Wikipedia

Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?

"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" is a song written by Canadian musician Bryan Adams, Michael Kamen and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, and recorded by Adams for the 1995 film Don Juan DeMarco, starring Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway. The melody is used as a musical motif through the film, and the song is featured three times in the movie, twice performed by other artists in Spanish, and finally performed by Adams himself during the closing credits. The Adams version of the song, which features flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, is featured on the soundtrack album and also on the album 18 til I Die, which was released over a year later.

"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"
Single by Bryan Adams
from the album Don Juan DeMarco: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and 18 til I Die
B-side"Low Life"[1]
ReleasedApril 4, 1995 (1995-04-04)
GenreLatin rock[2]
Length4:50
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Bryan Adams
  • Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Bryan Adams singles chronology
"All for Love"
(1993) 		"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"
(1995) 		"Rock Steady"
(1995)
Audio sample
"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"

The song stayed at number one for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making it the third number-one song for the songwriting team. It also went to number one in Canada, Australia, Austria, and Switzerland while reaching the top five in 10 additional countries, including France and the United Kingdom, and the top ten in a further four countries. The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 68th Academy Awards but lost to "Colors of the Wind" from the Disney animated film Pocahontas.[3]

Critical reception

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Paul Verna from Billboard described the song as "sultry".[4] Steve Baltin from Cash Box noted that here, "the king of soundtrack ballads attempts to reclaim his throne". He added further, "The flamenco introduction lends the false hope this may be something different, but it's the same old Adams. Be careful not to operate any heavy machinery while under the influence of this one."[5] Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report viewed it as an "unusual waltz with #1 written all over it."[6] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Everything is there to make it work: a film, Don Juan De Marco, a ballad, a long song title but nothing between brackets, guitarist Paco De Lucia and Adams' hoarse voice."

Christine Coulter, librarian/programmer at Downtown Radio/Belfast stated, "It's absolutely different from his previous film ballads. The film, which will be issued here in May I believe, is not the reason we play it. For us it's a track that stands fully on its own."[7] A reviewer from Music Week gave it three out of five, writing that "Bryan comes over all Hispanic for this strong ballad which arrives replete with Spanish guitar flourishes and castanets."[8] The magazine's Alan Jones described it as "a simple, singalong song in waltztime, with acoustic Spanish style guitar picking."[9] Barbara Ellen from NME felt it finds Adams "at his most plaintive".[10]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" was shot in Spain at Casa los Pavos Reales, Málaga starring Cecilie Thomsen and Amira Casar. It was directed by the music video director Anton Corbijn and was released in May 1995.[11] For reasons unknown, the original music video is no longer viewable on YouTube.

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[63] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[64] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[65] Gold 250,000^
Sweden (GLF)[66] Gold 25,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[67] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] Silver 200,000^
United States — 600,000[69]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States April 4, 1995
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 A&M [citation needed]
United Kingdom April 10, 1995 [70]
Japan May 10, 1995 CD [71]

References

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  1. ^ Bryan Adams (1995). Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? (Canadian cassette single sleeve). A&M Records. 31458 1028 4.
  2. ^ Breihan, Tom (March 23, 2022). "The Number Ones: Bryan Adams' "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  3. ^ "The 68th Academy Awards | 1996". Oscars. October 5, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  4. ^ Verna, Paul (June 22, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Albums" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  5. ^ Baltin, Steve (April 15, 1995). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  6. ^ Fell, Ron; Rufer, Diane (March 31, 1995). "Gavin A/C: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 48. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. April 15, 1995. p. 15. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. April 1, 1995. p. 10. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  9. ^ Jones, Alan (April 8, 1995). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  10. ^ Ellen, Barbara (April 8, 1995). "Singles". NME. p. 59. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  11. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  13. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  14. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  15. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  16. ^ "Hits of the World: Canada" (PDF). Billboard. May 6, 1995. p. 46. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9224." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  18. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9218." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  19. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 29. July 22, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  20. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 29. July 22, 1995. p. 12. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  21. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  22. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (in French). Les classement single.
  23. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  24. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 34. August 26, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  25. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (27.5. '95 – 2.6. '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). May 27, 1995. p. 26. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  26. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman". Irish Singles Chart.
  27. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 22. June 3, 1995. p. 20. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  28. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  29. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  30. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?". Top 40 Singles.
  31. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?". VG-lista.
  32. ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 20/1995" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 20. May 20, 1995. p. 31. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  33. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  34. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?". Singles Top 100.
  35. ^ "Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?". Swiss Singles Chart.
  36. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  37. ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  38. ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  39. ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  40. ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  41. ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  42. ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1995". ARIA. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  43. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1995" (in German). Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  44. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1995" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  45. ^ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  46. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM. Retrieved July 8, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  47. ^ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Retrieved July 8, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  48. ^ "1995 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. December 23, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  49. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  50. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  51. ^ "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1996. p. 16. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  52. ^ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  53. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1995" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  54. ^ "End of Year Charts 1995". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  55. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  56. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1995" (in German). Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  57. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. January 13, 1996. p. 9.
  58. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  59. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-80. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  60. ^ "The Year in Music 1995: Top 40/Mainstream Top Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 3, no. 51. December 15, 1995. p. 8.
  61. ^ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  62. ^ "Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-20. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  63. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  64. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1995". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  65. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bryan Adams; 'Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  66. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
  67. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  68. ^ "British single certifications – Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman". British Phonographic Industry.
  69. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1995". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 3. January 20, 1996. p. 56. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  70. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. April 8, 1995. p. 27.
  71. ^ "Bryan Adams Discography" (in Japanese). PolyGram. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
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