Endless Love is a cover by Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross. It was released on August 29, 1994, through Epic Records and is featured on Vandross's 1994 album, Songs. The song was originally written by Lionel Richie and produced by Walter Afanasieff. The original version of the song (performed by Richie and Diana Ross) was released in 1981.
Background[]
In 1981, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie recorded the song for a film with the same name.[1] The song was a success as it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] Vandross and Carey covered this classic ballad for Vandross' Epic Records album titled "Songs," which is a collection of cover songs. The idea for the cover album was first suggested by Carey's then-husband, Tommy Mottola, who was the President of Sony Music Entertainment at the time. Vandross had planned to cover Richie's "Hello" for the album, and it was reportedly Carey who suggested to Mottola that she should team up with Vandross for an update of "Endless Love.[3] The song was released on August 29, 1994.[4] Carey spoke highly of the collaboration, indicating its personal and professional significance to her.[5] The song's had great commercial success as it became Carey's 20th platinum-selling single and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.[6]
Composition[]
The composition of "Endless Love" features a duet arrangement in the key of B♭. The song has a variable tempo around 96 beats per minute. The instrumentation includes 15 channels: lead vocals by both Vandross and Carey, clarinet, brass instruments, string section, synthesizer, piano, electric guitars, lead acoustic guitar, bass, percussion, drum kit, and metronome.[7]
The song is a romantic duet between the two singers and starts with the lines “My love, there’s only you in my life, the only thing that’s right.” It speaks of two individuals who have found love and want to hold onto it forever. The chorus of the song, which is also the title, goes, “My love, there’s only you in my life, the only thing that’s right, my first love, you’re every breath that I take, you’re every step I make.” The theme of love in the song is powerful and overwhelming, it explores what true love really is. The lyrics describe the lengths people go through to show their love for each other. In the bridge, both Mariah and Luther harmonize powerfully proclaiming, that their love is “a flame that will never die- this flame is our love”.[8]
Critical reception[]
Despite the success of the song in the charts, most critics characterized the version as sappy and superfluous.[9]
Live performances[]
Following the song's release, Carey made a surprise appearance at Vandross' concert at the Royal Albert Hall on September 13, 1994 and joined him for a live performance of "Endless Love" backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was taped and released as the song's official live video and it was later included on the From Luther with Love: The Videos music video collection in DVD format. Carey and Vandross also performed the song together on Top of the Pops on September 15, 1994, on German TV show Wetten, dass..? on September 17, 1994 and on Music Station in Japan on September 20, 1994.
To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Carey and Vandross' performance at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as Carey's three-day residency at the venue during the Caution World Tour, the song was brought back to the setlist, exclusive to the concerts London, this time with longtime background singer Trey Lorenz singing Vandross' parts. The song was also performed on the eighteenth and nineteenth nights of The Butterfly Returns in February 2020, also with Lorenz.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey]
My love, there's only you in my life
The only thing that's right
My first love, you're every breath that I take
You're every step I make
[Verse 2: Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross & Both]
And I (And I)
I want to share all my love with you (Hey you)
No one else will do, you know it
And your eyes (Your eyes, your eyes)
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes, you will always be my endless love
[Verse 3: Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross & Both]
Two hearts, two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun
And forever (Forever)
I'll hold you close in my arms
I can't resist your charms
And love (And love)
I'll be a fool for you
(Honey I'm sure)
I'm sure you know I don't mind
(Oh you know I don't mind, baby baby baby baby)
'Cuz baby you, you mean the world to me
Oh I know I found in you my endless love
[Verse 4: Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross & Both]
Oh and love, I'll be that fool for you (For you baby)
I'm sure (I'm so sure)
That you know I don't mind
(I don't mind, I don't mind)
And yes, you'll be the only one
'Cuz no one, no one can deny
This love I have inside
And I'll give it all to you
[Outro: Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross & Both]
My love
My love, my love
My, my, my
My endless love
References[]
- ↑ Classic Motown - Diana Ross & Lionel "Endless Love"
- ↑ Yperano - Luther Vandross n Mariah Carey: Endless Love [tape] RARE. Check videos
- ↑ EURWEB - ‘No One Can Deny’: Here’s the Story Behind 1981’s ‘Endless Love’ [EUR Video Throwback]
- ↑ The Mariah Network - Endless Love
- ↑ Retro Pop Magazine - Mariah Carey pays tribute to Luther Vandross as ‘Endless Love’ becomes her 20th platinum single
- ↑ Billboard Hot 100 - 10/1/1994
- ↑ Isolated Tracks - Luther Vandross: “Endless Love” (Multitrack)
- ↑ The Meaning Behind The Song: Endless Love by Luther Vandross
- ↑ Genius - Endless Love