"Got to Have Your Love" is a song by American hip hop and electro funk group Mantronix, featuring vocals from American recording artist Wondress. It was released by Capitol Records in December 1989 as the lead single from Mantronix's fourth studio album, This Should Move Ya (1990). The song is written by band members Bryce Wilson and Kurtis Mantronik along with Johnny D. Rodriguez, and produced by Mantronix. It reached number four in the United Kingdom, number seven in Finland and number eight in Ireland. It is recognized as the group's signature song.
Song information "Got to Have Your Love" was written by Mantronix members Bryce Wilson and Kurtis Mantronik, alongside Johnny D. Rodriguez. Mantronik stated that "When I did 'Got to Have Your Love', I did it for a reason. I did it because I wanted to get a song on the radio."
Critical reception Bill Coleman from Billboard magazine wrote that the act "is back on the right track with an R&B-textured hip-hop track (à la vintage Joyce Sims) sporting a sensuous vocal performance by newcomer Wondress. Black radio needs to be on this tip as well." Dave Obee from Calgary Herald complimented the group for "find[ing] a funky groove".Obee, Dave (February 8, 1990). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. Push from Melody Maker felt they "returns with what is basically a half-hearted hip-house thang", calling it "slappy, slushy and slumped at the waist." Pan-European magazine Music & Media named it "attractive hip/house featuring a melodic and soulful lead vocal by Wondress. Classy stuff."
David Giles from Music Week remarked that Mantronik "appears to have stepped into Soul II Soul/Inner City domain, roping in a bluesy female vocalist and coating her in swooming strings (sampled naturally). Altogether a funker effort than those of his UK counterparts". Jack Barron from NME wrote, "Curtis has obviously been listening to Soul II Soul over there in New York and here compresses together a woman singer called Wondress (what a groovy name) and a rapper on an organic shuffle. Not instantaneous, but I've got a feeling 'Got to Have Your Love' is one of those records which will creep up on you like infatuation as opposed to some pug ugly swine with an axe in its trotter." Miranda Sawyer from Smash Hits praised it as "perfection".
Retrospective response In his retrospective review of the This Should Move Ya album, Ron Wynn from AllMusic described "Got to Have Your Love" as a "strong single". While reviewing the compilation album The Best Of: 1985-1999, Andy Crysell from NME stated that the song "remains a bewitching soul classic". In 2020, Mixmag included "Got to Have Your Love" in their list of "The Best Basslines in Dance Music", writing, "Sublime, soul-licked vocals from Wondress definitely gave it the flavour it needed for mainstream success, but it's also charged by one of the best basslines in pop history."
Music video The accompanying music video for "Got to Have Your Love" includes a cameo by former child model and now music producer Felix Howard.
Track listing "Got to Have Your Love" (Club with Bonus Beats) – 8:23 "Got to Have Your Love" (Hard to Get Rap) – 2:48 "Got to Have Your Love" (Luv Dub) – 6:23 "Got to Have Your Love" (club edit) – 5:25 "Got to Have Your Love" (instrumental) – 3:36 "Got to Have Your Love" (radio edit) – 4:12
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1990)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) 119Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 9Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 7Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "Got to Have Your Love" for Israeli chart history. 8Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 12Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)Radio Luxembourg Singles. January 21, 1990. 4UK Club Chart (Record Mirror) 1 US Billboard Hot 100 82US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard) 13US Dance Club Play (Billboard) 6US Hot Black Singles (Billboard) 26US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996 75
Year-end charts Chart (1990)PositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 84UK Singles (OCC) 49UK Club Chart (Record Mirror) 3
Certifications
Liberty X version
In 2002, English-Irish music group Liberty X recorded "Got to Have Your Love" for their debut studio album, Thinking It Over (2002). It was one of three tracks to be recorded for the British version of the album, as it did not feature on the original edition, To Those Who Wait. The song was released on September 9, 2002, as the fourth single from the album and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. It also charted at number eight in Ireland and number 12 in the Netherlands.
Music video The song's accompanying music video was filmed at Silent Waters in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was directed by Alex Hemming and Shay Ola.
Track listing UK CD1 "Got to Have Your Love" (radio edit) – 3:52 "Good Love" – 3:53 "Get with You" – 4:00
UK CD2 "Got to Have Your Love" (Jam & Faces Vamp mix) – 5:50 "Got to Have Your Love" (Harry's 3 Way Action mix) – 7:10 "Got to Have Your Love" (Shanghai Surprise mix) – 6:45
UK 12-inch single A1. "Got to Have Your Love" (Jam & Faces Vamp mix) A2. "Got to Have Your Love" (Peter Parker mix) B1. "Got to Have Your Love" (Harry's 3 Way Action mix) B2. "Got to Have Your Love" (Shanghai Surprise mix)
UK cassette single "Got to Have Your Love" (radio edit) – 3:52 "Just a Little" (Radio 1 remix) – 4:08 "Everything" – 3:52
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2002)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)14
Year-end charts Chart (2002)PositionUK Singles (OCC)90
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United KingdomSeptember 9, 2002V2September 16, 200212-inch vinylAustraliaNovember 25, 2002CD
References