Never Knew Love Like This Before

"Never Knew Love Like This Before" is a song written and produced by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas, and recorded by American R&B singer Stephanie Mills for her fourth studio album, Sweet Sensation (1980). The single was released in August 1980 by 20th Century Fox Records and is inspired by the birth of Lucas' daughter Lisa.

Composition

The Intro and Verse chords are [B E F#/A# D#m7 G#m7 C#m9 E/F#], cycling through the diatonic Circle of fifths in the key of B major. The Chorus section chords are [Emaj7 D#m7 C#m7 Emaj7 D#m7 C#m7 Emaj7 D#m7 C#sus4 C#7 E]. ==Legacy==

Legacy

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked "Never Knew Love Like This Before" number 19 in their list of "The 50 Most Inspirational LGBTQ Songs of All Time". In 2025, Billboard magazine ranked it number 32 in their "The 100 Greatest LGBTQ+ Anthems of All Time"-list. ==Personnel==

Personnel

• Howard King – drums • Basil Fearington – bass • James Mtume – keyboards • Hubert Eaves III – keyboards • Reggie Lucas – guitar • Ed Moore – guitar • James Mtume – percussion • Ed Walsh – synthesizer programming • Tawatha Agee, Gwen Guthrie, Brenda White King, James Mtume & Reggie Lucas – background vocals • Gene Blanco – String and horn arrangements ==Charts==

Charts

Weekly charts Year-end charts ==Cover versions==

Cover versions

• In 1999, French band Organiz' covered the song. The track reached on number five on French Singles Chart, and number 6 on Belgian Singles Chart. • Thomas Anders covered the song for his 1995 album Souled. • In 2013, Jessie Ware covered the song for the soundtrack to the film I Give It a Year. ==Certifications==

Source: Wikipedia ↗

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