"Never in a Million Years" is a song by the American pop singer Laura Branigan, which was released in 1990 by Atlantic Records as the second single from her sixth studio album Laura Branigan. It was written by Van Stephenson, Dave Robbins and Bob Farrell, and produced by Peter Wolf. "Never in a Million Years" was released in the United States as a cassette single and on promotional CD. It reached No. 22 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. There was no music video made for the song.
In 1991, American singer Vicki Shepard released her own version of the song, which Billboard described as a "bright, disco-fied rendition".
Critical reception Upon release, Billboard commented: "After a pair of dance-oriented singles, Branigan applies her acrobatic vocal style to a formulaic, but engaging, power ballad."Billboard magazine - Single reviews - August 25, 1990 - page 87 In a review of Laura Branigan, The Clarion-Ledger described the song as a "weepy ballad", adding it was a "probable successor" to Branigan's previous single "Moonlight on Water".The Clarion-Ledger - Laura Branigan - April 26, 1990 - page 63 The Chicago Tribune described the song as an "understated ballad". People stated: "While Branigan tends toward the histrionic, her slower-tempo tunes - especially "Never in a Million Years" - make for effective pace changers amidst all the belting." Teen Ink said: "The few ballads present are disappointing, though Laura does breath life into 'Never in a Million Years'.
Track listing Cassette single "Never in a Million Years" - 4:10 "Smoke Screen" - 4:08
CD single (US promo) "Never in a Million Years" - 4:08
Chart performance Chart (1990)PeakpositionUS Adult Contemporary (Billboard)22US Adult Contemporary (Gavin Report)15US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)17Quebec (ADISQ)45
Personnel
Never in a Million Years Laura Branigan - lead vocals Peter Wolf - instruments, producer, arranger Peter Maunu - guitar Alfie Silas, Dorian Holley, Ina Wolf, Joe Pizzulo, Maxi Anderson, Phillip Ingram - backing vocals Paul Ericksen - engineer, mixing Stephen Marcussen - mastering Carlos Golliher - coordinator Doug Morris - executive producer
Smoke Screen Laura Branigan - lead vocals Clif Magness - keyboards, drum programming Steve Goldstein - keyboards Steve Lindsey - keyboards, drum programming, co-producer James Harrah - guitar Brandon Fields - saxophone Donna De Lory, Kate Markowitz - backing vocals Richard Perry - producer Alan Meyerson - mixing Eric Anest, Paul Ericksen, Richard Cottrell - engineers Charlie Pollard, John Karpowich, Richard Engstrom - assistant engineers Stephen Marcussen - mastering Julie Larson - coordinator Doug Morris - executive producer
References