"A Song for the Lovers" is the first solo single from English singer-songwriter Richard Ashcroft, following the break-up of his band The Verve. The opening song off his album, Alone with Everybody; "A Song for the Lovers" was originally written by Ashcroft for the Verve's studio album Urban Hymns. Three different versions were recorded, but the song ultimately did not make the final cut. It was inspired by Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart".
"A Song for the Lovers" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Ashcroft's highest-charting solo single alongside "Break the Night with Colour" (2006). Outside the UK, the song became a moderate hit in Europe and Oceania, peaking at number nine in Italy, number 11 in Ireland, number 42 in New Zealand, and number 59 in Australia. The single also sold well in Canada, peaking at number six on the Canadian Singles Chart.
Music video
The music video for "A Song for the Lovers" premiered in May 2000 and was directed by Academy Award-nominated director Jonathan Glazer ("The Zone of Interest"). The video has a narrative style, shot in real-time with an element of diegetic sound unusual in most music videos. Diegetic sound was used previously by Glazer for "Rabbit in Your Headlights".
Track listings UK CD, 12-inch, and cassette single Canadian, Australian, and Japanese CD single "A Song for the Lovers" (album version) "(Could Be) A Country Thing, City Thing, Blues Thing" "Precious Stone"
European CD single "A Song for the Lovers" (album version) "(Could Be) A Country Thing, City Thing, Blues Thing"
Credits and personnel Credits are taken from the Alone with Everybody album booklet.
Studios Recorded and mixed at Olympic and Metropolis Studios (London, England) Mastered at Metropolis Mastering (London, England)
Personnel
Richard Ashcroft – writing, vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion, production Pino Palladino – bass Chuck Leavell – piano Peter Salisbury – drums Steve Sidelnyk – percussion, programming Teena Lyle – vibes Duncan Mackay – trumpet Lucinda Barry – harp The London Session Orchestra – strings Gavyn Wright – concertmaster Wil Malone – string arrangement and conducting Chris Potter – production, mixing Tony Cousins – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2000)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)59Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)6Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)17Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 2
Year-end charts Chart (2000)PositionUK Singles (OCC)101
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Australia3 April 2000CDUnited KingdomJapan12 April 2000CDNew Zealand8 May 2000United States6 June 2000
References
External links Watch the video on IFILM Video entry on mvdbase.com Article about the video on MTV.com