Never Knew Love Like This Before Explained

Never Knew Love Like This Before
Cover:Stephanieneverknewlove.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Stephanie Mills
Album:Sweet Sensation
B-Side:Still Mine
Released:August 31, 1980
Recorded:1979
Genre:Disco, R&B
Length:5:30 (Album Edit)
3:28 (Radio Edit)
Label:20th Century Fox
Prev Title:Sweet Sensation
Prev Year:1980
Next Title:Two Hearts
Next Year:1980

"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]

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

Weekly charts

Chart (1980–81)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 14
South Africa (Springbok)[8] 4
US Cash Box Top 100[9] 8

Year-end charts

Chart (1980)Rank
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[10] 32
Brazil[11] 92
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] 31
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 28
UK[14] 46
Chart (1981)Rank
Australia (Kent Music Report)[15] 60
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 41
U.S. Cash Box[17] 59

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].

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Breen . Kerry . 22 June 2020 . Lisa Lucas discovered that her dad's famous song was about her . 23 April 2023 . . en.
  2. Stephanie Mills . 23 April 2023 . . en.
  3. Web site: Never Knew Love Like This Before . 23 April 2023 . Official Charts Company.
  4. Web site: 23rd Annual Grammy Awards . . 2023-11-24 . R&B Vocal Performance, Female - winner - "Never Knew Love Like This Before" - Stephanie Mills - Best Rhythm & Blues Song - winner - "Never Knew Love Like This Before" - Reggie Lucas & James Mtume, songwriters (Stephanie Mills).
  5. Web site: Wilson . Kimberley . 4 November 2020 . Here's the hidden history behind this famous Stephanie Mills song . 23 April 2023 . . en.
  6. Web site: Cobb . Kayla . 10 July 2019 . 'Pose' turned the murder of one of its trans characters into a reflection on beauty . 23 April 2023 . . en.
  7. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 202.
  8. Web site: South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M). rock.co.za. 8 September 2018.
  9. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending November 8, 1980. https://web.archive.org/web/20071022075157/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19801108.html. Cash Box magazine. 2020-10-29. 2007-10-22. dead.
  10. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1980. Ultratop. 29 October 2020.
  11. Web site: Songs from the Year 1980 . Tsort.info . 2007-10-08 . 2016-10-16.
  12. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1980. www.top40.nl. 29 October 2020.
  13. Web site: Jaaroverzichten - Single 1980. www.dutchcharts.nl. 29 October 2020.
  14. Chart File . . Spotlight Publications . London, England . 37 . 21 March 1981.
  15. Web site: National Top 100 Singles for 1981 . . 393 . 7 . . 4 January 1982 . January 11, 2022 .
  16. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 1981 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart . Nztop40.co.nz . 1981-12-31 . 2016-10-16.
  17. Web site: Top 100 Year End Charts: 1980 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071022075242/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1980YESP.html. . 2015-07-22 . 2007-10-22. dead.
  18. Web site: Steffen Hung . Organiz' - I Never Knew Love Like This Before . lescharts.com . 2022-08-09.
  19. 1995 . Never Knew Love Like This Before - Thomas Anders . Universal Music Group.

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