"I Don't Want a Lover" is a song by the Scottish band Texas from their first album, Southside (1989). The music starts with blues slide guitar followed by a throbbing rhythm section before the vocals break in.Denselow, Robin Glasgow, Texas: Rock/Pop The Guardian 17 March 1989 It was released as the band's debut single in January 1989 and peaked at number eight on the UK singles chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in September 1989.
In 2001, Norwegian production team Stargate remixed and re-released the song to promote The Greatest Hits compilation album. Released on 9 July 2001, this version peaked at number 16 on the UK chart.
Critical reception In an ironic review on 4 February 1989, Phil Cheeseman of British music newspaper Record Mirror chided the song for lack of individuality. He wrote: "Begins brightly with some welcome slide guitar work but even before its slide towards American FM rock you're already scouring the sleeve in a vague attempt to find something, anything of interest".
Track listings Original release 7-inch, mini-CD, and cassette single A. "I Don't Want a Lover" B. "Believe Me"
CD and 12-inch single "I Don't Want a Lover" (full version) "Believe Me" "All in Vain"
2001 mix
UK CD1 "I Don't Want a Lover" – 4:15 "Superwrong" – 3:58 "I Don't Want a Lover" (Stonebridge club remix) – 7:37 "I Don't Want a Lover" (video)
UK CD2 "I Don't Want a Lover" (live) "Summer Son" (live) "Suspicious Minds" (live) All songs were recorded live at the Greatest Hits tour 2001
UK cassette single "I Don't Want a Lover" – 4:15 "Summer Son" (live) – 4:16 "I Don't Want a Lover" (Trailermen remix) – 4:43
European CD single "I Don't Want a Lover" (2001 mix) – 4:15 "Superwrong" – 3:58
European maxi-CD single "I Don't Want a Lover" (2001 mix) – 4:15 "Superwrong" – 3:58 "Suspicious Minds" (live in Paris, 2001) – 5:03 "I Don't Want a Lover" (Stonebridge bed mix) – 7:37
Personnel Personnel are lifted from The Greatest Hits album booklet and the 2001 UK CD1 liner notes.
Johnny McElhone – writing, bass Sharleen Spiteri – writing, backing vocals, guitars Stuart Kerr – backing vocals, drums Ally McErlaine – guitars Giuliano Gizzi – guitars Craig Armstrong – keyboards Wix – keyboards Mark Feltham – harmonica Tim Palmer – production Simon Vinestock – engineering Stargate – remix, additional production (2001 mix)
Charts
Weekly charts Original version Chart (1989) PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)33Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 5Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)2Spain (AFYVE)20US Billboard Hot 10077US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)27US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)11
2001 mix Chart (2001) PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)67
Year-end charts Chart (1989) PositionAustralia (ARIA)34Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)69Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)18UK Singles (OCC)89West Germany (Media Control)94
Certifications
Release history RegionVersionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United KingdomOriginalJanuary 1989Japan5 June 1989Mini-CDMercuryUnited Kingdom2001 mix9 July 2001
References