"Never" is a song by American rock band Heart, released on August 29, 1985, as the second single from the band's eponymous eighth studio album (1985). It was written by Holly Knight and Gene Bloch (both from the band Device), and "Connie" (a pseudonym for Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and Sue Ennis).
"Never" is a rock song with an uplifting lyric to a person who has been discouraged by love. Like the preceding "What About Love", the music video for "Never" received heavy rotation on MTV.
"Never" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the first time that Heart earned consecutive top ten entries, and the first time a Heart album generated two top ten singles. On the UK singles chart, it was a top 10 hit in 1988 as part of a double A-side reissue with "These Dreams", intended to capitalize on the success of "Alone" the previous year. While "Never" was ostensibly the lead track, airplay focused almost exclusively on "These Dreams".
A reworking of the song appears on the Japanese version of Heart's live album The Road Home. "Only in that version of 'Never'," observed Nancy Wilson, "did the song get the rootsy vibe that stands up to time."
Reception Cash Box said it is "a slow driving ballad" that has "a succinct arrangement and production." Billboard called it "crisply buoyant power rock."
Personnel Heart Ann Wilson – vocals Nancy Wilson – lead guitar, background vocals Howard Leese – lead guitar, keyboards, background vocals Mark Andes – bass guitar Denny Carmassi – drums
Additional musicians Peter Wolf – synthesizers Lynn Wilson – background vocals Holly Knight – keyboards
Technical Scotty Olson – guitar technician Gary Chalk – drum technician Ron Nevison – production, engineering Mike Clink – engineering assistance Brian Foraker – second assistant engineer Mike Reese – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California)
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Never" Chart (1985–1986) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 48 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 20 US Cash Box Top 100 Singles 6
+ Weekly chart performance for "Never"/"These Dreams" Chart (1988) Peakposition Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles) 34
Year-end charts + 1985 year-end chart performance for "Never" Chart (1985) Position US Cash Box Top 100 Singles 71
+ 1986 year-end chart performance for "Never" Chart (1986) Position US Billboard Hot 100 18
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