Is This Love? (Alison Moyet song)

"Is This Love?" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet, released in November 1986 as the first single from her second studio album Raindancing (1987). The song was written by Moyet and Dave Stewart. Stewart, who also produced the song, used the pseudonym Jean Guiot for his involvement with the song.[1]

"Is This Love?"
Single by Alison Moyet
from the album Raindancing
B-side"Blow Wind Blow"
ReleasedNovember 1986 (United Kingdom)
March 1987 (North America)
Recorded1986
GenreSynthpop
LabelColumbia Records
Songwriter(s)Alison Moyet & Jean Guiot (Dave Stewart)
Producer(s)Jean Guiot (Dave Stewart)
Alison Moyet singles chronology
"For You Only"
(1985)		 "Is This Love?"
(1986)		 "Weak in the Presence of Beauty"
(1987)

Background

Following the release of her successful debut album Alf, Moyet decided to move to Los Angeles where she remained for almost a year. Once settled, Moyet's manager hired Jimmy Iovine to produce her second studio album. Although most of the songs had already been written back in England, "Is This Love?" was written in Los Angeles. Dave Stewart, a friend of Iovine's, called into the studio to see him one day while Moyet was recording there. Iovine suggested that the pair should write a song together. To avoid problems with his publishers, Stewart's contribution was disguised under the pseudonym Jean Guiot. Moyet later recalled in 2016: "Dave jammed together a couple of chords, raised the melody idea and then I took it away, wrote the lyrics and played with the tune. We had a really good time recording it."[2]

"Is This Love?" was released in November 1986 as the lead single from Raindancing.[3] It became a big hit in the UK, Europe and elsewhere in the world. In March 1987, it was released as the album's lead single in the United States, but failed to chart.[4]

Music video

A music video was filmed to promote the single. It was directed by Nick Morris and produced by Fiona O'Mahoney for MGMM.[5] The video was shot at Carlyon Bay near St Austell, Cornwall, at the now-demolished Cornwall Coliseum entertainment venue, and along Crinnis beach.[6] In America, it achieved breakout rotation on MTV.[7]

Critical reception

Upon release, Max Bell of Number One said: "Everyone's favourite big sister holds back the histrionics and resists the temptation of a big Jimmy Iovine production special. I've just heard the single is selling like hot cakes. A definite Number One of course!"[8] Stuart Bailie of Record Mirror wrote: "This is quite reminiscent of Alf's days with Yazoo. To pull off something this simple takes confidence and character, and this one will be a grower, whether you like it or not."[9] Ro Newton of Smash Hits stated: "Alison Moyet's been biding her time lately in L.A., recording new material but really this is nothing to bring you or her out in a sweat. "Is This Love?" is tunesome alright but hardly enough for her to wrap her tonsils around. This woman is worthy of far greater things than this."[10]

Track listing
7" single
  1. "Is This Love?" – 3:59
  2. "Blow Wind Blow" – 5:10
7" single (UK/US promos)
  1. "Is This Love?" – 3:59
  2. "Is This Love?" – 3:59
12" single
  1. "Is This Love?" (L.A. Mix) – 5:23
  2. "Is This Love?" (Single Version) – 3:59
  3. "Blow Wind Blow" (Long Version) – 6:19
12" single (UK release)
  1. "Is This Love?" (L.A. Mix) – 5:23
  2. "Blow Wind Blow" (Long Version) – 6:19
  3. "For You Only" (Europa Mix) – 6:14
12" single (US promo)
  1. "Is This Love?" – 3:59
  2. "Is This Love?" (L.A. Mix) – 5:23

Charts
Chart (1986–87) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[11] 13
Belgian Singles Chart (V)[12] 5
Dutch Singles Chart[13] 16
German Singles Chart[14] 15
Irish Singles Chart[15] 4
Italian Singles Chart[16] 18
New Zealand Singles Chart[17] 7
Norwegian Singles Chart[18] 3
South African Singles Chart[19] 2
Swedish Singles Chart[20] 5
Swiss Singles Chart[21] 20
UK Singles Chart[22] 3

References
  1. "ALISON MOYET Interview". The Electricity Club. 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  2. Raindancing – 2016 deluxe edition CD booklet liner notes
  3. "Alison Moyet - Is This Love? / Blow Wind Blow - CBS - UK - MOYET 1". 45cat. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  4. "Alison Moyet - Is This Love? / Blow Wind Blow - Columbia - USA - 38-07019". 45cat. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  5. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-06-13.pdf
  6. http://www.carlyonbeachcommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/9365-we30117-remembering-cornwall-colliseum_april-2015_screen_spreads.pdf
  7. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-07-04.pdf
  8. Bell, Max (29 November 1986). "Single reviews". Number One.
  9. Bailie, Stuart (29 November 1986). "Singles". Record Mirror.
  10. Smash Hits - 19 November-2 December 1986 - Review: Singles - page 89
  11. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 978-0-646-11917-5.
  12. https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/627/Alison-Moyet-Is-This-Love
  13. Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - Is This Love?". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  14. "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News". musicline.de. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  15. Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Group. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  16. "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: M". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  17. Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - Is This Love?". charts.nz. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  18. Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - Is This Love?". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  19. Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  20. Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - Is This Love?". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  21. Steffen Hung. "Alison Moyet - Is This Love?". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  22. "ALISON MOYET | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
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