This Is for the Lover in You
"This Is for the Lover in You" | ||||
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Single by Shalamar | ||||
from the album Three for Love | ||||
B-side | "Some Things Never Change" | |||
Released | May 25, 1981 | |||
Recorded | 1980 | |||
Length | 5:04 (Album version) 3:58 (Single edit) | |||
Label | SOLAR | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Leon Sylvers III | |||
Shalamar singles chronology | ||||
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"This Is for the Lover in You" is a song written by Howard Hewett, member of the trio Shalamar, and songwriter Dana Meyers. The track was originally recorded by Shalamar and appeared on their 1980 Platinum album, Three for Love.
The song was the third single released from their album, Three for Love. The single peaked at No. 17 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1981.
In 2009, Essence magazine included the song in their list of the "25 Best Slow Jams of All Time".[1]
The song's main melody bears resemblance to Teddy Pendergrass' hit "Close the Door" (1978) and Michael Jackson's hit "Rock with You" (1979).
Charts
[edit]Chart (1981) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 17 |
Babyface version
[edit]"This Is for the Lover in You" | ||||
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Single by Babyface featuring LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel | ||||
from the album The Day | ||||
Released | October 5, 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1996 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:26 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Babyface singles chronology | ||||
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LL Cool J singles chronology | ||||
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Jody Watley singles chronology | ||||
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"This Is for the Lover in You" was later remade by American singer, songwriter, and record producer Babyface for his fourth studio album, The Day (1996). It features LL Cool J and the former members of Shalamar: Howard Hewett, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel.[2] The Babyface version was a successful hit, reaching #6 on the US Hot 100 chart, #2 on the US R&B chart, and #12 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was considered to be atypical for Babyface when it was released.[3][4] The song's main melody bears resemblance to Teddy Pendergrass' hit "Close the Door".
Critical reception
[edit]Larry Flick from Billboard described Babyface's version as "a smoldering, jeep-fashioned revision" of a Shalamar chestnut that reunites the original members of that act on background vocals. He added, "It's a nice touch, though nothing diverts the ear from Babyface's suave and soulful vocals for longer than a second or two. Added juice is provided by LL Cool J, who freestyles in the background with macho flair—a vibrant contrast to Babyface's performance. No need to speculate on this single's success. Just get used to hearing it on the radio nonstop for the next couple of months."[5]
Charts and certifications
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[18] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Other versions
[edit]In 1994, saxophonist Gerald Albright released a rendition from the album Smooth.[19]
The song was also sampled by British singer Ella Mai for her 2022 single This Is.
The song was sampled by rapper A+ for his song "All I See", recorded for his 1996 debut album The Latch-Key Child.
References
[edit]- ^ "25 Best Slow Jams of All Time".
- ^ "Jodi Watley Teams With Babyface On New Album". MTV. Archived from the original on September 4, 2003. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- ^ Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. October 13, 2008. p. 15. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- ^ "Critic's Choice: Babyface". Entertainment Weekly. September 27, 1996.
- ^ Flick, Larry (October 5, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 92. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ "Babyface feat. LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels – This Is for the Lover in You". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard: Hits of the World". Billboard. 7 December 1996. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Babyface feat. LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels – This Is for the Lover in You" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Babyface feat. LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels – This Is for the Lover in You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Babyface feat. LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels – This Is for the Lover in You". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Babyface: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Babyface Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Babyface Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Babyface Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Babyface – This Is for the Lover in You". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Smooth overview". Allmusic.com.