Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever” spent 9th week at #2

I Love You Always Forever Donna Lewis

Writer(s): Donna Lewis (see lyrics here) Released: April 16, 1996 First Charted: June 21, 1996 Peak: 2 US, 113 BA, 17 CB, 111 GR, 112 RR, 2 AC, 18 A40, 5 UK, 3 CN, 2 AU, 21 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.8 US, 0.6 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 12.0 radio, 51.92 video, 194.34 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Billboard Hot 100 has long been considered the definitive chart for the most popular songs in America, although there have been competitors over the years. In 1996, those included Cash Box, the Gavin Report, and Radio & Records. Donna Lewis topped all three of those charts with “I Love You Always Forever.” Unfortunately, she peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. She was stuck in the runner-up spot for nine weeks behind Los Del Rio’s “Macarena.” However, the song logged thirteen weeks atop the Billboard radio airplay chart, “becoming one of the most played songs of the 1990s.” SF “Forever” was the debut single for the singer born in 1959 in Wales. It reached the top 10 in more than fifteen countries. The song was featured on her debut album, Now in a Minute, which went platinum and reached #31 in the United States. None of her four follow-up albums charted in the U.S. She met a similar fate with her singles as “I Love You Always Forever” proved her only venture into top-40 territory. In the song, the singer “declares her endless love for her significant other.” WK The chorus (“I love you always forever / Near and far closer together”) is taken directly from the H.E. Bates’ novel Love for Lydia. WK The song was even originally called “Lydia” but the title was changed since the song never referenced anyone by that name. WK Lewis said the novel was written “in such a descriptive and beautiful way, set in English countryside, that I wanted to try and create this atmosphere in the song.” SF Allmusic.com’s Tom Demalon said Lewis “has a girlish voice that sounds like a less quirky Kate Bush.” AMG Billboard described “I Love You Always Forever” as a “quietly percussive pop chugger.” WK Entertainment Weekly’s Tracey Pepper noted that the song is “more sophisticated than a first listen might reveal…Donna Lewis…knows the value of building tension and mood.” WK Miscellany News’ Eamon Joyce said that “upon hearing the song, it’s embedded in your head for weeks.” WK Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Donna Lewis AMG All Music Guide SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia First posted 8/9/2023.