When It's Love
"When It's Love" | ||||
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Single by Van Halen | ||||
from the 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. | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Van Halen singles chronology | ||||
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Official audio | ||||
When It's Love (2004 Remaster) on YouTube |
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.
Reception
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.
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (1988) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[5] | 23 |
Irish Singles Chart[6] | 23 |
UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 28 |
US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 5 |
US Billboard Mainstream Rock[9] | 1 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1988) | Position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[10][11] | 82 |
In popular culture
The ending theme of the 80s-set Bluey episode, Fairytale, was inspired by When It's Love.[12]
See also
References
- ^ Greg Kot (September 3, 1991). "It's the Guitarist Who Still Makes Van Halen Rock". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "OU812 – Van Halen". AllMusic.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th ed, Billboard Publications, Inc. 1996. ISBN 0-8230-7632-6
- ^ Graff, Gary (June 19, 2021). "How Van Halen's 'When It's Love' Sparked 'OU812'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ "Van Halen – When It's Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". www.irishcharts.ie. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "UK Top 40 Chart Archive, British Singles & Album Charts". everyHit.com. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- ^ "Van Halen – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Van Halen – Mainstream rock". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 52. December 24, 1988. p. Y-20.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ Brumm, Joe (October 25, 2023). "Bluey Full Episode: Fairytale". YouTube.