When It's Love | |
Cover: | Van Halen - When It's LoveUS.jpg |
Type: | single |
Artist: | Van Halen |
Album: | OU812 |
B-Side: | Cabo Wabo |
Released: | June 1988 |
Recorded: | 1987 |
Studio: | 5150 Studios, Studio City, California |
Genre: | Pop metal[1] |
Length: | 5:38 |
Label: | Warner Bros. |
Prev Title: | Black and Blue |
Prev Year: | 1988 |
Next Title: | Finish What Ya Started |
Next Year: | 1988 |
When It's Love is a power ballad[2] by American rock band Van Halen. It was released in 1988 as the second single from their eighth studio album OU812. It was the most popular song from that album, hitting #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[3] The song has been a live performance staple since it was released in 1988. The song was also included in the set list for the band's ill-fated 1998 tour with Gary Cherone. Eddie Van Halen has stated that this particular guitar solo is a nod to Eric Clapton.[4] It became their 3rd and last top 10 hit.
It was featured on a VH1 special, The Greatest: 25 Greatest Power Ballads, where it was ranked as the 24th greatest power ballad of all time.
Irish Singles Chart[5] | 23 | |
---|---|---|
UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 28 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 5 | |
US Billboard Mainstream Rock[8] | 1 |
Position | ||
US Billboard Hot 100[9] [10] | 82 |
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The ending theme of the 80s-set Bluey episode, Fairytale, was inspired by When It's Love.[11]