Jump to content

Never Ever (All Saints song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AnimatedZebra (talk | contribs) at 15:10, 27 November 2022. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Never Ever"
Single by All Saints
from the album All Saints
B-side"I Remember"
Released10 November 1997 (1997-11-10)
StudioMetropolis (London, England)
Genre
Length
  • 6:29 (album version)
  • 5:15 (radio version)
  • 4:54 (UK radio edit)
  • 3:57 (US radio edit)
LabelLondon
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
All Saints UK singles chronology
"I Know Where It's At"
(1997) 		"Never Ever"
(1997) 		"Under the Bridge"/"Lady Marmalade"
(1998)
All Saints Japan singles chronology
"Let's Get Started"
(1997) 		"Never Ever"
(1997) 		"Under the Bridge"/"Lady Marmalade"
(1998)
Music videos
"Never Ever" on YouTube
"Never Ever" (US version) on YouTube

"Never Ever" is a song by English-Canadian girl group All Saints. Written by All Saints member Shaznay Lewis along with co-writers Robert Jazayeri and Sean Mather and produced by Cameron McVey and Magnus Fiennes, it was released on 10 November 1997 as the second single from their debut album, All Saints (1997). The song later appeared on their compilations All Hits (2001) and Pure Shores: The Very Best of All Saints (2010). Lyrically, the song talks about the girls' feelings about their first expressions after a sudden break-up, where the girls' query what they did wrong in the relationship.

"Never Ever" is All Saints' highest-charting single to date, peaking at the top of the charts in countries including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, while it peaked in the top 10 in countries including Ireland, Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Norway, Austria and the United States. As of June 2019, it is the third best selling single by a girl group of all time in the United Kingdom, only behind "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls and "Shout Out to My Ex" by Little Mix.[1]

Two music videos were shot for the single: the European and Australian version, and an American version, due to the mass success in those countries. The North American featured the group in a church, while the European/Australian version featured the group near a swimming pool and in their homes. At the 1998 Brit Awards, "Never Ever" won British Single of the Year and British Video of the Year.

Background

After the success of their debut single "I Know Where It's At", the group decided to record and produce their debut full-length studio album. "Never Ever" was released as the second single from their first album All Saints. The song was written by All Saints member Shaznay Lewis along with co-writers Robert Jazayeri and Sean Mather, and was produced by Cameron McVey and Magnus Fiennes. Lewis wrote the song after splitting up with a boyfriend, but the music conveyed the impression that all would be well.[2] Soon after they signed their first major label deal with London Records, she discovered that the rest of the group—Melanie Blatt and Canadian sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton—had presented the label head with a tape of vocal recordings they had made without her. It was their version of Lewis's own song "Never Ever" that made him pay attention to the music. "He asked who had written it, so then they were forced to come back and get me," Lewis commented. "Looking back on it, that was pretty low. I think that's why the whole time I knew that if I didn't write I'd be out on my ear".[3]

All Saints flew to the United States, where the song was recorded and produced by Mather and Jazayeri. Due to control issues, London Records brought in Cameron McVey to do additional production on the track because of time/distance constraints and Cameron's relationship with Lewis. Lewis was in tears over the success of "Never Ever", since it was written about a personal broken relationship, and said, "I never believed that so much good could come out of such a bad situation." All Saints recorded the vocals in Washington, D.C., except for the intro, which was recorded at Battery Studios in London and was kept from the original demo. This was because the mood could not be replicated and everyone agreed to keep the demo vocals.[2]

However, the song's producing and writing caused controversy. Robert Jazayeri, who wrote the song, issued a writ against All Saints, and they were granted 40% of the publishing rights to the track.[2] After he was not satisfied, Jazayeri filed a lawsuit towards the group's record label London Records and All Saints' management, which was settled amicably by the parties.[2]

Composition

"Never Ever"
A sample of the song.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The song is set in common time at a tempo of 67 beats per minute and uses the melody from the British folk song “Amazing Grace” as its main hook.[4] The lyrics are about the girls' first expressions after a sad break-up, and the girls ask what they did wrong in the relationship.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic described the musical content as an "extraordinary gospel-tinged" song.[5] Nick Butler from Sputnikmusic described the musical content as a "power ballad".[6]

Critical reception

"Never Ever" received positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic named the song as a highlight on its album, stating it "lead[s] the way" for All Saints' career.[5] He then reviewed the All Hits record and said the track was a "basic hit", but called it a standout.[7] Billboard placed it at number 47 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time in 2017.[8] Scottish newspaper Daily Record described it as a "cool slice of soulful pop."[9] A reviewer from Music Week rated it five out of five, adding that "the Saints go gospel and sultry in this follow-up to I Know Where It's At. A slower-paced single is a gamble, but this is an addictive alternative to the Spice Girls."[10] Paul Martin from The News Letter commented that the song "has already made an impact on the charts, but those listening to the album version will be in for a bit of a surprise. Unlike the more upbeat chart version, they slow the song down to great effect and allow the lonesome mood of the song to prevail."[11] Nick Butler from Sputnikmusic stated, "'Never Ever' is a fantastic song; quite rightfully, it still gets a fair bit of airplay today, and I still enjoy it whenever it appears on one of those VH1 Power Ballad days or whatever."[6]

Commercial performance

"Never Ever" debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart, before rising to number one for a sole week. The song remains the group's longest single on those charts and stayed in the top 10 for 15 weeks, but charted for 26 weeks. It has sold over 1.6 million units in the UK as of July 2021.[12] It is also the third best selling single by a girl group of all time in the UK, only behind "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls and "Shout Out to My Ex" by Little Mix.[1]

The song debuted at number 30 on the Australian Singles Chart and rose to number one, staying there for seven consecutive weeks and stayed in the charts for 22 weeks. It was successful in the charts and was certified 2× Platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), with sales of 140,000. The song was successful in New Zealand as well, debuting at number one and staying there for five consecutive weeks. It was the group's only number one single in that country. It stayed in the charts for 13 weeks in total.

The song was successful in European markets. It debuted at number 10 in the Swedish Singles Chart, peaked at three for one week and stayed in the charts for 20 weeks. It was certified gold in that country. It debuted at number 27 on the French Singles Chart, and peaked at number four for one week. It stayed in the charts for 21 weeks. The song peaked at number four in the Netherlands for three consecutive weeks, and lasted 24 weeks in the chart. The song debuted at number 29 on the Austrian Singles Chart, and peaked at number seven for two consecutive weeks. It lasted for 19 weeks in the charts. The song debuted at number 15 in Norway, and peaked at number six, staying in the charts for 12 weeks. It was not as successful on the Finnish Singles Chart, peaking at number 12 and staying in the charts for two weeks.

"Never Ever" was successful in North America as well. The song debuted at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at number four on the charts, becoming the group's first top 10 and their highest-peaking single on those charts. The song peaked at number four on the Canadian Singles Chart.

Music video

Natalie Appleton in the UK version of the music video for "Never Ever".

When this song was first released in Europe, the accompanying music video featured the girls first in a swimming pool and then in a house. It was shot by fashion photographer Sean Ellis. For the United States, the video was re-shot and re-edited in a church. When All Saints – The Video was released, it was decided to release both versions on the video, because the European audience hadn't seen both. In Canada, MuchMusic played both versions.

Legacy

The song was featured on the Guinness World Records for Top British Singles.[citation needed] A total of 1,263,658 copies[13] of the single were sold in the UK, making it All Saints' biggest hit; 770,000 copies were sold before it reached number one; this is more than any single ever before in the UK chart history. At the 1998 Brit Awards, All Saints won two Brit Awards for this single: Best British Single and Best British Video, beating strong competition from the likes of "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve, "Song 2" by Blur, "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead and "Something About the Way/Candle in the Wind 1997" by Elton John.

The melody of the song is based upon an overlay of the hymn tune "New Britain", the most common setting for "Amazing Grace", which according to Ger Tillekens is the reason it became so successful. Although the lyrics and music are very different, "Never Ever" is based on a familiar and popular song.[14]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[69] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Belgium (BEA)[70] Gold 25,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[71] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[72] Gold 15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[73] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] 2× Platinum 1,600,000[12]
United States — 470,000[75]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 10 November 1997
  • CD
  • cassette
 London [76]
United States 7 April 1998 Contemporary hit radio [77]
7 July 1998
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [78]

References

  1. ^ a b Copsey, Rob (13 June 2019). "The Official Top 100 girl band singles and albums of the last 25 years". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "Never Ever by All Saints Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  3. ^ Sturges, Fiona (3 July 2004). "Never Again". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Unsupported Browser or Operating System". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  5. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "All Saints - All Saints | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b Butler, Nick. "All Saints - All Saints (album review )". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  7. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "All Hits - All Saints | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  8. ^ "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Chart Slot". Daily Record. 13 February 1998.
  10. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 October 1997. p. 30. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  11. ^ Martin, Paul (20 December 1997). "More Girl Power". The News Letter.
  12. ^ a b Copsey, Rob (6 May 2021). "Number 1 Flashback, 1998: All Saints - Under The Bridge/Lady Marmalade". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  13. ^ [1] Archived 16 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "The amazing grace of "Never Ever"". Icce.rug.nl. 23 April 1998. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  15. ^ Never Ever (UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes). All Saints. London Records. 1997. LONCD 407, 570 062-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Never Ever (UK CD2 liner notes). All Saints. London Records. 1997. LOCDP 407, 570 071-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Never Ever (UK 12-inch single sleeve). All Saints. London Records. 1997. LONX 407, 570 063-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Never Ever (UK cassette single sleeve). All Saints. London Records. 1997. LONCS 407, 570 062-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Never Ever (European CD single liner notes). All Saints. London Records. 1997. 570 048-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Never Ever (US CD single liner notes). All Saints. London Records. 1998. 314 570 178-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Never Ever (US cassette single sleeve). All Saints. London Records. 1998. 314 570 178-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ Never Ever (Japanese CD single liner notes). All Saints. London Records. 1997. POCD-1269.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  24. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  25. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  26. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  27. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3625." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  28. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7945." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  29. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 12. 21 March 1998. p. 13. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  30. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 6. 7 February 1998. p. 9. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  31. ^ "All Saints: Never Ever" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  32. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever" (in French). Les classement single.
  33. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  34. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 9. 28 February 1998. p. 12. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  35. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (19.2 – 26.2. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 20 February 1998. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  36. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Never Ever". Irish Singles Chart.
  37. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 15. 11 April 1998. p. 12. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  38. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 5, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  39. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  40. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever". Top 40 Singles.
  41. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever". VG-lista.
  42. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  43. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever". Singles Top 100.
  44. ^ "All Saints – Never Ever". Swiss Singles Chart.
  45. ^ IFPI Taiwan – Single Top 10 (1998/11)
  46. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  47. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  48. ^ "All Saints Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  49. ^ "All Saints Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  50. ^ "All Saints Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  51. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
  52. ^ "1998 ARIA Singles Charts". ARIA. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  53. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1998" (in German). Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1998" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  55. ^ "Rapports annuels 1998" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  56. ^ "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 12. 14 December 1998. p. 20. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  57. ^ "RPM's Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of '98". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  58. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 51. 19 December 1998. p. 8. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  59. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1998" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  60. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1998" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  61. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 100 – Vinsælustu Lögin '98". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1999. p. 34. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  62. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  63. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  64. ^ "End of Year Charts 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  65. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1998" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  66. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998" (in German). Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  67. ^ "Best Sellers of 1998 – Singles Top 100". Music Week. 16 January 1999. p. 7.
  68. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1998". Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  69. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  70. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  71. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – All Saints – Never Ever". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 5 November 2019.[dead link‍]
  72. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  73. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Never Ever')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  74. ^ "British single certifications – All Saints – Never Ever". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  75. ^ Sexton, Paul (18 November 2006). "Back for Good? Take That, All Saints Return To Records Shops". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 46. p. 10. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  76. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 8 November 1997. p. 35. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  77. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1242. 3 April 1998. p. 45.
  78. ^ Reece, Doug (27 June 1998). "London's All Saints Find Steady Ascension in U.S.". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 26. p. 20. 'Never Ever' will be released in stores July 7...
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Never_Ever_(All_Saints_song)&oldid=1124141010"