The Love I Lost

"The Love I Lost" is a song by American R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Originally written as a ballad by Philly soul songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was transformed into a disco song and features drummer Earl Young. It was released from the '' Black & Blue'' album in late 1973 and sold more than a million copies. In the 21st century, the track has been the subject of extended re-edits by notable remixers Tom Moulton and Dimitri From Paris.

Background

"The Love I Lost" is considered an early example of disco.
The track was one of the transitional songs marking the emergence of disco from traditional rhythm and blues as a distinctive style of music.

Charts

The song peaked at number seven on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and spent two weeks at number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot Soul Singles chart. It also reached number 21 in the United Kingdom in early 1974.

Certifications

West End featuring Sybil version

On January 4, 1993, American R&B and pop singer-songwriter Sybil released a cover of "The Love I Lost" with West End. It was produced by Mike Stock and Pete Waterman. This version reached number 18 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play chart and number three in the United Kingdom. The cover also reached number nine in Ireland. Additionally, "The Love I Lost" was a top 20 hit in Finland and the Netherlands. And it reached number nine on the Eurochart Hot 100 in October 1993.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Justin Kantor described the song as a "vibrant, disco-styled cover" and noted further that Sybil's "high-energy delivery is soulful, spirited, and commanding". Larry Flick from ''Billboard'' wrote, "While urban-ites continue to chew on the sweet "You're The Love Of My Life", popsters are served a sparkling pop/NRG rendition of a Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes classic. This timeless tune gains its current top 40 muscle by Sybil's lively and soulful vocal, and the distinct hand of producers Stock & Waterman. A top-five U.K. smash that should have little trouble making the grade here." The ''Gavin Report'' complimented the singer's "sweet, strong vocals". Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, "A fairly faithful cover of the Harold Melvin original, the classic song, coupled with the powerful voice of Sybil makes for one of those soul covers which if anything adds to the original. Notice as well the production credits on the back of such a trendy record - Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, showing that there is life after Kylie and Jason." Alan Jones from ''Music Week'' stated that the 1974 hit "makes an easy transition from Philly soul to commercial garage", adding that "its uplifting, hustling. instrumental track is strangely at odds with the downbeat lyrics, but it's tight, commercial, bright and breezy. A monster in the clubs, and likely to become an equally large pop hit." Another editor, Andy Beevers called it a "very solid garage reworking". James Hamilton from the magazine's ''RM'' Dance Update wrote that it is "superb".

Track listing

* CD single, UK (1993)
# "The Love I Lost" (7-inch version) – 3:27
# "The Love I Lost" (12-inch club mix) – 5:23
# "The Love I Lost" (Unrequited Mix) – 6:37
# "Sybil-It" – 3:42

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

External links

* Song review] on AllMusic
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Love I Lost, The
1973 singles
1973 songs
1993 singles
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes songs
Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Philadelphia International Records singles
Songs written by Kenny Gamble
Songs written by Leon Huff
Sybil (singer) songs
Music Week number-one dance singles