Love's Got a Hold on My Heart

"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart"
Single by Steps
from the album Steptacular
B-side	"To Be Your Hero"
Released	12 July 1999 (1999-07-12)[1]
Recorded	1999
Studio	PWL (Manchester, England)
Genre	Pop
Length	3:19
Label	Jive Ebul
Songwriter(s)	Andrew Frampton Pete Waterman
Producer(s)	Andrew Frampton Pete Waterman
Steps singles chronology
"Thank ABBA for the Music" (1999) "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (1999) "After the Love Has Gone" (1999)
Music video
"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" on YouTube

"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" is a song by British pop music group Steps. It was released as the lead single from the band's second album, Steptacular (1999). The song features Faye Tozer and Claire Richards on lead vocals. The single peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and became a top-20 hit in Finland, Flanders, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Critical reception

Can't Stop the Pop stated that "the one thing that immediately jumps out with this single – from that first keyboard whizz in the intro – is how summery it sounds. The track is not without a trademark hint of melodrama, but on the whole, it’s a much lighter production which exudes sunshine and warmth." They added that the chorus is "deceptively – and enduringly – catchy."^[2] Scottish newspaper Daily Record said it is "their best tune yet. A Europop sound, ABBA-tinged melody and they even supply the dance moves on the CD box".^[3] They also wrote, "This song sounds like the band looks - cheesy. The tune pops along using all the right ingredients to make sure you're tapping your feet."^[4]

Chart performance

The single missed out at number one on the UK Singles Chart, losing out to Latin pop singer Ricky Martin, who spent a second week at the top with "Livin' La Vida Loca".^[5] Spending 12 weeks on the British charts, this single is the group's only single to fall off the charts for two consecutive weeks and then re-enter.^[5] The song did reach number one on the Scottish Singles Chart, conversely preventing "Livin' la Vida Loca" from reaching the top spot.^[6] "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" also peaked at number nine in Finland and Ireland, number 14 in the Flanders region of Belgium, number 18 in New Zealand, and number 29 in Australia.^[7][8]

Music video

The music video for the song, shot in Cannes in the South of France, was directed by Dani Jacobs. The main plot sees the group chase a man who has stolen the film reel for the fictitious "Steps: The Movie", interspersed with clips of the band performing the dance routine on a jetty dressed in yellow outfits.

Track listings

UK CD1[9] "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" – 3:19 "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (W.I.P. Off the Wall mix) – 6:12 "To Be Your Hero" – 3:49 UK CD2[10] "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" – 3:19 "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (instrumental) – 3:20 "Last Thing on My Mind" (Wip't Up in the Disco mix instrumental) – 5:41

UK cassette single[11] "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" – 3:19 "To Be Your Hero" – 3:49 Australian and New Zealand CD single[12] "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" – 3:19 "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (WIP Off the Wall mix) – 6:12 "To Be Your Hero" – 3:49 "Last Thing on My Mind" (WIP't UP the Disco mix instrumental) – 5:41 "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (instrumental) – 3:20

Credits and personnel

A-side: "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" Credits adapted are from the liner notes of Steptacular.[13] Recording Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester in 1999 Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London Vocals Lead vocals – Claire Richards, Faye Tozer Background vocals – Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford-Evans, Ian "H" Watkins Personnel Songwriting – Andrew Frampton, Pete Waterman Production – Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman Mixing – Dan Frampton Engineer – Dan Frampton Drums – Pete Waterman Keyboards – Andrew Frampton Guitar – Dan Frampton Bass – Andrew Frampton

B-side: "To Be Your Hero" Credits are adapted from the liner notes of "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart".[9] Recording Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester in 1999 Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London Vocals Lead vocals – Ian "H" Watkins Background vocals – Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford-Evans Personnel Songwriting – Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman Production – Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman Mixing – Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1999) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[7] 29 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[14] 14 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 12 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[16] 9 Ireland (IRMA)[8] 9 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[17] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 58 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 18 Scotland (OCC)[6] 1 UK Singles (OCC)[5] 2 UK Indie (OCC)[20] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1999) Position UK Singles (OCC)[21] 62

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[22]	Silver	200,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "New Releases – For Week Starting 12 July, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 10 July 1999. p. 23. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
2. "Steps – Love's Got A Hold on My Heart". Can't Stop the Pop. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
3. "Chartslot". Daily Record. 23 July 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
4. "Chartslot". Daily Record. 30 July 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
6. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
7. "Steps – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
8. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
9. Love's Got a Hold on My Heart (UK CD1 liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519372.
10. Love's Got a Hold on My Heart (UK CD2 liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519392.
11. Love's Got a Hold on My Heart (UK cassette single sleeve). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519374.
12. Love's Got a Hold on My Heart (Australian & New Zealand CD single liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519422.
13. Steptacular (European CD album liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519442.
14. "Steps – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
15. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 31. p. 8. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
16. "Steps: Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
17. "Steps – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
18. "Steps – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
19. "Steps – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
20. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
21. "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. 22 January 2000. p. 27.
22. "British single certifications – Steps – Love's Got a Hold on My Heart". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 September 2020.