When You Tell Me That You Love Me

{{Infobox song

| name = When You Tell Me That You Love Me

| cover = Single Cover When You Tell Me That You Love Me Diana Ross.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Diana Ross

| album = The Force Behind the Power

| B-side =

"You And I"
"Chain Reaction"

| released = August 20, 1991

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Soul

| length = 4:14

| label = Motown

| writer =

| producer = Peter Asher

| prev_title = Bottom Line

| prev_year = 1989

| next_title = You're Gonna Love It

| next_year = 1991

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|ynpNe2-1DFU|"When You Tell Me That You Love Me"}}|header=Audio video}}

}}

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is a song by American singer Diana Ross, released on August 20, 1991 as the lead single from her nineteenth studio album, The Force Behind the Power (1991). The song was released on the Motown label in the United States and by EMI Records in the United Kingdom. It was written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis, and produced by Peter Asher. A sentimental ballad, it became the album's biggest hit, peaking at number 37 on the US Billboard R&B singles chart and number two on the UK Singles Chart. Ross considers it one of her signature songs{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSm6Z3WlDv8%26feature%3Drelated |title=YouTube |website=YouTube |access-date=December 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429041327/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSm6Z3WlDv8 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 }} and it was subsequently covered by various artists. The UK release of "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" included her 1985 hit "Chain Reaction".

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a dramatically produced power ballad. Gratefully, track is less trend-conscious than Ross's more recent efforts, though this is far from her strongest work. Regardless, diehard fans will love it—as will AC radio programmers."{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Single Reviews |magazine= Billboard |date= September 14, 1991 |page= 87 |access-date= October 23, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB1991.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick}} Henderson and DeVaney from Cashbox called it a "highly commercial pop ballad" and a "slick single".{{cite magazine|first1= Alex |last1= Henderson |first2= Bryan |last2= DeVaney |title= Music Reviews: Singles |magazine= Cashbox |date= September 14, 1991 |page= 5 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1991/CB-1991-09-14.pdf}} In the review of the album, the magazine declared it as a "potential hit" and a "dramatic ballad".{{cite magazine|title= Music Reviews: Albums |magazine= Cashbox |date= September 28, 1991 |page= 5 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1991/CB-1991-09-28.pdf}} Jan DeKnock from Chicago Tribune named it the album's "strongest ballad".DeKnock, Jan (November 7, 1991). "Home Entertainment: Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 8. A reviewer from Liverpool Echo wrote, "And while Diana Ross's voice couldn't be more different, this track does have some of that radio-friendly style. It starts like a sophisticated ballad, with quiet piano and voice. and builds into an emotional climax, complete with a bit of rock guitar. It's perfectly produced and perfectly predictable.""Single-Minded". Liverpool Echo. November 18, 1991. p. 15. Connie Johnson from Los Angeles Times viewed it as "a gorgeously gushy ballad that’s perfect for Ross’ theatrical delivery. Peter Asher had a hand in producing this track, on which Ross manages to appear unpretentious and guilelessly sweet."{{cite news|first=Connie|last=Johnson|title=In Brief|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 3, 1991|page=|accessdate=January 22, 2023|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-03-ca-1386-story.html}} Newcastle Evening Chronicle remarked the singer's "romantic mood" on the song.Newcastle Evening Chronicle. July 30, 1991. p. 27. Stephen Holden from New York Times felt it "strongly echoes the sentiments" of "Wind Beneath My Wings".Holden, Stephen (September 21, 1991). "Diana Ross Adds Family to Glamour". New York Times.

Music video

The single's accompanying music video featured scenes of Ross in an evening gown singing on stage intercut with home video footage of Ross with her two sons Ross & Evan.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFZiOvAEdhQ|title=YouTube|website=www.youtube.com|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416134808/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFZiOvAEdhQ|archive-date=April 16, 2016|url-status=live}}

Track listings

US 7-inch and cassette single {{small|(MOTS7-2139; MOTCS-2139)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=When You Tell Me That You Love Me|others=Diana Ross|year=1991|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Motown|id=MOTS7-2139}}{{cite AV media notes|title=When You Tell Me That You Love Me|others=Diana Ross|year=1991|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Motown|id=MOTCS-2139}}

:A. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (LP version) – 4:10

:B. "You and I" – 4:05

UK 7-inch and cassette single {{small|(EM 217; TCEM 217)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=When You Tell Me That You Love Me|others=Diana Ross|year=1991|type=UK 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=EMI Records|id=EM 217, 2056007}}{{cite AV media notes|title=When You Tell Me That You Love Me|others=Diana Ross|year=1991|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=EMI Records|id=TCEM 217, 2056004}}

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (LP version) – 4:10
"Chain Reaction" (single version) – 3:47

UK 12-inch single {{small|(12EM 217)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=When You Tell Me That You Love Me|others=Diana Ross|year=1991|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=EMI Records|id=12EM 217, 2056006}}

:A1. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (LP version)

:B1. "Chain Reaction" (12-inch version)

:B2. "You and I"

UK CD single {{small|(CDEM 217)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=When You Tell Me That You Love Me|others=Diana Ross|year=1991|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=CDEM 217, 2056002}}

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (LP version)
"Chain Reaction" (single version)
"You and I"

Japanese mini-CD single {{small|(TODP-2363)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=When You Tell Me That You Love Me|others=Diana Ross|year=1991|type=Japanese mini-CD single liner notes|publisher=EMI Records|id=TODP-2363}}

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (LP version)
"Supremes Medley"

Note: "Supreme Medley" consists of five songs by the Supremes: "Baby Love", "Stop! In the Name of Love", "You Can't Hurry Love", "You Keep Me Hangin' On", and "Love Is Like an Itchin' in My Heart"

Personnel

Diana Ross: lead vocals
Robbie Buchanan: keyboards
Michael Landau: guitar
Freddie Washington: bass
Carlos Vega: drums
Michael Fisher: percussion
David Campbell: BV arrangements, orchestra arrangements and conductor
Gavyn Wright: orchestra leader
Isobel Griffiths: orchestra contractor
Peter Asher: backing vocals
Valerie Carter: backing vocals
Kate Markowitz: backing vocals

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\|Australia (ARIA){{cite Ryan\|page=239}} \|83
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1991–1992) !Peak position
{{single chart\|Flanders\|23\|song=When You Tell Me That You Love Me\|artist=Diana Ross\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Canadaadultcontemporary\|34\|chartid=1661\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-01-18.pdf\|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=9\|issue=3\|page=31\|date=January 18, 1992\|access-date=July 21, 2020}} \|8
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|4\|song=When You Tell Me That You Love Me\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|6\|year=1992\|week=12\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|4\|song=When You Tell Me That You Love Me\|artist=Diana Ross\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
{{single chart\|UK\|2\|date=19911214\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardadultcontemporary\|26\|artist=Diana Ross\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrandbhiphop\|37\|artist=Diana Ross\|rowheader=true\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1991) !Position
scope="row"\|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine\|title=1991 Top 100 Singles\|magazine=Music Week\|publisher=Spotlight Publications \|location=London, England\|page=20\|date=January 11, 1992}} \|17

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

!Chart (1991)

!Position

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=1991 Top 100 Singles|magazine=Music Week|publisher=Spotlight Publications |location=London, England|page=20|date=January 11, 1992}}

|17

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1992) !Position
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1992\|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1992\|publisher=Dutch Top 40\|access-date=December 3, 2021}} \|32
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web\|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1992&cat=s\|title=Jaaroverzichten - Single 1992\|publisher=MegaCharts\|language=nl\|access-date=April 10, 2019}} \|44

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

!Chart (1992)

!Position

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1992|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1992|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=December 3, 2021}}

|32

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1992&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten - Single 1992|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=April 10, 2019}}

|44

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Diana Ross|title=When You Tell Me That You Love M|award=Silver|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|id=8198-2600-1|access-date=July 21, 2020}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"\|Region !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Format(s) !scope="col"\|Label(s) !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row"\|United States \|August 20, 1991 \|{{n/a}} \|Motown \|{{citation needed\|date=August 2022}}
scope="row"\|United Kingdom \|November 18, 1991 \|{{hlist\|7-inch vinyl\|12-inch vinyl\|CD\|cassette}} \|rowspan="2"\|EMI \|{{cite magazine\|title=New Releases: Singles\|magazine=Music Week\|page=21\|date=November 16, 1991}}
scope="row"\|Japan \|June 24, 1992 \|Mini-CD \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/101440/products/270575/1/\|title=恋のプレリュード {{!}} ダイアナ・ロス\|trans-title=Prelude of Love {{!}} Diana Ross\|publisher=Oricon\|language=ja\|access-date=September 23, 2023}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|United States

|August 20, 1991

|{{n/a}}

|Motown

|{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|November 18, 1991

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}

|rowspan="2"|EMI

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=21|date=November 16, 1991}}

scope="row"|Japan

|June 24, 1992

|Mini-CD

|{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/101440/products/270575/1/|title=恋のプレリュード {{!}} ダイアナ・ロス|trans-title=Prelude of Love {{!}} Diana Ross|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=September 23, 2023}}

Julio Iglesias versions

=With Dolly Parton=

{{Infobox song

| name = When You Tell Me That You Love Me

| cover = Single Cover When You Tell Me That You Love Me Iglesias Parton.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Julio Iglesias and Dolly Parton

| album = Crazy

| released = 1994

| recorded = 1994

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 3:59

| label = Columbia

| writer =

| producer =

Albert Hammond
David Foster

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|mQoVNrPQdtU|"Julio Iglesias - When You Tell Me That You Love Me"}}}}

}}

The song was recorded in a duet form by American singer Dolly Parton and Spanish singer Julio Iglesias for the latter's 1994 album Crazy. A single was released in 1994 which managed to chart in the Netherlands for three weeks: entering at position 48, peaking at 45, and in its final week charting at number 49.{{cite web |author=Steffen Hung |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Julio+Iglesias+%26+Dolly+Parton&titel=When+You+Tell+Me+That+You+Love+Me&cat=s |title=Julio Iglesias & Dolly Parton - When You Tell Me That You Love Me |website=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510125303/http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Julio+Iglesias+&+Dolly+Parton&titel=When+You+Tell+Me+That+You+Love+Me&cat=s |archive-date=May 10, 2014 |url-status=live }} Parton included this song on her 4-disc compilation box set, The Tour Collection.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tour-Collection-Dolly-Parton/dp/B0017UW10Y |title=The Tour Collection: Dolly Parton: Amazon.co.uk: Music |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501134223/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tour-Collection-Dolly-Parton/dp/B0017UW10Y |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}

==Critical reception==

Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report wrote, "It's hard to beat the box office combo of a ladies' man and a man's woman. Julio and Dolly get the David Foster treatment with an expensive sounding arrangement worthy of such stars."{{cite magazine|first1=Ron|last1=Fell|first2=Diane|last2=Rufer|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/95/Gavin-1995-02-10.pdf|title=Gavin A/C: New Releases|magazine=Gavin Report|date=February 10, 1995|page=26|access-date=January 20, 2023}}

==Music video==

The accompanying music video was directed by John Hopgood, and was filmed for the single at Oheka Castle on Long Island's north shore.{{Cite news |last=Sutton |first=Larry |date=Dec 30, 1996 |title=MANSE GETS BACK ON ITS FETE: Oheka building grandeur |url= |work=Daily News |page=1 |edition=Long Island |publication-place=New York, NY |id={{NewsBank text|11588464F1E25ED8}}. Newspapers.com [https://nydailynews.newspapers.com/image/475753114/?terms=Oheka%20music%20video&match=1 475753114].}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2025|reason=I'm not sure if the online version had more details, but the most relevant quote in the print version of this story appears to be, "In recent years, the building [Oheka Castle] has been used as the set of music videos by artists as diverse as Dolly Parton and Julio Iglesias.", which provides only very weak support for this statement. The original citation and statement were both added in this diff: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?diff=244498050&oldid=237837734&title=When_You_Tell_Me_That_You_Love_Me}} The sepia-toned clip features Iglesias and Parton singing in separate rooms and a love scene involving a younger couple. At the end of the video Parton and Iglesias are shown leaving the castle. Parton having changed from a white nightgown into a black cocktail dress.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnGveS9x5bk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009191351/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnGveS9x5bk|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 9, 2008|title=YouTube - julio iglesias ,dolly parton-when you tell me that you love| website=YouTube |date=October 9, 2008|access-date=January 15, 2019}}

==Charts==

class="wikitable"
Chart (1995) !Peak position
Netherlands (Mega Top 50) \| style="text-align:center;"\|45

class="wikitable"

Chart (1995)

!Peak
position

Netherlands (Mega Top 50)

| style="text-align:center;"|45

=With CoCo Lee=

In 1998, Iglesias re-recorded the duet with Chinese singer Coco Lee (李玟) and released it as a single to promote his compilation My Life: The Greatest Hits. Despite this, CoCo Lee's version was not included on the actual album, but rather Parton's.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Julio-Iglesias-Life-Greatest-Hits/dp/B00000DCHQ |title=Julio Iglesias - My Life: Greatest Hits: Julio Iglesias: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107025759/http://www.amazon.com/Julio-Iglesias-Life-Greatest-Hits/dp/B00000DCHQ |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |url-status=live }} A music video was released featuring Iglesias and Lee singing together in a recording studio intercut with scenes of Lee walking around in a trench coat. At the end of the video Iglesias and Lee sit down to a candlelit dinner.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axS8s2NIRIY |title=Coco Lee & Julio Iglesias - When You Tell Me That You Love M |publisher=YouTube |date=August 10, 2007 |access-date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025225035/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axS8s2NIRIY |archive-date=October 25, 2008 |url-status=live }}

Westlife version

{{Infobox song

| name = When You Tell Me That You Love Me

| cover = WhenYouTellMeThatYouLoveMeCD1.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Westlife and Diana Ross

| album = Face to Face

| released = {{start date|2005|12|12}}{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=23|date=December 10, 2005}}

| recorded = 2005

| studio = {{unbulleted list|A Side, Kingside (Stockholm)|Sanctuary Townhouse (London)|Larrabee North (Los Angeles)}}

| genre = Pop

| length = 3:58

| label = Sony BMG

| writer = Hammond and Bettis

| producer =

| chronology = Westlife

| prev_title = You Raise Me Up

| prev_year = 2005

| next_title = Amazing

| next_year = 2006

| misc = {{Extra album cover

| header = CD2

| type = single

| cover = WhenYouTellMeThatYouLoveMeCD2.jpg

| border =

| alt =

| caption =

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|MwSL-57pNqM|When You Tell Me That You Love Me}}}}

}}

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is the second single released from Westlife's sixth studio album, Face to Face (2005). It features vocals from original artist Diana Ross. The single peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, just losing out on the top spot by a mere 171 copies. The song was the 39th best selling single of 2005 in the UK. It debuted with 40,708 combined physical and download sales in the UK alone.{{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/051224cluk.txt |title=CHART: CLUK Update 24.12.2005 (wk50) CHART LOG UK: NEW ENTRIES UPDATE |publisher=zobbel.de|access-date=January 17, 2019}} The single reached 120 000 copies sold in UK so far.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/westlife-official-top-20 |title=Westlife | Official Top 20 |publisher=Mtv.co.uk |access-date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629230034/http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/westlife-official-top-20 |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |url-status=dead }} This single marked its fourteenth year since the original Diana Ross version was released and peaked at No. 2, the same chart position in the UK Singles Chart in 1991.

It missed becoming the Christmas Single for 2005 by just 170 units, as had happened to the original. It also peaked at No. 2 in Ireland and Scotland. It is the band's nineteenth best selling single in paid-for sales category and in best selling single combined sales category in the United Kingdom as of January 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/westlifes-top-20-biggest-songs-on-the-official-charts__25303/|title=Westlife's Top 20 biggest songs on the Official Charts|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=January 12, 2019|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=January 12, 2019}}

=Music video=

The video features Westlife and Ross singing on a stage together. The members of Westlife are wearing dark suits whilst Ross wears a long white dress and later in the video, a gold dress. New excerpts from the music video with Ross, that didn't make the cut on the official video, were used on television performances by the band of the song for the premiere promotional release week of it as a single.

=Track listing=

UK CD1

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (Single Mix) – 4:01
"White Christmas" – 3:34
"The Way You Look Tonight" (Westlife Only Version) – 4:07

UK CD2

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" (Single Mix) – 4:00
"If I Let You Go" (Acoustic Version) – 3:40

=Charts=

Chart (2005) !Peak position
class="wikitable sortable"
{{single chart\|CIS\|186\|artist=Westlife feat. Diana Ross\|song=When You Tell Me That You Love Me\|songid=4373\|access-date=October 20, 2021}}
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|2\|song=When You Tell Me That You Love Me\|access-date=April 4, 2018\|refname=Ireland2005}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|45\|artist=Westlife with Diana Ross\|song=When You Tell Me That You Love Me\|access-date=April 4, 2018}}
{{single chart\|Scotland\|2\|date=20051218}}
{{Single chart\|UK\|2\|date=20051224\|access-date=December 30, 2012\|refname="westlifeuk"}}
{{single chart\|UKdownload\|35\|date=20051224}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable sortable"

Chart (2005)

!Position

UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20050110/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=13 November 2021}}

| style="text-align:center;"|51

''American Idol'' finalists - Season 4 version

The 12 American Idol finalists - Season 4 Finalists got together perform this song. It was selected as the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Single in 2005 for the American Idol TV show. It also appears on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers compilation album.