Love Me for a Reason

"Love Me for a Reason" is a song by Johnny Bristol. It was recorded most famously by the Osmonds, and released in 1974. Twenty years later, Boyzone covered the song. Both versions were successful, reaching the top 10 of the charts in many countries.

"Love Me for a Reason"
Single by the Osmonds
from the album Love Me for a Reason
B-side"Fever"
ReleasedAugust 31, 1974
RecordedMay 21, 1974
GenrePop
Length4:02
LabelMGM
Songwriter(s)Johnny Bristol, Wade Brown, Jr., David Jones, Jr.
Producer(s)Mike Curb
The Osmonds singles chronology
"I Can't Stop"
(1974)		 "Love Me for a Reason"
(1974)		 "Having a Party"
(1975)

Original song and covers

The original version by Johnny Bristol, from his 1974 album Hang On In There Baby, was released as a single on MGM in 1974, but "Love Me for a Reason" quickly became associated with another MGM act, the Osmonds. It was their last top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, reaching number 10; it peaked at number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. In the UK Singles Chart it fared even better, spending three weeks at the top in August 1974.[1] There was a lovers rock version of the song issued on Trojan records in 1976, credited to the Fabulous Five Inc (aka Fab Five Inc), that scored well in Jamaica and in the United Kingdom.

Track listing
  • 7-inch single
  1. "Love Me for a Reason" — 4:02
  2. "Fever" — 3:15

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[13] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Boyzone version
"Love Me for a Reason"
Single by Boyzone
from the album Said and Done
B-side"Daydream Believer"
ReleasedNovember 28, 1994 (1994-11-28) (UK)[14]
GenrePop
Length3:39
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
  • Wade Brown
  • David Jones Jr.
  • Johnny Bristol
Producer(s)Ray Hedges
Boyzone singles chronology
"Working My Way Back to You"
(1994)		 "Love Me for a Reason"
(1994)		 "Key to My Life"
(1995)

"Love Me for a Reason" was revived by Irish boy band Boyzone in 1994, released as the second single from their debut album, Said and Done (1994). The song was released in Ireland in late 1994 and was issued in the United Kingdom several weeks later, on November 28, 1994. It also became their breakthrough single, reaching number one on the Irish Singles Chart, In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number ten on the UK Singles Chart in early December 1994 and peaked at number two in January 1995. In the UK, it was the 19th-best-selling single of 1994 and received a gold sales status certification for shipping over 400,000 copies in the UK.

Critical reception

Peter Fawthrop from AllMusic viewed the song as a "peppy tribute" to the Osmonds.[15] Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian declared it as a "gem" from their debut album.[16] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "Be warned. This is just the first instalment of a cover battle over this song and could well be the start of a mini-Osmonds revival in the new year. For now, this cover of the Osmonds classic 1974 No.1 becomes the debut hit for the latest crop of lads to make a bid for teen stardom. The timing of the release is impeccable. I'm a sucker for a good pop record, well made and this ranks with the best of all of them, the harmonies are impeccable and the song has a proven track record. Now strongly in the running for the coveted seasonal No.1 slot, Boyzone are off and running."[17] Alan Jones from Music Week said that the band "enter the overcrowded teen heart-throbs staker, with a competent if uninspired rendition of the old Osmonds' hit, which should win them plenty of children's TV slots, and a place in the bottom half of the Top 40."[18]

Music video

A music video was made to promote "Love Me for a Reason". It features the band performing the song in a basement, wearing black and white costumes. They are surrounded by large candelabras, curtains and pub height tables covered with candles. In between, a girl dressed in white appears.[19]

Track listings
  • UK CD1 (jewel case)[20]
  1. "Love Me for a Reason" – 3:41
  2. "Daydream Believer" – 3:06
  • UK CD2 (limited-edition digipak with poster)[21]
  1. "Love Me for a Reason" – 3:41
  2. "Daydream Believer" – 3:06
  • Japanese CD single[22]
  1. "Love Me for a Reason" – 3:39
  2. "Daydream Believer" – 3:07
  3. "Working My Way Back to You" (original) – 3:41
  4. "Father and Son" (original demo) – 2:40

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Gold 400,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 304. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. "The Osmonds – Love Me For A Reason". ultratop.be. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  3. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. September 11, 1974. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  5. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts − The Osmonds − Love Me For A Reason". GfK Entertainment Charts (in German). Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved August 17, 2019.
  6. Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie Archived June 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved August 25, 2008)
  7. UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved August 1, 2008)
  8. Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved August 25, 2008)
  9. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, November 2, 1974". Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  10. Bac-lac.gc.ca
  11. "Top Selling Singles for 1974". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications: 20. January 4, 1975.
  12. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
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  14. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 26, 1994. p. 27.
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  16. Sullivan, Caroline (August 25, 1995). "Music: Your essential guide to the week's cd releases - Pop". The Guardian.
  17. Masterton, James (December 4, 1994). "Week Ending December 10th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  18. Jones, Alan (November 5, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 14. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  19. "Boyzone - Love Me For A Reason (Official Video)". October 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2022 – via YouTube.
  20. "Boyzone Love Me For A Reason UK CD single (CD5 / 5") (44097)". Eil.com. October 28, 2005. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  21. "Boyzone Love Me For A Reason UK CD single (CD5 / 5") (43410)". Eil.com. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  22. "Boyzone Love Me For A Reason Japan Promo CD single (CD5 / 5") (164385)". Eil.com. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
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