"Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" is a song by British pop music group Steps. It was written and produced by Andrew Frampton and Pete Waterman, and released in July 1999 by Jive and Ebul as the lead single from the band's second album, Steptacular (1999). It features group members Faye Tozer and Claire Richards on lead vocals. The single peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and became a top-20 hit in Finland, Flanders, Ireland, and New Zealand. Its accompanying music video was directed by Dani Jacobs and filmed in Cannes, France.
Can't Stop the Pop stated that "the one thing that immediately jumps out with this single â from that first keyboard whizz in the intro â is how summery it sounds. The track is not without a trademark hint of melodrama, but on the whole, itâÂÂs a much lighter production which exudes sunshine and warmth." They added that the chorus is "deceptively â and enduringly â catchy." Scottish newspaper Daily Record said it is "their best tune yet. A Europop sound, ABBA-tinged melody and they even supply the dance moves on the CD box". They also wrote, "This song sounds like the band looks - cheesy. The tune pops along using all the right ingredients to make sure you're tapping your feet."
The single missed out at number one on the UK Singles Chart, losing out to Latin pop singer Ricky Martin, who spent a second week at the top with "Livin' La Vida Loca". Spending 12 weeks on the British charts, this single is the group's only single to fall off the charts for two consecutive weeks and then re-enter. The song did reach number one on the Scottish Singles Chart, conversely preventing "Livin' la Vida Loca" from reaching the top spot. "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart" also peaked at number nine in Finland and Ireland, number 14 in the Flanders region of Belgium, number 18 in New Zealand, and number 29 in Australia.
The music video for "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart", shot in Cannes in the South of France, was directed by British music video director and editor Dani Jacobs. The main plot sees the group chase a man who has stolen the film reel for the fictitious "Steps: The Movie", interspersed with clips of the band performing the dance routine on a jetty dressed in yellow outfits.
Credits are adapted are from the liner notes of Steptacular.
Recording
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of "Love's Got a Hold on My Heart".
Recording
Personnel