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"Have You Ever Been in Love" is a song recorded by Canadian recording artist Céline Dion, included first on her seventh English studio album A New Day Has Come (2002) and later, on her eight English studio album One Heart (2003). The song is a power ballad, written by Anders BaggePeer ÅströmTom NicholsDaryl Hall and Laila Bagge, while production was handled by Bagge & Peer.

"Have You Ever Been in Love" builds from a gentle, piano-laced opening into a theatrical, string-framed climax. The song received acclaim from music critics, while being reviewed in both albums. Many critics called it a classic-sounding ballad and one of the strongest cuts from the album. Critics also noted similarities between Dion and Barbra Streisand.

"Have You Ever Been in Love" was released on April 14, 2003, as One Heart's second (promotional only) single in the United States and Canada, while on November 3, 2003, it was released as the third commercial single in selected European countries. The song spent fourteen weeks at number 2 on the U.S. Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks, setting a record for most weeks at the second position. The music video was shot between April 29–30, 2003 in Los Angeles and released on June 2, 2003.

Contents[]

 [hide*1 Background and release

Background and release[edit][]

"Have You Ever Been In Love" (2003)MENU   0:00 A 30 second sample of "Have You Ever Been in Love".----
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"Have You Ever Been in Love" was composed by Anders BaggePeer ÅströmTom Nichols,Daryl Hall and Laila Bagge, while production was handled by Bagge & Peer.[1] The power balladbuilds from a gentle, piano-laced opening into a theatrical, string-framed climax.[2] The song appeared first on Dion's 2002 album A New Day Has Come. Although not changed, it was included on her 2003 album One Heart.[1] The song was released on April 14, 2003, as One Heart's second (promotional only) single in the United States and Canada,[3][4] while on November 3, 2003, it was released as the third commercial single in selected European countries.[5]

Some years after the album's release, a sheet of paper with Spanish lyrics for this song leaked into the Internet. Céline's signature appeared on the sheet as well as phonetical notes under the adapted lyrics. The title came to be "¿Sabes Cómo Es El Amor?" and next to it appeared the original title in brackets ("Have you Ever Been In Love?"), so a Spanish version for this song is rumoured to have been also recorded, though it remains unreleased to this day.[6] The date in the sheet was May 6, 2003, so it is not certain whether it was recorded for her 2003 "One Heart" album (probably to offer a different version of the song) or for her 2002 "A New Day Has Come" album.[7]

[1]Many critics compared Dion's vocals to those of recording artistBarbra Streisand.==Critical reception[edit]==

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "at a time when music is frightfully aggressive and the world at large is fraught with turmoil, a classic Dion power ballad is a warm source of comfort." All along, Dion offers an "appealing palette of vocal colors that range from delicate and breathy to full-bodied and appropriately dramatic."[2] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the song "builds in intensity to sound like a James Bond movie theme as delivered by Barbra Streisand -- which is to say, it's over-the-top fun."[8] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic echoed the same thought, calling it an "unapologetically Barbra Streisand-esque."[9] He also picked it as one of the best tracks on both albums ("A New Day Has Come" and "One Heart").[10][9] Barnes & Noble praised the track, calling it a "soaring" ballad.[11] Rebecca Wallwork was less impressed, commenting that "it stick to the tried-and-true formula of allowing Dion's impressive voice to take center stage."[12]

Elisabeth Vincentelli also from Entertainment Weekly, commented: "Dion keeps the belting in check throughout most of One Heart, so when she does go for the dunk, as onHave You Ever Been in Love, the sense of gleeful release is particularly satisfying. (The track -- a sweeping, string-laden '70s-style ballad cowritten by Daryl Hall -- is a repeat from last year's A New Day Has Come.) The song is the best example of the rock-solid foundation One Heart is built on: Dion's uncanny ability to infuse sincerity into aural Hallmark cards and sound like the only person on earth who believes in true love."[13] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine named it a "classic-sounding ballad",[14]while Chuck Arnold of People Magazine called it "one of the strongest cuts from the album."[15] Picks and Pans reviewers Chuck Arnold snd Ralph Novak wrote, while reviewing the One Heart album: "Two of the strongest cuts are actually recycled from last year's A New Day Has Come: "Have You Ever Been in Love" and a ballad version of "Sorry for Love."

Commercial performance[edit][]

The song spent fourteen weeks at number 2 on the U.S. Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks, setting a record for most weeks at the second position.[16] In Sweden, the song debuted at number 57, on November 14, 2003, dropping the chart on the following week.[17] However, it re-entered at number 59, on November 28, 2003, spending two weeks on the Swedish charts.[17]

Music video[edit][]

[2]Celine in the virtual desert in the music video, where Dion is styling short and blonde hair.

A recording of Dion performing the song in The Colosseum at Caesars PalaceLas Vegas was supposed to be the music video. However, Sony Music Entertainment asked Antti Jokinen to make a new one. The "Have You Ever Been in Love" music video was shot between April 29–30, 2003 in Los Angeles and released on June 2, 2003.[18] It was included later on the enhanced CD single.[4]

Live performances and covers[edit][]

Dion performed this song (between March and November 2003) five nights a week during her show A New Day... at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.[19]Additionally, Dion performed the song on VH1 Divas and the Today Show that same year.[20] [21]

In October 2008, "Have You Ever Been in Love" was included on the European version of My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection greatest hits.[22]Additionally, Dion performed the song on VH1 Divas and the Today Show that same year.

"Have You Ever Been in Love" was covered by Aretha Franklin for her live performances.[23]

Formats and track listings[edit][]

European CD single[5]

  1. "Have You Ever Been in Love" – 4:08
  2. "All by Myself" – 5:12

European CD maxi single[4]

  1. "Have You Ever Been in Love" – 4:08
  2. "Have You Ever Been in Love" (edit) – 2:59
  3. "All by Myself" – 5:12
  4. "Have You Ever Been in Love" (video) – 4:08

Official versions[edit][]

  1. "Have You Ever Been in Love" (edit) – 2:59
  2. "Have You Ever Been in Love" (album version) – 4:08

Charts[edit][]

Chart (2003) Peak

position

Canadian Airplay Chart[24] 59
Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart[25] 3
Swedish Singles Chart[17] 57
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks[26] 2
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