I Love You (Martina McBride song) explained

I Love You
Cover:I Love You cover.png
Type:single
Artist:Martina McBride
Album:Runaway Bride: Music from the Motion Picture and Emotion
B-Side:Whatever You Say
Genre:Country pop
Length:2:52
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Whatever You Say
Prev Year:1999
Next Title:Love's the Only House
Next Year:1999

"I Love You" is a song by American country music artist Martina McBride. It was written by Keith Follesé, Adrienne Follesé, and Tammy Hyler along with being produced by McBride and Paul Worley. It was recorded for the soundtrack of the 1999 film Runaway Bride and was released as the lead single from McBride's sixth studio album Emotion (1999).

Released originally on July 26, 1999 to country radio, it spent five weeks atop the US Hot Country Songs chart. It also became a crossover hit, peaking at number 21 on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song would later be included in her Greatest Hits package.

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price of Billboard magazine gave a favorable review, comparing the song to Faith Hill's "This Kiss".[1] In his retrospective series "Every No. 1 Single of the Nineties", Kevin John Coyne gave it an unfavorable review, calling it a "This Kiss" re-write "sung in a baby voice that would've made even Barbara Fairchild say, 'That's a bit much.'"[2]

Chart performance

"I Love You" debuted at 43 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of July 31, 1999. It subsequently reached No. 1 in late 1999 and remained there for five consecutive weeks.[3] The song also charted at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 21 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Music video

The song's music video shows McBride singing in a dress at a wedding hall, with video screens of the Runaway Bride film in the background. It was directed by Gerry Wenner.

Track listings

US 7-inch single[4]

A. "I Love You" (single version) – 2:53

B. "Whatever You Say" – 4:29

Australian CD single[5]

  1. "I Love You" (pop version) – 2:53
  2. "I Love You" (remix) – 2:53
  3. "Happy Girl" – 3:27

German CD single[6]

  1. "I Love You" (album version) – 2:53
  2. "I Love You" (single version) – 2:53

UK CD single[7]

  1. "I Love You" (international remix) – 2:54
  2. "I Love You" (Runaway Bride system) – 2:52
  3. "Happy Girl" – 3:26

European CD single[8]

  1. "I Love You" (pop version) – 2:52
  2. "Happy Girl" – 3:27
  3. "Valentine" – 3:13

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[9] 5
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10] 50
US Hot Country Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[11] 24

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesJuly 26, 1999Country radio[13]
August 2, 1999[14] [15]

Notes and References

  1. News: Price . Deborah Evans . July 31, 1999 . Taylor . Chuck . Reviews & Previews Singles: Martina McBride – "I Love You" . July 6, 2024 . . . 21 . 111 . 31 . 0006-2510.
  2. Web site: Coyne . Kevin John . October 12, 2022 . Every No. 1 Single of the Nineties: Martina McBride, “I Love You” . July 6, 2024 . Country Universe . en-us.
  3. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. 2008. 978-0-89820-177-2.
  4. I Love You. Martina McBride. 1999. US 7-inch single vinyl disc. RCA Records Nashville, Bertelsmann Music Group. 07863 65896-7.
  5. I Love You. Martina McBride. 1999. Australian CD single liner notes. RCA Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 74321710692.
  6. I Love You. Martina McBride. 1999. German CD single liner notes. RCA Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 74321703852.
  7. I Love You. Martina McBride. 1999. UK CD single liner notes. RCA Records, Bertelsmann Music Group. 74321710692.
  8. I Love You. Martina McBride. 1999. European CD single liner notes. RCA Records, Bertelsmann Music Group, Ariola. 74321 69771 2.
  9. RPM 1999 Top 100 Country Tracks. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. March 8, 2019.
  10. The Best of '99: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs. Airplay Monitor. 7. 52. 48. December 24, 1999.
  11. 1999 The Year in Music: Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Billboard. 111. 52. YE-66. December 25, 1999.
  12. The Year in Music 2000: Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Billboard. 112. 53. YE-64. December 30, 2000.
  13. Country: Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1309. 119. July 23, 1999.
  14. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1310. 89, 94. July 30, 1999.
  15. Gavin AC/Hot AC: Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2266. 28. August 2, 1999.