Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)

"Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, released in January 1996 as the fifth and final single from her second studio album, Whaler (1994). The song was written by Hawkins and produced by Stephen Lipson. "Only Love" peaked at No. 49 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song's music video was directed by Bonnie Hoffenberg.

Background

For its release as a single, "Only Love" was remixed, much to the disapproval of Hawkins. She told Steve Morse of The Boston Globe in 1996, "I said, 'You've taken all the soul out of the song.' It makes me want to get in there and say, 'What is the matter with you?' People say I shouldn't talk about this, but I'd rather be truthful. The artist is the one who changes the world, not the industry."

Critical reception

On its release as a single, Larry Flick of Billboard described "Only Love" as a "charming sing-along ditty". He felt the chorus is "rife with earnest references to the residual effects of sharing love" which Hawkins "delivers with sweet sincerity".

Track listing

US CD and cassette single

1. "Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)" (radio edit) – 4:06
2. "Did We Not Choose Each Other" – 4:25

Australian CD single

1. "Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)" (radio edit) – 4:06
2. "Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)" (LP version) – 5:05
3. "Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)" (acoustic version) – 4:44
4. "Did We Not Choose Each Other" – 4:25

Personnel

Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)

• Sophie B. Hawkins – vocals, keyboards, programming
• Stephen Lipson – bass, programming
• Peter Vettese – keyboards
• Neil Conti – drum set

Production

• Stephen Lipson – producer
• Sophie B. Hawkins, Randy Jackson – additional production on "Radio Edit" and "Acoustic Version"
• Brian Malouf – mixing
• Heff Moraes – engineer

Charts

References