"We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" | ||||
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Single by Barbra Streisand | ||||
from the album A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More | ||||
B-side |
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Released | September 14, 1989 | |||
Length | 5:33 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Barbra Streisand singles chronology | ||||
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"We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" is a song recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand for her fourth greatest hits album, A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More (1989). It was released on September 14, 1989 by Columbia Records on 7-inch, 12-inch, cassette, and CD. It was written by Michael Bolton and Diane Warren and produced by Narada Michael Walden. Bolton's inspiration for the song was derived from his divorce; he and Warren debated what singer would be able to sing their work well and ultimately decided that Streisand would be the right fit. The song is a ballad that is similar in sound to Streisand's "Comin' In and Out of Your Life" (1981).
Feedback for the song was mixed, with music critics questioning its inclusion on A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More and calling it unmemorable. Commercially, it entered the record charts in four countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. On the Adult Contemporary chart in the lattermost country, it became a top ten hit while in the Netherlands, it was her lowest-performing single. An accompanying music video for the song was directed by Jim Shea and premiered on various television platforms in order to promote it.
Columbia Records CEO Tommy Mottola asked Bolton to perform the song live at the 1990 NARM Convention Bolton as a duet with new artist Mariah Carey to introduce her to the music industry audience. In 1991 Bolton and Patti LaBelle recorded it as duet for Bolton's album Time, Love & Tenderness , and LaBelle's studio album Burnin' .
In 1989, Streisand began serving as the director of the 1991 film adaptation of Pat Conroy's 1986 novel The Prince of Tides . Due to her investing the majority of her time to the film, Columbia Records and the singer decided that it would be best for her to release a new greatest hits album as she had been in a similar situation when she released her prior compilation, Memories (1981). [1] While creating the new album, Streisand recorded two new tracks that were made specifically for the project: "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" and "Someone That I Used to Love". [2] The song was first released in the United States on September 14, 1989 by Columbia Records, [3] while the album was released on October 3 of that same year. [4]
The single was released in several formats during its physical release. The standard edition, available as both a 7-inch and a cassette single, features the song plus B-side track "Here We Are at Last". [5] [6] On the other formats, B-side tracks such as "Till I Loved You", "The Love Inside", and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" were used. [7] [8] [9] On select CD releases, "Kiss Me in the Rain", "The Places You Find Love", and "Wet" were included. [10] [11] In Spain, it was released as a sole A-side 7-inch single and the title was stylized as "We're Not Making Love Anymore". [12]
"We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" was written by Michael Bolton and Diane Warren. [13] According to Bolton in his 2013 memoir, The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life, he revealed that Warren and he completed writing the song at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, California. To finish the track, Bolton had ordered keyboards to their guest room. The two then discussed singers they would send the song to in order to record it; they agreed that Streisand would ideally be the perfect choice due to her "rare combination of a Stradivarius-quality voice and a gift for storytelling in song". [14] After offering the song to Streisand to record, Bolton remarked:
I had no doubt that Barbra would sing the hell out of 'We're Not Making Love Anymore' – and not just because she is one of the world's greatest singers. I began writing the song from the heart during my divorce, and Barbra sang it from heart in the studio. I was not at all shocked when her single immediately hit the Top 10 of the Adult Contemporary charts in 1989 [...] As much as that song means to me – I'm proud and thankful to have co-written it – I'll never be able to hear it without associating it with a sad time in my life. [15]
Production of the track was handled by Narada Michael Walden and coordinated by Kim Skalecki. [16] Bolton admitted that it was difficult for the song to be produced as Streisand "had protective and hard-to-please producers who screened all the material sent to her" before she had the chance to record it; however, after meeting with Streisand's friend and collaborator Jay Landers, it was finalized that Streisand would record it and release it as her next single. [14] The singer recorded "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" in 1989 and its mastering was finalized by Bernie Grundman in that same year. [16]
Musically, the song is a "dramatic ballad" that has a duration of five minutes and 33 seconds. [1] [17] According to the official sheet music published by the Warner Music Group, the song is written in the key of D♭ major with a moderately slow beat consisting of 122 beats per minute. [18] Its lyrics describe a couple who abruptly ended their relationship. [15]
According to Allison J. Waldman, author of The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook, the single was Streisand's "attempt at a big ballad" and considered it similar to her 1981 single "Comin' In and Out of Your Life"; however, she considered the latter song to be better. Furthermore, she liked that the new single was "emotional and strenuous", but she also considered it to be unmemorable. [19] William Ruhlmann from AllMusic questioned the placement of "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" and "Someone That I Used to Love" on A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More, stating that the overall track listing "made no apparent sense, but then neither had Memories, and that album sold several million copies". [2] Bill Coleman from Billboard described it as a "emotive ballad" and stated that the song "is also her most accessible pop in some time. Flawless Walden production matched with Streisand's equally superb voice wins." [20]
The single did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, but it did reach the same publication's Adult Contemporary chart. It spent a total of thirteen weeks on the chart and peaked at number ten on November 4, 1989. [21] On the equivalent record chart in Canada, compiled by RPM , it reached number 17 during its eleventh week charting. [22] "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" also entered the charts in two European countries: the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In the former country, it peaked at number 89, becoming her lowest-charting single in that country; her follow-up single, "Someone That I Used to Love", would later become her second lowest-performing single. [23] In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 85. [24]
A music video for "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" was filmed and released to coincide with the physical distribution of the single on September 14, 1989. [3] The visual was directed by Jim Shea and premiered on Entertainment Tonight and VH1 in order to promote the release of both the single and A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More. [25] It was filmed in Los Angeles atop the roof of a building. In the video, Streisand stands near a window overlooking the stormy night. Overlapping scenes show Streisand singing into a studio microphone and a couple in a seemingly damaged relationship. Overall, it served as Streisand's first music video since the accompanying one for her 1985 single "Somewhere". [3]
In 1991, Bolton and American singer Patti LaBelle released a cover of "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" for the former's seventh studio album, Time, Love & Tenderness . [26] Their version was described as "interesting" by the staff at Drum and considered by them to be "nothing like the original". [27] Dennis Hunt from the Los Angeles Times said it was "some crowd-pleasing R&B" music, [28] while Ebony 's Lynn Norment praised Bolton's "soulful vocals" throughout their "sizzling duet". [29]
Standard edition 7-inch and cassette single [5] [6]
Promotional CD single [30]
Europe CD maxi-single [17]
Europe CD single [31]
Europe 4 track CD single [10]
Japan CD single [32]
| Netherlands 12-inch single [7]
Spain 7-inch single [12]
United Kingdom CD single [11]
United Kingdom standard edition 12-inch single [8]
United Kingdom limited edition 12-inch single [9]
|
Chart (1989–1990) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) [22] | 17 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [23] | 89 |
UK Singles (OCC) [24] | 85 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [21] | 10 |
"The Way We Were" is a song by American singer Barbra Streisand from her fifteenth studio album of the same name. It was released as the album's lead single on September 27, 1973, through Columbia Records. The 7" single was distributed in two different formats, with the standard edition featuring B-side track "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?"; the Mexico release instead included an instrumental B-side. The song was written by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and Marvin Hamlisch, while production was solely handled by Marty Paich. "The Way We Were" was specifically produced for the record, in addition to three other tracks, including her then-upcoming single "All in Love Is Fair" (1974).
"Woman in Love" is a song performed by Barbra Streisand and taken from her 1980 album Guilty. The song was written by Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, who received the 1980 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. It is her fourth of four Platinum records, and is considered her greatest international hit.
A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More is the fourth greatest hits album recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand. It was released on October 3, 1989 by Columbia Records. The compilation features ten songs from Streisand's career, dating from 1975 to 1988, plus two previously unreleased songs: "We're Not Makin' Love Anymore" was released as the album's lead single on September 14, 1989, and "Someone That I Used to Love" was distributed as the second and final one in 1989. Both singles charted on several record charts internationally.
Duets is a compilation album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released on November 26, 2002, by Columbia Records. The collection features nineteen duets from Streisand's career, including two newly recorded ones: "I Won't Be the One to Let Go" with Barry Manilow and "All I Know of Love" with Josh Groban. The Manilow duet was released as the album's lead single on November 4, 2002, as a streaming-only exclusive for AOL Music website members.
"Shake Me, Wake Me " is a song recorded by the American quartet Four Tops for their third studio album, On Top (1966). It was released in February 1966 as a 7" vinyl single through Motown records. It was written and produced by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. A gospel rock track, its lyrics detail a relationship that has ended. It has since been regarded as one of Four Tops' most successful singles ever. It charted moderately well in both the United States and Canada, and became the group's fifth consecutive entry to chart within the top five of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Four Tops has performed "Shake Me, Wake Me " on various occasions throughout their careers and have included it on several greatest hits albums, including on The Four Tops Greatest Hits (1967) and The Ultimate Collection (1997).
"All I Ask of You" is a song from the 1986 English musical The Phantom of the Opera, between characters Christine Daaé and Raoul, originally played on stage by Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton, respectively. It was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and solely produced by Lloyd Webber. An operatic pop piece, its lyrics serve as dialogue between the two characters and discuss themes such as commitment and romance. Like Lloyd Webber's song "The Music of the Night", "All I Ask of You" was compared to the music found in Giacomo Puccini's 1910 opera La fanciulla del West.
Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand. It was released in January 1970, by Columbia Records. The record is a compilation consisting of 11 commercially successful singles from the singer's releases in the 1960s, with a majority of them being cover songs. The songs on Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits originally appeared on one of the singer's eight previous albums and span in release from 1963 to 1968. It contains her most commercially successful tracks, including her first Billboard Hot 100 top ten single "People" and top 40 entry "Second Hand Rose". The album was distributed on compact disc in 1986 and rereleased under the title The Hits in 2006.
The Way We Were is the fifteenth studio album recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand. The album was released in January 1974, preceded by the commercial success of its lead single "The Way We Were" first released in September 1973.
Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits Volume 2 is the second greatest hits album recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand. It was released on November 15, 1978 by Columbia Records. The album is a compilation consisting of ten commercially successful singles from the singer's releases in the 1970s, with a majority of them being cover songs. It also features a new version of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", which was released as the collection's only single on October 7, 1978. Originating on Streisand's previous album, Songbird, the new rendition is a duet with Neil Diamond who had also recorded the song for his 1978 album of the same name. The idea for the duet originated from DJ Gary Guthrie who sold the idea to the record label for $5 million.
Lazy Afternoon is the seventeenth studio album recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand. It was released on October 14, 1975, by Columbia Records. Following a mixed critical response to her previous studio album, ButterFly (1974), the singer began working with new musicians for the project. Recorded in April 1975 in Los Angeles, Lazy Afternoon contains pop standards. Producer Rupert Holmes wrote three songs on the album and co-wrote a fourth, "By the Way", with Streisand. She also included a few cover songs, such as Four Tops' "Shake Me, Wake Me ", Stevie Wonder's "You and I", and Libby Holman's "Moanin' Low".
Live Concert at the Forum is the second live album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released physically on October 1, 1972, by Columbia Records. Produced by long-time collaborator Richard Perry, it was recorded at The Forum in Inglewood, part of Greater Los Angeles, on April 15, 1972, during Four for McGovern, a concert held in benefit for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign. A CD version of Live Concert at the Forum was released on September 6, 1989.
"Didn't We" is a song recorded by Irish singer and actor Richard Harris for his debut studio album, A Tramp Shining (1968). It was written and produced by Jimmy Webb and originally served as the B-side to Harris' 1968 single "MacArthur Park". "Didn't We" was then distributed as the record's single by Dunhill Records, also in 1968. A traditional pop song, Harris sings about his life in the past. Commercially, it charted at lower positions of both the United States and Canada, and in the higher ranks of their Adult Contemporary component charts. Harris featured "Didn't We" on several of his greatest hits albums, including The Richard Harris Collection: His Greatest Performances from 1973. That same year, the song was reissued as a promotional single paired alongside his 1971 single "My Boy".
"If I Close My Eyes" is a song recorded by American vocalist Barbra Streisand for the 1972 American film Up the Sandbox. It was distributed for radio airplay in January 1973 through Columbia Records, while in later years it was made available as a 7" single. The single was written and produced by Billy Goldenberg, with Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman also contributing to the lyrics. Streisand requested Goldenberg to take the film's score and create a song out of it. During a late night phone conversation, he developed a melody and then the song was created.
"Guava Jelly" is a song recorded by the Jamaican group Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released as a 7" vinyl single through Tuff Gong and Green Door Records. It was issued commercially with B-side track "Redder Then Red", which was misspelled on its initial printing, in 1971. It was written and produced by Marley and features uncredited lyrical contributions from Bunny Livingston. A reggae composition like the majority of Marley's works, "Guava Jelly" contains a rocksteady and island-like production with lyrics loosely based around sexual intercourse. His use of the term "guava jelly" was likely referring to a specific type of sexual lubricant. It was favorably viewed by several reviewers, with many of them finding the composition to be sexual and about love. The group placed "Guava Jelly" on several compilation albums, including Africa Unite: The Singles Collection in 2005, and Owen Gray and Herbie Mann created their own versions in 1974 and 1975, respectively.
"All in Love Is Fair" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder recorded for his sixteenth studio album, Innervisions (1973). Written and produced by Wonder, it was released as a 7" single in Brazil in 1974. The song is a pop ballad with lyrics that describe the end of a relationship through the use of clichés. Critical reaction to the song has been varied: Matthew Greenwald of AllMusic wrote that it was among Wonder's "finest ballad statements", but Robert Christgau felt that the singer's performance was "immature". Wonder has included it on several of his greatest hits albums, including the most recent, 2005's The Complete Stevie Wonder.
"Jubilation" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka for his 1972 studio album of the same name. Anka wrote the song with Johnny Harris, who also produced the track. It was released in 1972 as a 7" single by Buddah Records. A gospel song, the lyrics of "Jubilation" find the protagonist preaching about religious themes. Making a moderate commercial impact, it appeared on the record charts in both Canada and the United States. It has since been included on several of Anka's greatest hits albums and covered by The Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1973.
"My Father's Song" is a song recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand for her seventeenth studio album, Lazy Afternoon (1975). It was released as a 7" single in August 1975 through Columbia Records. Rupert Holmes wrote the song in collaboration with its producer Jeffrey Lesser. A sentimental ballad, "My Father's Song" was about Streisand's childhood with her father; Holmes' lyrics involve a protagonist, presumably a daughter, asking for her father's approval in life and love.
"Stranger in a Strange Land" is a song recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand for her 31st studio album, Guilty Pleasures (2005). It was released as the album's lead single on August 16, 2005, by Columbia Records. The track was written by Ashley Gibb, Barry Gibb and Stephen Gibb while production was handled by Barry Gibb and John Merchant. It serves as the first of 11 reunion collaborations with Barry Gibb, who Streisand had last collaborated with on Guilty (1980). The single was released digitally and physically distributed on CD and DVD, with some editions including the song's official music video.
"Night of My Life" is a song recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand for her 31st studio album, Guilty Pleasures (2005). It was released as the album's second single on September 27, 2005, by Columbia Records. The track was written by Ashley Gibb and Barry Gibb while production was handled by Barry Gibb and John Merchant. It serves as one of Streisand's first of 11 reunion collaborations with Barry Gibb since their work on her album Guilty in 1980. It was released digitally and on 12" and CD in five different formats, each including various remixes of the single.
"What Were We Thinking Of" is a song recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand for her 25th studio album, Till I Loved You (1988). It was released as the album's third and final single in February 1989 by Columbia Records. The track was written by Antonina Armato and Scott Cutler and produced by Denny Diante. It features guest vocals from the singer's then-boyfriend Don Johnson, who had previously collaborated with Streisand on her 1988 single "Till I Loved You".
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