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Respectable (Rolling Stones song)</span> 1978 single by the Rolling Stones

"Respectable" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones from their 1978 album Some Girls. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. In the liner notes to the 1993 compilation album Jump Back: The Best of The Rolling Stones, Jagger said, "It's important to be somewhat influenced by what's going on around you and on the Some Girls album, I think we definitely became more aggressive because of the punk thing..."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Block Rockin' Beats</span> 1997 single by the Chemical Brothers

"Block Rockin' Beats" is a song by British big beat duo the Chemical Brothers. Released in March 1997 by Freestyle Dust and Virgin as the second single and opening track from their second studio album, Dig Your Own Hole (1997), it topped the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 40 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Love Is for Real</span> 1995 single by Paula Abdul

"My Love Is for Real" is a song by American singer and songwriter Paula Abdul with backing vocals from Israeli singer Ofra Haza. It was released on May 30, 1995 by Virgin and Captive, as the first single from Abdul's third studio album, Head over Heels (1995). Intended as Abdul's comeback single, "My Love Is for Real" reached number one in Hungary and the top 20 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, but it stalled outside the top 20 in the United States, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, and failed to make a major impact in Europe. The song's music video was directed by Michael Haussman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">See Ya (Atomic Kitten song)</span> 2000 single by Atomic Kitten

"See Ya" is a song by British girl group Atomic Kitten, released as the second single from their debut album, Right Now (2000). The song was written by Stuart Kershaw, Andy McCluskey, and Atomic Kitten-member Liz McClarnon. It was produced by Engine and Pete Craigie, with the radio mix receiving production from Cutfather & Joe. The single peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, reached number 50 in Ireland, and was a minor hit in the Flanders region of Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly By II</span> 2002 single by Blue

"Fly By II" is a song by English boy band Blue. It was released on 18 March 2002 as the fourth single from their debut studio album, All Rise (2001). The release includes the band's first non-album exclusive, "Love R.I.P". "Fly By II" is a remixed version of the All Rise album track "Fly By", which samples the song "Rise" by Herb Alpert, while the remix samples from the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize". The remix reached number six on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of Tears</span> 1994 single by the Rolling Stones

"Out of Tears" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones featured on their 1994 album, Voodoo Lounge. It was released as the album's third single. The song was moderately successful, reaching the top 40 in several countries, including Canada, where it peaked at No. 3 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart for six consecutive weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's a River</span> 1995 single by Simple Minds

"She's a River" is the first single released from Scottish rock band Simple Minds' 11th studio album, Good News from the Next World. Written by band members Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr, the song was inspired by Herman Hesse's novel Siddhartha, a book about self-discovery. Released on 11 January 1995, "She's a River" reached number three in Canada and Italy, number seven in the Flanders region of Belgium, and number nine on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it peaked at number six on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stillness of Heart</span> 2002 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Stillness of Heart" is a song written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross. The song was included on Kravitz's 2001 album, Lenny, and was released as a single on January 14, 2002. "Stillness of Heart" charted at number 38 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts, number 22 on the Canadian Singles Chart, and number 16 on the Italian Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dream of Me (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)</span> 1993 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in July 1993 by Virgin Records as the second single from their ninth studio album, Liberator (1993). The song uses a sample from "Love's Theme", a 1973 instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. It was remixed by Gregg Jackman for release as a single and reached the top 30 in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dude (Beenie Man song)</span> 2003 single by Beenie Man

"Dude" is the first single released from Jamaican musician Beenie Man's 16th studio album, Back to Basics (2004). It features Ms. Thing and was produced and written by Dave Kelly. The song is enhanced by the use of a vocoder and is on the Fiesta riddim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Sur (The Thrills song)</span> 2003 single by the Thrills

"Big Sur" is the third single released by Irish band the Thrills, taken from their debut album, So Much for the City (2003). The song contains elements from the 1966 song "(Theme from) The Monkees". "Big Sur" was released on 9 June 2003 and reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the most successful single release from the band. In their home country, the song reached number nine, giving them their second top-10 single, after "One Horse Town". Elsewhere, the song reached number 44 in Italy and number 55 in the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Is There Any Love in Your Heart</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Is There Any Love in Your Heart" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz and released on November 22, 1993 by Virgin Records, as the fourth single from his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). Following its release, the song reached the top 50 in Australia and New Zealand and peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The song was later included on the Japanese edition of Kravitz' 2000 compilation album, Greatest Hits. The music video was directed by Mark Romanek and features Canadian model Ève Salvail playing a vampire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sly (Massive Attack song)</span> 1994 single by Massive Attack

"Sly" is a song by British trip hop collective Massive Attack. It was released as a first single from their second album, Protection (1994), on 17 October 1994 by Wild Bunch and Circa. Vocals on the track are performed by Scottish singer-songwriter Nicolette. "Sly" reached number 24 in the United Kingdom, becoming Massive Attack's fourth top-40 single there.

References

  1. 1 2 "Station Reports > MTV Europe/London" (PDF). Music & Media . 27 August 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "Love Is Strong". Time Is on Our Side. Retrieved 25 September 2006.
  3. ↑ Baltin, Steve (20 August 1994). "Pop Singles — Reviews: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box . p. 7. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  4. ↑ True, Everett (9 July 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 29. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  5. ↑ Quantick, David (2 July 1994). "Singles". NME . p. 41. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  6. ↑ Sinclair, David (2 July 1994). "Pop Singles; Recordings". The Times .
  7. ↑ Love Is Strong (UK & Australian CD1 liner notes). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. VSCDX 1503, 7243 8 92555 2 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Love Is Strong (UK & Australian CD2 liner notes). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. VSCDT 1503, 7243 8 92507 2 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Love Is Strong (Japanese CD single liner notes). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. VJCP-15001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Love Is Strong (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. VS 1503.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Love Is Strong (UK cassette single sleeve). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. VSC1503, 7243 8 92507 4 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Love Is Strong (European CD single liner notes). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. VSCDE1503, 7243 8 92522 2 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ Love Is Strong (US maxi-CD single liner notes). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. V25H-38446.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Love Is Strong (Canadian CD single liner notes). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. V2 38446.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Love Is Strong (US 12-inch single sleeve). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. Y-38446.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Love Is Strong (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. NR-38446.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Love Is Strong (US cassette single sleeve). The Rolling Stones. Virgin Records. 1994. 4KM 38446.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  19. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2599." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  21. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 30. 23 July 1994. p. 11. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  22. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 34. 20 August 1994. p. 30. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  23. ↑ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  24. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  25. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (4.8.–10.8. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 4 August 1994. p. 16. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  26. ↑ "Regional Airplay: South" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 32. 6 August 1994. p. 19.
  27. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 31, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  28. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  29. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  30. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong". VG-lista. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  32. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  33. ↑ "The Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  34. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  35. ↑ "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  36. ↑ "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  37. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM . Retrieved 24 June 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  38. ↑ "1994 In Review, Regional Airplay: South" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 52. 24 December 1994. p. 19.
  39. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  40. ↑ "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week . 2 July 1994. p. 25. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  41. ↑ Atwood, Brett (2 July 1994). "Stones, Mix-A-Lot, Connick Set to Roll in July". Billboard . Vol. 106, no. 27. p. 12. The lead single, 'Love Is Strong,' will be available commercially July 5.
  42. ↑ "ラブ・イズ・ストロング | ザ・ローリング・ストーンズ" [Love Is Strong | The Rolling Stones] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  43. ↑ "ラブ・イズ・ストロング | ザ・ローリング・ストーンズ" [Love Is Strong | The Rolling Stones] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
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.