A Million Love Songs

"A Million Love Songs" is the penultimate single released by Take That from their debut album and was written by lead vocalist Gary Barlow at the age of 15.

Song information

Written by Gary Barlow at the age of 15, it was released as the sixth single from their debut album, Take That and Party, peaking at number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. The two primary instruments are piano, played by Barlow, with a saxophone in the bridges originally scored, performed and recorded by Snake Davis. Take That's longtime saxophonist and music director, Mike Stevens went on to perform these sax parts live, many of them using the extended saxophone part written by Davis, at the end of the song. In January 1993, the song entered the Dutch chart and peaked at #50. The song was released for airplay in the United States in September 1993, but it failed to chart.

The song was performed in the final of The X Factor's third series in 2006 by eventual winner Leona Lewis, who was joined on stage half-way through the song by all four members of Take That. It was also performed in the second series of The X Factor by eventual winner Shayne Ward and by JLS on the fifth series of X Factor and in sixth series by Lloyd Daniels. Ward's version was released as a B-side to his single "No Promises". The song was also covered by Alexander O'Neal on his 2008 album, Alex Loves.

The song has also been voted by critics and music fans as the greatest ballad of all time.^[1]

Music video

The music video is shot in black and white, and makes use of the 'watercolour' video editing effect which effectively blurs the image. The video is simple and shows the band performing the song with Barlow at the piano performing the song.

Track listings

spellingUK/EU CD Single (74321 11600 2)

1. "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) - 3:53
2. "Still Can't Get Over You" - 4:10
3. "How Can It Be" - 4:57
4. "Don't Take Your Love" - 4:04

UK Cassette (74321 11600 4)

1. "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) - 3:53
2. "A Million Love Songs" (Lovers' Mix) - 6:12

UK 7" Vinyl E.P. (74321 11630 7)

1. "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) - 3:53
2. "Still Can't Get Over You" - 4:10
3. "How Can It Be" - 4:57
4. "Don't Take Your Love" - 4:04

UK 7" Vinyl - Limited Edition (74321 11600 7)(with transfer tattoos)

1. "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) - 3:53
2. "A Million Love Songs" (Lovers' Mix) - 6:12

Japanese CD Single (BVCP-1022)

1. "A Million Love Songs" (Live Version) - 6:06
2. "Satisfied" (Live Version)
3. "Take That Medley" (Live Version)
4. "Why Can't I Wake Up with You" (Radio Edit) - 3:38
5. "A Million Love Songs" (Lovers' Mix) - 6:12

Japanese 3" CD Single (BVDP-85)

1. "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) - 3:53
2. "A Million Love Songs" (Lovers' Mix) - 6:12

Chart performances

Official versions

• Album Version (3:52)
• 7" Edit (3:53)
• Live Version (6:06)
• Lovers' Mix (6:12)
• Extended Mix (6:10)

References