Summary
"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 #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts and #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.
| "When It's Love" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| 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) |
| |||
| Van Halen singles chronology | ||||
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| Official audio | ||||
| When It's Love (2004 Remaster) on YouTube | ||||
Reception edit
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 edit
Weekly charts edit
| 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 edit
| Chart (1988) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[10][11] | 82 |
In popular culture edit
The ending theme of the 80s-set Bluey episode, Fairytale, was inspired by When It's Love.[12]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ 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.