Never Knew Love Like This Before

"Never Knew Love Like This Before" is a song written and produced by songwriters James Mtume and Reggie Lucas for American R&B recording artist Stephanie Mills' fourth studio album Sweet Sensation (1980). According to Lucas' wife, Kay, the song was inspired by the birth of their baby daughter, Lisa.[1]

"Never Knew Love Like This Before"
Single by Stephanie Mills
from the album Sweet Sensation
B-side"Still Mine"
ReleasedAugust 31, 1980
Recorded1980
GenreDisco
Length5:30 (Album Edit)
3:28 (Radio Edit)
Label20th Century-Fox Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Stephanie Mills singles chronology
"Sweet Sensation"
(1980)		 "Never Knew Love Like This Before"
(1980)		 "Two Hearts"
(1980)

The song became Mills' biggest hit on the US Billboard Pop Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 6, outperforming her previously highest charting single, "What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin'", which peaked at number 22. The single was also successful on the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at No. 12 and No. 5, respectively. It was a bigger success in the UK where it peaked at number 4.

The record won Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1981 Grammy Awards, vanquishing competition that included Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, and Minnie Riperton.

Personnel
  • Howard King – drums
  • Basil Fearington – bass
  • James Mtume – keyboards
  • Hubert Eaves III – keyboards
  • Reggie Lucas – guitar
  • Ed Moore – guitar
  • James Mtume – percussion
  • Ed Walsh – synthesizer programming
  • Tawatha Agee, Gwen Guthrie, Brenda White King, James Mtume, Michael Jackson & Reggie Lucas  – background vocals
  • Gene Blanco – String and horn arrangements

Charts

Cover versions

The late R&B singer Gwen Guthrie recorded a ballad version of the song for her album Hot Times (1990).

Thomas Anders covered the song for his 1995 solo album Souled.

In 1999, French band Organiz' covered the song. The track reached on number 5 on French Singles Chart, and 6 on Belgian Singles Chart[13].

Natalia recorded the song for her album This Time (2004).

Marcia Hines covered the song on her 2006 LP, Discotheque.

In 2013, Jessie Ware covered the song for the soundtrack to the movie I Give It a Year.

A cover was created by Peter White on his album Groovin' (2016).

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].

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References
  1. "Kay Lucas on Twitter". Twitter. June 21, 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  2. Australian Chart Book (1970-1992) - David Kent, pp.202
  3. "Songs from the Year 1980". Tsort.info. 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  4. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  5. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Never Knew Love Like This Before". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  6. NZ Music Charts, 8 February 1981
  7. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  8. "All Music Positions". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  9. "Chart File". Record Mirror. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 21 March 1981. p. 37.
  10. Australian Chart Book (1970-1992) pp.202 - David Kent
  11. "Top Selling Singles of 1981 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 1981-12-31. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
  12. "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1980". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
  13. https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Organiz%27&titel=I+Never+Knew+Love+Like+This+Before&cat=s
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