"When You Tell Me That You Love Me"
Single by Diana Ross
from the album The Force Behind the Power
B-side
ReleasedAugust 20, 1991
GenreSoul
Length4:14
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Peter Asher
Diana Ross singles chronology
"Bottom Line"
(1989) 		"When You Tell Me That You Love Me"
(1991) 		"You're Gonna Love It"
(1991)
Music video
"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" on YouTube

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is a song by American singer Diana Ross, released on August 20, 1991 as the lead single from her nineteenth studio album, The Force Behind the Power (1991). The song was released on the Motown label in the United States and by EMI Records in the United Kingdom. It was written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis, and produced by Peter Asher. A sentimental ballad, it became the album's biggest hit, peaking at number 37 on the US Billboard R&B singles chart and number two on the UK Singles Chart. Ross considers it one of her signature songs[1] and it was subsequently covered by various artists. The UK release of "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" included her 1985 hit "Chain Reaction".

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a dramatically produced power ballad. Gratefully, track is less trend-conscious than Ross's more recent efforts, though this is far from her strongest work. Regardless, diehard fans will love it—as will AC radio programmers."[2] Henderson and DeVaney from Cashbox called it a "highly commercial pop ballad" and a "slick single".[3] In the review of the album, the magazine declared it as a "potential hit" and a "dramatic ballad".[4] Jan DeKnock from Chicago Tribune named it the album's "strongest ballad".[5] A reviewer from Liverpool Echo wrote, "And while Diana Ross's voice couldn't be more different, this track does have some of that radio-friendly style. It starts like a sophisticated ballad, with quiet piano and voice. and builds into an emotional climax, complete with a bit of rock guitar. It's perfectly produced and perfectly predictable."[6] Connie Johnson from Los Angeles Times viewed it as "a gorgeously gushy ballad that’s perfect for Ross’ theatrical delivery. Peter Asher had a hand in producing this track, on which Ross manages to appear unpretentious and guilelessly sweet."[7] Newcastle Evening Chronicle remarked the singer's "romantic mood" on the song.[8] Stephen Holden from New York Times felt it "strongly echoes the sentiments" of "Wind Beneath My Wings".[9]

Music video

The single's accompanying music video featured scenes of Ross in an evening gown singing on stage intercut with home video footage of Ross with her two sons Ross & Evan.[10]

Track listings

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Silver 200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States August 20, 1991 — Motown [citation needed]
United Kingdom November 18, 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 EMI [32]
Japan June 24, 1992 Mini-CD [33]

Julio Iglesias versions

With Dolly Parton

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me"
Single by Julio Iglesias and Dolly Parton
from the album Crazy
Released1994
Recorded1994
Genre
Length3:59
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

The song was recorded in a duet form by American singer Dolly Parton and Spanish singer Julio Iglesias for the latter's 1994 album Crazy. A single was released in 1994 which managed to chart in the Netherlands for three weeks: entering at position 48, peaking at 45, and in its final week charting at number 49.[34] Parton included this song on her 4-disc compilation box set, The Tour Collection.[35]

Critical reception

Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report wrote, "It's hard to beat the box office combo of a ladies' man and a man's woman. Julio and Dolly get the David Foster treatment with an expensive sounding arrangement worthy of such stars."[36]

Music video

The accompanying music video was directed by John Hopgood, and was filmed for the single at Oheka Castle on Long Island's north shore.[37] The sepia-toned clip features Iglesias and Parton singing in separate rooms and a love scene involving a younger couple. At the end of the video Parton and Iglesias are shown leaving the castle. Parton having changed from a white nightgown into a black cocktail dress.[38]

Charts

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Netherlands (Mega Top 50)[34] 45

With CoCo Lee

In 1998, Iglesias re-recorded the duet with Chinese singer Coco Lee (李玟) and released it as a single to promote his compilation My Life: The Greatest Hits. Despite this, CoCo Lee's version was not included on the actual album, but rather Parton's.[39] A music video was released featuring Iglesias and Lee singing together in a recording studio intercut with scenes of Lee walking around in a trench coat. At the end of the video Iglesias and Lee sit down to a candlelit dinner.[40]

Westlife version

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me"
Single by Westlife and Diana Ross
from the album Face to Face
ReleasedDecember 12, 2005 (2005-12-12)[41]
Recorded2005
Studio
  • A Side, Kingside (Stockholm)
  • Sanctuary Townhouse (London)
  • Larrabee North (Los Angeles)
GenrePop
Length3:58
LabelSony BMG
Songwriter(s)Hammond and Bettis
Westlife singles chronology
"You Raise Me Up"
(2005) 		"When You Tell Me That You Love Me"
(2005) 		"Amazing"
(2006)
CD2
Music video
When You Tell Me That You Love Me on YouTube

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is the second single released from Westlife's sixth studio album, Face to Face (2005). It features vocals from original artist Diana Ross. The single peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, just losing out on the top spot by a mere 171 copies. The song was the 39th best selling single of 2005 in the UK. It debuted with 40,708 combined physical and download sales in the UK alone.[42] The single reached 120 000 copies sold in UK so far.[43] This single marked its fourteenth year since the original Diana Ross version was released and peaked at No. 2, the same chart position in the UK Singles Chart in 1991.

It missed becoming the Christmas Single for 2005 by just 170 units, as had happened to the original. It also peaked at No. 2 in Ireland and Scotland. It is the band's nineteenth best selling single in paid-for sales category and in best selling single combined sales category in the United Kingdom as of January 2019.[44]

Music video

The video features Westlife and Ross singing on a stage together. The members of Westlife are wearing dark suits whilst Ross wears a long white dress and later in the video, a gold dress. New excerpts from the music video with Ross, that didn't make the cut on the official video, was used on television performances by the band of the song for the premiere promotional release week of it as a single.

Track listing

  1. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (Single Mix) – 4:01
  2. "White Christmas" – 3:34
  3. "The Way You Look Tonight" (Westlife Only Version) – 4:07
  1. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (Single Mix) – 4:00
  2. "If I Let You Go" (Acoustic Version) – 3:40

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
CIS (TopHit)[45] 186
Ireland (IRMA)[46] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[47] 45
Scotland (OCC)[48] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[49] 2
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[50] 35

American Idol finalists - Season 4 version

The 12 American Idol finalists - Season 4 Finalists got together perform this song. It was selected as the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Single in 2005 for the American Idol TV show. It also appears on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers compilation album.

References

  1. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (September 14, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 87. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  3. ^ Henderson, Alex; DeVaney, Bryan (September 14, 1991). "Music Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 5. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  4. ^ "Music Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Cashbox. September 28, 1991. p. 5. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  5. ^ DeKnock, Jan (November 7, 1991). "Home Entertainment: Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
  6. ^ "Single-Minded". Liverpool Echo. November 18, 1991. p. 15.
  7. ^ Johnson, Connie (November 3, 1991). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  8. ^ Newcastle Evening Chronicle. July 30, 1991. p. 27.
  9. ^ Holden, Stephen (September 21, 1991). "Diana Ross Adds Family to Glamour". New York Times.
  10. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  11. ^ When You Tell Me That You Love Me (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Diana Ross. Motown. 1991. MOTS7-2139.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ When You Tell Me That You Love Me (US cassette single sleeve). Diana Ross. Motown. 1991. MOTCS-2139.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ When You Tell Me That You Love Me (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Diana Ross. EMI Records. 1991. EM 217, 2056007.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ When You Tell Me That You Love Me (UK cassette single sleeve). Diana Ross. EMI Records. 1991. TCEM 217, 2056004.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ When You Tell Me That You Love Me (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Diana Ross. EMI Records. 1991. 12EM 217, 2056006.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ When You Tell Me That You Love Me (UK CD single liner notes). Diana Ross. EMI Records. 1991. CDEM 217, 2056002.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ When You Tell Me That You Love Me (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Diana Ross. EMI Records. 1991. TODP-2363.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 239.
  19. ^ "Diana Ross – When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  20. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1661." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  21. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 3. January 18, 1992. p. 31. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  22. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – When You Tell Me That You Love Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 12, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  24. ^ "Diana Ross – When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  27. ^ "Diana Ross Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  28. ^ "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. January 11, 1992. p. 20.
  29. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1992". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  30. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1992" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  31. ^ "British single certifications – Diana Ross – When You Tell Me That You Love M". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  32. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 16, 1991. p. 21.
  33. ^ "恋のプレリュード | ダイアナ・ロス" [Prelude of Love | Diana Ross] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Steffen Hung. "Julio Iglesias & Dolly Parton - When You Tell Me That You Love Me". Dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on May 10, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  35. ^ "The Tour Collection: Dolly Parton: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  36. ^ Fell, Ron; Rufer, Diane (February 10, 1995). "Gavin A/C: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 26. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  37. ^ [1][dead link]
  38. ^ "YouTube - julio iglesias ,dolly parton-when you tell me that you love". YouTube. October 9, 2008. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  39. ^ "Julio Iglesias - My Life: Greatest Hits: Julio Iglesias: Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  40. ^ "Coco Lee & Julio Iglesias - When You Tell Me That You Love M". YouTube. August 10, 2007. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  41. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. December 10, 2005. p. 23.
  42. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 24.12.2005 (wk50) CHART LOG UK: NEW ENTRIES UPDATE". zobbel.de. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  43. ^ "Westlife | Official Top 20 | MTV UK". Mtv.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  44. ^ Copsey, Rob (January 12, 2019). "Westlife's Top 20 biggest songs on the Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  45. ^ Westlife feat. Diana Ross — When You Tell Me That You Love Me. TopHit. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  46. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – When You Tell Me That You Love Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  47. ^ "Westlife with Diana Ross – When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  48. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  49. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

External links

Albert Hammond
Diana Ross
Dolly Parton
Westlife songs
Julio Iglesias
Authority control databases
Categories