Now That We Found Love

Last updated
"Now That We Found Love"
Song by the O'Jays
from the album Ship Ahoy
Released1973
Studio Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genre Philadelphia soul
Length4:41
Label Philadelphia Intl.
Songwriter(s) Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff

"Now That We Found Love" (also known as "Now That We've Found Love") is a song written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and originally recorded by American R&B/soul vocal group the O'Jays for their seventh album, Ship Ahoy (1973). [1]

Contents

Third World version

"Now That We've Found Love"
Now That We've Found Love.jpg
Single by Third World
from the album Journey to Addis
B-side "Night Heat"
Released1978
Genre
Length
  • 7:39 (album version)
  • 8:14 (12" single version)
  • 3:58 (7" radio edit)
Label Island
Songwriter(s) Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
Third World singles chronology
"96º in the Shade"
(1977)
"Now That We've Found Love"
(1978)
"Cool Meditation"
(1979)

A reggae-disco hit by the reggae band Third World, this cover version was released as a single in 1978 by Island Records and peaked at number 10 in the UK. [2] In the US, it went to number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. [3] In Canada the song reached number 55. [4]

Heavy D and the Boyz version

"Now That We Found Love"
Now That We Found Love (Heavy D and the Boyz song).jpg
Single by Heavy D and the Boyz featuring Aaron Hall
from the album Peaceful Journey
ReleasedJune 11, 1991 (1991-06-11)
Genre Hip house [5]
Length4:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Teddy Riley
Heavy D and the Boyz featuring Aaron Hall singles chronology
"Is It Good to You"
(1991)
"Now That We Found Love"
(1991)
"Don't Curse"
(1991)
Music video
"Now That We Found Love" on YouTube

American group Heavy D & the Boyz released their very successful dance/house cover of "Now That We Found Love" in 1991. It was produced by Teddy Riley and remains their biggest hit. The song was released in June by MCA and Uptown Records as the second single from their third album, Peaceful Journey (1991), and peaked at number two in the UK and number 11 in the US. Its music video was directed by Drew Carolan.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Alex Henderson complimented the Heavy D & the Boyz version as "melodic", and "fun and escapist in nature". [6] J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun wrote, "If the Hevster can keep serving up singles as infectious as "Now That We Found Love", he'll get few complaints." [7] Larry Flick from Billboard magazine named it a "fab hip-house interpretation" and "an invigorating peak-hour anthem". [5] He also noted that the producer "adds a mainstream gloss that could spark a top 40 breakthrough hit." [8] Henderson and DeVancy for Cashbox stated that this is a song "to look out for". [9] James Bernard from Entertainment Weekly called it a "fast-paced hip-house jam". [10] Zane from Melody Maker wrote, "Everything that made the original so special is lovingly reproduced with only a smattering of new noises and beats spun in. A perfect party tune." [11] James Hamilton from Music Week named it Pick of the Week in the category of Dance, declaring it as a "jaunty singalong stereo rap". [12] Eric Deggans from The Pittsburgh Press described it as "reggae-flavored". [13] Martin Aston from the Record Mirror Dance Update felt that the track "has been given a bouncy, slick gloss, with a typically snappy slice of rap from the heavyweight poet." [14] Marc Andrews from Smash Hits complimented it as "rap at its most jolly and fun-filled". [15]

Retrospective response

In a 2021 retrospective review, Jesse Ducker from Albumism described "Now That We Found Love" as "a catchy and extremely successful pairing with producer Riley, featuring Aaron Hall's powerful vocals on the chorus. The song takes some of its inspiration from the O'Jays' song of the same name, but has the most in common with reggae group Third World's version of the track. Heavy D plays to his strengths here, celebrating the love he's cultivated and finding new ways to explore its dynamics." [16] In 2017, BuzzFeed ranked it number 59 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". [17] Australian music channel Max included it in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2013. [18]

Chart performance

"Now That We Found Love" reached number two in the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In the UK, the single peaked at number two during its fourth week on the UK Singles Chart, on July 21, 1991. [19] On the Music Week Dance Singles chart, it reached number four. Additionally, the single entered the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Spain and Switzerland, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, on which it peaked at number four in September 1991. Outside Europe, it peaked at number one on the Canadian RPM Dance chart in Canada, number two on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart, and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Oceania, "Now That We Found Love" was a top-10 hit in Australia and New Zealand, peaking at numbers six and 10, respectively. "Now That We Found Love" was awarded with a gold record in the United States, denoting shipments of 500,000 singles.

Music video

The music video for "Now That We Found Love" was directed by Drew Carolan, [20] featuring Heavy D and dancers performing in an urban backstreet. The dancers are wearing yellow raincoats. At the beginning, as the singer performs, a woman glances through a blind in her window. Later she emerges on a balcony, watching the singer. Heavy D is mostly seen wearing a red jacket, but also occasionally wears a raincoat in various colors, such as black and green. Several guys on the street are playing games with cards or dice. A DJ plays with his turntable and people are dancing. Towards the end, the woman comes walking on the street, meeting Heavy D. Then the two are walking away together from the partying crowd on the street. The video was later made available on Heavy D's official YouTube channel in 2009, and had generated more than 47 million views as of March 2024. [21]

Track listings

12-inch single, US (1991)
No.TitleLength
1."Now That We Found Love" (club version)5:44
2."Now That We Found Love" (7-inch radio)4:16
3."Now That We Found Love" (instrumental)5:21
CD single, Europe (1991)
No.TitleLength
1."Now That We Found Love" (7-inch radio)4:16
2."Now That We Found Love" (club version)5:44
3."Now That We Found Love" (instrumental)5:21
CD maxi, Japan (1991)
No.TitleLength
1."Now That We Found Love" (Morales remix)8:21
2."Now That We Found Love" (Morales bass remix)5:20
3."Now That We Found Love" (Morales heavy-less remix)5:32
4."Now That We Found Love" (Morales luv remix)5:14
5."Now That We Found Love" (Morales instrumental)5:29

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [65] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesJune 11, 1991 [65]
AustraliaJuly 22, 1991
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
MCA [66]
JapanDecember 4, 1991CD [67]

References

  1. "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  2. "officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 575.
  4. "RPM Top 100 Singles - April 14, 1979" (PDF).
  5. 1 2 Flick, Larry (June 15, 1991). "Dance Trax: Gallagher, Maureen Shop For U.S. Groove; 'Step' Back For Gibson?" (PDF). Billboard . p. 24. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  6. Henderson, Alex. "Heavy D & the Boyz - Peaceful Journey". AllMusic . Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  7. Considine, J.D. (1991). "Heavy D & the Boyz – Peaceful Journey". Baltimore Sun – via Star Tribune . (July 23, 1991).
  8. Flick, Larry (June 22, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 71. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  9. Henderson, Alex; DeVancy, Bryan (July 13, 1991). "Pop Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cashbox . p. 5. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  10. Bernard, James (August 2, 1991). "Peaceful Journey". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  11. Zane (July 27, 1991). "Albums". Melody Maker . p. 31. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  12. Hamilton, James (June 22, 1991). "Dance: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week . p. 8. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  13. Deggans, Eric (October 20, 1991). "Recordings: "Peaceful Journey" Heavy D. and the Boyz". The Pittsburgh Press . Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  14. Aston, Martin (July 6, 1991). "DJ Directory: Heavy D & the Boyz" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 4. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  15. Andrews, Marc (August 7, 1991). "Review: LPs". Smash Hits . p. 46. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  16. Ducker, Jesse (July 1, 2021). "Heavy D & The Boyz' 'Peaceful Journey' Turns 30 — Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  17. Stopera, Matt; Galindo, Brian (March 11, 2017). "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". BuzzFeed . Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  18. "The Top 1,000 Greatest Songs Of All Time – 2013". Max. 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  20. "Now That We Found Love (1991) by Heavy D. & The Boyz". IMVDb.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  21. "Heavy D & The Boyz - Now That We Found Love ft. Aaron Hall (Official Video)". YouTube. October 7, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  22. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  23. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  24. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  25. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1642." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  26. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1620." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  27. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 39. September 28, 1991. p. 29. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  28. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 39. September 28, 1991. p. 31. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  29. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  30. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  31. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  32. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 40. October 5, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  33. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Now That We've Found Love". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  34. Radio Luxembourg Singles. July 28, 1991.
  35. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  36. "Heavy D and the Boyz – Now That We Found Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  37. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  38. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love". VG-lista. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  39. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 41. October 12, 1991. p. 30. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  40. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  41. "Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  42. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . July 6, 1991. p. 22. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  43. "The Record Mirror Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). July 27, 1991. p. 8. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  44. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . October 5, 1991. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  45. "Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. August 17, 1991. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  46. "Dance Club Songs" . Billboard. August 31, 1991. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  47. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" . Billboard. August 31, 1991. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  48. "Hot Rap Songs" . Billboard. August 10, 1991. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  49. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [2011/11/16 公開]". Billboard Japan . Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  50. "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1991". ARIA . Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  51. "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  52. "RPM Dance TRacks of 1991". RPM . Retrieved April 8, 2020 via Library and Archives Canada.
  53. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles – 1991" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  54. "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  55. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  56. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1991". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  57. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  58. "Årstopplistan 1991, Singlar" (in Swedish). Grammotex. Archived from the original on February 25, 2001. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  59. "Swiss Year-End Charts 1991" (in German). Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  60. "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week . London, England. January 11, 1992. p. 20.
  61. "The Record Mirror Club Chart 1991" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). January 4, 1992. p. 8. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  62. "The Year in Music 1991: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-14.
  63. 1 2 "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-32.
  64. "The Year in Music 1991: Top R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-18.
  65. 1 2 "American single certifications – Heavy D & the Boyz – Now That We Found Love". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  66. "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 22/07/91: Singles". The ARIA Report . No. 78. July 21, 1991. p. 21.
  67. "ヘヴィ・D | ナウ・ザット・ウイ・ファウンド・ラブ" [Heavy D | Now That We Found Love] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 18, 2025.