When It's Love
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| "When It's Love" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Van Halen | ||||
| from the album OU812 | ||||
| B-side | "Cabo Wabo" | |||
| Released | June 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1987 | |||
| Studio | 5150 Studios, Studio City, California | |||
| Genre | Pop metal[1] | |||
| Length | 5:38 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Van Halen singles chronology | ||||
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| Official audio | ||||
| When It's Love on YouTube | ||||
When It's Love is a power ballad[2] by American rock band Van Halen. It was released in 1988 as the second single from their eighth studio album OU812. It was the most popular song from that album, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[3] The song has been a live performance staple since it was released in 1988. The song was also included in the set list for the band's ill-fated 1998 tour with Gary Cherone. Eddie Van Halen has stated that this particular guitar solo is a nod to Eric Clapton.[4] It became their 3rd and last top 10 hit.
It was featured on a VH1 special, The Greatest: 25 Greatest Power Ballads, where it was ranked as the 24th greatest power ballad of all time.
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 23 |
| Irish Singles Chart[6] | 23 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 28 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 5 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock[9] | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1988) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[10][11] | 82 |
In popular culture
The notes of When It's Love are played throughout the 80s-set Bluey episode Fairytale. In the Bluey album Rug Island, the eight track is titled Fairytale, again including the notes of When It's Love.
