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"Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, which was released in 1996 as the fifth and final single from her second studio album Whaler (1994). The song was written by Hawkins and produced by Stephen Lipson. "Only Love" peaked at No. 49 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[1] The song's music video was directed by Bonnie Hoffenberg.

"Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)"
Single by Sophie B. Hawkins
from the album Whaler
B-side	"Did We Not Choose Each Other"
Released	1996
Genre	Pop
Length	4:06 (single version) 5:05 (album version)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Sophie B. Hawkins
Producer(s)	Stephen Lipson
Sophie B. Hawkins singles chronology
"Did We Not Choose Each Other" (1995) "Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)" (1996) "Lose Your Way" (1999)

Background

For its release as a single, "Only Love" was remixed, much to the disapproval of Hawkins. She told Steve Morse of The Boston Globe in 1996, "I said, 'You've taken all the soul out of the song.' It makes me want to get in there and say, 'What is the matter with you?' People say I shouldn't talk about this, but I'd rather be truthful. The artist is the one who changes the world, not the industry."[2]

Critical reception

On its release as a single, Larry Flick of Billboard described "Only Love" as a "charming sing-along ditty". He felt the chorus is "rife with earnest references to the residual effects of sharing love" which Hawkins "delivers with sweet sincerity".[3]

Track listing

CD and cassette single (US release)

1. "Only Love (The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty)" (Radio Edit) - 4:06
2. "Did We Not Choose Each Other" - 4:25

CD single (US promo)

1. "Only Love (The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty)" (Radio Edit) - 4:06
2. "Only Love (The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty)" (Acoustic Version) - 4:44

CD single (Australian release)

1. "Only Love (The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty)" (Radio Edit) - 4:06
2. "Only Love (The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty)" (LP Version) - 5:05
3. "Only Love (The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty)" (Acoustic Version) - 4:44
4. "Did We Not Choose Each Other" - 4:25

Personnel

Only Love (The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty)

• Sophie B. Hawkins - vocals, keyboards, programming
• Stephen Lipson - bass, programming
• Peter Vettese - keyboards
• Neil Conti - drum set

Production

• Stephen Lipson - producer
• Sophie B. Hawkins, Randy Jackson - additional production on "Radio Edit" and "Acoustic Version"
• Brian Malouf - mixing
• Heff Moraes - engineer

Charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australia ARIA Charts[4]	114
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5]	7
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[6]	4
US Billboard Hot 100[7]	49
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[8]	22
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[9]	19
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[10]	22
US Radio Songs (Billboard)[11]	37

References

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