"Sweet Love" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Anita Baker from her second studio album, Rapture (1986). It was written by Anita Baker, Louis A. Johnson, and Gary Bias, and produced by Michael J. Powell. It was released in May 1986 as the album's first single.
The song was Baker's first big hit single, peaking at number two on the US Billboard R&B chart, number three on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the fall of 1986.Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications) In the UK, it reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 21 on Canada's Top Singles chart.
"Sweet Love" won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards (1987).
Composition "Sweet Love" was originally published in the key of B minor, and is written in common time with a tempo of 89 beats per minute. Baker's vocals span from E3 to F5.
Critical reception Daryl Easlea of the BBC said that Baker's voice "rings like a bell", and that "Sweet Love" is one of the three most memorable tracks on Rapture. He felt that the lyrics might have sounded trite if sung by a different artist, but that Baker imbued them with "so much passion and wonderment" that they sound like "old love sonnets" brought back to life.
Awards Baker won two Grammys at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards (1987). "Sweet Love" was selected as Best R&B Song, earning her (along with Gary Bias and Louis A. Johnson) a songwriting award. Also, the album containing this song, Rapture, won in the category Best Female R&B Vocal performance.
Personnel Lead vocals: Anita Baker Backing vocals: Anita Baker, Jim Gilstrap, Bunny Hull and Daryl Phinnessee Drums: Ricky Lawson Percussion: Paulinho da Costa Bass: Freddie Washington Guitar: Greg Moore Keyboards, arrangements: Sir Gant
Track listings 7" single "Sweet Love" – 4:26 "Watch Your Step" – 4:56
Limited edition gatefold - 7" single 7" single 1: "Sweet Love" – 4:26 "No One in the World" – 4:10 7" single 2: "Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year)" (Live) – 4:01 "You Bring Me Joy" (Live) – 4:31
7" single "Sweet Love" – 4:26 "No One in the World" – 4:10
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (1986–1987)PeakpositionEurope (European Hot 100 Singles)47US Billboard Hot 100 8US Cash Box Top 10012
Year-end charts Chart (1986) PositionU.S. Billboard Hot 10090
Certifications
Other versions M-Beat version British jungle musician M-Beat covered the song in 1994 with singer Nazlyn on vocals. This version peaked at No. 18 on the UK Singles Chart.
Fierce version British R&B female trio Fierce covered the song in 1999 which appears on their debut album Right Here Right Now. It was released as a single in 2000 with new production by Stargate, titled "Sweet Love 2K". This version peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.
References
External links [ AMG Allmusic]