More Than a Lover

"More Than a Lover" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler from her debut studio album The World Starts Tonight (1977). It was released by RCA Records in January 1977, shortly before the release of the album, and was written by her at-the-time producers Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe.

The song was Tyler's third single in her career and second charting single, following "Lost in France" (1976). Its highest chart placing was number 7 in South Africa, and it also made the UK Top 30. Music critics praised Tyler for recording a song that could be seen as controversial.

Background and release

Tyler's previous hit single "Lost in France" became a European hit single, and was due to be released in the United States when "More Than a Lover" was due for a European release. In December 1976, Tyler informed Record Mirror that her follow-up single to "Lost in France" would be "much more gutsy".^[1] The World Starts Tonight was aimed at a February/March release in 1977, and "More Than a Lover" was released one month ahead of the album.

Critical reception

Record Mirror described the song as "more meaty" than "Lost in France", but didn't think the song was as commercial as its predecessor.^[1] Similarly, The Sydney Morning Herald described the song as the "next most commercial song to "Lost in France"."^[2]

Live performances

Tyler performed "More Than a Lover" live on Top of the Pops on 31 March 1977.^[3]

Chart performance

The song progressed slowly in the charts; it was released in January 1977, but it took until March for the single to reach the UK Top 50. Further success was hampered when the BBC banned the song from being played on any associated music programs due to a BBC producer's view that the song contained sexual innuendos. Its highest UK chart placing was number 27, though it narrowly missed the Top 5 in South Africa.^[1]

Charts

Chart (1977)	Peak position
Germany (Official German Charts)^[4]	44
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[5]	7
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)^[6]	27

Track listings

7" single

"More Than a Lover" – 4:25
"Love Tangle" – 3:15

References

1 2 3 Hendriks, Phil (2009). "The World Starts Tonight". In The World Starts Tonight (pp. 2–4) [CD booklet]. London: Cherry Red Records.
↑ "How Luck Changed for Bonnie". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 24 July 1977. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
↑ Powell, Peter (31 March 1977). "Top of the Pops". London. BBC. BBC1. Missing or empty |series= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
↑ "Musicline.de – Bonnie Tyler Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (T)". Rock.co.za. John Samson. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
↑ "Archive Chart: 19770319" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

Bonnie Tyler songs

Discography

The World Starts Tonight	"Lost in France" "More Than a Lover"

Natural Force	"It's a Heartache" "Living for the City" "Heaven" "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" "Here Am I"

Diamond Cut	"Too Good to Last" "My Guns Are Loaded"

Goodbye to the Island	"I'm Just a Woman" "Sometimes When We Touch" "A Whiter Shade of Pale" "Sitting on the Edge of the Ocean" "I Believe in Your Sweet Love"

Faster Than the Speed of Night	"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" "Faster Than the Speed of Night" "Total Eclipse of the Heart" "Straight from the Heart"

Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire	"If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)" "Loving You's a Dirty Job but Somebody's Gotta Do It" "Band of Gold" "Lovers Again" "Holding Out for a Hero"

Hide Your Heart	"Hide Your Heart" "Don't Turn Around" "Save Up All Your Tears" "To Love Somebody" "The Best"

Bitterblue	"Against the Wind" "Bitterblue" "Where Were You"

Angel Heart	"Fools Lullaby" "I Cry Myself to Sleep at Night"

Silhouette in Red	"You Are So Beautiful"

Free Spirit	"You're the One" "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" "Bridge over Troubled Water" "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"

All in One Voice	"Angel of the Morning" "I Put a Spell on You" "The Rose" "He's the King" "Silent Night"

Heart Strings	"Human Touch" "Everybody Hurts" "Amazed" "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" "Lean on Me" "In My Life" "Learning to Fly" "Right Here Waiting" "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" "I Can't Make You Love Me" "Need Your Love So Bad" "It's Over"

Simply Believe	"Si demain... (Turn Around)" "Si tout s'arrête (It's a Heartache) "Darlin'"

Wings	"Louise"

Rocks and Honey	"This Is Gonna Hurt" "Believe in Me" "What You Need from Me" "Love Is the Knife" "Mom"

Collaborations	"A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)" "Islands" "Vergiß Es (Forget It)" "Amour Éternel (Eternal Flame)"

Other songs	"Sayonara Tokyo" "Here She Comes" "The Desert Is in Your Heart" "I Don't Know How to Love Him"

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