“It’s Only Love”: Simply Red’s Smooth Groove of Heartache and Healing
Released in January 1989 as the lead single from A New Flame, “It’s Only Love” marked a soulful return for Simply Red, blending sleek production with emotional depth. But here’s the twist: it wasn’t an original. The track is actually a cover of Barry White’s 1978 song “It’s Only Love Doing Its Thing,” written by Jimmy and Vella Cameron. Still, Simply Red made it entirely their own—transforming it into a late-night anthem of vulnerability and groove.
A Cover with a New Flame
Produced by Stewart Levine, the track opens with crisp drums, a warm bassline, and subtle keyboard textures that create a lush, inviting soundscape. It’s not flashy—it’s smooth, confident, and quietly devastating. The arrangement leans into the band’s signature blend of blue-eyed soul, pop, and R&B, giving the original a fresh, contemporary spin for the late ’80s.
Hucknall’s Voice, Front and Center
As always, Mick Hucknall’s voice is the emotional anchor. He doesn’t oversell it—he lets the lyrics breathe, delivering each line with a mix of restraint and soul. There’s a quiet ache in his tone, especially when he sings “It’s only love doing its thing, baby / It’s only love that you’re feeling.” It’s a performance that feels lived-in, like someone who’s been through it and still believes in love anyway.
A Modest Hit, A Lasting Favorite
While it didn’t top the charts, “It’s Only Love” still made a solid impact—reaching #13 in the UK and charting across Europe and Australia. It helped set the tone for A New Flame, which would go on to become one of Simply Red’s most successful albums, thanks in part to later hits like “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.”
Over time, the song has become a fan favorite—less flashy than their biggest hits, but just as emotionally resonant.