Send Me a Lover is a song by American singer Taylor Dayne. Written by Rick Hahn and George Thatcher, it was released on September 6, 1993, by Arista Records as the second single from her third studio album, Soul Dancing (1993). In the United States, the song reached number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 44 on the Cash Box Top 100, and number 19 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. In Canada, it peaked at number 24 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number eight on the RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. The music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas and filmed in New York City.
Jose F. Promis of AllMusic described the song as "one of Dayne's finest moments". Larry Flick of Billboard called it "a heartbroken power ballad that will connect with anyone who has suffered from unrequited love", noting its dynamic production and Dayne's powerful vocal performance. Mike Joyce of The Washington Post wrote that ballads such as "Send Me a Lover", "with stirring choruses, modulations, and melismatic twists", demonstrate Dayne's command of the style.
US CD maxi-single
Canadian singer Celine Dion recorded "Send Me a Lover" during the sessions for her self-titled album, Celine Dion. Her version was produced by Humberto Gatica.
Dion's recording, which includes revised verses and slightly altered chorus lyrics, was contributed to several benefit compilations supporting women's health and social causes. It first appeared on the Kumbaya Album 1994 in Canada. Proceeds from the album supported people living with HIV/AIDS. The track was later included on In Between Dances (1995), which raised funds for breast cancer research; The Power of Peace (1996), released to mark the 50th anniversary of CARE; and Women for Women, Vol. 2 (1996), another breast cancer research fundraiser. Although never issued as a commercial single, "Send Me a Lover" received adult contemporary radio airplay beginning in September 1996, primarily as an album track from The Power of Peace.
"Send Me a Lover" entered the US Radio & Records Adult Contemporary chart in November 1996 and reached number 16 in January 1997. It also entered the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in January 1997, peaking at number 23.
Larry Flick of Billboard wrote: "Here's a wonderful song that Dion has contributed to The Power of Peace, a fine 13-track compilation designed to raise money for CARE. Sharp ears will remember Taylor Dayne's hit version of this forlorn power ballad, which Dion dives into with white-knuckled power. AC listeners who cannot get enough of the Canadian diva will feast on this treat".