Never Knew Love (Oleta Adams song)

"Never Knew Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Oleta Adams, released in September 1995 as the lead single from her fifth album, Moving On (1995). It became Adams' fourth top-40 single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 22. The single charted higher in the Netherlands, where it reached number 16. Multiple remixes have been released of the track.

"Never Knew Love"
Single by Oleta Adams
from the album Moving On
ReleasedSeptember 25, 1995 (1995-09-25)
GenreR&B
Length3:32
LabelFontana
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Vassal Benford
Oleta Adams singles chronology
"We Will Find a Way"
(1994)		 "Never Knew Love"
(1995)		 "Rhythm of Life (Remix)"
(1995)
Music video
Listen to "Never Knew Love" on YouTube

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard viewed the album version of "Never Knew Love" as a "funky li'l midtempo R&B jam." He added, "Underlined with plush old-school charm, this track has considerable youth appeal. Adams has rarely sounded so playful. (...) In all, a solid single designed to expand Adams' already sizable audience."[1] Flick also noted that remixers Danny Tenaglia and Satoshi Tomiie transform the song into "a shimmering house anthem".[2] James Masterton for Dotmusic described it as a "powerful track".[3]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote about the remix, "Known as a rather MOR singer, Adams now confidently nods into a NY club house sound and shamelessly takes a seat between Robin S and the Nightcrawlers. Hot stuff!"[4] In another review, they added, "With an intro reminiscent of Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman", Adams shines in a upbeat and happy electro-pop single."[5] Alan Jones from Music Week felt the singer "bounces back with her best single in a while", with "a delightful celebration, whose infectious style is wholly appropriate to its upbeat lyrics. Dance mixes take it higher still and the whole exercise makes for happy anticipation of her forthcoming album Moving On."[6] James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update declared it as a "gorgeous catchily cooed and moaned soulful gentle sure-fire smash".[7]

Track listings
  • 12-inch, UK (1995)
  1. "Never Knew Love" (DT's Mercury mix) – 8:40
  2. "Never Knew Love" (You Gave Me dub) – 8:19
  3. "Never Knew Love" (DT's radio edit) – 4:05
  4. "Never Knew Love" (The Press remix) – 3:50
  5. "Never Knew Love" (Reverend Jefferson mix) – 7:10
  6. "Never Knew Love" (Nu Soul mix) – 6:57
  • CD single, Europe (1995)
  1. "Never Knew Love" (Reverend Jefferson edit) – 4:06
  2. "Never Knew Love" – 3:22
  • CD single, UK and Europe (1995)
  1. "Never Knew Love" – 3:20
  2. "No Secrets" – 4:08
  3. "Blessed with You" – 3:24
  4. "Get Here" – 4:34

Charts
Chart (1995–1996) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8] 18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 16
Scotland (OCC)[10] 31
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 22
US Hot R&B Airplay (Billboard)[12] 60

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom September 25, 1995
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Fontana [13]
United States 1996 Radio [14]

References
  1. Flick, Larry (January 13, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 62. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  2. Flick, Larry (January 20, 1996). "Dance Trax: Rejuvenating With Dick Clark; Our House On Film" (PDF). Billboard. p. 23. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  3. Masterton, James (October 1, 1995). "Week Ending October 7th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  4. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 7, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  5. "New Releases: Singles - Single of the Week" (PDF). Music & Media. October 21, 1995. p. 9. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  6. Jones, Alan (September 30, 1995). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  7. Hamilton, James (September 30, 1995). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  8. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Oleta Adams" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  9. "Oleta Adams – Never Knew Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  10. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  11. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  12. "Hot R&B Airplay". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 9. March 2, 1996. p. 23.
  13. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. September 23, 1995. p. 35.
  14. Sprague, David (October 7, 1995). "Mercury Act Oleta Adams Gets Funky on 'Moving On'". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 40. p. 18. ...but promotion of a single (most likely 'Never Knew Love') won't commence until after the first of the year...
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