Lessons in Love (Level 42 song)

{{Infobox song

| name = Lessons in Love

| cover = Lessons in love-level 42.jpg

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Level 42

| album = Running in the Family

| B-side = "Hot Water" (live)

| released = 14 April 1986 (UK)

| recorded = March 1986{{cite magazine|first= Tony |last= Bacon |title= Mark of Distinction |magazine= Making Music |via= Muzines.co.uk |date= April 1986 |access-date= 29 August 2021 |url= http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/mark-of-distinction/4805}}

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

Synth-pop{{cite news|first= Andy |last= Hermann |title= 10 Underrated '80s Bands You Need to Hear Now |newspaper= LA Weekly |date= 25 January 2017 |access-date= 27 December 2018 |url= https://www.laweekly.com/music/10-underrated-80s-bands-you-need-to-hear-now-7856935}}{{cite web|url=https://electrozombies.com/magazine/article/35-essential-synth-pop-songs-of-the-history/|title=35 essential Synth Pop songs of the history|first=Thomas|last=Frenken|date=April 3, 2021|website=Electrozombies}}
new wave{{cite magazine|first= Chris |last= Jisi |title= Royal Return: Mark King Leads Level 42 on Its 30th Anniversary Comeback |date= 1 August 2010 |magazine= Guitar Player |url= http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/guitarplayercom/jan-00/4990 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140203014740/http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/guitarplayercom/jan-00/4990 |archive-date= 3 February 2014}}

| length = 4:00

| label = Polydor

| writer =

| producer = Level 42

| prev_title = Leaving Me Now

| prev_year = 1985

| next_title = World Machine

| next_year = 1986

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|9x1RcVrGjGM|"Lessons in Love"}}}}

}}

"Lessons in Love" is a single by English jazz-funk band Level 42, released in 1986 from the album Running in the Family, issued one year later. This single is the band's biggest hit in their homeland, where it reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and internationally, entering the top 10 in numerous countries, reaching the number-one spot in five of them: Spain, Germany, South Africa, Switzerland, and Finland.

"Lessons in Love" is also one of the few singles from the band that entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached number 12 in 1987. It is the first of five singles from their 1987 album, Running in the Family, and it made way for the success of other singles from the album.

Writing and recording

According to bassist Mark King, the song started out as a melody from an add-on closing sequence for the live rendition of "Physical Presence" (from the World Machine album) on The Tube on 18 October 1985.

In December 1985, just after Christmas, King put together a rough version of the song using a Sony digital recorder, featuring a verse, chorus and a bridge. The following January, he and producer/co-writer Wally Badarou revisited the tapes and deemed the original chorus weak; so the latter re-wrote the song's chorus from turning around the chorus chords and suggested King a new vocal line.

A couple of months later, in early March 1986, the song was recorded with the band at Maison Rouge Studios in London. Altogether it has seven basslines—three analog synths, two FM synths and two electric basses (one thumb line and a finger-style line). Synths included a Synclavier, Prophet-5, Prophet-600, Yamaha DX7 and Yamaha TX816 rack—these were all kept in sync with a Garfield Electronics Doctor Click rhythm controller.

Critical reception

In 2012, David Quantick described it in Q magazine as "one of the best singles of the '80s".{{cite magazine|first= David |last= Quantick |author-link= David Quantick |title= Running in the Family: 25th Anniversary Edition |magazine= Q |date= November 2012 |page= 118}}

Track listing

UK (1986) 12"{{cite web|title= UK release |access-date= 1 February 2014 |website= Ultimatelevel42.com |url= http://www.ultimatelevel42.com/covers/P2160075-20070217-131404.jpg}}

"Lessons in Love" (extended version)
"Something About You" (remix)
"Hot Water" (live)

Australia (1986) 12"{{cite web|title= Australian release |access-date= 1 February 2014 |website= Ultimatelevel42.com |url= http://www.ultimatelevel42.com/covers/liloza.jpg}}

"Lessons in Love (extended version)
"World Machine"
"Hot Water" (live)

US (1987) 7"{{cite web|title= US release |access-date= 1 February 2014 |website= Ultimatelevel42.com |url= http://www.ultimatelevel42.com/covers/lilusbk_2.jpg}}

"Lessons in Love"
"Hot Water" (live)

US (1987) 12" Polydor – 885 706-1 Y-1, Polydor – 885 706-1

"A1. Lessons in Love (12" remix)" 7:48
"A2. Lessons in Love (7" version)" 4:00
"B1. "Lessons in Love (dub mix)" 5:45
"B2. "Freedom Someday (Bonus Track)" 5:00

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (1986–1987) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="row"\| Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite book\|title= Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 \|last= Kent \|first= David \|author-link= David Kent (historian) \|publisher= Australian Chart Book \|location= St Ives, NSW \|year= 1993 \|isbn= 0-646-11917-6}} \| 65
{{single chart\|Austria\|4\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013\|refname="AUT"}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|3\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
{{single chart\|Canadatopsingles\|14\|chartid=0820\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
scope="row"\| Denmark (IFPI){{cite magazine\|title= Top 3 in Europe \|magazine= Music & Media \|volume= 3 \|issue= 34 \|page= 14 \|date= 30 August 1986}} \| 1
scope="row"\| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine\|title= European Hot 100 Singles \|magazine= Music & Media \|volume= 3 \|issue= 26 \|page= 12 \|date= 5 July 1986}} \| 4
scope="row"\| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book\|first= Jake \|last= Nyman \|year= 2005 \|title= Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja \|edition= 1st \|publisher= Tammi \|location= Helsinki \|isbn= 951-31-2503-3 \|language= fi}} \| 1
{{single chart\|France\|22\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
scope="row"\| Greece (IFPI){{cite magazine\|title= Top 3 in Europe \|magazine= Music & Media \|volume= 3 \|issue= 42 \|page= 16 \|date= 25 October 1986}} \| 2
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|3\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
scope="row"\| Italy (Musica e dischi) \| 2
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|2\|year=1986\|week=28\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|2\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|18\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
{{single chart\|Norway\|10\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
scope="row"\| South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web\|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (L) \|website= Rock.co.za \|access-date= 24 June 2013 \|url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(L).html}} \| 1
scope="row"\| Spain (AFYVE){{cite book\|first= Fernando \|last= Salaverri \|date= September 2005 \|title= Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 \|edition= 1st \|publisher= Fundación Autor-SGAE \|location= Spain \|isbn= 84-8048-639-2 \|language= es}} \| 1
{{single chart\|Sweden\|2\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|1\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
{{single chart\|UK\|3\|date=19860510\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}
scope="row"\| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine\|title= Billboard Hot 100 \|magazine= Billboard \|date= 27 June 1987 \|access-date= 19 April 2025 \|url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1987-06-27/}} \| 12
scope="row"\| US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine\|title= Dance Singles Sales \|magazine= Billboard \|date= 20 June 1987 \|access-date= 19 April 2025 \|url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-dance-singles-sales/1987-06-20/ \|url-access= subscription}} {{small\|Remix}} \| 50
scope="row"\| US Dance Club Play (Billboard){{cite magazine\|title= Dance Club Songs \|magazine= Billboard \|date= 27 June 1987 \|access-date= 19 April 2025 \|url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/1987-06-27/ \|url-access= subscription}} {{small\|Remix}} \| 12
scope="row"\| US Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine\|title= CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JUNE 20, 1987 \|magazine= Cash Box \|url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19870620.html \|archivedate= 6 October 2012 \|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20121006112326/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19870620.html}} \| 19
{{single chart\|West Germany\|1\|artist=Level 42\|song=Lessons in Love\|songid=1457\|rowheader=true\|access-date=24 June 2013}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (1986)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|title= Jahreshitparade 1986 |publisher= Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien |access-date= 1 February 2014 |url= http://www.austriancharts.at/1986_single.asp |language= de}}

| 25

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten 1986 |publisher= Ultratop. Hung Medien |access-date= 1 February 2014 |url= http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1986 |language= nl}}

| 10

scope="row"| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine|title= European Hot 100 Singles: Hot 100 of the Year 1986 |magazine= Music & Media |volume= 3 |issue= 51/52 |page= 28 |date= 27 December 1986}}

| 5

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|title= Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986 |publisher= Dutch Top 40 |access-date= 1 February 2014 |url= http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1986 |language= nl}}

| 6

scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986 |publisher= Single Top 100. Hung Medien |access-date= 1 February 2014 |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1986&cat=s |language= nl}}

| 15

scope="row"| South Africa (Springbok Radio){{cite web|title= Top 20 Hit Singles of 1986 |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= 1 February 2014 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1986.html}}

| 12

scope="row"| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|title= Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986 |publisher= Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien |access-date= 1 February 2014 |url= http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1986 |language= de}}

| 3

scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title= Top 100 Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 24 January 1987 |location= London, England |page= 24}}

| 25

scope="row"| West Germany (Media Control){{cite web|title= Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1986 |publisher= GfK Entertainment |access-date= 19 April 2025 |url= https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1986 |language= de}}

| 3

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (1987) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine\|title= Top 100 Singles of '87 \|volume= 47 \|issue= 12 \|date= 26 December 1987 \|magazine= RPM \|via= Library and Archives Canada \|access-date= 7 March 2020 \|url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0920&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0920.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0920}} \| 66

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (1987)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|title= Top 100 Singles of '87 |volume= 47 |issue= 12 |date= 26 December 1987 |magazine= RPM |via= Library and Archives Canada |access-date= 7 March 2020 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0920&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0920.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0920}}

| 66

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Lessons in Love}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Level 42|title=Lessons in Love|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1986|certyear=1987|access-date=August 22, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|artist=Level 42|title=Lessons in Love|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|access-date=July 16, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Level 42|title=Lessons in Love|award=Silver|id=3792-2182-1|type=single|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|access-date=August 22, 2022}}