| Colour of Love | |
| Cover: | Colour of Love Snap.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Snap! |
| Album: | The Madman's Return |
| Released: | [1] |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 3:57 |
| Label: |
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| Producer: |
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| Prev Title: | Megamix |
| Prev Year: | 1991 |
| Next Title: | Rhythm Is a Dancer |
| Next Year: | 1992 |
"Colour of Love" is a song by German Eurodance group Snap!, released in December 1991 by Arista and Logic as the first single from their second studio album, The Madman's Return (1992). It features vocals by American singer-songwriter Thea Austin and rap by Turbo B, and received positive reviews from music critics, many of them naming it a standout of the album. Quite successful on the charts in Europe, the song became a top-10 hit in at least 11 countries, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked at number eight. The accompanying music video was filmed in Death Valley, California.
AllMusic named "Colour of Love" a "standout" track from The Madman's Return.[3] J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun opined that it's the only track "that comes even close to the group's early vigor".[4] Ken Capobianco from The Boston Globe complimented Thea Austin's "colorful" voice, describing the song as "a meek but graceful look at interracial love."[5] Clark and DeVaney from Cashbox also named it a "standout" cut from the album, remarking that the sounds that are offered on this album have a little more depth and variety compared to their last release.[6] Dave Jennings from Melody Maker felt the tension between Turbo B's "gruff rumbling" and "abandoned, soulful female wailing" by Austin "is still highly effective."[7] Another Melody Maker editor, Push, described it as "dreamy" and named it the "highlight" of the LP.[8]
Machgiel Bakker from Music & Media wrote that it "pairs a bass-heavy and soothing Massive-type of production to rapper Turbo's firm vocals. The soulful female vocals provided by Thea Austin makes the song an easy add-on for EHR formats."[9] Newcastle Evening Chronicle noted that a "slow menacing opening gives way to a mix of soul and Turbo B's rap".[10] The newspaper also noted that the "macho" rap contrasts with the new singer's "catchy" soul vocal.[11] Rozalla Miller reviewed the song for Smash Hits, commenting, "I like the beat a lot, very groovy. Snap are really good. I've liked lots of their records up until now, and this one sounds like one of the best."[12]
"Colour of Love" was quite successful on the charts in Europe, reaching the top 5 in Austria (4), Italy (3), Portugal (3), Spain (5) and Switzerland (4), and the top 10 in Denmark (8), Germany (9), Greece (8), the Netherlands (6), Norway (6) and Sweden (6). In Belgium, it peaked within the top 20, as number 14 in both Flanders and Wallonia. In the UK, the single was less successful, reaching number 54.[13] On Music Weeks dance singles chart, it climbed to number 23. On both the Eurochart Hot 100 and the European Dance Radio Chart, "Colour of Love" peaked at number eight in February 1992. Outside Europe, it charted in both Australia and New Zealand, where it peaked at number 66 and 36, respectively.
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Angel[14] and filmed in Death Valley, California. The video begins with Turbo B and two others riding on motorcycles through a desert landscape on a bright day. Thea Austin sings standing on a rocky mantle with a cape. Dancers perform actobats and dance on rocks. Some of them wear masks and has body paint. As the video ends, it has become night in the desert, while Austin still performs.[15]
| Chart (1991–1992) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[16] | 66 | |
| Denmark (IFPI)[17] | 8 | |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[18] | 8 | |
| Europe (European Dance Radio)[19] | 8 | |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[20] | 20 | |
| Greece (IFPI)[21] | 8 | |
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[22] | 3 | |
| Portugal (AFP)[23] | 3 | |
| Spain (AFYVE)[24] | 5 | |
| UK Dance (Music Week)[25] | 23 |
| Chart (1992) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[26] | 29 | |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[27] | 45 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] | 54 | |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] | 65 | |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] | 39 |