Never Knew Love Like This Before

Last updated
"Never Knew Love Like This Before"
Stephanieneverknewlove.jpg
Single by Stephanie Mills
from the album Sweet Sensation
B-side "Still Mine"
ReleasedAugust 31, 1980
Recorded1979
Genre Disco, R&B
Length5:30 (album version)
3:28 (single version)
Label 20th Century Fox
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Stephanie Mills singles chronology
"Sweet Sensation"
(1980)
"Never Knew Love Like This Before"
(1980)
"Two Hearts"
(1980)
Audio
"Never Knew Love Like This Before" on YouTube

"Never Knew Love Like This Before" is a 1980 song written and produced by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, and recorded by American R&B singer Stephanie Mills for her fourth studio album Sweet Sensation (1980). The song was inspired by the birth of Lucas' daughter Lisa. [1]

Contents

The song became Mills' most successful song in the United States, peaking at number six on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, outperforming "What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin'", which peaked at 22 in 1979. "Never Knew Love Like This Before" also charted on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at number 12 and five, respectively. [2] The song was a bigger commercial success in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number four. [3]

"Never Knew Love Like This Before" won Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1981, [4] beating fellow nominees including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, and Minnie Riperton. [5]

The song title was used for the fourth episode of the second season of the American drama series Pose , which aired on 9 July 2019. The episode concludes with the character of Candy, portrayed by Angelica Ross, lip-synching to the song; the scene received critical acclaim. [6]

Personnel

Charts

Cover versions

Composition

The Intro and Verse chords are [B E F#/A# D#m7 G#m7 C#m9 E/F#], cycling through the diatonic Circle of fifths in the key of B major. The Chorus section chords are [Emaj7 D#m7 C#m7 Emaj7 D#m7 C#m7 Emaj7 D#m7 C#sus4 C#7 E].[ citation needed ]

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [32] Silver250,000^
United States (RIAA) [33] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

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"Two Hearts'" is a hit duet sung by American R&B singers Stephanie Mills and Teddy Pendergrass, from Mills' fifth studio album Stephanie (1981). The song was written and produced by James Mtume, Reggie Lucas and Tawatha Agee. Released in January 1981, the single reached number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. On the US Billboard R&B chart, "Two Hearts" reached number three.

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In My Life: Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American recording R&B singer Stephanie Mills released in 1985. It is Mills first greatest hits album which features her hit charting songs, "What Cha' Gonna Do With My Lovin'", Never Knew Love Like This Before", and the top five R&B hits "Two Hearts" a duet with Teddy Pendergrass and "Sweet Sensation".

References

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