| 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 No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts and No. 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 |
|---|
The ending theme of the 80s-set Bluey episode, Fairytale, was inspired by When It's Love.[11]