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"Love Anyway"
Single by Mike Scott
from the album Still Burning
Released15 September 1997[1]
Length6:41
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)Mike Scott
Producer(s)Mike Scott, Niko Bolas
Mike Scott singles chronology
"Building the City of Light"
(1995) 		"Love Anyway"
(1997) 		"Rare, Precious and Gone"
(1998)

"Love Anyway" is a song from Scottish singer-songwriter Mike Scott, which was released as the lead single from his second solo album Still Burning. It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by Scott and Niko Bolas. "Love Anyway" reached No. 50 in the UK Singles Chart and remained on the charts for two weeks.[2]

Background

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In his autobiography, Scott described the song as a "mid-paced rocker with a hustly Jim Keltner groove and a hazy, chiming guitar figure." It was considered by Chrysalis as the album's best contender for a potential hit.[3] Speaking of its limited success as a single, he said: "Despite all its radio play the song [did not catch] on with the public."[4]

Music video

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The song's music video was directed by Matthew Amos and produced by Anna Whiting.[1]

Critical reception

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On its release, Wayne Moriarty of the Edmonton Journal considered the song the "best cut" on Still Burning. He described the track as "a big old slab of Waterboys-ish pomp and rock that will remind his devotees just how special it was when Mike and the lads were pioneering the big sound that carried the likes of U2 to fame and fortune."[5] Kerry Gold of the Vancouver Sun noted the song's "multiple violins and lush orchestration".[6]

In a review of Scott's 1997 concert at the Garage in London, James McNair of The Independent was critical of the song's live rendition: "It's not that "Love Anyway" is weak - far from it. The problem is that the soaring strings that are integral to the song's magic on CD are missing live and, at six minutes 42 seconds, the journey is just too long without them."[7]

In his 2002 book The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, Mark Allan Powell noted "the manner in which songs like "Love Anyway" bespeak an ethic unlike that which informs previous Waterboys' tunes about heartbreak and disappointment in love. Whereas previous songs express bitterness and even a design for vengeance, "Love Anyway" boasts "You made a fool out of me today / I'm breaking the rule / I love you anyway"."[8] In 2011, Richard Curtis, in a piece for The Guardian on his affection for Scott and the Waterboys, commented: "If you're ever feeling low on energy and hope, pump up "This Is the Sea", "Don't Bang the Drum" or "Love Anyway" and life seems worth living again – worth living large."[9]

Formats

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Cassette single (UK release)
No.TitleLength
1."Love Anyway"6:41
2."The King of Stars"3:15
CD single (UK #1)
No.TitleLength
1."Love Anyway"6:41
2."King Electric (including "Moonage Daydream")"7:17
3."Blues Is My Business"4:24
CD single (UK #2)
No.TitleLength
1."Love Anyway"6:41
2."Big Lover"3:35
3."Careful with That Melletron, Eugene"2:57
4."Since I Found My School"3:02
CD single (UK promo)
No.TitleLength
1."Love Anyway (Edit)"4:33
2."Love Anyway (LP Version)"6:41
CD single (European release)
No.TitleLength
1."Love Anyway"6:41
2."Blues Is My Business"4:24
3."Since I Found My School"3:02
4."King Electric (including "Moonage Daydream")"7:17

Personnel

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Charts

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Chart (1997) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[10] 31
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 50

References

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  1. ^ a b Lorenz, Christian (11 October 1997). "Scott is back and burning". Music & Media.
  2. ^ "Mike Scott | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  3. ^ Scott, Mike (2017). Adventures of a Waterboy. Jawbone. p. 246. ISBN 978-1911036357.
  4. ^ Scott, Mike (2017). Adventures of a Waterboy. Jawbone. p. 251. ISBN 978-1911036357.
  5. ^ Moriarty, Wayne (19 December 1998). "For a good time, give Scott a spin". Edmonton Journal.
  6. ^ Gold, Kerry (2 April 1998). "CD reviews". The Vancouver Sun.
  7. ^ James McNair (1997-08-22). "Mike Scott / The Garage, London". The Independent. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  8. ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002-06-01). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music - Mark Allan Powell - Google Books. Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN 9781565636798. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  9. ^ Richard Curtis (6 September 2011). "Why Mike Scott is Richard Curtis's idol | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  10. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Mike Scott: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
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