"Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up" is a song written, produced and recorded by American singer and songwriter Barry White for his second album, Stone Gon' (1973). In October 1973,[1] it was released as the first single in the United States and reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[1] and number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a gold record. In Europe, it was issued in early 1974 and peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]
In 1987, Paul Hardcastle remixed the track. It was issued (with the slightly amended spelling of 'Never, Never Going to Give You Up') in several European countries on 7" and 12" singles. Released to coincide with the compilation albumBarry White – The Collection, it reached number 63 in the UK singles chart in January 1988.[2]
UK 7" single
"Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" – 4:15
"September When I First Met You" – 6:50
UK 12" single
"Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (Mammoth Mix)" – 7:17
"Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (Extended Version)" – 5:42
In 1997, British singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield covered "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" for her eponymous album. The song was released as the second single from Lisa Stansfield in Europe, Australia and Japan on June 9, 1997, and first proper single in North America on July 21, 1997.
In 2014, remixes of "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" were included on the deluxe 2CD + DVD re-release of Lisa Stansfield. Additional remixes were featured on People Hold On ... The Remix Anthology (2014), including three previously unreleased: Frankie's Classic Club Mix, Franktified Off the Hook Dub and After Hours Mix. All was included on The Collection 1989–2003.[12][13]
Critical reception
The song received favorable reviews from music critics. Barry Walters for The Advocate said that "the Barry White classic gets remade by the woman who launched her solo career paraphrasing his been-around-the-world pillow talk."[14]Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic viewed it as "uniformly strong", adding that Stansfield's voice "is seductive and sexy".[15]Larry Flick from Billboard described it as "a sultry rendition" and added that the singer is "breathing enough stylistic variation into the lyrics (...) maintaining a reverence that will sit well with fans of the original recording." He noted that Stansfield "is supported by a rumbling funk groove that is underlined by hip hop-savvy turntable scratches and iced with caressing disco strings."[16] British magazine Music Week rated it three out of five, declaring it as a "convincingly faithful interpration".[17] William Stevenson from Entertainment Weekly opined that Stansfield "sings with an irresistible urgency, seductively wrapping her silky voice around each phrase while building in intensity. She’s never sounded better."[18] A reviewer from Irish Independent picked the song as one of the "moments" of the album, calling it "a sultry slink through" the Barry White song.[19]Press of Atlantic City stated that Stansfield "shines" on the "energetic remake".[20]USA Today described it as an "up-tempo dance groove".[21]
Commercial reception
The song topped the US Dance Club Songs. It also reached number 25 in the United Kingdom and peaked at number 74 in the United States, Canada and Germany.
Track listings
European CD single
"Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" (Radio Mix) – 4:26
