This Is Love (Gary Numan song)

"This Is Love"
Single by Gary Numan
from the album Strange Charm
B-side	"Survival"
Released	April 1986
Length	4:30
Label	Numa
Songwriter(s)	Gary Numan
Producer(s)	Gary Numan, The Waveteam
Gary Numan singles chronology
"Miracles" (1985) "This Is Love" (1986) "I Can't Stop" (1986)

"This Is Love" is a song by English musician Gary Numan, released in 1986 as the lead single from his eighth studio album Strange Charm. It was written by Numan, and produced by Numan and the Waveteam.[1] "This Is Love" reached No. 28 in the UK and remained in the charts for three weeks.[2]

A music video was filmed to promote the single. Early copies of the single included a free interview flexi disc,[3][4] while some 12" copies were issued with "Call Out the Dogs" as a free single.[5]

Critical reception

Upon release, Newcastle Evening Chronicle described the song as a "slow romantic ballad" and Numan's "best in ages".[6] In a retrospective review of the album, Ned Raggett of AllMusic wrote: "Numan uses silence and less-crowded arrangements to create a more dramatic impact. Flat-out successes such as "The Sleeproom" and the concluding ballad "This Is Love," with heavily echoed piano and singing leading the way, show how his decision worked wonders."[1] In 2007, Mojo described the song as a "classy track".[7]

Track listing

7" single

1. "This Is Love" - 4:30
2. "Survival" - 5:02

12" single

1. "This Is Love" - 4:30
2. "Survival" - 5:02

12" single (UK edition with free single)

1. "This Is Love" - 4:30
2. "Survival" - 5:02
3. "Call Out the Dogs" - 6:42
4. "No Shelter" - 3:23
5. "This Ship Comes Apart" - 3:55

Personnel

• Gary Numan - vocals, keyboards
• Martin Elliott - bass guitar
• Dick Morrissey - saxophone
• Mike Smith - keyboards
• Tessa Niles - backing vocals

Production

• Gary Numan - producer
• The Waveteam - producers
• Tim Summerhayes - engineer
• Arun Chakraverty - mastering

Other

• Francis Drake - artwork

Charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[2]	28

References

1. Ned Raggett. "Strange Charm - Gary Numan | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
2. "Gary Numan | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
3. "Gary Numan - This is Love".
4. "Gary Numan Singles This Is Love". Numanme.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
5. "Gary Numan - This Is Love (Vinyl, 12", Single)". Discogs. 1986-04-19. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
6. Newcastle Evening Chronicle - Time Off: Singles - April 17, 1986 - page 12
7. "Mojo - Google Books". 2010-01-22. Retrieved 2019-03-16.