"Your Loving Arms" is a 1994 song by German artist Billie Ray Martin from her debut solo album, Deadline for My Memories. Written by Martin and David Harrow, it is known to be one of her most notable singles. It was produced by English electronic dance group The Grid and was originally released in October 1994. But the track found greater chart success in 1995, where it peaked at number-one on Billboard'sHot Dance Club Songs and number 6 on the UK Singles Chart. In Italy the song also peaked at number-one. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Your Loving Arms" reached number 21. There were made two different music videos for the song. In 1996, Mixmag ranked the song number 47 in its '100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time' list.[1]
Critical reception
"Your Loving Arms" received positive reviews from most music critics. AllMusic editor John Bush described the song as a "magical electro-pop track" in his review of Deadline for My Memories.[2]Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "the former lead singer of Electribe 101 gets a long-overdue shot at solo stardom with an NRGetic dance number that makes excellent use of her milky soprano range. Her torchy style makes an intriguing contrast with the Grid's cool and rigid groove production."[3] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report commented that "there's something in Billie Ray's voice that is simply magnetic. This one-time member of London's Electribe 101 releases a lot of electricity on her own as proven by one super hot dance track."[4] John Hamilton from Idolator described "Your Loving Arms" as "fiery", adding that it is "a predestined club classic, a pulsating techno torch song in which Martin sasses, vamps, and pleads over ominous rising chords and a frantic tambourine-inflected beat."[5] Howard Cohen from Knight Ridder noted that "an instantly memorable hook, retro-disco beat and warm, inviting vocals make this the most musical dance offering 1995 has offered so far."[6]Music & Media wrote, "Is there such a thing as adult-orientated pop dance? If there isn't yet, then it is debuting right here thanks to a lady who looks like Marianne Faithfull's twin sister with the voice of Carly Simon."[7] Barry Walters from Spin said it "was the pop song with underground credibility, one that everyone could agree had something special. Martin's lyrics speak of profound joy and pain, the melody soars through consciousness like a caress, and the vocal sets itself apart from the wailing of generic gut-busting divas."[8]