"Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" is a 1974 R&B song written by Michael Price and Dan Walsh, and first recorded by Bobby "Blue" Bland for his Dreamer album on the ABC Dunhill label.

Background

While it is ostensibly a love song, some critics and fans have also heard it as a lament on urban poverty and hopelessness, as well as a lament upon the struggle to achieve one's goals in life in the absence of external support. "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" remains a cult favorite, and is considered a classic.[1]

Chart performance

In the US, Bland scored a top ten hit on the Hot Soul Singles chart, where it peaked at #9, as well as peaking at #91 on the Hot 100.[2]

Cover versions and samples

"Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City"
Single by Whitesnake
from the album Snakebite and Live...in the Heart of the City
B-side"Bloody Mary"
"Take Me With You" (live)
ReleasedJune 1978
November 1980 (live)[3]
RecordedApril 1978
23 November 1978 (live)
GenreHard rock, blues rock
Length5:07
8:18 (live)
LabelUnited Artists, Geffen, EMI (studio)
Liberty, Sunburst (live)
Songwriter(s)Michael Price
Dan Walsh
Producer(s)Martin Birch(both versions)
Whitesnake singles chronology
"Ready an' Willing"
(1980)
"Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City"
(1978)
"Don't Break My Heart Again"
(1981)
Music video
"Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" on YouTube

It is known through several cover versions and samples:

Other notable cover versions have been recorded by:

Charts

Whitesnake

Year Title Chart Position
1980 "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" UK Singles Chart[7] 51

References

  1. 1 2 Jo-Ann Greene (2001-08-14). "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City - Al Brown : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 64.
  3. Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 894. ISBN 9780862415419.
  4. Hamilton, Andrew (1998-06-02). "Something to Talk About - Willie Clayton : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  5. "Beforeigners - Season 1 Soundtrack". Soundtrack Mania. 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  6. "The Lincoln Lawyer and 2019 Netflix film, Shaft (Soundtrack)". Blogs.indiewire.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-07. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
  7. "Whitesnake – Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
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